Charging device, processing method in the charging device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOPPAN PAYMENTS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
Figure 0007856969000001 
Figure 0007856969000002 
Figure 0007856969000003
Abstract
Description
【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a charging device and a processing method in the charging device. 【Background Art】 【0002】 There is a charging device that charges a value (electronic money) to an electronic money medium by inserting cash. As the electronic money medium, there is an electronic money card. In recent years, as an electronic money medium, a terminal device that performs non-contact communication with a settlement terminal by executing an application program that performs settlement using electronic money is also used. As a flow of processing for charging electronic money in a charging device, after performing a balance inquiry and checking whether charging is possible, it accepts the insertion of cash corresponding to the charging amount specified by the user within the rechargeable range and performs a charging process. There is a depositing terminal for charging such electronic money (for example, Patent Document 1). 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-053753 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 However, with some electronic money media, depending on the application program installed on the terminal device, the session between the electronic money media and the charging device may be disconnected for each function of the charging device (balance inquiry, charging, etc.). In such cases, the session is disconnected if a balance inquiry is performed before charging. When the session is disconnected, the charging device is unable to detect the electronic money media and therefore cannot proceed with the charging process. 【0005】 The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a charging device and a processing method in a charging device that can proceed to the next function even in an electronic money medium where sessions are interrupted between different functions in a sequence of functions. [Means for solving the problem] 【0006】 To solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a charging device that has the function of accepting cash insertion and charging electronic money, and is capable of communicating with an electronic money medium that transitions from a state in which its presence can be detected to a state in which its presence cannot be detected between a first function and a second function, and comprises a storage unit that reads and stores identification information from the electronic money medium when the first function is being executed, a first display control unit that displays a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to make the electronic money medium capable of being detected when transitioning from the first function to the second function, and a processing unit that activates the second function and, when it detects that the electronic money medium has transitioned to a state in which its presence can be detected, executes the second function specified by the identification information. 【0007】 Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a processing method for a charging device that has the function of accepting cash insertion and charging electronic money, and is capable of communicating with an electronic money medium that transitions from a state in which its presence can be detected to a state in which its presence cannot be detected between a first function and a second function, wherein, during the stage of executing the first function, identification information is read from the electronic money medium and stored in a storage unit, when transitioning from the first function to the second function, a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to make the electronic money medium in a state in which its presence can be detected is displayed, the second function is activated, and when it is detected that the electronic money medium has transitioned to a state in which its presence can be detected, the second function specified by the identification information is executed. [Effects of the Invention] 【0008】 As explained above, according to this invention, even with electronic money media where sessions are interrupted between different functions performed sequentially, it is possible to proceed to the next function. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] This is a system configuration diagram showing an electronic money management system S including a charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of the charging device 10. [Figure 3] This is an external view showing an example of the appearance of the charging device 10. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging device 10. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging device 10. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging device 10. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging device 10. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging device 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 A charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an electronic money management system S including a charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The electronic money management system S has multiple charging devices (charging device 10a, charging device 10b; hereinafter referred to simply as charging device 10 unless otherwise specified) connected to the electronic money management device 20 via the network N. The charging device 10 communicates with the electronic money medium via contactless communication and performs several functions related to charging. These functions include, for example, a balance inquiry function for checking the balance of the electronic money, a charging function for accepting cash and charging the electronic money, a point inquiry function for checking points, a point charging function for converting points to electronic money, and a transaction history inquiry function. The charging device 10 is installed in stores, shopping malls, train stations, public facilities, etc. The electronic money medium has the function of allowing payments to be made using electronic money. Examples of electronic money mediums that the charging device 10 can use to perform various functions such as charging include the terminal device 30 and the IC card 35. Furthermore, the charging device 10 communicates with the electronic money management device 20 via the network N to send and receive data related to charging electronic money. 【0011】 The terminal device 30 has functions for contactless communication, functions for executing an application program that uses electronic money for payment as an electronic money medium, and functions for user authentication. By executing the application program, the terminal device 30 can link with an IC card, which is an electronic money medium separate from the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 performs processing for payments using the balance of the linked IC card, and for charging the linked IC card by performing contactless communication with the charging device 10. IC cards 35 can be used for purposes such as transportation IC cards and retail IC cards. 【0012】 The electronic money management device 20 communicates with the charging device 10 and performs processes related to the charging of electronic money in response to requests from the charging device 10. 【0013】 FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the charging device 10. The charging device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, a first display control unit 103, a second display control unit 104, a third display control unit 105, a processing unit 106, a non-contact communication unit 107, a display unit 108, an operation input unit 109, and a cash input reception unit 110. The communication unit 101, the first display control unit 103, the second display control unit 104, the third display control unit 105, and the processing unit 106 may be configured by a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated electronic circuit. 【0014】 The charging device 10 can execute functions related to charging regardless of whether it is a terminal device 30 or an IC card 35. However, the targets for non-contact communication are the terminal device 30 and the IC card 35, and there are differences in the processing contents when executing functions. The terminal device 30 transitions from a state where presence detection is possible to a state where presence detection is not possible between the first function and the second function among the plurality of functions that the charging device 10 sequentially executes in relation to charging. Here, for the terminal device 30, the authentication state ends every time the processing of one function ends. Therefore, every time the processing of one function ends, the session with the non-contact communication unit 107 is disconnected. The terminal device 30 transitions to an authentication state (a state where non-contact communication is possible and presence detection is possible) when an authentication code is input by the user to the terminal device 30 and matches the pre-registered code, and transitions to a non-authentication state (a state where non-contact communication is not possible and presence detection is not possible) when the authentication state ends. Note that the IC card 35 does not transition from a state where presence detection is possible to a state where presence detection is not possible between the first function and the second function. 【0015】 Regarding the first function with respect to the second function, it is a function that is sequentially performed in relation to charging, and it may be any function that transitions from a state where the presence of an electronic money medium can be detected to a state where it cannot be detected. For example, as processes executed in relation to charging, the three functions of balance inquiry, acceptance of cash input, and charging process may be sequentially executed. In this case, when transitioning from a state where the presence of an electronic money medium can be detected to a state where it cannot be detected between the balance inquiry and the acceptance of cash input process, the first function corresponds to the balance inquiry, and the second function corresponds to the acceptance of cash input process. Also, when transitioning from a state where the presence of an electronic money medium can be detected to a state where it cannot be detected at least between the balance inquiry and the charging process, the first function corresponds to the balance inquiry, and the second function corresponds to the charging process. When transitioning from a state where the presence of an electronic money medium can be detected to a state where it cannot be detected respectively between the balance inquiry, the acceptance of cash input process, and the charging process, the first function corresponds to the balance inquiry, the second function corresponds to the acceptance of cash input process or the charging process, and also the first function corresponds to the acceptance of cash input process, and the second function corresponds to the charging process. 【0016】 Also, in the acceptance of cash input process, when the state where no cash is input continues for a certain period of time, a timeout occurs, and thus the session between the charging device 10 and the terminal device 30 is disconnected. Therefore, in this case, the first function corresponds to the process of waiting for cash input, and the second function corresponds to the determination process of determining that cash has been accepted. Also, in the acceptance of cash input process, when the state where an instruction for completion of cash input is not input from the user continues for a certain period of time, a timeout occurs, and thus the session between the charging device 10 and the terminal device 30 is disconnected. Therefore, in this case, the first function corresponds to the process of accepting an instruction for completion of cash input, and the second function corresponds to the balance update process of adding the charging amount to the balance. 【0017】 Furthermore, in addition to the first charging method, which accepts cash and charges the account, there is also a second charging method, which uses points to charge the account. When charging using the second charging method, the charging device 10 sequentially performs the following: point inquiry processing, point acceptance processing to accept input specifying the number of points to be used for charging, and point charging processing to charge the account using the specified points. In this case, if there is a transition between the point inquiry process and the point acceptance process from a state where the existence of an electronic money medium can be detected to a state where it cannot, the first function corresponds to the point inquiry process and the second function corresponds to the point acceptance process. 【0018】 Furthermore, if there is a transition from a state where the existence of an electronic money medium can be detected to a state where it cannot, at least between the point inquiry process and the point charge process, then the first function corresponds to the point inquiry process and the second function corresponds to the point charge process. In the event that the state transitions from being able to detect the presence of an electronic money medium to being unable to detect it between the point inquiry process, the point acceptance process, and the point charge process, the first function corresponds to the point inquiry process and the second function corresponds to the point acceptance process or the point charge process, or the first function corresponds to the point acceptance process and the second function corresponds to the point charge process. 【0019】 The first and second functions are not limited to these combinations; any two different functions from a group of functions performed sequentially in connection with charging are acceptable. 【0020】 The communication unit 101 communicates with the electronic money management device 20 via the network N. The storage unit 102 stores identification information obtained from the electronic money medium during the execution of the first function. This identification information can be any information that can identify the electronic money medium, for example, a medium ID individually assigned to the terminal device 30, or a medium ID individually assigned to the IC card 35. It can also be a medium ID assigned to the IC card with which the terminal device 30 is linked. In this case, it is sufficient if the information can identify the electronic money medium that the charging device 10 is targeting for contactless communication. 【0021】 The storage unit 102 is composed of a storage medium, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access read / write Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or any combination of these storage media. This storage unit 102 can, for example, use non-volatile memory. 【0022】 The first display control unit 103 displays a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable presence detection when transitioning from the first function to the second function (for example, the screen shown in step S105 of Figure 4, which will be described later). The second display control unit 104, during the execution phase of the second function, displays a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable the presence detection if a certain period of time has elapsed without any operation input necessary to execute the second function (for example, step S106A in Figure 7 and step S107A in Figure 8, which will be described later). When the third display control unit 105 executes the second function after the first function has been executed, if a response signal to the inquiry signal is not obtained from the electronic money medium, it displays a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable presence detection (for example, step S105 in Figure 4 and step S106A in Figure 7, which will be described later). When the third display control unit 105 executes the second function after the first function has been executed, if a response signal to the inquiry signal is obtained from the electronic money medium, it displays a screen to execute the second function without displaying a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable the presence detection. 【0023】 The processing unit 106 activates the second function and, upon detecting that the electronic money medium has transitioned to a state where its presence can be detected, executes the second function specified by the identification number. The contactless communication unit 107 performs contactless communication with an electronic money medium (for example, a terminal device 30, an IC card 35, etc.). The display unit 108 displays various data. The display unit 108 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The operation input unit 109 receives operation input from the user. The operation input unit 109 is configured as a touch panel, for example, when combined with the display unit 108. The cash input receiving unit 110 accepts cash. The cash input receiving unit 110 accepts banknotes. 【0024】 Figure 3 is an external view showing an example of the appearance of the charging device 10. The top of the charging device 10 is provided with a display unit 108 and a touch panel serving as an operation input unit 109. The height of the touch panel is set to a height that makes it easy for users of the charging device 10 to view the display screen of the display unit 108. Below the display unit 108, a cash input receiving unit 110 is provided. A contactless communication unit 107 is provided below the cash input receiving unit 110. A portion of the contactless communication unit 107 is provided with a surface on which an electronic money medium can be placed. Users can place the electronic money medium to be charged on the surface of the contactless communication unit 107 and then input operations into the touch panel or insert cash into the cash input receiving unit 110. 【0025】 Figures 4, 7, and 8 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the charging device 10. Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the charging device 10. Figure 4 shows a flowchart when the display unit 108 of the charging device 10 displays a screen prompting the user to perform authentication on the terminal device 30 twice. Figure 7 shows a flowchart when the display unit 108 of the charging device 10 displays a screen prompting the user to perform authentication on the terminal device 30 three times. Figure 8 shows a flowchart when the display unit 108 of the charging device 10 displays a screen prompting the user to perform authentication on the terminal device 30 four times. In the initial stage, the processing unit 106 displays the top screen on the display unit 108 (Figure 4: step S101, Figure 5: step S201). The top screen displays an option to select whether to perform the charge function or the transaction history inquiry function. 【0026】 To view their transaction history, users should touch the "Transaction History Inquiry" button. When the processing unit 106 detects that the transaction history inquiry button has been touched by the user, it determines that charge has not been selected (Figure 5: step S202-NO), executes the transaction history inquiry process (Figure 5: step S240), and then proceeds to step S201 in Figure 5. 【0027】 When a user wants to top up their electronic money balance, they touch the "Top-up Function" button. When the processing unit 106 detects that an instruction for the "charge function" has been input, it determines that charging has been selected (Figure 5: Step S202-YES) and switches to a mode for contactless communication with the electronic money medium. Here, the processing unit 106 displays a screen on the display unit 108 prompting the user to read the electronic money medium, such as "Please touch the card. If it is a terminal device, please touch after authorization" (Figure 4: Step S102). Then, the processing unit 106 causes the non-contact communication unit 107 to transmit a carrier wave (Figure 5: step S203) and determines whether the response signal is received by the non-contact communication unit 107 (Figure 5: step S204). Here, the processing unit 106 continues transmitting the carrier wave while monitoring the response signal until a certain waiting time has elapsed from the start of carrier wave transmission until the response signal is received. 【0028】 After viewing this screen, the user places the electronic money medium on the contactless communication unit 107. This section describes the case where the terminal device 30 is placed on the device. The user enters an authentication code into the terminal device 30 and then places it on the contactless communication unit 107. The terminal device 30 determines whether the entered authentication code is correct or not. If it is correct, it switches to a mode that accepts carrier waves; otherwise, it displays an error screen. When the authentication code is entered correctly, the terminal device 30 switches to a mode that accepts carrier waves (it switches from a state where presence cannot be detected to a state where presence can be detected). Then, when the terminal device 30 receives the carrier wave, it transmits the medium ID assigned to the terminal device 30 as a response signal. 【0029】 If the processing unit 106 is unable to receive the media ID from the terminal device 30 after a certain period of time has elapsed (Figure 5: step S204-NO), the processing unit proceeds to step S201 in Figure 5. When the processing unit 106 receives the media ID from the terminal device 30 (Figure 5: step S204-YES), it writes the media ID to the storage unit 102 (Figure 5: step S205), determines that the electronic money medium (terminal device 30) is placed on the contactless communication unit 107, and starts balance processing (Figure 5: step S206). Here, the case where the media ID is stored in the storage unit 102 is described, but it may also be transmitted to the electronic money management device 20 and stored in the electronic money management device 20. Furthermore, to confirm whether charging is possible, a balance inquiry process is performed before the charging process. Then, the processing unit 106 displays a message such as "Processing in progress. Please do not remove the card" on the display unit 108 (Figure 4: Step S103), prompting the user to keep the electronic money medium on the contactless communication unit 107. The processing unit 106 obtains the balance data by reading the balance data from the electronic money medium (terminal device 30), or by sending the medium ID to the electronic money management device 20 and obtaining the balance data corresponding to the medium ID, and then terminates the balance inquiry process (Figure 5: Step S207). The processing unit 106 stops outputting the carrier wave upon completion of the balance inquiry process (Figure 5: Step S208). Here, the processing unit 106 determines whether charging is possible based on the balance data and the reference amount. The processing unit 106 determines whether the balance data is less than or equal to the reference amount, and determines that charging is possible if the balance data is less than or equal to the reference amount, and determines that charging is not possible (the maximum chargeable amount is 0 yen) if the balance data exceeds the reference amount. The reference amount can be the amount obtained by subtracting the minimum chargeable amount per transaction from the upper limit of the balance. For example, if the upper limit of the balance is 30,000 yen and the minimum chargeable amount is 1,000 yen, the reference amount is set to 29,000 yen. There are various reasons for stopping carrier wave transmission, but one of them is to reduce the chances of reading information other than the media ID of electronic money at unnecessary times. 【0030】 The terminal device 30 determines that it has not received a carrier wave because the carrier wave transmission from the charging device 10 has stopped, and transitions from a state where presence detection is possible to a state where presence detection is not possible. If the carrier wave transmission is not stopped and is to be continued, it is necessary to check and adjust whether there will be any impact on other related equipment, etc., when processing is performed assuming continuous transmission, and such changes are burdensome. 【0031】 The processing unit 106 displays on the display unit 108 whether or not charging is possible based on the balance data (Figure 4: step S104) and transmits a carrier wave (Figure 5: step S209). If charging is possible, the processing unit 106 displays important notes regarding charging, such as that no change will be given and refunds are not possible (Figure 4: step S104) and transmits a carrier wave (Figure 5: step S209). Alternatively, the processing unit 106 may display a "Proceed to Charge" button on the screen, and proceed to the next process when this button is touched by the user. 【0032】 The processing unit 106 determines whether or not it has received a response signal to the carrier wave (Figure 5: step S210). If the processing unit 106 has not received a response signal, it displays a screen on the display unit 108 prompting the user to perform authentication processing and then read the electronic money medium, such as "Please touch the card again. If it is a terminal device, please touch after authorization" (Figure 4: step S105, Figure 6: step S231). 【0033】 The processing unit 106 then determines whether or not a response signal has been received (Figure 6: Step S232). If a response signal is not received after a certain period of time has elapsed (Figure 6: Step S232-NO), the processing unit 106 proceeds to step S201 in Figure 5 and displays the top screen (Figure 4: Step S101). Possible reasons why a response signal is not detected at this point include the removal of the terminal device 30 that was mounted on the contactless communication unit 107, or an error in entering the authentication code. 【0034】 When the user sees a screen on the display unit 108 prompting them to perform authentication on the terminal device 30 before touching it, they enter an authentication code into the terminal device 30 and initiate the authentication process. The terminal device 30 determines whether the entered authentication code is correct or not. If it is correct, it switches to a mode that accepts carrier waves; otherwise, it displays an error screen. Here, if a correct authentication code is entered, it switches to a mode that accepts carrier waves, changing from a state where presence detection is not possible to a state where presence detection is possible. When the terminal device 30 receives a carrier wave transmitted from the contactless communication unit 107, it transmits a response signal including a medium ID. 【0035】 When the processing unit 106 receives a response signal from the electronic money medium (terminal device 30) (Figure 6: step S232-YES), it transitions the process to a waiting state (Figure 6: step S233), sets the waiting period count to an initial value and starts counting, and displays a message screen prompting the user to insert banknotes, such as "Please insert banknotes one at a time" (Figure 4: step S106). Here, the user inserts banknotes (for example, 1,000 yen bills) into the cash input receiving section 110. The processing unit 106 determines whether or not cash has been inserted (Figure 6: step S234). If cash has been inserted (Figure 6: step S234-YES), it sets the waiting period count to its initial value and starts counting, then displays the message "Please insert banknotes up to the desired charge amount" along with the "Insertion Complete" button (Figure 4: step S107). The processing unit 106 then determines whether or not the cash insertion is complete (Figure 6: step S235). If it is complete (Figure 6: step S235-YES), it starts updating the charge amount (Figure 6: step S236) and displays a message such as "Processing. Do not remove the card." on the display unit 108 (Figure 4: step S108). The completion of cash insertion can be determined, for example, by displaying a "Cash Insertion Complete" button on the screen shown in step S107 of Figure 4, and detecting that the user has touched this button. 【0036】 When the processing unit 106 starts updating the charge amount, it communicates with the electronic money management device 20 to read the media ID stored in the storage unit 102 and transmits it to the electronic money management device 20, specifying the media ID to be charged and notifying the amount of cash to be inserted, thereby requesting the charge process (Figure 6: Step S237). Here, the charging device 10 calculates the total amount of banknotes inserted at the time the "insertion complete" button is pressed, designates the media ID as the target for charging, and transmits the total amount of inserted banknotes to the electronic money management device 20. When the electronic money management device 20 receives the media ID and the total amount deposited, it sets the total amount deposited as the amount to be charged, updates the balance by adding the total amount deposited to the balance associated with the media ID, and performs the charge process. It then sends a notification signal to the charge device 10 indicating the completion of the charge and the media ID. When the processing unit 106 of the charge device 10 receives this notification signal, if the received media ID matches the media ID received in step S232, it executes the charge process for the electronic money medium (terminal device 30) and terminates the charge process (Figure 6: step S238). If the received media ID does not match the media ID received in step S232, the processing unit 106 displays an error screen. The charging process is terminated. Once the charging process is complete, the processing unit 106 stops transmitting the carrier wave and returns to the display state of the top screen (Figure 4: Step S101, Figure 5: Step S201). 【0037】 On the other hand, in step S210 of Figure 5, if the processing unit 106 receives a response signal (Figure 5: step S210-YES), it transitions the process to a waiting state for payment (Figure 6: step S211) and displays a message screen prompting the user to insert banknotes, such as "Please insert banknotes one at a time" (Figure 4: step S106). The case in which a response signal can be received here is when the electronic money medium to be charged is an IC card 35, and the IC card 35 has remained continuously placed on the contactless communication unit 107 since the balance inquiry stage in step S206 of Figure 5. The IC card 35 is configured to return a response signal when it receives a carrier wave. That is, when the IC card 35 receives a carrier wave, it returns a response signal without requiring the user to enter an authentication code. Therefore, if the processing unit 106 temporarily stops transmitting the carrier wave and then transmits the carrier wave again, it can obtain a response signal from the IC card 35. If the IC card 35 is placed on the contactless communication unit 107, the processing unit 106 will not display the screen shown in step S105 of Figure 4, but will proceed to the screen display shown in step S106 of Figure 4. 【0038】 Here, the user inserts banknotes (for example, 1,000 yen bills) into the cash input receiving section 110. The processing unit 106 determines whether or not cash has been inserted within a certain period of time (Figure 6: Step S212). If cash has been inserted (Figure 6: Step S212-YES), it displays the message "Please insert banknotes up to the desired charge amount" along with the "Insertion Complete" button (Figure 4: Step S107). The processing unit 106 then determines whether or not the cash insertion has been completed (Figure 6: Step S213). If it has not been completed (Figure 6: Step S212-NO), it proceeds to step S211 in Figure 6, waiting for the cash (banknotes) to be inserted. If it has been completed (Figure 6: Step S213-YES), it starts updating the charge amount (Figure 6: Step S214) and displays a message such as "Processing. Do not remove the card." on the display unit 108 (Figure 4: Step S108). The completion of cash insertion can be determined, for example, by displaying a "Cash Insertion Complete" button on the screen shown in step S107 of Figure 4, and detecting that the user has touched this button. 【0039】 When the processing unit 106 starts updating the charge amount, it adds the inserted cash to the balance, thereby charging the electronic money medium (IC card 35) placed on the contactless communication unit 107 (Figure 6: step S215), and transmits the medium ID and the balance data after charging to the electronic money management device 20, ending the charge process (Figure 6: step S216). Once the charge process is complete, the processing unit 106 stops transmitting the carrier wave and switches to the display state of the top screen (Figure 4: step S101, Figure 5: step S201). The electronic money management device 20 receives and stores the medium ID and the balance data after charging. 【0040】 On the other hand, when the carrier wave transmission stops upon completion of the charging process, the terminal device 30 determines that it has not received a carrier wave because the carrier wave transmission from the charging device 10 has stopped, and transitions from a state where presence detection is possible to a state where presence detection is not possible. 【0041】 In step S234 of Figure 6, if no cash is deposited (Figure 6: step S234-NO), the processing unit 106 determines whether the waiting period for payment has ended (Figure 6: step S251). If the waiting period for payment has not ended (Figure 6: step S251-NO), the processing unit 106 proceeds to step S234 of Figure 6 to determine whether a payment has been made. On the other hand, if the waiting period for payment ends (Figure 6: step S251-YES), the processing unit 106 stops transmitting the carrier wave (Figure 8: step S252), displays a screen on the display unit 108 prompting the user to read the electronic money medium after authentication, such as "Please touch the card again. If using a terminal device, please authorize before touching" (Figure 7: step S106A), and transmits the carrier wave from the contactless communication unit 107 (Figure 6 step S253). Then the processing unit 106 moves to step S232 in Figure 6 to determine whether or not it has received a response signal. 【0042】 When the user sees a screen on the display unit 108 prompting them to perform authentication on the terminal device 30 before touching it, they enter an authentication code into the terminal device 30 and initiate the authentication process. The terminal device 30 determines whether the entered authentication code is correct or not. If it is correct, it switches to a mode that accepts carrier waves; otherwise, it displays an error screen. Here, if a correct authentication code is entered, it switches to a mode that accepts carrier waves, changing from a state where presence detection is not possible to a state where presence detection is possible. When the terminal device 30 receives a carrier wave transmitted from the contactless communication unit 107, it transmits a response signal including a medium ID. 【0043】 As a result, the processing unit 106 can receive a response signal from the electronic money medium (terminal device 30) (Figure 6: step S232-YES), and the processing can be moved to a waiting state for payment (Figure 6: step S233). 【0044】 On the other hand, in step S235 of Figure 6, if the processing unit 106 does not receive an instruction to complete cash deposit even after a certain period of time has elapsed, it determines that cash deposit has not been completed (Figure 6: step S235-NO), and determines whether or not it has received a response signal to the carrier wave (Figure 6: step S261). If a response signal has been obtained (Figure 6: step S261-YES), it proceeds to step S234 to determine whether or not a deposit has been made. On the other hand, if a response signal cannot be received (Figure 6: step S261-NO), the processing unit 106 displays a screen on the display unit 108 prompting the user to perform authentication processing and then read the electronic money medium, such as "Please touch the card again. If it is a terminal device, please touch after authorization" (Figure 8: step S107A, Figure 6 step S262). Then, when the processing unit 106 receives a response signal (Figure 6: step S263), it starts updating the charge amount (Figure 6: step S236). 【0045】 In the embodiment described above, the processing unit 106 was shown to perform the process of storing the medium ID in the storage unit 102 when performing a balance inquiry. However, if there is a series of processes that sequentially execute multiple functions related to charging, when transitioning from a state where the presence of the electronic money medium can be detected to a state where its presence cannot be detected (when the carrier wave transmission is temporarily stopped), if the medium ID can be read and stored at the stage where the presence of the electronic money medium can be detected, this process may be performed at the stage where other functions are executed. 【0046】 In the above-described embodiment, the communication unit 101, the first display control unit 103, the second display control unit 104, the third display control unit 105, the processing unit 106, and the contactless communication unit 107 may be implemented using a computer. In that case, the programs for implementing these functions may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that acts as a server or client in such a case. Furthermore, the above program may be for the purpose of realizing some of the functions described above, or it may be for the purpose of realizing the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or it may be for the purpose of realizing using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). 【0047】 While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of symbols] 【0048】 10, 10a, 10b...Charging device, 20...Electronic money management device, 30...Terminal device, 35...IC card, 101...Communication unit, 102...Storage unit, 103...First display control unit, 104...Second display control unit, 105...Third display control unit, 106...Processing unit, 107...Contactless communication unit, 108...Display unit, 109...Operation input unit, 110...Attachment unit
Claims
[Claim 1] A charging device that has the function of accepting cash input and charging electronic money, and between the first function and the second function, after the processing of the first function is completed, the charging device temporarily stops transmitting a carrier wave, thereby transitioning from a state in which existence can be detected to a state in which existence cannot be detected, and is capable of communicating with an electronic money medium. A storage unit that reads and stores identification information from the electronic money medium during the stage of executing the first function, A first display control unit that displays a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable the presence detection when transitioning from the first function to the second function, Upon activating the second function and detecting that the electronic money medium has transitioned to a state where its presence can be detected, the processing unit executes the second function specified by the identification information, A charging device having the following features. [Claim 2] During the execution phase of the second function, if no operation input necessary to execute the second function is performed for a certain period of time, the second display control unit displays a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable the presence detection. A charging device according to claim 1, having the following features. [Claim 3] When executing the second function after the first function has been executed, if a response signal to the inquiry signal is not obtained from the electronic money medium, the third display control unit displays a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable the presence detection. A charging device according to claim 1 or claim 2, having the following features. [Claim 4] When the third display control unit executes the second function after the first function has been executed, if a response signal to the inquiry signal is obtained from the electronic money medium, it will display a screen to execute the second function without displaying a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable the presence detection. The charging device according to claim 3. [Claim 5] A charging device capable of communicating with an electronic money medium, which has the function of accepting cash insertion and charging electronic money, and between the first function and the second function, after the processing of the first function is completed, the charging device temporarily stops transmitting a carrier wave, thereby transitioning from a state in which its presence can be detected to a state in which its presence cannot be detected. During the execution of the first function, identification information is read from the electronic money medium and stored in the storage unit. When transitioning from the first function to the second function, a screen prompting the user to perform an operation to enable the presence detection is displayed. When the second function is activated and it is detected that the electronic money medium has transitioned to a state where its presence can be detected, the second function specifying the identification information is executed. Processing method in a charging device.