JP5098100B2 - Vending machine, electronic money system, and payment method for vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine, an electronic money system, and a payment method for a vending machine, and more particularly, a vending machine capable of selling products using an IC card storing electronic payment service information. Is related to the settlement method.

In recent years, electronic payment service information (ID for identifying an IC card and electronic money balance) is stored in an IC card or the like so that goods can be purchased or services can be provided by payment using the IC card or the like. The prepaid electronic money system has been introduced. In such a prepaid electronic money system, for example, the electronic money balance of an IC card or the like is charged before shopping, and the purchase price is stored in the IC card or the like when the product is purchased. A method of subtracting from the money balance is taken.
In addition, there are two types of payment in an automatic ticket vending machine that sells tickets for railways and the like: a boosting method in which a product is selected after inserting cash, and a presumptive method in which a payment is made after selecting a product, such as purchase with an IC card. The above-mentioned pre-press method is generally adopted for payment at a ticket vending machine using an IC card, and after selecting a product, a payment button is pressed as a selection end operation, and then an electronic payment service stored in the IC card is stored. Information is read by a ticket machine. However, since the automatic ticket vending machine and the user cannot grasp the balance of electronic payment service information during product selection, it is possible to perform product selection regardless of the balance, and due to insufficient balance at the time of payment The settlement was not established, and it was necessary to purchase in cash or purchase again after charging the IC card, which was inconvenient and troublesome.

Further, in Patent Document 1, when an IC card is brought close to a reader / writer, the authentication and balance of the IC card are read and displayed, the menu button is turned on, and when the user presses the menu button, another menu button is displayed. There is disclosed a vending machine with an operation procedure of turning off the light and executing settlement using an IC card to discharge a product.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-228751

  However, since the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 is settled every time one product is selected, the user holds the IC card over the reader / writer when selecting a plurality of products. It was necessary to keep doing this, and the operation was complicated. In addition, in order to avoid such a complicated operation, there is an example in which a holding tool for maintaining the state where the IC card is brought close to the reader / writer is provided, but the IC card is set in the holding tool and removed. There was a risk of forgetting.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, displays the balance by bringing the IC card close to the reader / writer, displays the balance after purchasing the menu by bringing the IC card close again after selecting the menu, It is possible to check the balance while purchasing a product by verifying whether or not the same IC card is used continuously and executing the settlement only when the same IC card is used and discharging the product. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can purchase a plurality of commodities with one settlement, prevent unnecessary operations and improve operability, and improve convenience.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a vending machine that can use at least one type of IC card for transaction settlement, and electronic payment service information stored in the IC card. The electronic payment service information between the reader / writer that updates the balance related to the electronic payment service information and the electronic money management center that manages deposits and withdrawals related to the electronic payment service information. A communication unit that performs, a selection unit that includes a menu button for each product to be purchased, a display unit that displays at least the balance of the IC card, a product processing unit that provides a user with the product selected by the selection unit, The electronic payment service information stored in the IC card used for the payment is read by the reader / writer, and the read electronic payment service is read. A control unit that performs payment with the electronic money management center based on the information and controls the product processing unit, and the control unit performs an authentication operation of the IC card in proximity to the reader / writer The balance is read and displayed on the display unit, and when the IC card is authenticated, only the menu buttons that can be purchased within the range of the balance are validated, and any one of the validated menu buttons is pressed. In such a case, only the menu button that can be purchased within the range of the balance obtained by subtracting the purchase amount of the product related to the pressed menu button from the balance is validated , and the IC card is brought close to the reader / writer again. As a result, it is assumed that the selection of the product by the menu button is completed, and the IC card is authenticated and the balance is read. When it is confirmed that a card, and controls to execute the settlement processing by the IC card.

The vending machine of the present invention is capable of selling products using an IC card storing electronic payment service information. Therefore, the IC card exchanges data with the reader / writer provided in the vending machine without contact. The vending machine has a configuration capable of communicating with an external electronic money management center in order to perform payment processing of electronic payment service information. In addition, it includes a basic function of the vending machine, a display unit that displays at least a balance, and a selection unit that includes a menu button for each product to be purchased. Then, when the IC card is brought close to the reader / writer, the control unit performs the authentication operation of the IC card, reads the balance and displays it on the display unit, and when the IC card is authenticated, the control unit falls within the balance range of the selection means . in the enable only the menu buttons available for purchase, if any one of the menu buttons that became effective has been pressed, purchased within the scope of the balance obtained by subtracting the purchase price of the goods in accordance with the menu button is pressed from the balance Only possible menu buttons are valid, and the same IC card is again brought close to the reader / writer, so that it is assumed that the selection of the product by the menu button is completed, and the IC card is authenticated. When the balance is read and the same IC card is confirmed, a settlement process using the IC card is executed. As a result, the balance can be confirmed during the purchase of the product, and the user does not need to determine which product can be purchased within the current balance. In addition, only the menu buttons that can be purchased within the range of the balance obtained by subtracting the amount of the pressed menu from the current balance are valid, and a plurality of products can be purchased in one settlement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the menu button is validated, the control unit lights the menu button.
The user needs to easily know which menu buttons are valid. Therefore, in the present invention, the backlight of the menu button is turned on only for the effective menu button, or the LED for only the effective menu button is turned on by providing an LED in the vicinity of each menu button. Thereby, the user can determine at a glance which menu button is effective.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit includes an IC card name that can be used for transaction settlement, a balance related to the IC card, a menu name selected by the selection unit, the number of purchases and the purchase price related to the menu name, And the display unit is controlled to display at least a balance that can be purchased by the IC card.
The display unit can be arbitrarily changed in display content by software, for example, by using liquid crystal. In the present invention, as the display contents, an IC card name indicating the type of IC card, a purchased menu name, quantity and purchase price, and the balance of the IC card are displayed. Thereby, the user can know the balance and can clearly grasp what menu is selected.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit performs an authentication operation of an IC card close to the reader / writer and reads the balance, if the balance does not reach an amount for purchasing a product, It is possible to purchase products using an IC card.
If the balance of the IC card is less than the purchase price of the product to be purchased with one type of IC card, the product cannot be purchased. In such a case, when the user has a plurality of types of IC cards, the convenience is enhanced if other types of IC cards can be used. Therefore, in the present invention, a plurality of types of IC cards can be used. Thereby, the chance of purchasing a product can be used effectively.

Claim 5 relates to a bank management center that manages a savings account of a financial institution, a credit management center that manages credit settlement and credit information, and electronic payment service information for realizing transaction settlement on a computer. An electronic money management center that manages money, a charge terminal that adds an amount to the balance of electronic payment service information stored in an IC card, a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The bank management center, the credit management center, and the electronic money management center, and a network that connects the vending machine and the charge terminal.
The electronic money system of the present invention has the same basic configuration as a conventional electronic money system using an IC card. The difference is that instead of specific payment terminals installed at stores, etc., vending machines installed at unspecified locations are not limited to stores, and electronic payments are used instead of conventional IC cards. The point is that a product is purchased from a vending machine using a plurality of types of IC cards each storing service information. In addition, the charging terminal may be provided in the vending machine, but it may be installed in a predetermined place and performed from the IC card. Thereby, goods can be purchased with an IC card via a vending machine using the configuration of a conventional electronic money system.

Claim 6 is a payment method of a vending machine that can use at least one type of IC card for transactional payment, reads electronic payment service information stored in the IC card from the IC card, and A communication unit that exchanges the electronic payment service information between a reader / writer that updates the balance related to the electronic payment service information and an electronic money management center that manages deposits and withdrawals related to the electronic payment service information; A selection unit having a menu button for each, a display unit for displaying at least the balance of the IC card, a product processing unit for providing a user with the product selected by the selection unit, and an IC card used for the settlement The stored electronic payment service information is read by the reader / writer, and the electronic money is read based on the read electronic payment service information. A control unit that performs settlement with a management center and controls the product processing unit, and the control unit performs an authentication operation of an IC card close to the reader / writer and reads the balance. When the IC card is displayed on the display unit and the IC card is authenticated, only the menu button that can be purchased within the range of the balance is validated, and when any one of the validated menu buttons is pressed, the balance Only the menu button that can be purchased within the range of the balance obtained by subtracting the purchase amount of the product related to the pressed menu button is enabled, and the IC card is again brought close to the reader / writer, so that the menu button Assuming that the selection of the product has been completed, the IC card is authenticated and the balance is read to confirm that it is the same IC card. When, and controls to execute the settlement processing by the IC card.
The present invention has the same effect as that of the first aspect.

According to the present invention, the balance can be confirmed during the purchase of the product, and a plurality of products can be purchased with a single settlement. Can be improved.
In addition, since it is possible to determine in advance which menus can be purchased, the user does not have to determine which products can be purchased within the current balance.
In addition, when the user selects a menu from the menu button, only the menu button that can be purchased within the range of the balance obtained by subtracting the amount of the pressed menu from the current balance is valid. It can be judged each time whether it can be purchased.
Furthermore, since the IC card name indicating the type of the IC card, the purchased menu name, the quantity and the purchase amount, and the balance of the IC card are displayed as display contents, the user can know the balance. , You can clearly grasp what menu you have selected.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine 10 is a vending machine that enables the sale of goods using an IC card that stores electronic payment service information for realizing processing related to transactional payments on a computer. Electronic payment between a reader / writer (R / W) 5 that reads information from the IC card 56 and updates a balance related to electronic payment service information and an electronic money management center 52 that manages deposits and withdrawals related to electronic payment service information The communication unit 1 that exchanges service information, the selection unit 7 having a menu button for each product to be purchased, the display unit 2 that displays at least the balance of the IC card 56, and the product selected by the selection unit 7 The electronic payment service information stored in the IC card used for payment and the merchandise processing unit 6 to be read by the reader / writer 5 Performs settlement with the electronic money management center 52 based on the electronic payment service information is configured by a control unit 3 for controlling the product processing unit 6, a. In addition, you may also provide the money process part 4 which settles goods with cash.

  In other words, the vending machine 10 according to the present invention is capable of selling merchandise using the IC card 56 storing electronic payment service information. Accordingly, the IC card 56 exchanges data with the reader / writer 5 provided in the vending machine 10 in a non-contact manner. In addition, the vending machine 10 has a configuration capable of communicating with an external electronic money management center 52 in order to perform payment processing of electronic payment service information. In addition, a basic function of the vending machine 10, a display unit 2 that displays at least the balance of the IC card 56, and a selection unit 7 having a menu button for each product to be purchased are provided. Then, when the IC card 56 is brought close to the reader / writer 5, the control unit 3 performs the authentication operation of the IC card 56, reads the balance and displays it on the display unit 2, and selects when the IC card 56 is authenticated. All the menu buttons of the means 7 are validated and the IC card 56 is brought close to the reader / writer 5 again, so that the IC card 56 is authenticated by assuming that the selection of the product by the menu button is completed. At the same time, when the balance is read and it is confirmed that they are the same IC card 56, settlement processing by the IC card 56 is executed. Accordingly, the balance can be confirmed during the purchase of the product, and a plurality of products can be purchased with one settlement.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the electronic money system of the present invention. This electronic money system 70 includes a bank management center 50 that manages a savings account of a financial institution, a credit management center 51 that manages credit settlement and credit information, and an electronic settlement service for realizing transaction settlement on a computer. An electronic money management center 52 that manages deposits and withdrawals related to information, a charge terminal 53 that adds an amount to the balance of electronic payment service information stored in an IC card, a vending machine 10 shown in FIG. 1, a bank A management center 50, a credit management center 51, an electronic money management center 52, and a network 58 for connecting the vending machine 10 and the charge terminal 53 are provided. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the vending machine 10 is connected to the network 58 will be described.
The electronic money system 70 of the present invention has the same basic configuration as a conventional electronic money system using an IC card. The difference is that instead of a specific payment terminal installed in a store or the like, a vending machine 10 installed in an unspecified place as well as a store is used as a target device. The charging terminal 53 may be provided in the vending machine 10, but may be installed at a predetermined place and performed from the IC card 56. Thereby, goods can be purchased with the IC card 56 via the vending machine 10 using the configuration of the conventional electronic money system.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing a front panel of a vending machine that sells drinks as an example of the vending machine of the present invention.
The vending machine 10 is provided with a bill insertion □ 64, a coin insertion slot 66, and a change mouth 67, and can deal with cash users. In the upper left of the figure, a product selection menu button (selection means) 7 (in this example, 2 × 4 8 accounts) for the user to select a menu is prepared. In addition, a product outlet (product processing unit) 6 for discharging the product is disposed in the lower part of the figure. Furthermore, in the upper right of the figure, there is provided a display unit 2 for displaying a list of selected menus and balances. Below that, electronic settlement service information is read from an adjacent IC card, and the balance after settlement processing is updated. A reader / writer 5 is provided for this purpose.

Here, a basic operation when the automatic ticket vending machine 10 is used with an IC card storing electronic settlement service information will be described. In the present embodiment, a product purchase operation using one type of IC card will be described.
First, the user brings the IC card 56 close to the reader / writer 5. The control unit 3 performs an authentication operation of the IC card 56 when the IC card 56 is brought close to the reader / writer 5 and reads the balance stored in the IC card 56 and displays it on the display unit 2 (details). Will be described later). When the IC card 56 is authenticated, all the menu buttons 7a to 7h of the product selection menu button 7 are lit to be effective. The user selects a menu from the menu buttons 7a to 7h and presses the menu button. At this time, the user selects a menu that can be purchased within the range of the balance while confirming the balance displayed on the display unit 2. That is, a plurality of menu buttons can be pressed within the balance. When the selection is completed, the IC card 56 is brought close to the reader / writer 5 again. As a result, assuming that the selection of the product by the menu button has been completed, the authentication operation of the IC card 56 is performed, the balance is read, and it is confirmed that the same IC card 56 is used. When the settlement is completed normally, the selected product is discharged to the product takeout port 6.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of contents displayed on the display unit of the vending machine of the present invention. For example, when the IC card is Suica (registered trademark), “card name: Suica balance 1250 yen” is displayed in the display area 2a. As the balance, the amount before the menu is selected is displayed. When the user selects a plurality of menus, the menu name, quantity, amount and subtotal at that time are displayed in the display area b. In this example, coffee, quantity 2, amount 300 yen, orange juice, quantity 1, amount 120 yen, cocoa, quantity 1, amount 150 yen are displayed in the frame, and the subtotal amount 570 yen is displayed outside the frame. Then, since the amount obtained by subtracting the subtotal of 570 yen from the balance of 1250 yen is 680 yen, "You can purchase 680 yen more" is displayed.
Further, in the display area 2c, “If the menu button is selected, please touch the card again.” Is displayed to prompt the user to make a payment.
That is, the display unit 2 can be arbitrarily changed in display content by software, for example, by being composed of liquid crystal. In the present embodiment, as the display contents, an IC card name indicating the type of IC card, a purchased menu name, quantity and purchase price, and a balance available for purchase with this IC card are displayed. Thereby, the user can know the balance and can clearly grasp what menu is selected.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the user brings the IC card 56 close to the reader / writer 5 (S1). When the IC card 56 is brought close to the reader / writer 5, the control unit 3 performs an authentication operation of the IC card 56 and reads the balance stored in the IC card 56 and displays it on the display unit 2 (S 2). ). Then, the IC card is once moved away from the reader / writer (S4). When the IC card 56 is authenticated, all the menu buttons 7a to 7h of the product selection menu button 7 are turned on to be effective (S5). While confirming the balance displayed on the display unit 2, the user selects a menu that can be purchased within the range of the balance from the menu buttons 7a to 7h and presses the menu button (S6). . At this time, a plurality of menu buttons can be pressed within the balance. When the selection is completed (YES in S7), the IC card 56 is again brought close to the reader / writer 5 (S8). As a result, it is assumed that the selection of the product by the menu button has been completed, the authentication operation of the IC card 56 is performed, the balance is read (S9), and the same IC card 56 is confirmed (S10). If it is confirmed that they are the same IC card (YES in S10), settlement processing by this IC card 56 is executed (S12), and when the settlement is completed normally, the selected product is discharged to the product outlet 6 ( S13). On the other hand, if it is not confirmed in step S10 that they are the same IC card (NO in S10), a settlement error is determined (S11).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the vending machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same operations are given the same step numbers as in FIG. FIG. 6 differs from FIG. 5 in that, when the IC card 56 is authenticated in step S5 of FIG. 5, all the menu buttons 7a to 7h of the product selection menu button 7 are lit to be effective. Then, the menu button is lit only for items that can be purchased within the range of the balance (S21).
That is, when all the menu buttons are enabled when the IC card 56 is first brought close to the reader / writer 5, the user must select a product that can be purchased within the balance range. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the IC card 56 is authenticated and the balance becomes clear, only menu buttons that can be purchased within the range of the balance are lit. This makes it possible to determine in advance which menus can be purchased, so that the user does not need to determine which products can be purchased within the balance.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the vending machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same operations are given the same step numbers as in FIG. FIG. 7 differs from FIG. 5 in that when the menu button is pressed in step S6 of FIG. 5, the menu button of the remaining purchaseable items after deducting the purchase amount from the balance of the IC card 56 is kept lit (S22). is there.
That is, in this embodiment, when the IC card 56 is first brought close to the reader / writer 5, the authentication operation of the IC card 56 and the balance are displayed, and all menu buttons are made valid. When the user selects a menu from the menu button, only the menu buttons that can be purchased are valid within the range of the balance obtained by subtracting the amount of the pressed menu from the current balance. Thereby, it can be determined each time which menu can be purchased within the range of the balance.

Further, when the control unit 3 performs the authentication operation of the IC card 56 close to the reader / writer 5 and reads the balance, if this balance does not reach the price for purchasing the product, another type of IC card Control so that can be used.
That is, if the balance of the IC card is less than the purchase price of the product to be purchased with one type of IC card, the product cannot be purchased. In such a case, when the user has a plurality of types of IC cards, the convenience is enhanced if other types of IC cards can be used. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of types of IC cards can be used. Thereby, the chance of purchasing a product can be used effectively.

  For example, when the Edy (registered trademark) card approaches the first reader / writer and confirms that the balance is small, this time, when the Suica (registered trademark) card approaches the first reader / writer, Edy Records close to the card are deleted. That is, payment can be made only when the same Suica card is approached in the second approach. When a plurality of menus are selected at a time, it is impossible to know how many menus have been selected. Therefore, the display unit 2 shown in FIG. 4 is provided to display a list of selected menus.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic money system of this invention. It is an external view which shows the front panel of the vending machine which sells drinks as an example of the vending machine of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the content displayed on the display part of the vending machine of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the vending machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the vending machine which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the vending machine which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication part, 2 Display part, 3 Control part, 4 Money processing part, 5 Reader / writer, 6 Product processing part, 7 Selection means, 10 Vending machine, 50 Bank management center, 51 Credit management center, 52 Electronic money management center 53 Charge terminal 56 IC card 57 57 Network 70 Electronic money system

Claims (6)

A vending machine that can use at least one kind of IC card for transaction settlement,
A reader / writer that reads electronic payment service information stored in the IC card from the IC card and updates a balance relating to the electronic payment service information;
A communication unit that exchanges the electronic payment service information with an electronic money management center that manages deposits and withdrawals related to the electronic payment service information;
A selection means having a menu button for each product to be purchased;
A display for displaying at least the balance of the IC card;
A product processing unit that provides the user with the product selected by the selection means;
The electronic payment service information stored in the IC card used for the payment is read by the reader / writer, and payment is made with the electronic money management center based on the read electronic payment service information. A control unit for controlling,
The control unit performs an authentication operation of an IC card in proximity to the reader / writer, reads the balance, displays the balance on the display unit, and a menu that can be purchased within the range of the balance when the IC card is authenticated. A menu button that can be purchased within the range of the balance obtained by subtracting the purchase amount of the product related to the pressed menu button from the balance when only one of the enabled menu buttons is pressed. Only valid ,
When the IC card is again brought close to the reader / writer, it is assumed that the selection of the product by the menu button has been completed, the authentication operation of the IC card is performed, the balance is read, and the same IC card is used. If it is confirmed, the vending machine is controlled to execute a settlement process using the IC card. The vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein when the menu button is validated , the control unit displays the menu button in a lighted state . The control unit includes an IC card name that can be used for transaction settlement, a balance related to the IC card, a menu name selected by the selection means, the number of purchases and the purchase price related to the menu name, and the IC card The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the display unit is controlled to display at least a balance that can be purchased . When the balance does not reach the price for purchasing the product as a result of performing the authentication operation of the IC card close to the reader / writer and reading the balance , the control unit uses another type of IC card. 4. The vending machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a product can be purchased . A bank management center that manages savings accounts of financial institutions, a credit management center that manages credit settlement and credit information, and an electronic that manages deposits and withdrawals related to electronic settlement service information for realizing settlement on transactions on a computer A money management center, a charge terminal that adds an amount to the balance of electronic payment service information stored in an IC card, a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the bank management center, An electronic money system comprising: a credit management center and an electronic money management center; and a network connecting the vending machine and the charge terminal. A vending machine settlement method that can use at least one type of IC card for transaction settlement,
A reader / writer that reads electronic payment service information stored in the IC card from the IC card and updates a balance relating to the electronic payment service information;
A communication unit that exchanges the electronic payment service information with an electronic money management center that manages deposits and withdrawals related to the electronic payment service information;
A selection means having a menu button for each product to be purchased;
A display for displaying at least the balance of the IC card;
A product processing unit that provides the user with the product selected by the selection means;
The electronic payment service information stored in the IC card used for the payment is read by the reader / writer, and payment is made with the electronic money management center based on the read electronic payment service information. A control unit for controlling,
The control unit performs an authentication operation of an IC card in proximity to the reader / writer, reads the balance, displays the balance on the display unit, and a menu that can be purchased within the range of the balance when the IC card is authenticated. A menu button that can be purchased within the range of the balance obtained by subtracting the purchase amount of the product related to the pressed menu button from the balance when only one of the enabled menu buttons is pressed. Only valid,
When the IC card is again brought close to the reader / writer, it is assumed that the selection of the product by the menu button has been completed, the authentication operation of the IC card is performed, the balance is read, and the same IC card is used. And confirming that the payment processing by the IC card is executed.

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