Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Credit or identification card systems
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-03-06
Le, Thien M. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Credit or identification card systems
C235S379000, C902S026000, C380S029000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196461
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a value data charging apparatus for charging value data in an electronic storage device for holding therein value data having the value in cash, and more particularly to the technology which is effective for application to a value data charging apparatus which is suitable for enhancement of security against robbery and unfair use of a value charging apparatus in a stored fare card system utilizing IC cards.
In recent years, there have been made fit for practical use more and more electronic money systems utilizing electronic storage devices such as IC cards, and stored fare card systems using stored fare cards in which the prepaid value information effective for only certain traders is stored. In this sort of system, a value data charging apparatus for writing value data to an electronic storage device such as an electronic money card or a stored fare card can produce cash in the form of electronic data from the nothing state by writing the value data to the electronic storage device to which no value data is written at all.
As for the technology relating to such a stored fare card system, in JP-A-9-251555 for example, there is disclosed an information storage device and an automatic ticket examining machine employing the same in which an information recording device such as an IC card has communication ticket data and stored fare data recorded therein, and by which the processing time period which is required to reduce the fare out of a section of a communication ticket is shortened. In addition, in JP-A-9-102002, there is disclosed a settlement card which can be used by a user within the limit of the payment-ability of the user of interest and with which a card company can collect surely the price, and an automatic transferring machine for the settlement.
Since the conventional value data charging apparatus for writing value data to a stored fare card can produce cash in the form of electronic data from the nothing state, there arises the problem that there is the possibility that the value data may be added inexhaustibly to the electronic storage device due to robbery or malicious and unfair use of a value charging apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the light of the foregoing, the present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the technology by which electronic value data can be prevented from being produced inexhaustibly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the technology by which security of a value charging apparatus can be enhanced.
According to the present invention, there is provided a value data charging apparatus for writing value data to an electronic storage device, the apparatus including: a main body of the apparatus having a processor, a cash inserting portion for accepting cash, and an interface through which the value data charging apparatus communicates with the electronic storage device and a count unit being; and the count unit removably attached to the apparatus main body for storing therein upper limit value data representing an upper limit of cash which can be charged in the value data stored in the electronic storage device. The processor of the apparatus main body executes the processing of adding, in accordance with the result of comparing an amount which a user intends to charge with the upper limit value data, when it is judged that a charging amount is within the range of the upper limit value data, charging value data to value information of the electronic storage device. In a certain preferred embodiment, the value charging apparatus of the present invention checks, by the processor of the apparatus main body, whether or not the count unit is attached to the apparatus main body, and accepts, when it is judged that the count unit is attached to the apparatus main body, the input of the charging value data representing the amount which is to be charged in the electronic storage device. Then, the processor reads out the upper limit value data from the count unit and compares the inputted charging value data with the upper limit value data which has been read out from the count unit to check whether or not the charging value data is within the range of the upper limit value data. If it is judged that the inputted charging value data is within the range of the upper limit value data, then the processor checks whether or not the electronic storage device is installed in the value charging apparatus and writes, if it is judged that the electronic storage device is installed in the value charging apparatus, the charging value data to the count unit. In accordance therewith, the count unit subtracts a value corresponding to the charging value data from the upper limit value data, and then ciphers the charging value data of the specified amount to transfer the charging value data thus ciphered to the apparatus main body. Then, the processor of the apparatus main body further transfers the charging value data thus transferred thereto to the electronic storage device. Then, the electronic storage device deciphers the charging value data transferred thereto to reproduce the charging value data, and then adds the charging value data thus reproduced to the value information.
In such a way, the value charging processing is executed within the range of the upper limit value data representing the upper limit value of the charging amount, whereby it is possible to prevent the value data from being produced inexhaustibly.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4766293 (1988-08-01), Boston
patent: 4992646 (1991-02-01), Collin
patent: 5521362 (1996-05-01), Powers
patent: 5521363 (1996-05-01), Tannenbaum
patent: 5767504 (1998-06-01), Menconi
patent: 9-102002 (1997-04-01), None
patent: 9-167278 (1997-06-01), None
patent: 9-251555 (1997-09-01), None
Cyr Daniel St.
Hitachi , Ltd.
Le Thien M.
Mattingly Stanger & Malur, P.C.
LandOfFree
Value data charging method and system for implementing the same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Value data charging method and system for implementing the same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Value data charging method and system for implementing the same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2453503