JP2691039B2 - Magnetic card encoder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a magnetic card encoder for writing desired data on a magnetic card and for reading the written data.

[Conventional technology]

This type of magnetic card encoder is used for writing various data on a magnetic card issued as a cash card, a membership card, or the like, or reading data written on the magnetic card to provide a predetermined service. I have.

However, with this magnetic card encoder, anyone can freely write and read data,
There is a risk that the magnetic card will be forged, altered or illegally issued.

Therefore, the applicant uses a start-up card in which predetermined format information that defines the format of the data to be written in the issued magnetic card and a specific discrimination code that is not written in the magnetic card are used. A magnetic card encoder provided with a security function that reads a discrimination code and, when the discrimination code matches a preset predetermined code, enables a writing process and a reading process of the magnetic card (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-61). No. 129775).

In addition, when performing the reading process, among the format information read from the startup card, the fixed data commonly written to the magnetic card issued by using the startup card and the fixed data read from the magnetic card are stored. By comparison, the data contents of the magnetic card are read and displayed only when they match, and the subsequent data processing can be performed, thereby providing a double security function.

That is, the fixed data of the format information recorded in the startup card is written in common to the magnetic card issued by the magnetic card encoder, and only the data content of the magnetic card in which the fixed data is written can be read and processed. A security function is added.

As a result, the data content of the magnetic card can be known only to the specific person who is permitted to use the startup card, and other third parties can know the data content and use the same magnetic content without permission. However, it is not possible to issue a card.However, there is a problem that even if it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts by a third party who does not have a startup card, it is not possible to prevent fraudulent acts by those who have a startup card. .

That is, it is impossible to prevent the act of the owner of the startup card duplicating a magnetic card with the same contents as the magnetic card issued at its own risk, but by reading the contents of the magnetic card issued by another person, There is a problem that it is not possible to prevent fraudulent acts of copying a magnetic card having the same contents as this.

In other words, if multiple people have the same type of startup card, and each one issues a magnetic card separately, use their own startup card to read the contents of the magnetic card issued by another person, There was a risk of duplicating a magnetic card with the same contents as that.

In particular, when a large number of people use the same type of startup card, it is difficult to identify the person who has committed fraud, and the psychological effect of suppressing fraud is weakened.

In addition, if a different identification code for each holder is stored in each startup card and the identification code is written on the issued magnetic card, the owner of the startup card used for illegal issuing of the magnetic card can be identified. Since it is possible to find out, it is possible to expect a certain psychological effect of suppressing fraudulent activities, but it is not possible to actually prevent illegal issuance of magnetic cards.

In addition, if a magnetic card that has been illegally issued is destroyed by burning it after use, the fraud will not be revealed. Therefore, the psychological effect of suppressing fraud cannot be expected so much.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, an object of the present invention is not only to psychologically suppress the illegal issuance of a magnetic card, but also to actually prevent the illegal issuance of the magnetic card. When there are multiple start-up cards that enable processing, a unique code that is different for each start-up card is written on the magnetic card that is issued by using each start-up card, and the magnetic card is issued. A technical issue is to enable the startup card to be specified and to prevent the contents of the magnetic card issued by each startup card from being read without using the startup card that issued the magnetic card.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to solve this problem, the present invention uses a start-up card in which predetermined format information that defines the format of data to be written in a magnetic card to be issued and a specific identification code that is not written in the magnetic card are recorded. Then, when the discrimination code of the card is read, and when this matches the preset predetermined mode, the magnetic card encoder that enables the writing process and the reading process of the magnetic card is recorded in the start-up card. Storage means for temporarily storing a security code unique to the card, writing means for writing the temporarily stored security code in a magnetic card, and determining means for executing a reading process only for the magnetic card in which the security code is written. Is provided.

[Action]

The magnetic card encoder according to the present invention first uses a startup card to read the format information recorded on the card, the discrimination code, and the security code unique to the card, and the read discrimination code is the magnetic code. When the code matches a predetermined code preset in the card encoder, the magnetic card becomes ready for writing and reading.

In this state, if you write the newly issued magnetic card, the specified data will be written to the magnetic card according to the format of the format information read from the startup card, and at the same time, the security code unique to the startup card will be displayed. Written.

Therefore, by checking the security code written on the magnetic card, it becomes clear which star-up card was used to issue the magnetic card.

In other words, the startup card can be specified by issuing the magnetic card.

Further, the reading process of the magnetic card is executed only when the magnetic card encoder is ready for the reading process by the startup card in which the same security code as the security code written in the magnetic card is recorded. .

In other words, if the magnetic card encoder is in a read-enabled state by a star-up card that has a security code that is different from the security code written on the magnetic card, the read processing of the magnetic card is executed. Not done.

Therefore, the contents written on the magnetic card cannot be read unless the startup card that issued the magnetic card is used, and the person who owns the startup card cannot read the magnetic card issued by another startup card. It is not possible to duplicate the magnetic card with the same contents as the card by reading the recorded contents of.

 That is, the illegal issuance of the magnetic card is surely prevented.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a magnetic card encoder according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is its flow sheet, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing recorded contents of a startup card, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the recorded contents of the issued magnetic card, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a magnetic card encoder, for example, a case body 2 integrally formed of plastic, a flat keyboard 3 provided on an upper surface of the case body 2, and a rear side of the keyboard 3. Display device 4,
The key switch 5 is provided on the left side surface of the case body 2, and the card insertion part 6 is provided on the right side portion of the case body.

The card insertion portion 6 is provided with card insertion slots 7 and 8 for inserting and ejecting the magnetic card NC, and a card for automatically conveying the magnetic card NC inserted from the card insertion slot 7 or 8 therein. A transfer mechanism 9 (shown in FIG. 2) and a write / read magnetic head 11 for writing desired data or reading written data by sliding contact with a magnetic recording unit 10 of the magnetic card NC are provided. I have.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a concave portion for fitting the sample card 13 indicating the insertion direction of the magnetic card NC in a predetermined direction.

In the magnetic recording unit 10 of the startup card S, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, specific discrimination codes AC1 and AC2 (for example, "$ EE" and "$ FF") is recorded.

Fixed data DP1 and DP2 from the 2nd digit to the 70th digit
And format information F consisting of variable data DV that can be input freely are recorded, and the 72nd digit horizontal redundancy code (LRC).
Is recorded.

C is a security code unique to each startup card, which is unique to the card, and is composed of, for example, a 4-digit character "1234", and is recorded in the area of the variable data DV.

Before and after the security code C, a specific character ““ ”“ ”” that distinguishes the character as the security code C by distinguishing it from the fixed data DP1 and DP2.
Is attached.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic card encoder 1 includes an interface circuit 21, an arithmetic unit 22, and a storage unit 2.
A control device 20, which is a microcomputer having a microcomputer 3, is provided.

Here, a keyboard 3 and a key switch 5 are connected to the input side of the interface circuit 21, and a read signal from the magnetic card 11 is input to the interface circuit 21. Mechanism 9 motor
24, a drive circuit 25 for the magnetic head 11, an external printer 26 and the like are connected.

When the startup card S is inserted, the arithmetic processing unit 22 has a magnetic recording unit 10 for the startup card S.
The security code C written in the variable data area is processed based on the read signal from the magnetic head 11 and stored in the storage device 23.

Then, when the card write mode is set based on the input signal from the keyboard 3, the security code C is written in the magnetic recording unit 10 of the magnetic card NC.

Here, the recording contents written in the magnetic recording unit 10 of the magnetic card NC will be described with reference to FIG. 4, at the first digit and the 71st digit, the discrimination codes AC1 and AC2 of the start-up card.
The start code and the end code (for example, “$ FF” and ($ FF ”) of a combination different from the above are recorded, and the fixed data DP1, DP2 and the fixed data DP1, DP2 and The variable data DV is recorded, and the horizontal redundancy code (LRC) is recorded at the 72nd digit.

Then, a security code C'which is the same as the security code C of the start-up card S stored in the storage device 23 is recorded in the area after the 73rd digit (for example, 73rd digit to 76th digit) where the clock signal is recorded. To do.

Further, when the card reading mode is set based on the input signal from the keyboard 3, the security code C ′ written in the magnetic card NC and the security code C of the startup card S stored in the storage device 23 are set. Is performed to determine whether or not the data match, and if they match, the recording data of the magnetic card NC is read to display the content of the recording data on the display device 4. If they do not match, the data is stored. A process of erasing the recording data temporarily stored in the device 23 is performed.

It should be noted that the recording device 23 stores predetermined codes corresponding to the discrimination codes AC1 and AC2 of the startup card S, and the arithmetic processing device 22 stores the 73rd to 76th digits of the magnetic recording portion of the magnetic card NC. A processing program for controlling the card transport mechanism 9, the magnetic head 11, etc. is stored so that the security code C ′ can be written in the area and the code written in the area can be read.

Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the arithmetic processing unit 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the key switch 5 is turned on, the device is activated and the fifth
Execution of the processing shown in the figure is started. First, in step (1), the drive circuit 25 is set to the card reading mode, and then the process proceeds to step (2).

In step (2), it is determined whether or not the startup card S has been inserted into the card insertion portion 6, and when it is not inserted, the process returns to step (1) and waits as it is, and when it is inserted, the process proceeds to step (3). To do.

In step (3), the motor 24 of the card transport mechanism 9 is activated to automatically transport the startup card S, and at the same time, the format information F recorded in the magnetic recording unit 10 of the startup card S and the discrimination code AC1. , AC
2 and the security code C are read, this is temporarily stored in the buffer memory in the storage device 23, and the startup card S is ejected.

Then, the process proceeds to step (4) and the discrimination code
It is determined whether or not AC1 and AC2 match a predetermined code stored in the storage device 23 in advance.

When the discrimination codes AC1 and AC2 do not match the predetermined codes, that is, when it is determined that the card is not the start-up card S, the process proceeds to step (5), an error message is displayed on the display device, and The stored contents of the buffer memory are erased, and the process returns to step (1).

In step (4), the discrimination codes AC1 and AC2
If it matches the predetermined code, that is, if the card is determined to be the start-up card S, the process proceeds to step (6), in which the format information F and the security are stored in the buffer memory. After the code C is stored in the storage device 23, the process proceeds to step (7).

In step (7), it is determined which of the card writing mode setting key K1 and the card reading mode setting key K2 on the keyboard 3 has been pressed. If the card writing mode setting key K1 has been pressed, step (8) Then, the apparatus is set to the card writing mode, desired data is input from the keyboard 3 in accordance with the format information F, and then the processing shifts to step (9).

In step (9), the magnetic card NC is inserted into the card insertion part 6.
Determines whether or not has been inserted, and when the magnetic card NC is in a non-inserted state, waits until the magnetic card NC is inserted,
When the magnetic card NC is inserted, the process proceeds to step (10).

In step (10), the format information F is recorded in the magnetic recording unit 10 of the magnetic card NC inserted in the card insertion unit 6.
The desired input data input from the keyboard 3 and the security code C of the start-up card S stored in step (6) are magnetically recorded via the magnetic head 11 according to the above.

At this time, the security code C includes areas DT and DT other than the area in which the fixed data and the desired variable data of the magnetic recording portion of the magnetic card are recorded (the area on the front side where the start code AC1 is recorded or the end code AC2 is It is written in the recorded area on the back side), and a security function can be added without reducing the data recording capacity of the magnetic card NC.

Further, since the data in the area in which the security code is written is not treated as valid data by the usual magnetic card encoder, the security code can be improved without the knowledge of the security code by a third party. .

Next, in step (11), it is determined whether or not the end key K3 on the ghee board 3 is pressed. If the end key K3 is pressed, the process proceeds to step (12) to end the process and not press the key. If so, return to step (7).

When the card reading mode setting key K2 is pressed in step (7), the process proceeds to step (13), the device is set to the card reading mode, and the process proceeds to step (14).

In step (14), it is determined whether or not the magnetic card NC has been inserted into the magnetic card insertion portion 6, and when the magnetic card NC is in the non-inserted state, it waits until the magnetic card NC is inserted, and the magnetic card NC When is inserted, the process proceeds to step (15).

In step (15), the recording data and the security code C ′ written in the magnetic recording unit 10 of the magnetic card NC are recorded.
Is read via the magnetic head 11 and is temporarily stored in the buffer memory in the storage device 23, and the process proceeds to step (16).

In step (16), the security code C '
Then, a match / mismatch with the security code C of the startup card S stored in step (6) is determined, and if they match, the process proceeds to step (17).

In step (17), the stored data of the magnetic card NC temporarily stored in the buffer memory is displayed on the display device 4, and then the process proceeds to step (11).

If it is determined in step (16) that the security codes do not match, the process proceeds to step (18).

In step (18), a predetermined error is displayed on the display device 4, and at the same time, for example, "pip, pip, pip"
An error sound is emitted as a continuous sound of, the stored contents of the buffer memory are erased, and then the process proceeds to step (11).

Next, the operation will be described. When writing data to the magnetic card NC, first, the key switch 5 of the magnetic card encoder is turned on.

In this state, the arithmetic processing unit 22 starts executing the arithmetic processing shown in FIG.

Therefore, first, when the startup card S is inserted into the card insertion portion, the format information F recorded in the predetermined area of the magnetic recording portion 10, the discrimination codes AC1 and AC2,
When the security code C is read and it is determined that the discrimination code matches the predetermined code, the format information F and the security code C are stored in a predetermined area of the storage device 23, and data for the magnetic card is stored. Is enabled [steps (1) to (6)].

Next, when the card write mode setting key K1 on the keyboard 3 is pressed to input desired variable data from the keyboard 3 and an unused magnetic card NC is inserted, predetermined recording of the magnetic recording unit 10 of the magnetic card NC is performed. In the area, the variable data and fixed data, and the start-up card S
The security code C is automatically written and a new magnetic card NC can be issued [steps (8) to (10)].

When reading the recorded data of the magnetic card NC, the card reading mode setting key K2 on the keyboard 3 is read.
Magnetic card NC that tries to read recorded data by pressing
When the card is inserted through the insertion port, the recording data and the security code C ′ recorded in a predetermined area of the magnetic recording unit 10 are inserted.
Is read.

When the read security code C ′ matches the security code C of the startup card S stored in the storage device 23, the magnetic card NC
The recorded data of is displayed on the display device 4, and the contents can be read.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the security codes C'and C do not match, an error message or the like is displayed on the display device 4, and the contents of the recorded data cannot be read [steps (13) to (18)]. .

Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the illegal issuing of the magnetic card NC by a person who has a startup card with a different security code.

Also, by checking the security code written on each magnetic card NC, it is possible to determine which startup card was used to issue the magnetic card, and the startup card used for issuing the magnetic card can be identified. It is possible to psychologically suppress illegal issuance of a magnetic card by a person who holds the card.

In the above embodiment, the case where the security code C of the startup card S is written in the variable data recording area (2nd digit to 70th digit) of the format information has been described. However, like the magnetic card NC, it is fixed. The writing may be performed in the areas DT and DT other than the area in which the data and the variable data are recorded.

The magnetic card transporting means is not limited to automatic feeding by the card transporting mechanism 9 and may be manual feeding.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the magnetic card encoder according to the present invention writes the security code unique to the startup card in the newly issued magnetic card. Since it is known whether the card was issued by using it, there is an effect that it is possible to psychologically suppress fraudulent activity by a person who has a startup card.

In addition, only when the security code recorded on the startup card and the security code written on the magnetic card match, the reading process of the magnetic card can be executed to read the recorded data. Since it is not possible to read the recorded data of the magnetic card by using a different start-up card that differs in, it is possible to surely prevent illegal issuing of the magnetic card by a person who owns a different start-up card. It has an excellent effect.

Furthermore, when writing the security code in the area other than between the start code and the end code of the magnetic card,
There is also an effect that a security function can be added without reducing the normal data recording capacity.

Also, in this case, with a normal magnetic card encoder,
Since the recorded data written in the area other than the area between the start code and the end code of the card is not read, or even if it is read, the contents are often ignored, the security code recorded on the card can be sent to a third party. The probability of being known is low, and the security reliability can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a magnetic card encoder according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flow sheet thereof, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing recorded contents of a start-up card, and FIG. 4 is recording of an issued magnetic card. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure. Explanation of symbols 1 ... Magnetic card encoder, 3 ... Keyboard, 4 ... Display device, 5 ... Key switch, 6 ... Card insertion part, 9 ... Card transport mechanism, 10 ... Magnetic recording part, 11 ... … Magnetic head, S… Startup card, F… Format information, AC1, AC2… Discrimination code, DP1, DP2… Fixed data,
DV: Variable data C, C '... Security code, NC: Magnetic card, 20 ... Control unit, 21 ... Interface circuit, 22 ... Arithmetic processing unit, 23
……Storage device

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A predetermined format information (F) that defines the format of data to be written in the issued magnetic card (NC) and a specific discrimination code (AC1, AC2) that is not written in the magnetic card (NC). Use the recorded start-up card (S) to identify the card (AC1, AC2)
In the magnetic card encoder capable of performing the writing process and the reading process of the magnetic card (NC) when it is read and the code matches the preset predetermined code, the card recorded on the start-up card (S) (S) Storage means for temporarily storing the unique security code (C), writing means for writing the temporarily stored security code (C) in the magnetic card (NC), and writing the security code (C) Magnetic card (NC)
A magnetic card encoder, comprising: a determination unit that executes a reading process only for the magnetic card encoder.