JP2000311227A - Non-contact ic card used for facility management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a non-contact IC card which has a display function of visual data, contains a means that can discriminate both sides or the like of the card and is used for a facility management system. SOLUTION: A non-contact IC card 1 includes a communication storage part 11 which is built into a card main body 10 and communicates with an outside with no contact to store and update the data, a display part 12 which is formed on a surface of the main body 10 and display the visual data corresponding the data stored in the part 11 and a direction mark 13 which is attached on the rear of the card 1 at a prescribed position. When the mark 13 is detected by an external processor, the both sides or the like of the card 1 can be discriminated by the processor and the visual data can be accurately displayed at the part 12. Thus, the card 1 of such a constitution is suitably used for a management system of the parking lots of cars and bicycles and also as an information storage medium that is used for the point management system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a contactless IC card as an information storage medium capable of contactlessly storing and updating data used in a facility management system, and more particularly to a function of displaying visual data. The present invention relates to a non-contact IC card used for a provided facility management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a non-contact IC card has a feature that a large amount of data can be processed, data processing is reliable, and security is excellent. Such a non-contact IC card can be used as a storage medium for various data, for example, in a facility management system for managing usage information in parking lots, bicycle parking lots, various commercial facilities, and the like. Also,
A conventional non-contact IC card is also known in which visual data corresponding to stored data or the like is displayed on a card surface or the like.

Conventionally, when performing visual data display processing on such a non-contact IC card, reading and writing processing of stored data (hereinafter referred to as R / W processing) is performed.
A visual data processing device prepared separately from a non-contact IC card processing device such as a reader / writer that performs the above-mentioned operations has been used, or visual data has been displayed by handwriting, stamps, stickers, or the like.

Further, when the R / W processing of the stored data and the display processing of the visual data are performed by different devices, there is a discrepancy between the content stored in the non-contact IC card and the content displayed as the visual data. May occur. In order to prevent such discrepancies, for example, a non-contact IC card processing device has been proposed in which the R / W process of stored data and the display process of visual data are performed in the same device (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10 (1998) -108). -374161).

The non-contact IC card processing device includes an R / W processing unit for performing R / W processing of stored data and a print processing unit for performing display processing of visual data along a transport path of the non-contact IC card. Each processing of storage data and visual data is continuously performed on a non-contact IC card to be placed and conveyed.

[0006]

By the way, the conventional non-contact IC card can perform the R / W processing of the stored data irrespective of the front and back surfaces of the card and the direction of the card. For this reason, it is not necessary to particularly define the state of insertion of the non-contact IC card into the processing device for the R / W processing. On the other hand, regarding the display processing of the visual data, since the conventional non-contact IC card often has a display portion at a specific position on the front surface or the back surface, it is necessary to define the state of insertion of the non-contact IC card into the processing device. is there. That is, if the processing surface (front surface or back surface) of the card to be inserted into the processing device, and furthermore, the insertion direction is not correct, regular display processing cannot be performed, and the stored data of the card and the visual data do not match. Or the information display becomes difficult to see.

However, since the conventional non-contact IC card having a display function does not have a structure for distinguishing the front and back surfaces thereof, it is difficult to accurately perform visual data display processing in the processing device. Was. Even in a processing device that performs the above-described storage data R / W processing and visual data display processing in a single device, only the storage data read from the non-contact IC card inserted in an arbitrary state can be inserted. It is difficult to determine the state, and the above-described problem may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points. For example, the present invention is used for a facility management system for managing usage information of parking lots, bicycle parking lots, various commercial facilities, etc., and has a function of displaying visual data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-contact IC card in which a main body of the non-contact IC card is provided with means for distinguishing the front and back surfaces of the card.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a contactless IC card used for a facility management system for managing information related to facility use, and a card processing device provided in the facility management system. Communication storage means for communicating and contactlessly storing and updating data;
A display unit capable of displaying visual data is provided on the card main body, and a direction discrimination mark unit for discriminating at least the front and back surfaces of the card main body is provided.

With this configuration, it is possible to distinguish whether the non-contact IC card faces the front or the back based on the direction discrimination mark. Thus, in a card processing device provided in the facility management system, for example, for displaying visual data on a display unit, the non-contact IC is determined based on whether or not the direction determination mark of the non-contact IC card is detected. As a result, the state of insertion of the card can be determined, and accurate display processing of visual data can be realized.

As a specific facility management system to which the non-contact IC card is applied, a parking lot management system, a bicycle parking lot management system, or a point management system is suitable. The parking lot (bicycle parking lot) management system is a system that manages information related to the use of a parking lot (bicycle parking lot) at least when entering or leaving a vehicle (bicycle) in the parking lot (bicycle parking lot). The point management system is a system that manages point information that is added or subtracted according to the usage status of the facility.

The direction determining mark of the non-contact IC card may be capable of determining the direction of the non-contact IC card. This makes it possible to determine the front and back surfaces of the non-contact IC card and the direction thereof based on the direction determination mark portion.

The specific configuration of the direction determining mark portion of the non-contact IC card may be a planar mark provided on one of the front surface and the back surface of the card body. Alternatively, it may be a defective portion formed in the card body.

Further, as a specific configuration of the display unit of the above-mentioned non-contact IC card, a heat-sensitive layer whose state changes in response to heat energy may be provided. In addition, the heat-sensitive layer is preferably formed to include a coloring type reversible heat-sensitive material.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, first of all, non-contact IC
The structure and basic operation of the card will be described. Next, specific examples of the facility management system to which the present non-contact IC card is applied will be listed, and the non-contact IC corresponding to each system will be described.
Here is a specific operation example of the card.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a non-contact IC card according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of the front surface of the card, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the configuration of the rear surface of the card. In FIG. 1, a non-contact IC card 1 includes a communication storage unit 11 provided as a communication storage unit provided inside a card body 10, a display unit 12 provided on the front surface of the card body 10, and a predetermined Direction mark 13 as direction discrimination mark part attached to position
And

The communication storage unit 11 has a memory for freely storing and reading data. The communication storage unit 11 transmits data stored in the memory to a card processing device provided in the facility management system, and transmits a signal from the card processing device. It has a communication function to receive. This communication storage unit 11 stores a general non-contact I
It is the same as that built in the C card. A specific example of the facility management system will be described later.

The display unit 12 is provided with, for example, a thermosensitive layer capable of displaying visual data on the surface of the card body 10. This heat-sensitive layer is desirably formed of a reversible heat-sensitive material having excellent visibility in which the state of a substance reversibly changes in response to external heat energy. A specific example of such a reversible thermosensitive material is described in “Journal of the Color Materials Association (Color Materials and Interface Control)” published on May 20, 1996 by Vol. 69, No. 5, May 1996), "Rewritable recording material capable of repeated recording / erasing" can be used.

The rewritable recording material known in the above-mentioned documents has at least two energetically stable states and changes its state bidirectionally by an external stimulus (heat energy). ,
It is roughly classified into two types, a coloring type and a light scattering type.

A typical example of the color-forming type is a leuco dye-based rewritable recording material. As for its physical properties, it is known that the color is fixed as it is when heated / quenched, and the color is erased when cooled slowly. In addition to a leuco dye, a photochromic material, a cholesteric liquid crystal, and the like are also known as color developing rewritable recording materials. On the other hand, light scattering type rewritable recording materials include organic low molecular weight / high molecular weight materials, and it is known that a visible display can be obtained by operating in a cloudy state and a transparent state using thermal hysteresis.

The light-scattering type material is inferior to the color-forming type in terms of visibility because the contrast between the white turbid state (coloring) and the transparent state (colorless) is limited. Although it is possible to form a light reflection layer such as an aluminum thin film for the purpose of improving the contrast, when such an aluminum thin film is formed on one surface of the card body 10, the R / W processing of the non-contact IC card is performed. Must take into account the effect of radio wave attenuation. Therefore, non-contact I
Among the various rewritable recording materials as described above, a coloring type one is preferable as the display unit 12 of the C card.

The direction mark 13 is a mark that allows the front and back surfaces of the card and the direction thereof (the front-back direction of the card surface) to be determined. In this case, for example, a part of the peripheral edge of the back surface of the card body 10 (FIG. 1) A rectangular mark or the like printed on the right end of the upper side in (B)). The direction mark 13 is not limited to a simple shape as shown in the figure. For example, a planar mark such as a bar code (including a two-dimensional one) or an optical code, or a hole (through or non-through) may be used. Or a notch (a three-dimensional shape) such as a notch. Also, regarding the arrangement of the direction mark 13,
The present invention is not limited to the above case, and may be provided on the surface of the card, and the position on the card surface can be set arbitrarily.

However, it should be noted that if the direction mark 13 is placed at the center of the card surface, the card processing device may not be able to determine the card insertion direction. Further, when the direction mark 13 is formed as a through hole or a notch, it should be noted that it is necessary to dispose the through hole or the like at a position asymmetrical in the front-rear direction of the card surface.

As described above, the type and mounting position of the direction mark identification sensor provided in the card processing device (not shown) are appropriately designed in accordance with the shape and arrangement of the direction mark 13 provided on the non-contact IC card 1. In addition, the card processing device can detect the inserted state of the non-contact IC card 1.

Here, the basic operation of the non-contact IC card 1 having the above configuration will be described. When the non-contact IC card 1 is inserted into a card processing device capable of performing a display process of visual data, if the non-contact IC card 1 is inserted in a normal state, an identification sensor provided in the card processing device causes a non-contact IC card 1 The direction mark 13 of the contact IC card 1 is detected. Here, the normal insertion state is a direction in which the non-contact IC card 1 is inserted so that the display process of the visual data on the display unit 12 is correctly executed. It is determined by the relative relationship with the structure of the processing device.

On the other hand, if the non-contact IC card 1 is inserted into the card processing device in a state different from the normal state, the direction mark 13 of the non-contact IC card 1 will not be detected by the identification sensor. In this case, for example, measures such as returning the inserted non-contact IC card 1 to the user and prompting the user to re-insert the card are taken.

When the direction mark 13 of the non-contact IC card 1 is detected by the identification sensor, the processing for the non-contact IC card 1 is started. For example, in the case where the R / W processing of the stored data and the display processing of the visual data are performed continuously in the card processing device, the R of the stored data is exchanged with the communication storage unit 11 of the non-contact IC card 1. After the / W processing is executed, display processing of visual data corresponding to the stored data is performed on the display unit 12.

When the display unit 12 is formed of a leuco dye-based rewritable material, the visual data is displayed on the display unit 12 by heating the display unit 12 with a thermal head or the like provided on the card processing device side. And the cooling rate after the heating is controlled. As a result, the rewritable material repeats coloring / decoloring, and variable display of visual data is performed.

At this time, even when part of the visual data already displayed on the display unit 12 is rewritten as variable data, the insertion state of the non-contact IC card 1 can be detected by the card processing device side. It is possible to accurately perform an overwrite process only on a portion to be rewritten in the displayed visual data.

Next, a specific example of a facility management system to which the present non-contact IC card 1 is applied will be described. FIG.
It is a figure explaining the specific example of operation at the time of applying non-contact IC card 1 to a parking lot management system.

In the parking lot management system of FIG. 2, for example,
When a parking contract is concluded, a non-contact IC card 1 storing information related to the contract is issued by a card issuing machine as a commuter pass or a pass card. The non-contact IC card 1 includes, for example, card identification information, a parking lot code, and issuance information (vehicle type, validity period,
Data such as a commuter pass number and the like are stored in the memory of the communication storage unit 11. The card identification information is information indicating a card type such as a commuter pass or a pass card, and the parking lot code is code information unique to the contracted parking lot. The display unit 12 of the non-contact IC card 1 displays, for example, visual data as shown in FIG. Here, in the case where the non-contact IC card 1 is used as a commuter pass, an example is shown in which the visual data indicating the validity date and the parking place of the commuter pass is rewritten as variable data. Visual data is not limited to this.

When a user holding the issued non-contact IC card 1 enters a parking lot, data stored in the non-contact IC card 1 is read by a card processor provided at the entrance. When the card processing device determines that the content of the stored data is effective for use of the parking lot,
For example, various information such as entry time is written on the non-contact IC card 1, and the entrance gate is opened to permit use of the parking lot. Also, when exiting from the parking lot, after the stored data in the non-contact IC card 1 is read by the card processing machine provided at the exit, for example, various information such as exit time is stored in the non-contact IC card 1. Upon writing, the exit gate is opened. As a result, information on the use of the parking lot is managed via the non-contact IC card 1.

When renewing the expiration date (contract) of a commuter pass, pass card, or the like, it is stored in a card issuing machine in the same manner as when a non-contact IC card 1 is issued at the time of contract. It is possible to rewrite data and visual data. In addition, the data stored in the non-contact IC card 1 is checked both at the time of entry and at the time of exit. The storage data may be checked to determine whether or not the parking lot use is valid.

Further, in the above-described operation example, the case where the non-contact IC card 1 is used as a commuter pass or a pass card for using the parking lot has been described. However, for example, a parking ticket is issued at the time of entrance. This non-contact IC is also used for management methods such as paying parking fees when entering
The card 1 can be used. In this case,
Non-contact I with various information such as entrance time instead of issuing a parking ticket
The parking fee may be settled by storing the data in the C card 1 and reading the data stored in the non-contact IC card 1 with a charge adjusting machine provided at the exit or the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation example when the non-contact IC card 1 is applied to the bicycle parking lot management system. In the bicycle parking lot management system of FIG. 4, similarly to the case of the above-described parking lot management system, for example, a non-contact IC card 1 in which information on the contract contents is stored by signing a bicycle parking lot use contract or the like is used. Issued by The non-contact IC card 1 includes, for example, a system ID, a bicycle parking code, personal information and issuance information (vehicle type, validity period, bicycle parking location, contract number, etc.).
Such data is stored in the memory of the communication storage unit 11. The system ID is information for specifying the manager of the bicycle parking lot, the bicycle parking code is code information unique to the contracted bicycle parking lot, and the personal information is information for identifying the contractor. The display unit 1 of the non-contact IC card 1
2, various visual data similar to those shown in FIG. 3 are displayed.

The operation method for using the bicycle parking lot is basically the same as the operation method in the case of the above-described parking lot management system. However, in the example shown in FIG. 4, a case is shown in which the expiration date of the non-contact IC card 1 is updated by a time limit updating machine installed in the bicycle parking lot. As a result, the update process is performed by the user himself, and operation with reduced burden on the administrator becomes possible. The expiration date renewal machine may be installed outside the parking lot, or the renewal process of the validity period may be performed by the card issuing machine as in the case of the parking lot management system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation example when the non-contact IC card 1 is applied to the point management system. The point management system here is
For example, points are added according to the usage status in various commercial facilities, etc., and various goods and services can be received according to the accumulated points. It manages points in a so-called prepaid card system or the like that setstle the price.

In the point management system shown in FIG. 5, for example, by becoming a member of a commercial facility or the like that operates the above-described system, the contactless IC card 1 storing various member information is issued by the card issuing machine. Is done. When the contactless IC card 1 is used as a point card as described above, for example, data such as ticket type data, member data, and issuance information (type, management number (issuing date), number of points, etc.) Is stored in the memory of the communication storage unit 11. Note that the ticket type data is information indicating that the contactless IC card 1 functions as a point card, and the member data is information for specifying a commercial facility or the like where the contactless IC card 1 is operated. In this case, the display unit 12 of the non-contact IC card 1
Displays visual data as shown in FIG. 6, for example.
The visual data indicating the member number, the shopping street, and the like are displayed as fixed data, and the visual data indicating the points generated this time, the total points, the date of use, and the like are rewritten as variable data.

When the non-contact IC card 1 is used as a prepaid card, for example, an encryption code,
Data such as ticket type data, facility code, and issue information (management number (issue date), par value, etc.) are stored in the communication storage unit 1.
1 is stored in the memory. The encryption code is so-called key data indicating the structure of data stored in the card.
The ticket type data is information indicating that the contactless IC card 1 functions as a prepaid card, and the facility code is code information for specifying an available facility. In this case, for example, visual data as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 12 of the non-contact IC card 1, and the visual data indicating the remaining amount, usage history, and the like is rewritten as variable data.

The user who has been issued the non-contact IC card 1 as described above, for example, when using the card as a prepaid card, performs a pre-payment settlement process in advance using a card processor to perform the non-contact IC card processing. Points (amount) are added to card 1. In addition, when using as a point card to which points are added according to the purchase of an article or the like, it is not necessary to perform the above-described prepayment settlement processing.
When purchasing goods or services at a commercial facility where points can be used, or when exchanging accumulated points for prizes, etc., contactless ICs are used for card readers, vending machines, etc.
A point subtraction (settlement) process is performed by holding the card 1 up. At this time, if the card reader or the vending machine does not have the function of rewriting the visual data, the non-contact IC card 1 is separately inserted into the display processor or the like to update the point (balance) display. I do.

The operation example of the point management system as described above can be used in combination with the above-mentioned parking lot management system or bicycle parking lot management system. That is, the same non-contact IC card 1 is used to manage the use of a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot attached to a commercial facility where points can be used. Alternatively, an operation may be performed such that a parking (bicycle parking) fee can be settled with points.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the direction mark 13 is provided on the non-contact IC card 1 having the function of displaying visual data, the state of insertion of the non-contact IC card 1 into an external processing device is provided. Can be detected on the processing device side, so that the visual data can be reliably displayed on the display unit 12 of the non-contact IC card 1. In particular, when part of the visual data displayed on the display unit 12 is rewritten as variable data, only the variable data part can be overwritten, so that the processing time can be reduced. The display unit 12
By appropriately changing the rewriting range of the non-contact IC card 1 and effectively using the same, it is possible to increase the number of times that the non-contact IC card 1 can be processed. The non-contact IC card 1 with a display function provided with such a direction mark 13 is suitable for applications such as the above-described parking lot management system, bicycle parking lot management system, point management system, and the like.

In the embodiment described above, the display unit 12
Has been described as being formed by the heat-sensitive layer, but the display method of the visual data in the present invention is not limited to the heat-sensitive method, and a known display method can be used.
Also, the direction mark 13 has been described as being capable of determining the front and back of the card and its direction. However, when the display format of the visual data is not related to the card direction, a direction in which only the front and back of the card can be determined. It may be a mark for determination.

[0044]

As described above, the non-contact IC card used in the facility management system according to the present invention has the non-contact IC card provided with the direction discrimination mark portion on the card body.
At least the front and back of the card can be distinguished. As a result, the present invention has an effect that the external processing device side can determine the inserted state of the non-contact IC card, thereby enabling accurate display processing of the visual data on the display unit. Such a non-contact IC card is suitable as an information storage medium used in various systems for managing a point service operated in a parking lot, a bicycle parking lot, a commercial facility or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a non-contact IC card according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) shows a card front surface and (B) shows a card back surface.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when the embodiment is applied to a parking lot management system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of visual data when the non-contact IC card is used as a commuter pass for using a parking lot in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when the above embodiment is applied to a bicycle parking lot management system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when the embodiment is applied to a point management system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of visual data when the non-contact IC card is used as a point card in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of visual data when a non-contact IC card is used as a prepaid card in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Non-contact IC card 10 ... Card body 11 ... Communication storage unit 12 ... Display unit 13 ... Direction mark

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Jou Inoue 1-13-8 Kamikizaki, Urawa-shi, Saitama Japan Signaling Corporation Yono Works (72) Inventor Haruhiko Osawa 1200-17 Kanda, Odai, Urawa-shi, Saitama ( 72) Inventor Koichi Ueno 83-1-201 Minegishi, Omiya-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) 2C005 MB02 MB07 QB03 SA02 TA04 TA22 3E027 EA03 EA10 EC08 5B035 AA00 BA02 BA06 BB09 BC00 CA23

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A non-contact IC card used in a facility management system for managing information related to facility use, wherein a communication storage for performing non-contact communication with a card processing device provided in the facility management system to store and update data. Means, and a display unit capable of displaying visual data are provided on the card body, and a direction discriminating mark unit for discriminating at least the front surface and the back surface of the card body is provided. Non-contact IC card. 2. The facility management system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of when the vehicle enters and leaves the parking lot,
The non-contact IC card according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact IC card is a parking lot management system that manages information related to use of a parking lot, and is applied to the management of the information. 3. The bicycle management system according to claim 1, wherein the facility management system manages information related to the use of the bicycle parking lot at least when entering or leaving a bicycle in the bicycle parking lot, and is applied to the management of the information. The non-contact IC card according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The point management system according to claim 1, wherein the facility management system is a point management system that manages point information that is added or subtracted in accordance with the usage status of the facility, and is applied to the management of the point information. 2. The non-contact IC card according to 1. 5. The card according to claim 1, wherein the direction discrimination mark section is also capable of discriminating the direction of the card body.
4. The non-contact IC card according to any one of 4. 6. The card according to claim 1, wherein the direction discriminating mark is a planar mark provided on one of a front surface and a back surface of the card body. 2. The non-contact IC card according to 1. 7. The card according to claim 1, wherein the direction discrimination mark is a defective portion formed in the card body.
6. The non-contact IC card according to any one of Items 1 to 5, 8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit has a heat-sensitive layer whose state changes in response to heat energy.
8. The non-contact IC card according to any one of items 1 to 7, 9. The non-contact IC card according to claim 8, wherein the heat-sensitive layer is formed to include a coloring type reversible heat-sensitive material.