JP7646584B2 - Automatic payment machine, card key, card key issuing method, and system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic payment machine, a card key, a card key issuing method, and a system.

Conventionally, lodging facilities such as hotels and inns have used card keys (card-type keys) that function as a key required to enter guest rooms (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Card keys that function as both a key required to enter guest rooms and a key required to enter large public baths have also been used.

At lodging facilities where card keys are used that combine the functions of a key required to enter both the guest room and the large public bath, two types of card keys are used, one for men and one for women, to allow for access to the large public baths, which are separated by gender. The two types of card keys are different colors for men and women.

The card key is issued to the user by the automatic payment machine at check-in. The automatic payment machine is equipped with a card key issuing machine that issues card keys. The card key issuing machine has a hopper that stores male card keys and a hopper that stores female card keys, and transports a card key corresponding to the user's gender from one of the hoppers and issues it to the user.

JP 2010-026643 A JP 2006-185378 A JP 2003-253930 A

The setting (replenishment) of card keys into each hopper of the card key issuing machine is carried out daily by accommodation facility staff (employees, etc.). Here, the card keys collected from checked-out guests are also sorted into male and female keys so that they can be reused. As a result, particularly in accommodation facilities with a large number of guests, a large number of card key sorting tasks occur, placing a heavy burden on the staff.

In addition, if a staff member mistakenly placed a female key card in the hopper that holds male key cards, or a male key card in the hopper that holds female key cards, the wrong key card would be issued to the user, which could cause the door to not be unlocked when the user attempted to enter the large bath, resulting in a problem where the user was unable to enter the large bath.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an automatic payment machine, a card key, a card key issuing method, and a system that can reduce the burden on staff involved in setting card keys and prevent the issuance of an incorrect card key to a user.

One aspect of the device is an automatic payment machine equipped with a card key issuing unit that issues a card key to a user, the card key having a storage medium and electronic paper, and the card key issuing unit having a writing unit that writes key information for the facility used by the user into the storage medium, and an electronic paper control unit that controls the electronic paper to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility, or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility.

Another aspect of the device is a card key issued to a user, which includes a storage medium in which key information for the facility used by the user is written, and electronic paper that displays a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility, or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility.

One aspect of the method is a card key issuing method in which, when an automated payment machine issues a card key to a user, a writing unit writes key information for the facility used by the user to a storage medium provided in the card key, and an electronic paper control unit controls the electronic paper provided in the card key to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility, or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility.

One aspect of the system is a system including a server and an automatic payment machine, the server includes a storage unit that stores reservation information for each user, the automatic payment machine includes a card key issuing unit that issues a card key to the user and a reservation information acquiring unit that acquires the reservation information for the user from the server, the card key includes a storage medium and electronic paper, the card key issuing unit includes a writing unit that writes key information for the facility used by the user into the storage medium, and an electronic paper control unit that controls the electronic paper to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility, or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility, and the key information written into the storage medium by the writing unit and the color controlled by the electronic paper control unit to be displayed on the electronic paper are determined based on the reservation information for the user acquired by the reservation information acquiring unit, or, if the reservation information for the user is changed, the changed reservation information.

The present invention reduces the burden on staff involved in setting card keys and prevents the issuance of incorrect card keys to users.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a reservation management system according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of an automatic settlement machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an automatic settlement machine according to an embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a card key issuing unit. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a card key. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of reservation management information stored in a storage unit of a reservation management server. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a check-in process performed by an automatic ticket adjustment machine according to one embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a card key collection process performed by an automatic settlement machine according to an embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a reservation management system according to one embodiment. The reservation management system 1 illustrated in Figure 1 is a system that manages reservation information and the like of users (including those making reservations) of accommodation facilities 2 such as hotels and inns. The reservation management system 1 includes an automatic payment machine 10, a reservation management server 20, a guest room key management device 30, a men's bath key management device 40, a women's bath key management device 50, and a user terminal 60.

The automatic payment machine 10, the reservation management server 20, the guest room key management device 30, the men's bath key management device 40, and the women's bath key management device 50 are provided in the accommodation facility 2 and are connected to a network 70 such as the accommodation facility 2's LAN (Local Area Network). The reservation management server 20 is also connected to a network 80 such as the Internet. The user terminal 60 is connected to the network 80. As a result, for example, the automatic payment machine 10, the guest room key management device 30, the men's bath key management device 40, and the women's bath key management device 50 can each communicate with the reservation management server 20 via the network 70, and the user terminal 60 and the reservation management server 20 can communicate with each other via the network 80.

For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows one guest room key management device 30 and one user terminal 60, but in reality, there are multiple guest room key management devices 30 and multiple user terminals 60. Also, while FIG. 1 shows one automatic payment machine 10, one men's bath key management device 40, and one women's bath key management device 50, there may be multiple automatic payment machines 10, multiple men's bath key management devices 40, and multiple women's bath key management devices 50.

The automatic payment machine 10 automatically settles the charges for users of the accommodation facility 2. The automatic payment machine 10 also issues card keys 90 to users when they check in, and collects card keys 90 from users when they check out.

The card key 90 includes a storage medium 91 and electronic paper 92. The storage medium 91 is a rewritable storage medium, such as a non-volatile memory or a magnetic stripe. The card key 90 may be, for example, a contact IC card with electronic paper 92, a contactless IC card with electronic paper 92, or a magnetic stripe card with electronic paper 92.

The automatic payment machine 10 includes a card key issuing unit 11 and a reservation information acquisition unit 12. The card key issuing unit 11 issues a card key 90 to a user at check-in. The card key issuing unit 11 also collects the card key 90 from the user at check-out. The card key issuing unit 11 includes a writing unit 13 and an electronic paper control unit 14. The writing unit 13 writes key information (key information) of the facility to be used by the user to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 issued to the user. The writing unit 13 also erases the key information written to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 collected from the user. The electronic paper control unit 14 controls the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 issued to the user to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility (e.g., blue for men and red for women), or a color representing that the user will not use a gender-segregated facility (e.g., yellow). The electronic paper control unit 14 also controls the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 collected from the user to display a color (e.g., white) indicating that the card key has been initialized (formatted). Note that colors indicating that the card key has been initialized (formatted) also include no display (gray or black). Furthermore, the facilities used by the user include one or both of the guest rooms and baths in the accommodation facility 2, and the facilities for men and women include baths.

The reservation information acquisition unit 12 acquires the user's reservation information from the reservation management server 20. The key information written by the writing unit 13 to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 and the color controlled by the electronic paper control unit 14 to be displayed on the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 are determined based on the user's reservation information acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 12, or, if the reservation information has been changed, the changed reservation information.

The reservation management server 20 accepts reservations from users of the accommodation facility 2 from the user terminal 60, and manages reservation information and the like of the users of the accommodation facility 2. The reservation management server 20 includes a memory unit 21. The memory unit 21 stores reservation information and the like of each user of the accommodation facility 2. The memory unit 21 is, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The user terminal 60 is the user's PC (Personal Computer), smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like.

The guest room key management device 30 is provided at the entrance of each guest room in the accommodation facility 2, and when a user enters a guest room, it determines whether or not the key information for that guest room is written in the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 issued to that user. If it determines that the key information is written, it unlocks the room to allow the user to enter (e.g. unlocks the entrance door), and if it determines that the key information is not written, it does not unlock the room to prevent the user from entering. Note that the determination of whether or not the key information for the guest room is written in the storage medium 91 can be made, for example, by the guest room key management device 30 reading the key information stored in the storage medium 91 and determining whether or not the key information for the guest room is included therein.

The men's bath key management device 40 is installed at the entrance to the men's large bath in the accommodation facility 2 (or each of the men's large baths if there are multiple men's large baths). When a user enters the men's large bath, it determines whether or not the key information for the men's large bath is written in the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 issued to the user. If it is determined that the key information is written, it unlocks the men's large bath to allow the user to enter (for example, unlocks the entrance door), and if it is determined that the key information is not written, it does not unlock the men's large bath to prevent the user from entering. Note that, for example, the men's bath key management device 40 can determine whether or not the key information for the men's large bath is written in the storage medium 91 by reading the key information stored in the storage medium 91 and determining whether or not the key information for the men's large bath is included therein.

The women's bath key management device 50 is installed at the entrance to the women's large bath of the accommodation facility 2 (or each of the women's large baths if there are multiple women's large baths). When a user enters the women's large bath, it determines whether or not the key information for the women's large bath is written in the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 issued to the user. If it determines that the key information is written, it unlocks the women's large bath to allow the user to enter (for example, unlocks the entrance door), and if it determines that the key information is not written, it does not unlock the women's large bath to prevent the user from entering. Note that the determination of whether or not the key information for the women's large bath is written in the storage medium 91 can be made, for example, by the women's bath key management device 50 reading the key information stored in the storage medium 91 and determining whether or not the key information for the women's large bath is included therein.

The reservation management system 1 will be explained in more detail below.

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of an automatic settlement machine according to one embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 2, the automatic settlement machine 10 includes a camera unit 101, a speaker unit 102, a display input unit 103, a card key insertion and ejection unit 104, a statement ejection unit 105, a passport reading unit 106, a credit card payment terminal 107, a coin deposit unit 108, a coin withdrawal unit 109, and a banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 110.

The camera unit 101 captures the user's face, upper body, etc. The speaker unit 102 outputs audio instructions for operation, warning sounds, etc.

The display/input unit 103 displays various screens such as an operation screen and receives operation input from the user. As described below, the display/input unit 103 is composed of a display device 103a and a touch panel 103b arranged on the display device 103a.

The card key insertion/ejection unit 104 ejects card keys 90 issued to users and takes in card keys 90 collected from users. The usage statement ejection unit 105 ejects receipts (usage statements) on which usage details are printed.

The passport reading unit 106 photographs the passport placed on the reading surface to obtain the passport image. The credit card payment terminal 107 is a terminal that allows the payment of the usage fee by credit card, and reads information (data) from the magnetic stripe and IC chip of the credit card.

The coin deposit unit 108 accepts deposited coins. The coin withdrawal unit 109 ejects withdrawn coins. The banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 110 accepts deposited banknotes and ejects withdrawn banknotes.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an automatic settlement machine according to one embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 3, the automatic settlement machine 10 includes a control unit 121, a display input unit 103, a card key issuing unit 122, a credit card payment terminal 107, a statement issuing unit 123, a passport reading unit 106, a coin processing unit 124, a banknote processing unit 125, a camera unit 101, and a speaker unit 102.

The control unit 121 includes a processor 131, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 132, a communication interface 133, a graphics processing unit 134, an external storage device 135, and an input/output interface 136, which are interconnected by a bus 137. The control unit 121 may further include an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) 138 or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) (not shown) connected to the bus 137. In this case, some of the functions of the control unit 121 may be performed by the FPGA 138 or the ASIC.

The processor 131 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 131 controls the overall operation of the automatic settlement machine 10 by executing various programs such as an OS (Operating System) program and application programs. The RAM 132 temporarily stores some of the programs executed by the processor 131 and is used as a working memory area for the processor 131.

The communication interface 133 is connected to the network 70 and communicates with, for example, the reservation management server 20 via the network 70. The communication interface 133 communicates with, for example, the reservation management server 20, and acquires the user's reservation information from the reservation management server 20. The communication interface 133 is an example of the reservation information acquisition unit 12.

The graphics processing unit 134 is connected to the display device 103a of the display input unit 103, and displays various screens, such as an operation screen, on the display device 103a in accordance with control signals from the processor 131.

The external storage device 135 is, for example, a HDD. The external storage device 135 stores various programs executed by the processor 131, various data required for executing the programs, etc.

The input/output interface 136 is connected to the touch panel 103b of the display/input unit 103, the card key issuing unit 122, the credit card payment terminal 107, the statement issuing unit 123, the passport reading unit 106, the coin processing unit 124, the banknote processing unit 125, the camera unit 101, and the speaker unit 102. Although not shown, the automated settlement machine 10 may further include a portable recording medium interface capable of writing information to a portable recording medium and reading information from the portable recording medium, and the input/output interface 136 may further be connected to the portable recording medium interface.

The input/output interface 136 notifies the processor 131 of control signals to the touch panel 103b, the card key issuing unit 122, the credit card payment terminal 107, the statement issuing unit 123, the passport reading unit 106, the coin processing unit 124, the bill processing unit 125, the camera unit 101, and the speaker unit 102. The input/output interface 136 also notifies the processor 131 of signals (data, information) from the touch panel 103b, the card key issuing unit 122, the credit card payment terminal 107, the statement issuing unit 123, the passport reading unit 106, the coin processing unit 124, the bill processing unit 125, the camera unit 101, and the speaker unit 102.

The display input unit 103 includes a display device 103a and a touch panel 103b arranged on the display device 103a. The display device 103a is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The touch panel 103b detects an operation input to the touch panel 103b and notifies the processor 131 of the detection result.

The card key issuing unit 122 issues a card key 90 when the user checks in and ejects it from the card key insertion/ejection unit 104. The card key issuing unit 122 also takes in and collects the card key 90 from the card key insertion/ejection unit 104 when the user checks out. Details of the card key issuing unit 122 will be described later using Figure 4. The card key issuing unit 122 is also a card key issuing machine and is an example of the card key issuing unit 11.

The credit card payment terminal 107, passport reading unit 106, camera unit 101, and speaker unit 102 are as described above. Note that the passport reading unit 106 and camera unit 101 take pictures using image sensors such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

The statement issuing unit 123 prints the statement on a receipt and discharges it from the statement discharge unit 105. The coin processing unit 124 deposits coins through the coin deposit unit 108 and dispenses coins from the coin dispensing unit 109. It also counts and validates the deposited coins and counts the dispensed coins. The banknote processing unit 125 deposits and dispenses banknotes through the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 110. It also counts and validates the deposited banknotes and counts the dispensed banknotes.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the card key issuing unit. As illustrated in Figure 4, the card key issuing unit 122 includes two hoppers 141 (141a, 141b), a transport path 142, a collection box 143, a card key reader/writer 144, an electronic paper writer 145, and a card key insertion/ejection section 104.

Hopper 141 stores card keys 90 before they are issued.

The transport path 142 transports the card key 90. More specifically, when issuing a card key, the transport path 142 transports the card key 90 stored in the hopper 141 (141a or 141b) to the card key reader/writer 144 and the electronic paper writer 145 in that order, and ejects it from the card key insertion/ejection unit 104. When collecting the card key, the transport path 142 transports the card key 90 inserted into the card key insertion/ejection unit 104 to the electronic paper writer 145 and the card key reader/writer 144 in that order, and stores it in the collection box 143.

The collection box 143 stores collected card keys 90.

The card key reader/writer 144 writes and reads information to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90. More specifically, when issuing a card key, the card key reader/writer 144 writes key information for the facilities the user will be using (e.g., a guest room and a large public bath for men) to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 transported by the transport path 142. When collecting the card key, the card key reader/writer 144 reads the key information written to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 transported by the transport path 142, and erases the key information written to the storage medium 91. The card key reader/writer 144 is an example of the writing unit 13.

The electronic paper writer 145 controls the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 to display a specific color. More specifically, when issuing a card key, the electronic paper writer 145 controls the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 transported by the transport path 142 to display a color representing the gender of the user who will be using a gender-segregated facility (e.g., a large bath), or a color representing that the user will not be using a gender-segregated facility. When collecting the card key, the electronic paper writer 145 controls the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 transported by the transport path 142 to display a color representing that it has been initialized (formatted). The electronic paper writer 145 is an example of the electronic paper control unit 14.

The electronic paper 92, which is controlled by the electronic paper writer 145 to display a specific color, is provided on part or almost all of one or both sides of the card key 90 so that it can be seen by users, staff, etc. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a card key. The card key 90a shown in FIG. 5 has electronic paper 92a provided on part of one or both sides. The card key 90b shown in FIG. 5 has electronic paper 92b provided on almost all of one or both sides.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating reservation management information stored in the memory unit of the reservation management server. As illustrated in Figure 6, the memory unit 21 of the reservation management server 20 stores reservation management information including reservation information for each user. The reservation management information includes reservation information regarding the reservation number, name of the person making the reservation (user name), planned check-in date, planned check-out date, nationality, gender, and whether or not the large public bath will be used, as well as information regarding the guest room number, check-in status, passport reading status, whether or not the large public bath can be used, and check-out status.

In the reservation management information, the information on gender is "M" if the gender is male, "F" if the gender is female, and "unknown" if the gender is unknown. The information on whether or not to use the large public bath is "yes" if the large public bath, which is a facility for men and women, is used, and "no" if the large public bath is not used. The information on the guest room number is the guest room number determined at the time of check-in. The information on the check-in status is "not yet" if the guest has not yet checked in, and "checked in" if the guest has already checked in. The information on the passport reading status is "not required" if the information on the nationality is "Japan", "not yet" if the information on the nationality is other than "Japan" and the passport has not yet been read, and "checked in" if the information on the nationality is other than "Japan" and the passport has already been read. The information on whether or not to use the large public bath is "not possible" if the information on the gender is "unknown" or the information on whether or not to use the large public bath is "no", and is "yes" if the information on the gender is "M" or "F" and the information on whether or not to use the large public bath is "yes". Information about the check-out status will be "Not yet" if you have not yet checked out, and "Checked out" if you have already checked out.

Next, the processing performed by the automatic settlement machine 10 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that the processing performed by the automatic settlement machine 10 is processing performed by the processor 131 executing the above-mentioned program.

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of check-in processing performed by an automatic ticket adjustment machine according to one embodiment. The check-in processing illustrated in Figure 7 is processing performed when a user performs a check-in procedure at the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10.

In the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7, first, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 displays a top screen on the display input unit 103 (S101). Next, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 determines whether or not a display language has been selected by a user's operational input to the display input unit 103 (S102). If the determination result in S102 is YES, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 changes the display language of the display input unit 103 to the selected display language (S103). On the other hand, if the determination result in S102 is NO, S103 is skipped.

Next, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 judges whether or not an instruction to start the check-in procedure has been issued by the user through operation input to the display/input unit 103 (S104). If the judgment result in S104 is NO, the process returns to S102.

On the other hand, if the judgment result of S104 is YES, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 judges whether the user's nationality input by the user's operation on the display input unit 103 is foreign nationality (other than Japanese) (S105).

If the determination result in S105 is YES, the automated fare adjustment machine 10 displays a passport reading guidance screen on the display input unit 103 and starts acquiring a passport image by the passport reading unit 106 (S106). The passport reading guidance screen is a screen that guides the user to place the passport on the reading surface of the passport reading unit 106. Next, the automated fare adjustment machine 10 determines whether or not the passport image has been acquired by the passport reading unit 106 (S107). If the determination result in S107 is NO, this determination is repeated.

On the other hand, if the determination result in S107 is YES, or if the determination result in S105 is NO, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 acquires the user's name input by the user's operation on the display input unit 103 (S108).

Next, the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 judges whether or not there is reservation information for the user based on the user name acquired in S108 (S109). This judgment is made, for example, by inquiring of the reservation management server 20 as to whether or not there is reservation information that includes the same reservation person name as the user name acquired in S108, and based on the inquiry result.

If the determination result in S109 is NO, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 displays a message indicating that there is no reservation information on the display input unit 103 (S110), and ends the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7.

On the other hand, if the judgment result in S109 is YES, the automatic ticket adjustment machine 10 acquires reservation information including the reservation person name that is the same as the user name acquired in S108 from the reservation management server 20, and displays it on the display input unit 103 (S111).

Next, the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 judges whether the reservation information displayed on the display input unit 103 is OK (S112). In this judgment, for example, if the user operates the display input unit 103 to input reservation information OK (input indicating that the reservation information is the same as the user's reservation information), the judgment result of S112 is YES, and if the user operates the display input unit 103 to input reservation information NG (input indicating that the reservation information is different from the user's reservation information), the judgment result of S112 is NO. If the judgment result of S112 is NO, the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 displays a message indicating that there is no reservation information on the display input unit 103 (S110), and ends the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7.

On the other hand, if the determination result in S112 is YES, the automated ticket adjustment machine 10 stores the passport image acquired when the determination result in S105 is YES, for example, in the external storage device 135 (S113). Note that if the determination result in S105 is NO, the passport image is not stored in S113.

Next, the automatic payment machine 10 performs a reservation details confirmation process (S114). This process allows the user to make a final confirmation as to whether there are any changes to the reservation details. In this process, the user can change reservation information (e.g., whether or not to use the large communal bath) by inputting operations on the display input unit 103.

After S114 is completed, the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 next judges whether or not the user will use the large public bath based on information regarding whether or not the user will use the large public bath in the user's reservation information (or the changed reservation information if the reservation information was changed in S114) (S115). If the judgment result in S115 is YES, the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 judges whether or not the user's gender has been specified based on information regarding gender in the user's reservation information (or the changed reservation information if the reservation information was changed in S114) (S116). Note that the user's gender being specified means that the information regarding the user's gender is "M" (male) or "F" (female).

If the result of the determination in S116 is YES, the automatic settlement machine 10 allows the user to use the large public bath (S117), and issues a card key 90 for both the guest room and the large public bath by the card key issuing unit 122 (S118). In detail, in S118, the card key 90 is taken out from the hopper 141 (141a or 141b), and the card key reader/writer 144 writes the key information of the guest room used by the user and the key information of the large public bath (men's large public bath or women's large public bath) corresponding to the user's gender into the storage medium 91 of the card key 90, and the electronic paper writer 145 controls the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 to display a color representing the user's gender, and then the card key 90 is ejected from the card key insertion/ejection unit 104. When S118 is completed, the automatic settlement machine 10 ends the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7.

On the other hand, if the judgment result in S115 is NO or if the judgment result in S116 is NO, the automatic payment machine 10 denies the user access to the large public bath (S119) and issues a card key 90 for the guest room by the card key issuing unit 122 (S120). In detail, in S120, the card key 90 is taken out from the hopper 141 (141a or 141b), the card key reader/writer 144 writes the key information of the guest room to be used by the user to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90, and the electronic paper writer 145 controls the electronic paper 92 of the card key 90 to display a color indicating that the user will not be using the large public bath, and then the card key 90 is ejected from the card key insertion/ejection unit 104. When S120 is completed, the automatic payment machine 10 ends the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7.

In the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7, if a passport image is saved in S113, the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 notifies the reservation management server 20 of this, and the information on the passport reading status in the reservation management information of the user stored in the memory unit 21 is updated to "Done." In addition, if a passport image is saved in S113, the passport image may be transmitted from the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 to the reservation management server 20 and stored in the memory unit 21 in association with the reservation management information of the user.

In addition, if the reservation information is changed in S114, the changed reservation information is sent from the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 to the reservation management server 20, and the reservation information of the user stored in the memory unit 21 is updated to the changed reservation information.

In addition, when S118 or S120 is completed and the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7 is completed, the room number of the room used by the user, the fact that the user has checked in, and information regarding whether the user can use the large communal bath are sent from the automatic payment machine 10 to the reservation management server 20, and the information regarding the room number, check-in status, and whether the user can use the large communal bath in the reservation management information for that user stored in the memory unit 21 is updated according to that information.

Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the card key collection process performed by an automatic payment machine according to one embodiment. The card key collection process illustrated in Figure 8 is a process that is performed when an instruction to start the check-out procedure is given by a user's operational input to the display/input unit 103.

In the card key collection process illustrated in FIG. 8, first, the automated settlement machine 10 takes in the card key 90 issued to the user through the card key insertion/ejection unit 104 (S201).

Next, the automated teller machine 10 controls the electronic paper writer 145 to display a color on the electronic paper 92 of the captured card key 90 indicating that it has been initialized (formatted) (S202).

Next, the automatic payment machine 10 reads the guest room key information written in the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 using the card key reader/writer 144 (S203). Next, the automatic payment machine 10 erases the key information written in the storage medium 91 of the card key 90 using the card key reader/writer 144 (S204).

Next, the automatic payment machine 10 collects the card key 90 in the collection box 143 (S205), and ends the card key collection process illustrated in FIG. 8. The card key 90 collected in the collection box 143 is then set back into the hopper 141 (either 141a or 141b) by a staff member of the accommodation facility 2 and reused.

In the card key collection process illustrated in FIG. 8, when the guest room key information is read in S203, the automated check-out machine 10 notifies the reservation management server 20 that the guest staying in the guest room with the room number corresponding to the key information has checked out, and the information regarding the check-out status in the reservation management information for that guest stored in the memory unit 21 is updated to "checked out."

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the staff of the accommodation facility 2 sets the card keys 90 collected in the collection box 143 in the hopper 141 for reuse of the card keys 90, there is no need to separate the card keys 90 by gender, which reduces the burden on the staff involved in setting the card keys 90. In addition, there is no risk of a female card key 90 being issued to a male user or a male card key 90 being issued to a female user due to a staff member setting the card keys 90 incorrectly, which also prevents the wrong card key 90 from being issued to a user.

In this embodiment, key information is written to the storage medium 91 of the card key 90, but information other than the key information may also be written. For example, information such as the user name (name of person making reservation) and room number may also be written.

In this embodiment, during the check-in process illustrated in FIG. 7, the camera unit 101 may capture the user's face and acquire the facial image. In this case, the facial image may be transmitted from the automatic fare adjustment machine 10 to the reservation management server 20 and stored in the memory unit 21 in association with the reservation management information of the user.

In this embodiment, in the card key collection process illustrated in FIG. 8, if there is no need to visually determine whether the card key 90 has been initialized (formatted), the process of S202 may be omitted.

In this embodiment, the facilities for men and women may include sauna facilities, bedrock bath facilities, etc., in addition to large baths.

In this embodiment, the automatic payment machine 10, the guest room key management device 30, the men's bath key management device 40, and the women's bath key management device 50 may be connected to the network 80 instead of the network 70. The automatic payment machine 10, the guest room key management device 30, the men's bath key management device 40, and the women's bath key management device 50 may each communicate with the reservation management server 20 via the network 80.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Appendix 1]
An automatic payment machine having a card key issuing unit that issues card keys to users,
the card key includes a storage medium and electronic paper;
The card key issuing unit includes:
a writing unit that writes key information of a facility used by the user into the storage medium;
an electronic paper control unit that controls the electronic paper to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
Equipped with
An automatic fare adjustment machine characterized by the above.
[Appendix 2]
The facilities used by the user include one or both of a guest room and a bath,
The gender-segregated facility includes the bathhouse,
2. The automatic ticket teller machine according to claim 1.
[Appendix 3]
a reservation information acquisition unit for acquiring reservation information of the user;
Further comprising:
the key information written in the storage medium by the writing unit and the color controlled by the electronic paper control unit to be displayed on the electronic paper are determined based on the reservation information of the user acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit, or, if the reservation information of the user is changed, based on the changed reservation information.
3. The automatic ticket teller machine according to claim 1 or 2.
[Appendix 4]
The card key issuing unit further collects the card key issued to the user,
The writing unit further erases the key information written in the storage medium of the collected card key.
4. The automatic ticket teller machine according to claim 1,
[Appendix 5]
The electronic paper control unit further controls the electronic paper of the collected card key to display a color indicating that the card key has been initialized.
5. The automatic ticket teller machine according to claim 4.
[Appendix 6]
A card key issued to a user,
a storage medium in which key information for a facility used by the user is written;
an electronic paper displaying a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
A card key comprising:
[Appendix 7]
When the automatic payment machine issues a card key to the user,
a writing unit writing key information for the facility used by the user into a storage medium provided in the card key;
an electronic paper control unit controls the electronic paper included in the card key to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility, or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
A card key issuing method comprising:
[Appendix 8]
When the automatic payment machine issues a card key to the user,
causing a writing unit to write key information of a facility used by the user into a storage medium provided in the card key;
causing an electronic paper control unit to control an electronic paper provided on the card key to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility, or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
A program that causes a processor to execute a process.
[Appendix 9]
A system including a server and an automatic settlement machine,
The server,
A storage unit for storing reservation information of each user;
Equipped with
The automatic fare adjustment machine is
a card key issuing unit that issues card keys to users;
a reservation information acquisition unit that acquires reservation information of the user from the server;
Equipped with
the card key includes a storage medium and electronic paper;
The card key issuing unit includes:
a writing unit that writes key information of a facility used by the user into the storage medium;
an electronic paper control unit that controls the electronic paper to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
Equipped with
the key information written in the storage medium by the writing unit and the color controlled by the electronic paper control unit to be displayed on the electronic paper are determined based on the reservation information of the user acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit, or, if the reservation information of the user is changed, based on the changed reservation information.
A system characterized by:
[Appendix 10]
Key management devices installed at the entrances of each facility;
Further comprising:
said key management device, when said user enters a facility in which said key management device is installed, judges whether or not key information of said facility is written in said storage medium of said card key issued to said user, and if it is judged that key information of said facility is written, unlocks said facility to allow said user to enter said facility, and if it is judged that key information is not written, does not unlock said facility to allow said user to enter said facility;
10. The system of claim 9.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Reservation management system 2 Accommodation facility 10 Automatic payment machine 11 Card key issuing unit 12 Reservation information acquisition unit 13 Writing unit 14 Electronic paper control unit 20 Reservation management server 21 Memory unit 30 Guest room key management device 40 Men's bath key management device 50 Women's bath key management device 60 User terminal 70, 80 Network 90, 90a, 90b Card key 91 Storage medium 92, 92a, 92b Electronic paper 101 Camera unit 102 Speaker unit 103 Display input unit 103a Display device 103b Touch panel 104 Card key insertion and ejection unit 105 Statement ejection unit 106 Passport reading unit 107 Credit card payment terminal 108 Coin deposit unit 109 Coin withdrawal unit 110 Paper money deposit and ejection unit 121 Control unit 122 Card key issuing unit 123 Statement issuing unit 124 Coin processing unit 125 Bill processing unit 131 Processor 132 RAM
133 Communication interface 134 Graphic processing unit 135 External storage device 136 Input/output interface 137 Bus 138 FPGA
141, 141a, 141b Hopper 142 Transport path 143 Collection box 144 Card key reader/writer 145 Electronic paper writer

Claims (6)

An automatic payment machine having a card key issuing unit that issues card keys to users,
the card key includes a storage medium and electronic paper;
The card key issuing unit includes:
a writing unit that writes key information of a facility used by the user into the storage medium;
an electronic paper control unit that controls the electronic paper to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
Equipped with
An automatic fare adjustment machine characterized by the above. The facilities used by the user include one or both of a guest room and a bath,
The gender-segregated facility includes the bathhouse,
2. The automatic payment machine according to claim 1 . a reservation information acquisition unit for acquiring reservation information of the user;
Further comprising:
the key information written in the storage medium by the writing unit and the color controlled by the electronic paper control unit to be displayed on the electronic paper are determined based on the reservation information of the user acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit, or, if the reservation information of the user is changed, based on the changed reservation information.
3. The automatic fare adjustment machine according to claim 1 or 2. A card key issued to a user,
a storage medium in which key information for a facility used by the user is written;
an electronic paper displaying a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
A card key comprising: When the automatic payment machine issues a card key to the user,
a writing unit writing key information for the facility used by the user into a storage medium provided in the card key;
an electronic paper control unit controls the electronic paper included in the card key to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility, or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
A card key issuing method comprising: A system including a server and an automatic settlement machine,
The server,
A storage unit for storing reservation information of each user;
Equipped with
The automatic fare adjustment machine is
a card key issuing unit that issues card keys to users;
a reservation information acquisition unit that acquires reservation information of the user from the server;
Equipped with
the card key includes a storage medium and electronic paper;
The card key issuing unit includes:
a writing unit that writes key information of a facility used by the user into the storage medium;
an electronic paper control unit that controls the electronic paper to display a color representing the gender of the user who uses a gender-segregated facility or a color representing that the user does not use the gender-segregated facility;
Equipped with
the key information written in the storage medium by the writing unit and the color controlled by the electronic paper control unit to be displayed on the electronic paper are determined based on the reservation information of the user acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit, or, if the reservation information of the user is changed, based on the changed reservation information.
A system characterized by:

Images