JP2766505B2 - Charge settlement device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Summary] The present invention relates to a toll settlement device using a reading / writing device having a radio transmission / reception function and a portable device capable of reading / writing between the device and the user. The purpose of this is to obtain a charge clearing device that can perform the settlement of charges and the like without any special operation, read command signal during standby, balance update information during settlement,
A read / write device that transmits as a radio wave receivable within a limited range and receives a balance signal from a portable device, and receives the above read command signal and balance update information and transmits a balance signal. A wireless transceiver, a balance memory for storing a money balance, and a balance read from the balance memory when the wireless transceiver receives a read command signal from the reading / writing device, and a balance read from the wireless transceiver. When the wireless transmission / reception unit receives balance update information from the reading / writing device, the wireless transmission / reception unit calculates the updated balance by calculating the balance update information and the balance stored in the balance memory. In addition, a portable device including a microprocessor for controlling the calculated updated balance to be written into the balance memory constitutes a toll settlement device.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a fee clearing apparatus using a read / write device having a wireless transmission / reception function and a portable device capable of reading / writing between the device and the portable device.

[Conventional technology]

Prepaid cards and credit cards are widely used because they have advantages such as easy handling and no need to process change for payment of fees etc. In order to perform this, it is necessary to use an automatic payment machine or the like.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, when using an automatic clearing machine such as this automatic teller machine, it is necessary to introduce these cards into the card insertion slot of the card reader or the card reader / writer, so that the physical disability is difficult. It is difficult to use when a person or both hands are blocked.

Also, with prepaid cards, it is generally not possible to perform rewriting to increase the usable amount by simply subtracting the paid amount from the usable amount at the time of purchase, so that if the usable amount is increased, a new You need to buy a prepaid card again,
In addition, depending on the payment amount, it was necessary to use a plurality of prepaid cards together.

The same is true for credit cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fee clearing apparatus which enables a user to clear a fee or the like without any special operation.

[Means to solve the problem]

As shown in FIG. 1, a read command signal is sent out during standby, a balance update information is sent out during settlement as radio waves receivable within a limited range, and a read / write signal is received from a portable device. Loading device (T), a radio transmitting / receiving unit (R) for receiving the read command signal and the balance update information and transmitting a balance matching signal, a balance memory (M) for storing a money balance, and When a read command signal from the reading / writing device is received, the money balance is read from the balance memory and transmitted as a balance signal from the wireless transmission / reception unit. When the balance update information is received, the balance update information is calculated by calculating the balance update information and the balance stored in the balance memory, and the calculated update balance is written into the balance memory. Uni configured Rates clearing device by a control to microprocessor (P) portable device and a (C).

(Operation)

The read / write device T sends out a read command signal as, for example, a weak radio wave that can be received within a limited range such as near a gate provided at the entrance of a game or a parking lot.

When the radio transmission / reception unit R of the portable device C receives the read-out command signal, the microprocessor P reads the balance from the balance memory M based on the command and transfers the balance to the radio transmission / reception unit. Transmit as radio waves.

If the reading / writing device is provided, for example, to collect a game fee, after receiving the balance report from the portable device, the game fee is calculated from the balance stored in the balance memory. The balance update information of the content of subtraction is transmitted as a radio wave.

When the wireless transmission / reception unit R of the portable device C receives the balance update information, the microprocessor P performs an operation supported by the balance update information on the balance stored in the balance memory to calculate an updated balance. Then, the updated balance is written into the balance memory C as update data.

If the reading / writing device is provided to increase the balance due to the addition of the game fee, after receiving the balance report from the portable device C, the additional game fee is reduced. The balance update information that is added to the balance stored in the memory M is transmitted as radio waves.

When the portable device C receives this radio wave, the microprocessor P calculates an updated balance by adding the additional game fee to the balance stored in the balance memory M, and transfers the balance stored in the balance memory to the updated balance. Update to the updated balance.

The read / write device may be connected to a hout processor H as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1. A plurality of read / write devices may be connected to this host processor for sales management and unauthorized use. It will be clear that monitoring of the information may be performed.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the portable device row C according to the present invention. When a read command radio wave of, for example, a microwave band from the read / write device T (FIG. 1) is received by the antenna 6, FIG. The radio transceiver 5 demodulates the received radio wave and sends it to the decoding circuit 3.

The decoded signal is processed by the microprocessor 1 in accordance with the type of the signal. If the signal is a balance read command, the balance memory 7 is accessed to read the balance stored in this memory and encode it. Transfer to circuit 4.

The encoding circuit 4 converts the balance from the microprocessor 1 into a predetermined data format, sends it to the wireless transceiver 5, and sends it out from the antenna 6 as microwaves in the microwave band.

When the reading / writing device T receives this radio wave, it checks the balance, and if the balance exceeds the required fee, permits the use of facilities by permitting a user to pass through, etc., and also transports this fee. A subtraction signal for supporting subtraction from the balance stored in the balance memory 2 of the device C is transmitted in the same manner as in the case of transmitting the above-described balance reading command. As a result, the microprocessor 1 of the portable device C subtracts the amount indicated by the subtraction signal from the balance stored in the balance memory 2 and updates the balance in the balance memory 2 with this amount.

If the balance is equal to or less than the required fee, the information is displayed on a display device provided in the read / write device T or sounds a warning sound to notify a staff member so that use can be prevented. In the case of automatic processing, use may be prevented by using a circuit breaker or the like. In such a case, it is not necessary to update the balance in the balance memory 2, so that the reading / writing device T does not send the above-described subtraction signal.

Further, when the user performs the processing of adding the amount to be deposited in advance, the same reading / writing device as described above is installed at the place where the processing for adding the amount is performed, and the amount corresponding to the amount deposited is set. An addition command to be added to the balance of the portable device C is transmitted in the same manner as the subtraction command, and the balance in the balance memory 2 of the portable device C, the amount by the addition command, and the microprocessor 1 are added. The balance in the balance memory 2 may be updated with the obtained amount as the balance.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a battery serving as a power supply for operating the portable device C. The portable device C and the reading / writing device T
As a radio wave used for communication between the antenna and the antenna, the one having a frequency in the microwave band as described above is advantageous in that its reach is limited. It is desirable to use circularly polarized waves from the viewpoint of reducing the influence, but the present invention is not limited to the use of these radio waves.

If the portable device C according to the present invention has a shape and size such as a known prepaid card, it can be used for golf courses, tennis courts, ski lifts and the like in resort areas, accommodation facilities, restaurants and the like. It can also be used to settle expenses or pay for parking.

In addition, if it can be attached to a vehicle such as an automobile, it is possible to collect a parking fee in a parking lot. In this case, the time when entering the parking lot is stored in the memory of the portable device C. In addition, at the time of entry, the reading / writing device reads the entry time, calculates the usage time between the entry and the entry time, calculates the usage fee, and transfers this usage fee to the balance in the balance memory of the portable device C. , It is easy to settle the fee and manage the parking lot. It will be clear that such usage is widely applicable when the usage fee is determined by time, such as in a pool or skate.

In these uses, identification data for identifying the user may be stored in the memory of the portable device C, and the use of the facility / equipment may be determined using the identification data. Further, when it is necessary to confirm the user, the user may be required to input a personal identification number. In these cases, it goes without saying that the identification data and the password can be stored in the balance memory.

When the present invention is applied to the management of a parking lot as described above, identification data and the like assigned to a parked vehicle are stored by a reading / writing device or a processor system connected to the reading / writing device. If such a configuration is adopted, more precise management becomes possible.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the clearing device of the present invention, as in the case of a prepaid card or a credit card, it is not necessary to transfer money,
Payment can be performed without the user's consciousness just by bringing the portable device close to the read / write device, so even if the user's hands are occupied or a person with a physical disability is cleared Is achieved.

Further, since the variable device is rewritable, it can be used repeatedly only by rewriting the contents, and thus there is an advantage that the cost of the portable device is substantially reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a portable device of the present invention. T: read / write device, C: variable device, R: wireless transmission / reception unit, M: balance memory, P: microprocessor.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A read / write device for transmitting a read command signal during standby and a balance update information during settlement as radio waves receivable within a limited range, and receiving a balance signal from a portable device. A wireless transmission / reception unit that receives the read command signal and the balance update information and transmits the balance signal; a balance memory that stores a monetary balance; and the wireless transmission / reception unit receives a read command signal from a read / write device. The balance is read from the balance memory and transmitted as a balance signal from the wireless transmission / reception unit. When the wireless transmission / reception unit receives balance update information from the reading / writing device, the balance update information is read. And a balance stored in the balance memory to calculate an updated balance, and a microcomputer for controlling the calculated updated balance to be written in the balance memory. And a portable device having a processor.