JP3604580B2 - Common use system for card value - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system that allows a card value of an information recording card used for settlement of a fee to be shared among service facilities, while allowing a card system unique to a service facility.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Prepaid cards include cards called so-called house cards.
This type of prepaid card has the merit of adding unique value to each store (service facility), but the prepaid card for store A can only be used at store A, and it can be used at store B Can not do it.
For this reason, in the future, measures may be required to facilitate the common use of prepaid cards.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, from the standpoint of a store that provides merchandise sales and entertainment services to users, it is not possible to use a prepaid card for another store in its own store.
The reason is that the card value must be guaranteed in order to share the prepaid card.
[0004]
For this reason, it is difficult to make the prepaid card for store A available at store B unless the third party guarantees the card value.
In rare cases, there are cases where prepaid cards issued by group companies (other than corporations) can be used within the group companies, but in this case, the card value is guaranteed as a group company No problem arises.
[0005]
Here, as a method for common use of prepaid cards, stores A and B switch from their own prepaid cards to third-party issued prepaid cards, and use these prepaid cards freely in member stores of card issuing companies. There is a way to make it possible.
[0006]
However, in this method, the centralized management of a unique system owned by each of the stores A and B, that is, a prepaid card, a reading device for reading and writing recording information of the prepaid card, and a reading device installed in the store. Unless the relay device or the like is changed to a third-party issued card system, it cannot be used.
For this reason, the cost burden of the store is large, and the system cannot be switched smoothly.
[0007]
Even if Stores A and B are affiliated with a third-party issued prepaid card system, users may use prepaid cards as a prepaid card at all member stores of card issuers. And a form in which the prepaid card is used only at the member store where the prepaid card is purchased.
[0008]
In such a case, since the latter is a house card type usage form, a smooth response is required in order for the stores A and B to effectively use the prepaid cards shared by the stores.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to allow a card value of an information recording card to be commonly used in each service facility while allowing a card system unique to the service facility. is there.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above.
That is, by transferring the card value of an information recording card usable at a specific service facility to an information recording card usable at another service facility via a bridge card, the card value can be shared by the service facilities. A system that enables
A bridge device that is installed in the service facility , reads the card value of the inserted information recording card, writes the read card value into an information recording card that is previously stored in the device, and issues the ticket.
Information management means for managing the card value read and written by the bridge device for each service facility,
The bridge device, determining means for determining whether the inserted card is a bridge card under the management of the information management means,
Result of the determination, when inserted card is a bridge card, along with reading the card value, writes the card value read to the installation where the service facilities available at the information recording card inserted card installation source service In the case of an information recording card that can be used in a facility, a reading means for reading the card value and writing the read card value to a bridge card is provided.
[0011]
In this configuration, the card value read from one information recording card and written to the other information recording card is managed by the information management means for each service facility.
Therefore, the transfer between the information recording cards is performed in a state where the card value is guaranteed to a third party other than the service facility.
[0012]
The transfer of the card value between the information recording cards is performed via a bridge card under the control of the information management means.
As a result, not only is the card value guaranteed by a third party, but even if the card balance leaks to another service facility, the information recording card of the transfer source is collected by the bridge device, so The information recording card issued at the service facility will be reliably reused within the service facility.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a card value transfer system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a store A and a store B indicate service facilities.
The service facility is a facility that provides services to the public, such as department stores, supermarkets, retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment facilities that provide sale of goods (product sales) and entertainment services.
[0016]
The card value refers to how much the prepaid card can meet the needs of the user (use value) and whether the prepaid card can be exchanged for any other goods (exchange value). In addition to the number of times and the number of times, there are benefits and the like granted only to specific members.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the store A and the store B each adopt their own card system (house card system).
That is, a ticket machine installed at each store issues a prepaid card (information recording card) unique to the store, and there is no compatibility between these prepaid cards.
In addition, it is assumed that completely different systems are used for the prepaid card reading process performed by a deposit machine, a reading device, and the like installed in each store.
[0018]
The depositing machine is a device used when a user increases a card balance, and when a prepaid card and cash are inserted, the prepaid card can be used up to the sum of the inserted balance and the inserted amount.
The reading device is a device attached to a product sales or entertainment service providing device, and when a user receives a product sales or service using a prepaid card, the price is offset from the card balance.
[0019]
In stores A and B, in addition to the above device, a bridge device for making the card balance of the prepaid card issued in one store available in another store is installed.
This bridge device issues a third-party issued bridge card when a prepaid card issued at one store is inserted, and conversely, when a bridge card is inserted, at a store where the bridge device is installed. This is a device for issuing usable prepaid cards, and includes a determination unit and a reading unit.
[0020]
In the prepaid card, card information fixedly assigned to each prepaid card, date information such as a payment date and a payment date, and cash information such as a deposit amount and a card balance are recorded as card information. The card balance corresponds to the card value.
On the other hand, in the bridge card, a card ID fixedly assigned to each bridge card, a card balance transferred between prepaid cards, and the like are recorded as card information.
[0021]
Further, a unique store code is recorded on the prepaid card for each store, and a unique store code different from the store code recorded on the prepaid card is also recorded on the bridge card.
[0022]
Then, the bridge device determines whether or not the inserted card is a bridge card based on the store code read from the card (determining means), and as a result of the determination, if the inserted card is a bridge card, Reads the recorded card balance, writes the read card balance to a prepaid card that can be used at the store where the card is installed, and if the inserted card is a prepaid card that can be used at the store where the card is installed, the card balance And reading the read card balance into the bridge card (reading means).
[0023]
In the bridge device, the card balance read and written between the prepaid card and the bridge card is guaranteed by a third party by being managed by a center (information management means) which is a card issuing company.
For this reason, the center is connected to the bridge device, and centrally manages the card information of the bridge cards issued / collected by the bridge device for each store.
[0024]
That is, the center determines the store code of the store where the bridge device is installed, the card ID of the issued / collected bridge card, the status of the bridge card (issuance / collection), the date on which the bridge card was issued / collected, and the connection between the prepaid card and bridge card. When the card information such as the card balance read and written between them is received from the bridge device, the database storing the information is updated one by one.
[0025]
Next, an outline of the present system will be described with reference to FIG.
When the user of the store A inserts the prepaid card for the store A into the bridge device installed at the store A, the bridge device issues a bridge card in which the card balance at the time of inserting the prepaid card is written.
The card balance written at this time is guaranteed by a third party by the center.
[0026]
When the user enters the store B and inserts the bridge card into the bridge device installed in the store B, a prepaid card for the store B in which the same card balance as that written in the bridge card is written. A card is issued.
As a result, the user X can receive the sale of goods and the entertainment service corresponding to the remaining card balance at the store A at the store B.
[0027]
Also, if a bridge card is issued once with the intention of using the card balance of the prepaid card for store A at store B, but again wanting to receive merchandise and entertainment services at store A, FIG. As shown, when a bridge card issued at store A is inserted into the bridge device at store A, a prepaid card for store A is issued.
[0028]
Next, a processing flow performed in the bridge device and the center will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 shows a processing flow performed in the bridge device.
As shown in the figure, when a card is inserted into the bridge device (S11), it is first determined whether or not the inserted card is a bridge card (S12).
This determination is made by the determination means based on the store code read from the inserted card.
[0029]
If the inserted card is not a bridge card but a prepaid card, the card ID, card balance, etc. are read from the prepaid card (S13), and the read card balance is written to a bridge card stocked in the device (S14). .
Reading and writing of the card balance is performed by reading means.
[0030]
Thereafter, the bridge device issues a bridge card on which the card balance is written (S15), and stores, as card information of the issued bridge card, a store code, a card ID, a date (issuing date), a status (issuing ticket), and a card balance. Is transmitted to the center (S16).
The prepaid card taken into the device is reused in the store.
[0031]
On the other hand, if the inserted card is a bridge card, the card ID, card balance, etc. are read from the bridge card, the card is authenticated based on these (S17), and the read card balance is stocked in the apparatus. The data is written in the prepaid card (S18).
As described above, reading and writing of the card balance is performed by the reading means.
[0032]
Thereafter, the bridge device issues a prepaid card in which the card balance is written (S19), and stores, as card information of the bridge card taken into the device, a store code, a card ID, a date (collection date), and a status (collection). , The card balance and the like are transmitted to the center (S20).
The bridge card taken into the device is reused in the store.
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows a processing flow performed in the center.
As shown in the figure, when the store code, card ID, date, status, card balance, etc. are received from the bridge device (S21), the history of the received information for the store code is added to the database (S22), and Then, the total card balance written in all the bridge cards is updated (S23).
[0034]
Supplementing this update of the total amount (S23), when a bridge card is issued, the card balance of the prepaid card is transferred to the bridge card, so the card balance is added to the total amount up to that time for the store code (+ ).
On the other hand, when the bridge card is collected, the card balance of the bridge card is transferred to the prepaid card, so the card balance is subtracted from the total amount up to that time for the store code (-).
As a result, the card balance can be secured for each store.
[0035]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can effectively use the card balance of the prepaid card at a plurality of stores, and the convenience is remarkably improved.
On the other hand, for the store, it is possible to cope with common use while leaving the original card system that has already been adopted, so that the system can be smoothly transitioned at low cost.
[0036]
In addition, when the card balance flows out to another store, the prepaid card of the store can be securely collected by the bridge device, so that the card media cost is made uniform by repeating reuse in the store, and thus the cost burden is reduced. Reduction can also be achieved.
Furthermore, as a result of effective use of the card balance, sales promotion of prepaid cards can be expected.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where both the A store and the B store employ their own card systems has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various applications may be made according to the card systems employed at each store. Is possible.
Hereinafter, an outline of an application example will be described with reference to FIG.
Incidentally, the basic example of the figure shows the system according to the above embodiment.
[0038]
Application Example 1 shows a system that can be adopted when store A adopts a unique card system, while store B adopts a card system that can use a third-party issued prepaid card. I have.
This Application Example 1, the bridge card is issued by the store A are characterized by it can be used in the store B, can be realized if a bridge card as with prepaid cards of third parties issuing type.
[0039]
Application example 2 shows a system that can be adopted when store A adopts a card system that can use a third-party issued prepaid card, while store B adopts its own card system. I have.
This application example 2 shows that when a third-party issued prepaid card usable in store A is inserted into the bridge device in store B without using a bridge card, a prepaid card card for store B is issued. The feature is that it can be realized if the bridge device has a function of reading card information from a third-party issued type prepaid card.
[0040]
Further, according to the present invention, frequency (number of times) information and the like in addition to the money amount information may be adopted as the card value commonly used in each service facility.
In addition, it is not always necessary to transfer the card value equivalently by agreement between the service facilities.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the card value of the information recording card can be effectively used at a plurality of service facilities, and the convenience is remarkably improved for the user.
On the other hand, for service facilities, system migration can be performed smoothly at low cost.
[0042]
In addition, if the card value leaks to another service facility, the information recording card issued at the own service facility can be reliably collected, so it is necessary to establish an information recording card recycling system within the service facility. Will be possible.
As a result, the cost of the card medium can be made uniform, and the cost burden can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow until a card balance is transferred from a prepaid card for store A to a prepaid card for store B.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a part of a ticketing function of the bridge device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the bridge device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in a center.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another application example of the present invention.

Claims (3)

By transferring the card value of an information recording card that can be used at a specific service facility to an information recording card that can be used at another service facility via a bridge card, the card value can be commonly used at each service facility. System that
A bridge device that is installed in the service facility , reads the card value of the inserted information recording card, writes the read card value into an information recording card that is previously stored in the device, and issues the ticket.
Information management means for managing the card value read and written by the bridge device for each service facility,
The bridge device, determining means for determining whether the inserted card is a bridge card under the management of the information management means,
Result of the determination, when inserted card is a bridge card, along with reading the card value, writes the card value read to the installation where the service facilities available at the information recording card inserted card installation source service If the information recording card is usable at a facility, the card value is read, and reading means for writing the read card value to a bridge card is provided. When an information recording card that is installed at the service facility and can be used at the service facility of the installation source is inserted, the card value is transferred to a bridge card that can be used at other service facilities that has been stocked in the device in advance, A bridge device for issuing the ticket,
When the inserted card is an information recording card that can be used in a service facility of the installation source, the bridge device includes reading means for reading the card value and writing the read card value to the bridge card. When a bridge card that is installed at a service facility and can be used at other service facilities is inserted, the card value is transferred to an information recording card that can be used at the installation source that has the card value stocked in advance in the device and issued. Device for performing
When the inserted card is a bridge card, the bridge device includes reading means for reading the card value and writing the read card value to an information recording card usable at a service facility where the bridge card is installed .

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