JP3272997B2 - Prepaid card system, ticketing machine, reading device, center and card use control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card system, a ticket issuing machine, a reading apparatus, a center, and a card use control method capable of restricting the use of a prepaid card and controlling the contents of the restriction. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as one form of a prepaid card system, there is a third party issued prepaid card system in which a store or the like issues a prepaid card. Such a prepaid card system includes a system in which the prepaid card can be used only at the store where the prepaid card is issued, a system in which the prepaid card can be used at stores other than the issuing source, and a system where the prepaid card is used at some stores (for example, a chain store).
There are systems that can only be used in

[0003]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned systems, the conditions under which the card can be used in each system are predetermined. Therefore, for example, a card issued by another store can be used in a certain store, but only the card issued by the store can be used for a specific period, for example, and the content of the use restriction of the prepaid card in the system is changed. It was extremely difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of restricting the use of a prepaid card and controlling the contents of the restriction, a prepaid card system, a ticket issuing machine, a reading device, and a center. And a card use control method.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided at each store and issues a prepaid card for issuing a prepaid card for storing amount information. In a prepaid card system including a reading device for processing a prepaid card and a center connected by communication with the reading device, the ticket issuing machine responds to a request for issuing a prepaid card and records initial information on the prepaid card. Check information storage means for storing check information for checking the initial information recorded on the prepaid card to be used, comprising:
Responding to a use request of the prepaid card, determining means for determining whether or not the prepaid card is usable based on the check information stored in the check information storage means; If the card is determined to be usable, means for updating and discharging the amount information of the prepaid card, and changing the check information stored in the check information storage means in response to an instruction from the center Means, and the center comprises means for transmitting an instruction to change the check information to the reading device.

According to such a configuration, each reading device is
It is determined whether or not the prepaid card to be processed is a usable card based on the check information set therein. Since the content of the check information can be changed by an instruction from the settlement center which is a higher-level device of the reading device, a flexible system which can easily change the check requirement when using the prepaid card according to the application. Can be realized.

When the discriminating means determines that the prepaid card cannot be used, the reading device discharges the prepaid card without updating the price information, and reads the prepaid card into the inside. , May be provided.

Each of the ticket issuing machines and each of the reading devices includes a store code for specifying a store where the store is located, a chain store code for specifying a chain store to which the store belongs, and a district to which the store belongs. At least one of a district code for specifying, and the ticket issuing means of the ticket issuing machine stores at least one of the store code, the chain store code, and the district code stored therein. The check information stored in the check information storage means of the reading device may further include means for recording a ticket on a prepaid card and issuing a ticket, wherein the store code, the chain store code, the district code, At least one of the following: the determination unit of the reading device may include information indicated by the check information stored in the check information storage unit. Comparing the information recorded on the prepaid card with the information stored in the reading device, and when the information substantially matches, discriminates the prepaid card as a usable card; Means for determining that the card cannot be used. Thus, according to the setting of the check information in the reading device, for example, a system that is permitted to be used only at the store that issued the ticket, a system that is permitted to be used at the same chain store as the store that issued the ticket, Various types of systems can be realized, such as a system that is permitted to be used in a store in the same district as the store.

The ticket issuing means of the ticket issuing machine further comprises means for recording at least one of ticket issuing date information indicating a ticket issuing date and an identification code for specifying a prepaid card on the prepaid card and issuing the ticket. The check information stored in the check information storage means of the reading device may be the store code, the chain store code, the district code, the ticketing date information, the identification code,
And the discriminating means of the reading device, when the check information indicates the issuance date information, a card on which the prepaid card can be used based on the issuance date information recorded on the prepaid card Expiration date determining means for determining whether or not the check information indicates the identification code, and an unused card for determining whether or not the prepaid card is usable by the identification code recorded on the prepaid card. And at least one of determination means.

The expiration date determining means of the reading device includes:
The expiration date of the prepaid card may be checked by determining whether the date indicated by the ticketing date information recorded on the prepaid card is within a predetermined period from the present time. This makes it possible to eliminate the use of an old prepaid card issued before the predetermined period.

The unused card discriminating means of the reading device discriminates whether or not the identification code recorded on the prepaid card corresponds to one of the identification codes registered in the reading device. In this case, the prepaid card may be determined to be unusable. Thereby, for example, use of a prepaid card having an identification code registered in advance in the reading device can be eliminated.

[0012]

[0013]

A reading device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a reading device that is disposed in each store and processes a prepaid card that stores amount information, and is used for checking a prepaid card to be used. A check information storage unit for storing check information; and a determination in response to a use request for the prepaid card, determining whether the prepaid card is a usable card based on the check information stored in the check information storage unit. Means for updating the amount information of the prepaid card when the prepaid card is judged to be usable by the judging means; and discharging the check information storage means in response to an instruction from a host device. Means for changing the check information stored in the storage device.

According to such a configuration, each reading device includes:
It is determined whether or not the prepaid card to be processed is a usable card based on the check information set therein. Since the content of the check information can be changed by an instruction from a higher-level device of the reading device, the check requirements when using the prepaid card can be easily changed according to the application.

The reading device, when the discriminating means determines that the prepaid card cannot be used,
At least one of means for discharging the prepaid card without updating the amount information and means for loading the prepaid card into the inside may be provided.

The reading device includes a store code for specifying the store where the reader is located, a chain store code for specifying the chain store to which the store belongs, and a district code for specifying the district to which the store belongs. May further comprise storage means for storing at least one of the following: wherein the check information stored in the check information storage means is at least one of the shop code, the chain shop code, and the district code. One of the information may be indicated, and the discriminating means may determine, for the information indicated by the check information stored in the check information storage means, the information recorded on a prepaid card and the information stored in the storage means. Are compared, and if they substantially match, the prepaid card is determined to be a usable card, and if they do not match, the card cannot be used. De and means may further comprise for determining. Thus, according to the setting of the check information, for example, a reading device that permits the use of the card only at the store that issued the ticket, a reading device that permits the use of the card at the store that is the same chain store as the store that issued the ticket, a source that issues the card A reading device having various check conditions, such as a reading device that permits use of a card in a store in the same district as the store, can be realized.

The check information stored in the check information storage means includes the store code, the chain store code, the district code, ticketing date information indicating a ticketing date, and an identification code for specifying a prepaid card. May be indicated. If the check information indicates the issuance date information, the determination unit determines whether the prepaid card is a usable card based on the issuance date information recorded in the prepaid card in advance. Expiration date determining means for determining whether the check information indicates the identification code,
Unused card discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the prepaid card can be used based on an identification code recorded on the prepaid card in advance may be provided.

The expiration date judging means checks the expiration date of the prepaid card by judging whether or not the date indicated by the issuance date information recorded in advance on the prepaid card is within a predetermined period from the present time. Is also good. This makes it possible to eliminate the use of an old prepaid card issued before the predetermined period.

The unused card determining means determines whether or not the identification code recorded in advance on the prepaid card corresponds to any of the identification codes registered in the reading device. The prepaid card may be determined as an unusable card. Thus, the use of a prepaid card having a predetermined identification code can be eliminated.

A center according to a third aspect of the present invention is a center located at each store and connected by communication with a reading device for processing a prepaid card, in which a prepaid card to be processed can be used. Means for transmitting an instruction to change check information used to determine whether the card is a valid card.

A card use control method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided in each store, wherein a ticket issuing machine for issuing a prepaid card, a reading device for processing the prepaid card, and a communication with the reading device by communication. A card use control method in a system comprising:
In the ticket issuing machine, a ticket issuing step in which initial information is recorded on a prepaid card and a ticket is issued; and in the reading device, when the prepaid card issued in the ticket issuing step is used, the prepaid card can be used based on predetermined check information. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the card is a valid card, and in the discriminating step, when the prepaid card is discriminated as a usable card, updating and discharging the amount information of the prepaid card; and An instruction step of instructing the reading device to change the check information; and a step of changing the check information in the reading device in response to the instruction in the instruction step.

According to such a configuration, each reading device includes:
It is determined whether or not the prepaid card to be processed is a usable card based on the check information set therein. Since the content of the check information can be changed by an instruction from the settlement center which is a higher-level device of the reading device, a flexible system which can easily change the check requirement when using the prepaid card according to the application. Can be realized.

The card use control method comprises at least one of a step of discharging the prepaid card and a step of taking in the prepaid card when the prepaid card is judged to be unusable by the discriminating step. You may.

The ticket issuing step includes a store code for specifying the store where the ticket issuing machine is located, a chain store code for specifying the chain store to which the store belongs, and a district code for specifying the district to which the store belongs. Recording at least one of issuance date information indicating the issuance date and an identification code for identifying the prepaid card on the prepaid card, and issuing the ticket. Indicates at least one of a store code, a chain store code, and a district code, comparing the information indicated by the check information with the information recorded on the prepaid card and the information previously stored in the reading device. If they match, the prepaid card is determined to be usable, and if not, the card can be used. A step of determining whether the prepaid card is a usable card based on the issuance date information recorded on the prepaid card, if the check information indicates issuance date information, When the check information indicates the identification code, the method may further include an unused card determination step of determining whether the prepaid card is a usable card based on the identification code recorded on the prepaid card.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the prepaid card system includes a ticketing machine 11 and a reading device 13 installed in each store.
And a settlement center 15.

The ticket issuing machine 11 is a device for issuing a prepaid card, and as shown in FIG.
It includes a card storage unit 23, a storage unit 25, a control unit 27, a card recording unit 28, and a communication control unit 29.

The cash input unit 21 has a cash reception port,
It detects the cash input and notifies the control unit 27. The card storage unit 23 stores a prepaid card in which amount information corresponding to a predetermined amount is stored in advance. The storage unit 25 stores the ticketing machine 1
Stores a store code that specifies the store where 1 is installed, a chain store code that specifies the chain store to which the store belongs, and a district code that specifies the district to which the store belongs.

The control unit 27 includes, for example, the cash input unit 21
In response to the notification from, the prepaid card is taken out from the card storage unit 23, and the store code, the chain store code, the district code, the issuance date information indicating the issue date, and the issuance number information indicating the issue number are stored. It instructs the card recording unit 28 to write. Further, the control unit 27 transmits information such as the sales amount of the prepaid card to the settlement center 15 via the communication control unit 29, for example.

The card recording unit 28 includes a recording unit (such as a read / write head) for writing initial information to the prepaid card in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 27, and a prepaid card on which the initial information is written by the recording unit. And a transport unit (a roller or the like) for discharging the paper. Communication control unit 2
Reference numeral 9 controls communication with the settlement center 15.

The prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine 11 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Stores store codes, chain store codes, district codes, ticketing date information, ticketing number information, and the like.

The reading device 13 is a device for using (consuming) the money amount information stored in the prepaid card, for example, in the case of paying consideration such as lending and providing goods (services). The reading device 13 is, as shown in FIG.
It includes a card reading unit 31, a storage unit 33, an input unit 34, a control unit 35, and a communication control unit 37.

The card reading section 31 is a transport section (roller or the like) for taking the inserted prepaid card into the inside.
And a reading unit (read / write head or the like) for reading / writing data of the prepaid card.

The storage unit 33 stores a store code specifying the store where the reading device 13 is installed, a chain store code specifying the chain store to which the store belongs, a district code specifying the district to which the store belongs, Is stored. Also,
The storage unit 33 stores check information for checking whether the prepaid card inserted into the card reading unit 31 is a card that can be used in the reading device 13. Note that the check information indicates one or more of “store code”, “chain store code”, “district code”, “ticket date information”, and “ticket number information”. Input unit 3
Reference numeral 4 includes a payment button or the like for instructing use of a prepaid card.

The control unit 35 responds, for example, to the pressing of the payment button of the input unit 34, and uses the check information set (stored) in the storage unit 33 to store the inserted prepaid card in the reading device 13 thereof. Determine whether it is available. If the card can be used, the control unit 35 updates the prepaid card by subtracting a predetermined amount (payment amount) from the amount information of the prepaid card. When the card cannot be used, the control unit 35 turns on an unusable lamp (not shown), for example, and ejects the prepaid card.

For discriminating a prepaid card, for example, when the check information in the storage unit 33 indicates a “store code”, the control unit 35 reads out the store code of the prepaid card via the card reading unit 31, and Then, it is determined whether or not it matches the store code stored in the prepaid card, and if it matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted. In addition, for example, the check information in the storage unit 33 is “ticket issuing date”.
Is displayed, the control unit 35 reads out the issuance date information of the prepaid card via the card reading unit 31, and determines whether or not the date indicated by the issuance date information is within a predetermined period from the present time obtained from the timer or the like. And within the specified period,
Permit the use of the prepaid card.

The control unit 35 updates the check information in the storage unit 33 according to the check information change instruction received from the settlement center 15 via the communication control unit 37. Further, the control unit 35 transmits the amount information such as sales to the communication control unit 37.
Is transmitted to the settlement center 15 via. Communication control unit 37
Controls communication with the settlement center 15.

The settlement center 15 is connected to the ticket issuing machine 11 and the reading device 13 of each store by communication, and includes a computer for managing and controlling each device. The settlement center 15 transmits a check information change instruction to the reading device 13 of each store.

Next, the operation of each device in the present system will be described along the flow of actual processing in which a prepaid card is issued and used. First, in order for a user to purchase a prepaid card, for example, a ticketing machine 11
A predetermined amount of cash is injected into the cash input unit 21 of A. The cash input unit 21 detects this cash input and notifies the control unit 27.

The control unit 27 takes out the prepaid card from the card storage unit 23, and stores the store code, the chain store code, the district code, the issuance date information indicating the issuance date, and the issuance number stored in the storage unit 25. Ticket number information shown,
Is recorded on the prepaid card via the card recording unit 28 and is discharged from a discharge port (not shown). Note that the issue date information recorded on the card is acquired from, for example, a timer (not shown), and the ticket number information is acquired from a counter (not shown). As a result, a prepaid card in which the service provider information, the issuance date information, and the issuance number information are recorded is issued.

Next, the user uses the purchased prepaid card, for example, with the reading device 13A in the same store.
The operation of the reading device 13A in this case will be described with reference to FIG. Note that it is assumed that check information “store code” is set in the storage unit 33 of the reading device 13A.
For example, the user attaches the prepaid card to the card reading unit 31 of the reading device 13A and presses the payment button of the input unit 34 at the time of payment.

In response to this, the control unit 35 sets the storage unit 33
Is read out (step S11). Next, the control unit 35 sets a data item indicated by the check information (in this case, “store code”).
Is read from the prepaid card (step S1).
2). Next, the control unit 35 executes a check process according to the check information. In this case, since the check information is “store code”, the control unit 35 determines whether the “store code” read from the prepaid card matches the “store code” stored in the storage unit 33. It is determined whether or not the card can be used (step S13).

When it is determined that the compared store codes match, the control unit 35 regards the prepaid card as a usable card, reads out the amount information from the card,
The payment amount is deducted and updated (step S14). After the update of the amount information of the prepaid card is completed, the control unit 35
Ejects the prepaid card (step S15), and ends the process. If it is determined in step S13 that the compared store codes do not match, the control unit 35
The card is regarded as an unusable card, and for example, an unusable process such as turning on an unusable lamp (not shown) is executed (step S21), the prepaid card is ejected (step S15), and the process ends.

As described above, in the reading device 13A in which the check information is set to "store code", use of the card is permitted only when the store code of the prepaid card is the same as the store code of the reading device 13A. Is done. That is, in the case of this reading device 13A, the reading device 13A
Use of only prepaid cards issued at the same store as the store where is installed is permitted.

The check information set in the reading device 13 can be changed by an instruction from the settlement center 15. For example, the settlement center 15 is connected to the reading device 13A.
To change the check information to “ticketing date information”. In response to the change instruction, the reading device 13A changes the check information stored in the storage unit 33 from “store code” to “ticketing date information”.

In this way, the reading device 13A in which the check information has been changed from the "store code" to the "ticketing date information".
The operation at the time of processing of the prepaid card is almost the same as the operation described above with reference to FIG. In this case, in step S13, since the check information “ticketing date information” is set in the storage unit 33, the control unit 35 acquires the date indicated by the “ticketing date information” read from the prepaid card from, for example, a timer or the like. It is determined whether or not it is within a predetermined period from the current date, and if it is within the predetermined period, the card is determined to be a usable card. In this way, the reading device 13 in which the check information is set to “ticketing date information”
In A, use of the card is permitted when the date of issue of the card is within a predetermined period from the present. If the card issuance date is not within a predetermined period from the present, the control unit 35
May consider that the expiration date of the card has expired, and may take the card inside.

When the check information in the reading device 13 is either a “chain store code” or a “district code”, the control unit 35 stores the corresponding code stored in the prepaid card in the storage unit 33. It is determined whether or not the card can be used by determining whether or not it matches the stored corresponding code. When the check information is “ticket number information”, the control unit 35 determines that the ticket number indicated by the ticket number information of the prepaid card is, for example,
It is determined whether or not it matches any of the ticketing number lists of the unusable cards registered in the storage unit 33, and if not, it is determined that the card can be used. In addition, when the ticketing number of the used card matches any of the ticketing number lists of the unusable cards registered in the storage unit 33,
The control unit 35 may regard the inserted card as an unauthorized card or the like, and may take the card inside and collect it.

Further, even if the check information is other than "ticket issuing date information" and "ticket issuing number information", if the inserted card is determined to be an unusable card, it may be taken in internally.

Note that the number of items of check information set in the reading device 13 is not limited to one, and a plurality of items may be combined. For example, in accordance with an instruction from the settlement center 15, “area code” and “ticketing date information” are set in the reading device 13B as check information. In this case, the reading device 13B checks whether the “area code” of the prepaid card matches the “area code” of the storage unit 33 and determines whether the date of the “ticketing date information” of the prepaid card is within a predetermined period from the present. Is checked, and if these two check conditions are satisfied, the use of the card is permitted.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Each reading device determines whether the prepaid card to be processed is a usable card based on the check information set for itself. Since the content of this check information can be changed by an instruction from a higher-level device of the reading device, depending on the application,
It is possible to realize a flexible system that can easily change a check requirement when using a prepaid card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a prepaid card issued from the ticket issuing machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the reading device when using a prepaid card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 ticket issuing machine 13 reading device 15 settlement center 21 cash input unit 23 card storage unit 25 storage unit 27 control unit 28 card recording unit 29 communication control unit 31 card reading unit 33 storage unit 34 input unit 35 control unit 37 communication control unit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-110972 (JP, A) JP-A-9-128601 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07F 7/08-7/10

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A prepaid card which is arranged in each store and includes a ticket issuing machine for issuing a prepaid card for storing amount information, a reading device for processing the prepaid card, and a center connected by communication with the reading device. In the system, the ticketing machine responds to a prepaid card ticketing request,
A ticket issuing means for recording initial information on a prepaid card and issuing a ticket, wherein the reading device stores check information for checking the initial information recorded on a prepaid card to be used, and check information storage means. Determining means for responding to a use request for the prepaid card and determining whether or not the prepaid card is a usable card based on the check information stored in the check information storage means;
When the discriminating means determines that the prepaid card is a usable card, the means for updating and discharging the amount information of the prepaid card, and responding to an instruction from the center, are stored in the check information storage means. Means for changing the check information, wherein the center includes means for transmitting an instruction to change the check information to the reading device. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein said discriminating means discharges the prepaid card without updating the price information when the prepaid card is determined to be an unusable card, and takes in the prepaid card. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of: 3. Each of the ticket issuing machines and each of the reading devices has a store code for specifying a store where the store is located, a chain store code for specifying a chain store to which the store belongs, and a store to which the store belongs. A district code for specifying a district, wherein the ticket issuing means of the ticket issuing machine prepaids at least one of the store code, the chain store code, and the district code stored therein. The check information stored in the check information storage unit of the reading device further includes at least one of the store code, the chain store code, and the district code. The determination means of the reading device, the information indicated by the check information stored in the check information storage means, a prepaid car The information recorded in the reading device is compared with the information stored in the reading device. If the information substantially matches, the prepaid card is determined to be a usable card. If the information does not match, the card cannot be used. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for determining whether or not the prepaid card has been used. 4. The ticket-issuing means of the ticket-issuing machine further comprises means for recording at least one of ticket-issuing date information indicating a ticket issuing date and an identification code for specifying a prepaid card on the prepaid card and issuing the ticket. The check information stored in the check information storage means of the reading device is at least one of the shop code, the chain shop code, the district code, the ticketing date information, and the identification code. When the check information indicates the issuance date information, the determination unit of the reading device determines whether the prepaid card is a usable card based on the issuance date information recorded on the prepaid card. Expiration date determination means, and when the check information indicates the identification code, the prepaid card is identified by an identification code recorded on the prepaid card. Prepaid card system according to claim 3 but comprising a non-use card discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the available cards, at least one, characterized in that. 5. The expiration date determining means of the reading device,
The prepaid card according to claim 4, wherein the expiration date of the prepaid card is checked by determining whether a date indicated by the ticketing date information recorded on the prepaid card is within a predetermined period from the present time. Card system. 6. The unused card discriminating means of the reading device discriminates whether or not the identification code recorded on the prepaid card corresponds to one of the identification codes registered in the reading device. The prepaid card system according to claim 4, wherein, if applicable, the prepaid card is determined to be an unusable card. 7. A reading device arranged at each store for processing a prepaid card storing amount information, comprising: check information storage means for storing check information for checking a prepaid card to be used; In response to the use request, and discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the prepaid card is a usable card based on the check information stored in the check information storage means, and the prepaid card is usable by the discriminating means. Means for updating and ejecting the amount information of the prepaid card when it is determined to be a card, means for changing the check information stored in the check information storage means in response to an instruction from a higher-level device, A reading device, comprising: 8. The reading device, when the discriminating means determines that the prepaid card cannot be used,
The reading device according to claim 7 , further comprising at least one of a unit for discharging the prepaid card without updating the price information and a unit for taking the prepaid card into the inside. 9. The reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a store code for specifying a store where the store is located, a chain store code for specifying a chain store to which the store belongs, and a store code for specifying a district to which the store belongs. Further comprising a storage unit for storing at least one of a district code, wherein the check information stored in the check information storage unit is at least one of the store code, the chain store code, and the district code. The discrimination means compares the information stored in the prepaid card with the information stored in the storage means for the information indicated by the check information stored in the check information storage means. If the two match, the prepaid card is determined to be usable, and if not, the card is determined to be unusable. The reading device according to claim 7 or 8 , further comprising a step. 10. The check information stored in the check information storage means includes the store code, the chain store code, the district code, issuance date information indicating an issuance date, and an identification for specifying a prepaid card. And at least one of the following: when the check information indicates the issuance date information, the determination unit determines whether the prepaid card is a usable card based on the issuance date information pre-recorded on the prepaid card. Expiration date discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the check information indicates the identification code, and an unused card discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the prepaid card can be used based on an identification code recorded in advance on the prepaid card. The reading device according to claim 9 , comprising at least one of the following. 11. The expiration date judging means checks the expiration date of the prepaid card by judging whether or not the date indicated by the issuance date information recorded in advance on the prepaid card is within a predetermined period from the present time. reading device according to claim 1 0, characterized in that. 12. The unused card discriminating means discriminates whether or not the identification code recorded in advance on the prepaid card corresponds to one of the identification codes registered in the reading device. If, it is determined that the card can not be used the prepaid card, reading device according to claim 1 0, characterized in that. 13. A center located in each store and connected by communication with a reading device for processing a prepaid card, a check used to determine whether or not the prepaid card to be processed is a usable card. A center comprising means for transmitting an information change instruction. 14. A card use control method in a system provided at each store and comprising a ticket issuing machine for issuing a prepaid card, a reading device for processing the prepaid card, and a center connected to the reading device by communication. In the ticketing machine, a ticketing step of recording initial information on a prepaid card and issuing a ticket; and in the reading device, when the prepaid card issued in the ticketing step is used, the prepaid card is used based on predetermined check information. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the card is usable; if the discriminating step discriminates that the prepaid card is a usable card, updating the amount information of the prepaid card and discharging the card; An instruction step of instructing the reading device to change check information And a step of changing the check information in the reading device in response to the instruction in the instruction step. 15. When the prepaid card is determined to be unusable by the discriminating step, at least one of a step of discharging the prepaid card and a step of taking in the prepaid card is provided. card use control method according to claim 1 4. 16. The ticket issuing step includes a store code for specifying a store where a ticket issuing machine is located, a chain store code for specifying a chain store to which the store belongs, and a district for specifying the district to which the store belongs. A step of recording at least one of a code, ticketing date information indicating a ticketing date, and an identification code for specifying the prepaid card on the prepaid card, and issuing the ticket. When indicating at least one of a store code, a chain store code, and a district code, the information indicated by the check information is compared with the information recorded on the prepaid card and the information stored in the reading device in advance. If they substantially match, the prepaid card is determined to be a usable card,
If they do not match, the card is determined to be unusable, and if the check information indicates ticketing date information, whether the prepaid card is a usable card is determined by ticketing date information recorded on the prepaid card. An expiration date discriminating step for discriminating, and when the check information indicates the identification code, an unused card discriminating step for discriminating whether or not the prepaid card is a usable card by an identification code recorded on the prepaid card, further comprising, card usage control method according to claim 1 4 or 1 5, characterized in that the.