JP7542468B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

IC cards used for entering and exiting railways and other facilities deteriorate over time. This deterioration affects not only the exterior of the IC card, but also the IC chip placed on the IC card. For example, IC cards used on railways are often issued more than 10 years ago, and IC cards with severely deteriorated IC chips are often processed at ticket gates and counter processing machines.

When information on an IC card is rewritten, an abnormality in the IC chip is detected, but if an abnormality is detected in the IC card, it becomes difficult to recover the data stored in the IC chip. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the IC card before an abnormality in the IC chip is detected.

IC chip

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-063882

The objective of this invention is to be able to properly replace the IC card before an abnormality in the IC chip is detected.

The information processing device according to the embodiment includes a first interface that receives activation information including the year the IC card was activated, a processor that detects a first elapsed period from when the IC card is activated to when the activation information is received based on the activation information and the timing of receiving the activation information, and generates warning information if the first elapsed period exceeds a first threshold, and a second interface that outputs the warning information.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a station service system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an IC card. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a ticket gate. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a counter processing machine. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket gate process in the ticket gate and the management server in the station service system. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the counter processing machine and the management server when an IC card is held over the counter processing machine.

The information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, parts with the same numbers perform similar operations, and will not be described repeatedly.

(composition)
Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a station service system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the station service system includes an IC card 10, a ticket gate 20, a counter processing machine 30, a management server 40, and a network 50. The IC card 10 is capable of communicating with each of the ticket gate 20 and the counter processing machine 30. The management server 40 is connected to each of the ticket gate 20 and the counter processing machine 30 via the network 50.

The station service system may include configurations other than those shown in Figure 1 as needed, or certain configurations may be excluded from the station service system.

The IC card 10 is compatible with contactless communication and is held by a passenger. The IC card 10 stores identification information in advance. The identification information is information for uniquely identifying the IC card 10, and may be, for example, an IC card identifier, an IC card issue number, or the like. The IC card 10 also stores information (activation information) including the year the IC card was first activated. The activation information includes the month and date when the IC card was first activated, and may also include the month and date when the IC card was first used. The IC card 10 is compatible with use as a passenger ticket or commuter pass. For example, the IC card 10 can be used in a station service system by registering passenger ticket information including a passenger ticket or commuter pass in advance in a management server 40 or the like (an account based on the identification information is generated). The IC card 10 can also be used in store devices located in various stores by charging cash or the like. The store device may typically include a POS server included in a POS (Point Of Sale) system and a POS terminal connected to the POS server. The IC card 10 will be described later.

The ticket gate 20, which is station service equipment, is preset to perform either a ticket gate process for a passenger to enter the ticket gate or a ticket gate process for a passenger to exit the ticket gate. The ticket gate 20 is capable of communicating with the IC card 10 when the passenger holds the IC card 10 over a card reader, which will be described later. The ticket gate 20 then transmits and receives various information to and from the IC card 10. The ticket gate 20 also determines whether the passenger is allowed to pass (enter or exit) based on the various information received. The ticket gate 20 then controls the user's passage based on the result of the determination. The ticket gate 20 will be described later.

The counter processing machine 30, which is station service equipment, is installed in a specified location within the station. The counter processing machine 30 allows an operator, such as a station staff member, to rewrite the ticket information on the IC card 10. The counter processing machine 30 also transmits various information, including the ticket information, to the management server 40 via the network 50. The counter processing machine 30 may of course also be station service equipment including an automatic ticket issuing machine or the like that allows the ticket information to be rewritten. The counter processing machine 30 will be described later.

The management server 40, which is an information processing device, stores various information about the IC card 10, such as the ID of the IC card 10, the date of issue, the issue number, the date and time of passing through the ticket gate 20, and the fare at the time of passing through. The management server 40 also manages various information about the IC card 10 received from the ticket gate 20 or the counter processing machine 30. The management server 40 also transmits information corresponding to inquiries about the IC card 10 from the ticket gate 20 or the counter processing machine 30. For example, in response to an inquiry from the counter processing machine 30 including identification information of the IC card 10, the management server 40 identifies the IC card 10 based on the identification information, and acquires the necessary information from the information stored about the IC card 10. The management server 40 can then return the acquired information to the counter processing machine 30. The management server 40 will be described later.

In FIG. 1, the counter processing machine 30 and the management server 40 are shown as separate devices, but they may of course be located within the same information processing device. In other words, the counter processing machine 30 may be an information processing device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the IC card 10. As shown in FIG.
The IC card 10 has a processor 101 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). A memory 102 and a communication unit 103 are connected to the processor 101 via a bus 104.

The memory 102 can be a combination of a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD), and a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM). The memory 102 stores programs necessary for the processor 101 to execute various processes.

Furthermore, memory 102 includes a storage medium that combines non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a HDD or memory card, with volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 102 stores activation information, identification information, ticket information (passenger ticket or commuter pass), usage history using ticket gate 20, etc. Memory 102 can also store the remaining balance when cash is charged using station service equipment or store equipment not shown in FIG. 1. Note that since the capacity of memory 102 is limited, it can only store several dozen usage histories, for example.

The communication unit 103 is a communication interface that includes a wireless communication module. For example, the communication unit 103 includes a communication module that complies with a communication method such as NFC (Near Field Communication). Therefore, the communication unit 103 can be connected to the ticket gate 20 or the counter processing machine 30 by holding it over a reading unit (described later) of the ticket gate 20 or the counter processing machine 30. However, the communication unit 103 can of course be any general unit that can communicate with the ticket gate 20 or the counter processing machine 30 under the control of the processor 101 and send and receive various information.

Next, the functions realized by the processor 101 of the IC card 10 will be described. The functions realized by the processor 101 are realized by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the internal memory or memory 102, etc.

The processor 101 has a function of connecting using the communication unit 103 when the IC card 10 is held by a passenger over a card reading section of the ticket gate 20 or the counter processing machine 30, which will be described later. The processor 101 can transmit various information such as activation information, identification information, and ticket information to the ticket gate 20 through the communication unit 103. The processor 101 also has a function of receiving various information such as the date and time of use and an aging flag from the ticket gate 20. Here, the aging flag will be described later. Since the time that the IC card 10 is held over the ticket gate 20 is short (for example, about 1 second), the information transmitted and received between the ticket gate 20 and the IC card 10 may be the minimum necessary information. However, since the time that the IC card 10 is held over the reading section of the counter processing machine 30 is sufficiently long (for example, the time required to rewrite the ticket information), the information transmitted and received between the ticket gate 30 and the IC card 10 can be all the information stored in the memory 102 of the IC card 10.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the ticket gate 20. As shown in FIG.
The ticket gate 20 has a processor 201 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 202, a communication unit 203, a card reading unit 204, a display 205, a human presence sensor 206, and a door driving unit 207 are connected to the processor 201 via a bus 208.

The memory 202 can be a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, as a storage medium. The memory 202 stores programs necessary for the processor 201 to execute various processes. The program stored in the memory 302 is, for example, a program for causing the processor 201 to control the door drive unit 207.

The memory 202 can be used as a storage medium by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a HDD or a memory card that can be written to and read from at any time with a volatile memory such as a RAM. The memory 202 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 201 executing a program and performing various processes.

The communication unit 203 is a communication interface including a wired or wireless communication module. For example, the communication unit 203 includes a communication module that connects to the management server 40 via the network 50 in a wired or wireless manner. The communication unit 103 may be a general communication unit that can communicate with devices such as the management server 40 under the control of the processor 101 and send and receive various information.

The card reading unit 204 is provided near the entrance side of the passage above the ticket gate 20. Based on the control of the processor 201, the card reading unit 204 transmits commands to the IC card 10 within the communication range, and obtains various information such as the IC card 10's identification information, ticket information, and activation information in response to the command. The card reading unit 204 may include, for example, an antenna and a signal processing circuit that processes signals transmitted and received by the antenna. That is, the card reading unit 204 reads various information stored in the IC card 10 and writes various information to be stored in the IC card 10 based on the control of the processor 201.

The display 205 displays a screen in response to a video signal input from the processor 201 or a graphics controller (not shown).

The human presence sensor 206 detects whether or not there is a passenger about to pass through the ticket gate 20. A plurality of human presence sensors 206 are arranged on the side of the ticket gate 20 facing the aisle through which passengers pass. The plurality of human presence sensors 206 each supply their detection results to the processor 201. The processor 201 detects passengers passing through the aisle based on changes in the detection results of the plurality of human presence sensors 206.

The door drive unit 207 controls the operation of a door (not shown) installed in the ticket gate 20 based on the control of the processor 201. The door drive unit 207 of the ticket gate 20 closes a door (not shown) of the ticket gate 20 based on the control of the processor 201, thereby physically preventing passengers from passing through.

Next, the functions realized by the processor 201 of the ticket gate 20 will be described. The functions realized by the processor 201 are realized by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the internal memory or memory 202, etc.

The processor 201 of the ticket gate 20 has a function of reading card activation information from the IC card 10. The processor 201 has a function of transmitting the card activation information to the management server 40 via the communication unit 203. The processor 201 has a function of transmitting an aging flag to the IC card 10 via the communication unit 203. Furthermore, the processor 201 has a function of reading the aging flag stored in the IC card 10 held over the card reading unit 204. The processor 201 has a function of displaying warning information on the display 205 based on the read aging flag. Here, the warning information includes IC card replacement information indicating that the IC card 10 needs to be replaced. A passenger carrying the IC card 10 can go to the counter processing machine 30 based on the displayed warning information.

Note that the above-mentioned functions are only examples of the functions that the processor 201 can perform. Therefore, it goes without saying that the functions that the processor 201 can perform are not limited to these functions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the counter processing machine 30. As shown in FIG.
The counter processing machine 30 has a processor 301 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 302, a communication unit 303, a card reading unit 304, and an input/output interface 305 are connected to the processor 301 via a bus 306. In addition, in Fig. 3, the "input/output interface" is written as "input/output IF".

The memory 302 can be a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, as a storage medium. The memory 302 stores programs necessary for the processor 301 to execute various processes.

Furthermore, the memory 302 can be used as a storage medium by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a HDD or a memory card that can be written to and read from at any time with a volatile memory such as a RAM. The memory 302 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 301 executing a program and performing various processes.

The communication unit 303 is a communication interface including a wired or wireless communication module. For example, the communication unit 303 includes a communication module that connects to the management server 40 via the network 50 in a wired or wireless manner. The communication unit 303 may be any general type that can communicate with devices such as the management server 40 under the control of the processor 301 and transmit and receive various information.

The card reading unit 304 may be provided in a position where an operator operating the counter processing machine 30 can easily hold the IC card 10 over it. Based on the control of the processor 301, the card reading unit 304 transmits commands to the IC card 10 held over the card reading unit 304, and obtains various information such as the IC card 10's identification information, ticket information, and activation information in response to the command. The card reading unit 304 may include, for example, an antenna and a signal processing circuit that processes signals transmitted and received by the antenna. That is, the card reading unit 304 reads various information stored in the IC card 10 and writes various information to be stored in the IC card 10 under the control of the processor 301.

To the input/output interface 305, for example, a display unit (not shown) is connected. The display unit is a display device using, for example, liquid crystal, organic electroluminescence, etc., and emits sound in response to a signal input from the input/output interface 305 and/or displays characters or images, etc. The input/output interface 305 may, for example, announce information by voice, such as the results of sending and receiving information when the operator holds the IC card 10 over the card reading unit 304, and/or display characters or images.

Next, the functions realized by the processor 301 of the counter processing machine 30 will be described. The functions realized by the processor 301 are realized by the processor 301 executing a program stored in the internal memory or memory 302, etc.

The processor 301 of the counter processing machine 30 has a function of reading card activation information from the IC card 10. The processor 301 has a function of rewriting ticket information, etc. The processor 301 has a function of transmitting card activation information to the management server 40 via the communication unit 303. The processor 301 has a function of notifying the operator of the counter processing machine 30 that the IC card 10 is degraded based on the received warning information. The processor 301 has a function of displaying by voice and/or image, via the input/output interface 305, that the IC card 10 needs to be replaced.

Note that the above-mentioned functions are only examples of the functions that the processor 301 can perform. Therefore, it goes without saying that the functions that the processor 301 can perform are not limited to these functions.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the management server 40. As shown in FIG.
The management server 40 has a processor 401 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 402, a communication unit 403, and an input/output interface 404 are connected to the processor 401 via a bus 405. In addition, in Fig. 5, the "input/output interface" is written as "input/output IF".

The memory 402 can be used as a storage medium by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written and read at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 402 stores programs required for the processor 401 to execute various processes. For example, the memory 402 stores the identification information of the IC card 10. The memory 402 can also store information linked to the identification information of the IC card 10. For example, the linked information includes information for settlement (payment information) such as remaining balance information available for fare settlement, account information related to a bank account, and credit information related to a credit card. Furthermore, the memory 402 can also store activation information of the IC card 10, the use history of the IC card 10, ticket information, etc. It should be noted that the use history of the IC card 10 is more than the use history stored in the memory 102 of the IC card 10, and it is possible to store, for example, several hundred items.

The memory 402 can be used as a storage medium by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a HDD or a memory card that can be written to and read from at any time with a volatile memory such as a RAM. The memory 402 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 401 executing a program and performing various processes.

The input/output interface 404 is connected to, for example, an input unit and a display unit (not shown). The input unit is, for example, a device that receives voice data such as a microphone, a device that recognizes character data input by an operator operating the management server 40 using an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic or pressure method, and a device that receives image data such as a camera. The display unit is, for example, a display device that uses liquid crystal, organic electroluminescence, etc., and displays voice, characters, images, etc. in response to signals input from the input/output interface 404.

Next, the functions realized by the processor 401 of the management server 40 will be described. The functions realized by the processor 401 are realized by the processor 401 executing a program stored in the internal memory or the memory 402, etc.

The processor 401 of the management server 40 has a function of detecting an elapsed period based on the activation information included in the received card activation information and the timing of receiving the activation information, and determining whether this elapsed period (second elapsed period) exceeds the deterioration years setting value (first threshold value). Here, the second elapsed period is the period from when the IC card 10 is activated to when the activation information is received, based on the activation information included in the received card activation information and the timing of receiving the activation information. The processor 401 has a function of generating an aging deterioration flag. The processor 401 has a function of transmitting the aging deterioration flag to the ticket gate 20 through the communication unit 403. The processor 401 has a function of estimating the frequency of use. The processor 401 has a function of determining whether the estimated frequency of use exceeds a predetermined threshold value (second threshold value). The processor 401 has a function of changing the deterioration years setting value. The processor 401 has a function of determining whether the elapsed period exceeds the changed deterioration years setting value. The processor 401 has a function of determining whether the elapsed time (first elapsed time) exceeds a deterioration years setting value (first threshold value). The processor 401 has a function of generating and outputting warning information via the input/output interface 305. Furthermore, the processor 401 has a function of transmitting warning information to the counter processing machine 30 via the communication unit 403. For example, the warning information may include IC card replacement information indicating that the IC card 10 needs to be replaced.

(Operation)
The following describes the operations performed when a passenger passes through the ticket gate 20.
6 is a flowchart showing an example of ticket gate processing in the ticket gate 20 and management server 40 in the station service system. The operation of this flowchart is realized by the processor 201 of the ticket gate 20 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 202, and by the processor 401 of the management server 40 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 402.

This flowchart begins when a passenger holds an IC card 10 over the card reader 204 of a ticket gate 20, which is station service equipment.

The processor 201 of the ticket gate 20 reads the card activation information from the IC card 10 (ST11). The processor 201 reads the ticket information and also reads the card activation information. The card activation information includes the identification information and activation information of the IC card 10. The processor 201 is also capable of appropriately executing ticket gate processing based on the ticket information, but as general ticket gate processing is sufficient, a description thereof will be omitted here.

The processor 201 transmits the card activation information to the management server 40 via the communication unit 203 (ST12). The processor 201 may also transmit the ticket information to the management server 40.

The processor 401 of the management server 40 determines whether the elapsed period (second elapsed period) exceeds the deterioration years setting value (first threshold value) (simply referred to as the setting value in FIG. 6) (ST13). Here, the second elapsed period is the period from when the IC card 10 is activated to when the activation information is received, based on the activation information contained in the received card activation information and the timing at which the activation information is received. The second elapsed period may be in years, years and months, years and months, days, or years and months and days. For example, the deterioration years setting value may be 10 years. In other words, if the elapsed period exceeds 10 years, the processor 401 determines that the deterioration years setting value has been exceeded. Note that the above deterioration years setting value is merely an example, and is of course not limited to the above value.

If the elapsed time exceeds the deterioration years setting value, the processor 401 generates an aging deterioration flag (ST14). The processor 401 stores the generated aging deterioration flag in the memory 402 as information linked to the identification information.

The processor 401 transmits the aging flag to the ticket gate 20 through the communication unit 403 (ST15). The ticket gate 20, which has received the aging flag, transmits the aging flag to the IC card 10. The IC card 10 may then associate the aging flag with the identification information of the IC card 10 and store it in the memory 102. When the IC card 10 is held up to the card reading unit 204 of the ticket gate 20 or the card reading unit 304 of the counter processing machine 30, it can transmit the identification information and the aging flag to the ticket gate 20 or the counter processing machine 30. Note that step ST15 does not have to be the same as when the IC card 10 was held up in step ST11. In other words, the IC card 10 may be transmitted when the IC card 10 is held up to the card reading unit 204 of the ticket gate 20 at a different time.

When an IC card 10 with an aging flag stored therein is held over the card reading unit 204 of the ticket gate 20, the processor 201 of the ticket gate 20 reads the aging flag stored in the memory 102 of the IC card 10. Then, based on the aging flag, the processor 201 may display warning information on the display 205 indicating that the IC card 10 has deteriorated and that the IC card 10 needs to be replaced. The processor 201 may also display the warning information on the display 205 each time the IC card 10 is held over the card reading unit 204, or may display the warning information on the display 205 each time the IC card 10 is held over the card reading unit 204 a predetermined number of times.

On the other hand, if the elapsed time does not exceed the deterioration years setting value, the processor 401 performs a usage frequency estimation (ST16). The processor 401 performs a usage frequency estimation regarding how many times the IC card 10 is used per month or per year based on the usage history of the IC card 10 stored in the memory 402.

The processor 401 determines whether the estimated frequency of use exceeds a predetermined threshold (second threshold) (ST17). For example, if the second threshold is 80 times/month and the estimated frequency of use is estimated to be 100 times/month, the processor 401 determines that the estimated frequency of use exceeds the second threshold. Note that this value is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the frequency of use and the second threshold are not limited to the above-mentioned values.

If the estimated frequency of use does not exceed the second threshold, the process ends.
On the other hand, if the estimated frequency of use exceeds the second threshold, the processor 401 changes the deterioration years setting value (ST18). If the estimated frequency of use exceeds the second threshold, it is considered that the number of times the IC card 10 has been used increases, and the rate of deterioration of the IC chip of the IC card 10 is increasing. Therefore, the deterioration years setting value is changed to a smaller value. For example, the processor 401 changes the deterioration years setting value from 10 years to 8 years. Note that the change value of the deterioration years setting value is merely an example, and is of course not limited to the above-mentioned value.

The processor 401 determines whether the elapsed time exceeds the changed deterioration years setting value (ST19). If the elapsed time does not exceed the changed deterioration years setting value, the process ends. On the other hand, if the elapsed time exceeds the deterioration years setting value, the process proceeds to step ST14.

The above-mentioned operation may be performed every time a passenger passes the IC card 10 over the ticket gate 20, or may be performed every time the IC card is passed over a certain number of times, or at regular intervals. Furthermore, steps ST16 to ST19 may be omitted. In this case, if the elapsed time does not exceed the deterioration years setting value in step ST13, the process ends.

Furthermore, all of the above operations may be performed by the processor 201 of the ticket gate 20. In this case, step ST12 is omitted. When estimating the frequency of use, the processor 201 of the ticket gate 20 receives and uses information about the usage history from the management server 40. Furthermore, in step ST15, the processor 201 of the ticket gate 20 transmits an aging deterioration flag to the IC card 10.

Next, we will explain the operation when the IC card 10 is held up to the counter processing machine 30.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the counter processing machine 30 and the management server 40 when an IC card 10 is held over the counter processing machine 30. The operation of this flowchart is realized by the processor 301 of the counter processing machine 30 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 302, and by the processor 401 of the management server 40 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 402.

This flowchart begins when an operator operating the counter processing machine 30 holds the IC card 10 over the card reading unit 304 of the counter processing machine 30.

The processor 301 of the counter processing machine 30 reads the card activation information from the IC card 10 (ST21). In addition to reading the ticket information, it also reads the card activation information. The card activation information includes the identification information and activation information of the IC card 10. Here, the card activation information may include an aging deterioration flag linked to the identification information. The processor 301 is also capable of appropriately executing counter processing based on the ticket information. For example, the processor 301 can rewrite the ticket information. These counter processing operations are common, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

The processor 301 transmits the card activation information to the management server 40 via the communication unit 303 (ST22). The processor 301 may also transmit the ticket information to the management server 40.

The processor 401 of the management server 40 detects the elapsed time based on the activation information included in the card activation information and the timing of receiving the activation information, and determines whether this elapsed time (first elapsed time) exceeds the deterioration years setting value (first threshold value) (simply described as the setting value in FIG. 7) (ST23). Here, the first elapsed time is the period from when the IC card 10 is activated to when the activation information is received based on the activation information included in the card activation information and the timing of receiving the activation information. The first elapsed time may be any of years, years and months, years and months, days, and years and months and days. For example, the deterioration years setting value may be 10 years. That is, if the elapsed time exceeds 10 years, the processor 401 determines that the deterioration years setting value has been exceeded. Also, if the card activation information includes an aging deterioration flag, that is, if the identification information is linked to an aging deterioration flag, the processor 401 determines that the IC card 10 has deteriorated. Note that the above deterioration years setting value is merely an example, and it goes without saying that it is not limited to the above value.

If the elapsed time exceeds the deterioration years setting value or if an aging deterioration flag is linked to the identification information, the processor 401 outputs warning information via the input/output interface 305 (ST24). The processor 401 stores the warning information in the memory 402.

The processor 401 transmits warning information to the counter processing machine 30 via the communication unit 403 (ST25). The processor 301 of the counter processing machine 30 notifies the operator of the counter processing machine 30 that the IC card 10 has deteriorated based on the received warning information. For example, the processor 301 displays, via the input/output interface 305, by voice and/or image, that the IC card 10 needs to be replaced. The operator may replace the IC card 10 based on the voice, text and/or image.

On the other hand, if the elapsed time does not exceed the deterioration years setting value or the aging flag is not linked to the identification information, the processor 401 performs a usage frequency estimation (ST26). The processor 401 performs a usage frequency estimation regarding how many times the IC card 10 is used per month or per year based on the usage history of the IC card 10 stored in the memory 402.

The processor 401 determines whether the estimated frequency of use exceeds a predetermined threshold (second threshold) (ST27). For example, if the second threshold is 80 times/month and the estimated frequency of use is estimated to be 100 times/month, the processor 401 determines that the estimated frequency of use exceeds the second threshold. Note that this value is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the frequency of use and the second threshold are not limited to the above-mentioned values.

If the estimated frequency of use does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the process ends.
On the other hand, if the estimated frequency of use exceeds the second threshold, the processor 401 changes the deterioration years setting value (ST28). If the estimated frequency of use exceeds the second threshold, it is considered that the number of times the IC card 10 has been used increases, and the deterioration rate of the IC chip of the IC card 10 is increasing. Therefore, the deterioration years setting value is changed to a smaller value. For example, the processor 401 changes the deterioration years setting value from 10 years to 8 years. Note that the change value of the deterioration years setting value is merely an example, and is of course not limited to the above-mentioned value.

The processor 401 determines whether the elapsed time exceeds the changed deterioration years setting value (ST29). If the elapsed time does not exceed the changed deterioration years setting value, the process ends. On the other hand, if the elapsed time exceeds the deterioration years setting value, the process proceeds to step ST24.

The above-mentioned operation may be performed every time a passenger holds the IC card 10 over the counter processing machine 30, or may be performed every time the IC card 10 is held over a certain number of times, or at certain intervals. Furthermore, steps ST26 to ST29 may be omitted. In this case, if the elapsed time does not exceed the deterioration years setting value in step ST23, the process ends.

Furthermore, all of the above operations may be performed by the processor 301 of the counter processing machine 30. In this case, step ST22 is omitted. When estimating the frequency of use, the processor 301 of the counter processing machine 30 may receive and use information about the usage history from the management server 40.

(Action and Effect)
According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to prevent detection of an abnormality in the IC chip, i.e., prevent occurrence of an abnormality in data writing due to internal deterioration of the IC card 10. It is also possible to prevent leakage of card information due to a passenger determining that an abnormality in data writing due to internal deterioration of the IC card 10 has occurred and discarding the IC card 10.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the processing operation of a passenger passing through the ticket gate 20 can also be applied to a case where the IC card 10 is held up to a POS terminal included in a store device. For example, when the passenger holds up the IC card 10 to the POS terminal, the card activation information is read and the operation shown in FIG. 6 can be executed.

In short, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Moreover, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the disclosed constituent elements.
The invention as described in the claims of the present application as originally filed is set forth below.
[C1]
a first interface for receiving activation information including a year when the IC card was activated;
a processor that detects a first elapsed time from when the IC card is activated to when the activation information is received based on the activation information and a timing of receiving the activation information, and generates warning information when the first elapsed time exceeds a first threshold;
a second interface that outputs the warning information.
[C2]
The information processing device of [C1], wherein the activation information includes the month and date and time when the IC card was activated.
[C3]
The information processing device of [C1], wherein the warning information includes IC card replacement information indicating that the IC card needs to be replaced.
[C4]
The information processing device according to any one of [C1] to [C3], wherein the processor generates the warning information when an aging deterioration flag is linked to the activation information.
[C5]
A memory for storing a usage history of the IC card is further provided.
The information processing device described in any one of [C1] to [C4], wherein the processor estimates a first frequency of use of the IC card based on the usage history of the IC card if the first elapsed period does not exceed a first threshold.
[C6]
The information processing device according to [C5], wherein the processor resets the first threshold to a smaller value when the first frequency of use exceeds a second threshold.
[C7]
The information processing device according to [C6], wherein the processor generates the warning information when the first elapsed period exceeds the reset first threshold.
[C8]
The information processing device described in [C4], wherein the processor generates the aging deterioration flag based on the activation information obtained from the IC card by a station service equipment different from the information processing device.
[C9]
The processor detects a second elapsed period from the activation of the IC card to the reception of the activation information by the station service equipment based on the activation information and the timing of receipt of the activation information from the activation information, and generates the aging deterioration flag if the second elapsed period exceeds the first threshold.
[C10]
A memory for storing a usage history of the IC card is further provided.
The information processing device according to [C9], wherein the processor estimates a second frequency of use of the IC card based on the usage history of the IC card if the second elapsed period does not exceed a first threshold.
[C11]
The information processing device according to [C10], wherein, when the second frequency of use exceeds a second threshold, the first threshold is reset to a smaller value.
[C12]
The information processing device described in [C11], wherein the processor generates the aging deterioration flag when the second elapsed period exceeds the reset first threshold, and generates an instruction to link the aging deterioration flag to activation information stored in the IC card.
[C13]
An information processing method executed by an information processing device,
receiving activation information including a year the IC card was activated;
Detecting a first elapsed time from when the IC card is activated to when the activation information is received based on the activation information and a timing of receiving the activation information;
generating warning information if the first elapsed time period exceeds a first threshold;
outputting the warning information;
An information processing method comprising:
[C14]
An information processing program that causes a processor of the information processing device to execute the information processing method according to [C13].

10...IC card 101...processor 102...memory 103...communication unit 104...bus 20...ticket gate 201...processor 202...memory 203...communication unit 204...card reading unit 205...display 206...human sensor 207...door driving unit 208...bus 30...window processing machine 301...processor 302...memory 303...communication unit 304...card reading unit 305...input/output interface 306...bus 40...management server 401...processor 402...memory 403...communication unit 404...input/output interface 405...bus 50...network

Claims (11)

An information processing device connected to station equipment through a network,
a first interface for receiving activation information including a year when the IC card was activated;
a processor that detects a first elapsed time from when the IC card is activated to when the activation information is received based on the activation information and a timing of receiving the activation information, and generates warning information when the first elapsed time exceeds a first threshold;
a second interface that outputs the warning information ;
the processor detects a second elapsed time from when the IC card is activated to when the activation information is received by the station service equipment, the second elapsed time being determined based on the activation information and a timing of receiving the activation information, from the activation information acquired from the IC card by the station service equipment different from the information processing device, and generates an aging deterioration flag when the second elapsed time exceeds the first threshold value;
The processor generates the warning information when an aging deterioration flag is associated with the activation information . The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the activation information includes the month and date when the IC card was activated. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the warning information includes IC card replacement information indicating that the IC card needs to be replaced. A memory for storing a usage history of the IC card is further provided.
The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the processor estimates a first usage frequency of the IC card based on a usage history of the IC card when the first elapsed period does not exceed the first threshold value. The information processing device according to claim 4 , wherein the processor resets the first threshold to a smaller value when the first frequency of use exceeds a second threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the processor generates the warning information when the first elapsed period exceeds the reset first threshold value. A memory for storing a usage history of the IC card is further provided.
The information processing device according to claim 6 , wherein the processor estimates a second usage frequency of the IC card based on a usage history of the IC card when the second elapsed period does not exceed the first threshold value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein, when the second frequency of use exceeds a second threshold, the first threshold is reset to a smaller value. 9. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the processor generates the aging flag when the second elapsed period exceeds the reset first threshold, and generates an instruction to link the aging flag to the activation information stored in the IC card. An information processing method executed by an information processing device connected to station service equipment through a network ,
receiving activation information including a year the IC card was activated;
Detecting a first elapsed time from when the IC card is activated to when the activation information is received based on the activation information and a timing of receiving the activation information;
generating warning information if the first elapsed time period exceeds a first threshold;
outputting the warning information;
Equipped with
Furthermore, the station service equipment, which is different from the information processing device, detects a second elapsed period from when the IC card is activated to when the activation information is received by the station service equipment based on the activation information and a timing of receiving the activation information from the IC card, and generates an aging deterioration flag when the second elapsed period exceeds the first threshold value;
generating the warning information when an aging deterioration flag is associated with the activation information;
An information processing method comprising : An information processing program for causing a processor of the information processing device to execute the information processing method according to claim 10.