JP4437740B2 - Card payment terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a card payment terminal.

  Today, electronic payment using various cards instead of cash is widely used. As various cards, for example, a credit card, a cash card used for debit card settlement, and the like are used for electronic settlement.

  Electronic payment is performed using a card payment terminal. The card settlement terminal reads the card data of various cards or accepts the input of a personal identification number during the settlement process. As an example, at the time of payment processing with a credit card, the card payment terminal executes the payment processing by reading a credit card number as card data. As another example, when paying with a cash card used for debit card payment, a card payment terminal reads a bank account number as card data and executes a payment process by receiving an input of a personal identification number. During the payment process, the card payment terminal creates inquiry information based on the read card data of the various cards and the entered password, and sends the inquiry information to the payment agency computer of the payment agency via the communication line. Make a credit inquiry. When the approval response to the inquiry is received from the settlement institution computer, the settlement process is executed.

JP 2001-256666 A

  With the widespread use of electronic payments, damage caused by theft of card data stored on cards has become a problem.

  The illegal acquisition of card data is executed by skimming in which information recorded in the card data is illegally read and copied. Skimming can be easily performed by a device called a skimmer. As an example, the skimmer is illegally attached to a card payment terminal and used. At this time, the person who carries out the fraud opens the housing of the card settlement terminal without touching it, attaches a skimmer inside the housing, and closes the housing again. When the skimmer is attached to the card settlement terminal, the card data is accumulated in the skimmer every time the card settlement terminal is used. The card data stored in the skimmer can be copied to the raw card by scanning a raw card which is a new card of the same standard as various cards. Therefore, illegal use of a raw card that is a copy of another person's card data would allow unauthorized electronic payment.

  In order to solve such a problem, a card settlement terminal is proposed in which a switch for detecting opening / closing of a housing is attached to a card settlement terminal, and when it is detected that the housing has been opened by this switch, a notification to that effect is provided. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  However, in the card settlement terminal described in Patent Document 1, if the position of the switch is known to an unauthorized person, it is expected that the housing can be opened after the switch is operated so as not to operate. Is done. In this case, it is possible for a cheating person to incorporate a skimmer inside the housing without anybody knowing it.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent the skimming of card data that can be electronically settled.

  The present invention relates to a card payment terminal that reads card data stored in a card, executes payment processing, and prints payment information on the paper in a process of conveying the paper along a paper path. An opening / closing portion provided in the body portion so as to be freely opened and closed, and a housing in which an inside is exposed when the opening / closing portion is opened, and a movable blade provided in one of the housing body portion and the opening / closing portion. A cutter device that cuts the paper after printing in a process in which the movable blade driven by a drive source crosses the paper path, and the housing main body portion and the opening / closing portion to which the movable blade is not provided Provided at a position where the movable blade in a state of crossing the paper path is in contact with the opening operation of the opening / closing portion, and the opening of the opening / closing portion is in contact with the movable blade. An abutting portion for restricting the operation; a locking means for locking the opening / closing portion to the housing main body portion by drivingly controlling the driving portion to bring the movable blade across the paper path; and the opening / closing portion Release means for releasing the lock to the housing main body.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent skimming of card data that can be electronically settled.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The card payment terminal of the present embodiment is used for payment with a card that functions as a substitute for cash, such as a credit card or a cash card used as a debit card.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing a card payment terminal 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, various keys are gathered on the upper surface 3 of the housing 2 of the card payment terminal 1 according to the present embodiment from the front side (operator side) of the card payment terminal 1 toward the back side. A display 5 that displays a transaction content, operation guidance, and the like in order is provided in order, which is a thin flat shape having a keyboard 4 and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Further, on the upper surface 3 of the housing 2 between the keyboard 4 and the display 5, an issue port 7 for issuing a settlement slip printed by a printer 6 (see FIG. 2) built in the housing 2 is formed. .

  At the right end of the housing 2, there is provided a magnetic card reader unit 9 provided with a slit-shaped card reading groove 8 for scanning the magnetic card on the upper surface 3 side of the housing 2. The card reading groove 8 is arranged adjacent to the right side of the keyboard 4 and the display 5 and is formed in a shape that allows the magnetic stripe side of the credit card to be inserted and pulled out to the front side (operator side). The magnetic card reader unit 9 incorporates a magnetic card reader 9a (see FIG. 5) for reading information stored in the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card scanned in the card reading groove 8. The card data stored in the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card includes a credit card number that is unique information of the card in the case of a credit card, and an account number that is unique information of the card in the case of a cash card. .

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view schematically showing the card settlement terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 2, in the housing 2, a throw-in type roll paper storage unit 10 that stores the roll paper R that is paper, and the roll paper R stored in the roll paper storage unit 10 is drawn out and printed. And a printer 6 having a printer mechanism unit 11 for cutting. Here, the roll paper R is obtained by winding a long paper in a roll shape. The roll paper storage unit 10 is disposed immediately below the display 5, and the printer mechanical unit 11 is disposed on the front side of the roll paper storage unit 10 and directly below the keyboard 4.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view schematically showing the card settlement terminal 1 in a state where the opening / closing part 2b is opened. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 2 includes a housing body 2 a that supports the keyboard 4 and the printer 6, and an opening / closing portion 2 b that supports the display 5. The opening / closing part 2b is freely openable and closable with respect to the housing main body 2a around a hinge shaft 15 that is a fulcrum provided on the back side of the housing main body 2a. When the opening / closing part 2b is opened, the inside of the housing 2 is exposed. As will be described later, a part of the printer 6 is attached to the opening / closing part 2b.

  Next, the printer 6 will be described. In the printer 6, a paper path 19 is formed from the roll paper storage unit 10 to the issue port 7 via the printer mechanism unit 11. The paper path 19 is formed by a paper guide 40 and the like. The issue port 7 is formed between the housing body 2a and the opening / closing part 2b.

  The roll paper storage unit 10 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with an upper surface opening for detachably storing and holding the roll paper R. The roll paper storage unit 10 of the present embodiment stores the roll paper R in a state in which the front end of the paper can be drawn from the lower side of the roll to the printer 6 side. In addition, the lower surface side of the above-described opening / closing unit 2b is formed so as to cover the upper surface of the roll paper storage unit 10, that is, the opening / closing unit 2b functions as a lid of the roll paper storage unit 10. . When the roll paper R is stored in the roll paper storage unit 10, the roll paper storage unit 10 is moved to the front side (operator side) by rotating the opening / closing unit 2 b upward about the shaft 15. Exposed to.

  The printer mechanism unit 11 includes a thermal head 17 disposed on the housing body 2a side and a platen 18 attached to the tip of the opening / closing part 2b. The platen 18 is in pressure contact with the thermal head 17 via the paper path 19 in a state where the opening / closing part 2b is closed. The thermal head 17 and the platen 18 constitute a printing unit.

  Further, the printer mechanism unit 11 is provided with a push-off type cutter device 41 for cutting the roll paper R completely or partially between the thermal head 17 and the issue port 7. The cutter device 41 is provided in the housing body 2a. The cutter device 41 has a movable blade 42 that is provided so as to freely advance and retract by sliding movement with respect to the paper path 19. Specifically, the movable blade 42 is slidably provided between the home position and the maximum pushing position. Here, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the card settlement terminal 1 with the movable blade 42 positioned at the home position, and FIG. 4 shows that the movable blade 42 is pushed across the paper path 19 to the maximum pushing position. The card payment terminal 1 in the state is shown. The home position is a position where the movable blade 42 is retracted from the paper path 19 and the entire movable blade 42 is located inside the housing body 2a. The maximum pushing position is a position where the movable blade 42 is most pushed out, and is a position where the tip of the movable blade 42 passes through the paper path 19 and is located inside the opening / closing part 2b. Here, the paper guide 40 facing the cutter device 41 is provided with a slit S. When the movable blade 42 moves to the maximum pushing position, the movable blade 42 is inserted into the slit S.

  The cutter device 41 is provided with a cutter motor which is a driving source for driving the movable blade 42 via a driving force transmission system. In the cutting operation, the cutter motor drives the movable blade 42 to push the movable blade 42 from the home position to the maximum pushing position. Thereby, the movable blade 42 cuts the roll paper R positioned in the paper path 19 across the paper path 19. Then, after cutting, the cutter motor returns the movable blade 42 from the maximum pushing position to the home position. Further, when the roll paper R is cut by the cutter device 41, the paper guide 40 facing the cutter device 41 functions as a paper presser. Such a movable blade 42 may be a horizontal blade whose blade edge is horizontal with respect to the roll paper R, or an oblique blade whose blade edge has an angle with respect to the roll paper R. A V-shaped blade formed in a V shape is suitable.

  Here, the movable blade 42 that is pushed out and crosses the paper path 19 is used to open and close the opening / closing portion 2b of the paper guide 40a that is positioned below the movable blade 42 in the paper guide 40 that faces the cutter device 41. Located on the accompanying rotation trajectory. That is, the paper guide 40a contacts the movable blade 42 in a state of crossing the paper path 19 as the opening / closing portion 2b opens. Here, the sheet guide 40a functions as a contact portion. In this structure, in a state where the movable blade 42 is pushed out and crosses the paper path 19, the paper guide 40 a comes into contact with the movable blade 42 when the opening / closing portion 2 b is rotated upward to open the opening / closing portion 2 b. Thus, the opening operation of the opening / closing part 2b is restricted. That is, the opening / closing part 2b is locked to the housing body 2a. In this state, the inside of the housing 2 is not exposed. Here, the cutter device 41 and the paper guide 40a constitute a lock mechanism 43 that locks the opening / closing portion 2b to the housing body 2a.

  In the printer 6, when setting the roll paper R, first, the opening / closing part is opened. As a result, the roll paper storage unit 10 and the paper path 19 are opened. In this state, the roll paper R is stored in the roll paper storage unit 10. Then, the leading end of the roll paper R is pulled out to the issuing port 7 through the thermal head 17 and the platen 18. Next, the opening / closing part 2b is closed. Thereby, the setting of the roll paper R to the card settlement terminal 1 is completed. Then, when the platen 18 is rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown), the roll paper R sandwiched between the platen 18 and the thermal head 17 is transported along the paper path 19, and in this transport process, the thermal head 17 A printing operation is performed on the roll paper R, and the printed roll paper R is cut at a predetermined position by the cutter device 41, and the cut roll paper R is issued from the issuing port 7 as a settlement slip.

  Next, the electrical connection of each part with which the card payment terminal 1 is provided is demonstrated with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the card settlement terminal 1 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter also referred to as a microcomputer) 20, and the microcomputer 20 drives and controls each unit. The microcomputer 20 can rewrite various data with a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 that stores in advance fixed data such as a computer program via a bus line 22 in a central processing unit (CPU) 21 that controls each part centrally. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 24 that functions as a work area to be stored in the memory and a timer 25 that measures the date and time are connected to each other. The RAM 24 stores the business start time and business end time of the store where the card settlement terminal 1 is used, and this RAM 24 is backed up by a battery (not shown). Next, each part of the card settlement terminal 1 driven and controlled by the microcomputer 20 will be described.

  The keyboard 4 has keys such as a numeric key and an execution key. The keyboard 4 is connected to the bus line 22 via the controller 26 for the keyboard 4, and a signal corresponding to the operated key is sent to the microcomputer 20 by the operation of the controller 26. input.

  The display 5 is connected to the bus line 22 via the controller 27 for the display 5, and when display data from the microcomputer 20 is input to the controller 27, the display 5 is driven to display predetermined items.

  The magnetic card reader 9a is connected to the bus line 22 via the controller 28 for the magnetic card reader 9a, reads information stored in the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card, and inputs the read information to the microcomputer 20 by the operation of the controller 28. To do.

  The printer mechanism unit 11 is connected to the bus line 22 via the controller 29 for the printer mechanism unit 11, and when print data from the microcomputer 20 is input to the controller 29, the printer mechanism unit 11 is driven by the controller 29 to be applied to the roll paper R. The matter is printed, and the roll paper R is cut at a predetermined position and issued.

  In addition, the microcomputer 20 has an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, and a wireless communication module 30 that wirelessly communicates information with an external device, and is connected to the external device via a cable and performs information communication with the external device. A communication interface 31 for performing wired communication is connected via the bus line 22. The interface is indicated as I / F in the figure. The wireless communication module 30 and the communication interface 31 are connected to a settlement institution computer provided in a credit company, a bank, or the like via a relay center such as a public line network or CAFIS (Credit And Finance Information Switching System) as a communication line. Communicate information with the clearinghouse computer.

  Next, various processes executed by the CPU 21 according to the computer program will be described. First, the settlement process will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This settlement process is a process performed when a transaction is settled, and the transaction amount information is input by the operation of the keyboard 4 by the operator as a settlement operation (Y in step S1). There is an input of a payment method (credit payment, debit payment) (Y in step S2), and the magnetic card reader 9a reads from the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card by a scanning operation in the card reading groove 8 by the operator as a settlement operation. If the card data (credit card number or account number) has been input (Y in step S3), the input card data is acquired as settlement information to create inquiry information (step S4). The inquiry information is created based on the input transaction amount and card data. When the payment method is debit payment, the reference information of the cash card input by the keyboard 4 or a pin pad (not shown) connected to the card settlement terminal 1 is also included in the inquiry information.

  If the execution key on the keyboard 4 is operated by the operator, which is a settlement operation (Y in step S5), the created inquiry information is transmitted to a settlement institution computer included in various financial institutions (step S6). It waits for reception of inquiry result information from the computer (N in step S7). By the settlement operation so far, the settlement operation for the card settlement terminal 1 performed by the operator is completed.

  The settlement institution computer sends a credit inquiry process such as a credit check and an amount approval to the sent inquiry information, and then sends the inquiry result information to the card settlement terminal 1. At this time, at the time of debit payment, in the case of payment approval, the payment amount is subtracted from the balance of the corresponding account.

  When receiving the inquiry result information from the payment institution computer (Y in step S7), the card payment terminal 1 controls the printer mechanism unit 11 to drive the payment information on the roll paper R according to the inquiry result information. Then, a payment slip issuing process is performed in which the movable blade 42 is pushed out, the roll paper R is cut at a predetermined position, and the roll paper R on which the payment information is printed is issued from the issuing port 7 as a payment slip (step S8). .

  Next, the opening / closing part locking process for preventing skimming will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When the work end time set in the RAM 24 is reached, that is, when it is outside the work time (Y in Step S11), the cutter motor is driven and controlled, and the movable blade 42 is pushed out to the maximum pushing position to make paper. It is set as the state which crossed the path | route 19, and the drive of the movable blade 42 is stopped in this state (step S12: locking means). Thereby, the opening-and-closing part 2b is locked to the housing main-body part 2a. Even if the power is turned off in this state, the movable blade 42 maintains this state.

  Also, for example, when the power is turned on by the operator operating the power switch at the start of the business, the time at this time is the time zone between the business start time and the business end time stored in the RAM 24, that is, If it is within business hours or if the business start time is reached when the power is turned on (N in step S11), the movable blade 42 is positioned at the home position, and the movable blade 42 is released from being pushed out. Then, the lock of the opening / closing part 2b with respect to the housing main body part 2a is released, and the payment process can be executed (step S13: release means). As described above, in the present embodiment, the movable blade 42 is maintained in a state of crossing the paper path 19 in the time period from the end of the work to the start of the work as a specified time period, and the opening / closing portion 2b is provided in the housing. Locked to the main body 2a.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the opening / closing part 2b is not physically opened by locking the opening / closing part 2b to the housing body 2a by the lock mechanism 43. The installation of the skimmer can be prevented, and therefore the skimming (theft) of card data that can be electronically settled can be prevented. At this time, since the lock mechanism 43 is configured by the cutter device 41 and the paper guide 40a used in the printer 6, it is not necessary to provide special components only for the lock mechanism 43. That is, according to the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 43 can be provided while preventing an increase in the size of the card settlement terminal 1 and an increase in cost.

  Further, since the opening / closing part 2b is locked to the housing body 2a by the lock mechanism 43 in this way, in order to provide a skimmer inside the card settlement terminal 1, the housing 2 must be destroyed. Since the housing 2 is destroyed, it can be easily found that the skimmer is installed, and it is possible to prevent skimming of card data that can be electronically settled.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the locking means opens the opening / closing part 2b in the business hours by locking the opening / closing part 2b to the housing body 2a during a time other than the regular business hours. While the roll paper R can be replaced, it is possible to prevent the skimmer from being installed inside the card settlement terminal 1 outside the business hours, which is the time when the skimmer is likely to be installed.

  Next, another embodiment of the opening / closing part locking process will be described. In each settlement process, when issuing a settlement slip, the cutter motor is driven and controlled to extrude the movable blade 42 to cut the roll paper R, and then the movable blade 42 is stopped across the paper path 19, The opening / closing part 2b is locked to the housing body 2a (locking means). Then, as the next settlement process is started, the cutter motor is driven and controlled, the movable blade 42 is returned to the home position, and the printing operation can be executed (release means). In this case, it is possible to prevent a skimmer from being installed in the card payment terminal 1 even during business hours. In this case, the roll paper R can be exchanged by providing means for unlocking the opening / closing part 2b.

  In this embodiment, a magnetic card is described as an example of the card. However, the card may be an IC card. In this case, an IC card reader may be provided in the card settlement terminal 1.

1 is an external perspective view schematically showing a card settlement terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the vertical side view. It is a vertical side view which shows roughly the card payment terminal in the state where the opening-and-closing part opened. It is a vertical side view which shows roughly the card payment terminal of the state by which the movable blade was extruded to the maximum extrusion position. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of each part with which a card payment terminal is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a payment process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an opening-and-closing part lock process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Card payment terminal, 2 ... Housing, 2a ... Housing main-body part, 2b ... Opening / closing part, 19 ... Paper path | route, 40a ... Contact part, 41 ... Cutter apparatus, 42 ... Movable blade, R ... Paper

Claims (2)

In the card payment terminal that reads the card data stored in the card, executes the payment process, and prints the payment information on the paper in the process of conveying the paper along the paper path,
A housing body portion and an opening / closing portion provided in the housing body portion so as to be freely opened and closed, and a housing in which the inside is exposed by opening the opening and closing portion;
A cutter device having a movable blade provided in either one of the housing main body and the opening / closing portion, and cutting the paper after printing while the movable blade driven by a driving source crosses the paper path. When,
Of the housing main body and the opening / closing part, provided on the side without the movable blade, provided at a position that contacts the movable blade in a state of crossing the paper path as the opening / closing part opens, A contact portion for restricting an opening operation of the opening and closing portion in a state of being in contact with the blade;
Locking means for locking the opening / closing portion to the housing main body by drivingly controlling the driving portion so that the movable blade crosses the paper path;
Release means for releasing the lock of the opening / closing portion to the housing main body,
A card payment terminal comprising: 2. The card settlement terminal according to claim 1, wherein the locking means locks the opening / closing part to the housing body part during a specified time period.

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