JP2000030133A - Pre-paid card system, recording device, reading device, ticket issuing machine and illegal card detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the use of an illegal card due to forgery such as a copy by magnetically reading a first track, measuring the length of fixed information and a distance between the fixed information and variable information and judging whether or not the measured result substantially coincides with the distance information included in the variable information recorded in a second track. SOLUTION: A pre-paid card is inserted into a card insertion port for its use. A distance L1 being the length of fixed information and a distance L2 in a blank area between the fixed information and variable information are measured as of a track T1 of the inserted pre-paid card to obtain the measured information (S21). The obtained measured information is compared with the distance information in the variable information recorded in the track T2 of the pre-paid card and whether or not they coincide with each other is judged (S22). When the compared information does not made coincide in the judgment, the card is recognized as an illegal card and prescribed error processing is executed (S31).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card system, a recording device, a reading device, a ticket issuing machine, and a method for detecting an unauthorized card, which prevents use of an unauthorized card due to forgery of copying or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A prepaid card system has been realized in which a prepaid card storing money amount information having a monetary value is used to pay for a rental of a game medium or the like. The prepaid card system includes, for example, a recording device installed at a card issuer, a ticket issuing machine installed at each store, a reading device, and the like. The recording device records (encodes) initial information including a card ID, a face value, and the like on the prepaid card. The prepaid card on which the initial information is recorded is sold to each store from the card issuer, for example.

In each store, for example, a prepaid card purchased from a card issuer is stored in a ticket issuing machine. The ticketing machine is
In response to a prepaid card purchase request from the user, the prepaid card stored therein is taken out, and predetermined information such as a ticketing date is recorded and a ticket is issued. The issued prepaid card is used by a user, for example, in a reading device at a store. The reading device confirms that the inserted prepaid card is a usable card by performing a balance check, for example, and indicates the balance recorded on the prepaid card according to the payment amount (consumption amount). Record and update balance information and discharge.

[0004]

The information recorded on the prepaid card is, for example, recorded by a recording device,
Thereafter, fixed information (card ID, bill amount, etc.) that is not updated, and variable information (balance information, etc.) that is recorded and updated by a reading device or the like each time a prepaid card is used.
And there is. In the system as described above, in order to illegally increase the balance of the prepaid card, there is a possibility that counterfeiting such as dead copy of variable information of another prepaid card having a large balance to a prepaid card having a small balance may be performed. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has a prepaid card system, a recording device, a reading device, a ticket issuing machine, and an unauthorized card detection method capable of preventing use of an unauthorized card due to forgery of copying or the like. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises fixed information which is recorded at the time of issuance and is not updated thereafter, and is updated every time the prepaid card is used. A prepaid card having first and second tracks on which both are recorded, respectively, a recording device for issuing the prepaid card, and a prepaid card which is arranged in each store and consumes the prepaid card. And a reading device for processing in accordance with the prepaid card.
A first recording unit for recording the variable information and the fixed information in a predetermined area of the track, and after the recording by the first recording unit is completed, the first track is read, and a length of the fixed information; Distance measuring means for measuring a distance between fixed information and the variable information; and the variable information including, as distance information, the fixed information and a measurement result of the distance measuring means in a predetermined area of the second track. And a second recording unit for recording information, wherein the reading device magnetically reads the first track of the prepaid card to be processed, and reads the length of the fixed information, the fixed information, and the fixed information. Measuring means for measuring the distance between the variable information,
Comparing the discrimination means with the discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the measurement result by the measurement means substantially matches the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track of the prepaid card; If it is determined that the information does not match, the prepaid card is identified as a fraudulent card, and the means for prohibiting use of the prepaid card and the information compared by the determination means are determined to match. Record and update the variable information and magnetically read the first track to measure the length of the fixed information and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information, and use the measurement result as distance information. , Updating means to be included in the variable information recorded and updated in the second track.

According to such a configuration, the prepaid card has the first and second tracks in which both fixed information and variable information are stored respectively. Of these, the variable information is information that is rewritten each time the prepaid card is used, and its recording start position is not the same every time it is rewritten due to errors in the dimensions of each card, displacement of the magnetic head, and the like. . In addition, the recording start position of the variable information may overlap the area of the fixed information recorded in advance by the recording device. Since the displacement of the recording position that occurs at the start of the recording of the variable information cannot be artificially operated, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information has a unique value that differs each time the card is used. Therefore, in order to increase the balance fraudulently,
When a card in which data of another prepaid card has been illegally copied is used for one of the first and second tracks, the reading device changes the fixed information recorded on the first track to the variable value. Since the information measured for the distance between the information and the like does not match the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track, it can be easily detected that the card is an unauthorized card.

[0008] The prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0009] 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.

[0010] A recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: fixed information that is recorded at the time of issuance and is not updated thereafter;
A recording device for issuing a prepaid card in a prepaid card system using a prepaid card having first and second tracks in which both variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are recorded. A first recording unit for recording the variable information and the fixed information in a predetermined area of the first track of the prepaid card; and reading the first track after the completion of the recording by the first recording unit. Measuring means for measuring the length of the fixed information and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information, and generating distance information based on the measurement result; and A second recording unit for recording the fixed information and the variable information including the distance information.

[0011] The prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0012] The prepaid card issued by the recording device may be a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

A reading apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: fixed information recorded at the time of issuance and not updated thereafter;
A reading device for processing a prepaid card in a prepaid card system using a prepaid card having first and second tracks in which both variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are recorded. Magnetically read the first track of the prepaid card to be processed, and the length of the fixed information,
Measuring means for measuring a distance between the fixed information and the variable information; and distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track of the prepaid card, the result of the measurement by the measuring means. Determining means for determining whether or not the information is substantially the same, and when the information determined by the determining means does not match, identifying the prepaid card as an unauthorized card, means for prohibiting use,
If it is determined that the compared information matches, the variable information on the first track is recorded and updated, and the first track is magnetically read, and the length of the fixed information and the fixed information are read. And a distance between the variable information and the variable information, and including a measurement result as distance information in the variable information recorded and updated in the second track.

According to such a configuration, the prepaid card has the first and second tracks in which both fixed information and variable information are stored respectively. Of these, the variable information is information that is rewritten each time the prepaid card is used, and its recording start position is not the same every time it is rewritten due to errors in the dimensions of each card, displacement of the magnetic head, and the like. . In addition, the recording start position of the variable information may overlap the area of the fixed information recorded in advance by the recording device. Since the displacement of the recording position that occurs at the start of the recording of the variable information cannot be artificially operated, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information has a unique value that differs each time the card is used. Therefore, in order to increase the balance fraudulently,
When a card in which data of another prepaid card has been illegally copied is used for one of the first and second tracks, the reading device changes the fixed information recorded on the first track to the variable value. Since the information measured about the distance between the information and the like does not match the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track, it can be easily detected that the card is an unauthorized card.

[0015] The prepaid card further includes an I
A C chip may be provided, and the variable information may be stored in the IC memory, and the information stored in the IC memory may be used in actual payment.

[0016] 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 ticket issuing machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: fixed information that is recorded at the time of issuance and is not updated thereafter;
A ticketing machine for issuing a prepaid card in a prepaid card system using a prepaid card having first and second tracks in which both variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are recorded. Storing means for storing a prepaid card to be issued, taking out the prepaid card stored in the storing means, magnetically reading the first track of the prepaid card, the length of the fixed information, Measuring means for measuring a distance between the fixed information and the variable information; and distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track of the prepaid card, the result of the measurement by the measuring means. Determining means for determining whether or not the information substantially matches, and determining that the information compared by the determining means does not match. If it is provided by identifying the prepaid card as invalid card, and means for inhibiting ticketing, the.

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

[0019] The prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine may be a card for paying for the lending of a pachinko ball or metal as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

Further, in the fraudulent card detection method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, both the fixed information recorded at the time of issuance and not updated thereafter and the variable information updated each time a prepaid card is used are separately provided. A prepaid card having first and second tracks to be recorded, a recording device for issuing the prepaid card, and arranged in each store;
A reading device for processing the prepaid card in accordance with the amount of money spent, wherein the variable information is stored in a predetermined area of the first track of the prepaid card in the recording device. A first recording step of recording the fixed information, and after the recording by the first recording step is completed, reading the first track, and determining a length of the fixed information and a length between the fixed information and the variable information. And a distance measuring step of measuring the distance, and recording the fixed information and the variable information including the measurement result of the distance measuring step as distance information in a predetermined area of the second track. A recording step, and when the prepaid card is used, the reading device magnetically records the first track of the prepaid card to be processed. Measuring the length of the fixed information and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information, and recording the measurement result of the measuring step on the second track of the prepaid card. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the discrimination information substantially matches the distance information included in the variable information. Identify,
When the step of prohibiting use is determined to match the information compared in the determining step, the variable information in the first track is recorded and updated, and the first track is magnetically read, and the fixed information is read. And measuring the distance between the fixed information and the variable information, and including the measurement result as distance information in the variable information recorded and updated in the second track. .

According to such a configuration, the prepaid card has the first and second tracks in which both fixed information and variable information are stored respectively. Of these, the variable information is information that is rewritten each time the prepaid card is used, and its recording start position is not the same every time it is rewritten due to errors in the dimensions of each card, displacement of the magnetic head, and the like. . In addition, the recording start position of the variable information may overlap the area of the fixed information recorded in advance by the recording device. Since the displacement of the recording position that occurs at the start of the recording of the variable information cannot be artificially operated, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information has a unique value that differs each time the card is used. Therefore, in order to increase the balance fraudulently,
When a card in which data of another prepaid card has been illegally copied is used for one of the first and second tracks, the reading device changes the fixed information recorded on the first track to the variable value. Since the information measured for the distance between the information and the like does not match the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track, it can be easily detected that the card is an unauthorized card.

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

[0023] The prepaid card may be a card for paying for a loan of a pachinko ball or metal as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This prepaid card, as shown in FIG.
It includes a recording device 1, a ticket issuing machine 2, a reading device 3, a relay device 4, a center 5, and the like. The recording device 1 and the center 5 are installed at the card issuer, and the ticket issuing machine 2, the reading device 3, and the relay device 4 are installed at each store.

As shown in FIG. 2, the prepaid card 6 used in the present system has two tracks T1,
It has T2. Each track T1, T2 is recorded by the recording device 1 at the time of card issuance, and is updated each time the prepaid card 6 is used, as well as fixed information (card ID, face value, etc.) which is not updated in the reading device 3 or the like thereafter. Variable information (such as balance) is recorded.

The recording device 1 is a device for recording and issuing fixed information such as a card ID and a denomination amount and variable information such as a balance on a prepaid card 6 at a card issuer. The recording device 1 includes a card recording unit 11, a control unit 13, and a storage unit 15, as shown in FIG.

The card recording unit 11 includes a magnetic head and the like, and records data on the prepaid card 6 according to an instruction from the control unit 13. The control unit 13 includes the card recording unit 1
1, fixed information and variable information are recorded (encoded) in a predetermined area of the track T1. After the recording is completed, the control unit 1
3 performs verification on the track T1, and measures a distance L1 indicating the length of fixed information and a distance L2 for a blank area between the fixed information and the variable information. Next, the control unit 13 stores fixed information in a predetermined area of the track T2,
The variable information including the measurement result in the above measurement as distance information is recorded (encoded), and the prepaid card 6 is recorded.
Issue The storage unit 15 stores fixed information for recording on the prepaid card 6 and the like.

The recording area of the fixed information is identified by, for example, STX (start of text) indicating the start of data and ETX (end of text) indicating the end of the data. For the blank area, for example,
Post information “0” is continuously recorded after the ETX in the fixed information, pre-information “1” is continuously recorded before the STX in the variable information, and when the track T1 is read, the post information “0” is recorded after the ETX in the fixed information. Of the post information before the pre-information “1” before the variable information STX starts is identified as a blank area. The distance information indicates, for example, the number of pulses of a signal transmitted by the control unit 13 and supplied to the stepping motor in the transport system when the prepaid card 6 is transported by a predetermined distance.

The ticketing machine 2 stores a prepaid card 6 on which fixed information is recorded by the recording device 1, takes out the stored prepaid card 6 in response to a purchase request from a user, and performs a predetermined ticketing process. And discharge.

The reading device 3 is connected to a vending machine (not shown) for renting out game media, for example, and accepts the prepaid card 6 on which ticketing processing has been performed by the ticketing machine 2, and the vending machine is used by the user. This is an apparatus for updating variable information including balance information recorded on the prepaid card 6 in accordance with the value of the game medium lent to. As shown in FIG. 4, the reading device 3 includes a data reading unit 31, a control unit 33, a storage unit 35, and a communication unit 37.

The data reading unit 31 includes a magnetic head and the like, and reads / writes data stored in the prepaid card 6 inserted into a card insertion slot (not shown) according to an instruction from the control unit 33.

The control unit 33 performs a predetermined measurement process on the recording position of the fixed information and the variable information on the track T1 on the prepaid card 6 inserted into the reading device 3, and obtains the measurement information obtained by the measurement. Is checked with the distance information included in the variable information of the track T2.

If the control unit 33 determines in the above check that the compared information does not match, the control unit 33 recognizes the card as an unauthorized card and executes a predetermined error process. When the compared information matches, the control unit 33 performs a predetermined check other than the above check. The predetermined check includes, for example, checking whether the balance of the variable information recorded on the track T1 or T2 is equal to or less than the face value of the fixed information recorded on the track T1 or T2. If an error is detected, predetermined error processing is performed.

The control unit 33 confirms that the balance in the variable information is not 0 yen for the prepaid card 6 in which all of the above checks have been completed normally, and according to the consumption amount and the like, the variable information in the tracks T1 and T2 is checked. Update the record. In the recording update of the variable information, the control unit 33 first records and updates the variable information for the track T1, performs verification, and performs a distance L1 indicating the length of the fixed information, a blank area in the same manner as in the measurement processing. And the distance L2 with respect to the track T
The record is updated by being included in the variable information to be recorded in No. 2. Also,
The control unit 33 generates sales information indicating a consumption amount, a use date, and the like, and accumulates and stores the sales information in the storage unit 35. The control unit 3
3 transmits the sales information stored in the storage unit 35 to the relay device 4 via the communication unit 37 at a predetermined timing.

The storage unit 35 stores sales information and the like generated by the control unit 33 when the prepaid card 6 is used. The communication unit 37 controls communication between the reading device 3 and the relay device 4.

The relay device 4 collects and aggregates sales information and the like in each of the reading devices 3 in the store, and transmits the collected information to the center 5 at a predetermined timing. The center 5 includes a computer or the like for controlling the entire system, and stores and manages sales information and the like received from the relay device 4 of each store.

In this system, both fixed information and variable information are stored in each of two tracks provided on the prepaid card 6. The variable information is information that is rewritten each time the prepaid card 6 is used.
The recording start position is not the same every time rewriting is performed due to an error in the dimensions of each card, a shift in the position of the magnetic head, and the like. Further, the recording start position of the variable information may overlap with the area of the fixed information recorded in the recording device 1 in advance. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, at the time of the previous update, the fixed information was recorded so as to overlap the variable information, so that the distance information about the length of the fixed information was, for example, “8”, and the distance information in the blank area was changed. Becomes "0", the variable information is recorded without overlapping the fixed information at the next update, and the distance information of the blank area may be "2". Therefore, the distance information about the blank area becomes unique information that is different every time it is used.

In such a prepaid card 6, variable information including balance information corresponding to, for example, 1000 yen is stored in the track T1 (or T2). Is a dead copy. At this time, if the variable information of the track T1 is dead-copied because the balance information exists on the track T1, the distance L1 indicating the length of the fixed information and the distance L of the blank area on the track T1.
The measurement information obtained by measuring about the track T2
Does not match the distance information recorded in. When the variable information of the track T2 is dead-copied due to the balance information being present on the track T2, the distance L1 indicating the length of the fixed information and the distance L of the blank area on the track T1.
The measurement information obtained by measuring about the track T2
Does not match the distance information in the copied variable information. Therefore, by comparing the fixed information of the track T1 and the measurement information measured for the blank area with the distance information in the variable information of the track T2, the tracks T1 and T2 are checked.
Can easily detect an unauthorized card rewritten by copying or the like.

Next, the operation of the recording device 1 and the reading device 3, which are characteristic portions of the present system, will be described. First, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The recording device 1, for example, responds to an external issuance instruction of the prepaid card 6, takes out the prepaid card 6 stored in the storage unit (not shown), and records fixed information and variable information in a predetermined area of the track T1 (step). S
11). After the recording is completed, the recording apparatus 1 performs verification on the track T1, and measures a distance L1 indicating the length of the fixed information on the track T1 and a distance L2 about a blank area between the fixed information and the variable information ( Step S
12). Next, the recording device 1 stores, in a predetermined area of the track T2, fixed information (card ID, bill amount, issue date, etc.)
Variable information (such as balance) including the measurement result in the measurement in step S12 as distance information is stored (step S12).
13). Prepaid card 6 issued in this way
Is supplied to each store, stored in the ticket issuing machine 2 in the store,
Provided to the user in response to a purchase request.

Next, the operation of the reading device 3 when the user uses the prepaid card 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For example, the user inserts the prepaid card 6 into the card slot of the reading device 3 in order to use it. In response to this, the reading device 3 sends, via the data reading unit 31, the distance L 1, which is the length of the fixed information, to the track T 1 of the inserted prepaid card 6.
And the distance L2 for the blank area between the fixed information and the variable information are measured, and the measurement information is obtained (step S2).
1). Next, the reading device 3 transmits the measurement information acquired in step S21 to the track T2 of the prepaid card 6.
Is compared with the distance information in the variable information recorded in step S22 to determine whether or not they match (step S22).

In this discrimination, if the compared information does not match, the reading device 3 recognizes the card as an unauthorized card and executes a predetermined error process (step S3).
1). If the compared information matches, the reading device 3
Performs a predetermined check other than the check on the distance information (step S23). This predetermined check
For example, it includes checking whether the balance in the variable information recorded on the track T1 or T2 is equal to or less than the denomination in the fixed information recorded on the track T1 or T2,
When an error is detected, a predetermined error process similar to the above is performed (step S31).

Further, the reading device 3 checks that the balance in the variable information is not 0 yen for the prepaid card 6 for which all of the above checks have been completed normally (step S24), for example, consumption from a vending machine (not shown). In order to record and update the variable information in the tracks T1 and T2 of the prepaid card 6 in response to the
Is updated (step S25), verification is performed, and a distance L1 indicating the length of the fixed information in the updated track T1 and a distance L2 for a blank area between the fixed information and the variable information are measured (step S25). S26).
Next, the reading device 3 records the measurement result on the track T2 as distance information, including the variable information to be recorded on the track T2 (step S27).

After updating the record of the variable information in the track T2 in step S27, the reading device 3
Sales information including the use date is generated and stored in the storage unit 35 (step S28), and the prepaid card 6 is discharged in response to a discharge request of the prepaid card 6 from a vending machine (not shown) (step S29). , And the process ends.

If the balance is determined to be 0 yen in step S24, the reading device 3 ejects the prepaid card 6 (step S29), and ends the processing.

As described above, the reading apparatus 3 sets the distance L1 indicating the length of the fixed information for the track T1 of the inserted prepaid card 6 and the distance L2 for the blank area between the fixed information and the variable information. , Is determined whether or not the measurement information obtained by measuring the distance information matches the distance information in the variable information stored in the track T2 of the card. If not, the use of the prepaid card 6 is determined. Do not allow. As described above, the prepaid card 6
Is updated each time the card is used, and the recording start position on the track changes. Therefore, the distance L2 in the blank area between the fixed information and the variable information in the track T1 has a unique value every time the card is used. For example, in order to illegally increase the balance of the prepaid card 6, the track T1 is increased. , T2, if the variable information including the balance information is illegally rewritten, the reading information measured by the reading device 3 for the track T1 is changed to the track T1.
2 does not match the distance information in the variable information, and the fraud can be easily detected.

Also, in the ticket issuing machine 2, prior to recording predetermined ticketing information including ticketing date information and the like on the prepaid card 6 to be issued, the fixed information in the truck T1 is recorded in the same manner as the reading device 3 described above. Of the track T2
May be detected by checking that it matches the distance information in the variable information recorded in the variable information.

In the above description, the length of the fixed information is defined as STX (start of text) and ETX (en
(d of text), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the area until the post information “0” after STX is no longer detected may be identified as the area of the fixed information. In this case, when the variable information overlaps with the fixed information, the post information part is overwritten,
Since the length of the fixed information also varies, fraudulent card detection becomes more effective.

Also, this prepaid card system,
The prepaid card is not limited to a system used for paying for a game medium or the like, and can be applied to various uses.

In the above description, the prepaid card 6
As the distance information on the distances L1 and L2 in the track T1, the pulse number of a signal transmitted at a constant timing when the prepaid card 6 is transported is used. If the distances L1 and L2 can be specified, It is not limited to this and is arbitrary.

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 that stores the variable information and the like in the memory, and performs the above-described distance information for any information recorded in the magnetic area in the same manner as described above. The acquired prepaid card may be checked using the distance information.

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.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The prepaid card has first and second tracks in which both fixed information and variable information are respectively stored. Of these, the variable information is information that is rewritten each time the prepaid card is used, and its recording start position is not the same every time it is rewritten due to errors in the dimensions of each card, displacement of the magnetic head, and the like. . In addition, the recording start position of the variable information may overlap the area of the fixed information recorded in advance by the recording device. Since the displacement of the recording position that occurs at the start of the recording of the variable information cannot be artificially operated, the distance between the fixed information and the variable information has a unique value that differs each time the card is used.

Therefore, in order to illegally increase the balance,
When a card in which data of another prepaid card has been illegally copied is used for one of the first and second tracks, the reading device changes the fixed information recorded on the first track to the variable value. Since the information measured for the distance between the information and the like does not match the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track, it can be easily detected that the card is an unauthorized card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a structure of a storage area of a prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a recording device used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

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

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining distance information recorded on a prepaid card.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the recording apparatus in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the reading device of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording device 2 Ticket issuing machine 3 Reading device 4 Relay device 5 Center 6 Prepaid card 11 Card recording unit 13 Control unit 15 Storage unit 31 Data reading unit 33 Control unit 35 Storage unit 37 Communication unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07F 17/00 G07F 7/08 M (72) Inventor Takayuki Kamada 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo F-term in NTT Data Communications Corporation (reference) 3E044 AA02 AA05 AA06 BA06 CA01 CA05 CA06 DA01 DA03 DA10 DB02 DB05 DC05 DC06 DD02 DE01 DE02 5B058 CA31 KA32 YA06 YA20

Claims (10)

[Claims] A prepaid card having first and second tracks on which both fixed information recorded at the time of issuance and not updated thereafter and variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are recorded. A prepaid card system comprising: a recording device for issuing the prepaid card; and a reading device arranged at each store and processing the prepaid card according to the consumption amount. A first recording unit for recording the variable information and the fixed information in a predetermined area of the first track of the card; and after the recording by the first recording unit is completed, reading the first track, And a distance measuring means for measuring a distance between the fixed information and the variable information, and a predetermined area of the second track, A second recording unit that records the fixed information and the variable information including a measurement result obtained by the distance measuring unit as distance information, wherein the reading device is configured to execute the first processing of the prepaid card to be processed. Measuring means for magnetically reading a track to measure a length of the fixed information and a distance between the fixed information and the variable information; and a measurement result obtained by the measuring means, the second Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the information substantially matches the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the track; and if the discriminated information does not match, the prepaid card is discarded. When it is determined that the means for identifying the card as an unauthorized card and prohibiting use thereof and the information compared by the determination means match, the variable information in the first track is determined. And the first track is magnetically read, and the length of the fixed information and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information are measured. Updating means to be included in the variable information recorded and updated in the second track. 2. A prepaid card having first and second tracks on which both fixed information recorded at the time of issuance and not updated thereafter and variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are respectively recorded. A recording device for issuing the prepaid card in a prepaid card system to be used, wherein: first recording means for recording the variable information and the fixed information in a predetermined area of the first track of the prepaid card; After the recording by the first recording unit is completed, the first track is read, the length of the fixed information and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information are measured, and the distance information based on the measurement result is obtained. Measuring means for generating; and a second recording for recording the fixed information and the variable information including the distance information in a predetermined area of the second track. Recording apparatus comprising: the stage, a. 3. A prepaid card having first and second tracks on which both fixed information recorded at the time of issuance and not updated thereafter and variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are respectively recorded. What is claimed is: 1. A reading device for processing a prepaid card in a prepaid card system to be used, wherein said first track of said prepaid card to be processed is magnetically read, and said fixed information length, said fixed information and said variable information are read. Measuring means for measuring the distance between the second track and the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track of the prepaid card. Determining means for determining whether or not the prepaid card is illegal if the determined information does not match; Means for prohibiting use and identifying the information compared by the discriminating means, when the variable information in the first track is recorded and updated, and the first track is The fixed information is read, the length of the fixed information and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information are measured, and the measurement result is set as the distance information to the variable information recorded and updated in the second track. A reading device comprising: updating means to include. 4. A prepaid card having first and second tracks on which both fixed information recorded at the time of issuance and not updated thereafter and variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are respectively recorded. A ticketing machine for issuing a prepaid card in a prepaid card system to be used, comprising: storage means for storing a prepaid card to be issued, and taking out the prepaid card stored in the storage means, Measuring means for magnetically reading the first track and measuring the length of the fixed information and the distance between the fixed information and the variable information; Determining whether the distance information substantially matches the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track; If the determination unit, information compared by the determining means is determined not to match, ticket machines to identify the prepaid card as invalid card, characterized in that it comprises a means for inhibiting ticketing. 5. A prepaid card having first and second tracks on which both fixed information recorded at the time of issuance and not updated thereafter and variable information updated each time the prepaid card is used are recorded. An unauthorized card detection method in a system comprising: a recording device for issuing the prepaid card; and a reading device arranged in each store and processing the prepaid card according to a consumption amount. In the apparatus, a first recording step of recording the variable information and the fixed information in a predetermined area of the first track of the prepaid card, and after the recording by the first recording step is completed, the first track is recorded. Reading, a length measuring step of measuring a length of the fixed information, and a distance between the fixed information and the variable information, A second recording step of recording the fixed information and the variable information including the measurement result obtained by the distance measuring step as distance information in a predetermined area of a second track; and the reading device when the prepaid card is used. A measuring step of magnetically reading the first track of the prepaid card to be processed, and measuring a length of the fixed information and a distance between the fixed information and the variable information; Discriminating whether or not the measurement result of the prepaid card substantially matches the distance information included in the variable information recorded on the second track of the prepaid card; If not, identifying the prepaid card as a fraudulent card and prohibiting its use; If it is determined that the information compared by the step matches, the variable information in the first track is recorded and updated, and the first track is magnetically read, and the length of the fixed information, the fixed information, and the And an update step of measuring a distance between the variable information and the measurement result, and including a measurement result as the distance information in the variable information recorded and updated in the second track. . 6. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, wherein said prepaid card system is a system for settling payment for lending pachinko balls or metal which is a game medium in a pachinko parlor. 7. The recording according to claim 2, wherein the prepaid card issued by the recording device is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. apparatus. 8. The reading method according to claim 3, wherein the prepaid card processed by the reading apparatus is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. apparatus. 9. The ticket issuance according to claim 4, wherein the prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor. Machine. 10. The fraudulent card detection method according to claim 5, wherein said prepaid card is a card for paying for a pachinko ball or metal loan as a game medium in a pachinko parlor.