JPH0351983A - Method for maintaining reading and writing function of card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain invariably constant reading/writing characteristics of the card reader by providing a characteristic correction program which corrects time variation of the reading/writing characteristics on the memory of an IC card. CONSTITUTION:The card reader consists of a card reader main body 5 which includes a mechanism part, etc., and an IC card 31 constituted by packaging integrally memories 25 and 26 and a circuit part 23 including a control circuit 24 controlling respective circuits, and the IC card 31 is constituted detachably from the card reader main body 5. Further, the characteristic correction program which corrects the time variation of the reading/writing characteristics of the card reader 5 is stored on the memory 25. The control circuit 24 corrects reading/writing timing in bit units of data at the time of the reading and writing of data on and from the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card and corrects the level of a write signal at the time of the data writing according to the characteristic correction program. Consequently, the reading/writing characteristics of the card reader are held constant.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is directed to reading and writing of a card reader for a magnetic card payment device that allows payments to be made using a magnetic card.
In particular, the method for retaining the write function includes a circuit section in which a circuit section including a memory for storing various data and a control circuit for controlling each circuit is integrally mounted on a card reader body including a mechanism section and its drive circuit. The present invention relates to a method for maintaining read/write functions of a removably attached card reader.

[Conventional technology]

A magnetic car that allows payments to be made using a magnetic card. Electronic payment devices are currently used in telephones, automatic ticket vending machines, automatic vending machines, etc. The magnetic card used in this magnetic card settlement device is called a bripaid card, and is automatically issued by the magnetic card settlement device after payment is made in advance.

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 bripaid card is a kind of cash voucher, and has a different character from a magnetic card such as a Tallent card. By the way, there is a card reader as a device that reads data from the magnetic recording part (M1 stripe) of the Bripaid card and rewrites the data after payment when paying with a Bripaid card.This card reader is a magnetic card payment device. Some of them are under guard.

Conventionally, only the main body of the card reader, which includes the mechanical part and its drive circuit, was commercially available as a standalone product, and the company using the card reader purchased the main body of the card reader and manufactured the input/output interface. Only a controller board on which a control circuit including a memory storing software that controls the circuit section is mounted is supplied by the management headquarters that manages the card reader.

Additionally, when disposing of a card reader, the memory section of the controller board that stores the software was returned to the management headquarters to prevent the misuse of the discarded product. However, when a discarded card reader like this comes around, the controller board (minus the memory) remains, so even an amateur can analyze the software, and the card reader can be remanufactured. The problem was that it was possible.

Furthermore, since the card reader body and the control section including the input/output interface were configured separately, there was a problem that they could be easily modified.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, we aim to prevent the card reader from being recycled or modified when it is disposed of, and to prevent the card reader from being recycled or modified, preferably including the mechanical part and its drive circuit. The main body of the card reader has a removably mounted circuit section, which includes a memory for storing various data and a control circuit for controlling each circuit. We have already proposed a method for managing card readers.

By the way, even if the mechanical part of a card reader with such a configuration has the same specifications, if manufacturing is commissioned to multiple manufacturers, there will be some variation in processing accuracy and manufacturing quality depending on each manufacturer and manufacturing lot. is unavoidable. Even if there are variations in processing accuracy and manufacturing quality during the manufacturing stage, it goes without saying that the system will operate normally when it is installed by the user. On the other hand, even if a new card reader is used, the frequency of use by the user for whom the card reader is installed, and the location where the card reader is installed (for example, a place exposed to sunlight, a place that is not exposed to sunlight, etc.) will depend on its mechanism (for example, moving the magnetic card). Vinci rollers, their shafts, etc.) have different deterioration and wear over time.
If the degree of wear of the magnetic head, the vinyl roller that moves the magnetic card, the shaft, etc. in this mechanical part exceeds a certain level, a reading error will occur when reading the data written on the magnetic card, and when writing the data. A write error occurs in the same way. In this way, variations in the processing accuracy and manufacturing quality of the card reader's mechanical part that occur during the manufacturing stage of the card reader, and as the card reader is installed and used by users, the magnetic head, rollers, etc. of the mechanical part of the card reader are Added to aging changes such as wear and deterioration of parts, the data read/write characteristics of card readers installed at each user become extremely variable over the years of use. As a result, a situation may arise in which a magnetic card on which data has been successfully read and written by a card reader installed by a certain user cannot be used by another user's card reader.

The present invention has been developed in view of these circumstances, and is capable of maintaining data read/write (functional) characteristics at a constant level even when mechanical parts undergo wear, deterioration, or other changes over time. The purpose is to provide a method for maintaining the reading and writing functions of a card reader. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a card reader body including a mechanism section and its drive circuit, and a memory for storing various data and a control circuit for controlling each circuit. In the method for maintaining the read/write function of a card reader in which a circuit unit including a circuit unit integrally mounted is removably configured, the memory is configured to compensate for secular changes in the read/write characteristics of the card reader. A characteristic correction program is stored, and the control circuit reads data bit by bit when reading data from a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card or writing data to the magnetic stripe based on the characteristic correction program. - It is characterized by temporal correction of write timing and correction of write signal level during data writing.

[Effect]

A card reader to which the present invention is applied consists of a card reader main body including a mechanism section, etc., and a circuit section in which a circuit section including a memory and a control circuit for controlling each circuit is integrally mounted,
This integrally mounted circuit section is removably attached to the card reader body.

The memory also stores a characteristic correction program for correcting secular changes in the reading/writing characteristics of the card reader. Based on this characteristic correction program, the control circuit temporally corrects the timing of reading and writing data in bit units when reading and writing data to the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card, and when writing data. Perform signal level correction.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the reading/writing characteristics of the card reader change due to wear of the mechanical part over time, the reading/writing characteristics of the card reader are corrected according to the changed state. The properties are always held constant.

[．． Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1st
The figure shows the structure of a magnetic card (prepaid card) used in a card reader to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 1 (1-A) is a front view of the prepaid card,
Figure 1 (1-B) is a back view of the prepaid card.
FIG. 1 (1-C) is a diagram for explaining the state of magnetization recorded on the magnetic stripe.

As shown in Figure 1 CIA, on the front surface of the Vliveid card l, there is an area 2 for displaying the payment amount and payment information, as well as other necessary information (e.g. sales amount, name of issuer, etc.) is printed. In addition, as shown in Figure 1 (1-B), the back of the prepaid card l has a magnetic stripe 3 on which variable information such as the price is written, and a magnetic stripe 4 on which fixed information is written at standard bit intervals. is provided. The magnetic stripe 3
has a recording area where sales amounts, publisher names, etc. are recorded in codes. Further, the magnetic stripe 10 has necessary data recorded as "1" and "0". Furthermore, the magnetic stripe 10 is also recorded with basically the same bit interval as II It ``゛O''. The magnetic stripe 4 is recorded at standard bit intervals. magnetic stripe 4
is a reference bit interval in which "1" and "0" are recorded by an accurate writing device when the card is issued.

In addition, in the magnetic stripes 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 1 (1-C), ITO" has no change in magnetization within its focus interval, and "II1 has a change in magnetization within its focus interval. It is recorded as follows.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of the card reader.

In the figure, the card reader 5 includes a reading hand 10 that reads fixed information written on the magnetic stripe 4 of a prepaid card, and a reading/writing hand that reads and writes variable information on the magnetic stripe 3 of the prepaid card. Henodo l1
and various sensors 1 that detect the position of prepaid cards, etc.
2, and a roller (not shown) for transporting the Bripaid card.
A punch mechanism 14 that punches holes for displaying the balance on a prepaid card, etc., and a waveform shaping circuit 15 that shapes the waveform of the read fi number detected by the reading head IO. , read/write head
A read/write circuit 17 waveform-shapes the read signal from the read/write head 1 and outputs a write signal to the read/write head;
3, a drive circuit 20 that drives the punch mechanism 14, an input/output interface 22, a control circuit 23 that controls each circuit section, and a display device 30.

The control circuit 23 includes a CPU 24, a RAM 25, and a ROM 2 in which various programs and fixed data are stored.
6, which are connected by a bus line 28. Furthermore, the human output interface 22 and CPL12
4 is a bus line 27 that connects the CPU 24 and the display device 3.
0 through a bus line 29.

In the above configuration, the card reader 5 to which the present invention is applied
As shown in FIG. 3, an input/output interface 22, a control circuit 23, a waveform shaping circuit 15, a read/write circuit 7, and a drive circuit 20 are integrated and mounted to form one circuit section as an IC card 3l. This IC card 3
1 is attached to a card reader main body that includes a mechanism section and some circuit sections such as its drive circuit, so that it can function as a card reader.

Next, the appearance of the card reader 5 is shown in FIG. In the figure, a display device 30 is provided on the front of the case 32 of the card reader 5.
A display section 33 is provided. Furthermore, a card insertion slot 34 for inserting a BuriPaid card is provided at the lower front of the case 32.

Next, a longitudinal section of the card reader 5 is shown in FIG.

In the same figure, an IC card 3 is placed on the upper rear surface of the case 32.
An insertion port 36 for inserting the IC card 3L is provided, and a connector 35 having a connector pin 35a connected to a connector 31a provided on the IC card 3l is provided at the innermost part of the insertion port 36. . The IC card 31 is attached to the card reader main body by inserting the IC card 3l into the insertion slot 36 in the direction of the arrow.

Next, the internal structure of the card reader 5 is shown in FIG.

In the figure, the card reader body is structured as follows. That is, at a position corresponding to the card insertion slot 34, a pair of feed rollers 37 and 38 are provided so as to be rotatable in parallel. A reading head 10 is provided adjacent to the feed rollers 37 and 38. The reading head 10 reads fixed information written at standard bit intervals from the magnetic stripe 4 of the prepaid card 1.

Further, reflective optical reading devices 39, 40, and 4l are provided. These reflective optical reading devices 39, 40, 4
1 detects the position of the bripaid card 3. A reading/writing side 1l is provided near the reading head 10. This read/write head l1 reads or rewrites variable information written on the magnetic stripe 3. A pressure roller 42 is provided at a position facing the reading head 10. Further, a pressure roller 43 is provided at a position facing the read/write head 11 . With respect to the pair of feed rollers 37 and 38,
Furthermore, a pair of feed rollers 44 and 45 are provided so as to be rotatable in parallel. A punch mechanism 14 is provided on the left side of the feed rollers 44 and 45 in the drawing. The punch mechanism 14 has a mechanism capable of punching a hole in the area 2 of the bripaid card 1 in response to a punch command. A pair of rollers 46 and 47 are rotatably provided in parallel, and a card contact detection sensor 4 that also serves as a stopper is located on the right side of the rollers 46 and 47 in the figure.
8 is provided. The feed roller 37, the feed roller 44, and the roller 46 are connected to the driving step motor 13 via a mechanism not shown, and rotate according to the rotation of the step motor 13. The reading head 10, the reading/writing head 11, the optical reading devices 39, 40, 41, the punch mechanism 14, and the force-cold contact detection sensor 48 are mounted in the IC card 31 via the connector 35. The control circuit 23 is electrically connected to the control circuit 23 . Further, the control circuit 23 is configured to rotate the step motor 13 via a motor controller l9.

As mentioned above, the control circuit 23 mounted on the IC card 31 includes a CPU 24 that performs arithmetic processing, a RAM 25,
It consists of a ROMZ6 that stores various programs and fixed data such as IC card management numbers. Next, FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the waveform shaping circuit 15 in FIG. 2. In the same figure, the waveform shaping circuit 15 is 777"l
50, differentiator 151, and zero volt comparator 15
2 and a pulse shaping circuit 153. In such a configuration, the magnetic recording data written on the magnetic stripe 4 of the Bripaid card 1 (see FIG. 8(a)
) is read by the reading head 10. The data read by this read head 10 (see FIG. 8(b)) is amplified by a preamplifier 150. The amplified data is differentiated by a differentiator 151.Then, the differentiated signal (see FIG. 8(c)) detects zero volts by a zero volt converter 152, and outputs it (see FIG. 8(c)).
(See figure (d)).

This signal is pulse-shaped by a pulse shaping circuit 153 to obtain read data as shown in FIG. 8(e). Therefore, this read data is taken into the control circuit 23, and the control circuit 23 can measure the bit intervals TO, T, T2, . . . as shown in FIG. Note that the waveform shaping circuit provided in the read/write circuit 17 has the same circuit configuration as the waveform shaping circuit 15. Next, the contents of the program executed by the control circuit 23 are shown in FIG. In the same figure, card slot 3
When the optical reader 39 detects the prepaid card 3 inserted into the stepper motor 13 (step 200), the control circuit 23 operates the step motor 13 under the control of the CPU 24 via the input/output interface 22 and the motor controller 19. (step 20l).

Here, the data in units of 1 bit is transmitted from the magnetic stripes 4 and 3 of the prepaid card I through the read head 10 and the read/write head 11 at a reference bit interval T.
The fixed information and variable information written in the program are read (step 202), and the read data and data indicating the signal level are stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 25 (step 203). In addition, the bripaid card l has a card contact detection sensor 4.
8, step 204) is applied to the CPU 24 via the input/output interface 22, so the CPU 24 stops the rotation of the step motor l3 (step 205).

Here, in the control circuit 23, the CPU 24 determines the bit interval from the fixed information read from the magnetic stripe 4 of the prepaid card 1. T...Execute the required process (step 206).

Next, the reference bit interval T. for each bit interval TI of the fixed information read from the magnetic stripe 4. Jitter value △T, (=fTi
-T, Il) is calculated and stored in the RAM 25 (step 207). Both variable information and fixed information written to the magnetic stripes 3 and 4 are initially written at a reference bit interval TI. Since the fixed information written on the magnetic stripe 4 is not rewritten thereafter, the fixed information is written on the magnetic stripe 4 accurately at the reference bit interval T.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, due to aging, the moving speed of the Bripaid card 1 periodically fluctuates due to wear of the rollers that transport the Bripaid card 1 in the mechanical part of the card reader, or the shaft of the motor, etc. As a result, the bit intervals of the fixed information read from the magnetic stripe 4 fluctuate periodically, as shown by the dotted curve P in Figure 10 (1). is the jitter value ΔT. This can also be said about the variable information read from the magnetic stripe 3, but in the case of variable information, a write operation is always performed along with a read operation, so the bit interval of the variable information written on the magnetic stripe 3 is already fixed. The reading and writing characteristics of the card reader are affected by the aging of the card reader.

Therefore, in the present invention, the fixed information written accurately on the magnetic stripe 4 at the standard bit interval T0 is read out, and the bit interval T (f=0, 1, 2,
. . , n , . . ”) and the reference bit interval 220 (T. ) stored in the ROM 26.
The amount of correction for each bit interval, that is, Fig. 10 (I
As shown in II), the jitter value ΔT. Add polarity to RAM25
is stored in In addition to this amount of correction, the bit interval after correction is also stored in the RAM 25. ,
The correction amount and the bit interval table after correction are shown in the first table.
It is shown in Figure 1. Next, the jitter value ΔT. obtained from the read data of the fixed information written on the magnetic stripe 4. Already according to R
The bit interval of the read data of the variable information stored in a predetermined area of the AM 25 is corrected, the data is rewritten, and the data is stored in the RAM 25 again (step 20B).
．． Next, it is determined whether or not the amount data has been input using a keyboard (not shown) attached to the card reader (step 209), and once the amount data has been input, it is determined whether or not the amount can be reduced, that is, it is possible to pay with the remaining amount. It is determined whether or not (step 210). If the balance cannot be used to settle the payment, a message to that effect is displayed on the display section 33 of the display device 230 (step 21).
6) Terminate the execution of this program. On the other hand, if it is possible to settle the payment with the remaining amount, the subtraction process will be performed.
The calculation result is stored in the RAM 25 (step 211
). Next, the level of the write signal is determined based on the data indicating the read signal level of the variable information read from the magnetic stripe 3 already stored in the RAM 25, and the read/write signal level is determined.
The gain of the amplifier in the write circuit is adjusted by the control signal output from the control circuit 23 via the input/output interface 22 (step 212). With the level of the write signal corrected in this way, the RAM described above is processed at each write timing t+, tz,...
Correction focus interval T, -Δ stored in 25
Writing of various data is performed at T , T z −ΔT2 . . . (step 213).

The control circuit 23 reversely rotates the step motor 13 to move the prepaid card 1 to the card insertion slot 34 (step 2l4), and the prepaid card 1 moves to the card insertion slot 34.
When the prepaid card l is removed, the execution of this program is terminated (step 215).

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the present invention, a circuit section including a memory for storing various data and a control circuit for controlling each circuit is integrally mounted on a card reader body including a mechanism section and its drive circuit. In the method for maintaining the read/write function of a card reader in which a circuit section is configured to be detachable, the memory stores a characteristic correction blog for correcting secular changes in the read/write characteristics of the card reader. The control circuit controls data read/write timing in bit units when reading data from the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card or writing data to the magnetic stripe based on the characteristic correction program. Since it is designed to perform time correction and correction of the write signal level when writing data,
According to the present invention, even if the reading/writing characteristics of the card reader change due to wear due to aging, the reading/writing characteristics of the card reader are corrected according to the changing state of the characteristics. The write characteristics are always held constant.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a magnetic card used in a card reader to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the card reader to which the present invention is applied, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in which a part of the circuit structure shown in Fig. 2 is integrated and mounted, Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the card reader shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 The figure is number 4
6 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the card reader shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a bronch diagram showing the configuration of the waveform shaping circuit in FIG. 2,
Fig. 8 is a time chart showing the operating state of the waveform shaping circuit shown in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the program executed by the control circuit, and Fig. 10 is the bits of fixed information read out. Explanatory diagram showing the relationship between intervals, reference bit intervals, and jitter values, 11th
The figure shows the read/write timing and bit interval T. , a table showing the relationship between the amount of correction and the bit interval after correction.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A card reader in which a circuit section including a memory for storing various data and a control circuit for controlling each circuit is integrally mounted on a card reader main body including a mechanism section and its driving circuit, and a circuit section is removably mounted. In the read/write function retention method, the memory stores a characteristic correction program for correcting secular changes in the read/write characteristics of the card reader, and the control circuit adjusts the characteristics of the magnetic card based on the characteristic correction program. Temporal correction of data read/write timing in bit units when reading data from a magnetic stripe or writing data to the magnetic stripe, and correction of a write signal level when writing data. A method for retaining reading and writing functions of a card reader, characterized by: