JP2008016016A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of promptly performing settlement processing to a plurality of kinds of cybermoney, etc. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor is equipped with a settlement part (kind A) 103A, a settlement part (kind B) 103B, a settlement part (kind C) 103C which perform each settlement processing of accessible cybermoney, and equipped with a selection part 102 which reads information regarding all the accessible cybermoney, and then the settlement part (kind A) 103A, the settlement part (kind B) 103B, the settlement part (kind C) 103C are operated according to results obtained by detecting media by the selection part 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and in particular, performs communication with a medium on which an IC is mounted, and performs display processing of information stored in the medium, settlement processing based on information stored in the medium, and the like. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, many techniques for making various payments using electronic information have been proposed, and many payments using the techniques are also used. Some payment methods using electronic information can be used only for specific payments and others can be used for unspecified payments. Electronic information used in the latter is often referred to as electronic money.

  There are various types of electronic information called electronic money, and there are various types of media that store them. Recently, media equipped with ICs (Integrated Circuits) are often used. It has become. An IC has an advantage that it has a large storage capacity for electronic information and can be easily secured. In addition, some media with ICs can communicate wirelessly with information processing devices such as readers / writers, and the media and information processing devices can be settled in a non-contact state. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  Further, as described above, since the IC mounted on the medium has a sufficiently large storage capacity for electronic information used as electronic money or the like, each electronic information corresponding to a plurality of types of electronic money is stored. It is also possible.

  By the way, in general, the operation of an information processing apparatus that performs processing such as payment corresponding to a plurality of types of electronic money is as follows. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are flowcharts showing an operation flow of the information processing apparatus when processing such as settlement is performed in correspondence with a plurality of types of electronic money. Here, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus corresponds to three types of electronic money of type A, type B, and type C.

  When starting the operation, the information processing apparatus first sets all the flags corresponding to the types A, B, and C to OFF (step 9001). Subsequently, the information processing apparatus activates a payment application (hereinafter abbreviated as AP) corresponding to type A (step 9002), and issues a media detection command to the payment application (step 9003). As a result, if a medium is detected (YES in step 9004), the flag corresponding to type A is set to ON (step 9005), and if no medium is detected (NO in step 9004), type A The flag corresponding to is left off. Then, the information processing apparatus ends the settlement AP corresponding to type A (step 9006).

  Subsequently, the information processing apparatus activates a settlement AP corresponding to type B (step 9007), and issues a media detection command to the settlement application (step 9008). As a result, if a medium is detected (YES in step 9009), the flag corresponding to type B is set to ON (step 9010), and if no medium is detected (NO in step 9009), type B The flag corresponding to is left off. Then, the information processing apparatus ends the settlement AP corresponding to type B (step 9011).

  Next, the information processing apparatus activates a settlement AP corresponding to type C (step 9012), and issues a media detection command to the settlement application (step 9013). As a result, if a medium is detected (YES in step 9014), the flag corresponding to type C is set to ON (step 9015), and if no medium is detected (NO in step 9014), type C The flag corresponding to is left off. Then, the information processing apparatus ends the settlement AP corresponding to type C (step 9016).

  Thereafter, the information processing apparatus detects media corresponding to any of type A, type B, and type C when all of the flags corresponding to type A, type B, and type C are off. If it is not possible (NO in step 9017), the process returns to step 9002 and the same process is repeated.

  On the other hand, if at least one of the flags corresponding to each of type A, type B, and type C is ON (YES in step 9017), the information processing apparatus determines that there are a plurality of ON flags (step In step 9018, a type selection process for selecting the type of electronic money to be used by the user is performed (step 9019), and the selected type is specified. If there is one flag that is ON (NO in step 9018), the type corresponding to the flag is specified as the selected type.

Next, the information processing apparatus activates a settlement AP corresponding to the selected type (step 9020), and causes the settlement AP to perform settlement processing (step 9021). In addition, about a payment process, since a different process is performed for every kind, description here is abbreviate | omitted. When the settlement process is completed, the settlement AP is terminated (step 9022), the process returns to step 9001, and the same process is repeated.
JP 2004-213548 A

  As described above, when an information processing apparatus serving as a reader / writer such as electronic money is compatible with a plurality of types of electronic money, the information processing apparatus sequentially activates different payment APs for each type and stores them in a medium. It was necessary to check the type of electronic money, etc., and then perform payment processing. This is because, when a plurality of settlement APs are activated at the same time, there are various problems such as the possibility that each settlement AP may perform a settlement process. In addition, it is difficult to construct a unified payment AP because the processing of electronic information corresponding to electronic money or the like differs for each type, and the processing or information required for processing is often not disclosed. is there.

  The number of payment APs activated by this information processing apparatus increases in proportion to the types of electronic money that can be handled, and starting these sequentially increases the time required for the payment process.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an information processing apparatus that can quickly perform payment processing for a plurality of types of electronic money.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention of claim 1 is a plurality of settlements in which settlement is performed using electronic information of different types in an information processing apparatus that performs settlement using electronic information stored in a medium. And a detecting means for detecting all types of electronic information corresponding to each of the payment means, and the payment means operates in accordance with a detection result of the electronic information from the medium by the detection means. It is characterized by that.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the detection means reads the detected electronic information from the medium and displays the read electronic information on the display means.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the detection means operates a settlement means corresponding to the type of electronic information detected from the media.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the detection means may select a payment means to be operated from the plurality of payment means when a plurality of types of electronic information are detected from the medium. Features.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 4, when the detection means detects one type of electronic information from the medium, the detection means operates a settlement means corresponding to the type of electronic information. It is characterized by.

  The invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 1, further comprising payment control means for operating a payment means corresponding to the type of electronic information detected from the media by the detection means. .

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the settlement control means reads electronic information detected from the medium and displays the read electronic information on a display means.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the payment means according to claim 7, wherein the payment control means operates from the payment means when the detection means detects a plurality of types of electronic information from the media. Is selected.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the payment control means, when the detection means detects one type of electronic information from the medium, the payment means corresponding to the type of the electronic information. It is characterized by operating.

  The invention of claim 10 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, each of the settlement means is not operated simultaneously with the detection means.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to sequentially activate settlement APs corresponding to a plurality of types of electronic money and the like, and as a result, settlement processing can be performed quickly.

  Further, even in an information processing apparatus corresponding to a large number of electronic money, the type of electronic money to be displayed is only information detected from the media, so that a useless option is not given to the user.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a vending machine to which the present invention is applied. A vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a main control device 2, a product selection device 3, a cash settlement device 4, and an electronic settlement device 5.

  The main control device 2 controls each part of the product selection device 3, the cash payment device 4, and the electronic payment device 5. The product selection device 3 pays out a product designated by the user (purchaser). The cash settlement apparatus 4 performs cash settlement processing. The electronic payment apparatus 5 performs a payment process using electronic money. There are various types of electronic money, including prepaid and postpay types. Here, payment is made using electronic information stored in media such as IC cards and mobile phones. All that is done is electronic money.

  The electronic settlement apparatus 5 includes a settlement control unit 51, a media reader / writer 52, a media antenna 53, an input reception unit 54, an information output unit 55, and a communication processing unit 56.

  The settlement control unit 51 controls each unit of the media reader / writer 52, the media antenna 53, the input reception unit 54, the information output unit 55, and the communication processing unit 56, and between the main control device 2 of the vending machine 1. Send and receive information. The media reader / writer 52, to which the present invention is applied, executes processing including reading and writing of information with respect to a medium storing electronic money. Details of the media reader / writer 52 will be described later. The media antenna 53 is an antenna used when performing wireless communication with a medium storing electronic money. The input reception unit 54 receives information input by the user, and includes, for example, a keyboard. The information output unit 55 outputs information to be notified to the user, and includes a display that displays character information and the like, a sounder that emits a beep sound and the like. The communication processing unit 56 is for performing communication necessary for electronic money settlement and the like, and includes a LAN (Local Area Network) adapter, a modem, and the like.

  Next, details of the media reader / writer 52 will be described. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the media reader / writer 52, FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the media reader / writer 52, and FIG. 6 illustrates software of the media reader / writer 52. It is a figure which shows a structure.

  First, the functional configuration of the media reader / writer 52 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the media reader / writer 52 includes an information input / output unit 101, a selection unit 102, a settlement unit (type A) 103A, a settlement unit (type B) 103B, a settlement unit (type C) 103C, an antenna. A connection unit 104 is provided.

  The information input / output unit 101 is an interface with the settlement control unit 51, and exchanges information and commands with the settlement control unit 51. The selection unit 102 reads information from the media and selects a settlement unit to be used (a settlement unit (type A) 103A, a settlement unit (type B) 103B, or a settlement unit (type C) 103C). The payment unit (type A) 103A, the payment unit (type B) 103B, and the payment unit (type C) 103C perform payment processing for electronic money of type A, type B, and type C, respectively. The antenna connection unit 104 is an interface with the media antenna 53, and exchanges information and commands with the media antenna 53. Here, since the types of electronic money that can be handled by the media reader / writer 52 are three types, type A, type B, and type C, the payment unit (type A) 103A and the payment unit (type B) are set as the payment unit. ) 103B and settlement unit (type C) 103C, the settlement unit can be increased or decreased according to the number of electronic money that can be handled.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the media reader / writer 52 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the media reader / writer 52 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 121, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 122, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 123, an I / F (InterFace) 124, and an I / F 125. have.

  The CPU 121 operates based on software described later, and includes the information input / output unit 101, the selection unit 102, the settlement unit (type A) 103A, the settlement unit (type B) 103B, and the settlement unit (type C) 103C illustrated in FIG. Each part of the antenna connection unit 104 is realized. The ROM 122 stores later-described software executed by the CPU 121. As the ROM 122, a rewritable memory such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) can be used. The RAM 123 temporarily stores information and the like when the CPU 121 operates. The I / F 124 is an interface that is a part of the information input / output unit 101 illustrated in FIG. 4. The I / F 125 is an interface that is a part of the antenna connection unit 104 shown in FIG.

  Next, the software configuration of the media reader / writer 52 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the media reader / writer 52 operates an OS (Operating System) 152 with hardware 151 (configuration shown in FIG. 5), and on this OS 152, a selected AP 153 and a settlement AP (type A) 154A, settlement AP (type B) 154B, settlement AP (type C) 154C are operated. The selection AP 153, payment AP (type A) 154A, payment AP (type B) 154B, and payment AP (type C) 154C are the selection unit 102, payment unit (type A) 103A, and payment unit ( A type B) 103B and a settlement unit (type C) 103C are realized.

  Further, the selection AP 153, the settlement AP (type A) 154A, the settlement AP (type B) 154B, and the settlement AP (type C) 154C operate independently, for example, the selection AP 153 and the settlement AP (type A). ) Information is not exchanged between 154A. For this reason, the selection AP 153 has type A information 153A, type B information 153B, and type C information 153C that are necessary when reading a medium in which compatible types A, B, and C are stored.

  Next, the operation of the media reader / writer 52 will be described. Since the operation of the media reader / writer 52 is explained together with the operation of the vending machine 1, it becomes easy to understand. The outline of the operation, the operation of the vending machine, and the details of the operation of the media reader / writer 52 will be described in this order.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the media reader / writer 52. When the media reader / writer 52 starts its operation, it first activates the selection AP 153 to configure the selection unit 102 (step 201). Then, a media detection command is given to the selection unit 102 to detect the media (step 202). This medium detection is periodically performed until the medium is detected (NO in step 203), but the processing looping between step 202 and step 203 is in a so-called standby state.

  On the other hand, when the selection unit 102 detects a medium (YES in step 203), the selection unit 102 acquires information about electronic money from the medium (step 204). If the acquired information relates to a plurality of types of electronic money (YES in step 205), the selection unit 102 informs the user (purchaser) of the type of electronic money to be used via the settlement control unit 51. Select (step 206).

  Whether the user selects the electronic money to be used (step 206), or if there is only one type of information about the acquired electronic money (NO in step 205), the selected type or the acquired information is supported With the type to be selected as the selected type, the corresponding settlement AP (settlement AP (type A) 154A, settlement AP (type B) 154B, settlement AP (type C) 154C) is activated and the settlement unit (type A) 103A, the settlement unit (type B) 103B, and the settlement unit (type C) 103C are configured (step 207), the selection AP 153 is terminated, and the selection unit 102 is deactivated (step 208).

  Thereafter, the media reader / writer 52 performs a settlement process with the configured settlement unit (step 209). Since this settlement process differs depending on the type of electronic money, a description thereof is omitted here.

  When the settlement process by the settlement unit is completed, the media reader / writer 52 terminates the activated settlement AP, deactivates the corresponding settlement unit (step 210), returns to the process of step 201, and selects the selected AP 153. Start up and enter standby mode.

  Next, the operation of the vending machine 1 will be described. 8 to 10 are flowcharts showing the operation flow of the vending machine 1.

  When the vending machine 1 starts operating, it is until cash is inserted, a product is selected, or until the media is touched (approached) to a predetermined position (near the media antenna 53) ( Step 301 is NO, Step 302 is NO, Step 303 is NO), and a standby state is entered.

  In this standby state, when cash is inserted into the cash settlement apparatus 4 (YES in step 301), the vending machine 1 executes a cash settlement process described later (step 304).

  In the standby state, when a product is selected by pressing a product selection button (not shown) that is a part of the product selection device 3 (YES in step 302), the vending machine 1 performs a product destination selection process described later. Execute.

  When a media touch is executed in the standby state (YES in step 303), the media reader / writer 52 of the electronic settlement apparatus 5 detects the media, acquires information from the media, and acquires the acquired information as information. It is displayed on the output unit 55 (step 306). The information displayed here includes information corresponding to each type of electronic money, such as the balance of electronic money (prepaid method) and the presence / absence of credit (postpay method). Then, this display is deleted when a time-out occurs or a cancel instruction is issued, and the vending machine 1 returns to the standby state (YES in step 307).

  Next, the cash settlement process executed in step 304 will be described. In the cash settlement process, the amount of cash inserted is counted (step 321 in FIG. 9), the amount of money input is displayed on an amount display unit (not shown) (step 322), and there is a product that can be sold with the amount of money inserted. The sellable lamp of the corresponding product selection button is turned on (step 323).

  In this state, if there is further cash input (YES in step 324), the same processing is performed, and when a selectable product selection button is pressed (YES in step 325), the product selection device 3 is selected. The cash settlement apparatus 4 performs a settlement process such as change payment (step 327), and the cash settlement process is terminated. In addition, when there is no subsequent operation and a time-out occurs or when cancellation is instructed (YES in step 328), the cash settlement apparatus 4 makes a payment such as returning the input money. Processing is performed (step 327), and the cash settlement processing is terminated.

  Next, the merchandise destination selection process executed in step 305 will be described. When a product is selected by pressing the product button, the vending machine 1 waits for the insertion of cash or a media touch (NO in step 341, NO in step 342, NO in step 343).

  In this state, when cash is inserted into the cash settlement apparatus 4 (YES in step 341), the vending machine 1 executes a cash settlement process (step 344) and ends the merchandise destination selection process. This cash settlement processing is the same processing as the processing in steps 321 to 328 described above.

  On the other hand, when the media touch is executed (YES in step 343), electronic payment is executed by the electronic payment apparatus (step 345). When the settlement is established (YES in step 346), the commodity selection device 3 pays out the selected commodity (step 347), the commodity destination selection process is terminated, and the settlement is not established (NO in step 346). Then, the merchandise destination selection process is finished as it is.

  Further, if a time-out or cancel is instructed without executing cash insertion or media touch (YES in step 342), the merchandise destination selection process is terminated.

  The vending machine 1 operates in this way, but detection of presence / absence of media touch in step 303 and step 343 and subsequent processing when there is a media touch are performed by the electronic settlement apparatus 5 including the media reader / writer 52. Is done. Therefore, next, details of the operation of the media reader / writer 52 will be described with reference to the operation of the vending machine 1 as appropriate.

  FIGS. 11 to 14 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52.

  The media reader / writer 52 starts to operate as the vending machine 1 is turned on, and first activates the selection AP 153 to configure the selection unit 102 (step 401). When the selection unit 102 is configured, the selection unit 102 enters a standby state in which media detection is performed periodically (NO in step 402, NO in step 403, and step 404).

  In this standby state, when the selection unit 102 detects a medium (YES in step 404), the media reader / writer 52 performs an information display process described later (step 405). When this information display process is completed, the media reader / writer 52 is again in a standby state. It becomes.

  In the standby state, when a payment instruction is input from the payment control unit 51 (YES in step 402), the media reader / writer 52 performs a payment process to be described later (step 406), and when the payment process ends, the selected AP 153 Is activated (YES in step 407), the process proceeds to a standby state, and if the selected AP 153 is not activated (NO in step 407), the selected AP 153 is activated to configure the selection unit 102 (step 401). ), Transition to the standby state. The payment instruction input from the payment control unit 51 is the payment control unit 51 notified from the main control device 2 when the vending machine 1 moves to the merchandise destination selection process (see step 305 in FIG. 8). Is something that is emitted.

  Subsequently, the information display process executed in step 405 will be described. As described above, when the selection unit 102 detects a medium in the standby state, the information display process starts. In the information display process, the selection unit 102 first indicates that the main control device 2 has touched the medium. Notification is made (step 421 in FIG. 12). As a result, the settlement control unit 51 determines whether or not there is a media touch in step 303 in FIG. 8 and displays media information in step 306.

  When the media touch is notified, the selection unit 102 acquires type A electronic money information using the type A information 153A (step 422), and uses the type B information 153B to update the type B electronic money information. Acquisition (step 423), type C electronic money information is acquired using type C information 153C (step 424).

  At this time, if a communication error with the medium occurs (NO in step 425), there is a high possibility that the media touch by the user is incomplete, and the selection unit 102 notifies the information output unit 55 to that effect. Is displayed (step 426).

  If no communication error with the media has occurred (YES in step 425), the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to generate a confirmation sound (step 427). The confirmation sound is desirably a sound different from the confirmation sound generated when the settlement is established, but may be the same sound. Further, the confirmation sound need not necessarily be generated.

  If there is information that can be acquired from the media (YES in step 428), the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to display the information (step 429). Further, when information cannot be acquired from the medium even though no communication error has occurred (NO in step 428), the electronic money stored in the medium is classified as type A, type B, type. Since it is neither C, the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to display an error indicating that the type of electronic money is different (step 430).

  Further, when the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to perform error display, type error display, or information display, the display unit 102 deletes the display in response to a time-out or cancel instruction, and performs information display processing. The process ends (YES in step 431).

  Next, the settlement process executed in step 406 will be described. As described above, when a payment instruction is input from the payment control unit 51 in the standby state, the payment process is started, but the selection unit 102 continues to detect the media even when the payment process is started ( NO in step 441, NO in step 442 and step 443).

  In this state, the selection unit 102 terminates the payment process when time-out or cancellation is instructed without detecting media (YES in step 441).

  On the other hand, when the medium is detected (YES in step 443), the selection unit 102 acquires type A electronic money information using the type A information 153A (step 444), and uses type B information 153B to determine the type B. Electronic money information is acquired (step 445), and type C electronic money information is acquired using the type C information 153C (step 446).

  At this time, if a communication error with the medium occurs (NO in step 447), there is a high possibility that the media touch by the user is incomplete, and the selection unit 102 notifies the information output unit 55 to that effect. Is displayed (step 448).

  If no communication error has occurred (YES in step 447) and information cannot be acquired from the medium (NO in step 449), the electronic money stored in the medium is of the type Since none of A, type B, and type C, the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to display an error indicating that the type of electronic money is different (step 450).

  In addition, when the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to perform either error display or type error display, the selection unit 102 deletes the display in response to a time-out or cancel instruction, and ends the information display process ( YES in step 451).

  On the other hand, if there is information that can be acquired from the media (YES in step 449) and there are multiple types of acquired information (YES in step 452), the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to confirm the confirmation sound. Is generated (step 453). The confirmation sound is desirably a sound different from the confirmation sound generated when the settlement is established, but may be the same sound. Further, the confirmation sound need not necessarily be generated.

  Subsequently, the selection unit 102 causes the information output unit 55 to display a request to select the type of electronic money to be used (step 454). Thereafter, when a time-out or cancellation is instructed without selecting the type by the user (NO in step 455, YES in step 456), the selection unit 102 ends the settlement process.

  When the user inputs the desired electronic money type from the input receiving unit 54 (YES in step 455), the selection unit 102 sets the payment AP (payment AP (payment AP ()) corresponding to the type of electronic money selected by the user. Type A) 154A, Settlement AP (Type B) 154B, Settlement AP (Type C) 154C) is activated, and Settlement Unit (Type A) 103A, Settlement Unit (Type B) 103B, Settlement Unit (Type C) 103C is configured (step 457), the selection AP 153 is terminated, and the selection unit 102 is deactivated (step 458).

  Thereafter, the media reader / writer 52 performs a settlement process with the configured settlement unit (step 459). Since this settlement process differs depending on the type of electronic money, a description thereof is omitted here. In this payment process, a media touch is requested to the user again by the configured payment unit.

  When the settlement process by the settlement unit ends, the media reader / writer 52 terminates the activated settlement AP, deactivates the corresponding settlement unit (step 460), and ends the settlement process.

  On the other hand, if there is information that can be acquired from the media (YES in step 449) and the acquired information is one type (NO in step 452), the selection unit 102 determines the settlement AP ( Settlement AP (Type A) 154A, Settlement AP (Type B) 154B, Settlement AP (Type C) 154C) is activated, and Settlement Unit (Type A) 103A, Settlement Unit (Type B) 103B, Settlement Unit ( Type C) 103C is configured (step 457), the selection AP 153 is terminated, and the selection unit 102 is deactivated (step 458).

  Thereafter, the media reader / writer 52 performs a settlement process with the configured settlement unit (step 459). Since this settlement process differs depending on the type of electronic money, a description thereof is omitted here. Note that since this settlement processing is performed continuously with the acquisition of information by the selection unit 102, there is no need to request media touch by the user again.

  When the settlement process by the settlement unit ends, the media reader / writer 52 terminates the activated settlement AP, deactivates the corresponding settlement unit (step 460), and ends the settlement process.

  When the information acquired from the media is one type, the selection unit 102 does not generate the confirmation sound because the confirmation sound is generated when the settlement unit configured by the settlement AP performs the settlement process continuously. This is to prevent a communication failure with the media from occurring.

  Next, the operation of the media reader / writer 52 will be described in relation to the main controller 2 and the settlement controller 51. 15 to 17 are diagrams showing the operation flow of the media reader / writer 52 in relation to the main control device 2 and the payment control unit 51. In the figure, a part of the settlement unit (type C) 103C or the like is omitted.

  The selection unit 102 starts an operation in response to an activation command (media detection command) issued by the settlement control unit 51 (step 501 in FIG. 15). After that, when the media is detected (step 502), balance information and Information about electronic money such as credit information is acquired (step 503), and the acquired information is notified to the payment control unit 51 (step 504). Then, the settlement control unit 51 displays information on the electronic money such as the notified balance information and credit information on the information output unit 55 (not shown in FIG. 15, see FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, when merchandise is sold by electronic money settlement, when the main control device 2 detects that a product has been selected (step 511 in FIG. 16), the main control device 2 A settlement instruction is issued (step 512). Upon receipt of the settlement instruction from the main control device 2, the settlement control unit 51 issues a settlement instruction to the selection unit 102 (step 513). When the selection unit 102 detects the medium (step 514), the balance is transferred from the medium. Information about electronic money such as information and credit information is acquired (step 515). If information about a plurality of types of electronic money can be acquired from the media, the selection unit 102 requests the payment control unit 51 to select electronic money to be used (step 516), and the payment control receives this. The unit 51 uses the information output unit 55 and the input receiving unit 54 (both not shown in FIG. 15, see FIG. 3) to allow the user to select the type of electronic money (step 517), and the type of electronic money to be used Is selected, the selection information is notified to the selection unit 102 (step 518). Upon receiving the notification of the selection information, the selection unit 102 issues an activation command and a payment command to the payment unit corresponding to the selected electronic money type, for example, the payment unit (type A) 103A (step 519). End the operation. The settlement unit (type A) 103A starts its operation in response to this activation command, detects the medium (step 520), performs settlement processing (step 521), notifies the settlement control unit 51 of the completion of settlement (step 522). ), An activation command is issued to the selection unit 102 (step 523), and the operation is terminated. Then, the settlement control unit 51 notifies the completion of the settlement to the main control device 2 (Step 524).

  Further, in the case where merchandise is sold using a medium corresponding to one type of electronic money, when the main control device 2 detects that a merchandise is selected (step 531 in FIG. 17), the main control device 2 performs settlement. A settlement instruction is issued to the control unit 51 (step 532). Upon receiving the settlement instruction from the main control device 2, the settlement control unit 51 issues a settlement instruction to the selection unit 102 (step 533), and when the selection unit 102 detects the medium (step 534), the balance is transferred from the medium. Information about electronic money such as information and credit information is acquired (step 535). When the information about one type of electronic money can be acquired from the media, the selection unit 102 starts up the settlement unit corresponding to the type of electronic money, for example, the settlement unit (type A) 103A. A command and a settlement command are issued (step 536), and the operation is terminated. The settlement unit (type A) 103A starts operation in response to the activation command, performs settlement processing (step 537), notifies the settlement control unit 51 of completion of settlement (step 538), and activates the selection unit 102. A command is issued (step 539), and the operation is terminated. Then, the settlement control unit 51 notifies the completion of the settlement to the main control device 2 (Step 540).

  In the second embodiment, the case where the operation of the settlement control unit 51 and the functional configuration and operation of the media reader / writer 52 are different from the configurations described in the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the media reader / writer 1052 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 19 illustrates a software configuration of the media reader / writer 1052. Note that the hardware configuration of the media reader / writer 1052 is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  First, a functional configuration of the media reader / writer 1052 will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the media reader / writer 1052 includes an information input / output unit 1101, a detection unit 1102, a settlement unit (type A) 1103A, a settlement unit (type B) 1103B, a settlement unit (type C) 1103C, an antenna. A connection portion 1104 is provided. The media reader / writer 1052 corresponds to the media reader / writer 52 shown in FIG.

  The information input / output unit 1101 is an interface with the payment control unit 1051, and exchanges information and commands with the payment control unit 1051. The settlement control unit 1051 is different in operation from the settlement control unit 51 (see FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment, and is used in place of the settlement control unit 51 in the second embodiment. . The detection unit 1102 reads information from the medium. The settlement unit (type A) 1103A, the settlement unit (type B) 1103B, and the settlement unit (type C) 1103C perform settlement processing of electronic money of type A, type B, and type C, respectively. The antenna connection unit 1104 is an interface with the media antenna 53, and exchanges information and commands with the media antenna 53. Here, since the types of electronic money that can be handled by the media reader / writer 1052 are three types, type A, type B, and type C, the payment unit (type A) 1103A and the payment unit (type B) ) 1103B and a settlement unit (type C) 1103C, but the settlement unit can be increased or decreased according to the number of electronic money that can be handled.

  Next, the software configuration of the media reader / writer 1052 will be described. As shown in FIG. 19, the media reader / writer 1052 operates an OS (Operating System) 152 with hardware 151 (configuration shown in FIG. 5), and on this OS 152, a detection AP 1153, a settlement AP (type) A) 1154A, settlement AP (type B) 1154B, and settlement AP (type C) 1154C are operated. The detection AP 1153, the settlement AP (type A) 1154A, the settlement AP (type B) 1154B, and the settlement AP (type C) 1154C are respectively the detection unit 1102, the settlement unit (type A) 1103A, and the settlement unit (shown in FIG. Type B) 1103B and settlement unit (type C) 1103C are realized.

  In addition, the detection AP 1153 has type A information 1153A, type B information 1153B, and type C information 1153C that are necessary when reading a medium in which compatible types A, B, and C are stored.

  Next, the operation of the electronic settlement apparatus having the media reader / writer 1052 will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the electronic settlement apparatus having the media reader / writer 1052.

  When the electronic payment apparatus having the media reader / writer 1052 starts operation, first, the payment control unit 1051 issues a detection AP activation command for activating the detection AP 1153 to the media reader / writer 1052 (step 1201). It waits for an information notification from the media reader / writer 1052 (NO in step 1202).

  When information indicating the type of electronic money is notified from the media reader / writer 1052 (YES in step 1202), the settlement control unit 1051 does not receive a settlement instruction from the main control device 5 at that time (step 1203). NO), the type of electronic money is displayed on the information output unit 55 based on the notified information, and selection of electronic money by the user is received from the input receiving unit 54 (step 1204). Subsequently, the settlement control unit 1051 issues a detection AP stop command for terminating the detection AP 1153 to the media reader / writer 1052 (step 1205), and the user selects the electronic money to be used, or the media Settlement AP (settlement AP (type A) 1154A, settlement AP (type B) 1154B, settlement AP (type) corresponding to the type of electronic money specified for the reason that there is only one type of electronic money stored in C) A settlement AP activation command for activating any of 1154C) is issued (step 1206).

  Thereafter, the payment control unit 1051 issues an information acquisition command such as balance information and credit information to the media reader / writer 1052 in which the payment AP is operating (step 1207), and the media reader / writer 1052 responds accordingly. When the balance information, credit information, etc. are returned, the information is displayed on the information output unit 55 (step 1208), and a settlement AP stop command is issued to the media reader / writer 1052 to terminate the operating settlement AP ( Step 1209) and the process returns to Step 1201.

  On the other hand, when information indicating the type of electronic money is notified from the media reader / writer 1052 (YES in step 1202), if there is a settlement instruction from the main control device 5 (YES in step 1203), the settlement control unit 1051. If the notified information includes a plurality of types of electronic money (YES in step 1210), the type of electronic money is displayed on the information output unit 55 based on the information and used from the input receiving unit 54. The selection of electronic money by the person is accepted (step 1211).

  When the type of electronic money to be used for settlement is specified because the user selects the electronic money to be used or there is only one type of electronic money stored in the media (NO in step 1210). The payment control unit 1051 issues a detection AP stop command for terminating the detection AP 1153 to the media reader / writer 1052 (step 1212), and the payment AP (settlement AP ( A payment AP activation command is issued to activate type A) 1154A, payment AP (type B) 1154B, payment AP (type C) 1154C) (step 1213).

  Thereafter, the settlement control unit 1051 issues a settlement command to the media reader / writer 1052 in which the settlement AP is operating (step 1214), and when a settlement completion notification is returned from the media reader / writer 1052 accordingly, The information is notified to the main control device 2 (step 1215), a settlement AP stop command for terminating the settlement AP that is operating is issued to the media reader / writer 1052 (step 1216), and the processing returns to step 1201.

  Next, the operation of the media reader / writer 1052 will be described. 21 and 22 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations of the media reader / writer 1052.

  When the media reader / writer 1052 receives the detection AP activation command from the settlement control unit 1051 (YES in step 1301), the media reader / writer 1052 activates the detection AP 1153 to configure the detection unit 1102 (step 1302), and the detection unit 1102 detects the media. (NO in step 1303, step 1304). This medium detection is periodically performed until the medium is detected (NO in step 1305), but the processing looping from step 1303 to step 1305 is in a so-called standby state.

  When the detection unit 1102 detects the medium (YES in step 1305), the detection unit 1102 acquires information indicating the type of electronic money stored from the medium, and notifies the settlement control unit 1051 of this information (step 1306). ).

  When the media reader / writer 1052 receives a detection AP stop command from the settlement control unit 1051 (YES in step 1303), the media reader / writer 1052 ends the detection AP 1153 and deactivates the detection unit 1102 (step 1307).

  Also, when the media reader / writer 1052 receives a payment AP activation command from the payment control unit 1051 (NO in step 1301, YES in step 1308), the corresponding payment AP (payment AP (type A) 1154A, payment AP (type B) 1154B and payment AP (type C) 1154C) are activated to configure any of payment unit (type A) 1103A, payment unit (type B) 1103B, payment unit (type C) 1103C (step) 1309).

  In this state, when an information acquisition command is received from the payment control unit 1051 (NO in step 1310, YES in step 1311), the activated payment unit, for example, the payment unit (type A) 1103A detects the medium (step 1312). If the medium is detected (YES in step 1313), the activated payment unit (for example, payment unit (type A) 1103A) receives the balance information or credit of electronic money stored from the medium. Information is acquired (step 1314), and this is notified to the settlement control unit 1051 (step 1315).

  Also, when a payment command is received from the payment control unit 1051 (NO in step 1310, NO in step 1311, YES in step 1316), the activated payment unit, for example, the payment unit (type A) 1103A detects the media ( When the media is detected (YES in step 1318), the activated payment unit (for example, payment unit (type A) 1103A) performs payment processing according to the payment information included in the payment command. (Step 1319). Since this settlement process differs depending on the type of electronic money, a description thereof is omitted here. When the settlement process ends, the settlement unit (for example, settlement unit (type A) 1103A) notifies the settlement control unit 1051 of the completion of settlement (step 1320).

  When the media reader / writer 1052 receives the settlement AP stop command from the settlement control unit 1051 (YES in step 1310), the media reader / writer 1052 ends the activated settlement AP and deactivates the corresponding settlement unit (step 1321).

  Next, the operation of the media reader / writer 1052 will be described in relation to the main controller 2 and the payment controller 1051. 23 to 25 are diagrams showing the operation flow of the media reader / writer 1052 in relation to the main control device 2 and the payment control unit 1051. In the figure, a part of the settlement unit (type C) 1103C is omitted.

  The detection unit 1102 starts an operation in response to an activation command issued by the settlement control unit 1051 (step 1401 in FIG. 23). After that, when a medium is detected (step 1402), information on the type of electronic money is acquired from the medium. (Step 1403), and notifies the settlement control unit 1051 of the acquired information (Step 1404). This processing corresponds to the processing from step 1304 to step 1306 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the payment control unit 1051 receives information on the type of electronic money from the detection unit 1102, the payment control unit 1051 displays the type of electronic money on the information output unit 55 and receives selection of electronic money by the user from the input reception unit 54. (Step 1405). Then, the settlement control unit 1051 issues a detection AP stop command to the detection unit 1102 (step 1406), and also activates and information acquisition command to the selected settlement unit, for example, the settlement unit (type A) 1103A. (Step 1407). These processes correspond to the processes from step 1204 to step 1207 in FIG.

  When detecting unit 1102 receives a detection AP stop command from settlement control unit 1051, operation stops (step 1406). This processing corresponds to the processing in step 1307 in FIG.

  When the settlement unit (type A) 1103A receives an activation command and an information acquisition command from the settlement control unit 1051 (step 1407), the settlement unit (type A) 1103A detects the media (step 1408), and obtains the balance information and credit information of electronic money from the media. Information is acquired (step 1409), and the acquired information is notified to the settlement control unit 1051 (step 1410). This processing corresponds to the processing from step 1311 to step 1315 in FIG.

  Then, the settlement control unit 1051 displays the notified balance information, credit information, and other information on the information output unit 55 (step 1411), and issues a settlement AP stop command to the settlement unit (type A) 1103A ( In step 1412), an activation command is issued to the settlement unit 1102 (step 1413).

  Further, in the case where merchandise sales are performed by electronic money settlement, when the main control device 2 detects that a merchandise is selected (step 1421 in FIG. 24), the main control device 2 instructs the settlement control unit 1051. A settlement instruction is issued (step 1422).

  On the other hand, the detection unit 1102 detects the medium (step 1423), acquires information about the type of electronic money from the medium (step 1424), and notifies the payment control unit 1051 of the acquired information (step 1425). This processing corresponds to the processing from step 1304 to step 1306 in FIG.

  When the payment control unit 1051 receives information on the type of electronic money from the detection unit 1102, the payment control unit 1051 displays the type of electronic money on the information output unit 55 and receives selection of electronic money by the user from the input reception unit 54 (step 1426). Then, the settlement control unit 1051 issues a detection AP stop command to the detection unit 1102 (step 1427), and issues an activation command and a settlement command to the selected settlement unit, for example, the settlement unit (type A) 1103A. (Step 1428). These processes correspond to the processes from Step 1203 to Step 1214 in FIG.

  The detection unit 1102 stops its operation when it receives a detection AP stop command from the settlement control unit 1051 (step 1427). This processing corresponds to the processing in step 1307 in FIG.

  When the settlement unit (type A) 1103A receives the activation command and the settlement command from the settlement control unit 1051 (step 1428), the settlement unit (type A) 1103A detects the media (step 1429), performs the settlement process on the media (step 1430), When the payment process is completed, the payment control unit 1051 is notified of the completion of payment (step 1431). This processing corresponds to the processing from step 1316 to step 1320 in FIG.

  Then, the settlement control unit 1051 notifies the main control device 2 of the completion of settlement (step 1432), issues a settlement AP stop command to the settlement unit (type A) 1103A (step 1433), and issues an activation command to the settlement unit 1102 (Step 1434).

  Further, in the case where merchandise is sold using a medium corresponding to one type of electronic money, when the main controller 2 detects that a merchandise has been selected (step 1441 in FIG. 25), the main controller 2 performs settlement. A settlement instruction is issued to the control unit 1051 (step 1442).

  On the other hand, the detection unit 1102 detects the medium (step 1443), acquires information about the type of electronic money from the medium (step 1444), and notifies the payment control unit 1051 of the acquired information (step 1445). This processing corresponds to the processing from step 1304 to step 1306 in FIG.

  Thereafter, the settlement control unit 1051 issues a detection AP stop command to the detection unit 1102 (step 1446), and issues an activation command and a settlement command to the detected settlement unit, for example, the settlement unit (type A) 1103A. (Step 1447). These processes correspond to the processes from Step 1203 to Step 1214 (excluding Step 1211) in FIG.

  When detecting unit 1102 receives the detected AP stop command from settlement control unit 1051, operation is stopped (step 1446). This processing corresponds to the processing in step 1307 in FIG.

  When the settlement unit (type A) 1103A receives the activation command and the settlement command from the settlement control unit 1051 (step 1447), the settlement unit (type A) 1103A detects the media (step 1448) and performs settlement processing on the media (step 1449). When the payment process is completed, the payment control unit 1051 is notified of the completion of payment (step 1450). This processing corresponds to the processing from step 1316 to step 1320 in FIG. Note that the media detection in step 1448 is performed for the user in a series of steps with the media detection in step 1443, that is, the media detection in step 1443 and the step 1448 by one media touch by the user. The media is detected at. Of course, if the media cannot be detected in a series of steps, the user is requested to touch the media again.

  Then, the payment control unit 1051 notifies the main control device 2 of the completion of payment (step 1451), issues a payment AP stop command to the payment unit (type A) 1103A (step 1452), and issues an activation command to the payment unit 1102 Is issued (step 1453).

  In the description of the second embodiment, the case where only one of the detection AP 1153, the settlement AP (type A) 1154A, the settlement AP (type B) 1154B, and the settlement AP (type C) 1154C is activated has been described. However, the detection AP 1153 can always be activated and any one of the settlement AP (type A) 1154A, the settlement AP (type B) 1154B, and the settlement AP (type C) 1154C can be activated simultaneously with the detection AP 1153. In this case, although the operation of the media reader / writer 1052 is somewhat different, it is considered that it can be sufficiently analogized from the above description, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the third embodiment, a media reader / writer having a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. For example, in the second embodiment, the media reader / writer 1052 includes an information input / output unit 1101, a detection unit 1102, a settlement unit (type A) 1103A, a settlement unit (type B) 1103B, a settlement unit (type C) 1103C, an antenna. The case where the electronic payment apparatus is configured by the connection control unit 1051, the payment control unit 1051, the media antenna 53, the input reception unit 54, the information output unit 55, and the communication processing unit 56 has been described.

  Each unit constituting these electronic settlement apparatuses can be a part of a media reader / writer. For example, a detection unit 1102 and a settlement unit (type A) like a media reader / writer 2052 shown in FIG. 1103A, settlement unit (type B) 1103B, settlement unit (type C) 1103C, antenna connection unit 1104, settlement control unit 1051, input reception unit 54, and information output unit 55 can be realized. .

  In this case, the hardware configuration of the media reader / writer 2052 requires a display unit and input keys in addition to the CPU 121 and the ROM 122, RAM 123, I / F 124, and I / F 125 shown in FIG. Since it is considered that the configuration can be sufficiently inferred, detailed description thereof is omitted.

It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the information processing apparatus at the time of performing processes, such as payment, corresponding to multiple types of electronic money. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the information processing apparatus at the time of performing processes, such as payment, corresponding to multiple types of electronic money. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the vending machine to which this invention is applied. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a media reader / writer 52. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a media reader / writer 52. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a media reader / writer 52. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the media reader / writer 52. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of the vending machine 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of the vending machine 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of the vending machine 1. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52 in relation to the main control device 2 and the settlement control unit 51. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52 in relation to the main control device 2 and the settlement control unit 51. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of operations of the media reader / writer 52 in relation to the main control device 2 and the settlement control unit 51. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a media reader / writer 1052 in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the media reader / writer 1052. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of an electronic settlement apparatus having a media reader / writer 1052. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the media reader / writer 1052. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the media reader / writer 1052. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the media reader / writer 1052 in relation to the main control device 2 and the settlement control unit 1051. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the media reader / writer 1052 in relation to the main control device 2 and the settlement control unit 1051. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the media reader / writer 1052 in relation to the main control device 2 and the settlement control unit 1051. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a media reader / writer in Embodiment 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 2 Main control apparatus 3 Merchandise selection apparatus 4 Cash settlement apparatus 5 Electronic settlement apparatus 51 Payment control part 52 Media reader / writer 53 Media antenna 54 Input reception part 55 Information output part 56 Communication processing part 101 Information input / output part 102 Selection unit 103A Settlement unit (type A)
103B Settlement Department (Type B)
103C Settlement Department (Type C)
104 Antenna connection part 121 CPU
122 ROM
123 RAM
124 I / F
125 I / F
151 Hardware 152 OS
153 Selected AP
153A Type A information 153B Type B information 153C Type C information 154A Settlement AP (Type A)
154B Settlement AP (Type B)
154C Settlement AP (Type C)
1051 Settlement control unit 1052 Media reader / writer 1101 Information input / output unit 1102 Detection unit 1103A Settlement unit (type A)
1103B Settlement Department (Type B)
1103C Settlement Department (Type C)
1104 Antenna connection 1153 Detection AP
1153A Type A information 1153B Type B information 1153C Type C information 1154A Settlement AP (Type A)
1154B Settlement AP (Type B)
1154C Settlement AP (Type C)
2052 Media reader / writer

Claims (10)

In an information processing apparatus that performs payment using electronic information stored in media,
A plurality of payment means for making payments using different types of electronic information,
Detecting means for detecting all types of electronic information corresponding to each of the payment means,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the settlement means operates in accordance with a detection result of electronic information from the media by the detection means.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit reads electronic information detected from the medium and displays the read electronic information on a display unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit operates a settlement unit corresponding to a type of electronic information detected from the medium.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the plurality of types of electronic information are detected from the medium, the detection unit causes the plurality of payment units to select a payment unit to be operated.   5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when one type of electronic information is detected from the medium, the detection unit operates a settlement unit corresponding to the type of electronic information.   2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a settlement control unit that operates a settlement unit corresponding to the type of electronic information detected from the medium by the detection unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the settlement control unit reads electronic information detected from the medium and displays the read electronic information on a display unit.   8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the settlement control unit causes a settlement unit to be operated from the plurality of settlement units when the detection unit detects a plurality of types of electronic information from the medium. .   9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when the detection unit detects one type of electronic information from the medium, the payment control unit operates a payment unit corresponding to the type of electronic information. .   2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the settlement means and the detection means are not operated simultaneously.

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