JPH03501302A - data bearing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] data bearing device Technical field The present invention relates to data-carrying devices, particularly cards or other forms of tokens. It relates to a cashless system in which a device is used for transactions.

Background technology Buy goods (including cash) by inserting a card or token into the reader. ) or cashless systems that allow you to obtain services are known. card Alternatively, the token is a credit that is reduced according to the price of the product or service obtained. Stores credit value (credit value). This kind of system has a memorized credit value between the card or token and the reader in order to be able to read and update it. Two-way data flow is required. An example of this type of system is EP-A-01 A credit system described in No. 47099, this system is a leader It uses an electronic data-carrying device that can communicate contactlessly with the person. some other types The stem uses magnetically encoded cards.

Data-bearing devices are traditionally held in one position throughout a transaction. Many In many systems, the device's credit value is read and cleared to zero at the beginning of the transaction. will be ascribed. and at the end of the transaction the reduced credit value is transferred to the data-bearing device. written. The amount by which the credit value is reduced is often variable, e.g. the usefulness of the products sold, the number of products sold, the time the services were provided, the variety of products It changes depending on the price selected from among the prices. These factors is considered before determining the update credit value written to the device. Dedicated throughout the transaction The data-carrying device is held in place when reading and updating credit data. Ensures reliable data transfer both when writing values to the device and During both of these operations, when the device stores a zero credit value, Ensures that the vise cannot be removed. Lots of vending systems is equipped with a switch that the user activates to cause the machine to update the device. It is possible to write a new credit value and instruct the user to return the device.

One problem with the configuration described above is that the machine does not hold the card or token in place. Lock or otherwise prevent access to the card or is that they tend to be hesitant to insert the token into the machine. If the machine fails If the card or token fails, the user will not be able to retrieve the card or token. This is useful A user spends a significant amount of money on a card or token with a significant credit value. It is especially interesting when you get what you pay for.

Another problem with the configuration described above is that the structure of the card or token reader is large. This means that it is expensive.

This problem is alleviated by the proposal in EP-A-0147099. i.e. , a token shaped and sized like a coin is used; Can be read contactlessly by small readers placed at suitable locations along the entrance aisles. It is written. However, it can be made small enough to be carried along a path for small coins. The problem arises that it is difficult to design a

According to a feature of the invention, the machine providing the goods or services is a data-bearing device. The device has a reader that can read the information, and the reader can perform communication operations with the device. You can eject the device whenever communication is stopped during operation, and the device All communication operations that occur while the device is in place require a credit card. read this from the device without erasing any data, and then the device the act of instructing the device to decrease the stored credit value; A data-carrying device signals to acknowledge an instruction to decrease the stored credit value. a credit that authorizes a leader to give goods or services after receiving them from A machine configured to generate a signal.

data while leaving the credit value stored in the data-bearing device intact. Since the user can remove the carrying device at any time, it can be used when using the machine. person's confidence is significantly improved. In addition, keep the device in place during all communication operations. The physical structure of the reader can be made simpler since it is no longer necessary to and its position is also less restricted, as well as the dimensions and shape of the token. conditions are also less restricted.

The present invention also provides a method for conducting a transaction, performing the step of communicating with a data-bearing device. During one communication step, the device is found to have sufficient credit value. authorize the sale of the product or service if the The amount corresponding to the price of the sold product or service is calculated from the token credit value. communications steps that take place while the data-carrying device is in place. The user can retrieve the device at any time and the credits on the device can be restored. If the device stores an instruction to decrease the value while the device stores the credit value, Decrease this credit value by sending it to the device to allow the sales step. the step of checking that the device has responded to the instruction before It's a method.

Preferably, the user has physical possession of the data-bearing device throughout the communication steps. You can take it back. Alternatively, the user may operate a release device such as a door or switch. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that requires activation. But preferably this The device differs from the above-mentioned switch in that it updates the credit value stored in the device. Rather than booting the device, it simply releases the device.

Therefore, the update will take place before the user activates the switch and the device is released. No special structure or circuitry is required to ensure this.

The present invention is particularly applicable to systems in which the value by which the credit value is reduced is variable.

Each instruction indicates a value that decreases the credit value or stores the value of the device. In the process of decreasing the credit value in successive, preferably equal value steps When you get your device back, the credit value will be proportional to the number of steps you have performed. However, the credit value does not decrease. This feature of the invention applies to goods or services. is sold in successive steps, each step or group of steps remembers a especially, but not exclusively, when corresponding to a step decrease in the credit value. Useful. For example, the invention could be used in an electricity meter or a telephone, allowing a certain amount of electricity to be supplied. A predetermined (even constant) a data-bearing device with instructions to reduce the amount (good) from the stored credit value. can be given to Alternatively, the present invention may be used in communication satellite or cable television systems. It can be used for systems that broadcast information such as data, videos, etc., and can be used to ensure continuity of services. The credit value will be reduced in exchange for the grant. Click continuously in steps of equal value. There are other features of the invention that do not necessarily require reducing the credit data. Naturally, it is useful for the above-mentioned uses.

Preferably, the machine stores the current credit of the data-bearing device. It has a display that shows the value.

The devices used in this machine are preferably constructed as follows. communication movement Even if you get your device back during production.

The credit data stored on the device was not destroyed and the transaction was executed. The amount of credits that should be memorized and the credits that are actually memorized The values will never match. Further, the device preferably allows one communication to be repeated. is configured such that, once established, transactions made in previous communication operations can be completed. There is.

Various preferred methods of performing the above-described operations, which are considered to be individual features of the invention, are described below. I will explain.

Preferably, the device acknowledges the machine while performing two operations of data modification. message, and if communication is stopped and reestablished, the device remembers Based on the data, you can decide whether to send the approval message again.

Preferably, the device normally stores at least one credit value each corresponding to a stored credit value. also stores two data values.

Continuous operation of these values (forming the two data change operations mentioned above) Update with. As explained below, this ensures that the correct clock is used when communication is re-established. It facilitates the recovery of credit data.

If the device is receiving its power from the machine and is removed from the machine, the power will be cut off. If the device is of the type that is used, another problem is likely to occur: data corruption. child In order to address the issue of stores at least a third data value. This third data value is (a) the first Flags that change between updates of two data values, (b) Memorized credit value and/or (c) decrease the stored credit value. It is a value indicating the amount.

By considering these three values when re-establishing communication, the previous communication operation can be The point at which it stopped and how to change the data to restore the appropriate credit value. It is possible to decide.

An example of a configuration for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pay phone according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a reader and data of the pay phone. A schematic diagram illustrating the method of communication carried out with the carrying device, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the main part of the operation of the data carrying device.

Best mode for making inventions An embodiment of the present invention will be described using a data-carrying device as a key-shaped token as an example. and will be explained below. However, the present invention does not apply to coins or cards, for example. It can be used for other data carrying devices as well. Preferably, the token is EP-A-0147099, GB-A-2186411, G B-A-2196450, GB-A-2197107 and British Patent Application No. 87 Some of the techniques described in No. 18419 can be utilized.

Referring to FIG. Compatible with the structure and function of a working phone. Therefore, this phone is designed so that the user can A code for inserting coins to increase the memorized credit value to activate the Input slot 4 and keyboard 6 for dialing phone numbers with pushbuttons display 8 that shows the remaining credit amount during a call, and the handset of the phone. 10, and when the call ends, the phone will send coins equal to the unused credit value. It has a coin ejection tray 12 into which the coins are inserted.

In addition to coins, the phone 2 can also be activated by tokens, and for this reason the phone can be activated by tokens. It has a token interrogator that reads coins, and the control circuit reads coins from a coin judger. was memorized in response to not only the signal from the token but also the signal from the token interrogator. Operates to increase credit value. The phone is GB-A-21 like this , 86411, but preferred In a preferred embodiment, the token communicates with the interrogator as described below. location and the credits stored in the interrogator and token. The techniques used to update the values are different.

The test location is preferably provided near the coin insertion slot 4. key shape Token 14 has a main body portion 16 and a head 18. The main body part 16 is The talk that communicates with the circuit of Kun and the antenna coil 2o of the telephone interrogator. It has two antennas. The dimensions of the token are as follows: slot 4, but the head 18 has a width and/or length that does not allow it to pass through the slot. have. Therefore, during use, the token has its main body part 16 connected to the interrogator. The head 18 of the token is physically held in place near the file 20. You can take back the Ridokun at any time.

Configurations other than those described above are also possible. For example, the interrogator coil is marked 20'. By placing it near the bottom of the coin ejection tray 12 as shown hypothetically, Kun can be placed on the tray instead of the coin slot 4. Or in By positioning the tarogator coil under the top surface 22 of the phone frame, the Simply place the token on the top of the phone frame to activate the phone.

When the present invention is implemented as a product vending machine, a tote placed in the product ejection mechanism is The coil can be arranged to enable the device to communicate with the interrogator.

The communication between the token and the interrogator is mainly carried out by the interrogator in the pay phone 2. An example will be described below with reference to FIG. However, for example, for home use Interrogators can also be used with different machines such as electricity or gas meters. It is clear that certain actions are taken.

The token interrogator uses the interrogator coil 20 to detect the presence of the token. presence can be detected. Once the presence is detected, communication operations begin. First, A security code is exchanged between the client and the interrogator, so they can You can check the effectiveness of others. Next, it can be done after a request from the interrogator. , the token stores a numerical value corresponding to the stored credit value at 102 in FIG. to the interrogator as shown. After receiving this number, this The number indicates the credit value that allows the phone to operate favorably. The rogator then stores the stored values, for example in the UK, as shown at 104 for the second time. send an order to decrease the token by a fixed amount corresponding to 10 pence. this command Before receiving the credit, the token still remembers the original credit value. receive this order Immediately after receiving the credit, the credit value is appropriately reduced and a confirmation message 106 is sent. Send to interrogator. This confirmation message has been updated, ie.

May include a reduced credit value.

At this stage, as indicated at 108, the interrogator is connected to the host machine, in this case Instruct the phone to proceed with the sales operation, i.e., to allow use of the phone emit a signal to

At a later stage, the host machine interrogates a request 112 for more credits. send to ta. This happens after a predetermined interval if the host machine is a telephone; If the host machine is an electricity meter, this occurs after a predetermined amount of electricity has been consumed. this Upon request, the interrogator will cause the token to decrease the memorized credit value. Order 114 is issued. The token decrements the value in response to this instruction and updates the value to sign 11. 6 to the interrogator.

If the user takes back the token or puts down the telephone handset, e.g. until the call is terminated by some other method, such as by Steps 108 to 116 are repeated until the value decreases to zero. token Upon retrieval, the interrogator responds to instruction 114 to decrease the stored credit value. Since no response is received, a signal is generated to terminate the call.

If the handset is hung up, the call simply ends as in conventional devices. Step 1 If the memory credit value received from the token at 16 is equal to zero, the control circuit Terminate the call accordingly.

This update occurs whenever an updated value is sent to the interrogator and communicated to the control circuit. The new value is displayed on the display 8.

An example of how a communication operation can be performed using a token is explained below, but this example can be used in various ways. Please understand that this can change. According to a preferred embodiment, receiving instructions 104 and the token continuously performs the following operations, viz.

(1) The token receives the command. This instruction is used to store credits stored by the token. Contains the amount A by which the value is to be decreased and a transaction number XYZ that identifies the specific transaction that occurs. There is.

The transaction number is a special machine-generated, preferably randomly generated You can use numbers. In the specific example mentioned above, sending the credit value A Either the credit value is reduced by a fixed amount, or another variable that reduces the credit value by a variable amount. The same system can be used in any situation.

(2) Values A and xYZ are written to the token's non-volatile memory.

(3) Values A and XYZ are read from non-volatile memory and extracted from the received command. The information you provided will be checked.

The purpose of this operation, and the corresponding read operation described below, is to This is to check the operation of the memory.

(4) The token sends a message to the interrogator. This message is life It has the values A and XYZ to request confirmation of the order.

(5) Next, the token receives confirmation from the interrogator. This confirmation also has values A and X It has YZ. This step and the previous step are optional; the second step Note that it is not included in the figure.

(6) Set flag F1. This flag indicates memory in non-volatile memory. formed in position.

(7) Stored in non-volatile memory and read out the value ■1 corresponding to the credit value is written to the memory location, decrementing the value A, and writing it back to the memory location.

(8) Read and check the value ■1.

(9) Set flag F2. Preferably, this flag F2 is address and a memory location with a different address, but both are the same memory location. It is also possible to use rearaddresses.

(10) In the same way as Vl was reduced in step (7).

Decrease the value A from the value ■2 representing the credit value.

(11) Read and check the value ■2.

(12) Clear flag F1.

(13) Decrease the value A from the value ■3, which also represents the credit value.

(14) Read and check the value v3.

(15) The token sends approval (corresponding to confirmation message 106) to the interrogator. Ru. This authorization includes transaction number XYZ, and if desired the value A and/or decrease It may also include the credit value given.

(16) Clear F2.

As is clear from the above explanation, the initial value represents the credit value before the transaction, and the final value represents the credit value before the transaction. sets and clears a flag for each change of three values, each representing an updated credit value. is inserted. If this sequence of operations is 1, e.g. If the token is interrupted at some stage by retrieving it from the At the time of resetting, determine at what point the previous communication stopped and identify any devices that may have destroyed it. recover data, verify that stored credit data is accurate, and (If the machine takes out the tokens from the machine again before making another transaction, (inserted into the machine) can complete the transaction.

To achieve the above-mentioned behavior, when the token establishes communication with the interrogator It operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Including the validity checking operations described above. After an optional initialization operation, the token proceeds to step 300 and sets flag F1. To check. If this flag is cleared, the token goes to step 302. Proceed and check flag F2. If this flag is also cleared, the middle row It is determined that there are no transactions within, and the token awaits new instructions from the interrogator. and respond to this new instruction in the manner described above as shown in step 304. can.

If flag F2 is found to be set in step 302, the token is Proceed to step 306, this step is performed when flag F1 is cleared and flag F is cleared. 2 is set, which means that the previous communication operation was the one described above. This means that the operation sequence was interrupted after step 12 and before step 16. Ste At step 306, the token reads the values Vl, V2, and v3. ■1 and ■2 are equal. Set v3 equal to ■1 on the primary that turns out to be Clear the game F2. This completes the transaction. Is the host machine a token? Please understand that we will only respond to the first approval we receive from you. Therefore, the first communication Once the work has reached the stage where approval has been sent, there is no repeat of approval at step 306. Don't cause any problems. If the token is reinserted into a different machine, the authorization is no longer valid. Of course it is invalid. Because the transaction number is not recognized by this new machine It is et al. In fact, the new machine is probably not in the process of being traded, so this approval ignore the recognition.

If flag F1 is found to be set in step 300, the token is Proceed to step 308 and check flag F2. If this flag is set If it is determined that the previous communication operation has been determined to have been changed before. Therefore, the value ■1 is equal to V3-A. Therefore, The driver sets V2=V1 in step 310, clears flag F1, and returns V3. =V1, send a message, and then clear flag F2.

If flag F2 is found to be cleared in step 308, the previous communication This shows that the work was changed after stage 6 and before stage 9. Therefore, the value v2 is ■ It is found to be equal to 3. In step 312 the token is set to V1=V3-A. set, set flag F2, set V2=V3-A, and clear flag F1. set V3=V3-A, send an acknowledgment message, and then set flag F2. clear.

From the above explanation, it can be seen that the data modification operation is performed after the approval is sent. . In this embodiment, other forms of operation (for example, updating credit values) may also be performed. It is possible, but flag F2 is being cleared. This allows for communication again. Upon establishment of the token, the token determines whether the previous communication action included sending an authorization. can.

The specific sequence of steps shown in Figure 3 indicates that the previous communication sequence has stopped. Checking the flag to determine the point. Although this is not necessary, This process is faster than comparing data values. Actions performed according to flag judgment status Due to the operation, there is no data corruption, i.e. the token is not protected by the data writing process. Even if data corruption occurs at the end of the previous communication operation as a result of power being cut off during the without affecting the final data stored at the end of a new communication operation, Furthermore, by using three data values in addition to storing value A, memory Performs cross-checking operations to avoid problems caused by defective devices. It is possible to

In the above explanation, various steps in the flowchart in Figure 3 are used to determine that the data values are equal. states the point. If you wish, you can check that these values are in fact equal. The token allows you to check these values, e.g. due to a defective memory device. If they are not equal, some kind of error procedure can be triggered.

The machine according to the invention is designed to prevent credit data on a data-carrying device from decreasing to zero. It is clear that the system is configured to provide goods or services.

However, even after credit data is reduced to zero, products or services cannot be provided. It is also possible to configure the machine as follows. Therefore, we can provide an “overdraft” function for one aircraft. permit the continued use of the equipment and, preferably, the price of the goods or services provided. involves updating the information stored in the data-carrying device to reflect the . You can continue to reduce your credit data below zero or avoid overdrafts. The indicated second data value may also be increased.

From the above explanation, during the normal operation of the machine, the data carrying device will be able to detect the amount changed during the transaction. You may also find that you simply need to update the credit value to reflect the Ru.

This is said to be achieved by decreasing the numerical value representing the credit value. However, the same result can be achieved by increasing the numerical value. Therefore credit References herein to decreasing values shall be considered to include such changes. Should.

FfG, 3 international search report

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A machine that generates a signal that enables the provision of goods or services. Isoshiro has a reader for reading a data-carrying device, and this reader reads said device. During this operation, whenever the communication is stopped, the above The device can be retrieved and done when the device is straightened into place. All communication activities that occur require this data to be transferred without erasing credit data. from said device and then decrement the credit value stored by the device. It includes the action of issuing a command to the device to increase the stored credit value. After the reader receives a signal from said device approving the command to reduce the product or a machine configured to generate said signals enabling provision of the service. 2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reader is capable of contactless communication with a data-bearing device. machine. 3. The device is in communication mode so that the user can understand and retrieve the device. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising retaining means. 4. Claim 1 comprising means for displaying an amount corresponding to an updated credit value. Machines specified in any of paragraphs 3 to 3. 5. the instructions indicate data indicating an amount to decrease the stored credit value; Claims 1 to 4 which enable the credit value to be reduced by more different amounts. Machines in any of the above. 6. Continuously issuing commands to said data-bearing device, causing the device to do so in steps. Claims 1 to 4 operate to reduce the stored credit value of Machines in any of the above. 7. Each of said instructions causes said device to decrease a stored credit value by an equal amount. 6. The machine according to claim 6, wherein 8. a belief that causes at least one product or service to be sold in successive steps each step to an instruction that generates a signal and decreases the credit value stored in said device. 7. The machine of claim 6 or claim 7 to which a cup is associated. 9. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the machine is an electricity meter. Machine. 10. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the machine is a pay phone. . 11. Any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the machine is a broadcast signal receiving device. That machine. 12. A data carrying device used in the machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11. chair. 13. Perform two operations of data modification in the continuous phase, and perform two operations of data modification in the continuous phase. Confirm that an instruction to reduce the memorized credit value has been received at some point in the process. one or both of the data modification stages can occur at the end of the previous communication operation. the stored data at the start of the communication operation with the machine, whether or not the time has been reached; and if the first data change step instead of the second When it is determined that the data has been reached in the previous communication operation, the confirmation is sent and the second data is sent. 13. The device of claim 12, which is capable of performing the data changing step. 14. Each of the first and second data modification steps includes changing a flag state. , performs an operation of storing two cheater values each indicating a credit value, and performs the operation of storing two cheater values each indicating a credit value. The two data values are changed according to instructions received before one of the flag state change operations. After changing the first data value of the two data values and changing the flag state, the second data value of the two data values is changed. 14. The device of claim 13, which is operable to change data values. 15. of the second flag state change operation after the second data value is changed. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is adapted to send the confirmation beforehand. 16. Store and continuously store first and second cheetah values, respectively, indicating the credit value. Claims No. Section 12 Device. 17. two data values each indicative of said credit value; said The first data modification step modifies the first data value of the two data values according to the received command. and the second data modification step includes updating the received instruction. 14. The device of claim 13, including updating the second data value accordingly. 18. While storing the flag data and changing the first and second data values. Claim 16 or Device of Section 17. 19. Decrease the credit value according to the credit value or the received instruction. further storing a third data value indicative of the amount and detecting the discrepancy between the data values at the beginning of the communication operation; perform actions to check the discrepancies, and then, if necessary, remove such discrepancies. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, which can perform an operation to correct the vinegar. 20. Consider flag data in determining how to correct the data value. Claims dependent on claim 14, 15 or 18 that are made to take into account A device according to item 19 of the requested scope. 21. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and claim 12. A combination of data-carrying devices according to any of paragraphs 20 to 20. 22. A method of conducting a transaction, the method performing the steps of communicating with a data-bearing device and during the communication step it is determined that said device has sufficient credit value. during the communication step, the company authorizes the sale of the product or service if the The amount corresponding to the price of the sold product or service is the credit value of the token. is performed while the data-bearing device is in place. The communication step allows the user to take back the device at any time and If the device issues a command to decrease the credit value in the device, Decrease the credit value by sending it to the device while memorizing it. , and the device responded to the instruction before allowing the sales step. A method consisting of steps to check that 23. Coin insertion means that allows the user to insert coins and coin insertion a coin-operated machine having means that enable the provision of goods or services in response to a request. a data-bearing device retrievably disposed on the coin insertion means; the device further comprises a reader for reading data from the device; be able to operate to enable the provision of goods or services in accordance with the The reader can download from said data-bearing device without erasing the credit data. reads the credit data, and then the credit data value is decreased by the device. a coin-operated machine configured to emit a signal to the device to cause the device to emit a signal to the device; 24. It enables the provision of goods or services, and the user has coins. or a machine with a sales structure that can take out the above-mentioned products, etc.; further comprising a reader for reading the retrievably disposed data-bearing device; The device may deliver goods or services in response to data being read from the device. The reader can operate to enable the provision of services, and the reader erases credit data. Read credit data from said data-carrying device without removing the a signal to the device that causes the device to decrease the credit data value; A machine configured to emit.