JPH03127295A - Multipurpose memory card information gathering system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a multipurpose memory card information collection system;
Especially in places on commuting routes such as on the street or inside stations,
An unspecified user can easily and quickly collect newspaper information, various advertising information, etc. using an IC memory card.
The present invention relates to a multipurpose memory card information collection system that allows the collected information to be viewed at any location and time.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, information communication services provided using a communication network include a captain service, a personal computer communication service, a street corner information equipment service, and the like.

The Captain Service and PC Communication Service are:
A dedicated terminal device or personal computer is connected to a dedicated line or public line, and information is provided to specific members through online information services.

On the other hand, the street corner information device service is a service that provides information to unspecified customers using street corner information terminals installed on street corners or inside buildings, and is a free service or a service that can be paid in coins. It is.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional captain service and PC communication service described above, the user must at least prepare a terminal device with a communication function and import information into it, or use the terminal device. If there is no such information, the information can only be provided as data displayed on the screen or printed using a printer or the like. Therefore, there is a problem in that users have to install expensive and relatively large equipment in order to receive the service. Additionally, there was a problem in that only specific users could use the service.

On the other hand, conventional street corner information device services have the problem that data can only be viewed in front of the street corner information terminal, it takes time to print out the data, and it is not possible to quickly collect information when there is a large amount of data. Ta.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the problems that the conventional services have, to enable unspecified users to easily and quickly collect information, and to store the collected information at any location. The purpose is to provide a multipurpose memory card information collection system that can be viewed at any time.

(Means and effects for solving the problem) In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of claim <1), at least an ID check registered in the IC memory card and a menu check are performed. In order to collect information corresponding to the requirements registered in the checking means and the IC memory card, the requirements are read, and a database holding information corresponding to the requirements is accessed, and the database is read. The present invention is characterized in that it provides an access terminal device comprising a request information collection means for automatically storing information obtained from the IC memory card in the IC memory card.

The invention of claim (3) provides a check/means for at least checking an ID registered in an IC memory card;
A portable notebook comprising at least an initial menu display means for displaying an initial menu, a means for registering the menu, and an information display means for reading and displaying information stored in a data area of the IC memory card. The company is unique in that it provides a personal terminal device that is large in size.

The invention according to claim (4) is characterized in that it provides a multipurpose memory card information collection system comprising the access terminal device according to claim (1) and the personal terminal device according to claim (3). There is.

According to the invention of claim (1), when the IC memory card is inserted into the access terminal device, ID check, member/non-member check, and menu check are automatically performed, and then the IC memory card is inserted into the access terminal device. To automatically read requirements registered in a memory card, access a database, and write information obtained from the database to an IC memory card. The user can easily access the I without any special operation on the access terminal device.
Information corresponding to the above requirements can be collected into the C memory card.

According to the invention of claim (3), the requirements can be registered and the collected information can be displayed by selecting the initial menu. Furthermore, since it is of a portable size, it can be carried anywhere, and the registration and display can be performed at any place and at any time.

According to the invention of claim (4), the request 1f is processed by inserting an IC memory card into the access terminal device.
By inserting the IC memory card into a personal terminal device, the collected information can be displayed and viewed.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic system block diagram of one embodiment of the multipurpose memory card information collection system of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is the host computer of the system, 2 is the VA
Network consisting of N, etc., 3c% 3b,, 3cq・
... is an access terminal device connected to the network 2, and 4 is a database side host computer.

The host computer 1 connects the access terminal devices 3a, 3b, sc, . . . via the network 2.
is also connected to the database side host computer 4.
connected directly or by a communication line.

As the network 2, host computer 1, and database side host computer 4, existing systems can be used.

The access terminal devices 3a, 3b% 3c,...
As detailed in the access terminal device 3a, there is a message display section 31, an insertion slot 32 for inserting an IC memory card 21, a prepaid card (credit card) insertion slot 33, and a function key (function key). key) 34, a coin insertion slot 35, and a change return slot 36. Note that the coin insertion slot 35 and the change return slot 36 are not necessarily necessary and may be deleted.

Next, the constituent elements of this embodiment will be sequentially explained in detail.

(1) IC Memory Card First, the concept of data stored in the IC memory card 21 will be explained with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG.

The IC memory card 21 is composed of a system management area 22 and a user area 23. The system management area 22 includes a non-rewritable fixed format area A22a,
It is divided into a rewritable fixed format area B22b, and the user area 23 is divided into a variable area (menu area) 23
It can be divided into a variable area (data area) 23b and a variable area (data area) 23b.

System management information is stored in the fixed format area B22b. Specifically, (1) ID number (individual, member, corporate number), (2) menu version number (VerSNo), (3) user service level information, and (4) other address information (index information). etc.), (5) Other system information, etc. are stored. The system management information 22 is an area in which data is written by the organization providing the service, and the user cannot be involved.

Note that part of the menu version number and other address information of the above system management information is changed from the IC memory card 21 to the access terminal 3a due to changes in the service content of the service providing organization.

3b, the content is automatically changed to new content.

On the other hand, in the variable area A23a of the user area 23, a menu of information stored in the host computer 1 is stored. The menu may be provided by category by the institution providing the service, or the menu may be provided by the access terminal device 3.
It may also be provided by as3bs...

The data area 23b stores the contents selected from the menu (that is, the requirements), and also stores information corresponding to the requirements retrieved from the database via the host computer 1.

(2) Configuration of Access Terminal Device Next, the configuration and functions of the access terminal device 3a into which the IC memory card 21 is inserted will be explained.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the access terminal device 3a. In the figure, the same components as those in the access terminal device 3a of FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. 11 is a CPU, 12 is a ROM in which programs related to the functions of the access terminal device are stored, and 13 is a RAM in which information transmitted and received via a communication interface, which will be described later, is read and written. Further, 14 is a magnetic disk device, and the magnetic disk device 14 contains, for example, tourist information,
Information such as fortune-telling information that is unlikely to change over time (days) is stored.

15 is a communication interface, and the network 2
It has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the host computer 1 via the host computer 1. 16 is a coin identification ATM device, 17 is a bus, 32a is an IC memory card read/write device, 33
a is a prepaid card read/write device.

The function keys 34 include a cancel key F1, a spare key F2, and a failure notification key F3 (see FIG. 1). When the stop key F1 is pressed, the access terminal device 3a stops its operation and operates to eject the IC memory card or prepaid card inserted into the device. Further, when the failure notification key F2 is pressed, an alarm is transmitted to the service company. In this way, the function key 34 is provided for the auxiliary function of the access terminal device 3a.

Note that the magnetic disk device 14 and the coin identification AT
The M device 16 is not necessarily required and may be omitted.

The ROM 12 shown in FIG. 3 stores various programs as shown in FIG. 4.

That is, a message display program 41, an IC memory card reading program 42, a requirements processing program 43, a menu update program 44, an IC memory card ejection program 45, a communication program with the host computer 46, a billing processing program 47, and an IC memory card data write program. A program 48, a hard disk search program 49, etc. are stored. These programs operate in a predetermined order, and the functions shown in FIG. 5 are achieved.

(3) Functions of Access Terminal Device FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the functions of the access terminal device 3a.

First, a message requesting an IC card insertion is displayed on the display section 31 (step SL). For example, "Please insert your IC card." is displayed.

Next, it is determined whether or not the IC memory card has been inserted (Step S2), and if the determination is affirmative, it is determined whether or not the IC memory card is a regular card that can receive the service of the present invention. A decision is made (step 8)
3). This determination is made by checking the ID number registered in the system management section of the IC memory card.

If it is determined that the IC memory card is not a regular card, the process advances to step S31 and a message indicating that the ID is defective is displayed. Next, an operation is performed to automatically eject the IC memory card (step 532).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S3 is affirmative, it is determined whether or not the user is a member of this service (step S4).

If the user is a member (affirmative in step S4), the process proceeds to step S7 since a system is adopted in which the user does not need to pay a usage fee each time to receive this service. On the other hand, in the case of a non-member (step S4 is negative), a prepaid card,
That is, a message requesting insertion of a prepaid card is displayed (step S5). For example, "Please insert your prepaid card." is displayed.

When the prepaid card is inserted, a check is made to see if the prepaid card is legitimate (step S6). If the card is not a legitimate card, a message indicating that the prepaid card is defective is displayed (step 561), and then the IC memory card and prepaid card are ejected (step 562).

On the other hand, in the case of a regular prepaid card, step S
Proceeding to step 7, an operation is performed to read all the requirements in the menu area 23a and data area 23b of the IC memory card. Then, it is determined whether the contents of the menu area 23a match the latest menu in the access terminal device (step S8), and if negative, the process advances to step S9 to display the latest menu. An operation of loading the IC memory card is performed. This process is done to constantly provide new services to users.

Next, in the case of non-members (step SIO denies),
A comparison is made between the cost required for servicing all the requirements in the IC memory card and the remaining balance on the prepaid card (step 511). At this time, the display section shows, for example, "
``Remaining balance 0,000 yen'' is displayed.

If the remaining balance on the prepaid card is less than the amount required for the requested service (step S12 is negative), an indication of insufficient remaining funds is displayed and an additional prepaid card is requested (step 513). If an additional prepaid card is inserted (step S14 is affirmative), the process returns to step Sll again and the cost required for the services of all the requirements is compared with the balance of the prepaid card.

If step S12 is affirmative or if the user is a member, the requirements registered in the IC memory card are processed (step 515). That is, if the requirements are in the database-side host computer 4 (see FIG. 1), the access terminal device W 3 a connects the communication interface 15 (see FIG. 3) and the network 2 (see FIG. 1). It communicates with the host computer 1 via the host computer 1 and performs operations to obtain data corresponding to the requirements. On the other hand, if the requirement exists in the magnetic disk device (hard disk device) 14 in the access terminal device 3a, an operation is performed to obtain data corresponding to the requirement from the magnetic disk device 14.

At this time, the display section displays, for example, "Processing in progress, please wait for a while."

The data corresponding to the requirements collected in this way is written to the IC memory card (step 516).
. Next, billing processing is performed for non-members (step 517). At this time, the display section will display, for example, "Charge 00.
Thank you very much for the remaining amount of yen. " is displayed.

Finally, the IC memory card and prepaid card are ejected (step 318), and the entire process ends.

To explain the operation of step 815 in more detail, the access terminal device determines the database to be connected from the requirements written in the IC memory card. Then, at the communication interface 15, the access terminal ID
, add the connection database, personal ID, and request 10 items 1.2, . . . determined as above, and create the sixth
Create a communication format as shown in the figure.

Thereafter, the communication interface 15 is connected to a well-known HDLC,
The access terminal device is connected to the host computer 1 using a communication procedure such as BSC.

Then, the data in the communication format is transmitted to the host computer 1.

The host computer 1 accesses the database host computer according to the information received from the access terminal and retrieves necessary data from the database. The information is then sent back to the access terminal device in a communication format as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the communication interface 15 of the access terminal device
are data 1, data 2, etc. in the communication format.
Extract. The extracted data is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 and then written to the IC memory card.

(4) Configuration of personal terminal device Next, referring to FIG. 8, the IC of the access terminal device
IC memory card 2 inserted into memory card insertion slot 32
1, a personal terminal device used to register the requirements written with necessary data or to read information read into the IC memory card will be described.

FIG. 8 shows an external view of the personal terminal device.

The personal terminal device is preferably the size of a general notebook, for example, 80 mm x 140 mm, and 10 m +++1 thick.
The size is 5 degrees.

The personal terminal device 51 has a slot 58 into which the IC memory card 21 is inserted, and on its side there is a display section 52 composed of a liquid crystal or the like, a power on/off switch 53, a selection button 54, and a registration/registration/off switch 53. It has a display button 55, a cancel button 56, and a cursor movement button 57.

The IC memory card 21 is inserted into the insertion slot 58 of the personal terminal device 51 by being moved in the direction of the arrow 59 .

The display section 52 displays, for example, the alphabet 3 in one horizontal line.
It is possible to display 2 characters or 16 kanji characters, and about 8 lines can be displayed vertically.As is well-known, each column of newspapers consists of 14 characters mixed with shallow academic kana. If it is newspaper data, eight lines of it can be displayed at once in horizontal writing.

When the amount of data is large, it cannot be displayed on the display section 52 at once. In this case, by operating the cursor movement button 57, hidden data can be sequentially scrolled and displayed on the display section 52.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the personal terminal device. In the figure, 61 is a CPU that performs processing such as controlling the overall operation, various calculations, and judgments.

62 is a ROM in which basic programs and basic data for operating the main body are registered, and 63 is a ROMB2.
Alternatively, it provides an area for executing an application program loaded from the IC memory card 21,
RAM for holding various data; 64 is a display section consisting of a liquid crystal display for the purpose of displaying various program menus and data; 65 is a key for turning on/off the power; moving the cursor and displaying contents; a function key device consisting of a cursor movement button for scrolling and buttons for selection, registration, cancellation, etc.; reference numeral 65 is an interface device for connecting the 1C memory card to the personal terminal device 51;
67 is a power source consisting of a rechargeable battery, a button battery, or the like.

(5) Functions of the personal terminal device FIG. 1O is a flowchart showing the general functions of the personal terminal device. First, when the power is turned on (step S1), it is determined whether an IC memory card is inserted (step S2). If the determination is affirmative, it is checked whether the ID of the IC memory card is a predetermined one (step S3). If the ID is not normal (step s4 is negative), an error is displayed (step S5). On the other hand, if the ID is normal (step s4 is affirmative), for example, as shown in FIG.
The initial menu will be displayed as shown in (
Step S6).

Next, it is determined which one of "initial settings", "data display", "setting contents display", etc. is selected on the initial menu (steps S7, S8, S
9). If “Initial Settings” is selected (Step S
7 is affirmative), the information requirement registration operation begins (step 5IO). If "data display" is selected (step s8 is affirmative), the information stored in the IC memory card by transfer from the database, magnetic disk device, etc. is displayed (step 511). Furthermore, if "Display setting contents" is selected (step S9 is affirmative),
All the requirements registered in step S1o are displayed (step 512).

(8> Function for registering requirements of personal terminal device (step 510)) Next, the function 3.A of registering requirements for personal terminal device 51 will be explained with reference to FIG. 11. In this operation example, the genre provided by the IC memory card inserted into the personal terminal device 51 is "newspaper only".
However, it is of course not limited to this. Further, FIG. 11 only shows the display on the display section 52 of the personal terminal device 51, and the function keys on the same panel as the display section are not shown.

First, when an IC memory card is inserted into the personal terminal device 51 and the power switch 53 is turned on, an initial menu and a cursor 69 as shown in FIG. 5(a) are displayed on the display section 52. In the illustrated example, a cursor 69 is displayed above "1. Initial settings."

Note that the cursor 69 can be moved up and down by operating the cursor movement button 57.

If the selection button 54 is turned on while the cursor 69 is currently displayed on "rL initial settings", the display section 5
The display of 2 changes as shown in FIG. 2(b). Therefore, “2
, take-out paper surface setting" is selected, the display section 52 changes as shown in FIG. 4(C). Next, when "1. National newspaper" is selected, the content as shown in Figure (d) is displayed, and "3. National newspaper" is selected.
When ``Nikkei Shimbun'' is selected, the content shown in FIG. 2(e) is displayed on the display section. Therefore, when "2, Economy 1" is selected, Nikkei Shimbun's Economy 1 is determined to be the information that the user ultimately desires for the service, that is, the requirements, and the I
It is registered in a predetermined area of the data area of the C memory card.

When the selection of "2, Economy 1" is completed, the contents of the display section 52 return to the initial menu shown in FIG. 10(a).
You can similarly set and register the information you would like for the next service.

After setting all the information for the desired service as described above, when "3. Display setting contents" shown in FIG. 11(a) is selected (affirmative in step S9), The contents of 52 change as shown in FIG. 5(b), and the set contents, that is, all requirements can be confirmed.

In addition, in the above example, the genre assigned to the IC memory card was "Newspaper Only", but it is not limited to this;
Possible genres include ``railway timetables, fares, transit information,'' ``used cars, real estate,'' ``event tours, movies, videos, concerts, and festivals,'' ``inns, hotels,'' and ``education, religion.''

(7) Information display function of personal terminal device (step 5 above)
11) When "2. Display data" is selected in the initial menu shown in FIG. The retrieved information will be displayed.

When the display is too large to be displayed on the display section 52 of the personal terminal device 51, hidden information can be displayed on the display section 52 by operating the cursor movement button 57. .

In this case, the hidden information may be displayed by updating each line or page.

(8) Actions that the user is required to perform in order to collect information corresponding to the above requirements: (a) Purchase an IC memory card for this system from a service company.

(b) If you are a non-member, purchase a prepaid card from a service company.

(e) registering a menu using the personal terminal device;

(d) Inserting the IC memory card and prepaid card into the card insertion hole of the access terminal device. (Thus, the information corresponding to the requirements is automatically transferred to and stored in the data area of the IC memory card.) (e) Transfer the IC memory card ejected from the access terminal device to the personal terminal device. , turn on the power switch, and select the "Data Display" item from the initial menu. As a result, information corresponding to the requirements is displayed on the display section of the personal terminal device.

As described above, according to the present invention, a user can meet the requirements without any special operation by simply inserting an IC memory card with registered requirements into the access terminal device. data can be collected on an IC memory card. Therefore, regardless of how familiar or inexperienced you are with operating the access terminal device, you can collect predetermined data on the IC memory card in a certain amount of time, so even if there are many users of the access terminal device, you do not have to wait in line. The user can use the access terminal device in the same way as buying a newspaper or magazine at a shop at a station or the like.

In addition, when reading the information collected on the IC memory card in this way, the user inserts the IC memory card into the portable personal terminal device owned by each user,
The collected information can be displayed on the display section 52 by simply turning on the power switch 53, placing the cursor on "data display" in the initial menu, and pressing the selection button 54. Therefore, the user can access the access terminal device 3a.
, 3b, . . . can be viewed anywhere, anytime, and any number of times, which is extremely convenient.

For example, on the way to work, you can insert the IC memory card into an access terminal installed at the nearest station to collect the necessary data, then get on a train, insert the IC memory card into your personal terminal, and then collect the necessary data. By displaying data on the display, you can view the latest data such as newspaper information while commuting.

In addition, since the personal terminal device is the size of a typical notebook, it can be easily carried around, and even when the train is crowded, it is possible to view data such as newspaper information without bothering others. can.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

(1) According to the invention of claim (1), the user can collect information related to the requirements without performing any special operation on the access terminal device, so the operation is easy and the IC This has the effect that information can be transferred to a memory card in a short time.

Additionally, even if there are many users of the access terminal device, there is no need to wait in line, and users can use the access terminal device in the same way as they would buy a newspaper or magazine at a kiosk at a station. The effect is that it can be done.

(2) According to the invention of claim (3), since the personal terminal device is portable, the user can transfer the IC memory card storing the information to the personal terminal device anytime and anywhere. The effect is that you can view the information by inserting it into your computer. For example, you can see it on the train or bus on your way to work. Furthermore, since the personal terminal device is of a portable size, it can be viewed even in a crowded car without bothering others.

(3) According to the invention of claim (4), the user can easily and quickly collect the information he or she likes, and can view the information any number of times at any place and at any time. This has the effect of providing a system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of data stored in an IC memory card, FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an access terminal device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the access terminal device. An explanatory diagram of the program, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the functions of the access terminal device, FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of a communication format, and FIG.
The figure is an external perspective view of an example of a personal terminal device, FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the personal terminal device, FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the general functions of the personal terminal device, and FIG. 11 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display section of the personal terminal device during a requirements registration operation, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display section when confirming the setting contents. 1... host computer, 2... network,
3... Access terminal device, 4... Database host computer, 21... IC memory card, 51
...Personal terminal device

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A checking means for at least checking the ID and menu checked registered in the IC memory card, and reading the requirements registered in the IC memory card in order to collect information corresponding to the requirements;
A database containing information corresponding to the requirements is accessed, and the information obtained from the database is transferred to the IC.
1. A multipurpose memory card information collection system, comprising an access terminal device equipped with request information collection means for automatically storing in a memory card, and capable of collecting information corresponding to the requirements. (2) The multipurpose memory card information collection according to claim (1), wherein the access terminal device accesses the database via a network to which the access terminal device is connected and a host computer. system. (3) Checking means for at least checking the ID registered in the IC memory card, initial menu display means for displaying an initial menu, means for registering requirements in the IC memory card, and data on the IC memory card. a portable personal terminal device comprising at least an information display means for reading out and displaying information stored in the area, and registering requirements to the IC memory card;
A multipurpose memory card information collection system characterized in that information display operations can be performed anytime and anywhere. (4) The access terminal device according to claim (1) and the personal terminal device according to claim (3) are provided, and the information collected in the IC memory card using the access terminal device is A multipurpose memory card information collection system characterized in that display is performed using the personal terminal device.