JPH0473719B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a magnetic card having a novel magnetic layer structure that makes counterfeiting and alteration extremely difficult, and a method for determining a magnetic card.

(Prior Art) In conventional magnetic cards, the structure of the magnetic recording layer can be easily analyzed and decoded using a magnetic scope or magnetic developer, so counterfeit or altered magnetic cards are easily created. There were flaws. Therefore, if a toll collection system using magnetic cards is constructed, once a counterfeit or altered card appears, the trust in the toll collection system will be lost and the entire system may collapse. Effective prevention has been a serious problem that needs to be solved urgently for fee collection systems using magnetic cards.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The first invention of the present application was created as a result of careful consideration in view of the above-mentioned points. A security track is provided with a data track in a first magnetic layer, and has a coercive force different from the coercive force of the first magnetic layer, and is composed of a large number of security code bodies of a second magnetic layer that can be magnetically recorded and magnetically erased. is provided on a magnetic surface other than the data track, the security track is capable of reading and erasing records in addition to reading and writing the data track, and the authenticity of the magnetic card is determined by reading the security code. This magnetic card makes it possible to form a security code with a variety of code patterns, making it extremely difficult to forge or alter the magnetic card, and making it possible to construct a charge collection system using magnetic cards with peace of mind. The purpose is to provide a structure for

In the second invention of the present application, when a plurality of security racks each consisting of a security cord body are provided,
By inputting the interrelationship of the patterns of these security code bodies into a logic circuit and determining the security information, a magnetic field that enables unprecedented security code determination and further enhances the security effect. The purpose is to provide a method for determining cards.

The third invention of the present application is to provide a magnetic card that enhances the security effect and does not increase manufacturing costs by providing a security track of a low coercive force magnetic layer on both the data track surface and the base surface other than the data track surface. With the goal.

The fourth invention of the present application provides a magnetic card that enhances the security effect and does not increase manufacturing costs by providing a dummy magnetic layer of a low coercive force magnetic layer on the data track surface with the same width as the data track. The purpose is to

(Means for solving the problem) The gist of the first invention of the present application is to provide a first magnetic layer on a part or the whole of one surface of the base, provide a data track on the first magnetic layer, A security track comprising a large number of security cords of a second magnetic layer having a coercive force different from the coercive force of the data track and capable of magnetic recording and erasing is provided on a magnetic surface other than the data track. It consists of a magnetic card.

Preferably, the first magnetic layer is a high coercive force magnetic layer, and the second magnetic layer is a low coercive force magnetic layer.

The second magnetic layer can also be a magnetic layer having one or more different coercive forces.

There is no particular limit to the number of security racks installed, and it may be one or more than one. If a dummy track consisting of a large number of dummy code bodies having the same structure as the security code body is provided in addition to the security track, it will be more difficult for a third party to decode the magnetic recording layer, and this will prevent counterfeiting and alteration. Extremely effective.

At least the surface of the security rack is covered with an opaque mask layer, and the magnetic field of the security rack is always erased before taking it out from the card reader/writer. It is possible to make it impossible to determine the

It is also possible to connect the security track and the dummy track randomly and continuously, making it impossible to determine which part is the security track.

It is also possible to form a magnetic layer having a coercive force different from that of the data track as characters and/or figures, and use a part of the characters and/or figures as the security track.

If you set an azimuth angle on the data track,
The advantage is that the data can only be read by a card reader/writer with the same azimuth angle.

If the security rack is provided with an azimuth angle, there is an advantage that only a card reader/writer having the same azimuth angle can read the security information.

The gist of the second invention of the present application is to provide a plurality of security tracks consisting of security code bodies of a large number of magnetic layers that can be magnetically recorded and magnetically erased, and to input the mutual relationship of the patterns of the security code bodies into a logic circuit. The present invention provides a method for determining a magnetic card, characterized in that the security information is determined.

If this determination method is applied, it becomes even more difficult to decipher the security track, and it is extremely effective in preventing counterfeiting and alteration of magnetic cards.

The gist of the third invention of the present application is to provide a high coercive force magnetic layer on a part or the whole of one surface of the base, provide data tracks on the high coercive force magnetic layer, and provide a large number of low coercive force magnetic layers that can be magnetically recorded and magnetically erased. The present invention relates to a magnetic card characterized in that one or more security tracks made of a security cord of a magnetic layer are provided on both the data track surface and the magnetic surface other than the data track.

The gist of the fourth invention of the present application is to provide a high coercive force magnetic layer on a part or the whole of one surface of the base, provide a data track on the high coercive force magnetic layer, and provide a low coercive force magnetic layer that is capable of magnetic recording and magnetic erasing. A dummy magnetic layer is provided on the data track surface of the magnetic card.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below based on the accompanying drawings.

In the figure, 2 is a magnetic card according to the present invention. The magnetic card 2 has a base 4 made of plastic such as polyester or polyvinyl chloride, or paper. A first magnetic layer 5, which is a high coercive force magnetic layer, is provided on the entire one surface of the base 4. A data track 6 for recording information is formed in a part of the high coercive force magnetic layer 5. Reference numeral 8 denotes a security cord body having a predetermined shape and consisting of a second magnetic layer of a low coercive force material placed on the high coercive force magnetic layer 5 at predetermined intervals. The security cord body 8 is formed of a magnetic layer having a coercive force different from the coercive force of the first magnetic layer 5 (low coercive force in this embodiment) and capable of magnetic recording and erasing. A security rack 10 is constructed by arranging a large number of security cord bodies 8. The security track 10 is placed on the high coercivity magnetic layer 5 other than the data track 6. Reference numeral 12 denotes a non-magnetic mask layer covering the high coercive force magnetic layer 5 and the security track 10. If the mask layer 12 is made of opaque ink or film, the structure of the magnetic layer cannot be seen even when visually observed from the outside. Further, the magnetic field on the security rack 10 is ensured to be magnetically erased when it exits the card reader/writer R, so that the security code pattern cannot be determined by a magnetic scope or the like. The above-mentioned difference in magnetic force between the high coercive force magnetic layer 5 and the low coercive force magnetic layer of the security track 10 is such that when a weak magnetic field is applied to the magnetic layer of the security track 10 for recording, the high coercive force magnetic layer It is sufficient as long as it does not affect 5.

As shown in Fig. 3, the structure of the card reader/writer R when constructing a fee collection system etc. using the magnetic card 2 having such a magnetic recording layer is as shown in Fig. 3. A recording head 14, a reading head 16, and an erasing head 18 dedicated to the security rack 10 are provided to change only the magnetic layer of the security rack 10, and the security rack 10 is provided on the card ejection side.
An erase head 20 dedicated to 0 is provided. In the case of a structure in which the card input slot also serves as the card ejection port, there is an erase head 18 on the input side and an erase head 20 on the ejection side.
It goes without saying that it may also be used.

When the magnetic card 2 is inserted into the card reader/writer R, the erasing head 18 first erases the magnetic patterns on both the upper and lower magnetic layers 5 and 10.
Next, a predetermined signal is recorded from the recording head 14 with a strength that can be written only in the low coercive force magnetic layer of the security track 10, and by reading this signal with the reading head 16, the security code body 8 is read.
The code sequence of the security track 10, that is, the code pattern of the security track 10 is read. If the read code pattern of the security track 10 matches the preset code pattern, it is determined that the card is a legitimate card, is transported into the card reader/writer R, and is read and written to the data track 6, and is ejected. . At the time of ejection, the ejection side erase head 20 erases the magnetic recording only on the security rack 10 so that the security rack 10 cannot be read magnetically. On the other hand, if the code pattern of the security rack 10 read by the reading head 16 is different from the preset code pattern, the magnetic card is counterfeit or altered, and the card is sent back or ejected and the insertion is refused. do. In this way, unless you create a magnetic card with exactly the same magnetic recording layer (which is impossible unless you have magnetic card manufacturing equipment), it will not be possible to use it normally, so counterfeit or altered magnetic cards cannot be used. There is almost no possibility that it will be used.

In the above embodiment, a case is shown in which one security track 10 is provided, but a plurality of security tracks 10 may be provided. In this case, the code patterns will be more diverse, and the mutual relationships between the patterns will be obtained. Since a reading means can be used, forgery and alteration are even more difficult (Figure 4).

In addition, an example was shown in which the security track 10 was installed to diversify code patterns to prevent forgery and alteration.
If a dummy track 22 consisting of a large number of dummy cord bodies 21 of low coercive force magnetic layers is provided in addition to the dummy track 22, it will be difficult to tell which one is the dummy track 22 and which one is the security track.
Furthermore, it is more effective in preventing forgery and alteration (Figures 5 and 6). This dummy truck 2
2 is not an object to be read by the reading head 16. If the dummy track 22 is not used, the pattern of the security track can be determined by peeling off the mask layer.
Due to the existence of the dummy track, even if the pattern is known, it is difficult to know which part is the secure track.

If a plurality of security racks 10 are provided in this way, a means for reading the mutual relationship of the patterns can be provided, so that the width of following the card conveying speed is expanded, making it resistant to speed changes and preventing reading errors. Because there are various ways to establish the mutual relationships between each track, a third party cannot tell which tracks are related to each other and what logical formulas are used.
This has the advantage that the density of the security code can be increased.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first magnetic layer 5 is a high coercive force layer, and the second magnetic layer (security track) is a low coercive force layer. It is also possible to use a coercive force layer and the second magnetic layer to be a high coercive force layer. Further, although an example has been shown in which two types of high and low coercive force magnetic layers are provided, it is also possible to provide two or more different types of coercive force layers.

In the example of FIGS. 1 to 6, data track 6,
Security track 10 and dummy track 2
Although the case is shown in which no azimuth angle is provided for either of the two, if a data track 6 with an azimuth angle is provided, as shown in FIG. This has the advantage that the data track cannot be read. In addition, as shown in the same figure, a security rack 1 with an azimuth angle is also provided.
If 0 is provided, there is an advantage that the security track can only be read by a card reader/writer with the same azimuth angle.
Furthermore, it goes without saying that the dummy track 22 is also provided with an azimuth angle matching that of the security rack 10.

The security rack 10 and the dummy track 22 do not need to be clearly track-shaped; for example, as shown in FIG. By combining the dummy tracks 22 and varying the width of the dummy track 22, it is possible to make it difficult to identify which part is the security track 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the low coercive force magnetic layer (second magnetic layer) may be formed into characters or figures, and a portion thereof may be used as the security rack 10. In this way, the company name and company mark can be displayed. Further, these character/graphic portions can be covered with an opaque or transparent mask. If it is not masked, at first glance it will be judged as a meaningful character figure, and it will be difficult to distinguish it from a magnetic pattern. In the case of a mask, the presence of a magnetic pattern can be made difficult to discern by making the characters and figures stand out as a result of changes in thickness, or by intentionally coloring that part. Furthermore, it is also possible to display the text and graphics more clearly by performing cover printing that matches the underlying text and graphics.

When a plurality of security tracks 10 are set, the mutual relationship between them can be determined by using one as a clock track and reading the data of the other, or by combining the information on one track and the information on the other track using a logical formula. Alternatively, a method can be used in which the results are obtained by inputting them into a logic circuit, or a method in which they are encoded.

For example, as shown in Fig. 10, when there are tracks A and B, there is a method of determining whether or not track B is present at the rising edge of track A, or whether or not track B is present at the falling edge of track A. Possible methods include determining whether or not the magnetic card is a regular magnetic card by ANDing track A and track B and applying the correct logical formula.

The structure of the magnetic card 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is exemplified in which a security rack 10 is provided on the four sides of the base other than the data track 6, but as shown in FIG. Security track 1 on the 4 sides of the base other than data track 6
0, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a security track 10a consisting of a security code body 8a of a large number of low coercive force magnetic layers capable of magnetic recording and magnetic erasing is also provided on the data track 6. In this configuration, it is possible to erase or write only to the security track 10a, and when there is writing to the security track 10a, the data written in the data track 6 can be read from the security track 10a. It is hindered by the existence and becomes extremely difficult. Further, when the writing on the security track 10a is erased, the strength of magnetism on the data track 6 surface of the magnetic card 2 is as shown in FIG. In the figure, h is a high coercive force magnetic layer (the part where the security track 10a is not present)
, and l indicates the magnetic strength of the portion (the portion where the security track 10a is present) which is hindered and reduced by the presence of the low coercive force magnetic layer. In this state, if the read magnetic sensitivity is set to a height of m, the data on the data track 6 can be read normally, and if the read magnetic sensitivity is set to a height of n, the security pattern of the security track 10a can be read. It is something that can be done. Therefore, security track 1
It becomes even more difficult to decode 0a, and the security track 10 mentioned above must also be decoded, so the security effect is greatly improved. It is of course possible to provide a dummy rack 22 in addition to the security rack 10a and the security rack 10. Further, the manufacturing cost of the magnetic card 2 shown in FIG. 11 is not particularly increased compared to the cost of the magnetic card described above. In addition,
It is also possible to provide a plurality of security racks 10a. If the security track 10a of FIG. 11 is provided with an azimuth angle, decoding becomes even more difficult. In this case, as mentioned above, it goes without saying that the data track and the dummy track can also have an azimuth angle (13th
figure).

In addition to the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a low coercive force magnetic layer having the same width as the data track 6 is formed on the data track 6 side of the high coercive force magnetic layer. A configuration in which a dummy magnetic layer 22a is provided may also be used. In this case, first, normal data is written into the data track 6 of the high coercive force magnetic layer and the dummy magnetic layer 22a of the low coercive force magnetic layer, and then false information is written only into the dummy magnetic layer 22a. When reading the magnetic card 2, false information on the dummy magnetic layer 22a is erased and correct data on the data track 6 is read. After that, the data on the magnetic card 2 is rewritten, and at this time, the data track 6 and the dummy magnetic layer 22a are rewritten together (with strong magnetism), and then false information is written only on the dummy magnetic layer 22a (with weak magnetism). ). With this configuration,
As expected, the security effect will be greatly improved. This dummy magnetic layer 22a and security track 1
Of course, it is also possible to provide a dummy track 22 in addition to 0. Also, the magnetic card 2 in Fig. 14
The manufacturing cost of the magnetic card is not particularly increased compared to the cost of the magnetic card described above. Note that it is also possible to provide a plurality of dummy magnetic layers 22a. If an azimuth angle is provided in the dummy magnetic layer 22a shown in FIG. 14, the analysis becomes even more difficult. In this case, as described above, it goes without saying that the data track and the dummy track can also be provided with an azimuth angle.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention provides a first magnetic layer on a part or the whole of one surface of the base, a data track on the first magnetic layer, and a coercive force of the first magnetic layer. A security track consisting of a large number of security code bodies of a second magnetic layer having a coercive force different from that of the data track and capable of magnetic recording and erasing is provided on a base surface other than the data track, and reading and writing of the data track is performed. In addition, since the security track can be read, written, and erased, and the authenticity of the magnetic card is determined by reading the security code, it is possible to form a variety of code patterns for the security code. Then,
Furthermore, since the entire security track is masked and magnetically erased, it is difficult to read the security pattern visually or with a magnetic scope, and furthermore, the existence of a dummy track makes analysis difficult, making it difficult to counterfeit magnetic cards. This has the great effect of making it extremely difficult to tamper with the card and making it possible to construct a fee collection system using magnetic cards with peace of mind.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing an example of a magnetic card having a magnetic recording layer of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view of the magnetic surface side of the same, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the mechanism of a card reader/writer for the magnetic card. 4 is a top view showing another example of a magnetic card having a magnetic recording layer of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a top view showing still another example of a magnetic card having a magnetic recording layer of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view showing still another example of a magnetic card having a magnetic recording layer of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a magnetic recording layer of a magnetic card according to another embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a security rack and a dummy track for a magnetic card according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a security rack and a dummy rack for a magnetic card according to another embodiment. FIG. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for reading the relationship, FIG. 11 is a top view showing an example of a magnetic card with another configuration, and FIG. 12 shows the relationship between the magnetic surface and reading sensitivity of the magnetic card in FIG. 11. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the magnetic card shown in FIG. 11 is provided with an azimuth angle, FIG. 14 is a top view showing an example of a magnetic card with another configuration, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram. 14 is a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 14. 2...Magnetic card, 4...Base, 5...First magnetic layer, 6...Data track, 8...Security code body, 10...Security track,
12...mask layer, 14... recording head, 16...
...reading head, 18, 20... erasing head, 22
...Dummy truck.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first magnetic layer is provided on a part or the entirety of one surface of the base, and a data track is provided on the first magnetic layer,
A security track having a coercive force different from that of the first magnetic layer and capable of magnetic recording and erasing is provided on a magnetic surface other than the data track. In addition, a dummy track is provided on a magnetic surface other than the data track and security track, which is composed of a dummy code body of a large number of magnetic layers having one or more different coercive forces and capable of magnetic recording and magnetic erasing. magnetic card. 2. The magnetic card according to claim 1, wherein the first magnetic layer is a high coercive force magnetic layer, and the second magnetic layer is a low coercive force layer. 3. The magnetic card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one security rack is provided. 4. The magnetic card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of said security racks are provided. 5. The magnetic card according to claim 4, wherein a magnetic layer having one or more different coercive forces is provided as the second magnetic layer constituting the security track. 6. Any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the security track and the dummy track are connected randomly and continuously so that it is impossible to determine which part is the security track. Magnetic card described in . 7. Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a magnetic layer having a coercive force different from that of the data track is formed as characters and/or figures, and a part of the characters and/or figures is used as a security track. A magnetic card according to any one of paragraph 6. 8. A security code body comprising a high coercive force magnetic layer provided on a part or the whole of one surface of the base, a data track provided on the high coercive force magnetic layer, and a large number of low coercive force magnetic layers capable of magnetic recording and magnetic erasing. One or more security tracks consisting of one or more security tracks are provided on both the data track surface and a magnetic surface other than the data track, and a large number of magnetically recordable and magnetically erasable A magnetic card characterized by being provided with a dummy track made of a dummy code body with a low coercive force magnetic layer.