JPH09277767A - Product to be sensed for checking its genuinness and checking method for product to be sensed - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a product to be sensed such as a prepaid card for which the forgery or alteration is difficult to manipulate. SOLUTION: A product 10 to be sensed is provided with magnetic layers 12 and 13 to be laminated on a base 11, and a data recording section is provided on the data recording magnetic layer 12. The magnetic layer 12 is composed of a magnetic material of highly coersive force for recording and regenerating the data magnetically. The magnetic layer 13 for a scanning area is formed by mixing magnetic body particles 21 of low coercive force and high magnetic permeability into a binder 20. The scanning area provided with light and shade variation is formed on a given position of the magnetic layer 13 so that the density of the magnetic body particles 21 is random in the scanning direction. Sensing signals of analog wave form can be provided by scanning magnetically on the scanning area. The sensing signals are enciphered by a specified algorithm and registered on a data recording section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, for example, a prepaid card for purchasing a ticket, a payment card at various pay facilities, a public telephone card, etc., is required to prevent forgery and its authenticity is checked. The present invention relates to an object to be detected and a method of checking the object to be detected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One example of a conventional prepaid card is magnetically reading data in a scanning area set at a predetermined position of the card when the card is issued, and encrypting digital data according to the contents of the scanning area to obtain the card data. I try to register in the recording section. Then, when the card is used (when checking the authenticity of the card), the scanning area is magnetically scanned again, and the data in the data recording section is read. Deciding.

[0003]

However, since the conventional card has digital data relatively easy to read registered in the scanning area, it is relatively easy to read the contents of the scanning area for the purpose of illegal use of the card. Yes, again
Digital data has been unsatisfactory in preventing counterfeiting or alteration of the card, such as the limited types of data that can be expressed. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an object to be detected and a method of checking the object which can make illegal use such as forgery and alteration more difficult.

[0004]

The object to be detected of the present invention developed to achieve the above object is an object to be detected having a magnetic layer laminated on a base material, wherein the magnetic layer is a binder. It is configured by mixing a large number of magnetic particles therein, and the density of the magnetic particles at a predetermined position of the magnetic layer is varied so that the amount per unit area of the magnetic particles becomes random at least in the scanning direction. While providing a scanning area in which the magnetic particles are distributed with a change, an analog waveform obtained according to the distribution state of the magnetic particles when magnetically scanning the scanning area is coded by a specific algorithm. A data recording section for registering is registered.

For example, in the case of a prepaid card whose base material is card-like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or paper, punch holes are formed in the scanning area according to the usage of the card, and the scanning area in which the punch holes are formed is again magnetized. It is advisable to scan the data and register it in the data recording unit. The prepaid card of the present invention is substantially composed of a thin base material such as paper or synthetic resin and fine magnetic particles,
It is easy to punch holes in the scanning area.

The data recording section may be provided in a magnetic layer different from the magnetic layer in the scanning area, or both the scanning area and the data recording section may be provided in a common magnetic layer. For example, as described in claim 2, the data recording portion is constituted by a data recording magnetic layer containing a magnetic material having a high coercive force capable of magnetically recording / reproducing data, and the data recording magnetic layer is used for the scanning region. May be laminated on the magnetic layer.
In this case, as the magnetic particles used for the magnetic layer for the scanning region, powder or fine magnetic metal in the form of fine needles, fibers, microflakes, or the like is suitable. As the magnetic metal, a magnetically soft magnetic material having a low coercive force and a high magnetic permeability is recommended. For example, magnetic materials such as permalloy, sendust, Co-based amorphous, and soft ferrite can be used.

When both the scanning area and the data recording section are provided in the common magnetic layer, for example, as described in claim 3, the magnetic particles in the magnetic layer magnetically record data.
It consists of a reproducible magnetic material with a high coercive force, and a scanning area in which magnetic particles are randomly distributed is provided in a part of this magnetic layer, and the distribution of magnetic particles is substantially in other parts of this magnetic layer. It is advisable to provide a data recording unit that magnetically records data at a constant rate. If such a single magnetic layer is used, the structure becomes simpler and the cost can be further reduced.

The checking method of the present invention includes a creation process for creating an object to be detected and a collation process for checking the object to be detected when the object is used. , A coating step of coating a base material with a magnetic layer material in which a large number of magnetic particles are mixed in a binder, and at least the density of the magnetic particles is scanned by applying an irregular external magnetic field before the binder is cured. Randomizing step that gives a density change to the density of the magnetic particles so as to be randomly distributed in the direction, and a unique analog waveform corresponding to the random distribution state of the magnetic particles by magnetically scanning the scanning area. A scanning step for obtaining a detection signal, and a data writing step for encoding the obtained detection signal by a specific algorithm and registering it in the data recording section The collation process includes a scanning step of magnetically scanning the scanning region to obtain a detection signal of a unique analog waveform according to a random distribution state of the magnetic particles, and the obtained detection signal. It is provided with a discrimination step of collating with the data registered in the data recording section and determining that the detected object is authentic when both correspond.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. An object to be detected 10 shown in FIG. 2 has a card-shaped base material 11 mainly made of synthetic resin (non-magnetic material) such as paper or PET, and a magnetic layer 12 for data recording and a magnetic layer 12 for data recording on the base material 11. The magnetic layer 13 for the scanning region is laminated in the thickness direction. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the data recording magnetic layer 12 is superposed on the base material 11, but the present invention is not limited to such a laminated structure. For example, the magnetic layer 13 for the scanning region is provided on the base material 11. The data recording magnetic layer 12 may be overlaid and further overlaid thereon.

For the magnetic layer 12 for data recording, a magnetic layer material in which a magnetic powder having a high coercive force (ferromagnetic powder) is mixed substantially uniformly in a binder is applied to the base material 11, and the binder is dried. It is fixed to the base material 11 by being hardened, and data described later can be magnetically recorded and reproduced in the data recording portion 14 set in a predetermined area of the magnetic layer 12.

As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the magnetic layer 1 for the scanning region
In No. 3, a magnetic layer material in which a large number of magnetic particles 21 having high magnetic permeability and low coercive force are mixed in a binder 20 made of a polymer material is applied to the magnetic layer 12 and dried and cured. An example of the magnetic particles 21 has a particle size of about 10 μm.
It has the following powder, needle-like, fibrous or minute flake shape, such as permalloy, sendust, Co.
Magnetic materials that are magnetically soft and have high magnetic permeability (ferromagnetic materials) such as amorphous type and soft ferrite are suitable.

A specific area of the magnetic layer 13 is used as the scanning area 25. In this case, the density distribution of the magnetic particles 21 is varied so that the mixing amount of the magnetic particles 21 per unit area at least in the scanning region 25 is random in the scanning direction and the width direction. It should be noted that the entire scanning area 2 of the magnetic layer 13 is formed.
The magnetic particles 21 may be randomly distributed as shown in FIG.

As means for changing the density of the magnetic particles 21 in the process of manufacturing the object to be detected 10, before the binder 20 is cured, for example, as shown in FIG.
A magnetic head 31 such as the magnetic field generating means 30 shown in FIG.
To provide an external magnetic field having an irregular cycle or strength, or to arrange a large number of minute magnets 36 irregularly on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 35 as in the magnetic field generating means 30 shown in FIG. 4 (B). A random external magnetic field is applied using the magnetized roller 37. If the magnet 36 is attached to the roller body 35 via a displaceable support member such as a spring and the magnet 36 is displaced irregularly as the magnetizing roller 37 rotates, the randomness is further enhanced. Become.

The magnetic layer 13 has fluctuations in the density of the magnetic particles 21 as schematically shown in FIG. The density of the magnetic particles 21 is high in the black portion in the figure, and the density is low in the white portion. The detected object 10 having such a density distribution of the magnetic particles 21 has a magnetic property (for example, magnetic permeability distribution) unique to each detected object 10 as if it were a human fingerprint. The output obtained when the scanning device 25 is magnetically scanned by the processing device 50, that is, the information corresponding to the detection signal of the unique analog waveform obtained according to the distribution state of the magnetic particles 21 is a specific algorithm. It is encoded by and is registered in the data recording unit 14. As another example of the data recording unit 14, a bar code or OC
An optically readable recording medium such as the letter for R may be used.

An example of the processing device 50 shown in FIG. 5 includes a housing 55 and a transfer mechanism 56. Transfer mechanism 56
Is transferred by a transfer member 57 using a belt, a roller, or the like.
The detection object 10 is moved at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow F in the figure. A magnetic sensor 60 is provided in the middle of the movement path of the detection object 10. The magnetic sensor 60 is
The first MR element 61 and the second MR element 62 are connected to the detected object 1
The magnets 63 are arranged behind the MR elements 61 and 62 while being arranged in the moving direction of 0, so that the change in permeability can be detected when the scanning region 25 is scanned in the direction of arrow F. The MR elements 61 and 62 are electrically connected to each other, and the MR elements 61 and 62 are
Further, the magnetic field of the same strength is applied by the magnet 63. The first MR element 61 is a controller 80 described below.
It is connected to the. The second MR element 62 is connected to the DC power supply circuit 65.

The scanning area 25 is formed in the vicinity of the MR elements 61 and 62.
, The output voltage V _out changes as the position of the magnetic particles 21 in the scanning region 25 changes in the scanning direction. That is, the scanning area 25 moves in the direction of arrow F, and MR
Since the magnetic particles 21 pass near the elements 61 and 62, the MR particles are distributed according to the distribution density (shading) of the magnetic particles 21.
As the magnetic flux passing through the elements 61 and 62 changes with time and the resistance values R ₁ and R ₂ of the MR elements 61 and 62 differ, an output voltage V _out having an analog waveform specific to the scanning region 25 is obtained. To be

The processing device 50 includes a controller 80 using a microcomputer or the like, a code writing unit 81 for recording the following encryption code in the data recording unit 14 of the detected object 10, and a data recording unit 14. A code reading unit 82 for reading the code is provided.
The code writing section 81 and the reading section 82 are connected to a read / write circuit 83. The controller 80
It includes an A / D converter 90, a comparator 91, an encryption code converter 92, and the like. Display 95 on controller 80
Is connected.

Next, the operation of the detection object 10 and the processing device 50 will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of a process for creating the detection object 10. In the base material manufacturing step S1, a card-shaped base material 11 is manufactured from a nonmagnetic material such as synthetic resin or paper. Application step S
In step 2, as shown in FIG. 8A, the material of the data recording magnetic layer 12 is applied to the base material 11 and dried and cured.
After that, as shown in FIG. 8B, the material of the magnetic layer 13 for the scanning region (binder 20 mixed with many magnetic particles 21) is applied onto the magnetic layer 12. At this stage, the distribution density of the magnetic particles 21 is substantially constant throughout.

Then, in the randomizing step S3,
Before the binder 20 is cured (when it is in a fluid state)
Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, the magnetic field generating means 30 gives an external magnetic field having an irregular period and strength to the magnetic particles 21 so that the distribution density of the magnetic particles 21 becomes random. Add shade. In this case, the magnetic particles 21 are concentrated on the portion exposed to the strong magnetic field, and the density is increased. Then, the binder 20 is dried and cured, so that the magnetic particles 21 are fixed and the detected object 10 as schematically shown in FIG. 8D is completed. Alternatively, a magnetic film having the same structure as the magnetic layers 12 and 13 may be produced, and the magnetic film may be attached to a base material by an appropriate fixing means such as adhesion.

In the scanning step S4 of FIG. 6, the processing device 50 magnetically scans the scanning region 25 to obtain a detection signal of a unique analog waveform corresponding to the random distribution state of the magnetic particles 21. That is, the detection object 10 is moved in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 5 by the transfer mechanism 56, and the magnetic sensor 60 detects the change in the output voltage due to the change in the magnetic permeability of the scanning region 25. A detection signal having a random analog waveform is obtained according to the distribution state of the body particles 21.

In the encryption step S5, the detection signal is encrypted by the code converter 92 according to a specific algorithm according to the magnitude of the output. In the data writing step S6, the code writing unit 81 records the encryption code thus obtained in the data recording unit 14 as a digital value, for example.

When the detected object 10 is used, it is checked whether the detected object 10 is authentic or not. Figure 7
2 shows an example of a collation process for checking the authenticity of the object 10. In the case of this example, in the scanning step S11, the scanning region 25 of the object to be detected 10 is magnetically scanned by the processing device 50 in the same manner as the case of the creation process, and the analog according to the random distribution of the magnetic particles 21 is obtained. Obtain a waveform output signal. Then, this output signal is processed based on the same algorithm as in the above-described creation process to obtain a unique detection signal corresponding to the detected object 10.

Further, in the code reading step S12, the code reading unit 82 reads the encryption code recorded in the data recording unit 14. In the code reproducing step S13, the read code is decrypted by the cipher code converter 92 based on a predetermined algorithm to reproduce the collating code.

In the discrimination step S14, the comparison code and the detection signal detected in the scanning step S11 are compared by the comparator 91, and when they correspond to each other, it is determined that the object 10 to be detected is a genuine article. It

In the case of such an object 10 to be detected, since the information of the scanning area 25 is expressed by an analog waveform,
It is difficult to illegally decode the data as compared with the case where the data is expressed by a digital magnetization pattern, and therefore, the data in the scanning area 25 and the registered content of the data recording unit 14 are matched with each other for the person who attempts the illegal use. Will be difficult. Since the detected object 10 causes the magnetic particles 21 to change in shade by the external magnetic field while the binder of the magnetic layer 13 is in a flowing state,
The degree of characterization of the scanning region 25 (randomness) is high, and the reproducibility of the detection signal is excellent.

When the detected object 10 is a prepaid card,
Data is recorded by re-encrypting the analog waveform detection signal obtained by punching a punch hole in the scanning area 25 according to the usage status (remaining amount, etc.) of the card, and then rescanning the scanning area 25 after punching the punch hole. It may be registered in the section 14. By doing so, the detection signals obtained by the scanning region 25 can be made more diverse, and forgery becomes more difficult.

Although the data recording magnetic layer 12 and the scanning region magnetic layer 13 are laminated on the substrate 11 in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a single layer as shown in FIG. The data recording portion 14 and the scanning area 25 may be provided on the magnetic layer 100. The magnetic layer 100 in this case uses magnetic particles made of a ferromagnetic material having a high coercive force capable of magnetically recording / reproducing data. A part of the magnetic layer 100 has a magnetic material similar to that in the above embodiment. A scanning area 25 in which particles are distributed with random density changes is provided, and data is magnetically recorded in a portion other than the scanning area 25 of the magnetic layer 100 with a substantially constant distribution of magnetic particles. A data recording unit 14 is provided. With such a single-layer structure, the structure becomes simpler and the cost can be further reduced.

[0028]

According to the present invention, since the scanning region is constituted by the magnetic layer whose density is changed by the external magnetic field so that the magnetic particles have a random density distribution, this scanning region has a wide variety of analog waveforms. The detection signal can be generated, it is difficult to illegally decode the contents of the scanning area, and it is effective in characterizing and individualizing the detected object. And since the unique information obtained according to the distribution state of the magnetic particles in the scanning area is collated with the registered content of the data recording section, even if the data is rewritten for the purpose of unauthorized use, the scanning area and the data It is possible to make the contents of the recording sections inconsistent, and to see whether or not the detected object is a fake one.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of an object to be detected schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire detected object shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a part of the object to be detected shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a magnetic field generating means.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an apparatus for processing an object to be detected in a partial cross section.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the detected object shown in FIG.

7 is a flowchart showing steps of processing when using the detected object shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

8 is a sectional view showing a process of forming a magnetic layer of the object to be detected shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an object to be detected according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Detected object 11 ... Base material 12 ... Data recording magnetic layer 13 ... Scan area magnetic layer 14 ... Data recording part 20 ... Binder 21 ... Magnetic particle 25 ... Scan area 30 ... Magnetic field generating means 50 ... Processing device

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An object to be detected having a magnetic layer laminated on a base material, wherein the magnetic layer is formed by mixing a large number of magnetic particles in a binder, and the magnetic layer is provided at a predetermined position of the magnetic layer. In addition to providing a scanning area in which the magnetic particles are distributed by changing the density so that the mixed amount of magnetic particles per unit area becomes random at least in the scanning direction of the detected object, the scanning area is Authenticity to be detected, which is provided with a data recording section for encoding and registering an analog waveform obtained according to the distribution state of the magnetic particles when magnetically scanned by a specific algorithm. Stuff. 2. The data recording section comprises a data recording magnetic layer containing a magnetic material having a high coercive force capable of magnetically recording and reproducing data, and the data recording magnetic layer is used as the magnetic layer for the scanning area. It laminated | stacked on.
An object to be detected according to the description. 3. The magnetic particles of the magnetic layer are made of a magnetic material having a high coercive force capable of magnetically recording / reproducing data, and the magnetic particles are randomly distributed on a part of the magnetic layer. 2. The object to be detected according to claim 1, wherein a region is provided and a data recording portion for magnetically recording data with a substantially constant distribution of magnetic particles is provided in another portion of the magnetic layer. . 4. A method for checking the authenticity of an object to be detected, which comprises: a creating process for creating the object to be detected; and a matching process for checking the object to be detected when the object is used. And a coating step of coating a base material with a magnetic layer material in which a large number of magnetic particles are mixed in a binder,
Randomizing step to give a density change to the density of the magnetic particles so that the density of the magnetic particles is randomly distributed at least in the scanning direction by giving an irregular external magnetic field before the binder is hardened, and the scanning A scanning step of magnetically scanning the area to obtain a detection signal of a unique analog waveform according to the random distribution state of magnetic particles, and the obtained detection signal is encoded by a specific algorithm in the data recording section. And a data writing step of registering, wherein the collation process magnetically scans the scanning region to obtain a detection signal of a unique analog waveform according to a random distribution state of the magnetic particles, , The obtained detection signal is collated with the data registered in the data recording section, and when both correspond, this test A method for checking the authenticity of an object to be detected, comprising a determination step of determining that the product is authentic.