JPS61259369A - Inquiry system for credit card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save a time and cost by providing an inquiry data memory which is stored with inquiry data for a specific period together with the identification code of a credit card, and performing inquiry only when the card is used for the 1st time and omitting the card inquiry at the 2nd an succeeding times. CONSTITUTION:When a controller 10 receives a credit card inquiry telegraphic message from an ECR1, the card No. in the telegraphic message is used as a key word to retrieve the inquiry data memory 12. When no corresponding No. is found, a card inquiry telegraphic message containing the card No. is generated and transmitted to a center 20. The center 20 searches a credit card file on the basis of the card No. to read regarding whether the card is effective or not out of the file. If the corresponding card No. is found, inquiry data corresponding to the card No. is read out of the memory 12 and sent to the ECR1. Then, the data in the memory 12 is cleared at specific intervals, i.e. once a day and new card inquiry data is written.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Summary of the Invention A plurality of terminals provided within a predetermined area are connected to one control device. The control device is credited to the center.
It has the function of making a card inquiry and also has a memory for storing the inquiry data. When a credit card inquiry is made from a terminal to a control device, the control device searches its memory and, if there is any relevant inquiry data, returns it to the relevant terminal; if no such inquiry data is found, the control device searches its memory. In this case, the inquiry data obtained by making an inquiry to the center is stored in the memory and transmitted to the corresponding terminal.

[Technical Field] The present invention relates to a system for inquiring whether a credit card used at a store or the like is valid or invalid.

[Description of Prior Art] Stores and the like are equipped with terminals for automatically inquiring about credit cards being used.

This terminal is an electronic cash register (ECR).
) may be used, and in some cases a dedicated inquiry terminal connected to the ECR may be provided. In any case, this type of terminal.

It is equipped with a card reader for reading data recorded on a credit card, and a communication device for communicating with the center. The center is provided with a credit card file that stores data regarding all issued credit cards. Data regarding credit cards also includes data indicating whether the card is valid or has been invalidated for some reason. When a credit card inquiry message is sent from a store terminal to the center, the center searches the above file, reads out whether the card is valid or invalid from the data related to the card, and uses this inquiry result as the corresponding card. Send to terminal.

Department stores, supermarkets, and other large stores have many sales floors, and the above-mentioned terminals are installed in each sales floor, so they have quite a large number of credit card inquiry terminals in total. Customers also often make payments using credit cards at multiple departments. Therefore, within 10 days, multiple terminals may make inquiries about the same credit card to the center. Since communication between the terminal and the control center is generally carried out through telephone lines, 1
It takes time and money to check the card every time. Valid for the same credit card.

It is wasteful to make invalidity inquiries many times in a day.

[Object of the Invention] This invention makes it possible to perform an inquiry only when a credit card is used for the first time within a certain period of time, for example, one day, and to omit the card inquiry from the second time onward, thereby saving time and money. The purpose is to provide a system.

"Structure and Effects of the Invention" The credit card inquiry system according to this invention has the following features:
Each card has a card ψ reader that reads credit card data, and is connected to a plurality of terminals installed in a predetermined area, for example, in one store, and to a plurality of terminals in the above-mentioned predetermined area. It consists of a control unit that communicates with a center containing a file of data regarding the card. Then, the control device stores the inquiry data together with the credit card identification code for a certain period of time, for example, one day. means for searching the memory;
If there is any corresponding inquiry data as a result of the search, means for returning it to the corresponding terminal, and if there is no corresponding inquiry data as a result of the search, by communicating with the center.

It is characterized by comprising means for receiving inquiry data regarding credit card data sent from a terminal from a center, and means for storing inquiry data received from the center in the memory and transmitting it to the corresponding terminal. shall be.

A plurality of terminals provided within a predetermined area are 1. connected to the controller of the machine. The control device has the function of making a credit card inquiry to the center and has a memory for storing the inquiry data. When a credit card inquiry is made from a terminal to a control device, the control device searches its memory and, if there is any relevant inquiry data, returns it to the relevant terminal; if no such inquiry data is found, the control device searches its memory. In this case, the inquiry data obtained by making an inquiry to the center is stored in the memory and transmitted to the corresponding terminal.

Therefore, within the above-mentioned fixed period, there is no need for the control device to make a card inquiry to the center when using the same credit card for the second time or later. Therefore, the amount of lines used between the control device and the center is reduced, and costs can be reduced. Furthermore, when using the same card for the second time or later, it is sufficient to communicate between the terminal and the control device.

Card inquiry time is also shortened.

[Description of Embodiments] FIG. 1 shows the entire credit card inquiry system. Multiple EC machines in a predetermined area, for example, one store
RI is installed. In addition to normal monetary registration processing, these ECRs have credit card inquiry functions. Namely.

The ECRI includes a card φ reader for reading data recorded on a credit card, a display for displaying data representing the result of card inquiry, and a communication device for communicating with the control device 11.

The display device may also be used as a display device for displaying money or the like. A terminal number is assigned to each of the plurality of ECRIs.

A plurality of ECRIs are connected to a control device IO. The control device IO comprises a CPU], 1, to which an inquiry data memory 12 is connected. Inquiry data memory 1
2 stores, in correspondence with the card number of the credit card for which the card inquiry was made to the center 20, the inquiry result of that card, that is, the data as to whether the card is valid or invalid. The data in this memory 12 is held for a certain period of time, for example one day, and is erased after this period has elapsed. The control device 10 includes a communication device for communicating with a plurality of ECRIs and a communication device for communicating with the center 20.

The center 20 is provided with a large CPU.

A communication device is also provided for communicating with the control device 10. The center 20 and the control device 10 are generally connected by a telephone line. Furthermore, the center 20 is provided with a credit card file that stores all data related to issued credit cards, such as card number, owner's name, address, data regarding creditworthiness, and data regarding validity and invalidity. ing. When the CPU of the center 20 receives a card inquiry message from the control device IO, it searches this file, reads out data indicating whether the corresponding card is valid or invalid, and sends a reply to the control device.

FIG. 2 shows the procedure of processing in the ECRI and processing in the control device IO.

When a credit card is inserted into the card slot of the ECRI for card inquiry, its data is read (step 31). Then, the card number in the card data
, , a message including a code indicating the card inquiry and the terminal number is edited and sent to the control device IO (step 32).

In the control device 10, when the card inquiry message from ECRI is received (step 41), the card number in the message is received. The query data memory 12 is searched using the keyword (step 42).

If there is no corresponding card number (No in step 43), a card inquiry message containing the card number is created and sent to the center 20 (step 48).
). At the center 20, a credit card Q file is searched based on the card number.

Since data regarding the validity or invalidity of the card is read from the file and sent to the control bag 210, the control device 10
receives this (step 47). And center 2
Card number in the message sent from 0.

and its inquiry (card valid/invalid) data are stored in the memory 12.
(step 48), and these data are sent to the corresponding ECRI (step 45).

As a result of searching the memory 12, the corresponding card number is found.

If there is (Yes in step 43), that card number.

corresponding inquiry data (i.e. the validity of the card).

data representing invalidity) is read from the memory 12 (step 44) and sent to the appropriate ECRI (step 4).
5).

When the ECRI receives a message from the control device 10 (step 33), the card inquiry data in the message is displayed on its display (step 34).

The data in the memory 12 of the control device 10 is cleared for a certain period of time, for example, every day, and new card inquiry data is written.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire credit card inquiry system, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the ECR and control device. 1...ECR (terminal), 10...control device. 11... CPU, 12... Inquiry data memory. 20... Center. Patent applicant: Tateishi Electric Co., Ltd. Agent: Kenji Ushiku (and one other person) Will Figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A plurality of terminals each having a card reader for reading credit card data, and connected to a plurality of terminals provided within a predetermined area, and the plurality of terminals within the predetermined area; a control device communicating with a center having a file of data relating to credit cards, said control device storing the inquiry data for a certain period of time together with the identification code of the credit card;
Memory, means for searching the memory when credit card reading data is sent from the terminal. If there is any corresponding inquiry data as a result of the search, a means to send it back to the corresponding terminal, and if there is no corresponding inquiry data as a result of the search, the means to send it back to the terminal by communicating with the center. A credit card characterized by comprising means for receiving inquiry data regarding credit card data from a center, and means for storing inquiry data received from the center in the memory and transmitting it to a corresponding terminal. inquiry system.