JP2009163559A - Electronic money processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deal with multiple kinds of electronic money settlement without declaring the kind of electronic money used in the settlement. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic money processor reads and writes information with respect to an electronic money medium held on a medium holding unit. Then, the processor determines the kind of the electronic money medium on the basis of electronic money kind information included in the readout information of the electronic money medium, and notifies an electronic money settlement unit of the kind information of the determined electronic money medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic money processing apparatus that reads and writes information from and to an electronic money medium.

  In recent years, payment methods for purchase transactions using electronic money have attracted attention, and a plurality of service providers have entered the market. However, since the processing procedure of electronic money data differs depending on the service provider, in order to cope with a plurality of types of electronic money in each store, it is a fact that a system for each provider must be constructed.

Therefore, conventionally, in order for each store to be able to use the electronic money for settlement at the store without being aware of the type of electronic money that can be used by the store user, the store terminal and service provider of each store A multi-electronic money settlement agency system is proposed that is interposed via a network. This system provides a store information database that stores, for each store, information on a store-designated money type designated by the store as a money type and information on a store-designated money transmission destination designated by the store as a money transfer destination. . When electronic money is received from the store terminal, the electronic money received from the store terminal is converted into money of the store designated money type according to the type of store designated money information of the store, and the store designated money remittance destination of the store is further converted. According to the information, the converted electronic money is transferred to a store-designated money remittance destination (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-334285 A

  However, even when the multiple electronic money settlement agency system as described above is introduced, the store terminal declares the type of electronic money to be settled when selecting a payment method. For this reason, every time the types of electronic money that can be used in each store increase, for example, a dedicated key must be added to the store terminal as a new type of declarative means. It is difficult to cope easily from the aspect.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide electronic money that can deal with a plurality of types of electronic money payments without declaring the types of electronic money used for payment. A processing apparatus is to be provided.

  The present invention relates to an electronic money processing apparatus including a communication unit that communicates with an electronic money settlement apparatus that supports a plurality of types of electronic money, and more particularly, a medium read / write unit that reads and writes information from and to an electronic money medium Medium discriminating means for discriminating the type of the electronic money medium based on the electronic money type information included in the information read by the medium reading / writing means, and the type information of the electronic money medium discriminated by the medium discriminating means. And medium type notifying means for notifying the electronic money settlement apparatus via the communication means.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, it is possible to provide an electronic money processing apparatus capable of dealing with a plurality of types of electronic money payments without declaring the types of electronic money used for payment.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, the electronic money medium means that electronic money information is stored in a memory mounted on a contactless IC card (RF card) for electronic money or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. Refers to

  Also, the type of electronic money medium refers to a different type of processing method for depositing and withdrawing electronic money. Usually, the type of electronic money medium differs for each business operator of the electronic money service. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the electronic money type information is distinguished by the English symbols A, B, C,.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic money settlement system. This system is constructed in a store corresponding to a plurality of types of electronic money 4, and includes a medium holding unit 1, an electronic money processing device 2, and an electronic money settlement device 3.

  The medium holding unit 1 incorporates an antenna and performs wireless communication with the electronic money medium 4 held over the holding unit 1 using electromagnetic waves or the like.

  The electronic money processing device 2 controls the medium holding unit 1 to read data stored in the memory of the electronic money medium 4 held over the holding unit 1 and write data to the memory. is there.

  The electronic money settlement apparatus 1 processes electronic money settlement of purchase transactions registered at the POS terminal, and may be integrated with the POS terminal or may be separate. Although not shown, the electronic money settlement apparatus 1 is connected to a host device of an electronic money service provider provided for each type of electronic money medium 4 via a network. The host device of each electronic money service provider may be connected via a multiple electronic money settlement agency system described in Patent Document 1 presented as a prior art document.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the electronic money processing apparatus 2. The electronic money processing apparatus 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication interface unit 23, a reading processing unit 24, a writing processing unit 25, and the like.

  The control unit 21 is configured mainly with a CPU, and controls each unit based on a preset program. The storage unit 22 has a ROM area for storing fixed data such as a program and a RAM area for storing various data in a rewritable manner. The communication interface unit 23 controls data communication performed with the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 connected via a communication line. The reading processing unit 24 processes reading of data stored in the memory of the electronic money medium 4 held over the medium holding unit 1. The writing processing unit 25 processes writing of data to the memory of the electronic money medium 4 held over the medium holding unit 1.

  Here, the communication interface unit 23 constitutes a communication means. The reading processing unit 24 and the writing processing unit 25 constitute medium reading / writing means.

  The electronic money processing apparatus 2 having such a configuration forms an electronic money priority table 30 having a data structure shown in FIG. That is, corresponding to a series of table numbers, a table area for storing the type information and the number of uses of the electronic money medium 4 is formed as the electronic money priority table 30. In the electronic money priority table 30, the type information of electronic money media that can be used in the store is sorted and stored in the order of the number of use in the store (N1> N2> N3).

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing main communication procedures between the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 and the electronic money processing apparatus 2 of the electronic money settlement system shown in FIG. When a purchase transaction with a customer occurs, the cashier registers the sales data of the product purchased by the customer in the POS terminal. After registration, when the customer offers to pay with electronic money, the cashier tells the customer to hold the electronic money medium to be used over the medium holding part and presses the electronic money declaration key of the POS terminal. Here, the electronic money declaration key is not different for each type of electronic money, and is a common key regardless of the type.

  When the electronic money declaration key is pressed, an electronic money declaration command is given from the POS terminal to the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 together with the settlement amount information of the purchase transaction. In response to this command, the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 transmits an electronic money settlement request command to the electronic money processing apparatus 2.

  When the electronic money processing apparatus 2 receives the electronic money settlement request command, the electronic money processing apparatus 2 is programmed so that the control unit 21 executes the processes of steps ST11 to ST17 in FIG.

  That is, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the input command is an electronic money settlement request command as step ST11. If it is determined that the command is not a settlement request command (NO in ST11), ST11 is determined again. If it is determined that the command is a settlement request command (YES in ST11), the number counter n is once reset to “0” in step ST12, and then the number counter n is incremented by “1” in step ST13. In step ST14, it is determined whether or not the number counter n has exceeded the set value N. Here, the setting value N is the maximum value of the number of electronic money medium type information stored in the electronic money priority table 30.

  If it is determined in step ST14 that the number counter n does not exceed the set value N (NO in ST14), the control unit 21 searches the electronic money priority table 30 in step ST15 and searches for the table number n (n is a number counter). The electronic money medium type information stored in correspondence with (the count value of n) is acquired. Then, the reading processing unit 24 is controlled to read the information of the electronic money medium 4 held over the medium holding unit 1 and collate this information with the electronic money medium type information acquired from the electronic money priority table 30. (Medium discrimination means).

  As a result, when it is determined in step ST16 that the electronic money medium 4 is not the type specified by the electronic money medium type information (NO in ST16), the control unit 21 returns to the process in step ST13, and after step ST13 Execute the process again. That is, when the number counter n is further incremented by “1” and it is determined that the number counter n does not exceed the set value N, the electronic money priority table 30 is searched and stored corresponding to the table number n. The electronic money medium type information is acquired. Then, the information of the electronic money medium 4 held over the medium holding unit 1 is read, and this information is collated with the electronic money medium type information acquired from the electronic money priority table 30 (medium discrimination means).

  If it is determined that the number counter n has exceeded the set value N (YES in ST14), the medium held over the medium cover 1 cannot be used as electronic money, and error processing is performed.

  If it is determined in step ST16 that the electronic money medium 4 is the type specified by the electronic money medium type information (YES in ST16), the control unit 21 sends an electronic money settlement permission response command to the electronic money in step ST17. It transmits to the payment apparatus 3 (medium type notification means). The electronic money settlement permission response command includes information on the amount of electronic money read from the electronic money medium 4 via the reading processing unit 24 and type information of the electronic money medium 4 acquired from the electronic money priority table 30. included.

  The electronic money settlement apparatus 3 that has received the electronic money settlement permission response command performs electronic money settlement processing from the type information and electronic money amount information included in the command and the settlement amount information of the purchase transaction acquired from the POS terminal. Execute. That is, the electronic money amount is compared with the settlement amount. If the electronic money amount is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, the settlement amount is subtracted from the electronic money amount to calculate the post-payment electronic money amount. An electronic money update request command including money amount information is transmitted to the electronic money processing device 2.

  When the electronic money processing device 2 receives the electronic money update request command, the electronic money processing device 2 is programmed such that the control unit 21 executes the processing of steps ST18 to ST22 in FIG.

  That is, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the input command is an electronic money update request command in step ST18. If it is determined that the command is not an electronic money update request command (NO in ST18), the determination in ST18 is performed again. If it is determined that the command is an electronic money update request command (YES in ST18), the write processing unit 25 is controlled as step ST19, and the electronic money amount information of the electronic money medium held over the medium holding unit 1 is determined. To the amount information after payment. After the amount information is rewritten, the control unit 21 transmits an electronic money update end response command to the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 in step ST20. In step ST21, the electronic money priority table 30 is searched, and the number of uses stored corresponding to the table number n is incremented by 1 (counting means). Thereafter, in step ST22, the electronic money medium type information in the electronic money priority table 30 is sorted from the table number 1 in the order of the corresponding number of uses.

  Upon receiving the electronic money update end response command, the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 gives a settlement establishment command to the POS terminal and notifies settlement amount information to the host apparatus of the electronic money service provider specified by the type information. End the purchase transaction.

  When the POS terminal receives the payment establishment command, a closing process using electronic money is executed for the purchase transaction. With this tightening process, for example, a receipt is issued.

  If it is determined in step ST14 in FIG. 5 that the number counter n has exceeded the set value N, the electronic money medium held over the medium holding unit 1 is an electronic money medium that can be used in the store. Therefore, the control unit 21 transmits an error command to the electronic money settlement apparatus 3. Upon receiving this error command, the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 sends an error notification to the POS terminal. Thereby, the POS terminal displays that electronic money cannot be settled.

  As described above, in the electronic money settlement system according to the present embodiment, the electronic money processing device 2 selects the type of electronic money in the order set in the electronic money priority table 30 and holds it over the medium holding unit 1. It is determined whether the selected electronic money medium 4 is of the selected type, and the type information of the determined electronic money medium is notified to the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 via the communication interface unit 23. Yes.

  Conventionally, the electronic money settlement apparatus 3 provides the electronic money processing apparatus 2 with the type information of the electronic money medium 4 before the electronic money processing apparatus 2 reads the information of the electronic money medium 4 held over the medium holding unit 1. There was a need to do. For this reason, in the POS terminal, an operation for declaring payment by electronic money and an operation for designating the type of electronic money medium to be used are required.

  On the other hand, since the electronic money settlement system according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, before the electronic money processing device 2 reads the information of the electronic money medium 4 held over the medium holding portion 1, The electronic money settlement apparatus 3 does not need to provide the electronic money processing apparatus 2 with the type information of the electronic money medium 4. For this reason, in the POS terminal, only an operation for declaring payment by electronic money is required, and an operation for specifying the type of electronic money medium to be used is unnecessary.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to deal with a plurality of types of electronic money payments without declaring the types of electronic money used for payment. Even if the number increases, it is not necessary to add a new type of declaring means to the POS terminal, so that it can be easily dealt with from the viewpoint of hardware and software.

  In addition, the customer who is the user of the electronic money medium 4 does not have to be aware of the type of the electronic money medium 4 when using it in the store, and also declares the type of the electronic money medium at the POS terminal. Since there is no need, the cashier operating the POS terminal does not need to be aware of the type of the electronic money medium 4 to be used, and the cashier burden can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic money priority table 30 is provided with a count area for the number of uses for each type of electronic money medium, and the priority for determining the type of the electronic money medium 4 in descending order of the counted value. Try to be high. An electronic money medium that is frequently used is an electronic money medium that is frequently used in the store. Therefore, by configuring as described above, the number of processing steps for determining the type of the electronic money medium 4 can be reduced. .

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic money priority table 30 is provided with a count area for the number of times of use for each type of electronic money medium, and the priority for determining the type of the electronic money medium 4 in descending order of the counted value However, the priority may be arbitrarily set by the user without providing a counting area.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic money settlement system according to the present invention. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electronic money processing apparatus which comprises the electronic money payment system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a main data structure of an electronic money priority table formed in a storage unit of the electronic money processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. The sequence diagram which shows the main communication procedures between the electronic money payment apparatus and electronic money processing apparatus of the electronic money payment system shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the main process procedures which the control part of the electronic money processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 performs.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medium holding part, 2 ... Electronic money processing apparatus, 3 ... Electronic money settlement apparatus, 4 ... Electronic money medium, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Memory | storage part, 23 ... Communication interface part, 24 ... Read processing part, 25 ... Write processing unit, 30... Electronic money priority table.

Claims (3)

A communication means for communicating with an electronic money settlement apparatus corresponding to a plurality of types of electronic money;
Medium reading / writing means for reading / writing information from / to electronic money medium;
Medium discriminating means for discriminating the type of the electronic money medium based on the electronic money type information included in the information read by the medium reading / writing means;
Medium type notification means for notifying the electronic money settlement apparatus of the type information of the electronic money medium determined by the medium determination means;
An electronic money processing apparatus comprising:   2. The electronic money according to claim 1, wherein the medium determining means selects the type of electronic money in the set order, and determines whether or not the electronic money medium is of the selected type. Processing equipment. Further comprising a counting means for counting the number of times determined by the medium determining means for each type information of the electronic money medium,
3. The electronic money processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the order of selecting the type of electronic money medium by the medium determining means is the order in which the number of counting by the counting means is large.

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