JP3572214B2 - Prepaid card system, initial recording device and settlement device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for processing a prepaid card in accordance with the consumption of money, and more particularly to a prepaid card system, an initial recording device, and a payment device for performing production and payment processing of a plurality of destination prepaid cards by a common system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A prepaid card system has been realized in which a prepaid card storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value is used for monetary settlement.
[0003]
In the prepaid card system, services are usually provided in a plurality of stores. For example, in each store, a plurality of reading devices and a relay device, which is a higher-level processing device of these reading devices, are installed. The reading device is a terminal device for using the prepaid card. In this reading device, the prepaid card is used as a price for lending game media and selling goods based on the amount information stored in the prepaid card. Consumed. The relay device couples a plurality of reading devices and the like in the store to, for example, a settlement center installed at the issuer of the prepaid card, and communicates with the settlement center to manage the reading devices and process the consumption amount. I do.
[0004]
That is, the prepaid card is consumed as a consideration for lending game media, for example, by using a reading device installed in a store. When the prepaid card is consumed, the reading device counts the amount of consumption and provides the payment processing, and updates the amount information stored in the prepaid card according to the amount of consumption. When the amount information of the prepaid card is updated, if the amount falls within a predetermined remaining amount range, a remaining amount guide hole is punched at a predetermined location corresponding to the remaining amount range of the prepaid card. The sales information of the reading device due to the consumption of the prepaid card is collected, for example, by a relay device, and the relay device compiles the sales information of each of the reading devices under control and transmits the total to the settlement center. In this way, the prepaid card consumption settlement is performed.
[0005]
The stored information of the prepaid card includes card identification information (card ID) which is set at the time of card issuance, that is, at the time of initial recording called encoding, and is not changed by subsequent consumption or the like, a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer, and a manufacturing date. (Initial recording date) Includes fixed information such as information, amount information indicating the balance, etc., and fluid information that should be updated as needed by processing such as consumption, such as an error code when an error occurs. It is.
[0006]
On the other hand, since the prepaid card has a monetary value, there is a risk that forgery, falsification and the like may cause fraud. Therefore, in the reading apparatus, an error is checked at the time of reading and updating of money amount information and the like, and at the same time, an abnormal unauthorized prepaid card due to falsification, forgery, illegal use, and the like is detected. In detecting such an unauthorized prepaid card, it is generally considered illegal if the stored information and punch hole information of the prepaid card and their histories contain inconsistent contents.
[0007]
The relay device collects sales information, card information, and the like from a plurality of reading devices. The sales information is the amount information relating to the consumption of the prepaid card in the above-described reading device, and the card information is a usable prepaid card such as identification information of an unauthorized prepaid card issued in the reading device or a prepaid card to be excluded. This is identification information.
[0008]
The relay device accumulates / processes the sales information collected from the reading device and transfers it to the settlement center, and also allows the card information collected from the reading device to be referred to from other reading devices, thereby discriminating unauthorized prepaid cards. To serve.
[0009]
By the way, in the above-mentioned prepaid card system, in addition to the case where a card issuer such as a card issuing company having a card production factory directly provides services using its own prepaid card system, the service is borrowed from another company's prepaid card system. May be provided. In this case, a company that provides a service by borrowing a system of another company uses a prepaid card produced at a borrower of the system and borrows a system such as a settlement center of the borrower to perform the service.
[0010]
That is, the other company, that is, the borrowing company, produces its own prepaid card and also produces the borrowing destination prepaid card that lends the system. In addition, when lending the system, the settlement center processes settlement of its own prepaid card and also performs settlement processing of the prepaid card of the lender to which the system is lent. In such a company that lends the system, the lender is not limited to one company, so that the prepaid cards of a plurality of companies are manufactured, and the payment processing of the prepaid cards of the plurality of companies is performed in a system such as a settlement center. .
[0011]
For example, at a company A having a system for a prepaid card card production plant and a settlement center, the company produces its own (company A) prepaid cards at the card production plant, and uses a system for the settlement center and the like at its affiliated store (A company affiliated store). In addition to the payment processing of the prepaid card of (1), there is a case where a prepaid card of company B is produced at a card production factory, and the prepaid card of a member store of company B is settled by a system such as a settlement center.
[0012]
In such a case, the affiliated store of company B is connected to a system such as a settlement center of company A, and an initially recorded (encoded) prepaid card produced at the card production plant of company A is provided to the affiliated store of company B. . Company B borrows the entire system of Company A including provision of the prepaid card recorded at the card production factory of Company A, and provides the prepaid card service of Company B.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when the company A produces a prepaid card of another company, that is, the company B, in addition to its own prepaid card and processes the payment, the following conditions occur.
[0014]
(1) Company A produces the number of prepaid cards required for the affiliated store of company A and the number of prepaid cards required for the affiliated store of company B at the card production factory of company A.
[0015]
(2) The company B sells prepaid cards to the member stores of company B, so the appearance of the prepaid cards produced at the card production factory of company A differs depending on the destination. That is, the appearance of the prepaid card for company A is different from that of the prepaid card for company B.
[0016]
(3) The company A and the company B must be able to be distinguished not only from the appearance but also from the data recorded on the prepaid card.
[0017]
(4) Company B only uses the system of company A, so that the number of prepaid cards sold and usage information at the member stores of company B must be able to be grasped by company B.
[0018]
(5) From a security point of view, Company A cannot produce a prepaid card using Company B's company code. That is, Company A must not produce prepaid cards with Company B's company code.
[0019]
(6) Production of prepaid cards is performed entirely by Company A, including managers and operators.
[0020]
(7) Part of data of card record information recorded on a card, that is, record information including card control information such as a district code and a store code cannot be provided as a code indicating Company B. This is because recording the code of the company B in a part of the data of the recording information narrows the range of selection of items of the code of the company A. Company A uses the content of the data of each item as control information in accordance with a predetermined “rule”. For this reason, the data of a certain item cannot be uniquely provided for company B.
[0021]
Therefore, the data content of the item can be arbitrarily set in the same manner as at present, and without providing a code for the company B as the item code, the prepaid cards of the company A and the company B are distinguished for production and settlement. Is required.
[0022]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and enables the data content of an item recorded on a prepaid card to be arbitrarily set, and provides a service provider identification code as an item for a plurality of companies. It is an object of the present invention to provide a prepaid card system, an initial recording device, and a settlement device which can separately produce and process the prepaid cards of the present invention.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A prepaid card that stores amount information corresponding to monetary valueFor multiple destinationsA prepaid card system comprising: an initial recording means for issuing; a reading means for processing the prepaid card; and a higher-level processing means connected to the reading means by communication; and performing a financial settlement using the prepaid card. ,
The initial recording means includes an initial recording date information on a prepaid card medium andpluralMeans for recording predetermined initial recording information including serial number information that is increased one by one starting from an initial value different for each destination, and issuing the same as the prepaid card corresponding to each of a plurality of destinationsA value exceeding the final value of the serial number assigned to the prepaid card issued to the specific destination is set as the initial value of the serial number to be recorded on the prepaid card of the destination that issues the prepaid card next to the specific destination Initial value setting means for performingWith
The reading means updates the amount information of the set prepaid card according to the amount of consumption, and updates the sales information including the amount of consumption together with the card information including the initial recording information and the serial number information in the higher-level processing. Means for transmitting to the means,
The higher-level processing means collects sales information including the consumption amount of the prepaid card and card information relating to consumption of the prepaid card, and discriminates a destination based on the initial recording information and the serial number information,pluralIndependent for each destinationsettlementMeans for processing.
[0024]
According to such a configuration, the initial recording means records the date information of the initial recording and the serial number information in which the initial value is different for each destination without recording any code or the like indicating the destination, and prepaid. The card is initially recorded, and the higher-level processing means can discriminate the destination based on the date and serial number information of the initial recording, and perform the processing separately.
[0025]
Further, the prepaid card system according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises:
A prepaid card that stores amount information corresponding to monetary valueFor multiple destinationsAn initial recording means for issuing, a reading means for processing the prepaid card, a relay means connected by communication with the reading means, and a settlement means connected by communication with the relay means; In a prepaid card system that performs financial settlement using a card,
The initial recording means includes an initial recording date information on a prepaid card medium andpluralMeans for recording predetermined initial recording information including serial number information sequentially increasing one by one starting from an initial value different for each destination, and issuing the same as the prepaid card corresponding to each of a plurality of destinationsA value exceeding the final value of the serial number assigned to the prepaid card issued to the specific destination is set as the initial value of the serial number to be recorded on the prepaid card of the destination that issues the prepaid card next to the specific destination Initial value setting means for performingWith
The reading means updates the amount information of the set prepaid card according to the amount of consumption, and updates the sales information including the amount of consumption together with the card information including the initial recording information and the serial number information in the higher-level processing. Means for transmitting to the means,
The relay unit includes means for collecting sales information including the consumption amount of the prepaid card and card information relating to consumption of the prepaid card,
The settlement means collects sales information including the consumption amount collected by the relay means and card information relating to consumption, and discriminates a destination of the prepaid card based on the initial record information and the serial number information. ,pluralA means for independently performing settlement processing for each destination is provided.
[0026]
According to such a configuration, the initial recording means records the date information of the initial recording and the serial number information in which the initial value is different for each destination without recording any code or the like indicating the destination, and prepaid. The card can be initially recorded, and the settlement means can discriminate the destination based on the date and serial number information of the initial recording, and can separately process the destination.
[0027]
The initial recording unit may include a unit that resets the serial number information to the initial value each time the initial recording date information is updated.
[0028]
An initial recording device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
In an initial recording device for recording information on a prepaid card medium storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value and issuing it as a prepaid card in order to provide monetary settlement of a prepaid card system,
While sequentially generating initial recording date information indicating the issue date of the prepaid card,pluralDate / serial number control means for generating serial number information that is set to a different initial value for each destination and sequentially increases for each prepaid card;
Recording control means for recording predetermined initial recording information including initial recording date information and serial number information generated by the date / serial number control means on the prepaid card medium;With
The date / serial number control means records a value exceeding a final value of a serial number given to a prepaid card issued to a specific destination on a prepaid card of a destination that issues a prepaid card next to the specific destination. Set as the initial value of the serial number.
[0029]
According to such a configuration, the initial recording apparatus records the date information of the initial recording and the serial number information having the initial value different for each destination without recording any code or the like indicating the destination, and prepaid. The card can be initially recorded, and at the time of processing such as settlement, the destination can be discriminated based on the date and serial number information of the initial recording, and each can be processed separately.
[0030]
The date / serial number control means may include means for resetting the serial number information to the initial value by updating the initial recording date information.
[0031]
A settlement device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes:
Pre-paid card medium records predetermined initial recording information including initial recording date information and serial number information that is increased one by one starting from a different initial value for each of a plurality of destinations, and the prepaid card corresponding to each of a plurality of destinations is recorded. Means for issuing as a card, and a serial number for recording a value exceeding the final value of the serial number assigned to the prepaid card issued to the specific destination on the prepaid card of the destination for issuing the prepaid card next to the specific destination Initial value setting means for setting as an initial value of, for a prepaid card issued by an initial recording device comprising:In a payment device that performs payment processing based on sales information, and card information including initial recording date information and serial number information of the prepaid card,
Card discriminating means for extracting initial recording date information and serial number information of the prepaid card from the card information, and discriminating a destination of the prepaid card based on the initial recording date information and serial number information,
Payment processing means for performing payment processing of the sales information independently for each destination discriminated by the card determination means,
Is provided.
[0032]
According to such a configuration, the payment processing unit performs the initial recording based on the date and serial number information for the prepaid card on which the date information of the initial recording and the serial number information with the initial value different for each destination are recorded. The destination can be discriminated and processed separately.
[0033]
The card discriminating means may include means for discriminating a destination of each prepaid card by referring to table information in which the initial recording date information and the serial number information are stored in association with the destination.
[0034]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the prepaid card system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0035]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036]
The prepaid card system shown in FIG. 1 includes an initial recording device 1, a reading device 2, a relay device 3, and a settlement center 4. The initial recording device 1 and the settlement center 4 are provided under the control of a card issuer D such as a card issuing company, for example, company A. The initial recording device 1 is installed in a card production factory M of Company A. Generally, there are a plurality of stores corresponding to the card issuer D. In this case, a plurality of stores SA which belong to the company A which is the card issuer D and other companies which borrow the system from the company A which is the card issuer D, For example, there are a plurality of stores SB that belong to company B. In each store SA or SB, a plurality of reading devices 2 and a relay device 3 for connecting the reading devices 2 to the settlement center 4 are installed.
[0037]
The number of relay devices 3 is not limited to one for each store SA or SB, and one relay device 3 may be provided for each predetermined area in the store SA or SB, for example, for each hall and floor. That is, the relay device 3 includes a plurality of reading devices 2 for each store SA or SB, a plurality of reading devices 2 for each hall in the store SA or SB, or a plurality of reading devices for each floor in the store SA or SB. 2 and the settlement center 4.
[0038]
In this prepaid card system, a prepaid card manufactured and issued at a card production factory M of a card issuer (company A) D is sold to a store SA or SB, and further sold to a user at the store SA or SB. At the store SA or SB, the user can pay for the provision of a service such as lending of a game medium, for example, by a prepaid card.
[0039]
This service provision and payment is performed using the reading device 2 installed in the store SA or SB, and the amount stored as the amount information on the prepaid card is consumed. The store SA or SB aggregates the sales information based on the amount of money consumed by the reading device 2 in the relay device 3 and accumulates and processes the information as appropriate.
[0040]
The relay device 3 transmits the sales information based on the total consumption amount of the reading device 2 to the settlement center 4 of the card issuer D. The company A of the card issuer D pays each member store SA as sales the amount corresponding to the amount information received at the settlement center 4 from each store SA belonging to the company A. Further, the company B obtains information from the company A of the card issuer D, and pays the amount corresponding to the amount information received at the settlement center 4 from each store SB affiliated with the company B to each affiliated store SB as sales. .
[0041]
A prepaid card used in this prepaid card system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the prepaid card C has a magnetic information storage section A using a magnetic layer. The information storage section A includes an initial recording date information area A1, a serial number information area A2, and a money amount information area A3. And another information area A4.
[0042]
In the initial recording date information area A1, initial recording date information when the initial recording information is recorded on the prepaid card C in the initial recording device 1 of the card production factory M of the card issuer (company A) D is written. Further, in the serial number information area A2, serial number information indicating a serial number, that is, a serial number at the initial recording date when the initial recording information is recorded on the prepaid card C in the initial recording device 1 of the card production factory M is written. The serial numbers have different initial values for each destination. For example, if the initial value of the prepaid card C for company A is set to “0” and the prepaid card C for company B is issued after issuing X prepaid cards C for company A, the prepaid card C for company B Is "Y" (Y> X). In each of these cases, the serial number is incremented by one each time one prepaid card C is issued.
[0043]
This serial number is newly initialized when the initial recording date is updated. These initial recording date information and serial number information are fixed information that is set once at the time of encoding, that is, at the time of initial recording, and is not changed by consumption or the like after being set.
[0044]
In the amount information area A3, amount information such as remaining amount information is recorded. The money amount information is fluid information that is updated, changed, or added as needed according to use and consumption. This kind of fluid information other than the money amount information, for example, information such as an error code at the time of occurrence of an error and a store code written at the time of issuing a ticket at the stores SA and SB is written into the other information area A4. In the other information area A4, card identification information of the prepaid card C, that is, fixed information such as a card ID and a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer is also written. Such information recorded on the prepaid card C is usually encrypted with a predetermined encryption key.
[0045]
The initial recording device 1 is a device that is installed in a card production factory M of a card issuer (company A) D and issues a prepaid card C. That is, the initial recording device 1 is set once at the time of the initial recording, such as the card identification information of the prepaid card C, the manufacturer code indicating the manufacturer, the initial recording date information, the serial number information, and the like, as the initial recording information prepared in advance. Thereafter, fixed information that is not changed by consumption or the like is written in the initial recording date information area A1, the serial number information area A2, and the other information area A4.
[0046]
In the initial recording date information area A1, date information indicating the date when the initial recording information was recorded is recorded. The serial number information area A2 records the serial number at the initial recording date, that is, the serial number information corresponding to the number of sheets produced on the date. In this case, assuming that a predetermined number of prepaid cards C for the company (Company A) are produced and then a predetermined number of prepaid cards C for the other company (Company B) are produced, the serial number of the prepaid card C for Company A is produced. The initial value is set to “0” and a serial number is assigned. During the production of the prepaid card C of Company B, the initial value of the serial number is set to a value exceeding the final value of the serial number of Company A, and the serial number is set. Attach. The fixed information other than the initial recording date information and the serial number information is recorded in the other information area A4.
[0047]
Note that the initial recording apparatus 1 notifies the settlement center 4 of the information of the range of the serial number information corresponding to the initial recording date for each destination when the prepaid card C is produced.
[0048]
At the same time, the initial recording device 1 stores the initial information of the fluid information that is updated, changed or added as needed by use and consumption, such as the amount information such as the remaining amount information, in the amount information area A3 and other information if necessary. Write to area A4. In the amount information area A3, amount information such as remaining amount information is recorded, and if there is other fluid information, it is recorded in the other information area A4.
[0049]
The initial recording device 1 appropriately encrypts the information as necessary, and then writes the information in the initial recording date information area A1, serial number information area A2, amount information area A3, and other information area A4, and stores the prepaid card C To produce and issue. The prepaid card C issued by the initial recording device 1 cannot be used as it is in a normal case, and is conveyed to the store SA or SB, stored in a ticketing machine (not shown), and Can be used only after a predetermined ticketing process by the.
[0050]
The reading device 2 is connected to, for example, a vending machine (not shown) for renting out a game medium or the like, and the price of the game medium or the like provided by the vending machine to the user is stored in the prepaid card C. This is a device for embodying the consumption of the prepaid card C by subtracting it from the balance in the information.
[0051]
When the prepaid card C is set in the reading device 2, first, the information recorded in the initial recording date information area A1, the serial number information area A2, the amount information area A3, and the other information area A4 of the information storage unit A Is read out and the remaining amount of the punch holes is detected, and a fraud check process such as a normal inconsistency detection is performed. For example, the reading device 2 checks whether or not the storage information and the punch hole information of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C are inconsistent, and if there is any inconsistency, the prepaid card C has some injustice or defect. Is determined.
[0052]
When it is determined that there is a fraud or a malfunction, the reading device 2 prevents the use of the prepaid card C and discharges the card, and transmits detection data including a card ID of the fraudulent prepaid card to the relay device 3.
[0053]
In addition, the relay device 3 receives the notification data of the card ID of the prepaid card determined as the unauthorized prepaid card by the other reading device 2, registers the data as unusable in the registration database indicating whether the card can be used, and reads the data. It is used for inquiring of availability / impossibility in the fraud check processing by the device 2.
[0054]
The relay device 3 aggregates sales information including the initial recording date and serial number information based on the amount processed as the consumption amount in each of the reading devices 2 in the stores SA and SB, and transmits the aggregated sales information to the settlement center 4. The settlement center 4 determines in advance the sales information including the initial recording date and the serial number information received from the relay device 3 from the initial recording date and the serial number information as to whether the destination is the company A or the company B or not. Discrimination is performed based on the information notified from the initial recording device 1 and individual settlement processing is performed for each company.
[0055]
The initial recording device 1 is configured as shown in FIG. The initial recording device 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes an operation unit 11, a recording control unit 12, a storage unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a date / serial number control unit 15, and a card storage unit 16.
[0056]
The operation unit 11 performs activation and termination of card production in the initial recording device 1, operation, setting operation of a serial number initial value according to a destination, and the like.
[0057]
The recording control unit 12 performs initial information recording control in the initial recording device 1. That is, when producing the prepaid card C, the prepaid card C is produced collectively for each date and for each destination. The recording control unit 12 takes out the prepaid card media one by one from the card storage unit 16, and in the reader / writer 14, stores the initial recording date information and the initial number including the serial number information according to the destination via the date / serial number control unit 15. The record information is written and issued as a prepaid card C. At the start of the production of the prepaid card C of each destination after the update of the initial recording date information, the date / serial number control unit 15 sets the serial number to an initial value corresponding to each destination.
[0058]
The storage unit 13 stores information necessary for the initial recording process in the recording control unit 12 in advance, and temporarily stores intermediate information generated in the process of the initial recording process. The reader / writer 14 writes the above-described initial recording information on the prepaid card medium taken out one by one from the card storage unit 16 under the control of the recording control unit 12.
[0059]
The date / serial number control unit 15 generates initial recording date information and serial number information, and controls these as described above under the control of the recording control unit 12. That is, the date / serial number control unit 15 generates the initial recording date information of the day for each date. Further, for example, if the date / serial number control unit 15 is configured to produce X + 1 prepaid cards C for company A and then produce Z + 1 prepaid cards C for company B on a certain day, During the production of the prepaid card C, the serial number is set to "0", and the serial number is generated up to the (X + 1) th serial number "X" while increasing the serial number sequentially by "+1". Next, when producing Z + 1 prepaid cards C for Company B on the same day, the date / serial number control unit 15 sets the initial value of the serial number to “Y” appropriately set to exceed X, and sequentially sets the serial number to “Y”. Serial numbers are generated up to the Z + 1-th serial number “Y + Z” while increasing by “+1”. Further, the date / serial number control unit 15 sequentially supplies the initial recording date information and the serial number information generated in this way to the recording control unit 12, and simultaneously setstle the initial recording date information and the information of the serial number information range for each destination. The center 4 is notified.
[0060]
The card storage unit 16 has a magnetic recording layer, and stores a large number of prepaid card media on which predetermined printing has been performed on a magnetic recording medium formed in a card shape in advance. It is supplied to the writer 14.
[0061]
The reading device 2 is configured as shown in FIG. The reading device 2 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a communication processing unit 21, a consumption processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a reader / writer 24.
[0062]
The communication processing unit 21 performs communication between the consumption processing unit 22 and the relay device 3. The communication processing unit 21 reads out the sales information including the consumption amount information of the prepaid card C in the reading device 2, the initial recording date information, and the serial number information from the storage unit 23 as a response to the request command from the relay device 3 and relays the read information. Transmit to the device 3.
[0063]
The consumption processing unit 22 is linked to a vending machine (not shown) that performs a consumption operation by providing an article such as a game medium or the like, and based on the consumption of the prepaid card C corresponding to the provision of the game medium or the like. The storage unit 23 updates the storage information such as the amount information of the prepaid card C via the reader / writer 24 and stores the sales information including the consumption amount information, the initial recording date information, and the serial number information in the storage unit 23. The storage unit 23 stores and stores sales information including consumption amount information, initial recording date information, and serial number information based on the processing of the consumption amount in the daily consumption processing unit 22.
[0064]
When the prepaid card C is inserted into the reader / writer 24, the consumption processing unit 22 first checks whether or not the prepaid card C is appropriate.
[0065]
For example, the consumption processing unit 22 detects the remaining amount of reference punch holes via the reader / writer 24 and checks whether there is any inconsistency with the amount information stored in the prepaid card C. If the prepaid card C is determined to be normal, such as when there is no inconsistency between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the reader / writer 24 determines that the prepaid card C is normal and consumes the remaining amount information. This is given to the processing unit 22.
[0066]
If it is determined that the prepaid card C is improper, for example, when there is a contradiction between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the consumption processing unit 22 excludes the prepaid card C as improper and prevents use. . Further, when the consumption processing unit 22 determines that the prepaid card C is improper because there is a contradiction between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the consumption processing unit 22 sends the prepaid card to the relay device 3. The card ID of C is transmitted and registered as unusable in the registration database.
[0067]
The amount information read from the prepaid card C is processed by the consumption processing unit 22 and the remaining amount information is written to the storage unit 23. Further, the balance information is updated in accordance with the consumption amount information in the consumption processing unit 22, and similarly, the amount information of the prepaid card C is updated (encrypted as necessary).
[0068]
In addition, when writing new amount information by updating the amount information, the consumption processing unit 22 pierces the remaining amount guide hole through the reader / writer 24 as necessary based on the updated remaining amount.
[0069]
The relay device 3 is configured as shown in FIG. The relay device 3 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a communication processing unit 31, a relay processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a database unit 34.
[0070]
The communication processing unit 31 performs communication between the relay processing unit 32 and the reading device 2 and between the relay processing unit 32 and the settlement center 4. For example, the communication processing unit 31 sequentially transmits a request command in order to scan the reading device 2 and collects sales information including initial recording date information and serial number information from the reading device 2 as a response to the request command. Further, the communication processing unit 31 reads out the sales information from the storage unit 33 and transmits it to the settlement center 4, for example, every predetermined period or as a response to a request command from the settlement center 4. The communication processing unit 31 can exchange other necessary information with the settlement center 4 at any time by an appropriate method.
[0071]
The relay processing unit 32 performs necessary processing on the sales information including the initial recording date information and the serial number information collected from the reading device 2 via the communication processing unit 31, and then stores the processed information in the database unit 34. The relay processing unit 32 extracts the sales information including the initial recording date information and the serial number information stored in the database unit 34, sends the extracted information to the settlement center 4 via the communication processing unit 31, and provides the settlement processing.
[0072]
When the relay processing unit 32 receives the card information for inquiring of useability from the reading device 2 via the communication processing unit 31, the relay processing unit 32 refers to the database unit 34 and uses the prepaid card C corresponding to the card information. Respond as to whether or not.
[0073]
When the relay processing unit 32 receives the card information of the prepaid card C determined to be unusable by the reading device 2 through the communication processing unit 31 by detecting inconsistency or the like, the relay unit 32 disables the card information in the database unit 34. Register as
[0074]
The storage unit 33 stores data necessary for the processing of the relay processing unit 32 and data generated temporarily or as a result in the course of the processing.
[0075]
The database unit 34 stores card information collected from the reading device 2 by the relay processing unit 32 and subjected to processing such as sorting and counting, and sales information including initial recording date information and serial number information. The card information stored in the database unit 34 constitutes a registration database of usable prepaid cards.
[0076]
The settlement center 4 is configured as shown in FIG. The settlement center 4 shown in FIG. 6 includes a communication processing unit 41, a settlement processing unit 42, a card determination unit 43, a storage unit 44, and a data storage unit 45.
[0077]
The communication processing unit 41 performs communication between the settlement processing unit 42 and the relay device 3. The communication processing unit 41 receives, for example, sales information including initial recording date information and serial number information transmitted from the relay device 3 periodically or at appropriate timing. The communication processing unit 41 can exchange other necessary information with the relay device 3 at any time by an appropriate method.
[0078]
The settlement processing unit 42 independently converts the sales information including the initial recording date information and the serial number information collected from the relay device 3 via the communication processing unit 41 for each destination based on the discrimination result of the destination by the card determination unit 43. The payment processing is performed, and the result is stored in the data storage unit 45.
[0079]
When notified of the serial number range information corresponding to each destination for each initial recording date from the initial recording device 1 of the card production factory M, the card discriminating unit 43 accumulates the information therein, for example, as a destination discrimination table. The destination discrimination table is configured so that the corresponding destination can be obtained by giving the initial recording date and the serial number. Upon receiving the initial recording date information and the serial number information included in the sales information from the settlement processing unit 42, the card discriminating unit 43 discriminates the destination based on the information, for example, by referring to a destination discrimination table, and performs settlement. The destination information is given to the processing unit 42.
[0080]
The storage unit 44 stores data necessary for the processing of the settlement processing unit 42 and data generated temporarily or as a result in the course of the processing.
[0081]
The data storage unit 45 stores the result of the settlement processing by the settlement processing unit 42 for each destination, and provides it to processing such as payment.
[0082]
Next, processing in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, an initial recording process in the initial recording device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The initial recording process shown in FIG. 7 is started each time the initial recording device 1 is turned on at the beginning of the day.
[0083]
When the initial recording apparatus 1 is started, first, a destination and a denomination of a prepaid card C to be produced are set via the operation unit 11 (step S1). The recording control unit 12 sets an initial recording date by the date / serial number control unit 15 (step S2).
[0084]
Then, the date / serial number control unit 15 sets the serial number to a predetermined initial value (step S3). For example, when producing a prepaid card C of the first destination of the day, for example, company A, the date / serial number control unit 15 sets the initial value of the serial number to, for example, “0”. Further, on the day, for example, after producing X + 1 prepaid cards C of Company A and then producing a prepaid card C of another company, for example, Company B, the date / serial number control unit 15 sets the initial value of the serial number to: For example, an appropriate value exceeding “X”, that is, “Y” (Y> X) is set.
[0085]
Further, the recording control unit 12 takes out one prepaid card medium from the card storage unit 16, sets it in the reader / writer 14 (step S4), and sets the initial information including the initial recording date and serial number via the reader / writer 14. Is recorded (step S5).
[0086]
The recording control unit 12 checks whether or not an end instruction has been given via the operation unit 11 (step S6). If the end instruction has not been given, the recording number is incremented by one step, that is, "+1" is added. (Step S7), the process returns to Step S4, the next one prepaid card medium is taken out from the card storage section 16, and the above processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S6 that an end instruction has been given via the operation unit 11, the initial recording process for producing the prepaid card C is ended.
[0087]
Next, the consumption processing in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The consumption process shown in FIG. 8 is activated each time the prepaid card C is set in the reader / writer 24 of the reading device 2.
[0088]
When the prepaid card C is set, the consumption processing unit 22 of the reading device 2 firstly transmits the initial recording date information area A1, the serial number information area A2, and the price information area A3 of the information storage unit A via the reader / writer 24. Then, by reading the information recorded in the other information area A4 and detecting the state of punching of the remaining guide hole, the card check process for checking whether or not the prepaid card C is normal is executed (step S1). S11).
[0089]
In this card check process, the consumption processing unit 22 checks inconsistencies in the information stored in the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C and the punch hole information. If there is a contradiction between the stored information and the punched hole information, the consumption processing unit 22 determines that the prepaid card C is abnormal due to some irregularity or malfunction, prevents the prepaid card C from being used, and discharges the card. Then, the detection data including the card identification information of the unauthorized prepaid card and the like is transmitted to the relay device 3.
[0090]
If no abnormality is detected via the reader / writer 24, the consumption processing unit 22 further reads out the money amount information via the reader / writer 24 and, if necessary, decrypts the information using a predetermined encryption key. The balance of the prepaid card C is confirmed from the information and stored in the storage unit 23 (step S12).
[0091]
If there is the remaining amount, it is checked whether or not there is an end request from the user by pressing an end switch (not shown) (step S13). If there is no end request, a consumption request by pressing a consumption switch (not shown), for example, It is checked whether there is a request for renting a game medium (step S14). For example, in the case of a game system or the like, the end switch is a card return switch for requesting a card return, and the consumption switch is a lending switch for requesting lending of a game medium.
[0092]
In step S14, if there is a consumption request from the user, the user is caused to consume the game medium by renting out a game medium or the like (step S15). The consumption processing unit 22 updates the balance stored in the storage unit 23 so that the consumption amount is subtracted from the original balance and the result of the subtraction is used as a new balance (step S16).
[0093]
Then, it is checked whether or not the updated remaining balance is "0" (step S17). If the remaining balance is "0", a message to that effect is displayed (step S18), and the consumption process ends. The process proceeds to an end process for performing the process (step S19). After the end processing, the consumption processing ends, and the process returns to the standby state.
[0094]
In step S12, if there is no remaining amount of the prepaid card C or if the remaining amount cannot be confirmed, the process immediately jumps to step S19 to execute an end process. If the end request is recognized in step S13, the process immediately jumps to step S19 to execute the end process.
[0095]
If there is no consumption request in step S14, the process returns to step S13 and waits for an end request or a consumption request. In step S17, if the remaining balance does not become "0" and the remaining balance remains, the process returns to step S13, and waits for an end request or a consumption request.
[0096]
FIG. 9 shows details of the end processing in step S19 in FIG. When the end processing is started, the amount information such as the balance in the price information area A3 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C is updated based on the final balance stored in the storage unit 23 at that time (if necessary). An update is written (for example, by encryption using a predetermined encryption key) (step S21), and it is checked whether or not the remaining amount after the update is a necessary amount for punching a remaining amount reference punch hole (step S22).
[0097]
The amount of money required for punching the remaining amount guide punch hole is an amount of money newly entering an area different from the previous area in the remaining area printed on the prepaid card C as a frequency value. If the amount is such, the remaining amount guide hole is punched by the reader / writer 24 (step S23). After punching the remaining standard punch holes, the prepaid card C is discharged from the reader / writer 24 (step S24). Then, the process ends, and returns to the consumption process.
[0098]
If it is determined in step S22 that the remaining amount after the update is not the amount required to punch the remaining amount reference punch hole, step S23 is skipped, the process proceeds to step S24, and the prepaid card C is discharged.
[0099]
Further, a relay process in the relay device 3 of the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. The data collection process shown in FIG. 10 is a process for collecting sales information by consumption in the reading device 2, and is started in the relay device 3 at predetermined time intervals.
[0100]
That is, in the relay device 3, the relay processing unit 32 sequentially scans the subordinate reading devices 2 (step S31), and checks whether or not each reading device 2 has uncollected sales information (step S32). ). If there is uncollected sales information in the reading device 2, the relay processing unit 32 fetches the sales information, that is, sales information including initial recording date information and serial number information, and stores it in the database unit 34 (step S33). Then, it is checked whether or not unchecked sales information remains in the subordinate reading device 2 (step S34). If no sales information remains, the process ends and returns to the standby state.
[0101]
If there is no uncollected sales information in the reading device 2 in step S32, since the reading device 2 has not consumed since the previous time, the relay processing unit 32 returns to step S33 the initial recording date information and serial number information. Is skipped, and the presence or absence of the unspecified reading device 2 in step S34 is determined. If it is determined in step S34 that there is an unspecified reading device 2, it is determined that there is an unspecified reading device 2. Then, the process returns to step S 31 to specify the next reading device 2 in the scanning specification of the reading device 2. I do.
[0102]
On the other hand, the data transfer process shown in FIG. 11 is a process for transferring sales information including initial recording date information and serial number information collected from the reading device 2 to the settlement center 4. It is started at an appropriate predetermined time such as at the time of consumption and at the end of work.
[0103]
That is, in the relay device 3, the relay processing unit 32 checks whether the database unit 34 has uncollected sales information waiting to be transmitted to the settlement center 4 (step S35). If there is uncollected sales information in the database unit 34, the relay processing unit 32 transmits the sales information including the initial recording date information and the serial number information to the settlement center 4 (step S36), and ends the processing. And return to the standby state. When determining that there is no uncollected sales information waiting to be transmitted to the settlement center 4 in the database unit 34, the relay processing unit 32 does not transmit the sales information to the settlement center 4 in step S36. , End the process, and return to the standby state.
[0104]
Next, the settlement processing in the settlement center 4 of the above-mentioned prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The settlement process shown in FIG. 12 is a process for performing settlement of sales information for each of the companies A and B, and is started each time the settlement information is received from the relay device 3 in the settlement center 4.
[0105]
That is, in the settlement center 4, when the settlement processing unit 42 receives the sales information from the subordinate relay device 3, it first extracts the sales information for each prepaid card C (step S41). That is, when sales information on a single prepaid card C is given, the settlement processing unit 42 uses the information as it is, and when sales information on a plurality of prepaid cards C is given, the settlement processing unit 42 Extracts sales information for each prepaid card C. Next, the settlement processing unit 42 extracts the initial recording date information and the serial number information included in the sales information, and supplies the information to the card discriminating unit 43 to discriminate whether the destination is the company A or the company B (step). S43).
[0106]
The card discriminating unit 43 refers to a destination discrimination table configured based on the initial recording date information and the serial number information given in advance from the initial recording device 1 of the card production factory M, for example, to determine the destination of the sales information. And if it is Company A, the settlement processing unit 42 performs the settlement process of Company A (Step S44), and confirms whether or not an unprocessed prepaid card C remains (Step S45). If not, the process ends and returns to the standby state.
[0107]
In step S43, if the card discriminating unit 43 determines that the destination of the sales information is the company B, the settlement processing unit 42 performs the settlement process of the company B (step S46), and the unprocessed data in the step S45 is processed. The process proceeds to check whether the prepaid card C remains. If unprocessed prepaid card C remains in step S45, the process returns to step S41, and the above processing is repeated.
[0108]
In this way, the prepaid card C is given the unique initial recording date and serial number in the initial recording device 1 of the card production factory M. That is, in the initial recording apparatus 1, the serial number is incremented by "+1" each time one prepaid card C is initially recorded, and the serial number incremented by "+1" is recorded in the next prepaid card C. When the date changes, the initial recording device 1 resets the serial number (counter) to an initial value with a new date, similarly increments the serial number by “+1”, and sequentially performs the initial recording of the prepaid card C.
[0109]
When the prepaid card C is used in the store SA or SB, the reading device 2 notifies the settlement center 4 via the relay device 3 of the initial recording date information and serial number information of the prepaid card C and the sales information based on consumption.
[0110]
The initial recording device 1 can record on the prepaid card C serial number information up to a value corresponding to a count value (counter) necessary for 24 hours (one day) of operation. However, the serial number information area A2 of the prepaid card C itself has a capacity for recording further serial number information.
[0111]
For example, it is assumed that the operating time of the initial recording device 1 per day in the card production factory M at Company A is 7 hours. Assuming that the number of cards produced per seven hours is X + 1, serial numbers are assigned to prepaid cards from "0" to "X".
[0112]
For example, as shown in FIG. 13, as an example of a destination discrimination table, it is assumed that 80th to 80th (from 0th) are assigned to a prepaid card C for company A on D / D / D. Thereafter, when the type of the prepaid card C is changed for Company B and production is started, the initial value of the serial number of the initial recording device 1 can be set as desired. With the initial value of the serial number of the card C set to 100,000, production can be started. Therefore, the serial numbers are sequentially recorded from the set initial value, that is, from 100,000 (to 180,000). However, in this case, the initial recording apparatus 1 cannot set a serial number that is younger (smaller) than the serial number already assigned in the initial recording date.
[0113]
Similarly, on D / D / D, a serial number of 0 to 60,000 is assigned to company A, and a serial number of 70,000 to 130,000 is assigned to company B, for example.
[0114]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, when a prepaid card C having a serial number of 68,000 with an initial recording date of D / D / D is used in the reading device 2, the sales including the initial recording date information and the serial number information are performed. The information is supplied to the settlement center 4 via the relay device 3, and the settlement center 4 refers to the destination discrimination table as shown in FIG. When a prepaid card C having an initial recording date of D / D / D and a serial number of 105,000 is set and used in the reading device 2, the sales information is supplied to the settlement center 4, and the settlement center 4 in FIG. The settlement is made as the sales of the company B with reference to the destination discrimination table.
[0115]
In this way, from the point of view of the company A, even in the case of the store for the member company B, the data addition to the prepaid card C and the like may be set in the same manner as the member store of the company A, and the contents of the items are completely concerned. No need. Further, since the company A does not need to know the code of the company B, security management is also very easy. Further, in the settlement center 4, it is possible to easily and surely distinguish the used card from the company A or the company B based on the combination of the initial recording date of the prepaid card C and the serial number information.
[0116]
In this way, the initial recording apparatus 1 records the date information of the initial recording and the serial number information with the initial value different for each destination without recording any code or the like indicating the destination, and the prepaid card C Can be initially recorded, and the settlement center 4 can discriminate the destination based on the date and serial number information of the initial recording, and can process each destination separately.
[0117]
Note that the settlement center 4 is provided for each destination, and the relay device 3 discriminates the destination and transmits the sales information to each settlement center 4, or the sales information transmitted from the relay device 3 before the settlement center 4. Means for discriminating the destination of information may be provided.
[0118]
The prepaid card is not limited to a magnetic card, but may be an IC card. In this case, the IC card has an IC chip that stores information stored in the information storage unit A in a memory.
[0119]
The prepaid card system of the present invention can be realized using an ordinary computer system without configuring as a dedicated prepaid card system. For example, by installing a computer system from a medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like) storing a program for executing the above-described operation, a system for executing the above-described processing can be constructed. By the installation, the program is stored in a medium such as a hard disk in the computer system, configures the system, and is provided for execution.
[0120]
The medium for supplying the program to the computer is not limited to a storage medium in a narrow sense, but may be a communication medium or the like that temporarily and fluidly holds information such as a program, such as a communication line, a communication network, and a communication system. It may be a storage medium in a broad sense.
[0121]
For example, the program may be registered in an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server provided on a communication network such as the Internet, and distributed to the FTP client via the network. An electronic bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin Board System) of the communication network may be used. Or the like, and the program may be distributed via a network. Then, by starting this program and executing it under the control of the OS (Operating System), the above-described processing can be achieved. Further, the above-described processing can also be achieved by starting and executing the program while transferring the program via the communication network.
[0122]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, at the time of initial recording, date information of initial recording and serial number information having an initial value different for each destination are recorded, and based on the date and serial number information of initial recording, The data content of the items recorded on the prepaid card can be set arbitrarily by discriminating the destination, and the prepaid cards for multiple companies can be individually identified without providing a service provider identification code as an item. It is possible to provide a prepaid card system, an initial recording device, and a settlement device that can be separately produced and processed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an initial recording device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a reading device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a relay device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a settlement center in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an initial recording process of an initial recording device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a consumption process of the reading device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an end process in the consumption process of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a data collection process of the relay device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
11 is a flowchart illustrating a data transfer process of the relay device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a settlement process of a settlement center in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the contents of a destination discrimination table in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining a destination discrimination process of the prepaid card in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Initial recording device
2 Reading device
3 Relay device
4 settlement center
11 Operation unit
12 Recording control unit
13 Memory
14 Reader / Writer
15 Date / serial number control unit
16 Card storage
21 Communication processing unit
22 Consumption processing section
23 Memory
24 Reader / Writer
31 Communication processing unit
32 Relay processing unit
33 storage unit
34 Database Section
41 Communication processing unit
42 Settlement processing unit
43 Card discriminator
44 Memory
45 Data storage unit
C Prepaid Card
D Card issuer (Company A)
M card production factory
SA store (company A member store)
SB store (company B member store)

Claims (5)

Initial recording means for issuing a prepaid card for storing money amount information corresponding to a monetary value for each of a plurality of destinations , reading means for processing the prepaid card, and higher-level processing means connected to the reading means by communication And a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using the prepaid card,
The initial recording means records the predetermined initial recording information including serial number information to increase the initial recording date information and different initial values for each of a plurality of destinations in the prepaid card medium one by one starting, a plurality of destinations Means for issuing as a prepaid card corresponding to each, the value exceeding the final value of the serial number given to the prepaid card issued to the specific destination, the destination of the destination to issue the prepaid card next to the specific destination Initial value setting means for setting as an initial value of a serial number recorded on a prepaid card ,
The reading means updates the amount information of the set prepaid card according to the amount of consumption, and updates the sales information including the amount of consumption together with the card information including the initial recording information and the serial number information in the higher-level processing. Means for transmitting to the means,
The host processing unit, the card information collected according to the consumption of sales information and the prepaid card including the amount of money spent prepaid card, to discriminate destination on the basis of the initial recording information and the serial number information, a plurality of Equipped with means for performing settlement processing independently for each destination,
A prepaid card system characterized in that: Initial recording means for issuing a prepaid card for storing money amount information corresponding to a monetary value for each of a plurality of destinations , reading means for processing the prepaid card, and relay means connected to the reading means by communication; And a settlement unit connected by communication with the relay unit, wherein a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using the prepaid card,
The initial recording means records the predetermined initial recording information including serial number information for sequentially incrementing the initial recording date information and different initial values for each of a plurality of destinations in the prepaid card medium one by one starting, a plurality of destination Means for issuing the prepaid card corresponding to each of the above, and a destination that issues a prepaid card next to the specific destination after a value exceeding the final value of the serial number assigned to the prepaid card issued to the specific destination Initial value setting means for setting as an initial value of a serial number recorded on a prepaid card of
The reading means updates the amount information of the set prepaid card according to the amount of consumption, and updates the sales information including the amount of consumption together with the card information including the initial recording information and the serial number information in the higher-level processing. Means for transmitting to the means,
The relay unit includes means for collecting sales information including the consumption amount of the prepaid card and card information relating to consumption of the prepaid card,
The settlement means collects sales information including the consumption amount collected by the relay means and card information relating to consumption, and discriminates a destination of the prepaid card based on the initial record information and the serial number information. , Comprising means for independently performing settlement processing for each of a plurality of destinations,
A prepaid card system characterized in that: In an initial recording device for recording information on a prepaid card medium storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value and issuing it as a prepaid card in order to provide monetary settlement of a prepaid card system,
Date / serial number control means for sequentially generating initial recording date information indicating the issue date of the prepaid card, and generating serial number information which is set to a different initial value for each of a plurality of destinations and increases sequentially for each prepaid card; ,
Recording control means for recording on the prepaid card medium predetermined initial recording information including initial recording date information and serial number information generated by the date / serial number control means ,
The date / serial number control means records a value exceeding a final value of a serial number given to a prepaid card issued to a specific destination on a prepaid card of a destination that issues a prepaid card next to the specific destination. Set as the initial value of the serial number,
An initial recording device, characterized in that: 4. The initial recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the date / serial number control unit includes a unit that resets the serial number information to the initial value by updating the initial recording date information. Pre-paid card medium records predetermined initial recording information including initial recording date information and serial number information that is increased one by one starting from a different initial value for each of a plurality of destinations, and the prepaid card corresponding to each of a plurality of destinations is recorded. Means for issuing as a card, and a serial number for recording a value exceeding the final value of the serial number assigned to the prepaid card issued to the specific destination on the prepaid card of the destination for issuing the prepaid card next to the specific destination And an initial value setting means for setting as an initial value of the prepaid card issued by the initial recording device , the payment processing based on the sales information and the card information including the initial recording date information and serial number information of the prepaid card. In the payment device to perform,
Card discriminating means for extracting initial recording date information and serial number information of the prepaid card from the card information, and discriminating a destination of the prepaid card based on the initial recording date information and serial number information,
Payment processing means for performing payment processing of the sales information independently for each destination discriminated by the card determination means,
A payment device comprising:

Images