JP3652124B2 - Vending machine card system with expiration date control function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card expiration date control technique in a system capable of purchasing a beverage product or the like sold by a vending machine using a magnetic card or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Products sold by vending machines were conventionally sold by inserting coins (coins or banknotes), but recently, by inserting a magnetic card type prepaid card, Vending machines that can be sold are also being developed.
[0003]
In this case, a prepaid card is generally purchased by a user paying a predetermined amount in advance, and the amount information recorded on the card is subtracted every time it is used. Therefore, such a prepaid card is regarded as a securities.
Here, for example, if such a card can be distributed as a prize (prize) at various leisure facilities such as a pachinko parlor, the customer can purchase beverage products with a vending machine installed in the store, It leads to improvement.
[0004]
However, securities such as prepaid cards are often prohibited by law from being distributed as prizes (prize).
[0005]
Therefore, for example, only a vending machine installed in the facility can be used within a predetermined expiration date, and one card (or one) beverage product (or other product) can be supplied with one card. If it can be received, the card is exactly the same as a drink product, etc., and is not certified as a securities. This makes it possible to provide small prizes (prize) that have been often neglected by customers. Further, since the card becomes a prize (prize), it is easy and inventory management is easy, and it is possible to improve customer satisfaction and repeat visits at low cost. Furthermore, setting an expiration date can also be used for security measures such as forgery prevention.
[0006]
In order to realize such services, one card is stored in the vending machine every time it is used, and the card is expired on the premise that costs are reduced by recycling the stored card. Need to be available only in
[0007]
As a prior art for that purpose, there is a technique in which accurate expiration date information is recorded on a card and the expiration date is determined when the card is inserted into a vending machine.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to ensure the low cost, the cards are shipped in units of a large number of units, the cards are once stocked in the facility, then they are distributed and consumed in sequence, and the consumed cards are stored in the vending machine. The cards stored in are recycled and shipped again. In such a case, when the above prior art is to be introduced, it is necessary to record expiration date information starting from the distribution point on the card, and for this purpose, it is necessary to install a card encoder device in the use facility. Arise. For this reason, conventionally, there has been a problem that the cost for installing and operating the vending machine card system becomes high.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity of installing a card encoder device in a use facility and to realize appropriate expiration date management.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention presupposes a method for controlling the expiration date of a card (104, 703) that can be used to purchase a product for sale by a vending machine (105, 704) based on the amount information recorded on itself. And
[0011]
  In the present invention, first, identification information (location code) for identifying the vending machine is recorded on the card.
[0012]
Next, when a card is inserted into the vending machine, it is determined whether or not the identification information recorded on the card matches one of the two pieces of identification information set in the vending machine. .
[0013]
When the determination result is true, the vending machine executes sales processing of the product with the amount based on the amount information recorded on the card.
[0014]
Then, the two pieces of identification information set in the vending machine are sequentially changed while being shifted in correspondence with the identification information recorded on the sequentially issued cards.
[0015]
  In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the operation in which the two identification information set in the vending machine corresponding to the identification information recorded on the sequentially issued cards is sequentially changed while being shifted in time is selected. For example, it is possible to perform an operation in which two pieces of identification information set in the vending machine are simultaneously changed.
[0016]
  Of the present inventionThe following aspect is shown as a comparative reference example. In this case, firstIdentification information (location code) for identifying the vending machine and the expiration date (expiration date) obtained by adding an appropriate offset to the expected consumption period of the card are recorded on the card.
[0017]
Next, when a card is inserted into the vending machine, the identification information recorded on the card matches the identification information set on the vending machine, and the expiration date recorded on the card Is a deadline corresponding to a date after that including today's date.
[0018]
When the determination result is true, the vending machine executes sales processing of the product with the amount based on the amount information recorded on the card.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
The vending machine 105 includes a card reader device 108, a location code authentication device 107, and a location code registration device 106.
[0022]
The card encoder device 103, the location code / money registration device 101, and the location code database 102 are installed in a company that ships the magnetic card 104.
[0023]
In the shipping company, the location code / amount registration device 101 uses the location code database to store the location code for uniquely identifying the shipping destination facility and the price of the vending machine product that can be purchased with the magnetic card 104. The determination is made while operating 102, and the card encoder device 103 is instructed to encode.
[0024]
The card encoder device 103 records the location code and amount data determined by the location code / amount registration device 101 on the magnetic card 104. The magnetic card 104 on which recording has been performed in this manner is shipped to a use facility in units of a large number of sheets (for example, in units of 1000 sheets).
[0025]
In the use facility, the magnetic card 104 is distributed to the customer as a small gift, and the customer purchases the beverage product etc. sold by inserting the distributed magnetic card 104 into the vending machine 105 in the use facility. can do.
[0026]
In this case, the amount recorded on the magnetic card 104 is set, for example, to an amount at which only one drink product can be purchased in the vending machine 105, and the magnetic card 104 is collected as it is by the vending machine 105. .
[0027]
In addition, when the magnetic card 104 is used, an expiration date that is gently defined is determined, and the customer uses the magnetic card 104 within the expiration date.
[0028]
  The operation principle of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the operation sequence diagram of FIG.
[0029]
Here, it is assumed that the magnetic card 104 is used in the vending machine 105 of a certain utilization facility.
[0030]
First, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), at time t1, for example, 1000 magnetic cards 104 on which the location code 1 is recorded are shipped to the use facility.
[0031]
In accordance with this, the location code registration device 106 of the vending machine 105 registers the location code 1 as shown in FIG.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the magnetic card 104 with the location code 1 recorded is distributed and used in a period t2 to t4 after an appropriate inventory period t1 to t2 after shipment. In this case, the location code authentication device 107 in the vending machine 105 records the location code 1 registered by the location code registration device 106 at the time t1 in the period t1 to t5 shown in FIG. 2 (c). When the magnetic card 104 is inserted into the card reader device 108, it is determined that the magnetic card 104 has been used within the expiration date, and merchandise sales processing is executed.
[0033]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, 1000 magnetic cards 104 on which the location code 2 is recorded are shipped at time t3.
[0034]
In accordance with this, the location code registration device 106 of the vending machine 105 registers the location code 2 in addition to the location code 1 as shown in FIG.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the magnetic card 104 on which the location code 2 is recorded is distributed and used in a period t4 to t6 after an appropriate inventory period t3 to t4 after shipment. In this case, the location code authentication device 107 in the vending machine 105 records the location code 1 registered by the location code registration device 106 at the time t1 in the period t3 to t5 shown in FIG. 2 (c). When either the magnetic card 104 or the magnetic card 104 on which the location code 2 registered by the location code registration device 106 is recorded at the time t3 is inserted into the card reader device 108, the expiration date of those magnetic cards 104 The product sales process is executed.
[0036]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, 1000 magnetic cards 104 on which the location code 3 is recorded are shipped at time t5.
[0037]
In accordance with this, the location code registration device 106 of the vending machine 105 registers the location code 3 in addition to the location code 2 and deletes the registration of the location code 1 as shown in FIG. .
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the magnetic card 104 with the location code 3 recorded is distributed and used in a period t6 to t8 after an appropriate inventory period t5 to t6 after shipment. In this case, the location code authentication device 107 in the vending machine 105 records the location code 2 registered by the location code registration device 106 at the time point t3 in the period t5 to t7 shown in FIG. 2 (c). When either the magnetic card 104 or the magnetic card 104 in which the location code 3 registered by the location code registration device 106 is recorded at the time t5 is inserted into the card reader device 108, the expiration date of those magnetic cards 104 The product sales process is executed.
[0039]
At the operation timing described above, the time of shipment of the magnetic card 104 in FIG. 2A and the time of registration of the location code in FIG. Similarly, there is no problem even if the consumption period of the magnetic card 104 shown in FIG.
[0040]
  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, without recording data related to the expiration date on the magnetic card 104, the vending machine 105 authenticates two location codes by overlapping them, and the location codes are It is possible to control the expiration date of the magnetic card 104 by sequentially changing while shifting the time.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart showing a control operation of the location code / money amount registration apparatus 101 of FIG. 1 based on the above-described operation principle. This operation flowchart is realized as an operation in which a CPU (not shown) executes a control program stored in a memory (not shown).
[0042]
First, in step 301 of FIG. 3, a location code calculation process is executed. The location code is calculated so as to be unique for each use facility and each vending machine 105. For example, it can be calculated as a combination of today's date and appropriate sequence number.
[0043]
Next, in step 302 of FIG. 3, a location code registration process is executed. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart showing details of this processing. In this process, for example, the location code database 102 having the data configuration shown in FIG. 5 is used.
[0044]
In the location code database 102, one record (one horizontal line in the table of FIG. 5) is registered for each use facility and vending machine.
[0045]
In each record, a store name field, a location code 1 field, a location code 2 field, an amount field, and a telephone number field are defined.
[0046]
In the store name field, the name of the facility used and the name of the vending machine are registered.
[0047]
In the location code 1 field, the first location code registered earlier in terms of time is registered with respect to the use facility and the vending machine 105 corresponding to the record.
[0048]
In the location code 2 field, the second location code newly registered with respect to the use facility and the vending machine 105 corresponding to the record is registered.
[0049]
In the amount field, the use facility corresponding to the record and the amount of goods sold at the vending machine 105 are registered. In addition, when one vending machine 105 handles goods of a plurality of types of amounts, a plurality of records are registered correspondingly and a plurality of magnetic cards 104 are issued.
[0050]
The telephone number field will be described later.
[0051]
In the location code registration process in step 302 in FIG. 3, first, a user interface for displaying the contents of the location code database 102 in a table format as shown in FIG. Then, the record corresponding to the use facility and the vending machine 105 that will issue the magnetic card 104 is designated.
[0052]
When the issuer designates a record, first, in step 401 of FIG. 4, the location code value registered in the location code 2 field of the record is moved to the location code 1 field of the record.
[0053]
Next, in step 402 in FIG. 4, the location code calculated in step 301 in FIG. 3 is registered in the location code 2 field of the record.
[0054]
When the location code registration process of step 302 of FIG. 3 shown in steps 401 and 402 of FIG. 4 is completed, the encoding instruction process is executed in step 303 of FIG. In this process, the location code calculated in step 301 in FIG. 3 and the use facility and vending machine 105 that are designated by the issuer of the magnetic card 104 in step 302 in FIG. The card encoder device 103 is instructed to record the amount registered in the amount field of the record in the location code database 102 corresponding to. As a result, the card encoder device 103 writes the location code and the money amount on the magnetic card 104 set therein.
[0055]
The magnetic card 104 in which the location code and the amount of money have been written in this way is shipped to the corresponding use facility, for example, in units of 1000 sheets.
[0056]
In accordance with the above-described operation, the issuer of the magnetic card 104 notifies the location code calculated in step 301 of FIG. Specifically, for example, the issuer uses the user interface that has issued the magnetic card 104 using the user interface that displays the contents of the location code database 102 on a display or the like in a table format as shown in FIG. The value of the location code 2 field of the record corresponding to the vending machine 105 is notified to the vendor.
[0057]
In this case, it is convenient for notification if a telephone number field shown in FIG. 5 is provided in the record and the telephone number of the vendor is registered in the field.
[0058]
The supplier operates the location code registration device 106 of the vending machine 105 at the time of delivering the product to the corresponding vending machine 105 and the two locations registered for the vending machine 105. Of the codes, the location code notified from the issuer of the magnetic card 104 is newly registered instead of the location code registered earlier. Thereby, the operation sequence described in FIG. 2 is realized.
[0059]
Note that the operation of registering a new location code in the vending machine 105 can be performed through a telephone line or the like without being manually performed as described above.
[0060]
In this case, the location code / money registration device 101 and the location code registration device 106 in the vending machine 105 each have built-in communication hardware and communication software capable of communicating with each other.
[0061]
The location code / money amount registration apparatus 101 performs the location code 1 field and the location code 2 field registered in the corresponding record of the location code database 102 in the location code registration process in step 302 in FIG. These two location code values are transmitted by dialing the telephone number registered in the telephone number field of the record.
[0062]
This telephone number is associated with the communication device of the location code registration device 106 in the vending machine 105, whereby the location code registration device 106 receives the two location codes transmitted from the location code / money registration device 101. The value is re-registered in the vending machine 105.
[0063]
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart showing a control operation of the location code authentication apparatus 107 in the vending machine 105 of FIG. This operation flowchart is realized as an operation in which a CPU (not shown) executes a control program stored in a memory (not shown).
[0064]
First, when the magnetic card 104 is inserted into the card reader device 108, the location code recorded on the magnetic card 104 read by the card reader device 108 in step 601 in FIG. It is determined whether or not it matches the registered old location code 1.
[0065]
If a match is determined, in step 603, the sales process of the product of the vending machine 105 that can be sold with the amount recorded on the magnetic card 104 read by the card reader device 108 is executed.
[0066]
If a mismatch is determined in step 601, the location code recorded on the magnetic card 104 read by the card reader device 108 in step 602 is the newer one registered by the location code registration device 106. It is determined whether or not the location code 2 matches.
[0067]
If a match is determined, in step 603, the sales process of the product of the vending machine 105 that can be sold with the amount recorded on the magnetic card 104 read by the card reader device 108 is executed.
[0068]
When a mismatch is determined in step 602 or after the processing in step 603, the collection processing of the inserted magnetic card 104 is executed in step 604. In the present embodiment, the amount of money recorded on the magnetic card 104 is determined so that only one product can be purchased from the vending machine 105 with one magnetic card 104.
[0069]
  In the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention described above, the two location codes set in the vending machine 105 are sequentially changed while being shifted in correspondence with the location codes recorded on the magnetic cards 104 that are sequentially issued. As an alternative to the operation, an operation for simultaneously changing two location codes set in the vending machine 105 can be executed.
[0070]
This makes it possible to suppress or eliminate use other than the intended purpose such as forgery.
[0071]
  As described above, the magnetic card 104 used in the embodiment of the present invention is different from a conventional prepaid card in which it is unclear when the card is used or used up when it is issued. Recycling is also a prerequisite. This magnetic card 104 is sequentially consumed after a certain inventory period, and is collected in the vending machine 105 so that it can be understood how the magnetic card 104 in stock is consumed. Thus, the location code change timing can be determined.
[0072]
  FIG. 7 illustrates the present invention.Comparative reference exampleIt is a block diagram of this embodiment.
  The vending machine 704 includes a card reader device 706 and an authentication device 705.
[0073]
The vending machine 704 includes a card reader device 706 and an authentication device 705.
[0074]
The card encoder device 702 and the location code / amount / expiration date registration device 701 are installed in a company that ships the magnetic card 703.
[0075]
In the shipping company, the location code / amount / expiration date registration device 701 uses a location code for uniquely identifying a use facility of the shipping destination, the amount of the vending machine product that can be purchased by the magnetic card 703, The expiration date of the magnetic card 703 is determined, and writing to the magnetic card 703 is instructed to the card encoder device 702.
[0076]
The card encoder device 702 records the location code, the amount, and the expiration date data determined by the location code / amount / expiration date registration device 701 on the magnetic card 703. The magnetic card 703 on which recording has been performed in this manner is shipped to the use facility in units of a large number of sheets (for example, 1000 sheets).
[0077]
In the use facility, the magnetic card 703 is distributed to the customer as a small gift, and the customer purchases the beverage product etc. sold by inserting the distributed magnetic card 703 into the vending machine 704 in the use facility. can do.
[0078]
  The present invention having the above-described configurationComparative reference exampleThe operation principle of this embodiment will be described with reference to the operation sequence diagram of FIG.
[0079]
Here, it is assumed that the magnetic card 703 is used in the vending machine 704 of a certain utilization facility.
[0080]
First, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), at time t1, for example, 1000 magnetic cards 703 on which the expiration date 1 is recorded are shipped to the use facility.
[0081]
As shown in FIG. 8C, this expiration date is a period from the shipping time t1 to the time t5.
[0082]
As shown in FIG. 8B, the magnetic card 703 in which the expiration date 1 is recorded is distributed and used in a period t2 to t4 after an appropriate inventory period t1 to t2 after shipment. In this case, when the magnetic card 703 in which the expiration date 1 is recorded is inserted into the card reader device 706, the authentication device 705 in the vending machine 704 passes the expiration date 1 of the magnetic card 703. If not, execute product sales processing.
[0083]
Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, at time t3, for example, 1000 magnetic cards 703 on which the expiration date 2 is recorded are shipped.
[0084]
As shown in FIG. 8B, the magnetic card 703 in which the expiration date 2 is recorded is distributed and used in a period t4 to t6 after an appropriate inventory period t3 to t4 after shipment. In this case, when the magnetic card 703 in which the expiration date 2 is recorded is inserted into the card reader device 706, the current date does not pass the expiration date 2 of the magnetic card 703. In this case, the product sales process is executed.
[0085]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8A, at the time t5, for example, 1000 magnetic cards 703 on which the expiration date 3 is recorded are shipped.
[0086]
As shown in FIG. 8B, the magnetic card 703 in which the expiration date 3 is recorded is distributed and used in a period t6 to t8 after an appropriate inventory period t5 to t6 after shipment. In this case, when the magnetic card 703 in which the expiration date 3 is recorded is inserted into the card reader device 706, the current date does not pass the expiration date 3 of the magnetic card 703. In this case, the product sales process is executed.
[0087]
There is no problem even if the consumption period of the magnetic card 703 shown in FIG.
[0088]
  As described above, the present inventionComparative reference exampleIn the embodiment, data relating to the expiration date is stored in the magnetic card 703.The validity period is checked based on the recorded data.
[0089]
  According to the aspect of the present invention, without recording data related to the expiration date on the card, the vending machine allows two pieces of identification information to be authenticated, and the identification information is sequentially changed while being shifted in time. As a result, the expiration date of the card can be controlled.
[0090]
  Further, according to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp how the cards in stock are consumed by sequentially consuming the cards after a certain inventory period and collecting them in the vending machine. This makes it possible to determine the timing for changing the location code.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
[Figure 2]Of FIG.It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of embodiment.
[Fig. 3]Of FIG.It is an operation | movement flowchart of the location code and money amount registration apparatus in embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example of location code registration processing.
FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram of a location code database.
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the location code authentication device.
[Fig. 7] of the present invention.Comparative reference exampleIt is a block diagram of embodiment.
[Fig. 8]Comparative reference example of FIG.It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
  101 Location Code / Price Registration Device
  102 Location code database
  103, 702 card encoder device
  104, 703 Magnetic card
  105,704 Vending machines
  106 Location code registration device
  107 Location code authentication device
  108, 706 Card reader device
  701 Location Code / Price / Expiration Date Registration Device
  705 Authentication device

Claims (3)

A method for controlling the expiration date of a card that can be used to purchase a product sold by a vending machine based on the amount information recorded on the device,
Recording identification information for identifying the vending machine on the card,
When the card is inserted into the vending machine, it is determined whether or not the identification information recorded on the card matches any of a plurality of identification information set in the vending machine;
When the determination result determines the coincidence, the vending machine executes a sales process of the product with the amount based on the amount information recorded on the card,
Corresponding to the identification information recorded on the cards issued sequentially, a plurality of identification information set in the vending machine is sequentially changed while shifting in time.
A vending machine card system with an expiration date control function characterized by including a process. A method for controlling the expiration date of a card that can be used to purchase a product sold by a vending machine based on the amount information recorded on the device,
Recording identification information for identifying the vending machine on the card,
When the card is inserted into the vending machine, it is determined whether or not the identification information recorded on the card matches one of the two identification information set in the vending machine;
When the determination result is true, the vending machine executes a sales process for the product of the amount based on the amount information recorded on the card,
Corresponding to the identification information recorded on the cards issued sequentially, the two identification information set in the vending machine is sequentially changed while shifting in time.
A vending machine card system with an expiration date control function characterized by including a process. The system according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
As an alternative to the process of sequentially changing two or more pieces of identification information set in the vending machine in a time-shifted manner in correspondence with the identification information recorded on the cards that are sequentially issued, Further comprising simultaneously changing two or more identification information set in the vending machine;
A vending machine card system with an expiration date control function.

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