Service providing system

• US 20020049651A1
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Umemura, Masaya, Hara, Tsutomu, Takita, Isao, Inagaki, Yukihide
• Granted Patent: US 7,356,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 1/02 employing selectable printing plates
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for providing a service through a non-contact communication unit such as a wireless communication unit is disclosed. Specifically, an electronic ticket is communicated between a so-called mobile terminal and the non-contact communication unit equipped in a ticket examiner. The ticket examiner comprises a stocker for storing magnetized slips, roll paper or plastic slips, and a shaper for cutting the magnetized slip or the roll paper into a proper size. The ticket examiner confirms the validity of the electronic ticket for issuing a ticket.

Claims

1. A service providing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a network, comprising:

communication means for communicating with a terminal carried by a person who is going to receive a service;

transfer means for transferring information for guaranteeing a compensation for a service provided through said communication means to said information processing apparatus through said network; and

providing means for providing a service based on information acquired from said information processing apparatus.

2. A service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information for guaranteeing a compensation is an electronic coupon.

3. A service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication means is a wireless communication.

4. A service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said providing means comprises:

means for issuing a certificate for permitting provision of a service based on said acquired information; and

means for allowing said person who is going to receive a service to enter a site in which the service is provided.

5. A service providing system having a ticket examiner and an information processing apparatus interconnected through a network for providing a service in compensation for a price, wherein:

said ticket examiner comprises;

communication means provided on a surface of said ticket examiner and based on a non-contact or electromagnetic contact scheme, or conduction of an electric signal; and

means for collecting information on means for settling a service provided through any of said communication means from information stored in a medium communicated through said communication means,

said information processing apparatus comprises;

means connected to a financial institution through said network for decrypting said information on the settling means to a plain text, evaluating the validity of said information on the settling means, making a settlement based on said evaluation through said financial institution and said communication means, and selecting a service to be provided and preparing for providing the service after the settlement, and

said ticket examiner further comprises;

person sensing means equipped therein; and

means for recognizing based on a person sensed by said person detecting means and the communication medium sensed by said communication means that a user who should receive a service exists at said ticket examiner.

6. A service providing system according to claim 5, wherein said system comprises:

means for issuing a ticket in compensation for a service, or a ticket for certifying receipt of the service.

7. A service providing system according to claim 5, wherein said ticket examiner further comprises:

means for storing tickets to be issued;

shaping means;

printing means; and

optically or magnetically recording means.

8. A service providing system according to claim 5, wherein said non-contact communication means in said ticket examiner comprises two antennas, one of which forms a long distance service area, and the other of which forms a nearby service area.

9. A service providing system according to claim 6, wherein said other antenna forming the nearby service area is disposed on a surface which a user approaches, and said nearby service area formed by the antenna for irradiating and receiving electric waves to and from the user extends over a range defined by a wave accessible distance and audible distance, said range having a radius equal to an average distance to a position at which the user is located.

10. A service providing system according to claim 6, wherein said ticket examiner comprises a gate, such that at least one of an entrance way and an exit way for the user is blocked by said gate when the information on the settling means of the user is unauthorized.

11. A service providing system according to claim 5, wherein said information processing apparatus comprises means for encrypting contents communicated by said communication means for transmission, and for decrypting received contents to a plain text.

13. A method of providing a service according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

permitting provision of a service based on the result of the reference; and

guiding the person who is going to receive the service to a site in which the service is provided.

12. A method of providing a service, comprising the steps of:

guiding a person who is going to receive a service to a service providing apparatus;

requesting the person for guarantee information for guaranteeing a compensation for a provided service, said compensation possessed by the person who is going to receive a service using communication means;

transmitting said received guarantee information to an information processing apparatus possessed by a service provider through a network for referring to said service provider for said guarantee information; and

providing the service to the person who is going to receive the service based on a result of the reference.