JPH08185501A - Prepaid card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent illegal forgery by arranging a remainder code area in a specified shape to write the value information for plural digits for every digit along the sides of the card and writing the information with a start position to be decided by ciphered information as the reference. CONSTITUTION: The same digit recording areas 17a-17d of remainder code area 17 on a main body 1 of the prepaid card are provided with respectively different outer peripheral shapes composed of plural curved lines, and arranged along sides 13 of the main body 1 of the prepaid card. When a two-dimensional recording code is composed of a code expressed by four bits, for example, the same digit recording area is allocated for every digit and information 18 showing the shop, where amount playing processing is performed by the prepaid card, and its date and time is written. Further, the value information written in these same digit recording areas 17a-17d while being separated for every digit of each unit data is written with the start position, which is ciphered and decided by start position information corresponding to key information 23 in an invisible record writing area 22, as the reference.

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.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the structure of a conventional prepaid card in which the two-dimensional recording code (two-dimensional graphic 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 number of the displayed amount and 3 are the two-dimensional recording code and the displayed amount together with information such as the store and the date and time when the prepaid card paid the amount information indicating the remaining amount in the process of using the prepaid card. Is a balance code area to be written by the number and is additionally written downward in parallel with the initial code area 2.

FIG. 10 is a back side view showing the back side 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 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. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the prepaid card body 1, wherein 5 and 6 are surface layers 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 codes in the initial code area 2 and the remaining money code area 3 and the numbers of the displayed amounts thereof are displayed because the ink becomes visible when the heat-sensitive layer 7 is heated.

[0006]

Since the conventional prepaid card is constructed as described above, for example, in FIG. 9, the prepaid card 1 is cut laterally 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 unit data, and is provided as an area along one side of the prepaid card in which the coded value information is written. The initial code area in which the value information that is initially set to be held by the prepaid card is written and only the same digit of each data code unit of the coded value information in the process of using the prepaid card is recorded. There are N identical digit recording areas for each digit, and N identical digit recording areas are provided along the other side intersecting the one side of the prepaid card, and each identical digit recording area is 2 A remaining money code area having different outer peripheral shapes, each of which is divided in a three-dimensional curve coordinate and recorded in the divided area; Wherein the start position determination information for determining the start position of the license information to be written to the same digit recording area has a written start position determination information area. Further, the prepaid card according to the present invention does not include the initial code area,
The value information of the initial card area is first written in the same digit recording area.

[0009]

The prepaid card according to the present invention is sequentially recorded in each area composed of a plurality of areas divided by curvilinear coordinates into N identical digit recording areas in which each value of the value information in the balance code area is written. , N same-digit recording areas each having a different outer peripheral shape are arranged along the other side intersecting with one side of the prepaid card, and each unit data is stored in the N same-digit recording areas. Since the start position of the value information separately written for each digit of is determined by the start position determination information written in the start position determination information area, the value information will be encrypted and written, If a modification such as disconnection and connection of the prepaid card is made, the coordinate curve that divides the same digit recording area is intersected with the connecting surface at multiple points, and , Encrypted license information written is destroyed in the balance code area, these value information is effectively prevent illegal such modifications become meaningless. Further, even if the initial code area is eliminated and the area is written in the balance code area, the same operation is performed and fraud can be effectively prevented.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first 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 body, 12 is one side 1 of the prepaid card body 11.
An initial code area in which the amount information is written together with the two-dimensional recording code (two-dimensional graphic code) along with 6 and the date and time when the store issued the ticket issuing machine, and 14 is the initial code area 1
It is a two-dimensional recording code that represents the amount information of "10000 yen" first written in 2. 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.

Information 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d is a two-dimensional recording code that indicates, together with the date and time, the store that performed the amount payment processing using the prepaid card for the remaining amount held by the prepaid card in the process of using the prepaid card. 4 of remaining money code areas 17 each having a different outer peripheral shape composed of a plurality of curved lines written in
Pre-paid card body 1
It is arranged along the other side 13 of 1 (which is orthogonal to the one side 16). For example, when the two-dimensional recording code is composed of a code represented by 4 bits, four identical digit recording areas are allocated to each digit. That is, the lowest digit is the same digit recording area 17
a, 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. 20 is the content of the information 18 indicating the balance of the first and second times written by the two-dimensional recording code "70
A numeral representing "00 yen" and "4000 yen", and a numeral 21 represents the content "0 yen" of the information indicating the balance of the final round written by the two-dimensional 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 an illicitly modified prepaid card, in which the portion 24 is a portion of the prepaid card in which the remaining amount is not written and the initial set amount before use is small. It is connected and replaced with.
When such unauthorized modification is made, the prepaid card of this embodiment has the same-digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17.
Since c and 17d are provided along the side 13 of the prepaid card body, the same-digit recording areas 17a, 17b,
The information 18 based on the two-dimensional recording code, which is the money amount information written in 17c and 17d, causes inconsistency in the two-dimensional recording code at the connection portion S. That is, since the curve of the horizontal curved coordinate and the cutting line are crossed and connected at a plurality of places, a damaged portion is generated as recorded data, and information about the amount of money of "10000 yen" written first is obtained. The prepaid card cannot be read properly, and the prepaid card after such modification becomes unusable, so that it is possible to prevent unauthorized use due to such unauthorized modification. Furthermore, invisible record 23A
The writing area of is also changed to 22A, which ensures prevention of unauthorized use.

FIG. 3 shows the key information written in the invisible recording / writing area 22 and the four-divided balance code area 17 which is predetermined according to the key information.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a table TL showing the relationship with the start position information indicating the start position of the value information written for each digit in the same-digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d of FIG. The amount information written in the balance code area 17 is determined in advance as being sequentially written in a predetermined direction. This table TL is stored in the ROM 54 of the microcomputer system that controls the ticket issuing machine 31 and the prepaid card processing device 41 described later.

FIG. 4 shows the start of the value information written for each digit in the four-divided identical-digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d according to the key information written in the invisible recording writing area 22. It is explanatory drawing which shows a position, and when the said key information is "0,0,0", the start position is (a), (b), (c), (d) of FIG.
As shown in, the operation starts from the upper left "0" position in the same digit recording area. When the key information is "1, 0, 1", the start position is (a), (b) in FIG.
As shown in (c) and (d), it starts from the lower left "6" position of the same digit recording area. The start position may be different for each same digit recording area.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the structure of the prepaid card of the present embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In the prepaid card of this embodiment, the initial code area is not provided, instead,
The value information of the initial code area is shown when it is included in the balance code area. The same digit recording area has different outer peripheral shapes configured by being divided by a plurality of curved coordinates,
The same digit recording areas 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d
Information as an initial code area regarding the amount information of “10000 yen” that is first written in is also recorded.

FIG. 6 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 writing head for writing money amount information and information relating to the ticket issuance on a prepaid card with a two-dimensional recording code,
Reference numeral 38 is a reading head for reading the money amount information written in a two-dimensional recording code and information relating to the ticket issuing, and 39 is a discharge hole of the prepaid card in which the money amount information is written in the initial code area.

FIG. 7 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. 7, parts that are the same as those shown in FIG. 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. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microcomputer system for controlling the ticket issuing machine 31 and the prepaid card processing device 41. In FIG.
1 is a CPU, 52 is an operation unit having various operation buttons, 53 is an input / output port for exchanging signals with the operation unit, 54 is a ROM storing the table TL, 55 is a RAM, 5
6 is a roller driving unit for driving the feed roller, 57 is an amplifier, 58 is an input / output port for exchanging signals for controlling the roller driving unit, and 59 is the balance of the prepaid card or the name and price of the purchased product. A display unit for displaying
Reference numeral 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 and discharged from the discharge hole 39. In this case, each information to be written is written from the start position obtained by referring to the table TL.

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. Information about the remaining amount and information indicating the remaining amount written in the remaining amount code area 17, that is, the same digit recording area 17 having different outer peripheral shapes composed of a plurality of curves.
Amount information written in a, 17b, 17c, and 17d and information indicating the balance are read. Furthermore, the light projecting section 3
The key information written in the invisible recording / writing area 4 is read by the invisible mark reading head including the reading unit 3 and the reading unit 34, and based on the key information, the read amount information and the information indicating the remaining amount are recognized. , Furthermore, permitting the purchase of goods or the number of pachinko ball lending within the range of this recognized balance. 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 remaining amount, which is sent and subtracts the amount of money required to purchase the product, is recorded in the same digit area 17a, 17 together with the place of payment by the prepaid card and the date and time.
It is written next to the information indicating the remaining balance of b, 17c, and 17d that has been written so far. In this case, each information to be written is written with reference to the start position obtained by referring to the table TL, and information such as numbers is successively written downward. 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. . In this case, the information is also read based on the start position. 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. Although the start position key information is in the invisible recording / writing area 22, it may be included in the initial code area.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the N remaining balance code areas written into each digit of the value information of N digits of data are divided into a plurality of curves and configured differently. It is composed of N same-digit recording areas having an outer peripheral shape and is arranged and provided along the one side of the prepaid card, and the writing or reading of the value information is an encrypted start position. Since it is performed based on the start position determined by the determination information, if the prepaid card is illegally modified, the value information coded and written in the same digit recording area will be destroyed and it will be unusable. There is an effect that illegal modification can be effectively prevented. In particular, since the same-digit recording area is divided by a curved line, if the card is cut due to fraud, the surface crosses at a plurality of points, which makes fraud difficult.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a tampered prepaid card according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is the key information written in the invisible recording / writing area and the number 4 which is predetermined according to the key information.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the table which shows the relationship with the start position information which shows the start position of the value information written for every digit in the divided value information code area.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a start position of value information written for each digit in a four-divided value information code area according to key information written in the invisible recording / writing area.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a prepaid card according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 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. 7 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of a prepaid card processing device provided in an automatic vending machine capable of automatically selling products by using a prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microcomputer system that controls a ticket issuing machine and a prepaid card processing device.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a conventional prepaid card.

FIG. 10 is a back view showing a conventional prepaid card.

FIG. 11 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 record area of balance code area 22 invisible record write area 23 key information

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G07F 7/12 G07F 7/08 C

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 segment (N is an integer of 2 or more) is one unit data. 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 In the process of using the prepaid card, the data digit of the coded value information has the same digit recording area for each N digits for recording only the same digit of each unit. N same-digit recording areas are provided along the other side of the prepaid card that intersects the one side, and each same-digit recording area is a two-dimensional curve. Remaining amount code areas each having a different outer peripheral shape and divided into coordinates and recorded in the divided areas, and start position determination information for determining the start position of the value information written in the N same-digit recording areas. And a start position determination information area in which is written. 2. The prepaid card according to claim 1, wherein the value information of the initial card area is first written in the same digit recording area instead of having the initial code area.