JP2005129183A - Recording medium, method of distinguishing recording medium, and card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording medium which can be manufactured without requiring special processes, which is unlikely to be forged and can attain miniaturization/cost reduction of a means for distinguishing, e.g., a card reader. <P>SOLUTION: The recording medium is provided on a base material 2, with at least a recording part, in which magnetic information is recorded and a security part 6 on which magnetic particles 7 of low coercive force are distributed at random, thereby solving the problem. The magnetic particles 7 of low coercive force, having sizes and shapes different from each other, are preferably distributed on the security part 6. It is further preferable that a magnetic recording layer 3 of high coercive force be provided on the base material 2 and that the security part 6 be formed at the magnetic recording layer 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium, a recording medium discrimination method, and a card reader.

  Recording media such as credit cards, cash cards, and prepaid cards have become indispensable for daily life, and there are various ways to ensure the security of recording media, that is, to prevent counterfeiting and tampering. Attempts have been made (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a card having a base material in which metal fibers distributed randomly are embedded, and a mixed region in which a portion where a metal thin film layer is present and a portion where a metal thin film layer is present are mixed. Has been described. Since this card can obtain identification data unique to the card from randomly distributed metal fibers and mixed areas, the mixed area is scanned with a microwave sensor, and the signal from the microwave sensor is used as data in the magnetic track of the card. Can be written and issued. When using this issued card, the mixed area is scanned with a microwave sensor, and the data based on the signal from the microwave sensor is compared with the data written on the magnetic track to verify that the card is authentic. It is discriminated whether it is illegal or not.

  Patent Document 2 describes a card (object to be detected) provided with a magnetic polymer mixed layer. The magnetic polymer mixed layer is one in which a large number of magnetic polymer elements are randomly distributed on a paper or synthetic resin base material, and the distribution state of the magnetic polymer elements is different for each card. For this reason, the scanning area of the card is scanned with the MR element, the signal read by the MR element is written as data in the code display section of the card, and the card is issued. When the issued card is used, the scanning area is scanned with the MR element, and the data based on the signal read by the MR element is compared with the data written on the magnetic track so that the card is authentic. It is discriminated whether it is a thing or illegal.

Patent Document 3 describes a card (object to be detected) provided with an intermediate material in which other substances such as metal pieces and metal powder are randomly mixed. The intermediate material is a material in which other materials such as metal pieces and metal powder are randomly distributed, and the distribution state of the other materials is different for each card. For this reason, when the light of the transmissive optical sensor is irradiated to the card and the light transmitted through the card is received by the phototransistor, the light does not pass through other substances, so that unique data different for each card can be obtained. This data is written as a magnetic signal in the magnetic stripe of the card, and the card is issued. When this issued card is used, the light from the transmission optical sensor is irradiated to the card in the same manner as when the card is issued, and the light transmitted through the card is received by the phototransistor. The base data and the data written on the magnetic track are compared to determine whether the card is genuine or illegal.
Japanese Patent No. 3221626 Japanese Patent No. 2821367 JP-A-6-179296

  However, since the card described in Patent Document 1 uses a microwave to determine whether the card is genuine or illegal, it is susceptible to external noise when measuring the microwave flux. . Further, since it oscillates microwaves, it may be a noise source. Furthermore, microwave transmitters and receivers are generally large and expensive. In addition, since the mixed region is formed by providing a hot-melt coating layer on the substrate and melting a part of the metal thin film layer by heating, the card cost becomes very high.

  In addition, the card described in Patent Document 2 uses an expensive magnetic polymer element, and includes a step of manufacturing the magnetic polymer element, that is, a fibrous element body made of a polymer material containing magnetic metal powder. Since a process for manufacturing the magnetic polymer element is required, the card cost becomes very high and the manufacturing process becomes complicated.

  Further, the card described in Patent Document 3 uses a general transmission optical sensor to determine whether the card is genuine or illegal. By making the arrangement of the same as the real one, there is a possibility that it can be forged relatively easily.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to make it possible to manufacture without requiring a special process, to be difficult to forge, and to distinguish a card reader or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium capable of reducing the size and cost of the means. A second object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium discrimination method capable of discriminating whether a recording medium is genuine or illegal. A third object of the present invention is to provide a card reader that can be reduced in size and cost.

  The recording medium of the present invention that achieves the first object comprises at least a recording part on which information is recorded and a security part in which low coercive force magnetic particles are randomly distributed on a substrate. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, since the low coercive force magnetic particles are randomly distributed in the security unit, the security unit is different for each recording medium. For this reason, if the unique data that differs for each recording medium is recorded in advance in the recording unit using, for example, a card reader, etc., when using the recording medium of the present invention, for example, By comparing with pre-recorded data, it is possible to easily determine whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal by, for example, a card reader.

  Further, since the low coercive force magnetic particles are inexpensive, the cost of the recording medium of the present invention can be suppressed. Moreover, as a detection means for detecting magnetic particles having a low coercive force, it is possible to use a coercive force sensor that is not easily affected by external noise, is small, and is inexpensive. In addition, since the recording medium of the present invention uses magnetic particles having a low coercive force, the detecting means is limited to a coercive force sensor and the like, and it is almost impossible to forge or tamper with other means. It is.

  In the recording medium of the present invention, (a) the low coercive force magnetic particles are magnetic particles having different sizes and shapes, and (b) a high coercive force magnetic recording layer is provided on the substrate. It is preferable that the security part is formed in the magnetic recording layer, and (c) the security part is formed by mixing the low coercive force magnetic particles in a nonmagnetic material.

  According to the recording medium discrimination method of the present invention for achieving the second object, the security part of the recording medium is scanned with a low coercive force detecting means for detecting a low coercive force to create data specific to the recording medium. When this data is recorded on the recording unit of the recording medium, a recording medium on which the unique data is recorded is issued, and the recording medium is used, the security unit of the recording medium is scanned by the low coercive force detection means. Data unique to the recording medium is created, and the data at the time of use and the unique data before issuance recorded in the recording unit are compared to determine whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal.

  According to the present invention, recording medium-specific data that differs for each recording medium is recorded in the recording unit and the recording medium is issued. When using this recording medium, the data at the time of use is compared with the data before issuance. Then, it is determined whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal. Therefore, it can be easily determined whether the recording medium of the present invention is genuine or illegal.

  The card reader of the present invention that achieves the third object comprises a low coercive force detecting means for detecting the magnetic particles of low coercive force that are randomly distributed by scanning the security portion of the recording medium of the present invention described above. A conversion unit that encodes the detected signal into data specific to the recording medium; and a recording / recording unit that records the encoded data in the recording unit of the recording medium or reads the data recorded in the recording unit. The image processing apparatus includes: a reading unit; and a determination unit that compares the data read by the recording / reading unit and the data encoded by the conversion unit to determine whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal.

  According to the present invention, the low coercive force magnetic particle distribution state that is different for each recording medium of the present invention is detected by the low coercive force detection means, and data specific to the recording medium is recorded by the recording / reading means based on the detected value. Recorded in the recording unit. Further, the data recorded in the recording unit is read by the recording / reading means, and the read unique data before issuance is compared with the data at the time of use based on the value detected by the low coercive force detection means by the discrimination means. Thus, it is determined whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal. As described above, the card reader according to the present invention includes the low coercive force detection means and detects the data specific to the recording medium, so that the size and cost can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the recording medium of the present invention, since the distribution state of the low coercive force magnetic particles differs for each recording medium, it is used with the pre-issue data recorded in advance by a card reader or the like. By comparing the data read at times, it is easily determined whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal. Further, since magnetic particles having a low coercive force are used, the cost of the recording medium can be suppressed, and a small and inexpensive detection means such as a coercive force sensor can be used, and extremely high security can be ensured.

  According to the recording medium discrimination method of the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether the recording medium of the present invention is genuine or illegal. Moreover, according to the card reader of this invention, size reduction and cost reduction can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, a recording medium, a recording medium discrimination method and a card reader according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(recoding media)
1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples of the recording medium of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording medium 1 of the present invention includes a recording portion (see FIG. 3) 5 on which information is recorded on a base material 2 and magnetic particles (hereinafter referred to as “low coercive force”). It is referred to as “coercive force particle”.) 7 is provided with at least a security part 6 distributed at random.

  The base material 2 is made of a material used for a general magnetic recording medium, and the material varies depending on the application. For example, a polyester resin, a polyamide-based resin, a polyolefin-based resin, a vinyl-based resin, an acrylic-based material. Examples thereof include resins, imide resins, engineering resins, and styrene resins. By forming these materials into, for example, a film or a sheet, a substantially rectangular base material 2 is obtained as shown in FIG. The substrate 2 may be a single layer or may be composed of a plurality of layers. The base material 2 is formed, for example, in a thickness having at least rigidity that allows the recording medium 1 to be used as a card.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a magnetic recording layer 3 is provided on one surface of the substrate 2 so as to cover the entire surface, and the entire surface is formed on the other surface. A print layer 4 on which arbitrary characters, figures, patterns, and the like are printed is provided so as to cover.

  The coercive force of the magnetic recording layer 3 is preferably a high coercive force of 2500 to 4200 (Oe), for example, 2750 (Oe) from the viewpoint of protecting recorded data and standards such as JIS / ISO. As for the coercive force of the magnetic recording layer 3, the coercive force and the like are standardized by JIS and ISO due to functions such as a credit function and a cash function. For this reason, as the magnetic material of the magnetic recording layer 3, a magnetic material conforming to the standard is appropriately selected.

  The magnetic recording layer 3 is formed, for example, by adding a selected magnetic material to a solvent together with a resin binder and kneading to obtain a magnetic paint, and further applying and drying the magnetic paint by a coating method or by printing, etc. Or formed.

Examples of magnetic materials include Fe ₂ O ₃ series, Fe ₃ O ₄ , Fe, Fe—Cr, Fe—Co, Co—Cr, Co—Ni, Ba ferrite, Sr ferrite, and other metals or alloys, or oxidation thereof. Magnetic fine particles such as a product. These magnetic materials are singly or appropriately combined to adjust the coercive force of the magnetic recording layer 3 obtained to 2750 (Oe), for example.

  The resin binder may be any material as long as it is used as a material for forming a magnetic recording layer. For example, butyral resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, cellulose Examples thereof include resins, acrylic resins, and styrene-maleic acid copolymer resins. The thickness of the magnetic recording layer 3 is substantially the same as the thickness of the magnetic recording layer provided on a generally known magnetic recording medium.

  The recording unit 5 records encoded medium-specific data (information). The recording unit 5 is formed in, for example, a substantially rectangular elongated shape that is a part of the magnetic recording layer 3 and extends in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the long side) of the substantially rectangular base material 2 (recording medium 1). For example, the magnetic track is a place where data is recorded (written) or read by a magnetic head described later. The recording unit 5 is not limited to a magnetic track. For example, the recording unit 5 is an indicator and code (bar code, two-dimensional bar code, OCR character, etc.) that can optically read data using a print head. Alternatively, it may be a hologram in which a code is recorded and stamped in order according to the encryption code. Further, instead of the recording unit 5, a memory such as a host computer to which a card reader or the like is electrically connected may be used.

  The security part 6 is a layered part formed at a location different from the recording part 5 on the substrate 2. The security unit 6 is formed in, for example, a substantially elongated rectangular shape that extends parallel to the recording unit 5.

  The security unit 6 may be formed in a part of the magnetic recording layer 3 or may be formed in the upper layer of the magnetic recording layer 3. Further, when the magnetic recording layer is formed on a part of the substrate 2, the security unit may be formed at a location different from the magnetic recording layer on the substrate 2.

  The security unit 6 is formed by randomly distributing the low coercive force particles 7 in, for example, a high coercive force or a non-magnetic material so as to be different for each recording medium 1. In addition, the low coercive force in this invention means that a coercive force is 1000 (Oe) or less.

  The low coercive force particles 7 may have substantially the same size and shape, but are different in size and shape so as to be surely different depending on the recording medium 1. It is preferable. The low coercive force particles 7 may be a mixture of particles having substantially the same size and shape and particles having different shape and size.

  The security unit 6 may be formed in any way as long as the low coercive force particles 7 are distributed randomly. For example, when the magnetic recording layer 3 is formed, the entire magnetic coating material for forming the magnetic recording layer 3 is used. Alternatively, the low coercive force particles 7 may be mixed, or the low coercive force particles 7 may be mixed in a part including the security portion 6 of the magnetic paint forming the magnetic recording layer 3. Good.

  When the security part 6 is formed in the upper layer of the magnetic recording layer 3, the security part 6 is formed as a low coercive force layer 8 as shown in FIG.

  For example, when the low coercive force layer 8 is scanned using the coercive force sensor 21 as a low coercive force detection means for detecting low coercive force particles, the output signal from the coercive force sensor 21 is specific to the recording medium 1. Any analog waveform may be formed. The low coercive force layer 8 is formed by, for example, applying and drying a magnetic paint obtained by adding the same low coercive force particles as those of the low coercive force particles 7 to a solvent together with a nonmagnetic resin binder and kneading (mixing) them by a coating method. Or formed by printing or the like.

  The security unit 6 is formed by randomly distributing the low coercive force particles 7, but the low coercive force particles 7 may be regularly distributed and formed, and in this case, as the low coercive force particles 7, Use particles with different particle sizes and shapes.

  On the magnetic recording layer 3 (when the low coercive force layer 8 is formed on the magnetic recording layer 3, the protective layer is on the low coercive force layer 8 or on the low coercive force layer 8 and the magnetic recording layer 3). (Not shown) is formed.

  The protective layer protects the magnetic recording layer 3 (low coercive force layer 8 or the like), and can be formed using, for example, an acrylic, epoxy, or polyester ultraviolet curable resin, an electron beam curable resin, or the like. . In addition, when forming the protective layer, when the surface which forms a protective layer is uneven | corrugated, it is preferable to form a protective layer so that the surface may become substantially planar shape.

  Moreover, you may provide the printing layer (not shown) which printed arbitrary characters, a figure, a pattern, etc. on the protective layer as needed.

  As described above, the recording medium 1 of the present invention includes the security part 6 in which the low coercive force particles 7 are randomly distributed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the distribution state of the low coercive force particles 7 is recorded. It differs for each medium 1. At this time, if the low coercive force particles 7 are different in size and shape, the distribution state of the low coercive force particles 7 is further different for each recording medium 1. For this reason, it is possible to easily and reliably determine whether the recording medium 1 is genuine or illegal by, for example, a card reader.

  For example, when the security unit 6 is scanned using the coercive force sensor 21 as a low coercive force detection means for detecting low coercive force particles, the output signal from the coercive force sensor 21 has an amplitude as shown in FIG. It becomes an analog waveform specific to the recording medium 1 having a different width and amplitude range. That is, in the present invention, the low coercive force particles 7 are randomly distributed, for example, an analog waveform of an output signal from the coercive force sensor 21 when the security unit 6 is scanned using the coercive force sensor 21. The amplitude width and the amplitude range are different for each recording medium 1.

  Different unique data (analog waveform) from the coercive force sensor 21 for each recording medium, for example, sampling 00, 01, 02, 03..., Encoded and recorded in the recording unit 5 in advance. When the recording medium 1 is used, it is possible to determine whether the recording medium 1 is genuine or illegal by comparing the data read at the time of use with the recorded data.

  In the recording medium 1 of the present invention, the security part 6 is formed by using the magnetic recording layer 3 or formed as a low coercive force layer 8 on the magnetic recording layer 3, so that the base material 2 is an existing one. Can be used as is. Thus, since the recording medium 1 of the present invention can be manufactured by forming the security part 6 by printing or the like without changing the card base material (original fabric), the cost can be suppressed.

(Recording medium discrimination method and card reader)
Next, with respect to the recording medium of the present invention, a method for issuing a new card using the card reader of the present invention and a method for discriminating the card when using the card will be described. The case where the card 1 having the magnetic recording layer 3 is used as the recording medium of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the card reader of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the card reader 20 of the present invention scans the security part 6 of the card 1 to detect the low coercive force detection means (the coercive force sensor 21) that detects the distribution state of the low coercive force particles 7 unique to the card. Then, the converting means 22 that encodes the detected signal into data unique to the card, and records (writes) the encoded data in the recording unit 5 of the card, or data recorded in the recording unit 5 Recording / reading means (magnetic head 23) for reading the data, and discriminating means 24 for comparing the data read by the magnetic head 23 with the data encoded by the converting means 22 to discriminate whether the card 1 is genuine or illegal. It is provided.

  A card insertion port 33 that communicates with the card transport path 32 is provided in the main body 31 of the card reader 20. The card insertion slot 33 is formed so as to insert the card 1 only in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the card 1 inserted from the card insertion slot 33 moves in the card transport path 32.

  A card transport means 25 is provided on the card transport path 32. The card transport means 25 transports the card 1 inserted from the card insertion slot 33 to the back of the card transport path 32 (in the forward direction) or the card 1 in the direction opposite to the forward direction (backward direction). To be transported to.

  The card conveying means 25 is a card conveying means generally used for a card reader, and includes at least a pair of first rollers 35 and 36 and a pair of second rollers 37 and 38, for example.

  The pair of first rollers 35 and 36 are provided on the card transport path 32 in the vicinity of the card insertion slot 33. Both or one of the first rollers 35, 36, for example, the lower first roller 35 is a first driving roller that can rotate forward and backward, and the remaining (upper) first roller 36 has no driving force. It is. The first drive roller 35 and the first guide roller 36 rotate the first drive roller 35 while holding the card 1 inserted through the card insertion slot 33 between the first drive roller 35 and the first passive roller 36. Thus, the card 1 is transported in the forward direction or the backward direction.

  The pair of second rollers 37 and 38 are disposed on a card transport path 32 that can transport the card 1 transported by the pair of first rollers 35 and 36. Similar to the pair of first rollers 35 and 36, both or one of them, for example, the lower second roller 37 is a second driving roller that can rotate forward and backward, and the remaining (upper) second roller 38 has a driving force. There is no second guide roller. The second drive roller 37 and the second guide roller 386 hold the card 1 between the second drive roller 37 and the second passive roller 38 and rotate the second drive roller 37 to drive the card 1 along the card transport path 32. Furthermore, it is configured so as to be conveyed to the back (inside the main body 31) or to the first rollers 35 and 36 side.

  On the card transport path 32 between the first rollers 35 and 36 and the second rollers 37 and 38, a magnetic head 23 as recording / reading means and a coercive force sensor 21 as low coercive force detection means are provided. Yes.

  The recording / reading means is not limited to the magnetic head 23, and any recording / reading means can be used as long as it can record (write) data in the recording unit 5 of the card 1 and read data recorded in the recording unit 5. Other means may be used.

  The magnetic head 23 is the same as a magnetic head generally used for a card reader or the like. The magnetic head 23 is provided on the card conveyance path 32 on the first guide roller 36 and second guide roller 38 side, for example, at a position facing the recording unit 5 of the card 1 being conveyed. Further, a third guide roller 41 is provided in the card transport path 32 facing the magnetic head 23, and the magnetic head 23 comes into contact with the surface on the recording unit 5 of the card 1 being transported (the magnetic head 23). Scanning the recording unit 5), the magnetic head 23 can write data into the recording unit 5 or read data from the recording unit 5.

  The coercive force sensor 21 is, for example, a sensor that measures a voltage that changes in accordance with the magnitude of magnetic permeability. As the coercive force sensor 21, specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, an excitation coil 83, 83 and a detection coil 84 are wound around two main magnetic poles 82, 82 arranged with a gap 81 therebetween. In addition, auxiliary core portions 85 and 85 extending in the opposite direction to the other main magnetic pole (second main magnetic pole) 82 are provided at both ends of one main magnetic pole (first main magnetic pole) 82 to constitute the magnetic sensor portion 86. And the like.

  One end portions of the two main magnetic poles 82 and 82 are connected via a connecting portion 87, and the two main magnetic poles 82 and 82 and the connecting portion 87 are formed in a substantially U shape.

  The exciting coils 83 and 83 are individually wound around the first main magnetic pole 82 and the second main magnetic pole 82 in opposite directions. An alternating current power source (not shown) is connected to the exciting coils 83 and 83. When an alternating current flows through the exciting coils 83 and 83, the magnetic fluxes passing through the main magnetic poles 82 and 82 are opposite to each other. As a whole, a closed loop magnetic flux Φ1 is generated. Two exciting coils are provided for each of the first main magnetic pole 82 and the second main magnetic pole 82. However, these coils may be connected in series to form one coil, and a magnetic flux Φ1 is generated. If so, only one of the exciting coils may be provided.

  The detection coil 84 is wound around the first main magnetic pole 82 and the second main magnetic pole 82 in opposite directions and is connected in series, that is, in operation series connection. A voltage measuring device (not shown) that measures the output voltage is connected to the detection coil 84.

  The first main magnetic pole 82 and the second main magnetic pole 82 are disposed substantially parallel to the card transport path 32 and are formed so that the magnetic flux passing through each main magnetic pole 82 is equal.

  The auxiliary core portions 85, 85 constitute the magnetic sensor portion 86, and the tip portions of the auxiliary core portions 85, 85 are in contact with or close to the security portion 6 of the card 1, so A magnetic flux Φ2 leaking toward the security part 6 through the auxiliary core parts 85, 85 is generated. Since the leakage of the magnetic flux Φ2 changes depending on the magnetic permeability of the security unit 6, the output of the detection coil 84 changes according to the magnitude of the magnetic permeability. Since there is a certain relationship between the magnetic permeability of the security unit 6 and the magnitude of the coercive force of the magnetic stripe 6, by confirming the output value of the detection coil 84 corresponding to the magnitude of the coercive force in advance, The coercive force of the security unit 6 can be measured based on the output of the detection coil 84.

  The main magnetic poles 82 and 82 and the auxiliary core portions 85 and 85 are integrally formed of a high magnetic permeability magnetic material. The main magnetic poles 82 and 82 and the auxiliary core portions 85 and 85 are shaped so that the magnetic permeability is based on the detected voltage difference in the presence or absence of the security portion 6 of the card 1 in the magnetic sensor portion 86 (the tip portions of the auxiliary core portions 85 and 85). Any configuration may be used as long as it can be measured.

  The coercive force sensor 21 may be disposed anywhere, but in consideration of space or the like, the coercive force sensor 21 is transported on the card transport path 32 on the magnetic head 23 side between the magnetic head 23 and the second guide roller 38. It is provided at a position corresponding to the security unit 6 of the card 1. Further, a fourth guide roller 42 is provided in the card transport path 32 facing the coercive force sensor 21, and the coercive force sensor 21 comes into contact with the surface of the card 1 being transported (the anti-magnetic force sensor 21). The coercive force sensor 21 scans the security unit 6), and the coercive force sensor 21 detects a low coercive force.

  Although the coercive force sensor 21 is used as the low coercive force detection means, other means, such as an IC chip detection sensor, may be used as long as the low coercive force of the security unit 6 of the card 1 can be detected. The coercive force sensor 21 may be provided closer to the first guide roller 36 than the magnetic head 23.

  The coercive force sensor 21 is electrically connected to a conversion circuit 22 as conversion means. The conversion circuit 22 is an A / D conversion circuit that performs A / D conversion on the electrical signal from the coercive force sensor 21 and converts it into a digital signal for encoding. The encoding at this time may be performed in any way. For example, when the security unit 6 of the card 1 of the present invention is scanned using the coercive force sensor 21, the output signal from the coercive force sensor 21 is As shown in FIG. 4, an analog waveform unique to the recording medium 1 is obtained. The unique data different for each card 1 may be coded by, for example, sampling 00, 01, 02, 03...

  The conversion circuit 22 is electrically connected to a determination circuit 24 as a determination means, and is also electrically connected to a read / write circuit (R / W circuit) 26.

  The read / write circuit 26 is electrically connected to the magnetic head 23 and is also electrically connected to the determination circuit 24.

  The read / write circuit 26 has a function of writing (recording) the coded signal from the conversion circuit 22 as data unique to the card to the recording unit 5 of the card 1 via the magnetic head 23. The read / write circuit 26 has a function of reading data unique to the card written in the recording unit 5 of the card 1 and outputting the data to the determination circuit 24.

  The determination circuit 24 compares the signal from the conversion circuit 22 with the signal from the read / write circuit 26 to determine whether the card 1 is genuine or illegal.

(Issue new card)
Next, a case where a new card is issued using the card reader 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a new card 1 in which data unique to the card is not written in the recording unit 5 is inserted into the main body 31 from the card insertion slot 33 (step 51). The inserted card 1 is transported in the card transport path 32 (forward direction) by the pair of first rollers 35 and 36 and sent between the pair of second rollers 37 and 38 as shown in FIG. It is done. At this time, the coercive force sensor 21 contacts or approaches the surface of the card 1 on the security unit 6. Thereby, the security part 6 is scanned by the coercive force sensor 21, and the low coercive force of the security part 6 is detected (step 52). This detection signal (analog waveform unique to the card 1 shown in FIG. 4 or an analog waveform shown in A in FIG. 5) is A / D converted by the conversion circuit 22 (step 53) and encoded data. (Signal) and output to the read / write circuit 26 (step 54).

  The card 1 sent between the pair of second rollers 37 and 38 is conveyed toward the card insertion slot 33 (backward direction) by the pair of second rollers 37 and 38 as shown in FIG. (Returned). At this time, the magnetic head 23 comes into contact with or approaches the surface of the recording unit 5 of the card 1 and the coded data is written into the recording unit 5 as data unique to the card (step 55).

  The card 1 in which the card-specific data is written is ejected from the card insertion slot 33 as shown in FIG. 6 (e) (step 56).

  In addition to the card-specific data, other data may be written in the recording unit 5. The card-specific data to be recorded in advance in the recording unit 5 may be as it is, but it may be encrypted according to a specific rule, and the encrypted data may be recorded in the recording unit 5 in advance. In this way, it becomes even more difficult to forge or tamper.

(When using a card)
Next, the case of using a card will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the card 1 is inserted into the main body 31 from the card insertion slot 33 (step 61). As shown in FIG. 7C, the inserted card 1 is transported into the card transport path 32 (in the forward direction) by the pair of first rollers 35 and 36, and between the pair of second rollers 37 and 38. Sent to. At this time, the magnetic head 23 contacts or approaches the recording unit 5 of the card 1, and the coercive force sensor 21 contacts or approaches the security unit 6 of the card 1.

  As a result, the recording unit 5 is scanned by the magnetic head 23, and data unique to the card written (recorded) in the recording unit 5 is read (step 62). This data (signal) is output to the discrimination circuit 24 via the read / write circuit 26 (step 63).

  On the other hand, the security unit 6 is scanned by the coercive force sensor 21, and the low coercive force of the security unit 6 is detected (step 64). This detection signal is A / D converted by the conversion circuit 22 (step 65), encoded, and then output to the discrimination circuit 24 (step 66).

  The determination circuit 24 compares the signal from the conversion circuit 22 with the signal from the read / write circuit 26 to determine whether the card is genuine or illegal. That is, the determination circuit 24 checks whether there is a correlation between the data (signal) from the conversion circuit 22 and the data (signal) from the read / write circuit 26. If there is a correlation, the card 1 Is determined to be authentic, and if there is no correlation, it is determined that the card 1 is illegal (step 67).

  If the determination circuit 24 determines that the card 1 is authentic, the card 1 is subjected to normal transaction processing for the card (step 68). On the other hand, if it is determined by the determination circuit 24 that the card 1 is illegal, a card waste card process for making the card 1 unusable in the future, for example, a process such as punching a hole in the card 1 is performed (step 69). As shown in FIG. 7D, the card that has been subjected to the card discarding process is conveyed toward the card insertion slot 33 (backward direction) by a pair of second rollers 37 and 38, as shown in FIG. 7E. Then, it is discharged from the card insertion slot 33 (step 70).

  As described above, since the low coercive force particles 7 are distributed in the security unit 6, the card 1 is issued by causing the recording unit 5 to record unique data different for each card 1. 1 is used by a method of comparing the data at the time of use with the data before issuance to determine whether the card 1 is genuine or illegal, so whether the recording medium (card) 1 of the present invention is authentic or not. It is easy to determine whether it is illegal.

  When a new card is issued using the card reader 20, the coded data unique to the card 1 is written into the recording unit 5, and then the card 1 is ejected from the card insertion slot 33, but is written into the recording unit 5. You may check if the data is correct. Specifically, for example, after the coded data unique to the card 1 is written in the recording unit 5, a series of operations when the card 1 is used, that is, the data from the coercive force sensor 21 and the recording unit 5 are recorded. Compared with the written data, an operation for confirming whether the data written in the recording unit 5 is correct may be performed.

  Further, since the card reader 20 of the present invention uses a low coercive force detection means, for example, a coercive force sensor 21, to detect a unique signal that is different for each card (recording medium) 1, it can be reduced in size and cost can be reduced. Can be planned.

It is a figure which shows an example of the recording medium of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the recording medium of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which scans the security part of the recording medium of this invention with a coercive force sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the output signal from a coercive force sensor. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the card reader of this invention. It is a figure which shows the process at the time of issuing the recording medium of this invention using the card reader of this invention, (a) is a flowchart figure, (b), (c), (d), and (e) are cards. It is a figure which shows a state. It is a figure which shows the process at the time of discriminating the authenticity of the recording medium of this invention using the card reader of this invention, (a) is a flowchart figure, (b), (c), (d) and (e) are FIG. It is a figure which shows the state of a card | curd. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of a coercive force sensor.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording medium (card)
2 Substrate 3 Magnetic recording layer 4 Print layer 5 Recording unit 6 Security unit 7 Low coercive force particle (low coercive force magnetic particle)
8 Low coercive force layer 20 Card reader 21 Coercive force sensor 22 Conversion circuit (conversion means)
23 Magnetic head 24 Discrimination circuit (discrimination means)
25 Card transport means

Claims (6)

  A recording medium comprising at least a recording unit on which information is recorded and a security unit in which low coercive force magnetic particles are randomly distributed on a substrate.   The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the low coercive force magnetic particles are magnetic particles having different sizes and shapes.   3. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a high coercive force magnetic recording layer is provided on the base material, and the security portion is formed on the magnetic recording layer.   The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the security unit is formed by mixing the magnetic particles having a low coercive force into a nonmagnetic material.   The security part of the recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is scanned with a low coercive force detection means for detecting a low coercive force to create data unique to the recording medium, and this data is recorded on the recording medium. When a recording medium recorded with unique data is recorded on the recording section of the medium and the recording medium is used, the security section of the recording medium is scanned by the low coercive force detection means to record the recording medium specific data. A method for discriminating a recording medium, characterized in that the data at the time of use is compared with unique data before issuance recorded in a recording unit to determine whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal.   5. A low coercive force detection means for detecting low coercive force magnetic particles distributed at random by scanning the security portion of the recording medium according to claim 1 and a detected signal. Conversion means for encoding into recording medium-specific data, recording / reading means for recording the encoded data in the recording section of the recording medium or reading the data recorded in the recording section, and the recording A card reader comprising: discrimination means for comparing data read by the reading means and data encoded by the conversion means to determine whether the recording medium is genuine or illegal.

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