JP2011054065A - Format determination method of magnetic data - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a format determination method of magnetic data for determining a plurality of types of formats of magnetic cards by a simple method. <P>SOLUTION: In the format determination method of magnetic data, format determination is carried out based on the result of parity check of the parity bit included in the magnetic data (SA3). Using magnetic data read by a magnetic head of a magnetic card reader as first magnetic data and magnetic data formed by changing the sequence of the first magnetic data as second magnetic data, the card conveying direction is determined based on the result of parity check of the parity bit included in the magnetic data and the total number of characters included in the magnetic data (SA4). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic data format determination method for reading magnetic data written on a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card by a magnetic head of a magnetic card reader and analyzing the read magnetic data.

  The format of the magnetic data used by the magnetic card reader is generally the ISO standard format, but there are specific formats other than the ISO standard, and which format is used when the magnetic card reader reads the magnetic data? It is necessary to make a judgment. (For example, see Patent Document 1.)

  In the magnetic card reader shown in Patent Document 1, the format is determined by first decoding with the format instructed by the host device (host computer) and determining whether or not the decoding result matches the instructed format. The result is notified to the host device. This determination method makes it possible to determine which format the magnetic data format is, which contributes to reducing the load on the host device.

JP 2000-306056 A

  However, in the format determination method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the host device instructs the format, the magnetic card reader performs decoding in the instructed format, and transmits the decoded data to the host device. The device performs data processing for format determination. For this reason, the traffic between the host device and the magnetic card reader is complicated.

  In addition, since the host device receives data decoded in any format and performs format determination based on the type of character code and the number of characters of the data, the content of the decoded data itself may be appropriate. It is a premise.

  For example, in a magnetic card reader (manual magnetic card reader) that carries a magnetic card manually by a user, the card carrying direction for carrying the magnetic card is the forward or reverse direction of the magnetic recording recorded by the magnetic head. In some cases. For this reason, it is necessary to determine the card conveyance direction based on the decoding result separately from the format determination, but the decoding considering the card conveyance direction is not performed. The data decoded without considering the card transport direction naturally has inappropriate data contents, and the format determination cannot be performed by the determination method disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to determine the format of magnetic data that can determine the format of magnetic data recorded on a plurality of types of magnetic cards by a simple method. It is to provide a method. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining the format of magnetic data that can determine the card transport direction for transporting a magnetic card and determine the format in consideration of the card transport direction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the magnetic data analysis method of the present invention performs format determination on the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card based on the result of parity check of the parity bit included in the magnetic data. Parity bits included in the magnetic data include the magnetic data read by the magnetic head of the magnetic card reader as the first magnetic data, and the magnetic data in which the order of the first magnetic data is changed as the second magnetic data. The card conveyance direction is determined based on the parity check result and the number of characters included in the magnetic data.

  More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

  (1) A step of reading magnetic data written in the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card by the magnetic head of the magnetic card reader, and whether the read magnetic data conforms to the ISO standard format or a specific format other than the ISO standard. A method for determining the format of magnetic data.

  According to the present invention, the magnetic data written on the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card is read, and it is determined whether or not the read magnetic data conforms to the ISO standard format or a specific format other than the ISO standard. When the format conforms to the ISO standard format, the format can be identified as the ISO standard format. When the format conforms to a specific format other than the ISO standard, the specific format can be identified.

  (2) The magnetic stripe is provided with a plurality of tracks, and the format of the magnetic data written in a predetermined track among the plurality of tracks matches the format of the ISO standard or a specific format other than the ISO standard. A method for determining the format of magnetic data, characterized in that it is a step of determining whether or not the data is present.

  According to the present invention, since the format is determined based on the format of magnetic data written in a predetermined track among a plurality of tracks, the format determination can be easily performed.

  (3) In the magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe, the number of bits constituting one character is different between the ISO standard format and a specific format other than the ISO standard, and the number of bits is determined. 3. The method for determining the format of magnetic data according to claim 1 or 2.

  According to the present invention, in the formats in both standards, the number of bits constituting one character in the magnetic data is different, and this number of bits is used as a format determination target. Therefore, the format determination can be easily performed. it can.

  (4) In the magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe, the maximum number of characters differs between the ISO standard format and a specific format other than the ISO standard, and the number of characters is a target of determination. The method for determining the format of magnetic data according to claim 1 or 2.

  According to the present invention, in the formats in both standards, the maximum number of characters in the magnetic data is different, and simple format determination can be performed focusing on the difference in the maximum number of characters.

  (5) A method for determining the format of magnetic data, wherein the format is determined based on the result of a parity check of parity bits included in the magnetic data.

  According to the present invention, since the format determination is performed based on the result of the parity check, a simple format determination can be performed as compared with the conventional case where the format determination is performed based on whether the content of the magnetic data itself is appropriate.

  (6) A method for determining a format of magnetic data, wherein the specific format is a format used for an AAMVA card.

  According to the present invention, since the specific format is a format used for an AAMVA card, it is possible to determine whether the format is an ISO standard format or an AAMVA card format.

  (7) storing the magnetic data read by the magnetic head of the magnetic card reader as the first magnetic data, and storing the magnetic data obtained by changing the order of the first magnetic data as the second magnetic data. A method of determining a format of magnetic data, comprising: a step; and a step of determining a card conveyance direction of the magnetic card based on the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data.

  According to the present invention, the magnetic data read by the magnetic head of the magnetic card reader is set as the first magnetic data, and the magnetic data obtained by changing the order of the first magnetic data is set as the second magnetic data. Since the card transport direction of the magnetic card is determined based on the magnetic data and the second magnetic data, the determination of the card transport direction in the magnetic card reader capable of forward / reverse magnetic recording in the card transport direction, such card Format determination can be performed in consideration of the transport direction.

  (8) A method for determining a format of magnetic data, wherein the card conveyance direction is determined based on the number of characters included in the magnetic data.

  According to the present invention, since the card transport direction of the magnetic card is determined based on the number of characters included in the first magnetic data and the number of characters included in the second magnetic data, the forward / reverse direction of magnetic recording is bidirectional. It is possible to determine the card conveyance direction in a magnetic card reader that can be conveyed, and format determination in consideration of the card conveyance direction.

  (9) A method for determining the format of magnetic data, characterized in that the card transport direction is determined based on the result of a parity check of parity bits included in the magnetic data.

  According to the present invention, the parity check of the parity bit included in the first magnetic data and the parity check of the parity bit included in the second magnetic data are performed, and the card transport direction of the magnetic card is determined based on the result. Accordingly, it is possible to determine the card transport direction in a magnetic card reader capable of transporting in both the forward and reverse directions of magnetic recording, and the format determination in consideration of the card transport direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the format of a plurality of types of magnetic cards by analyzing magnetic data written in the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is a top view showing an outline of a magnetic card reader 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a relational plan view showing the relationship between the (multi-channel) magnetic head 30 and the magnetic stripe 35 of the magnetic card according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This magnetic card reader 1 is a manual magnetic card reader, for example, a swipe type magnetic card reader, and has a frame 20 that forms a card travel path with the cross-sectional shape of the surface orthogonal to the card conveying direction being substantially U-shaped. The traveling reference surface 21 formed as a part (bottom part) of the frame 20 and the magnetic head 3 for reading the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic stripe 35 formed on the magnetic card 2 are provided. .

  The magnetic head 3 is disposed so as to face the card travel path. Then, a signal related to magnetic information on the magnetic card 2 is reproduced. Specifically, the magnetic head 3 reads the magnetic information recorded on the track of the magnetic stripe 35 by contacting and sliding on the track of the magnetic stripe 35 on the surface of the magnetic card 2, and relates to the magnetic information. A signal (F2F signal) is generated.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the magnetic head 3 is a multi-channel magnetic head having three magnetic cores, and each of the magnetic cores 31, 32, 33 is a magnetic stripe of the magnetic card 2. 35 are provided corresponding to three magnetic data tracks (hereinafter referred to as tracks) 36, 37, and 38, respectively.

  As described above, since the magnetic card reader 1 shown in the present embodiment is a manual magnetic card reader, the magnetic card 2 is indicated by arrows in the direction (forward / reverse direction of magnetic recording) in the figure by the operator. The magnetic data recorded on the tracks 36, 37, and 38 of the magnetic stripe 35 is read by the magnetic head 3 by being manually conveyed along the running reference surface 21.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the magnetic card reader 1 and the host device 6 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  2, the magnetic card reader 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a magnetic head 3, a demodulator 4, a CPU 5 of a magnetic card reader, and an external communication I / F unit 50. The ROM and RAM are incorporated in the CPU 5, but may be provided separately. In general, the ROM stores a system program that supports the basic functions of the magnetic card reader 1. The RAM functions as a working area for the CPU 5.

  The CPU 5 controls the magnetic card reader 1 and performs integrated control of the magnetic card reader 1. The reproduction signal from the magnetic head 3 is demodulated by the demodulator 4 (after the read signal, which is an F2F signal (analog waveform) is converted into a binary signal (digital waveform)), and sent to the CPU 5. Note that the reproduction signal may pass through an AMP (amplification) circuit that amplifies and shapes the waveform before being sent to the demodulator 4. As will be described later, both the ISO standard format and a specific format other than the ISO standard are performed by the F2F modulation method.

  The CPU 5 communicates with the host device 6 via the external communication I / F units 50 and 50 ′. Similar to the magnetic card reader 1, the host device 6 includes a CPU 60, a ROM 61 that stores system programs that support basic functions of the host device 6, a RAM 62 that functions as a working area for the host device 6, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like. An interface unit 70 having an operation unit made up of and a display unit made up of a display and the like, and an HDD (hard disk drive) as an external memory.

  In the HDD, a magnetic data decoding middleware 7 having a decoding function and an application program 8 are provided.

  The magnetic data decoding middleware 7 is software that runs between the application program 8 and the I / F unit 50, etc., and the versatile application program 8 has an original processing function. The function which can control etc. is given.

  In the present embodiment, the magnetic data decoding middleware 7 includes a decoded data generation process 71, a format determination process 72, and a card transport direction determination process 73 as shown in FIG.

  The decode data generation process 71 is a process for arranging magnetic data (bit data) sent from the CPU 5 of the magnetic card reader 1 based on the ISO standard format corresponding to each track or a specific format other than the ISO standard. is there. Further, in order to determine the card transport direction for transporting the magnetic card, a process of generating (second) magnetic data in which the order of the stored magnetic data (bit data) is changed is performed.

  The format determination process 72 is a process for determining the format based on magnetic data arranged in the ISO standard format or a specific format other than the ISO standard.

  The card transport direction determination process 73 is a process for determining whether the card transport direction for transporting the magnetic card is the forward direction or the reverse direction of the magnetic recording recorded by the magnetic head.

  The magnetic data decoding middleware 7 may be provided as a part of a highly versatile magnetic card reader control DLL that is commonly used by a plurality of application software related to the control of the magnetic card reader.

  In the present embodiment, the RAM 62 includes a read data area 63 and a decode data area 64 as shown in FIG.

  The read data area 63 stores magnetic data (bit data) sent from the CPU 5 of the magnetic card reader 1 in the order of the first track, the second track, and the third track.

  The decoded data area 64 is stored according to the basic arrangement of magnetic data recorded on the magnetic card 2, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, an ISO forward area 65 and an ISO backward area 66 in which magnetic data (bit data) is arranged based on the ISO standard format, and magnetic data (bit data) based on a specific format other than the ISO standard. Are arranged, an AAMVA forward area 67, an AAMVA backward area 68, and four (memory) areas.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ISO forward area 65 is divided into a first track, a second track, and a third track. Similarly, in the ISO backward area 66, the AAMVA forward area 67, and the AAMVA backward area 68, (memory) areas are provided in the order of the first, second, and third tracks.

  In the ISO forward area 65, magnetic data (bit data) stored in the read data area 63 is stored as first magnetic data. Specifically, in each of the first to third tracks, the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic card 2 as shown in FIG. 3 to be described later in the order from the leading end to the trailing end of the magnetic data (bit data). According to the basic arrangement, magnetic data (bit data) is stored. Next, in the ISO backward area 66, second magnetic data in which the order of the magnetic data (bit data) stored in the ISO forward area 65 is changed is stored. That is, in each of the first to third tracks stored in the read data area 63, the magnetic data (bit data) is recorded on the magnetic card 2 as shown in FIG. Magnetic data (bit data) is stored according to the basic arrangement of magnetic data.

  Similarly, the AAMVA forward area 67 stores the magnetic data (bit data) stored in the read data area 63 as the first magnetic data. The AAMVA backward area 68 stores second magnetic data in which the order of the magnetic data stored in the AAMVA forward area 67 is changed.

  In the host device 6, the CPU 60 decodes (decodes) the magnetic data (bit data) sent from the CPU 5 of the magnetic card reader using the magnetic data decoding middleware 7 and executes the application program 8. Notify the application as input. Specifically, in this embodiment, magnetic data (bit data) sent from the CPU 5 of the magnetic card reader 1 is converted into a format defined by the ISO standard or the AAMVA standard using the magnetic data decoding middleware 7. Decoding (decoding) processing is performed on the data (character). The application program 8 has a function of analyzing the decoded data and performing a format determination and a card transport direction determination, and causes the host device 6 to execute it. The application program 8 may incorporate the magnetic data decoding middleware 7.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the magnetic card reader 1 passes the magnetic data of the magnetic card 2 read by the magnetic head 3 from the magnetic card reader 1 to the host device 6 as bit data and decodes it by the host device 6. Since the processing is performed, the present invention can also be adopted for the magnetic card reader 1 having no decoding processing function.

  Note that the application program 8 in the CPU 60 and the HDD is an example of a detecting unit that detects a start code STX (SS), an end code ETX (ES), and a check code from the magnetic information read by the magnetic head 3, and magnetic It functions as an example of an error detection unit that reads information and detects an error.

  3 is a diagram showing a basic arrangement of magnetic data recorded on the magnetic card 2. In FIG. 4, (a) is a format of the ISO standard, and (b) is an AAMVA standard as a specific standard other than the ISO standard. It is a figure which shows the format of. FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the data demodulation operation of the card reader.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic data includes a start code STX (SS), data, an end code ETX (ES), and a check code for each track. Preamble data (continuous 0) for synchronizing magnetic data is recorded before the start code STX (SS), and post-amble data (continuous) for synchronizing magnetic data after the check code. 0) is recorded. Magnetic data indicating the start is recorded in the start code STX (SS), and magnetic data indicating the end is recorded in the end code ETX (ES). In the data, magnetic data that is actually recorded is recorded. The check code records magnetic data for verifying whether a data error has occurred when reading the recorded magnetic data.

  Recording of magnetic data in a magnetic card or the like is generally a frequency modulation method in which recording is performed by a combination of two types of frequencies F and 2F. In a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a magnetic card reader adopting such a method, magnetic recording data is reproduced in the form of an analog reproduction signal by sliding the magnetic head relative to the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card, Based on the signal waveform of the analog reproduction signal, binary data is decoded.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the magnetic card reader for reproducing the magnetic recording data of this configuration, the operator places the magnetic card 2 as indicated by arrows in both directions (forward / reverse direction of magnetic recording) in the figure. By manually transporting along the running reference plane 21, the magnetic card 2 is transported in a state where the magnetic head 3 is in contact with the magnetic stripe 35 of the magnetic card 2, thereby being recorded on the magnetic stripe 35. An analog reproduction signal corresponding to the magnetic recording data is obtained.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5 (i), the recording current waveform for magnetic recording is composed of a combination of a pulse signal having a frequency F and a pulse signal having a frequency 2F, and the binary data “0” has a low frequency F. Binary data “1” is defined by a pulse signal having a high frequency 2F. Therefore, in FIG. 5 (i), binary data following (000010...) Is represented. The signal waveform of the analog reproduction signal A obtained from the magnetic head 11 via the amplifier 41 has a waveform as shown in FIG. 5 (ii), and the rising and falling points of the recording current waveform appear as positive and negative peaks. In other words, positive and negative peaks appear at the magnetic polarity reversal positions of the magnetically recorded recording data. This analog reproduction signal waveform is supplied to the peak detection circuit 42 to determine the peak position. Further, a digital reproduction signal waveform corresponding to the recording current waveform as shown in (iv) is obtained via the comparator 43. Based on this digital signal waveform, the upper level device 6 decodes the magnetic recording data. For example, as shown in FIG. 5I, bit data (binary data) following “000010...” Is created in the order of reproduction by the magnetic head 3. This is stored in the RAM of the host device 6 for one track. Next, the stored bit data (binary data) is the first bit data (binary data) since the ISO standard first track has 7 bits and each code is formed as will be described later. In this order, a 7-bit segmentation is made to find the bit arrangement of the STX code and ETX code shown in FIG. 4A, and the bit data in between is the data shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the ISO standard format is as shown in FIG. 4A, and is composed of three tracks (first track to third track).

  The first track (track 1 (IATA format)) is also called the IATA format. In the magnetic data to be recorded, one character is composed of 7 bits, and the character includes alphanumeric characters and various symbols. The number of characters recorded as magnetic data is 3 for the minimum number of characters (specified as “SMIN” in FIG. 4A) and 79 for the maximum number of characters (specified as “SMAX” in FIG. 4A). Yes. There is a type in which the maximum number of characters is 72.

  Seven bits constituting one character are composed of six data bits and one parity bit. For example, in the character indicated by “1011011”, the first bit “1” is a parity bit, and the validity of the remaining six data bits is verified. The remaining six bits “011011” are data bits and define a character.

  The start code STX (SS) is defined as “1000101”, and the first bit “1” is a parity bit. The end code ETX (ES) is defined as “0011111”, and the first bit “0” is a parity bit.

  The second track (track 2 (ABA format)) is also called an ABA format. In the magnetic data recorded on the second track, one character is composed of 5 bits, and the character includes numerals and various symbols. In the 5 bits constituting the character, the first bit is a parity bit, and the remaining 4 bits are data bits, which define the character. The minimum number of characters is 3 and the maximum number of characters is 40. The start code STX (SS) in the second track is defined as “01011”, and the first bit “0” is a parity bit. The end code ETX (ES) is defined as “11111”, and the first bit “1” is a parity bit.

  The third track (track 3 (MINTS format)) is called the MINTS format, and one character is composed of 5 bits like the second track, and the character includes numbers and various symbols. In the 5 bits constituting the character, the first bit is a parity bit, and the remaining 4 bits are data bits, which define the character. The number of characters is 3 for the minimum number of characters and 107 for the maximum number of characters. The start code STX (SS) in the third track is defined as “01011”, and the first bit “0” is a parity bit. The end code ETX (ES) is defined as “11111”, and the first bit “1” is a parity bit.

  Also, RC (Redundancy Check) shown in FIG. 4A represents magnetic data recorded in the check code shown in FIG. The first to third tracks use the same LRC method (horizontal parity check method) for all three tracks. Specifically, the magnetic data recorded in the start code STX (SS), data, and end code ETX (ES) Error detection is performed on data, and the error detection method uses an even parity check (the number of bits 1 is an even number).

  Further, the VRC (vertical parity check method) shown in FIG. 4A is adopted, and the error detection method uses an odd parity check (the number of bits 1 becomes an odd number). The vertical parity check method VRC of the LRC itself is validated. That is, the LRC itself is magnetic data as a check code, and VRC is added to this magnetic data.

  Next, the format of the AAMVA standard as a specific standard other than the ISO standard will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the format of the AAMVA standard is as shown in FIG. 4B, and consists of three tracks (first track to third track).

  In the first track (track 1) of the AAMVA standard, one character is composed of 7 bits, and the character includes alphanumeric characters and various symbols. As for the number of characters recorded as magnetic data, the minimum number of characters (specified as “SMIN” in FIG. 4B) is not defined, and the maximum number of characters (specified as “SMAX” in FIG. 4B) is 82.

  7 bits constituting one character are composed of 6 data bits and 1 parity bit, and the first bit is a parity bit so that the validity of the remaining 6 data bits is verified. It has become. The remaining six bits are data bits and define a character.

The start code STX (SS) is defined as “1000101”, and the first bit “1” is a parity bit. The end code ETX (ES) is defined as “0011111”, and the first bit “0” is a parity bit.
In the second track (track 2) of the AAMVA standard, one character is composed of 5 bits, and the character includes numerals and various symbols. As for the number of characters recorded as magnetic data, the minimum number of characters is not defined, and the maximum number of characters is 40.

  The 5 bits constituting one character are composed of 4 data bits and 1 parity bit, and the first bit is a parity bit so that the validity of the remaining 4 bit data is verified. It has become. The remaining four bits are data bits and define a character.

  The start code STX (SS) in the second track is defined as “01011”, and the first bit “0” is a parity bit. The end code ETX (ES) is defined as “11111”, and the first bit “1” is a parity bit.

  In the third track (track 3) of the AAMVA standard, one character is composed of 7 bits, and the character includes a number and various symbols. As for the number of characters recorded as magnetic data, the minimum number of characters is not defined, and the maximum number of characters is 82.

  Seven bits constituting one character are composed of six data bits and one parity bit, and the first bit is a parity bit, and the validity of the magnetic data is verified. The remaining six bits are data bits and define a character.

  The start code STX (SS) is defined as “1000101”, and the first bit “1” is a parity bit. The end code ETX (ES) is defined as “0011111”, and the first bit “0” is a parity bit.

  Also, RC (Redundancy Check) shown in FIG. 4B represents magnetic data recorded in the check code shown in FIG. For the first to third tracks of the AAMVA standard, the same LRC method (horizontal parity check method) is used for all three tracks. Specifically, the start code STX (SS), data, and end code ETX (ES) are recorded. The detected magnetic data is subjected to error detection, and the error detection method uses an even parity check (the number of bits 1 is an even number).

  Furthermore, the VRC (vertical parity check method) shown in FIG. 4B is adopted, and the error detection method uses an odd parity check (the number of bits 1 is an odd number). The vertical parity check method VRC of the LRC itself is validated. That is, the LRC itself is magnetic data as a check code, and VRC is added to this magnetic data.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of information processing of the magnetic data format determination method according to the present embodiment.

  First, the CPU 60 of the host device 6 determines whether or not magnetic data (bit data) has been received from the magnetic card reader 1 (step SA1). If no magnetic data (bit data) is received, the process stands by (step SA1: NO).

  When magnetic data (bit data) is received (step SA1: YES), the CPU 60 of the host device 6 transfers the received magnetic data (bit data) to the read data area 63 of the RAM 62 in the order from the front end to the rear end of the first track. To store the magnetic data (bit data), and then the magnetic data is similarly stored for the second track and the third track. After recording and storing magnetic data from the first track to the third track, a decode data generation process 71 of the middleware 7 for magnetic data decoding is performed. As a result, the magnetic data (bit data) recorded in the read data area 63 is stored based on an ISO standard format or an array of a format other than the ISO standard (step SA2). In the present embodiment, the magnetic data is stored based on an array of four formats in the decoded data area 64 shown in FIG. More specifically, the ISO forward area 65 is stored as first magnetic data according to the direction in which the magnetic card is conveyed. In the ISO backward area 66, magnetic data obtained by changing the order of the first magnetic data is stored as second magnetic data. Similarly, the AAMVA forward area 67 stores first magnetic data, and the AAMVA backward area 68 stores second magnetic data.

  Next, the CPU 60 of the host device 6 performs format determination processing (step SA3). Specifically, it is determined whether the magnetic data is in an ISO standard format or is recorded in an AAMVA standard format other than the ISO standard by analyzing magnetic data, which will be described later.

  Furthermore, if the format can be determined by the format determination process, the CPU 60 of the host device 6 performs a card transport direction determination process (step SA4). In the present embodiment, in a magnetic card reader (manual magnetic card reader) that carries a magnetic card manually by a user, the card carrying direction for carrying the magnetic card is the forward direction of magnetic recording recorded by the magnetic head or It may be in the opposite direction.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, an ISO forward area 65 and an ISO backward area 66 are formed in the decoded data area 64 shown in FIG. In the host device 6 (application program 8), since the card transport direction is not determined, it is necessary to exchange information using the magnetic data in the two areas 65 and 66. For this reason, there exists a problem that processing time takes. The same applies to formats of AAMVA standards other than the ISO standard. Further, although it is possible to determine the card conveyance direction using a sensor or the like, there is a problem that the manual magnetic card reader is large and expensive.

[Format judgment processing]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of information processing for performing format determination by analyzing magnetic data according to the present embodiment, and is a subroutine related to format determination processing (step SA3 in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the format of a magnetic card formatted according to the ISO standard or the AAMVA standard is determined. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in the ISO standard format and the AAMVA standard format, the character configuration of the third track is different from 7 bits and 5 bits, and the maximum number of characters in the first track (FIG. 4). Then, it can be seen that “SMAX”) is different from 79 and 82. Therefore, the decoding priority is set to the order of the third track and the first track.

  First, the magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the ISO forward area 65 and the magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the ISO backward area 66 shown in FIG. Step SB1).

  It is determined whether any of the magnetic data formatted according to these two ISO standards has succeeded or failed in decoding (step SB2).

  Specifically, the success / failure of decoding does not include (1) an array of start codes STX (SS), that is, “01011” in the array. (2) Next, when there is a start code STX (SS), there is no array of end codes ETX (SE), that is, “11111”. (3) Furthermore, the check code next to the end code is incorrect. (4) The start code STX (SS), the data, the end code ETX (SS), and the parity bit of the check code can be determined depending on whether the parity check result is correct. If there is no error in all of the checks (1) to (4), it is determined that decoding is successful, and if any one of the errors is present, it is determined that decoding is unsuccessful.

  Next, when it is determined in step SB2 that one of the two magnetic data is successfully decoded, the magnetic data of the third track (track 3) and the AAMVA backward stored in the AAMVA forward area 67 shown in FIG. The magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the area 68 is decoded (step SB3).

  It is determined whether any of the magnetic data formatted in accordance with these two AAMVA standards has succeeded or failed in decoding (step SB4). Specifically, the success or failure of decoding is performed in the same manner for the above-described checks (1) to (4) in the array. The checks (1) to (4) are performed with 7 bits constituting one character.

If it is determined in step SB4 that there is no error in all of the checks (1) to (4) and the decoding is successful, both the ISO standard and the AAMVA standard have been successfully decoded. A card type determination impossible error is notified to the application program 8 as determination impossible, and this subroutine is terminated. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the card conveyance direction determination process SA4 is not performed, and the process ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step SB4 that the decoding has failed, since the decoding has succeeded in accordance with the ISO standard, the application program 8 is notified that the magnetic card is magnetically recorded in the ISO standard format, and this subroutine is executed. finish. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to the card transport direction determination process SA4.

  Returning to step SB2, if it is determined in step SB2 that both of the two magnetic data have failed to be decoded, the magnetic data and the AAMVA back of the third track (track 3) stored in the AAMVA forward area 67 shown in FIG. The magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the word area 68 is decoded (step SB5).

  It is determined whether any of the magnetic data formatted in accordance with these two AAMVA standards has succeeded or failed in decoding (step SB6).

  Specifically, the success or failure of decoding is performed in the same manner for the above-described checks (1) to (4) in the array. The checks (1) to (4) are performed with 7 bits constituting one character.

  If it is determined in step SB6 that one of the two magnetic data is successfully decoded, the magnetic data based on the ISO standard format has failed to be decoded, and the magnetic data based on the AAMVA standard format has been successfully decoded. Thus, the magnetic card 2 notifies the application program 8 that it is a magnetic card magnetically recorded in the format of the AAMVA standard, and this subroutine is terminated. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step SB6 that both of the two magnetic data have failed to be decoded, the magnetic data of the first track (track 1) stored in the AAMVA forward area 67 shown in FIG. 2 and the AAMVA backward area 68 are stored. The magnetic data of the first track (track 1) is decoded (step SB7).
It is determined whether any of the magnetic data formatted in accordance with these two AAMVA standards has succeeded or failed in decoding (step SB8).

  Specifically, the success or failure of decoding is performed in the same manner for the above-described checks (1) to (4) in the array. The checks (1) to (4) are performed with 7 bits constituting one character.

  If it is determined in step SB8 that one of the two magnetic data is successfully decoded, it is determined whether the number of characters in the data included in track 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (76 characters) (step SB9). ). As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the first track (track 1) has a start code and an end code in any format. The format can be determined only by the number difference.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the case of the ISO standard format, the maximum number of characters is 79. Among these, the start code STX (SS), the end code ETX (SE), Three characters of the end code are included as the minimum number of characters. Therefore, the maximum number of characters in the data is 79-3 = 76. On the other hand, in the case of the format of the AAMVA standard, as shown in FIG. 4B, the minimum number of characters is not defined.

  As a result of decoding, when it is determined that the number of data characters is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the magnetic card is magnetically recorded in the format of AAMVA standard. The magnetic card is notified to the application program 8, and this subroutine is terminated. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Returning to step SB8, if it is determined that both of the two magnetic data have failed to be decoded, the application program 8 is notified that the magnetic card is magnetically recorded in the ISO standard format in order to notify the error. If it is determined in step SB8 that both of the two magnetic data are unsuccessful in decoding, an error indicating that the card type cannot be determined may be used.

[Card conveyance direction judgment]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of information processing for determining the card transport direction by analyzing magnetic data according to the present embodiment, and is a subroutine related to the card transport direction determination process (step SA4 in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, since it is assumed that the format of the magnetic data of the magnetic card 2 is determined in advance, the magnetic data magnetically recorded in the ISO standard format will be described. In this embodiment, the same priority order as the format determination described above, that is, the decoding priority order is the order of the third track, the first track, and the second track. Note that the decoding priority is not limited to this, and processing may be performed in order from the first track or the second track. Further, it may be performed on magnetic data magnetically recorded in the format of AAMVA standard.

First, the magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the ISO forward area 65 and the magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the ISO backward area 66 shown in FIG. Step SC1).
The magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the ISO forward area 65 is the first magnetic data, and the magnetic data of the third track (track 3) stored in the ISO backward area 66. The second magnetic data is magnetic data obtained by switching the first magnetic data in the context of the first magnetic data.

  It is determined whether any of the magnetic data formatted according to these two ISO standards has succeeded or failed in decoding (step SC2).

  Specifically, the success / failure of decoding is, as described in the above-described format determination process, (1) the array of start codes STX (SS), that is, “01011” is not present in the array. (2) Next, when there is a start code STX (SS), there is no array of end codes ETX (SE), that is, “11111”. (3) Furthermore, the check code next to the end code is incorrect. (4) The start code STX (SS), the data, the end code ETX (SS), and the parity bit of the check code can be determined depending on whether the parity check result is correct. If there is no error in all of the checks (1) to (4), it is determined that decoding is successful, and if any one of the errors is present, it is determined that decoding is unsuccessful.

In step SC2, if decoding is successful with only the first magnetic data, it is determined that the forward direction is reached. That is, in the magnetic card reader 1 (manual magnetic card reader) that manually conveys the magnetic card 2 by the user, the card conveyance direction for conveying the magnetic card 2 is the forward direction of the magnetic recording recorded by the magnetic head 3. Judge.
On the other hand, if the decoding is successful only with the second magnetic data, it is determined that the backward direction is set. In this case, it is determined that the card conveyance direction is the reverse direction of the magnetic recording.

  As described above, when the card transport direction can be determined, this subroutine is terminated. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Returning to step SC2, if it is determined that decoding has succeeded in both the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data, or it has been determined that decoding has failed in both the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data. In this case, the first track (track 1) is decoded in the ISO standard format (step SC3).

  In the present embodiment, the first magnetic data of the first track (track 1) stored in the ISO forward area 65 and the first track (track 1) stored in the ISO backward area 66 shown in FIG. The second magnetic data is decoded.

  It is determined whether any of the magnetic data formatted according to these two ISO standards has succeeded or failed in decoding (step SC4). Specifically, the success or failure of decoding is performed in the same manner for the above-described checks (1) to (4) in the array. The checks (1) to (4) are performed with 7 bits constituting the character.

  The success or failure of the decoding is the same as the determination in step SC2. In step SC4, if the decoding is successful only with the first magnetic data, it is determined that the forward direction is achieved, while if the decoding is successful only with the second magnetic data. It is determined that the direction is backward.

  As described above, when the card transport direction can be determined, this subroutine is terminated. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Returning to step SC4, when it is determined that the decoding has succeeded in both the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data, or it has been determined that the decoding has failed in both the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data. In this case, the second track (track 2) is then decoded in the ISO standard format (step SC5).

  It is determined whether any of the magnetic data formatted according to these two ISO standards has succeeded or failed in decoding (step SC6).

  Specifically, the success or failure of decoding is performed in the same manner for the above-described checks (1) to (4) in the array. The checks (1) to (4) are performed on the 5 bits constituting the character as in the third track (track 3).

  The success or failure of the decoding is the same as the determination in step SC2 or step SC4. In step SC6, if the decoding is successful only by the first magnetic data, it is determined that the forward direction is achieved, while the decoding is performed only by the second magnetic data. If successful, the backward direction is determined.

  As described above, when the card transport direction can be determined, this subroutine is terminated. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Returning to step SC6, when it is determined that decoding has succeeded in both the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data, or it has been determined that decoding has failed in both the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data. In this case, the total number of characters recorded on the third track (track 3) is compared between the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data (step SC7). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the number of characters in the third track (track 3) is 107 in the case of the ISO standard format, and the maximum number of characters (in the column “SMAX”) is 107. The three characters of start code STX (SS), end code ETX (SE), and end code are included as the minimum number of characters. If the decoding fails and the number of characters cannot be calculated, the number of characters is set to zero.

  In step SC7, for example, when it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data is larger than the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data, forward> backward and forward direction. Is determined. On the other hand, if it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data is smaller than the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data, it is determined that the backward direction is forward <backward. This subroutine is finished. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Here, even when the card transport direction is the reverse direction of the magnetic recording, the start code STX (SS), the end code ETX (SE), and the end code may appear by chance. Can be considered. However, as a rule of thumb, the total number of characters in the start code STX (SS), data, end code ETX (SE), and end code that can be decoded accidentally is less than the total number of characters that can be decoded correctly. know. That is, when the card transport direction is the reverse direction of magnetic recording, the magnetic data includes a start STX (SS), an end code ETX (SE), and a check code. However, if it happens to exist, it does not exist in the arrangement as shown in FIG. 3, but it exists in a mixed manner in the data area. As described above, even if the pseudo start STX (SS), end code ETX (SE), and check code exist in the data area, the number of characters recorded in the data area in the forward direction of magnetic recording. Obviously less.

  In step SC7, when it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data and the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data are the same, forward = backward and then the first track ( The total number of characters recorded in the track 1) is compared between the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data (step SC8).

  In step SC8, as in step SC7, if it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data is greater than the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data, it is determined that the direction is the forward direction. To do. On the other hand, if it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data is smaller than the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data, it is determined that the direction is backward, and this subroutine is terminated. . Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Further, returning to step SC8, when it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data and the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data are the same, forward = backward, The total number of characters recorded in the two tracks (track 2) is compared between the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data (step SC9).

  In step SC9, as in steps SC7 and SC8, if it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data is greater than the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data, Judge that there is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data is smaller than the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data, it is determined that the direction is backward, and this subroutine is terminated. . Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step SC9, if it is determined that the total number of characters obtained from the first magnetic data is the same as the total number of characters obtained from the second magnetic data, it is determined that the direction is the forward direction, and this subroutine is executed. finish. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, if the decoding fails in any card transport direction, the total number of characters is zero.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when decoding fails in any direction and the number of characters is 0, in order to notify the host device 6 of the error content, decoding is performed in the ISO standard format. The details of the error are notified. As in the format determination, the higher level device 6 may be notified as a “card transport direction determination failure error”.

  As described above, according to the method for determining the format of the magnetic data according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the difference between the ISO standard and the AAMVA standard format, specifically, the number of bits constituting one character. The third track with different (7 bits or 5 bits) is determined with the highest priority, and if the determination is difficult, the first track with the different number of data characters is determined next (in FIG. 7, for track 2). Therefore, by determining the priority order of tracks to be decoded, format determination can be performed optimally in a simpler method than in the past.

  Further, in the format determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, if the third track is successfully decoded by both the ISO standard and the AAMVA standard, the card type cannot be determined, and the third track If decoding fails and both ISO standard and AAMVA standard are successfully decoded on the first track, it is determined that the magnetic card is magnetically recorded in the ISO standard format. Even when only the second track is successfully decoded, it is determined that the magnetic card is magnetically recorded in the ISO standard format. Even when decoding in all tracks fails, it can be processed by determining that the magnetic card is magnetically recorded in the ISO standard format. As described above, in the present embodiment, the ISO standard format is more general than the AAMVA standard format, and therefore, it is processed as a magnetic card magnetically recorded in the ISO standard format. In addition, you may process as a format determination impossible error.

  Furthermore, in the card conveyance direction determination, when the decoding is successful in both forward and backward directions, or when both directions are unsuccessful, the direction is determined based on the success or failure of the decoding of the next priority track. If the direction cannot be determined in the track, the direction with the larger number of all characters recorded in each track is set as the reading direction. In this embodiment, when the size of all characters cannot be determined in all tracks, the forward direction is notified to the upper device 6 and the next command (command) is awaited.

  In the present embodiment, in a magnetic card reader (manual magnetic card reader) that carries a magnetic card manually by a user, the card carrying direction for carrying the magnetic card is the forward or reverse direction of the magnetic recording recorded by the magnetic head. It may be a direction. Therefore, by determining the card conveyance direction based on the total number of characters, for example, magnetic data stored in any one of the four areas 65 to 67 in the decoded data area 64 shown in FIG. Therefore, the host device 6 can exchange magnetic information in the card more efficiently.

[Other embodiments]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the swipe type magnetic card reader 1 that reads information while carrying a card in one direction by hand is adopted, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a manual type in which card information is read by manually operating a card other than a swipe type card may be used. More specifically, it can be adopted as an insertion type (dip type) for reading information by manually inserting a card into an insertion slot and removing the card. Further, the present invention can be employed in a motor-driven magnetic card reader that automatically takes in a card by a transport mechanism driven by a motor and reads information. In the motor-driven magnetic card reader, since the card transport direction is determined in advance, the card transport direction determination process shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted.

  In addition, the functions of the magnetic data decoding middleware are incorporated in the firmware program of the magnetic card reader 1, the magnetic data decoding function, the format determination function, and the card transport direction determination function are executed by the magnetic card reader 1, and the format determination result It is also possible to notify the host device 6 of the card conveyance direction determination result. In this embodiment, the AAMVA standard format is used as a specific format other than the ISO standard, but other formats may be used.

  The method for determining the format of magnetic data according to the present invention is a method for determining the format of a plurality of types of magnetic cards, or for the magnetic card in a magnetic card reader capable of carrying cards in both directions of magnetic recording recorded by a magnetic head. This is useful for determining the card conveyance direction.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the magnetic card reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of an electrical structure of the magnetic card reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a high-order apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the magnetic data currently recorded on the magnetic card. It is a figure which shows the basic composition for every specification of the magnetic data which concerns on this embodiment. It is a signal waveform diagram for demonstrating the data demodulation operation | movement of a card reader. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information processing of the format determination method of the magnetic data which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information processing which performs format determination by the analysis of the magnetic data which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information processing which performs card | curd conveyance direction determination by the analysis of the magnetic data which concern on this embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic card reader 2 Card 3 Magnetic head 4 Demodulation part 5 CPU
6 Host device 7 Middleware for decoding magnetic data 8 Application program 20 Frame 21 Traveling reference plane 35 Magnetic stripe 50, 50 'I / F unit 60 Control unit 70 Interface unit

Claims (9)

Reading magnetic data written on the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card by the magnetic head of the magnetic card reader;
Determining whether the read magnetic data conforms to an ISO standard format or a specific format other than the ISO standard;
A method for determining the format of magnetic data.   The magnetic stripe is provided with a plurality of tracks, and whether or not the format of magnetic data written in a predetermined track among the plurality of tracks conforms to the ISO standard format or a specific format other than the ISO standard. The method for determining a format of magnetic data according to claim 1, wherein the method is a step of determining whether or not.   In the magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe, the number of bits constituting one character is different between the ISO standard format and a specific format other than the ISO standard, and the number of bits is a determination target. The method for determining the format of magnetic data according to claim 1 or 2.   The magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe is characterized in that the maximum number of characters differs between an ISO standard format and a specific format other than the ISO standard, and the number of characters is to be determined. 3. A method for determining the format of magnetic data according to 1 or 2.   5. The method of determining a format of magnetic data according to claim 1, wherein the format is determined based on a result of a parity check of a parity bit included in the magnetic data.   6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific format is a format used for an AAMVA card. Storing magnetic data read by a magnetic head of a magnetic card reader as first magnetic data;
Storing magnetic data in which the order of the first magnetic data is changed as second magnetic data;
Determining a card transport direction of the magnetic card based on the first magnetic data and the second magnetic data;
The method for determining the format of magnetic data according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:   8. The magnetic data format determination method according to claim 7, wherein the card conveyance direction is determined based on the number of characters included in the magnetic data.   9. The method for determining a format of magnetic data according to claim 7, wherein the card transport direction is determined based on a result of parity check of parity bits included in the magnetic data.