JPH03120099A - Magnetic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a blind and weak-sighted to recognize the kind of a money amount, by a method wherein data on the kind of prepaid amount (the kind of money) is indicated in braille in a predetermined area on the surface of a card when the card is issued. CONSTITUTION:Data on the kind of money is formed in braille in a braille area 11 of a magnetic card 15 by a card processor 50, and the card 15 is discharged through a card-inserting port 23 as a cashless card 15 which can be used with magnetic card adjustment devices. Therefore, at the time of issuing the magnetic card 15, in which data inclusive of variable data corresponding to a prepaid amount is magnetically recorded and which can be used with the magnetic card adjustment devices for adjustment of differences in amounts of payment, the data on the kind of the prepaid amount (the kind of money) can be indicated in braille in the predetermined area on the surface of the magnetic card 15. Accordingly, a blind or weak-sighted person can also recognize easily the kind of money recorded on the magnetic card 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention is used in a magnetic card payment device that allows payments to be made using a magnetic card on which data including variable information such as an advance payment amount is magnetically recorded.

The present invention relates to a magnetic card, and particularly relates to a magnetic card in which the type (denomination) of the prepaid amount is displayed in Braille on the surface of the card.

``Prior art'' Magnetic card payment devices that can easily perform the first payment using a magnetic card are currently used in telephones, automatic ticket vending machines, automatic vending machines, etc. This magnetic card payment device The magnetic card used for is called a prepaid card.
After paying in advance, the magnetic card will be automatically issued by the device. Thereafter, the issued prepaid card can be used for payment at a store or the like where a magnetic card payment device is installed that allows the card to be used without using cash. This prepaid card is a kind of cash voucher and has a different character from a magnetic card such as a credit card.

Incidentally, this type of magnetic card (prepaid card) is generally issued and sold in multiple denominations by the same card sales company.

However, in the past, the denomination was not displayed in Braille on the surface of the magnetic card in consideration of the use by blind or partially sighted people.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]) As mentioned above, since conventional magnetic cards do not display the denomination in Braille, it is difficult for blind and partially sighted people to recognize the denomination recorded on the magnetic card. I couldn't.

The present invention was made in view of these circumstances, and
The purpose of this invention is to provide a magnetic card whose denomination can be easily recognized and recognized even by the blind and the visually impaired.

F espionage +, 7. [Means for Solving G] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a magnetic card payment device in which data including variable information such as advance payment amount is recorded magnetically, and payment can be made with a magnetic card. This is a magnetic card used in the field of business, and is characterized in that data indicating the type (denomination) of the prepaid amount is displayed in Braille in a predetermined area on its surface when the card is issued.

[Function] The magnetic card according to the present invention has fixed information such as advance payment amount (θ) availability information, card issue date, card issuer's name and serial number to identify the card. When the card is issued, it is written on the Dekistrive, which is a magnetic record @ll'l). In addition, the type of advance payment amount is displayed on the front of the cart (for example, 5,000
yen) is marked (!1).

Historically, in the magnetic card according to the present invention, data indicating the denomination is displayed in a predetermined area on the surface of the card in cis characters when the card is issued.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a blind or partially sighted person can easily recognize the denomination of a magnetic card.

\Example J Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure t11.
Ru.

1 shows the external appearance of a magnetic card payment device in which the magnetic card according to the present invention is used.

As shown in the figure, the magnetic card payment device 1 is composed of a cash card sister 2 and a card issuing/reading device 3 for issuing a prepaid card and reading data from the prepaid card, which are connected via a cable 7 to a connector 8a,
8b. Note that 22 is a storage box in which magnetic cards are stored before being issued, and 2:) is a card insertion slot (also serves as an ejection port) for inserting a prepaid card.

Next, pay with the magnetic card shown in Figure 2! The electrical configuration of the device is shown.

In the figure, a magnetic card payment device 1 is composed of a cash card sister 2 and a card issuing/reading device 3.

The card issuing/reading device 3 reads data from the prepaid card being used. ? A prepaid card reading/writing device 4 that rewrites data to the image, a prepaid card issuing device "rI5" that issues a prepaid card, a display device 6 that displays various types of information, and an R A that temporarily writes data. It has an MEL, a ROM 9 in which fixed data and various programs are stored, and a control circuit 10 that performs various processes.

The control circuit 1 () of the card issuing/reading device 3 is a no-r-pull 7.
is connected to cash register 2 by RA
M1l and ROM9 are connected via a line 12.

FIG. 3 shows a magnetic card 15 on which various data are not written. On the front side, as shown in Figure 3 (A), there is an ancient study area 11 where data indicating the type (denomination) of the advance payment amount is displayed in Braille, and the settlement amount and JLLR calculation amount μ are displayed. There are provided an area 1.9A for printing and an area 19[3 for printing the same unique information such as a serial number recorded on the magnetic stripe 16.
Other necessary information 1i (print price, issued note name, etc.) is preprinted on the magnetic card 15.

As shown in the third flash (13), the magnetic card 15 is provided with a tanu magnetic stripe 16 for writing variable information such as the advance payment amount, identifying information such as the name of the note issuing the serial number, and the issuing device number. It is being

As shown in No. 31m (C3), the recording area 17 of the magnetic stripe 16 contains data indicating the serial number for identifying the card, and the recording area 1) (as shown in C3) contains variable information such as the prepaid amount, as well as the card. Issue date 11, fixed information indicating the card issuer's name, etc. is written.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration of the card issuing/reading device 3 in the magnetic card payment device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

In the same figure, the storage box 22 containing the magnetic card 15 is attached to the stepped portion 81 of the main body 80 of the card issuing/reading device 30.
It is now possible to do so. Furthermore, when the storage box 22 is attached to the stepped portion ε (1) of the main body 80, a hole 85 is provided in the bottom portion 82 from which a portion of the rollers 83, 84 protrudes.Furthermore, the storage box 22 On the side surface in contact with the bottom 82 of the
6 is provided.

An intake port 87 for taking in the magnetic card 15 is provided on the side surface of the illll pot main body 1'IO section 81. Rollers 88 to 93 are provided on a straight line between the card insertion slot (also serving as an ejection port) and the card insertion slot (also serving as an ejection port). 15, and an endless heald 94.95 is placed between the rollers 8, 89 and the rollers 90.91. A printer 96 is provided for printing unique information such as a serial number in a specific area on the surface of the printer 15.

At the bottom of this printer 96 is an auxiliary plate 9 used during printing.
7 is provided. Between the rollers 90.91 and 92.93 is a write head that writes variable information such as the balance amount and identification data (unique information) such as a Norial number onto the magnetic stripe 16 of the magnetic card 15. is provided.

Further, a prepaid card 1 is placed adjacent to the write head 9H.
A read/write head 99 is provided to read various data from the 651 air strip 26 of 5 and read the various data again after payment.

The printer 96 and the heads 98.9 are connected to a control circuit 10, and record information from the control circuit 10 is written on the magnetic stripe 16 of the magnetic card 15, and the information is read from the read/write head 99. The stored data can be sent to the cash register 2 from the control circuit 10.

The rollers 83 and 84 are connected to the step motor 02 via a mechanism not shown. Also, Rowu-88
~93 i! to step motor 101 via afiI not shown. I! tied together. The step motor I()2 is connected to the control circuit IO, and is controlled by the control circuit 10. 11I.

Further, 30.3L 32 is an optical reader, which performs 40 W detection of the magnetic cart 15 or prepaid card 15.

Historically, a card processing device 50 is provided between the optical reading device 30 and the rollers 92 and 93, which forms protrusions that do not indicate the denomination but constitute Braille in the Braille area 11 of the magnetic cart 15.

Finally, the card processing device in the fourth V is constituted by a female mold 52 and a punch device 56 provided opposite to the female mold 52. The bottom surface 54 of the female mold 52 has a plurality of (
In this embodiment, three hemispherical four portions 55 are formed.

Further, the punch device 56 has an opening 59 provided on its upper surface.
It has a plurality of punches which go in and out and whose upper ends are press-fitted into the recesses 55 of the female die 52.

As shown in FIG. 5(B), insert the magnetic card 15 into the female mold 5.
2 and the punch 58, and as a result, the magnetic card 1
．． Protrusions 11a constituting Braille are formed in the Braille area 11 of No.5.

The cross section taken along the line X-X in Figure 5 (A,) is 7A.
This is shown in Figure 5 (C).

1, a flange 60 is formed at the lower end of the punch 58, and the punch 58 is always urged downward (downward in the figure) by a spring 62 installed between the flange 60 and a frame 61. There is. Further, a solenoid 64 is provided on the side surface of the opening 59 through which the punch 58 enters and exits, and when the punch 58 is captured by the solenoid 64, its electromagnetic force causes the punch 58 to resist the biasing force of the spring 62 (as shown in the figure). F
It is made to stick out in one direction.

Next, the operation of the magnetic card payment device will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this flowchart 1., first, if there is a deposit of a prepaid amount equivalent to the amount of the prepaid card 15 to be issued (hereinafter, the magnetic card 15 written with predetermined data is referred to as the prepaid card 15). At this time, the operator operates the keyboard provided in the cash register 2 to instruct the deposit. Then, a card issuing instruction is output from the cash register 2 to the card issuing/reading device v3, a card issuing instruction is outputted to the card issuing/reading device 3, and the card issuing/reading device 3 becomes operational ( Step 100.101.10
2).

Next, various data necessary for ticket issuance, including the denomination specified by the cash register 2, are written into the recording area H1 of the magnetic stripe 16 set on the magnetic card 15 (step 103). Furthermore, data indicating the denomination is formed in Braille in the Braille area 11 of the magnetic card I5 by the card processing device 50, and the magnetic card 15 is ejected from the card insertion slot 23 as a prepaid card 15 that can be used in the magnetic card payment device 1. (step 104, l05)
.

The card processing device 50 that forms Braille in the Braille area 11 controls the energization and de-energization state of each solenoid 64 by the data indicating the denomination sent from the control circuit 1 (l) and the corresponding 2 (if! signal). As a result, each solenoid 6
The punch 58 corresponding to No. 4 protrudes from the opening 59 or becomes in a non-protruding state. Also, at the same time as this operation, the magnetic card 15
is moved by rollers 88 to 93, and is intermittently moved by the width and character spacing. As a result, a plurality of Braille characters each displaying one character using, for example, 6 dots (Ill, Temple, etc.) are formed on the character area 11.

Next, the operation of the magnetic card payment device when the issued prepaid card 15 is used will be explained.

In FIG. 6(B), in order to purchase a product, the amount of the product is entered at the payment location using the numeric keypad attached to the cash register 2 (step '200).

Then, the input amount is displayed on the display section 13 forming the display device 6 of the card issuing/reading device 3 (step 201). Next, it is determined whether the prepaid card 15 has been inserted into the card insertion slot 23 (step 2).
02).

When the optical reading device 30 detects that the prepaid card 15 has been inserted into the card insertion slot 23, the control circuit IO drives the step motor 101 to rotate, and the prepaid card 15 is read and written using the read/write head 99. The data is moved to a position where it can be read and written. As a result,
Variable information such as the balance and fixed information such as the name of the note issued by the card are read from the magnetic stripe 16 of the prepaid card 15 via the read/write head 99 (step 203).
.

Further, the amount of the product purchase is deducted from the information such as the remaining amount read from the magnetic stripe 16 of the prepaid card 15, and the information such as the remaining amount is stored in the RAM 8 (step 204).

Next, R on the magnetic stripe 16 of the prepaid card 15.
While writing the payment amount read from AM8, R(
, ) Data indicating a management number unique to the magnetic card payment device 1 is read from M9 and written on the magnetic stripe 16 (step 205).

Thereafter, the prepaid card 15 is ejected from the card insertion slot 23, and the execution of this process is completed.

In the above embodiment, the card ++U device 50 was used to display the data in Braille without indicating the gold number on the magnetic card 15, and the Braille was formed by applying mechanical pressure. For example, Fig. 7 (A,
), the Braille area 26 of the magnetic card 25 on which data has not yet been written may be formed of foamed resin, and by heating it, five facing characters may be formed. That is, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of protrusions 26a are formed by heating and foaming the resin in that area as shown in FIG. 7(D). After that, the Braille area 26 is exposed to ultraviolet light e by the ultraviolet lamp 66.
By projecting the projections 26a in the Braille area 26+-, the protrusions 26a formed in the Braille area 26+- can be solidified and fixed so as not to foam to a certain degree, thereby forming Braille characters indicating the denomination.

Here, area 29A and area 2 in FIG. 7(A)
11B is similar to areas +9A and 19B7 in FIG. 3(A). In addition, Fig. 7 (1) is a side view of Part 7 (A), and Figs. 7 (B) and (C) are the side views of the magnetic card 25 in the long hair direction. is a backing plate that supports the magnetic card 25.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the case of civil engineering, the present invention uses a magnetic card used in a magnetic card payment device that allows payments to be made using a magnetic card on which data including variable information about the prepaid amount is magnetically recorded. Data indicating the type (denomination) can be displayed in Braille in a predetermined area on its surface.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the denomination recorded on a magnetic card can be easily recognized by a blind or partially sighted person.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a magnetic card payment device using the magnetic card according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the magnetic card payment device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. The figure is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the magnetic card according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the card issuing/reading device shown in No. 111k, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the card processing device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the magnetic card payment device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. 1...Magnetic card payment device, 2...Cash register 3...Card issuing/reading device, 4...Prepaid card reading/writing device, 5...Prepaid card issuing device, 8...RAM , 9...ROM, 1o...
Control circuit, 15.25... Magnetic card, 5o... Card processing device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A magnetic card used in a magnetic card payment device that allows payments to be made using a magnetic card on which variable information such as the prepaid amount is magnetically recorded, and the data indicating the type (denomination) of the prepaid amount is A magnetic card characterized by being displayed in Braille in a predetermined area on its surface.