JPH10289354A - Prepaid correspondent automatic vending machine system using non-contact data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To vend merchandise while subtracting the price of target merchandise by first selecting a purchase amount and only once exposing a non-contact data carrier over a reader/writer. SOLUTION: When a user selects a purchase amount select button 510 and presses a return button 511 at an account adjusting part 500 after the remainder updating processing of non-contact data carrier, a return request is sent from the account settling part 500 to an automatic vending machine part 300, and all the lamps of merchandise select button 310 are turned off. Then, returned money is sent from the vending machine part 300 to the account settling part 500, and the account settling part 500 displays the data carrier on a display/ guidance part 530 so as to expose it over an access area. When the user exposes the data carrier, in this case, the read request of ID and remainder is sent from the account settling part 500 to the data carrier. At such a time, when the ID is coincident, the remainder is sent from the data carrier to the account settling part 500, and the account settling part 500 performs the reference check of the remainder and displays the remainder on the remainder column of guidance part 530.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid vending machine system using a non-contact data carrier for selling (purchasing) a product using a non-contact data carrier such as an IC card, an IC tag or the like with a prepaid value. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are two types of vending machines: one in which merchandise can be purchased with cash, and the other in which a prepaid card is used instead of cash. In the latter vending machine,
The card inserted from the card insertion slot is taken into a card reader / writer, the prepaid balance of the card is rewritten according to the purchased product, and the card is returned together with the product. Such a conventional apparatus using a prepaid card is not only convenient for the user because it does not require cash, but also advantageous in managing the vending machine. However, the user needs to take out the card in possession, insert it into the vending machine, and then, after completing the purchase of the product, return the handed-out card by hand. There are still points that are unsatisfactory.

In order to reduce the complexity of the card operation as described above, a prepaid card incorporating a non-contact data carrier such as an IC card or an IC tag is used.
2. Description of the Related Art A vending machine that enables purchase (sale) of a product has been proposed. For example, a vending machine control method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-176251 is provided with a vending machine main control unit, an IC card control unit, and an antenna. Is switched to the first control method for unloading the goods after subtracting a fixed amount corresponding to the above. If the prices are not the same, the amount included in the IC card is transferred to the vending machine main controller, and after the goods are unloaded, Is switched to the second control method for paying out the IC card according to the price of the IC card. That is, if the price of the product to be sold is the same price, when the user stands in front of the vending machine and presses the product selection button, the data is read from the IC card, and the amount obtained by subtracting the set amount is written. If the price to be sold is different after that, the user stands in front of the vending machine and presses the product selection button, and the remaining amount in the IC card is transferred to the vending machine side once and the IC is transferred to the vending machine side. The remaining amount in the card is set to 0, and when the refund lever is operated after the product is dispensed, the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the sales amount is written to the IC card, and the operation of both is switched by a switch. I have.

[0004]

In a vending machine compatible with a contactless IC card according to the above-described control method, if the same product is handled, a fixed amount corresponding to the price is charged to the vending machine.
By pre-empting from the C card, the selling operation can be ended without performing post-payment, so that the IC card needs to be operated only once, which is convenient for the user.
However, if the products are not the same price,
The prepaid balance is 0 with the amount of the C card temporarily kept.
The operation is difficult to understand and the operation is complicated since the reimbursement is performed when the refund lever is operated. Many vending machines can handle products with different prices. In this case, it is necessary to temporarily hold the IC card over the reader / writer and then rewrite the data after settlement on the IC card. It is necessary to hold the IC card over the reader / writer again, which is very complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned complicated operation when using a vending machine, and to first purchase a vending machine. By selecting, the non-contact data carrier can be sold only once by holding the non-contact data carrier over the reader / writer, so that the product can be sold with the amount of the target product reduced. It is to provide a vending machine system. In addition, the interface of the conventional vending machine is controlled in such a manner that the deposit amount is sent to the vending machine to receive the selected commodity amount, and the balance after payment is sent to the vending machine, and the commodity is thrown out. It is another object of the present invention to provide the vending machine system without the above. In addition, if you select a product that is smaller than the originally selected purchase amount or if you cancel the purchase midway, you will receive a change or refund, but in such a case, you can update the contactless data carrier. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine system capable of performing a remedy in the case where there is no vending machine.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vending machine which displays products which can be sold in accordance with the amount of money input, and which throws out the products when the product which can be sold is selected. The above object of the present invention is to provide a purchase amount selecting means for selectively accepting the amount of the purchased product of the user; reading the remaining amount of the non-contact data carrier pre-paid, and subtracting the remaining amount after subtracting the sales amount. A reader / writer for a contactless data carrier to be written; display / guidance means for guiding a user's operation and displaying necessary data; and when the purchase price is selected by the purchase price selection means, When the reader / writer for the contactless data carrier reads the balance from the contactless data carrier of the user and confirms that there is a balance equal to or greater than the selected purchase amount, further updating is performed. Writing the remaining balance into the contactless data carrier, outputting the purchase amount to the vending machine, and selecting the purchase amount selection means when the actual sales amount of the product is received from the vending machine. If there is no difference, the process is terminated. If there is a difference, the contactless data carrier reader / writer updates the balance calculated by calculating the difference in the contactless data carrier of the user. This is achieved by providing control means. In addition, return instruction means for accepting cancellation of purchase of the product is provided, and when the control means receives a return signal after outputting the purchase amount to the vending machine, the control means notifies return and informs the user of the return. The display / guidance means, when updating the non-contact data carrier, displays at least a text message and a voice when the non-contact data carrier is updated. It is more effectively achieved by providing guidance.

Further, a non-contact data carrier with a prepaid value is used in a vending machine in a site (facility) provided with an entrance gate and an exit gate, and the vending machine is provided with communication terminal means. The host computer can store and manage at least the transaction status log of the contactless data carrier used for each ID. A non-contact data carrier issuing machine for issuing the non-contact data carrier by inserting cash is installed near the entrance gate, and non-contact data connected to the host computer near the exit gate. A carrier checkout machine is installed, and the non-contact data carrier checkout machine reads out the non-contact data carrier based on an ID obtained in the host computer. The transaction status log is read, and the read transaction status log is compared with the transaction log stored in the contactless data carrier. The above object is also achieved by calculating a change amount and repaying the balance of the non-contact data carrier.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of a vending machine system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 shows an example of the external configuration, and FIG. 3 shows details of a panel surface. Is shown. In this vending machine system, a non-contact data carrier 30 (a non-contact IC tag in a wristband shape, a non-contact IC tag in a pendant shape, a non-contact The product can be purchased using an IC card or the like, and includes a master unit 300 and a slave unit 500. The parent machine 300 is a general cash vending machine (hereinafter, referred to as “vending machine section”) which has been conventionally used. As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine section 300 has a front panel. Is provided with a sample shelf for the sale product 301, a product selection button 310 for the user to select and instruct a desired product, a cash slot 321 for general cash sale, and a purchase of the product. A return lever 322 for instructing a return and a return (refund), a display unit 330 for displaying the remaining amount, an outlet 341 for taking out the thrown out products, and the like are provided. The vending machine 300
In FIG. 1, the money processing unit 320, the return lever 322, the display unit 330, and the cash slot 321 shown by a broken line in FIG. When only 30 is targeted, the cash slot 321, the return lever 322, the display unit 330, and the money processing unit 320 are not required.

[0009] A slave unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “payment unit”) 500 connected to the vending machine unit 300 is a device for controlling a payment process when a user purchases a product using the contactless data carrier 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the front panel of the settlement unit 500, a purchase price selection button 5 for selectively accepting the price (amount) of a product desired by the user is provided.
10. A refund button 511 as a return instruction means for instructing a refund (return) by stopping the purchase of the product, and an access area 523 of a reader / writer 520 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the non-contact data carrier 30. And a display / guidance unit 530 for guiding the user's operation and displaying the prepaid balance before and after the use. Settlement unit 500
Has an internal configuration as shown in FIG.
0 indicates the purchase amount selection button 510 and the refund button 51
1. A control unit 540, which is connected to a reader / writer 520 and a display / guidance unit 530 and controls the settlement, includes a CPU, a memory, and the like. The control unit 540 includes a transaction status to the host computer. Communication terminal 550 connected by private wireless line, PHS telephone line, etc. to send logs
Is connected. Further, the control unit 540 provides an interface.
Is connected to the vending machine section 300 via a communication (I / F) device 541, and controls the prepaid sales using a non-contact data carrier by transmitting / receiving a command / response based on the specifications of the vending machine. Has become.
The reader / writer 520 includes an antenna 521 and a drive processing circuit 522, and covers the antenna 521.
The pressing portion 523 is provided in a shape protruding from the panel surface so as to be easily pressed by the non-contact data carrier 30.

The panel of the settlement unit 500 is as shown in FIG. 3, and in this example, the purchase amount selection button 510 is "1".
"00 yen", "90 yen", "70 yen" and "60 yen" can be selected alternatively.
When the non-contact data carrier 30 is held over 23, the non-contact data carrier 30 and the reader / writer 52 are connected via an antenna.
Data communication is carried out with 0. The display / guidance unit 530 also includes a guidance field for guiding the user in five steps, a message field for giving a message to the user by text and voice, and a used non-contact data carrier 3.
There is a balance display column for displaying the balance of 0, and the guidance column and the message column are illuminated by lighting the lamps behind the corresponding portions.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the relationship between the non-contact data carrier 30 and the reader / writer 520 used in the present invention. The non-contact data carrier 30 has a disc-shaped main body 3.
1 and a band 32 for mounting the main body 31 and loading it on an arm, and is usually used in a state of being worn on a user's arm. The main unit 31 includes an antenna 31A for transmitting and receiving and an IC chip 31B for performing data processing. The non-contact data carrier 30 includes a reader / writer 5 having an antenna 521 and a drive processing circuit 522.
In cooperation with the antenna 20, power is supplied by electromagnetic induction via the antennas 521 and 31A, and data communication is performed without contact with each other. In data communication, serial pulses are transmitted using FSK (Frequency Shift Keyin).
g) Performed by modulated weak radio waves. The reader / writer 520 is mounted on the settlement unit (slave unit) 500, and data processed by the drive processing circuit 522 is transmitted to the control unit 540. The non-contact data carrier 30 can be replaced with a non-contact IC card, and any of them can be a commercially available one. In addition, since a user whose effective distance is as long as 1 m cannot be identified by a vending machine or the like, in the present invention, an object having an effective distance of 1 to 2 cm is used.

An operation example of the vending machine system of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows the details of the transaction sequence in chronological order. The interface between the vending machine unit 300 and the settlement unit 500 sends the received amount to the vending machine to receive the selected commodity amount, and the balance after payment. Is sent to the vending machine and the product is thrown out, and the interface of the conventional vending machine is used as it is. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing specific amounts and operation examples in a transaction sequence. The settlement unit 500 is a communication terminal 5 with a host computer.
50, and the transaction status log is appropriately transmitted to the host computer to be stored and managed.

In settlement section 500, display / guidance section 5
Display of stage 1 of 30 "Please press the upper amount button"
Is lit, and the user sees the display and presses the desired purchase amount selection button 110 (A yen) (in the example of FIG. 6, “90 yen” is selected).
The purchase amount selection button 510 (A
Circle) is displayed, and the non-contact data carrier 3 is displayed.
A request is made to hold the access area 523 of “0”. In other words, the display of the stage 2 of the display / guidance unit 530, “Hold the tag in the upper frame” is turned on, and a request for holding the user is made by voice. When the user holds the contactless data carrier 30 over the access area 523 in accordance with the operation guide, the settlement unit 500 sends the contactless data carrier 30 to the contactless data carrier 30 via the reader / writer 520.
A request for reading D and the balance is sent, and the ID and the balance Y (1000 yen in the example of FIG. 6) are sent from the non-contact data carrier 30 to the settlement unit 100 in response to the read request. Check if the sale is possible.

In the above-mentioned check, if the selected amount is greater than the balance and the sale is not possible, "Insufficient balance" is displayed in the message column (including the voice), and the first standby state is set. In addition, when it is possible to sell with the selected amount ≦ the balance (9 in the example of FIG. 6).
0 <1000 yen), the balance rewriting “YA” and balance collation are instructed to the non-contact data carrier 30, and the balance is transmitted from the non-contact data carrier 30 to the settlement unit 500 based on the instruction. Send "YA". In the example of FIG.
1000 yen-90 yen = 910 yen is sent as the balance. The settlement unit 500 checks the balance of the balance “YA” and displays the balance “Y” in the balance column of the display / guidance unit 530.
−A ”and the received amount A (9 in the example of FIG. 6).
(¥ 0) to the vending machine unit 300, and the lamp (product selection button 310) of the product 301 that can be sold is turned on.
In this state, the display of the display / guidance unit 530 is performed in step 3
"Please press the product selection button on the next vending machine." In the example of FIG. 6, the sales product stored in the vending machine unit (parent machine) 300 is “100
There are four types: “yen”, “90 yen”, “70 yen”, and “60 yen”. When the received amount of 90 yen is sent, “90 yen”, “7
The lamps of the commodity selection buttons 310 for “0 yen” and “60 yen” are turned on. However, in the case of a sold out product or the like, the fact that the selection button 310 is not turned on is the same as the conventional one.

When the user selects a product B (70 yen in the example of FIG. 6) from the lamp-lit products according to the guidance of the display / guidance unit 530, the vending machine unit 300 displays a product selection button 310. Is input to the settlement unit 500 as the use amount data, and the product B is delivered via the product delivery unit 340. Then, the display / guidance unit 530 performs the “Please pick up the product” in step 4.
Is displayed together with the voice. In the example of FIG. 6, since the merchandise of 70 yen has been selected, the usage amount data of 70 yen has been sent to the settlement section 500. The control unit 540 in the settlement unit 500 receiving the usage amount data B updates the data, notifies the vending machine unit 500 of the completion of the update, and ends the transaction.

Here, the price of the product B is the received amount A
If the change is smaller and there is a change, the display / guidance unit 530 displays the stage 5 “Change is required. Hold the tag again” together with the voice so that the non-contact data carrier 30 is held over the access area 523. To notify the user. In the example of FIG. 6, a product of 70 yen is selected for the received amount of 90 yen, so that 90 yen-
A change of 70 yen = 20 yen has occurred. When the user holds the non-contact data carrier 30 over the access area 523 again in the case where the change is present, the request for reading the ID and the balance is instructed from the settlement unit 500 to the non-contact data carrier 30 as described above. Is done. If the IDs are different at this time, "Please hold the tag again" in the message field of the display / guidance unit 530 is displayed (with voice), and the process returns to the tag accepting state. If the IDs match, the contactless data carrier 30 sends the ID and the current balance “YA” to the settlement unit 500. FIG.
In the example of, 1000 yen−90 yen = 910 yen is sent as the balance. When the ID and the balance “YA” are sent to the settlement unit 500, the settlement unit 500 instructs the non-contact data carrier 30 to rewrite the balance “YB + A” and check the balance. In the case of FIG. 6, rewriting of the balance is 910 yen−70 yen + 90
Yen = 930 yen, and the balance “YB + A” is sent from the contactless data carrier 30 to the settlement unit 500. Settlement unit 500
Checks the balance "Y-B + A" and displays /
The balance “Y−B + A” is displayed in the balance column of the guidance unit 530. In the case of FIG. 6, 930 yen is displayed as the balance.

On the other hand, a broken line portion in FIG. 5 shows a refund process in the case where the purchase of the product is interrupted halfway, and the user selects the purchase amount selection button 510 and selects the non-contact data carrier 30.
When the refund button 511 of the settlement section 500 is pressed after the balance update processing, a refund request is sent from the settlement section 500 to the vending machine section 300, and all lamps of the commodity selection button 310 are turned off. Then, the refund A (90 yen in the example of FIG. 6) is sent from the vending machine unit 300 to the settlement unit 500, and the settlement unit 500 displays the non-contact data carrier 30 over the access area 523 on the display / guidance unit 530. And inform the user. Here, when the user holds the contactless data carrier 30 over the access area 523, the settlement unit 500 sends the contactless data carrier 30
, A request to read the ID and balance is sent. At this time, if the IDs are different, the display / guidance unit 5
The message "Please hold the tag again" in the message column 30 is displayed (with sound), and the process returns to the tag accepting state. If the IDs match, the balance “YA” is sent from the contactless data carrier 30 to the settlement unit 500 (9 in the example of FIG. 6).
10 yen) is sent. As a result, the settlement unit 500 rewrites the balance to the contactless data carrier 30 by “YA +
"A" (1000 yen in the example of FIG. 6) and an instruction for balance verification are sent, and the balance Y (1000 yen in the example of FIG. 6) is sent from the contactless data carrier 30 to the settlement unit 500. Settlement unit 500
Checks the balance Y and displays the balance Y in the balance column of the display / guidance unit 530.

By adopting the above-described method, the user only needs to hold the data carrier 30 once over the reader / writer, and can purchase the product by a simple operation. Furthermore, since the existing apparatus can be used without changing the software on the vending machine side, it is possible to provide a prepaid vending machine using a non-contact data carrier at low cost and easily.

In the above-described embodiment, the settlement unit (slave unit) 500 and the vending machine unit (master unit) 300 are configured in separate housings, and the slave unit is attached to an existing vending machine. Although the addition mode has been described as an example, the configuration may be integrated. The present invention is not limited to vending machines for goods such as beverages, foods, and tobacco, but can be applied to general automatic service equipment such as ticketing machines for transportation and meal tickets, coin lockers, and automatic reception machines. It is.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the vending machine of the present invention is applied to an amusement park site (facility) via a network, and FIG. 8 shows the user (contactless data carrier) and information. Shows the flow. There are an entrance gate 10 and an exit gate 20 in the amusement park, and an issuing machine 1 that issues a non-contact data carrier 30 at or near the entrance gate 10.
00, and at or near the exit gate 20, a payment machine 200 for payment of the contents of the used non-contact data carrier 30 is provided. Also, in the amusement park, there are various kinds of vending machines 30 such as canned juice and tobacco.
0 is installed, and various vehicles (roller coasters, ferris wheels, etc.) and facilities (pools, aquariums, etc.) are operated and operated. At the entrance of various vehicles and facilities, users are contactless data carriers. A payment machine 400 for paying a fee at 30 is installed, and the issuing machine 100, the payment machine 200, the vending machine 300, and the payment machine 400 are connected to a host computer 1 such as a management room by a communication line. Incidentally, the entrance gate 10 and the exit gate 20 may be the same or shared.

In such an amusement park facility, a user pays an entrance fee from the entrance gate 10 and enters the facility, first inserts money into the issuing machine 100 installed there, and checks the vehicles and facilities in the park. A non-contact data carrier 30 with a prepaid value for cashless use is purchased. In this example, the non-contact data carrier 30 is color-coded according to a selling price. For example, red is 10,000 yen, blue is 5000 yen, and yellow is 200 yen.
It is like 0 yen. Issued data such as the date and time of purchase of the non-contact data carrier 30 and ID data are transmitted to the host computer 1 and managed. Visitors can purchase the non-contact data carrier 30 and put it on their wrists, and can freely use the vehicle, the vending machine 300, etc. in the park without cash, and use the vending machine 300 and the payment machine 40 each time they are used.
Information read at 0, forgetting to take change (forgetting to update data), refund and other information is sent to the host computer 1 and the history data of each non-contact data carrier 30 is managed. That is, in the case where a guest uses a facility or rides on a vehicle, the non-contact data carrier 30 is passed or approached to the reader / writer of the payment machine 400 provided at each gate, so that the payment machine 400 The data of the non-contact data carrier 30 is read out, the fee of the facility or the vehicle is subtracted and written to the non-contact data carrier 30, and the sales data such as the fee and the date and time are also transmitted to the host computer 1. The same applies to the sale of goods in the vending machine 300. On the other hand, a person who leaves from the park leaves from the exit gate 20, but puts his or her used non-contact data carrier 30 into the checkout machine 200 installed there, and leaves the balance with cash. At this time, if the vending machine 300 forgets to take a change, the refund is added and the payment is made. The payment-free contactless data carrier 30 is collected in the payment machine 200, and is again valued at the initial price, and is issued to the issuing machine 10 again.
0 is used again.

The memory map of the non-contact data carrier 30 is as shown in FIG. 9 and is divided into a system area that can only read and a user area that can read and write. Granted prices of 10,000 yen, 5000 yen, and 2,000 yen are issued in advance according to the ID. Usually, a code number unique to an amusement park is registered as a use facility code number, so that it cannot be used in other amusement parks. In the user area, usage amount and balance data are stored together with date and time of use of vehicles and facilities, and usage history is managed.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of the issuing machine 100. The customer service section 110 is used by a user to operate buttons and the like and to guide the display. An I / F device 101 having an I / F function between the money processing unit 120, the ejection mechanism unit 130 for ejecting the non-contact data carrier 30 at the designated price, and the host computer 1. A CPU that connects and controls the I / F device 101 and the customer service unit 110, the money processing unit 120, and the non-contact data carrier ejection mechanism unit 130,
The control unit 140 includes a memory and the like. The customer service unit 110 includes the contactless data carriers 30 having different prices.
A selection button for the user to select and instruct is provided on the panel unit, and the money processing unit 120 has a money slot for inserting money when the user purchases a non-contact data carrier. And an amount display unit for identifying the inserted money and displaying the amount of money to the user, a return lever for returning the inserted money, and for throwing out and returning change and returned money. Return port is included.
Further, as the non-contact data carrier ejection mechanism 130, a non-contact data carrier outlet for allowing a user to receive the ejected non-contact data carrier 30 is provided on the panel. In this example, 10,000 yen, 5000 yen, 200 yen
Although the example in which the non-contact data carrier 30 is issued at three prices of 0 yen is shown, it is possible to set the price to an arbitrary price and sell it.

In such a configuration, when the user inserts money into the money slot, the money is identified by the money processing unit 120 and the amount of money is displayed on the amount display unit, and the user presses the selection button within the amount. Can be. As a result, the non-contact data carrier 30 of the selected price is discharged to the non-contact data carrier outlet, and when there is a change, the change calculated by the money processing unit is discharged to the return port. If the return lever is operated after the insertion of money, the inserted money is ejected to the return opening. The above operation is controlled by the control unit 140, and the issued data non-contact data carrier is transmitted to the host computer 1 via the I / F device 101. As described above, the user can use the non-contact data carrier 30 issued by the issuing machine 100 while walking around his or her arm, and can use the inside of the park without cash.

The structure of the vending machine 300 is the same as in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and its operation is also the same as in FIGS.

The reader / writer (520) of the non-contact data carrier 30 is also provided as a payment machine 400 at a gate installed at the entrance of a vehicle or various facilities, and each time a user passes through the payment machine 400. The ID data of the non-contact data carrier 30 is read out in a non-contact manner, the current use date and time data, the current state data such as normal use or refund, and the current use object indicating the vehicle facility number together with the ID data as the use data. The data and the current usage amount data are transmitted to the host computer 1. The memory map of the host computer 1 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is stored for each D, and is moved to another place when the user leaves. FIG. 12 shows an example of a payment machine 400,
When the non-contact data carrier 30 is brought closer to the reader / writer 40, the balance, the usage amount, and the like of the non-contact data carrier 30 are displayed on the display unit 401.

As described above, the vending machine 30 in the park
0, when leaving after using a vehicle or a facility, etc., the driver exits from the exit gate 20. In the present invention, the fee of the used non-contact data carrier 30 is settled by the checkout machine 200 at the time of exit. Like that.

FIG. 13 shows an appearance of the settlement machine 200. The used non-contact data carrier 30 is inserted, and the return port 2 is also used as a return port when the settlement is stopped.
01, a display unit 202 for displaying the balance of the inserted non-contact data carrier 30, a statement output unit 203 for printing and outputting a usage statement, and a checkout port 204 for returning the settlement to the user. And a settlement button 205 for instructing settlement of the non-contact data carrier 30 inputted by the user.
And the non-contact data carrier 30 that has been put in after the settlement has been stopped
And a return button 206 for instructing the return of the item. FIG. 14 shows the internal configuration thereof, which has a control unit 210 including a CPU for performing overall control, a memory, and the like.
The control unit 210 is wirelessly coupled to the non-contact data carrier 30 via the transmission / reception unit 211, and the I / F device 21
2 is connected to the host computer 1.
Further, a statement output unit 203 is connected to the control unit 210, and a customer service unit 220 including a settlement button 205, a return button 206, and a display unit 202 for displaying a balance and the like operated by the user, and a processing of the settlement money. A money processing unit 230 that performs
A non-contact data carrier transport mechanism 240 that transports the non-contact data carrier 30 inserted into the slot 201 to the inside for storage is connected. The input and processed non-contact data carrier 30 is collected and stored in the checkout machine 200, transported to the issuing machine 100, and reused.

In such a configuration, the operation is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The user who has completed the use in the park inputs his / her used non-contact data carrier 30 into the input port 2 as the customer service unit 220 of the checkout machine 200.
01 (step S200). The ID and balance of the inserted contactless data carrier 30 are stored in the antenna 31
A and the balance read by the control unit 210 via the transmission / reception unit 211 (step S201).
Is displayed (step S202). Then, it waits for the user to press the settlement button 205 (step S20).
3), when the settlement button 205 is pressed, the I / F device 21
Transfer the settlement data (ID data, settlement date / time data, balance data) to the host computer 1 via the host computer 2 (step S204), and read the data of the corresponding ID (ID data, settlement date / time data, balance data, usage data history). (Step S205), the balance is collated to determine whether the data match (Step S210). If the data match, the balance data is transmitted to the money processing unit 230 (step S211). If the data does not match, the settlement data (ID data, settlement date / time data, The balance data and the usage data history are transmitted to the money processing unit 230 (step S21).
2), send the usage data history to the statement output unit 203 and output the statement (step S213). Thereafter, the money is discharged to the settlement port 204 by the money processing unit 230 and refunded (step S220), and the value (10000 yen, 5000 yen, 2000 yen) is overwritten on the non-contact data carrier 30 (step S221), and the value is assigned. The data (ID data, valuation date / time data, valuation balance data) is transferred to the host computer 1 (step S222).
The process in step S211 is a process for throwing out the money of the balance of the non-contact data carrier 30, and the process in step S212 is a settlement process based on the memory map of the host computer 1. Receiving the money refunded in such a settlement process, the user enters the exit gate 20.
You will be more out.

In the above description, an example is described in which a network of vending machines is configured within the site (facility) of the amusement park. However, the present invention is applicable to a site (facility) having an entrance gate and an exit gate. It is possible.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the non-contact data carrier purchased by the user is not taken into the vending machine (reader-writer), or without being held up many times. Since the settlement of the vending machine can be completed only by holding up, it is possible to construct a prepaid-compatible vending machine system using a non-contact data carrier which has a high degree of freedom and is extremely convenient. Further, by incorporating the settlement unit of the present invention without changing the interface and control program of a vending machine using a conventional prepaid card, it is a process for throwing out the currency of the balance of the touch data carrier 30, Since the vending machine system can be easily constructed, the vending machine system can be completed at a low price.
Furthermore, if a network is constructed on the site or facility of an amusement park, etc., even if you forget to receive a refund or change from the vending machine, the data from the vending machine will be used when you leave. It is correctly settled on the basis of, so users can use it with peace of mind.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of a vending machine system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of a vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a panel surface of a settlement unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a connection relationship between a non-contact data carrier and a reader / writer used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the vending machine system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the vending machine system of the present invention is applied to an amusement park via a network.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a flow of users and a flow of information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a non-contact data carrier.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an issuing machine.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the host computer.

FIG. 12 is an external view showing an example of a payment machine.

FIG. 13 is an external view showing an example of a checkout machine.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a checkout machine, the relationship between a non-contact data carrier, and a host computer.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the settlement machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 10 Entrance gate 20 Exit gate 30 Non-contact data carrier 40, 520 Reader / writer 100 Issuing machine 200 Checkout machine 300 Vending machine part (parent machine) 310 Product selection button 350, 540 Control part 500 Settlement unit (child unit) 510 Purchase price selection button 521 Antenna 522 Drive processing circuit 530 Display / guidance unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G07G 1/12 321 G07G 1/12 321P G07F 7/08 J

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine which displays a product that can be sold according to the input amount and, when the sellable product is selected, throws out the product, selects the amount of the product purchased by the user. Means for selecting a purchase amount to be accepted; a reader / writer for the contactless data carrier for reading the remaining amount of the pre-paid valued non-contact data carrier and writing the remaining amount after subtracting the sales amount; Display / guidance means for displaying necessary data, and
When the purchase amount is selected by the purchase amount selection means, the remaining amount is read from the contactless data carrier of the user by the contactless data carrier reader / writer, and the remaining amount is equal to or greater than the selected purchase amount. When is confirmed, the updated balance is written to the contactless data carrier, and the purchase amount is output to the vending machine, and when the actual sales amount of the product is received from the vending machine, Comparing the price selected by the purchase price selection means with the actual sales price, and if there is no difference, the process ends;
Control means for updating the balance calculated by said non-contact data carrier to the user's non-contact data carrier by said non-contact data carrier reader / writer if there is a difference. Compatible vending machine system. 2. A return instruction means for accepting cancellation of the purchase of the product, wherein the control means notifies the return when receiving a return signal after outputting the purchase amount to the vending machine. 2. The prepaid vending machine system using a contactless data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the balance is updated by encouraging the user to update the contactless data carrier. 3. The non-contact display device according to claim 1, wherein the display / guidance means performs at least display of a character message and voice guidance when updating the non-contact data carrier. Prepaid vending machine system using contact data carrier. 4. A non-contact data carrier with a prepaid value is used at an on-site vending machine provided with an entrance gate and an exit gate, and the vending machine is connected via communication terminal means. The host computer can communicate with at least a transaction status log of the contactless data carrier used by the host computer.
A non-contact data carrier issuing machine for issuing the non-contact data carrier by inserting cash is installed near the entrance gate and near the exit gate. A contactless data carrier settlement machine connected to the host computer is installed, and a transaction in the host computer is performed based on an ID obtained by reading the contactless data carrier by the contactless data carrier settlement machine. The status log is read, and the read transaction status log is compared with the transaction log stored in the contactless data carrier. A prepaid vending machine using a non-contact data carrier, wherein an amount is calculated to repay the balance of the non-contact data carrier. Stem.