JP2000030126A - Prepaid card system, reader, writer and illegal card use preventing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely detect/discriminate illegal use for rewriting variable information of a prepaid card and changing a remaining amount and to previously inhibit the use of the illegal prepaid card. SOLUTION: A distance measuring part 145 obtains measured distance information LC between fixed information and variable information of a prescribed recording track by a magnetic head 143 and gives it to a read/write control part 141. The read/write control part 141 obtains measured distance information LC between fixed information and variable information on one recording track by the distance measuring part 145 through the magnetic head 143, reads variable information of the other recording track and compares it with recognition distance information LR in variable information. The read/write control part 141 judges to be normal when both information are matched, and judges it to be illegal when they are not matched.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for processing a prepaid card in accordance with the consumption of money, and more particularly to a prepaid card system and a reading apparatus for dealing with fraud by rewriting stored information of the prepaid card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A prepaid card system has been realized in which a prepaid card storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value is used for monetary settlement.

In the prepaid card system, services are usually provided in a plurality of stores. For example, each store is provided with a plurality of reading devices and a relay device or the like which is a higher-level processing device of the reading devices. A reading device is a terminal device for using a prepaid card. In this reading device, based on the amount information stored in the prepaid card, the prepaid card is used as a fee for lending game media and selling goods. Consumed. The relay device couples a plurality of reading devices and the like in the store to, for example, a settlement center installed at the issuer of the prepaid card, and communicates with the settlement center to manage the reading devices and process the consumption amount. I do.

[0004] That is, the prepaid card is consumed, for example, by lending game media by using a reading device installed in a store. When the prepaid card is consumed, the reading device counts the amount of consumption and provides the payment processing, and updates the amount information stored in the prepaid card according to the amount of consumption. When the amount information of the prepaid card is updated, if the amount falls within a predetermined remaining amount range, a remaining amount reference hole is punched at a predetermined location corresponding to the remaining amount range of the prepaid card. The sales information of the reading device due to the consumption of the prepaid card is collected, for example, by a relay device, and the relay device compiles the sales information of each reading device under control and transmits the total to the settlement center. In this way, the prepaid card consumption settlement is performed.

On the other hand, in the reading apparatus, errors are checked at the time of reading and updating of money amount information and the like, and at the same time, abnormal prepaid cards which are not normal due to falsification, forgery, illegal use, etc., that is, illegal prepaid cards are detected. I am trying to do it. Generally, such fraudulent prepaid cards are discriminated by, for example, presuming that they are fraudulent if the storage information and punch hole information of the prepaid card and their histories and the like include inconsistent contents.

[0006]

As described above, since the prepaid card has a monetary value, there is a risk that fraudulent or falsification may be caused by falsification. As one method of fraud, there is a method of illegally using the prepaid card by falsifying or forging the prepaid card. The prepaid card stores initial encoding information at the time of issuance and is processed based on the stored information. Therefore, the prepaid card cannot be used simply by falsifying or forging the prepaid card. Therefore, it is attempted to copy the stored information of the prepaid card from another regular prepaid card and use it.

The stored information of the prepaid card is written at the time of card issuance, that is, at the time of encoding, and is not rewritten by subsequent consumption or the like, card identification information (card ID), a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer, and a manufacturing date (encoding date). ) There are fixed information such as information, amount information indicating the remaining amount, and variable information such as an error code at the time of occurrence of an error, which is updated as needed by subsequent processing such as consumption.

As described above, when a prepaid card is consumed, a remaining amount guide hole is punched as needed based on the final remaining amount. This remaining amount guide punch hole is perforated according to which of a plurality of money areas that the face value is divided in advance, and the final balance due to consumption is newly added to a money area different from the already-paid remaining money punch hole. Perforated when entering. If the change in the balance due to consumption extends over one or more money regions, only the remaining amount reference punch holes corresponding to the money region to which the final balance belongs are punched. For this reason, when detecting the remaining standard punch hole of the prepaid card, only the one corresponding to the corresponding minimum amount area is detected with priority.

[0009] For this reason, there is a possibility that the prepaid card may be falsified or forged by cutting and pasting the used prepaid card to fill the remaining standard punch holes. However, when a magnetic storage medium having a magnetic layer formed on the entire surface is used as a prepaid card medium, a joint can be detected relatively easily and accurately by using a high-precision (magnetic) sensor such as a magnetic head. be able to.

Therefore, without filling in the remaining estimated amount punch hole, the storage of another authorized prepaid card having the remaining amount corresponding to the upper limit amount within the amount range within a range where the new estimated amount punch hole is not punched. The information is copied and provided for unauthorized use. In this case, at the time when the lower limit amount of the amount range is consumed, the card is removed in a state where the remaining amount guide hole is not newly punched,
The stored information is copied again from the regular prepaid card described above. In this way, by repeatedly consuming and copying, illegal use is performed.

As described above, when the storage information of another regular prepaid card is copied to an unauthorized prepaid card medium, the storage information itself should be consistent. In such a case, it is not easy to identify impropriety only by checking the stored information itself.

Also, without copying from another prepaid card, the format and processing mechanism of the variable information of the prepaid card are analyzed, and the remaining amount in the variable information is directly rewritten within a range where the remaining amount punch hole is not changed. It is not unlikely that fraud to increase the balance will be made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and accurately detects and discriminates a fraud that changes the balance by rewriting the variable information of a prepaid card, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the prepaid card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a prepaid card system, a reading device, and the like, which enable the user to read the information.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a fixed pay-as-you-go card and a fixed pay-as-you-go card, which do not change regardless of use, on each of a plurality of recording tracks. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a prepaid card that magnetically stores variable information that includes money amount information corresponding to a target value and that is updated as needed with use, the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card To detect
Measure the distance between the fixed information and variable information in a predetermined recording track, determine whether the distance information matches the confirmation distance information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, If they match, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, the variable information is updated according to the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, sales information including the amount of consumption is transmitted, and the distance information matches. If not, communication is performed between the reading means for preventing the use of the prepaid card as illegal and the reading means, and the sales information of the prepaid card is received from the reading means and stored. And a higher-level processing unit.

According to such a configuration, the reading means measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of a predetermined recording track by utilizing the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and reads the other information. Precisely prevent unauthorized use by changing the variable information of the prepaid card by comparing it with the confirmation distance information written in the variable information of the predetermined recording track and excluding it as invalid if it does not match can do. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

Further, in the prepaid card system according to the second aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of recording tracks includes predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use and money amount information corresponding to a monetary value. In a prepaid card system that performs financial settlement using a prepaid card that magnetically stores variable information that is updated as needed, a fixed information and initial variable information of a predetermined recording track are written on the prepaid card, and the The fixed information and the variable information are detected, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information is measured, and recorded as confirmation distance information in the initial variable information of another predetermined recording track, and issued as the prepaid card. Recording means, detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card,
Measure the distance between the fixed information and variable information in a predetermined recording track, determine whether the distance information matches the confirmation distance information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, If they match, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, the variable information is updated according to the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, sales information including the amount of consumption is transmitted, and the distance information matches. If not, communication is performed between the reading means for preventing the use of the prepaid card as illegal and the reading means, and the sales information of the prepaid card is received from the reading means and stored. And a higher-level processing unit.

According to such a configuration, by utilizing the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, at the time of issuing the prepaid card, after writing the initial variable information of a predetermined recording track,
The reading means measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of the recording track and writes it as confirmation distance information in the variable information of another predetermined recording track. By measuring the distance to the information and comparing it with the confirmation distance information in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, if the two do not match, it is rejected as invalid and the prepaid card is rejected. Unauthorized use due to change of the variable information can be accurately prevented. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The reading means measures the distance between the fixed information and the new variable information on the recording track after updating the variable information of the prepaid card, and uses the predetermined distance as confirmation distance information. A means for updating and recording the variable information of the recording track may be included.

The reading means includes a magnetic head for reading and writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, and a reading process for reading and writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Means for detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and a distance measuring means for measuring a distance between the fixed information and the variable information of the predetermined recording track; and The distance information measured by the measuring unit is compared with the confirmation distance information included in the variable information of the other predetermined recording track of the prepaid card,
If the two do not match, the prepaid card is regarded as fraudulent and its use is blocked. If the two match, the reading information is included by the reading processing means in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card. After updating the variable information and updating and writing the variable information, a distance between the fixed information and the new variable information in the recording track is measured, and the variable information of the another predetermined recording track is determined as confirmation distance information. And consumption processing means for updating and recording the sales information and transmitting the sales information including the consumption amount.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0022] The prepaid card system may be a system for settling payment for lending pachinko balls or metal, which is a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

A reading apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention reads and writes predetermined fixed information that does not change with use and variable information that includes money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use. A magnetic head, reading processing means for reading / writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head; Distance measuring means for measuring the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of a predetermined recording track; and the distance information measured by the distance measuring means to the variable information of another predetermined recording track of the prepaid card. If the two do not match, the prepaid card is deemed to be fraudulent and its use is blocked. In the case of a match, the variable information including the money information is updated by the reading processing means in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and after the variable information is updated and written, the fixed information on the recording track is newly updated. Measure the distance between the variable information, update and record the variable information of the other predetermined recording track as confirmation distance information,
And consumption processing means for transmitting sales information including the consumption amount.

According to such a configuration, the reading device measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of a predetermined recording track by utilizing the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and reads the other information. Precisely prevent unauthorized use by changing the variable information of the prepaid card by comparing it with the confirmation distance information written in the variable information of the predetermined recording track and excluding it as invalid if it does not match can do. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The above-mentioned prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0026] The prepaid card processed by the reading device may be a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

In the prepaid card system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, each of a plurality of recording tracks includes predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use and money information corresponding to a monetary value. In a prepaid card system that performs financial settlement using a prepaid card that magnetically stores variable information that is updated as needed,
Detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, detecting the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information in a predetermined recording track, and It is determined whether or not the waveform information matches the confirmation waveform information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, and if they match, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and the prepaid Reading means for updating the variable information in accordance with the consumption amount of the card, transmitting sales information including the consumption amount, and, when the waveform information does not match, discriminating the use of the prepaid card as invalid. When,
A high-level processing unit that performs communication with the reading unit, receives the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading unit, and stores and processes the sales information.

According to such a configuration, the reading means takes advantage of the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and uses the magnetic field from the fixed information end of a predetermined recording track to a portion including a part of the variable information. By detecting and quantizing the signal waveform, comparing it with the confirmation waveform information written in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, and rejecting it as incorrect if the two do not match, the prepaid card Unauthorized use due to change of the variable information can be accurately prevented.
Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

In the prepaid card system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, each of a plurality of recording tracks includes predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use and money information corresponding to a monetary value. In a prepaid card system that performs financial settlement using a prepaid card that magnetically stores variable information that is updated as needed,
The fixed information and the initial variable information of the predetermined recording track are written on the prepaid card, and the fixed information and the variable information in the recording track are detected and from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information. Recording means for detecting and quantizing the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal of the above, recording it as confirmation waveform information in the initial variable information of another predetermined recording track, and issuing it as the prepaid card;
Detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, detecting the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information in a predetermined recording track, and It is determined whether or not the waveform information matches the confirmation waveform information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, and if they match, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and the prepaid Reading means for updating the variable information in accordance with the consumption amount of the card, transmitting sales information including the consumption amount, and, when the waveform information does not match, discriminating the use of the prepaid card as invalid. When,
A high-level processing unit that performs communication with the reading unit, receives the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading unit, and stores and processes the sales information.

According to such a configuration, utilizing the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, at the time of issuing the prepaid card, after writing the initial variable information of a predetermined recording track,
By reading and quantizing a magnetic signal waveform from a fixed information end of the recording track to a portion including a part of the variable information and writing the same as confirmation waveform information in variable information of another predetermined recording track, the reading means Detects and quantifies the magnetic signal waveform from the fixed information end of a predetermined recording track to a portion including a part of the variable information, and compares it with the confirmation waveform information in the variable information of another predetermined recording track. In the case where the two do not coincide with each other, it is determined that the card is fraudulent, and the fraudulent use due to the change of the variable information of the prepaid card can be accurately prevented. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

[0032] The reading means, after updating the variable information of the prepaid card, updates the magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of new variable information on the recording track. A means for detecting and quantizing the waveform and updating and recording the variable information of another predetermined recording track as confirmation waveform information may be included.

The reading means includes a magnetic head for reading and writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, and a reading process for reading and writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Means for detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and detecting a magnetic field from the fixed information end of the predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information. Waveform processing means for detecting and quantizing a reproduction signal waveform, and comparing the waveform information obtained by the waveform processing means with confirmation waveform information included in the variable information of the other predetermined recording track of the prepaid card, If the two do not match, the prepaid card is regarded as fraudulent and its use is prevented, and if the two match, The variable information including the price information is updated by the reading processing means in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and after the variable information is updated and written, at least new variable information from the fixed information end in the recording track is updated. Detect and quantize the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal up to a predetermined portion including a part, update and record variable information of another predetermined recording track as confirmation waveform information, and transmit sales information including the consumption amount And consumption processing means.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0035] The prepaid card system may be a system for settling payment for lending pachinko balls or metal, which is a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

A reading device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention reads and writes predetermined fixed information that does not change with use and variable information that includes money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use. A magnetic head, reading processing means for reading / writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head; Waveform processing means for detecting and quantizing a magnetic reproduction signal waveform from the fixed information end of a predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information, and waveform information obtained by the waveform processing means To
It is compared with the confirmation waveform information included in the variable information of the other predetermined recording track of the prepaid card, and when the two do not match, the prepaid card is determined to be illegal and its use is prevented, and the two match. In this case, according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, the reading information processing means updates the variable information including the amount information, and after updating and writing the variable information, updates the variable information from the end of the fixed information in the recording track. Detecting and quantizing the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal up to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information, updating and recording the variable information of the other predetermined recording track as confirmation waveform information, and Consumption processing means for transmitting sales information including the sales information.

According to such a configuration, the reading device utilizes the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and thus the magnetic field from the fixed information end of a predetermined recording track to a portion including a part of the variable information is used. By detecting and quantizing the signal waveform, comparing it with the confirmation waveform information written in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, and rejecting it as incorrect if the two do not match, the prepaid card Unauthorized use due to change of the variable information can be accurately prevented.
Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0039] The prepaid card processed by the reading apparatus may be a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

In the method for preventing unauthorized card use according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, each of a plurality of recording tracks includes predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use and money amount information corresponding to a monetary value. A method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card in a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card that magnetically stores variable information that is updated as needed, wherein fixed information is stored in the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued. And a recording step of writing initial variable information of a predetermined recording track;
The fixed information and the variable information in the recording track written in the recording step are detected to measure a distance between the fixed information and the variable information, and the initial variable information of another predetermined recording track is used as confirmation distance information. Issuance step of issuing the prepaid card,
At the time of the transaction, the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card are detected, and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information in a predetermined recording track is measured. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the information matches the confirmation distance information included in the variable information; and, when the discriminating step determines that the compared information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted. If it is determined that the information does not match, the prepaid card is identified as a fraudulent card,
And a control step of prohibiting its use.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

The unauthorized card use prevention method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that each of a plurality of recording tracks includes predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use and money amount information corresponding to a monetary value. A method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card in a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card that magnetically stores variable information that is updated as needed, wherein fixed information is stored in the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued. And a recording step of writing initial variable information of a predetermined recording track;
Detecting the fixed information and the variable information in the recording track written in the recording step, and detecting a waveform of a magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information; Quantize, record in the initial variable information of another predetermined recording track as confirmation waveform information, issue step of issuing the prepaid card, and at the time of transaction, detect the fixed information and variable information of the prepaid card Detecting and quantizing the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information in a predetermined recording track, and the waveform information is used for another predetermined recording track. The discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the confirmation waveform information is included in the variable information is compared with the discriminating step. If it is determined that the information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and if it is determined that the compared information does not match, the prepaid card is identified as a fraudulent card and its use is prohibited. And a control step.

It should be noted that the above prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0044] The prepaid card may be a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

[0045]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A prepaid card system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A reading device as a main part of the prepaid card system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. In this case, the stored information of the prepaid card includes fixed information and variable information. The prepaid card has a plurality of, for example, two recording tracks, and both fixed information and variable information are recorded on each recording track. As described above, the fixed information is information such as a card ID which is written at the time of card issuance, that is, at the time of encoding, and is not rewritten by subsequent consumption or the like, a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer, encoding date information, and the like.
The variable information is information that is updated as needed by subsequent processing such as consumption, such as amount information indicating the remaining amount and an error code when an error occurs.

The reading device 1 shown in FIG.
1, consumption processing unit 12, storage unit 13, and reader / writer 1
4 is provided.

The communication processing unit 11 performs communication between the consumption processing unit 12 and the relay device 2. The communication processing unit 11 reads, for example, the sales information including the consumption amount information of the prepaid card in the reading device 1 from the storage unit 13 and transmits the sales information to the relay device 2 as a response to the request command from the relay device 2.

The consumption processing unit 12 operates in conjunction with a vending machine (not shown) that performs a consumption operation by providing an article such as a game medium, and consumes a prepaid card corresponding to the provision of the game medium. , The storage information such as the amount information of the prepaid card is updated via the reader / writer 14, and the sales information including the consumption amount information is stored in the storage unit 13. The storage unit 13 stores and stores sales information based on daily consumption amount processing in the daily consumption processing unit 12.

When the prepaid card is inserted, the reader / writer 14 first reads the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, and checks whether or not the prepaid card is appropriate.

That is, in this case, assuming that there are two recording tracks, the fixed information and the variable information are detected to measure the position of the variable information on one of the predetermined recording tracks, and the fixed information and the variable information are compared. The actual distance information LC is obtained by determining the distance between the two. Next, the variable information of the other recording track is read and compared with the confirmation distance information LR indicating the position of the previously written variable information in the variable information. It is determined that the card is a prepaid card that has been normally rewritten.

If the measured distance information LC between the fixed information and the variable information of a predetermined recording track does not match the confirmation distance information LR in the variable information of the other recording track, the reader / writer 14 determines that the prepaid card is not used. After the previous writing of the variable information of the predetermined recording track, it is determined that the variable information has been illegally rewritten and altered by copying only the variable information and the like, and is rejected as an unauthorized prepaid card to prevent its use. .

The measured distance information LC between the fixed information and the variable information of the predetermined recording track matches the confirmation distance information LR in the variable information of the other recording track, and it is determined that the prepaid card is a normal prepaid card. When done
Next, the reader / writer 14 detects the remaining amount guide punch hole and confirms whether there is any inconsistency with the amount information stored in the prepaid card. If there is no inconsistency between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the reader / writer 14
Assuming that the prepaid card is normal, the balance information is provided to the consumption processing unit 12. If there is a contradiction between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the reader / writer 14 excludes the prepaid card as fraudulent and prevents its use.

The fixed information and the variable information are encrypted by using a predetermined encryption key, and are decrypted and read at the time of reading.

The amount information read from the prepaid card is processed by the consumption processing unit 12 and the remaining amount information is written into the storage unit 13. Further, the balance information is updated according to the consumption amount information in the consumption processing unit 12, and similarly, the amount information in the variable information of the prepaid card is encrypted and updated. When new variable information is written as variable information of one predetermined recording track by this update, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information is measured, and the variable information of the other recording track is set as new confirmation distance information RN. Write in. At this time, a remaining amount guide punch hole is punched as needed based on the updated remaining amount.

The reader / writer 14 includes a reading control unit 14
1, a data reading unit 142, a magnetic head 143, an encryption processing unit 144, and a distance measurement unit 145.

The reading control unit 141 includes the reader / writer 14
Controls the entire reading movement in. Data reading unit 142
Is based on the control of the reading control unit 141,
The variable information such as the amount information is updated and written on each recording track of the prepaid card via the server 3, and based on the remaining amount, the remaining amount guide hole is punched at the time of the predetermined remaining amount.

The magnetic head 143 includes a data reading unit 142
, The magnetic storage information such as fixed information and variable information on each recording track of the prepaid card is read. The distance measuring unit 145 reads the fixed information and the variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks by the magnetic head 143, measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information, obtains the actually measured distance information LC, and controls reading. Section 141.

The encryption processing unit 144 includes a data reading unit 142
Thus, when the fixed information such as the card ID of the prepaid card is read through the magnetic head 143, the fixed information is decrypted using a predetermined encryption key. When reading / writing variable information such as money information of the prepaid card performed by the data reading unit 142 through the magnetic head 143, the encryption processing unit 144 uses the predetermined encryption key to read the variable information. Decrypt / encrypt. Cryptographic processing unit 1
The reference numeral 44 also decodes the fixed information and the variable information as necessary when reading the fixed information and the variable information for the distance measurement by the distance measuring unit 145.

Further, the reading control section 141 is operated by the data reading section 142 and the magnetic head 1 when the prepaid card is inserted.
43, the variable information of each recording track is read out,
Check the balance. The reading control unit 141 includes a distance measurement unit 145.
Thus, the measured distance information LC between the fixed information and the variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks is obtained via the magnetic head 143, and the data reading unit 142 and the magnetic head 14
3, the variable information of the other recording track is read and compared with the confirmation distance information LR in the variable information.

The distance between the fixed information and the variable information of the recording track is, for example, the end of the fixed information, for example, ETX (end)
of text) position, from the beginning of variable information, eg STX
(Start of text) The distance to the position.

When the measured distance information LC and the confirmation distance information LR match, the reading control unit 141 determines that the card is a normal prepaid card. If the two do not match, it is determined that an unauthorized prepaid card has been inserted, and it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the prepaid card is forcibly ejected to prevent its use.

The prepaid card system according to the first embodiment of the present invention including the reading device 1 configured as described above includes a reading device 1, a relay device 2, a recording device 3, and a settlement center as shown in FIG. 4 is provided. The recording device 3 and the settlement center 4 are installed at a card issuer D such as a card issuing company and a card manufacturing factory. Generally, there are a plurality of stores S corresponding to the card issuer D, and each store S
Are provided with a plurality of reading devices 1 and a relay device 2 for connecting these reading devices 1 to the settlement center 4.

The number of relay devices 2 is not limited to one for each store S,
For example, one relay device 2 may be provided for each predetermined area in the store S, for example, for each hall and floor. That is, the relay device 2 includes a plurality of reading devices 1 for each store S,
The payment center 4 is provided between the plurality of reading devices 1 for each hall in the store S or the plurality of reading devices 1 for each floor in the store S.

In this prepaid card system, a prepaid card manufactured and issued by the card issuer D is sold to the store S, and further sold to the user at the store S.
At the store S, the user can pay for the provision of a service such as lending of a game medium by using a prepaid card.

This service provision and payment is performed using the reading device 1 installed in the store S, and the amount stored as the amount information on the prepaid card is consumed.
The store S counts the amount information consumed by the reading device 1 in the relay device 2 and transmits the information to the settlement center 4 of the card issuer D. The card issuer D sends each store S to the settlement center 4
Pay the amount corresponding to the amount information received in each store S as the sales amount.

A prepaid card used in the prepaid card system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the prepaid card C has a magnetic information storage unit A using a magnetic layer, and the information storage unit A has a first recording track T1 and a second recording track T2. ing. A first fixed information area A11 and a first variable information area A12 are formed on the first recording track T1, and a second fixed information area A21 is formed on the second recording track T2.
And a second variable information area A22.

Once written in the fixed information areas A11 and A21 at the time of encoding, such as card identification information of the prepaid card C, manufacturer code indicating the manufacturer, and date of manufacture, the fixed information areas A11 and A21 are changed by consumption or the like. No fixed information is written. The fixed information does not necessarily have to be encrypted, but is encrypted with a predetermined encryption key, for example.

In the variable information areas A12 and A22, variable information which is updated, changed or added as needed by use / consumption such as an amount code such as a balance and an error code when an error occurs is written. In this case, the confirmation distance information LR between the fixed information and the variable information in one predetermined recording track, for example, the first recording track T1, is included in the variable information in the other second recording track T2. The variable information is usually encrypted with a predetermined encryption key.

The recording device 3 is a device for issuing a prepaid card C at the card issuer D. When the prepaid card C is issued, the recording device 3 writes fixed information in the fixed information areas A11 and A21 of the prepaid card C, and writes initial variable information in the variable information areas A12 and A22.

For example, when writing variable information to the second variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2,
Prior to this, the initial information is written in the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12 of the first recording track T1, and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of the recording track T1 is determined. Measure the initial distance information L0
Is measured. The recording device 3 includes the initial distance information L0 in the variable information of the second recording track T2, and writes the variable information in the second variable information area A22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the recording device 3 has an encode control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a write processing unit 33, a magnetic head 34, a distance measurement unit 35, and an encryption processing unit 36.

The encoding control unit 31
Of the prepaid card, that is, writing of initial information. The storage unit 32 stores various types of information necessary for the encoding process by the encoding control unit 31 and temporary information being processed. The writing processing unit 33 drives the magnetic head 34 under the control of the encoding control unit 31 to write predetermined information.

The magnetic head 34 is controlled by the writing processor 33 to control the first recording track T of the prepaid card C.
Information is magnetically stored in the magnetic layers of the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12, and the second fixed information area A21 and the second variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2. Write. Further, the magnetic head 34 is controlled by the distance measuring unit 35, and the initial fixed information and the initial fixed information written in the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12 of the predetermined first recording track T1, for example. Read variable information. The magnetic head 34 is moved relative to the prepaid card C when writing and reading the magnetic information of the prepaid card C. In this case, even if the magnetic head 34 is moved, the prepaid card C is moved. Or both may be simultaneously moved in different directions.

The distance measuring section 35 measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of the first recording track T1 read by the magnetic head 34, and encodes the initial distance information L0 according to the distance. 31 and a part of the initial variable information written in the second variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2.

When the write processing unit 33 writes information in the fixed information areas A11 and A21 and the variable information areas A12 and A22, the encryption processing unit 36 encrypts the write information using a predetermined encryption key. Further, the encryption processing unit 36 includes a first recording track T1 for distance measurement by the distance measurement unit 35.
When the fixed information and the variable information are read, the read information is decoded as necessary.

The encoding control unit 31 includes a write processing unit 33
The fixed information is written into the fixed information areas A11 and A21 via the interface, the initial variable information is written into the first variable information area A12, and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information in the first recording track T1 by the distance measuring unit 35. After the distance is obtained and the initial distance information L0 is specified, the variable information including the initial distance information L0 as the confirmation distance information LR is written to the second variable information area A22 via the write processing unit 33. When writing the variable information and the fixed information, the write processing unit 33
Performs encryption using a predetermined encryption key by the encryption processing unit 36.

The reading apparatus 1 is connected to, for example, a vending machine (not shown) for renting out game media, and stores the prepaid card C with the value of the game media provided by the vending machine to the user. This is a device for embodying the consumption of the prepaid card C by subtracting it from the remaining amount in the amount information. When the prepaid card C is set, the reading device 1 first sets the fixed information in the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12 in one of the predetermined recording tracks, for example, the first recording track T1. , The distance between the fixed information and the variable information is measured to obtain the actually measured distance information LC, and is compared with the confirmation distance information LR in the variable information read from the second variable information area A22. Collate.

The reading device 1 stores the second prepaid card C
When the confirmed distance information LR of the variable information area A22 matches the actually measured distance information LC obtained by the distance measuring unit 145, the prepaid card C is determined to be normal. The prepaid card C is abnormal and is determined to be an unauthorized prepaid card. At this time, in many cases, the measurement result may include a decrease in level due to a change with time and a measurement error due to a difference between the magnetic heads 34 and 143. Therefore, the distance information LX
(X = 0, C, R, etc.) may be appropriately quantized to absorb minute errors.

If the measured distance information LC of the prepaid card C is normal, a fraud check process such as a normal inconsistency detection is performed.

That is, the reading device 1 checks whether or not the stored information and the punched hole information of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C are inconsistent. It is determined that there is a defect.

If it is determined that there is a fraud or a defect,
The reading device 1 transmits the detection data including the card identification information of the unauthorized prepaid card to the relay device 2,
The use of the prepaid card C is stopped and discharged. Further, the reading device 1 receives the notification data of the prepaid card information determined to be an unauthorized prepaid card by the other reading device 1 from the relay device 2, and immediately after the prepaid card C is loaded, based on the notification data, Prepaid cards are discriminated, used and ejected.

The relay device 2 aggregates the money amount information processed as the consumption amount in each reading device 1 in the store S,
Send to settlement center 4.

Next, the processing in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the encoding process in the recording device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The encoding process shown in FIG. 5 is started each time a prepaid card medium is set in the recording device 3.

When the prepaid card medium is set,
First, the encoding control unit 31 generates fixed information and initial variable information based on, for example, information stored in the storage unit 32 and encrypts the fixed information and the initial variable information using a predetermined encryption key preset in the encryption processing unit 36 (step S1). The encrypted fixed information and the initial variable information are transmitted to the magnetic head 34 by the write processing unit 33.
Via the first storage of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card medium
And the first and second fixed information areas A11 and A21 of the second recording tracks T1 and T2, and one predetermined recording track, for example, the first variable information area A12 of the first recording track T1 (step). S2). At this time, the variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2 is still present.
, The initial variable information may be partially left unencrypted and written.

Next, the distance measuring unit 35 writes the fixed information and the initial variable information written on the first recording track T1 (the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12) into the magnetic head. The distance between the fixed information and the variable information is measured as shown in FIG. 9 to obtain distance information LX, that is, initial distance information L0 (step S).
3). At this time, the distance indicated by the initial distance information L0 is, for example, a distance from the end ETX (end of text) of the data part of the fixed information to the start end STX (start of text) of the data part of the variable information.

The encoding control unit 31 includes, for example, the storage unit 3
The variable information obtained by adding the initial distance information L0 obtained by the distance measurement unit 35 to the remaining part of the original initial variable information (the remaining part written in the variable information area A12) based on the information stored in No. 2
The data is encrypted by the encryption processing unit 36 using a predetermined encryption key (step S4), and the second variable information area A2 of the second recording track T2 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card medium is used.
2 (step S5), and the encoding process of the prepaid card C is completed. The initial distance information L0 written in the second variable information area A22 is used as confirmation distance information LR for confirming rewriting.

Next, the consumption processing in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The consumption process shown in FIG. 6 is started each time the prepaid card C is set in the data reading unit 142 of the reader / writer 14 of the reading device 1.

When the processing is started, the reader / writer 14
The reading control unit 141 checks whether the set prepaid card C is normal (step S11). That is, first, the distance measurement unit 145 of the reader / writer 14
Detects the fixed information area A11 and the variable information area A12 of the first recording track T1 of the prepaid card C by the magnetic head 143, and checks whether or not the card is a normal unused prepaid card C. In that case, the fixed information and the variable information are decrypted with a predetermined encryption key as necessary, and the distance from the end of the fixed information to the start of the variable information is measured, for example, to obtain the actually measured distance information LC. Then, the reading control unit 141 reads the variable information in the variable information area A12 of the second recording track T2 of the prepaid card C by the magnetic head 143 via the data reading unit 142, obtains the confirmation distance information LR, and The measured and measured distance information LC is compared and collated. The reading control unit 141 confirms whether or not the two match, and if they do not match, determines that the set prepaid card C is abnormal and has been created by unauthorized means.

When the measured distance information LC matches the confirmation distance information LR, the reading control unit 14 of the reader / writer 14
In step 1, the position of the remaining standard punch hole and the presence or absence of inconsistency in the stored information are detected. At this time, if inconsistency is detected in the position of the remaining amount guide punch hole and the stored information, the prepaid card C is determined to be abnormal.

The reader / writer 14 (reading control unit 14)
According to 1), it is determined whether or not an abnormality is detected (step S12). If an abnormality is detected, the prepaid card C is determined to be invalid, and after displaying a fraud or error display, the system is operated. Abnormalities such as stopping operation /
An unauthorized process is executed (step S13).

If it is determined in step S12 that no abnormality has been detected, the consumption processing unit 12 sends the previous encryption key via the reader / writer 14 (the reading control unit 141 and the data reading unit 142). The remaining amount of the prepaid card C is confirmed from the variable information decrypted by using
(Step S14). If there is the remaining amount, it is checked whether or not there is an end request from the user by pressing the end switch (not shown) (step S15). If there is no end request, a consumption request by pressing the consumption switch (not shown);
For example, it is checked whether there is a request for renting a game medium (step S16). For example, in the case of a game system or the like, the end switch is a card return switch for requesting the return of a card, and the consumption switch is a lending switch for requesting lending of a game medium.

In step S16, if there is a consumption request from the user, the user is caused to consume the game medium by renting out a game medium or the like (step S17). The consumption processing unit 12 subtracts the consumption amount from the original balance and updates the balance stored in the storage unit 13 as a new balance (step S1).
8). Then, it is determined whether or not the updated balance is “0” (step S19). If the balance is “0”,
A message to that effect is displayed (step S20), and the process proceeds to an end process for ending the consumption process (step S21). After the end processing, the consumption processing ends, and the process returns to the standby state.

In step S14, if there is no remaining amount of the prepaid card C or if the remaining amount cannot be confirmed, the process immediately jumps to step S21 to execute an end process. If the end request is recognized in step S15, the process immediately jumps to step S21 to execute the end process.

If there is no consumption request in step S16, the flow returns to step S15 to wait for an end request or a consumption request. In step S19, if the remaining balance does not become "0" and the remaining balance remains, the process returns to step S15, and waits for an end request and a consumption request.

FIG. 7 shows the details of the card check process in step S11. When the card check process is started, first, the reading control unit 141 sends the data reading unit 142
Card C via the magnetic head 143
Fixed information from the fixed information areas A11 and A12 of the first and second recording tracks T1 and T2 of the information storage unit A of FIG.
Then, the variable information is read from the variable information areas A12 and A22 (step S31), and decrypted by the encryption processing unit 144 using a predetermined encryption key (step S32). The reading control section 141 measures the distance from the end of the fixed information data section to the start end of the variable information data section from the information at the time of reading the fixed information and the variable information of the first recording track T1 by the distance measuring section 145. To obtain the actual measured distance information LC (step S33) and the second recording track T2.
The confirmation distance information LR is extracted from the variable information read from the second variable information area A22 (step S34).

Then, both of them, that is, distance information LC and L
It is checked whether or not R matches (step S35). If the two match, the encryption processing unit 144 next determines the amount information and other information, and the state of the punching of the remaining amount punch hole and the like. Is detected (step S3).
6) It is determined whether there is such a contradiction (step S37). If there is no contradiction, the encryption processing unit 144 determines that the prepaid card C is normal (step S3).
8) End the processing and return to the consumption processing in FIG.

If it is determined in step S35 that they do not match, it is determined that there is an abnormality (step S39),
The process ends, and returns to the consumption process of FIG. If it is determined in step S37 that there is a contradiction, the process proceeds to step S39, ends the process, and returns to the consumption process in FIG.

Since the recording position of the variable information varies depending on the arrangement of the heads in the apparatus, the recording position changes at the time of the initial recording by the recording device 3 and at the time of the recording at the time of updating by the reading device 1. For this reason, the prepaid card C on which the update or the like has been properly written is stored in the first recording track T.
The first measured distance information LC matches the confirmed distance information LR stored in the variable information of the second recording track T2. However, when the variable information is illegally copied or rewritten by a recording device 3 at the time of encoding or a device different from the reading device 1 at the time of the previous update, the actually measured distance information LC does not match the confirmation distance information LR. . In this embodiment, fraud is determined by using this.

FIG. 8 shows details of the end processing of step S21 shown in FIG. When the end processing is started, the variable information areas A12 and A2 of the prepaid card C are determined based on the final balance stored in the storage unit 13 at that time.
The portion of the variable information including the amount information such as the remaining amount for No. 2 to be recorded on the first recording track T1 is encrypted using the above-described predetermined encryption key, updated and written (step S41), and the distance measurement is performed. The unit 145 measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information on the updated first recording track T1, and obtains the updated distance information LN (step S42). If necessary for obtaining the distance information LN, the fixed information of the first recording track T1 may be read again and decoded.

Check the updated distance information LN with the confirmed distance information LR.
The variable information is encrypted together with the portion of the variable information to be recorded on the second recording track T2, and the second variable information area A
22 is updated (step S43).

Then, it is checked whether or not the remaining amount after the update is the amount required for punching the remaining amount punch hole (step S4).
4). The amount of money required for punching the remaining amount guide punch hole is an amount of money newly entering an area of the remaining amount area printed on the prepaid card C as a frequency value, which is different from the previous area. When the amount is such, the reader / writer 14
The remaining amount reference punch hole is punched by the data reading unit 142 (step S45). After punching the remaining standard punch holes, the prepaid card C is discharged from the reader / writer 14 (step S46). Then, the process ends, and the process returns to the consumption process.

If it is determined in step S44 that the remaining amount after the update is not the amount required for punching the remaining amount guide punch hole, step S45 is skipped and step S45 is skipped.
The process proceeds to 46, where the prepaid card C is discharged.

In the prepaid card C, as shown in FIG. 9, the information storage section A is composed of, for example, two recording tracks T1 and T2. A first fixed information area A11 and a first variable information area A12 are set on the first recording track T1, and a second fixed information area A21 and a second variable information area are set on the second recording track T2. An area A22 is set. In the fixed information areas A11 and A21, fixed fixed information that is not rewritten or updated at the time of consumption or use is written. In the variable information areas A12 and A22, variable information that is rewritten or updated with consumption or used is written. Write.

As described above, the variable information is sequentially rewritten by the recording device 3 and each reading device 1. The recording position of the variable information by the rewriting includes the positioning accuracy when setting the prepaid card medium in the recording device 3 and the reading device 1, the mounting position accuracy of the magnetic head 34 or 143, the timing of a write signal when writing fixed information, and the like. Vary by. Therefore, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks, for example, the first recording track T1 also changes every time rewriting is performed. In the present invention, fraudulence of the prepaid card C is discriminated using the variation in the distance.

When encoding the prepaid card C,
First, the fixed information and the variable information of the predetermined first recording track T1 are written, and then the distance between the fixed information end and the variable information start of the recording track T1 is measured. The initial distance information L0 measured at this time is used as the confirmation distance information LR for rewriting confirmation on the second recording track T.
2 is written in the variable information area A22 as a part of the variable information.

The fixed information and the variable information are magnetically stored in the prepaid card C. In the normal case, when storing the information, it is necessary to prevent the contents from being found even if a third party tries to read the contents illegally. , And are stored after being subjected to predetermined encryption.

In the reading apparatus 1, when reading the prepaid card C, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information of the predetermined first recording track T1 is actually measured to obtain the actually measured distance information LC. It is checked whether or not the actually measured distance information LC matches the confirmed distance information LR in the variable information of the second recording track T2. If both correspond, the card can be used as a normal card. If not, the magnetic information of another prepaid card C may be illegally copied and cannot be used.

Further, when updating the variable information such as the balance based on the use of the prepaid card C, the reading device 1
After newly rewriting the variable information of the predetermined first recording track T1, the fixed information on the recording track T1 is rewritten.
The distance LN between the variable information is measured and written as new confirmation distance information LR in the variable information of the second recording track T2.

As described above, in the case where an illegal operation is attempted, the magnetic information recorded on the prepaid card C is changed.

At this time, the information in the fixed information area in which the unique card ID of the prepaid card C is recorded is left as it is, and the remaining amount information contained in the variable information area is changed, so that the remaining amount is illegally changed. Try to increase the amount. Therefore, in the present invention, whether or not the rewriting of the variable information of the prepaid card C has been properly performed by the reading device 1 is detected using the distance information indicating the variable information position.

In this case, there are a plurality of prepaid cards C,
For example, it is configured to have two recording tracks T1 and T2, and each of the recording tracks T1 and T2 has both a fixed information area and a variable information area. That is, the first fixed information area A is provided on the first recording track T1.
11 and a first variable information area A12, and a second fixed information area A21 and a second variable information area A22 are provided on the second recording track T2.

In the reading device 1, when the prepaid card C is used, the variable information area A12 of the prepaid card C is used.
And A22 are rewritten such as the balance. When the variable information is rewritten by the reading device 1, the writing start position of the variable information is deviated due to a variation in the size of the prepaid card C generated at the time of manufacturing, the configuration / performance of the reading device 1, and the like.

Therefore, as described above, the distance from the end of the fixed information to the start of the variable information in one predetermined recording track, for example, the first recording track T1, is detected, and this distance information LC is used as the other. Is written as confirmation distance information LR in the variable information on the recording track T2.

Therefore, when the prepaid card C is inserted in the reading apparatus 1, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information in the first recording track T1 is actually measured, and the distance information LC and the second recording track T2 are measured. The stored confirmation distance information TR is compared with the recorded confirmation distance information TR, and if both match, the card is used as a normal prepaid card C.

If the variable information in the first variable information area A12 of the prepaid card C is illegally rewritten, the information cannot be accurately recorded on the prepaid card C from the same position as the previous time. Is shifted and the discrepancy with the confirmation distance information LR recorded in the second variable information area A22 occurs, so that the card can be determined to be an illegal prepaid card. Also, the variable information areas A12 and A12 of the two recording tracks T1 and T2.
Even when both of the variable information 22 and the prepaid card C are copied from the other prepaid card C, the recording position of the fixed information in both recording tracks does not match that of the other prepaid card C. The measured distance information LC between the variable information does not match the confirmation distance information LR.

As described above, when the prepaid card C has, for example, two recording tracks, the fixed information and the initial variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks are stored in advance, and the fixed information-variable information on the recording track is stored. Is written in the variable information of the other recording track as the first confirmation distance information LR, and the prepaid card C is encoded.

The reading apparatus 1 actually measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information in one of the predetermined recording tracks T1 of the prepaid card C, obtains the actually measured distance information LC, and checks the variable information of the other recording track. By comparing and collating with the distance information LR, fraud caused by copying the variable information of another prepaid card C is accurately detected. When updating the variable information such as the balance information, the reading device 1 newly writes the variable information on one of the predetermined recording tracks, and then measures the distance between the fixed information and the variable information on the recording track, The new confirmation distance information LR is written in the variable information of the other recording track.

Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card C which has been altered by copying the variable information of the legitimate prepaid card C is properly prevented in advance, and unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration is prevented beforehand. It is possible to do.

In the above description, two recording tracks T1 and T2 are provided in the information storage section A of the prepaid card C, and the distance information LC between the fixed information and the variable information of the first recording track T1 is actually measured. And the second recording track T
2 is the confirmation distance information L written as a part of the variable information
It matched with R. However, on the contrary, the distance information between the fixed information and the variable information of the second recording track T2 is actually measured and written as the confirmation distance information that becomes a part of the variable information on the first recording track T1. Every second
The actual measured distance information between the fixed information and the variable information of the recording track T2 may be compared with the confirmation distance information written as a part of the variable information on the first recording track T1.

Also in a prepaid card having a large number of three or more recording tracks, the distance information between the fixed information and the variable information in at least one predetermined recording track is measured in advance, and another predetermined information is recorded. The confirmation distance information is written on the recording track as a part of the variable information, and the actually measured distance information between the fixed information and the variable information in the predetermined at least one recording track is written in the reading device to the variable information on the other predetermined recording track. You may make it collate with the confirmation distance information written as a part.

In the above description, in the reading apparatus 1, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information in the first recording track T1 is actually measured, and this actually measured distance information LC is used as the confirmation distance in the variable information of the second recording track T2. The information LR is compared and collated.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, a signal waveform from a fixed information end on a predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion including at least a part of variable information is detected, and the signal waveform is used to illegally detect the signal. It is determined whether or not rewriting has been performed.

Assuming that the information storage section of the prepaid card has, for example, two recording tracks, at the time of encoding, first, fixed information and variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks are recorded. A magnetic reproduction signal waveform is obtained from the end of the fixed information of the recording track to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information, that is, a predetermined portion in the variable information, and this is quantized to obtain initial waveform information R0. Then, the initial waveform information R0 is replaced with a part of the variable information of the other recording track by the confirmation waveform information R for rewriting confirmation.
The variable information is written, including as R.

In the reading apparatus, a magnetic reproduction signal waveform from the end of the fixed information of a predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion in the variable information is obtained and quantized to obtain measured waveform information RC. Then, by comparing the actually measured waveform information RC with the confirmation waveform information RR extracted from the variable information of the other recording track, if both match, it is determined that the card is an appropriate prepaid card.

Also, in the reading apparatus, when updating the variable information, the variable information of a predetermined recording track is rewritten, and a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information from the end of the fixed information of the recording track, that is, the variable information in the variable information is updated. A magnetic reproduction signal waveform up to a predetermined portion is obtained and quantized to obtain new waveform information RN. Then, this waveform information RN is included in a part of the variable information of the other recording track as confirmation waveform information RR for rewriting confirmation, and the variable information is updated and written (see FIG. 15).

A reading device as a main part of a prepaid card system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. Reading device 1A shown in FIG.
Has a communication processing unit 11, a consumption processing unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a reader / writer 14A. Communication processing unit 11,
The consumption processing unit 12 and the storage unit 13 are the same as those in FIG. 1, and the reader / writer 14A is slightly different from the reader / writer 14 in FIG.

The communication processing unit 11 performs communication between the consumption processing unit 12 and the relay device 2. The communication processing unit 11 reads out, from the storage unit 13, the sales information including the consumption amount information of the prepaid card in the reading device 1 </ b> A as a response to the request command from the relay device 2, and transmits the information to the relay device 2.

[0129] The consumption processing section 12 is linked with a vending machine or the like that performs a consumption operation by providing articles such as game media.
Based on the consumption of the prepaid card corresponding to the provision of the game media and the like, the storage information such as the amount information of the prepaid card is updated via the reader / writer 14A, and the sales information including the consumption amount information is stored in the storage unit 13. . The storage unit 13 stores and stores sales information based on daily consumption amount processing in the daily consumption processing unit 12.

When inserting the prepaid card, the reader / writer 14A first reads the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, and checks whether or not the prepaid card is appropriate.

That is, in this case, assuming that there are two recording tracks, the fixed information and the variable information of the predetermined recording track are detected in order to detect the characteristic of the variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks. A magnetic signal reproduction waveform from the end of the previously written fixed information in a predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion in the variable information is obtained and quantized by a predetermined quantization method to obtain measured waveform information RC. Next, the variable information of the other recording track is read and compared with the confirmation waveform information RR in the variable information. If the two match, the reader / writer 14A determines that the prepaid card is a normal prepaid card. . The confirmation waveform information RR is obtained by quantizing the waveform information from the fixed information end on a predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion in the variable information by a predetermined quantization method at the time of encoding or at the time of updating the variable information by the previous reading device 1A. It is a thing. Therefore, if rewriting such as copying of the variable information has not been performed, the quantized measured waveform information RC should match the confirmation waveform information RR.

The measured waveform information RC from the end of the fixed information on the predetermined recording track to the predetermined part in the variable information is:
If it does not match the confirmation waveform information RR in the variable information of the other recording track, the reader / writer 14A determines that the prepaid card is falsified and the variable information is illegally copied, and Eliminate and prevent use.

The measured waveform information RC from the end of the fixed information in a predetermined recording track to the predetermined portion in the variable information matches the confirmation waveform information RR in the variable information of the other recording track, and the prepaid card is a normal prepaid card. If it is determined that is, the reader / writer 14A next detects the remaining amount guide punch hole and checks whether there is any inconsistency with the amount information stored in the prepaid card.
If there is no inconsistency between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the reader / writer 14A gives the remaining amount information to the consumption processing unit 12 assuming that the prepaid card is normal. If there is a discrepancy between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information,
The reader / writer 14A excludes the prepaid card as unauthorized and prevents its use.

Note that also in this case, the fixed information and the variable information are encrypted with a predetermined encryption key.

The amount information read from the prepaid card is processed by the consumption processing unit 12 and the remaining amount information is written to the storage unit 13. Further, the balance information is updated in accordance with the consumption amount information in the consumption processing unit 12, and similarly, the amount information in the variable information of the prepaid card is encrypted and updated. When new variable information is written as variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks by this update, the reproduction signal waveform from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion in the variable information is measured and quantized, and a new confirmation waveform is obtained. The information RR is written in the variable information of the other recording track. At this time, a remaining amount guide punch hole is punched as needed based on the updated remaining amount.

That is, the reader / writer 14A includes a reading control unit 141, a data reading unit 142, and a magnetic head 14
3, a cryptographic processing unit 144 and a waveform processing unit 146.

The reading control unit 141 includes the reader / writer 14
The whole reading operation in A is controlled. Data reading unit 14
2 is a magnetic head 1 based on the control of the reading control unit 141.
The variable information such as the amount information is updated and written on the prepaid card via 43, and based on the remaining amount, a remaining amount guide hole is punched at the time of the predetermined remaining amount.

The magnetic head 143 includes a data reading unit 142
, The magnetic storage information such as the variable information and the fixed information on the prepaid card is read. The waveform processing unit 146
The magnetic head 143 observes a waveform from the end of the fixed information of one recording track to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information, for example, a predetermined portion in the variable information,
Quantization is performed by a predetermined quantization method to obtain measured waveform information RC, which is provided to the reading control unit 141.

The encryption processing unit 144 includes a data reading unit 142
Thus, when the fixed information such as the card ID of the prepaid card is read through the magnetic head 143, the fixed information is decrypted using a predetermined encryption key. Further, the encryption processing unit 144 decrypts the variable information using a predetermined encryption key when the data reading / writing unit 142 reads / writes the variable information such as the amount information of the prepaid card via the magnetic head 143. / Encrypt.

[0140] Further, the reading control section 141 controls the data reading section 142 and the magnetic head 1 when the prepaid card is inserted.
The variable information is read out via 43 to check the balance. The reading control unit 141 measures and quantizes the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the end of the fixed information to a predetermined portion in the variable information via the magnetic head 143 by the waveform processing unit 146 and quantizes the waveform to obtain the actually measured waveform information RC. The variable information of the other recording track is read out via the section 142 and the magnetic head 143, and is compared with the confirmation waveform information RR in the variable information.

When the measured waveform information RC and the confirmation waveform information RR match, the reading control section 141 determines that the card is a normal prepaid card, and when the two do not match,
When the unauthorized prepaid card is inserted, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the use of the prepaid card is prevented by forcibly ejecting the prepaid card.

A prepaid card system according to the second embodiment of the present invention including the reading apparatus 1A thus configured is substantially configured substantially the same as FIG. Also,
The prepaid card used in this prepaid card system is configured in substantially the same manner as in FIG. In this case, instead of the distance information, confirmation waveform information R obtained by quantizing a magnetic signal reproduction waveform from the end of fixed information in a predetermined recording track at the time of encoding or last update to a predetermined portion in variable information.
R is written as a part of the variable information of the other track.

The recording device 3A for issuing the prepaid card C at the card issuer D writes the fixed information in the fixed information areas A11 and A21 of the prepaid card C as shown in FIG. Initial variable information is written in the variable information areas A12 and A22.

For example, when writing variable information to the second variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2,
Prior to this, initial information is written in the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12 of the first recording track T1, and from the end of the fixed information of the recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the variable information. Initial waveform information R0 obtained by quantizing the reproduced waveform of the magnetic signal is obtained. The recording device 3A stores the initial waveform information R0 in the second recording track T
The second variable information is included in the second variable information area A22 as the confirmation waveform information RR in the second variable information.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the recording device 3A has an encode control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a write processing unit 33, a magnetic head 34, an encryption processing unit 36, and a waveform processing unit 37. .

[0146] The encoding control unit 31
A controls the encoding of the prepaid card C in A, that is, the writing of the initial information. The storage unit 32 stores various types of information necessary for the encoding process by the encoding control unit 31 and temporary information being processed. The writing processing unit 33 drives the magnetic head 34 under the control of the encoding control unit 31 to write predetermined information.

The magnetic head 34 is controlled by the write processing section 33 to control the first recording track T of the prepaid card C.
Information is magnetically stored in the magnetic layers of the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12, and the second fixed information area A21 and the second variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2. Write. Further, the magnetic head 34 is controlled by the waveform processing section 37, and the initial fixed information and the initial fixed information written in the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12 of the predetermined first recording track T1, for example. Read variable information.

The waveform processing section 37 detects a signal waveform from the end of the fixed information on the first recording track T1 read by the magnetic head 34 to a predetermined portion in the variable information, and performs quantization by a predetermined quantization method. Initial waveform information R
0 is supplied to the encoding control unit 31 as confirmation waveform information RR for rewriting confirmation, and is set as a part of the initial variable information written in the second variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2.

The encryption processing unit 36 encrypts the write information using a predetermined encryption key when the write processing unit 33 writes information in the fixed information areas A11 and A21 and the variable information areas A12 and A22.

The encoding control unit 31 includes a writing processing unit 33
The fixed information is written to the fixed information areas A11 and A21 via the interface, the initial variable information is written to the first variable information area A12, and the waveform processing section 37 determines the fixed information within the variable information from the fixed information end on the first recording track T1. After the signal waveform up to the part is detected and quantized, and the initial waveform information R0 is specified, the initial waveform information R0 is written via the write processing unit 33.
The variable information including “0” as the confirmation waveform information RR is written to the second variable information area A22. When writing the variable information and the fixed information, the write processing unit 33 performs encryption using a predetermined encryption key by the encryption processing unit 36.

The reading device 1A is connected to, for example, a vending machine (not shown) for renting out game media and the like, and the prepaid card C stores the value of the game media and the like provided by the vending machine to the user. This is a device for embodying the consumption of the prepaid card C by subtracting it from the remaining amount in the amount information. When the prepaid card C is set, the reading device 1A first sets the fixed information of the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12 of one of the predetermined recording tracks, for example, the first recording track T1. Of the fixed information, and detects and quantizes the signal waveform from the end of the fixed information to a predetermined portion in the variable information to obtain the actually measured waveform information RC. In the variable information read from the second variable information area A22, Is compared with the confirmation waveform information RR.

When the measured waveform information RC obtained by the waveform processing section 146 matches the confirmation waveform information RR in the second variable information area A22 of the prepaid card C, the reading device 1A determines that the prepaid card C is normal. Is determined, and
If they do not match, it is determined that the prepaid card C is abnormal and is an unauthorized prepaid card. At this time, in many cases, the measurement result may include a level decrease due to a change with time and a measurement error due to a difference between the magnetic heads 34 and 143.
(X = 0, C, R, etc.) may be appropriately quantized to absorb minute errors.

If the actually measured waveform information RC of the prepaid card C is normal, a normal fraud check process such as inconsistency detection is performed.

That is, the reading device 1A checks whether there is any inconsistency in the information stored in the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C, the punch hole information, and the like. It is determined that there is a defect.

When it is determined that there is a fraud or a defect,
The reading device 1A transmits the detection data including the card identification information and the like of the unauthorized prepaid card to the relay device 2, and prevents the use of the prepaid card C and discharges the card. Further, the reading device 1A receives, from the relay device 2, notification data of prepaid card information determined to be an unauthorized prepaid card by the other reading device 1A, and immediately receives the prepaid card C based on the notification data when the prepaid card C is loaded. Prepaid cards are discriminated, used and ejected.

[0156] The relay device 2 is connected to each of the reading devices 1A in the store S.
, Sums up the money amount information processed as the consumption amount, and sends it to the settlement center 4.

Next, the encoding process, card checking process, and ending process in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The consumption process is substantially the same as the consumption process in the first embodiment shown in the flowchart in FIG.

First, the encoding process in the recording device 3A will be described with reference to FIG. The encoding process shown in FIG. 12 is started each time a prepaid card medium is set in the recording device 3A.

When the prepaid card medium is set,
First, the encoding control unit 31 generates fixed information and initial variable information based on, for example, information stored in the storage unit 32, and encrypts the fixed information and the initial variable information using a predetermined encryption key preset in the encryption processing unit 36 (step S51). The encrypted fixed information and the initial variable information are transmitted to the magnetic head 3 by the write processing unit 33.
4 through the first and second recording tracks T1 and T2 of the information storage section A of the prepaid card medium.
Are written to the fixed information areas A11 and A21 of the first and second predetermined information recording tracks, for example, the first variable information area A12 of the first recording track T1 (step S52). At this time, the variable information area A of the second recording track T2 is still
Since the initial variable information is not recorded in 22, a part of the initial variable information may be left without being encrypted and written.

Next, the waveform processing section 37 applies the fixed information and the initial variable information written to the first recording track T1 (the first fixed information area A11 and the first variable information area A12) to the magnetic head. 15 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the signal waveform from the end of the fixed information to a predetermined portion in the variable information is detected and quantized, and the waveform information R
X, that is, initial waveform information R0 is obtained (step S5).
3). At this time, the area for extracting the initial waveform information R0 is
This is an area from the end of the fixed information on the first recording track T1 to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information, for example, a predetermined portion in the variable information.

The encoding control unit 31 includes, for example, the storage unit 3
The variable information obtained by adding the initial waveform information R0 obtained by the waveform processing unit 37 to the remaining part of the original initial variable information (the remaining part written in the variable information area A12) based on the information stored in No. 2
The data is encrypted by the encryption processing unit 36 using a predetermined encryption key (step S54), and the second variable information area A of the second recording track T2 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card medium is used.
22 (step S55), the prepaid card C
Ends the encoding process. Second variable information area A2
2 is used as confirmation waveform information RR for confirming rewriting.

Next, the consumption processing in the above-mentioned prepaid card system is similar to that shown in FIG. 6, in that the data reading section 142 of the reader / writer 14A of the reading apparatus 1A.
Is activated each time the prepaid card C is set in the.

When the consumption process is started, the reading control unit 141 of the reader / writer 14A checks whether the set prepaid card C is normal. That is, first, the data reading unit 142 of the reader / writer 14A uses the magnetic head 143 to read fixed information and variable information from the fixed information areas A11 and A21 and the variable information areas A12 and A22 of the recording tracks T1 and T2 of the prepaid card C. After reading, it is checked whether the card is a normal prepaid card C or not. In that case, in the waveform processing unit 146,
As shown in FIG. 16, a magnetic reproduction signal from the end of the fixed information of the first recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the variable information is detected, and the detected waveform is quantized to obtain measured waveform information RC. Then, the reading control unit 141 controls the data reading unit 14.
2 by the magnetic head 143 through the prepaid card C
The variable information in the variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2 is read, the confirmation waveform information RR is obtained, and compared with the previously measured actual waveform information RC. Reading control unit 141
Confirms whether or not the two match, and if not, determines that the set prepaid card C is abnormal and has been rewritten by an unauthorized means.

When the measured waveform information RC matches the confirmation waveform information RR, the reading control unit 1 of the reader / writer 14A
At 41, the position of the remaining standard punch hole and the presence or absence of inconsistency in the stored information are detected. At this time, if inconsistency is detected in the position of the remaining amount guide punch hole and the stored information, the prepaid card C is determined to be abnormal.

In the determination of the result of the detection of the abnormality by the reader / writer 14A, if the abnormality is detected, the prepaid card C is determined to be illegal, and after displaying the irregularity or error display, the system operation is stopped. Abnormalities such as /
Perform illegal processing.

FIG. 13 shows details of the card check processing corresponding to step S11 in FIG. When the card check process is started, first, the reading control unit 141 uses the data reading unit 142 via the magnetic head 143 to read the first and second recording tracks T1 and T2 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C. Fixed information areas A11 and A12
And the variable information areas A12 and A22
The variable information is read out from (step S61) and decrypted by the encryption processing unit 144 using a predetermined encryption key (step S62). The reading control section 141 uses the waveform processing section 146 to convert a signal waveform from the end of the fixed information data section to a predetermined portion of the variable information data section from the information at the time of reading the fixed information and the variable information of the first recording track T1. Detected and quantized to obtain measured waveform information RC (step S63), and to extract confirmation waveform information RR from variable information read from the second variable information area A22 of the second recording track T2 (step S64).

Then, both, ie, the waveform information RC and R
It is checked whether or not R matches (step S65). If the two match, the encryption processing unit 144 next determines the amount information and other information, and the state of punching of the remaining amount and the reference hole. Is detected (step S6).
6) It is determined whether there is such a contradiction (step S67). If there is no contradiction, the encryption processing unit 144 determines that the prepaid card C is normal (step S6).
8) End the process and return to the consumption process.

If it is determined in step S65 that they do not match, it is determined that there is an abnormality (step S69),
The process ends, and returns to the consumption process. Step S6
Even if it is determined in step 7 that there is an inconsistency, the process shifts to step S69, ends the process, and returns to the consumption process.

Since the recording position of the variable information varies depending on the arrangement of the heads in the apparatus, the recording position differs between the initial recording by the recording device 3A and the updating by the reading device 1A every time writing / rewriting is performed. For this reason,
In the prepaid card C that has been properly rewritten, the actually measured waveform information RC matches the confirmation waveform information RR. However, the variable information is illegally copied by a device different from the recording device 3A at the time of encoding or the reading device 1A at the time of updating,
When rewritten, the actually measured waveform information RC does not match the confirmation waveform information RR. In this embodiment, fraud is determined by using this.

FIG. 14 shows details of the end processing in step S21 shown in FIG. When the end process starts,
The variable information areas A12 and A12 of the prepaid card C are determined based on the final balance stored in the storage unit 13 at that time.
A portion to be recorded on the first recording track T1 of the variable information including the amount information such as the balance amount for the second 22 is encrypted using the above-described predetermined encryption key, updated and written (step S71), and the waveform processing is performed. The unit 146 detects and quantizes the signal waveform from the end of the fixed information on the updated first recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the variable information to obtain the updated waveform information RN (step S72). If necessary for obtaining the waveform information RN, the fixed information of the first recording track T1 may be read again and decoded.

Check the updated waveform information RN with the confirmed waveform information RR.
The variable information is encrypted together with the portion of the variable information to be recorded on the second recording track T2, and the second variable information area A
22 is updated (step S73).

Then, it is checked whether or not the remaining amount after the update is the amount required for punching the remaining amount punch hole (step S7).
4). The amount of money required for punching the remaining amount guide punch hole is an amount of money newly entering an area of the remaining amount area printed on the prepaid card C as a frequency value, which is different from the previous area. When the amount is such, the reader / writer 14
The remaining amount reference punch hole is punched by the data reading unit 142 of A (step S75). After punching the remaining amount guide hole, the prepaid card C is discharged from the reader / writer 14A (step S76). Then, the processing ends,
Return to consumption processing.

If it is determined in step S74 that the remaining amount after the update is not the amount required for punching the remaining amount guide punch hole, step S75 is skipped and step S75 is skipped.
Then, the flow goes to 76 to discharge the prepaid card C.

In the prepaid card C, as shown in FIG. 15, the information storage section A is composed of, for example, two recording tracks T1 and T2. A first fixed information area A11 and a first variable information area A12 are set on the first recording track T1, and a second fixed information area A21 and a second variable information area are set on the second recording track T2. An area A22 is set. In the fixed information areas A11 and A21, fixed fixed information that is not rewritten or updated at the time of consumption or use is written. In the variable information areas A12 and A22, variable information that is rewritten or updated with consumption or used is written. Write.

As described above, the variable information is sequentially rewritten by the recording device 3A and each reading device 1A.
The recording position of the variable information by this rewriting is determined by the recording device 3A.
And the positioning accuracy when setting the prepaid card medium in the reading / reading apparatus 1A, the mounting position accuracy of the magnetic head 34 or 143, the timing of a write signal when writing fixed information, and the like. Therefore, the fixed information of one predetermined recording track, for example, the first recording track T1−
The distance between variable information also changes each time rewriting is performed.

When encoding the prepaid card C,
First, fixed information and variable information of a predetermined first recording track T1 are written, and then a signal waveform is detected and quantized from the fixed information end on the recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the variable information. This initial waveform information R0 is used as the confirmation distance information RR for rewriting confirmation, and the second recording track T
2 is written in the variable information area A22 as a part of the variable information.

The fixed information and the variable information are magnetically stored in the prepaid card C. In a normal case, when storing the information, it is necessary to prevent the contents from being found even if a third party tries to read the contents illegally. , And are stored after being subjected to predetermined encryption.

When reading the prepaid card C, the reading device 1A detects and quantizes the signal waveform from the fixed information end of the predetermined first recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the variable information, and quantizes the measured waveform information RC. obtain. It is checked whether or not the actually measured waveform information RC matches the confirmation waveform information RR in the variable information of the second recording track T2. If both cards are compatible, the card can be used as a normal card. If not, another prepaid card C can be used.
May be illegally copied and cannot be used.

Further, when updating the variable information such as the balance based on the use of the prepaid card C, the reading apparatus 1A newly rewrites the variable information of the predetermined first recording track T1, and then updates the recording track T1. , A signal waveform from the end of the fixed information to a predetermined portion in the variable information is detected and quantized to obtain new waveform information RN, which is used as the next confirmation distance information RR in the variable information of the second recording track T2. Write.

As described above, when the prepaid card C has, for example, two recording tracks, the fixed information and the initial variable information of one of the predetermined recording tracks are stored in advance, and the variable information is stored from the end of the fixed information on the recording track. Is written into the variable information of the other recording track as the first confirmation waveform information RR to encode the prepaid card C.

The reading device 1A detects and quantizes the signal waveform from the fixed information end to the predetermined portion in the variable information on the predetermined one recording track T1 of the prepaid card C, obtains the measured waveform information RC, and obtains the other. By comparing and checking the confirmation information with the confirmation waveform information RR in the variable information of the recording track, the illegality caused by copying the variable information of another prepaid card C is accurately detected. In addition, the reading device 1A
When updating the variable information such as the remaining amount information, after newly writing the variable information on one of the predetermined recording tracks, the signal waveform from the end of the fixed information on the recording track to a predetermined portion in the variable information is detected and quantized. Then, it is written into the variable information of the other recording track as new confirmation waveform information RR.

Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card C which has been altered by copying the variable information of the regular prepaid card C can be properly prevented in advance, and unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented. It is possible to do.

In the above description, two recording tracks T1 and T2 are provided in the information storage section A of the prepaid card C, and the waveform from the fixed information end of the first recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the variable information is provided. The actual measured waveform information RC obtained by quantizing is compared with the confirmation waveform information RR written as a part of the variable information on the second recording track T2. However, conversely, the waveform from the fixed information end of the second recording track T2 to a predetermined portion in the variable information is actually measured and quantized, and the confirmation waveform is added to a part of the variable information in the first recording track T1. Write it down as information
The measured waveform information quantized from the fixed information end of the recording track T2 to a predetermined portion in the variable information is compared with the confirmation waveform information written as a part of the variable information on the first recording track T1. Is also good.

Also in a prepaid card having a large number of three or more recording tracks, the waveform from the end of the fixed information to the predetermined part in the variable information in at least one predetermined recording track is measured and measured. And writing it as confirmation waveform information to a part of the variable information in another predetermined recording track, and in a reading / reading apparatus, quantized actual measurement from the fixed information end to the predetermined part in the variable information in the predetermined at least one recording track. The waveform information may be compared with confirmation waveform information written as a part of the variable information on another predetermined recording track.

In each of the above embodiments, any known method can be used as a method for measuring the distance. For example, the number of pulses supplied by the control unit to a pulse motor (stepping motor) of a transport system that transports a prepaid card may be counted, and the count value may be a value representing a distance. The actual distance may be obtained by multiplication. Further, data of a pattern which cannot be normally generated (for example, data of all 1s or 0s is recorded in advance in an area to be measured for distance, the number of data (the number of bits) is counted, and the count value is set to the distance. Or the actual distance may be obtained by multiplying the counted number of bits by a certain constant.

The prepaid card is not limited to a magnetic card, but may be an IC card. In this case, the IC card stores the fixed information and the variable information in a memory.
In addition to the C chip, it has a magnetic area, obtains distance information or waveform information for arbitrary information recorded in the magnetic area in the same manner as described above, and uses the distance information or waveform information to obtain the information. The prepaid card may be checked.

Note that the present invention may be applied to a pachinko system. In this case, the game medium is a pachinko ball or metal, the store is a pachinko parlor, or the like, and the prepaid card is a prepaid card for a pachinko system. The reading device and a vending machine (not shown) are connected to a pachinko machine, and the vending machine includes a lending button for receiving a supply of pachinko balls or metal. When the lending button is pressed, a predetermined amount of pachinko balls or metal is supplied, and a consumption request for a predetermined amount is transmitted to a reading device connected to the vending machine, and the reading device is inserted, for example. The amount information of the prepaid card for pachinko is updated according to the consumption request.

[0188]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Distance information for fixed information-variable information based on the variation of the writing position of the variable information in the prepaid card, or quantized waveform information from the fixed information end to a predetermined part in the variable information, distance information for rewriting confirmation or Write the quantized waveform information in the variable information of another recording track,
A prepaid card system and a reading device that perform comparison and collation with actual measurement information, accurately detect and discriminate fraudulent changes of the balance by rewriting the variable information of the prepaid card, and prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card. Etc. can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a reading device as a main part of a prepaid card system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a prepaid card system into which the configuration of FIG. 1 is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a recording device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an encoding process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining consumption processing in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a card check process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an end process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an arrangement of distance portions corresponding to fixed information, variable information, and distance information in the prepaid card of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a reading device as a main part of a prepaid card system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a recording device in the prepaid card system of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an encoding process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a card check process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an end process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a track arrangement for recording fixed information and variable information and an arrangement of a waveform information measurement portion in the prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing extraction and quantization of waveform information in the prepaid card system of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 reading device 1A reading device 2 relay device 3 recording device 3A recording device 4 settlement center 11 communication processing unit 12 consumption processing unit 13 storage unit 14 reader / writer 14A reader / writer 31 encoding control unit 32 storage unit 33 writing processing unit 34 Magnetic head 35 Distance measurement unit 36 Encryption processing unit 37 Waveform processing unit 141 Reading control unit 142 Data reading unit 143 Magnetic head 144 Encryption processing unit 145 Distance measurement unit 146 Waveform processing unit C Prepaid card D Card issuer S Store

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takayuki Kamata 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo NTT Data Communications Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3E044 AA05 AA06 BA06 CA01 CA02 CA05 CC10 DA01 DA03 DA10 DB02 DB05 DC01 DC05 DC06 DD02 DE01 DE02 EA20 EB01 5B058 CA31 KA32 YA06 YA20

Claims (15)

[Claims] A variable information which includes predetermined fixed information which does not change irrespective of use and money information corresponding to a monetary value and which is updated as needed with use is magnetically stored in each of a plurality of recording tracks. In a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card, the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card are detected, and a distance between the fixed information and the variable information in a predetermined recording track is measured. It is determined whether or not the distance information matches the confirmation distance information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track. If the distance information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and the When the variable information is updated according to the consumption amount and the sales information including the consumption amount is transmitted, and the distance information does not match, A reading means for preventing the use of the prepaid card as being illegal; a high-level processing means for performing communication between the reading means and receiving and storing the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading means; And a prepaid card system comprising: 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recording tracks magnetically stores predetermined fixed information that does not change irrespective of the use and variable information that includes money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use. In a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card, fixed information and initial variable information of a predetermined recording track are written on the prepaid card, the fixed information and the variable information in the recording track are detected, and the fixed information and A recording unit that measures a distance between the variable information and the initial variable information of another predetermined recording track as confirmation distance information and issues the prepaid card; and the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card. Is detected, and a distance between the fixed information and the variable information in a predetermined recording track is measured. It is determined whether or not the separation information matches the confirmation distance information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track. If the separation information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and the consumption of the prepaid card is determined. Reading means for updating the variable information in accordance with the amount of money, transmitting sales information including the consumption amount of money, and, if the distance information does not match, discriminating the use of the prepaid card as illegal and A pre-paid card system comprising: a high-level processing unit that communicates with a reading unit, receives the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading unit, and stores and processes the sales information. 3. The reading means, after updating the variable information of the prepaid card, measures a distance between the fixed information and the new variable information on the recording track, and uses another distance as confirmation distance information. 3. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, further comprising means for updating and recording variable information of a predetermined recording track. 4. The reading means comprises: a magnetic head for reading and writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card; and reading / writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Reading processing means, distance measuring means for detecting the fixed information and variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and measuring the distance between the fixed information and variable information of the predetermined recording track, The distance information measured by the distance measuring means is checked against the confirmation distance information included in the variable information of the other predetermined recording track of the prepaid card, and if the two do not match, the prepaid card is fraudulent. If the two are the same, the reading processing means is set according to the amount of consumption of the prepaid card. The variable information including the money amount information is updated, and after updating the variable information, the distance between the fixed information and the new variable information in the recording track is measured, and the other predetermined information is used as confirmation distance information. 4. A prepaid card system according to claim 3, further comprising: consumption processing means for updating and recording the variable information of the recording track, and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount. 5. predetermined fixed information which does not change with use;
And a magnetic head for reading and writing variable information that includes money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use, and reads / writes the fixed information and variable information of a prepaid card using the magnetic head. Reading processing means, distance measuring means for detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and measuring a distance between the fixed information and the variable information of a predetermined recording track; The distance information measured by the distance measuring means is checked against the confirmation distance information included in the variable information of the other predetermined recording track of the prepaid card, and if the two do not match, the prepaid card is determined to be invalid. The use is prevented, and when the two match, the reading processing means according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card. After updating the variable information including the monetary amount information, updating and writing the variable information, the distance between the fixed information and the new variable information in the recording track is measured, and the other predetermined information is used as confirmation distance information. A reading device, comprising: consumption processing means for updating and recording variable information of a recording track and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount. 6. A plurality of recording tracks, each of which magnetically stores predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use and variable information that includes money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a prepaid card, the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card are detected and a predetermined information including at least a part of the variable information from the fixed information end on a predetermined recording track is determined. Detect and quantize the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal up to the part, determine whether the waveform information matches the confirmation waveform information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track, and determine whether it matches. Is permitted to use the prepaid card, updates the variable information according to the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, and Along with transmitting sales information including, if the waveform information does not match, the reading means for preventing the use of the prepaid card as being illegal and performing communication between the reading means, from the reading means A pre-paid card system, comprising: higher-level processing means for receiving and storing the sales information of the prepaid card. 7. Each of a plurality of recording tracks magnetically stores variable information that includes predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use and money information corresponding to a monetary value and that is updated as needed with use. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a prepaid card, fixed information and initial variable information of a predetermined recording track are written on the prepaid card, the fixed information and the variable information on the recording track are detected, and the fixed information terminal is detected. From a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information, and detects and quantizes the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal, and records it as confirmation waveform information in the initial variable information of another predetermined recording track, thereby obtaining the prepaid card. Recording means for issuing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, and A waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information in a track is detected and quantized, and the waveform information is included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track. Discriminating whether or not it matches the confirmation waveform information to be checked, and if so, permits the use of the prepaid card, updates the variable information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and Along with transmitting sales information including, if the waveform information does not match, the reading means for preventing the use of the prepaid card as being illegal and performing communication between the reading means, from the reading means A pre-paid card system, comprising: higher-level processing means for receiving and storing the sales information of the prepaid card. 8. The magnetic reading device according to claim 1, wherein after the variable information of the prepaid card is updated and written, a magnetic reproduction from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the new variable information on the recording track. 8. The prepaid card system according to claim 6, further comprising means for detecting and quantizing a signal waveform, and updating and recording as variable waveform information of another predetermined recording track as confirmation waveform information. 9. A magnetic head for reading and writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card, and reading / writing the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Reading processing means; detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, from the fixed information end of the predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information; Waveform processing means for detecting and quantizing the magnetic reproduction signal waveform of the above, and comparing the waveform information obtained by the waveform processing means with confirmation waveform information included in the variable information of the other predetermined recording track of the prepaid card. If the two do not match, the prepaid card is regarded as fraudulent and its use is prevented, and if the two match, Updates the variable information including the amount information by the reading processing means in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, and after updating and writing the variable information, new variable information from the end of the fixed information in the recording track. Of the magnetic reproduction signal up to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the recording information, quantizes, updates and records variable information of another predetermined recording track as confirmation waveform information, and sales information including the consumption amount. 9. A prepaid card system according to claim 8, further comprising: consumption processing means for transmitting a prepaid card. 10. A magnetic head for reading and writing variable information which includes predetermined fixed information which does not change with use and money information corresponding to a monetary value and which is updated as needed with use, said fixed information of a prepaid card, Reading processing means for reading / writing the variable information using the magnetic head; detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head; and detecting the fixed information and the variable information from a fixed information end of a predetermined recording track. A waveform processing means for detecting and quantizing a magnetic reproduction signal waveform up to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information; and storing the waveform information obtained by the waveform processing means in another predetermined recording of the prepaid card. Check against the confirmation waveform information included in the track variable information. If the two do not match, the prepaid card is determined to be invalid. In the case where the two match, the variable information including the price information is updated by the reading processing means according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and after the variable information is updated and written, The waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of new variable information in the recording track is detected and quantized, and the waveform of the other predetermined recording track is changed as confirmation waveform information. A consumption processing unit for updating and recording information and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount. 11. Each of a plurality of recording tracks magnetically stores variable information which includes predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use and money information corresponding to a monetary value and which is updated as needed with use. What is claimed is: 1. A method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card in a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card, comprising: writing fixed information and initial variable information of a predetermined recording track to the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued. Detecting the fixed information and the variable information in the recording track written in the recording step, measuring the distance between the fixed information and the variable information, and determining the initial distance of another predetermined recording track as confirmation distance information. An issuance step of recording the variable information and issuing the prepaid card; The fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card are detected, and a distance between the fixed information and the variable information in a predetermined recording track is measured, and the distance information is used as the variable information of another predetermined recording track. A discriminating step of discriminating whether the information matches the included confirmation distance information, and, if the discriminating step determines that the compared information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and the compared information matches. If it is determined not to
A control step of identifying the prepaid card as an unauthorized card and prohibiting its use. 12. Each of a plurality of recording tracks magnetically stores variable information that includes predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use and money information corresponding to a monetary value and that is updated as needed with use. What is claimed is: 1. A method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card in a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card, comprising: writing fixed information and initial variable information of a predetermined recording track to the prepaid card when the prepaid card is issued. Detecting the fixed information and the variable information in the recording track written in the recording step, and changing the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the fixed information end to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information. Detected, quantized, and recorded as confirmation waveform information in the initial variable information of another predetermined recording track Issuing the prepaid card, and detecting at least a portion of the variable information from the fixed information end on a predetermined recording track by detecting the fixed information and the variable information of the prepaid card during a transaction. A discriminating step of detecting and quantizing the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal up to a predetermined portion, and discriminating whether or not the waveform information matches confirmation waveform information included in the variable information of another predetermined recording track; In the determination step, when it is determined that the compared information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and when it is determined that the compared information does not match,
A control step of identifying the prepaid card as an unauthorized card and prohibiting its use. 13. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, wherein said system is a system for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. 10. The prepaid card system according to any one of claims 7, 8, and 9. 14. The prepaid card processed by the reading apparatus is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. Reading device. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the prepaid card is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. .