JP2002190006A - Cat terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the fraudulent acquisition of card data and the use of a fraudulent card. SOLUTION: Demodulating circuits 47A, 47B for demodulating card data upon receiving an output signal of a magnetic head body; and ciphering circuits 48A, 48B for ciphering the demodulated card data, are provided in a case 45c of magnetic heads 45A, 45B for reading data Da, Db recorded on both sides of the magnetic card 20. Embossed unevenness formed in a specified distance from the long-side edge of the magnetic card 20 is detected by an unevenness sensor 50, and the feature data Db' of the unevenness is obtained by a feature data detecting means 58. A determining means 59 determines the coincidence of the feature data Db' and feature data Db magnetically recorded in the magnetic card 20, and only when the coincidence is determined, communication for authentication is carried out to a specified center.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a CAT terminal for performing authentication processing on a magnetic card such as a credit card, which prevents unauthorized use of a card and prevents unauthorized acquisition of card data. For technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When paying with a credit card at a store or the like, a CAT terminal provided at the store is used.

[0003] The CAT terminal reads card data magnetically recorded on the inserted credit card, transmits the card data to a predetermined center, and authenticates whether the card can be used.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a conventional CAT terminal 10 used for such a purpose.

The CAT terminal 10 draws in the magnetic card 1 inserted from a card insertion slot 11 provided on the surface of a casing (not shown) and conveys the magnetic card 1 along a predetermined transport path 12. Magnetic head 13 provided on 12
Thus, a magnetic change on the magnetic recording surface of the magnetic card 1 is detected, and this detection signal is input to a demodulation circuit 14 to demodulate card data magnetically recorded on the magnetic card 1.

Processing unit 1 receiving demodulated card data
5 transmits the information necessary for the authentication including the card data to a predetermined center (not shown) via the line interface 16 and the communication line 5 to be authenticated.

[0007]

However, in the conventional CAT terminal 10 configured as described above, an unauthorized CAT terminal created by copying card data recorded on a legitimate magnetic card to another magnetic card. Card may be used.

In addition, there is a possibility that card data of a legitimate magnetic card may be obtained due to an illegal act on the CAT terminal itself.

The present invention can solve this problem and prevent the use of an unauthorized card created by data copying.
An object of the present invention is to provide a CAT terminal that prevents card data of a legitimate magnetic card from being illegally acquired.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a CAT terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention receives a magnetic card from a card insertion slot into a housing, and magnetically records the magnetic card on the magnetic card. A CA which reads card data using a magnetic head and transmits information including the read card data to a predetermined center via a communication line to be authenticated.
In the T terminal, an unevenness sensor for detecting unevenness at a predetermined distance from a long side edge of a character string which is unevenly displayed by embossing on the surface of a magnetic card received in the housing, and a signal from the unevenness sensor. A feature data detecting means for detecting feature data representing a feature of irregularities at a predetermined distance from the long side edge of the magnetic card, and a feature data detecting means for detecting card data read by using the magnetic head. And determining means for determining whether or not data matching the feature data is included, and only when the determining means determines that the card data includes data matching the feature data, The communication for authentication is performed to the predetermined center.

The CAT terminal according to a second aspect of the present invention is the CAT terminal according to the first aspect, wherein a signal output from a main body of the magnetic head is received in a case of the magnetic head. Demodulation means for demodulating card data recorded on the card, and encryption means for encrypting the card data demodulated by the demodulation means and outputting the encrypted data outside the case are provided. The decryption means for decrypting the encrypted data and outputting the decrypted data to the determination means is formed by an integrated circuit integrated into at least one chip together with the determination means.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a CAT to which the present invention is applied.
The external appearance of the magnetic card 20 read by the terminal is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the one side 20a of the magnetic card 20 made of a synthetic resin having a substantially rectangular outer shape is embossed so as to be extruded from the other side 20b so as to be displayed in an uneven manner. The formed character string (including characters, numbers, and symbols) 21 is formed in parallel with the one long side edge 20c and within a predetermined distance range from the edge 20c.

The character string 21 is unique to each magnetic card, such as a credit number, a personal name, etc., and the protruding dimensions such as height and width vary from card to card.

On both sides (or on either side) of the magnetic card 20, magnetic recording bands 22, 23 for magnetically recording data are formed in parallel with the long side edge 20c.

The magnetic recording band 22 provided on one surface 20a of the magnetic card 20 stores authentication data Da such as a credit number, and the other surface 20b has a predetermined distance from the long edge 20c. Feature data Db is stored which represents the features of the unevenness of the character string 21 intersecting with the line R passing through the position of Lr in parallel with the edge 20c.

As the characteristic data Db, data obtained by binarizing the comparison result of the lengths of the adjacent convex portions and concave portions of the character string 21 intersecting with the line R, and the comparison result of the height of the adjacent convex portions Is obtained by binarizing the data, data obtained by binarizing the lengths and heights of the convex portions and concave portions, and the differences and ratios of the lengths and heights of adjacent convex portions and concave portions are represented by binary values. Data obtained by conversion or data obtained by combining these data can be used.

For example, the comparison result of the length of the adjacent convex portion of the character string 21 intersecting with the line R is binarized to obtain feature data Db
If the state of the concavity and convexity at the portion intersecting with the line R in the character string 21 by embossing is as shown in FIG. 2A, the length of the first convex portion of the convex portion 21a will be described. Since the length La2 of the second convex portion is longer than La1, the first bit of the feature data Db is set to "1" as shown in FIG. Since the length La3 of the third convex portion is short, the characteristic data D
The second bit of b is set to “0”. Hereinafter, similarly, the convex portion 21
By binarizing the result of the comparison of the length a, the feature data Db that intersects with the line R, that is, the feature data Db representing the feature of the unevenness of the character string 21 at a predetermined distance Lr from the edge 20c is obtained.

FIG. 2C shows characteristic data Db obtained when the result of comparison of the lengths Lb1, Lb2, Lb3,... Of the concave portion 21b is binarized. Although not shown, the feature data Db may be obtained by binarizing the comparison result of the length of the convex portion and the concave portion adjacent to the convex portion.

As described above, when the feature data Db is obtained by binarizing the comparison result of the lengths of the adjacent convex portions and concave portions, when the lengths are substantially equal (the difference between the lengths is within an allowable range). In the case, one of predetermined data out of the data “0” and “1” is set as the bit data of the feature data Db.

FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the CAT terminal 30 of the embodiment corresponding to the magnetic card 20, and FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, a card insertion slot 32 for inserting the magnetic card 20 is provided on the front side of the housing 31 of the CAT terminal 30. Are a plurality of keys 33 including a numeric keypad,
4 and a paper discharge port 35 of a printer 62 described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic card 20 which is continuous with the card insertion slot 32 and is inserted through the card insertion slot 32 is substantially horizontally A transport path 36 for transport is formed.

A card sensor 37 for detecting the edge of the magnetic card is provided at a front end and a rear end of the transport path 36.
38 are provided.

The transport path 36 is provided with a plurality of pairs of rollers 39 and 40 for transporting the magnetic card along the transport path 36 while sandwiching the magnetic card from both sides. May be connected by a belt or the like (not shown) so as to rotate in the same direction, and at least one of the rollers 30 is connected to a rotation driving device 41 including a motor.

Two magnetic heads 45A and 45B are arranged in the middle of the transport path 36 at positions where the magnetic recording bands 22 and 23 of the magnetic card 20 pass so as to face each other.

In the two magnetic heads 45A and 45B, a head body in which a coil 45b is wound around a core 45a having a gap is accommodated in a metal case 45c for magnetic shielding. The magnetic change of the magnetic recording band 22 of the magnetic card 20 is detected at the gap portion of the core 45a exposed to the core 45a, and a signal corresponding to the magnetic change is output from the coil 45b.

Each coil 45 of the magnetic heads 45A and 45B
The signal output from b is input to demodulation circuits 47A and 47B, respectively. The demodulation circuits 47A and 47B include the coil 4
The card data Da and Db magnetically recorded on the magnetic card 20 are demodulated based on the signal output from 5b.

The demodulation of the card data is performed by the magnetic card 2
0, for example, when the recording method is a general MFM method (also referred to as F2F method), the magnetic heads 45A and 45B have a head body (core 45a, coil 45b). And demodulates the card data by determining whether the half cycle period of the signal is close to the reference period or half of the reference period.

The data demodulated by the demodulation circuits 47A and 47B are input to encryption circuits 48A and 48B, respectively. The encryption circuits 48A and 48B include a demodulation circuit 47A,
The data demodulated by 47B is encrypted with a predetermined encryption function and key data. This encryption is performed, for example, by performing an exclusive OR operation with the key data for the data to be encrypted, replacing the bit position specified by the key data with respect to the data to be encrypted, and specifying the key data with respect to the data to be encrypted. This is performed by a combination of shift processes of the number of bits.

The demodulation circuit 47A and the encryption circuit 48
A is housed in the case 45c of the magnetic head 45A together with the head main body of the magnetic head 45A as shown in FIG. 4, and a gap inside the case 45c is filled with a synthetic resin. Is output to the outside of the case 45c.

The demodulation circuit 47B and the encryption circuit 4
8B is also accommodated in the case 45c of the magnetic head 45 together with the head main body of the magnetic head 45B, and the gap inside the case 45c is filled with a synthetic resin, and the data encrypted by the encryption circuit 48B is stored in the case 45c. Is output to the outside.

Therefore, even if the data output from the case 45c to the outside is illegally acquired, the internal encryption circuit 4
Since the encryption function and key data of 8A and 48B are not known, the card data recorded on the magnetic card 20 cannot be easily known.

Although not shown, the magnetic head 45
Power can be supplied from outside the case 45c to the demodulation circuits 47A and 47B and the encryption circuits 48A and 48B of A and 45B.

In the vicinity of the transport path 36, an edge 20c on the long side of the character string 21 which is displayed as unevenness by embossing of the magnetic card 20 moving in the transport path 36.
An unevenness sensor 50 that detects unevenness at a position at a predetermined distance Lr (a position intersecting with the line R) from the camera is disposed.

This unevenness sensor 50 may be either a non-contact type or a contact type. For example, in the case of the non-contact type, a light projector 51 for irradiating light to the position of the line R of the magnetic card 20 as shown in an unevenness sensor 50 shown in FIG. Lens 52 for condensing the light radiated and reflected by the portion (including the concave portion 21b)
And a light receiver 53 for receiving the light condensed by the lens 52. The light from the light projector 51 is
The light converged by the lens 52 is received by the light receiver 53 when irradiating the flat portion of the magnetic card 20, and when the light from the light projector 51 irradiates the convex portion 21 a of the magnetic card 20, the lens 52 Is condensed from the light receiving surface of the light receiver 53, and the light reception signal of the light receiver 53 is binarized and output.

In the case of the contact type, although not shown, one end of the contact is brought into contact with the position of the line R of the magnetic card 20 to contact the flat portion of the magnetic card 20 with the convex portion 21a. A change in the position of the contact when the contact is made is detected by an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, a switch, or the like, and a detection signal is output.

Card sensors 37 and 38, encryption circuit 48
The output of the unevenness sensor 50 is input to the processing unit 55.

The processing unit 55 is constituted by a microprocessor formed into a single chip. When its function is divided into blocks, as shown in FIG.
6. Decoding means 57, characteristic data detecting means 58, determining means 59 and authentication processing means 60.

A plurality of keys 33, a display 34, a line interface 61, and a printer 62 are connected to the processing unit 55, and the keys 33 are communicated with a predetermined center via the line interface 61 and the communication line 5. It exchanges information including input information and card data from the
4 displays input information of the key 33, information related to communication with the center, and the like, and causes the printer 62 to output paper on which the settlement result and the like are printed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing unit 55. Hereinafter, the operation of the CAT terminal 30 will be described based on this flowchart.

When the magnetic card 20 is inserted into the card insertion slot 32 and its leading end is detected by the card sensor 37,
The transport control means 56 drives the rotation drive device 41 so that each roller 39 rotates in the pull-in direction, and transports the magnetic card 20 to the back side along the transport path 36 (S1, S2).

When the magnetic card 20 starts to be drawn in and conveyed, the characteristic data detecting means 58 is turned on by the unevenness sensor 5.
0, the decryption means 57 starts acquiring data from the encryption circuits 48A, 48B (S
3).

When the leading end of the magnetic card 20 is detected by the card sensor 38, the transport control means 56 stops the rotation driving device 41 and temporarily stops the transport of the magnetic card 20 (S4, S5).

Here, the characteristic data detecting means 58 detects irregularities at a predetermined distance from the long side edge 20c of the character string displayed by embossing on the surface of the magnetic card 20 based on the signal from the irregularity sensor 50. Feature data D
b 'is obtained (S6).

As described above, the characteristic data Db 'is obtained by binarizing the result of comparing the lengths of adjacent convex portions and concave portions of the character string 21 intersecting the line R, and the height of the adjacent convex portions. The data obtained by binarizing the results of comparison of the heights, the data obtained by binarizing the lengths and heights of the convex portions and concave portions, the lengths and ratios of the lengths and heights of adjacent convex portions and concave portions, Data obtained by binarization or data obtained by combining these data can be used.
Of the same type as the characteristic data Db recorded in the magnetic recording band 23 of the above.

For example, as described above, when feature data is detected based on a comparison result of the lengths of adjacent convex portions,
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the signal shown in FIG. 7B is output from the unevenness sensor 50 in accordance with the movement of the unevenness in the portion of the magnetic card 20 that intersects with the line R, the characteristic data detecting means 58 Are sequentially detected and compared with the time T (1), T (2), T (3),... In which the output signal of the concavo-convex sensor 50 is at a high level, and as shown in FIG. T
When (n) is longer than the time T (n-1) detected immediately before, the data "1" is output, and when it is equal or shorter, the data "0" is output.

Here, each time T (1), T (2), T
(3) are substantially proportional to the length of each convex portion 21a if the moving speed of the magnetic card 20 is substantially constant.
By comparing the times, the lengths of the respective convex portions are indirectly compared. The process of detecting the characteristic data Db 'may be performed during the pull-in transport of the magnetic card 20.

Further, the decryption means 57 decrypts the obtained encrypted data to obtain card data Da and Db recorded on the magnetic card 20 (S7). Note that this decryption processing may be performed while the magnetic card 20 is being drawn in and transported.

Then, the judging means 59 judges whether or not the characteristic data Db 'detected by the characteristic data detecting means 58 and the characteristic data Db of the card data obtained by the decoding means 57 coincide with each other. S8).

If the detected feature data Db 'matches (or substantially matches) the decrypted feature data Db, it is determined that the magnetic card 20 is a correct card, and the authentication processing means 60 authenticates the card data. After processing such as payment and settlement (including communication with the center),
The magnetic card 20 is returned by the transport control means 56 (S9, S10).

If the detected feature data Db 'and the decrypted feature data Db are significantly different, it is assumed that the magnetic card has been fraudulently created and the magnetic card is returned without performing the authentication processing. I do.

When the feature data Db 'and Db do not match, the card data reading and the feature data detection are repeated a predetermined number of times to determine a match (S2).
To repeat the processing of steps S8 to S8), when the feature data matches, the magnetic card is processed as a correct card, and when the magnetic card does not match a predetermined number of times, the magnetic card is returned as a fraudulently created card. You may.

As described above, the CAT terminal 30 of the embodiment
Then, the feature of the unevenness of the character string displayed by the embossing of the magnetic card 20 is detected, and the feature data Db ′ is obtained.
And the characteristic data Db included in the card data, and the authentication process with the center is performed only when the data coincides with the characteristic data Db. It is possible to reliably prevent the use of unauthorized cards.

The demodulation circuits 47A and 47B and the encryption circuit 4 are provided in the case 45c of the magnetic heads 45A and 45B.
8A and 48B are accommodated, respectively,
Since the processing unit 55 including the determination unit 59 and the processing unit 55 is constituted by a single processor (integrated circuit) integrated into one chip, the card data of the magnetic card is There is no risk of being obtained illegally,
The security of the card data is much higher.

In the CAT terminal 30, the demodulation circuit 47B and the encryption circuit 48B are accommodated in the case of the magnetic head 45B for reading the characteristic data Db so that the security for the characteristic data is ensured. However, even if the feature data Db is illegally acquired and copied to another card, the probability that the embossed features of the card match the copied feature data is extremely low. It can be easily identified as a fraudulent card.

Therefore, the CAT terminal 70 shown in FIG.
The magnetic head 45B for reading the characteristic data Db does not have the encryption circuit 48B and the demodulation circuit 47B
Only (or the demodulation circuit 47B may be provided outside the magnetic head 45B), and the characteristic data Db demodulated by the demodulation circuit 47B is input to the determination means 59.
You may be comprised so that the coincidence determination of characteristic data may be performed.

If the CAT terminal itself cannot be tampered with, the signals output from the magnetic heads 45A and 45B are arranged outside the case 45c as in the CAT terminal 80 shown in FIG. Demodulation circuit 47A,
47B, the card data may be demodulated, and the demodulated data may be directly input to the determination means 59 to determine whether the feature data coincides.

Further, in this embodiment, the CAT terminal 20 corresponding to the magnetic card 20 in which the authentication data Da and the emboss characteristic data Db are recorded on different magnetic recording media 22, 23 has been described. When performing an authentication process on a magnetic card in which authentication data Da and characteristic data Db are recorded on one magnetic recording medium, only one of the magnetic heads 45A and 45B (the other can be omitted) is used. Read the card data Da, Db,
The processing for the read data Da and Db may be performed in the same manner as described above.

[0060]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
A CAT terminal receives a magnetic card from a card insertion slot into a housing, reads card data magnetically recorded on the magnetic card using a magnetic head, and reads information including the read card data via a communication line. A CAT terminal that is transmitted to a predetermined center for authentication and detects irregularities at a predetermined distance from the long side edge of a character string that is embossed on the surface of the magnetic card received in the housing. An irregularity sensor, characteristic data detecting means for detecting characteristic data representing irregularities at a predetermined distance from the long side edge of the magnetic card based on a signal from the irregularity sensor, and reading using the magnetic head. To determine whether or not the card data includes data matching the characteristic data detected by the characteristic data detecting means. Communication means for performing authentication for the predetermined center only when it is determined that the card data includes data matching the characteristic data by the determination means. Have been.

Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the use of an unauthorized card created by copying the data of a regular card to another card.

The CAT terminal according to a second aspect of the present invention is the CAT terminal according to the first aspect, wherein a signal output from a main body of the magnetic head is received in a case of the magnetic head. Demodulation means for demodulating card data recorded on the card, and encryption means for encrypting the card data demodulated by the demodulation means and outputting the encrypted data to the outside of the case are provided. The decryption means for decrypting the encrypted data and outputting the decrypted data to the determination means is formed by an integrated circuit integrated into at least one chip together with at least the determination means.

As a result, the card data recorded on the magnetic card cannot be illegally acquired, and the security of the card data is significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a magnetic card read by a CAT terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between unevenness due to embossing of a magnetic card and characteristic data.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Communication Line 20 Magnetic Card 20a One Side 20b Other Side 20c Long Side Edge 21 Character String by Embossing 22, 23 Magnetic Recording Band 30, 70, 80 CAT Terminal 31 Housing 32 Card Slot 33 Key 34 Display 35 Eject Paper mouth 36 Conveyance path 37, 38 Card sensor 39, 40 Roller 41 Rotation drive unit 45A, 45B Magnetic head 45a Core 45b Coil 45c Case 47A, 47B Demodulation circuit 48A, 48B Encryption circuit 50 Irregularity sensor 51 Projector 52 Lens 53 Receiver 55 processing unit 56 transport control means 57 decoding means 58 feature data detecting means 59 determining means 60 authentication processing means 61 line interface 62 printer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 19/06 G11B 5/02 Z 5D044 19/08 20/10 H 5D091 G07D 9/00 436 G06K 19/00 R G07F 7/08 B G11B 5/02 F 20/10 G07F 7/08 A F term (reference) 2C005 HA03 HA04 HB09 JA02 JA08 LB11 LB18 LB34 LB44 3E040 AA04 BA20 DA01 FG03 FH02 FH05 3E044 AA20 BA05 CA05 CC01 DA01 DD FA03 5B035 AA13 BA03 BB02 BB03 BC01 5B058 CA31 CA35 KA01 KA06 KA12 KA13 KA35 5D044 BC01 DE50 FG18 GK17 HL11 JJ02 5D091 AA11 BB06 HH04 JJ21

Claims (2)

[Claims] A magnetic card is received from a card insertion slot into a housing, card data magnetically recorded on the magnetic card is read using a magnetic head, and information including the read card data is transmitted via a communication line. In a CAT terminal that is transmitted to a predetermined center and is authenticated, the unevenness for detecting unevenness at a predetermined distance from a long side edge of a character string that is unevenly displayed by embossing on the surface of a magnetic card received in the housing. Sensor, based on a signal from the irregularity sensor, characteristic data detecting means for detecting characteristic data representing irregularities at a predetermined distance from the long side edge of the magnetic card, and read using the magnetic head. It is determined whether or not the card data includes data matching the characteristic data detected by the characteristic data detecting means. It has a constant section, only when it is determined to contain a data which matches the characteristic data to the card data by the judging means,
A CAT terminal configured to perform authentication communication with the predetermined center. 2. A demodulating means for receiving a signal output from a main body of the magnetic head and demodulating card data recorded on the magnetic card in a case of the magnetic head;
Encryption means for encrypting the card data demodulated by the demodulation means and outputting the encrypted data to the outside of the case; decrypting the data encrypted by the encryption means and outputting the decrypted data to the determination means 2. The CAT terminal according to claim 1, wherein the decoding means is formed by an integrated circuit integrated into at least one chip together with the determination means.