JP2000259903A - Prepaid card system, reading device and card discriminating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly detect illegality of a forged or counterfeited prepaid card by quantizing one of two pieces of reproduced information, defining it as characteristic data, ciphering the characteristic data based on data obtained by quantizing the other of the reproduced information and discriminating an unauthorized card by propriety of decoding of the ciphered characteristic data. SOLUTION: Card information stored in a card information storage part is quantized by a quantization processing part and temporarily stored in a quantized data storage part. The characteristic data read by a data reading part 352 is decoded by the reproduced information quantized by a quantization processing part of a reader/writer for card information and stored in a characteristic data storage part 355 by a decoding processing part 354. The quantized data stored in the quantized data storage part is compared with the quantized data stored in the characteristic data storage part 355 and they are discriminated whether they are coincident with each other or not by a consumption processing part. When they are coincident with each other, the prepaid card decided to be normal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a prepaid card system and a card discriminating method, and more particularly to a prepaid card system and a card discriminating method for detecting unauthorized copying of a prepaid card using a reading device.

[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 such a prepaid card system, there is a possibility that a card illegally copied using a reading device may be used.

For example, there is a case where information recorded on a valid card is copied by inserting a valid prepaid card into a reading device and replacing it with a card on which nothing is recorded after read processing.

[0004]

In order to prevent such misconduct, a reading apparatus which uses a housing which cannot be illicitly processed inside or has a sensor for monitoring an inserted card is considered. Have been. However, the structure of the housing can be clarified, and the normal operation of the sensor can be prevented by using a simulated pulse or the like. Therefore, even if these methods are used, the above-mentioned misconduct is completely prevented. It is not possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has as its object to provide a prepaid card system, a reading apparatus, and a card discriminating method for detecting unauthorized copying of a prepaid card using a reading apparatus.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises encoding means for writing predetermined card information on a prepaid card, and card information of the prepaid card. In a prepaid card system comprising: reading means for performing a predetermined consumption process based on the included money amount information, the encoding means magnetically writes two pieces of card information into a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card. Card information writing means for reproducing the two pieces of card information in the first variable information storage area, generating an encryption key based on one of the obtained pieces of reproduction information, and using the other as a characteristic of the prepaid card. Data, encrypting the characteristic data with the generated encryption key, and writing the encrypted characteristic data in the second variable information storage area. It comprises a chromatography data creation means, wherein the reading means is recorded on said first variable information storage area 2
Card information reproducing means for reproducing each of the two pieces of card information and quantizing the obtained reproduction information, and generating an encryption key in one of the quantized data obtained by the card information reproducing means; Decryption means for decrypting characteristic data stored in the second variable information storage area using an encryption key; and decryption by the decryption means, and the quantization obtained by the card information reproduction means. Card identification means for determining that the prepaid card is legitimate when the other of the decoded data matches the characteristic data decoded by the decoding means.

[0007] The card identification means includes reading check means for determining the validity of the card when the prepaid card is inserted into the reading means, and the reading means comprises: Is determined to be valid, the consumption according to the balance information included in the last updated card information of the two card information is permitted, and based on the consumption, the last updated Consumption processing means for updating and rewriting card information different from the card information; and reproducing the card information rewritten by the consumption processing means, and decrypting the obtained reproduction information with an encryption key based on quantized data. Characteristic data updating means for encrypting the characteristic data decrypted by the encrypting means and writing the encrypted characteristic data in the second variable information storage area. The card identification means further includes a write check means for judging the validity of the card after rewriting the card information by the consumption processing means, and the card information reproducing means is not rewritten by the consumption processing means. The non-updated card information is reproduced and quantized, and the decryption unit reproduces the card information rewritten by the consumption processing unit, generates an encryption key with data obtained by quantizing the obtained reproduction information, The feature data written by the feature data updating means is decrypted using an encryption key, and the write check means compares the decrypted feature data with the unupdated card information obtained by the card information reproducing means. It is desirable to compare with the quantized data.

[0008] Further, a predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in each of the predetermined printing portions. It is desirable that the change can be obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount of ink.

According to such a configuration, one of the two pieces of reproduction information relating to the variation in the amount of ink in the printing portion of the prepaid card is quantized to be feature data, and this feature data is used to quantize the other of the reproduction information. The data is encrypted based on the data. An unauthorized card is discriminated based on the success or failure of the decryption of the encrypted feature data. further,
The two pieces of card information are rewritten alternately each time they are consumed. Since fraudulent cards are discriminated based on matching of feature data corresponding to card information that has not been rewritten,
Unauthorized use of copying the card information by replacing the prepaid card during the processing of the reading means can be accurately detected.

[0010] To achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an encoding unit for writing predetermined card information on a prepaid card, and a charge information included in the card information of the prepaid card. A prepaid card system comprising: reading means for performing a predetermined consumption process in the prepaid card system; wherein the encoding means includes card information writing means for magnetically writing two card information in a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card; The two pieces of quantized reproduction information obtained by reproducing each of the two pieces of card information in the first variable information storage area are used as feature data of the prepaid card to store the second variable information of the prepaid card. Means for creating characteristic data to be written in an area; Encryption data creating means for creating encrypted data based on data obtained by quantizing playback information obtained by playing back each piece of card information, and writing the encrypted data in the second variable information storage area. The two pieces of card information in the first variable information storage area are reproduced, and the obtained two pieces of reproduction information are quantized to create encrypted data, and are recorded in the second variable information storage area. An encrypted data comparing unit that reads the encrypted data and compares the encrypted data with the created encrypted data; and reads out the characteristic data recorded in the second variable information storage area, and reads out the reproduction information obtained by the encrypted data comparing unit. Feature data comparing means for quantizing reproduction information of card information corresponding to the feature data, and comparing the quantized playback information with the read feature data; No. data comparison means and results of the comparison by the feature data comparing means,
And fraudulent card detecting means for detecting the prepaid card as a fraudulent card when at least one of them does not match.

The fraudulent card detecting means includes a reading check means for detecting the fraudulent card when the prepaid card is inserted into the reading means, and the reading means is adapted to detect the fraudulent card. If not detected, the characteristic data recorded in the second variable information storage area is read out, the consumption according to the balance information included in the card information corresponding to the characteristic data is permitted, and based on the consumption, A consumption processing means for updating and rewriting the card information not including the balance information, an updated card information rewritten by the consumption processing means, and a non-updated card information not rewritten by the consumption processing means, The obtained two pieces of reproduction information are quantized to generate encrypted data, and the encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area is created. Data updating means for rewriting the data to the created encrypted data; and two pieces of reproduction information obtained by the encrypted data updating means as update characteristic data of the prepaid card, and characteristic data of the second variable information storage area. And characteristic data updating means for rewriting the updated characteristic data into the updated characteristic data. The unauthorized card detecting means further includes a write check for detecting the unauthorized card after rewriting the card information by the consumption processing means. Means for reproducing the updated card information and the non-updated card information, quantizing the obtained two pieces of reproduction information to generate encrypted data, and further comprising the second variable information The encrypted data recorded in the storage area is read and compared with the created encrypted data. As a result of the comparison by the encrypted data comparing means, when a match is detected, the updated card information is reproduced, and the obtained reproduced information is quantized and the characteristic data rewritten by the characteristic data updating means is included in the data. It is desirable to compare feature data corresponding to the update card information.

[0012] Further, a predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in each of the predetermined printing portions. It is desirable that the change can be obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount of ink.

[0013] According to such a configuration, encrypted data is created from quantized reproduction information relating to the variation in the amount of ink at the printing portion of the prepaid card, and based on the collation of the encrypted data, an unauthorized card is created. Perform discrimination. In addition, the reproduction information relating to the card information is quantized into characteristic data unique to the card, and the card information is rewritten alternately every consumption. Since the matching is performed on the feature data corresponding to the card information that has not been rewritten, it is possible to accurately detect unauthorized use of replacing the prepaid card and copying the card information during the processing of the reading means.

In order to achieve the above object, a reading apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is used in a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement based on money amount information included in card information recorded on a prepaid card. Card information reading means for reading two pieces of card information magnetically recorded in a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card, and recording in a second variable information storage area of the prepaid card. Characteristic data reading means for reading characteristic data corresponding to the two pieces of card information thus obtained;
A consumption processing unit that updates the amount information read by the card information reading unit in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, wherein the card information reading unit reproduces each of the two card information. Quantizing the obtained reproduction information, the characteristic data reading means reads characteristic data from the second variable information storage area, decodes and compares the reproduced reproduction information with the quantized reproduction information by the card information reading means, The consumption processing means distinguishes the prepaid card as an unauthorized card when the data compared by the characteristic data reading means does not match.

On the first variable information storage area, a predetermined printing portion is formed so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in the ink stack of each of the predetermined printing portion. It is desirable that the change can be obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount.

According to such a configuration, one of the two pieces of reproduction information relating to the variation of the ink volume in the printing portion of the prepaid card is quantized as characteristic data, and this characteristic data quantizes the other of the reproduction information. The data is encrypted based on the data. An unauthorized card is discriminated based on the success or failure of the decryption of the encrypted feature data. further,
The two pieces of card information are rewritten alternately each time they are consumed. Since fraudulent cards are discriminated based on matching of feature data corresponding to card information that has not been rewritten,
Unauthorized use of copying the card information by replacing the prepaid card during the processing of the reading means can be accurately detected.

In order to achieve the above object, a reading apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is used in a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement based on money amount information included in card information recorded on a prepaid card. Card information reading means for reading two pieces of card information magnetically recorded in a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card, and recording in a second variable information storage area of the prepaid card. Characteristic data reading means for reading characteristic data corresponding to the two pieces of card information and encrypted data created based on the two card information, and reading the card information in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card. And a consumption processing unit for updating the money amount information read by the unit. Each of the card information is reproduced, the obtained reproduction information is quantized to generate encrypted data, and the characteristic data reading unit reads the encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area to read the card information. In addition to comparing the encrypted data created by the reading means, reading the characteristic data from the second variable information storage area and comparing it with the reproduction information quantized by the card information reading means, the consumption processing means When the data compared by the data reading means does not match, the prepaid card is discriminated as an unauthorized card.

A predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information. It is desirable that the change can be obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount.

According to such a configuration, encrypted data is created from the quantized reproduction information relating to the variation in the amount of ink at the printing portion of the prepaid card, and the unauthorized card is identified based on the collation of the encrypted data. Perform discrimination. In addition, the reproduction information relating to the card information is quantized into characteristic data unique to the card, and the card information is rewritten alternately every consumption. Since the matching is performed on the characteristic data corresponding to the card information that has not been rewritten, it is possible to appropriately prevent unauthorized use of replacing the prepaid card and copying the card information during the processing of the reading means.

In order to achieve the above object, a card discriminating method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes an encoding step of writing predetermined card information on a prepaid card, and a reading device which is included in the card information of the prepaid card. A reading step of performing a predetermined consumption process based on the amount information, a card discriminating method in a prepaid card processing method, wherein the encoding step,
A card information writing step of magnetically writing two pieces of card information into a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card; and reproducing the two pieces of card information of the first variable information storage area, and obtaining the obtained reproduction. Generating an encryption key based on one of the information, using the other as characteristic data of the prepaid card, encrypting the characteristic data with the generated encryption key, and writing the encrypted characteristic data in a second variable information storage area Wherein the reading step reproduces each of the two pieces of card information recorded in the first variable information storage area, and quantizes the obtained reproduction information. Generating an encryption key from one of the quantized data obtained in the reproduction step, and using the encryption key to store the encrypted key in the second variable information storage area; A decoding step of decoding over data,
If the decoding in the decoding step is established and the other of the quantized data obtained in the card information reproducing step matches the characteristic data decoded in the decoding step, the prepaid card is And a card identification step of determining that the card is valid.

The card identification step includes a reading check step of determining the validity of the prepaid card when the prepaid card is inserted into the reading device. The reading step includes: Is determined to be valid,
Permitting consumption according to the balance information included in the last updated card information of the two pieces of card information, and updating and rewriting card information different from the last updated card information based on the consumption A consumption processing step, reproducing the card information rewritten in the consumption processing step, and encrypting the characteristic data decrypted in the decryption step with an encryption key based on data obtained by quantizing the obtained reproduction information. And updating the characteristic data to be written to the second variable information storage area. The card identification step may further include determining the validity of the card after rewriting the card information in the consumption processing step. The card information reproducing step is not rewritten by the consumption processing step. The non-updated card information is reproduced and quantized, and the decoding step reproduces the card information rewritten in the consumption processing step, and obtains reproduced information by quantizing the data. Preferably, the written feature data is decoded, and the write check step compares the decoded feature data with the quantized data of the unupdated card information obtained in the card information reproducing step. .

A predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information. It is desirable that the change can be obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount.

According to such a configuration, one of the two pieces of reproduction information relating to the variation of the ink volume in the printing portion of the prepaid card is quantized into characteristic data, and this characteristic data quantizes the other of the reproduction information. The data is encrypted based on the data. An unauthorized card is discriminated based on the success or failure of the decryption of the encrypted feature data. further,
The two pieces of card information are rewritten alternately each time they are consumed. Since fraudulent cards are discriminated based on matching of feature data corresponding to card information that has not been rewritten,
An unauthorized use of replacing a prepaid card and copying card information during a reading process by a reading device can be accurately detected.

In order to achieve the above object, a card discriminating method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes an encoding step of writing predetermined card information on a prepaid card, and a reading device which is included in the card information of the prepaid card. A reading step of performing a predetermined consumption process based on the amount information, a card discriminating method in a prepaid card processing method, wherein the encoding step,
A card information writing step of magnetically writing two pieces of card information in a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card; and a reproduction obtained by reproducing each of the two card information in the first variable information storage area. A feature data creation step of writing two pieces of data obtained by quantizing the information as feature data of the prepaid card into a second variable information storage area of the prepaid card; and two card information of the first variable information storage area. Generating encrypted data based on data obtained by quantizing playback information obtained by playing back the encrypted information, and writing the encrypted data in the second variable information storage area. , And reproduces the two pieces of card information in the variable information storage area. An encryption data comparing step of reading encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area and comparing it with the created encrypted data; and a feature recorded in the second variable information storage area. Reading the data, quantizing the reproduction information of the card information corresponding to the characteristic data among the reproduction information obtained in the encrypted data comparison step, and comparing the read information with the read characteristic data; If at least one of the comparison results in the data comparison step and the characteristic data comparison step does not match, an unauthorized card detection step of detecting the prepaid card as an unauthorized card is provided.

The fraudulent card detecting step includes a reading check step of detecting the fraudulent card when the prepaid card is inserted into the reading device. The reading step includes the step of reading the fraudulent card. If not detected, the characteristic data recorded in the second variable information storage area is read out, the consumption according to the balance information included in the card information corresponding to the characteristic data is permitted, and based on the consumption, A consumption processing step of updating and rewriting the card information not including the balance information, an updated card information rewritten in the consumption processing step, and a non-updated card information not rewritten in the consumption processing step, The obtained two pieces of reproduction information are quantized to create encrypted data, and the second variable information An encrypted data update step of rewriting encrypted data recorded in the area with the created encrypted data; and two pieces of reproduction information obtained in the encrypted data update step as update characteristic data of the prepaid card, A feature data updating step of rewriting feature data in the variable information storage area with the updated feature data.

In this case, the fraudulent card detecting step further includes a writing check step of detecting the fraudulent card after rewriting the card information in the consumption processing step, and the encrypted data comparing step includes: And reproducing the non-updated card information, quantizing the two pieces of obtained reproduction information to generate encrypted data, and reading the encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area to generate the encrypted data. Comparing the encrypted data, the feature data comparing step, when a match is detected as a result of the comparison in the encrypted data comparing step,
The non-updated card information is reproduced, and the data obtained by quantizing the obtained reproduction information and the non-updated card information of the characteristic data rewritten in the characteristic data updating step of the second variable information storage area are added to the data. It is desirable to compare with the corresponding feature data.

In this case, the unauthorized card detecting step further includes a writing check step of detecting the unauthorized card after rewriting the card information in the consumption processing step, and the encrypted data comparing step includes: Information and the unupdated card information are reproduced, the obtained two pieces of reproduction information are quantized to generate encrypted data, and the encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area is read out to generate the encrypted data. Comparing the encrypted data, the characteristic data comparing step, if a match is detected as a result of the comparison in the encrypted data comparing step, the updated card information is reproduced, and the obtained reproduction information is quantized with data. The characteristic data corresponding to the updated card information among the characteristic data rewritten in the characteristic data updating step It may be compared.

A predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in each of the predetermined printing portions. It is desirable that the change can be obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount.

According to such a configuration, encrypted data is created from the quantized reproduction information relating to the variation in the amount of ink in the printing portion of the prepaid card, and the unauthorized card is identified based on the collation of the encrypted data. Perform discrimination. In addition, the reproduction information relating to the card information is quantized into characteristic data unique to the card, and the card information is rewritten alternately every consumption. Since the verification is further performed on the card information that has not been rewritten or the characteristic data corresponding to the rewritten card information, it is possible to accurately detect unauthorized use of replacing the prepaid card and copying the card information during the reading process of the reading device. Can be.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a prepaid card according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The prepaid card 100 has a rewritable card information storage area 110 and a characteristic data storage area 120. The card information storage area 110 further includes a first card information storage area 111 and a second card information storage area. 11
And 2.

In each of the card information storage areas 111 and 112, card information including at least identification information (card ID), encoding date, bill value, and balance information is recorded. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, at locations corresponding to the first and second card information storage areas 111 and 112 on the surface of the prepaid card 100,
Predetermined information (for example, a predetermined pattern and a card lot number) P1 and P2 are printed.

The characteristic data storage area 120 stores characteristic data unique to the card. The feature data is obtained by quantizing the variation of the ink volume of predetermined information printed on the card information storage areas 111 and 112.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the prepaid card system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, each store S is provided with a relay device 20 and a plurality of reading devices 30 connected to the relay device 20, and the relay device 20 is connected to a settlement center 40 installed at the card issuer D. Have been. This card issuer D
Is, for example, a card issuing company or a card manufacturing factory. The card issuer D further includes a recording device 50.

The recording device 50 is a device for issuing the prepaid card 100 at the card issuer D.
When the prepaid card 100 is issued, that is, when the prepaid card 100 is encoded, the recording device 50 stores in the card information storage area 110 of the prepaid card 100 the initial amount information, card identification information (card ID), a manufacturer code indicating the manufacturer, and encoding date information. Write information. At this time, a predetermined printing portion of the prepaid card 100, for example,
The reproduction information obtained by reproducing the card information recorded on the magnetic medium formed so as to correspond to the predetermined pattern pattern or the print portion such as the lot number of the card is converted into a predetermined quantization method, for example, an analog reproduction signal is converted into a PCM signal. (Pulse code modulation) or other A / D (analog-digital)
The data is quantized by the conversion, and the quantized data is recorded in the feature data storage area 120 as the feature data of the prepaid card 100.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording device 50 includes an encode control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a write processing unit 53, a card information magnetic head 54, a card information reproduction unit 55, and a quantization processing unit 56. , Feature data magnetic head 57
And an encryption processing unit 58.

The encoding control unit 51 controls the recording device 5
0 controls the encoding of the prepaid card 100, that is, the writing of the initial information. The storage unit 52 stores various types of information necessary for the encoding process by the encoding control unit 51 and temporary information being processed. Write processing unit 53
Is controlled by the encoding control unit 51 to drive the card information magnetic head 54 and write predetermined information.

The card information magnetic head 54 is controlled by the write processing unit 53 to magnetically write information in the magnetic layer of the card information storage area 110 of the prepaid card 100. Further, the card information magnetic head 54 is controlled by the card information reproducing unit 55 so that the card information storage area 110
Play the card information written in the. When writing and reading magnetic information of the prepaid card 100, the magnetic head for card information 54
In this case, the card information magnetic head 54 may be moved, the prepaid card 100 may be moved, or both may be moved in different directions at the same time.

The card information reproducing unit 55 writes the card information into the card information storage area 110 of the prepaid card 100 via the writing processing unit 53 by the encoding control unit 51, and then controls the card information magnetic head 54. Through,
The card information is reproduced from the printing surface side of the printing part such as a predetermined pattern pattern and supplied to the quantization processing unit 56. The quantization processing unit 56 A / D converts the signal reproduced by the card information reproducing unit 55 by PCM or the like and quantizes the signal.

After the card information is reproduced by the card information reproducing unit 55, the encoding control unit 51
The amount information and other information are written to the card information storage area 110 via the. When writing the amount information and other information, the write processing unit 53 creates the data quantized by the quantization processing unit 56 as characteristic data of the prepaid card 100. This feature data is encrypted by the encryption processing unit 58 and then stored in the feature data storage area 1.
20 is written via the feature data magnetic head 57.

The reading device 30 as a main part of the prepaid card system according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. The reading device 30 shown in FIG. 5 includes a communication unit 31, a consumption processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, a reader / writer 34 for card information, and a reader / writer 35 for characteristic data.

The communication unit 31 performs communication between the consumption processing unit 32 and the relay device 20. The communication unit 31 reads out, from the storage unit 33, the sales information including the consumption amount information of the prepaid card 100 in the reading device 30 and transmits the sales information to the relay device 20, for example, as a response to the request command from the relay device 20.

The consumption processing section 32 operates in conjunction with a vending machine (not shown) that executes 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. Based on this, the storage information such as the price information of the prepaid card is updated via the card information reader / writer 34, and the sales information including the consumption amount information is stored in the storage unit 33. The storage unit 33 is used to store and accumulate sales information based on daily consumption amount processing in the daily consumption processing unit 32, and is used for temporary storage of data being processed.

When the prepaid card 100 is consumed, the card information reader / writer 34 converts the generated information obtained by reading the card information magnetically recorded at a predetermined printing portion of the inserted prepaid card 100 into a predetermined quantization method. And quantize according to At this time, the same quantization method as the quantization method in the quantization processing unit 56 of the recording device 50 is used. Feature data reader / writer 35
Is the feature data storage area 120 of the prepaid card 100
Is decrypted using the reproduction information quantized by the card information reader / writer 34. The consumption processing unit 32 compares the data read and quantized by the card information reader / writer 34 with the characteristic data decoded by the characteristic data reader / writer 35, and if they match, an appropriate prepaid card Then, the remaining amount guide punch hole is detected, and it is checked whether there is any contradiction between the remaining amount punch hole and the amount information recorded in the card information storage area 110 of the prepaid card 100. This amount information is processed by the consumption processing unit 32, and the remaining amount information is written to the storage unit 33. Further, the balance information is updated in accordance with the consumption amount information in the consumption processing section 32, and similarly, the amount information recorded in the card information storage area 110 of the prepaid card 100 is rewritten via the card information reader / writer 34. . At this time, a remaining amount guide punch hole is punched as needed based on the updated remaining amount.

FIG. 6 shows this card information reader / writer 3.
4 shows the configuration of FIG. Card information reader / writer 3
Reference numeral 4 includes a reading control unit 341, a data reading unit 342, a magnetic head 343, a quantization processing unit 344, a quantized data storage unit 345, and a card information storage unit 346. The reading control unit 341 controls the entire reading operation in the card information reader / writer 34. Data reading unit 342
Is based on the control of the reading control unit 341,
3 and updates the amount information in the card information storage area 110 of the prepaid card 100, and based on the remaining amount, punches a remaining amount guide punch hole at a predetermined remaining amount.

The magnetic head 343 includes a data reading unit 342
, The magnetic storage information such as the amount information on the card information storage area 110 is read from the printing surface side of the predetermined printing portion. The read card information is stored in the card information storage unit 34.
6 is temporarily stored. The card information stored in the card information storage unit 346 is quantized by the quantization processing unit 344 and temporarily stored in the quantized data storage unit 345.

As shown in FIG.
The writer 35 includes a reading control unit 351 and a data reading unit 35
2, a magnetic head 353, a decryption processing unit 354, and a feature data storage unit 355. Reading control unit 351
Controls the entire reading operation in the feature data reader / writer 35. The data reading unit 352 includes the reading control unit 3
Under the control of 51, the characteristic data recorded in the characteristic data storage area 120 of the prepaid card 100 is read out via the magnetic head 353.

The decryption processing unit 354 includes a data reading unit 35
The characteristic data read in step 2 is transferred to a card information reader /
The data is decoded with the reproduction information quantized by the quantization processing unit 344 of the writer 34 and stored in the feature data storage unit 355.

The consumption processing unit 32 includes a quantization data storage unit 3
The quantized data stored in the storage unit 45 and the feature data stored in the feature data storage unit 355 are compared to determine whether or not they match.

When it is determined that they match, the prepaid card 100 is determined to be normal, and when it is determined that they do not match, the prepaid card 100 is abnormal, It is determined that the card is an unauthorized prepaid card. At this time, in many cases, there is a possibility that the reproduction information has a level drop due to a change with time and a signal waveform shift due to a difference between the magnetic heads 54 and 343. Therefore, by quantizing the reproduction information, , And can be used as the same reproduction information.

Further, the reading device 30 checks whether or not the stored information in the card information storage area 110 of the prepaid card 100 and the punch hole information are inconsistent. And that there is a defect. When it is determined that the card is fraudulent or defective, the reading device 30 transmits the detection data including the card identification information of the fraudulent prepaid card to the relay device 20, and prevents the use of the prepaid card and discharges it. Further, the reading device 30 is
Receives the notification data of the prepaid card information determined to be an unauthorized prepaid card by the other reading device 30 and immediately discriminates the prepaid card based on the notification data as soon as the prepaid card 100 is loaded, and prevents use. And discharge.

The relay device 20 is connected to each of the reading devices 3 in the store S.
At 0, the money information processed as the consumption money is collected and transmitted to the settlement center 40 as appropriate.

Next, the processing in the prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the encoding process in the recording device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The encoding process shown in FIG. 8 is started each time a prepaid card medium is set in the recording device 50. When the prepaid card medium is set, first, the encoding control unit 51 transmits predetermined card information stored in, for example, the storage unit 52 to the prepaid card medium via the card information magnetic head 54 by the writing processing unit 53. As the card information R1 in the first card information storage area 111 formed corresponding to the predetermined printing part P1, and as the card information R2 in the card information storage area 112 formed corresponding to the predetermined printing part P2. Write (Step S10
1). The predetermined printing part is, for example, a part where predetermined pattern patterns P1 and P2 are printed on the back surface of the prepaid card 100 as shown in FIG. 2, and corresponds to the card information storage areas 111 and 112. A pattern pattern printing portion is formed.

Next, the encoding control section 51 operates the card information reproducing section 55 to reproduce the card information R1 in the first card information storage area 111 from the printing surface side of the corresponding part by the card information magnetic head 54. (Step S1
02). The reproduction signal of the card information R1 is subjected to quantization processing such as PCM or other A / D conversion in the quantization processing section 56 to obtain quantized data (Step S).
103). The write processing unit 53 creates the characteristic data C1 of the prepaid card 100 based on the quantized data (Step S104). Here, the feature data created from the card information R1 is C1, the card information R2
The feature data created from is assumed to be C2. That is, the card information reproduced in step S102 may be R2,
The feature data created in this case is C2.

Subsequently, the encoding control section 51 operates the card information reproducing section 55 to reproduce the card information R2 of the second card information storage area 112 from the printing surface side of the corresponding section by the card information magnetic head 54. (Step S
105). The quantization processing unit 56 performs quantization processing such as PCM or other A / D conversion on the reproduced signal of the card information R2 to obtain quantized data (step S106). The write processing unit 53 generates an encryption key based on the data obtained by quantizing the card information R2 obtained in step S106, encrypts the feature data C1 created in step S104, and then creates the feature of the prepaid card 100. The data is recorded in the data storage area 120, and the process ends (step S107).

Here, the characteristic data used in the present system will be described with reference to FIG. At the time of reproducing the card information, the prepaid card 100 (that is, the magnetic layer for magnetic storage) is provided in the printed portion of the pattern pattern P or the like.
And the distance between the magnetic head 343 (54) for recording and reproduction vary depending on the amount of ink in printing the pattern pattern P or the like. The reproduction output is attenuated at locations where the interval due to the ink volume is large. The amount of ink spread varies for each prepaid card medium and is a unique value for each medium. Therefore, the medium of the prepaid card 100 is identified by utilizing the fact that the reproduction output is attenuated in accordance with the amount of ink different for each medium. If the pattern patterns P are different, the distribution of the ink is different, and the amount of the ink varies individually. Since the writing and reading of the card information are performed through the printed portion of the pattern, the influence of the distribution of the printing ink on the pattern is remarkable.

As described above, the prepaid card 100
Prints the pattern pattern P and the like on the back surface. The distribution of the amount of ink as a result of the printing varies even in the same print pattern. When the magnetic heads 343 and 54 pass over the printing surface of the printing portion for writing / reading of magnetic information, the air gap between the magnetic heads 343 and 54 and the magnetic layer changes according to the change in the amount of ink. Change. The reproduction output of this printed portion is lower than that of the portion without printing, and the reproduction output is further reduced when the ink volume is large.

Since the ink volume varies even within the same print pattern, the size of the air gap between the magnetic heads 343 and 54 and the magnetic layer also varies, and the degree of reduction in the reproduction output including noise accompanying the variation also occurs. Scatter.
This variation in printing occurs at the time of manufacturing the prepaid card 100 and is a random variation that cannot be controlled to be constant. In the present invention, the characteristic data of the prepaid card 100 is generated using the variation of the magnetic reproduction output.

Next, the card consumption processing in the prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The card consumption process shown in FIG. 10 is performed by the data reading unit 342 of the card information reader / writer 34 of the reading device 30.
Is activated each time is set.

When the processing is started, the consumption processing unit 32 of the reading device 30 checks whether the set prepaid card 100 is normal or not (step S111). Details of the reading check processing in step S111 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

First, the reading control unit 341 of the card information reader / writer 34 in the reading device 30
42, and controls the first and second card information storage areas 11 of the prepaid card 100 via the magnetic head 343.
The card information R1 and R2 stored in the card information R1 and R2 are read, and the validity of the card information R1 and R2 is checked (step S120). Here, it is checked whether predetermined information (identification information, encoding date, etc.) required as card information is recorded, and whether there is any inconsistency between the card information update date and the encoding date and time. This is performed for each of the information R1, R2.

The validity of the prepaid card 100 is determined based on the result of the card information check in step S120 (step S121). That is, step S12
If the check at 0 detects inconsistency in the card information, the card is determined to be invalid and the process returns to the original routine.

In step S121, the prepaid card 1
If there is no abnormality in the card information of No. 00, the quantization processing unit 344 sets the card information R read out in step S120.
1. Quantize R2. The quantized data is temporarily stored in the quantized data storage unit 345. (Step S122).

Next, the characteristic data reader / writer 35
Reads the feature data recorded in the feature data storage area 120, and the feature data storage unit 355 temporarily stores the read feature data (step S12).
3).

Subsequently, it is determined which of the card information R1 and R2 read in step S120 is the last updated card information (step S12).
4). Here, any method can be used as long as it is possible to identify the last updated card information. For example, of the balance information included in the read card information R1 and R2, it may be determined that the one containing the smaller amount is updated last. Alternatively, the determination may be made by referring to the record of the update date and time recorded along with the balance information included in the card information. Alternatively, a code indicating the updated card information may be attached to an appropriate location of the prepaid card 100, and the determination may be made based on this.

If it is determined that the card information R1 is the last updated card information, the process proceeds to step S12.
Go to 5. Here, in response to the determination in step S124, the decoding processing unit 354 uses the data obtained by quantizing the card information R1 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S122, and uses the characteristic data in step S123. The feature data stored in the storage unit 355 is decoded.

Subsequently, the success or failure of the decoding process in step S125 is determined (step S126). Here, if it is determined that the decryption process in step S125 is not established, the reading check process is terminated and the process returns to the original routine.

If it is determined in step S125 that the decoding has been established, the flow advances to step S127. Here, the data obtained by quantizing the card information R2 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S122 is compared with the characteristic data decoded in step S125.

As a result of the comparison in step S127, it is determined whether or not both match (step S128). If a mismatch is determined here, the process returns to the original routine without performing the subsequent check processing.

If it is determined in step S128 that the data matches, the update identification information D indicating that the card information to be rewritten in the card information update processing described later is R2.
2 is created (step S129). Here, the update identification information indicating that the card information to be updated is R1 is D1, and the update identification information indicating that the card information to be updated is R2 is D2.
And By creating the update identification information, the card information R1 and R2 are alternately updated in a card information update process described later each time the prepaid card 100 is used for the consumption process. This step S1
29 is a flow when it is determined in step S124 that the last updated card information is R1, so that update identification information D2 indicating that the card information to be updated next is R2 is created. .

On the other hand, in step S124, the card information R2
Is determined to be the last updated card information, the process proceeds to step S130. Here, step S1
In response to the determination in step S24, the decoding processing unit 354 uses the data obtained by quantizing the card information R2 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S122, and stores the data in the feature data storage unit in step S123. The obtained feature data is decoded.

Subsequently, the success or failure of the decryption process in step S130 is determined (step S131). Here, if it is determined that the decryption processing in step S131 is not established, the reading check processing ends and the processing returns to the original routine.

If it is determined in step S131 that the decoding has been established, the flow advances to step S132. Here, the data obtained by quantizing the card information R1 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S122 is compared with the characteristic data decoded in step S130.

As a result of the comparison in step S132, it is determined whether or not both match (step S133). If a mismatch is determined here, the process returns to the original routine without performing the subsequent check processing.

If data coincidence is determined in step S133, update identification information D1 indicating that the card information to be updated in the card information updating process described later is R1 is created (step S134). Since this step S134 is a flow when it is determined in step S124 that the last updated card information is R2, the update identification information D1 indicating that the card information to be updated next is R1 is created. Is done.

After the processing in step S129 or S134, the punch holes formed in the prepaid card 100 are checked (step S135). here,
The card information reader / writer 34 detects the position of the remaining amount guide punch hole and the presence or absence of inconsistency in the stored information.

When the reading check processing in step S111 is completed, in step S112, step S1 is executed.
Based on the result of the reading check process in step 11, it is determined whether the prepaid card 100 is valid. That is, when inconsistency in the card information is detected, when the decryption processing by the decryption processing unit 354 is determined to be unsuccessful, when the compared feature data does not match, or when the punch hole check in Is detected, if any one of the above applies, it is determined that the set prepaid card 100 is abnormal and has been created by an unauthorized means.

At step S112, the prepaid card 10
When it is determined that 0 is not valid, an error or an error is displayed, and an abnormal / illegal process such as stopping the operation of the system is executed (step S113).

If it is determined in step S112 that the prepaid card 100 is valid, the consumption processing unit 3
2 is a prepaid card 10 after performing a predetermined consumption process.
The card information in the 0 card information storage area 110 is updated (step S114). The card information updating process in step S114 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the consumption processing section 32 executes step S11.
Based on the update identification information created in the first reading check process, it is determined whether the last updated card information is R1 or R2 (step S141).

If the update identification information created in the above-described read check processing is D1, the process proceeds to step S142.
Here, the consumption processing unit 32 determines that the last updated card information is R via the card information reader / writer 34.
See FIG.

The consumption processing section 32 checks the balance of the card information R2, and if there is a balance, performs a predetermined consumption process such as lending an article (step S143).

Subsequently, the consumption processing section 32 reads out the card information R1 stored in the second card information storage area 112 via the card information reader / writer 34,
Based on the consumption in step S143, the remaining amount information of the read card information R1 is updated and rewritten (step S144).

On the other hand, when the update identification information created in the read check processing is D2, the consumption processing unit 32 refers to the last updated card information R1 via the card information reader / writer 34.

The consumption processing section 32 checks the balance of the card information R1, and if there is a balance, performs a predetermined consumption process such as lending an article (step S146).

The consumption processing section 32 has a card information reader /
Via the writer 34, the first card information storage area 111
Is read out, and based on the consumption in step S146, the read card information R2 is read.
2 is updated and rewritten (step S14).
7).

When the rewriting of the card information is completed in step S144 or S147, a punch hole corresponding to the updated balance is punched (step S148).

When the card information updating process in step S114 is completed, the process proceeds to step S115. Step S11
In 5, the characteristic data recorded in the characteristic data storage area 120 of the prepaid card 100 is rewritten.
The flowchart of FIG. 14 shows details of the characteristic data rewriting process in step S115.

First, it is determined whether the update identification information created by the above-described read check processing is D1 or D2 (step S151). If the update identification information is D1, the feature data C2 is created using the data obtained by quantizing the card information R2 in step S122, and the card information R1 obtained in step S122 is encrypted with the quantized data. . (Step S152, Step S15
3).

Then, the feature data C1 recorded in the feature data storage area 120 of the prepaid card 100
Is rewritten to the encrypted feature data C2 (step S154).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S151 that the update identification information is D2, the characteristic data C1 is similarly created using the data obtained by quantizing the card information R1, and the data obtained by quantizing the card information R2 is obtained. After the encryption (steps S155 and S156), the feature data C2 is rewritten to the encrypted feature data C1 (step S157).

When the rewriting of the characteristic data in step S154 or S157 is completed, the characteristic data rewriting process ends, and the process returns to the original routine.

By the above processing, the prepaid card 10
The feature data C1 and C2 are rewritten alternately each time 0 is used for consumption processing. That is, when the update identification information is D1, the characteristic data storage area 12 of the prepaid card 100
0 is the characteristic data C1 obtained by reproducing the card information R1,
2 is rewritten to the characteristic data C2 obtained by reproducing. Similarly, when the update identification information is D2, the recorded feature data C2 is rewritten to C1.

Next, in the above-described card information update processing and characteristic data rewriting processing, a card check is performed again on the prepaid card 100 whose card information and characteristic data have been rewritten (step S116). FIG. 15 shows details of the write check process.

First, the reading control unit 341 of the card information reader / writer 34 in the reading device 30
42, and controls the first and second card information storage areas 11 of the prepaid card 100 via the magnetic head 343.
The card information R1 and R2 stored in the card information R1 and R2 are read, and the validity of the card information R1 and R2 is checked (step S160). Here, similarly to the above-described reading check processing, it is checked whether there is any contradiction between the read card information R1 and R2.

Based on the result of the card information check in step S160, the validity of the prepaid card 100 is determined (step S161). That is, step S16
If any inconsistency is detected by checking with 0, the card is determined to be invalid and the process returns to the original routine.

At step S161, the prepaid card 1
If there is no abnormality in the card information of No. 00, it is determined which of the update identification information created in the above-described read check processing (step S162). Here, if the update identification information is D1, the process proceeds to step S163.

In step S163, the first card information storage area 11 is
The card information R1 recorded in No. 1 is reproduced, and the quantization processing unit 344 quantizes this. The quantized data is temporarily stored in the quantized data storage unit 345.

Subsequently, the characteristic data reader / writer 35
Reads out the feature data recorded in the feature data storage area 120, and the decryption processing unit 354 executes step S163.
The card information R1 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345
The read feature data is decoded using the data obtained by quantizing (step S164). This step S1
Reference numeral 64 denotes a flow in the case where the update identification information is determined to be D1 in step S162, and the feature data recorded in the feature data storage area 120 is C2.

Next, it is determined whether or not the decoding process in step S164 is successful (step S165). Here, when it is determined that the decryption process is not established, the check process is terminated and the process returns to the original routine.

Next, the card information reader / writer 34 reproduces the card information R2 recorded in the second card information storage area 112, and the quantization processing section 344 quantizes this. This quantized data and step S1
The data is compared with the feature data C2 decoded in 64 (step S166), and it is determined whether or not they match (step S167). Here, if they do not match, the routine returns to the original routine without performing the subsequent check processing.

If it is determined in step S162 that the update identification information is R2, the flow advances to step S168. Here, the card information reader / writer 34 reproduces the card information R2, and the quantization processing unit 344 quantizes this. The quantized data is stored in the quantized data storage unit 3
45 is temporarily stored.

Next, the characteristic data reader / writer 35 reads out the characteristic data recorded in the characteristic data storage area 120, and the decryption processing unit 354 stores the card information R2 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S168. The read feature data is decoded using the data obtained by quantizing (step S169). This step S16
9 is a flow in the case where it is determined in step S162 that the update identification information is D2.
The feature data recorded in 20 is C1.

Next, it is determined whether or not the decoding process in step S169 is successful (step S170). Here, when it is determined that the decryption process is not established, the check process is terminated and the process returns to the original routine.

Next, the card information R1 recorded in the first card information storage area 111 is reproduced by the card information reader / writer 34, and the quantization processing section 344 quantizes this. This quantized data and step S1
The feature data C1 decoded in 69 is compared with the feature data C1 (step S171), and it is determined whether or not they match (step S172). Here, if they do not match, the routine returns to the original routine without performing the subsequent check processing.

If it is determined in step S167 or S172 that the feature data matches, the punched holes formed in the prepaid card 100 are checked (step S173). Here, it is checked whether there is any contradiction with the punched hole in the card information updating process.

When the write check processing in step S116 ends, in step S117, step S1
Based on the result of the write check process in step 16, it is determined whether the prepaid card 100 is valid. That is, when there is a contradiction between the card information R1 and R2, when the decoding of the feature data is not established, when the feature data does not match, when the position of the punch hole is incorrect,
If any one of the above applies, it is determined that the prepaid card 100 is abnormal and has been created by unauthorized means.

In step S117, the prepaid card 10
When it is determined that 0 is not valid, an error or an error is displayed, and an abnormal / illegal process such as stopping the operation of the system is executed (step S113).

At step S117, the prepaid card 10
If no fraud of 0 is detected, the prepaid card 100 is ejected from the reading device 30 and the process is terminated.

According to the first embodiment, two pieces of card information recorded on a prepaid card are reproduced, and one of the obtained reproduction information is quantized as card characteristic data. An encryption key is created using data obtained by quantizing the other reproduction information, and the feature data is encrypted using the encryption key. further,
The two pieces of card information are rewritten alternately for each consumption process. At this time, the feature data is created based on the unrewritten card information, and the created feature data is used to quantize the rewritten card information. It is encrypted based on the data obtained. At the time of insertion of the card and after rewriting of the card information, determination of success / failure of the characteristic data decoding using the data obtained by quantizing the rewritten card information, and collation of the characteristic data with respect to the non-rewritten card information are performed.
Based on this result, if the prepaid card is replaced during the processing of the reading device, this is detected. Therefore,
An unauthorized copy of a prepaid card using a reading device can be reliably detected.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, one of two quantized reproduction information is used as feature data, and the other is encrypted. However, a method of using a change in a reproduction signal based on a variation in the amount of ink generated when a print portion is reproduced for encryption is not limited to this. In the following, a prepaid card system using another method that uses a change in a reproduction signal for encryption will be described as a second embodiment.

Note that the configuration of the prepaid card and the recording device used in the second embodiment are the same as those used in the first embodiment. In the reading device, as shown in FIG. 16, a part of the configuration of the reader / writer for card information and the configuration of the reader / writer for characteristic data are partially different.

FIG. 17 shows a reading device 3 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing details of a configuration of a card information reader / writer 340 of FIG. The card information reader / writer 340 is different from the card information reader / writer 34 used in the first embodiment in the configuration of the encryption processing unit 347.
And a write encryption data storage unit 348. The other components are the same as those of the card information reader / writer 34, and thus are denoted by the same reference numerals. The encryption processing unit 347 includes the quantization processing unit 34
4 is for creating encrypted data based on the quantized card information R1 and R2, and the write encrypted data storage unit 348 temporarily stores the encrypted data created by the encryption processing unit 347. It is for doing.

FIG. 18 shows a reading device 3 according to the present embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the structure of the characteristic data reader / writer 350 of 00. In the feature data reader / writer 350, a read encryption data storage unit 356 is configured instead of the decryption processing unit 354 of the feature data reader / writer 35 used in the first embodiment. Note that the other components are the same as those of the feature data reader / writer 35, and thus are denoted by the same reference numerals. The read encrypted data storage section 356 stores the magnetic head 3
53 temporarily stores the encrypted data read from the characteristic data storage area 120 of the prepaid card 100.

Next, the processing performed in the prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining an encoding process on the prepaid card 100 in the recording device 50 of the prepaid card system.
The encoding process shown in FIG. 19 is started each time a prepaid card medium is set in the recording device 50.
When the prepaid card medium is set, first, the encoding control unit 51 transmits predetermined card information stored in, for example, the storage unit 52 to the prepaid card medium via the card information magnetic head 54 by the writing processing unit 53. In the first card information storage area 111 formed corresponding to the predetermined print part P1 as the card information R1, and the card information storage area 11 formed corresponding to the predetermined print part P2.
2 as card information R2 (step S20).
1).

Next, the encoding control section 51 operates the card information reproducing section 55 to reproduce the card information R1 of the first card information storage area 111 from the printing surface side of the relevant part by the card information magnetic head 54. Then, the quantization processing unit 56 performs quantization processing such as PCM or other A / D conversion on the reproduced signal of the card information R1 to obtain quantized data (step S202). The write processing unit 53 creates the feature data C1 of the prepaid card 100 based on the quantized data, and writes it in the feature data storage area 120 (Step S203). Here, the card information R
It is assumed that the feature data created from No. 1 is C1 and the feature data created from the card information R2 is C2.

Subsequently, the encode control section 51 operates the card information reproducing section 55 to reproduce the card information R2 of the second card information storage area 112 from the printing surface side of the relevant section by the card information magnetic head 54. Then, the quantization processing unit 56 performs quantization processing such as PCM or other A / D conversion on the reproduced signal of the card information R2 to obtain quantized data (step S204). The write processing unit 53 creates the feature data C2 of the prepaid card 100 based on the quantized data, and writes it in the feature data storage area 120 (Step S205).

The write processing section 53 generates encrypted data from the data obtained by quantizing the card information R1 obtained in step S202 and the card information R2 obtained in step S204, and generates the characteristic data of the prepaid card 100. The information is recorded in the storage area 120 (step S206), and the process ends.

Next, the card consumption process in the prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The card consumption process shown in FIG. 20 is performed by the data reading unit 342 of the card information reader / writer 340 of the reading device 300.
It is activated each time 00 is set.

When the processing is started, the consumption processing unit 32 of the reading apparatus 300 reads the prepaid card 100
It is checked whether or not is normal (step S211). Details of the reading check process in step S211 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the reading control section 341 of the card information reader / writer 340 in the reading apparatus 300 controls the data reading section 342 and, via the magnetic head 343, the first and second card information of the prepaid card 100. Card information R1, R2 stored in storage areas 111, 112
Is read, and the validity of the card information R1, R2 is checked (step S220). Here, it is checked whether predetermined information (identification information, encoding date, etc.) required as card information is recorded, and whether there is any inconsistency between the card information update date and the encoding date and time. This is performed for each of the information R1 and R2.

Based on the result of the card information check in step S220, the validity of the prepaid card 100 is determined (step S221). That is, step S22
If the check at 0 detects inconsistency in the card information, the card is determined to be invalid and the process returns to the original routine.

In step S221, the prepaid card 1
If the card information of No. 00 is normal, the quantization processing unit 344 sets the card information R read out in step S220.
1. Quantize R2. The quantized data is temporarily stored in the quantized data storage unit 345. (Step S222).

Next, the encryption processing unit 347 determines in step S
In step 222, encrypted data is created using the data obtained by quantizing the card information R1 and R2 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345, and is temporarily stored in the write encryption data storage unit 348 (step S223).

Subsequently, the characteristic data reader / writer 35
0 of the prepaid card 100 by driving the magnetic head 353.
0 is read out and temporarily stored in the read-out encrypted data storage unit 364.
The consumption processing unit 32 compares the encrypted data with the encrypted data in the write encrypted data storage unit 348 (step S224).

Based on the comparison in step S224, it is determined whether or not the encrypted data matches (step S22).
5) If they do not match, the subsequent check processing is not performed, and the routine returns to the original routine. If it is determined in step S225 that they match, the process proceeds to step S226.

In step S227, the data reading unit 352 of the characteristic data reader / writer 350
53, the characteristic data C1, C2 stored in the characteristic data storage area 120 of the prepaid card 100.
2 is read and temporarily stored in the feature data storage unit 355.

Next, the consumption processing section 32 executes step S22.
2, the card information R stored in the quantized data storage unit 345
The quantized data of R1 and R2 are compared with the feature data C1 and C2 stored in the feature data storage unit 355 in step S226, respectively, and it is determined whether or not they match as a result of the comparison (steps S227 and S228). If it is determined in step S228 that they do not match, the flow returns to the original routine without performing the subsequent check processing.

If it is determined in step S228 that they match, the flow advances to punch hole check processing in step S229.
Here, it is checked whether there is any inconsistency between the amount information included in the card information read in step S220 and the punched hole indicating the estimated remaining amount punched in the prepaid card 100.

When the punch hole check in step S229 is completed, the reading check process is completed and the process returns to the original routine.

When the reading check processing in step S211 ends, in step S212, step S2
Based on the result of the reading check process in step 11, it is determined whether the prepaid card 100 is valid. In other words, one of the following cases is detected: inconsistency in card information, inconsistency in encrypted data, inconsistency in feature data, or when an illegal punch hole is detected. Then, it is determined that the set prepaid card 100 is abnormal and has been created by unauthorized means.

In step S212, the prepaid card 10
If it is determined that 0 is not valid, an invalid / error display is performed, and an abnormal / illegal process such as stopping the operation of the system is executed (step S213).

If it is determined in step S212 that the prepaid card 100 is valid, the consumption processing unit 3
2 is a prepaid card 10 after performing a predetermined consumption process.
The card information in the 0 characteristic data storage area 120 is updated (step S214). The card information updating process in step S214 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the consumption processing unit 32 determines whether the card information R1,
It is determined which of R2 has been updated last (step S230). Here, any method can be used as long as it is possible to identify which card information was updated last. For example, the balance information included in the card information R1 and R2 may be compared, and the one containing the smaller amount may be determined as the last updated card information. Alternatively, the determination may be made by referring to the update date and time information recorded along with the balance information. Alternatively, a code indicating the updated card information may be attached to an appropriate portion of the prepaid card 100 for each consumption process, and the determination may be made based on the code.

When it is determined in step S230 that the last updated card information is R1, the consumption processing unit 3
2 refers to the balance information in the card information R1, and if there is a balance, permits consumption according to the balance and performs a predetermined consumption process such as lending of an article (steps S231 and S232).

Subsequently, the consumption processing unit 32 determines in step S2
32, the card information R2 is updated, and the card information reader / writer 340 rewrites the card information R2 in the second card information storage unit 112 (step S233).

Update identification information D2 indicating that the updated card information is R2 is created.
4). Here, the update identification information indicating that the card information R1 has been updated is D1, and the update identification information indicating that the R2 has been updated is D2.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S230 that the last updated card information is R2, after the consumption processing based on the card information R2, the card information R1 is updated based on this consumption. At the same time as rewriting, update identification information D1 is created.
5, S236, S237, S238).

When the processing in step S234 or S238 is completed, a punch hole is punched in the prepaid card 100 based on the card information updated in step S233 or S237 (step S239), and the processing ends.

When the card information updating process in step S214 ends, a characteristic data rewriting process is executed (step S215). FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the feature data rewriting process.

First, the card information reader / writer 340
Reproduces the card information R1 and R2, respectively, and the quantization processing unit 344 quantizes the reproduction information to obtain the quantized data storage unit 3.
45 (step S240).

Next, the consumption processing unit 32 determines which characteristic data to be rewritten is based on the update identification information created in the above-described card information update processing (step S241). That is, when the update identification information is D1, the process proceeds to step S242, and the feature data C1 is rewritten. When the update identification information is D2, the feature data C2 is rewritten in step S243.

In the step S242, the consumption processing section 32
However, the data obtained by quantizing the card information R1 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S240 is referred to as updated feature data C1, and the feature data reader / writer 350 uses the feature data C stored in the feature data storage area 120.
1 is rewritten to the updated feature data C1.

On the other hand, in step S243, the consumption processing unit 3
2 uses the data obtained by quantizing the card information R2 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S240 as updated feature data C2, and the feature data reader / writer 350 stores the feature data stored in the feature data storage area 120. Rewrite C2 with the updated feature data C2.

Subsequently, the encryption processing unit 347 transmits the card information R1, R2 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345.
The updated encrypted data is created from the second quantized data. The characteristic data reader / writer 350 rewrites the encrypted data recorded in the characteristic data storage area 120 with the created updated encrypted data (steps S244 and S24).
5) End the process.

When the rewriting of the characteristic data in step S215 is completed, the check processing for the prepaid card 100 is executed again (step S216). FIG.
Is a flowchart showing details of the write check process.

First, the card information reader / writer 340
Magnetic head 343 reproduces the card information R1, R2,
The information is temporarily stored in the card information storage unit 346. The quantization processing unit 344 quantizes the card information R1 and R2 stored in the card information storage unit 346, and
5 is temporarily stored (step S250).

Next, the encryption processing unit 347 determines in step S
At 250, encrypted data is created using the quantized data of the card information R1 and R2 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345, and is temporarily stored in the write encryption data storage unit 348 (step S251).

Subsequently, the characteristic data reader / writer 35
0 magnetic head 353 reads the encrypted data recorded in the characteristic data storage area 120 of the prepaid card 100 and temporarily stores it in the read encrypted data storage unit 354, the consumption processing unit 32 writes in step S251. The encrypted data stored in the embedded encrypted data storage unit 348 is compared with the encrypted data stored in the read encrypted data storage unit 356, and it is determined whether or not they match (step S252).
S253).

If there is a mismatch, the flow returns to the original routine without performing the subsequent check processing. On the other hand, if a match is detected, the feature data reader / writer 35
0 magnetic head 353 reads the feature data C1 and C2 recorded in the feature data storage area 120 and temporarily stores them in the feature data storage unit 355 (step S2).
54).

Subsequently, the consumption processing section 32 determines characteristic data to be checked based on the update identification information created in the above-described card information update processing (step S25).
5). That is, if the update identification information is D1, the process proceeds to step S256, and the feature data C2 of the feature data C1 and C2 stored in the feature data storage unit 355 in step S254 and the quantization data storage in step S250. The quantized data stored in the unit 345 is compared with the quantized data for the card information R2. on the other hand,
If the update identification information is D2, step S257
In step S254, the feature data C1 stored in the feature data storage unit 355 is compared with the quantized data for the card information R1 stored in the quantized data storage unit 345 in step S250.

That is, step S256 or S25
In 7, the comparison of the feature data of the card information not rewritten in the card consumption process is performed. It is determined whether the data compared in step S256 or S257 match (step S2).
58). If they do not match, the process returns to the original routine without performing the subsequent check processing.

If a match is detected in step S258, a punch hole check in step S259 is executed. Here, the position of the punched hole provided in the prepaid card 100 is detected, and it is checked whether there is any inconsistency with the position of the punched hole in step S239 in the above-described card information updating process, and the process is terminated.

When the write check processing in step S216 is completed, the validity of the prepaid card 100 is determined based on the result of the write check processing (step S217). In other words, in step S216, if any one of the following cases is detected: a mismatch in the encrypted data, a mismatch in the characteristic data, or a fraudulent punch hole, the prepaid card 100 Is abnormal and is determined to have been created by unauthorized means.

At step S217, the prepaid card 10
If it is determined that 0 is not valid, an invalid / error display is performed, and an abnormal / illegal process such as stopping the operation of the system is executed (step S213).

At step S217, the prepaid card 10
If 0 is determined to be valid, the reading device 300
, The prepaid card 100 is discharged, and the process is terminated.

According to the second embodiment, two pieces of card information recorded on a prepaid card are reproduced, and data obtained by quantizing a change in a reproduction signal caused by a variation in the amount of ink is used as characteristic data of the card. I do. In addition, encrypted data is created based on the two pieces of reproduction information and recorded on a card.
The two card information are rewritten alternately for each consumption process. At this time, encrypted data is created and updated based on the rewritten card information and the unrewritten card information. When the card is inserted and after the card information is rewritten, the collation of the encrypted data and the collation of the characteristic data of the card information that has not been rewritten are performed. Based on this result, if the prepaid card is replaced during the processing of the reading device, this is detected. Therefore, an unauthorized copy of the prepaid card using the reading device can be reliably detected.

In the second embodiment, in the write check process, the feature data corresponding to the unrewritten card information is collated. However, the feature data corresponding to the rewritten card information is collated. Alternatively, both the rewritten card information and the characteristic data corresponding to the unrewritten card information may be collated.
As a result, the act of replacing a card can be detected with higher accuracy.

In the above embodiment, a prepaid card having a magnetic storage area is used. For example, the prepaid card may be realized as a card having a magnetic storage area and an IC chip. In this case, the card information storage area 1
11 and 112 may be provided in the magnetic storage area, and the variable information to be stored in the feature data storage area 120 may be stored in the memory of the IC chip.

The card used in this system is
A no-value card that does not store the amount information may be used. In this case, for example, information on the amount of money for each user is managed at a center or the like, and when a card is used, information (such as a card ID) stored in the card that can identify the user.
May be used to access a center or the like, and to perform a process of withdrawing a predetermined amount of money for the corresponding user.

[0161]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Quantizes the reproduction information related to the variation in the amount of ink in a predetermined printing portion in which the card information is stored in advance at the time of issuing the prepaid card, creates characteristic data unique to the card, and further encrypts using the quantized reproduction information. Is applied. The reading device performs a decryption process on the encrypted data and a comparison of the characteristic data at the time of inserting the card and after rewriting the card information, and checks the validity of the card based on these results. Therefore, if the prepaid card is replaced during the processing of the reading device, this can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to provide a prepaid card system, a reading device, and a card discriminating method that can accurately detect the fraud of a falsified or forged prepaid card by copying stored information of another prepaid card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a printing unit provided on the prepaid card shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a prepaid card system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a card information reader / writer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a characteristic data reader / writer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an encoding process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a change in a reproduction signal due to a variation in the amount of ink according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining card consumption processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a read check process performed in the card consumption process illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a read check process performed in the card consumption process illustrated in FIG. 10;

13 is a flowchart illustrating a card information update process performed in the card consumption process illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a feature data rewriting process performed in the card consumption process illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a write check process performed in the card consumption process shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a card information reader / writer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a characteristic data reader / writer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an encoding process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining card consumption processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a read check process performed in the card consumption process illustrated in FIG. 20;

22 is a flowchart illustrating a card information update process performed in the card consumption process illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a feature data rewriting process performed in the card consumption process illustrated in FIG. 20;

24 is a flowchart illustrating a write check process performed in the card consumption process shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 relay device 30, 300 reading device 31 communication unit 32 consumption processing unit 33 storage unit 34, 340 card information reader / writer 341 reading control unit 342 data reading unit 343 magnetic head 344 quantization processing unit 345 quantized data storage unit 346 Card information storage section 347 Encryption processing section 348 Write encryption data storage section 35, 350 Feature data reader / writer 351 Reading control section 352 Data reading section 353 Magnetic head 354 Decryption processing section 355 Feature data storage section 356 Read encryption data Storage unit 40 Payment center 50 Recording device 51 Encoding control unit 52 Storage unit 53 Write processing unit 54 Magnetic head for card information 55 Card information reproducing unit 56 Quantization processing unit 57 Magnetic head for characteristic data 58 Encryption processing unit 100 Prepaid card 110 car Information storage area 120, wherein the data storage area 111 the first card information storage area 112 the second card information storage area

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E044 AA20 BA06 CA05 CC06 DA01 DA03 DA06 DC01 DC05 DC06 DD02 DE01 5B058 CA31 KA13 KA32 KA35 YA06

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid card system comprising: an encoding unit that writes predetermined card information on a prepaid card; and a reading unit that performs a predetermined consumption process based on money amount information included in the card information of the prepaid card. Encoding means, card information writing means for magnetically writing two card information in a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card, and reproducing the two card information in the first variable information storage area, An encryption key is generated based on one of the obtained reproduction information, and the other is used as the characteristic data of the prepaid card. The characteristic data is encrypted with the generated encryption key and written into the second variable information storage area. Characteristic data creating means, wherein the reading means comprises: two cars recorded in the first variable information storage area. Card information reproducing means for reproducing each piece of data information and quantizing the obtained reproduction information; and generating an encryption key on one of the quantized data obtained by the card information reproduction means, Decoding means for decoding the characteristic data stored in the second variable information storage area by using the decoding means, and decoding by the decoding means is established, and the quantized data obtained by the card information reproducing means is obtained. A prepaid card system comprising: card identification means for determining that the prepaid card is valid when the other of the data matches the characteristic data decoded by the decoding means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said card identification means includes a reading check means for judging the validity of said card when said prepaid card is inserted into said reading means. When it is determined that the prepaid card is valid, the consumption according to the balance information included in the last updated card information of the two card information is permitted, and the last update is performed based on the consumption. Consumption processing means for updating and rewriting card information different from the obtained card information, and reproducing the card information rewritten by the consumption processing means, using an encryption key based on data obtained by quantizing the obtained reproduction information, Characteristic data updating means for encrypting the characteristic data decrypted by the decrypting means and writing the encrypted characteristic data in the second variable information storage area. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The card discriminating means further comprises a write check means for judging the validity of the card after rewriting the card information by the consumption processing means. Reproducing and quantizing the non-updated card information which has not been rewritten by the decoding means; reproducing the card information rewritten by the consumption processing means and quantizing the obtained reproduction information, Decrypting the feature data written by the data updating means, wherein the write checking means:
3. The prepaid card system according to claim 2, wherein the prepaid card system compares the quantized data of the unupdated card information obtained by the card information reproducing unit. 4. 4. A predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in each of the predetermined printing portions. 4. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, wherein the prepaid card system is obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount of ink. 5. 5. A prepaid card system comprising: an encoding unit that writes predetermined card information on a prepaid card; and a reading unit that performs predetermined consumption processing based on money amount information included in the card information of the prepaid card. Encoding means for magnetically writing two card information into a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card; and reproducing each of the two card information in the first variable information storage area Characteristic data creating means for writing the two pieces of data obtained by quantizing the reproduction information obtained in step 1 into the second variable information storage area of the prepaid card as characteristic data of the prepaid card; Playback information obtained by playing each of the two card information into quantized data Encryption data creating means for creating encrypted data based on the first variable information storage area, and reading the two pieces of card information in the first variable information storage area, Cryptographic data comparing means for quantizing the obtained two pieces of reproduction information to generate encrypted data, reading encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area, and comparing the read encrypted data with the generated encrypted data; Reading the characteristic data recorded in the second variable information storage area, quantizing the reproduction information of the card information corresponding to the characteristic data among the reproduction information obtained by the encryption data comparing means, Characteristic data comparing means for comparing with the obtained characteristic data, and a result of comparison by the encrypted data comparing means and the characteristic data comparing means, at least If one is a mismatch either prepaid card system, characterized by comprising, a fraud card detection means for detecting said prepaid card as invalid cards. 6. The fraudulent card detecting means includes a reading check means for detecting the fraudulent card when the prepaid card is inserted into the reading means, wherein the reading means comprises: When the card is not detected, the characteristic data recorded in the second variable information storage area is read, and consumption according to the balance information included in the card information corresponding to the characteristic data is permitted. A consumption processing unit that updates and rewrites card information that does not include the balance information, based on the updated card information, and reproduces updated card information that is rewritten by the consumption processing unit and unupdated card information that is not rewritten by the consumption processing unit Then, encrypted data is created by quantizing the obtained two pieces of reproduction information, and the encryption data recorded in the second variable information storage area is created. Data updating means for rewriting data to the created encrypted data; and two pieces of reproduction information obtained by the encrypted data updating means as update feature data of the prepaid card. The prepaid card system according to claim 5, further comprising: feature data updating means for rewriting data to the updated feature data. 7. The fraudulent card detecting means further includes a writing check means for detecting the fraudulent card after rewriting the card information by the consumption processing means, and wherein the encrypted data comparing means has the updated card information and the updated card information. Playing back the unupdated card information, quantizing the two pieces of obtained playback information to create encrypted data, and reading out the encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area to create the encrypted data. Compared with encrypted data, the feature data comparing means reproduces the unupdated card information when a match is detected as a result of the comparison by the encrypted data comparing means, and quantizes the obtained reproduced information with data. And feature data corresponding to the unupdated card information among the feature data rewritten by the feature data updating means in the second variable information storage area. Prepaid card system according to claim 6 to be compared, characterized in that. 8. The fraudulent card detecting means further includes a writing check means for detecting the fraudulent card after rewriting the card information by the consumption processing means, and wherein the encrypted data comparing means has the updated card information and the updated card information. The non-updated card information is reproduced, and the obtained two pieces of reproduction information are quantized to generate encrypted data.
Reading the encrypted data recorded in the variable information storage area and comparing the encrypted data with the created encrypted data. The feature data comparing means, if a match is detected as a result of the comparison by the encrypted data comparing means, Reproducing the card information and comparing the data obtained by quantizing the obtained reproduction information with the characteristic data corresponding to the updated card information among the characteristic data rewritten by the characteristic data updating means; 7. The prepaid card system according to claim 6, wherein: 9. A predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in each of the predetermined printing portions. The prepaid card system according to claim 5, wherein the prepaid card system is obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount of ink. 10. A reading device used in a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement based on money amount information included in card information recorded on a prepaid card, wherein the first variable information storage area of the prepaid card is provided. Card information reading means for reading two pieces of card information magnetically recorded on the card; and characteristic data for reading feature data corresponding to the two pieces of card information recorded in a second variable information storage area of the prepaid card. Reading means, and consumption processing means for updating the money amount information read by the card information reading means in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card, wherein the card information reading means comprises: Each of them is reproduced, and the obtained reproduction information is quantized. The characteristic data is read, the card information reading means decodes and compares the reproduced information with the quantized reproduction information, and the consumption processing means, when the data compared by the characteristic data reading means does not match, the prepaid card is replaced with an unauthorized card. A reading device characterized by: 11. A predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in each of the predetermined printing portions. The reading device according to claim 10, wherein the reading device is obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount of ink. 12. A reading device used in a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement based on money amount information included in card information recorded on the prepaid card, wherein the first variable information storage area of the prepaid card is provided. Card information reading means for reading two card information magnetically recorded on the card; characteristic data and the two card information corresponding to the two card information recorded in a second variable information storage area of the prepaid card Characteristic data reading means for reading the encrypted data created based on the above, and consumption processing means for updating the amount information read by the card information reading means according to the amount of consumption of the prepaid card, The card information reading means reproduces each of the two card information, and quantizes the obtained reproduction information. The encrypted data is created, the characteristic data reading unit reads the encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area, compares the encrypted data with the encrypted data created by the card information reading unit, and creates the encrypted data. Reading the characteristic data from the variable information storage area and comparing it with the reproduction information quantized by the card information reading means; and when the data compared by the characteristic data reading means does not match, the prepaid card A reading device that discriminates a card as a fraudulent card. 13. A predetermined printing portion is formed on the first variable information storage area so as to correspond to a recording position of the two card information, and the characteristic data is stored in each of the predetermined printing portions. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein the reading device is obtained by quantizing a change in reproduction information based on a variation in the amount of ink. 14. A prepaid card comprising: an encoding step of writing predetermined card information on a prepaid card; and a reading step of performing a predetermined consumption process based on money amount information included in the card information of the prepaid card in a reading device. A card discriminating method in a processing method, wherein the encoding step includes: a card information writing step of magnetically writing two pieces of card information into a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card; and the first variable information storage. Each of the two pieces of card information in the area is reproduced, an encryption key is generated based on one of the obtained reproduction information, and the other is used as characteristic data of the prepaid card, and the characteristic data is encrypted with the generated encryption key. Creating characteristic data magnetically and magnetically writing it in the second variable information storage area. In the reading step, the card information reproducing step of reproducing each of the two pieces of card information recorded in the first variable information storage area and quantizing the obtained reproduction information; and A decryption step of generating an encryption key on one of the obtained quantized data and decrypting the characteristic data stored in the second variable information storage area using the encryption key; If the decoding by the step is established and the other of the quantized data obtained in the card information reproducing step matches the characteristic data decoded in the decoding step, the prepaid card is valid. And a card identification step of identifying the card. 15. A prepaid card comprising: an encoding step of writing predetermined card information on a prepaid card; and a reading step of performing a predetermined consumption process based on money amount information included in the card information of the prepaid card in a reading device. A card discriminating method in a processing method, wherein the encoding step includes: a card information writing step of magnetically writing two pieces of card information into a first variable information storage area of the prepaid card; and the first variable information storage. A feature data generating step of writing two data obtained by quantizing the reproduction information obtained by reproducing each of the two pieces of card information in the area as the characteristic data of the prepaid card into the second variable information storage area of the prepaid card; The two card information in the first variable information storage area Creating encrypted data based on data obtained by quantizing playback information obtained by playing each of them, and writing the encrypted data to the second variable information storage area. The reading step includes: Each of the two pieces of card information in the first variable information storage area is reproduced, the obtained two pieces of reproduction information are quantized to generate encrypted data, and the encrypted data recorded in the second variable information storage area is reproduced. An encrypted data comparing step of reading and comparing the created encrypted data with the created encrypted data; reading out characteristic data recorded in the second variable information storage area; The reproduction information of the card information corresponding to the data is quantized and compared with the read characteristic data. And a fraudulent card detecting step of detecting the prepaid card as a fraudulent card when at least one of the results of the comparison by the encrypted data comparing step and the characteristic data comparing step does not match. Judgment method.