JPH08339405A - Prepaid card system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make charge collection unmanned by making the prepaid card system usable for the charge of a guest room and charges regarding facilities in the guest room. CONSTITUTION: This prepaid card system consists of a card money reception account settling machine 200 which receives prepaid money and issues a prepaid card C where the balance is recorded, and then returns the balance when the card after use is set, the card C, and a card reading and keeping machine 100 equipped with an arithmetic control part 11 which sends an unlock command to an electric lock 6A to allow guest room use after subtracting the guest room charge from the card balance by a reading and writing part 3A once the card C is set, then holds the card C in equipment by a conveying and keeping part 4A, subtracts charges from the card balance according to charging information from a charged facility control part 5A prior to the use of charged interior facilities E such as a television set to allow facility use, stops the use on receiving use time excess information from a timer part 7, and makes the carrying and keeping part 4A discharge the card C when the user exits.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for using a prepaid card to settle a usage fee from a paying room facility in a specific facility such as a hotel or a rental room. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system that allows unmanned clearing operations of hotels by unlocking and locking the doors of facilities, using prepaid cards as keys, and clearing charges for facilities such as guest rooms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in hotels and the like, there is a card lock system for controlling unlocking and locking of a door by using a card key instead of a mechanical key as a key for a guest room. For example, at the front desk of a hotel, a user who has applied for a guest room is given a card key on which the room number is recorded, the user opens the guest room door with the card key, and then enters the room with the card key. Is. Such a technique is proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-51593.

[0003]

By the way, there is a case where it is desired to collect charges as an in-room facility in a guest room, for example, a television, a video, a refrigerator, a telephone, etc. When collecting charges for the use of such various paid indoor facilities: If you give the user a prepaid card and attach a card reader to each facility, you can settle with a card for each facility. it can. Alternatively, by connecting each facility to the host computer of the center and collecting the utilization status of each facility in the center, it is possible to collectively pay the fee after using the guest room.

However, in the above method, it is necessary to set the card in the reader each time each facility is used, and in order to use two or more facilities at the same time, a plurality of cards are required, which is not convenient. Not good. Further, in the above method, there is a possibility that the fee will not be paid because the fee will be settled after the use. In addition, in order to collect usage data in one place,
Since it is necessary to connect each facility in each guest room to the host computer in the center, connection costs are high, and it is necessary to rely on human resources to settle the charges.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to set a single prepaid card at a predetermined place and freely use a plurality of pay indoor facilities in a specific facility such as a hotel or a rental room. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system in which the usage fee can be settled from the card. It also aims to provide a system that allows the charges for the facilities such as guest rooms to be settled at the same time.

[0006]

The prepaid card system of the present invention is, in order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a prepaid card system which uses a prepaid card to settle facility usage charges of a room, indoor equipment and the like. However, the prepaid card having an information recording unit for recording the remaining amount of the prepayment, and the unused remaining amount of the prepayment and the room number, the date of use, etc. which permit the use upon receipt of the prepayment deposit When you issue a prepaid card that records the terms and conditions of use, and when the prepaid card is set, a card deposit clearing machine that returns and clears the balance recorded in the information recording part of the prepaid card, and the set prepaid card The record information such as the balance and usage conditions recorded in the information recording unit of the facility is read and written to rewrite the balance, and the facility entrance / exit door is unlocked or locked. Unlocking and locking means, holding means for holding the prepaid card that has been set, paying indoor equipment, billing information of paying facilities such as rooms, etc. to the arithmetic control means, and paying facilities according to instructions from the arithmetic control means If the recorded information obtained by the reading / writing means is appropriate for unlocking the door, the unlocking / locking means is instructed to unlock the door, and the holding means stores the prepaid card. Management of entry / exit by instructing to hold the card and instructing the holding means to eject the card when the door is opened from the room while the card is in the holding state, and the charge from the balance of the prepaid card based on the billing information. And one or more card reading / storing machines provided with a calculation control means for reducing and clearing.

Further, in the above prepaid card system, the operation control means of the card reading and storing machine, if the usage fee based on the billing information from the pay facility control means is less than or equal to the balance of the prepaid card, the balance is cleared from the balance to pay facility. Instruct the control means to use the pay facility including the pay room facilities, and if the remaining amount is insufficient, instruct the non-permission without clearing,
It is also configured to settle the usage fees for paid facilities in advance.

In each of the above prepaid card systems, the card reading / storing machine further includes timer means for counting the usage time of the pay facility, and when the timer means exceeds the available time of the arithmetic control means. It is also configured to instruct the pay facility control means to prohibit the use of the pay facility.

Further, in each of the above prepaid card systems, the card reading / storing machine is also provided with a power supply control means for turning on / off the power supply of the indoor equipment, and the arithmetic control means instructs the unlocking of the door and the power supply control means. Instruct to turn on,
It is also configured to instruct the power supply control means to turn off the power supply while instructing to eject the card.

Further, in each of the above prepaid card systems, as a structure of the card depositing and clearing machine, there are provided guiding means for guiding how to use the card depositing and clearing machine, and depositing / withdrawing processing means for depositing the prepayment and returning the balance. , Write the unused balance of the prepayment, the room number that allows the use, and the usage conditions such as the date of use in the information recording section of the prepaid card, issue the card, and read the balance of the set card The read / write issuing means and the guide means are instructed to guide, and upon receipt of a deposit from the deposit / withdrawal processing means, the remaining amount and the room number for which the card read / write means is allowed to be used, and the usage conditions such as the date of use, etc. When a prepaid card is set by instructing to write and issue a card, the read / write issuing means is instructed to read the balance of the information recording section of the card, and when the balance is left, It is also intended to a configuration and an operation control means for instructing the return of the balance in the receipt and payment processing means.

[0011]

In the prepaid card system of the present invention, the user deposits the prepayment into the card depositing and clearing machine, and then records the remaining amount of the prepayment as deposit information and the usage conditions such as the room number and the expiration date in the information recording unit. Receive the prepaid card recorded in. Then, first, when the prepaid card is inserted into the card reading / storing machine provided near the entrance of the room, the card reading / storing machine takes in the card and the reading / writing means is recorded in the information recording section of the card. Read information such as the room number. Then, it is determined whether the read usage condition is appropriate or not, and if it is appropriate, the unlocking means unlocks the door. When the card is suitable, the inserted card remains held inside by the holding means. Thus, the user opens the door and enters the room to use the facility.
Then, when using a pay facility such as a room or a pay room facility such as a TV, the calculation control unit receives the billing information from the pay facility control unit, and the calculation control unit reduces the usage fee by the balance of the card. Liquidate. When you leave, the card will be ejected, and if you set the card in the card deposit clearing machine, the remaining money will be returned.

Further, the calculation control means allows the charges such as the room use charge and the room facility use charge to be settled from the card balance in advance only when the balance is sufficient. In addition, the timer means monitors the excess of the usage time, and when the usage time is exceeded, the usage is prohibited. Further, the power supply control means turns on the power supply in the room when the door is unlocked, and turns off the power supply in the room when leaving. In addition, in the card deposit clearing machine,
The guide means informs the usage method, the deposit / withdrawal processing means receives the prepayment payment, and the read / write issuing means stores the unused balance of the prepayment in the information recording section of the prepaid card and the room number which permits the use. , Write usage conditions such as usage date, and issue a card. When the used card is set, the balance of the card is read by the read / write issuing means, and if there is a balance, the balance is returned from the deposit / withdrawal processing means.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The prepaid card system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings on the embodiments assuming the use of guest rooms and indoor facilities such as hotels.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the prepaid card system of the present invention. The prepaid card system of the present invention comprises a card reading / storing machine 100, a card deposit / clearing machine 200, and a prepaid card C. At least one card depositing / clearing machine is installed at the hotel front, etc., the card reading / storing machine 100 is installed near the guest room entrance for each guest room, and a sufficient number of prepaid cards C are prepared by adding the number of spares to the number of guest rooms. To be done.

The card reading / storing machine 100 controls each of the following means to calculate the payment from the remaining amount of the prepaid card in the case of using a pay facility, the card reading / storing machine, or the usage of the indoor equipment. And the like, the guide means 2 for displaying, sounding, and sounding, etc., the prepaid card inserted in the insertion slot, the remaining information in the information recording section of the card, the recorded information such as the room number, etc. Reading / writing means 3 for writing various recorded information, holding means 4 for holding the inserted prepaid card, pay facility control means 5 for controlling availability of pay facility and outputting billing information, and unlocking the door. Alternatively, unlocking / locking means 6 for locking and locking, and timer means 7 for counting the usage time of the pay facility and notifying that the time has passed,
Power supply control means 8 for turning on / off the indoor power supply.

On the other hand, the card deposit clearing machine 200 controls each of the following means to issue a prepaid card, and the operation control means 221 for refunding the remaining balance after use and the method of using the card deposit clearing machine or indoor equipment. Etc. by means of display, sound, voice, etc., deposit / withdrawal processing means 223 for depositing prepayment and returning balance, and the balance, room number, date of use, etc. in the information recording section of the prepaid card. And a writing / writing issuing means 224 for issuing a writing card and reading the balance of the set card.

The prepaid card C is a magnetic card using a magnetic recording layer in the information recording section, an IC card using a semiconductor memory or the like.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the prepaid card system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the prepaid card system includes a card depositing and clearing machine 200 installed at a hotel reception, a card reading and storing machine 200 installed near the entrance of a room, and a card reading and storing machine. It consists of an indoor power supply control panel 8A and an electric lock 6A, which are components of the card reading / storing machine. The electric lock 6A corresponds to the unlocking / locking means 6, and the indoor power supply control panel 8A corresponds to the power supply control means 8. In addition, various indoor pay facilities such as a television, a video, a refrigerator, and a telephone are connected to the pay facility control unit 5A in the card reading and storing machine.
Then, in the card deposit clearing machine 200, the prepaid card is recorded in the information recording section of the prepaid card with the usage conditions such as the usage date, room number, security code, etc., and the remaining amount of the prepayment deposited. Issue. In addition, the room fee is recorded as the balance as it is, and it is collected by the card reading and storing machine side when actually entering the room,
It is also possible to collect the prepaid money from the prepayment at the time of issuing the prepaid card and record the remaining money on the card.

The card reading / storing machine 100 is connected to various indoor fee-charging facilities E such as a television and controls the availability of the billing information by the CPU as shown in FIG.
11, the pay facility control unit 5A, the reading / writing unit 3A including a magnetic head, and a conveyor belt that is appropriately driven convey the card, and the CPU 11 instructs the card to be conveyed at a predetermined position. A transport storage unit 4A that stops and stores the card as a storage unit, a CPU (central processing unit) 11 as a calculation control unit, a RAM (random access memory) 12, a clock 13, etc., a timer 7, and a guide unit. A display 2A (not shown in the internal configuration of the card reading / storing machine) is provided. The RAM 12 stores the date of use, room number, security code and the like. Timer 7 counts the usage time of paid facilities such as indoor paid facilities and guest rooms, and C
Notify PU. Then, the CPU 11 controls the pay facility control unit 5A, the reading / writing unit 3A, the transport storage unit 4A, and the electric lock 6.
A, control the indoor power supply control panel 8A, the guide display unit 2A, etc.,
The fee will be settled from the card, the date of use, the room number, and the security code will be checked, and permission to use the room will be given.

Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory views showing the flow of the entire use from reception to use of guest rooms, use of paid facilities, and subsequent settlement. FIG. 3 (a) shows receipt of payment. Figure 3 shows the acceptance process for issuing a prepaid card.
(B) shows when the prepaid card is inserted into the card reader / storing machine to open the door of the guest room, (c) shows the use of paid equipment in the room, and (d) shows the card returned after use. It is a figure explaining the settlement process which receives the balance. Also,
FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing from reception to unlocking of the guest room door, use of pay facility, and settlement.

The flow of processing according to one embodiment of the prepaid card system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the reception process shown in FIG. 3A is performed, and the user purchases a prepaid card. As the processing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
(Hereinafter, step S11 and the like will be simply referred to as S11.) At the reception, the guest of the guest room deposits the prepayment together with the desired room number, expiration date, etc. of the card deposit / clearing machine (these are accepted by the deposit / withdrawal processing means). Be). Then, the card deposit clearing machine will display the usage date in the information recording section of the prepaid card,
Write the room number, security code, etc. (S12),
Issue a prepaid card (S13). Then, the user receives the prepaid card (S14).

Next is the use of facilities such as guest rooms and indoor equipment shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 3B, go to the guest room to be used, and insert the card into the card reader / storage device installed beside the guest room entrance (S2 in FIG. 7).
1). The card reading and storing machine takes in the card and reads the information recorded in the information recording section of the card (S22).
Then, the date of use, the room number, which is the read record information,
Whether or not the usage conditions of the security code are appropriate, or whether the balance of the recorded information is sufficient and suitable for the room usage charge, is calculated by means of an arithmetic control unit such as a CPU of a card reading and storing machine. To be judged. In addition, a room number, a valid security code, a guest room usage charge, and a usage charge of each pay indoor facility are recorded in the RAM built in the card reading and storing machine. The internal clock also compares the current date with the date of use recorded on the card. As a result of the above,
When it is determined that the inserted prepaid card is inappropriate and is not valid, the card reading / storing machine ejects the inserted card (S231) and refuses to use the facility thereafter. On the other hand, if the judgment content is appropriate and the prepaid card is valid, the room fee is reduced from the remaining amount of the prepaid card and the new remaining amount is written to clear the room fee,
In addition to unlocking the electric lock, the card reader / storer turns on the power to the room lighting in the guest room with the indoor power control panel, and does not eject the inserted prepaid card, but keeps it as it is for card reading and storage. It is stored inside the machine (S24). Then, the user opens the door and enters the room to use the room. When the user opens the door and closes it after entering the room, the electric lock is locked.

Next is the use of paid facilities in the guest room shown in FIG. 4 (c). In this embodiment, the use of the pay facility is premised on the prepaid system. For example, in order to use the television, a predetermined usage fee is paid in advance. On the TV or in the vicinity thereof, there is an application detection unit of the pay facility control means including an input button for detecting the user's desire to use, and when there is a use application (S2
5), the usage fee of the facility recorded in RAM,
If the balance is insufficient compared to the balance of the prepaid card, it is not permitted (S252). If the balance is sufficient, the usage fee is deducted from the balance of the card and settled, and the predetermined use is permitted ( S253). Then, whether or not the usage period has been exceeded is checked by a timer, and after a predetermined usage period has elapsed, the power is turned off or the like to disable the usage and stop the operation (S261). In the case of a guest room, the power supply to the room is turned off. When the user goes out of the room or finishes the use of the guest room and opens the door from the inside (S27), the prepaid card held in the card reading and storing machine is continuously processed while the user is in the room. In order to prevent the user from forgetting to remove the card, a voice and a signal sound are emitted from the guide display unit to warn the user to take out the card, and the user receives the card (S29). The electric lock is locked so that the door cannot be opened again when the door is closed.

If the user is going out temporarily, the facility can be used by returning to step S21 and inserting the card into the card reading / storing machine. At this time, the card reading / storing machine records in the RAM that the room charge by the security code of the card has already been settled,
Room charges are not collected again. The security code issued by the card deposit clearing machine corresponds to the security code of each guest room, but to prevent unauthorized use, the security code (in the same room) is changed according to a predetermined rule every time a prepaid card is issued. When the prepaid card in which the new security code is recorded is also inserted in the reading / storing machine side, by changing the security code according to the same rule, a new user and a re-entry user can be distinguished.

Finally, the balance settlement process of FIG. 4 (d) is performed. When the user inserts the prepaid card into the card deposit clearing machine (S31 in FIG. 6), the card deposit clearing machine reads the balance of the card and returns the balance to the user if there is any balance, so the user receives the balance. (S33). In addition, as at the reception, if you let the user directly operate the card deposit clearing machine, the staff at the hotel side is unnecessary,
You can settle the charges for the guest room and indoor equipment unattended, but a staff member may intervene.

In the above embodiment, the use of the facilities of the hotel,
Further, although the charge settlement for the use of the pay facility in the guest room is dealt with, the pay facility targeted by the present invention may be a common floor in addition to the indoor facility, and is not limited to the hotel but a rental room. And so on.

[0028]

According to the prepaid card system of the present invention, the user can easily purchase a prepaid card with the card depositing and clearing machine, and by setting one purchased card in the card reading and storing machine, a plurality of paying cards can be paid. For indoor equipment, you can use those equipments at the same time without setting a card for each equipment. On the other hand, the facility providers such as hotels can collect various usage charges without attendance. Also,
Prepaid clearing can surely prevent unpaid fees. further,
It is possible to manage the prevention of excess of usage period, unlocking and locking of doors, turning on / off of indoor power, etc. all at once.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a prepaid card system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a prepaid card system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a card receipt (a) to a guest room use (b).

[Fig. 4] Clearing (d) from use of paid facilities (c) in guest room
Illustrations up to.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing (acceptance processing) in one embodiment of the prepaid card system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing (settlement processing) in the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing (utilization of facilities) in the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computational control means 11 CPU 12 RAM 13 Clock 2 Guidance means 2A Guidance display section 3 Reading / writing means 3A Reading / writing section 4 Holding means 4A Transport storage section 5 Pay facility control means 5A Pay facility control section 6 Unlocking / locking control means 6A electric lock 7 timer means 8 power supply control means 8A indoor power supply control panel 100 card reading / storing machine 200 card deposit / clearing machine 221 arithmetic control means 222 guiding means 223 deposit / withdrawal processing means 224 read / write issuing means E pay indoor equipment Sn step number

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid card system that uses a prepaid card to settle facility usage charges for a room, indoor equipment, and the like, the prepaid card having an information recording unit for recording the remaining amount of the prepayment, and the prepayment card. Upon receipt of payment, a prepaid card in which the unused balance of the prepayment, the room number permitting the use, the conditions of use such as the date of use are recorded is issued, and when the prepaid card is set, the prepaid card is The card deposit and clearing machine that returns and clears the balance recorded in the information recording part of the card, and the recorded information such as the balance and usage conditions recorded in the information recording part of the set prepaid card, and rewrite the balance. Read / write means, unlocking / locking means for unlocking or locking the entrance / exit door of the facility, holding means for holding the prepaid card that has been set, paid indoor equipment, The billing information of the pay facility such as a room is sent to the arithmetic control means, and the pay facility control means for prohibiting the use of the pay facility according to an instruction from the arithmetic control means and the record information obtained by the reading / writing means unlock the door. If it is appropriate to lock, the unlocking means is instructed to unlock the door and the holding means is instructed to hold the prepaid card, and when the door is opened from the room when the card is in the holding state, the holding means is One or more card readers / storers comprising: an arithmetic and control unit that manages entry and exit by instructing card ejection, and subtracts the usage fee from the remaining amount of the prepaid card based on the billing information and clears it. A prepaid card system characterized by that. 2. If the usage fee based on the charging information from the pay facility control means is less than or equal to the balance of the prepaid card, the operation control means of the card reading and storing machine will settle the balance and pay to the pay facility control means The prepaid card according to claim 1, wherein the usage fee of the pay facility is instructed in advance, and if the remaining amount is insufficient, the non-permission is instructed without clearing, and the usage fee of the pay facility is prepaid. system. 3. The card reading / storing machine further comprises timer means for counting the usage time of the pay facility, and the timer means instructs the pay facility control means when the operation control means exceeds the available time. The prepaid card system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an instruction to prohibit the use of the pay facility is issued. 4. The card reading / storing machine also includes power control means for turning on / off the power of the indoor equipment, and the arithmetic control means instructs unlocking of the door and also instructs the power control means to turn on the power of the card. 4. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control means is instructed to turn off the power as well as to instruct the discharge. 5. The card deposit clearing machine provides guidance means for instructing how to use the card deposit clearing machine, deposit / withdrawal processing means for deposit processing of the prepayment and return of the balance, and prepayment in the information recording section of the prepaid card. Unused balance of money and room number to permit use, issue conditions of use such as date of use, issue a card, and read / write issuing means for reading the balance of the set card, and guiding means The credit card is issued and the card reading and writing means writes the balance and the usage conditions such as the room number to be used and the usage date to the prepaid card, and the card is issued. When the prepaid card is set, the arithmetic control means for instructing the read / write issuing means to read the balance of the information recording part of the card, and for the deposit / withdrawal processing means to return the balance if there is a balance. When The prepaid card system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: