JPH0715715B2 - Prepaid card processing device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card processing device for processing prepaid card contents used in an automatic game machine such as a game machine.

[Prior Art] In recent years, prepaid cards such as telephone cards and metro cards have come into widespread use and are conveniently used in various places because there is no need to carry small change. However, since these cards are used for subtracting the used amount, it may happen that a desired ticket cannot be purchased with the card, for example, when the remaining amount of the card becomes small. In this case, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-62-179092, another card is inserted, the remaining amount of the previously inserted card is stored, and the monetary value of the card is set to "0". ,
There is a method to collect the shortfall from the card inserted later. In addition, a method is also adopted in which the shortfall is invested in cash.

In this way, when cards become popular, it is possible to apply them to various things. In particular, if it is applied to a game machine or other amusement device, it will be natural to eliminate the labor of collecting coins, lower the usage fee accordingly, and adopt a business policy to improve the operating rate.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In this case, even when the amount of money is insufficient for one prepaid card, there are a plurality of users of the same group who use the same device, and the remaining amount of the prepaid card owned by each is summed up. In some cases, it can be fully used. In such a case, the structure of the device will be simpler if the card after inputting the amount of money is returned. By the way, in the case of a large amount of input money, it is a kinder design to return the remaining amount of money to the appropriate prepaid card if the device is stopped during use.

However, since the prepaid card has been returned, the balance left over will be returned to the prepaid card inserted at that time, so it can be returned to any card, and there is a problem in the safety of returning the balance.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a data reading means for reading the value remaining from an inserted prepaid card and the identification code of the prepaid card, and the read value data. The remaining amount data calculation means for subtracting the set value data input by the holder of the prepaid card to obtain the remaining amount data, the remaining amount data writing means for writing the remaining amount data to the inserted prepaid card, and the remaining amount A card return means for returning the prepaid card in which the data is written, a data processing means for subtracting the value data consumed according to the execution of the service from the set value data, and the operation based on the operation when the service is terminated halfway. Either the value data left over at the time of operation was read by the data reading means And a remaining amount returning means for returning the added amount to the remaining amount of the prepaid card having the identification code that matches the identification symbol.

[Operation] Although the identification code at the time of reading the data and the identification code at the time of returning the balance match, the balance will be returned by any card.

[Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus configured by applying the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a card reader / writer, and data is taken in and out of a card by a control signal supplied from a CPU 3 via a card reader / writer control unit 2. The read data is processed according to the data supplied from the keyboard 4 to the CPU 3 via the keyboard control unit 5, and the information required at that time is stored in the information storage unit 6.
The result stored and stored in the terminal device 8 is supplied to the terminal device 8 via the device control charging control unit 7 and necessary control is performed. The control status and the like are displayed on the character display 10 via the display control unit 9, and the lamp 12 is turned on via the lamp control unit 11 as necessary to indicate that the lamp is usable. Be seen. Reference numeral 13 is a clock unit, which performs necessary time control. Reference numeral 14 is a power supply unit, which is adapted to generate a voltage required for each circuit. FIG. 3 is an external view of this device,
Reference numeral 20 denotes a card insertion port of the card reader / writer 1.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. In the figure, in step 100, the key labeled "Store" shown in FIG. 3 is pressed to insert the card into the card insertion slot 20, the card is taken into the device as shown in step 101, and as shown in step 102. The data of the card taken in, that is, the balance of the card is read, and in step 103, the balance of the card is displayed on the character display 10. At this time, the identification number of the card is also read together with the balance. Then, in step 104, when the user inputs the usage fee from the key 4, the input value is displayed on the character display 10 as shown in step 105. This is the value of that card,
It is used to enter information about how much is used in the device. This device can be used up to the total amount of money input from a plurality of cards as described later.
Therefore, the amount of money input from one card may be smaller than the amount of money required to use the device. When the usage fee is entered by a key, both the stored amount of money and the identification number of the card, which are keyed in, are stored in the information storage unit 6 as shown in step 106.

Thereafter, as shown in step 107, subtraction, that is, the amount of money input by the key of step 104 is subtracted from the stored amount of money in step 102, and the subtracted amount is written in the card as shown in step 108. Then, as shown in step 109, the card is returned from the insertion slot 20. As shown in Fig. 3, this device is equipped with a storage end key, which is used to input information indicating that the last card has been input when the amount of money is input from a plurality of cards. At the same time, it determines the card for which the balance is to be returned, and the balance will be returned to any of the cards read before this key is pressed. Therefore, while the data is being input from the card, the key is not pressed and the flow returns to step 100. Therefore, as described above, the operations from step 100 to step 109 are repeated to input the necessary amount of money.

When the necessary amount of money is input, the storage end key is pressed, so as shown in step 111, the usable lamp 12
Lights up.

At this point the game console is ready for use
When it is determined in 112 that the time corresponding to the unit amount of money has elapsed, the amount of unit time is reduced from the amount of money stored in the information storage unit 6 by subtraction, that is, by key input, in Step 113. The subtraction result is displayed on the character display 10 as shown in step 114.

After step 111, the game machine is in use, but if the actual usage time is longer than the originally planned usage time, the entered amount may be insufficient. In that case, if you press the storage key in step 115, the next card can be loaded, and as shown in step 127, the additionally inserted card is loaded.
Data is read from the card at 128. Then, when a key input is made in step 129, it is displayed in step 130, the input amount is subtracted from the read amount in step 131, the input amount is stored in the information storage unit, and the card is returned to step 116. Make a decision.

In step 116, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount, that is, the input amount of money is larger than the used amount of money. However, when the storage key is not pressed, the processes of steps 127 to 131 are omitted and the process of step 116 is performed directly. Be seen. When the remaining amount is larger than the used amount, it is determined in step 113 whether the clearing key has been pressed. This key is pressed when the use of the game machine is terminated, but when the use is continued, the clearing key is not pressed, so the flow is step 11.
Return to 2 and perform the above-mentioned processing again.

If you want to end the game at an appropriate time, step 117
When the clearing key is pressed at, the usable lamp goes out as shown in step 118. Therefore, the user clears the card, so when the card is inserted again from the card insertion slot 20, the card is taken into the device as shown in step 119, and the balance of the card is identified by the identification number of the card as shown in step 120. Read with. And step
As shown in 121, it is determined whether the identification number of the read card matches any of the identification numbers of the cards read in step 102, and if they do not match, the card is identified as shown in step 125. Returned, step 1
Wait for the next card to be inserted at 19. The identification number of the card into which the amount to be returned in step 121 is written is step 102.
When it is determined whether it is one of the identification numbers of the cards read in step 122, as shown in step 122, the remaining amount of the inserted card is added and written to the card. Will be returned.

On the other hand, when the game device is used until the total value of the input amounts is reached, the remaining amount is determined to be a negative value in step 116, the usable lamp is turned off as shown in step 126, and after that time, the game device. Can no longer be used.

Although this embodiment has described the method of withdrawing a certain amount of money at regular time intervals, it may be processed not only at regular time intervals but also at regular intervals or at regular intervals. In addition, in this embodiment, since the card for returning the remaining amount left unused by pressing the storage end key in step 110 is fixed, the remaining amount cannot be returned to the card read in step 128, but after step 131 If you press the end-of-storage key again, you can return the remaining balance even for cards that have been added later. Furthermore, any card that returns the balance can be used as long as it has the same identification number. However, the card may be returned by designating it or by the allocation determined by the user.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the balance is returned to the one in which one of the identification numbers of the plurality of prepaid cards read before the start of use coincides with the identification number of the prepaid card when the balance is returned. Since this is done, it has the effect of ensuring the safety of balance management.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the apparatus to which the invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an external view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ... Card reader / writer, 2 ... Card reader / writer control unit, 3 ... CPU, 4 ... Keyboard, 5 ... Keyboard control unit, 6 ... Information control unit, 7 ... Supply control charging control unit, 8 ...... Terminal equipment, 9 ...... Display control unit, 10 ...... Character display unit, 11 ...... Lamp control unit, 12 ...... Lamp.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid card processing device which reads value data remaining on a prepaid card and judges whether or not a service provided can be executed and performs a predetermined process, and the value remaining from the inserted prepaid card and identification of the prepaid card. Data reading means for reading the code, residual amount data calculating means for subtracting the set value data input by the prepaid card holder from the read value data to obtain the residual amount data, and the inserted prepaid card Remaining amount data writing means for writing the remaining amount data, card returning means for returning the prepaid card in which the remaining amount data is written, and data processing for subtracting the value data consumed according to the execution of the service from the set value data Method and the operation to terminate the service on the way. And a remaining amount returning means for returning the value data left unused at the time of the operation by adding it to the remaining amount of the prepaid card having an identification code that matches one of the identification symbols read by the data reading means. A prepaid card processing device characterized by: