JPH02137084A - Prepaid-card processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the utilization of a card by using a device with data to be inputted from plural cards and returning the card to an user after the completion of data input. CONSTITUTION:A card reader and writer 1 executes an input and output with a control signal to be supplied from a CPU 3 through a card reader and writer control part 2. The read data are processed in accordance with the data to be supplied from a keyboard 4 to a CPU 3 through a keyboard control part 5. Necessary information is stored in an information storage part 6, a processed result is supplied to a terminal equipment 8 through an apparatus control and accounting control part 7, and a necessary control is executed. By this constitution, the device is used with the data to be inputted from plural cards and the card is returned to the user after the completion of data input. Thus, the returned card can be used for another device even when the device is in use and the utilization of the card is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a prepaid card processing device for processing the contents of a prepaid card used in an automatic gaming device such as a game machine.

[Background Art] In recent years, prepaid cards such as telephone cards and metro cards have become popular and are conveniently used in various places because there is no need to carry coins around.

However, since these cards subtract the amount spent, for example, with a Metro Card, if the remaining amount becomes low, it may not be possible to purchase the desired ticket with that card. In this case, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-179092
As disclosed in the publication, insert another card, memorize the remaining amount of the card inserted first, set the monetary value of that card to ``0'', and calculate the missing amount from the card inserted later. There is a way to collect it. Another method is to use cash to cover the shortfall.

As cards become more widespread, it is possible to apply them to various things. In particular, when applied to play devices such as game machines, it becomes natural to adopt a business policy that reduces the amount of labor required to collect coins, lowers usage fees, and improves operating rates.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In this case, there is no problem when - person uses one prepaid card, but if several people each spend an amount determined at a certain burden rate from the cards they own. Even if you want to use a game machine with that total amount, current card devices can only use one or two cards, and even if you use two cards, you have to use all of the first card. A second card was used, and it was not possible for each person to use the card at a certain rate.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides data designation means for designating a desired amount of value data from among the read value data, and A remaining amount data calculating means for calculating remaining amount data by subtracting the data from the previously read value data, a remaining amount data writing means for writing the remaining amount data onto the prepaid card, and returning the prepaid card with the remaining amount data written. The device is equipped with a card return means for adding the input value data, and an addition means for adding the input value data.

[Operation] The value data entered by the user using the keyboard is subtracted from the value data taken in from the card, and the result of the subtraction is written on the card and returned. Thereafter, a similar process is performed every time a card is inserted, the value data input from the keyboard is added, and the value data is processed based on the addition result.

[Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a device constructed by applying the present invention. In FIG. Data can be transferred to and from the card.

The read data is processed according to the data supplied from the keyboard 4 to the CPU 3 via the keyboard control section 5, and the necessary information at that time is stored in the information storage section 6.
The processed results are supplied to the terminal device 8 via the device control billing control section 7, and necessary control is performed. The control status etc. are displayed on the character display 10 via the display control section 9, and if necessary, the lamp 12 is turned on via the lamp control section 11 to indicate that it is ready for use. be exposed. 13 is a clock section, which performs necessary time control;
Reference numeral 14 denotes a power supply section, which generates voltages necessary for each circuit. Figure 4 is an external view of this device.
0 is a card insertion slot of the card reader/writer 1.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device shown in FIG. 3. In step 100 in FIG. 3, when the key labeled "Storage" shown in FIG. 4 is pressed and the card is inserted into the card insertion slot 20, As shown in step 101, the card is taken into the device, and as shown in step 102, the data of the taken card, that is, the remaining amount of the card is read. Then, in step 103, the read amount is displayed on the character display 10.
When the user inputs the usage fee using the key 4 in step 104, the input amount is displayed on the character display 10 as shown in step 105. Step 10
4 is for inputting information on how much of the card's value is to be used in the device. If there is a key input for the usage fee, the data is stored in the information storage section 6 as the collected amount, as shown in step 106. Then step 1
As shown in step 07, the amount manually entered in step 104 is subtracted from the amount read in step 102, and the subtraction is written on the card as shown in step 108. Then, as shown in step 109, the card is returned from the insertion slot 20, and as shown in step 110, the lamp 12 lights up to indicate that the device is ready for use.

At this point, the game machine is ready for use, and when it is determined in step 111 that the time corresponding to the unit amount has elapsed, in step 112 the game machine is subtracted from the amount stored in the information storage unit 6. The amount is reduced and displayed on the character display 10 as shown in step 113. However, at this point, input has only been made from one card. If multiple users spend a predetermined amount to use the game machine, it is necessary to enter the amount from other cards as well, so use the storage key marked as storage in step 114.
When pressed, the flow returns to step 101. Here, after the processes of steps 101, 102, and 103 are performed as described above, the necessary amount of money is input in step 104. Thereafter, if necessary, if the storage key is pressed again in step 114, amounts can be entered from more cards.

After step 114, the remaining amount shown in step 115 is “
If the remaining amount is greater than 0, it is determined whether or not the settlement key has been pressed in step 116. This key is pressed when you want to stop using the game machine, but when you want to continue using it, the settlement key is not pressed, so the flow returns to step 111.
The processing from step 111 to step 116 is performed again.

To end the game at an appropriate time, step 116
When the clearing key is pressed in step 117, the available lamp goes out. The user then inserts the card into the card insertion slot 20 again to make a payment, and the card is taken into the device as shown in step 118, and the remaining amount on the card is read as shown in step 119. Then, as shown in step 120, the last subtraction result subtracted in step 112 is added to the amount on the read card, and the addition result is written on the card in step 121.
2, the card will be returned. Therefore, the user's card will be returned with data written with the unused amount added.

On the other hand, if the game device is used until the amount entered in step 104 is reached, the remaining amount is determined to be a negative value in step 115, the usable lamp goes out as shown in step 123, and from that point on, the game device is used. It becomes unusable.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining another invention, and steps up to step 117 and step 123 are the same as those in FIG. In this example, the unused amount is distributed and returned to multiple cards based on a certain standard.

For this purpose, when the amount to be returned is first entered in step 130, the key input value is displayed on the character display 10 as shown in step 131. Then, insert the card to write the refund amount and read it in step 132, and read the remaining amount on the card in step 133.Next, in step 130, confirm that the input return amount is smaller than the remaining amount. Then, the amount input in step 130 is added to the amount read in step 133, and the returned amount is written on the card in step 134.

Then, in step 135, the amount entered in step 130 is subtracted from the unspent amount stored in the information storage unit 6 at the time when the settlement key was pressed in step 116, and the result is stored in the information storage unit 6. Step 1
At 36, the card is returned. At this point step 1
As shown in 37, if the data in the information storage unit 6 is not "0", the flow returns to step 130 and the remaining balance is returned to the next card in the same manner.

Although this embodiment has described a method of withdrawing a certain amount of money at regular intervals, the process is not limited to every fixed time, but may be performed every fixed amount or every -number of windows.

[Effect of the invention 1 As explained above, in this invention, the device is used by data input from a plurality of cards, and the cards are returned to the user after data input. A returned card can be used in another device even when it is in use, and if there is any unused card, it can be returned in a satisfactory manner, which has the effect of expanding the ways the card can be used and widening its uses.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a device to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing another embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of this device, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view of the device shown in the figure. ■... Card reader/writer, 2... Card reader/writer control unit, 3... CPU, 4... Keyboard, 5-... Keyboard control unit, 6... Information control unit, 7... Supply control billing control unit, 8... Terminal device, 9... Display control unit, 10... Character display, 1
1... Lamp control unit, 12-... Lamp. Patent applicant: Tamura Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Agent: Kazuko Yamakawa (and 2 others) Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A prepaid card processing device that reads value data remaining on a prepaid card and performs predetermined processing, comprising: data designation means for designating a desired amount of value data from among the read value data; a remaining amount data calculating means for obtaining remaining amount data by subtracting the value data specified by the data specifying means from the value data specified by the data; a remaining amount data writing means for writing the remaining amount data to the prepaid card; a card return means for returning the prepaid card, an addition means for adding designated value data each time the prepaid card is repeatedly inserted and data is designated by the data designation means, and value data added by the addition means. 1. A prepaid card processing device, comprising: data processing means for executing processing.