JPH03218897A - Prepaid card and prepaid card processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance service such as the impartment of a benefit by providing a memory part storing use history containing at least a date and frequency each time when a prepaid card is used. CONSTITUTION:A magnetic stripe 12 is formed in a prepaid card 10 as a memory part and a count corresponding to a predetermined amount of money or a remaining count after use of the prepaid card is stored in the magnetic stripe 12, in which use history including every date of use or use frequency can also be stored. Further, a backup memory 26 storing reference value for judging impartment of benefits and service contents and a memory 28 storing the data read by a card reader/writer 18 are provided to a CPU 20 and, as a benefit for collective use of the prepaid card 10 within a short period, for example, data such as extra service of five count for the use of 100 counts of the card within a month or the presentation of a memorial for the use of 500 counts of the card 500 within three months is stored in the backup memory 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a prepaid card and a prepaid card processing device in which a value corresponding to a predetermined amount of money is stored and can be used in place of cash.

[Prior Art] In recent years, prepaid cards have been used instead of cash when paying telephone charges, purchasing tickets and other products, or receiving services.

Generally, this prepaid cart stores a predetermined amount of frequency in a predetermined unit in its magnetic storage section, and when it is used, it reads the frequency information in the magnetic storage section and deducts the frequency corresponding to the usage amount. It is designed to re-memorize the remaining degree.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the above-mentioned prepaid card, the frequency corresponding to the predetermined amount is subtracted from the frequency corresponding to the usage amount, and the frequency is determined according to the frequency of use. No services are being provided to increase this. Therefore, it has not been possible to add any benefits when a prepaid card is used intensively for a short period of time.

However, there is a demand for adding benefits to customers who use prepaid cards frequently, and we are looking for something that can track the usage status of the prepaid card and add value as a benefit to the predetermined amount of the prepaid card. It has been demanded.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a prepaid card whose usage status can be ascertained.Another object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid card that can read the usage status of the prepaid card, and To provide a prepaid car F processing device capable of adding benefits to a prepaid card according to usage conditions.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the prepaid cart according to claim (1) of the present invention is capable of storing usage history including date and frequency each time a prepaid card is used. It is configured.

The prepaid card processing device according to claim (2) includes a card reading/writing means for writing the usage history including date and frequency into the storage section of the prepaid card when the prepaid card is used, and reading the past usage history; It is comprised of a determining means that compares and determines the usage frequency with a predetermined reference value based on the history, and an output means that outputs the determination result of this determining means.

The prepaid card processing device according to claim (3) discounts the current usage frequency and stores the remaining usage frequency in the storage section of the prepaid card based on the determination result by the card reading/writing means or the determination means. It is characterized by

In the prepaid card processing device according to claim (4), the card reading/writing means adds an additional amount to the current remaining points based on the determination result by the determining means and stores this additional amount in a storage section of the prepaid card. It is characterized by

In the prepaid card processing device according to claim (5), when the card reading/writing means runs out of points remaining on the prepaid card at the time of use, the usage history stored in the storage unit is transferred to the storage of another prepaid card. It is characterized by being stored in the section.

[Function] According to the structure of claim (1), each time the card is used, the date and frequency of use, that is, the frequency corresponding to the amount used, is stored in the prepaid cart as a usage history, and later this usage history is stored. Usage status can be easily identified by referring to .

According to the configuration of claim (2), the usage history can be written to and read from the storage section of the prepaid card inserted into the device. Then, the usage frequency is determined based on the date and frequency in the usage history, and this usage frequency is compared and determined with a predetermined reference value, and this result is outputted by the output means.

Therefore, based on this output, it can be determined whether or not a benefit can be given, such as gifting a souvenir, discounting the number of points used, or increasing the number of remaining points.

According to the structure of claim (3) or claim (4), the prepaid card processing device discounts the number of usage points of the prepaid card at the time of use, or adds a premium to the remaining number of credits, and applies the discount to the increased number of credits. This allows you to directly and easily add benefits.

According to the structure of claim (5), even if the prepaid card runs out of credits due to the current use, when another prepaid card is inserted into the device, the usage history of the used card can be left on the other prepaid card. Therefore, even when a plurality of cards are used consecutively, the awarding of benefits can be determined satisfactorily.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a prepaid card 1F according to an embodiment, and a magnetic stripe 12 is formed on the prepaid card 10 as a storage section. This magnetic stripe 12 stores the power corresponding to a predetermined amount or the remaining power after the power is deducted due to the use of the prepaid cart 10. In the present invention, the magnetic stripe 12 also stores the date of each use, the power used, etc. It is now possible to remember usage history.

Therefore, by reading the information stored in the magnetic stripe 12, it is possible to grasp the past usage status, and it is possible to know the usage frequency in a predetermined period.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration blocks of the prepaid card processing device according to the embodiment, and as shown in the figure, operation keys 14 for manually operating information, input information, read information, judgment information, etc. are displayed. A display 16 as an output means and a card reader/writer 18 as a card reader/writer are connected to a CPU (central processing unit) 20. The card reader/writer 18 can read or write information such as remaining power and usage history from the magnetic stripe 12 into which the prepaid card 10 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted.

Further, an electronic clock 24 backed up by a battery power source 22 is connected to the CPU 20, and this electronic clock 24 has a built-in calendar and counts the year, month, and day as well as the time.

Furthermore, the CPU 20 is provided with a backup memory 26 for storing the criterion value for awarding benefits and service contents, and a memory 28 for storing information read by the card reader/writer 18. In this sense, in this embodiment, the CPU 20, the battery power supply 22, the electronic clock 24, the backup memory 26, and the memory 28 constitute the determination means of the present invention.

The backup memory 26 contains a prepaid card 1.
As a benefit for intensively using 0 in a short period of time, for example, if you use 100 times in one month, you will receive a 5-time premium service.
Information such as a souvenir gift will be stored if the device is used 500 times in three months. A determination circuit for determining award of benefits based on the determination reference value is provided within the CPU 20.

The operation will be explained below based on the operation flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 1 (hereinafter referred to as S1, and other steps are handled in the same way), the store clerk presses the operation keys 14 and the display 16 in advance.
Using
This information is stored in backup memory 26.

After the next 82 standby states, when the prepaid card 10 is inserted into the processing device in S3, the process moves to S4, where the remaining power and date are stored on the magnetic stripe 12 of the card by the card reader/writer 18. , usage history including frequency is read. These pieces of information are written into the memory 28, while the remaining power is displayed on the display 16 in S5. In this case, the display range of the display 16 may be expanded to also display the usage history.

In S6, when the store clerk inputs the current usage frequency using the operation key 14, the remaining usage after this usage frequency is subtracted is displayed on the display 16, and the process moves to the next step 87.

In S7, it is determined whether or not the remaining power is insufficient due to the current use, and if the remaining power is not insufficient (N
o), the process moves to the award determination in S14, and if the remaining number of points is insufficient (YES), the process moves to S8.

In S8, the card reader/writer 18 writes the remaining power of 0 on the magnetic stripe 12 of the card, and in S9 the prepaid card 10 is ejected. At the same time, in S10, the display 16 indicates that there is no remaining power and instructs to insert a new, unused card.

Next 5 1. 1, if the customer does not have a new prepaid card 10, he or she will purchase a cart from another vending machine or clerk and insert the new prepaid card 10. Once the card is inserted, the customer will be asked to purchase a cart from another vending machine or a clerk. The cart is read, and the remaining power is displayed on the display 16 at 513, and the process moves to the next step SI4.

In S14, it is determined whether or not the prepaid card meets the award criteria, and the date of current use,
The usage frequency is added to the memory 28, the usage frequency is calculated in conjunction with the past usage history, and this usage frequency is compared with the determination reference value stored in the backup memory 26.

In the example, if you use the product 100 times in one month, you will receive a 5-time premium service, and if you use it 500 times in three months, you will receive a commemorative gift, so if you meet these standard values. It is determined whether or not they match, and the determination result of whether or not they match is displayed on the display 16 in S15. In this case, if the additional power criteria are met, the additional power is memorized, and if the souvenir presentation criteria are met, the store clerk hands over the souvenir.

Then, in the next step 516, the new remaining power is calculated using the following formula and displayed on the display 16.

New remaining energy (remaining energy from last time) + (additional energy due to benefits) - (current usage) or New remaining energy - (remaining energy on previous card) + (remaining energy on new card) + (additional energy due to benefits) ) (Currently used frequency) In S17, the current date of use, the used frequency, and the new remaining frequency based on the above calculation are written on the magnetic stripe of the prepaid card 10.

Further, when a new card is inserted because the first card does not have enough points remaining, information on the usage history of the previous card stored in the memory 28 that is necessary for award determination is written at the same time.

When the card writing is completed, the prepaid card 10 is ejected in S18, and the process returns to the card standby state in S2.

Note that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention.

In the embodiment, the prepaid card 10 has the magnetic stripe 12 formed as a storage part, but an IC with a built-in IC memory is also used.
It may also be used as a C card.

Also, in order to save the storage space of the prepaid card 10,
It is also possible to write the usage frequency for each year and month as a usage history.
You may delete items that are older than a month.

Furthermore, when the remaining card count of the prepaid card 1o is insufficient, not only the unused card but also other cards in use may be used.

In addition, if the remaining power is insufficient, two prepaid cards 10 are used, so the card reader/writer 18 is
It can also be built into a stand.

Further, the prepaid processing device of the present invention is not limited to a device that requires operation by a clerk, but can also be an automatic device that has a built-in ticket vending machine or the like and is directly operated by a customer.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to claim (1), since the usage history including the date and frequency can be stored, the usage status of the prepaid card can be read later, and the usage status of the prepaid card can be read later. It becomes possible to aim for improvement.

According to claim (2), the prepaid processing device reads the past usage history, determines the usage frequency from this usage history, compares it with a predetermined reference value, and displays the determination result. , it is possible to decide on the granting of benefits, and it is possible to easily present souvenirs, discount the number of used prescriptions, increase the remaining number of prescriptions, etc.

Furthermore, according to claim (3) or claim (4), the number of usage points of the prepaid card itself is discounted, and the remaining number of points is increased, so that benefits can be easily and directly granted upon use. It can be done accurately.

Furthermore, according to claim (5), when the prepaid card is used up due to current use, the usage history of the used cart can be left on another prepaid card, so continuous use of multiple cards is possible. It is possible to decide whether to grant benefits at any time, thereby further improving customer service.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a prepaid card processing device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. It is. ] 0. Prepaid card, 12... Storage section, 16
...Output means, 18. Card reading/writing means, 20.22, 24, 26.28. Judgment means.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A prepaid card characterized by having a storage section that stores a usage history including at least the date and frequency each time the prepaid card is used. (2) a card reading/writing means for writing the usage history including date and frequency into the storage section of the prepaid card when using the prepaid card, and reading the past usage history;
A prepaid card processing device characterized by comprising a determining means for comparing and determining the frequency of use with a predetermined reference value based on the usage history, and an output means for outputting a determination result by the determining means. (3) In the device according to claim (2), the card reading/writing means stores the remaining power obtained by discounting the current usage power in the storage section of the prepaid card based on the determination result by the determination means. A prepaid card processing device featuring: (4) In the device according to claim (2), the card reading/writing means increases the current remaining power based on the determination result by the determining means and stores this additional power in the storage section of the prepaid card. A prepaid card processing device characterized by: (5) In the device according to any one of claims (2), (3), and (4), the card reading/writing means is configured to:
A prepaid card processing device characterized in that a usage history stored in a storage unit is stored in a storage unit of another prepaid card.