JPH04218890A - Card system managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a user to separate from equipment even when it is operated in a prepaid card system. CONSTITUTION:Reservation frequency is set by a reservation fre-quency setting means 11 at a managing device. The update of residual frequency of a card 80 is performed based on the preservation frequency. Therefore, the ejection of the card can be performed simultaneously with the completion of setting of the reservation frequency. In other words, the user can separate from the equipment 34 even when it is operated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card system for purchasing goods, services, etc. using a prepaid card, and particularly to improving convenience in use.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, systems for purchasing goods and services using telephone cards, Orange Cards (trademark), and cards for vending machines at gas stations, rental businesses, restaurants, etc. have become popular. These cards are purchased by the user by paying a fee in advance, and are therefore called prepaid cards.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration diagram of a card system management device in a conventional prepaid card system. Here, a prepaid card system for a washing machine will be explained as an example. The CPU 6 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 8. When the prepaid card 2 is inserted into the card reading/writing device 4, the CPU 6 reads the remaining number of points stored in the prepaid card 2 (reads into an internal register or RAM). Next, according to the output from the device operation detector 10, it is determined whether the washing machine is operating. If the washing machine is operating, the CPU 6 subtracts a predetermined frequency from the read remaining frequency according to the output of the timer 12. At the same time, the current remaining power is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0004] When the user finishes using the washing machine and the operation stops, the CPU 6 writes the current remaining power on the card 2 from the card reading/writing means 4. Thereafter, the card 2 is ejected in order to return it to the user.

[0005] If the current remaining power reaches 0 while the washing machine is in use, the CPU 6 turns off the power to the washing machine and forcibly stops the operation of the washing machine.

As described above, the prepaid card system allows the washing machine to be used without having to prepare cash each time it is used.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional card system as described above has the following problems.

[0008] In the conventional system, since the card is not returned until the end of use, the user cannot leave the washing machine until the washing is completed. This is because there is a risk that the card will be stolen. That is, even in cases such as fully automatic washing machines that do not require human intervention during operation, there is a problem in that the user cannot leave the machine. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a card system management device that is highly convenient to use.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problem] A card system management device according to claim 1 reads the remaining power stored in a rewritable card into a remaining power storage means in accordance with a read command, and stores the remaining power in accordance with a write command. A card reading/writing means for writing the remaining power stored in the means onto the card, a card reading/writing means receiving an import command and taking the card toward the card reading/writing means, and a card reading/writing means receiving a release command. A card transport mechanism ejects a certain card, detects the insertion of a card, outputs an import command to the card transport mechanism, and after the card is taken in by the card transport mechanism,
read command means for outputting a read command to the card reading/writing means; remaining power storage means for storing the remaining power read by the card reading/writing means; reserved power setting means for inputting the reserved power; Remaining power updating means for subtracting the input reserved power from the remaining power stored in the power storing means and storing the subtraction result in the remaining power storing means, after the remaining power updating means has finished updating the remaining power. , write command means that outputs a write command to the card reading/writing means and outputs a release command to the card transport mechanism, and calculates the reservation time based on the input reservation frequency and the consumption frequency of the device per unit time. a reservation time calculation means for performing a timekeeping operation, a reservation time end determination means for determining whether or not the clock output of the timekeeping means has reached the reservation time, and outputting an end signal when the reservation time ends; The apparatus is characterized by comprising a device operation control means for forcibly terminating the operation of the connected device in response to the request.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the card system management device reads the remaining power stored in the rewritable card into the remaining power storage means in accordance with the read command, and stores it in the remaining power storage means in accordance with the write command. A card reading/writing means for writing the remaining number of points on the card, a card that receives an import command and takes the card toward the card reading/writing means, and also receives an ejection command and releases the card from the card reading/writing means. a transport mechanism, a read command means for detecting the insertion of a card and outputting an import command to the card transport mechanism, and outputting a read command to the card reading/writing means after the card is taken in by the card transport mechanism;
Remaining energy storage means for storing the remaining energy read by the writing means; Reservation time setting means for inputting the reservation time; Reservation energy is determined based on the input reservation time and the consumed energy per unit time of the device. reservation frequency calculating means for calculating;
Remaining power updating means for subtracting the calculated reserved power from the remaining power stored in the remaining power storing means and storing the subtraction result in the remaining power storing means, and the updating of the remaining power by the remaining power updating means is completed. After that, a writing command is output to the card reading/writing means, a writing command means is outputting a release command to the card transport mechanism, a time measuring means is performing a time measuring operation, and the clock output of the time measuring means reaches the input reserved time. and a device operation control device for forcibly terminating the operation of the connected device upon receiving the end signal. It is characterized by

[0011]

[Operation] The remaining power stored on the card is read into the remaining power storage means by the card reading/writing means. Next, when the reservation frequency (reservation time) is set, the remaining energy update means subtracts and updates the remaining energy in the remaining energy storage means based on this. The updated remaining power is written to the card by the card reading/writing means. Then the cards are released. When the set reservation frequency (reservation time) has elapsed, the reservation time end determination means gives an end signal to the device operation control means. In response to this, the device operation control means forcibly stops the operation of the device.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of a card system management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rewritable card 2 stores the remaining power. When using the device 34 connected to the card system management device, the card 2 is inserted into the device. When the card 2 is inserted into the device, the reading command means 20 sends a reading command to the card transport mechanism 3.
give to In response to this, the card transport mechanism 3 sends the card 2 to the card reading/writing means 4. Thereafter, the remaining power stored in the card 2 is read by the card reading/writing means 4 based on a command from the reading command means 20. The read remaining power is stored in the remaining power storage means 24.

Next, the reservation frequency is inputted by the reservation frequency setting means 11. Here, the reservation frequency is a frequency indicating how much the device 34 is desired to be used. The input reservation frequency is given to the remaining frequency update means 30. The remaining power updating means 30 subtracts this reserved power from the remaining power stored in the remaining power storing means 24. The result of the subtraction is
It is stored in the remaining power storage means 24 as a new remaining power.

When the remaining power is updated in this way, the write command means 22 gives a write command to the card reading/writing means 4. As a result, the updated remaining power is written to the card 2. Next, the write command means 22 outputs a discharge command to the card transport mechanism 3 to cause the card 2 to be discharged.

On the other hand, the input reservation frequency is also given to the reservation time calculation means 13. The reservation time calculation means 13 is
The maximum time (reservation time) during which the device 34 can be used is calculated based on the consumption frequency per unit time of the device 34 and the reservation frequency. In addition, when a plurality of devices 34 are connected, a means for determining whether each device is used or not is provided, and the above calculation is performed by summing up the consumption power per unit time of the devices being used. good. The reservation time end determination means 15 determines whether the clock output of the clock means 32 has reached the reservation time. When the reserved time is reached, a termination signal is given to the device operation control means 17. In response to this, the device operation control means 17 forcibly stops the device 34 by, for example, cutting off the power supply to the device 34.

As described above, when this card system management device is used, the card 2 is returned after the reservation frequency is set, and the subsequent operating time is managed by the device according to the reservation frequency. Therefore, after setting the reservation frequency, the user can freely leave the location where the device 34 is installed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the reservation frequency is set, but as shown in FIG. 2, a reservation time setting means 19 may be provided to set the reservation time. In this case, a reservation frequency calculation means 21 is required to calculate the reservation frequency based on the reservation time. On the other hand, the reservation time calculation means 13 that calculates the reservation time from the reservation frequency is not necessary.

FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the card system management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Power is supplied to the device 34 to be managed via the card system management device 1. This power line 42 includes
A switch 48 is provided and can be controlled from the output port O of the CPU 52. Further, the power supply line 42 is provided with a current detection transformer 56, the output of which is provided to the input port I of the CPU 52 via a detection circuit 60. The detection circuit 60 discriminates the output from the transformer 56 based on a predetermined threshold value and determines the presence or absence of current in the power supply line 42. That is, by taking in the output of the detection circuit 60 from port I, the CPU 52
It is possible to know whether the device 34 is in use.

The CPU 52 is connected to a RAM 64 and a timer 6 via a bus line (control bus and data bus) 62.
6, a display circuit 68, a read/write circuit 72, a card transport unit 3, a reservation button 77, and a confirmation button 79 are connected. The RAM 64 stores calculation, control, and other programs. Note that the RAM 64 is backed up and retains its contents even if the power is turned off.

FIG. 4 shows the front operation section of the card system management device 1. As shown in FIG. The display section 69 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays operational guidance and the current remaining power level according to commands from the display circuit 68. Next to the display section 69, a reservation button 77 and a confirmation button 79 are provided for setting the reservation frequency. At the back of the card insertion slot 73,
A card transport mechanism 3 is provided to accept and accept cards.
Evacuation takes place. Further, by pressing the card ejection button 75, the card is forcibly ejected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the calculation/control processing program stored in the RAM 64. First, when the card 80 is inserted from the card insertion slot 73, the card transport mechanism 3 operates to take the card 80 into the inside. At the same time, a read command is issued from the CPU 52, and a read/write command is issued.
The write circuit 72 operates to read the data on the card. C.P.
U52 stores this data in RAM64.

The card 80 stores data as shown in FIG. The card type code stores a code indicating that the card is a prepaid card. The system type card is a code stored to distinguish cards for the system from other systems. Finally, the remaining power is memorized.

Next, in step S20, the CPU 52 determines whether the system type code read into the RAM 64 is
Determine whether it matches the type code of the system in question. If the system type codes do not match, CPU5
2 interrupts the frequency subtraction process. Thereafter, the card transport mechanism 3 is controlled to eject the card.

[0024] If the system type codes match, the process advances to step S21, and the guidance "Please turn on the power" is displayed on the display section 69. According to this,
The user turns on the device 34 (not shown). At this point, switch 48 remains open and equipment 34
No power is supplied to.

Next, the CPU 52 determines whether the remaining power stored in the card is 0 (step S2).
2). If the remaining count is 0, the process is interrupted. after that,
The card transport mechanism 3 is controlled to eject the card. In other words, use of the card is not permitted. If the remaining power is positive, the process proceeds to step S23 and the switch 48 is closed. This causes the device 34 to start operating.

Next, the CPU 52 takes in the output of the detection circuit 60 from port I and determines whether the device 34 is in use. When the device 34 is not in use (that is, when no current is flowing through the power line 42), the guidance "Please turn on the power" remains displayed. If there is a device in use, the process advances to step S24 and the guidance "Please turn on the power" disappears.

Next, the read remaining power number is displayed on the display section 69 (step S25). Next, the guidance “Please make a reservation” is displayed (step S2).
6). The user presses the reservation button 77 in response to this. At this time, the CPU 52 displays the reservation frequency on the display unit 69 and also displays the guidance "Please press the confirmation button" (step S27). Further, the reservation frequency is set so that the numerical value changes depending on the number of times the reservation button 77 is pressed. For example, "5", "10", "15"
” and so on. The user looks at this, sets the desired reservation frequency, and presses the confirmation button.

[0028] The CPU 52 determines whether the remaining number of points on the card is greater than or equal to the set reservation number (step S).
28). If the remaining number is smaller, step S is performed again.
Repeat steps 25 and below. If the remaining power is larger, go to step S29 and ask "Please make a reservation set".
Turn off the guidance.

Next, the CPU 52 checks the presence or absence of the card 80, and if the card 80 is not inserted, opens the switch 48 to forcibly stop the power supply to the device 34. If the card 80 is inserted, step S3
1, the maximum usable time (reservation time) Tm corresponding to the reservation frequency is calculated. This reservation time Tm is calculated by the following formula based on the reservation frequency and the consumption frequency of the device 34 per unit time.

[0030]Reservation time Tm=(Reservation frequency)/(Device 34
Note that if a plurality of devices are connected, the power consumption per unit time of the devices whose operation is detected by the detection circuit 60 may be summed and calculated.

Next, the CPU 52 subtracts the reserved power from the stored remaining power and stores the subtraction result as a new remaining power (step S32). Furthermore, the read/write circuit 72 is controlled to send this updated remaining power to the card 8.
0 (step S33). Furthermore, the updated remaining power count is displayed on the display unit 69 (step S34). Thereafter, the guidance "Please press the confirmation button" is turned off (step S35).

Next, the CPU 52 turns on the guidance "Please remove the card" (step S36), and controls the card transport mechanism 3 to remove the card 8.
Emit 0. When the user takes this card 80, "
The guidance "Please remove your card" is turned off (step S38).

Thereafter, the CPU 52 starts the operation of the timer 66 (step S39). And reservation time T
It is determined whether m has elapsed (step S41). When the elapse of the reserved time is detected by the time output of the timer 66, the switch 48 is opened to forcibly stop the power supply to the device 34 (step S42).

Note that if the user turns off the device 34 before the reservation time Tm has elapsed, step S2
The process returns to 0 (step S40).

By the way, in this embodiment, the RAM
The operating programs, rate setting data, etc. stored in the card 64 can also be rewritten using the card. That is, in addition to the arithmetic control processing described above, operation program setting processing,
It has a rate setting processing mode. The supervisor card 82 of FIG. 10 is used for operation setting processing, and the charge setting card 84 of FIG. 11 is used for charge setting processing. The supervisor card 82 stores a card type code, a master code, an operation program, constants for various operations, and a system type code. The charge setting card 84 stores a card type code, a system type code, a charge calculation program, and charge calculation constants. FIG. 6 shows an overall flowchart including the arithmetic control processing mode, operation program setting mode, and charge setting mode. The arithmetic control process shown in FIG. 5 is performed in step S10 in FIG.
It is expressed as

First, in step S1, when the card system management device 1 is powered on, the CPU 52 is reset to an initial state. Next, the CPU 52 opens the switch 48 to turn it off (step S2). That is, power is not supplied to the device 34 unless a card is inserted. In this state, the CPU
52 controls the display circuit 68 to display "Please insert card" on the display section 69 (step S3). Next, when a card is inserted from the card insertion slot 73, the display of "Please insert card" disappears (step S5). Next, the data stored in the card is read into the buffer in the RAM 64 via the read/write circuit 72 (step S6).

Next, in step S7, the CPU 52 determines the type of card from the card type code of the inserted card. Now, assuming that the prepaid card 80 is inserted, the CPU 52 performs the arithmetic and control processing shown in FIG.
Step S10).

If the card is the supervisor card 82, an operation program setting process is performed. A flowchart of the operation program setting process is shown in FIG. First, step S
At 60, the master code stored on the supervisor card 82 is checked for suitability. This master code certifies that the supervisor card 82 is the correct card. If the master code is incorrect, the operation program setting process is ended and the card is ejected (FIG. 6, step S11).

[0039] If the master code is correct, the CPU 5
2 stores the operation program stored in the card in the RAM 6.
4 to the operation program area (step S61).
). If an operating program is already stored in the RAM 52, the previous operating program will be erased by overwriting the new operating program. Further, along with the operation program, operation constants that determine the operation of the card system management device 1 are also transferred to the RAM 64. Here, the operation constant is a constant that determines the basic operation of the management device 1, and is, for example, a numerical value that determines the timing of turning on the operation guidance or the timing of card ejection.

Next, the system type code is stored in the RAM 64 (step S62). The system type code is
This is a code for determining what kind of system the management device 1 is used in. For example, for a card system that only targets specific areas or facilities,
A specific system type code is given. This system type code is stored in the RAM 64 of the management device 1,
Consistency with the system type code of the prepaid card 80 is determined (see step S20 in FIG. 5 described above). Therefore, there is no possibility that the management device 1 will be activated by cards of different systems. After storing the operating program and operating constants in the RAM 64 as described above, the process is completed and the card is ejected (FIG. 6, step S
11). Thereafter, this management device 1 operates according to the newly stored operation program. That is, the program shown in FIG. 5 is changed to new content. in this way,
By simply inserting the supervisor card 82, operating programs can be set and changed. Therefore, it is extremely easy to change the operation of the management device 1 or to use the management device 1 for other systems.

In this embodiment, charges are set and changed separately using a charge setting card 84. This is done in consideration of the fact that changing fees is more complicated than changing the system, and that the entity making the fee change and the entity making the system change are often different.

In step S7 of FIG. 6, if it is determined that the card is a rate setting card based on the card type code,
A fee setting process is performed (step S9). A flowchart of the fee setting process is shown in FIG. First, step S7
0, the suitability of the system type card stored on the card is determined. If the system type code stored in the card is different from the system type code stored in the RAM 64, the card is for a rate setting card for another system, so the process is finished and the card is ejected (see FIG. Step S11).

If the system type code matches the one stored in the RAM 64, the charge calculation program and charge calculation constants (such as the consumption rate per unit time of the above-mentioned equipment 34) stored in the card 84 are stored in the RAM 64. (step S71). When writing is completed, the card is ejected (FIG. 6, step S11). Thereafter, calculations are performed by a new fee calculation program (for example, one in which the consumption frequency of the device per unit time has been changed). That is, the fee calculation part of the program shown in FIG. 5 is changed. In this way, simply by inserting the fee setting card 84, it is possible to easily change the fee calculation.

Note that in the above, the functions shown in FIG.
Although it is configured by the PU 52 and its program, part or all of it may be configured by hardware logic.

[0045]

Effects of the Invention In the card system management device according to the present invention, after setting the reservation number or reservation time, the remaining number of points is updated and the card is ejected. Therefore, the user does not need to be near the device while it is in operation. That is, it is possible to provide a card system management device that is highly convenient to use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a card system management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a card system management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a card system management device.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing the front of the card system management device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program for arithmetic control processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a program for operation program setting processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a program for rate setting processing.

FIG. 8 is an overall flowchart of a program stored in RAM 64.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a prepaid card and its storage contents.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a supervisor card and its storage contents.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a rate setting card and its stored contents.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional card system management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2...Card 3...Card transport mechanism 4...Card reading/writing means 11... Reservation frequency setting means 13... Reservation time calculation means 15...Reservation time end determination means 17...Equipment operation control means 19...Reservation time setting means 20...read command means 22...Write command means 24...Remaining power storage means 30... Remaining power update means 32...Timekeeping means 34...Equipment

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: According to a reading command, the remaining power stored in the rewritable card is read into the remaining power storage means, and
A card reading/writing means writes the remaining power stored in the remaining power storing means onto the card in accordance with the write command, and upon receiving the import command, the card is taken in toward the card reading/writing means, and at the same time, the card is read and written and receives the ejection command. a card transport mechanism that releases the card from the card reading/writing means; detects insertion of the card and outputs a command to take it into the card transport mechanism;
After the card is taken in by the card transport mechanism, a read command means outputs a read command to the card reading/writing means, a remaining power storage means storing the remaining power read by the card reading/writing means, and a reserved power. Remaining power updating means for subtracting the inputted reservation power from the remaining power stored in the remaining power storing means and storing the subtraction result in the remaining power storing means; After the updating means finishes updating the remaining power, the writing command means outputs a write command to the card reading/writing means and also outputs a release command to the card transport mechanism, the input reserved power, and the unit time of the device. Reservation time calculating means for calculating the reservation time based on the number of consumption points per hit, a timer for performing timekeeping operation, determining whether or not the time output of the timer has reached the reservation time, and outputting an end signal when the reservation time ends. 1. A card system management device comprising: means for determining the end of a reserved time to output; and device operation control means for forcibly terminating the operation of a connected device in response to an end signal. 2. Reading the remaining power stored in the rewritable card into the remaining power storing means in accordance with the reading command;
A card reading/writing means writes the remaining power stored in the remaining power storing means onto the card in accordance with the write command, and upon receiving the import command, the card is taken in toward the card reading/writing means, and at the same time, the card is read and written and receives the ejection command. a card transport mechanism that releases the card from the card reading/writing means; detects insertion of the card and outputs a command to take it into the card transport mechanism;
After the card is taken in by the card transport mechanism, a read command means outputs a read command to the card reading/writing means, a remaining power storage means storing the remaining power read by the card reading/writing means, and a reservation time. from the reservation time setting means for inputting the reservation time, the reservation power calculation means for calculating the reservation power based on the input reservation time and the consumption power per unit time of the device, and the remaining power stored in the remaining power storage means, Remaining power update means that subtracts the calculated reserved power and stores the subtraction result in the remaining power storage means, and outputs a write command to the card reading/writing means after the remaining power updating means finishes updating the remaining power. At the same time, it is determined whether or not the time output of the writing command means for outputting a discharge command to the card transport mechanism, the timer means for performing a timekeeping operation, and the timer output of the timer means has reached the input reserved time, and when the reserved time has ended. A card system management device comprising: a reservation time end determination means for outputting a termination signal; and a device operation control means for forcibly terminating the operation of a connected device upon receiving the termination signal.