JPH1079007A - Data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it convenient to carry this device, and to prevent this device from being lost by providing a carrier holder for reading and writing sum information for a carrier main body, and a mounting means for mounting the carrier holder on a human body so as to be attachable and detachable. SOLUTION: Each data carrier is shaped like a watch constituted of a plate- shaped carrier main body 20 for storing each kind of information so as to be read and written, synthetic resin case 22 for housing the carrier main body 20, transparent or translucent synthetic resin cap 24 connected with this case 22 so as to be attachable and detachable, and mounting means 26 for mounting the case 22 on a human body so as to be attachable and detachable, and an identification sheet 28 on which a bar code is printed is adhered to one face of the carrier main body 20. In this case, information to be stored in the carrier main body 20 can be the offered price of the data carrier, sum information for receiving any merchandise or service, and a data carrier identification code assigned to this data carrier, that is, a first code.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an amusement park, a pool,
It relates to data carry used instead of money in aquariums and hotels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fees at amusement parks, swimming pools, aquariums, beaches, hotels, and the like are generally paid each time a user sells a cash voucher such as a prepaid card at the time of entry and provides goods or services. Or by receiving a voucher corresponding to the price of the service.

[0003] However, the conventional cash voucher is inconvenient because the user has to move with the cash voucher stored in clothes or in a hand. In particular, in the case of a pool, the user cannot enter the water with the gold voucher and must bring a bag to put the voucher, which is more inconvenient, and the risk of losing the voucher is large. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it easier to carry and eliminate the risk of loss.

[0005]

A data carrier according to the present invention comprises:
A plate-shaped carrier body that stores at least money information in a readable and writable manner, and a carrier holder that houses the carrier body, wherein the carrier body can be read and written with respect to the carrier body in a housed state. It includes a carrier holder and mounting means combined with the carrier holder and removably mounting the carrier holder on a human body.

[0006] A user obtains a data carrier on which money amount information is written at a predetermined price in advance, and presents the data carrier to a staff member every time he or she receives a product or service, thereby receiving a product or service. be able to. The user can also detachably attach the data carrier to the human body by the attaching means.

According to the present invention, a data carrier can be moved while being worn on a human body, the data carrier can be presented to be provided with goods or services, and further, amusement facilities or sports can be provided. Although the equipment is available and therefore convenient to carry, there is no risk of loss.

[0008] The carrier body further stores an identification code assigned to the carrier body and has a barcode corresponding to the identification code on at least one surface, and at least one of the carrier holders has a barcode. The corresponding part is formed transparent or translucent. Thus, the bar code can be read by the bar code and the identification code can be written on the carrier body together with the price information.

The carrier holder includes a case having a recess for accommodating the carrier body in a detachable manner, the case being combined with mounting means, and a cap removably coupled to the case to close an opening of the recess. Can be provided. Further, the recess may have a bottom surface on which one surface of the carrier body abuts, and the cap may have a surface corresponding to the other surface of the carrier body.

[0010] The carrier body may include an integrated circuit for storing various information in an electrically readable and writable manner, and a synthetic resin in which the integrated circuit is embedded.
Further, a coil for transmitting and receiving information, which is a coil embedded in the synthetic resin together with the integrated circuit, can be provided. The mounting means may be a band for mounting the carrier holder on the arm or a chain for lowering the carrier holder from the neck.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, an embodiment of a data carrier according to the present invention will be described together with an embodiment of a toll collection and settlement apparatus using a data carrier.

Referring to FIG. 1, a toll collection and settlement apparatus 10 is shown.
Is a large number of data carriers 12 storing various information.
And a management device 14 for managing sales information, a plurality of terminals 16 used for providing goods or services, and a plurality of network printers 17 used for printing history information.

The management device 14 is installed in a management room of an amusement park, a pool, an aquarium, a beach, a hotel or the like. Each terminal 16 includes a product such as a cafeteria, a stand, a lending point of a game or sports equipment, a use point of a game or sports equipment,
Installed in a place that provides services. The network printer 17 is installed at a place where the data carrier 12 is sold. The management device 14, the terminal 16, and the network printer 17 are connected by a network 18 for data transmission. A plurality of data carriers 12 are prepared for each terminal that can provide them for a fee.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each data carrier 12 includes a plate-shaped carrier body 20 for reading and writing various information and a synthetic resin case 22 for accommodating the carrier body. A cap 24 made of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin removably connected to the case 22 and a mounting means 26 for removably mounting the case 22 to a human body are shaped like a wristwatch. Is attached to one surface of the carrier main body 20.

The carrier body 20 includes an integrated circuit for storing various information so as to be electrically readable and writable;
The antenna for transmitting and receiving information, that is, the coil, is formed by molding a synthetic resin into a disk shape. An integrated circuit is a type of non-volatile memory such as an EPROM. The carrier main body 20 writes information by receiving a radio wave including a write command and write information to an antenna, and transmits the written information by receiving a radio wave including a read command to the antenna.

The information to be stored in the carrier body 20 is a provision price of the data carrier 12, information on an amount of money for receiving a product or service, a data carrier identification code assigned to the data carrier 12, that is, a first code, and the like. be able to. The illustrated carrier body 20
Has a groove continuous in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface 30, and has a through hole 32 at the center. Carrier body 20
May have a rectangular plate shape.

The bar code printed on the identification paper 28 is an identification code corresponding to the first code, and can be optically read by a bar code reader. Identification paper 28
Are arranged on one surface of the carrier body 20 so as to close the through hole 32. An identification code corresponding to the bar code is written on the identification paper 28 in a legible (visible) manner.

In the illustrated example, the case 22 and the cap 24
Means that a wristwatch-shaped carrier holder for accommodating the carrier body 20 is formed jointly. For this reason, the mounting means 26
Is a band.

The case 22 includes a recess 34 for detachably receiving the carrier body 20 and a plurality of protrusions formed at intervals on an edge forming the recess 34 so as to be fitted to the cap 24. 36 and a pair of holes 38 through which the mounting means 26 passes. The cap 24 has a recess 4 similar in shape to the recess 34.
0 and are removably but tightly (ie, tightly) fitted to the protrusion 36 at the recess 40.

The carrier holder holds the carrier body 20
One of the surfaces, for example, the surface on the side of the identification paper 28 is
The cap 24 is fitted to the case 22 so as to contact the bottom surface of the case 22, and the cap 24 is fitted to the case 22.
Is passed from one hole 38 through the outer surface of the cap 24 to the other hole 38. The carrier body 20 is removably but tightly (ie, tightly) fitted into the recess 34, thereby preventing movement with respect to the case 22.

The mounting means or band 26 has a plurality of protrusions 42 at one end so that the data carrier 12 can be attached to the arm, and has a plurality of through holes through which the protrusions 42 can be detachably inserted. Part. The projection 42 and the through hole 44 are respectively
6 are spaced in the longitudinal direction. The band 26 has an insertion portion 46 at one end for receiving the other end so as to maintain one or more projections 42 inserted into the through holes 44.

The management device 14 includes a main control circuit 50 for performing various processes and a keyboard 52 for inputting data and commands.
, A memory 54 for storing various information, a display 56 for displaying appropriate information, and a printer 58 for printing various data. The main control circuit 50 is connected to the terminal 16 by a line network 18 and to a keyboard 52, a memory 54, a display 56, and a printer 58 by appropriate lines.

The main control circuit 50 receives various information transmitted from the terminal 16 and stores the information in a memory 54.
To record. In particular, the main control circuit 50 transmits the identification code of the terminal 16, the identification code of the data carrier, the price information, the provided price information of the data carrier, the price of the product or service, and the price transmitted from the terminal 16. Is written and stored in the memory 54 for each data carrier, and sales data is written and stored in the memory 54 for each terminal, and necessary data is transmitted to the terminal based on a request from the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 5, each terminal 16 includes a central processing unit 60, a controller 62, and a toll box 64.
A charge indicator 66, an item keyboard 68 for inputting a product or service to be provided, a receipt printer 70, a reader / writer 72 for reading and writing on a data carrier, a barcode reader 74 for reading a barcode, A printer 76 for printing a product or service name requested by a user, and a display 78 such as a CRT for displaying various information in an appropriate format.
And a keyboard 80 for inputting information and instructions to the central processing unit 60, forming a cash register.

The central processing unit 60 is connected to the management device 14 by the line network 18 to transfer various information to and from the management device 14, and is connected to the controller 62 by an appropriate line to control various control information. And the sales information is output to the data controller 62. The central processing unit 60 is also connected to a keyboard 80,
The display 78 is controlled. The controller 62 connects the devices 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74,
76 to control them.

The charge box 64 is a box for storing money and a plurality of data carriers, and is protruded from a terminal body (not shown) by the controller 62. The fee box 64 is locked so that it cannot be protruded by storing the money transferred by the worker, that is, the staff, and then pushing the money into the terminal body. This lock is released by a command from the controller 62. Delivery of money to the user is performed by a staff member. The charge indicator 66 displays the price of the product or service to be provided.

The item keyboard 68 includes a numeric keypad, one or more carrier issuing keys for instructing provision of a data carrier, a carrier reissuing key for instructing reissuing of a data carrier, and a plurality of item keys corresponding to goods or services to be provided. , A read command key for commanding reading of information by the reader / writer, a write command key for commanding writing of information to the reader / writer, a total command key for inputting a command for calculating the total amount, a command for data carrier recovery or settlement. , A refund key for instructing the calculation of the return amount, an inquiry key for inquiring the history in the data carrier, a first selection instructing that the history to be queried is in the data carrier. Key,
There are provided various keys such as a second selection key for instructing that the history to be queried is in the management device, and a print key for instructing printing of the queried history.

The receipt printer 70 prints a receipt to be passed to the user. The printer 76 is a kitchen printer because the terminal is for a cafeteria, and therefore prints an order to be passed to the kitchen. In the case of a terminal used for providing another product or service, the product name or service name may be printed by the printer 76, or such a printer 76 may not be provided.

The reader / writer 72 transmits predetermined information to the data carrier 12 to electrically write the information to the data carrier 12, and transmits the information to the data carrier 12.
Is a known device for electrically reading data in the data carrier 12 by transmitting data to the data carrier 12, and a commercially available reader / writer can be used.

The bar code reader 74 is a well-known means for optically reading a bar code recorded on the identification paper 28 of the data carrier 12 and converting it into a corresponding electric signal. Can be. The display 78 displays information such as a history inquiry screen in a predetermined format, that is, a pattern. Keyboard 80
Is a known board provided in a general personal computer.

Next, the operation of the toll collection and settlement apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The terminal device 16
When a cycle of reading information from the data carrier 12 by the reader / writer 72 is started, operations such as provision of a data carrier, a product or a service, and clearing work are started.

Provision of data carrier

The data carrier 12 is operated by a staff member operating the terminal 16 based on a request from the user.
It is provided (issued) in the procedure shown in FIG.

The terminal 16 first issues a command for reading information by the reader / writer 7 to the reader / writer 7.
2 (step 101). Reader / writer 72
Will be described later.

When the reading of the information is completed, the terminal 16
Waits for the appropriate carrier issue key on the item keyboard 68 to be depressed (step 102).

When the carrier issuing key is depressed, the terminal 16 outputs a command to stop reading of information by the reader / writer to the reader / writer 72 (step 10).
3) Display the sales amount of the data carrier 12 (step 104), and wait for the total command key of the item keyboard 68 to be depressed (step 105). Step 1
The balance at 04 is zero since the current transaction is a step of providing a new data carrier 12.

When the total command key is depressed, the terminal 16
Unlocks the charge box 64 and opens the charge box 64 (step 106), calculates the total amount of the offered prices of the data carriers 12 to be issued, displays the total amount on the charge display 66 (step 107), and A command for writing information by the / writer is output to the reader / writer 72 (step 108), and the end of writing information to the data carrier 12 is waited for (step 109).

In the calculation of the total amount in step 107, since the current processing is a step of providing a new data carrier 12, the amount of the product or service that can be received in the future (by the reduced carrier issuing key) This is performed by calculating the sum of the data amount and the guaranteed amount of the data carrier 12. Step 10
The actual balance in 7 is the remaining amount of the goods or services that can be provided in the future, and does not include the guarantee amount.

When the writing of the information to the data carrier 12 is completed, the terminal 16 transmits the information (issue information) concerning the provided data carrier to the host device, that is, the management device 1.
4 (step 110), after which the operation ends. The issuing information is written in the memory 54 in the management device 14 as a part of the history information of the data carrier. As a result, a file for recording the history information of the issued data carrier is created in the memory 54. The charge box 64 is pushed into the terminal body by an attendant at an appropriate time and is locked again.

The information to be written to the data carrier 12 and the issue information transmitted to the management device 14 may be the same or different. The following description is the same. Such information can be the amount of money (remaining amount) that can be received for the provision of the product or service in the future, the guarantee amount of the data carrier, the identification code of the data carrier, the identification code of the terminal, and the date and time of issue. .

The information to be written to the data carrier 12 can be the identification code of the data carrier and the balance, but the issuance information to be transmitted to the management device 14 needs to store the history of the data carrier. It is preferable to use various types of information as described above.

Provision of goods or services by data carrier

A product or service is provided (sold) by a worker, that is, a clerk, operating the terminal 16 based on a request from the user in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG.

The terminal 16 first issues a command for reading information by the reader / writer 7 to the reader / writer 7.
2 (step 121), and the information of the data carrier 12 is read by the reader / writer 72 (step 1).
22).

When the reading of the information is completed, the terminal 16
Outputs a command to stop reading of information by the reader / writer to the reader / writer 72 (step 123).
The balance corresponding to the amount information in the read information is displayed (step 124), an appropriate item key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 125), and it is waited that the total command key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 125). Step 126).

When one or more of the item keys and the total command key are depressed, the terminal 16 calculates the total amount of the goods or services to be provided (step 127), calculates a new balance, and uses the reader / writer. A command for writing information is output to the reader / writer 72 (step 128), and the end of writing information to the data carrier 12 is waited for (step 129).

In the calculation of the total amount in step 128, since the current process is a process for providing a product or service, the sum of the provided prices of the product or service at that point (determined by the depressed item key) is used. It is. The calculation of the balance at step 128 is based on the balance remaining on the data carrier 12.
This is the value obtained by subtracting the sum of the offer prices of the goods or services.

When the writing of the information to the data carrier 12 is completed, the terminal 16 transmits the information (sales information) relating to the provided product or service to the management device 14 (step 130), and then terminates the operation.

When providing goods or services, the information to be written to the data carrier 12 and the issue information to be transmitted to the management device 14 may be the same or different. The following description is the same. Such information can be the provided product or service name (second code) and its selling price, new balance, data carrier identification code, terminal identification code, and date and time of sale. .

The information to be written to the data carrier 12 can be the identification code of the data carrier and a new balance, but the sales information transmitted to the management device 14 needs to store the history of the data carrier. From
It is preferable to use various types of information as described above. As a result, the sales information is recorded in the memory 54 as a part of the history information on the data carrier.

Data carrier clearing

The settlement of the data carrier is carried out in the procedure as shown in FIG. 8 by operating the terminal 16 based on the request from the user.

The terminal 16 first sends a command for reading information by the reader / writer 7 to the reader / writer 7.
2 (step 141), and the data carrier 12
Is read by the reader / writer 72 and waits until the carrier clearing key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 142).

When the carrier clearing key is depressed, the terminal 16 outputs a command to stop reading information by the reader / writer to the reader / writer 72 (step 14).
3) The balance corresponding to the amount information in the read information is displayed (step 144), and the system waits until the refund key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 145).

When the refund key is depressed, the terminal 16
The charge box 64 is opened (step 146), the total amount to be returned is calculated and displayed on the charge display 66 (step 147), and a command for writing information (clearing information) related to reader / writer settlement (step 146). To reader / writer 7
2 (step 148), and waits for the end of writing the settlement information to the data carrier 12 (step 14).
9). The calculation of the total amount in step 147 is the sum of the balance and the security deposit. The clearing information can be an identification code and a zero code assigned to the data carrier 12.

When the writing of the settlement information to the data carrier 12 is completed, the terminal 16 transmits the settlement information to the management device 1.
4 (step 150), and the operation ends. The settlement information transmitted to the management device 14 may be a total refund amount, an identification code of the data carrier, an identification code of the terminal, and a settlement date and time. This allows
The management device 14 writes the settlement information in the memory 54.

Inquiry of data carrier history (No. 1)

The inquiry of the history stored in the data carrier itself is provided (inquired) in the procedure as shown in FIG.

The terminal 16 starts operating when the inquiry key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 161). When the inquiry key is depressed, the terminal 16
Displays an inquiry screen on the display 78 (step 16).
2) Wait for the first selection key of the item keyboard 68 to be pressed down (step 164). The reader / writer 72 is placed in a state where information can be read from a data carrier to be inquired by a clerk.

When the first selection key is depressed, which means that the history in the data carrier is queried, the terminal 16 sends a command for reading the history by the reader / writer to the reader / writer 72. Output (step 16
4), the history in the data carrier 12 is stored in the reader / writer 7
2 is read (step 165).

When the reading of the history is completed, the terminal 16
Sends a command to stop reading the history to the reader / writer 7
2 and displays the read history information on the display 78 (step 166), and waits until the print key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 167).

When the print key is depressed, the terminal 16
The history information is printed by the printer 70 or 76 (step 168), and the operation is thereafter terminated. The printed history information can be used for checking the remaining amount.

Inquiry of data carrier history (No. 2)

The inquiry of the history in the management device 14 is provided (inquired) by a staff member operating the terminal 16 when the contents of the data carrier are destroyed or abnormal, as shown in FIG. ) Is done.

The terminal 16 starts operating when the inquiry key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 171). When the inquiry key is depressed, the terminal 16
Displays an inquiry screen on the display 78 (step 17).
2) The second selection key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 173), and waits for the data carrier identification code to be input (step 174). The identification code of the data carrier may be input by reading with the barcode reader 74 or may be input using the ten keys of the keyboard 80.

When the second selection key is depressed, it means that the history in the management device 14 is referred to. Therefore, when the identification code is input, the terminal 16 transmits the data corresponding to the identification code. A transmission command of carrier history information is transmitted to the management device 14 (step 175). As a result, the predetermined history information is transmitted from the management device 14 to the terminal 16, and the terminal 16 receives the transmitted history information, rearranges the received history information into a predetermined format (step 176), and converts the history information. It is displayed on the display 78 (step 177), and waits until the print key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed (step 178).

When the print key of the item keyboard 68 is depressed, the terminal 16 prints the displayed history information by the printer 17, 70 or 76 (step 17).
9) Then, the operation ends. The printed history information is
It can be used for checking the remaining amount and for reissuing the data carrier. The printer 17 is a terminal 16
In the case where does not have a function of printing history information, it can be used for printing the history information.

Reading of information by reader / writer

As shown in FIG. 11, when the reader / writer reads the information in the data carrier, the reader / writer 72 receives a command for reading the information from the controller 62 of the terminal (step 181), and the staff member reads the information. The operation is started by operating a start button provided on the reader / writer 72 (step 182).

When the start button is operated, the reader / writer 72 reads information in the data carrier 12 (step 183), transfers the read information to the controller 62 (step 184), and ends the operation. .

Writing information by reader / writer

As shown in FIG. 12, when the reader / writer writes information in the data carrier, the reader / writer 72 receives a command for writing information from the controller 62 of the terminal (step 191). The operation is started by operating a start button provided on the reader / writer 72 (step 192).

When the start button is operated, the reader / writer 72 writes the method transmitted from the controller 62 of the terminal 16 into the data carrier 12 (step 1).
93), it is confirmed that the information has been correctly written (step 1994), and then the operation is terminated.

According to the toll collection and settlement apparatus 10 described above, settlement can be made at a plurality of terminals, and therefore, despite the prepaid system, there is no financial disadvantage to the user and the settlement window can be used. Confusion can be prevented. In addition, by returning the amount obtained by adding the guarantee amount of the data carrier and the balance as a settlement amount and collecting the data carrier, it is possible to collect many data carriers and prevent unauthorized alteration of the data carrier. be able to. Further, even if the amount information in the data carrier is destroyed, provision of goods or services using the data carrier using the history stored in the management device,
Alternatively, the payment by the data carrier can be performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, instead of using a wristwatch-like data carrier,
Data carriers of other shapes, such as a necklace-shaped data carrier and a card-shaped data carrier, may be used.
In the case of a necklace-shaped data carrier, it is preferable to provide a mounting means such as a chain for hanging a carrier holder for accommodating the carrier body around the neck. The shape of the data carrier may be another shape such as a square or a hexagon.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric circuit showing an embodiment of a toll collection and settlement apparatus using a data carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a data carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a carrier main body and a carrier holder in the data carrier shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the data carrier shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electric circuit showing one embodiment of the terminal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation when a data carrier is issued.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a product or service is provided by a data carrier.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation when liquidation is performed by a data carrier.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation when introducing history information in a data carrier.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation when introducing history information to a management device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of writing information to a data carrier.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an operation of reading information from a data carrier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Charge collection and settlement apparatus 12 Data carrier 20 Carrier main body 22 Case (carrier holder) 24 Cap (carrier holder) 26 Band (attaching means) 28 Identification paper on which barcode was described

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A carrier body for storing at least money information in a readable and writable manner, and a carrier holder for accommodating the carrier body, wherein the money information for the carrier body in a state in which the carrier body is housed. A data carrier comprising: a carrier holder capable of reading and writing data; and mounting means combined with the carrier holder and removably mounting the carrier holder to a human body. 2. The carrier body further stores a code assigned to the carrier body and stores at least one barcode corresponding to the code.
2. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the data carrier has two surfaces, and at least a portion of the carrier holder corresponding to the barcode is formed to be transparent or translucent. 3. The case according to claim 1, wherein the carrier holder has a recess for accommodating the carrier main body in a detachable manner, the case being combined with the mounting means, and the case being detachable for closing an opening of the recess. 3. The data carrier according to claim 1, comprising a cap to be coupled. 4. The data carrier according to claim 3, wherein the recess has a bottom surface on which one surface of the carrier body abuts, and the cap has a surface corresponding to the other surface of the carrier body. 5. The carrier body according to claim 1, further comprising: an integrated circuit for storing various kinds of information in an electrically readable and writable manner; and a synthetic resin in which the integrated circuit is embedded. Data carrier as described in. 6. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a band for mounting said carrier holder on an arm or a chain for lowering said carrier holder from a neck.