JPH09161031A - Card and card display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the power of a card and its display system expression and to make information visually and sesuously recognizable by arranging numerical information related to the degree of achievement, etc., as character pattern information in the order of transition. SOLUTION: When a card 5a is inserted into a reader/writer 6a, transition information is inputted from an IC module in the card 5a to a computer device 7a. When a pattern to be visual printing information is printed on a display part, the transition information is read out from the card 5a by the reader/writer 6a and inputted to the device 7a as transition information 10a. Then, numerical information is inputted. A retrieval table stored in retrieving information 15a is referred to, a message is selected from character information 13a based upon extracted information and a pattern is selected from pattern information 14a. Then, character information selected based upon the transition information and the selected pattern information are arranged. Visual printing information 11a is generated based upon the arrangement and printed on the display part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of card-using systems. The present invention is applicable to heat, light, magnetism,
A rewritable visual print information display function capable of recording and erasing the visual print information by applying energy such as electricity, and a magnetic information storage unit using a magnetic recording method, or an electrical device such as an IC module for an IC card. Using a card having a machine-readable information recording function such as a special information storage section or an optically recordable information recording function such as an optical information recording section of an optical card, for example, stored information on achievement level The present invention relates to a card display system for visually displaying a message so that it can be sufficiently transmitted to the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called point card system is known as a usage form of service information for a customer, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 2-34079.
The publication discloses a technology relating to a transaction point settlement system using a magnetic card, and writes a predetermined service point on the magnetic card according to the amount of money when a customer makes a purchase, or has already written it. There is a description of a system in which a host computer manages a service point received by a customer from a service point, such as deduction and deletion, through a reader / writer device for a magnetic card.

A technique for displaying service information for a customer so that the customer can see the information is disclosed, for example, in JP-A-61-161.
No. 273663 is cited. The publication discloses a technique relating to a system for displaying accumulated points on a receipt.

[0004]

The above-mentioned conventional techniques describe that the service information for the customer is managed by using a computer, and the improvement of the management function on the shop side or the improvement of the work efficiency is described. Although the effect of improvement can be seen, in the case of a magnetic card as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-34079, unless the customer goes to a store equipped with a reader / writer device, service information can be obtained only from the magnetic card itself. There is a problem that you cannot know.

Further, by recording service information such as cumulative points on a receipt as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-273663, the customer can know the service information by looking at the receipt. However, the receipt itself is just a printed matter, and the information once printed cannot be rewritten, and there is a problem that the customer needs to store the receipt. Furthermore, the conventional technology has a problem in that the information received by the customer is merely information regarding the service points, and the added value that the customer receives through the service information is lacking.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is not only to add points and to accumulate points, but also to sufficiently improve numerical expression of achievements such as achievements of scholastic ability tests, achievements of quizzes and games, etc. It is to be able to communicate. In addition, it is possible to further provide services to card users by using it as an illumination means or the like when a card owner who achieves a certain matter receives a privilege in various applications to which the present invention is applied.

[0007]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention provides that, in a card having a rewritable visual print information display section and a machine-readable information recording section, the pattern information and / or the character information selected based on the numerical information is a transition of the numerical information. Cards arranged in this order and displayed on the display unit. " According to the card of the present invention, the visual print information display section displays the pattern information and / or the character information selected based on the numerical information arranged in the order of transition of the numerical information. It becomes possible to perceive visually and sensuously, and it is possible to sufficiently convey numerical information regarding the achievement level.

The present invention relates to a card display system comprising a card, a reader / writer device, and a computer device, wherein the card is a rewritable visual print information display section, and a transition showing the transition of the visual print information. A recording unit for machine-readable information including information, wherein the reader / writer device has a printing function for the display unit of the card, a rewriting function for the printed information, and a recording function for the recording unit. The computer device has a function of reading information from a recording unit, and the computer device stores a plurality of pattern information and / or a plurality of character information in advance, and the pattern information and / or the selected pattern information based on the transition information and the numerical information. The visual print information arranged in the order of transition is generated from a plurality of character information, and the new transition information is included from the transition information and the numerical information. The machine-readable information is generated, the reader / writer device is controlled to print the generated visual print information on the display section of the card, and the generated machine-readable information is recorded in the recording section of the card. It is a card display system.

According to the card display system of the present invention, the card has a rewritable visual print information display section and a machine-readable information recording section including transition information indicating the transition of the visual print information. Machine-readable information is recorded in the recording unit by the reader / writer, and visual printing information can be printed and rewritten on the display unit. Further, since the visual print information is generated from the picture information and / or the character information selected by the computer device based on the transition information and the numerical information, the visual print information includes the transition of the numerical information and the content of the numerical information. The significance they have can be generated in a manner that is sufficiently communicable to the card user. The machine-readable information including the transition information recorded in the recording unit can be configured to be written in and read out from the host computer or the like (computer device in the office) based on the ID of the card. The purpose can be achieved by storing the information in either the recording unit or the host computer, but by storing the same information in both, the security against loss or alteration of information is improved.

The present invention is also a "card display system in which the display information is numerical data indicating a display stage".
According to the present invention, the data capacity can be made extremely small as compared with the case where the visual print information itself is used as the display information. Further, the present invention is a "card display system in which the numerical information is information indicating an achievement level". According to the present invention, since the numerical information is the information indicating the achievement level, the achievement level can be sufficiently transmitted to the card user.
The present invention exhibits a particularly remarkable effect in transmitting the achievement level.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration to which the card display system of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, 1 and 2 are stores A and B where the card display system of the present invention is installed, 3 is an office which is connected to these stores by a communication line and serves as an information center, and 4a and 4b are L.
Communication lines such as AN (Local Area Network) and public lines,
5a and 5b are cards of the present invention used in the card display system of the present invention. In each store A, B and office, 6a and 6b are reader / writers for the cards 5a and 5b, and 7a, 7b and 7c are computer devices which are components of the card display system.

The computer devices 7a, 7b and 7c are further composed of details, and 8a, 8b and 8c are CPUs.
It is a data processing means composed of (Central Processing Unit) and the like. Computer device 7 of each store A, B
In a and 7b, 9a and 9b are numerical information, 10a and 1
0b is transition information, 11a and 11b are visual print information, 12
a and 12b are machine-readable information. These are variable information that is input when an event such as a transaction occurs. Also, 1
3a and 13b are character information, 14a and 14b are picture information,
15a and 15b are search information. These are semi-fixed information registered in advance in the computer devices 7a and 7b. In the office computer device 7c,
16 is customer information, 17 is transaction information, 18 is product information, 1
Reference numeral 9 is facility information. These pieces of information are organized and registered in 20 databases, or called when necessary. The database 20 stores shared information such as information for integrated management of the stores A and B, statistical analysis information of events such as transactions, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a card used in the card display system of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 21 is a magnetic stripe on which magnetic recording is performed, 22 is an IC module having an IC memory, and 23 is an optical recording unit for performing optical recording and reading. The recording unit in the present invention includes the magnetic stripe 21 and the IC module 2.
2. It is composed of at least one optical recording unit 23.
Reference numeral 24 is a display unit on which visual print information is printed.
The details of the method of forming the rewritable display portion will be collectively described later. The display unit and the recording unit may be present on the same side or different sides of the card.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display portion of a card used in the card display system of the present invention and a display on the display portion. In FIG. 3, the entire display is assigned to one side of the card. In this example, both the pictures of the faces of a plurality of people around the display and the characters of the message in the center of the display are printed on the display. FIG. 3 (A)
In comparison with FIG. 3 (B), as shown by the face pattern 31e, the number of face patterns is increased by one, and the other face patterns remain unchanged. FIG. 3 (A) shows the state immediately before FIG. 3 (B), and shows a series of flows of the face picture and its increase. Further, the message is rewritten as shown in the message 32a and the message 32b.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the process of recording on the display section and the recording section of the card in the card display system of the present invention. Next, the operation of the card and the card display system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The above-mentioned FIG. 1 shows the case where the card display system of the present invention is applied to a store as an example. Therefore, the card 5a is a reader / writer for recording the information of points generated when a customer makes a purchase at the store. 6a is inserted. When the card display system of the present invention is applied to a regular medical examination in a medical institution or the like, the card 5a is used to record information relating to the medical examination instead of the point information.
Is inserted into the reader / writer 6a. Similarly, in the case of applying to an academic ability test in a junior college or school, a card 5a is inserted into the reader / writer 6a in order to record information relating to test results instead of point information.

When the card 5a is inserted into the reader / writer 6a in the process of recording on the display section and the recording section of the card shown in FIG. 4, first, the transition information from the recording section of the card 5a, for example, the IC module 22, is transferred to the computer device 7a. Entered in. The transition information is information indicating the transition of the visual print information printed on the display unit of the card 5a. Explaining with an example shown in FIG. 3, the stage before the start of the transition information is numerical data indicating that nothing is printed on the display unit. For example, “0” is stored in the storage location of the transition information of the IC module 22. It is stored. Next, when the picture 31a, which is the visual print information, is printed on the display unit, "1" indicating the first stage of the change information is stored in the storage location of the change information because it is the first picture. become. Such transition information is read from the card 5a by the reader / writer 6a,
It is input to the computer device 7a and becomes the transition information 10a (S1).

Next, the numerical information 9a is input. The numerical information 9a is numerical information such as the above-mentioned point information, information related to health examination, information related to test results, etc., and is a numerical value generated based on the events related to each. In the example of FIG. 3, it is the test result, and it is understood from the message that in the case of FIG. 3A, the final numerical information is 60 points, and in the case of FIG. 3B, the final numerical information is 100 points. Such numerical information is input to the computer device 7a from a keyboard, a cash register, a bar code reader, etc. and becomes numerical information 9a (S2). In the above explanation, the transition information 1
Although it has been described that the numerical information 9a is input after 0a is input, the order is not limited, and there is no difference in which order is performed first.

Next, the search table stored in the search information 15a (see FIG. 1) is referenced. The search table is a table showing information on messages and patterns corresponding to the numerical information 9a. For example, a table as shown in Table 1 below.

[Table 1] Numerical information message (text information) Picture information 90-100 M110 P110 70-89 M108 P108 50-69 M106 P106 30-49 M104 P104 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

In Table 1, each row is a set of information. For example, (90-100, M110, P11
0), (70 to 89, M108, P108), ... Is a set of information. A set of information is extracted from the search table based on the numerical information 9a. For example, when the numerical information 9a is "100" (M110,
P110) is extracted (S3).

By the way, it is assumed that the search information 15a (see FIG. 1) has a plurality of search tables instead of one. That is, it is assumed that the information of the message or the pattern forms a group and the search table exists for each group. For example, the display as shown in FIG. 3 is a display based on a certain group, and when it is based on another group, a completely different display can be performed. The group based on which the display is performed is determined by the meaning of the numerical information 9a. Therefore, when the transition information is “0”, the group name is input and stored in the recording unit, or when the transition information is not “0”, the group name is recorded depending on the meaning of the generation of the numerical information 9a. It is possible to refer to the search table by reading from the department and using it.

Next, (M1
10, P110), a message or a pattern is selected. "M110" and "P1" of (M110, P110)
10 "is code information for identifying a message or a picture. A message is selected from the character information 13a based on" M110 ", and a picture is selected from the picture information 14a based on" P110 "(S4). Next, the character information selected based on the transition information 10a and the selected pattern information are arranged.In the example shown in FIG.
The arrangement is determined such that the selected pattern information is printed at the position to be printed next based on 0a. In addition, the selected character information is rewritten so that the selected character information is printed in the area after the message, which is already printed information, is erased (S).
5).

Next, the visual print information 11a is generated based on the above arrangement. The visual print information 11a is data of a print image of the selected character information and the selected picture information, and is normally generated as bitmap data (S6). Next, machine-readable information 12a that is machine-readable information based on the numerical information 9a and the transition information 10a.
Is generated. The machine read information 12a is data recorded in the recording unit. The machine read information 12a may be the numerical information 9a itself, in which case the numerical information 9a is arranged at the end of the data array of past numerical information. Since the data array of this numerical information is the transition information 10a itself,
When the machine read information 12a is generated in this way, it can be considered that the transition information 10a is included. Further, it may be the sum total of the numerical information that has occurred in the past, and in the case of the total sum, the numerical information 9a is added to the total sum so far to generate a new total sum. In this case, machine read information 1
2a is composed of this sum and new transition information (S7).

As described above, the visual print information 11a and the machine read information 12a generated by the computer device 7a.
Is output to the reader / writer 6a, and is output to the card 5a by the reader / writer 6a. That is, the visual print information 11a is printed on the display unit (for example, the display unit 24 in FIG. 2), and the machine read information 12a is the recording unit (for example, one of the magnetic stripe 21, the IC module 22, and the optical recording unit 23 in FIG. 2). Recorded in.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the pattern 31e is printed in the print area next to the pattern 31d, and the pattern shown in FIG.
The message in the message area 32a of “60 Ten,
Rewrite "Iki Iki" into the message "100 Ten, I've done my best" in the message area 32b in Fig. 3 (B) (S8). The book in the process of recording on the card display section and recording section The operation of the card and the card display system of the present invention will be described, and the operation of the card and the card display system of the present invention in the process of registering the character pattern data and the conversion table will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the registration process of the character / pattern data and the conversion table in the card and card display system of the present invention. Character data is created in advance as a text file using an editor, word processor, Japanese input front-end processor, etc. Similarly, for the design data, a graphic file is created by drawing CAD, or a design drawn on paper is read by a scanner to create an image file. Then, the character data and the pattern data are input to the computer device 7a. The input character data and picture data are classified into groups, and a name by a code is given to each unit in the group (S11). Next, a search table is created. The search table is, for example, a table as shown in Table 1, and is composed of a set of the name of the picture data and the name of the character data selected corresponding to the numerical information. Such a search table is created (S12). Next, the character data is used as the character information 13a, and the design data is used as the design information 14a.
And the search table is registered in the search information 15a (S13).

Next, a method of constructing the display portion of the card will be described. (Low-molecular composite resin) A display medium in which a heating element layer is provided on a plastic substrate, a recording layer in which an organic low-molecular substance is granularly dispersed in a polymer film is provided thereon, and a protective layer is further covered. Has been proposed (for example, JP-A-61-2588).
No. 53). The white turbid recording layer made of this composite resin becomes transparent when heated to an intermediate temperature, and the transparency is maintained even after returning to room temperature. However, when this state is heated to a high temperature, it becomes an opaque white turbid state, and even after returning to room temperature, the state is maintained and a reversible state change is exhibited. Therefore, a transparent character pattern is recorded by heating at a medium temperature with a thermal head, and is visualized as black characters if the back of the recording layer is black. To erase this character, simply heat the character part at high temperature. Typical combinations of the above resins include vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer and alkyl acrylate, alkyl (meth) acrylate and vinylidene fluoride resin, vinyl methyl ketone and vinylidene fluoride resin, and the like. One may be a low molecular weight polymer.

(Leuco dye) When an acidic substance comes into contact with a leuco dye having a lactone ring, the lactone ring is opened to develop a color. When a basic substance comes into contact with the colored leuco dye, the lactone ring is closed to return to a colorless leuco body. This reversible reaction can be achieved by controlling the temperature of a colorless leuco dye mixed with a color-developing agent. Examples of the color-developing agent include salts of gallic acid and higher aliphatic amines, salts of dihydroxybenzoic acid and aliphatic amines, and leuco compounds such as crystal violet lactone. Therefore, if the leuco dye and the color-developing / reducing agent are retained in the recording layer, the color can be developed by a dynamic heat medium such as a thermal head, and the color can be erased by a static heat medium such as a heat roll or a hot stamp. Can be made.

(Polymer liquid crystal) A change in the alignment state of the side chain type polymer liquid crystal can be reversibly caused by heating / cooling. That is, when the cloudy side-chain polymer liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer glass state is rapidly cooled by heating, it becomes a transparent liquid crystal in the isotropic phase glass state, and when the liquid crystal in the isotropic phase glass state is heated and cooled, the original liquid crystal phase glass state is obtained. Return to. By using the above-mentioned polymer liquid crystal in the recording layer, recording can be performed with a thermal head at a sensitivity comparable to that of thermal paper, and erasing can be performed using a heat roller or the like.

(Liquid crystal / polymer composite film) A liquid crystal / polymer composite film is provided on a conductive substrate, and the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is disturbed by heating to make it cloudy, and the original alignment is restored by applying an electric field. It can be returned and made transparent. A conventional smectic liquid crystal is used as a liquid crystal substance by being encapsulated in microcapsules and dispersed in a polymer matrix such as polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate or polyvinyl alcohol. A recording medium using this can be written by a heating means such as a thermal head, and can be erased by applying an electric field using electrodes or corona discharge.

(Magnetic powder) Flake-shaped magnetic powder sensitive to a magnetic field and a vehicle for suspending it are enclosed in a microcapsule, and the microcapsule is fixed on a black substrate with a binder to form a magnetic field. A display medium has been proposed (for example, JP-A-5-16578). In the display portion of this display medium, the magnetic powder is vertically aligned in the state of the vertical magnetic field with respect to the substrate, the incident light is absorbed by the substrate, and it appears black, and the state is maintained. However, when a horizontal magnetic field is applied to the substrate, the magnetic powder is horizontally oriented and blocks the light incident on the substrate, so that the display portion looks bright. Characters are recorded due to this difference in brightness. Writing and erasing of data on this display section can be performed by a magnetic head. The above-mentioned vehicle dissolves polyvinyl butyral, polymethacrylic acid ester, ethyl cellulose, etc. in a hydrophobic liquid which is a mixture of polar liquids such as fatty acid ester, alcohol ester, oxyacid ester and low volatility aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. It was done.

(Substance showing photochromism) A series of organic compounds which change from colorless or pale yellow to blue, purple, etc. by ultraviolet rays or visible light of short wavelength and return to the original color in the dark, for example, various hydrazones, There are derivatives such as osazone, fulgide and stilbene, as well as salicylaldehyde, spiropyran, and biimidazolyl. Among these, those exhibiting thermochromism (reversible discoloration similar to photochromism caused by heat) in solid or solution, and piezochromism. Some exhibit (reversible discoloration caused by pressurization).

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, numerical information relating to achievement of achievements such as achievements of scholastic ability tests, achievements of quizzes and games, as well as point addition and accumulation, is transferred as character pattern information. Are arranged in order. Therefore, the expressive power is improved, the visual and sensory perception can be realized, and the numerical information can be sufficiently transmitted to the card user. Further, in various applications to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to provide a card user with a further service by using it as an illumination means or the like when a card holder who achieves a certain matter receives a privilege. Further, according to the present invention in which the display information is numerical data indicating the display stage, the data capacity can be made extremely small as compared with the case where the visual print information itself is used as the display information. Further, according to the present invention in which the numerical information is the information indicating the achievement level, the achievement level can be sufficiently transmitted to the user of the card, and there is a particularly remarkable operation effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration to which a card display system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a card used in the card display system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display section of a card used in the card display system of the present invention and display on the display section.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of recording on a display unit and a recording unit of a card in the card display system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a registration process of character / pattern data and a conversion table in the card and the card display system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 store A 2 store B 3 office 4a, 4b communication line 5a, 5b card 6a, 6b reader / writer 7a, 7b, 7c computer device 8a, 8b, 8c processing means 9a, 9b numerical information 10a, 10b transition information 11a, 11b Visual printing information 12a, 12b Machine-readable information 13a, 13b Character information 14a, 14b Picture information 15a, 15b Search information 16 Customer information 17 Transaction information 18 Product information 19 Facility information 20 Database 21 Magnetic stripe 22 IC module 23 Optical recording part 24 Display Part 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e Picture 32a, 32b Message

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A card having a rewritable visual print information display section and a machine-readable information recording section, wherein pattern information and / or character information selected on the basis of numerical information indicates a transition of the numerical information. A card that is arranged in order and displayed on the display unit. 2. A card display system comprising a card, a reader / writer device, and a computer device, wherein the card includes a rewritable visual print information display portion and transition information indicating a transition of the visual print information. A machine-readable information recording unit including the reader / writer device, a printing function for the display unit of the card, a rewriting function for the printed information, and a recording unit for the information and the recording unit. The computer device stores in advance a plurality of picture information and / or a plurality of character information, and the picture information and / or the plurality of picture information selected based on the transition information and the numerical information. The machine reading that generates visual print information arranged in transition order from character information and includes new transition information from the transition information and the numerical information Generate possible information, and control the reader / writer device to print the generated visual print information on the display unit of the card and record the generated machine-readable information in the recording unit of the card, A card display system characterized in that 3. The card display system according to claim 2, wherein the transition information is numerical data indicating a display stage. 4. The card display system according to claim 2, wherein the numerical information is information indicating a degree of achievement.