JPH07200752A - Card processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save uselessness of a card for sum-up and labor and time for the preparation of the card, in a card processor where the sum-up of the transactions by prepaid cards are made to perform by the card for sum-up. CONSTITUTION:Whether an inserted card is a prepaid card, a card for sum-up or a raw card is decided from the magnetic information of the card (S 5, S 15 to 17). When the inserted card is the prepaid card, the card balance is rewritten by the result that transaction amount is reduced from the balance and the card is returned. (S 7 to 14). When the inserted card is a raw card, a card for sum-up is prepared from the raw card (S18). In the inserted card for sum-up or the card for sum-up which is newly prepared, the sum total of the amount of a sum-up amount memory and the sum-up amount recorded in the card for sum-up is written as new sum-up amount, the amount of the sum-up amount memory is printed, and further, printing positional information is rewritten to the information corresponding to the next printing location and ejected (S 19 to 21).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card processing apparatus installed in a facility such as a cafeteria where a prepaid card can be used to trade products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a cafeteria where customers take their favorite foods into their own trays, install a card processing device near each food so that you can settle the charges without going to the cash register. There is a method in which a prepaid card is inserted into a card processing device corresponding to the food each time the food is taken and the amount of the food is settled from the card.

Such a cafeteria system is generally used in many company cafeterias, and the prepaid card used in this system is often issued by the company. Therefore, if the company and the cafeteria are different companies, it is necessary to charge the cafeteria side to the company for the amount of money settled from the prepaid card.

Further, even if the cafeteria and the company are the same company, it is necessary to grasp the number of sales of each food and increase the number of prepared popular foods or reduce the number of prepared unpopular foods. is there.

Therefore, in such a cafeteria, it is necessary to collect the amount of money and the number of payments made by a plurality of installed card processing devices.

As a counting method, for example, it is conceivable that the amount of money settled by each card processing device is sent to the host computer by the communication means, and the host computer performs various counting processes. A system that uses communication means requires communication means and computer equipment, and also requires a computer operator, so that a small cafeteria has a large burden.

Therefore, a totaling function is provided in each card processing device, and totaling information such as the amount of money transacted by the prepaid card is recorded on a totaling card prepared for totaling in advance by a magnetic recording function of the card processing device. There is also a method in which the master card processing machine sequentially reads the totalized information of each of the totaling cards by using the master card processing machine, reads out the totalized information in the master card processing machine, performs total totalization in the master card processing machine, and prints out on a receipt or the like.

[0008]

However, in the case of such a system, the total contents of each card processing device cannot be known until the master card processing device performs processing, and for example, an abnormality occurs in the master card processing device. If it cannot be used for a long time, the total work cannot be done.
In addition, since the appearances of all such counting cards are often the same, it is possible to know which card processing device the counting information is recorded on by looking at the magnetically recorded card. However, there was a problem that the management of the counting card had to be strict.

For this reason, in the card processing device capable of printing on the card, the printing function may be used to print the total information for each card processing device on a new total card each time. Although it is conceivable, this method requires a new totaling card for the number of card processing devices in order to collect the totaling information of all card processing devices once. For example, one day for N card processing devices. If an attempt is made to perform totaling once for M days, a large number of N × M cards for totaling will be consumed.

Further, in order to create such a counting card, a dedicated card making machine is required, and a great deal of labor must be spent in the preparation work of the counting card.
An object of the present invention is to provide a card processing device that solves this problem.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the card processing device of the first invention comprises a reading means for reading magnetic information of a card to be inserted, and information read by the reading means. The card amount determining means for determining whether the inserted card is a prepaid card, a predetermined counting card, or a raw card, and the remaining amount information of the card determined to be a prepaid card by the card determining means. Is stored in the total information memory and the prepaid card settlement means for recording and returning the subtraction result as new balance information on the card and returning the transaction amount and the total amount of transaction amount reduced from the prepaid card by the prepaid card settlement means. The transaction totalizing means and the magnetic recording surface of the card determined to be a raw card by the card determining means, aggregate information An area for magnetically recording the printing position information is provided, initial values are written in the two areas, and a totaling card creating means for creating a totaling card, and the card determining means determines the totaling card. The totaling information obtained by adding up the totaling information stored in the totaling information memory and the totaling information recorded in the totaling information is newly added to the totaling card or the totaling card created by the totaling card creating means. The total information is magnetically recorded and the total information in the total information memory is printed from a position corresponding to the print position information recorded on the card, and the total information is printed by the total information recording unit. A print position information updater that rewrites the print position information of the collected counting card into the position information corresponding to the next print position of the card. It is equipped with a door.

Also, in the card processing device of the second invention, the total information recording means is configured to print the total total information on the card together with the total information recorded in the total information memory.

Further, in the card processing device of the third invention, the totalization information recording means sequentially stores the totalization total information in the totalization totalization memory each time the totalization card is inserted, and the totalization card is stored. When a card for total summation that can be distinguished from is inserted, the total sum information stored in the total sum memory and the total sum information obtained by further summing the total sum information are magnetically recorded and printed on the card. Is configured to.

The card processing device of the fourth invention has a management means for storing management information including error occurrence information necessary for maintenance in a management information memory, and the total information recording means has the management information. The management information recorded in the memory is printed on the counting card together with the counting information.

[0015]

With this configuration, when the card processing apparatus of the present invention performs the settlement process for the prepaid card, the transaction amount is totaled and stored in the total information memory. Then, when the counting card is inserted or a counting card is created from the inserted raw card, the counting information in the counting information memory is printed on the counting card, and the counting information and the card are recorded. The totalized total information obtained by adding the totalized information that has been recorded is magnetically recorded, and the printing position information of the card is updated.

Therefore, if one counting card is inserted into the card processing device at regular intervals, the counting information for each period is printed on the one counting card. In a system using a plurality of card processing devices, if one counting card is inserted into each card processing device in order, the counting information of each card processing device is printed in order on that card. Will be. Also,
When a raw card is inserted, it can be used immediately as a counting card.

In the card processing device of the second invention,
In addition to the total information stored in the total information memory, the total of this total information and the total total information recorded on the inserted total card is printed on the total card.
Therefore, in a system with multiple card processors,
By finally inserting a counting card into this card processing device, the total of the counting information of all card processing devices can be printed in addition to the counting information of each card processing device including this card processing device.

In the card processing device of the third invention,
Each time a totaling card is inserted, the totalized total information is stored in the totaled total information memory, and when the totaled total card is inserted, each totaled total information stored in this memory is printed on this card. It

Further, in the card processing device of the fourth invention,
In addition to the total information, management information of the card processing device is printed out.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cafeteria system in which N + 1 card processing devices of the present invention are installed. This system comprises card processing devices 20 _{1 to} 20 _N of the same type and a master card processing device 20 ₀ .

The appearance of each card processing device 20 is the same. As shown in FIG. 2, a card insertion port 22 is provided on the front side of a housing 21, and a normal process is performed on the inserted card on the top side. Of the card processing device 20 and the OK lamp 24 that is turned on when the balance is insufficient, the shortage lamp 25 that is turned on when the balance is insufficient, and the NG lamp 26 that is turned on when the card is not normally read. Operation,
A mode switch 27 is provided for switching between a transaction mode in which settlement is performed from a prepaid card and a tallying mode in which tallying processing is performed by a tallying card.

Inside each of the card processing devices 20 _{1 to} 20 _N , as shown in FIG. 3, a card transport mechanism 31 for pulling in or ejecting the card inserted from the card insertion port 22 and a card are inserted. A read / write circuit 32 for reading and writing magnetic information to and from the card drawn by the transfer mechanism 31, a thermal printer 33 for printing on the surface of the card, a transfer control for an inserted card, and a read / write control for magnetic information. , A control unit 34 having a microcomputer configuration for performing print control and lighting control for each lamp. This control unit 3
4 is provided with a total amount memory 35 for storing the total amount of money reduced from the prepaid card.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the master card processing device 20 ₀ also includes the card processing devices 20 ₁ to 20 2.
As with 0 _N , the card transport mechanism 31 and the read / write circuit 3
2, a printer 33 and a control unit 36 are provided.
In addition to the total amount memory 35, the control unit 36 includes M (M is, for example, 31) total amount memory 37 ₁ for storing the total amount of total amount of all card processing devices for one month, for example. ~ 37 _M are provided. The control unit 3
Reference numerals 4 and 36 have a timer (calendar) function.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the magnetic recording areas of the prepaid card 40 and the totaling card 50 used in this cafeteria system. As shown in FIG. 5A, on the magnetic recording surface 40a of the prepaid card 40, the company code of the issuing company, the card balance, and information indicating the printing position are recorded, and on the opposite surface, a thermal prepaid card. It is heat-sensitive processed to change its color by heat so that it can be printed.

On the other hand, the magnetic recording surface 50 of the counting card 50
In a, as shown in (b) of FIG.
Total information such as items and their total amount of money, and information indicating the print position are recorded, and the opposite surface is heat-sensitive processed. It should be noted that the totalization type code is for identifying whether this card is a card for totalization and whether the target of totaling is the total amount memory 35 or the total amount memory 37 _{1 to} 37 _M. And the code of. Less than,
The card of the total amount memory of the total amount is simply referred to as the total card, and the card of the total amount memory of the total amount is referred to as the total total card.

FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure of the control unit 34 of the card processing apparatuses 20 _{1 to} 20 _N , and FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure of the master card processing apparatus 20 ₀ . Hereinafter, based on this flowchart, the card processing devices 20 _{1 to} 20
_N, explaining 20 ₀ operation. Since the settlement process for the prepaid cards of all card processing devices is the same, this settlement process will be described first.

When the card is inserted into the card insertion slot 22, the card is pulled into the inside of the apparatus by the transport mechanism 31, the magnetic information is read, and then the mode is judged (S1-4).

When the operation mode is the transaction mode, the control unit 3
Based on this magnetic information, 4 and 36 determine whether or not the inserted card is the above-mentioned prepaid card 40. If the card is not a proper prepaid card, the NG lamp 26 is turned on and the card is ejected. If the card is a prepaid card, it is determined whether the balance information is equal to or more than the amount of food set in advance, and if the balance is insufficient, the insufficient lamp 25 is turned on and It is discharged (S5-9).

If the balance is not insufficient, the OK lamp 2
4 is turned on, the amount of food is subtracted from the remaining amount, the reduced amount of food is added to the stored value in the aggregated amount memory 35, and the added value is stored in the aggregated amount memory 35 as a new aggregated amount. (S10-12).

Then, the balance information of the prepaid card is rewritten with the subtraction result, the subtraction result is printed at a position corresponding to the print position information recorded on the prepaid card, and the position to be printed next is set. The printing position information of the prepaid card is updated with the printing position information shown (S13 to 14).

During the transaction mode, the above operation is repeated every time the prepaid card is inserted, and the total amount of money memory 35 accumulates the amount of money reduced from the prepaid card by the card processing device. . The operation in this transaction mode as described above is exactly the same applies to the case of a master card processor 20 _0.

Then, when the cafeteria staff finishes the business hours and the cafeteria staff collects the sales of the day by using the counting card, each of the card processing devices 20 _{1 to} 20 _N and the master card processing device 20 ₀ is used. Switch to aggregation mode,
One counting card 50, for example, as shown in FIG.
The card processing device 20 ₁ to the card processing device 20 _{N are} sequentially inserted.

In the totaling mode of the card processing devices 20 _{1 to} 20 _N , as shown in FIG. 6, whether the insertion card is a prepaid card, a totaling card, or a raw card is determined. It is determined by reading the magnetic information (S15 to 17).

If the inserted card is determined to be a prepaid card, the process proceeds to step S6, the NG lamp 26 is turned on, and the card is ejected.

When it is determined that the card is a raw card, the same recording area as that of the counting card 50 is secured for this card, and the initial value (for example, 0) is recorded in each area. Card is created (S18).

When it is determined that the inserted card is the counting card and when the counting card is newly created from the raw card, the counting amount and the counting amount memory 35 stored in the card are stored. The sum of the stored value and
The new total amount of money for the card is magnetically recorded, the total amount of money in the total amount memory 35 is printed at a position corresponding to the print position information recorded on this card, and the print position information indicating the next print position is recorded on this card. After the magnetic recording is performed instead of the printing position information of, the totaling card is ejected (S19 to 21). It should be noted that the order of the processes S19 to S21 is arbitrary.

The same processing is performed by one counting card 5
0 for each card processing device 20 _{1 to} 20 _N.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, the total amount of money of each of the card processing devices 20 _{1 to} 20 _N is sequentially printed together with the items on the printing surface of the totaling card 50, and the sum of them is added. The amount of money is magnetically recorded in the total amount area.

[0039] Then, insert this summary for the card to the last master card processing device 20 _0. As shown in FIG. 7, the processing of the master card processing device 20 ₀ for the counting card is also performed by each of the card processing devices 20 _{1 to} 20 _N.
Is substantially identical and aggregation process, not only the printing of the aggregate amount stored in the aggregate amount memory 35, and the aggregate amount, total sum amount memories 37 ₁ to the aggregate amount that has been recorded on the card It is stored in one of 37 _M , and the total amount is finally printed as the total sales for the day (S22, 23).

Therefore, the master card processing device 20
The printed surface of the counting card 50 discharged from ₀ is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b) of FIG.
The total amount and the total amount of each of _{0 to} 20 _N are printed together with the date, and the total amount of all card processing devices is recorded in the magnetic area.

Therefore, since the total amount of money for each card processing device is recorded on one totaling card,
You can see the total of the day at a glance without using the cash register later. Further, even if the counting work is interrupted midway, the next work can be surely restarted by checking the printing of the card.

[0042] In this way, each time the aggregate working day is finished, the one combined amount memory 37 ₁ to 37 _M of the master card processing apparatus 20 _0, summed amount of the final is stored. This storage is done daily for different summed amount memories.

[0043] Here, in the case of taking the aggregate of the combined amount of M-days (for example, January minute), insert the card for the combined aggregate to the master card processing device 20 _0. Master Card processor 20 _0, when the sum aggregate card is inserted, the respective combined amount stored in the summed amount memory 37 ₁ to 37 _M, reads the stored order (date), the card Is printed, and finally, the total sum of the respective sums is printed as total sales for one month (S24 to 27). For this reason,
As shown in FIG. 9, the totaling card 50 'is printed with the totaling for each day and the total thereof, and the total amount is magnetically recorded.

In addition to this counting method, for example, each card processing apparatus 20 _{0 to} 20 _N is provided with a dedicated counting card, and one card processing apparatus is used every day of one card processing apparatus. The total amount of money may be magnetically recorded or printed. In this case, each card processing device _200-
20 _N , for example, the total amount and total amount memory 35 recorded on the total card inserted on the last day of the month.
By providing a function of printing the total amount of money stored in, the daily total amount of money for each card processing device and the total amount of money can be recorded in each totaling card. In this case, N + 1 totaling cards are required at first, but since each card can be used until the printing position is exhausted, the cards are not wasted in the long term.

[0045]

In [other embodiments] The embodiments, a means for printing the combined aggregate amount to the card only in the master card processing apparatus 20 _0, it had been to insert a summary card in the last master card processing apparatus, Total number of card processing devices (N
+1) is set in each card processing device as information, and an area for recording the number of insertions is provided in the counting card, and this initial value is set to N + 1, for example, when the counting card is inserted, If the card processing device subtracts and updates the insertion count information by 1, and when the update result is zero, the total amount of money of the card processing device and the totaled amount of sum of money are printed, so that the total of the day is calculated for each card. The processing can be performed in any order.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, only the total amount of money of each card processing device is printed on one totaling card, but error information generated inside the device, memory usage status, reading of memory, etc. Each card processing device is provided with a management means for storing management information necessary for maintenance of this card processing device, such as the number of retries, in the management information memory, and when the counting card is inserted, management is performed in addition to the total amount. The contents of the information memory may be printed on the card. By doing so, the management information of the card processing device can be regularly collected at the same time as the totalization, without the operator being aware of it.

In the above embodiment, the mode switch 2
The transaction mode and the aggregation mode were switched by the operation of 7. However, this does not limit the present invention.
When the prepaid card is inserted, the transaction processing is immediately performed, and when the raw card or the counting card is inserted, the counting processing is performed, so that the operation mode may be automatically switched depending on the type of the inserted card. In this way, the totaling work can be performed without a troublesome operation.

Further, in the above embodiment, one card processing device collects the transaction amounts of one type of item, but one card processing device collects the transaction amounts of a plurality of items. You may take it for every item. In this case, each card processing device is provided with a key for food selection, and the amount of food for a plurality of foods is preset in the device, and the amount of food selected by key operation is subtracted from the balance of the card. The reduced amount is totaled for each food, and this is printed on the totaling card for each item. Further, the total information to be printed may include not only the amount of money but also the number of transactions for each item.

[0049]

As described above, when the prepaid card is inserted, the card processing device of the present invention performs the settlement of the transaction amount from the remaining amount of the prepaid card,
The transaction amount is aggregated in the aggregation information memory, and when the aggregation card is inserted, the aggregation information in the aggregation information memory is magnetically recorded on the aggregation card and recorded on this aggregation information and the aggregation card. The totalized total information obtained by adding the totalized information is printed on the card, and the print position information indicating the next print position is magnetically recorded on the card.

Therefore, when the totaling information of one card processing device is to be totaled periodically, the totaling can be done many times with one totaling card. Also, if this card processing device is used in a system that uses a plurality of card processing devices, the total information of each card processing device can be printed in order on one totaling card, and the total number of card consumption per system is reduced. The amount can be significantly reduced.

Further, since the card determined to be a raw card can be used as a counting card, it is not necessary to create a card with a dedicated counting card making machine, and only the insertion of a raw card is required. You can continue the aggregation work with.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cafeteria system using a card processing device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a card processing device.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of N card processing devices.

FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of a master card processing device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing magnetic recording surfaces of a prepaid card and a counting card used in the card processing device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of control units of N card processing devices.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit of the master card processing device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a printing surface of a counting card.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a print surface of a totalization card printed by a master card processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ₀ Master card processing device 20 _{1 to} 20 _N card processing device 27 Mode switch 31 Card transport mechanism 32 Read / write circuit 33 Printers 34, 36 Control unit 35 Total amount memory 37 _{1 to} 37 _M total amount memory 40 Prepaid card 50 Total card 50 'totaling card

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 29, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading magnetic information of an inserted card, and the inserted card is a prepaid card, a predetermined counting card, or a raw card based on the information read by the reading means. A prepaid that determines whether or not the transaction amount is subtracted from the balance determination information of the card determined to be a prepaid card by the card determination means, and the subtraction result is recorded on the card as new balance information and returned. A card settlement means, a transaction aggregation means for storing aggregate information of transaction amounts reduced from the prepaid card by the prepaid card settlement means in an aggregate information memory, and a magnetic recording surface of a card determined to be a raw card by the card determination means In addition to providing an area for magnetically recording total information and printing position information, A totaling card creating unit that writes an initial value in the area to create a totaling card, a totaling card determined to be a totaling card by the card determining unit, or a totaling card created by the totaling card creating unit In addition, while magnetically recording the aggregated total information obtained by summing the aggregated information stored in the aggregated information memory and the aggregated information recorded on the card as new aggregated information, the aggregated information in the aggregated information memory, Total information recording means for printing from a position corresponding to the print position information recorded on the card, and print position information of the totaling card on which the total information is printed by the total information recording means, the next print position of the card. And a print position information updating means for rewriting the position information corresponding to the above. 2. The card processing device according to claim 1, wherein the totalization information recording means prints the totalization information together with the totalization information recorded in the totalization information memory on the totalization card. 3. The totalization information recording means sequentially stores the totalization total information in a totalization totalization memory every time the totalization card is inserted, and inserts a totalization totalization card distinguishable from the totalization card. At the time, the total sum information stored in the total sum memory and the total sum information obtained by further summing the sum total information are magnetically recorded and printed on the card. 2. The card processing device according to 2. 4. A management means for storing management information including error occurrence information necessary for maintenance in a management information memory, wherein the total information recording means stores the management information recorded in the management information memory. The card processing device according to claim 1, wherein the card processing device prints the total information together with the total information on the total card.