JPH0268694A - Magnetic card terminal equipment with self-diagnostic function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display a frequency to need the repair of a card reading device by outputting a warning in correspondence to a decided result when an inverting interval information exceeds set reference width for a processing unit. CONSTITUTION:Information to be recorded to the magnetic stripe of a magnetic card are read by the card reading device. A magnetic flux inverting interval in the information is measured by a magnetic flux inverting interval measuring circuit 55. A processing unit 65 once stores information, which are read from the magnetic flux inverting interval measuring circuit 55, and after the reading is completed, the inverting interval information are obtained from the magnetic flux inverting interval. Next, the inverting interval information are compared with the reference width, which is determined in advance, in the processing unit 65. When the inverting interval information exceeds the set reference width, the processing unit outputs an instruction to need the repair. Thus, the frequency to need the repair of the card reading device can be displayed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Graduation field of application] The present invention relates to a magnetic card terminal device with a self-diagnosis function installed in a vehicle, etc., and for example, measures the magnetic flux reversal interval of a magnetic stripe provided on a magnetic card such as a prepaid card, and calculates the measured value. A self-diagnosis l! that can compare the reversal interval obtained from the above with a preset reference width and display the degree to which the device requires repair when the reversal interval is abnormal. IT
The present invention relates to a functional magnetic card terminal device. [Prior Art] The present invention relates to a terminal device that reads magnetic cards, and is used to determine the operating status of the terminal device. An example of the use of this type of magnetic card is a prepaid card. This type of prepaid card is known as a card that allows you to pay in advance and then settle the payment without using cash. Such prepaid cards have been used in a variety of industries. Incidentally, recently, payment systems using prepaid cards have been adopted by businesses such as taxi buses. [Problem to be solved by the invention] In such industries, card terminal devices for payment systems using prepaid cards are installed in vehicles, and as the devices wear out, it becomes impossible to read and write to magnetic cards at a constant pitch. However, the disadvantage is that the state cannot be detected from the outside. In addition, if you write on a magnetic card with a card terminal device with a crooked pitch in this way, when you subsequently read the magnetic card with another card terminal device, the pitch of the written magnetic stripe will be crooked. The card terminal device becomes unreadable. In such a situation, there is a drawback that it is not possible to immediately determine whether the Jichi prepaid card or the Jichi card terminal device is defective. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and is a self-diagnosis system that measures the magnetic flux reversal interval of information read from the magnetic stripe to indicate that a certain state has reached a certain level, and issues an instruction that requires repair. @Magnetic card with function #i East device is provided. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the magnetic card terminal device with self-diagnosis Rn of the present invention reads out information recorded on the magnetic stripe of a magnetic card, and determines the magnetic flux reversal interval in the information. A card reading device equipped with a magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit that can measure the magnetic flux reversal interval, and data from the magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit of the card reading device are recorded in 4.9, and the reversal interval information obtained from the stored data is specified according to a specific standard. a processing device that can determine whether the reversal interval information exceeds a set reference width by comparing it with the width; and a warning according to the determination result when the reversal interval information exceeds the set reference width by the processing device. It is characterized by being equipped with an alarm device that issues an alarm. [Operation] Information recorded on the magnetic stripe of a magnetic card is read by a card reading device. Further, the magnetic flux reversal interval in the information is measured by a magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit. The processing device temporarily stores the information read from the magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit, and after the reading is completed, reversal interval information is determined from the magnetic flux reversal interval. Next, the processing device compares the reversal interval information with a predetermined reference width. If the reversal interval information exceeds the set reference width, a process 'v7 is performed and an instruction that repairs are necessary is output. This makes it possible to display the degree to which repair of the card reading device is necessary. [Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. 1 to 11 are diagrams shown for explaining the present invention in detail. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the prepaid card payment system according to the present invention is applied to the taxi industry. In the prepaid card payment system 1 shown in FIG. 8, a prepaid card issuer 2 independent from the taxi industry receives payment from the user in advance and issues a prepaid card 3 with information such as the prepaid amount recorded magnetically. do. The user who has the prepaid card 3 rides a taxi 5A of company A equipped with a terminal device 4 that allows payment by the prepaid card 3, and pays the fare using the prepaid card 3. The device 4 stores information such as the price (prepaid card issuer,
A terminal device that stores the amount (price, date and time) and writes necessary information (such as deducting the usage fee) on the prepaid card 3. Similarly, a user who has the prepaid card 3 can pay the price using the prepaid card 3. 4, and pay the fare using the prepaid card 3. At this time, the terminal device 4 stores information such as the price (prepaid card issuer,
The prepaid card 3 records necessary information (such as deducting the usage fee) on the prepaid card 3. When the taxis 5A and 5B complete their work, they return to the offices of their respective companies 6A and 6B. Then, at the business offices of each company 6A and 6B, information such as the price stored in the internal memory of the terminal device 4 during business is stored on a tally card 7 on which unique information of the terminal device, driver, etc. is written. write to. Information such as the price written on the tally card 7 is read together with the unique information by a processing device 8 installed in each company 6A, 6B. When the processing device 8 completes the counting and certain conditions are met, the prepaid card issuer 2 is billed for the payment and payment is received. FIG. 9(1) is a front view showing a prepaid card used in the present invention. FIG. 9(n) is a back view of the prepaid card used in the present invention. FIG. 9(1) is an explanatory diagram showing a data area of a magnetic stripe provided on a prepaid card. FIG. 9(iv) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of magnetization when information is recorded on the magnetic stripe. As shown in FIG. 9 (+), the surface of the prepaid card 3 is provided with an area 9 for displaying the payment amount and payment information, as well as other necessary information (sales amount, issuer name, etc.). printed. Further, on the back side of the prepaid card 3, a ζB stripe 10 is provided as shown in FIG. 9 (11). The magnetic stripe 10 includes:
There is a recording area IOD in which the sales amount, issuer name, etc. are recorded in code, and an alarm data recording area IOA in which the device number, etc. unique to the terminal device can be written when an alarm occurs in the terminal device. . Further, in the magnetic stripe [0], necessary data is recorded as "1" and rOJ as shown in FIG. 9 (IV). In the magnetic stripe 10, r l j and ``0-1'' are recorded at basically the same interval.In addition, in the magnetic stripe 10, [Oj has no change in magnetization within that interval, and rlJ
There is a change in magnetization within the interval. Moreover, the arrow in the figure (rV) indicates the direction of magnetism. Figure 10 shows the tally card 7 used in the above payment system.
FIG. In FIG. 10, the tally card 7 is provided with a magnetic stripe 11 on the back side of which information such as the price can be written in the same position as the magnetic stripe 10 of the prepaid card 3, and parallel to this magnetic stripe 11 is a tally program number. A magnetic stripe 12 is provided on which information such as , terminal device, passenger, etc. is recorded in code. Although not shown in the drawings, a stamp 11 is stamped on the surface of the tally card 7 to indicate that it is a payment card. FIGS. 11 (1) and (Tl) are explanatory diagrams showing the magnetic flux reversal interval of data written on the magnetic stripe. For example, the magnetic flux reversal interval shown in Fig. 11 (1) is ±
It is within 10%, which is normal. For example, the magnetic flux reversal interval shown in Fig. 11 (U) is 1 in BBJ.
It exceeds the 10% range and is an abnormal case. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention installed in a taxi together with a taxi meter. In FIG. 1, the terminal device 4 has an insertion/ejection port 15 for inserting and ejecting the prepaid card 3 or tally card 7 on the front thereof, an amount display device 16, and a first alarm display 1.
7 and a second alarm indicator 18 are provided. A taxi meter 20 is connected to the terminal device 4 through a cable 19, a printer 24 is connected through a cable 23, and a key operator 26 is connected through a cable 25, respectively. The taxi meter 20 has a display 21 for displaying the taxi fare, and an II for indicating whether the taxi is empty or an actual vehicle. ! 22
and is provided. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a terminal device used in the same embodiment. In FIG. 2, the terminal device 4 is configured as follows. That is, a pair of feed rollers 35.36 are rotatably provided at a position corresponding to the insertion/ejection port 15, and a write/read head 37A and a read head 37B are provided adjacent to the rollers 35.36. It is being The other write/read head 37A reads information written on the prepaid card 3 and writes information after the payment is completed. In addition, the writing head 37
A is for writing information such as the price written in the internal memory onto the magnetic stripe 11 of the tally card 7. The successive head 37B is for reading data on the magnetic stripe 12 of the tally card 7. The continuous writing head 37A
A reflective photocoupler 38 is provided next to the. Next to the photo coupler 38 is a pair of rollers 3.
9.40 is provided. A punch mechanism 41 is provided on the right side of the rollers 39 and 40 in the drawing. This punch mechanism 41 is a mechanism for punching holes according to the use of the prepaid card 3. On the right side of the punch mechanism 41 in the figure, there is a pair of rollers 4.
2.43 is installed. A pair of rollers 44.45 are provided at a constant distance from the rollers 42.43. The roller 42 and the roller 44
An endless belt 46 is wound between the two. The lower half of the outer circumference of the belt 46 is in contact with the lower half of the outer circumference of the belt 47. A card contact detection sensor 48 which also serves as a stopper is provided on the right side of the rollers 43 and 45 in the drawing. Said roller 35.36 and roller 39.40
, rollers 42, 43, and 44, 45 are connected to the output shaft of a stop motor 49 via a mechanism not shown. Further, a reflective photo coupler 51 is provided near the insertion/ejection port 15 for detecting that the prepaid card 3 has been inserted. The photo coupler 38, punch mechanism 41, contact detection sensor 48, step motor 49, and photo coupler 51 are connected to a control n circuit 50. The control n circuit 50 includes a write circuit 52 and a read circuit 5.
3 and the lead circuit 54, and the control circuit 5
It is under the control of 0. the light circuit 52;
The read circuit 53 is connected to the write/read head 37A. The read circuit 54 is connected to the successive head 37B. The structure of the read circuits 53 and 54 will be described later, but they are circuits that form accurate pulses from the read information. The output of the read circuit 53 is supplied to a magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit 55. The prepaid card reading/writing device 60 is connected to an information processing device 65 . That is, the information processing device 65 includes a control circuit 50, a write circuit 52, a read circuit 53, 54, a magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit 55, an amount display 16, and a first alarm display 17. , and the second alarm display 18 are connected to each other. The prepaid card reading/writing device 60 is connected to a taxi meter 20 via a cable 19, a printer 24 via a cable 23, and a key operator 26 via a cable 25, respectively. The information processing device 65 includes a CPU, a ROM,

[10,
It consists of an interface, and control and arithmetic processing are performed by programs written in ROM. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the read circuits 53 and 54 and the magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit 55. The read circuit 53 is configured as follows. That is, the magnetic stripe 10 of the prepaid card 3 (Fig. 4a)
) (FIG. 4b) is amplified by a preamplifier 67 and then differentiated by a differentiator 68. A zero volt comparator 69 detects zero volt from the output signal of the differentiator 68 (FIG. 4C). The output signal from the zero volt comparator 69 (FIG. 4d) is converted into an accurate pulse (FIG. 4e) by a pulse shaping circuit 7o. This pulse is manually input to the magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit 55 as shown in FIG.
The magnetic flux reversal interval is measured as follows. Note that the read circuit 54 also has a similar configuration. The operation of the embodiment having such a configuration will be explained. FIG. 4 is a time chart shown to explain the operation of the read circuit 53. FIGS. 5(f) and (IT) are flow charts for explaining the action of the same embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the determination criteria and the interval information obtained by the magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit 55. The basic operation of the payment system is explained in FIG. 3, so the explanation thereof will be omitted. When the journey is completed, the arm 22 of the taxi meter 20 is rotated to pay the fare. Then, the information processing device 65 of the terminal device 4 reads the taxi fare from the taxi meter 20 via the interface 59 and the cable 19, and
It is stored in RAM (step 5101). Next, the information processing device 65 causes the amount display device 16 to display the fare (step S102), thereby indicating that the same amount as the taxi fare displayed on the taxi meter 20 has been read out on the terminal device 4. I am making it possible to confirm. Then, it waits for the card to be inserted into the insertion slot 15 (step S103). When the photocoupler 51 detects that the card is inserted into the insertion slot 15, the control circuit 50 rotates the step motor 49 if the card is a favorite.
(Step S103). Here, the write/read head 37A
, the information is read from the magnetic stripe 10 of the prepaid card 3 via the read circuit 53 and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM (step 5104). Also,
The reversal interval (ffN) is fetched from the magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit 55 and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM.
(Step S105). Here, the inversion interval information is determined by measuring the inversion interval using a signal obtained by the read circuit 53 (FIG. 4e) and a predetermined clock signal. Next, it is determined whether all the data on the magnetic stripe l of the prepaid card 3 has been read, and if the reading has not been completed, the process returns to step 5104, and if the reading has been completed, the process moves to the next step (step S1
06). When the card is further conveyed and comes into contact with the card contact detection sensor 48, this is sent to the control circuit 50, and the control circuit 50 stops the step motor 49. The information processing device 65 then executes the following process shown in FIG. 5 (II). First, inversion interval information T9, T2, T7 stored in RAM
, . . . are added, and the average of the added values is taken. In other words, perform the calculation as shown in equation (1) below,
Store this again in RAM etc. (Step S1
070). T + + T t + T s + ...T
, 4Tmean= However, it is a number from NET to TM, and is counted when reading data. However, based on the calculation result, the first reference width Tt, (
=(1±α)Tm e a n) and the second reference width T
yz(=(L±β)7rnean) is obtained. α is, for example, 7%, and β is, for example, 10%. Further, the magnetic flux reversal interval information T is sequentially read out from the RAM (step S1071), and in step S1072, the logic is inverted to be "1" or "0". This step 31
If the logic is determined to be O-1 in step S1072, the step S1073 increases by one.In the step S1073, the magnetic flux reversal interval information TH is compared with the first reference width T5.
The bit interval data T is the first standard 'AM
It is determined whether it is within T q l. In this step S1073, if it is determined that the data T is within the predetermined first reference width Tffl (
(State of FIG. 6A) The process moves to step S1074, and the determination result (OK) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1073 that the data T is not within the first reference width TffI, the process moves to step S1075, and it is determined whether the data T is within the second reference width Tqt. In step S1075, if it is within the second reference width T, 2, the state is as shown in FIG. 6B, so the first judgment result (NGI) is determined; Since the state is C, the second determination result (NG2) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM (step S 1076, 1077).
When the processing of 1074, 1076 or 1077 is completed, it is next determined in step 31078 whether or not all of the magnetic flux reversal interval information T stored in a predetermined area of the RAM has been completed. If the comparison of the total magnetic flux reversal interval information is not completed in this step 3107B, the process returns to step S1071. - On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1072 that the magnetic flux reversal interval information TM from a predetermined area of the RAM is logical "1-1", step S1079
Then, the next magnetic flux reversal interval information (T, l+1) is read from a predetermined area of the RAM. Then step 3
At 1080, the previous magnetic flux reversal interval information, I4! T, and the magnetic flux reversal interval information data that was just read out (T!1+
1) is added (T, 10T+1)L, this addition result can be used as magnetic flux reversal interval information in step S1073, and the process moves to step S1073 and subsequent steps. Then, when the determination process for all the interval information T is completed in step 51073, the process returns to the process shown in FIG. 5(1). Note that BBJ can be determined as follows. BBJ=T,,-Tmean×100% (2) Tme a n This value BBJ is taken as the vertical axis, and the address of the outer data T is taken as the horizontal axis (horizontal direction of the magnetic stripe 2 of the magnetic card 1). When displayed in correspondence with the position (corresponding to the position), it can be shown as shown in FIG. The more severe the need for repair is, the more normal the repair becomes.
)become that way. Therefore, an alarm may be issued when this value BBJ exceeds a certain value. When the process of (TI) in FIG. 5 above is completed, no process is performed if r OK j, and the first alarm such as rNQ l jt is triggered according to the judgment result obtained in the process of FIG. 5 (II) above. If it is rNG2j, the second alarm is lit (step S 111), and the process moves to steps 5112 and subsequent steps. Magnetic flux reversal interval information T,
is between the first reference width T9+ and the second reference width T',i, as shown in FIG. If the width is larger than the reference width Tst, the inversion interval information is shown in FIG. 6(C).
The second alarm]8 is turned on (step S109). Here, the control circuit 50 determines whether the card is a prepaid card 3 that can be used in the system.
(Step 5112). Since the prepaid card 3 is usable here, the information processing device 65 displays the display 16.
displays the amount stored in RAM (step 311).
3). Next, the information processing device 65 deducts the taxi fare and the amount on the prepaid card 3 (Step 3
114). If the amount on the prepaid card 3 is less than the taxi fare (step 5115), the information processing device 65 displays the amount on the amount display device 16 (step S116), and the information processing device 65 displays the amount on the amount display device 16 (step S116). Connect to discharge processing (Step S 1it). Further, if the amount on the prepaid card 3 is larger than the taxi fare (step 5115), the information processing device 65 reads the date and time from the timer, inputs this date and time, the code of the issuer of the prepaid card 3, and the taxi fare. The payment amount is also stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM (step 3118). Next, a write command is given to the control device 50 from the information processing device 65, so the control device 50 rotates the step motor 49 in the opposite direction to the previous time, reads the subtracted data from the RAM in a predetermined procedure, and heads the write/read head. 37A to the prepaid card 3 (step 5l19). Next, the information processing device 65 determines whether the first alarm 17 and the second 7 alarms 18 are lit (step S120), and if they are lit, no alarm abnormality writing is performed, and if they are lit, the prepaid card is A command is issued to write the device number, etc. of the device in area IOA of the magnetic stripe 10 of No. 3 (step S121). As a result, the magnetic stripe 10 of the prepaid card 3 in FIG. 7(B) is placed in the area IOA, as shown in FIG. 7(A).
The machine number, etc. of the abnormal device will be written. When this process is completed, the control circuit 50 moves to a card ejection process. Then, in step 117, the control circuit 50 further rotates the step motor 49 in the reverse direction, and when the photocoupler 51 detects that the prepaid card 3 has been ejected, the control circuit 50 stops the step motor 49 and ends the process. On the other hand, if the information processing device 65 determines that the card is the unusable prepaid card 3 or the tally card 7 (step 5112), the information processing device 65 then determines whether the card is the tally card 7 (step 5122). Here, if the information processing device 65 determines that the card is not the tally cart '7 (step S122), the card is displayed as a symbol on the amount display device 16 as an abnormal card (step S12).
3), the process moves to step 5117. On the other hand, if the information processing device 65 determines in step 5122 that it is the total card 7, it is determined whether the control data read through the successive head 37B is normal or not in step S124), and if it is abnormal, step S123 is performed. Move on to processing. Further, if the information processing bag f65 determines that the tally card is the tally card 7 in step 5124, the information processing device 6
5 reads out all the information such as the price written in a predetermined area of the RAM according to a predetermined procedure, and writes the read data to f of the tally card 7 via the read/write head 37A.
Processing to write to the stripe 11 (step S
125). When the processing of step 5125 and step 5123 are completed, the process moves to card ejection processing (step S117). If the payment is made in cash, the data of the payment amount read into the information processing device 65 is canceled by receiving the cash and paying the taxi meter 20 (steps 3130 to 131). In the above embodiments, the determination is made by comparing the interval information TM with the reference width or by measuring the magnetic flux reversal interval using the BBJ, but the determination may be made by measuring the magnitude of the magnetic recording voltage. Furthermore, apart from the above embodiment, the interval determination may be based on initial interval information. Further, although the above embodiment has been described as an example applied to the taxi industry, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, route buses, mobile sales businesses, and other PO3 mobile terminals. [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention detects the magnetic flux reversal interval of the magnetic stripe of a prepaid card, and detects whether the magnetic flux reversal interval is in the first reference width or the second reference width and requires repair. This has the effect of being able to display the degree. Thereby, the present invention has the effect that equipment maintenance can be performed correctly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an external view showing the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram specifically showing the same embodiment, Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the lead circuit and magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit, and Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 3. An operation waveform diagram, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the terminal device,
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the reference width and reversal interval information, and FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing the unit number written in the area of the prepaid card when an alarm is activated. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the prepaid card payment system. Figure 9 shows the prepaid card. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the payment system, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the state of data written on the magnetic stripe of a prepaid card. ■... Prepaid card tally system, 3... Prepaid card, 4... Terminal device, 7... Tally card, 8... Processing device, 1O111, 12... Magnetic stripe, 17...・First alarm indicator, 18...
Second alarm indicator, 65... information processing device

Claims (1)

[Claims] A card reader equipped with a magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit capable of reading out information recorded on the magnetic stripe of a magnetic card and measuring a magnetic flux reversal interval in the information, and a card reader equipped with a magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit capable of reading out information recorded on the magnetic stripe of a magnetic card, and reading data from the magnetic flux reversal interval measuring circuit of the card reading device. a processing device capable of storing the inversion interval information and comparing the inversion interval information obtained from the stored data with a specific reference width to determine whether the inversion interval information exceeds the set reference width; A magnetic card terminal device with a self-diagnosis function, characterized in that it is equipped with an alarm device that issues a warning according to the determination result when a set reference width is exceeded.