JPH0962878A - Gate system, medium ejector, and checkout machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a gate system that opens and closes an exit gate by adjusting the usage fee in a parking lot or the like according to cumulative points according to the number of transactions and transaction amount. SOLUTION: When entering a parking lot or the like, a point card 41 according to the number of transactions, the amount of transaction, etc. is inserted into a medium ejector 2. The medium ejector 2 has the inserted point card 41.
The entrance time is set for and the point card 41 is released. Reward card 4 when leaving the parking lot
1 is inserted into the settlement machine 3. The settlement machine 3 calculates points corresponding to the usage fee from the entrance time set in the inserted point card 41, and subtracts the calculated points from the points currently given to the received point card 41. The points given to the point card 41 are updated as points. Then, the exit gate 4 is opened to permit exit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention releases a medium for which an entry time is set at the time of entry in a parking lot or the like, accepts the released medium at the time of exit, and opens the exit gate after the charges are settled. The present invention relates to a gate system, and a medium discharging machine and a settlement machine used in this gate system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a gate system provided with a settlement machine for opening and closing an exit gate is becoming popular in a parking lot such as a store. In this gate system, an admission card that records the admission time and the like is issued to the user at the time of admission with a medium ejector. When exiting, the user inserts the admission card issued at the time of admission into the checkout machine. The settlement machine reads out the entry time from the entry card, calculates the usage fee using this, and displays it. When the user charges the usage fee, the exit gate is opened to allow the user to leave.

[0003]

Most of the checkout machines used in such a parking lot system are incapable of inserting bills and the like, and the user is required to pay a coin (coin) commensurate with the parking charge. There is a problem that the service to the user is not good because it must be prepared.

[0004] In addition, since the admission card issued at the time of admission is generally disposable, the material is paper, and there is a high probability that it will be damaged before the user exits the entrance card. In such a case, the clerk must settle the parking fee based on the entry time printed on the surface of the entrance card and open and close the gate because the payment cannot be processed by the payment machine. Therefore, there is a problem that the work amount of the staff increases. Here, the material of the admission card may be plastic or the like, which is hard to be damaged, but since the admission card is disposable, the running cost becomes extremely high, which is not practical.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gate system that opens and closes an exit gate by adjusting the usage fee in a parking lot or the like according to cumulative points given in accordance with the number of transactions and the transaction amount.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a medium ejecting machine used in the above gate system for receiving admission and a settlement machine for receiving payment of a usage fee and making a payment.

[0007]

The gate system of the present invention, when a point card to which points are cumulatively accumulated according to the transaction amount, the number of transactions, etc. is accepted, sets the entrance time to the accepted point card. It is provided with a medium ejector having a medium ejecting means for ejecting. With this medium ejector, when a point card is accepted,
Set the entry time on the point card.

[0008] Further, the point card acceptance means for accepting the point card, the adjustment point calculation means for calculating the adjustment point using the entrance time set in the point card, and the points to be given to the accepted point card are now There is provided a settlement machine having a settlement means for updating the given points to the points obtained by subtracting the settlement points, and a gate opening means for opening the exit gate after executing the settlement means. This settlement machine calculates settlement points using the entrance time set in the received point card. Then, the points obtained by subtracting the settlement points from the points currently given are given as new points and given to the point card. Then, the exit gate is opened to allow exit.

Further, the point card is provided with a point storage area for storing the given points.

In this configuration, the points given to the point card are stored.

Further, the point card is provided with a card number storage area for storing a card number for identifying the card, and the point for storing the points given to the point card in association with the card number in the settlement machine. It is characterized by having a storage means.

In this structure, a card number for identifying the card is stored in the point card, and the card number and the points given to the point card are stored in association with each other by the settlement device. The settlement device reads the card number from the point card, recognizes the point stored in association with this card number as the point given to the point card, and performs settlement.

Further, the present invention is a medium ejecting machine for ejecting a medium for which an entrance time is set, and when a point card to which points are awarded according to a transaction amount, the number of transactions, etc. is accepted, the accepted points are accepted. It is characterized in that the card is provided with a medium ejecting means for setting an entry time and ejecting.

In this medium ejector, when a point card is received, the entry time is set in the point card and the point card is ejected.

Further, the present invention is a settlement machine for opening and closing an exit gate in a parking lot or the like, and a point card receiving means for receiving a point card to which points are cumulatively given according to a transaction amount, the number of transactions, etc., The system further comprises update means for updating the points given to the received point card to points obtained by subtracting predetermined points from the points currently given, and gate opening / closing means for opening the exit gate after the updating means is executed. It is characterized by

In this settlement machine, when the point card is accepted, a predetermined point is subtracted from the points given to the point card, and the resulting point is given to the point card as a new point. Then, the exit gate is opened to allow the exit.

[0017]

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gate system in a parking lot of a store which is an embodiment of the present invention. The gate system of this embodiment includes a host device 1, a medium ejector 2 for ejecting a medium in which an entry time and the like are recorded at the time of admission, and a settlement of a usage fee calculated by receiving the medium ejected by the medium ejector 2. It is provided with a settlement machine 3 for performing the above, and an exit gate 4 for opening and closing the settlement machine 3. Also,
The host device 1 is connected to a plurality of POS terminal devices 5 that accept registration of products and process transactions of registered products.

In the gate system of this embodiment, the medium ejector 2 ejects the medium having the entry time recorded at the time of entry. Then, the settlement machine 3 receives the medium when the user exits, calculates the usage fee and pays the calculated usage fee, and opens the exit gate 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the medium discharger according to the embodiment of the present invention. Medium ejector 2
Is a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a card processing unit 14 that accepts a card, reads data stored in the card, and writes data to the card, and issues an admission card that records an admission time. Admission card issuing unit 15 and timer 1 for measuring the current time
6 and a communication unit 17 that communicates with the host device 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the settlement machine according to the embodiment. The settlement machine 3 has a CPU 21
A ROM 22, a RAM 23, a card processing unit 24 that accepts a card and reads data stored in the card and writes data to the card, a settlement unit 25 that performs settlement of a usage fee, and a cash The change discharging unit 26 that discharges the change when the settlement is performed, the gate opening / closing unit 27 that controls the opening and closing of the gate 4, the display unit 28 that displays the usage charge, and the timer that measures the current time. 29, and a communication unit 30 that communicates with the host device 1,
It has.

First, a point card service, which is one of the services to customers at stores, will be briefly described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the POS terminal device installed in the cash register of the store. POS terminal device 5
Is a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a keyboard 34 for performing an input operation, a display unit 35 for displaying based on input data, a point card 41 described later, and reading of data stored in the point card 41. A card processing unit 36 that writes data to the point card 41, a printer 37 that prints receipts, a bar code reader 38 that reads a product identification code from a bar code attached to a product, and the host device 1 And a communication unit 39 that controls communication with the. The point card 41 is issued to the customer in advance. The point card 41 includes a card number storage area 42 for identifying the card, a point storage area 43 for storing the points given to the card, and an entrance time storage area 4 for recording the entrance time by the medium ejector 2.
4 and (see FIG. 5).

In the store, the product identification code of the product to be traded in the POS terminal device 5 is input by operating the key on the keyboard 34 or scanning the bar code attached to the product by the bar code reader 38. The POS terminal device 5 performs the registration process of the product for which the product identification code is input, and when the registration process of all the products to be traded is completed, the printer 37 issues a receipt on which the transaction details are printed. The cashier's clerk receives the transaction amount from the customer, passes the receipt and the merchandise to be traded (the merchandise registered in the POS terminal 5) to the customer, and completes the transaction processing.

In the point card system, the card processing unit 36 receives the point card 41 issued to the customer in advance by the POS terminal 5 in such transaction processing. Further, the POS terminal device 5 calculates points to be awarded in the transaction based on transaction data such as transaction amount. Then, the points added in the calculated transaction are added to the points stored in the point storage area 43 of the received point card 41, and the points are added as new points to obtain the point storage area 43 of the point card 41.
Write in. That is, as for the points given to the point card 41, points corresponding to each transaction are added for each transaction. When the given points reach a predetermined point (full point), the store provides the customer with a product or a gift certificate. This customer service is generally referred to as a point card service, and a system that realizes such a service is a point card system.

Next, the operation of the gate system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the gate system applied to the parking lot according to the embodiment of the present invention, the point card 41 or the entrance card in which the entrance time is recorded is discharged from the medium discharger 2 when the customer enters the room. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of ejecting the medium in which the entry time is recorded in the medium ejector 2. At the time of entry, the customer who owns the point card 41 issued in advance from the store uses the point card 41 for the card processing unit 1 of the medium ejector 2.
4, the customer who does not have the point card 41 operates the entrance card issuing switch (not shown) provided in the medium ejector 2. The medium ejector 2 monitors whether or not the point card 41 is inserted or the admission card issuing switch is operated at n1 and n2. When it is detected that the point card 41 is inserted into the card processing unit 14 at n1, the card number stored in the card number storage area 42 of the point card 41 is read (n3).
Then, the current time is read from the timer 16 (n
4) With this as the entry time, the entry history is registered such as printing the entry history data including the card number and the entry time in a journal or the like (n5). When the registration of the entry history is completed, the entry time is recorded in the entry time storage area 44 of the point card 41 accepted in n1 (n6), and the point card 41 is released (n7). On the other hand, when it is detected that the entrance card issuing switch is operated at n2, the current time is read from the timer 16 (n8), and this is set as the entrance time to be the entrance time. The admission card ejected from the medium ejector 2 is given a card number in advance. Then, the entrance history is registered such that the entrance history data including the card number of the entrance card to be released and the entrance time is printed in a journal or the like (n9). When the registration of the entry history is completed, the entry time is recorded on the issued entry card (n10), and the entry card is released (n11).
After that, the communication unit 17 transmits the entry history data to the host device 1 to complete the process (n12).

The admission card issued here is made of paper like the admission card issued by the conventional gate system, and is a disposable admission card. In addition, the host device 1 manages the current number of visitors and the like using the above-mentioned entry history data and exit history data described later.

After entering, the customer carries out shopping at the store (the transaction processing in this shopping is performed as described above, and points are given to the point card 41 owned by the customer). Even a customer who does not own the point card 41 at the time of entry can receive the point card 41 by performing a predetermined procedure at a service counter or the like, and make a transaction using the point card 41 received here. , You can receive points according to transactions.

When the customer finishes shopping, he leaves the parking lot and goes home. It should be noted that the exit gate 4 is opened when payment is made by the payment machine 3, and the customer is allowed to leave.
In addition, in this embodiment, the usage fee is the point card 4
It can be settled either in points awarded for 1 or / and in cash. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing of the settlement machine 3 in this embodiment. The settlement machine 3 monitors the insertion of the point card 41 or the entrance card at n21 and n22. When the insertion of the point card 41 or the entry card is detected at n21 or n22, the data such as the entry time stored in the inserted card is read (n23). The settlement device 3 calculates the parking fee using the read data and the time currently measured by the timer 29, and displays the calculated parking fee on the display unit 28 (n24). An example of the display screen displayed on the display unit 28 at this time is shown in FIG.
On the display unit 28, the usage fee and points corresponding to the usage fee are simultaneously displayed. Further, the display unit 28 also displays a message prompting the user to input whether to pay the parking fee in cash or in points (input of the settlement method).

Here, the customer selects either the point-based payment or the cash-based payment for the usage fee for the payment machine 3. The settlement machine 3 monitors the input of this settlement method at n25 and n26. When the point payment is input in n25, it is determined whether the point card 41 is accepted in n21 (n27). When the point card 41 is not accepted, a message prompting the insertion of the point card 41 is displayed on the display unit 28, the data stored in the point card 41 inserted by the customer is read, and the point card acceptance process is performed. (N28).
At this time, the entry time stored in the entry time storage area 42 of the point card 41 is unnecessary data and is not used for the subsequent processing. That is, accepting the point card 41 in n28 means that the entrance card is inserted in n22. This is because I did not own the point card 41 at the time of admission, but I think that I had forgotten the point card 41 when I entered, or I forgot the point card 41 at the time of admission (I actually had a point card This is the case when the admission card is issued by the medium ejector 2. Therefore, an accurate entry time is not stored in the entry time storage area 44 of the point card 41, and processing using this entry time is not appropriate.

Then, it is determined whether or not the points stored in the point storage area 43 are equal to or more than the points required for settlement (n29). If more points than the points required for settlement are stored in the points storage area 43, the points required for settlement are subtracted from the currently stored points, and the points are stored as new points. The payment processing recorded in 43 is performed (n30). On the other hand, if the points stored in the point storage area 43 are less than the points required for settlement, the point storage area 43 is updated to 0 (n3
1) Then, the fact that the shortfall is to be paid in cash is displayed on the display unit 28 (n32). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example in this case. On this display, the shortage of points and the amount of money corresponding to this point are displayed at the same time.

After that, the settlement device 3 accepts the cash inserted by the customer (n33), performs the settlement with the accepted cash (n34), and releases the change from the change releasing unit 26 if there is the change (( n35). Also, n26
In the above, if the customer desires cash settlement, the cash settlement processing of n33 to n35 described above is performed.

As described above, the parking fee can be settled either by cash or by points given to the point card 41 according to the customer's request, and the customer service can be improved. In addition, since the customer selects cash or point settlement at n25 and n26, customers who want to reach full points quickly and want to receive some service from the store (customers who do not want to reduce points) are cash. You can choose to pay at, and even if you do not own the point card 41 at the time of entry, you will be issued with the point card 41 after you enter and the points given when you shop You can also pay the parking fee.

When the settlement of the parking fee is completed by cash or points, the settlement device 3 releases the point card 41 accepted in n21 or n28 (n36) and returns the point card 41 to the customer. The settlement device 3 opens the exit gate 4 by the gate opening / closing unit 27 to permit the customer to leave (n37). Then, when the sensor (not shown) detects that the customer has exited (n38), the gate 4 is closed (n39), and the exit history data including the exit time and the settlement data is printed in a journal to register the exit history. Processing is performed (n40). When the processing of n40 is completed,
The exit history data is transmitted from the communication unit 30 to the host device 1 to complete the processing (n41).

In the medium issuing machine 2, the host device 1 uses the above-mentioned entry history data and the exit history data based on the current number of visitors (total number of visitors-total number of persons leaving) in the parking lot. Limit the release of media to prevent more than the allowable number of vehicles from entering the parking lot.

As described above, since the medium ejector 2 of the present invention issues the admission card only to the customer who does not have the point card 41, the amount of issuance of the admission card which is disposable is reduced. The effect is that running costs can be reduced. Further, since the entry time and the like are recorded on the point card 41, the point card 41 made of plastic is hard to be damaged, and the damage cannot be performed by the adjusting device 3 due to the conventional damage. It is possible to reduce the number of settlement processes performed by the staff. As a result, the workload of the staff is greatly reduced,
The number of staff members can be reduced, and the labor cost can be reduced.

Further, since the settlement machine 3 of the present invention allows the use fee to be settled in points, even if the customer does not prepare coins (coins), the point card 41 can be used.
The usage fee can be settled according to the points given to. Therefore, the customer service can be improved in the store.

In the above embodiment, the use fee of the parking lot is settled with cash or points, but in addition to this, the settlement may be made with a prepaid card or a gift certificate. Further, the example in which the gate system of the present invention is applied to a parking lot has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a gate system installed not only in a parking lot but also in various places.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the points given to the point card 41 are stored, but the host device 1 stores the card number of the point card 41 and the given points in association with each other. You may do it. In this case, the settlement machine 3 uses the point card 4 when performing settlement processing by points.
The card number read from 1 may be used as a key to access the host device 1 from the communication unit 29 to read the points given to the received point card 41. By doing this, the card processing unit 2 of the settlement machine 3
4, the structure for recording data on the point card 41 is not necessary (in the case of a magnetic card, only the read magnetic head can be used, and the write magnetic head can be omitted). The manufacturing cost of the settlement machine 3 can be reduced. Further, the host device 1 may update the points to be given to the point card 41 used for the settlement, based on the exit history data transmitted from the settlement machine 3.

Further, although the medium ejector 2 records the entry time on the point card 41, the entry time of the customer is not recorded by the host device 1 based on the transmitted entry history data. It may be for management.
Also, when issuing the admission card, the admission time of the customer may be managed based on the admission history data transmitted by the host device 1 without recording the admission time on the admission card. In this case, the settlement device 3 reads out the entrance time from the host device 1 at the time of settlement. By doing so, the card processing unit 14 and the admission card issuing unit 15 of the medium ejecting device 2 do not need a structure for recording data on the point card 41 or the admission card, as in the above-described settlement machine 3, The manufacturing cost of the discharger 2 can be reduced.

[0039]

As described above, when the gate system of the present invention is used in a parking lot of a store or the like, it becomes possible to pay the parking lot usage fee with the points given to the point card. , It is possible to improve customer service by eliminating the need to constantly provide the customer with change.

Further, since the medium ejector accepts the point card, sets the entry time to the point card, and ejects the point card, it is possible to reduce the amount of issuance of the admission card which was disposable, and thus the gate system. It is possible to reduce the running cost. In addition, since point cards are usually made of plastic, they are less likely to be damaged, which reduces the amount of work required for staff to settle parking fees based on the time of entry printed on the damaged entrance card and open and close the gate. It is possible to reduce personnel costs for staff members.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gate system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medium discharger according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a settlement machine in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a POS terminal device according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a point card according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of a medium ejector according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the settlement machine in the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a settlement amount in the settlement machine in the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example when points are insufficient at the time of payment in the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-Host Device 2-Media Ejector 3-Payment Machine 4-Gate 14, 24-Card Processing Unit 16, 29-Communication Unit 25-Clearing Unit 27-Gate Opening / Closing Unit 41-Point Card 42-Card Number Storage Area 43- Point storage area 44-Entry time storage area

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. When a point card to which points are cumulatively added according to the transaction amount, the number of transactions, etc. is accepted, a medium ejecting means for ejecting the point card with the entry time set and ejected. Machine, a point card receiving means for receiving the point card, and a settlement point calculating means for calculating settlement points using the entrance time set in the point card,
A settlement having a settlement means for updating the points given to the received point card to points obtained by subtracting the settlement points from the points currently given, and a gate opening means for opening the exit gate after executing the settlement means. And a gate system. 2. The gate system according to claim 1, wherein the point card has a point storage area for storing the given points. 3. The point card is provided with a card number storage area for storing a card number for identifying a card, and the point for storing points given to the point card in the settlement machine in association with the card number. The gate system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit. 4. A medium ejecting machine for ejecting a medium for which an entry time is set, and when a point card to which points are given according to a transaction amount, the number of transactions, etc. is accepted, the entry time is set on the accepted point card. A medium discharging machine comprising a medium discharging means for setting and discharging. 5. A point machine for opening and closing an exit gate in a parking lot or the like, the point card accepting means for accepting a point card accumulating points cumulatively according to transaction amount, number of transactions, etc., and accepted points. Updating means for updating the points given to the card to points obtained by subtracting predetermined points from the points currently given, and gate opening / closing means for opening the exit gate after the updating means is executed,
A payment machine characterized by being equipped with.