FR2799561A1 - Card shaped data carrier with visible indication of validity for different services marked on rewriteable fields of card surface - Google Patents

Abstract

Card surface is divided into thermochromatically rewriteable fields, each containing details of duration of validity of card for different services. Part of card memory is assigned to read in and out data about positioning of assigned fields and validity of entitlement to service. Service provider specific data is stored separately from data about positions of visible data fields. Card has identification memory unit (2) which includes data about entitlement to services e.g. specific number of uses of car park, ski lift etc. It contains RFID transponder for contactless transfer of data. Rewriteable coating (1), e.g. thermochromatic coating, is on card surface for visible indication of services and their validity, divided into field for each service provider. Details of assigned field positions and validity is also held in memory.

Description

The invention relates to a data carrier in the form of a card for several authorizations, comprising a card body and an electronic identification circuit, preferably an RFID transponder, arranged in or on this card body. and which comprises a memory unit for storing authorization data, and having a coating which extends at least in part over the surface of the card body and which is re-printable.

The currently known card-shaped data carriers of this type, in combination with a reading recording device, enable the automatic control of the use of prepaid services. At the passage of a control entry, the necessary authorization can be interrogated or it can be proceeded to debit a credit stored on the data medium. For this purpose, the card-shaped data carrier transmits the data stored on this medium, for verification, to the recording and reading device, which can be done either by direct electrical contact or by contactless transmission of data. This last type of data transmission is superior to that of the direct electrical contact, especially for the control of large densities of people, because it is not necessary to introduce the data carrier into a reading slot or to extract it. again, the interrogation of the data can be done by an electromagnetic field, without active participation of the holder of the authorization. It is sufficient for the holder of the authorization to cross the control zone and carry the data carrier in the form of a card. Devices of this type are known as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems. On the carousel-shaped data carrier are housed, in this case, electronic identification circuits, called RFID transponders, which can transmit and receive data, for example in an alternating field of defined frequencies, and are stored in a memory. memory unit on the card, or that can be inserted into it. In this case, the energy required to power the RFID transponder can be taken out of the field, or the RFID transponder can cause a detectable field loss. The field of work of RFID systems is for example 125 KHz, 13.56 MHz or in the range of microwaves. RFID systems are already used in many places for controlling access to lifts, parking, sports hall or similar.

 Since the manufacture of data carriers of this type entails relatively high costs, only their multiple use can bring sufficient profitability. One can still obtain an increase in the degree of use if several authorizations for different applications are gathered on a single data carrier card. But authorizations that coexist have different durations of validity, which makes it difficult for the card holder to have an overview. This is the reason why the optical representation of the information stored on the card is of particular importance. On the data carrier cards with variable memory content, it is therefore possible to apply thermochromatic coatings which can optically represent the authorization changes for the holder of the authorizations. This type of coating is for example translucent at a first temperature of 90 degrees Celsius, for example, and non-translucent at a second temperature of 110 degrees Celsius, for example. Inscriptions can be made on thermo-chromatic coatings by means of thermal printers and can be erased again at any time with a heating erase bar. An expired authorization can therefore be replaced simply by a new authorization, writing on the thermo-chromatic coating of the surface of the card.

In the case of several coexisting authorizations for different applications on a single data carrier card, those can very well be managed separately from one another in the data memory of the card, without difficulty; but the problem is to clearly represent the different authorizations for the owner of the card, on the surface of it, and to avoid at the same time that by overwriting an expired authorization, one erases or crushes a still valid authorization . The purpose of the invention is therefore to indicate a card-shaped data carrier of the aforementioned type which makes it possible to obtain a clear optical representation of the available authorizations on the surface of the card, the corresponding optical representations of the different authorizations that can be erased and rewritten independently of each other, without running the risk of overwriting valid authorizations, still existing. According to the invention, this is achieved in that each authorization must assign each time an inscription field on the printable coating, and in that in the memory unit, there is provided a memory area for recording and retrieving data concerning the position of the corresponding associated registration fields and the validity, preferably temporally, of the corresponding authorization.

Each inscription field defined on the surface of the data medium according to the invention thus corresponds to an authorization with an expiry date or a determined credit and can be designed optically at will, giving the information relating to the authorization considered. The indications concerning the size or the coordinates of the inscription field on the surface of the card are stored for this purpose in a memory area of the data carrier memory unit and can be interrogated if necessary. This has the advantage that a single data carrier card can be issued and used not only by one, but by several different providers of authorizations, since the actual data, specific to the provider, can be stored separately from the positioning data. in the registration field, in another coded memory area of the memory unit. For all different authorization providers, the memory area with the positioning data and the end of validity of the corresponding authorization is available uncoded or with a known code, so that it is possible for the providers of authorization to recognize already expired authorizations and to use the corresponding registration fields as required for the registration of a new authorization granted.

In another embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the re-printable coating is constituted by a thermo-chromatic coating. Due to the temperature dependent chromatic properties of this coating, it is possible to write as often as desired on the surface of the data carrier according to the invention, and then erase again. According to another variant of the invention, it is possible to carry an inscription on a revolving coating by means of a thermal printer. Any type of symbol or graphic can be printed using the thermal printer on the thermo-chromatic coating.

The invention also relates to a program logic for the enrollment on card-shaped data carriers, which can be re-printed, and which allows several authorizations, comprising an electronic circuit preferably identifying an RFID transponder, a memory unit for memorizing authorization data and a re-printable coating.

The purpose of the invention is to indicate a program logic that allows a verification of the authorizations released on the data carrier card according to the invention as well as an overwriting by means of a new authorization, without it occurring in this case a crush still valid authorizations.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the printable coating is divided into several registration fields, each registration field being assigned an authorization, in that data concerning the position and the validity, preferably of each inscription field are recorded in a memory area freely accessible memory unit, and in that any additional registration on the printable coating, the data concerning the validity, preferably temporal, fields d registration are extracted from the memory unit and it is verified whether the registration fields have an authorization in progress or if they have already expired, and in the case of an expired authorization, the field of registration concerned registration is released for another registration and a new validity period of the positioning data is entered in the memory area.

As soon as one of the authorization providers wishes to print a new authorization for the holder of the card on the data carrier card, it verifies in the freely accessible memory area each authorization already present on card, to know if it is still valid or not. If, in this case, one or more authorizations are no longer valid, the authorization provider is authorized to grant these authorizations again or to overwrite the corresponding registration field on the surface of the card using the data of the authorization. memorized positioning, with a new authorization. Previously, the old invalid authorization registration is erased the coating, for example thermo-chromatic, in order to proceed to the new printing.

The invention is described in detail below with the aid of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. It is shown in fig. 1, a sectional view of a card-shaped data carrier embodiment according to the invention; Fig. 2, a top view of the card-shaped data carrier of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 to 6, a top view of other embodiments of the card form data carrier.

fig. 1 is shown a data carrier 4 in the form of a card for access authorizations, which consists essentially of a card body 3 and an electronic identification circuit 2 disposed on this body.

card body 3 has for example a thickness of 0 millimeters and may consist of a central layer not shown on the 1, which is surrounded by highly fuse cover sheet, which is glued by means of a hot melt glue. The composition of the body of the card does not, however, matter for the invention itself. One can just as easily choose another layer constitution or the identification circuit 2 can be arranged on the body 3 of the card.

identification circuit 2 comprises a memory unit in which can be stored, in addition to other data, authorization data which are used essentially to allow access to a system, according to a predetermined number of prepaid authorizations. Thus access to a ski lift, parking or similar equipment can be controlled in this way and at each access, a determined amount is deducted from the credit stored on the given medium. There is also widespread authorization according to the date, for example a weekly map of lifts that can be controlled in this way. The management mode of the authorization credit must, however, be understood without any restriction in the context of the invention.

Preferably, for the automatic control of the authorization, the electronic identification circuit 2 is implemented as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, which allows a contactless recognition of an access authorization in progress. These RFID systems exist in different embodiments and operate for example in the frequency ranges 12.5 KHz, 13.56 MHz or in the range of microwaves, a reading and coding device emitting for example a corresponding electromagnetic field an RFID transponder, which is in the data carrier in the form of and which usually contains a coil, in addition to an integrated circuit, dampens this field or draws energy from this field, which energy is used for the appropriate code transmission or for receiving data or instructions.

By an inscription on the surface of the data carrier 4 in card form, it indicates to the holder of the authorization for how long he can have his authorization. In order to be able to allocate between several high cost users of such a card-shaped data carrier, a re-printable coating 1 is applied to the body surface 3 of the card, which may be an example of a thermo-chromatic sheet. It is thus possible, at the expiry of the authorization credit, to transmit the card to another user of the new credit facility. For this purpose, the contents of the identification circuit memory unit are overwritten according to the new authorization, as well as the inscription carried on the surface of the data medium. The printable coating necessary for this purpose is applied in FIG. 1, only on the face of the body of the card, but it can also be provided on both sides extend only partially on one of the faces of the card.

The thermo-chromatic coating 1, which can be applied to the body 3 of the card, in the form of a polyethylene sheet 0.1 mm thick, for example, is translucent at a first temperature, for example 90 degrees. Celsius is opaque at a second temperature, 110 degrees Celsius, for example. By vacuum metallization of an additional reflective layer of aluminum, the dark-dark contrast can be increased. punctual heating of the thermo-chromatic coating, for example by means of thermal printers, it is possible to produce all the forms of graphics, texts and also photos on the surface of the card-shaped data carrier, which are readable by the holder of the card and which can be erased after expiration of the authorization, by wearing, with the aid of a heating erasure bar, the thermo-chromatic coating 1 at a first temperature, which coating 1 is again completely translucent, after which the coating 1 can be printed again.

achieves a high degree of utilization of a card-shaped data carrier when it can be used for independent applications of one another. For this purpose, the printable surface of the card can be divided into several zones and each zone is assigned an application. Inside the zone, it is possible to print different information for the cardholder, which enables him to see, for example, the duration of the use and of what use he acts.

A list of possible applications for a client card is indicated after.

Customer data Payment details Ski pass Authorization to close Parking Ski school Ski hire Swimming pool Bonus account Use can be made available to one or even several authorization providers. In addition to the optical representation information for each use on the surface of the card, these are also stored as data in the memory unit of the electronic identification circuit. It is thus possible to protect different memory contents from writing and reading, so that only the provider of each use can have access to the stored data. Thus, a single data support card can be used both for access to the ski lifts for access to a car park, these two services can be made available by different authorization providers.

Each of the authorization providers can have access to its stored and protected information on the data carrier card, inside the memory unit, by its own authorization code and can manage these accordingly. which makes it possible at any time to check whether the card holder has a valid authorization.

Preferably, the card-shaped data carrier according to the invention, according to FIG. 2, is made in a format similar to a credit card, but can also find it in any other form. Other embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

According to the invention, it is provided in this case that each authorization is assigned an inscription field 7, 8, 9 on the printable coating 1, and that in the memory unit, there is provided a memory area for the recording and extraction of data relating to the positioning of the assigned registration fields and the validity, preferably temporal, of the corresponding authorization.

The data carrier 4 in the form of a card is divided into several partial surfaces, in the partial surface 5 being for example the photo holder of the card and the authorization, and in the registration field 6 being printed the name of this one. In addition, registration fields 7, 8, 9 carry authorization data which make it possible to obtain different information concerning the nature and duration of the authorization. Thus the registration field 7 an authorization for a membership card with a validity limit in time, the registration field 8, an authorization for the use of a mechanical lift with a validity limit in the time and registration field 9, an authorization to park in a parking lot with a credit limit.

On the basis of the indications contained in the memory area, it is possible to determine the corresponding coordinates of the registration field assigned to an authorization and, by means of a thermal erasing device and a thermal printer, it is possible to proceed, in the area defined by these coordinates, to a corresponding entry or deletion of an existing registration to a subsequent entry. The thermo-chromatic coating used in this case can also be replaced, in the context of the invention, by another printable coating.

The central data relating to each application is thus printed on the inscription fields 7, 8, 9 of the thermo-chromatic coating 1 reprintable, so that the cardholder can also read them, and the position of the fields registration is stored in a freely accessible memory area 'all authorization providers. The stored position and validity data are thus freely accessible to all different authorization providers. This memory area contains for each application the information relating to the location to which it was printed on the surface of the card and whether it is still valid or not.

The program logic for writing on this card-shaped data carrier, which can be re-printed, is characterized according to the invention by the following program steps. The re-printable coating is divided into several inscription fields 8, 9, 10 , 11, 12), each registration field (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) being assigned an authorization.

Position and validity data, preferably temporally, each registration field (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) are stored in a freely accessible memory area of the memory unit.

During any additional registration on the printable coating (1), the data relating to the validity, preferably temporal, of the inscription fields (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) are extracted from the memory unit and it is checked whether the registration fields (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) have an authorization in progress or if they have already expired.

4) In the case of an expired authorization, the registration field (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) concerned is released for another registration. 5) A new validity period of the position data is entered in the memory area.

The position data is advantageously stored in the memory unit as coordinate indications on the map surface, so that each registration field, for example rectangular, is clearly defined.

The memory unit can be shared for this purpose for example in several segments, as illustrated below, using an example.

1 ordinary 5-segment management segment The 5 ordinary segments are read-protected and used to store data which must not be accessible to the concerned authorization provider. With a reading device, it is not possible to read ordinary segments without proper data.

Management Segment on the other hand is an open memory area that contains position and validity data and is available for read only, even without special permission. Each authorized authorization provider therefore also has access to the registration.

As indicated in the embodiment examples according to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, a different number of segments 7 to 12 can be defined each time on the data carrier. In figs. 3 and 6 are provided six segments, in FIG. 4, four, five, three segments, on the data carrier according to the invention, for which position or validity data can be stored in a freely accessible memory management area.

Claims (1)

<B> CLAIMS </ B> A card-shaped data carrier for multiple authorizations, comprising a card body and an electronic identification circuit, preferably an RFID transponder, disposed in or on said card body, and which comprises a memory unit for storing authorization data, and having a coating which extends at least partly on the surface of the card body and is re-printable, characterized in that each authorization must be assigned each time a inscription field (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) the printable coating (1), and in that in the memory unit there is provided memory area for the recording and extraction of data relating to the position of the corresponding registration fields (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) and the validity, preferably temporal, of the corresponding authorization. Card-shaped data carrier according to Claim 1, characterized in that the re-printable coating consists of a thermochromatic coating (1). Card-shaped data carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that it is possible to carry an inscription on the re-printable coating by means of a thermal printer. 4. Registration method on card-shaped data carriers, which can be reprinted, and allowing several authorizations, these media comprising an electronic identification circuit, preferably an RFID transponder, a memory unit for storing the data. permitting data a printable coating, characterized in that, the re-printable coating being divided into a plurality of registration fields (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) and to each registration field (7 , 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) being assigned an authorization, data concerning the position and the validity, preferably temporally, of each inscription field (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) are recorded in a freely accessible memory area of the memory unit, and in that any additional registration on the printable coating (1), the data concerning the validity, preferably temporal, of the inscription fields (7, 8 , 9, 10, 11, 12) are extracted from the memory unit and it is verified whether the registration fields (7, 8, 9, 0, 11, 12) have an authorization in progress or have already expired, and that in the in the case of an expired authorization, the registration field (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) concerned is released for another registration and a new period of validity of the position data is entered in the memory area.