JPH04692A - Portable storage medium device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a portable storage medium device able to execute fare collecting processing simply and rapidly by providing a memory constituted enabling to rewrite data, reading and writing through space with a transmitted signal. CONSTITUTION:A receiving means 2 receives a signal transmitted through space. A decoding means 3 decodes whether the received signal is data writing command or the fare processing command and controls data writing/reading to a memory 1. In the case of the data writing command, data concerning with a period transmitted continuously and the data concerning with an amount are written in the memory. In the case of the fare processing command, a data reading means 5 reads the data written in the memory and a transmitting means 6 outputs the read data to the space. Thus, a portable storage medium device able to execute fare collecting processing simply can be obtained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention is applicable to, for example, ski resorts, etc., where skiers carry their skiers in advance and use the lift etc. when passing through a gate according to a preset fee structure. The present invention relates to a portable storage medium device that enables automatic toll collection processing.

<Prior Art> In recent years, with the arrival of the ski boom, ski resorts around the country have become even more crowded, and the phenomenon of having to wait for a long time to ride a lift has become commonplace.

By the way, when using the lifts etc. at ski resorts, you must purchase a one-time ticket, etc. according to a pre-set fee structure, such as a one-time ticket for several days, and when you pass through the gate, you will have to pay for that ticket. Show it to the staff,
The ticket is checked by tearing off a part of the ticket or putting a mark on it.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> However, in addition to wearing gloves, skiers also
Since they have a stock of tickets, there is a problem in that it is troublesome to take out tickets purchased in advance.

In addition, accidents such as tickets getting dirty or lost while skiing occur at any time, and there is a need for a simple processing system for collecting usage fees at ski resorts and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and is intended to provide a portable wristwatch-shaped system for realizing a system that can easily collect fees for use of lifts at ski resorts, etc. The purpose is to provide a storage media device.

Means for Solving the Problems> FIG. 1 is a basic functional block diagram of a portable storage medium device according to the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a rewritable memory, such as RAM.
is used. 2 is a receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted through space, and 3 is a receiving means for decoding the signal transmitted through the receiving means 2 and determining whether the received signal is a data write command to the memory 1 or a charge processing command. A decoding means 4 for decoding whether the received signal is a data write command as a result of decoding by the decoding means 3 is a data writing means for writing data following the command into the memory 1.

5 is a data reading means for reading out the data written in the memory 1 when the result of decoding from the decoding means 3 or a charge processing command; 6 is a data reading means for reading the data read by the data reading means 5; It is a transmitting means for transmitting through space.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a status signal input means, for example, a push button configured to be operable from outside the case in which the device is housed. Reference numeral 8 denotes display means for reading and displaying data written in the memory 1 based on commands from the status signal input means 7.

Function> The receiving means receives a signal (for example, an electromagnetic wave signal, an optical signal, etc.) transmitted through space. The decoding means decodes whether the received signal is a data write command or a charge processing command, and controls data writing/reading to/from the memory accordingly. In the case of a data write command, the subsequently transmitted data, for example, data related to deadlines and data related to amounts, are written into the memory.

In the case of a charge processing command, the data reading means reads data written in the memory, and the transmitting means outputs the read data to the space.

On the other hand, when the carrying person operates the status signal output means to issue a display instruction, the contents of the data written in the memory are displayed on the display means. This allows the user to know the memory contents of the storage medium device that he or she is carrying (for example, data regarding deadlines and amounts).

<Example> Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as a portable storage medium device,
It is assumed that the system will be carried by each skier at a ski resort and used as a system for paying lift fees.

In the figure, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The demodulation circuit 21 demodulates the signal received by the receiving means 2,
The encoded commands and data are sent to the microprocessor 1.
Apply to 0. The microprocessor 10 includes a demodulation circuit 2
function as a decoding means (decoder) for decoding the signal applied through the memory 1, and a data writing means 4 to the memory 1;
The functions of the data reading means 5 and the data reading means 5 are realized by software. The modulation circuit 61 modulates data output from the microprocessor 10, such as information regarding ID codes and deadlines, and the modulated signal is
The receiving means 2 and the transmitting means 6 which are outputted to space via the transmitting means 6 are those having the function of an antenna, for example, when electromagnetic waves are used as signals to be outputted to space. Also, when using optical signals,
Phototransistors and light emitting elements are used.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the external appearance of the storage medium device.

Here, the external appearance is like a wristwatch, and a storage section 20 for the transmitting/receiving means 2 and 6 and a display means 8 are installed in a part of the front panel. A push button as status signal input means 7 is provided on the side.

All circuits including the memory 1 and a battery for operating the internal electric circuits are housed in a case 30, and the case is configured to be portable by being wrapped around the arm with a band 40.

The operation of the device configured in this way will be explained next.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation. The receiving means 2 is configured to be able to constantly receive signals transmitted from the outside. A signal containing a predetermined command is sent from the outside, for example, when a skier carrying a storage medium device passes through a gate leading to a lift, or based on a signal from a switch operated by the skier.

The signal sent here has a transmission output that is selected so that it reaches only the narrow area around the gate where the switch is operated, and the receiving means of the device carried by the skier passing through the gate. Only 2 receives the incoming signal.

The demodulation circuit 21 demodulates the signal received by the receiving means 2 and applies it to the microprocessor 10. The microprocessor 10 receives a signal applied via the demodulation circuit 21,
Decipher this (step 1.2).

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the format of a signal received by the receiving means 2. As shown in FIG.

(a) is the case of a data write command, (b)
shows the case of charge processing command.

The data write command shown in (a) has a bit pattern indicating the data write command at the beginning, followed by data indicating the deadline, data indicating the amount, codes indicating available lift companies, etc., and data for error ticks. Consists of code.

Here, the bit pattern of the data write command is
In order to prevent unauthorized use, it is made changeable, and the decoding means 3 can respond to such changes in the bit pattern of the command by rewriting data for command interpretation stored in memory in advance. It looks like this.

The charge processing command shown in (b) consists of an identification code at the beginning that identifies it as a write command, data necessary for charge processing, and an error check code. ing. Note that the code indicating the charge processing command may be formed of, for example, one bit, as long as it is distinguished from the write command.

Returning to FIG. 4, as a result of decoding the command, if it is a charge processing command, the data previously written in the memory 1 is read out (step 4).

The data read here includes, for example, the ID code attached to each portable storage device, data regarding the validity period, amount data indicating the balance, a code indicating the lift company, etc., and whether it is for adults or children. data etc.

The read data is transmitted by the transmitting means 6 (
Step 5).

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the format of a signal sent from the transmitting means 6 of the portable storage medium device.

Upon receiving such a signal, the system uses the data sent to determine whether the skier or portable storage device is valid or not, and controls the opening/closing of the gate leading to the lift, or controls the opening and closing of the gate leading to the lift. You can easily calculate the number of skiers who have passed through, calculate fees, etc. It is also possible to subtract the necessary amount from the sent data regarding the balance, subtract the necessary data from the ticket data, and write the updated balance data into the memory 1 using a write command.

If it is determined in step 3 that it is a data write command, the data is written to the memory 1 (step 6), and then write prohibition processing etc. are performed as necessary, and a data write end signal is sent to the transmitting means 6. (step 7).

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a data writing device for the memory 1 housed in a portable storage medium device. This data writing device is used when the time limit written in the memory 1 housed in the portable storage medium device has passed, or when the balance regarding the number of times, amount, etc. is gone,
If the skier runs out, the skier pays a certain amount,
It is used when a portable storage device is reused by rewriting data to the memory.

This device includes a keyboard 11 that can input data (for example, ID code, deadline data, amount data, data indicating the number of times, etc.) to be written into the memory in the portable storage device.
, a display means 12 on which data entered from the keyboard 11 and other necessary instructions are displayed, an installation stand 13 on which a watch-shaped portable storage medium device removed from the skier's arm is placed, and a sound to indicate the completion of data writing. A sound signal output means 14 for notifying the user, a key 15 for issuing a data writing command, and the like are provided.

An antenna is installed inside the installation stand 13 and coupled to the transmitting/receiving means in the portable storage medium device across a space.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of this data writing device. Reference numeral 16 denotes a transmitting/receiving means which is coupled to the transmitting/receiving means in the portable storage medium device across a space, and a common antenna is used for these.

17 is a demodulation circuit connected to the transmitting/receiving means, and 18 is a control circuit that controls the entire system. For example, a microprocessor is used as this control circuit, and a memory 19, a keyboard 11, and a display means 12 are connected to an internal bus BS connected to the microprocessor.

The operator takes the portable storage medium device from the skier and sets it on the installation stand 13.
Next, based on the skier's request, the skier is prompted to input necessary data such as the deadline, number of times, amount of money, etc. using the keyboard 11.

Data entered using the keyboard 11 is displayed on the display means 12 and can be modified as necessary. If the data entered using the keyboard is correct, the operator then presses the write key I5. Then, a signal having a format as shown in FIG. 5(a) (the command is a write command) is output from the transmitting means 16. Here, the power of the signal output from the transmitting means 16 to the space is a weak signal that only needs to reach the transmitting/receiving means of the portable storage medium device placed on the installation stand 13. Even if a portable storage media device is present, no data is written to its memory.

When the storage medium device placed on the installation stand 13 receives the signal sent from the transmitting means 16 and decodes the write command, it transfers the data entered by the keyboard 11 to the memory 1.
write to.

The data written in the memory 1 of the storage medium device can be read by the data writing device by sending a data read command from the data writing device, and it is possible to check whether the data has been accurately written to the memory of the storage medium device. You can check whether

Writing data here is usually done by paying a predetermined fee, and since the data written in the memory 1 of the storage medium device has monetary value, there are cases where data cannot be written freely. It is necessary to take measures. As a countermeasure against this, there is a method of forming the bit pattern of the write command with a special pattern or changing this for each period, and the command decoding means in the storage medium device is not capable of responding to such countermeasures. It is structured so that the data that serves as a reference for command interpretation can be changed.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing another example of the portable storage medium device of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a fee processing means 9 is provided within a portable storage medium device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a memory 1 in a portable storage medium device
However, in this embodiment, the data in the memory is read out, a predetermined amount, number of times, etc. are subtracted, and the updated data is written to the portable device. It is configured so that it can be written to the memory 1 again within the storage medium device.

In this embodiment, in FIG. 4, a predetermined charge processing step performed by the charge processing means 9 is inserted following step 4.

Figure 10 shows step 4 and step 5 in Figure 4.
3 is a schematic flowchart of fee processing provided during the period. Based on the data read from the memory 1, it is determined which type of data is stored in the memory of the portable storage medium device: multi-day ticket type, coupon type, or Gribate type.

If the ticket is a one-day ticket or a multi-day ticket, data regarding the validity period and data indicating the deadline sent following the command are compared to determine whether the ticket is valid or not.

If the data related to the valid period read from the memory is within the valid period, an OK double signal indicating permission is outputted from the permission signal output means via the transmitting means. If it is invalid, such as because the time limit has passed, a no-response signal or a signal indicating invalidity is output.

In the case of a coupon ticket system, if "1" can be subtracted from the data regarding the remaining number of times read from the memory, an OK multiplication signal indicating a permission signal is output. When the OK multiplication signal is output, the remaining number of times is subtracted by [IJ, that data is rewritten in the memory 1 as new number of times data, and the remaining number of times data is updated.

If it is a prepaid system, the predetermined fee received by the receiving means is subtracted from the data regarding the remaining amount read from the memory, and if the subtraction is successful, an OK multiplication signal indicating a permission signal is output.

When the OK multiplication signal is output, the subtraction result is written into the memory as remaining amount data, and the remaining amount data is updated. Furthermore, if necessary, a buzzer sound is output to notify the skier that it is OK, for example. This sound is
It may also be output on the system side that receives the OK double signal.

Here, in addition to the OK signal output from the portable storage medium device, which indicates that the data stored in memory 1 is valid, the ID code written in the memory and the data indicating adult/child are also included. , data indicating whether it is a one-day or multi-day system, a coupon system, or a prepaid system, as well as data indicating the remaining number of times rewritten in the memory and the amount, may also be sent back together. 4 By sending back these various data, the system that receives these data can perform functions other than gate opening/closing control.
It becomes possible to easily process the number of skiers passing through the gate and sales data using a computer.

In the ticket system, if the remaining number of times read from the memory shows "0", or in the prepaid system, if the remaining amount cannot be subtracted because it is less than the amount to be subtracted, a no-response signal or , a signal indicating invalidity is output.

The external device that receives these OK double signal invalid signals output from the portable storage medium device opens the gate leading to the lift if there is an OK double signal, and closes the gate if it is an invalid signal or no response signal. I'll leave it alone.

On the other hand, when a skier wants to know the data stored in the memory of a storage medium device that he/she carries, he/she presses the push button that functions as the status signal input means 7, and the rewritten data is read out. and the data is displayed on the display means. Therefore, it is possible to know at any time whether the storage medium is usable or not.

In the above embodiments, it is assumed that signals such as electromagnetic waves are used for exchanging signals with the portable storage medium device, but optical signals, ultrasonic signals, etc. may also be used.

Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the present invention is applied to a system carried by a skier at a ski resort to process fees for lifts, etc., but it can also be used for various other fee collection processing systems.

Further, in a normal state where the above-described fee processing or data writing processing is not performed, for example, a clock function may be installed to display the time, date, etc. on the display means 8.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, a memory configured to allow various types of data to be rewritten is provided, and the data written in the memory is transmitted using a signal transmitted through space. It is possible to provide a portable storage medium device that is configured so that it can be read and written to, and that allows processing related to toll collection to be performed simply and quickly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic functional block diagram of a portable storage medium device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the external appearance of the storage medium device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation, FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the format of the signal received by the receiving means, and FIG. 6 is an example of the format of the signal sent from the transmitting means of the portable storage medium device. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a data writing device for a memory housed in a portable storage medium device, FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the data writing device, and FIG. 9 is a portable storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 1O, a functional block diagram showing another example of a storage medium device, is a schematic flowchart of charge processing provided between step 4 and step 5 in FIG. 4. 1... Rewritable memory, 2... Receiving means 3...
・Decoding means, 4...Data writing means 5...Data reading means 6...Transmission means 7...Status signal input means 8...Display means 9...Charge processing means

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) Receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted through space, a rewritable memory, and decoding the signal transmitted through the receiving means to determine whether the received signal is at least a data write command to the memory. decoding means for decoding whether the command is a charge processing command; data writing means for writing data following the command into the memory when the decoding result from the decoding means indicates that the command is a data write command; and the decoding means If the decoding result from indicates that the command is a charge processing command, a data reading means reads out the data written in the memory, and the data read by the data reading means is transmitted through the space. A portable storage medium device comprising: a transmitting means; a status signal inputting means; and a displaying means for displaying data written in the memory based on a command from the status signal inputting means. (2) The portable storage medium device according to claim (1), wherein the data sent following the data write command is data regarding a deadline. (3) The portable storage medium device according to claim (1), wherein the data sent subsequent to the data write command is data regarding the amount of money. (4) receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted through space; a rewritable memory; and a rewritable memory that decodes the signal transmitted through the receiving means, and the received signal is at least a data write command to the memory. decoding means for decoding whether the command is a charge processing command; data writing means for writing data following the command into the memory when the decoding result from the decoding means indicates that the command is a data write command; If the decoding result from the means indicates that it is a charge processing command, the data reading means reads out the data written in the memory and performs a predetermined charge collection process; A portable storage medium device characterized in that information regarding collection results is transmitted via space. (5) The fee processing command has at least data related to the usage fee or the number of times added, and the fee processing means calculates the difference between the data regarding the usage fee or number of times from the amount written in the memory or the data on the number of times it can be used. 5. The portable storage medium device according to claim 4, wherein data regarding the balance is obtained by determining the balance, and the data regarding the balance is written in the memory as update data. (6) The charge processing command has at least data related to the deadline added, and the charge processing means reads the data related to the deadline written in the memory and determines whether the deadline falls within the transmitted deadline. 5. The portable storage medium device according to claim 4, wherein the portable storage medium device makes a determination.