Electronic money settlement device

Abstract

To provide an electronic money settlement device capable of offering convenience during the electronic money settlement to users of electronic money media requiring authentication for the electronic money settlement, as well as to users of electronic money media not requiring authentication for the electronic money settlement.SOLUTION: An electronic money settlement device is configured to detect an electronic money held by an electronic money medium through response confirmation processing. In the response confirmation processing, the electronic money settlement device transmits to the electronic money medium a first signal corresponding to a specific electronic money and a second signal corresponding to multiple electronic moneys, where the transmission ratio of the first signal to the second signal is A to B (A is greater than B).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic money settlement device. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of this type of prior art, Patent Document 1 describes a technology that detects the electronic money held by an electronic money medium by sequentially switching and transmitting multiple signals corresponding to each of multiple types of electronic money to the electronic money medium at predetermined intervals, and displays the detected electronic money on a display to allow the user of the electronic money medium to select the electronic money to use for payment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-086852 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Currently, electronic money media (especially mobile devices such as smartphones) can be broadly divided into two types. One is electronic money media that requires authentication for electronic money payments, and the other is electronic money media that does not require authentication for electronic money payments. Furthermore, some electronic money media that require authentication for electronic money payments are equipped with a mode (hereinafter referred to as "simplified electronic payment mode") that allows payments with specific electronic money to be made without authentication, and this mode can be set by the user of the electronic money medium.

[0005] When the simplified electronic payment mode is set for an electronic money medium that requires authentication for electronic money payment, it is considered that the user of that electronic money medium would like to make electronic money payments without authentication as much as possible. Here, if the electronic money payment device transmits only a signal corresponding to the specific electronic money to the electronic money medium when making an electronic money payment, the simplified electronic payment mode can be enabled, making it possible to make electronic money payments without authentication both with an electronic money medium that requires authentication for electronic money payment and has the simplified electronic payment mode set, and with an electronic money medium that does not require authentication for electronic money payment and has the specific electronic money.

[0006] However, with such a method, even if an electronic money medium that does not require authentication for electronic money payment contains electronic money other than the specific electronic money, the other electronic money is not detected by the electronic money payment device. As a result, a user of an electronic money medium that does not require authentication for electronic money payment and that contains multiple electronic money is not given the opportunity to select the electronic money to use for payment. On the other hand, if the electronic money payment device transmits a signal other than the signal corresponding to the specific electronic money to the electronic money medium in order to detect the other electronic money, authentication will be required for electronic money media that require authentication for electronic money payment and are set to the simplified electronic payment mode.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an electronic money payment device that can provide convenience when making electronic money payments to both users of electronic money media that require authentication for electronic money payments and users of electronic money media that do not require authentication for electronic money payments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The inventors have found that by devising a signal that an electronic money payment device transmits to an electronic money medium when making an electronic money payment, it is possible to provide convenience when making an electronic money payment to both users of electronic money media that require authentication when making an electronic money payment and users of electronic money media that do not require authentication when making an electronic money payment. The present invention is based on this finding.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a novel electronic money payment device. The provided electronic money payment device is configured to detect electronic money held by an electronic money medium by a response confirmation process for the electronic money medium. In the response confirmation process, the electronic money payment device transmits to the electronic money medium a first signal corresponding to a specific electronic money and a second signal corresponding to multiple electronic money, and the ratio of the number of times the first signal and the second signal are transmitted is A to B (A>B). [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic money payment device that can provide convenience for both users of electronic money media that require authentication when making electronic money payments and users of electronic money media that do not require authentication when making electronic money payments. For example, the electronic money payment device allows users of electronic money media that require authentication when making electronic money payments and that have the simplified electronic payment mode set to omit authentication when making electronic money payments, and allows users of electronic money media that do not require authentication when making electronic money payments and that have multiple electronic money to select the electronic money to use when making electronic money payments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of an electronic money payment device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of an electronic money payment device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an electronic money payment process by the electronic money payment device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a response confirmation process for an electronic money medium by the electronic money payment device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a timing chart of the response confirmation process shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of an electronic money payment device 1 according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the electronic money payment device 1 according to an embodiment. Although not particularly limited, the electronic money payment device 1 according to an embodiment may be formed as, for example, an electronic money reader / writer mounted on a vending machine. Furthermore, the electronic money payment device 1 may be configured to execute electronic money payment by, for example, performing contactless data communication with an electronic money medium 20 based on a payment command input from a control device of the vending machine or the like.

[0014] Here, the electronic money medium refers to an electronic money IC card, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone having electronic money (with an electronic money function installed), etc. In addition, the electronic money payment device 1 according to the embodiment is assumed to be able to use multiple types of electronic money, for example, multiple types of transportation electronic money of different brands, multiple types of distribution electronic money of different brands, and electronic money of other brands.

[0015] 1 and 2, the electronic money payment device 1 according to the embodiment includes a display unit 11, a short-range communication unit 13, a control unit 15, and a communication unit 17.

[0016] The display unit 11 may be a touch panel display (liquid crystal display or organic EL display). The display unit 11 is capable of displaying various information related to electronic money payment. The display unit 11 is also capable of accepting input by touch operation. The various information related to electronic money payment includes, but is not limited to, operation guidance for the user of the electronic money medium 20, the electronic money brand logo, etc.

[0017] The short-range communication unit 13 performs contactless data communication with the electronic money medium 20 in accordance with a communication standard such as FeliCa (registered trademark). The portion of the short-range communication unit 13 exposed on the front of the electronic money payment device 1 can be referred to as a so-called "holding unit" over which the electronic money medium 20 is held. When the user holds the electronic money medium 20 over the short-range communication unit 13, the short-range communication unit 13 can read (receive) data related to electronic money held by the electronic money medium 20 from the electronic money medium 20. The short-range communication unit 13 can also write (transmit) data to the electronic money medium 20 held over the short-range communication unit 13. The data related to electronic money includes, but is not limited to, various electronic money system codes and electronic money balances.

[0018] The control unit 15 is configured as a computer including, for example, a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and controls the overall operation of the electronic money payment apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the control unit 15 is connected to a control device such as a vending machine in which the electronic money payment apparatus 1 is installed via a communication line or the like. The control unit 15 is also connected to an external electronic money management server via the communication unit 17 and a communication line. The control unit 15 is configured to execute electronic money payment when a payment command is input from the control device such as a vending machine. The control unit 15 is also configured to communicate with the electronic money management server as necessary when executing electronic money payment.

[0019] Next, an example of the operation of the electronic money payment device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of electronic money payment processing executed by the control unit 15 of the electronic money payment device 1. This flowchart starts when a payment command is input to the control unit 15 from a control device such as a vending machine, for example.

[0020] In step S1, the control unit 15 displays on the display unit 11 operation instructions to the user of the electronic money medium 20, for example, operation instructions urging the user of the electronic money medium 20 to hold the electronic money medium 20 over the near-field communication unit 13, and logos of all electronic money brands that can be used with the electronic money payment device 1.

[0021] In step S2, the control unit 15 executes a response confirmation process for the electronic money medium 20 via the short-range communication unit 13. Specifically, the control unit 15 performs so-called polling on the electronic money medium 20 held over the short-range communication unit 13 to receive a polling response from the electronic money medium 20, thereby detecting electronic money that is held by the electronic money medium 20 and can be used by the electronic money payment device 1. Therefore, the response confirmation process can also be called a polling process or an electronic money detection process. Details of the response confirmation process will be described later.

[0022] In step S3, the control unit 15 determines whether electronic money that is held by the electronic money medium 20 and that can be used by the electronic money payment device 1 has been detected. If such electronic money has been detected (step S3; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if such electronic money has not been detected (step S3; NO), the control unit 15 ends the process.

[0023] In step S4, the control unit 15 determines whether or not multiple electronic money (more specifically, multiple electronic money of different brands) have been detected. If multiple electronic money have been detected (step S4; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if multiple electronic money have not been detected, that is, if only one electronic money has been detected (step S4; NO), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S7.

[0024] In step S5, the control unit 15 displays an electronic money selection screen, i.e., a screen for prompting the user of the electronic money medium 20 to select one electronic money from the detected plurality of electronic money, on the display unit 11. For example, the control unit 15 displays a plurality of logos corresponding to the brands of the detected plurality of electronic money side by side on the display unit 11, and displays a message on the display unit 11 prompting the user of the electronic money medium 20 to select one of the logos by a touch operation.

[0025] In step S6, the control unit 15 determines whether one electronic money is selected from the detected plurality of electronic money. For example, the control unit 15 determines whether any of the plurality of logos displayed on the display unit 11 has been touched. Then, when one electronic money is selected from the detected plurality of electronic money (step S6; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S7.

[0026] In step S7, the control unit 15 determines the detected one electronic money or one electronic money selected from the detected plurality of electronic money as the electronic money for payment.

[0027] In step S8, the control unit 15 executes the payment using the determined electronic money for payment. Specifically, in this embodiment, if the determined electronic money for payment is one of the detected electronic moneys, the control unit 15 promptly executes the payment using the determined electronic money for payment. On the other hand, if the determined electronic money for payment is one of the detected electronic moneys, the control unit 15 executes the payment using the determined electronic money for payment after again performing data communication with the electronic money medium 20 via the short-range communication unit 13. Note that the control unit 15 can communicate with the electronic money management server via the communication unit 17 and the communication line before, during, and / or after the payment, as necessary.

[0028] The response confirmation process (polling process, electronic money detection process) executed in step S2 of FIG. 3 will be described.

[0029] As described above, when the payment command is input, the control unit 15 of the electronic money payment device 1 executes a response confirmation process for the electronic money medium 20. In the response confirmation process, the control unit 15 of the electronic money payment device 1 transmits, via the short-range communication unit 13, to the electronic money medium 20, a first signal corresponding to a specific electronic money and a second signal corresponding to a plurality of electronic moneys including the specific electronic money and electronic money other than the specific electronic money. The ratio of the number of times the first signal and the second signal are transmitted is A to B (A>B).

[0030] Here, the specific electronic money refers to a brand of electronic money for which the simplified electronic payment mode is set in an electronic money medium that requires authentication for electronic money payment, and which, when the mode is enabled, enables electronic money payment without authentication even for electronic money mediums that require authentication for electronic money payment. In other words, the specific electronic money refers to electronic money that is subject to the simplified electronic payment mode. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, electronic money of a specific brand among the plurality of transportation-related electronic money may be set as the specific electronic money. Furthermore, electronic money other than the specific electronic money may include electronic money of the remaining brand among the plurality of transportation-related electronic money, the plurality of circulation-related electronic money that are different brands from each other, and / or electronic money of the other brand.

[0031] The first signal corresponding to the specific electronic money is a signal configured to return a response to the electronic money payment apparatus 1 if the electronic money medium 20 that received the first signal has the specific electronic money. Therefore, the first signal may also be referred to as a response request signal for the specific electronic money or a response request signal for the electronic money medium 20 that has the specific electronic money. The response to the first signal may include information indicating the specific electronic money. Furthermore, the second signal corresponding to multiple electronic moneys, including the specific electronic money and electronic money other than the specific electronic money, is a signal configured to return a response to the electronic money payment apparatus 1 if the electronic money medium 20 that received the second signal has at least one of the multiple electronic moneys. Therefore, the second signal may also be referred to as a response request signal for each of the multiple electronic moneys or a response request signal for the electronic money medium 20 that has at least one of the multiple electronic moneys. The response to the second signal may include information indicating at least one of the multiple electronic moneys that the electronic money medium 20 has.

[0032] Furthermore, the ratio of the number of times the first signal and the second signal are transmitted being A to B (A>B) means that the first signal and the second signal are transmitted separately, and that the number of times (A) the first signal is transmitted is greater than the number of times (B) the second signal is transmitted in a predetermined period of time, and includes transmitting the first signal and waiting for a response A times, and then transmitting the second signal and waiting for a response B times, and repeating this.

[0033] The reason why such a response confirmation process is performed is as follows: According to an experiment conducted by the inventor, it was confirmed that, in the response confirmation process, the first signal and the second signal are transmitted separately and the number of times the first signal is transmitted is greater than the number of times the second signal is transmitted, so that a user of an electronic money medium that requires authentication for electronic money payment and is set to the simplified electronic payment mode can omit authentication when making an electronic money payment, and that a user of an electronic money medium that does not require authentication for electronic money payment and that has multiple electronic money can select the electronic money to use for payment when making an electronic money payment.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the experiment, it has been confirmed that it is preferable that the number of times (A) the first signal is transmitted is 3 to 5 times the number of times (B) the second signal is transmitted, in other words, 3×B≦A≦5×B. More specifically, it has been confirmed that it is preferable that the ratio of the number of times (A to B) the first signal is transmitted to the second signal is 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:2, 7:2, 8:2, 9:2, 9:3, 10:2, or 10:3.

[0035] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the response confirmation process executed in step S2 of Fig. 3. This flowchart shows a case where the ratio of the number of times the first signal and the second signal are transmitted (A to B) is 4 to 1.

[0036] In step S21, the control unit 15 resets the count value (N) of a counter that counts the number of times a signal is transmitted (N=0).

[0037] In step S22, the control unit 15 transmits a first signal corresponding to the specific electronic money to the electronic money medium 20 via the short-range communication unit 13. In this embodiment, the transmitted first signal includes the system code of the specific electronic money (specific system code).

[0038] In step S23, the control unit 15 determines whether a response from the electronic money medium 20 to the first signal has been received by the short-range communication unit 13. If a response to the first signal has been received (step S23; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if a response to the first signal has not been received (step S23; NO), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S25. The received response from the electronic money medium 20 includes the system code of the specific electronic money.

[0039] In step S24, the control unit 15 detects the electronic money held by the electronic money medium 20 based on the response (the system code included in the response) received in step S23, and then ends the process (proceeds to step S3 in FIG. 3). Note that in step S24, the specific electronic money (i.e., one electronic money) is detected.

[0040] In step S25, the control unit 15 determines whether a predetermined response waiting time (for example, 50 milliseconds) has elapsed. If the predetermined response waiting time has elapsed (step S25; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if the predetermined response waiting time has not elapsed (step S25; NO), the control unit 15 returns to step S23.

[0041] In step S26, the control unit 15 puts the process to sleep for a predetermined sleep time (for example, 10 milliseconds).

[0042] In step S27, the control unit 15 counts up the count value (N) of the counter (N←N+1).

[0043] In step S28, the control unit 15 determines whether the count value (N) of the counter is 4 or more, that is, whether the first signal has been transmitted (and a response thereto has been waited for) four times. If the count value (N) of the counter is 4 or more (step S28; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S29. On the other hand, if the count value (N) of the counter is less than 4, the control unit 15 returns to step S22.

[0044] In step S29, the control unit 15 transmits a second signal corresponding to a plurality of electronic moneys, including the specific electronic money and electronic money other than the specific electronic money, to the electronic money medium 20 via the short-range communication unit 13. In this embodiment, the transmitted second signal includes a system code using a wildcard (wildcard system code) to include all electronic moneys that can be used in the electronic money payment device 1.

[0045] In step S30, the control unit 15 determines whether a response from the electronic money medium 20 to the second signal has been received by the short-range communication unit 13. If a response to the second signal has been received (step S30; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S31. On the other hand, if a response to the second signal has not been received (step S30; NO), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S32. The received response from the electronic money medium 20 includes the system code of at least one electronic money usable by the electronic money payment apparatus 1. For example, if the electronic money medium 20 has two electronic money usable by the electronic money payment apparatus 1, the received response from the electronic money medium 20 includes the system codes of the two electronic money (two system codes), and if the electronic money medium 20 has five electronic money usable by the electronic money payment apparatus 1, the received response from the electronic money medium 20 includes the system codes of the five electronic money (five system codes).

[0046] In step S31, the control unit 15 detects the electronic money held by the electronic money medium 20 based on the response (the system code included in the response) received in step S30, and then ends the process (proceeds to step S3 in FIG. 3). Note that in step S31, one or more electronic money that can be used by the electronic money payment device 1 are detected.

[0047] In step S32, the control unit 15 determines whether the predetermined response waiting time has elapsed. If the predetermined response waiting time has elapsed (step S32; YES), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, if the predetermined response waiting time has not elapsed (step S32; NO), the control unit 15 returns to step S30.

[0048] In step S33, the control unit 15 puts the process to sleep for a predetermined sleep time (for example, 10 milliseconds).

[0049] In step S34, the control unit 15 determines whether the timeout period for the electronic money payment process has elapsed. If the timeout period has not elapsed, the control unit 15 returns to step S21. On the other hand, if the timeout period has elapsed, the control unit 15 ends the process (proceeds to step S3 in FIG. 3). In this case, electronic money that can be used by the electronic money payment device 1 is not detected.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a timing chart of the response confirmation process shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, in the response confirmation process shown in Figure 4, when a payment command is input, the first signal (the specific system code) is transmitted to the electronic money medium 20, a response from the electronic money medium 20 to the first signal is waited for (50 milliseconds), and processing sleep is performed (10 milliseconds) four times, and then the second signal (wildcard system code) is transmitted to the electronic money medium 20, a response from the electronic money medium 20 to the second signal is waited for (50 milliseconds), and processing sleep is performed once (10 milliseconds). This is repeated, for example, until a timeout time has elapsed. Then, depending on the ratio of the number of transmissions of the first signal to the second signal (here, 4:1), the period required to transmit the first signal and receive its response (the period for the specific electronic money system code) accounts for 80% of the predetermined period, and the period required to transmit the second signal and receive its response (the period for the wildcard system code) accounts for 20%.

[0051] In the electronic money payment device 1 according to the embodiment, the following electronic money payments can be made depending on the type of electronic money medium 20.

[0052] First, a case will be described in which the electronic money medium 20 is of a type that does not require authentication for electronic money payment and the electronic money medium 20 contains a plurality of electronic money that can be used in the electronic money payment apparatus 1.

[0053] In this case, the electronic money medium 20 receives the second signal (wildcard system code) sent from the electronic money payment device 1 in the response confirmation process, and sends a response to the electronic money payment device 1 including multiple system codes corresponding to the multiple electronic money items it holds.

[0054] When the electronic money payment apparatus 1 receives the response, it detects the plurality of electronic moneys as electronic moneys that the electronic money medium 20 has and that can be used by the electronic money payment apparatus 1 based on the plurality of system codes included in the response (steps S30 → S31 in FIG. 4), and displays an electronic money selection screen on the display unit 11 to prompt the user to select one electronic money from the detected plurality of electronic moneys (steps S3 → S4 → S5 in FIG. 3). Then, when one electronic money is selected by the user of the electronic money medium 20, the electronic money payment apparatus 1 determines the selected one electronic money as the electronic money for payment and executes payment using the determined electronic money for payment (steps S6 → S7 → S8 in FIG. 3). In more detail, after the electronic money for payment has been determined, the electronic money medium 20 is held over the short-range communication unit 13 again, and data communication (e.g., exchange of the system code of the selected one electronic money) is performed between the electronic money medium 20 and the electronic money payment apparatus 1, and payment is executed.

[0055] That is, a user of the electronic money medium 20 that does not require authentication for electronic money payment and has a plurality of electronic money that can be used in the electronic money payment device 1 is given an opportunity to select electronic money for payment.

[0056] Next, a case will be described in which the electronic money medium 20 is a type of electronic money medium that requires authentication for electronic money payments and the simplified electronic payment mode is set in the electronic money medium 20.

[0057] In this case, when the electronic money medium 20 receives the first signal (the system code of the specific electronic money) sent from the electronic money payment device 1 in the response confirmation process, the simplified electronic payment mode is enabled and the electronic money medium 20 sends a response including the system code of the specific electronic money to the electronic money payment device 1.

[0058] When the electronic money payment device 1 receives the response, it detects the specific electronic money as one of the electronic money held by the electronic money medium 20 based on the system code included in the response (steps S23 → S24 in Figure 4), determines the one detected electronic money as the electronic money for payment, and executes the payment (steps S3 → S4 → S7 → S8 in Figure 3).

[0059] In other words, a user of an electronic money medium 20 that requires authentication for electronic money payments and for which the simplified electronic payment mode is set does not need to be authenticated when making electronic money payments.

[0060] If the electronic money medium 20 is a type of electronic money medium that does not require authentication for electronic money payment and has one electronic money that can be used by the electronic money payment device 1, the electronic money medium 20 will receive the first signal or the second signal sent from the electronic money payment device 1 in the response confirmation process and will send a response including the system code of the one electronic money that it owns to the electronic money payment device 1. When the electronic money payment device 1 receives the response, it detects the one electronic money as electronic money that the electronic money medium 20 owns based on the system code included in the response, and determines the detected one electronic money as the electronic money to be used for payment and executes the payment.

[0061] Furthermore, if the electronic money medium 20 is a type of electronic money medium that requires authentication for electronic money payment, the electronic money medium 20 has multiple electronic money that can be used by the electronic money payment apparatus 1, and the simplified electronic payment mode is not set in the electronic money medium 20, the electronic money medium 20 displays the multiple electronic money that can be used by the electronic money payment apparatus 1 on its own (electronic money medium 20) display unit by receiving the second signal transmitted from the electronic money payment apparatus 1 in the response confirmation process. After that, when one electronic money is selected by the user and authentication is performed, the electronic money medium 20 transmits a response including the system code of the selected one electronic money to the electronic money payment apparatus 1. Upon receiving the response, the electronic money payment apparatus 1 detects the one electronic money as electronic money that the electronic money medium 20 has based on the system code contained in the response, and determines the detected one electronic money as the electronic money to be used for payment and executes the payment.

[0062] As described above, the electronic money settlement device 1 according to the embodiment is configured to transmit, in the response confirmation process for the electronic money medium 20, a first signal corresponding to a specific electronic money and a second signal corresponding to a plurality of electronic moneys including the specific electronic money and other electronic moneys other than the specific electronic money, and the transmission frequency ratio of the first signal to the second signal is A to B (A > B). More specifically, the electronic money settlement device 1 according to the embodiment is configured to transmit the first signal to the electronic money medium 20 A times and wait for its response, and then transmit the second signal to the electronic money medium 20 B (<A) times and wait for its response. Here, preferably, the number of transmissions of the first signal is 3 times or more and 5 times or less the number of transmissions of the second signal. Thereby, a user of an electronic money medium that requires authentication for electronic money settlement and for which the simple electronic settlement mode is set can omit authentication during electronic money settlement, while a user of an electronic money medium that does not require authentication for electronic money settlement and has a plurality of electronic moneys can select the electronic money for settlement during electronic money settlement. That is, according to the electronic money settlement device 1 according to the embodiment, convenience during electronic money settlement can be provided to both a user of an electronic money medium that requires authentication during electronic money settlement and a user of an electronic money medium that does not require authentication during electronic money settlement.

[0063] Note that in the above-described embodiment, in the response confirmation process, the first signal is transmitted to the electronic money medium 20 before the second signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second signal may be transmitted to the electronic money medium 20 before the first signal. That is, the first signal and the second signal may be transmitted separately, and it is only necessary that the number of transmissions of the first signal is greater than the number of transmissions of the second signal, and the transmission order of the first signal and the second signal is not limited.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the response waiting time for the first signal and the response waiting time for the second signal are set to 50 milliseconds. However, this is not limited to this, and the response waiting time can be set as appropriate. For example, the response waiting time for the first signal and the response waiting time for the second signal may be different.

[0065] Furthermore, the electronic money payment apparatus 1 may be configured to change the ratio of the number of times the first signal and the second signal are transmitted every predetermined period. For example, the electronic money payment apparatus 1 may set the transmission signal ratio of the first signal and the second signal to 4:1 in the first predetermined period, and set the transmission signal ratio of the first signal and the second signal to 3:1 (or 5:1) in the next predetermined period. Alternatively, the electronic money payment apparatus 1 may set the transmission signal ratio of the first signal and the second signal to 8:2 in the first predetermined period, and set the transmission signal ratio of the first signal and the second signal to 7:2 (or 9:2) in the next predetermined period.

[0066] The above describes the embodiments and modifications of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and it goes without saying that further modifications and the like are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...electronic money payment device, 11...display unit, 13...near-field communication unit, 15...control unit, 17...communication unit, 20...electronic money medium

Claims

1. An electronic money settlement device configured to detect electronic money held by an electronic money medium by a response confirmation process for the electronic money medium, In the response confirmation process, an electronic money payment device transmits a first signal corresponding to a specific electronic money and a second signal corresponding to multiple electronic money to the electronic money medium, and the ratio of the number of times the first signal and the second signal are transmitted is A to B (A > B).

2. 2. The electronic money payment device according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is sent to the electronic money medium and a response is waited for A times, and then the second signal is sent to the electronic money medium and a response is waited for B times.

3. 2. The electronic money settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic moneys include the specific electronic money and electronic money other than the specific electronic money.

4. the first signal includes a system code of the specific electronic money; the second signal includes a system code using a wildcard to include all electronic money that can be used with the electronic money payment device; The electronic money settlement device according to claim 1.

5. 2. The electronic money settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the number of times the first signal is transmitted is not less than three times but not more than five times the number of times the second signal is transmitted.

6. 2. The electronic money settlement device according to claim 1, wherein in the response confirmation process, a ratio of the number of times the first signal and the second signal are transmitted is changed every predetermined period.

7. If one electronic money is detected by the response confirmation process, the detected one electronic money is determined as the electronic money for payment; When a plurality of electronic moneys are detected by the response confirmation process, one electronic money selected by the user of the electronic money medium from the detected plurality of electronic moneys is determined as the electronic money for settlement.

7. The electronic money settlement device according to claim 1.

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