JP2002007970A - Issuing process system for noncontact ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently conduct a correct issuing process. SOLUTION: Many noncontact IC cards are mounted on a card feed section 110 and conveyed one by one by a card convey section 120. A key data readout section 210 on a conveying path reads the key data recorded on a magnetic stripe 11 and recognizes the corresponding encoded data in reference to the database in a database storage section 270. A memory access section 220 extracts the corresponding encoded data from an encoded data storage section 260 and writes the encoded data on the built-in memories of the IC cards. A visual data printing section 230 laser-prints card IDs as serial numbers in the order of issuing, and an external appearance inspection section 240 inspects them. The IC cards correctly applied with a series of processes are stored in an acceptable product magazine M2 in a card discharge section 130, and the IC cards having abnormalities are stored in a defective product magazine M3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an issuance processing system for an IC card, and more particularly to an issuance processing system suitable for continuously processing a non-contact type IC card in-line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a new information recording medium replacing a magnetic card, an IC card is becoming widespread. IC cards are
Various types are currently used depending on the use form. For example, if a contact-type IC card that needs to contact electrodes for signal transmission / reception with an IC card is also used, a non-contact type IC that can transmit / receive a signal by an electromagnetic method is used. Cards are also used.
Also, a type of IC that also has a function as a magnetic card
Cards are also used, and in this type of IC card, information can be recorded in both the magnetic stripe portion on the card surface and the built-in memory. Further, an IC card having both a contact type IC chip and a non-contact type IC chip is also used.

The process of issuing an IC card is usually performed by writing predetermined information into a built-in memory. The information to be written differs for each IC card,
For example, personal information such as the membership number and name of the IC card user, a code unique to the card issuer, and the like are written. Normally, visible information that can be recognized by the naked eye is printed on the surface of the IC card.

[0004]

When issuing an IC card having a portion on the surface of which a magnetic stripe is formed and a portion for printing visible information, the information recorded on the magnetic stripe and the information written in the built-in memory are written. Consistency is required between the information and the visible information printed on the surface. Normally, a method is adopted in which information written on a magnetic stripe portion is read out, information having contents matching the information is written into a built-in memory, and information having the same contents is printed as visible information on the surface. For this reason, when performing a process of continuously issuing a large number of IC cards, it is necessary to consider the physical order of the IC cards when performing the individual processing steps, which requires a considerable amount of work. . In addition, when serial numbers are continuously assigned to each IC card, a problem arises that it is necessary to perform a missing number process when a defective product occurs.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a contactless IC card issuance processing system capable of efficiently performing correct issuance processing.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) A first aspect of the present invention is a non-contact type which performs processing for issuing a non-contact type IC card capable of accessing a built-in memory in a non-contact type. In an IC card issuance processing system, a non-contact type IC card in which unique key data is written is stored in a predetermined location other than the built-in memory, and a card supply unit for sequentially supplying the non-contact type IC card, A card transport unit that transports the transferred IC card along a predetermined transport path, a key data reading unit that is provided at a first position on the transport path and reads key data from the transported IC card, And a memory access unit provided at the second position to access the built-in memory of the transferred IC card in a non-contact manner, and a memory access unit provided at the third position on the transfer path and A visible data printing unit that prints the card ID as visible data on the incoming IC card, a visual inspection unit that is provided at a fourth position on the transport path and that inspects the visible data printed on the transported IC card, At the end position of the transport path, a card discharge unit that separates and stores the IC card discharged from the transport path into non-defective products and defective products, and stores encoded data that stores encoded data to be written in a built-in memory of each IC card. And a control unit for controlling the whole system. The control unit extracts encoded data corresponding to the key data read by the key data reading unit from the encoded data storage unit, and stores the extracted encoded data in the memory. Give to the access unit to write to the internal memory of the IC card, and perform normal writing to the internal memory A predetermined card ID is given to a visible data printing unit for the IC card, and printed as visible data. Normal writing to the built-in memory is performed by the memory access unit. It is possible to control the IC card for which the inspection result indicating that the printing has been normally performed is accepted as a non-defective product in the card ejection unit, and the other IC cards are accepted as a defective product in the card ejection unit. It is made possible.

(2) The second aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the non-contact type IC card issuance processing system according to the above aspect, before the memory access unit performs the writing of the encoded data, the process of reading the unique chip ID is performed for each IC card, and the chip ID is normally read. The encoded data is written only to the issued IC card, and the encoded data is not written to the IC card whose chip ID has not been read normally.

(3) The third aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned second aspect.
In the non-contact type IC card issuance processing system according to the aspect, the serial number issued in the processing order is used as the card ID to be printed on the visible data printing unit, and normal writing to the built-in memory is not performed. When there is an IC card, the same card ID is issued again to the IC card to be processed next.

(4) The fourth aspect of the present invention is the above-described third aspect.
In the non-contact type IC card issuance processing system according to the aspect, information about one IC card can be recorded as one record, and a key data field in which key data is recorded and a location of encoded data are recorded. An encoded data field, a chip ID field for writing the read chip ID, a card ID field for writing the issued card ID, and a good / bad field for writing information for distinguishing good / defective products.
Is further provided, a database storage unit storing a database having the following is provided, the encoded data to be written is extracted by referring to the key data field and the encoded data field, and the read chip ID is written to the chip ID field and issued. By writing the card ID into the card ID field and writing information for distinguishing good / defective products into the good / defective fields,
Information on the processed IC card is recorded as a database.

(5) The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the above-mentioned fourth aspect.
In the non-contact type IC card issuance processing system according to the aspect, a test unit for performing a test before shipping is performed on a non-defective IC card stored in the card ejection unit. As a result of the test by the test unit, I judged to be defective
With respect to the C card, information indicating that the card is defective is written in the pass / fail field of the database so that it can be confirmed that the card ID issued for the IC card is a missing number.

(6) The sixth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned fifth aspect.
In the non-contact type IC card issuance processing system according to the aspect, when the IC cards determined as non-defective as a result of the test by the test device are packed in lots of a predetermined number, the IC cards are accommodated in each lot. Print a list showing the start number and end number of each card ID for each lot using the information in the database so that the start number and end number of the card ID issued for the IC card can be recognized. Further, a printer having a function of performing the above is further provided.

(7) The seventh aspect of the present invention is the above-described sixth aspect.
In the contactless IC card issuance processing system according to the aspect, information indicating a missing number of the card ID included in the range from the start number to the end number is further added to the list for each lot. It is like that.

(8) The eighth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the noncontact IC card issuance processing system according to the seventh to seventh aspects, when an IC card in which a symbol identifying a card type is displayed at a predetermined position is supplied from a card supply unit, the supplied IC card A card discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not a correct type of IC card is supplied in a correct direction by reading a predetermined position of
I for which a correct discrimination was not made by this card discrimination unit
The C card is discharged as a defective without performing access processing to the built-in memory.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

§1. Basic Configuration of Issue Processing System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a non-contact type IC card issue processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. By using this system, it is possible to perform processing for issuing a non-contact type IC card capable of accessing the built-in memory in a non-contact manner.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the structure of the non-contact type IC card 10 to be issued by this system. As shown, this non-contact type IC card 1
0 is provided with a magnetic stripe 11 in which predetermined key data (unique data for identifying each IC card before issuance) is magnetically recorded in advance. A built-in memory 12 composed of an IC is embedded in the non-contact type IC card 10. This built-in memory 1
A chip ID unique to the IC chip is previously written in one part of the IC chip 2, and encoded data is written in another part by an issuing process described later.
The surface of the non-contact type IC card 10 has a print area 1
3 is provided, and predetermined visible data (in this example, a card ID given as a serial number in the order of issuance processing) is written therein using a laser beam. After all, when performing a process of issuing an IC card having a structure as shown in FIG. 2, first, a pre-process of writing unique key data to the magnetic stripe 11 is performed.
The process of writing the encoded data corresponding to the key data in the built-in memory 12 is performed, and the process of writing the card ID given as the serial number in the order of the issuing process as visible data in the print area 13 is performed. The system shown in FIG. 1 has the following components to perform such issuance processing inline.

First, the card supply unit 110 accommodates a non-contact type IC card (an IC card in which unique key data is written in a portion of the magnetic stripe 11) to be issued and sequentially supplies them. It is a component having a function. More specifically, a magazine M1 capable of accommodating a plurality of IC cards is prepared, and by loading the magazine M1 into the card supply unit 110, the accommodated IC cards are stored one by one. Will be supplied. The card transport unit 120 includes the card supply unit 1
It is a component for transporting the IC card supplied from 10 along a predetermined transport path. Actually, it is configured using a conveyor such as a conveyor using a belt or a roller. At the end of this transport path,
A card ejection unit 130 is provided. The card ejection unit 130 includes a good magazine M2 and a bad magazine M3.
Is loaded, and the IC card discharged from the transport path is separated into a non-defective product and a defective product, and is stored in one of the magazines.

First on the transport path by the card transport unit 120
The key data reading unit 210 is provided at the position. The key data reading unit 210 is constituted by a magnetic reader device, and is provided with a magnetic stripe 1 of the IC card 10.
1 has a function of reading key data recorded in The memory access unit 22 is located at a second position on the transport path.
0 is provided. This memory access unit 220
It has a function of accessing the built-in memory 12 of the IC card 10 that has been transported in a non-contact manner. However, the IC card 10 has a built-in CPU, and access to the built-in memory 12 is performed indirectly via the CPU. Actually, the memory access unit 2
Reference numeral 20 denotes a non-contact type reader / writer device for the IC card 10, and transmission and reception of signals between the reader / writer device side antenna and the IC card 10 side antenna are performed by magnetic coupling. Done. By providing a predetermined write command signal from the memory access unit 220 to the IC card 10, encoded data can be written in the internal memory 12.

A visible data printing unit 230 is provided at a third position on the transport path. This visible data printing unit 2
Reference numeral 30 denotes a print area 13 of the transported IC card.
It has a function of printing a card ID consisting of a serial number as visible data. Actually, the visible data printing unit 230 can be configured by a writing unit using a semiconductor laser, a gas laser, or the like. An appearance inspection unit 240 is provided at a fourth position on the transport path. This visual inspection section 240 is a visual data (card ID) printed in the print area 13 of the IC card that has been conveyed.
It has a function to perform inspection. Actually, the appearance inspection unit 240 can be configured by a device in which a CCD camera and an image processing device are combined. The image of the print area 13 of the IC card is photographed by a CCD camera, and the obtained image data is subjected to processing such as character recognition to recognize the printed visible data and check whether correct data is written. Can be checked.

As described above, the IC card in the magazine M1 loaded in the card supply unit 110 is
The key data is read by the key data reading unit 210, the encoded data is written by the memory access unit 220, and the visible data is read. The card ID is printed in the printing unit 230 and the card ID printed in the appearance inspection unit 240
Inspection will be performed. Non-contact type IC card
It is more suitable for such in-line processing than a contact type IC card. That is, in the case of a contact type IC card, when writing to the built-in memory, it is necessary to perform the writing process while the terminals of the reader / writer device are physically in contact with each other. It is necessary to temporarily stop the transport, but in the case of a non-contact type IC card, writing to the built-in memory is possible in a non-contact state, so a series of processing can be performed without hindering the smooth transport process become.

The above-described series of processing along the transport path is generally controlled by the control unit 250. This control unit 250
In the case of this embodiment, is constituted by a personal computer in which dedicated software is installed, and has a function of integrally managing the entire system. This control unit 250 includes:
The encoded data storage 260 and the database storage 270 are connected. Encoded data storage 2
A storage device 60 stores encoded data to be written in the built-in memory 12 of each IC card. The database storage unit 270 stores one IC card as described later.
This is a storage device that stores a database in which various information on the card is recorded as one record. Both the encoded data storage unit 260 and the database storage unit 270 are configured by a storage device such as a hard disk device connected to a personal computer constituting the control unit 250.

The test section 280 is a device for performing a communication test on each IC card stored in the non-defective magazine M2 in the card discharge section 130. That is, as final inspection before shipment, individual ICs classified as non-defective
This device has a function of transmitting / receiving a predetermined command to / from a card and writing test data as necessary. Basically, similarly to the memory access unit 220,
It is composed of a non-contact type reader / writer device and a personal computer for operating the same. This test unit 280
The IC cards that have passed the test according to (1) are packed in lots of a predetermined number of pieces and shipped as a package P. ICs that failed the test by the test unit 280
The card will of course be removed at this point as a reject. The test unit 280 is a database storage unit 270
It has a function of accessing a database in the database, and when a defective product is found, the fact can be registered in the database. The printer 290 has a function of printing the contents of the database stored in the database storage unit 270. In this embodiment, as described later, the first sheet 291 and the second sheet 291 are printed by the printer 290. And output the sheet 292 on the paper,
It can be attached to the package P.

§2. The basic operation control unit 250 of the issuance processing system basically has a function of performing the following control so that correct issuance processing of an IC card can be efficiently performed by such an issuance processing system. are doing. First, the IC card supplied from the card supply unit 110 is transported along a transport path, and the key data on the magnetic stripe 11 is read by the key data reading unit 210. Subsequently, the encoded data corresponding to the read key data is extracted from the encoded data storage unit 260, and the extracted encoded data is supplied to the memory access unit 220, and the encoded data is stored in the internal memory 12 of the IC card.
To write to. Then, for the IC card that has been normally written into the built-in memory 12, a predetermined card ID (serial number issued in the processing order) is given to the visible data printing unit 230 and printed as visible data.
The appearance inspection unit 240 is inspected. In this manner, normal writing to the built-in memory is performed by the memory access unit 220, and an inspection result indicating that the visible data is normally printed is obtained in the appearance inspection unit 240.
The C card is stored in the non-defective product magazine M2 as a non-defective product in the card ejection unit 130, and other ICs are stored.
With respect to the card, control is performed to store the card in the defective magazine M3 as a defective product.

In the embodiment shown here, before the memory access unit 220 writes the encoded data, a process of reading the chip ID previously written in the built-in memory 12 is performed, so that the chip ID is normally read. The encoding data is written only to the read IC card. Since the IC card from which the chip ID has not been read normally is originally defective, the writing of encoded data in the memory access unit 220 is prevented from being performed. Without carrying out the inspection process by 240,
The defective magazine M3 is stored. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the encoded data from being written on the defective IC card, and to prevent the card ID including the serial number from being assigned to the defective IC card. be able to. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to perform the missing number processing for the card ID.

If the chip ID is read normally, but an error occurs during the writing of the encoded data and the normal writing to the built-in memory 12 is not performed, the IC card is also The defective product is conveyed to the card ejection unit 130 without being subjected to the printing process by the visible data printing unit 230 or the inspection process by the appearance inspection unit 240 and stored in the defective product magazine M3. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a card ID consisting of a serial number from being assigned to a defective IC card, so that it is not necessary to perform the missing number processing for the card ID. Visible data printing unit 23
0 indicates that if there is an IC card for which normal writing to the built-in memory has not been performed, the card ID is not printed for such a defective IC card. Then, the same card ID is issued again to the IC card to be processed next. In this way, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a missing number in the card ID when a defective product occurs, and it becomes unnecessary to perform unnecessary missing number processing.

It is to be noted that a defective product may be found by an inspection in the appearance inspection unit 240 in some cases. In this case, if the visible data printing unit 230 determines that the I
Before the process of printing the card ID on the C card, if a defect is found in the appearance inspection unit 240, the visible data printing unit 230 performs the process of printing the same card ID again. By doing so, occurrence of missing numbers can be prevented. However, when the visible data printing unit 230 has already performed the process of printing the next card ID on the IC card to be processed next at the time when the defective product is found in the appearance inspection unit 240 In this case, the card ID printed on the defective product must be omitted. Such a situation is the same when a defective product is found in the final test in the test unit 280. The missing number process in such a case is performed by registering a defect in the database in the database storage unit 270 as described later.

§3. Example of Specific Operation of Issuance Processing System Subsequently, an issuance processing procedure of an IC card using the issuance processing system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Here, a specific procedure for issuing 500 IC cards will be described below. First, as a preparation stage before executing the processing procedure of FIG. 3, it is necessary to prepare a physical IC card and prepare encoded data to be written on the IC card. That is, as a preparation before performing the issuing process using the system of FIG. 1, 500 IC cards in which different key data are respectively written are prepared in the magnetic stripe 11, and the built-in memory 12 of each IC card is prepared. It is necessary to prepare 500 types of encoded data to be written in the memory.

Here, in the portion of the magnetic stripe 11,
KEY001, KEY002, KEY003, respectively
............ Key data of KEY500 is written 5
00 IC cards are prepared in the card supply unit 110, and the file names are respectively set to “EN001.da”.
t ”,“ EN002.dat ”,“ EN003.da ”
Assume that 500 types of encoded data are prepared and stored in the encoded data storage unit 260 as a file having the name “EN500.dat”. In the database storage unit 270,
Assume that a database DB as shown in FIG. 4 is prepared. In this database DB, information on one IC card is recorded as one record (one line in the figure), and a key data field in which key data is recorded, and a location of encoded data (in this example, a file name) , A chip ID field for writing the read chip ID, a card ID field for writing the issued card ID, and a good / defective field for writing information for discriminating good / defective products. Is provided. In the preparation stage before the IC card issuance process, as shown in the figure, the key data field and the encoded data field in the database DB store the location (file name) of predetermined key data and encoded data, respectively. , And other fields are blank.

The database DB shown in FIG. 4 has a function of giving an instruction to write encoded data having a specific file name for an IC card on which specific key data has been written. For example, for an IC card in which key data “KEY003” is written on the magnetic stripe 11, “E
N003. It indicates that the encoded data stored in the encoded data storage unit 260 should be written with the file name “dat”. Therefore, the control unit 25
0 can perform processing of extracting encoded data to be written and giving it to the memory access unit 220 by referring to the key data field and the encoded data field in the database DB. For example, in the key data reading unit 210, “KEY0
For the IC card into which the key data “03” has been read, the memory access unit 220 stores “EN003.da”
It can be instructed to write the encoded data of the file name "t".

Thus, in the system according to the present invention,
Immediately after the key data reading unit 210 reads key data from the IC card, the memory access unit 22
0, the encoded data is written to the IC card, and the database storage unit 270
By referring to the database DB in the IC card, the encoded data corresponding to the read key data can be extracted and written, so that the IC card is not confused, and the correct encoded data is stored in each IC card. Can be written. After all, if the issuing process is performed using the system according to the present invention, the 500 prepared IC cards do not necessarily have to be arranged in the order according to the key data. It may be set in 110.

Now, the procedure of the issuing process for the IC card set in the card supply unit 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, key data is read. As described above, the IC card set in the card supply unit 110 is supplied to the card transport unit 120, transported on a predetermined transport path, and the key data is read by the key data reading unit 210. Key data reading unit 210
However, when the read key data is reported to the control unit 250, the control unit 250 searches the database DB in the database storage unit 270 and specifies a record containing the corresponding key data. Then, referring to the column of the encoded data of the record, the file name of the encoded data to be written is recognized, and the encoded data having the file name is extracted from the encoded data storage unit 260 in step S2. For example, "KEY
When the key data “003” is read, the file name “EN003.dat” can be obtained by searching the database DB of FIG.
3. dat ”will be extracted. If here
If the extraction of the encoded data fails, the IC
The processing for the card has failed, and the processing in step S1 is performed in order to perform the defective processing through step S3.
Branch to 4. If the key data has not been correctly written to the magnetic stripe 11, an error has occurred in the database DB prepared in advance, or if the encoded data has not been correctly stored in the encoded data storage unit 260, Such defective product processing is performed.

If the extraction of the corresponding encoded data from the encoded data storage section 260 succeeds, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4, where the chip ID is read. That is, non-contact communication is performed with the IC card conveyed to the memory access unit 220 after reading of the key data is completed, and the chip ID written in the internal memory 12 is stored in the memory access unit 22.
Read to 0. Here, if the reading has failed, the IC card is defective, and therefore, the step S5
Then, the process branches to step S14, and defective product processing is performed. If the reading of the chip ID is successful, a process of writing the encoded data to the internal memory 12 is performed in step S6. As described above, the memory access unit 220 first reads the chip ID, and writes the encoded data only when the reading is successful. Thus, it is possible to prevent the useless writing process from being performed on the defective product. As a result of executing the writing process in step S6, if the writing of the encoded data fails, the writing to the built-in memory 12 cannot be performed for some reason, and the IC card is a defective product. The process branches from step S7 to step S14, and defective product processing is performed.

If the writing of the encoded data is successful, the process proceeds from step S7 to step S8, where a new card ID is issued by the control unit 250. The card ID is a serial number assigned in the order of the issuance processing, and here, for example, “ABC1001”,
"ABC1002", "ABC1003", ...
Card ID "ABC1500" with 500 ICs
It is assumed that the award was given to the card.
If the writing process for the first IC card is successful in step S6, the card ID “ABC1001” is assigned to the first IC card in step S8.
Will be issued. Therefore, the control unit 250 gives the card ID to the visible data printing unit 230, and stores the “ABC” in the printing area 13 of the transported IC card.
1001 "is printed. Subsequently, in step S10, the printed card ID is inspected. That is, the print area 1 is
The image of No. 3 is photographed, and the print contents are recognized. Then, an inspection is performed to determine whether or not the card ID printed on the print area 13 is correct. If any abnormality is found by this inspection, it means that the correct card ID has not been printed in the print area 13, so that step S
The process branches from step 11 to step S14, and defective product processing is performed.

If there is no abnormality as a result of the inspection in step S10, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12,
A record of “processing status: good” is written in the database DB, and further, in step S13, the I
The C card is stored in the non-defective magazine M2 in the card ejection unit 130. On the other hand, steps S3, S5, S7, S11
If it is determined to be defective in any of the cases, step S
At 14, the record "processing status: bad" is written in the database DB, and furthermore, step S15
In, the IC card is stored in the defective magazine M3 in the card ejection unit.

The chip ID read in step S4, the card ID issued in step S8, and the processing status result in step S12 or S14 are stored in the database storage unit 270 via the control unit 250. Each chip I of DB
Data is written in the D field, card ID field, and good / bad field. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of the database DB when the above-described series of processing is completed for an IC card having key data “KEY003”. The read chip ID “F” is displayed in the chip ID column.
FFD A3 "is written, the issued card ID" ABC1001 "is written in the card ID column, and the processing status" good "is written in the pass / fail column. As described above, according to the present system, the information on the processed IC card is stored in the database DB.
, The history of the issuing process can be left as a database.

The flowchart of FIG. 3 shows a series of procedures performed for one IC card, but the same procedure is executed for each IC card. The IC card on which the series of procedures has been executed normally is stored in the non-defective magazine M2 in the card ejection unit 130. For example, after the above-described IC card having key data "KEY003", an IC card having key data "KEY005" and an IC card having key data "KEY002"
Card supply unit 11 having the key data
Supplied from 0, and if both were processed normally,
The database DB in the database storage unit 270 is as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, steps S3, S5, S7, S11
If any of the above is determined to be defective, the defective product processing in step S14 is immediately executed. In other words, if a defective product is found in any one of the processes, the subsequent processes are not performed at all and the card ejection unit 13 is left as it is.
0 and is stored in the defective magazine M3. For example, the example shown in FIG.
Card having key data of “KEY00”
4 shows an example in which an IC card having key data “4” is defective. Specifically, for the IC card having the key data “KEY001” supplied as the fourth card from the card supply unit 110, the chip ID
Was read, but because the read failed,
The IC card is stored as it is in the defective magazine M3 in the card ejection unit 130. Therefore,
On the database DB, the columns of the chip ID and the card ID in the row of “KEY001” are left blank.
In the failure column, information for identifying a failure location “chip ID failure” is written. In this case, the card ID “ABC1004” issued for the fourth card is maintained without being given to the defective product. In the example shown in FIG. 7, “KE” supplied as the fifth card from the card supply unit 110 is used.
IC card having key data of “Y006” (all operations are normally performed on this card)
Is assigned a card ID “ABC1004”. Further, for the IC card having the key data “KEY004” supplied as the sixth card from the card supply unit 110, the chip ID was successfully read, but the encoded data could not be written normally. No card ID has been assigned. Therefore, on the database DB, this "KE
In the row of “Y004”, the column of the card ID is left blank,
In the column of good / defective, information for specifying a defective portion called “writing defect” is written. In this case, "ABC10
The card ID “05” is not assigned to the defective product and is maintained for the next card.

After all of the 500 IC cards have been conveyed from the card supply unit 110 to the card ejection unit 130, the IC cards that have been processed normally are stored in the non-defective magazine M2. The IC card having an abnormality in the process is accommodated in the defective magazine M3. Then, the result is recorded in the database DB in the database storage unit 270. For example,
In the example of FIG. 7, the IC card having the key data “KEY001” and the IC card having the key data “KEY004” are accommodated in the defective magazine M3. In this case, the encoded data "EN00
1. "dat" and "EN004.dat" are not written in any of the IC cards. So, actually, when such a defective product occurs,
It is necessary to prepare a new IC card in which the key data “KEY001” and “KEY004” are written, load the new IC card into the card supply unit 110, and perform the issuing process again.

§4. The IC card accommodated in the non-defective magazine M2 in the card ejection unit 130 is subjected to a final test by the test unit 280 before being packed and shipped as a package P. As a result of this final test, I
The C card is removed on the spot, but at this time, the test unit 280 corrects the database DB in the database storage unit 270. That is, on the database DB, information indicating that the IC card was recorded as a non-defective product is defective. For example, if the IC card printed with the card ID “ABC1002” is determined to be defective in the final test in the test unit 280, the pass / fail column of the row “KEY005” shown in FIG. (The rewriting process may be automatically performed by the test unit 280 or may be performed by an operator performing some input operation.) May be).

As in the above-described example, in the case of an IC card which is determined to be defective in the final test in the test section 280, the card ID has already been issued.
Must be treated as missing.
Such a missing number process is necessary even when the appearance inspection unit 240 finds that the product is defective and, at that time, a new card ID has already been printed on a subsequent IC card. Which card ID is missing can be recognized by searching the database DB. That is, even if some card ID is recorded in the card ID column, but a record indicating that the card is defective is recorded in the good / bad column, the card I
It can be seen that D is a missing number.

In general, it is important for the visible data to be printed in the print area 13 to be a serial number in order to perform card management at the IC card distribution site. As shown in FIG. 2, various information can be recorded on the magnetic stripe 11 and in the built-in memory 12 on the IC card 10, but these information cannot be recognized by the naked eye. Therefore, the information that can be immediately recognized at the card distribution site is the visible data printed on the print area 13. As the visible data, the card ID of the present embodiment is used.
By using a serial number like this, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not each card is a legitimate card at the card distribution site. For example, if the card ID of 500 issued cards is "AB
C1001 to ABC1500 ", it is checked whether the card ID printed on each IC card is within this range, and the IC card is a legitimate card. Can be confirmed.

In consideration of such a use form, it is preferable to avoid a situation in which the card ID is missing when performing the card issuing process as much as possible. As described above, in the system according to the present invention, if it is determined in step S3, S5, or S7 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 that the IC card is defective, no card ID is assigned to the IC card of the defective product. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the card ID from being skipped. However, as in the example described above, it is difficult to completely eliminate the occurrence of missing numbers. Therefore, in this system, the contents of the database DB in the database storage unit 270 are output on a paper sheet in the form of a first sheet 291 and a second sheet 292 by the printer 290, and these sheets are shipped together with the package P. By doing so, it is possible to inform the effective card ID range at the actual card distribution site.

The first sheet 291 output from the printer 290 is a form in which the contents of the database DB as shown in FIG. 7 are printed in detail as they are. This first
By shipping the sheet 291 together with the package P, the issue history of each IC card can be recognized at the card distribution site. On the other hand, the second sheet 292 output from the printer 290 is a lot list sheet configured so that a valid card ID can be immediately recognized for each lot.
Is printed as shown in FIG. In this example,
500 IC cards have lot numbers L1 to L5
It is divided into two lots, each of which is packed as a package P. The sheet 292 shown in FIG. 8 describes a range of card IDs and missing numbers of 100 IC cards included in each lot. Therefore,
At the distribution site, by referring to the sheet 292, it is possible to recognize to which lot the IC card on which the specific card ID is printed belongs.

This is particularly useful for visually recognizing whether or not an individual IC card is a currently valid card when performing an operation in which an effective period is determined for each lot. For example, the IC card in the lot number L1 is distributed as a valid card in January, and the IC card in the lot number L2 is distributed.
When an operation of distributing a card as a valid card in February is performed, it can be determined based on information on the sheet 292 whether or not each card is a valid card. In short, the start number of the card ID for each lot using the information in the database so that the start number and the end number of the card ID issued for the IC card accommodated in each lot can be recognized. If a list showing the end numbers is printed, it will be useful in performing the above-described operation.
In addition, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, if missing number information is added for each lot, more accurate recognition becomes possible.

§5. Although various modifications have been described based on the embodiment illustrating the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
The present invention can be implemented in various other modes. Here, some modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described.

(1) Addition of Card Discrimination Unit In the system shown in FIG. 1, an IC card to be loaded into the card supply unit 110 is first stored in the magazine M1.
However, since the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the IC card have almost the same shape, there is a risk that the top and bottom and right and left sides of the IC card may be reversed when the IC card is stored in the magazine M1. There is. If there is an IC card that is not accommodated in the magazine in the correct orientation as described above, normal processing is not performed in each step after the key data reading step, and an unexpected situation may occur. Also, there are various types of IC cards having the same size and the same shape, but IC cards of the wrong type are
In the case where the data is stored in the storage device 1, correct issuance processing is not performed.

In order to prevent such a problem, FIG.
As shown in the example shown in FIG. 1, a type display unit 14 for specifying a card type is provided at a predetermined position of each IC card (in this example, a lower left position on the back of the IC card).
Is a symbol identifying the card type (in the illustrated example, "123
Although the character string is "45", a barcode or the like may be used. ) May be printed in advance, and a mechanism for checking the contents of the type display unit 14 may be provided. For example, in the system shown in FIG. 1, a card discriminating section is inserted between the card supply section 110 and the key data reading section 210, and the card transport section 12
The information of a predetermined position (a position corresponding to the type display unit 14) of the IC card conveyed by 0 is read by this card determination unit to determine whether an IC card of a correct type is supplied in a correct direction. What should I do? ICs that were not correctly identified by this card identification unit
Since the card is of a different card type or has not been loaded in the correct orientation, the card may be ejected as a defective without performing access processing to the built-in memory. As a card discriminating unit, a visual inspection unit 240
Similarly to the above, an apparatus in which a CCD camera and an image processing apparatus are combined can be used. Of course, a barcode reader can also be used.

In the embodiment shown here, a magnetic stripe 11 and a print area 13 are formed on the front side of the IC card 10 as shown in FIG. 2, and as shown in FIG.
Although the type display section 14 is formed on the back side of the IC card 10, whether each area is provided on the front or back side of the IC card is based on the specifications of the individual IC card. It may be provided on the back side of the IC card.

(2) Key Data Recording Method The key data in the present invention is data unique to the IC card before the issuance processing, and is data used to correspond to the encoded data. In practice, the member number, employee number, student ID number, etc. of the user of the IC card can be used as the key data. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the key data is recorded on the magnetic stripe 11 of the IC card has been described. However, for implementing the present invention, the key data is not necessarily recorded on the magnetic stripe 11. There is no. For example, key data may be recorded as printed characters on the surface of the IC card, or key data may be recorded as embossed characters. Alternatively, when a contact-type IC is also used, key data may be recorded in the contact-type IC. In short, in practicing the present invention, it is sufficient that unique key data unique to each card is recorded in a predetermined portion other than the built-in memory incorporated as a non-contact type IC. Of course, when key data is recorded in a place other than the magnetic stripe 11,
The physical configuration of the key data reading unit 210 also needs to be changed accordingly.

(3) Visible Data Printing Method In the above-described embodiment, the visible data printing section 230 is constituted by a laser printing apparatus. However, it is needless to say that a printing apparatus such as a sublimation transfer method or a heat melting method may be used. I don't care. Alternatively, a device that employs a physical destructive printing method using a drilling device or the like may be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the print area 13 is provided only in one place, but visible data may be printed in a plurality of print areas 13 respectively. Further, in actual printing, the data may be edited and printed by adding an error check code or the like to the card ID itself or by adding predetermined fixed characters.

As described above, recording a card ID given as a serial number in the order of issue as visible data has the advantage of facilitating card management at an actual distribution site. Is not necessarily limited to data given as such a serial number in the order of issue. For example, the read key data or chip ID can be printed as it is as visible data, or data obtained by editing these can be printed as visible data. Alternatively, visible data to be written can be prepared in advance in the database DB, and predetermined visible data obtained by searching the database DB based on the read key data or chip ID can be printed.

The visible data does not necessarily need to be printed as characters, but can be printed, for example, in the form of a bar code or the like. In this case, the appearance inspection unit 2
As 40, a barcode reader will be used.

(4) Configuration of Card Supply Unit and Card Ejection Unit The card supply unit 110 and the card ejection unit 130 have a structure that can operate by loading a magazine, respectively. Of the magazines can be loaded at the same time.
When one magazine becomes empty, a mechanism for automatically supplying an IC card from the next magazine is adopted. When one magazine is full, the card ejection unit 130 automatically switches to the next magazine. It is preferable to employ a mechanism for accommodating an IC card.

[0054]

As described above, the non-contact type IC according to the present invention.
According to the card issuance processing system, correct issuance processing can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a contactless IC card issuance processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the structure of a non-contact type IC card 10 to be issued by the issuance processing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of an issuance process by the issuance processing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database DB prepared in a database storage unit 270 in the issuing processing system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an IC having key data “KEY003”;
It is a figure showing the state of database DB at the time of completing a series of issuing processing about a card.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of a database DB when a series of issuance processing is normally completed for a total of three IC cards.

FIG. 7 shows a total of six IC cards including defective products.
It is a figure showing the state of database DB when a series of issuing processing is completed.

FIG. 8 shows a printer 290 of the issuance processing system shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the content of a second sheet 292 output by the user.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example in which a type indicator 14 is provided on the back surface of the IC card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Non-contact type IC card 11 ... Magnetic stripe 12 ... Built-in memory 13 ... Print area 14 ... Type display part 110 ... Card supply part 120 ... Card transport part 130 ... Card discharge part 210 ... Key data reading part 220 ... Memory access part 230 ... visible data printing unit 240 ... visual inspection unit 250 ... control unit 260 ... encoded data storage unit 270 ... database storage unit 280 ... test unit 290 ... printer 291 ... first sheet 292 ... second sheet (lot list sheet) M1: Magazine M2: Good magazine M3: Defective magazine P: Package

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A system for issuing a non-contact type IC card capable of accessing a built-in memory in a non-contact manner, wherein a unique key data is stored in a predetermined location other than the built-in memory. A card supply unit for storing the written non-contact type IC card and sequentially supplying the non-contact type IC card; a card conveyance unit for conveying the IC card supplied from the card supply unit along a predetermined conveyance path; A key data reading unit provided at the first position and reading the key data from the conveyed IC card; and a built-in memory of the conveyed IC card provided at the second position on the conveyance path. A memory access unit for accessing the IC card in a non-contact manner, and a card ID provided at a third position on the transport path, and using the card ID as visible data on the transported IC card. A visible data printing unit, which is provided at a fourth position on the transport path, and a visual inspection unit that inspects visible data printed on the transported IC card; A card ejection unit that separates and stores IC cards ejected from the transport path into non-defective and non-defective products, an encoded data storage unit that stores encoded data to be written to the internal memory of each IC card, and controls the entire system A control unit that manages, the control unit extracts encoded data corresponding to the key data read by the key data reading unit from the encoded data storage unit, and sends the extracted encoded data to the memory access unit. To write to the built-in memory of the IC card. In response, a predetermined card ID is given to the visible data printing unit and printed as visible data, normal writing to the built-in memory is performed by the memory access unit, and the visible data is Control is performed such that an IC card for which an inspection result indicating normal printing is obtained is accommodated as a good product in the card ejection unit, and other IC cards are accommodated as a defective product in the card ejection unit. A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system. 2. The issuance processing system according to claim 1, wherein a process of reading a unique chip ID from each IC card is performed before the memory access unit performs writing of the encoded data, and the chip ID is normally read. The encoding data is written only to the read IC card, and the chip ID is not read normally.
A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system, wherein writing of encoded data is not performed on a C card. 3. The issuance processing system according to claim 2, wherein a serial number issued in the order of processing is used as a card ID to be printed on the visible data printing unit, and normal writing to the built-in memory is not performed. If there is an IC card that has been processed,
A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system, wherein the same card ID is issued again. 4. The issuance processing system according to claim 3, wherein information on one IC card can be recorded as one record, and a key data field in which key data is recorded and a location of the encoded data are recorded. Encoded data field, chip ID field for writing the read chip ID, and issued card ID
Further, a database storage unit storing a database having a card ID field for writing information and a good / defective field for writing information for distinguishing good / defective products is further provided, and the key data field and the encode data field are referred to. , The encoded data to be written is extracted, the read chip ID is written in the chip ID field, the issued card ID is written in the card ID field, and the information for distinguishing good / defective is written in the good / defective field. A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system wherein information on a processed IC card is recorded as the database. 5. The issuance processing system according to claim 4, wherein the non-defective IC card stored in the card ejection unit is
A test unit for performing a test before shipment is further provided, and as a result of the test by the test unit, information indicating that the IC card is defective is written in a good / defective field of the database. A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system, wherein it is possible to confirm that a card ID issued for the IC card is a missing number. 6. The issuance processing system according to claim 5, wherein an IC determined as a non-defective product as a result of a test performed by a test device.
When packing cards in lots of a predetermined number of cards,
Using the information in the database, the start number and end of the card ID for each lot can be recognized so that the start number and end number of the card ID issued for the IC card accommodated in each lot can be recognized. A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system, further comprising a printer having a function of printing a list showing numbers. 7. The issuance processing system according to claim 6, wherein information indicating a missing number of a card ID included in a range from a head number to a tail number is further added to a list for each lot. A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system. 8. The issuance processing system according to claim 1, wherein the IC card is supplied with an IC card in which a symbol for specifying a card type is displayed at a predetermined position from a card supply unit. By reading the predetermined position of the IC card
There is further provided a card discriminating section for discriminating whether or not the correct type of IC card is supplied in the correct direction. For an IC card which has not been correctly discriminated by this card discriminating section, access processing to the built-in memory is performed. A non-contact type IC card issuance processing system characterized by discharging a defective product without performing the process.