JPH02280293A - Card payment system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize error-free data communication by performing data transmission between plural terminal equipment groups for card money information processing arranged distributedly and a controller, or between the groups and a distribution device connected to the controller with an optical radio transmitter/receiver. CONSTITUTION:When plural optical radio transmitters 53 arranged on the ceiling an the wall plane of a customer to heighten reliability for the data transmission by optical radio are prepared, they are arranged so that the transmissible range of an optical signal can be superimposed with that of a neighboring optical radio transmitter 53, and electrical signals from the controller 20 and the distribution device 30 are switched to optical signals simultaneously, then, are transmitted. The strength of a reception signal can be increased by receiving the optical signals from controller side optical radio transmitters 40-1 to 40-n with the optical radio transmitters 53 at card terminal equipment 50-1 to 50-n side, and adding them. Also, data can be extracted correctly by receiving the optical signals from the optical radio transmitters 53 at a card terminal equipment side simultaneously with two or more controller side optical radio transmitters 40-1 to 40-n, and adding them at the distribution device 30 or the controller 20. Thereby, error-free data transmission can be attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is an optical wireless transmitter/receiver that transmits data between a plurality of card money information processing terminal devices distributed at arbitrary positions and a control device. The present invention relates to a card monetary information payment processing system performed by.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, when performing monetary payment processing or business processing using a card on which monetary information or business processing information is written, (a) a card terminal device such as a card monetary information processing terminal device stores the card information; Read and store information M8
I was handling credit card payment processing and business processing.

(b) By installing multiple card terminal devices such as card monetary information processing terminal devices in the premises and connecting the control device and the card terminal devices with a wired metallic cable or optical fiber cable, the card terminal By collecting card information such as monetary information and business processing information read by the device into the control device, the control device performs monetary payment processing for sales and business processing.

As an example of services in which conventional card terminal devices such as card monetary information processing terminal devices read card information, provided services, and performed monetary payment processing and business processing, processing by card-based telephones is now being implemented. 4
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

In FIG. 4, a control unit 1 of a card-based telephone 150 is shown.
52 is a card information output unit 151 that reads the card information written on the prepaid card (hereinafter referred to as a prepaid card) inserted by the user, checks the validity of the prepaid card, and if it is valid. Call section 1
53 is activated, and the telephone part 153 provides a telephone call through the telephone line for a time corresponding to the number of telephone calls recorded in the prepaid card.

When the call ends, the number of calls corresponding to the time the call was provided is subtracted, and the card information person output unit 151 writes the remaining number of calls to the prepaid card.

In this case, since the prepaid card seller is the same business that provides calls using the card-based telephone 150, it collects sales information of the card-based telephone 150 and information about the prepaid card used and processes the payment. There was no need to do that.

In addition, an example of a conventional card usage system in a cafeteria in which a control device and multiple meal ticket vending card terminal devices are connected via wired transmission means and the control device performs sales settlement processing and business processing is explained using the reference diagram in Fig. 5. do.

In FIG. 5, the user uses the food ticket vending card terminal device 90.
Insert a prepaid card into the .

In the meal ticket sales card terminal device 90, the card information person output a9
Read the financial information and card information written on the prepaid card in step 1 and check the validity of the prepaid card.
If valid, the meal ticket issuing unit 93 sells meal tickets within the balance of the prepaid card, stores the card information and sales information in the payment unit 92, and outputs monetary information after subtracting the amount used with the prepaid card to the card information person. In step 91, the information is written on the prepaid card.

The food ticket sales card terminal device 90 sends prepaid card card information and sales information to the control device 2 via the connection line 120.
Transmit to 0.

In the control device 20, a plurality of meal ticket sales card terminal devices 90
It aggregated card information and sales information transmitted from the company and processed payments.

In this case, if the number of meal ticket sales card terminal devices 9o is large, or if the number of meal ticket sales card terminal devices 90 is increased due to an increase in the number of users, the connection between the control device 20 and the meal ticket sales card terminal device 9o may be The wiring work for the line 120 was extensive, and the meal ticket vending card terminal device 90 could not be freely moved and operated.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] When monetary payment processing or business processing is performed using a card terminal device, it is not possible to collect the processed monetary payment information or business processing information from the card terminal device in real time. This was done offline using recording media such as flexible disks and memory cards.

For this reason, when there are a large number of card terminal devices, it takes time for each card terminal device to perform monetary settlement and aggregation of business processing results.

If the business that provides financial information to the card user is different from the business that provides goods or services using this card, the financial settlement process for sales using the card must be performed quickly and without error.

Since the control device processes card information read from multiple card terminal devices at once, if the control device and multiple card terminal devices are connected by wire, the number of card terminal devices installed may be reduced. When the number of cables increases, the cable wiring work becomes complicated and the system construction work becomes large-scale.

In addition, when adding card terminal devices or changing the installation location, new wiring work is required, and -
Once installed, the card terminal device could only be moved within the movable range of the connection cable.

If the environment where the control device or card terminal device is installed is a factory that uses many electric machines or electromagnetic switches, using a metallic cable for the connection cable may cause interference from electromagnetic interference and electrostatic noise. easily, causing errors in the transmitted data.

For this reason, it was necessary to use optical fiber cables, which are more difficult to branch and wire than metallic cables.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a collection and distribution device that collects and distributes data directly with a control device or according to instructions from the control device, and a ceiling surface in a house, etc. - or multiple installed optical wireless transmission devices, and the optical wireless method is used between this optical wireless transmission device and the optical wireless transmission device connected to or built into the card terminal device. It is equipped with a device that transmits financial information and business processing information.

[Function] In order to increase the reliability of optical wireless data transmission, if there are multiple optical wireless transmission devices installed on the ceiling or wall in a house, the optical wireless transmission range where the optical signal can be transmitted is set to the adjacent optical wireless transmission device. It is placed so as to overlap the transmission range of the device, and simultaneously converts electrical signals from the control device or concentrator/distribution device into optical signals and transmits them.

The optical wireless transmission device on the card terminal device side receives optical signals from two or more control device side optical wireless transmission devices, and increases the received signal strength by adding them.

In addition, optical signals from the optical wireless transmission device on the card terminal device side are simultaneously received by two or more optical wireless transmission devices on the control device side, and are added at the collection/distribution device or control device to extract correct data. I do.

This enables error-free data transmission in data collection and distribution with a large number of distributed card terminal devices.

Moreover, by providing the above means, wiring work between the control device and one or more card terminal devices is not required.

In addition, we aim to facilitate the free movement of card terminal devices and simplify expansion work, as well as collect and distribute data without interference from electromagnetic waves or electrostatic noise, and provide payment centers connected to control devices or control devices via communication channels. It enables real-time financial payment processing and business processing.

[Embodiment] The present invention is to make a part of the connection line wireless in such a card information-based service provision system in order to eliminate the complexity of installation work and operational constraints.

Embodiment in a game hall> FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

This system is applicable to card payment services in an environment where a large number of gaming machines are installed that emit strong unnecessary electromagnetic waves due to the extensive use of electric motors, electromagnetic switches, CPUs, etc.

A gaming device 50 that provides games such as computer games
The system is operated by prepaid cards or coins, and includes a gaming section 54 where the user plays games, a card information input/output section 51 that reads and writes information on the prepaid card, and a monetary system based on the playing time of the game and the number of times the game is played. A payment unit 52 that calculates and stores the amount of money and manages the operation of the gaming unit, and a currency storage unit that uses currency to continue playing when there is no balance on the prepaid card. 55, an optical wireless transmission section 53, and a sales section 56 if goods are also provided. In FIG. 1, a plurality of gaming machines 50-1 to 50-n are installed, but when referring to a device that is not specified by a code, it is simply written as gaming machine 50. This point is
The same applies to the base unit 40, and other embodiments will be referred to in the same manner below.

Users of a plurality of gaming machines 50 placed in a home are required to work with a business that sells prepaid cards (hereinafter referred to as a card business) that is different from a business that provides services using the gaming machines 50 (hereinafter referred to as a service provider). ) Purchase a prepaid card.

The user inserts the prepaid card into the card information output unit 51 in order to play a game with the gaming device 50 using the prepaid card.

In the payment unit 52, if the card information and monetary information of the prepaid card read by the card information output aB51 are valid, the game unit 54 is enabled to operate according to the game time and game type selected by the user.

In this case, in the case of a game such as a computer game in which games are provided continuously, the prepaid card is held in the card information input/output unit 51, and the payment unit 52 limits the time range corresponding to the monetary information read from the prepaid card. As soon as the user operates the game start switch in the gaming section 54, etc., the continuous operation of the game program of the gaming section 54 is started, and the fee is accumulated according to the playing time, and when the game ends, the accumulated usage fee is and the used card information (hereinafter referred to as sales information) are stored, and monetary information reduced by this amount is written to the prepaid card by the card information person output unit 51.

In addition, in cases where the playing time is fixed or in a gaming method that provides a fixed amount of medals, balls, etc. necessary for the game, when the user operates the game start switch, the operation of the gaming section 54 starts and the gaming section 54 starts operating. Provide medals, balls, etc. and settle sales information! 1 FIs 52, and the monetary information obtained by subtracting the fee for one offer of games, medals, etc., is written into the prepaid card by the card information person output 151. The gaming machine 50 also allows the sales department 56 to sell drinks and luxury items to users using prepaid cards.

The control device 20 instructs the collection and distribution device 30, in order to collect the sales information of the gaming department W150, through the connection line 100, to provide the identification information of the gaming device 50 that collects the sales information.

The collection/distribution bag R30 adds an error control code to the identification information and transmits the identification information to a plurality of optical wireless transmission devices 40 (hereinafter referred to as base devices) installed on the ceiling and walls of the house via the connection line 120. do.

The plural base units 40 convert this signal into an optical signal and simultaneously send it out into space.

The optical wireless transmission unit 53 of the gaming device 50 converts this optical signal into an electrical signal, and if there is no error in the data, the identification information is compared with the preset identification information of the own device, and if the comparison results in a match, In this step, the payment section 52 is instructed to read the sales information.

The payment section 52 of the gaming machine 50 sends the stored sales information to the optical wireless transmission section 53.

The optical wireless transmission unit 53 adds a self-device identification code and an error control code to this information, converts it into an optical signal, and sends it into space.

The master device 40 that has received this optical signal converts the optical signal into an electrical signal and transmits it to the collection and distribution device 30 via the connection line 120.

The collection and distribution device 30 detects errors in the data by 1m, and if the data is correct, transmits the data to the control device 20 via the connection line 100, and the control device 20 uses the identification information to
Card information can be collected by determining which gaming device 50 the sales information comes from and updating the sales file of the corresponding game bag 2 50.

Further, the control device 20 is connected to a settlement center 10 of a card company.
The aggregated sales information is transmitted to the settlement center 10 via the communication path 110 according to instructions from or at a predetermined time. The settlement center IO updates the sales management file with this information, compares it with the billed amount from the service provider, and performs settlement services.

<Embodiment in a parking lot> FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

This is a system that performs card payment services using a gate management device that operates using prepaid cards or currency and manages the number of vehicles entering the parking space in a large-scale paid parking lot that spans multiple floors of a building.

Parking spaces are separated from other spaces by walls, etc.
In addition, a card information person output unit 61 is provided in each parking space. Settlement section 62, money storage section 64, optical wireless transmission section 63, gate section 6
5. This is a system in which a gate management device 60 having a display unit 66 is installed, and even if the manager or right holder of each parking space is different, card payments for parking fees can be made individually.

In a parking lot, the influence of electromagnetic waves caused by sparks from automobile engines is large, and the wiring work to the gate management devices 60 installed in each of the many parking spaces is large-scale.

A parking lot user uses a prepaid card that has usage period information such as monthly payment information purchased in advance from a card company and financial information according to the purchase amount, and inputs the card information from the gate management device 60 installed in the space where he/she wishes to park. It is inserted into the human output section 61.

Gate management type! ! ! 60, when the card information, validity period information, and monetary information read by the card information output unit 61 are valid, the gate unit 65 opens the gate to enable parking.

When the user finishes parking and leaves the parking lot, the user inserts the prepaid card again into the card information output unit 61 of the gate management device 60, and in the case of a card with monetary information, the monetary information after subtracting the fee according to the parking time, Charge information written on the prepaid card by the card information person output unit 61 and sold,
and the sales information including the information of the card used is sent to the payment unit 6.
Store in 2.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the control device 20 transmits identification information of the gate management device 60 that collects sales information to the collection and distribution device 30 via the connection line 100 in order to collect sales information of the gate management device 60. instruct.

The collection and distribution device 30 adds an error control code to the identification information,
By transmitting to the base unit 40 via the connection line 120, the data is transmitted between the optical wireless transmission unit 63 and the gate management device 6.
Collect sales information for 0.

In the control device 20, card information can be collected by determining which parking space's sales information belongs to the identification information and updating the sales file of the corresponding parking space.

Further, the control device 20 is a payment center 10 of a card company.
transmits the aggregated sales information to the payment center 10 via the communication path 110 according to instructions from or at a predetermined time;
The payment center IO updates the sales management file with this information, compares it with the amount billed by the parking lot operator, and performs payment services.

(Operation support function) In addition to monetary information, each gate management device is equipped with a clock device to measure the start time and end time of parking lot use, so this time information is transmitted to the control device. 20 and stored as usage information. Using this information, it is possible to construct a system that supports appropriate parking lot management by processing it as statistical information such as days of the week, times of day, hours of use, and frequently used parking spaces. .

(Parking location guidance function) Also, when you start using the card, the card information input/output section writes the parking space, that is, the location information of the gate management device, onto the prepaid card, but when you finish parking and try to leave the parking lot. If you accidentally insert the card into the gate control device that belongs to another parking space, the device will not work.

In this case, it is highly likely that the user does not know his current location and where he parked his car.

Therefore, a guide map is displayed on the display unit 66 provided in the gate management device using the parking lot layout, current position, and position information of the parked gate management device sent from the control device,
You can know the location of the parking lot you are using.

<Embodiment of in-train sales system> FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

When selling on-board goods or tickets on a railway train, card information is output to the trolley on which the on-board sales items are loaded and moved.17
1. Attach the card sales terminal device 70 that has the payment section 72, optical wireless transmission section 73, and inventory management section 74, or have the card information input/output section 81 and the payment section 82 installed by the crew or sales staff.
, carries a portable card sales terminal device 80 having an optical wireless transmission unit 83, performs optical wireless data transmission between it and the main device 40 attached to the ceiling or side surface of the train car, and provides card payment services. It is a system.

An example of use will be shown in which the card sales terminal device 70 is used for in-vehicle sales, and the portable card sales terminal device 80 is used for ticket sales.

When train passengers use prepaid cards purchased in advance from a card sales company to purchase goods sold on the train, they present the prepaid card to the sales staff who sells on the train, and the sales staff transfers the prepaid card to the card sales terminal. It is inserted into the card information person output section 71 of the device 70.

If the card information and monetary information read by the card information person output unit 71 are valid, the card sales terminal device 70 writes the monetary information after subtracting the fee for the goods to be sold onto the prepaid card by the card information input/output unit 71. At the same time, the sales information including the sales fee information and the card information used is stored in the payment section 72, and the optical wireless transmission section 7 is immediately stored.
3, the identification information of the card sales terminal device 70 is added and transmitted to the base unit 40 as an optical signal.

11fi 40 receives this optical signal, converts it into an electrical signal, and then transmits it to the control device 20 via the connection line 120.

The control device 20 has a built-in collection and distribution device, and is connected from the control device via this collection and distribution device to a connection line 120 arranged near the ceiling of the train. Control device 2
0, the sales file is updated with sales information and card information is collected, and after the train arrives, the sales information is sent to the payment center using a recording medium such as a memory card and payment processing is performed.

When purchasing a ticket or a reserved seat ticket on a train, the passenger enters the boarding section on the portable card terminal device 80 carried by the crew and queries the control device 20. The operator confirms the calculation and reserved seat reservation information for the train, and sends a reply to the mobile card terminal device 80.

When issuing a ticket, the prepaid card is inserted into the card information output unit 81 of the mobile card terminal device 80, the validity of the card information and monetary information is confirmed for the prepaid card, and if the card information and monetary information are valid, the fee is subtracted. The card information input/output unit 81 writes monetary information onto the prepaid card and transmits sales information and reservation information to the control device 20.

(Position display function of card vending terminal device) Also, since each car on a train constitutes an independent space, the base unit of each car is given position information specific to the car, and the position information to the card vending terminal device is This location information is transmitted at the time of transmission, the terminal device stores this information, and transmits the location information together with necessary information at the time of transmission to the base device. Therefore, the terminal device can add location information, that is, information on which vehicle the product was sold in, to data related to product sales. Since this location information is also transmitted to the control device, the control device can know the current location of the card sales terminal device.

(Inventory management function) The card sales terminal device is equipped with an inventory management section that stores information about the products loaded onto the sales trolley at the start of sales as inventory information, and stores information about the products loaded on the sales trolley at the start of sales as inventory information. Update the inventory information of the loaded products every once in a while. As a result, inventory information such as sales types, sales quantity, and stock quantity can be transmitted to the sales information sent to the control device.

On the other hand, from the control device, information on the inventory of all salable items on board the train, that is, the inventory stored in the train's warehouse, the products on hand in the sales carts engaged in sales on the train, Information such as products replenished at stops along the way is transmitted at predetermined time intervals and stored in the inventory management section of the sales terminal device.

By having such a means, it is possible to grasp the sales status of each product in real time, and it becomes possible to replenish products that are low in stock or sold out, request support from the nearest sales cart, and make decisions. We can provide detailed product sales services.

(Meal order processing function) In addition, if a train is connected to a car that has a dining car or buffet equipment, and it is possible to provide food using cooking equipment, a control device is installed in the cooking area and A sales staff member who moves around receives food orders or reservations from the passenger's seat, enters information such as the type of food or drink, delivery time, etc. into the card sales terminal device, and then sends the information via the base machine to the control device of the cooking area. You can send the information to , and pay the fee using your card.

In the cooking area, the information processing device processes the order information output from the control device and generated from multiple customers at any time, cooks the food according to the order slip output as a result of the processing, and delivers the finished food to the designated seat of the designated vehicle. It is possible to output a delivery slip to be sent to the delivery address. If the delivery time of the food is specified, the information processing device can process the data related to the collected food orders and determine the cooking procedure. In addition, if we are unable to fulfill the order immediately due to a flood of orders, we will transmit the approximate waiting time to the card sales terminal, inform the ordering customer of this fact, and let them know whether or not to continue ordering the food. This makes it possible to eliminate dissatisfaction and troubles with customers caused by having to wait for a long time without knowing the time available, and improve service. This service can also be used when making reservations to use the dining car.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention provides an optical wireless transmitter/receiver that connects between a plurality of distributed card money information processing terminal devices and a control device, or between a collection and distribution device connected to a control device. By transmitting data using , it eliminates the need for wiring work for multiple card money information processing terminal devices, allows the card money information processing terminal devices to be moved freely, and is less susceptible to the effects of electromagnetic waves and electrostatic noise. This has the effect of making it possible to perform online approval processing and business processing for a group of card money information processing terminal devices in a convenient environment.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a game hall, FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a parking lot, and FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of in-train sales, in which card monetary information is transmitted using the optical wireless transmitter/receiver of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5, which are system configuration diagrams showing the structure of a payment processing system, are reference diagrams showing processing in a conventional card money information processing system. 10: Settlement center 20: Control device 30: Collection and distribution device 40: Optical wireless transmission device 50: Gaming device 51 that provides games such as computer games: Card information person output unit 52 that reads and writes information from prepaid cards: Game Settlement unit 53 that calculates and stores fees according to usage time and number of usage, and manages the operation of the gaming unit: Optical wireless that converts electrical data signals and optical signals and transmits data with the control device Transmission section 54: The user plays the game and provides medals necessary for the game. Game section 55: Provides the game using money and stores the inserted money. Money storage section 56: Provides goods using prepaid cards. A sales department 60 that sells: Gate management device 61: Card information input/output section 62 of the gate management device: Settlement section 63 of the gate management device: Optical wireless transmission section 64 of the gate management device; Money storage section 65 of the gate management device Gate section 66 of the gate management device: Display section 70 of the gate management device: Card sales terminal ¥ card information output section of the card sales terminal Settlement section of the card sales terminal Optical wireless transmission section of the card sales terminal Inventory control section of sales terminal device Portable card sales terminal device Card information output section of portable card sales terminal device Settlement section of portable card sales terminal device Optical wireless transmission device of portable card sales terminal device Inter-type card sales terminal Inventory management section of the device Meal ticket sales card terminal device Card information human output section of the meal ticket sales card terminal device Settlement department of the meal ticket sales card terminal device Meal ticket issuing section of the meal ticket sales card terminal device 2 Connection line between the control device and the collection and distribution device :Communication path between payment center and control device:Connection line between collection and distribution device and optical wireless transmission device:Card-based telephone:Card information of card-based telephoneControl unit of card-based telephone:Card-based telephone Telephone talking part

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (a) One or more control devices connected by a communication path to a center in which an information processing device for payment including card monetary information is installed; (b) A control device connected to the control device; (c) one or more collection and distribution devices that collect and distribute data between the computer and the terminal device for processing card monetary information; or a plurality of optical wireless transmission devices; (d) an optical wireless transmission device that is connected to or built into a card monetary information processing terminal device and transmits data using an optical wireless transmitter/receiver; (e) card information input/output function, monetary information Consisting of one or more card money information processing terminal devices having a processing function, between a group of card money information processing terminal devices installed in a distributed manner and a control device, or between one or more collection and distribution devices. By transmitting data using an optical wireless transmitter/receiver and collecting and processing card information and monetary information to a control device connected to a collection/distribution device, card monetary information can be processed at any location. payment processing for terminal devices,
A system that provides services for settlement of card monetary information, which is characterized by performing business processing.