JPH11102460A - Prepaid card system, card reader, prepaid card and history managing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a prepaid card which can analyze cause when the prepaid card cannot be used due to occurrence of a fault, and to provide a card reader, a prepaid card system using the prepaid card and a history managing method. SOLUTION: This prepaid card 10 is provided with a history information part for storing the history of a processing when it is processed. A card recording device 11 records initialized information in a prepaid card 19 and records processing history in the history information part of the card. The prepaid card 10 processed by the card-recording device 11 is stored in the ticket issuing machines 13 of respective stores. The ticket-issuing machine 13 records processing history in the history information part of the prepaid card 10 and issues tickets. The card reader 15 updates amount information stored in the installed prepaid card 10 and records processing history in the history information part of the card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card capable of tracing the cause of a failure when a failure occurs during use of the prepaid card, and a prepaid card system using the prepaid card. And a history management method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a prepaid card system, when a failure occurs during use of a prepaid card and the prepaid card becomes unusable, for example, the prepaid card is collected by a card issuing company and the cause of the unusable card is used. Is investigated.

[0003]

In the case of the above-mentioned prepaid card system, if the cause of the unusable card is, for example, a problem of the card itself such as a scratch on the card, the cause can be found only by examining the card. However, the card has no cause,
Cards may become unusable due to problems with the device that processed the card. In this case, the device in which the card is unusable is not necessarily the device that processed the card last, so it is substantially difficult to identify the device that caused the failure in a system having many devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a prepaid card, a card reading device, and a prepaid card using the prepaid card, which can analyze the cause, such as when the prepaid card becomes unusable due to a failure. It is an object to provide a card system and a history management method.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a prepaid card for storing money amount information having a monetary value, and an initialization for the prepaid card. A card recording device for recording information, a ticket issuing machine for issuing the prepaid card on which the initialization information is recorded by the card recording device, and a card for updating the amount information stored in the prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine A prepaid card system having a reading device, wherein the prepaid card has a history storage area for storing a processing history, and the card recording device, when recording initialization information on the prepaid card, the prepaid card A first recording unit for recording a processing history in the history storage area of the card;
The ticket issuing machine includes a second recording unit that records a processing history in the history storage area of the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued, and the card reading device updates the amount information of the prepaid card, And a third recording unit for additionally recording a processing history in the history storage area of the prepaid card.

According to such a configuration, each time a prepaid card is processed in each device, a history of the processing is recorded. As a result, for example, the cause of the failure can be pursued by investigating and analyzing the processing history stored in the prepaid card that has become unusable due to the failure.

[0007] The history storage area may have first, second and third storage areas, and the first recording means of the card recording device stores the processing of the processing in the first storage area. A history is recorded, the second recording means of the ticket issuing machine records the history of the processing in the second storage area, and the third recording means of the card reading / writing device is a third storage means. The history of the processing may be added to the area. In this way, by distinguishing the area where each device records the processing history, for example, when investigating the processing history, it is possible to clearly determine the processing history of each device. Further, it is possible to prevent the card reading device from overwriting the processing history written by the card recording device and the ticket issuing machine.

[0008] A prepaid card system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a ticket issuing machine for issuing a prepaid card for storing monetary value information, and a prepaid card stored on the prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine. A card reading device that updates the amount information of the prepaid card, the ticket issuing machine includes a first history recording unit that records a processing history in a predetermined area of the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued. The card reading device further includes a second history recording unit that adds a history of processing to a predetermined area of the prepaid card when updating the price information of the prepaid card.

According to such a configuration, each time a prepaid card is processed in each device, a history of the processing is recorded. As a result, for example, the cause of the failure can be pursued by investigating and analyzing the processing history stored in the prepaid card that has become unusable due to the failure.

For example, the processing history includes a processing date, a processing time, information for specifying a device to which the history is written,
At least one of the following.

[0011] A card reading device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a card reading device for updating amount information having a monetary value stored in a prepaid card,
The card reading device includes means for adding a processing history to a predetermined area of the prepaid card when updating the amount information of the prepaid card.

According to such a configuration, each time a prepaid card is processed in each card reading apparatus, a history of the processing is recorded. As a result, for example, the cause of the failure can be pursued by investigating and analyzing the processing history stored in the prepaid card that has become unusable due to the failure.

For example, the processing history includes at least one of a processing date, a processing time, and information for specifying an apparatus that records the processing history.

A prepaid card according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a prepaid card used in a prepaid card system for performing a transaction using a prepaid card storing money amount information having a monetary value. The prepaid card includes an area for recording a plurality of processing histories including a date, a time, and information for specifying a processing device when the prepaid card is processed. As a result, for example, the cause of the failure can be pursued by investigating and analyzing the processing history stored in the prepaid card that has become unusable due to the failure.

[0015] A history management method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a history management method in a prepaid card system using a prepaid card that stores monetary value information. A first recording step of recording a processing history on the prepaid card, and, when updating the amount information of the prepaid card in which the processing history has been recorded by the first recording step, adding a processing history to the prepaid card. A second recording step, wherein when the prepaid card becomes unusable, the history of a plurality of processes recorded on the prepaid card can be tracked to analyze the cause of the failure.

According to such a configuration, each time a prepaid card is processed in each device, a history of the processing is recorded. As a result, for example, the cause of the failure can be pursued by investigating and analyzing the processing history stored in the prepaid card that has become unusable due to the failure.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the prepaid card system includes a prepaid card 10, a card recording device 11 installed in a card issuing company, a ticket issuing machine 13 and a card reading device 15 installed in each store. In the present system, the card recording device 11, the ticket issuing machine 13, and the card reading device 15 store device codes for specifying each of them. Each store is provided with a store code for specifying the store, and the ticket issuing machine 13 and the card reader 15 store the store code of the store in which the store is located.

As shown in FIG. 2, the prepaid card 10 has an amount information section 22 for storing amount information corresponding to a predetermined amount.
And a history information unit 23 for storing a processing history when the prepaid card 10 is processed.
1 is provided. The history information section 23 includes a recording device area E1 for storing the processing history of the card recording device 11,
It comprises a ticket issuing machine area E2 for storing the processing history of the ticket issuing machine 13, and a reading device area E3 for storing the processing history of the card reading device 15.

An example of the processing history stored in the reading device area E3 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10 is shown in FIG.
Shown in As illustrated, the processing history includes a use date, a use time, a store code of the processed store, a device name (in this case, a card reading device), a device code assigned to each device, Data items. Magnetic storage unit 21
The processing history data items stored in the respective areas E1, E2, and E3 are common, for example. Therefore, the processing history stored in the recording device area E1 and the ticket issuing machine area E2 also has the same data items as described above. Since the card recording device 11 is not placed in the store, the recording device area E
Nothing is stored in the item of “store code” in the processing history stored in No. 1.

The card recording device 11 is located at a card issuing company (encoding factory), and stores the prepaid card 10
This is a device that writes initial information such as money amount information into a store so that it can be shipped to each store, and includes a card recording unit 31, a control unit 33, and a storage unit 35, as shown in FIG. The card recording unit 31 stores the amount information, the processing history, and the like in a predetermined area of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 33. The control unit 33
It instructs the card recording unit 31 to write the amount information, the above-described processing history, and the like, and controls the entire card recording device 11. The storage unit 35 stores information such as a device name and a device code.

The ticket issuing machine 13 is a device that is arranged at each store and issues a prepaid card 10 to a user.
As shown in FIG. 5, the cash input unit 41 and the card issuing unit 4
3, a control unit 45, a card storage unit 47, and a storage unit 49
And. The cash input unit 41 receives cash inserted for purchasing the prepaid card 10 by the user. The card issuing unit 43 takes out the prepaid card 10 stored in the card storage unit 47 in response to an instruction from the control unit 45, and stores the processing history described above in the magnetic storage unit 2.
1 is recorded in the ticketing machine area E2.

The control unit 45 detects the receipt of cash in the cash input unit 41, instructs the card issuing unit 43 to record a processing history, and controls the entire ticket issuing machine 13. The card storage unit 47 stores the prepaid card 10 for issuing tickets, that is, the prepaid card 10 purchased by the manager of each store from the card issuing company. The storage unit 49 stores information such as a store code, a device name, and a device code.

The card reading device 15 is arranged in each store and is a device for a user to use the prepaid card 10. The card reading device 15 is, as shown in FIG.
A card reading unit 51, a control unit 53, and a storage unit 55 are provided. The card reading unit 51 reads and writes data in the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10 inserted by the user. The control unit 53 updates the price information,
It instructs the card reading unit 51 to write the above-mentioned processing history. The storage unit 55 stores information such as a store code, a device name, and a device code.

The present system stores the processing history (processing history) in the prepaid card every time the prepaid card is processed, so that the prepaid card returned to the card issuing company because it becomes unavailable due to a failure or the like. This is a system that analyzes the processing history stored in the card and can determine the cause of the failure. Regarding the operation of each device constituting this system, the prepaid card 10 is shipped,
A detailed description will be given along the flow of an actual process of issuing and using a ticket.

First, initial information of the prepaid card 10 is recorded by the card recording device 11 of the card issuing company. The control unit 33 of the card recording device 11 records amount information corresponding to a predetermined amount in the amount information unit 22 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10 via the card recording unit 31.
After the completion of the recording of the amount information, the control unit 33 acquires the date and time from a timer (not shown), and stores the own device name “card recording device” and the device code (for example, “M
001 ”). Next, the control unit 33 generates a processing history H1 from these data, and
Is recorded in the recording device area E1 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10 via the. That is, as shown in FIG.
The first processing history H1 is recorded in the history information section 23. At this time, for example, "NULL" indicating that there is no data is stored at the position of the data item "store code" of the processing history stored in the recording device area E1. The prepaid card 10 in which the processing history is written in the recording device area E1 in this way is purchased, for example, by each store and stored in the card storage unit 47 of the ticket issuing machine 13.

To purchase a prepaid card, the user puts a predetermined amount of cash into the cash input unit 41 of the ticket issuing machine 13D of, for example, the store A (store code "S001").
The control unit 45 of the ticket issuing machine 13D detects the cash insertion and instructs the card issuing unit 43 to write the processing history. The card issuing unit 43 responds to the instruction from the control unit 45, removes the prepaid card 10 from the card storage unit 47, acquires the date and time from a timer (not shown), and stores the store code “S001” from the storage unit 49. The device name “ticket issuing machine” and the device code (for example, “N011”) are read. Next, the control unit 45 generates a processing history from these data and records it in the ticketing machine area E2 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the processing history H2 is added to the history information unit 23.

After the recording of the processing history is completed, the control unit 45 discharges the prepaid card 10 from a card discharge port (not shown). Thereby, the recording device area E1 and the ticketing machine area E
A prepaid card 10 having a processing history stored in 2 is issued.

Next, the user attaches the prepaid card 10 to the card reading unit 51 of the card reading device 15E of the store A, for example, in order to pay with the prepaid card 10 purchased at the ticket issuing machine 13D. Press the payment button. In response to this, the control unit 53 of the card reading device 15E reads out the amount information of the amount information area E1 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the attached prepaid card 10 and obtains new amount information by subtracting the settlement amount from the amount information. Is recorded in the price information section 22, thereby updating the price information.

After the updating of the money amount information is completed, the control unit 53 acquires the date and time from a timer (not shown),
5, a store code "S001", a device name "card reading device", and a device code (for example, "P002") are read. Next, the control unit 53 generates a processing history from these data, and records it in the reading device area E3 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10 via the card reading unit 51. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the processing history H3 is added to the history information unit 23. After the recording of the processing history is completed, the control unit 5
Reference numeral 3 denotes a prepaid card 10 from a card outlet (not shown).
To discharge.

Next, a case where the prepaid card 10 processed by the card reading device 15E is used in another card reading device 15F of the store A will be described. For example, the user may use the card reading unit 5 of the card reading device 15F.
1, a prepaid card 10 is attached, and a payment button (not shown) is pressed. The control unit 53 of the card reading device 15E
In response to this, the price information is read from the price information unit 22 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the attached prepaid card 10, and the new price information is recorded in the price information unit 22, thereby updating the price information.

After updating the amount information, the control unit 53 obtains the date and time from a timer (not shown).
5, a store code "S001", a device name "card reading device", and a device code (for example, "P104") are read. Next, the control unit 53 generates a processing history from these data, and records it in the reading device area E3 of the magnetic storage unit 21 of the prepaid card 10 via the card reading unit 51. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 53 does not overwrite the processing history H3 already stored in the reading device area E3, but, for example, adds a new processing history H4 to a position next to the processing history H3. Is added. After recording the processing history,
The control unit 53 discharges the prepaid card 10 from a card discharge port (not shown).

In this way, the prepaid card 10
The processing history is sequentially written by the respective devices (the card recording device 11, the ticket issuing machine 13, and the card reading device 15) each time is processed. This makes it possible to easily match the failure list notified to the higher-level device managing each device with the processing history recorded on the prepaid card 10. Further, the processing history stored in the history information section 23 of the unusable prepaid card is examined, and for example, the date and time when the prepaid card was processed, the device, etc. can be specified, and the cause of the failure can be determined. Can help. For example, by detecting, from the processing history of a plurality of unusable prepaid cards, the same device that has processed those cards, it is possible to identify a device having a high possibility of causing a failure.

When the reading device area E3 is full, for example, the card reading device 15 deletes the oldest processing history from the processing histories stored in the reading device area E3, and deletes the empty area. A new processing history may be recorded.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the center controls the ticket issuing machines 13 and the card readers 15 of a plurality of stores, for example, for each district, the processing history stored in the prepaid card 10 is processed. You may add a district code that identifies the district that you have set. In this case, the ticket issuing machine 13 and the card reader 15 further store a district code for specifying the district to which the ticket issuing machine 13 belongs, and generate and record a processing history including the district code when the prepaid card 10 is processed. Thus, for example, when a failure occurs due to an error in the control signal from the center, the district code of the failed district is compared with the district code of the processing history stored in the recovered card. Thus, a card that has become unusable due to this can be specified.

Further, for example, the collected prepaid card 10 is collected in a district (store) remote from the district (store) where the device (ticket issuing machine 13 and card reading device 15) causing the obstacle is installed. Even so, the exact cause can be determined from the processing history stored in the card.

In the above description, the prepaid card uses the magnetic storage medium for storing the amount information, the history information, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Is also good.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Each time a prepaid card is processed in each device, a history of the processing is recorded. As a result, for example, the cause of the failure can be pursued by investigating and analyzing the processing history stored in the prepaid card that has become unusable due to the failure.

[0038]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a prepaid card.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing history recorded in a history information unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a card recording device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a card reading device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a case where a processing history is recorded in a recording device area of a prepaid card.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a case where a processing history is recorded in a ticketing machine area of a prepaid card.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a case where a processing history is recorded in a reading device area of a prepaid card.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a case where a processing history is additionally written in a reading device area of a prepaid card.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the prepaid card system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Prepaid card 11 Card recording device 13 Ticket issuing machine 15 Card reading device 21 Magnetic storage unit 22 Amount information unit 23 History information unit 31 Card recording unit 33 Control unit 35 Storage unit 41 Cash input unit 43 Card issuing unit 45 Control unit 47 Card storage Unit 49 Storage unit 51 Card reading unit 53 Control unit 55 Storage unit

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

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid card for storing money amount information having a monetary value, a card recording device for recording initialization information on the prepaid card, and a prepaid card on which initialization information is recorded by the card recording device. In a prepaid card system having a ticket issuing machine for issuing a ticket and a card reading device for updating amount information stored in the prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine, the prepaid card has a history for storing a processing history. A storage area, wherein the card recording device includes a first recording unit that records a processing history in the history storage area of the prepaid card when initializing information is recorded on the prepaid card; A second recording for recording a processing history in the history storage area of the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued; The card reading device further includes a third recording unit that, when updating the amount information of the prepaid card, additionally records a processing history in the history storage area of the prepaid card. system. 2. The history storage area has first, second, and third storage areas, and the first recording unit of the card recording device is configured to store the first
The second recording means of the ticket issuing machine records the history of the processing in the second storage area, and the third recording means of the card reading device Is the third
The prepaid card system according to claim 1, wherein a history of the processing is additionally written in a storage area of (i). 3. A prepaid machine having a ticket issuing machine for issuing a prepaid card storing money amount information having a monetary value, and a card reading device for updating the money amount information stored on the prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine. In the card system, the ticket issuing machine includes a first history recording unit that records a processing history in a predetermined area of the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued, and the card reading device reads the amount information of the prepaid card. A prepaid card system comprising: a second history recording means for additionally adding a processing history to a predetermined area of the prepaid card when updating. 4. The processing history according to claim 1, wherein the processing history includes at least one of a processing date, a processing time, and information for specifying an apparatus for writing the history. 2. The prepaid card system according to claim 1. 5. A card reading device for updating amount information having a monetary value stored in a prepaid card, wherein the card reading device updates a predetermined area of the prepaid card when updating the amount information of the prepaid card. A card reading device, further comprising means for additionally writing a processing history. 6. The card reading method according to claim 5, wherein the processing history includes at least one of a processing date, a processing time, and information for specifying a device to which the history is written. apparatus. 7. A prepaid card used in a prepaid card system for performing a transaction using a prepaid card storing monetary value information having a monetary value, wherein a date, a time, and a processing device are used when the prepaid card is processed. A prepaid card comprising an area for recording a plurality of processing histories including information to be specified. 8. A history management method in a prepaid card system using a prepaid card storing money amount information having a monetary value, wherein a first record for recording a processing history on the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued. And a second recording step of, when updating the amount information of the prepaid card in which the processing history is recorded by the first recording step, adding a processing history to the prepaid card;
A history management method, characterized in that when the prepaid card becomes unusable, the history of a plurality of processes recorded on the prepaid card can be tracked to analyze the cause of the failure.