JP3395833B2 - Card reading device and card reading method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card reading apparatus and a card reading method for detecting punch holes punched in a prepaid card, and more particularly to detecting punch holes that are illegally filled so that the punch holes are not detected. Card reading device and card reading method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A prepaid card having a monetary value and magnetically storing the amount information and the like is used for payment of a loan for a game medium or the like. Such prepaid cards are sold to each store by the card manufacturer. At each store, prepaid cards purchased from the card manufacturer,
Sold to users by ticketing machines. A user who purchases a prepaid card inserts the prepaid card into a reading device provided in a store in order to pay a usage fee for a game medium or the like. The reading device performs a predetermined check on the inserted prepaid card, and when it is confirmed that the prepaid card is not an unauthorized card, the reading device permits its use. Then, the reading device updates the amount information stored in the prepaid card. When the reading device updates the amount information, punch holes are punched at predetermined locations on the prepaid card according to the updated balance.

The reading device uses, for example, magnetism to detect a punch hole, and when the magnitude (amplitude) of the read magnetic waveform is equal to or larger than a preset threshold value, the punch hole is detected at that location. Judge that is opened. And
The reading device checks whether the punch hole corresponds to the balance properly by checking when the prepaid card is inserted, and if it does, it permits the use and appropriately If the card is not supported, it is judged as an illegal card and the card is rejected for use.

[0004]

A person who intends to illegally use a prepaid card makes an illegal act by filling the above punch holes and rewriting the magnetic information (money amount information). When the punch hole is finely filled, the magnetic waveform at that portion becomes small and is less than the above threshold value, so the reader determines that there is no punch hole at that portion.

If the threshold is reduced to detect illegally filled punch holes, the reader will detect noise as well as the magnetic waveform of the incorrectly filled punch holes. Since this noise is generated in a certain amount even with a normal prepaid card, there is a problem that the normal prepaid card may be refused to be used.
If such a situation occurs frequently, it hinders the sales of the store where the reading device is installed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a card reading device and a card reading method for detecting punch holes that have been illegally filled in and improving the reliability of a prepaid card.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a card reading device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A card reading device for detecting illegally filled punch holes of a prepaid card in which punch holes are punched according to a balance, scanning an area where punch holes are punched,
Magnetic detection means for detecting a magnetic waveform, first position detection means for detecting the peripheral portion of the buried hole from the magnetic waveform detected by the magnetic detection means, and position detected by the first position detection means From the above, the second position detecting means for discriminating the magnetic waveform near the position distant by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punched hole and detecting the peripheral portion of the filled hole, and the second position detecting means, And a notification means for notifying that there is a punched hole that has been filled up when the peripheral portion of is detected.

According to the present invention, an illegally filled punch hole of a prepaid card can be detected by examining the magnetic waveform of the magnetic surface on which the punch hole is punched. Therefore, the reliability of the prepaid card can be improved.

A card reading device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a card reading device for detecting illegally filled punch holes of a prepaid card in which punch holes are punched according to the balance. Of the balance detecting means for reading the balance of the card and the magnetic surface on which the punch holes are punched, the magnetic waveform of the area which is indicated that the punch holes have not been punched yet is detected by the balance read by the balance detecting means. From the magnetic waveform detected by the magnetic detecting means, the first position detecting means detecting the peripheral portion of the filled hole, and the position detected by the first position detecting means. The second position detecting means for discriminating the magnetic waveform near the position separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the hole and detecting the peripheral portion of the buried hole, and the second position detecting means detect the peripheral portion of the hole. Detected When, characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for notifying that there is padding been punched holes, the.

Also according to the present invention, an illegally filled punch hole of the prepaid card can be detected by examining the magnetic waveform of the magnetic surface on which the punch hole is punched. Therefore, the reliability of the prepaid card can be improved.

The magnetic detecting means scans the vicinity of a position separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole from the position detected by the first position detecting means at a speed lower than usual to detect a magnetic waveform. You may.

A card reading device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a card reading device for detecting illegally filled punch holes of a prepaid card in which punch holes are punched according to a balance. Punch holes are still punched by the balance detection means for scanning the face of the prepaid card to read the balance of the prepaid card and the balance read by the balance detection means in the area where the punch holes are punched. Magnetic detection means for detecting a magnetic waveform of a region indicated as not present, position detection means for detecting a position where the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform detected by the magnetic detection means is a predetermined value or more, and the position detection means It is determined whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform in the vicinity of the isolated position, which is separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole, from the position detected by Disconnecting means and recognizing means for recognizing that there is an illegally filled punch hole near the position detected by the position detecting means when the determining means determines that the value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. It is characterized by being provided.

Also according to the present invention, an illegally filled punch hole of the prepaid card can be detected by examining the magnetic waveform of the magnetic surface on which the punch hole is punched. Therefore, the reliability of the prepaid card can be improved.

The determination means detects the inclination of the magnetic waveform whose magnitude is greater than or equal to a predetermined value in the vicinity of the isolated position, and obtains the pole position at which the inclination changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive. A pole position specifying means and a means for determining whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude is a predetermined value or more at the pole position obtained by the pole position specifying means may be provided.

A card reading device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a card reading device for detecting punch holes of a prepaid card in which punch holes corresponding to a balance are formed and which is illegally filled. Of the balance face of the prepaid card by scanning the face of the card, and the balance read by the balance detector within the area where the punch hole is punched, if the punch hole has not been punched yet. Magnetic detection means for detecting the magnetic waveform of the indicated region, position detection means for detecting the position where the amplitude of the magnetic waveform detected by the magnetic detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the position detected by the position detection means Among them, the position determining means for determining whether or not there are two positions separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole, and the position determining means include the two positions. If it is determined to exist, the 2
Recognition means for recognizing that there is an illegally filled punch hole between two positions.

Also according to the present invention, an illegally filled punch hole of the prepaid card can be detected by examining the magnetic waveform of the magnetic surface on which the punch hole is punched. Therefore, the reliability of the prepaid card can be improved.

The position detecting means detects the inclination of the magnetic waveform whose amplitude is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and obtains the pole position at which the inclination changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive. A unit for detecting a position whose amplitude is equal to or larger than a predetermined value from the pole positions determined by the pole position specifying unit may be provided.

A card reading method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a card reading method for detecting a punch hole of a prepaid card which is illegally filled in, wherein the face of the prepaid card is scanned and the prepaid card is read. Of the balance detecting step for reading the balance of the above, and the magnetic field for detecting the magnetic waveform of the area in which the punch hole is not yet punched out by the balance read in the balance sensing step among the areas where the punch hole is punched. A detection step, a position detection step of detecting a position where the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform detected in the magnetic detection step is a predetermined value or more, and a position of the punch hole from the position detected in the position detection step. A magnitude determining step of determining whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform in the vicinity of the isolated position separated by a corresponding distance is a predetermined value or more,
If the magnitude determination step determines that the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, there is an illegally filled punch hole near the position detected in the position detection step. And a recognition step of recognizing.

A card reading method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a card reading method for detecting a punch hole of a prepaid card which has been illegally filled, and the card surface of the prepaid card is scanned to scan the prepaid card. Of the balance detecting step for reading the balance of the above, and the magnetic field for detecting the magnetic waveform of the area in which the punch hole is not yet punched out by the balance read in the balance sensing step among the areas where the punch hole is punched. In the detection step, a position detection step of detecting all positions where the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform detected in the magnetic detection step is a predetermined value or more, and among the positions detected in the position detection step, the punch hole The position determining step of determining whether there are two positions separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter, and the position determining step determines that the two positions exist. The case, characterized in that it comprises a recognition step recognizes that the two punched holes is illegally filling between positions exist.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, a card reading device for a prepaid card according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The prepaid card is, in the card manufacturer, the face value information, the amount information indicating the balance of the card (the balance at the time of manufacturing the card is equal to the face amount), the issue date information,
The card ID and the like are recorded as magnetic information. At each store, prepaid cards are purchased from the card manufacturer and sold to users by ticket issuing machines. This prepaid card is used when paying a usage fee for a game medium or the like. A user of a game medium or the like inserts a prepaid card purchased from a ticket issuing machine or the like into a card reading device installed in a store or the like, and pays for the use. In the prepaid card, the amount information is updated by the card reading device at the time of paying the fee, and when the balance becomes less than the predetermined amount, a punch hole serving as a measure of the balance is punched. A user who intends to illegally use the prepaid card fills the punch holes of the prepaid card and rewrites and uses the magnetic information (amount information, etc.). Therefore, the card reading device checks whether or not the amount information recorded on the inserted prepaid card and the punch hole appropriately correspond by the processing described later, and further, the punch hole that has been illegally filled is checked. Detect and prevent unauthorized use of prepaid cards.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this card reading device. As shown in FIG. 1, the card reading device includes a card carrying unit 10, a card reading unit 20, a storage unit 30, a punch hole detecting unit 40, a hole making unit 50, and a control unit 60. ing.

The card transport section 10 is provided with a card insertion slot and a card ejection slot, conveys a prepaid card inserted from the card insertion slot and takes it into the inside, and the prepaid card which has been subjected to a predetermined process from the card ejection slot. Discharge.
The card reading unit 20 includes a magnetic head and the like, scans the bill surface of the prepaid card conveyed by the card conveying unit 10, and reads the recorded magnetic information. The card reading unit 20 also updates the amount information indicating the balance of the prepaid card.

The storage unit 30 stores the balance of the prepaid card and the positions of the punch holes punched according to the balance in association with each other as balance-position information. In addition, the storage unit 30
Stores the inclination of the magnetic waveform detected by the punch hole detection unit 40, the threshold value (reference value) of the amplitude, and the like. It should be noted that this threshold value is determined in advance by experiments, theoretical calculations, or the like so that the inclination or amplitude of the detection target can be detected. The punch hole detecting unit 40 includes a differentiating circuit, a magnetic head, and the like, scans an area where the punch hole is punched, and detects a magnetic waveform. Then, the punch hole detecting unit 40 detects the punch hole by analyzing the magnetic waveform detected by the process described later.

When the balance of the prepaid card is less than the predetermined amount, the perforation portion 50 punches a punch hole at a predetermined position of the prepaid card. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the punch holes correspond to the balance of the prepaid card in an area (punch hole forming area 2) different from the magnetic information recording area 1 in which money amount information and the like are recorded. It is punched. The control unit 60 controls the operations of the above-described units and performs processing such as prepaid card loading, balance detection, fill-in detection, and balance update.

Next, the operation of the card reading apparatus having the above configuration will be described. A user of a game medium or the like inserts a prepaid card into the card insertion slot of the card carrier 10 in order to pay the price for the use. Card transport unit 1
0 carries and takes in the prepaid card inserted from the card insertion slot.

The card reading section 20 reads the magnetic information recorded in the magnetic information recording area 1 of the prepaid card by the magnetic head and outputs the read information to the control section 60. The control unit 60, based on the magnetic information read by the card reading unit 20, calculates the amount information (balance) of the punch hole detection unit 40.
Output to.

In response to the input of money amount information from the control unit 60, the punch hole detecting unit 40 performs the punch hole detecting process described below to determine whether or not the punch holes of the prepaid card are illegally filled. To do.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the punch hole detecting process performed by the punch hole detecting section 40. The punch hole detecting unit 40 determines, based on the money amount information input from the control unit 60 and the balance-position information stored in the storage unit 30, the position where the punch hole is punched, that is, which punch hole is punched. It is asked if there is a hole (step 100). Subsequently, the punch hole detecting unit 40 retrieves the amplitude threshold value (first reference amplitude) of the magnetic waveform from the storage unit 30 (step 110).

The punch hole detecting section 40 scans the punch hole forming area 2 (hole area) in which it is indicated by the amount information that a punch hole is punched, and the magnitude of the amplitude is not less than the first reference amplitude. A position is detected (step 120). In a normal card, the magnetic waveform of the portion where the punch holes are punched (particularly the peripheral portion) has a large amplitude as shown in FIG.
It exceeds a certain value (first reference amplitude). Therefore, the punch hole detecting unit 40 determines that the punch hole is punched when the magnitude of the detected amplitude is equal to or larger than the first reference amplitude, and when the magnitude is less than the first reference amplitude, It is judged that the punch holes have not been punched. The punch hole detection unit 40
The magnetic head scans the punch hole forming area 2 from the punch hole corresponding to the large balance (from the right in FIG. 2).

Then, the punch hole detecting section 40 determines whether or not the position at which the amplitude greater than the first reference amplitude is detected and the position obtained from the money amount information match, that is, the punched hole and the balance. It is determined whether and match (step 13).
0).

When the position of the detected punch hole and the position obtained from the amount information do not match (step 130; N
O), the punch hole detection unit 40 determines that the amount information of the prepaid card has been illegally rewritten or the punch hole has been illegally filled. Then, the punch hole detecting unit 40 outputs information indicating that the card is an illegal card to the control unit 60 (step 230), and ends the punch hole detecting process. Then, the card transport unit 10 includes the control unit 60.
The prepaid card is ejected from the card ejection slot according to the instructions from.

When the position of the punch hole detected and the position obtained from the money amount information match (step 130; YES),
The punch hole detecting unit 40 determines, in the amount information, that the punch hole is not formed in the punch hole forming area 2 (no hole area).
The reference slope and the second reference amplitude are retrieved from the storage unit 30 in order to determine whether or not there is an illegally filled punch hole (step 140). The reference slope and the second
The reference amplitude is a threshold value serving as a reference value for comparing the gradient of the magnetic waveform and the magnitude of the amplitude in the holeless region.

Even in punch holes that are illegally filled,
Although some waveform is detected, as shown in FIG. 5, there is no amplitude above the first reference amplitude. However, at the peripheral edges A and B of the punched holes, the amplitude of the magnetic waveform exceeds a certain value. Therefore, the second reference amplitude is a value smaller than the first reference amplitude, but is set in advance by experiments, theoretical calculations, or the like so as to be larger than the amplitude of small noise or the like generated in the magnetic waveform. Similarly, the reference slope is also set in advance by experiments, theoretical calculations, or the like so as to be larger than the slope of small noise or the like generated in the magnetic waveform.

Then, the punch hole detecting section 40 scans the non-perforated area at a slower speed than in the case of scanning the perforated area (step 150). When the scanning speed of the magnetic head becomes slow, the wavelength of the detected magnetic waveform becomes large, which facilitates the analysis. Then, the punch hole detecting unit 40 obtains the inclination of the detected magnetic waveform, compares the magnitude with the reference inclination at any time, and detects the inclination equal to or larger than the reference inclination (step 16).
0).

When the signal indicating the end of the punch hole forming area 2 is detected without detecting the inclination equal to or larger than the reference inclination (step 170; NO), the punch hole detecting section 40 determines that this prepaid card is not illegal. It is determined that the card is a normal card that has not been executed, and information indicating that the card is a normal card is output to the control unit 60 (step 240), and the punch hole detection process ends. In this case, the card reading unit 20 updates the amount information of the prepaid card according to an instruction from the control unit 60, and performs the normal process of the punching unit 50 punching a predetermined punch hole. Numeral 10 ejects the prepaid card from the card ejection slot.

When an inclination equal to or larger than the reference inclination is detected (step 170; YES), the punch hole detecting section 40 moves to a pole position where the inclination changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive (the magnetic waveform becomes maximum). The position, that is, the peripheral edge A in FIG. 5) is obtained, and the magnitude of the amplitude at the pole position is obtained (step 180).

Then, the punch hole detecting section 40 judges whether or not the magnitude of the obtained amplitude is equal to or larger than the second reference amplitude extracted from the storage section 30 (step 190). If the magnitude of the amplitude is less than the second reference amplitude, that is, less than the second reference amplitude (step 190; NO), the punch hole detecting unit 40 determines that there is no illegal hole filling at that position. Then, the process returns to step 160, and the punch hole formation region 2 is continuously scanned to detect the magnetic waveform.

When the magnitude of the amplitude is equal to or larger than the second reference amplitude (step 190; YES), the punch hole detecting section 40.
Moves the magnetic head in the scanning direction by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole, and determines whether or not there is an inclination equal to or greater than the reference inclination in the vicinity of that position (peripheral B in FIG. 5) (step 200). . The moving distance of the magnetic head is
It is preset because the size of the punched holes is almost constant. Further, the scanning range of the magnetic head that has moved near the peripheral edge B facing the peripheral edge A is, for example, within the distance corresponding to the radius of the punch hole before and after the peripheral edge B.

When there is no inclination equal to or greater than the reference inclination (step 200; NO), the punch hole detecting section 40 determines that the magnetic waveform near the peripheral edge A is noise due to contamination of the punch hole forming area 2 and the like. It is determined that there is no illegal hole filling at the position, the process returns to step 160, and the punch hole forming region 2 is continuously scanned to detect the magnetic waveform.

When there is an inclination equal to or greater than the reference inclination (step 200; YES), the punch hole detecting section 40 finds a pole position at which the inclination changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive, and at that pole position. It is determined whether the magnitude of the amplitude of is greater than or equal to the second reference amplitude (step 210).

If the magnitude of the amplitude is not more than the second reference amplitude, that is, it is less than the second reference amplitude (step 2
10; NO), the punch hole detection unit 40 determines that the magnetic waveform at the peripheral edge A is noise due to contamination of the punch hole forming area 2, and there is no illegal hole filling at that position, and returns to step 160. Then, the punch hole forming region 2 is continuously scanned to detect the magnetic waveform.

When the magnitude of the amplitude is equal to or larger than the second reference amplitude (step 210; YES), the punch hole detecting section 40.
Judges that the punch hole at that position has been illegally filled, outputs information that this prepaid card is an illegal card to the control unit 60 (step 220), and ends the punch hole detection processing. In this case, the card transport unit 10
Discharges the prepaid card from the card discharge port according to an instruction from the control unit 60.

When the balance indicated by the money amount information is equal to the face money amount, the control unit 60 instructs the punch hole detecting unit 40 to start the process from step 140 of the punch hole detecting process. Then, the punch hole detection unit 40
Responds to the instruction from the control unit 60, and performs the processing from step 140. As described above, the card reading device can detect punch holes that have been illegally filled, prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card, and improve reliability.

Next, as a specific example, the punch hole detection process will be described in the case where the prepaid card schematically shown in FIG. 6 is inserted into the card insertion slot of the card transport section 10.

In the prepaid card shown in FIG. 6, punch holes are punched so as to correspond to 2000 yen or less, 1500 yen or less, 1000 yen or less, less than 500 yen, and 0 yen.
The actual balance of this prepaid card is 500 yen, but the balance indicated by the amount information is 2000 yen. The punched holes 3 indicated by white circles are punched holes, and the punched holes 4 indicated by circles with diagonal lines are
It is assumed that punch holes 5 and 6 are illegally filled.

As described above, first, the user of the game medium or the like inserts the prepaid card into the card insertion slot of the card carrier 10 in order to pay the price for the use. Then, the prepaid card is placed at a predetermined position in the card reading section 20 by the card transport section 10. The card reading unit 20 reads the magnetic information recorded in the magnetic information recording area 1 of the prepaid card with the magnetic head and outputs it to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 outputs the amount information to the punch hole detection unit 40.

The punch hole detection unit 40 uses the money amount information and the balance-position information of the storage unit 30 to obtain the position where the punch hole should be punched (step 100). In this case, since the money amount information indicates that the balance is 2000 yen, only the punch holes 3 corresponding to the balance 2000 yen or less are required to be punched, as shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the punch hole detecting section 40 retrieves the first reference amplitude from the storage section 30 (step 110),
Comparing the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform with this first reference amplitude,
The punch holes actually punched in the prepaid card are detected (step 120). In this case, the punch hole detecting unit 40 detects that the punch hole 3 has been punched, and determines that the punch hole and the balance indicated by the amount information match (step 130; YES).

Then, the punch hole detecting section 40 retrieves the reference inclination and the second reference amplitude from the storage section 30 (step 140) and scans the non-hole area at a predetermined speed slower than the case of scanning the area with holes (step 140). Step 150). The punch hole detecting unit 40 compares the detected inclination of the magnetic waveform with the reference inclination and detects an inclination equal to or larger than the reference inclination (step 16).
0).

In this case, an inclination equal to or larger than the reference inclination is detected near the peripheral edge A of the punch hole 4 corresponding to the balance of 1500 yen (step 170; YES). Then, the punch hole detecting unit 40 obtains a pole position (periphery A of the punch hole 4) whose inclination changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive, and obtains the magnitude of the amplitude at the pole position (step). 180). Then, the punch hole detecting unit 40 determines whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude is equal to or larger than the second reference amplitude (step 19).
0).

In this case, at the peripheral edge A of the punched hole 4, the amplitude becomes equal to or larger than the second reference amplitude (step 190;
YES), the punch hole detecting unit 40 moves the magnetic head to the vicinity of the peripheral edge B of the punch hole 4 that faces the peripheral edge A and checks whether or not there is an inclination equal to or greater than the reference inclination (step 20).
0).

In this case, in the vicinity of the peripheral edge B of the punch hole 4, as in the case of the peripheral edge A, the inclination of the magnetic waveform above the reference is detected. Then, the punch hole detecting unit 40 obtains a pole position (peripheral B of the punch hole 2) whose inclination changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive, and the magnitude of the amplitude at the pole position is the second reference. It is determined whether the amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude (step 210).

In this case, at the peripheral edge B of the punched hole 4, the amplitude becomes equal to or larger than the second reference amplitude (step 210;
If YES, the punch hole detecting unit 40 determines that the punch hole 4 has been illegally filled, outputs information that the card is an illegal card to the control unit 60 (step 220), and ends the punch hole detecting process. The card transport unit 10 includes a control unit 60.
The prepaid card is ejected from the card ejection slot according to the instructions from.

As described above, it is possible to detect punch holes that have been illegally filled, and it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card. In the above example, the punched hole 4 is determined to be illegally filled, and the processing is terminated. However, the magnetic waveforms near the punched holes 5 and 6 are analyzed in the same manner as above, and the punched hole 5 is analyzed. , 6 may be detected.

Next, a card reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The card reading device, as shown in FIG.
, Card reading unit 20, storage unit 30, and perforation unit 50
And a control unit 60 and a data analysis unit 70. The card carrying section 10, the card reading section 20, the storage section 30, the perforation section 50, and the control section 60 have substantially the same configuration as that shown in the first embodiment, and their functions are also the same. is there. The data analysis unit 70 analyzes the magnetic waveform of the punch hole formation region in which the punch holes are punched by a process described later, and detects punch holes that have been falsely filled.

Next, the operation of the card reading apparatus having the above configuration will be described. A user of a game medium or the like inserts a prepaid card into the card insertion hole of the card carrying section 10, and in the card reading section 20, as in the first embodiment,
The magnetic information on the prepaid card is read. In this card reading device, the card reading unit 20 scans the magnetic information recording area 1 and the punch hole forming area 2 to detect a magnetic waveform, and outputs the data to the control unit 60. The magnetic waveform data relating to the punch hole forming area 2 is obtained by associating the position on the punch hole forming area 2 with the amplitude value at that position.

Magnetic information in the magnetic information recording area 1 read by the card reading device 20 and punch hole forming area 2
The magnetic waveform data of is stored in the storage unit 30 by the control unit 60.
Will be recorded once. Then, the control unit 60 outputs an analysis instruction to the data analysis unit 70 so as to analyze the magnetic waveform data. The data analysis unit 70 starts the data analysis process in response to the analysis instruction from the control unit 60.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the data analysis processing performed by the data analysis unit 70. First, the data analysis unit 70 obtains the position where the punch hole is punched from the amount information of the prepaid card stored in the storage unit 30 (step 300). Then, the data analysis unit 70
Retrieves from the storage unit 30 a reference gradient and a reference amplitude that serve as a reference for comparing the gradient of the magnetic waveform and the magnitude of the amplitude (step 310). The reference slope and the reference amplitude are set in advance by experiments, theoretical calculations, etc. so that a magnetic waveform in a punch hole that is illegally filled can be detected and small noise is not detected.

Then, the data analysis unit 70 stores the data in the storage unit 30.
The data of the magnetic waveform stored in is extracted and the magnitude of the inclination and amplitude of the magnetic waveform is obtained. When obtaining the inclination of the magnetic waveform, the positions indicated by the data are set at a certain fixed interval (Δx), and as shown in FIG. 9, the fixed interval (Δx) is set.
And the difference in amplitude (ΔI) at two points separated by a fixed interval, Δ
Calculated as I / Δx. Then, the data analysis unit 70
Detects a slope whose magnitude is greater than or equal to the reference slope, finds the pole position at which the slope changes from positive to negative, or changes from negative to positive. A large amplitude whose magnitude at that pole position is greater than or equal to the reference amplitude. All positions are detected (step 320).

The data analysis unit 70 determines whether or not, of the detected large amplitude positions, the amount information corresponds to a region where no punch hole is supposed to be punched (no-hole region) (step). 330). If there is no corresponding one (step 330; NO), the data analysis unit 70 determines that this prepaid card is a normal card that has not been fraudulently executed, and informs that it is a normal card. The data is output to the control unit 60 (step 360), and the data analysis process ends. In this case, the card reading unit 20 updates the amount information of the prepaid card according to an instruction from the control unit 60, and performs the normal process of the punching unit 50 punching a predetermined punch hole. Numeral 10 ejects the prepaid card from the card ejection slot.

If there is a corresponding one (step 33)
(0; YES), the data analysis unit 70 determines whether or not, among the large amplitude positions corresponding to the non-hole area, the distance to the adjacent large amplitude position corresponds to the diameter of the punch hole ( Step 340). If there is no equivalent to the diameter (step 340; NO), the data analysis unit 70 indicates that the inclination and the amplitude that are equal to or larger than the reference value detected in the non-hole area are noises due to contamination of the punch hole forming area 2. To judge. Then, the data analysis unit 70 outputs information that the prepaid card is a normal card to the control unit 60 (step 370), and ends the data analysis process. After that, as described above, the card reading unit 20 and the hole 50
Performs normal processing, and the card transport unit 10 ejects the prepaid card from the card ejection port.

When there is something corresponding to the diameter (step 340; YES), the data analysis section 70 judges that the portion corresponding to the diameter is illegally filled. Then, the data analysis unit 70 outputs information that the prepaid card is an illegal card to the control unit 60 (step 350), and ends the data analysis process. In this case, the card transport unit 10 discharges the prepaid card from the card discharge port according to an instruction from the control unit 60. This card reading device can also detect punch holes that have been illegally filled in, like the card reading device shown in the first embodiment, prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card, and increase reliability. be able to.

The magnetic waveform of the punch hole forming region 2
Focusing on one of the positions in which the magnitudes of the inclination and the amplitude are equal to or greater than the reference values, as shown in FIG. 10, the position where the punch hole is punched with respect to the position C of interest. There are two possibilities. Therefore, as shown in the first embodiment, not only is the magnetic head moved in the scanning direction (front) by an amount corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole, but also in the direction opposite to the scanning direction (rear). May also be moved to examine the magnetic waveform. By doing this, it is possible to prevent detection failure of punch holes that are illegally filled,
The reliability of the prepaid card can be further improved.

When the peripheral portion of the punch hole is detected,
The peripheral edge of the buried punch hole may be detected by scanning the position and the isolated position where the diameter of the punch hole is separated from the position at a lower speed than usual. With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the filled punch hole.

Further, in the data analysis processing shown in the second embodiment, the punched hole forming area 2 (holed area) which is shown from the money amount information that punched holes are punched.
And the area of the punch hole forming area 2 (no-hole area) in which the punch holes are not punched, as the reference value for comparing the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform with the first embodiment. Similarly, two types of reference values (first reference amplitude and second reference amplitude) may be used.

In the first and second embodiments, the inclination of the magnetic waveform is detected, and when the inclination is equal to or larger than the reference value, its amplitude is compared with the reference amplitude (second reference amplitude or reference amplitude). The amplitude may be compared with the reference amplitude without detecting the inclination. That is, the amplitude of the read magnetic signal is compared with the reference amplitude, and when the amplitude is larger than the reference amplitude, the position is discriminated as the end of the filled punch hole, and then the magnetic waveform at the isolation position is compared with the reference amplitude. The amplitudes may be compared, and when the amplitude is larger than the reference amplitude, it may be determined that it is the other peripheral portion of the filled punch hole.

Further, a speaker, a lamp, etc. are provided in the vicinity of the card discharge port of the card carrying section 10 and a voice and a lamp are made to blink so that the card cannot be used because it is an illegal card. The person may be notified.

[0069]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an illegally filled punch hole of a prepaid card can be detected by examining a magnetic waveform of a region where the punch hole is punched. You can Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card and improve the reliability of the prepaid card.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a card reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing punch holes punched in a prepaid card.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing punch hole detection processing performed by a punch hole detection unit in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a magnetic waveform in a punch hole which is not filled.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a magnetic waveform in a punch hole that is illegally filled.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a prepaid card in which punch holes are illegally filled.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a card reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart showing a data analysis process performed by the data analysis unit of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing information used when obtaining a gradient of a magnetic waveform.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a position where a punch hole may be punched with respect to a position C.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Card transport section 20 card reading department 30 storage 40 Punch hole detector 50 hole 60 control 70 Data Analysis Department

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-10-21355 (JP, A) JP-A-61-123056 (JP, A) JP-A-10-134156 (JP, A) JP-A-10- 111902 (JP, A) JP-A-9-16730 (JP, A) JP-A-8-153323 (JP, A) JP-A-9-204504 (JP, A) JP-A-9-212617 (JP, A) JP-A-8-263613 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06K 17/00 G01B 7/00

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A card reading device for detecting illegally filled punch holes of a prepaid card in which punch holes are punched according to a balance, the area being punched is scanned, A magnetic detecting means for detecting a magnetic waveform; a first position detecting means for detecting a peripheral portion of the buried hole from the magnetic waveform detected by the magnetic detecting means; and a position detected by the first position detecting means. From the above, the second position detecting means for discriminating the magnetic waveform in the vicinity of the position separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punched hole and detecting the peripheral portion of the filled hole, and the second position detecting means, A card reading device, comprising: a notification unit that notifies that a punched hole is filled when a peripheral portion of the card is detected. 2. A card reading device for detecting an illegally filled punch hole of a prepaid card in which punch holes are punched according to the balance, the balance detecting means for reading the balance of the prepaid card, and the punch hole. Magnetic detection means for detecting a magnetic waveform of a region, which is indicated by the balance read by the balance detection means, that a punch hole has not been punched yet, among the magnetic surfaces to be punched; The first position detecting means for detecting the peripheral portion of the filled hole from the magnetic waveform formed, and the vicinity of the position distant from the position detected by the first position detecting means by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole. Second position detecting means for discriminating the magnetic waveform and detecting the peripheral portion of the filled hole; and when the second position detecting means detects the peripheral portion of the hole, there is a punch hole filled with the hole. Do Card reading device, characterized in that it and a notification unit for notifying and. 3. The magnetic detection means scans the vicinity of a position separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole from the position detected by the first position detection means at a speed lower than usual to obtain a magnetic waveform. The card reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. A card reading device for detecting an illegally filled punch hole of a prepaid card in which punch holes are punched according to a balance, wherein the surface of the prepaid card is scanned to scan the prepaid card. Of the balance detecting means for reading the balance and the magnetic field for detecting the magnetic waveform of the area in which the punch hole is not yet punched out by the balance read by the balance sensing means. Detecting means, position detecting means for detecting a position where the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform detected by the magnetic detecting means is a predetermined value or more, and from the position detected by the position detecting means to the diameter of the punch hole A judgment means for judging whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform in the vicinity of the isolated position separated by a corresponding distance is a predetermined value or more; and the judgment means is a predetermined value or more. If it is determined that that,
A card reading device comprising: a recognition unit that recognizes that a punched hole is illegally filled in the vicinity of the position detected by the position detection unit. 5. The pole position where the judging means detects a gradient of a magnetic waveform whose magnitude is a predetermined value or more near the isolated position and the gradient changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive. And a means for determining whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude is a predetermined value or more at the pole position determined by the pole position specifying means. Item 4. The card reading device according to item 4. 6. A card reading device for detecting a punch hole of a prepaid card which is illegally filled with a punch hole corresponding to a balance, wherein the face of the prepaid card is scanned to balance the prepaid card. And a magnetic detecting means for detecting a magnetic waveform of an area in which the punch hole has not been punched yet, which is indicated by the balance read by the balance sensing means, in the area where the punch hole is punched. And a position detecting means for detecting a position where the amplitude of the magnetic waveform detected by the magnetic detecting means is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and a position corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole among the positions detected by the position detecting means. Position determining means for determining whether or not there are two positions apart from each other; and if the position determining means determines that the two positions exist, the two positions Card reading device, characterized in that it comprises a recognition means for recognizing that there is a punch hole is illegally filling in. 7. The pole position specifying means for detecting the inclination of a magnetic waveform whose amplitude is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and for obtaining the pole position at which the inclination changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive. 7. The card reading device according to claim 6, further comprising: a means for detecting a position having an amplitude equal to or larger than a predetermined value from the pole positions obtained by the pole position specifying means. 8. A card reading method for detecting a punched hole of a prepaid card which is illegally filled, comprising a balance detecting step of scanning a face of the prepaid card to read a balance of the prepaid card, and a punch hole Among the areas to be punched, a magnetic detection step of detecting a magnetic waveform of an area indicated by the balance read in the balance detection step that the punch holes are not yet punched, and the magnetic field detected in the magnetic detection step. A position detection step of detecting a position where the magnitude of the waveform amplitude is a predetermined value or more, and a magnetic waveform in the vicinity of an isolated position separated from the position detected in the position detection step by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole. The magnitude determination step of determining whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the magnitude determination step determines the magnitude of the amplitude of the magnetic waveform. Card reading method characterized by comprising when it is determined that at least in the vicinity of a position detected by said position detecting step, and a recognition step of recognizing that there are punched holes is illegally filling. 9. A card reading method for detecting punch holes in a prepaid card that has been illegally filled, comprising a balance detecting step of scanning a face of the prepaid card to read a balance of the prepaid card, and a punch hole Among the areas to be punched, a magnetic detection step of detecting a magnetic waveform of an area indicated by the balance read in the balance detection step that the punch holes are not yet punched, and the magnetic field detected in the magnetic detection step. A position detecting step of detecting all the positions where the amplitude of the waveform is a predetermined value or more, and two positions of the positions detected in the position detecting step, which are separated by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the punch hole. And a position determining step for determining whether or not there is a position, and when the position determining step determines that the two positions exist, the position is incorrectly filled in between the two positions. Card reading method characterized by and a recognition step of recognizing that the punched holes are present.