JP2005321988A - Fee payment system, fee payment method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fee payment system, a fee payment method, and a program for realizing a closed loop electronic money payment process that is lower in cost and more stable than before.
An IC card processing terminal 12 reads an IC card ID and a balance of electronic money from an IC card 1 via an IC card I / F unit 122, and the IC card 1 is valid based on the read IC card ID. When it is determined whether or not the IC card 1 is valid, settlement is performed using electronic money. Further, the IC card processing terminal 12 transmits the payment information generated by the payment to the information collection processing device 21. The information collection processing device 21 transmits the settlement information confirmation request received from the IC card processing terminal 12 to the electronic money management device 50 via the relay processing device 30.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a fee payment system, a fee payment method, and a program for realizing fee payment using a recording medium such as an IC card.

  In recent years, payment of charges using the electronic money function of an IC card has been put into practical use. For example, at a convenience store, a business model has been established in which the price of a product is deducted from the value charged in a non-contact type IC card.

  Electronic money mainly uses two types of open-loop and closed-loop types. The open-loop type exchanges values directly between the payout side and the receiving terminal / IC card. Will continue to circulate between terminals / IC cards one after another (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since the IC card itself has a monetary value function, it cannot be reissued at the time of loss or theft as in the case of cash, so there is a concern for users who actually use electronic money.

  On the other hand, in the closed loop type, the center device is substantially interposed between the paying side and the receiving side, and requires an inquiry to the center when exchanging values. Because it can be managed by the center, procedures such as reissuance can be performed even if it is lost or stolen, so there is a sense of security for the user, but the management side costs the center facilities or IC for settlement processing There is a disadvantage that a communication means between the card reader and the center facility is required. The case of the convenience store is operated in a closed loop type, and communication with the center is performed based on information read by the IC card reader.

  Further, in recent years, a payment system using an IC card has been proposed in place of a paper ticket that has been used for payment by taxi ticket (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, a user uses an IC card issued as a taxi ticket when paying a fee. The taxi is equipped with a wireless terminal device, and the read information of the IC card and information such as a usage fee are wirelessly transmitted to the center computer and settlement processing is performed at the center. As a result, electronic money can be used not only on fixed IC card readers such as in convenience stores, but also on mobile objects.

JP 2002-150331 A Japanese Patent No. 2853331

  In this way, various business models that use the electronic money function of IC cards have been realized, but the open loop type and the closed loop type have advantages and disadvantages, respectively, and operate while sacrificing the disadvantages. Must be used at the expense of the user or administrator.

  For example, considering the use of electronic money in the taxi mentioned above, it is safe for the user because it is a closed loop type, but because the payment processing based on wireless communication occurs between the taxi and the center, In poor areas and environments, communication is not always guaranteed and will introduce operational instability. In other words, as a matter of fact, closed-loop electronic money is that the management side can use the electronic money with peace of mind if the direct communication between the device that reads the IC card and the center is not established. I can't.

  Furthermore, in cases such as vending machines where equipment costs are required for network connection with a center that is not a mobile object, it is difficult to install a vending machine that can use a closed-loop IC card, and this has stopped the spread. There is a risk that.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fee payment system, a fee payment method, and a program thereof that realize closed-loop electronic money payment processing that is lower in cost and more stable than before. And

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In the fee payment system according to the present invention, a recording medium processing apparatus having a function of performing settlement of electronic money recorded on a recording medium, and a recording medium processing apparatus Fee payment comprising at least an information collection processing device that collects payment information, which is information related to payment, and an electronic money management device that confirms the usage amount of electronic money included in the payment information collected by the information collection processing device A recording medium processing apparatus, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a recording medium that records electronic money; a reading unit that reads identification information for identifying the recording medium and a balance of electronic money from the recording medium via the communication unit; And determining whether or not the recording medium is effective as an electronic money medium based on the identification information read by the reading means If it is determined that the determination means is valid, a payment processing means that performs payment using electronic money, a payment information database that stores payment information that is information related to payment performed by the payment processing means, A transmission means for transmitting the payment information read from the payment information database to the information collection processing apparatus, the information collection processing apparatus receiving the payment information from the recording medium processing apparatus, and the payment information received by the reception means. Confirmation request transmitting means for transmitting the confirmation request to the electronic money management apparatus.

  Thus, if the fee payment system using the fee payment system according to the present invention is constructed, the payment processing using the recording medium is completed in the fee payment system, so that the payment processing as in the conventional closed loop type electronic money is completed. For example, there is no need to communicate with an external computer (electronic money management device), speeding up payment processing and improving the stability of payment processing (because the communication status with external computers is not affected) Can be realized. Furthermore, since the function of communicating with an external computer is not required compared to the conventional case, the manufacturing cost of the device itself can be reduced.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the fee payment system according to the present invention, the electronic money management device is configured such that the usage amount of electronic money included in the payment information is valid in response to the received confirmation request for payment information. A confirmation means for confirming, and a transmission means for transmitting to the information collection processing device a deletion instruction for instructing to delete the payment information confirmed by the confirmation means. The information collection processing device issues a deletion instruction from the electronic money management device. And a transfer means for receiving and transferring the received deletion instruction to the recording medium processing device, wherein the recording medium processing device deletes the payment information corresponding to the deletion instruction received from the information collection processing device from the payment information database. It further comprises deletion means.

  In one embodiment of the fee payment system according to the present invention, the information collection processing device is a portable device.

  In one aspect of the fee payment system according to the present invention, the information collection processing device performs wireless communication with the recording medium processing device.

  Further, in the fee payment method according to the present invention, a recording medium processing device having a function of paying electronic money recorded on a recording medium, and an information collecting process for collecting payment information that is information related to payment from the recording medium processing device A fee payment method using a fee payment system comprising at least a device and an electronic money management device for confirming the usage amount of electronic money included in the payment information collected by the information collection processing device, wherein the recording medium processing In the apparatus, a reading step for reading the identification information for identifying the recording medium from the recording medium and the balance of the electronic money, and determining whether the recording medium is effective as an electronic money medium based on the identification information read in the reading step To make payment using electronic money. In the information collection processing device, the payment processing step and the transmission step of transmitting the payment information read from the payment information database storing the payment information that is information related to the payment performed in the payment processing step to the information collection processing device, A receiving step for receiving payment information from the recording medium processing apparatus and a confirmation request transmitting step for transmitting a confirmation request for the payment information received in the receiving step to the electronic money management apparatus are processed.

  In the aspect of the fee payment method according to the present invention, in the electronic money management device, whether the usage amount of the electronic money included in the payment information is valid in response to the received confirmation request for the payment information. A confirmation step for confirming and a transmission step for transmitting to the information collection processing device a deletion instruction for instructing to delete the payment information confirmed in the confirmation step. The information collection processing device issues a deletion instruction from the electronic money management device. A transfer step of receiving and transferring the received deletion instruction to the recording medium processing apparatus is further processed, and the payment information corresponding to the deletion instruction received from the information collection processing apparatus is deleted from the payment information database in the recording medium processing apparatus. The deletion step is further processed.

  Further, a program according to the present invention includes a recording medium processing device having a function of performing payment of electronic money recorded on a recording medium, an information collection processing device that collects payment information that is information related to payment from the recording medium processing device, A program for a fee payment system comprising at least an electronic money management device for confirming a usage amount of electronic money included in settlement information collected by an information collection processing device, wherein the recording medium processing device A reading step for reading the identification information for identifying the recording medium and the balance of the electronic money, a determination step for determining whether the recording medium is effective as an electronic money medium based on the identification information read in the reading step, and a determination If it is determined that the payment is effective in the step, the payment processing step for performing payment using electronic money. And a transmission step of transmitting the payment information read from the payment information database storing the payment information, which is information relating to the payment performed in the payment processing step, to the information collection processing device, and recording in the information collection processing device. A program for causing a computer to execute a reception step of receiving payment information from a medium processing device and a confirmation request transmission step of transmitting a confirmation request for the payment information received in the reception step to an electronic money management device.

  In one embodiment of the program according to the present invention, the electronic money management device confirms whether or not the usage amount of the electronic money included in the payment information is valid in response to the received confirmation request for the payment information. The computer executes a confirmation step and a transmission step for transmitting to the information collection processing device a deletion instruction for instructing to delete the payment information confirmed in the confirmation step. In the information collection processing device, the electronic money management device deletes the instruction. And a transfer step for transferring the received deletion instruction to the recording medium processing apparatus is further executed by the computer, and the recording medium processing apparatus receives the payment information corresponding to the deletion instruction received from the information collection processing apparatus as the payment information. A deletion step of deleting from the database is further executed by the computer.

  According to the fee payment system, the fee payment method, and the program thereof according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a closed loop electronic money payment process that is lower in cost and more stable than before.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
First, an example of a business to which a fee payment system using an IC card in which closed-loop electronic money is recorded according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a business example to which a fee payment system using an IC card in which electronic money is recorded in one embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the fee payment system in the present embodiment is a taxi fee payment system using an IC card 1 in which electronic money is recorded, and is a business example to which the taxi fee payment system is applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an IC card which is, for example, a plastic card having a built-in memory IC (recording medium) capable of reading and writing data from the outside by wireless communication without contact. The IC card 1 is an IC card issued by an IC card using company 50, and records at least information on a card ID unique to each IC card and balance of electronic money. Here, the electronic money is electronic data that can be used for payment instead of money, and the unit is, for example, the same yen as the actual currency. Reference numeral 10 denotes a taxi, which is equipped with a device (IC card processing terminal 12 in FIG. 2 to be described later) that performs wireless communication with the IC card 1 to settle a taxi fare with electronic money.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a taxi office, which is a place where the taxi 10 always stops. The taxi office 20 is always equipped with a device (information collection processing device 21 in FIG. 2 to be described later) that obtains payment information from a device that settles a taxi fare with the electronic money installed in the taxi 10. The device that acquires the payment information is a portable device. In addition, the device that acquires the payment information of the taxi office 20 also has a function of transmitting the acquired payment information to the relay processing device 30 described later.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a relay processing device that receives payment information from the taxi office 20 and converts the received payment information into an electronic money management center 50 that manages electronic money (see FIG. 2 described later). The data is transferred to the electronic money management device 51).

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an aggregation processing device, which aggregates the settlement information received from the relay processing device 30 and charges the electronic money management center 50 according to the total amount of electronic money used for taxi fare payment. .

  In addition, the electronic money management center 50 performs processing for managing electronic money charged to the IC card 1. For example, when charging electronic money of an arbitrary value (amount) to the IC card 1 is performed at a terminal dedicated to charging (not shown), information on the electronic money charged at the terminal dedicated to charging is electronic. Managed by the money management center 50. Specifically, an apparatus (an electronic money management apparatus 51 described later) installed in the electronic money management center 50 receives the value of the electronic money charged to each IC card 1 (charge value) and the relay processing apparatus 30. IC card used to confirm the consistency with the value (use value) of the used electronic money included in the payment information, and to use the fee specified by the payment information is effective as the electronic money medium It is judged whether it is. In addition, the electronic money management center 50 performs a payment process according to the request from the totalization processing device 40.

  With the above configuration, a business using a fee payment system in which a user of the taxi 10 can pay a taxi fee using electronic money charged in the IC card 1 is realized. The feature of this business is that the electronic money recorded on the IC card 1 is used to perform payment processing in the taxi 10, and later, the payment information that is information related to the payment by electronic money is aggregated and a taxi fee is charged. It is. Thereby, it is an advantage that it is not necessary to communicate with the electronic money management center 50 for the settlement processing in the taxi 10, unlike the conventional closed loop type electronic money. That is, it is not necessary to communicate with the electronic money management center 50 installed at a remote place during settlement processing as in the conventional case, and even if the taxi 10 is in a state where the taxi 10 cannot communicate with the electronic money management center 50. Payment processing can be performed.

  Another feature of the business is that collection of payment information stored in a device in the taxi 10 is performed by a device in the taxi office 20. Thereby, safe and reliable communication can be performed between the device in the taxi 10 and the device in the taxi sales office 20, and payment information can be collected safely and reliably. In addition, since the electronic money management center 50 performs payment processing, the electronic money of the present embodiment is closed-loop electronic money. However, since processing for making an inquiry to the electronic money management center 50 at the time of settlement is not performed, the electronic money is faster than before. Payment processing can be realized.

  Next, the structure of the fee payment system which is one embodiment of the present invention for realizing the business example shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, an apparatus configuration example provided in the taxi 10, the taxi office 20 and the electronic money management center 50 shown in FIG. 1 constituting the fee payment system of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fee payment system using an IC card that records electronic money including an IC card processing terminal (recording medium processing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the taxi 10 includes a fee calculation device 11 and an IC card processing terminal 12. The fee calculation device 11 has a function of calculating a fee (taxi fare) from when a passenger (user) who uses the taxi 10 gets on and off. The fee calculation device 11 also has a function of notifying the IC card processing terminal 12 of information related to fees.

  The IC card processing terminal 12 includes a database 13, performs authentication of the IC card 1 charged with electronic money, and makes a payment to be paid with electronic money as compensation for the fee notified from the fee calculation device 11. The taxi 10 also has a function of transmitting settlement information to the information collection processing device 21 installed in the taxi office 20 when the taxi 10 stops at the taxi office 20. The database 13 includes an authentication information database 13a for storing authentication information used when the IC card processing terminal 12 authenticates the IC card 1, and information (settlement information) related to the payment performed by the IC card processing terminal 12. A settlement information database 13b to be stored. The detailed configuration of the IC card processing terminal 12 and the database 13 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The information collection processing device 21 installed in the taxi office 20 communicates with the IC card processing terminal 12 installed in the taxi 10 to collect the payment information and collect it in the relay processing device 30. Send payment information. The information collection processing device 21 is a portable terminal device that is carried to a position where it can be connected to the IC card processing terminal 12 in the taxi 10 via a communication line, and then connected to the IC card processing terminal 12 and the communication line. To communicate with the IC card processing terminal 12 and collect the payment information.

  Next, when the information collection processing device 21 transmits the collected payment information to the relay processing device 30, the relay processing device 30 sends the payment information to the aggregation processing device 40 and the electronic money management device 51 of the electronic money management center 50 described later. Forward. The aggregation processing device 40 calculates the billing amount by summing up the usage amount of the electronic money included in the received payment information, and transmits billing information for charging the calculated billing amount to the electronic money management device 51 at a predetermined timing. .

  In addition, when the electronic money management apparatus 51 finishes the processing for the received payment information, the electronic money management device 51 transmits a deletion instruction for instructing deletion of the payment information to the relay processing unit 30. As a result, the relay processing device 30 transfers the deletion instruction to the information collection processing device 21, and the information collection processing device 21 further transfers the deletion instruction to the IC card processing terminal 12. In response to the received deletion instruction, the IC card processing terminal 12 deletes the payment information transmitted to the electronic money management device 51 stored in the payment information database 13b.

  The electronic money management device 51 installed in the electronic money management center 50 checks whether the IC card 1 itself is a valid IC card based on the IC card ID included in the received payment information, A process is performed to check whether the included usage amount is within the current balance of the electronic money charged to the IC card 1 or not. Further, as described above, the electronic money management device 51 transmits a deletion instruction for instructing deletion of the settlement information that has been processed to the relay processing device 30. Further, the electronic money management device 51 performs a payment process according to the billing information received from the tabulation processing device 40 and transmits the processing result to the tabulation processing device 40.

  As described above, the taxi fare payment system using the IC card 1 charged with electronic money is realized by the configuration described with reference to FIG. According to the payment system shown in FIG. 2, since the IC card processing terminal 12 performs taxi fare payment processing using electronic money, authentication of the IC card 1 by the remote electronic money management device 51 is performed as in the prior art. There is no need (= it is not necessary to communicate with the electronic money management device 51 by wireless communication or the like at the time of settlement), and settlement processing can be performed reliably and promptly. Furthermore, since the information collection processing device 21 acquires the payment information from the IC card processing terminal 12 at the taxi office 20, the payment information is reliably delivered from the IC card processing terminal 12 to the information collection processing device 21. Done and can also increase security.

  In the present embodiment, the communication between the IC card 1 and the IC card processing terminal 12 is wireless communication. However, the communication is not limited to this, and the IC card 1 is provided with a communication terminal to perform wired communication with the IC card processing terminal 12. May be performed. In the present embodiment, the communication between the fee calculation apparatus 11 and the IC card processing terminal 12 is wired communication, but wireless communication may be performed. Furthermore, the structure may be such that the amount calculated by the fee calculation device 11 is input to the IC card processing terminal 12 by manual input or the like without performing communication between the fee calculation device 11 and the IC card processing terminal 12. However, in this case, the IC card processing terminal 12 needs to include an input unit for inputting the amount.

  Further, in the present embodiment, communication between the IC card processing terminal 12 and the information collection processing device 21 is wired communication using a communication line such as a USB cable or a serial communication cable, so that higher security than wireless communication is achieved. A level can be secured. In the present embodiment, communication between the information collection processing device 21 and the relay processing device 30 is communication via a communication network such as the Internet, and the information collection processing device 21 has a gateway function. Further, the communication between the information collection processing device 21 and the relay processing device 30 is not limited to the Internet communication described above, and wireless communication may be used. However, since information related to payment is exchanged, it is desirable that the communication security level be higher.

Next, an example of information recorded on the IC card 1 used for taxi fare payment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded on the IC card 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the IC card 1 stores an IC card ID that is information for identifying each IC card 1. The IC card 1 stores information on the balance of electronic money. The balance information of the electronic money is reduced by using the electronic money and increased by the above-described charging process.

  As described above, the balance of the electronic money shown in FIG. 4 is increased and stored in the IC card 1 as an “electronic money balance” by the charging process of the charge-dedicated device. The IC card ID is information for identifying the read-only IC card 1 that cannot be changed and is given when the IC card 1 is manufactured. The above-mentioned “electronic money balance” is preferably recorded in a state in which it is not falsified by a malicious third party by performing an encryption process or the like in advance. When the “electronic money balance” is encrypted, the IC card processing terminal 12 in the taxi 10 further has a function of decrypting the encrypted “electronic money balance”.

Next, a detailed functional configuration of the IC card processing terminal 12 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed functional configuration example of the IC card processing terminal 12 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the IC card processing terminal 12 includes a control unit 120, a charge information acquisition unit 121, a database 13, an IC card I / F (interface) unit 122, an information reading unit 123, an authentication processing unit 124, and a settlement process. Section 125, information writing processing section 126, database processing section 127, and communication processing section 128.

  The control unit 120 controls the flow of data in the IC card processing terminal 12 and each processing unit. The fare information acquisition unit 121 acquires information related to the taxi fare from the fare calculator 11. The IC card I / F unit 122 performs wireless communication with the IC card 1 to read information from the IC card 1 and write information to the IC card 1.

  The information reading unit 123 reads information such as an IC card ID and “electronic money balance” from the IC card 1 via the IC card I / F unit 122. Specifically, the information reading unit 123 performs a process of reading the IC card ID and the “electronic money balance” from the IC card 1 via the IC card I / F unit 122 when the IC card 1 is held at a predetermined position. Do. When the “electronic money balance” is encrypted, for example, the information reading unit 123 performs a decryption process of the encrypted use flag.

  Based on the IC card ID read by the information reading unit 123 and the authentication information referred to from the authentication information database 13a, the authentication processing unit 124 is an IC that the IC card 1 is valid (available for taxi fare payment service). A process of authenticating whether the card is used is performed. As an authentication method, for example, a valid IC card ID is recorded in the authentication information database 13a, the authentication processing unit 124 uses the IC card ID recorded in the authentication information database 13a, and the information reading unit 123 uses the IC card. An authentication method for performing authentication depending on whether or not the IC card ID read from 1 matches may be considered, but various authentication methods can be applied.

  When the authentication processing unit 124 authenticates the IC card 1, the payment processing unit 125 performs a payment process in which the taxi fee acquired by the fee information acquisition unit 121 is settled with electronic money. Specifically, when the authentication processing unit 124 authenticates the IC card 1, the settlement processing unit 125 subtracts the taxi fare from the above-mentioned “electronic money balance” and leaves the electronic money balance (hereinafter referred to as electronic money after use). And processing for outputting settlement information including settlement date and time, usage amount, and electronic money balance.

  The information writing processing unit 126 performs processing for writing the used electronic money balance to the IC card 1 via the IC card I / F unit 122. Specifically, the information writing processing unit 126 writes the used electronic money balance included in the payment information output from the payment processing unit 125 to the IC card 1. In addition, when the writing process to the IC card 1 is normally completed, the information writing processing unit 126 transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as a transmission signal) for notifying the user and the driver of the taxi 10 that the settlement process has been completed. Output). In response to this transmission signal, the IC card processing terminal 12, for example, blinks a light emitting element (not shown) or emits an electronic sound from a speaker (not shown), and confirms that the payment has been completed. Tell the driver.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, as described above, the IC card processing terminal 12 includes means for transmitting the end of the payment process, payment information, etc. to the user or the driver of the taxi 10 (transmission means). ing. As this transmission means, for example, a liquid crystal panel may be considered in addition to the above-described light emitting element and a speaker that outputs an electronic sound.

  The database processing unit 127 performs processing for recording the payment information output from the payment processing unit 125 in the payment information database 13b. The communication processing unit 128 performs communication when the information collection processing device 21 of the taxi office 20 and the IC card processing terminal 12 are connected by a communication line. When the database processing unit 127 receives a request for payment information from the information collection processing device 21 via the communication line and the communication processing unit 128, the database processing unit 127 reads the payment information according to the request from the payment information database 13b. A process of transmitting the read settlement information to the information collection processing device 21 via the communication line and the communication processing unit 128 is performed. Further, when the database processing unit 127 receives a payment information deletion request from the information collection processing device 21 via the communication line and the communication processing unit 128, the database processing unit 127 deletes the payment information according to the request from the payment information database 13b. Process. Thereby, the payment information transferred to the information collection processing device 21 (= payment information that is no longer necessary) can be deleted, and the memory area can be used efficiently.

  Next, a configuration example of payment information stored in the payment information database 13b of the database 13 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of payment information stored in the payment information database 13b in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the payment information includes “settlement date and time” that is information for specifying the date and time when the payment process was performed, IC card ID that is information for specifying the IC card 1 used for payment, It consists of information such as a post-use electronic money balance obtained by the settlement processing unit 125.

  In addition to the information shown in FIG. 5, the payment information stored in the payment information database 13b may further include information on the used service and information on the provider who provided the service.

In the embodiment described above, each processing unit (excluding the IC card I / F unit 122 and the communication processing unit 128) of the IC card processing terminal 12 shown in FIG. 3 is configured by a memory and a CPU (central processing unit). The function is realized by reading a program for realizing the function of each processing unit into a memory and executing it by the CPU. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part of each processing unit is realized. Processing or all processing may be realized by dedicated hardware. Note that, in the IC card I / F unit 122 and the communication processing unit 128, a part for transmitting and receiving a communication signal is configured by at least hardware.
The memory includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, and a flash memory, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM that can only be read, and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Or a computer-readable / writable recording medium based on a combination thereof.

  Next, the operation of the tax payment system described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described. In the business example shown in FIG. 1, the processes related to the settlement process of the IC card 1 can be roughly classified into two. The first is processing for performing payment processing in the taxi 10, and the second is collecting payment information in the taxi office 20 and transmitting the collected payment information to the electronic money management device 51 via the relay processing device 30. It is processing to do. Hereinafter, these two processes will be described in order.

  First, the first process of performing a payment process in the taxi 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which the IC card processing terminal 12 of the taxi 10 performs a payment process. 6 will be described below using the IC card processing terminal 12 shown in FIG. The process of FIG. 6 is a process that is started at the time of payment after the user having the IC card 1 charged with electronic money uses the taxi 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S <b> 1, the fare information acquisition unit 121 acquires fare information that is information related to a taxi fare from the fare calculator 11. Here, for example, the IC card processing terminal 12 may display or pronounce a message prompting the user to hold the IC card 1 over a predetermined place (a place where communication with the IC card processing terminal 12 is possible). Alternatively, the driver of the taxi 10 may verbally ask the user (customer) to hold the IC card 1 over a specific place. As a result, the IC card 1 is held over a predetermined place where the IC card 1 can communicate with the IC card processing terminal 12 for the purpose of paying a fee.

  Next, in step S <b> 2, the information reading unit 123 reads information necessary for paying the taxi fare from the IC card 1 via the IC card I / F unit 122. Specifically, the information reading unit 123 reads the information of the IC card ID and the electronic money balance shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S3, the authentication processing unit 124 determines whether the IC card 1 is valid based on the information read by the information reading unit 123 from the IC card 1 and the authentication information referred to from the authentication information database 13a. If it is valid, it is authenticated. If the authentication processing unit 124 authenticates (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. If the authentication processing unit 124 does not authenticate (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S9.

  Next, in step S4, the settlement processing unit 125 performs the settlement process based on the electronic money balance of the IC card 1 authenticated by the authentication processing unit 124, the fee information acquired by the fee information acquiring unit 121, and the like. To generate payment information. However, since the payment cannot be made if the electronic money balance is less than the fee, the process proceeds to step S5. If the payment processing unit 125 is able to perform the payment process (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6 and the payment processing unit 125 performs the payment process. If not (NO in step S5), the process proceeds to step S9.

  Next, in step S <b> 6, the information writing processing unit 126 records the post-use electronic money balance included in the payment information generated by the payment processing unit 125 on the IC card 1 via the IC card I / F unit 122. In step S7, the information writing processing unit 126 determines whether or not the process of writing the used electronic money balance to the IC card 1 has been completed normally. If it is determined that the writing process has been completed normally (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S7. If it is determined that the writing process has not been completed normally (NO in step S7), the process proceeds to step S7. Proceed to S9.

  Next, in step S8, the IC card processing terminal 12 notifies the user (customer) and the driver of the taxi 10 that the payment has been completed. Further, the database processing unit 127 records the payment information output from the payment processing unit 125 in the payment information database 13b. Thus, the settlement process by the IC card processing terminal 12 is completed.

  In step S9, the IC card processing terminal 12 notifies the user (customer) and the driver of the taxi 10 that payment has not been made (unsettled), and the payment processing is terminated. That is, even if the payment process can be performed in steps S4 and S5, the payment information generated in steps S4 and S5 becomes invalid if the write process to the IC card 1 cannot be performed in steps S6 and S7.

  As described above, in the payment system according to the present embodiment, since the payment processing corresponding to the use of the IC card 1 is completed by the processing in the IC card processing terminal 12, it is installed at a remote place as in the past. Since the electronic money management device 51 that manages the information related to the electronic money is not inquired about the authentication processing or the like, the payment processing can be speeded up or the reliable payment processing can be realized.

  Next, a process of collecting payment information at the taxi office 20 and transmitting the collected payment information to the electronic money management apparatus 51 via the relay processing apparatus 30 as the second process will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow for collecting payment information at the taxi office 20 and transmitting the collected payment information to the electronic money management device 51 via the relay processing device 30. 7 is a process that is started when the taxi 10 returns to the taxi office 20 during or after work.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, at time t1, the information collection processing device 21 installed in the taxi office 20 is connected to the IC card processing terminal 12 in the taxi 10 via a communication line and starts communication. Next, at time t <b> 2, the information collection processing device 21 requests payment information from the IC card processing terminal 12. In response to this request, at time t3, the IC card processing terminal 12 transmits settlement information to the information collection processing device 21. Thereby, at time t4, the information collection processing device 21 transmits the settlement information received from the IC card processing terminal 12 to the relay processing device 30.

  Next, at time t <b> 5, the relay processing device 30 transmits the settlement information received from the information collection processing device 21 to the electronic money management device 51. Thereby, at time t6, the electronic money management device 51 performs processing for confirming whether the payment information received from the relay processing device 30 is valid. Next, at times t <b> 7 and t <b> 8, the electronic money management device 51 transmits a deletion instruction for instructing to bloom the processed payment information to the information collection processing device 21 via the relay processing device 30.

  Next, at time t9, the information collection processing device 21 transfers the received deletion instruction to the IC card processing terminal 12. Thereby, the database processing unit 127 of the IC card processing terminal 12 that has received the deletion instruction deletes the payment information from the payment information database 13b in response to the deletion instruction at time t10.

  Through the processing described above, the information collection processing device 21 collects payment information from the IC card processing terminal 12 and transmits it to the relay processing device 30, and the relay processing device 30 transmits to the relay processing device 30. By doing so, only the payment information processed by the electronic money management device 51 is deleted from the payment information database 13b of the IC card processing terminal 12, so that the payment from the IC card processing terminal 12 to the electronic money management device 51 is performed. Information can be exchanged reliably. Further, when the present embodiment is compared with a conventional payment method using a taxi ticket or the like, collection and collection of settlement information using the above-described IC card 1 can be performed quickly and reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the IC card 1 is a non-contact type IC card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a contact type IC card or a memory card that can be attached to and detached from a mobile phone may be used. Any recording medium that is portable and capable of reading and writing data from the outside may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the relay processing device 30 is configured to communicate with one taxi sales office 20, but is not limited thereto, and the relay processing device 30 can communicate with a plurality of taxi sales offices 20. But you can. In the embodiment described above, the information collection processing device 21 is connected to one IC card processing terminal 12 and collects payment information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of IC card processing terminals 12 are collected at one time. To collect payment information. However, in this case, the information collection processing device 21 sequentially collects payment information and transfers a deletion instruction to the plurality of IC card processing terminals 12.

  In the above-described embodiment, the timing when the user holds the IC card 1 over a position where the user can communicate with the IC card processing terminal 12 is after the taxi 10 fee is determined (after using the service). Instead, for example, the IC card 1 may be held over a position where it can communicate with the IC card processing terminal 12 in order to confirm whether or not the IC card 1 can be used when the taxi 10 is boarded (that is, before using the service). . In this case, the IC card processing terminal 12 performs only the authentication process using the IC card ID and transmits the verification result to the user and the driver of the taxi 10. In addition, when the charge for the service is determined in advance (for example, uniform charge in the city), the IC card 1 is checked at the timing of checking whether or not the IC card 1 can be used (timing before using the service). The processing terminal 12 may perform payment processing using electronic money.

  Moreover, although the payment system of the above-mentioned embodiment assumed the business using the electronic money charged to the IC card 1 for the taxi payment, as another application example, the IC card was charged for the payment of the vending machine, for example. Businesses that use electronic money can be considered. In this case, a device having the same function as the IC card processing terminal 12 in the taxi 10 (hereinafter referred to as IC card processing device A) is installed in the vending machine. Further, a person who replenishes a vending machine with articles (juice, cigarettes, etc.) uses a portable device (hereinafter referred to as a portable device A) having a function equivalent to that of the information collection processing device 21 described above. An application example in which payment information is collected from the IC card processing apparatus A in the machine is conceivable. Thereby, the IC card processing apparatus A installed in each vending machine has a function of communicating with the electronic money management apparatus 51 installed in a remote place in order to authenticate the IC card 1 when performing the settlement process. Since it is not necessary, there is an advantage that it can be provided at low cost.

  Further, as described above, each processing unit of the IC card processing terminal 12 shown in FIG. 3 is realized by a computer executing a program. Means for supplying the program to a computer, for example, a computer-readable recording medium that records the program or a transmission medium that transmits the program can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. A program product such as a computer-readable recording medium in which the above program is recorded can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. The above program, recording medium, transmission medium, and program product are included in the scope of the present invention.

  The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding a program for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the example of a business which applies the fee payment system using the IC card in one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an IC card processing system including an IC card processing terminal (recording medium processing apparatus) in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed functional structural example of the IC card processing terminal 12 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of information recorded on IC card 1 in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the payment information stored in the payment information database 13b in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which the IC card processing terminal 12 of the taxi 10 performs a payment process. It is a figure which shows the processing flow which collects payment information in the taxi office, and totals in the relay processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 IC card 10 Taxi 11 Charge calculation device 12 IC card processing terminal 120 Control part 121 Charge information acquisition part 122 IC card I / F part 123 Information reading part 124 Authentication processing part 125 Settlement processing part 126 Information writing processing part 127 Database processing part 128 Communication Processing Unit 13 Database 13a Authentication Information Database 13b Settlement Information Database 21 Information Collection Processing Device 30 Relay Processing Device 40 Total Processing Device 50 Electronic Money Management Center 51 Electronic Money Management Device

Claims (8)

A recording medium processing apparatus having a function of performing settlement of electronic money recorded on a recording medium, an information collection processing apparatus that collects payment information that is information related to payment from the recording medium processing apparatus, and a collection by the information collection processing apparatus A fee payment system comprising at least an electronic money management device for confirming a usage amount of the electronic money included in the settlement information,
The recording medium processing apparatus comprises:
Communication means for communicating with the recording medium on which the electronic money is recorded;
Reading means for reading the identification information for identifying the recording medium and the balance of the electronic money from the recording medium via the communication means;
Judging means for judging whether or not the recording medium is effective as the electronic money medium based on the identification information read by the reading means;
If it is determined that the determination means is valid, payment processing means for performing payment using the electronic money,
A payment information database for storing payment information, which is information related to the payment made by the payment processing means;
Transmission means for transmitting the payment information read from the payment information database to the information collection processing device,
The information collection processing device includes:
Receiving means for receiving the payment information from the recording medium processing device;
A fee payment system comprising: a confirmation request transmission unit configured to transmit a confirmation request for the payment information received by the reception unit to the electronic money management apparatus. The electronic money management device includes:
Confirmation means for confirming whether or not the usage amount of the electronic money included in the settlement information is valid in response to the received confirmation request for the settlement information;
A transmission means for transmitting to the information collection processing device a deletion instruction for instructing to delete the payment information confirmed by the confirmation means,
The information collection processing device includes:
Further comprising transfer means for receiving the deletion instruction from the electronic money management apparatus and transferring the received deletion instruction to the recording medium processing apparatus;
The recording medium processing apparatus comprises:
The fee payment system according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the payment information corresponding to the deletion instruction received from the information collection processing device from the payment information database.   The fee payment system according to claim 1, wherein the information collection processing device is a portable device.   The fee payment system according to claim 1, wherein the information collection processing device performs wireless communication with the recording medium processing device. A recording medium processing apparatus having a function of performing settlement of electronic money recorded on a recording medium, an information collection processing apparatus that collects payment information that is information related to payment from the recording medium processing apparatus, and a collection by the information collection processing apparatus A fee payment method using a fee payment system comprising at least an electronic money management device for confirming a usage amount of the electronic money included in the payment information,
In the recording medium processing apparatus,
A reading step of reading identification information for identifying the recording medium and the balance of the electronic money from the recording medium;
A determination step of determining whether the recording medium is valid as the electronic money medium based on the identification information read in the reading step;
When it is determined that the determination step is effective, a payment processing step of performing payment using the electronic money;
Processing the transmission step of transmitting the payment information read from the payment information database storing the payment information, which is information related to the payment performed in the payment processing step, to the information collection processing device,
In the information collection processing apparatus,
Receiving the payment information from the recording medium processing apparatus;
A fee payment method comprising: processing a confirmation request transmission step of transmitting the payment information confirmation request received in the reception step to the electronic money management device. In the electronic money management device,
A confirmation step of confirming whether or not the usage amount of the electronic money included in the settlement information is valid in response to the received confirmation request for the settlement information;
A transmission step for transmitting a deletion instruction for instructing to delete the settlement information confirmed in the confirmation step to the information collection processing device; and
In the information collection processing apparatus,
Receiving the deletion instruction from the electronic money management device, further processing a transfer step of transferring the received deletion instruction to the recording medium processing device;
In the recording medium processing apparatus,
6. The fee payment method according to claim 5, further comprising a deletion step of deleting payment information corresponding to the deletion instruction received from the information collection processing device from the payment information database. A recording medium processing apparatus having a function of performing settlement of electronic money recorded on a recording medium, an information collection processing apparatus that collects payment information that is information related to payment from the recording medium processing apparatus, and a collection by the information collection processing apparatus A program for a payment system comprising at least an electronic money management device for confirming a usage amount of the electronic money included in the settlement information,
In the recording medium processing apparatus,
A reading step of reading identification information for identifying the recording medium and the balance of the electronic money from the recording medium;
A determination step of determining whether the recording medium is valid as the electronic money medium based on the identification information read in the reading step;
When it is determined that the determination step is effective, a payment processing step of performing payment using the electronic money;
Causing the computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting the payment information read from the payment information database storing the payment information that is information relating to the payment performed in the payment processing step to the information collection processing device,
In the information collection processing apparatus,
Receiving the payment information from the recording medium processing apparatus;
A program for causing a computer to execute a confirmation request transmission step for transmitting the confirmation request for the payment information received in the reception step to the electronic money management device. In the electronic money management device,
A confirmation step of confirming whether or not the usage amount of the electronic money included in the settlement information is valid in response to the received confirmation request for the settlement information;
Causing the computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting to the information collection processing device a deletion instruction instructing to delete the payment information confirmed in the confirmation step;
In the information collection processing apparatus,
Receiving the deletion instruction from the electronic money management apparatus, causing the computer to further execute a transfer step of transferring the received deletion instruction to the recording medium processing apparatus;
In the recording medium processing apparatus,
The program according to claim 7, further causing a computer to execute a deletion step of deleting payment information corresponding to the deletion instruction received from the information collection processing device from the payment information database.

Images