JP3294902B2 - Card processing system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card having a printing area in which the card balance magnetically recorded is reduced and updated each time the card is used and the updated card balance is printed each time. The present invention relates to a card processing system including a prepaid card vending machine for automatically selling cards, and a card terminal device for actually performing commodity transactions using the prepaid card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a cafeteria-style dining room, various dishes and drinks from appetizers to desserts are arranged on a display stand. In addition, an accounting terminal device is disposed at the last position of the display stand. Then, the customer picks up one tray stacked at the entrance, brings this tray and moves along the display stand, puts favorite food and drink from the display stand on its own tray in the process of moving, carry to the accounting terminal device location. Then, the cashier sells and registers each food and drink purchased by the customer in turn in the accounting terminal device, and calculates the total price of each customer. The customer pays the price corresponding to the calculated total amount.

[0003] However, since the number of checkout terminals and the number of cashiers have certain limitations, it is common that a long waiting line occurs in front of the checkout terminal at lunch time or the like. In order to efficiently perform the accounting process in the accounting terminal device, for example, when users of an employee cafeteria or a co-op are limited to some extent, payment is made by a prepaid card instead of cash.

However, even in such a system in which payment is made by a prepaid card, the cashier also has to register each product purchased by each customer in turn at the accounting terminal device, so that the system is still waiting for the accounting turn. Rows arise.

[0005] In order to eliminate such inconvenience, a display
Separate the table for each item, arrange a card terminal device for each shelf, take the goods to the customer's own tray, insert the prepaid card into the card insertion slot of the card terminal device of the corresponding shelf, A system has been proposed in which payment is made by a prepaid card each time. In this case, the card terminal device does not issue a receipt each time in order to speed up the card processing. Also, it is troublesome for customers to take a receipt for each item.

However, it is desirable for the customer to always be able to check the card balance. As a method of checking the card balance by the card itself, a method of punching a punch hole and a method of printing the card balance on the back surface of the card each time have been put to practical use. In order to accurately check the card balance, the method of printing the card balance is superior.

[0007]

However, even in such a card processing system in which the card balance is printed each time, there are the following problems to be solved.

Since it is necessary to form a thermal printing layer for thermal printing on the back surface of the card, for example, the issuing cost of one card increases. Therefore, in consideration of the maintenance costs of the entire card processing system, it goes without saying that the higher the face value of the prepaid card, the better.

[0009] However, some customers who use the cafeteria and the like include, for example, customers who constantly use such as employees, as well as visitors, etc.
Some customers use it less frequently. Therefore, the sales price of the prepaid card is 1000 yen in addition to the face value of 5000 yen or 10,000 yen.
It is necessary to set a low denomination such as a yen or 2000 yen. As a result, there is a problem that the ratio of the cost of the card itself to the sales amount of the prepaid card increases, and the maintenance cost of the entire system increases.

[0010] Further, if the payment is limited to the card payment without allowing the cash payment, not only the structure of the accounting terminal device can be simplified, but also it is not necessary to arrange a cashier by paying the card one by one as described above. It has the advantage of reducing labor costs. However, if cash payment is not permitted, it is necessary to settle the unused card balance and return the money to customers who use the card only once.

[0011] In this case, even if you purchase a prepaid card with a minimum denomination of 1000 yen, for example,
If you pay 700 to 800 yen using a low amount such as 200 to 300 yen, this prepaid card will already have 700 yen.
Since the card balance of ~ 800 yen is printed, this card cannot be reused and will be discarded. Therefore, there is a problem that the maintenance cost is further increased.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when the sales amount is less than a certain amount, it is possible to reuse the used prepaid card by omitting the printing of the card balance each time. In addition, by allowing the payment of the card balance only for the prepaid card for which printing is omitted, the reuse rate of the used prepaid card can be further improved, and the amount added to the issued card can be increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a card processing system that can reduce the number of issued new cards as much as possible without causing inconvenience to the customer by making it possible to issue, and reduce the maintenance cost of the entire system.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card body, a printing area formed on at least one surface of the card body, and a printing area formed on at least one surface of the card body. In a prepaid card having a magnetic recording area formed in a section, a card balance, which is reduced and updated every time a transaction using the prepaid card is executed, and an amount type for specifying the sales amount of the prepaid card in the magnetic recording area And printing presence / absence information for designating whether or not to print the card balance in the printing area according to the purchase condition.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine for storing a plurality of raw cards in which a printing area and a magnetic recording area are formed, and a method in which the money is inserted into a cash slot. Card balance writing means for writing the amount selected by operating the amount selection key into the magnetic recording area of the raw card supplied from the card stocker as a card balance, and magnetically printing presence / absence information corresponding to the selected purchase condition. Printing presence / absence information writing means for writing in the recording area;
Card issuing means for issuing, as a prepaid card, a raw card in which the card balance and the printing presence / absence information are written.

Further, in the prepaid card vending apparatus according to the third aspect, when the selected purchase condition designates the presence of printing, the prepaid card vending apparatus according to the second aspect can be produced. At the top of the print area of the card, a message printing means for printing out a message to omit printing when the updated card balance is equal to or more than the prescribed balance is added.

Further, in the prepaid card vending apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a function of adding a card balance to the prepaid card vending apparatus according to the second aspect is added.

That is, a card for reading a card balance recorded in a magnetic recording area of a prepaid card having a printing area and a magnetic recording area inserted from a card insertion slot.
Total information for calculating the total amount of the card information read means and the card balance read by the card information read means and the additional amount selected by operating the amount selection key after the money is inserted into the cash slot. Calculating means, card balance adding means for writing the total amount calculated by the total amount calculating means as a new card balance on the prepaid card inserted in the card insertion slot, and according to the selected purchase condition,
A print presence / absence information rewriting means for making print presence / absence information recorded on the inserted prepaid card a print presence,
An additional card issuing means for discharging the prepaid card on which the printing presence / absence information and the new card balance are written is provided.

In the prepaid card vending apparatus according to a fifth aspect, a card balance settlement function is added to the prepaid card vending apparatus according to the second aspect.

That is, card information reading means for reading card balance and printing presence / absence information recorded in a magnetic recording area of a prepaid card having a printing area and a magnetic recording area inserted from a card insertion slot; When the printing presence / absence information indicates no printing, the unused amount adjustment means for discharging money corresponding to the card balance read in response to the settlement key operation, and when the printing presence / absence information indicates that printing is present, the adjustment key operation is performed. And a settlement non-permission processing means for discharging the prepaid card inserted in response to the settlement as non-permission.

In the prepaid card vending machine according to the sixth aspect, permission / non-permission of the settlement is determined based on the settlement presence / absence information stored in the card.

That is, card information reading means for reading card balance and settlement presence / absence information recorded in a magnetic recording area of a prepaid card having a printing area and a magnetic recording area inserted from a card insertion slot; When the settlement information indicates that there is a settlement, an unused amount settlement means for discharging money corresponding to the card balance read in response to the settlement key operation, and when the settlement presence information indicates that there is no settlement, the settlement key operation is performed. And a settlement non-permission processing means for discharging the prepaid card inserted in response to the settlement as non-permission.

In the card terminal device of the present invention, every time a transaction is executed, the data is recorded in the magnetic recording area of the prepaid card having the printing area and the magnetic recording area inserted from the card insertion slot. Card information reading means for reading card balance and printing presence / absence information, and card balance updating means for reducing a transaction amount from the card balance read by the card information reading means and writing the same in a prepaid card. Card balance printing means for printing the updated card balance in a printing area when the printing presence / absence information read by the card information reading means indicates printing, and then discharging the prepaid card; A print omitting means for omitting the printing of the card balance when the printing presence / absence information read by the information reading means indicates no printing.

According to the card terminal device of the eighth aspect, the card terminal device of the seventh aspect is provided with a card.
Conditional printing omitting means for omitting printing of the card balance is added when the printing presence / absence information read by the card information reading means indicates the presence of printing and when the updated card balance is equal to or more than the specified balance.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card terminal device according to the eighth aspect, further comprising a print position information reading device for reading print position information recorded on a prepaid card inserted from a card insertion slot. Means and a print message indicating that printing is to be omitted when the updated card balance is equal to or greater than a specified balance when the print position information read by the print position information reading means indicates the top position of the print area. A message printing means for outputting is added.

Further, in the card terminal device of the tenth aspect, an error printing function is added to the card terminal device of the seventh aspect.

That is, verifying means for confirming that writing of the card balance into the magnetic recording area by the card balance updating means has been performed normally, and a write error message when the verifying means detects a writing error. And an error printing means for forcibly printing the updated card balance in the printing area.

[0027]

According to the prepaid card constructed as described above, the magnetic recording area stores print presence / absence information in addition to the normal card balance. The printing presence / absence information is distinguished between the presence / absence of printing in accordance with purchase conditions such as the amount of money indicating the sales amount of the prepaid card. That is, for example, prohibiting printing of the card balance for a low sales amount,
The card can be reused, and the card balance can be printed for a customer service for a large sales amount.

Further, in the prepaid card vending apparatus according to the second aspect, a large number of raw cards of one type having a print area and a magnetic recording area are stored in a card stocker. When the customer inserts money and selects an amount with the amount selection key, a raw card in which the selected amount is written as a card balance in the magnetic recording area is issued as a prepaid card.

In this case, the printing presence / absence information corresponding to the selected purchase condition is written. For example, when the purchase condition is the amount of money, if the selected amount is less than the specified amount, the printing presence / absence information without printing is written in the magnetic recording area, and conversely, if the selected amount is equal to or more than the specified amount, there is printing. Is written in the magnetic recording area. Therefore, since the card balance is not printed on a prepaid card with a small sales amount without printing, a way of reusing the prepaid card is opened.

In the prepaid card vending device according to the third aspect, when the selected purchase condition is printed,
If the updated card balance is equal to or more than a prescribed amount such as 3000 yen, a message is printed to the effect that printing is omitted. That is, there is a limit to the number of card balances that can be printed in the printing area, so it is conceivable to start printing after the card balance is low, but the card purchaser can confirm this with a message, Can provide detailed services for

In the prepaid card vending device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the prepaid card in use is inserted into the card insertion slot, additional money is inserted, and when the added money is selected by the money selection key, the inserted card is inserted. The total amount of the card balance read from the prepaid card and the selected amount is written as a new card balance on the prepared prepaid card and discharged. Therefore, the number of new cards issued is suppressed.

In this case, for example, if the purchase condition that the additional (additional) amount becomes equal to or more than the prescribed amount is satisfied, the printing presence / absence information magnetically recorded is changed to “printing available”, and the printing of the card balance is performed for customer service. It is possible.

In the prepaid card vending device according to the fifth aspect, the card balance is stored in the corresponding prepaid card only when the prepaid card in which the printing presence / absence information without printing is stored in the magnetic recording area is inserted into the card insertion slot. You are allowed to settle. That is, since the card balance is not printed at all in the printing area of the prepaid card, a way of reusing the prepaid card is opened.

In the prepaid card vending apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, only when a prepaid card in which information on whether or not settlement has been made is stored in the magnetic recording area is inserted into the card insertion slot, the card balance of the corresponding prepaid card is stored. Payment is allowed.

In the card terminal device of the present invention, when the printing presence / absence information recorded on the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion slot indicates no printing, the printing of the card balance is omitted.

Further, in the card terminal device according to the present invention, even if the printing presence / absence information with printing is recorded, the printing is omitted when the card balance is equal to or more than the specified balance. That is, as described above, when the amount of one transaction is small, there is a concern that the print margin in the print area will be exhausted before the card balance is used up.
In such a situation, the card balance is not printed, but for customers, it is better to check the card balance more accurately when the card balance is small than when there is a large amount of card balance. Want.

Therefore, when the card balance is high, the printing of the card balance is omitted, and the printing of the card balance is started when the card balance falls below the prescribed balance, so that the printing area becomes more effective for the customer. Can be used.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a message to the effect that the printing in the eighth aspect is omitted is printed in the printing area of the prepaid card, so that the service to the customer can be improved.

Further, in the card terminal device according to the tenth aspect, when writing the updated card balance into the prepaid card, if a write error occurs, the printing presence / absence information of the prepaid card is printed. Even if there is no such message, the writing error message and the updated card balance are forcibly printed.

As described above, by forcibly printing the card balance, even if the card is a non-printed prepaid card, it is possible to prevent trouble with the customer due to the card balance.

[0041]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cafeteria employing the card processing system of the embodiment. A display stand 1 is arranged in one corner of the dining room, and the display stand 1 is divided into a plurality of shelves 2 by a partition plate 1a.
Is divided into Different kinds of foods and drinks 3 such as dishes and beverages are stored in each shelf 2.

A card terminal device is mounted on the back of each shelf 2, and a card insertion slot 4 of the card terminal device is exposed on the front of each shelf 2. Further, an indicator 5 for displaying a menu consisting of the name of the item currently stored in the corresponding shelf 2 and the price is attached. A plurality of tables 6 for customers to eat are arranged in the center of the cafeteria.

The customer 7 brings the tray 8 and moves along the display stand 1, takes out the food and drink 3 of a favorite menu from the shelf 2, places it on the tray 8, and places the prepaid card on the corresponding shelf. 2 is inserted into the card insertion slot 4 provided in the apparatus. Since the inserted prepaid card is immediately discharged, the user moves to the next shelf 2 position with the prepaid card.

Further, a prepaid card vending device 9 is installed near the entrance of the cafeteria.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the prepaid card vending apparatus 9 of the embodiment. Door 11 of almost box-shaped case 10
The operation panel 11a formed on the front of the car has a cash slot 12 for inserting bills, a card slot 13 for inserting a prepaid card used by a customer, and various operation guides and moneys to be input. A display 14 to be displayed, a plurality of amount selection keys 15 for selecting a new writing amount or an additional amount for the prepaid card, a cancel button 16 for canceling the selling operation, a call button 17 for calling a clerk, a card balance Key 18, a lamp 19 indicating whether or not the vending machine is operating, a return slot 20 for returning a settlement amount or change, and a new prepaid card or an additional prepaid card are ejected. Card outlet 21 and the like are provided.

The prepaid card that can be sold by the prepaid card vending device 9 has a price of 1000 yen,
3000 yen, a four types of 5000 yen and 10000 yen, the purchaser will be selected by the amount of money Select key 15 described above one type from among these. Further, an additional amount can be added to the card balance of the prepaid card issued by the vending device 9, and the added amount can be selected from one of the four types described above using the amount selection key 15. It is.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing raw cards stored in a card stocker in the prepaid card vending device 9 in advance. In this raw card 22, a "shopping card" indicating that the card is a prepaid card as shown in FIG.
And the name of the cafeteria that can be used are printed in advance.
As shown in FIG. 3B, a heat-sensitive material forming a printing surface 23 for thermally printing the card balance is attached to the back surface of the card body. Further, a magnetic stripe 24 is formed inside.

The magnetic stripe 24 has the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, regions 24a to 24f are formed,
A card issuing company code and a series of card numbers are written in the areas 24a and 24b in advance. However, the regions 24c, 24d. 24e, the card balance X1, the amount of money X0, and the printing presence / absence information PS have not yet been written. The print position P of the initial value 1 is set in the area 24f.
(P = 1) has already been written.

Each area 2 in the raw card 22
4c, 24d, 24e have card balance X1 and amount of money X0
When the print presence information PS is written and issued, the prepaid card 25 shown in FIG. 4 is obtained.

FIG. 4 shows the surface of the prepaid card 25.
As shown in FIG. 4A, a name such as "shopping card" and the name of a usable dining room are written. In the magnetic stripe 24, as shown in FIG. 4C , a card is issued in each of the areas 24a to 24f. The company code, card number, card balance X1, amount of money X0, print presence / absence information PS, and print position P are recorded.

When the vending machine is newly issued by the vending machine, the card balance X1 is equal to the amount of money X0, and the printing position P is the initial value 1. The printing presence / absence information PS is set to 0 indicating no printing (PS = 0) when 1000 yen is selected by the amount selection key 15, that is, when the amount type X0 is 1000 yen, and other 3000 yen, 50
When 00 yen or 10,000 yen is selected, it is set to 1 indicating that printing is present (PS = 1).

Printing surface 23 on the back of prepaid card 25
As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the money amount selection key 15 is used for 30 minutes by a card terminal device incorporated below each shelf 2.
When an amount of money equal to or more than 00 yen is selected, the selected amount 26a and a message 26b of "print less than 3000 yen" are printed over the entire width of the first line. Further, every time a card transaction occurs, the date and updated card balance 27
Is printed two items per line.

The print position P of the area 24f of the magnetic stripe 24 indicates the print position of each item described above. 2 per line
Since item printing is possible, for example, P = 3 indicates the first half position of the second line, and P = 4 indicates the second half position of the second line.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the prepaid card vending apparatus 9 shown in FIG.

A card reader / writer 29 in which a card reader and a card writer are incorporated in a single device, a printing surface 2 on the back surface of a prepaid card 25 are installed in a control device 28 composed of, for example, a microcomputer for executing various information processing.
3, a print control unit 31 for driving a thermal printer 30 for thermally printing characters such as a card balance X1, a keyboard 32 and a display unit for a clerk to set various data and to monitor and output sales data registered for sale. 33, an input / output interface 34, a storage unit 3 formed of a RAM or the like
5 , and operation panel interfaces 36 of various devices provided on the operation panel 11a.

The input / output interface 34 includes a money processing storage section 37a installed in the case 10 and a card stocker 3 for storing a large number of raw cards 22 shown in FIG.
7. A card transport mechanism 38 for transporting the raw card 22 from the card stocker 37 to the card reader / writer 29
Etc. are connected.

Further, the operation panel interface 36 has a display 14 and an amount selection key 1 shown in FIG.
5, Payment key 18, Lamp for sale 19, Cancel button 1
6, a call button 17 and the like are connected.

3 (c) or FIG. 4 (c) read by the card reader / writer 29 is stored in the storage unit 35.
Card information memory 3 for temporarily storing card information including a card issuing company code, a card number, a card balance X1, a money amount type X0, printing presence / absence information PS, a printing position P, etc.
5a, Card balance X of inserted prepaid card 25
1 is a card insertion memory 35b for temporarily storing 1; a cash insertion memory 35c for storing a total value Y2 of cash Y1 inserted by one customer; and an insertion total memory for storing a total amount S of the card balance of the inserted card and cash. 35d are formed.

Further, in the storage unit 35, a sales totaling memory 35 for totalizing the total sales amount of the prepaid card 25 sold by the vending machine 9, the sales amount of cash only, and the like.
e, a new issue number memory 35 for storing the new issue number issued by issuing the raw card 22 as the new prepaid card 25
f, an additional issued card memory 35g for storing the number of additional issued cards re-issued by adding the inserted amount (cash) to the inserted prepaid card 25 in use, and adjusting the unused card balance X1 of the issued prepaid card 25. Is stored in the payment totaling memory 35h or the like for totalizing the payment amounts in the case where the payment is performed.

[0061] Thus, prepaid mosquitoes - de When power vending device 9 is turned on, the control device 28 prepaid mosquito in accordance with the flow chart of FIG. 6 to <br/> Figure 8 - sales processing operations and card for de 25 The program is configured to execute balance settlement processing.

When the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is started, an operation guide of [insert card, insert money] is displayed on the display 14. Then, when any selling operation is executed on the operation panel 11a in S (step) 1, the type of the executed operation is checked. In S2, when money such as banknotes is inserted from the money input port 12, the input amount Y1 of the input money read by the money processing storage unit 37a in S3 is the total value Y2 of the cash input memory 35c of the storage unit 35. Is added to. Further, the input amount Y1 is added to the total amount S in the input total memory 35d. At first, the total value Y2 and the total amount S are zero at first.

Next, the total value Y2 of the cash input memory 35c
The display unit 14 displays the total amount S of the input total memory 35d.
To be displayed.

Then, the next selling operation is executed on the operation panel 11a, and when additional money is input in S4, the flow returns to S3, and the current input amount is stored in the cash input memory 35.
c and the input total memory 35d.

Next, if the selling operation is not a money input operation in S2 or S4, but the issued prepaid card 25 is inserted into the card insertion slot 4 in S5, the card reader / writer is sent in S6. Prepaid card 25 inserted with 29
Region 24a of the magnetic stripe 24 shown in FIG.
Card issuing company code, card number, card balance X1, amount of money X0, print presence / absence information P
The card information including S, the print position P, and the like is read and stored in the card information memory 35a. Then, the card balance X1 of the read card information is displayed on the display unit 14.
At the same time, in S7, it is added to the total amount S of the input total memory 35d . The display unit 14 displays the total amount S after the addition.

If the selling operation executed in S1 is the key operation of the money amount selection key 15 in S8 in FIG. 7 , the process proceeds to S9.
It is checked whether or not the card balance X1 is stored in the card insertion memory 35b. If the card balance X1 is not stored, the operation is to sell the new prepaid card 25 by cash, so the process proceeds to S10, in which a start command is sent to the card transport mechanism 38, and the operation shown in FIG. One of the raw cards 22 shown is conveyed to the card reader / writer 29.

Then, in S11, the input total memory 35d
After confirming that the total amount S of the raw card 22 is equal to or more than the selected amount, the selected amount is
4c is written as the new card balance X1. If a change occurs, the change is returned to the return port 20 or the cash input port 12.
Return from

Next, in S12, if the selected amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined specified amount Ma, the print presence / absence information (PS) indicating that the area 24e of the magnetic stripe 24 of the raw card 22 has been printed.
= 1) is written (S13). Conversely, if the selected amount is less than the predetermined specified amount Ma, the printing presence / absence information without printing (PS = 0) is written in the area 24e (S14).

In this embodiment, the prescribed amount is set to, for example, 2000 yen. Therefore, when 1000 yen is selected with the amount selection key, there is no printing,
If you choose 3000 yen or more, it will be printed.

Next, in step S15, the raw card 22 on which the card balance X1, the amount type Xo, and the printing presence / absence information PS are newly recorded is discharged from the lower card discharge port 21 as a new prepaid card 25. Thus, the new card issuance process for one prepaid card 25 is completed, and the sales registration process is performed for each of the memories 35e and 35f of the storage unit 35. Further, the storage contents of the memories 35a to 35d are cleared to prepare for the next customer.

At S9, the card insertion memory 3
If the card balance X1 is stored in 5b, it is determined that the operation is an additional sales operation of the card balance X1 of the used prepaid card 25, and the flow proceeds to S16. In S16, the total amount S of the inserted total memory 35d is written into the area 24c of the magnetic stripe 24 of the prepaid card 25 currently inserted into the card insertion slot 13 as a new card balance X1 (X1 = S).

Next, if the selected amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Ma (S17), and if the print presence / absence information PS read from the prepaid card 25 inserted into the card insertion slot 13 is in the state of 0, (S18), the printing presence / absence information PS = 1 indicating printing is written into the area 24e of the corresponding prepaid card 25 (S19). Next, as shown in FIG. 12A, a new card balance X1 is sent to the thermal printer 30 together with an "addition" message 45 indicating that the card has been added to the position indicated by the printing position P on the printing surface 23 of the corresponding prepaid card 25. Print out.

Then, the print position P is updated by two positions (P =
After (P + 2), the updated print position P is written to the area 24f. Thereafter, in S20, the prepaid card 25 on which the card balance X1 is added is discharged. After executing various sales memory processes, the system prepares for the next customer.

If the selected amount is less than the specified amount in S17, the printing presence information PS is not changed. Further, the card balance X1 after the addition is not printed out.

Further, the operation of S1 of FIG. 6 is changed to S21 of FIG.
If the key operation of the settlement key 18 is performed, it is determined that the operation is a settlement request operation of the card balance of the inserted prepaid card 25. Then, in S22, the card information memory 35
Confirm that the card information is stored in a, and check the print presence / absence information PS of the read card information (S23).

If the print presence / absence information PS is 0, settlement is permitted, and in S24, money corresponding to the card balance X1 stored in the card insertion memory 35b is discharged from the return slot 20 or the cash slot 12. . After that, the card balance X1 = 0 is written in the area 24c of the inserted prepaid card 25, the card transport mechanism 38 is driven, and the corresponding prepaid card 25 is stored in the card collection box. Then, a totalizing process is performed on the settlement totalizing memory 35h .

If the print presence / absence information PS has already been set to 1 in S23, the settlement is not permitted, and in S25, a settlement impossible message is displayed on the display unit 14, and then,
The corresponding prepaid card 25 is discharged as it is.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of each card terminal device 40 incorporated in each shelf 2 of the cafeteria of FIG.

Control unit 41 composed of microcomputer
In response, the card processing unit 42, the storage unit 43, the display 5,
A transmission interface 44 for performing data communication with a host computer (not shown) is connected.

The card processing section 42 stores the prepaid card 25 inserted from the card insertion slot 4 provided in the shelf 2.
A card reader 42a for reading card information recorded on the magnetic stripe 24, a card writer 42b for writing the updated card balance X1 on the magnetic stripe 24, and a card balance X1 on the printing surface 23 of the prepaid card 25 if necessary.
Is composed of a thermal printer 42c for thermally printing the image and a card transport mechanism 42d.

The storage unit 43 has a card reader 42
a magnetic stripe 2 of the prepaid card 25 read by a
Card information memory 43 for temporarily storing card information comprising various data recorded in each of the areas 24a to 24f of No. 4
a, a sales product memory 43b for storing the product names and prices of the products placed on the shelf 2, a sales memory 43c for counting the sales amount of the products sold by the card terminal device 40, and the like.

The card terminal device 40 shown in FIG.
The merchandise sales processing is executed according to the flowcharts shown in FIG.

When the flow chart of FIG. 10 is started and the prepaid card 25 is inserted into the card insertion slot 4 at Q1,
The card information recorded on the magnetic stripe 24 is read by the card reader 42a and the card information memory 43 is read.
is temporarily stored in a (Q2). Then, the read card balance X1 is displayed on the display 5 for a fixed time such as 0.5 seconds. When it is confirmed that the card balance X1 is equal to or more than the commodity price M set in the sales commodity memory 43b, the read-out price M is subtracted from the card balance X1, and the subtracted card balance X1 is inserted into the card slot 4. A new card balance is written into the area 24c of the magnetic stripe 24 of the middle prepaid card 25 (Q3).

Next, the card balance X1 once written is read by the card reader 42a, and a verifying process for confirming that the card balance X1 has been normally written is executed (Q
4).

The value of the printing presence / absence information PS in the previously read card information is checked (Q5). Print presence information PS is 0
In the case of (PS = 0), there is no need to print the card balance X1.
(Q10). Then, the sales amount M is added to the sales memory 43c.

If the print presence information PS is 1, the card balance X1 needs to be printed on the print surface 23, so the print position P in the previously read card information is checked. When the print position P is 1 (Q6), since no characters have yet been printed on the print surface 23 of the prepaid card 25,
As shown in FIG. 12A, the card balance 26a before the update stored in the card information memory 43a on the first line of the print surface 23 and the message 26b of "print below 3000 yen" are displayed.
Is printed out using the thermal printer 42c (P
7). Then, the printing position P is increased by two positions (P
= P + 2).

If the print position P is other than 1, the card balance 26a and the message 26b have already been printed on the first line, and the process proceeds to Q8.

Next, at Q8, the updated card balance X1
To see if the balance of the card has dropped below 3000 yen. If the card balance has dropped to less than 3000 yen, the current date and the updated card balance 27 are printed out at the position designated by the previously read print position P on the print surface 23 (Q9). Then, the printing position P is updated by one position (P = P + 1).

The updated print position P is stored in the card writer 42b.
Is written into the area 24f of the magnetic stripe 24 of the prepaid card 25 during insertion. Thereafter, the prepaid card 25 is ejected from the card insertion slot 4 (Q10), the sales memory process is performed, and the process returns to Q1 to wait for the next customer to insert the prepaid card 25.

Note that. If a write error is detected in the verification process of Q4, the process proceeds to Q11 of FIG.
(C) As shown in (d), the "error" message 45 and the updated card balance X1 are forcibly printed on the last line of the printing surface 23 of the prepaid card 25 by using the thermal printer 42c. Then, after the corresponding prepaid card 25 is ejected from the card insertion slot 4 and sales memory processing is performed,
Returning to Q1, it waits for the next customer to insert the prepaid card 25.

In the card processing system configured as described above, a customer who enters the cafeteria shown in FIG. 1 and does not yet have the prepaid card 25 purchases the prepaid card 25 with the prepaid card vending device 9. More specifically, if the user inserts money of 1,000, 3000, 5000, 10,000 yen into the cash slot 12 and presses the corresponding amount selection key 15, the prepaid card 25 in which the corresponding amount is written as the card balance X1 It is discharged to the discharge port 21.

In this case, when the amount of money of 1000 yen is selected, the printing presence / absence information PS = 0 without printing is written in the magnetic stripe 24. When the amount of 3000. 5000, 10,000 yen is selected, the printing presence / absence information PS = 1 with printing is written in the magnetic stripe 24.

Then, when the prepaid card 25 is inserted into the card insertion slot 4 of each shelf 2 of the display stand 1, the card balance X1 recorded on the magnetic stripe 24 is reduced by the product price M and updated. It is discharged from the insertion slot 4.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, a purchase amount 26a and a message 26b of "print less than 3000 yen" are printed on the printing surface 23 of the prepaid card 25 purchased for 3000 to 10,000 yen as shown in FIG. Nothing is printed on the prepaid card 25 purchased for 1000 yen.

Further, if the customer purchases the goods sequentially using the prepaid card 25 purchased for 3000 to 10,000 yen and the updated card balance X1 becomes less than 3000, as shown in FIG. The date and the updated card balance 27 are printed out on the print surface 23.

However, for the prepaid card 25 purchased for 1000 yen, even if the updated card balance X1 is 30
Even if it is less than 00, the card balance X
1 is not printed at all.

As described above, since the printing of the card balance X1 is prohibited for the prepaid card 25 sold at a prescribed amount or less, the card which is normally discarded because the card balance X1 is lost is replaced with the card balance again. Rewriting is enabled by writing. Therefore, the maintenance cost of the entire system can be reduced.

On the other hand, for a prepaid card 25 of a large amount of 3000 yen or more, the card balance X1 is provided for customer service.
Is printed. In this case, the prepaid card 25 cannot be reused, but since the ratio of the card manufacturing cost to the sales amount is small, customer service is given priority.

Further, since the card settlement is executed for each food and drink displayed on each shelf 2, the amount of one transaction is inevitably small. As a result, there is a concern that the print margin on the print surface 23 will be exhausted before the card balance is used up.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the card balance is large , the printing of the card balance is omitted, and
Printing of the card balance X1 is started when the card balance X1 falls below 3000 yen. As mentioned above, for the customer, than if the large amount of card balance is there, is better when the card balance has become small, because the greed and want to see exactly the card balance, more finite printing area is for the customer Since it is used effectively, the service for customers can be further improved.

For the prepaid card 25 purchased by selecting the amount of 1000 yen, the automatic vending machine 9 permits the settlement of the unused card balance X1. That is, since the card balance X1 is not printed on the small amount of the prepaid card 25 of 1000 yen, even if only the amount of 200 yen, 300 yen, etc. is used, the card is reprinted. If stored in the stocker 37, it can be reused, so that the maintenance cost of the entire system does not increase. In the case of a small amount such as 1000 yen from the beginning, the number of purchased products is small, so it is often the case that the current card balance is remembered. small.

Therefore, for customers who use the cafeteria only once, they can purchase the small amount of the prepaid card 25 and settle the unused card balance after the meal, so that the cafeteria does not sell cash. Therefore, even if only the card is sold, there is no damage to the customer due to the generation of the unused card balance.

As described above, a settlement service can be provided to a small-value prepaid card purchaser, and a card balance notification service can be provided to a high-value prepaid card purchaser.

Further, a prepaid card vending device 9
In the above, 1000.3 of the card balance X1 of the currently used prepaid card 25 selected with the amount selection key 15 is used.
It is possible to add an amount of 000.5000.10000 yen. As shown in FIG. 12A, the card balance X1 after the addition is printed out together with the "addition" message 46.

If the sales amount of the prepaid card 25 in use is 1000 yen and the added amount is 1000 yen, the card balance and the "addition" message 46 are not printed. This is to leave the possibility of reusing the prepaid card 25.

Further, when the sales amount of the prepaid card 25 in use is 1000 yen and the added amount is 3000 yen or more, the printing presence / absence information PS changes from [0] to [1]. As shown in FIG. 12 (b), the card balance after the addition on the first line of the print surface 23 and the message 26c of "print 3000 yen or less" are printed.

As described above, the prepaid card 2 in use
By allowing the card balance to be added to the number 5, the same prepaid card can be used repeatedly until the print margin on the print surface 23 is reduced. As a result, the number of new cards issued decreases, so that the maintenance cost of the entire system can be further reduced. Also, the customer is free from the complexity of having a plurality of prepaid cards 25 with a reduced card balance.

In the card terminal device 40, when an abnormal writing of the updated card balance X1 to the magnetic stripe 24 of the prepaid card 25 occurs, the operation shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the updated card balance X1 is printed together with the error message 45. In particular, FIG.
As shown in (d), even if the prepaid card 25 is a small amount such as 1000 yen in which the card balance X1 is not printed at all, the error message 45 and the card balance X1 are printed.

Therefore, since the card balance X1 at the time of occurrence of the writing error can be visually confirmed regardless of the prepaid card 25 shown in FIGS. 12 (c) and 12 (d), the card balance between the customer and the customer can be confirmed at a later date. Can be prevented from occurring. Further, even for a customer who has a prepaid card 25 on which no card balance is printed, a writing error can be visually confirmed.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C show a prepaid card 25a according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the prepaid card 25 shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description of the overlapping part is omitted.

The magnetic stripe 24 of the prepaid card 25a of this embodiment is provided with an area 24g for storing settlement presence / absence information W indicating whether or not the settlement of the unused card balance X1 is permitted. If the settlement information W is [1], the settlement is permitted, and the settlement information W is [0].
In the case of, payment is not permitted.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing a part of the operation of a prepaid card vending apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the flow charts showing the operation of the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

That is, this flow chart shows the sales processing of the prepaid card 25a in which the payment presence / absence information W shown in FIG. 13 has been written, the addition of the card balance, and the payment processing for the unused card balance X1 of the prepaid card 25a. And

In S9 of FIG. 14, if the card balance X1 does not exist, a new prepaid card 25a is issued, so the raw card is transported from the card stocker to the card reader / writer (S10), and the total inserted S is calculated as the raw card S. (S11). Then, in S12a, the selected purchase condition is determined.

For example, if the purchase condition such as the sales amount indicates the payment permission set by the installer of the prepaid card vending apparatus, the process proceeds to S14a, where the payment presence / absence information W = 1 is written in the area 24g. If the purchase condition such as the amount of the sale indicates that the settlement of the prepaid card vending apparatus is not permitted, the process proceeds to S13a, where the area 24g is set.
Is written in the account information W = 0.

In S9 of FIG. 14, if the card balance X1 exists, the card balance is issued as an additional issue, so the total insertion S is written into the inserted prepaid card 25a (S17). If the settlement presence / absence information W of the area 24g is [0] (S18a), that is, if the settlement is not permitted, it is determined that the card balance X1 is printed. And
Proceeding to S19, the surcharge is printed out at the position indicated by the print position P. If the settlement presence information W is [1], the settlement is permitted. That is, this prepaid card 25
a, it is necessary to re-use, so that printing is omitted and S2
Eject the card at 0.

In FIG. 15, when the settlement key is pressed (S21) and the card information is read (S2).
2) If the payment information W of the area 24g is [1] (S23a), the payment for the unused card balance X1 is performed after S24a. If the payment information W is [0], payment is not permitted in S25 and subsequent steps.

It is to be noted that, in accordance with which purchase condition, the settlement is permitted and the settlement condition is not permitted, the sales amount of the prepaid card 25a and the prepaid card 25a can be used. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of a prepaid card vending apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, which can be arbitrarily set according to a business policy in a cafeteria or a store. The same parts as those in the flowchart showing the operation of the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

That is, in the case where the card balance is to be additionally issued, if the print presence / absence information PS is [0] in S18, the print presence / absence information PS is changed to [1] and written to the inserted prepaid card 25. (S19)
In S19b, “3000” is added to the top position of the print surface 23.
The message “Print below circle” is printed.

When the new prepaid card 25 is issued, if the selected amount is equal to or more than the specified amount in S12, the card balance is printed. Therefore, the printing presence / absence information PS = 1 is written on the raw card. In step S13b, a new card balance X1 and a message "print 3000 yen or less" are printed at the leading position of the print surface 23 of the card.

That is, in this embodiment, the prepaid card vending machine side shown in FIG.
The amount 26a of the first line of the printing surface 23 in (b) and “30”
The message 26c of "Print below 00" is printed and issued. In this case, since the print position P is updated, the message is not printed on the card terminal device side.

Therefore, the purchaser of the prepaid card can confirm the correct card balance X1 at the time of purchase with the prepaid card vending device.

[0123]

As described above, in the prepaid card of the present invention, printing presence / absence information for designating whether or not to perform printing in accordance with purchase conditions such as the sales amount is magnetically recorded together with the card balance. Therefore, for example, when the sales amount is less than a certain value, it is possible to reuse the used prepaid card by omitting the printing of the card balance each time, and to maintain and maintain the entire card processing system using the prepaid card. Can be saved.

In the prepaid card vending apparatus of the present invention, the prepaid card in which the above-mentioned printing presence / absence information is written is sold, and the payment of the card balance is permitted only for the prepaid card for which printing is omitted. Further, the reuse rate of the used prepaid card can be improved. Furthermore, since the issued prepaid card can be issued with an added amount of money, the number of new cards issued can be suppressed as much as possible without causing inconvenience to the customer, and the maintenance cost of the entire system can be further reduced.

Further, in the card terminal device of the present invention, the printing of the card balance on the prepaid card on which the printing presence / absence information without printing is recorded is omitted, and the printing of the card balance is performed when the card balance is equal to or more than the prescribed card balance. Is omitted, the prepaid card can be reused, and a finite print area can be used effectively.
Further, when a writing error occurs, even if the prepaid card is designated as no printing, the error message and the card balance are forcibly printed, so that the reliability of the whole system can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cafeteria in which a card processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is employed.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a prepaid card vending apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a raw card as a basis of a prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a prepaid card according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a prepaid card vending apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the prepaid card vending apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the prepaid card vending apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the prepaid card vending apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a card terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the card terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the card terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a printing surface of a prepaid card printed by the card terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a prepaid card according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of a prepaid card vending apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the prepaid card vending device of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of a prepaid card vending apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Display stand, 2 ... Shelf, 3 ... Food and drink, 4, 13 ... Card insertion slot, 5, 14 ... Display, 9 ... Prepaid card vending machine, 15 ... Price selection key, 18 ... Settlement key, 22 ...
Raw card, 23: printing surface, 24: magnetic stripe, 24
a to 24g: area, 25.25a: prepaid card,
28, 41: control device, 29: card reader / writer, 3
0, 42c: thermal printer, 35, 43: storage unit,
37: Card stocker, 38, 42d: Card transport mechanism.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07F 7/08 G07G 1/12 321

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A prepaid card having a card body, a print area (23) formed on at least one surface of the card body, and a magnetic recording area (24) formed on a part of the other surface of the card body. In the card (25), the magnetic recording area (24) includes a card balance (X) which is reduced and updated every time a transaction using this prepaid card is executed.
1), an amount type (X0) for specifying the sales amount of the prepaid card, and printing presence / absence information (P) for designating whether or not to print the card balance in the printing area according to purchase conditions.
A prepaid card characterized by storing (S). 2. A card stocker (37) for accommodating a plurality of raw cards (22) having a printing area and a magnetic recording area formed thereon.
Card balance writing means (S11) for writing the amount selected by the amount selection key operation performed after the money insertion into the money insertion slot as the card balance in the magnetic recording area of the raw card supplied from the card stocker. ), Printing presence / absence information writing means (S13.S14) for writing printing presence / absence information according to the selected purchase condition into the magnetic recording area, and a raw card on which the card balance and printing presence / absence information are written. A vending machine for prepaid cards, comprising card issuing means (S15) for issuing prepaid cards. 3. When the selected purchase condition specifies that printing is to be performed, a message is printed at the head position of the printing area of the raw card, stating that printing is to be omitted when the updated card balance is equal to or greater than a specified balance. Output message printing means (S13
3. A vending machine for prepaid cards according to claim 2, comprising b). 4. Card information reading means (S6) for reading a card balance recorded in a magnetic recording area of a prepaid card having a printing area and a magnetic recording area inserted from a card insertion slot; Total amount calculating means (S7) for calculating the total amount of the card balance read by the card information reading means and the additional amount selected by operating the amount selecting key performed after the money insertion into the money insertion slot. And a card balance adding unit (S16) for writing the total amount calculated by the total amount calculation unit as a new card balance into the prepaid card inserted in the card insertion slot, and according to the selected purchase condition. A printing presence / absence information rewriting means (S19) for making printing presence / absence information recorded on the inserted prepaid card into a printing presence; and writing the printing presence / absence information and the new card balance. De vending apparatus - prepaid mosquito claim 2, further comprising a plus card issuing means for discharging the prepaid card (S20). 5. Card information reading means for reading card balance and printing presence / absence information recorded in a magnetic recording area of a prepaid card having a printing area and a magnetic recording area inserted from a card insertion slot. Unused amount adjustment means (S24) for discharging money corresponding to the read card balance in response to an adjustment key operation when the printing presence / absence information indicates no printing, and the printing presence / absence information is printed. 3. The prepaid card according to claim 2, further comprising: a settlement non-permission processing means (S25) for discharging the inserted prepaid card as settlement non-permitted as it is in response to the operation of the settlement key. Vending equipment. 6. Card information reading means for reading card balance and settlement presence / absence information recorded in a magnetic recording area of a prepaid card having a printing area and a magnetic recording area inserted from a card insertion slot. Unused amount adjustment means (S24a) for discharging money corresponding to the read card balance in response to an adjustment key operation when the adjustment presence / absence information indicates that there is an adjustment, and the adjustment presence / absence information is adjusted. 3. A prepaid card processing means (S25) for discharging the inserted prepaid card as payment non-permitted as it is in response to the operation of the payment key when the absence of payment is indicated. Vending equipment. 7. Every time a transaction is executed, the card balance and the printing presence / absence information recorded in the magnetic recording area of the prepaid card having the printing area and the magnetic recording area inserted from the card insertion slot are read. Card information reading means to read (Q2)
Card balance updating means (Q3) for reducing the amount of the transaction from the card balance read by the card information reading means and writing the same in the prepaid card; and the card information reading means A card balance printing means for printing the updated card balance in the printing area when the printing presence / absence information read by the printer indicates printing, and then discharging the prepaid card;
(Q9, Q10) and a card omitting means (Q5, Q10) for omitting printing of the card balance when the printing presence / absence information read by the card information reading means indicates no printing. apparatus. 8. A condition for omitting printing of the card balance when the printing presence / absence information read by the card information reading means indicates the presence of printing and the updated card balance is equal to or more than a prescribed balance. 8. The card terminal device according to claim 7, further comprising an attached printing omission means (Q8, Q10). 9. A printing position information reading means (Q2) for reading printing position information recorded on said prepaid card inserted from a card insertion slot, and said printing position information read by said printing position information reading means is 9. A message printing means (Q7) for printing out a message indicating that printing is to be omitted when the updated card balance is equal to or greater than a prescribed balance when indicating the top position of the print area. Card terminal device. 10. A verifying means (Q4) for confirming that the writing of the card balance into the magnetic recording area by the card balance updating means has been normally performed, and a writing error is detected by the verifying means. 8. The card terminal device according to claim 7, further comprising: an error printing means (Q11) for forcibly printing the updated card balance together with a writing error message in the printing area.