JP2000030131A - Prepaid card system, reader and illegal card use preventing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect/discriminate illegality that variable information of a prepaid card are rewritten and a remaining amount is changed and to prevent the use of the illegal prepaid card. SOLUTION: A distance measuring part 145 obtains measured distance information (LC1-LC4) between a card edge and variable information of respective zones divided for respective remaining amount ranges by a magnetic head 143 and gives them to a reading control part 141. The reading control part 141 obtains measured distance information (LC1-LC4) between the card edge and variable information of the zones by the distance measuring part 145 through the magnetic head 143 and compares them with recognition distance information (LR1-LR4) for the respective zones in fixed information through a data reading part 142 and the magnetic head 143. The rereading control part 141 judges it 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, a reading apparatus, and a method for preventing unauthorized card use against fraudulent rewriting of stored information of the prepaid card. Etc.

[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 medium cannot be used simply by falsifying or forging the prepaid card medium. 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 includes card identification information (card ID) which is set at the time of card issuance, that is, at the time of encoding, and is not changed by subsequent consumption or the like, a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer, and a manufacturing date (encoding date). ) There are fixed fixed information such as information, amount information indicating the remaining amount, and fluid variable information which is to be updated as needed by processing such as consumption such as an error code when an error occurs.

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 two or more money areas, only the remaining amount reference punch holes corresponding to the money area 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, the card is taken out at the time when the remaining amount of money has been consumed to almost the lower limit of the money amount range, without punching the remaining amount guide punch hole, and the storage information is copied again from the above-mentioned regular prepaid card. Repetition of consumption and copying without punching a new remaining standard punch hole in this way is an illegal use corresponding to effectively multiplying the money range between the remaining standard punch holes by a plurality of times. Therefore, this is equivalent to illegally increasing the number of remaining standard punch holes, that is, increasing the face value.

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, a method of preventing unauthorized card use, and the like, which enable the use of a card.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a variable information which includes 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 that stores predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use in magnetic layers of different recording tracks, the fixed information is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined balance range. Updating the variable information recorded according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, transmitting the sales information including the consumption amount, and when the remaining amount in the variable information enters a new zone, the end of the prepaid card. The distance from the edge to the end of the variable information of the zone is measured, and the distance information is written as a part of the fixed information. It is determined whether or not the information matches the confirmed distance information of the zone. If the information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and if the distance information does not match, the prepaid card is determined to be invalid. A reading unit for preventing use of the card; and a high-level processing unit for performing communication between the reading unit and receiving and storing the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading unit.

[0015] According to such a configuration, the reading means takes advantage of the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and every time a new zone of the variable information divided into a plurality of zones according to the remaining amount range is entered, the end of the prepaid card is read. The distance from the edge to the end of the variable information of the zone is measured and compared with the confirmation distance information written in the fixed information. Unauthorized use due to a change in the variable information of the card 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
The IC memory may store the variable information and the like. In an actual payment, this IC
The information stored in the memory may be used.

Further, the prepaid card system according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a variable information which includes money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use, and a predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use. In a prepaid card system that performs financial settlement using a prepaid card that stores information and magnetic layers of different recording tracks, the prepaid card is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined balance range of the prepaid card, and the initial variable information is written, Measuring the distance from the edge of the prepaid card to the end of the initial variable information for each zone, recording the distance information of each zone as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card, And updating the variable information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card. While transmitting the sales information including the amount, when the balance enters a new zone in the variable information, measure the distance from the edge of the prepaid card to the end of the variable information of the zone, the distance information is It is determined whether or not the distance matches the confirmation distance information of the zone included in the fixed information. If the distance matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted. If the distance information does not match, it is illegal. Reading means for preventing the use of the prepaid card, and communication between the reading means, higher-level processing means for receiving and storing the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading means,
Is provided.

According to such a configuration, taking advantage of the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, at the time of issuing the prepaid card, after the initial variable information writing of the variable information divided into a plurality of zones according to the remaining amount range, the prepaid card is written. By measuring the distance from the edge to the end of the variable information of each zone, and writing it as confirmation distance information in the fixed information, the reading means can read from the edge of the prepaid card every time the remaining amount enters the new zone. The prepaid card is measured by measuring the distance to the end of the variable information of the zone and comparing it with the confirmation distance information of the zone in the fixed information. Unauthorized use due to the 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 includes a magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing the prepaid card, and reading / writing the variable information of each zone of a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Distance measurement for detecting the variable information of a predetermined zone of the prepaid card using the reading processing means and the magnetic head, and measuring a distance from an edge of the prepaid card to an end of the variable information of the zone. Means, and in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, the reading processing means updates the variable information including the amount information and transmits the sales information including the amount of consumption, and the remaining amount based on the variable information is the new amount. When entering the zone, the distance information measured by the distance measuring means is stored in the fixed information of the prepaid card. Against the check distance information about the zone included in a consumer processing means for preventing the use of such prepaid cards is regarded as unauthorized if they do not match, it may be included.

[0020] The prepaid card system may be a system for settling payment for lending pachinko balls or metal as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

[0021] A reading apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing a prepaid card having a magnetic recording layer, and includes a money amount information corresponding to a monetary value. Reading processing means for dividing the variable information, which is updated as needed, into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range and reading / writing using a magnetic head on a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card, and using the magnetic head A distance measuring unit that detects the variable information of the predetermined zone of the prepaid card and measures a distance from an edge of the prepaid card to an end of the variable information of the zone, and according to a consumption amount of the prepaid card. Updating the variable information including the money amount information and transmitting the sales information including the consumption amount by the reading processing means, When the balance based on the strange information enters the new zone, the distance information measured by the distance measuring means is compared with the confirmation distance information about the zone written as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card. And a consumption processing means for preventing the use of the prepaid card if the two do not match.

According to such a configuration, the reading device utilizes the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and every time the reading device enters a new zone of the variable information divided into a plurality of zones according to the remaining amount range, the end of the prepaid card is read. The distance from the edge to the end of the variable information of the zone is measured and compared with the confirmation distance information written in the fixed information. Unauthorized use due to a change in the variable information of the card can be accurately prevented. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The above-mentioned prepaid card further includes an I
The IC memory may store the variable information and the like. In an actual payment, this IC
The information stored in the memory may be used.

[0024] 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.

A prepaid card system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: variable information that includes amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use; predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use; In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a prepaid card in which each of the prepaid cards is stored in a magnetic layer of a different recording track, the variable information which is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined balance and recorded is consumed by the prepaid card. Update according to the amount and transmit the sales information including the consumption amount, and at least a part of the variable information of the zone from the edge of the prepaid card when the balance in the variable information enters a new zone. Detect and quantize the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal up to and including the predetermined portion, and the waveform information is part of the fixed information. Discrimination is made as to whether or not it matches the confirmation waveform information of the zone written, and if they match, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and if the waveform information does not match, it is determined to be illegal. A reading unit for preventing use of the prepaid card; and a high-level processing unit for communicating with the reading unit, receiving the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading unit, and storing the received information.

According to such a configuration, the reading means takes advantage of the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and every time a new zone of the variable information divided into a plurality of zones according to the remaining amount range is entered, the end of the prepaid card is read. The waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of the zone is detected and quantized, and compared with the confirmation waveform information written in the fixed information. Can be properly prevented by changing the variable information of the prepaid card. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The above prepaid card further includes
The IC memory may store the variable information and the like. In an actual payment, this IC
The information stored in the memory may be used.

The prepaid card system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention comprises: variable information including amount information corresponding to a monetary value, which is updated as needed with use; predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use; In a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card in which each is stored in a magnetic layer of a different recording track, the prepaid card is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined balance range of the prepaid card, and the initial variable information is written to each of the zones. The waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge of the card to the predetermined portion including at least a part of the initial variable information for each zone is detected and quantized, and the waveform information of each zone is converted to the fixed information of the prepaid card. Recorded as part,
Recording means for issuing as the prepaid card, and updating the variable information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount,
When the balance enters a new zone in the variable information, the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone is detected and quantized, and the waveform information is fixed. Determine whether or not it matches the confirmation waveform information of the zone included in the information, and if they match, permit the use of the prepaid card,
And reading means for preventing the use of the prepaid card as invalid if the waveform information does not match,
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 this configuration, taking advantage of the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, after the initial variable information writing of the variable information divided into a plurality of zones according to the remaining amount range at the time of issuing the prepaid card, the prepaid card is written. By detecting and quantizing the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of each zone, and writing it as confirmation waveform information in the fixed information, the reading means can read the remaining amount of the new zone. Each time it enters, the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge of the prepaid card to the predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone is detected and quantized, and compared with the confirmation waveform information of the zone in the fixed information. If they do not match, it is regarded as fraudulent and excluded, thereby preventing improper use by changing the variable information of the prepaid card. . Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The reading means includes a magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing the prepaid card, and reading / writing the variable information of each zone of a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Reading means for detecting the variable information of a predetermined zone of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and detecting magnetic information from an edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of the zone. Waveform processing means for detecting and quantizing the waveform of the reproduction signal, and updating the variable information including the money amount information by the reading processing means according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and generating the sales information including the consumption amount. Transmitting and when the balance based on the variable information enters the new zone, it is obtained by the waveform processing means. Consumption processing means for comparing the waveform information with the confirming waveform information for the zone included in the fixed information of the prepaid card, and when the two do not match, preventing the use of the prepaid card as fraudulent, May be included.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
The IC memory may store the variable information and the like. In an actual payment, this IC
The information stored in the memory may be used.

[0032] 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 sixth aspect of the present invention includes a magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing a prepaid card having a magnetic recording layer, and a magnetic head including money amount information corresponding to a monetary value. Reading processing means for dividing the variable information, which is updated as needed, into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range and reading / writing using a magnetic head on a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card, and using the magnetic head A waveform for detecting the variable information of a predetermined zone of the prepaid card and detecting and quantizing a waveform of a magnetic reproduction signal from an edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of the zone. Processing means, in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, updating the variable information including the amount information by the reading processing means; When the sales information including the consumption amount is transmitted and the remaining amount based on the variable information enters the new zone, the waveform information obtained by the waveform processing means is written as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card. A consumption processing unit that checks the pre-paid card as illegal and checks its use if the two do not match.

According to such a configuration, the reading apparatus uses the fact that the writing position of the variable information varies, and every time the reading apparatus enters a new zone of the variable information divided into a plurality of zones according to the remaining amount range, the end of the prepaid card is read. The waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of the zone is detected and quantized, and compared with the confirmation waveform information written in the fixed information. Can be properly prevented by changing the variable information of the prepaid card. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration can be prevented.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
The IC memory may store the variable information and the like. In an actual payment, this IC
The information stored in the memory may be used.

[0036] 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.

The method for preventing unauthorized card use according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that variable information including amount information corresponding to a monetary value, which is updated as needed with use, and a predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use. This is a method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card in a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card that stores information on magnetic layers of different recording tracks, and when a prepaid card is issued, a predetermined balance of the prepaid card is A recording step of dividing the area into a plurality of zones and writing initial variable information, and for the prepaid card,
Measure the distance from the edge to the end of the initial variable information for each zone written by the recording step, record the distance information of each zone as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card, An issuance step of issuing the prepaid card, and during a transaction, the variable information is updated in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and the margin of the prepaid card is updated when the remaining amount enters a new zone in the variable information. And a measuring step of measuring a distance from the zone to the end of the variable information of the zone, and determining whether or not the distance information measured by the measuring step matches confirmation distance information of the zone included in the fixed information. If the compared information matches in the determining step, the use of the prepaid card is determined. Allow, if the compared information does not match includes the prepaid card to identify an illegal card, a control step of prohibiting the use, the.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
The IC memory may store the variable information and the like. In an actual payment, this IC
The information stored in the memory may be used.

The method for preventing unauthorized card use according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that variable information that includes amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is updated as needed with use, and a predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use. This is a method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card in a prepaid card system for performing financial settlement using a prepaid card that stores information on magnetic layers of different recording tracks, and when a prepaid card is issued, a predetermined balance of the prepaid card is A recording step of dividing the area into a plurality of zones and writing initial variable information, and for the prepaid card,
The waveform of a magnetic reproduction signal from an edge to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the initial variable information for each zone written in the recording step is detected and quantized, and the waveform information of each zone is converted into the prepaid card. Recording the information as a part of the fixed information and issuing the prepaid card, and at the time of a transaction, updating the variable information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and setting the remaining amount to a new value in the variable information. When entering the zone, the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone is detected and quantized, and the waveform information of the zone included in the fixed information is included in the fixed information. A determining step of determining whether or not the information matches the confirmation waveform information; and Permits the use of the prepaid card, if the compared information does not match includes the prepaid card to identify an illegal card, a control step of prohibiting the use, the.

The above prepaid card further includes an I
The IC memory may store the variable information and the like. In an actual payment, this IC
The information stored in the memory may be used.

[0041] The prepaid card may be a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

[0042]

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 prepaid card has a plurality of, for example, two recording tracks, and variable information is recorded on one recording track, and fixed information is recorded on the other recording track. The variable information is fluid information that is updated at any time by processing such as consumption, such as amount information indicating the remaining amount and an error code when an error occurs, and the fixed information is set at the time of card issuance, that is, at the time of encoding, This is fixed information such as a card ID, a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer, and encoding date information that are not changed by subsequent consumption or the like.

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 inserting the prepaid card, the reader / writer 14 first reads the variable information of the prepaid card and checks whether or not the prepaid card is proper. That is, the reader / writer 14 detects the remaining amount of reference punch holes and checks whether there is any contradiction 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 gives the remaining amount information to the consumption processing unit 12 assuming that the prepaid card is normal.
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 variable information and the fixed information are encrypted with a predetermined encryption key which is separately determined, and are read and decrypted when reading, and are encrypted and written when writing.

In this case, the prepaid card divides a variable information area in a predetermined one of two recording tracks into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range. Then, as fixed information to be recorded on the other recording track of the two recording tracks, position information on each zone of the variable information is recorded. That is, for each zone of the variable information, confirmation distance information LRn indicating the distance from the edge of the prepaid card, that is, the card edge, to the end of the initial variable information of the zone (for example, when divided into four zones, n = 1, 2, 3, 4) is written as fixed information at the time of encoding. Note that, in this case, the remaining amount range corresponding to each zone is classified by the remaining amount different from the remaining amount area classification (the classification based on the frequency value printed on the prepaid card), which is a condition for punching the remaining standard punch holes. It is desirable.

The amount information included in the variable 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 variable information including the amount information of the prepaid card is again encrypted and updated.

The reader / writer 14 checks whether or not the prepaid card is appropriate each time the balance enters a new zone for each predetermined balance range. That is, in order to find the position of the variable information of the zone corresponding to the new balance range, the variable information of the zone is detected, and the distance from the edge of the prepaid card, that is, the card edge, to the end of the variable information of the zone is determined. To obtain distance information LCn. Next, the fixed information is read and compared with the confirmation distance information LRn indicating the variable information position of the zone in the fixed information. If the two match, the reader / writer 14 determines that the prepaid card is a normal prepaid card. Is determined.

If the measured distance information LCn from the card edge to the end of the variable information of the zone does not match the confirmation distance information LRn in the fixed information, the reader / writer 14 determines that the prepaid card is It is determined that the variable information has been illegally rewritten and altered by copying or the like, and is rejected as an unauthorized prepaid card to prevent its use.

When writing new variable information as variable information of a predetermined zone by updating amount information or the like, the reader / writer 14 punches a remaining amount guide punch hole as necessary based on the updated remaining amount. .

That is, the reader / writer 14 includes a reading control unit 141, a data reading unit 142, a magnetic head 143,
It has 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,
3, reading of variable information such as price information of each recording track of the prepaid card and fixed information such as a card ID,
In addition, the variable information is updated and written, and based on the remaining amount after the update, the remaining amount guide hole is punched at a predetermined remaining amount.

The magnetic head 143 includes a data reading unit 142
Control of the magnetic recording information of the prepaid card, that is, reading and writing of variable information on each recording track,
Used for reading fixed information. The magnetic head 143 is moved relative to the prepaid card when writing and reading the magnetic information of the prepaid card. In this case, the magnetic head 143 may be moved or the prepaid card may be moved. Alternatively, both may be simultaneously moved in different directions.

The distance measuring unit 145 reads the variable information in a predetermined zone by the magnetic head 143, measures the distance from the card edge to the end of the variable information, obtains the actually measured distance information LCn, and obtains the reading control unit 141. Give to.

The encryption processing unit 144 includes a data reading unit 142
Thus, when reading / writing the variable information such as the amount information of the prepaid card via the magnetic head 143, the variable information is decrypted / encrypted using a predetermined encryption key. Further, the encryption processing unit 144 includes a data reading unit 142
Thus, when the fixed information of the prepaid card is read through the magnetic head 143, the fixed information is decrypted using a predetermined encryption key. The encryption processing unit 144
Decodes the variable information as necessary also when reading the variable information for distance measurement by the distance measuring unit 145.

Further, the reading control section 141 operates 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. When the remaining amount falls into the zone corresponding to the new remaining amount range due to the consumption of the prepaid card, the reading control unit 141 uses the distance measuring unit 145 via the magnetic head 143 from the card edge of the variable information recording track. Obtains the actual distance information LCn up to the end of the variable information of the predetermined zone and obtains the data reading unit 142
And the fixed information of the other recording track is read out via the magnetic head 143, and the confirmation distance information LRn in the fixed information is read out.
Compare and match with

The distance from the card edge to the end of the variable information of a predetermined zone is, for example, from the physical edge of the prepaid card to the end of the data section of the variable information of the zone, for example, ETX (end of text). ) The distance to the position. The data part of the variable information of each zone usually has STX (start of text) as a start end and ETX as an end.

The reading control section 141 is provided with the actually measured distance information LCn.
When and the confirmation distance information LRn match, it is determined 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. In addition, the reading control unit 141
At the time of insertion of the prepaid card, if there is no inconsistency between the record information of the variable information and the fixed information and between them and the position of the remaining standard punch hole, it is determined that the card is a normal prepaid card. If there is a contradiction, it is determined that the fraudulent prepaid card has been inserted, that
The use of the prepaid card is prevented by forcibly ejecting the card.

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. In this case, a first zone A11, a second zone A12, a third zone A13, and a fourth zone A14 of four variable information areas are formed on the first recording track T1. The second recording track T2 includes a fixed part area A20, a first characteristic part area A21, a second characteristic part area A22, a third characteristic part area A23, and a fourth characteristic part area of the fixed information area. A24 is formed.

In the variable information area of the first recording track T1, information such as the amount of money such as the balance and error information such as an error code at the time of occurrence of an error, which is updated, changed or added as needed by use or consumption, is written. Be included. In the fixed information area of the second recording track T2, once set at the time of encoding, such as card identification information of the prepaid card C, manufacturer code indicating the manufacturer, and manufacturing date information,
Fixed information that is not changed by consumption or the like is written.

In this case, the variable information area of the first recording track T1 is divided into a plurality of zones A11 to A14 based on a preset remaining amount range. For example, if the face value of the prepaid card C is 2,000 yen and the minimum unit amount of consumption is 100 yen, the first zone A11 has variable information in the case where the remaining amount is in the range of 2,000 to 1,600 yen. However, the remaining amount in the second zone A12 is 1,500 to 1,
The variable information in the range of 100 yen is the third zone A13
The variable information in the case where the balance is in the range of 1,000 to 600 yen is written in the fourth zone A14, and the variable information in the case where the balance is in the range of 500 to 0 yen is written in the fourth zone A14.

Confirmation distance information LRn, ie, LR, from the card edge in the first recording track T1 to the end of the variable information in each of the zones A11 to A14.
1 to LR4 are the first in the second recording track T2.
To the fourth characteristic portion areas A21 to A24. These variable information and fixed information are usually
It is 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 initial variable information in each of the zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area of the prepaid card C.

Before writing the fixed information of the first to fourth characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2, that is, the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4, the first recording track Initial variable information is written in the first to fourth zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area of T1, and the distance from the card edge of the recording track T1 to the end of the variable information of each zone A11 to A14 is measured. Then, the initial distance information L0n, that is, L01 to L04 is measured. The recording device 3 includes the initial distance information L01 to L04 in the fixed information to be recorded on the second recording track T2, and includes the initial distance information L01 to L0.
4 are written as confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 in the first to fourth characteristic portion areas A21 to A24.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording device 3 includes an encoding control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a writing processing unit 3.
3, magnetic head 34, distance measurement unit 35, and encryption processing unit 3
6.

The encoding control unit 31
Of the prepaid card C, 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 writing processor 33 to control the first recording track T of the prepaid card C.
Each zone A11 to A14 of one variable information area and the fixed part area A2 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2
0 and is used for magnetically writing information to the magnetic layers of the characteristic region A21 to A24. The magnetic head 34
Is also used for reading the initial variable information written in each of the zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area of the first recording track T1 under the control of the distance measuring unit 35. In addition,
The magnetic head 34 is moved relative to the prepaid card C when writing and reading magnetic information on the prepaid card C. In this case, the magnetic head 34 is moved even if the magnetic head 34 is moved. Alternatively, both may be simultaneously moved in different directions. The magnetic head 34
May be composed of two magnetic head elements provided for each of the recording tracks T1 and T2.

The distance measuring section 35 measures the distance from the card edge on the first recording track T1 read by the magnetic head 34 to the end of the variable information in each of the zones A11 to A14, and according to the distance, The initial distance information L01 to L04 supplied to the encode control unit 31 and the characteristic area A of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2 is supplied.
Confirmation distance information LR1 to LR to be written in 21 to A24
4 is assumed.

When the write processing unit 33 writes information in the variable information area and the fixed information area, the encryption processing unit 36 encrypts the write information using a predetermined encryption key. The encryption processing unit 36 also decrypts the read information as necessary when reading the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14 of the first recording track T1 for distance measurement by the distance measurement unit 35. .

The encoding control unit 31 includes a write processing unit 33
The initial variable information is written into each of the zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area via the first and second zones A11 to A14 from the card edge on the first recording track T1 by the distance measuring unit 35
ＡA14 to the end of the variable information, determine the initial distance information L01 to L04, and then
, The initial distance information L01 to L04 are written as confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 in the characteristic area A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2. 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 detects the variable information in the variable information area of the first recording track T1, and performs normal fraud check processing such as detection of inconsistency.

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

Further, the reading apparatus 1 is adapted to read the remaining balance into a new balance range based on the variable information in the variable information area of the first recording track T1 of the prepaid card C (for example, the first consumption of the first consumption). In the first zone A11), detects the variable information of the new zone corresponding to the balance range, measures the distance from the card edge to the end of the variable information of the zone, and measures the actual distance information. LC1-L
C4 is obtained, and the corresponding characteristic portion area A21 of the fixed information area
The comparison is performed with the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 read from A24.

The reading apparatus 1 confirms the actually measured distance information LC1 to LC4 of the corresponding zone A11 to A14 of the variable information area obtained by the distance measuring unit 145 and the characteristic area A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the prepaid card C. Distance information L
When R1 to LR4 match, it is determined that the prepaid card C is normal, and when 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,
Since there is a possibility that the measurement result includes a level decrease due to a change with time and a measurement error due to a difference between the magnetic heads 34 and 143, the distance information L01 to L04 and LC1
ＬＣLC4 or the like may be appropriately quantized to absorb minute errors.

When 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,
Prevent the use of the prepaid card and discharge it. 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 initial variable information based on, for example, information stored in the storage unit 32, and should record the variable information in the first zone A11 to the fourth zone A14 of the variable information area of the first recording track T1. The variable information is transmitted to the encryption processing unit 3
6 and is encrypted using a predetermined encryption key (step S1). The encrypted initial variable information is written to the first recording track T1 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card medium by the write processing unit 33 via the magnetic head.
1st zone A11-4th zone A14 of the variable information area of
(Step S2).

Next, the distance measuring section 35 reads the initial variable information written in each of the zones A11 to A14 of the first recording track T1 via the magnetic head 34, and as shown in FIG. Is measured from the distance to the end of the variable information to obtain distance information L01 to L04 (step S3). At this time, the distance indicated by the initial distance information L0 is, for example, the distance from the physical edge of the prepaid card medium to the ETX at the end of the data portion of the variable information.

The encoding control unit 31 includes, for example, the storage unit 3
2, fixed information to be recorded in the fixed information area of the second recording track T2 based on the information stored in the second recording track T2, that is, initial distance information L01 to L0 obtained by the distance measuring unit 35 to the original fixed information.
4 is encrypted by the encryption processing unit 36 using a predetermined encryption key (step S4), and the fixed information area (second recording track T2) of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card medium is fixed. Region A20, each characteristic region A2
1 to A24 (step S5), and the encoding process of the prepaid card C is completed. The initial distance information L01 to L04 written in the fixed information area is used as confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 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 executes a card check process for checking whether the set prepaid card C is normal (step S11). That is, first, the reader /
The reading control unit 141 of the writer 14 detects the position of the remaining standard punch hole and the presence or absence of inconsistency in the stored information.
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. When an abnormality is detected by the reader / writer 14 (reading control unit 141 thereof), the prepaid card C is determined to be illegal, and after displaying an irregularity or an error display, the operation of the system is stopped. / Perform unauthorized processing.

The reader / writer 14 (reading control unit 14)
If no abnormality is detected in 1), the consumption processing unit 12 causes the reader / writer 14 (the reading control unit 141 of the reader / writer 14) to operate.
Then, the remaining amount of the prepaid card C is confirmed from the variable information decrypted using the predetermined encryption key by the encryption processing unit 144 and stored in the storage unit 13 (step S12). If there is a balance, it is checked whether or not there is a termination request from the user by pressing a termination switch (not shown) (step S13).
It is checked whether or not there is a consumption request by a consumption switch (not shown), for example, a request to rent a game medium (step S14).
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 S14, if there is a consumption request from the user, the user consumes the game medium by renting out a game medium or the like (step S15). 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).
6).

Then, it is checked whether or not the updated new balance is in a new balance area corresponding to a new zone of the variable information area of the first track T1 of the prepaid card C (step S17). When the balance enters a new balance area corresponding to the new zone (the first zone A1 is also used for the first consumption in the case of the new full-paid card C).
Treat as entering the new balance area corresponding to 1)
In step S18, the reading control unit 141 of the reader / writer 14 executes a zone check process for checking whether the initial variable information of the new zones A11 to A14 has been rewritten.

That is, the distance measuring unit 145 of the reader / writer 14 measures the distance from the card edge to the end of the initial variable information of the new zones A11 to A14 by the magnetic head 143, and obtains the actually measured distance information LC1 to LC4. Ask. Then, the reading control unit 141 controls the data reading unit 142
, Read the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4, which are the characteristic information of the characteristic region A21 to A24 of the corresponding zone, and decrypt the information using a predetermined encryption key by the encryption processing unit 144. Compare. The reading control unit 141 determines that the prepaid card C is normal if the corresponding measured distance information LC1 to LC4 and the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 match, and that the prepaid card C is abnormal if they do not match. Yes, it is determined to have been created by unauthorized means.

When the balance does not fall in the new balance area,
The zone check processing in step S18 is skipped.

After the zone check processing or after skipping the zone check processing, it is checked whether or not the updated remaining balance is "0" (step S19). If the remaining 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 S12, 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 S13, the process immediately jumps to step S21 to execute the end process.

If there is no consumption request in step S14, the flow returns to step S13 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 S13 to wait for an end request or a consumption request.

FIG. 7 shows the details of the card check process in step S11. When the card check process is started, the reading control section 141 reads the variable information from the first and second recording tracks T1 and T2 of the information storage section A of the prepaid card C by the data reading section 142 via the magnetic head 143. And the fixed information, and the data reading unit 1
42, the remaining standard punch holes are detected to detect inconsistencies between the amount information and other information, and the inconsistency between these and the remaining standard punch holes (step S3).
1). The reading control unit 141 determines the result of this contradiction detection (step S32), and if there is no contradiction, the encryption processing unit 1
If the prepaid card C is normal (step S33), the process ends, and the process returns to the consumption process in FIG.

If it is determined in step S32 that there is an inconsistency, it is determined that there is an abnormality (step S32).
35), assuming that the prepaid card C is illegal, perform an irregularity or error display or the like, and then execute an abnormal / illegal process such as stopping the operation of the system (step S3).
6).

Next, FIG. 8 shows the details of the zone check processing in step S18. When the zone check process is started, first, the reading control unit 141 uses the data reading unit 142 via the magnetic head 143 to place a new balance area on the first recording track T1 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C. The variable information of the corresponding new zones A11 to A14 is detected, and if necessary, decrypted by the encryption processing unit 144 using a predetermined encryption key (step S41).

Then, the reading control section 141 measures the distance from the card edge of the first recording track T1 to the end of the data section of the variable information of the new zones A11 to A14 by using the distance measuring section 145. , Measured distance information L
C1 to LC4 (step S42) and the second
Corresponding feature area A21-A2 of the recording track T2 of FIG.
Then, the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 is read out from Step 4 (Step S43) and decrypted by the encryption processing unit 144 (Step S44).

Further, the reading control section 141 performs both of them, that is, the corresponding distance information LC1 to LC4 and LR1 to LR4.
Is checked (step S45). If the two match, the reading control unit 141 determines that the prepaid card C is normal (step S46), terminates the processing, and ends the processing of FIG. Return to processing.

If it is determined in step S45 that they do not match, it is determined that there is an abnormality (step S47),
Assuming that the prepaid card C is illegal, the illegal or error display is performed, and then an abnormal / illegal process such as stopping the operation of the system is executed (step S48).

Since the recording position of the variable information varies depending on the physical dimensions of the prepaid card medium, the arrangement of the magnetic heads in the apparatus, etc., each time the initial recording by the recording device 3 and each recording by the reading device 1 are updated. , The recording position fluctuates. Therefore, after the writing at the time of encoding is properly performed, the prepaid card C in which the variable information has not been illegally rewritten has not been rewritten in a new zone of the first recording track T1. Should be. Therefore, the measured distance information LC1 corresponding to the zone
To LC4 are the confirmation distance information LR stored in the characteristic area A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2.
1 to LR4.

However, the recording device 3 at the time of encoding
Unused variable information is illegally copied by a different device from
Alternatively, when rewritten, the actually measured distance information LC1 to LC4 corresponding to the new zone is the confirmation distance information LR1.
Does not match LR4. In this embodiment, fraud is determined by using this.

FIG. 9 shows details of the end processing in step S21 shown in FIG. When the end processing is started, the zone A of the variable information area of the prepaid card C is determined based on the final balance stored in the storage unit 13 at that time.
The variable information including the amount information such as the balance for 11 to A14 is encrypted using the above-mentioned predetermined encryption key and updated and written (step S51), and the updated balance needs to be punched with the remaining amount punch hole. Check whether it is the amount (step S5)
2).

The remaining amount required for punching of the punch hole is the amount of money newly entered in an area of the remaining area printed on the prepaid card C as a frequency value, which is different from the previous area. If the amount is such an amount, the data reading unit 142 of the reader / writer 14 punches a remaining amount guide punch hole (step S53). After punching out the remaining amount guide punch hole, the reader / writer 14 sends the prepaid card C
Is discharged (step S54). Then, the process ends, and the process returns to the consumption process.

If it is determined in step S52 that the remaining amount after the update is not the amount required to punch the remaining standard punch holes, step S53 is skipped and step S53 is skipped.
The process proceeds to 54, where the prepaid card C is discharged.

[Magnetic Information of Prepaid Card] In the prepaid card C, as shown in FIG. 10, the information storage section A is composed of, for example, two recording tracks T1 and T2. First
In the recording track T1, a first zone A11 to a fourth zone A14 constituting a variable information area for writing fluid variable information to be updated / added with consumption / use are set. The first zone A11, the second zone A12, the third zone A13, and the fourth zone A14 are a prepaid card C
Face value is 2,000 yen and the minimum unit price of consumption is 100
If they are circles, 2,000 to 1,600
Yen, 1,500-1,100 yen, 1,000-600
It corresponds to the yen and each balance range of 500 to 0 yen.

In the second recording track T2, a fixed information area in which fixed fixed information that is not updated or added when consumed or used is written is set. The fixed information area includes a fixed section area A20 for writing normal fixed information, and a card edge of the first track T1 to end points of the first zone A11, the second zone A12, the third zone A13, and the fourth zone A14. The first characteristic region A21, the second characteristic region A22, the third characteristic region A23, and the fourth characteristic region for writing the distance information L01 to L04 obtained by actually measuring the distances as confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4. A24.

As described above, the variable information is sequentially rewritten by the recording device 3 and the reading devices 1. The recording position of the variable information by the rewriting includes the physical dimensional accuracy of the prepaid card medium, 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, and the fixed position. It varies depending on the timing of a write signal at the time of writing information. Accordingly, for example, the distance between the card edge and the end of the variable information of the first recording track T1 also changes every time rewriting is performed.

That is, the magnetic card constituting the prepaid card medium has a certain dimensional error during manufacture. This is an error that occurs when a large magnetic medium sheet is punched into a predetermined card form during manufacturing. That is, if the dimensional accuracy is set to be high, very high cost is required, such as a need for precise punching and a decrease in yield. For this reason, a predetermined allowable dimension range is provided, and only card media exceeding the allowable range are removed as defective products.

As shown in FIG. 11, the reference value of the designed width dimension at the time of card manufacturing is W, and the range of the width error generated at the time of die punching is ± w1. This error always occurs in a random range regardless of the size.

Further, due to an error in the writing position at the time of encoding, an error also occurs in the writing position of the data portion such as variable information. X and Y are reference dimensions at the time of design from the left and right ends of the card to the data part of the card information. Note that, for example, the start end of the data portion is ST indicating that the information starts.
It is assumed that X and the end of the data portion are locations where ETX indicating the end of the information is recorded. In association with the error ± w1 at the time of manufacturing the card, the errors of the dimensions X and Y are ± w2 and ± w3. Therefore, the "data section"
Exists within the range of X ± w2 from the left end of the card and Y ± w3 from the right end of the card.

However, the error of the card width dimension ± w1
Is generated at the time of card production, and a dimensional error ± w from the left and right ends of the card to the data portion at the time of encoding.
2, ± w3 also occurs randomly during card recording. In other words, these errors are random errors and cannot be set artificially. In the present invention, the illegality of the prepaid card C is discriminated using this property.

[Card Encoding] At the time of encoding the prepaid card C, first, the first recording track T1
Then, the variable information including the balance information is written into each of the zones A11 to A14, and then the distance from the card edge in the recording track T1 to the end of the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14 is measured. The initial distance information L01 to L04 measured at this time is replaced with confirmation distance information LR for rewriting confirmation.
1 to LR4 are respectively written in the first characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2.

The variable information is magnetically stored in the prepaid card C. Usually, when storing the information, a predetermined information is stored so that even if a third party tries to read the contents illegally, the contents cannot be known. It is encrypted and stored.

[When Using in Reading Device] In the reading device 1,
When the prepaid card C is used, the variable information such as the balance is rewritten to each zone A11 to A14 of the variable information area of the prepaid card C according to the balance at that time. When the variable information is rewritten by the reading device 1, a deviation occurs in the writing position of the variable information 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.

When the balance enters a new balance range, that is, new zones A11 to A14, the variable information of the new zones A11 to A14 (the update is not performed yet) starts from the card edge in the first recording track T1. (Not shown) is measured. The measured actual distance information LC1 to LC4 is
Is compared with the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 stored in the corresponding feature area A21 to A24 of the track T2, and if they match, the card can be used as a normal card. If the two do not correspond to each other, there is a possibility that the magnetic information of the other prepaid card C has been illegally copied, and it is determined that the prepaid card C cannot be used. Perform processing such as taking in or discharging the inside of the.

As described above, there is a possibility that the magnetic information recorded on the prepaid card C may be rewritten and changed to make a fraud. In the case of such fraud, the user tries to fraudulently increase the balance by changing the balance information in the variable information area of the prepaid card C. 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 positions of the zones A11 to A14.

Therefore, as described above, at the time of encoding the prepaid card C, for example, the first recording track T1
, The distance from the card edge to the end of the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14 is detected.
C1 to LC4 are written in the characteristic area A21 to A24 on the second recording track T2 as confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4.

[0123] The prepaid card C is inserted into the reading device 1, and the balance information is updated with consumption. When the balance information enters the new zone due to the update of the balance information, the variable information of the new zone is stored in the reading device 1.
, New zones A11 to A11 from the card edge in the first recording track T1.
The distance to the end of the 14 variable information is actually measured, and the distance information LC1 to LC4 and the confirmation distance information TR1 to TR recorded as fixed information on the second recording track T2.
4 is compared, and if they match, the card is used as a normal prepaid card C.

It is desirable that the remaining amount range corresponding to each of the zones A11 to A14 of the variable information is divided by a remaining amount different from the remaining amount region used as a reference for punching the remaining amount punch hole. In this way, rewriting of the variable information due to entry into the new zones A11 to A14 of the variable information is checked in the middle of the division of the remaining area in the punching of the remaining standard punch hole, and the remaining standard punch hole is changed. It is possible to effectively determine the fraud by copying the variable information within the range not to be performed.

If the variable information including the balance information of each of the zones A11 to A14 of the first track T1 of the prepaid card C is illegally rewritten,
Since information cannot be accurately recorded from the same position as the previous time, the end position of the variable information data in each of the zones A11 to A14 is shifted, and the characteristic area A21 of the fixed information area is shifted.
To confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 recorded in A24
Therefore, it can be determined that the card is an illegal prepaid card.

Also, when both the variable information in the variable information area and the fixed information in the fixed information area of the two recording tracks T1 and T2 are copied from another prepaid card C, the other prepaid card C First recording track T
The recording positions of the variable information in No. 1 do not match. As a result, the measured distance information LC1 to LC44 between the actually measured card edge and the variable information end of the new zone is the confirmation distance information LR.
1 does not match LR4.

As described above, when the prepaid card C has, for example, two recording tracks, the initial variable information is stored in advance in each of the zones A11 to A14 of one of the predetermined recording tracks, and the initial variable information is stored from the card edge in the recording track. The prepaid card C is encoded by writing the initial distance information L01 to L04 between the variable information ends of the zones A11 to A14 as the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 in the variable information of the other recording track.

When the balance enters the new zones A11 to A14 corresponding to the new balance range, the reading device 1 reads the variable information of each zone A11 to A14 from the card edge of one of the predetermined recording tracks T1 of the prepaid card C. By actually measuring the distance between the end portions to obtain the actually measured distance information LC1 to LC4, and comparing with the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 in the variable information of the other recording track T2, the variable information of another prepaid card is obtained. Detect fraudulently due to copying accurately.

Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card C altered by copying the variable information of the legitimate prepaid card is accurately prevented in advance, and unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to alteration is prevented beforehand. It becomes possible.

[0130] The prepaid card C used in this method is written on recording tracks T1 and T2 in which the variable information area and the fixed information area are different. Cost reduction is achieved by using a read / write magnetic head element for reading and writing and updating the variable information for the variable information recording track T1, and using a read-only magnetic head element for the fixed information recording track T2. Also contributes.

In the above description, in the reading apparatus 1, each zone A from the card edge on the first recording track T1 is read.
The distance between the variable information ends of 11 to A14 is actually measured, and the actually measured distance information LC1 to LC4 is compared with the confirmation distance information LR1 to LR4 in the fixed information of the characteristic area A21 to A24 of the second recording track T2. I did it.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, zones A11 to A1 are located from a card edge on a predetermined recording track.
A magnetic signal waveform up to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of No. 4 is detected, and it is determined whether or not the data has been illegally rewritten using the signal waveform.

Assuming that the information storage section of the prepaid card has, for example, two recording tracks, upon encoding, first, each zone A11 set in advance according to the remaining amount range of one of the predetermined recording tracks. To the predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14 from the card edge of the recording track, that is, the predetermined portion in the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14. A reproduced signal waveform is obtained and quantized to obtain initial waveform information R01 to R04.
Note that the predetermined portion in the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14 is a predetermined portion within the range from the start end to the end of the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14. Then, the variable information is written by including these initial waveform information R01 to R04 in the characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the fixed information of the other recording track as confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 for rewriting confirmation, respectively.

The reading apparatus 1 obtains a magnetic reproduction signal waveform from a card edge of a predetermined recording track to a predetermined portion in the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14, quantizes the waveform, and obtains measured waveform information RC1 to RC4. I do. Then, the measured waveform information RC1 to RC4 are compared with the check waveform information RR1 to RR4 extracted from the characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the other recording track, and if they match, it is a proper prepaid card. Is determined.

A reading device as a main part of the prepaid card system according to the 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.

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 variable information of the prepaid card and checks whether the prepaid card is proper. That is, the reader / writer 14A detects the remaining amount guide punch hole and checks whether there is any contradiction 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.

It should be noted that the variable information and the fixed information are encrypted with a predetermined encryption key which is separately determined, and are decrypted and read at the time of reading, and are encrypted and written at the time of writing.

In the prepaid card, for example, the variable information area on one of the two recording tracks is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range. Then, as fixed information recorded on the other recording track, waveform information on each zone of the variable information is recorded. That is, for each zone of the variable information, from the edge of the prepaid card, that is, the card edge, to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the initial variable information of the zone, that is, a predetermined portion in the initial variable information of the zone. Confirmation waveform information RRn obtained by quantizing the waveform is written as fixed information at the time of encoding. In addition, the predetermined part in the variable information of the zone means a predetermined part in the range from the start to the end (including the end) of the variable information of the zone.

In this case, the waveform information RRn only needs to include at least time axis information corresponding to the deviation from the card edge and amplitude information in the range from the start end of the variable information of the zone to a predetermined portion. That is, if all the waveform information from the card edge to the zone concerned is used, the waveform of the variable information which is updated at any time in the preceding zone is also included, and the data amount also increases. It is desirable that the waveform information RRn is composed of only the local waveform information in the variable information of the zone near the final end.

The money amount information included in the variable 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 variable information including the amount information of the prepaid card is again encrypted and updated.

The reader / writer 14A checks whether or not the prepaid card is appropriate each time the balance enters a new zone for each predetermined balance range. That is, in order to check the position of the variable information of the zone corresponding to the new balance range, the variable information of the zone is detected, and from the edge of the prepaid card, that is, the card edge, to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone. Is detected and quantized to obtain waveform information RCn.

Similarly to the above-mentioned waveform information RRn, this waveform information RCn includes at least time axis information corresponding to the deviation from the card edge and amplitude information from the beginning of the variable information of the zone to a predetermined portion. Good. Therefore,
Desirably, the waveform information RCn is composed of only information corresponding to the card edge position and local waveform information in the variable information of the zone near the last end.

Next, the fixed information is read out, compared with the confirmation waveform information RRn indicating the position of the variable information of the zone in the fixed information, and if both match within the zone, the reader / writer 14A transmits the prepaid It is determined that the card is a normal prepaid card.

If the measured waveform information RCn from the card edge to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone does not match the confirmation waveform information RRn in the fixed information, the reader /
The writer 14A determines that the prepaid card has been illegally rewritten and falsified, for example, by copying variable information, and rejects the card as an unauthorized prepaid card to prevent its use.

When writing new variable information as variable information of a predetermined zone by updating the amount information or the like, the reader / writer 14A punches a remaining amount guide punch hole as needed based on the updated remaining amount. .

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

The reading control section 141 is provided with 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
Control of the magnetic recording information of the prepaid card, that is, reading and writing of variable information on each recording track,
Used for reading fixed information. Waveform processing unit 14
6 reads the variable information in a predetermined zone by the magnetic head 143, detects and quantizes the waveform from the card edge to a predetermined portion in the variable information, and obtains the measured distance information RC.
n is provided to the reading control unit 141.

The encryption processing unit 144 includes a data reading unit 142
Thus, when reading / writing the variable information such as the amount information of the prepaid card via the magnetic head 143, the variable information is decrypted / encrypted using a predetermined encryption key. Further, the encryption processing unit 144 includes a data reading unit 142
Thus, when the fixed information of the prepaid card is read through the magnetic head 143, the fixed information is decrypted using a predetermined encryption key. The encryption processing unit 144
Also decodes the variable information as necessary when reading the variable information for waveform detection by the waveform processing unit 146.

Further, the reading control section 141 controls 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. When the remaining balance enters the zone corresponding to the new balance range due to the consumption of the prepaid card, the reading control unit 141 uses the waveform processing unit 146 via the magnetic head 143 to change the card edge of the recording track of the variable information from the card edge. A waveform up to a predetermined portion in variable information of a predetermined zone is detected and quantized to obtain measured waveform information RCn, and a data reading unit 142 and a magnetic head 143 are obtained.
, The fixed information of the other recording track is read out and compared with the confirmation waveform information RRn in the fixed information.

[0153] The reading control section 141 provides the measured waveform information RCn.
If the confirmation waveform information RRn matches the normal prepaid card, it is determined that the card is normal. 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. In addition, the reading control unit 141
At the time of insertion of the prepaid card, if there is no inconsistency between the record information of the variable information and the fixed information and between them and the position of the remaining standard punch hole, it is determined that the card is a normal prepaid card. If there is a contradiction, it is determined that the fraudulent prepaid card has been inserted, that
The use of the prepaid card is prevented by forcibly ejecting the card.

The prepaid card system according to the second embodiment of the present invention including the reading device 1A thus configured is configured substantially in the same manner as in 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 distance information, confirmation waveform information RR obtained by quantizing a magnetic signal reproduction waveform from a card edge in a predetermined recording track at the time of encoding to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone is used as one of the variable information of the other track. Writing as a part.

The recording device 3A for issuing the prepaid card C at the card issuer D, when issuing the prepaid card, sets the initial variable in each of the zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area of the prepaid card C as shown in FIG. Write information.

Before writing the fixed information of the first to fourth characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2, that is, the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4, the first recording track Initial variable information is written in the first to fourth zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area of T1, and a waveform from the card edge of the recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the variable information of each zone is detected. Quantization is performed to measure initial waveform information R0n, that is, R01 to R04. The recording device 3A includes the initial waveform information R01 to R04 in the fixed information to be recorded on the second recording track T2, and includes the initial waveform information R01 to R04.
04 is written into the first to fourth characteristic region A21 to A24 as confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4.

As described above, if the waveform information R0n, that is, RRn, includes at least the time axis information corresponding to the deviation from the card edge and the amplitude information from the beginning of the variable information of the zone to a predetermined portion. Good. Therefore, if all the waveform information from the card edge to the zone concerned is used, the waveform of the variable information which is updated at any time in the preceding zone is also included, and the data amount also increases.
Only the information corresponding to the card edge and the local waveform information in the variable information of the zone in the vicinity of the final end, the waveform information R0
n (RRn).

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the recording device 3A has an encoding control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a writing processing unit 33, a magnetic head 34, an encryption processing unit 36, and a waveform processing unit 37. .

[0159] 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 processor 33 to control the first recording track T of the prepaid card C.
Each zone A11 to A14 of one variable information area and the fixed part area A2 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2
0 and is used for magnetically writing information to the magnetic layers of the characteristic region A21 to A24. The magnetic head 34
Is also used for reading the initial variable information written in each of the zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area of the first recording track T1 under the control of the waveform processing unit 37.

The waveform processing section 37 detects and quantizes the waveform from the card edge on the first recording track T1 read by the magnetic head 34 to the end of the variable information in each of the zones A11 to A14, and quantizes the waveform. The initial waveform information R01 to R04 corresponding to the distance is encoded by the encode control unit 31.
Waveform information R to be supplied to the second recording track T2 and written in the characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the fixed information area.
R1 to RR4.

The encryption processing section 36 encrypts the write information using a predetermined encryption key when the write processing section 33 writes information in the variable information area and the fixed information area. The encryption processing unit 36 also decrypts the read information as necessary when reading the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14 of the first recording track T1 for detecting the waveform by the waveform processing unit 37. .

[0163] The encoding control unit 31
The initial variable information is written into each of the zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area via the variable information area.
To the end of the variable information of A14 to A14, and specify the initial distance information R01 to R04.
, The initial waveform information R01 to R04 are written as confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 in the characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the second recording track T2. 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 1A is connected to, for example, a vending machine (not shown) for renting out a game medium, etc., and stores the value of the game medium and the like provided by the vending machine to the user in the prepaid card C. This is a device for embodying the consumption of the prepaid card C by subtracting it from the remaining amount in the amount information.

[0165] This reading device 1A uses a prepaid card C
Is set, first, the variable information in the variable information area of the first recording track T1 is detected, and an irregularity check process such as ordinary inconsistency detection is performed.

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

Further, the reading device 1A, when the remaining amount falls within a new remaining amount range based on the variable information in the variable information area of the first recording track T1 of the prepaid card C (for example, the first consumption amount). In the first zone A11), detects the variable information of the new zone corresponding to the balance range, detects and quantizes the waveform from the card edge to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone. The measured waveform information RC1 to RC4 are obtained by using the check waveform information R read from the corresponding characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the fixed information area.
Compare with R1 to RR4.

The reading apparatus 1A checks the measured waveform information RC1 to RC4 of the corresponding zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area obtained by the waveform processing unit 146 and the characteristic area A21 to A24 of the fixed information area of the prepaid card C. If the waveform information RR1 to RR4 match, it is determined that the prepaid card C is normal, and if not, it is determined that the prepaid card C is abnormal and is an unauthorized prepaid card. . At this time, in many cases,
Since there is a possibility that the measurement result includes a level decrease due to a change with time and a measurement error due to a difference between the magnetic heads 34 and 143, the waveform information R01 to R04 and the RC1
To RC4 and the like are appropriately quantized to absorb minute errors.

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 of the unauthorized prepaid card to the relay device 2 and prevents the use of the prepaid card and discharges it.
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.

[0170] 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 and the zone check process in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that the consumption processing, the card check processing, and the termination processing are substantially the same as the consumption processing, the card check processing, and the termination processing in the first embodiment shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6, 7, and 9. .

First, the encoding process in the recording device 3A will be described with reference to FIG. The encoding process shown in FIG. 14 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 initial variable information based on, for example, information stored in the storage unit 32, and should record the variable information in the first zone A11 to the fourth zone A14 of the variable information area of the first recording track T1. The variable information is transmitted to the encryption processing unit 3
6 and encrypted using a predetermined encryption key set in advance (step S61). The encrypted initial variable information is
The first recording track T of the information storage section A of the prepaid card medium is written by the write processing section 33 via the magnetic head 34.
1st zone A11 to 4th zone A1 of one variable information area
4 (step S62).

Next, the waveform processing section 37 reads the initial variable information written in each of the zones A11 to A14 of the first recording track T1 via the magnetic head 34, and as shown in FIG. From the variable information to a predetermined portion in the variable information, and quantizes the waveform to obtain waveform information R01 to R0.
4 is obtained (step S63). At this time, the waveform indicated by the initial waveform information R0n is, for example, a waveform from a physical edge of the prepaid card medium to a predetermined portion in the data of the zone of the variable information.

As described above, if the waveform information R0n in this case includes at least the time axis information corresponding to the deviation from the card edge and the amplitude information from the start end of the variable information of the zone to a predetermined portion, It is desirable that the waveform information R0n is composed of only information substantially corresponding to a card edge and local waveform information in the variable information of the zone near the last end.

The encoding control unit 31 includes, for example, the storage unit 3
2, fixed information to be recorded in the fixed information area of the second recording track T2 based on the information stored in the second recording track T2, that is, initial waveform information R01 to R0 obtained by the waveform processing unit 37 in the original fixed information.
4 is encrypted by the encryption processing unit 36 using a predetermined encryption key (step S64), and the fixed information area (second recording track T2) of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card medium is fixed. Region A20, each characteristic region A
Writing to 21 to A24 (step S65), the encoding process of the prepaid card C is completed. The initial waveform information R01 to R04 written in the fixed information area is used as confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 for confirming rewriting.

Next, the consumption processing in the prepaid card system described above is performed in the data reading section 142 of the reader / writer 14A of the reading apparatus 1A, as shown in FIG.
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 executes a card check process for checking whether the set prepaid card C is normal. That is, first, the reader / writer 14A
The reading control unit 141 detects the inconsistency in the position of the remaining amount guide punch hole and the stored information. At this time,
When inconsistency is detected in the position of the remaining standard punch hole and the stored information, it is determined that the prepaid card C is abnormal. Reader / writer 14A (reading control unit 141)
Accordingly, when an abnormality is detected, the prepaid card C is determined to be invalid, and after displaying a fraud or error, etc., abnormal / illegal processing such as stopping the operation of the system is executed.

The reader / writer 14A (reading control unit 14)
If no abnormality is detected by 1), the consumption processing unit 12 causes the reader / writer 14A (of the reading control unit 14A) to operate.
1 and the data reading unit 142), and the encryption processing unit 144 checks the remaining amount of the prepaid card C from the variable information decrypted using the predetermined encryption key.
To be stored. If there is a remaining amount, it is checked whether or not there is an end request from the user by pressing an end switch (not shown). If there is no end request, a consumption request by a consumption switch (not shown), for example, a lending request for a game medium, Check for the presence of 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.

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. 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.

Then, it is checked whether or not the updated new balance enters a new balance area corresponding to a new zone of the variable information area of the first track T1 of the prepaid card C. When the balance enters a new balance area corresponding to the new zone (it is treated as entering the new balance area corresponding to the first zone A11 even at the first consumption in the case of the new full-paid prepaid card C). ) Is the reader / writer 1
The reading control unit 141 of the 4A includes new zones A11 to A1.
A zone check process for confirming whether the initial variable information of No. 4 has been rewritten is executed.

That is, the waveform processing section 146 of the reader / writer 14A detects and quantizes the waveform from the card edge to the end of the initial variable information of the new zones A11 to A14 by the magnetic head 143, and quantizes the detected waveform information RC1 to RC1. R
Find C4. The waveform information RC1 to RC4 in this case is also
As described above, it suffices to include at least the time axis information corresponding to the deviation from the card edge and the amplitude information from the start end of the variable information of the zone to the predetermined portion, and the information substantially corresponding to the card edge. And only the local waveform information in the variable information of the zone near the final end, the waveform information R
It is desirable to configure C1 to RC4.

The reading control section 141 reads the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4, which are the characteristic information of the characteristic section areas A21 to A24 of the corresponding zone, by the magnetic head 143 via the data reading section 142, and reads them out. According to 144, decryption is performed using a predetermined encryption key, and the two are compared. The reading control unit 141 stores the corresponding measured waveform information RC1
If RC4 and the confirmation distance information RR1 to RR4 match, the prepaid card C is normal, and if not, the prepaid card C is abnormal and has been created by unauthorized means. It is determined that there is.

When the balance does not fall in the new balance area,
Skip the zone check process.

After the zone check processing or after skipping the zone check processing, it is determined whether or not the updated new balance is “0”.
A message to that effect is displayed, and the process proceeds to an end process for ending the consumption process. After the end processing, the consumption processing ends, and the process returns to the standby state.

When there is no remaining amount of the prepaid card C or when the remaining amount cannot be confirmed, the end processing is immediately executed. Even when the end request is recognized, the end processing is executed immediately.

If there is no consumption request, the process waits for an end request or a consumption request. The remaining balance does not become "0",
Even when the remaining amount remains, it waits for the end request or the consumption request again.

FIG. 15 shows details of the zone check processing corresponding to step S18 in FIG. When the zone check process is started, first, the reading control unit 141 uses the data reading unit 142 via the magnetic head 143 to place a new balance area on the first recording track T1 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C. Corresponding new zone A11-
A14 variable information is detected, and the encryption processing unit 1
The decryption is performed using a predetermined encryption key according to 44 (step S44).
71).

Then, the reading control section 141 detects the waveform from the card edge of the first recording track T1 to a predetermined portion in the data section of the variable information of the new zones A11 to A14 by the waveform processing section 146. Quantize,
In addition to the actually measured waveform information RC1 to RC4 (step S72), the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 is read out from the corresponding characteristic portion areas A21 to A24 of the second recording track T2 (step S73), and decrypted by the encryption processing unit 144. (Step S74).

Further, the reading control unit 141 performs the reading, ie, the corresponding waveform information RC1 to RC4 and RR1 to RR4.
Is checked (step S75). If the two match, the reading control unit 141 determines that the prepaid card C is normal (step S76), terminates the processing, and ends the consumption processing (FIG. 6).

If it is determined in step S75 that they do not match, it is determined that there is an abnormality (step S77),
Assuming that the prepaid card C is illegal, the illegal or error display is performed, and then abnormal / illegal processing such as stopping the operation of the system is executed (step S78).

Since the recording position of the variable information varies depending on the physical dimensions of the prepaid card medium, the arrangement of the magnetic heads in the apparatus, etc., each time the initial recording by the recording device 3A and the recording by the reading device 1A are updated. , The recording position fluctuates. Therefore, after the writing at the time of encoding is properly performed, the prepaid card C in which the variable information has not been illegally rewritten has not been rewritten in a new zone of the first recording track T1. Should be. Therefore, the measured waveform information R corresponding to the zone
At least the portion near the end of C1 to RC4, that is, the portion including the variable information of the zone, is included in the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 stored in the characteristic portion regions A21 to A24 of the fixed information region of the second recording track T2. Matches.

However, the recording device 3 at the time of encoding
If the unused variable information is illegally copied or rewritten by a device different from A, the actually measured distance information RC1 to RC4 corresponding to the new zone becomes the confirmation distance information R.
Does not match R1 to RR4. In this embodiment, fraud is determined by using this.

The termination processing in this case is almost the same as that in FIG. When the end processing is started, the variable information including the amount information such as the remaining amount for the corresponding zones A11 to A14 of the variable information area of the prepaid card C is firstly stored on the basis of the final remaining amount stored in the storage unit 13 at that time. It is encrypted by using the predetermined encryption key described in the above and updated and written, and it is checked whether or not the remaining amount after the update is a necessary amount for punching the remaining standard punch holes.

The amount of money required for punching the remaining amount guide punch hole is an amount of money newly entering a region of the remaining amount region printed as a numerical value on the prepaid card C, which is different from the previous region. When the amount is such a value, the data reading unit 142 of the reader / writer 14A punches a remaining amount guide punch hole. After punching the remaining standard punch holes, the prepaid card C is discharged from the reader / writer 14. Then, the process ends, and the process returns to the consumption process. If it is determined that the remaining balance after the update is not the required amount for punching the remaining standard punch hole, the punch hole punching is skipped and the prepaid card C is ejected.

[Magnetic Information of Prepaid Card] In this case, in the prepaid card C, as shown in FIG. 16, the information storage section A is composed of, for example, two recording tracks T1 and T2. On the first recording track T1, first to fourth zones A11 to A14 constituting a variable information area for writing variable information are set. The first zone A11, the second zone A12, the third zone A13, and the fourth zone A14 have a face value of the prepaid card C of 2,000 yen and a minimum unit amount of consumption of 100 yen, respectively.
0-1,600 yen, 1,500-1,100 yen, 1,0
It corresponds to each balance range of 00 to 600 yen and 500 to 0 yen.

A fixed information area for writing fixed information is set in the second recording track T2. In the fixed information area,
A fixed portion area A20 for writing normal fixed information, and a first zone A11, a second zone A12, a third zone A13, and a fourth zone A1 from the card edge of the first track T1.
4 is a waveform information R obtained by detecting and quantizing the waveform up to each end.
01 to R04 are written as confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4, the first characteristic region A21 and the second characteristic region A2
2. Third feature area A23 and fourth feature area A2
4 are provided.

As described above, the waveform information R01 to R04 in this case also includes at least the time axis information corresponding to the deviation from the card edge and the amplitude information from the beginning of the variable information of the zone to a predetermined portion. It is sufficient if only the information substantially corresponding to the card edge and the local waveform information in the variable information of the zone near the final end form the waveform information R0.
It is desirable to form 1 to R04.

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 the rewriting includes the physical dimensional accuracy of the prepaid card medium, the positioning accuracy when setting the prepaid card medium in the recording device 3A and the reading device 1A, the mounting position accuracy of the magnetic head 34 or 143,
And the timing of a write signal at the time of writing fixed information. Therefore, for example, the first recording track T
The distance between one card edge and the end of the variable information also changes every time rewriting, and the quantized waveform from the card edge to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone also changes by rewriting.

[Card Encoding] At the time of encoding the prepaid card C, first, the first recording track T1
The variable information including the balance information is written in each of the zones A11 to A14 of the recording track T1, and then, as shown in FIGS.
A waveform between a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information 1 to A14, that is, a predetermined portion in the variable information is detected and quantized. Initial waveform information R measured at this time
01 to R04 are replaced with confirmation waveform information RR1 for rewriting confirmation.
RR4 is written in correspondence with the first characteristic region A21 to the fourth characteristic region A24 of the fixed information region of the second recording track T2.

The variable information is magnetically stored in the prepaid card C. In a normal case, when storing the information, a predetermined information is stored so that the contents cannot be found even if a third party tries to read the contents illegally. It is encrypted and stored.

[When Using in Reading Device] In the reading device 1A, when the prepaid card C is used, the zones A11 to A14 in the variable information area of the prepaid card C are used according to the remaining amount at that time. Rewriting of variable information such as the balance is performed. When the variable information is rewritten by the reading device 1A, a deviation occurs in the writing position of the variable information due to the dimensional variation of the prepaid card C generated at the time of manufacturing and the configuration / performance of the reading device 1A.

When the balance enters a new balance range, that is, new zones A11 to A14, the variable information of the new zones A11 to A14 from the card edge in the first recording track T1 (the update is not performed yet). ) Quantized measured waveform information R up to a predetermined portion
Obtain C1 to RC4. Waveform information RC1 to RC in this case
As described above, 4 only needs to include at least the time axis information corresponding to the deviation from the card edge and the amplitude information from the start end of the variable information of the zone to a predetermined portion,
Since the waveform amplitude information at the middle part is unnecessary, the waveform information R is essentially composed of only information corresponding to the card edge and local waveform information in the variable information of the zone near the last end.
It is desirable to configure C1 to RC4.

The actually measured waveform information RC1 to RC4 is compared and checked with the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 stored in the corresponding feature area A21 to A24 of the second track T2. It can be used as a simple card. If they do not correspond to each other, there is a possibility that the magnetic information of the other prepaid card C has been illegally copied, and it is determined that the prepaid card C cannot be used. Perform processing such as taking in or discharging the inside of the.

As described above, there is a possibility that the magnetic information recorded on the prepaid card C may be rewritten and changed to make a fraud. In the case of such fraud, the user tries to fraudulently increase the balance by changing the balance information in the variable information area of the prepaid card C. Therefore, in the present invention, whether or not the rewriting of the variable information of the prepaid card has been properly performed by the reading apparatus 1A is detected using the waveform information indicating the variable information positions of the zones A11 to A14.

Therefore, as described above, when the prepaid card C is encoded, for example, the first recording track T1
, A waveform from the card edge to a predetermined portion in the variable information of each of the zones A11 to A14 is detected and quantized, and the waveform information RC1 to RC4 is converted into the characteristic region A21 to A24 on the second recording track T2. Check waveform information R
It is written as R1 to RR4.

[0207] In the reading apparatus 1A, the prepaid card C is inserted, and the balance information is updated with consumption. When the balance information enters the new zone by the update of the balance information, the variable information of the new zone has not yet been rewritten by the reading device 1A, so that the variable information of the new zone starts from the card edge on the first recording track T1. Zone A1
Waveforms up to a predetermined portion in the variable information of 1 to A14 are actually measured and quantized, and the waveform information RC1 to RC4 and the second
Is compared with the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 recorded as fixed information on the recording track T2, and when both coincide in the vicinity of the end, the card is used as a normal prepaid card C.

When the variable information including the balance information of each zone A11 to A14 of the first track T1 of the prepaid card C is illegally rewritten,
Since the information cannot be accurately recorded from the same position as the previous time, the position of the variable information data in each of the zones A11 to A14 is shifted, and the characteristic area A21 to A of the fixed information area is shifted.
Since there is a discrepancy with the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 recorded in 24, it can be determined that the card is an illegal prepaid card.

[0209] Even when both the variable information in the variable information area and the fixed information in the fixed information area of the two recording tracks T1 and T2 are copied from another prepaid card C, the other prepaid card C is First recording track T
The recording position of the variable information in 1 does not coincide with the other prepaid card C. As a result, the actually measured waveform information RC1 to RC4 from the actually measured card edge to a predetermined part in the variable information of the new zone is the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4.
Does not match.

As described above, when the prepaid card C has, for example, two recording tracks, the initial variable information is stored in advance in each of the zones A11 to A14 of one of the predetermined recording tracks, and the initial variable information is stored from the card edge in the recording track. The initial waveform information R01 to R04 up to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zones A11 to A14 is confirmed as the confirmation waveform information RR.
The prepaid card C is encoded by writing 1 to RR4 in the variable information of the other recording track.

When the balance enters the new zones A11 to A14 corresponding to the new balance range, the reading device 1A reads the variable information of each zone A11 to A14 from the card edge on one of the predetermined recording tracks T1 of the prepaid card C. The waveforms up to a predetermined portion are detected and quantized to obtain measured waveform information RC1 to RC4, and the other recording track T
By comparing and checking the confirmation information with the confirmation waveform information RR1 to RR4 in the variable information of No. 2, the fraud caused by copying the variable information of another prepaid card is accurately detected.

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

The prepaid card C used in this method is also written on the recording tracks T1 and T2 in which the variable information area and the fixed information area are different, so that the variable information recording track T1 reads and writes the variable information. By using a read / write magnetic head element for updating and using a read-only magnetic head element for the fixed information recording track T2, it also contributes to cost reduction.

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 for transporting the prepaid card C may be counted, and the counted value may be a value representing the distance, or the count value may be constant. May be multiplied to obtain the actual distance. In addition, data of a pattern that cannot be normally generated (for example, data of all 1s or 0s) is recorded in advance in an area to be measured, and the number of data (the number of bits) is counted. The actual distance may be obtained by using a value representing the distance or 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 has a magnetic area in addition to the IC chip for storing the variable information and the like in the memory, and in the same manner as the above-described method, the arbitrary area recorded in the magnetic area divided into a plurality of zones. Alternatively, distance information or waveform information may be obtained for the information, and the prepaid card may be checked using the distance information or the waveform information.

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.

[0219]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The variable information of the prepaid card is divided into a plurality of zones for each remaining amount range, the distance information from the edge of the prepaid card to the end of the variable information of each zone based on the variation of the writing position of the variable information, or the distance information of each zone from the edge of the prepaid card. Using the quantized waveform information up to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information, write distance information or quantized waveform information for rewriting confirmation in fixed information of another recording track,
When entering a new zone, compare and compare with actual measurement information,
It is possible to provide a prepaid card system, a reading device, and the like that can accurately detect and discriminate fraud that changes the balance by rewriting the variable information of the prepaid card and prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card.

[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 illustrating a zone check process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an end process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an arrangement of distance portions corresponding to variable information and distance information in the prepaid card of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the occurrence of dimensional variations in a prepaid card.

FIG. 12 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.

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

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an encoding process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a zone check process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 12;

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

17 is a diagram schematically showing extraction and quantization of waveform information in the prepaid card system of FIG. 12;

[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 Kamada 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo NTT Data Communications Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3E044 AA05 AA06 BA06 DA01 DD01 5B058 CA31 KA32 YA06

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid system in which variable information including money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and constantly updated with use and predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use are stored in magnetic layers of different recording tracks. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a card, the variable information divided and recorded in a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range is updated according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and the variable amount information is included. While transmitting the sales information, when the balance in the variable information enters a new zone, the distance from the edge of the prepaid card to the end of the variable information in the zone is measured, and the distance information is the fixed information. It is determined whether or not it matches the confirmation distance information of the zone written as a part, and if it matches, the prepaid A reading means for permitting use of the card, and for preventing the use of the prepaid card as being illegal if the distance information does not match, and performing communication between the reading means, and A pre-paid card system comprising: a higher-level processing unit that receives and stores the sales information of the prepaid card. 2. A prepaid system in which variable information including money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and constantly updated with use and predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use are stored in magnetic layers of different recording tracks. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a card, the prepaid card is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range, and initial variable information is written therein, and the initial variable information is written for each zone from the edge of the prepaid card. The distance to the end of the information is measured, the distance information of each zone is recorded as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card, and the recording means for issuing as the prepaid card, and the consumption amount of the prepaid card is The variable information is updated accordingly, sales information including the consumption amount is transmitted, and the remaining amount is Measure the distance from the edge of the prepaid card to the end of the variable information of the zone when entering a new zone in and check if the distance information matches the confirmation distance information of the zone included in the fixed information Reading means for judging whether the prepaid card is used when the distance information does not match, and when the distance information does not match, the use of the prepaid card is prohibited; A pre-paid card system comprising: a high-level processing unit that performs communication with the unit, receives the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading unit, and stores and processes the sales information. 3. The reading means comprises: a magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing the prepaid card; and reading the variable information of each zone of a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Using the magnetic head to detect the variable information in a predetermined zone of the prepaid card, and measure a distance from an edge of the prepaid card to an end of the variable information in the zone. Distance measuring means, and in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card, the reading processing means updates variable information including the amount information and transmits sales information including the consumption amount, and the remaining amount based on the variable information is When entering the new zone,
The distance information measured by the distance measuring means is compared with the confirmation distance information for the zone included in the fixed information of the prepaid card, and if the two do not match, the prepaid card is determined to be illegal and its use is 3. A prepaid card system according to claim 1, further comprising: consumption processing means for preventing the payment. 4. A magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing a prepaid card having a magnetic recording layer, and variable information including amount information corresponding to a monetary value and being updated as needed with a predetermined balance. Reading processing means for dividing into a plurality of zones for each range and reading / writing by using the magnetic head on a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card; and using the magnetic head to read the variable information of the predetermined zone of the prepaid card. A distance measuring unit that detects and measures a distance from an edge of the prepaid card to an end of the variable information in the zone; and includes the amount information by the reading processing unit according to a consumption amount of the prepaid card. While updating the variable information and transmitting the sales information including the consumption amount, the remaining amount based on the variable information is stored in the new zone. When entering the emissions are,
The distance information measured by the distance measuring means is checked against the confirmation distance information about the zone written as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card, and if the two do not match, the prepaid card is illegally used. A consumption processing means for preventing its use, if any. 5. A prepaid system in which variable information including money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and constantly updated with use and predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use are stored in magnetic layers of different recording tracks. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a card, the variable information divided and recorded in a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range is updated according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and the variable amount information is included. Transmitting the sales information and detecting the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information in the zone when the balance in the variable information enters a new zone. And quantized, and whether the waveform information matches the confirmation waveform information of the zone written as a part of the fixed information. It is determined whether or not there is a match.
Reading means for permitting use of the prepaid card, and for preventing use of the prepaid card as illegal if the waveform information does not match, and performing communication between the reading means; And a high-level processing means for receiving and storing the sales information of the prepaid card from the prepaid card. 6. A prepaid system in which variable information including amount information corresponding to a monetary value and constantly updated with use and predetermined fixed information which does not change regardless of use are stored in magnetic layers of different recording tracks. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a card, the prepaid card is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range, and initial variable information is written therein, and the initial variable information is written for each zone from the edge of the prepaid card. The waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal up to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the information is detected and quantized, and the waveform information of each zone is recorded as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card and issued as the prepaid card. Recording means for updating the variable information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and In addition to transmitting sales information, when the remaining amount enters a new zone in the variable information, the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone is detected and the quantum is detected. To determine whether the waveform information matches the confirmation waveform information of the zone included in the fixed information,
A communication is performed between the reading means for permitting use of the prepaid card if it matches, and preventing the use of the prepaid card as illegal if the waveform information does not match, and A pre-paid card system comprising: a high-level processing unit that receives the sales information of the prepaid card from the reading unit and stores the received sales information. 7. The reading means comprises: a magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing the prepaid card; and reading the variable information of each zone of a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. Reading / writing processing means for writing / writing, detecting the variable information of a predetermined zone of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and from an edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of the zone. A waveform processing means for detecting and quantizing the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal of the present invention; and, in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, updating the variable information including the amount information by the reading processing means and sales including the amount of consumption. While transmitting information, when the balance based on the variable information enters the new zone,
The waveform information obtained by the waveform processing means is compared with the confirmation waveform information for the zone included in the fixed information of the prepaid card, and if the two do not match, the prepaid card is determined to be invalid and its use is determined. The prepaid card system according to claim 5, further comprising: a consumption processing unit for preventing consumption. 8. A magnetic head for magnetically reading and writing a prepaid card having a magnetic recording layer, and variable information including money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and being updated as needed with a predetermined balance. Reading processing means for dividing into a plurality of zones for each range and reading / writing by using the magnetic head on a predetermined recording track of the prepaid card; and using the magnetic head to read the variable information of the predetermined zone of the prepaid card. A waveform processing means for detecting and quantizing a waveform of a magnetic reproduction signal from an edge of the prepaid card to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the variable information of the zone; In response, the reading processing means updates the variable information including the price information and transmits the sales information including the consumption amount. Both, when the remaining amount based on the variable information enters the new zone,
The waveform information obtained by the waveform processing means is compared with confirmation waveform information about the zone written as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card, and if the two do not match, the prepaid card is fraudulent. And a consumption processing means for preventing the use of the reading device. 9. A prepaid system in which variable information including money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and constantly updated with use and predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use are stored in magnetic layers of different recording tracks. This is a method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card system in which a monetary payment is made using a card, wherein at the time of issuing a prepaid card, the initial variable information is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range of the prepaid card. For the recording step of writing, for the prepaid card, the distance from the edge to the end of the initial variable information for each zone written in the recording step is measured, and the distance information of each zone is stored in the prepaid card. An issue step for recording the prepaid card by recording it as part of the fixed information At the time of the transaction, the variable information is updated in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and when the remaining amount enters a new zone in the variable information, the variable information of the zone is read from the edge of the prepaid card. A measuring step of measuring a distance to an end, a determining step of determining whether or not the distance information measured by the measuring step matches confirmation distance information of the zone included in the fixed information, and the determining step When the compared information matches, the use of the prepaid card is permitted, and when the compared information does not match, the prepaid card is identified as a fraudulent card, and a control step of prohibiting the use thereof is provided. And a method for preventing unauthorized card use. 10. A prepaid system in which variable information including money amount information corresponding to a monetary value and constantly updated with use and predetermined fixed information that does not change regardless of use are stored in magnetic layers of different recording tracks. This is a method for preventing unauthorized use of a prepaid card system in which a monetary payment is made using a card, wherein at the time of issuing a prepaid card, the initial variable information is divided into a plurality of zones for each predetermined remaining amount range of the prepaid card. In the recording step of writing, for the prepaid card, the waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge to a predetermined portion including at least a part of the initial variable information for each zone written in the recording step is detected and quantized, The waveform information of each zone is used as a part of the fixed information of the prepaid card. Recording and issuing the prepaid card, and at the time of a transaction, updating the variable information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and updating the prepaid card when the remaining amount enters a new zone in the variable information. The waveform of the magnetic reproduction signal from the edge of the card to the predetermined portion in the variable information of the zone is detected and quantized, and whether or not the waveform information matches the confirmation waveform information of the zone included in the fixed information A discriminating step for discriminating whether the prepaid card is used if the compared information matches, and if the compared information does not match, the prepaid card is identified as a fraudulent card. And a control step of prohibiting the use of the card. 11. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the system is a system for settling payment for lending pachinko balls or metal which is a game medium in a pachinko parlor. 8. The prepaid card system according to 7. 12. The prepaid card processed by the reading device is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. Reading device. 13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the prepaid card is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. .