JPH08180168A - Prepaid card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a prepaid card which effectively prevents an illegal act such as forging. CONSTITUTION: The code of the prepaid card 11 where coded value information is written is in data code structure where one digit of a binary number is one segment and one data unit consists of N segments (N: integer larger than 2), and the prepaid card is equipped with an initial code area 12 where coded value information which is initially sets is written along one side of the prepaid card 11 and a balance code area 17 for coded value information in the process of use of the prepaid card 11; and the balance code area 17 consists of N identical-digit recording areas 17a-17d where only the same digits of respective units of data codes are recorded and plural identical-digit recording areas are arranged along the other side crossing one side of the prepaid card 11. Then the start positions of respective pieces of coded value information written in the N identical-digit recording areas by the digits are recorded in the initial code area 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card with improved reliability against unauthorized use such as modification.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Bar codes for product management are attached to products currently on the market. This bar code is assigned to each product provider, but the bar code allocation is approaching its limit with the diversification of product types. Therefore, various systems using a two-dimensional recording code as a new code have been developed, and are used as a sales system using a prepaid card with prepaid payment in a wide range of fields such as telephone companies and transportation companies. Here, there are the following codes in the two-dimensional recording code or the two-dimensional data code. Divide one rectangle into 4 segments like a square and divide the rectangle into 1
As a unit, each segment is 1 digit of binary number and 4 digits 16
It represents the data of a base number. That is, 1 for each digit
It is a two-dimensional recording code or a two-dimensional data code that records a 0-bit code in black and white.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of a conventional prepaid card in which the two-dimensional recording code is written. In the figure, 1 is the prepaid card body, 2 is the amount information initially set by prepaid along one side of the prepaid card body 1, the two-dimensional recording code together with the store and date and time when the prepaid card is issued. Initial code area written by the displayed amount and 3
Is a balance code area in which the amount information indicating the balance in the process of using the prepaid card is written by the two-dimensional recording code and the number of the displayed amount together with the store and the date and time when the payment by the prepaid card is made. In parallel with the code area 2, data is sequentially written downward.

FIG. 8 is a back view showing the back surface of the prepaid card body 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes key information 4a for writing in the initial code area 2 and the balance code area 3 or for reading the written two-dimensional code. This is an invisible recording / writing area written by invisible ink printing, and this invisible recording / writing area 4 is set in advance for each prepaid card.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the prepaid card body 1, wherein 5 and 6 are surface layers for covering the surface for protecting the prepaid card, and 7 is a heat-sensitive layer formed between the surface layers 5 and 6. . The two-dimensional recording code in the initial code area 2 and the balance code area 3 and the number of the displayed amount of the ink become visible when the heat-sensitive layer 7 is heated,
The numbers are displayed.

[0006]

Since the conventional prepaid card is constructed as described above, for example, in FIG. 7, the prepaid card 1 is laterally cut between the initial code area 2 and the remaining code area 3. There is an inconvenience such as a modification such as modification in which the remaining initial code area 2 and the remaining code area of another prepaid card with a small set amount are connected by an adhesive agent or the like. There was a problem for which measures were desired.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid card which effectively prevents fraud such as modification.

[0008]

A prepaid card according to the present invention is a prepaid card in which coded value information is written, wherein the code is one digit of a binary number.
The data code structure has N segments (N is an integer of 2 or more) as one data unit, and is provided as an area along one side of the prepaid card in which the coded value information is written. The prepaid card is provided with an initial code area into which the value information to be initially set is written, and a balance code area of the coded value information in the process of using the prepaid card. The area is composed of N same-digit recording areas for recording only the same digit of each unit of the data code, and the plurality of same-digit recording areas are arranged along the other side intersecting with the one side of the prepaid card. Of the coded value information written in the same digit recording area for each of the N digits. Characterized in that the starting position respectively is recorded in the initial code area.

Further, the prepaid card according to the present invention is
The encoded value information is information indicating at least the amount of money encoded by a one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code, and at least information indicating the initially set amount of money is written in the initial code area, and In the balance code area, information indicating at least the balance in the process of using the prepaid card is written including the information of the initial code area.

[0010]

In the prepaid card according to the present invention, the initial code area is provided along one side of the prepaid card, and the prepaid card is divided into N remaining digit code areas in which the value information is written. Since the recording start position of each same-digit recording area is recorded in advance in the initial code area at the start position coordinates and the like, the recording / writing state is Since the entire prepaid card has been dispersed from the beginning, if the fraud such as disconnection and connection of the prepaid card is tampered with, the coded value information written in the balance code area will be destroyed, and the value information will be lost. It makes sense and effectively prevents fraud such as modification.

The prepaid card according to the present invention is
At least one dimension showing the amount of money initially set or 2
A one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code in which an initial code area in which information encoded by a three-dimensional recording code is written is provided along one side of the prepaid card and which indicates at least the balance of the process of using the prepaid card. A balance code area including an initial code in which information coded by is provided with N areas of the same digit recording area arranged along the other side intersecting with the one side of the prepaid card, Furthermore, since the recording start positions of the same-digit recording area are also distributed over the entire surface of the card, if a fraud such as disconnection and connection of the prepaid card is performed, the code written in the balance code area including the initial code will be encoded. Information that was destroyed,
This information becomes meaningless and effectively prevents fraud such as modification.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of the prepaid card of this embodiment. In the figure, 11 is a prepaid card main body, 12 is a two-dimensional recording code along one side 16 of the prepaid card main body 11 (in this example, a two-dimensional recording code is shown, but 4 digits are 1 unit data). It is an initial code area in which the money amount information is written together with the store issued by the ticket issuing machine and its date and time by the one-dimensional recording code). Further, in the initial code area 12, the same digit recording area of the balance code area described later is written. The coordinates of the recording start position and the recording direction are recorded in advance. 1
Reference numeral 4 is a two-dimensional recording code that is initially written in the initial code area 12 and represents, for example, amount information of "10000 yen". Reference numeral 15 is a display amount numeral representing the amount of "10000 yen" written along the other side 13 of the prepaid card body 11.

Numerals 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d are one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording codes which indicate the store where the remaining amount of the prepaid card in the process of using the prepaid card is processed by the prepaid card together with its date and time. Is the same-digit recording area (there are four because N = 4) of the balance code area in which the information 18 is written, and is on the other side 13 (which is orthogonal to the one side 16) of the prepaid card body 11. If the one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code is composed of a code represented by 4 bits, it is allocated to the same digit recording area of four balance code areas for each digit. That is, the lowest digit is the same digit recording area 17a, the next higher digit is the same digit recording area 17b, the next higher digit is the same digit recording area 17c, and the next higher digit is the same digit recording area 17d. It will be allocated for each. The same digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 1
The first recording start positions of 7c and 17d are recorded in the initial code area 12 in advance. In addition, the next recording is performed from the position next to the completion position of the previous recording.
20 is the content of the information 18 indicating the balance of the first and second times written by the one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code, "7.
"21" is a number representing "000 yen" and "4000 yen"
It is a number representing the content "0 yen" of the information indicating the balance of the final round written by the dimension recording code. Reference numeral 22 is an invisible recording / writing area, and 23 is key information written in the invisible recording / writing area 22.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a prepaid card which has been tampered with illegally. A part 24 of the prepaid card which has a small amount of initial set amount before use, in which the balance is not written, is used. It is connected and replaced with.
When such unauthorized modification is made, in the prepaid card of the present embodiment, the same-digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d of the balance code area including the initial code are arranged along the side 13 of the prepaid card body. Since they are provided, the same-digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17
The information 18 based on the one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code, which is the money amount information written in c and 17d, causes inconsistency in the one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code at the connecting piece S. That is, the recorded data has a damaged part in the middle, the information regarding the amount information of "10000 yen" written first cannot be correctly read, and the prepaid card after such modification becomes unusable, Unauthorized use due to such unauthorized modification can be prevented. Furthermore, invisible record 23
The writing area of A is also changed to 22A, which ensures prevention of illegal use.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the initial code area and the balance code area are disconnected and connected.
The data of No. 2 also includes the same data in the balance code area 17, so that fraud can be prevented.

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram showing the construction of the ticket issuing machine 31 for issuing the prepaid card of this embodiment.
Reference numeral 2 is an insertion hole for inserting the prepaid card in order to write the first amount information in the prepaid card in which nothing is written. 33 is a light projecting unit for reading the key information written in the invisible recording / writing area of the prepaid card inserted from the insertion hole 32, and 34 is the key information read from the change in the reflectance of the invisible recording / writing area 22. Is a reading unit for. These light projecting unit 33 and reading unit 34
And form an invisible mark reading head. Three
5 and 36 are prepaid card feeding rollers. 37
Is a write head for writing money amount information and information relating to ticket issuing on the prepaid card with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code, and 38 reads money amount information and information relating to ticket issuing written with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code. The read head 39 is a discharge hole of the prepaid card in which the amount information is written in the initial code area 12.

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram showing the construction of a prepaid card processing device 41 provided in an automatic vending machine capable of automatically selling goods or pachinko balls for lending using the prepaid card. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In this prepaid card processing device 41, unlike the ticket issuing machine which issues the prepaid card, the discharge hole 38 is provided.
Also serves as the insertion hole 32. The prepaid card inserted from the insertion hole 32 is fed from the left side to the right side of the inside of the prepaid card processing device 41 by the feed rollers 35 and 36 to a predetermined position, and then to the left side again. It is sent back and discharged from the discharge hole 38.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a microcomputer system for controlling the ticket issuing machine 31 and the prepaid card processing device 41. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 is a CPU, 52 is an operation section having various operation buttons, 53 is an input / output port for exchanging signals with the operation section, 54 is a ROM, 55 is a RAM, and 56 is a roller drive for driving a feed roller. , 57 is an amplifier, 58 is an input / output port for exchanging signals for controlling the roller driving section,
Reference numeral 59 is a display unit for displaying the balance of the prepaid card, the name of the purchased product, and the amount of money, and 60 is an interface of the display unit 59.

Reference numeral 61 denotes a money accounting processing unit for recognizing the amount of money to be inserted when the remaining amount of the prepaid card is insufficient and discharging change, and 62 a signal exchange with the money accounting processing unit 41. It is an interface to do. 6
Reference numeral 3 is an interface for exchanging signals with the read head 38, 64 is an interface for exchanging signals with the write head 37, and 65 is an interface for exchanging signals with the invisible mark read head.

In the ticket issuing machine 31, in the prepaid card inserted through the insertion hole 32, first, the key information written in the invisible recording / writing area 22 is read by the light projecting section 33 and the reading section 34 of the invisible mark reading head. Then, the money amount information corresponding to the amount of money inserted from the cash accounting processing unit 61 is coded according to the read key information together with the issuing place and date and time, and the two-dimensional recording code is made by the writing head 37 between the feed rollers 35 and 36. The information is written in the initial code area 12 as information, and the same digit recording area 17 is further added.
The coordinates of the recording start positions of a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, the recording direction thereof, and the like are also written and ejected from the ejection hole 39.

Further, in the prepaid card processing device 41, the prepaid card inserted from the insertion hole 32 is written in the initial code area 12 in the process of being fed from the left side to the right side by the feed rollers 35 and 36. The remaining amount code area 1 including the amount information and the initial code
Information indicating the balance written in 7 (however, the same code as the data of the initial code area 12 is also recorded in the balance code area 17), that is, four same-digit recording areas of the balance code area 17. 17a, 17b, 1
The amount information and the information indicating the remaining amount written in 7c and 17d are read. Further, the light projecting unit 33 and the reading unit 34
The key information written in the invisible record writing area 4 is read by the invisible mark reading head consisting of
Further, the start position coordinates and directions of the same-digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d which are recorded in the initial code area are read, and the read amount information is based on the start position information and the key information. The information indicating the remaining amount and the remaining amount is recognized, and the product purchase or the number of pachinko ball lending within the recognized remaining amount is permitted. At this time, the inserted prepaid card is stopped at the rightmost position.

When the product purchaser operates the operation keys of the operation unit 52 to purchase the product, the prepaid card that has been stopped at the rightmost position inside the prepaid card processing device until then reaches the position of the write head 37. The balance, which is sent and subtracts the amount of money required to purchase the product, together with the place of payment by the prepaid card and the date and time, is displayed in the same-digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d of the balance code area 17 indicating the remaining balance that has been written up to that point. Then they are written sequentially. In this case, the data is sequentially written from the next position where the previous recording is completed. After that, the prepaid card is further sent to the left side, and this time, the reading head 38 reads the information indicating the remaining amount written previously, and the verifying is executed to judge whether or not the thermal paper is colored and the remaining amount is correctly written. . As a result, when it is determined that the balance has been correctly written, the prepaid card is ejected from the ejection hole 39. If the thermal paper is not colored, it will be displayed as a modified prepaid card.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the initial code area is provided along one side on one side of the prepaid card, and the value information of the balance code includes the value information of the initial code. N pieces of the same-digit recording area of the N-divided balance code area written for each digit are arranged along the other side of the prepaid card intersecting the one side, and the same-digit recording area N is further provided. Since the recording start position and direction of each of the individual pieces are set in advance in the initial code area, unauthorized modification of the prepaid card will destroy the value information coded and written in the balance code area. As a result, it becomes unusable, which has the effect of effectively preventing unauthorized modification.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an illegally modified prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an illegally modified prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing machine that issues a prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of a prepaid card processing device provided in an automatic vending machine capable of automatically selling products using a prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microcomputer system that controls a ticket issuing machine and a prepaid card processing device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a conventional prepaid card.

FIG. 8 is a back view showing a conventional prepaid card.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional prepaid card.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 prepaid card body 12 initial code area 17 balance code area 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d same-digit recording area of balance code area

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display area G07F 7/08 G07F 7/08 Z

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid card in which coded value information is written, wherein the code has a data code structure in which one digit of a binary number is one segment and N segments (N is an integer of 2 or more) are one data unit. There is an initial code area in which the value information initially set to be held by the prepaid card provided as an area in which the coded value information is written is provided along one side of the prepaid card, and , A balance code area of the coded value information in the process of using the prepaid card, wherein the balance code area records only the same digit of each data code unit N
The same-digit recording area for each digit is provided along the other side of the prepaid card that intersects the one side, and the plurality of the same-digit recording areas are provided. A prepaid card, wherein each start position of the coded value information written in the same digit recording area for each digit is recorded in the initial code area. 2. The coded value information is information indicating at least the amount of money encoded by a one-dimensional or two-dimensional recording code, and at least the information indicating the initially set amount of money is stored in the initial code area. 2. The prepaid card according to claim 1, wherein the prepaid card is written in the balance code area, and the information indicating at least the balance in the process of using the prepaid card includes the information of the initial code area.