JPH0498384A - Prepaid card system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simultaneously utilize plural equipment with one prepaid card by discharging the inserting prepaid card while performing a processing against the use of equipment of the set time on the prepaid card during insertion with a reservation signal. CONSTITUTION:The use of the equipment is reserved by an operation means 1, and a reservation execution means 2 discharges the inserting prepaid card while performing the processing against the use of the equipment of the set time to the inserting prepaid card by a reservation signal from this operation means 1 to enable the use of the set time of the equipment. In short, a fee- charging device 14 discharges a prepaid card 50 while performing the reservation pull-down by a constant frequency from the prepaid card 50 when a reservation button 33 is pushed during playing a television receiver 11 to perform, for example, the playing of the television receiver 11 is continued by the frequency for one hour. Therefore, an attendant or the like can utilize a washing machine 12 and a drying machine 13 with the use of the prepaid card 50 during a patient watches the television receiver 11. Thus, plural equipment can be simultaneously utilized with one prepaid card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a prepaid card system used for charging fees for the use of television receivers in hospitals and the like.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, various prepaid card systems have been proposed, and charging devices are used to charge fees for use of television receivers, etc. When a prepaid card is inserted into this tolling device, the device becomes usable, and after the device is used, the prepaid card is processed for use of the device and the prepaid card is ejected.

For example, in a charging device that charges a fee for viewing on a television receiver, when a prepaid card is inserted as shown in Figure 13, it is determined whether or not this prepaid card is valid. If not, eject the prepaid card. If the prepaid card is valid, the television receiver is turned on to enable viewing, and the broadcast signal of each program is sent to the television receiver according to the channel selection signal from the operation panel. and select. Frequency data corresponding to the charge is recorded on the prepaid card, and it is determined whether this data is valid (more than or equal to the frequency data per unit viewing time of the television receiver). If the frequency data on the prepaid card is greater than or equal to the frequency data per unit viewing time on the television receiver, the television receiver remains enabled for viewing, and when viewing on the television receiver is finished, the television receiver can be turned on from the operation panel. When the receiver viewing end signal is input, the remaining power data obtained by subtracting the power data corresponding to the viewing fee of the television receiver from the power data at the time of insertion is recorded on the prepaid card, and the prepaid card is ejected. In addition, if the prescription data on the prepaid card becomes less than the prescription data per unit viewing time on the television receiver, the remaining amount will be calculated by subtracting the prescription data corresponding to the viewing fee for the television receiver from the prescription data at the time of insertion into the prepaid card. Records the frequency data and ejects the prepaid card.

In addition, in charging devices that charge a fee for the use of equipment such as washing machines and dryers, when a prepaid card is inserted, it is determined whether the prepaid card is valid or not.
If the prepaid card is not valid, the prepaid card is ejected. If the prepaid card is valid, the device is powered on and it is determined whether the frequency data of the prepaid card is greater than or equal to the frequency data per unit usage time of the device. If the frequency data on the prepaid card is greater than or equal to the frequency data per unit usage time of the device, the device remains available for use, and when the device is finished viewing and a usage end signal is input from the operation panel, the prepaid card The remaining power data obtained by subtracting the power data corresponding to the device usage fee from the power data at the time of insertion is recorded, and the prepaid card is ejected.

Additionally, if the frequency data on the prepaid card becomes less than the frequency data per unit usage time of the device, the remaining frequency data is recorded by subtracting the frequency data corresponding to the device usage fee from the frequency data at the time of insertion into the prepaid card. Eject the prepaid card.

In hospitals, etc., the above-mentioned charging devices that charge a fee for viewing television receivers and charging devices that charge a fee for the use of equipment such as washing machines and dryers are used for inpatients and their attendants. The same prepaid card is shared by each group of people.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above prepaid card system, the prepaid card is inserted inside the tolling device when the device is in use, so if the same prepaid card is shared by multiple tolling devices, two or more prepaid cards are required. Without it, it is not possible to use two or more devices at the same time, and 1
With multiple prepaid cards, each device must be used in turn. In addition, in hospitals, etc., charging devices that charge a fee for viewing television receivers and charging devices that charge a fee for the use of equipment such as washing machines and dryers are used for inpatients and their attendants. In cases where the television receiver is shared, the prepaid card is inserted into the tolling device when someone is watching the television, so it is not possible for another person to use equipment other than the television receiver at this time. If you try to do so, you must either have at least one prepaid card or stop watching the television and eject the prepaid card from the charge device before you can use a device other than the television. This is inconvenient for the user.

An object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks and provide a prepaid card system that allows multiple devices to be used simultaneously with one prepaid card.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a tolling device that enables a device to be used when a prepaid card is inserted, and after the device is used, processes the prepaid card for device use and discharges the prepaid card. As shown in FIG. 1, the prepaid card system includes an operating means 1 for reserving the use of the device, and a reservation signal from the operating means 1 to perform processing for using the device for a set time on the inserted prepaid card. and a reservation execution means 2 for ejecting the prepaid card being inserted and allowing the device to be used for the set time, and the invention of claim 2 uses a plurality of different devices when inserting the prepaid card, respectively. A prepaid card system that includes a plurality of tolling devices that enable the device to be used, performs processing on the prepaid card for equipment use, and discharges the prepaid card after the device is used, and the plurality of tolling devices use a common prepaid card. In the above, at least one of the plurality of charging devices includes an operation means 3 for reserving the use of the device, and a reservation signal from the operation means 3 to perform processing for using the device for a set time on a prepaid card being inserted. The device is equipped with a reservation execution means 4 for ejecting the inserted prepaid card and allowing the device to be used for the set time.

[For production]

In the invention of claim 1, the use of the device is reserved by the operating means 1, and in response to the reservation signal from the operating means 1, the reservation execution means 2 processes the prepaid card being inserted for use of the device for a set time. In the invention according to claim 2, wherein the prepaid card is ejected and the device is used for the set time, the use of one device is reserved by the operating means 3 in at least one of the plurality of charging devices, and the In response to the reservation signal, the reservation executing means 4 processes the inserted prepaid card for use of the device for the set time, ejects the inserted prepaid card, and enables the device to be used for the set time.

〔Example〕

FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) show an embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is a prepaid card system for a hospital that is shared by one inpatient and his/her attendant, etc., and a bag W14 is charged for viewing a television reception and using a washing machine 12 and a dryer 13. ,15.
16, the fee will be charged.

A charging device that charges a fee for viewing on the television receiver 11! +4, the antenna 17 receives television broadcast signals of multiple channels as shown in FIG. A television broadcast signal is selected.

The independent broadcasting device 20 has a video tape recorder, a television camera, a microphone, etc. for recording and reproducing the television broadcast signal from the distributor 18, and receives the reproduction signal from the video tape recorder and the video signal from the television camera. and an audio signal from the microphone as a broadcast signal of channel H, which is different from the television broadcast channel. The broadcast signal from the independent broadcasting device 20 and the broadcast signal from the tuner 19 are connected to the RF switch 2I.
One of them is selected by the control signal from the control section 22 and inputted to the television receiver II, and the power supply control section 23 turns on the power of the television receiver 11 according to the control signal from the control section 22. / Turn off. As shown in FIG. 4, the display/operation section 27 has a TV button 28. Channel down button 29. Channel up button 30
．． Channel indicator 31. Remaining power indicator 32. It has a reservation button 33 and the like, and the prepaid card is inserted and ejected through the cart insertion slot 34.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the television receiver 1
Card reader/writer 35 used for paid viewing of 1.
A prepaid card is inserted and ejected through the card insertion slot 34.

In the card reader/writer 35, as shown in FIG.
Conveyed (insertion and ejection) by a conveyance system (not shown) along
Then, the magnetic head 37 magnetically reads and writes data to the prepaid card, and the thermal head 38 records marks. Further, the sensors 39, 40, and 41 detect prepaid cards at predetermined positions on the cart transport path 36. Figure 6(a)
As shown in ~(d), the magnetic head 37 consists of a write magnetic head 37a and a read magnetic head 37b, and the modulation/demodulation circuit 42 receives the write clock from the control unit 22 in synchronization with the write clock from the write clock and clock generation circuit 43. The data is modulated and sent to the write magnetic head 37 via an amplifier 44.
By outputting to a, the data is written to the prepaid card. Further, data is read from the prepaid card by the reading magnetic head 37b, and a read signal from the reading magnetic head 37b is demodulated by the modulation/demodulation circuit 42 via the amplifier 45 and output to the control section 22. A motor drive circuit 46 drives a prepaid card transport DC motor 47 that drives the transport system using a motor forward rotation signal MB and a motor reverse rotation signal MB from the control unit 22. .41
sends a prepaid card detection signal from to the control unit 22,
The thermal head driving section 49 drives the thermal head 38 based on a signal from the control section 22 to record a mark on the prepaid card. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, a magnetic stripe 51 with a width of 3m+m is provided on the bottom surface of the prepaid card 50 at a position 9 cm from one side edge in parallel to the insertion direction of the prepaid card 50. The magnetic head 37 reads and writes data to 51.
This is done by The magnetic stripe 51 of the prepaid card 50 records ID data unique to each prepaid card, frequency data corresponding to time, etc., and initially, constant frequency data is recorded. The prepaid card 50 can be used in any of the charging devices 14, 15, and 16. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, a prepaid card 50
On the top surface, ten mark recording positions IPl to PIO are provided at regular intervals in parallel to the direction of insertion of the prepaid card 50, and the control unit 22 controls the thermal head drive unit 49 to perform thermal recording according to the remaining power of the prepaid card 50. The head 38 is driven to record marks at mark recording positions WPl to PIO.

The control unit 22 presses the channel down button 29. Tuner 19 and R by the signal from channel up button 30
Each time the channel down button 29 is pressed, the reception channel of the television receiver 11 (the channel to be viewed) is changed by controlling the F switch 2j.
．． 3...II, 12, and channel H of independent broadcasting are selected in order to move downward, and each time the channel up button 30 is pressed, channels 1, 2, 3... 11 of television broadcasting are selected. Channel 12 and independent broadcasting channel 1 are selected to move upward in sequence, and the selected channels are displayed on the channel display 31. The control unit 22 also displays the remaining power of the prepaid card inserted through the card insertion slot 34 on the remaining power display 32.
to be displayed.

FIG. 9 shows a part of the processing flow of the control section 22.

When the prepaid card 50 is inserted from the card insertion slot 34 and detected by the sensor 39, as shown in FIG. is output to the motor drive circuit 46 to rotate the prepaid card transporting DC motor 47 in the prepaid card loading direction,
When the prepaid card detection signal PI (3) from the sensor 4J turns on and the prepaid card detection signal P old from the sensor 39 turns off, the prepaid card transport DC motor 47 is braked and stopped via the motor drive circuit 4G. This ends the prepaid card import.And while the prepaid card is being imported.

When the prepaid card detection signal PH3 from the sensor 41 is on, data is read from the prepaid card 50 by the reading magnetic head 37b, and this data is sent to the amplifier 45. The frequency data in this input data is input to the control unit 22 via the modulation/demodulation circuit 42, and the control unit 22 stores the frequency data in the input data in a memory and also stores the frequency data in the input data.
It is determined whether the prepaid card 50 is a valid card by comparing the data and the frequency data. If the control unit 22 determines from the data that the prepaid card 50 is not a valid card, or if it determines that the frequency data in the input data is not greater than or equal to the frequency data corresponding to the unit viewing time of the television receiver 11, A motor reversal signal MB is output to the motor drive circuit 46 to rotate the prepaid card transporting DC motor 47 in the ejection direction, thereby ejecting the prepaid card 50 from the card insertion slot 34.

In this case, the control unit 22 controls the sensor 3 as shown in FIG.
Approximately two seconds after the prepaid card detection signal Pold from 9 is turned off, the prepaid card conveying DC motor 47 is stopped via the motor drive circuit 46.

If it is determined that the prepaid card 50 is a valid card based on the ID data in the input data, and if it is determined that the frequency data in the input data is greater than or equal to the frequency data corresponding to the unit viewing time of the television receiver 11, The control section 22 causes the power supply control section 23 to turn on the power to the television receiver 11 to enable viewing of the television receiver 11, and presses the channel down button 29 on the display/operation section 27. tuner 19 in response to an input signal from channel up button 30. By controlling the RF switch 21, the antenna 17. A television broadcast signal and an independent broadcast signal from the independent broadcasting device 20 to the television receiver 11 are selected. Then, the control unit 22 counts the frequency corresponding to the viewing time of the television receiver 11 during viewing on the television receiver 11, and if the count result is less than or equal to the frequency data in the input data, the remaining frequency (input data (subtracting the above counting results from the frequency data in )
It is determined whether or not the frequency is greater than or equal to the unit viewing time of the television receiver 11. When the remaining power is no more than the power corresponding to the unit viewing time of the television receiver 11, the control unit 22 controls the television receiver based on the power data read from the prepaid card 50 and stored in the memory when the prepaid card 50 is inserted. The modulation/demodulation circuit 42 subtracts the count result of the frequency corresponding to the viewing time of No. 11 and uses the result as the remaining frequency data. The signal is output to the write magnetic head 37b via the amplifier 44 and written into the prepaid card 50. In this case, the control unit 22 outputs the motor reversal signal MB to the motor drive circuit 46 to rotate the prepaid card transporting DC motor 47 in the ejection direction to return the prepaid card 50 to near the card insertion slot 34, and then
As shown in FIG. 12, the motor normal rotation signal MF is output to the motor drive circuit 46 to rotate the prepaid card transporting DC motor 47 in the receiving direction, thereby transferring the prepaid card 50.
is taken in, and after the prepaid card detection signal from the sensor 41 is turned on, the remaining power data is written to the prepaid card 50 (rewriting of the power data). Furthermore, the control unit 22 outputs a motor reversal signal AB to the motor drive circuit 46 to drive the prepaid card conveying DC motor 4.
7 in the ejection direction, the prepaid card 50 is ejected from the card insertion slot 34, and the power control section 23 is caused to cut off the power to the television receiver 11.

In addition, if the remaining power is equal to or greater than the power corresponding to the unit viewing time of the television receiver 1, the control unit 22 presses the TV button 2.
Keep the television receiver 11 powered on until the channel down button 29.8 is pressed. Tuner 1 according to the input signal from channel up button 30
9. Controls the RF switch 21.

Therefore, the viewer of the television receiver 11 can press the channel down button 29. The user can select a channel using the channel up button 30 and watch television broadcasts or independent broadcasts on the television receiver 1F, and when the viewing is finished, the TV button 28 is pressed. Control unit 2
2 determines whether viewing on the television receiver 11 has ended based on a signal from the television button 28. When viewing on the television receiver 11 is finished, the control unit 22 calculates the degree of power corresponding to the viewing time of the television receiver 11 based on the degree data read from the prepaid card 50 and stored in the memory when the prepaid card 50 was inserted. The modulation/demodulation circuit 42 subtracts the counting result and uses the result as residual frequency data. Writing magnetic head 37a via amplifier 44
The data is output to the prepaid card 50 and written to the prepaid card 50.

In this case, the control unit 22 outputs the motor reverse rotation signal M as described above.
B is output to the motor drive circuit 46 to rotate the prepaid card transporting DC motor 47 in the ejection direction and return the prepaid card 50 to near the card insertion slot 34. After that, the motor forward rotation signal is output to the motor drive circuit 46. After outputting the output and rotating the prepaid card transport DC motor 47 in the receiving direction to take in the prepaid card 50, and after the prepaid card detection signal from the sensor 41 is turned on, remaining power data is written to the prepaid card 50 (rewriting the power data). I do. Further, the control section 22 causes the prepaid card 50 to be ejected from the card insertion slot 34 in the same manner as described above, and causes the power supply control section 23 to cut off the power to the television receiver 11.

Further, in the pay device 14, if the reservation button 33 is pressed while viewing on the television receiver 11, a prepaid card 50 is debited with a predetermined number of credits, for example, one hour's worth of credits, and the prepaid card 50 is discharged.

Viewing on the television receiver 11 can be continued for the same number of times as that one hour. When the reservation button 33 is pressed during viewing on the television receiver 11, the control unit 22
Based on the signal from the reservation button 33, the frequency count result corresponding to the viewing time of the television receiver 11 is calculated from the frequency data read from the prepaid card 50 and stored in the memory when the prepaid card 50 is inserted. The modulation/demodulation circuit 42 subtracts the frequency and uses the result as residual frequency data. The signal is output to the write magnetic head 37b via the amplifier 44 and written into the prepaid card 50. In this case, the control unit 22 returns the prepaid card 50 to the vicinity of the card insertion slot 34 in the same manner as described above, takes in the prepaid card 50 again, and inserts the prepaid card 50 into the prepaid card 50.
Then, the prepaid card 50 is ejected from the card insertion slot 34 in the same manner as described above. Then, the control section 22 counts one hour corresponding to the above-mentioned fixed frequency using a timer, determines that viewing on the television receiver 11 has ended when the timer times up or when the television button 28 is pressed, and the power supply control section 23 to cut off the power to the television receiver 11.

In this way, the fee charging device 14 is the television receiver 11
If you press the reservation button 33 while watching, you will receive a prepaid card 5.
The prepaid card 50 is discharged after a certain number of child discounts are withdrawn from 0, and viewing on the television receiver II is continued for the number of times for that one hour, so the hospitalized patient can watch the television receiver 11. While the person was washing the clothes, the accompanying person used a prepaid card of 50 yen to use the washing machine. The dryer 13 can be used, and one prepaid card 50 can be used to watch the television receiver 11 and use the washing machine 12 or the dryer 13 at the same time.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c), the charging device 15
are a power supply control unit 50, a card reader/writer 51. It has a control section 52 and a display/operation section 53. The cart reader/writer 51 is configured in the same manner as the card reader/writer 35 of the tolling device 14, and similarly to the card reader/writer 35, it reads data from the prepaid card 50 based on signals from the control unit 52, and performs I/O operations. Include the details. The control unit 52 controls the card reader/writer 51 in substantially the same way as the control unit 22 of the charge charging device 14, and when the prepaid card 50 is inserted into the card reader/writer 51, the power control unit 50 controls the power supply of the washing machine 12. Turn on and wash I
Count the frequency corresponding to the usage time of Ik12, and wash the washing machine 1.
When the use of the washing machine 12 is completed, a signal input from the display operation unit 53 allows the frequency counting result corresponding to the usage time of the washing machine 12 to be calculated from the frequency data in the data read from the prepaid card 50 when the prepaid card 50 is inserted. Subtract the result and send it to the card reader as remaining energy data.
The writer 51 is made to write to the prepaid card 50.

The charging device 116 also includes a power supply control section 54, a cart reader/writer 55, a control section 56, and a display/operation section 57. Cart reader/writer 55 is in the paid bag [14]
It is configured similarly to the card reader/writer 35 described above, and similarly to the card reader/writer 35, it reads and writes data to and from the prepaid card 50 based on signals from the control section 56. The control unit 56 is connected to the charge charging device 14.
The control unit 22 controls the power reader/writer 55, and when the prepaid card 50 is inserted into the cart reader/writer 55, the power source control unit 54 turns on the power of the dryer 13 and the dryer 13 is turned on. The frequency corresponding to the usage time of the prepaid card 5 is counted, and when the use of the dryer 13 is finished, the prepaid card 5 is
The frequency count result corresponding to the usage time of the dryer 13 is subtracted from the frequency data in the data read from the prepaid card 50 when the card 0 is inserted, and the result is sent to the card reader/writer 55 as the remaining frequency data on the prepaid card 50.
write to.

Note that the charging devices 15 and 16 are similar to the charging device 14 and the washing machine 12. If you press the reservation button while the dryer 13 is in use, a prepaid card 50 will be ejected with a certain number of drops, and the prepaid card 50 will be ejected from the washing machine 12 for the same number of times. A reservation function may be provided so that the dryer 13 can be used continuously. Further, the present invention can be used for viewing on a television receiver 11 and washing machine 12. It can be applied not only to the use of the dryer 13, but also to devices that charge a fee for the use of ice makers, shower devices, water heaters, refrigerators, etc., and can also be applied to multiple devices that charge a fee for the use of the same type of equipment. The present invention can also be applied to a prepaid card system in which a prepaid card is commonly used in a toll charging device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, there is provided a charging device that enables the use of a device when a prepaid card is inserted, performs processing on the device usage on the prepaid card after using the device, and discharges the prepaid card. In a prepaid card system, there is an operating means for reserving the use of the device, and a reservation signal from the operating means performs processing on the inserted prepaid card for use of the device for a set time, ejects the inserted prepaid card, and removes the inserted prepaid card from the device. Since it is equipped with a reservation execution means that enables use of the set time, it is possible to use multiple devices at the same time with one prepaid card, and while using one device, it is possible to use other devices without stopping the use. equipment can be used.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, a plurality of different devices can be used when each prepaid card is inserted,
A prepaid card system comprising a plurality of tolling devices that perform processing on the prepaid card to discharge the prepaid card after using the device, and in which the plurality of tolling devices use a common prepaid card, At least one of the plurality of charging devices includes an operation means for reserving the use of the device, and a reservation signal from the operation means to perform processing on the inserted prepaid card for use of the device for a set time. Since it is equipped with a reservation execution means that allows the card to be ejected and the device to be used for the set time, it is possible to use multiple devices at the same time with one prepaid card. Other equipment can be used without stopping use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are block diagrams showing the invention of each claim,
3(a) to (c) are block diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the display/operation section of the same embodiment,
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of the card reader/writer in the same embodiment, FIGS. 6(a) to (d) are block diagrams showing each part of the card reader/writer, and FIGS. 7 and 8. 9 is a bottom view and a plan view showing the prepaid card used in the same embodiment, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing flow of the control unit in the same embodiment, and FIGS. timing chart, 13th
The figure is a flowchart showing the processing flow of a control unit in a conventional prepaid card system. 1.3...Operation means, 2,4...Reservation execution means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The device can be used when a prepaid card is inserted;
In a prepaid card system having a charging device that processes the prepaid card for device usage and discharges the prepaid card after using the device,
an operating means for reserving the use of the device; and a reservation signal from the operating means to perform processing for using the device for a set time on the inserted prepaid card, ejecting the inserted prepaid card, and using the device for the set time. A prepaid card system characterized by comprising a reservation execution means that enables. 2. It has a plurality of charging devices that enable a plurality of different devices to be used when a prepaid card is inserted, and that after the device is used, processes the prepaid card for device use and ejects the prepaid card. In a prepaid card system in which a plurality of tolling devices use a common prepaid card, at least one of the plurality of tolling devices includes an operating means for reserving use of the device, and a reservation signal from the operating means during insertion. 1. A prepaid card system comprising: a reservation executing means for performing processing on a prepaid card for use of the device for a set time, and ejecting the inserted prepaid card to enable use of the device for the set time.