Automatic adjustment system based on prepayment method for facility usage and method for using facility

Abstract

To provide an adjustment system in which users pay the necessary fees in advance in the time of use of a facility when using a bathing facility or other service facilities.SOLUTION: An adjustment system comprises: a wristband 3 provided with a code or an IC tag; an IC tag reader installed within a facility; and a management server 7. The system includes: charge amount storage means that stores a charge amount of a user in association with the code or IC tag; charge amount reduction means that reduces the stored charge amount of the user when the code or IC tag is read by the reader during use of services or purchase of goods at incidental facilities within the facility by the user; and display means that displays the remaining balance of the charge amount of the user by a terminal connected to the reader when the code or IC tag is read by the reader during use of services or purchase of goods at incidental facilities within the facility by the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] To provide an adjustment system for receiving a usage fee and the fees for services and usage to be consumed within a bath facility or other service facility in advance when the customer uses the facility and for which the customer can adjust the usage fee by an adjustment terminal when the customer has completed the use, and to provide a method for using such a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Today, there are many types of facilities, such as hot springs, in the world, and various payment systems have existed for the purpose of paying the basic fee for using these facilities and various usage fees not included in the basic fee. These payment systems have been developed with the aim of improving service to customers and streamlining operations.

[0003] There are many known payment systems for bathing facilities. For example, the following methods are commonly used. First, when a user (customer) checks in at the front desk, they receive a payment band from a staff member. This payment band has a barcode or IC tag that can identify the user, and is called a wristband.

[0004] Before this wristband is handed over to the customer, the management terminal at the reception desk registers the wristband's unique number as the customer's usage record in the facility's management server. Each time a customer uses an ancillary facility within the building, a staff member at the facility has the customer's wristband number read by a reader at the facility, which then sends this together with the usage data to the management server. The management server records the usage details and usage fee in the customer's usage record corresponding to the wristband number.

[0005] When the customer leaves the facility after using it, he / she presents his / her wristband to a staff member at the reception desk, and the staff member reads the wristband's unique number with a management terminal and transmits it to a management server, whereupon the recorded amount used by the customer is displayed on the management terminal, and the staff member informs the customer of the amount used and settles the amount. Figure 3 shows an overview of this settlement system.

[0006] The "Automatic Payment Machine Facility Management System" disclosed in JP 2007-140970 A provides shoe lockers with barcodes to identify users, and a management server is installed at reception that reads the barcodes on the customer's shoe lockers using a management terminal and manages the entrance and exit of the customer and the fees for use. Each time a customer uses a facility in the facility, a reader on a terminal installed in each ancillary facility reads the barcode on the user's shoe key and inputs the amount used, thereby updating the amount used in the management server's customer record. When the customer has finished using the facility, the customer can have the automatic payment machine read the barcode on the shoe key, and the amount used that is recorded in the customer's record is displayed on the automatic payment machine. The customer checks the amount used and pays the fee to complete the payment.

[0007] After completing the payment, the customer can open the exit gate by reading the bar code on the shoe key at the gate that allows passage. Figure 4 shows an overview of this system. [Patent Document 1] "Automatic Ticketing Machine Facility Management System" pertaining to JP2007-140970 DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As mentioned above, there are various methods of payment (payment methods) when using facilities. However, the conventional payment method is a deferred payment method in which the usage fee is paid when leaving the facility. When this method is adopted, equipment such as opening and closing gates and security cameras are installed to prevent customers from leaving without paying, which increases the construction and maintenance costs of the entire system. Furthermore, in order to constantly provide advice and assistance to customers so that they can use these facilities correctly, a dedicated attendant may be required, resulting in high labor costs. To minimize such capital investment and labor costs, the present invention provides a prepayment settlement system that is configured so that the usage fee can be received at the time of entrance and can prevent trouble such as the customer's usage amount exceeding the customer's own funds at the time of settlement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In the settlement system according to the present invention, a customer first prepays the basic admission fee for one person and the desired charge (any amount over 0 yen) in cash or by a cashless payment method such as a card. The attendant takes out a wristband, reads the wristband number with a reader in the management terminal, creates a usage record for that customer in the management server, and hands the wristband over to the customer. The attendant then enters the amount received into the management terminal and creates a customer record.

[0010] When a dedicated charge amount input device is installed, a customer deposits the basic fee and charge amount into the device, and a record of the customer is created in the management server, and a wristband having a wristband number corresponding to the customer's record is ejected from the device and received by the customer. Customers are required to pay a basic fee, which is the minimum charge per person, but those who may wish to purchase additional services or items in addition to the basic fee can charge any amount.

[0011] When a customer who has entered the building uses or receives services at ancillary facilities within the building, the customer or an attendant reads the customer's wristband number with a reader on the terminal, and the wristband number is sent to a management server and recorded in the customer's usage record, and the customer's remaining charge amount is displayed on the terminal. Next, the customer or attendant enters the usage fee and service fee within the displayed charge amount, and the usage fee and service fee are sent to the management server and deducted from the charge amount balance. If the terminal has a printing function, a receipt is printed out that records the wristband number, the usage amount, charge balance, terminal number, time of use, etc.

[0012] Customers can add more charge amount later if necessary. In this case, if the customer reads the wristband number at the charge terminal in the building and pays the additional charge amount, the wristband number and the additional charge amount are sent to the management server, which records the corresponding customer record and updates the customer's charge balance, and the additional charge amount, updated charge balance, terminal number, and processing time are output on the receipt.

[0013] When a customer leaves the building, the wristband number is read by the automatic payment machine, and the wristband number is sent to the management server, which searches for the corresponding customer record and Usage details and remaining charge amount are printed on the screen and on a receipt. At this time, if there is a charge balance, the balance can be dispensed in cash from the automatic settlement machine. Incidentally, although it is preferable to use the wristband as a means for identifying a customer, biometric authentication can be used in place of the wristband. In addition, instead of the automatic payment machine, a staff member may use a management terminal at the reception desk to settle the fare. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The payment system of the present invention does not have the problem of customers leaving without paying, and therefore does not require the capital investment required for conventional systems, making it possible to build an inexpensive payment system. This system prevents customers from exceeding their budget and spending too much money inside the facility. In other words, it allows customers to enjoy themselves within their budget. It also prevents problems such as the customer spending more than they have money when paying. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an overview showing a settlement system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] A specific example showing a wristband. [Diagram 3]1 is an overview showing a conventional checkout system. [Figure 4] 1 is an overview showing a conventional checkout system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the payment system of the present invention, in which 1 denotes a reception desk located within the building, 2 denotes a customer, 3 denotes a wristband, 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d denote facilities located within the building, 5 denotes a charge terminal installed in an appropriate location within the building, 6 denotes an automatic payment machine, and 7 denotes a management server. Here, the form of the wristband 3, the type of each of the facilities 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, and the specific structures of the charge terminal 5 and the automatic payment machine 6 are not limited.

[0017] Incidentally, the settlement system of the present invention is configured so that a basic fee and a charge amount are paid at reception 1 when entering the facility. The basic fee is a fee required for all visitors, and the charge amount is used to use facilities in the facility within the range of the arbitrary charge amount paid, and the remaining charge amount is refunded when leaving the facility. Of course, if the charge amount initially deposited is insufficient, an additional amount (additional charge) can be deposited into charge terminal 5 during the process. At reception 1, a customer pays the basic fee and the charge amount, and then wristband 3 is handed over to customer 2, who can then wear wristband 3.

[0018] Figure 2 is a concrete example of the wristband 3. The wristband 3 shown in the figure is equipped with a shoe locker key 8 for opening the shoe locker, but it may be configured without the shoe locker key 8. The wristband 3 has a unique number 10 attached to the center 9, and also has a readable barcode 11 or IC tag, so that customers who visit the facility can wear it. The bar code 11 on the wristband 3 is read by a reader in the terminal of the management server 7 to identify the specific customer.

[0019] The attendant receives the basic fee and the charge amount (0 yen or more) from the visiting customer, takes out any wristband 3, reads the wristband number on the management terminal, creates a usage record for that customer in the management server 7, and then hands it over to the customer. Next, the attendant enters the charge amount, which is recorded as the usage record for that customer.

[0020] If a dedicated charge amount input device is installed, the customer can deposit the basic fee and charge amount into the device themselves, and a record of that customer will be created in the management server 7. The device will then eject a wristband 3 having a wristband number corresponding to that customer's record, which the customer can then collect. By the way, the basic fee is the minimum fee required to use the facility. For example, if the hotel is a hot spring facility, the entrance fee would be the basic fee.

[0021] On the other hand, the charge amount is the fee for services that each customer receives according to their own preferences, such as meals in the building, massages, and vending machine usage fees, and the amount varies for each service, and some customers may not require any of these individual services at all. In FIG. 1, 4a, 4b, 4c, etc. are various auxiliary facilities provided within the building. For example, 4a represents vending machines for drinks etc., 4b represents facilities for selling goods, 4c represents massage, and 4d represents other facilities.

[0022] When a customer 2 wishes to use an ancillary facility, he or she places the wristband 3 over a barcode 11 or IC tag reader installed at the facility 4c to have it read. The barcode 11 or IC tag that has been read is sent to the management server 7, and the charge for the ancillary facility is deducted from the charge amount recorded in the customer record. If the charge amount does not have enough balance, the customer cannot use the facility.

[0023] Incidentally, a charge terminal 5 is installed in the building, and the charge amount can be added using this charge terminal 5. In other words, when a customer uses an ancillary facility in the building, if the charge amount paid at reception 1 is insufficient to use the facility, the customer can deposit the necessary amount using the charge terminal 5 installed in an appropriate place in the building to increase the charge balance.

[0024] When the customer leaves the facility, the automatic payment machine 6 reads the number on the wristband 3, and the charge amount and details of the charge are displayed on the screen of the automatic payment machine 6, and any remaining balance is refunded. After completing the payment, the customer can return the wristband to the designated location and leave the facility. Although a customer can settle their fare by having the automatic settlement machine 6 read the number on their wristband 3, they can also settle their fare using a management terminal installed at the reception desk.

[0025] Furthermore, although the wristband 3 is suitable as a means for identifying a customer, biometric authentication can be performed instead of the wristband 3. For example, authentication devices can be installed at the reception desk 1, each facility 4a, 4b, etc., and the automated payment machine 6, and a customer can be identified by recognizing biometric information such as fingerprints, faces, veins, and irises. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1. Reception 2 customers 3 Wristbands 4 Facilities 5 Charging terminal 6 Automatic Ticket Machine 7 Management Server 8 Shoe locker key 9 Central part 10 Unique Number 11. Barcode

Claims

1. A medium provided with a code or an IC tag; A reading device installed in the facility; Server and A system comprising: a charge amount storage means for storing a charge amount of a user corresponding to the code or IC tag; a charge amount subtraction means for subtracting a stored charge amount of a user when the user uses a service or purchases an item at an ancillary facility within the facility and reads the code or IC tag with a reading device; When a user uses a service or purchases an item at ancillary facilities within the facility, the code or IC tag is read by a reader, and a terminal connected to the reader functions as a display means for displaying the remaining charge amount of the user. A system comprising:

2. A medium provided with a code or an IC tag; A reading device installed in the facility; Server and A system comprising: a charge amount storage means for storing a charge amount of a user corresponding to the code or IC tag; a charge amount subtraction means for subtracting a stored charge amount of a user when the user uses a service or purchases an item at an ancillary facility within the facility and reads the code or IC tag with a reading device; a printing means for printing the amount used for using the service or purchasing the item and the charge amount after subtraction by the charge amount subtracting means, by a terminal connected to the reading device; A system comprising:

3. A medium provided with a code or an IC tag; A reading device installed in the facility; Server and 1. A method performed in a system comprising: a charge amount storage step of storing a charge amount of a user corresponding to the code or IC tag; a charge amount subtraction step of subtracting the stored charge amount of the user when the user uses a service or purchases an item at an ancillary facility in the facility and reads the code or IC tag with a reading device; When the user uses a service or purchases an item at an ancillary facility in the facility, the code or IC tag is read by a reader, and a terminal connected to the reader displays the remaining charge amount of the user. The method comprising:

4. A medium provided with a code or an IC tag; A reading device installed in the facility; Server and 1. A method performed in a system comprising: a charge amount storage step of storing a charge amount of a user corresponding to the code or IC tag; a charge amount subtraction step of subtracting the stored charge amount of the user when the user uses a service or purchases an item at an ancillary facility in the facility and reads the code or IC tag with a reading device; a printing step in which, after subtracting the charge amount of the user in the charge amount subtraction step, the terminal connected to the reading device prints the amount used for using the service or purchasing the item and the charge amount after subtraction. The method comprising:

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