JPH0963045A - Magnetic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a magnetic card which facilitates the use of plural data tracks and is excellent in prevention of forgery. SOLUTION: This magnetic card 1 is provided with magnetic recording layers 2a, 2a over the entire surface of one surface or both surfaces and is provided with the plural data tracks (T1 to Tn) in part of this magnetic recording layer. The magnetic card has the data tracks existing in symmetrical relations of >=1 kinds of any one among vertical symmetrical, symmetrical with the front and rear between the front and rear or rotationally symmetrical between the front and rear.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic card, and more particularly to a magnetic card which can easily use a plurality of data tracks and can be excellent in forgery prevention.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in the case of a card used for a plurality of transactions, as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. The tracks T5 and T6 are provided on the same surface or both sides. Incidentally, regarding the positional relationship between the data track T5 and the data track T6 in FIGS. 7 and 8, the data track T5 is d from the upper edge of the card.
5 distance, data track T6 is d from the top edge of the card
6 and d5 ≠ d6.

[0003]

However, in the case where a plurality of magnetic stripes are processed, the positional accuracy and the magnetic characteristics of a certain magnetic stripe are within the specification range as compared with the case where a single magnetic stripe is processed. However, if the other magnetic stripe is out of the specification range, the magnetic card as a whole will be treated as a defective product, and thus it is more difficult to manufacture in terms of positional accuracy and manufacturing processing. Further, for security purposes, when a design of a concealing card specification for concealing the magnetic stripe portion is performed, even if the base treatment of the concealing layer 4 that covers the magnetic stripe 21 is performed, the magnetic stripe 21 portion and the other portion are not covered. , It was difficult to hide the border between the magnetic stripe and the surface treatment. For this reason, the location of the data track was easy to determine. It was also necessary to prepare a magnetic head of a reader / writer for each data track.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic card in which a plurality of data tracks can be easily set, a burden is not imposed on the reader / writer side, and anti-counterfeiting is excellent.

[0005]

The magnetic card of the present invention comprises:
In a magnetic card in which a magnetic recording layer is provided on the entire surface of one side or both sides, and a plurality of data tracks are provided in a part of the magnetic recording layer, top and bottom symmetry in the same plane, front and back symmetry between front and back, or between front and back The data tracks are arranged in one or more rotational symmetry relations.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The magnetic card of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a magnetic card of the present invention. In the figure, the magnetic card 1 is the support 3
Magnetic recording layers 2a and 2b are formed on the entire surfaces of both sides of the magnetic recording layer 3 and data tracks T1, T2, T3 are formed on a part of the magnetic recording layer 3.
And T4, a total of four are provided. These four data tracks have some symmetry relationship, and as a result, one magnetic head can be used on the reader / writer side. The upper side of the drawing is the front side, and the magnetic card 1 is inserted into and removed from the reader / writer in the direction of arrow 6 and is read and written by the magnetic head in the direction of arrow 6. 2 is a plan view of the magnetic card 1 of FIG. 1 viewed from the front side. At the edge of the card, "A" and "B" on the front side,
On the back side, "C" and "D" (indicated by broken lines inside out) and arrows indicate the card insertion direction. FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the magnetic card as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the reader / writer 9 of the magnetic card. By changing the way of inserting the card, a single magnetic head 8 is used for four cards. It will be possible to deal with all of the data tracks.

Although it is assumed in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 9 that all three kinds of symmetry relationships exist, the magnetic card of the present invention only needs to have at least one kind of symmetry relationship. Then, for the sake of clarity, we will disassemble them and explain them one by one. And the data track T1
Based on the above, the symmetric relationship between the data track T1 and the data tracks T2 to T4 is as follows.

First, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the vertical symmetry of the data tracks in the same plane. In the card 1 shown in the figure, the magnetic recording layer 2 is formed on the entire surface of the support 3, and the concealing layer 4 is formed on the entire surface thereof. On the other hand, the data track T2 is vertically symmetrical. Vertical symmetry means that the data track has a middle line 51 ([distance H between middle line 51 and top edge that is equidistant from the top and bottom edges of the card.
1] = [distance H2 between the middle line 51 and the lower end side], the middle line 51 is parallel to the read / write direction 6 of the magnetic head)
Is a symmetric reference line and is equidistant from the intermediate line 51 ([distance d1 between intermediate line 51 and data track T1] = [distance d2 between intermediate line 51 and data track T2]). Then, as shown in the vertical sectional view taken along the line AA on the right side of FIG. 3, the data tracks T1 and T2 are both on the front surface side. Note that such a relationship is a plane of symmetry that passes through the intermediate line 51 and is perpendicular to the front or back surface of the card.
In such a data track that is vertically symmetrical in the same plane, the front and back sides of the card to be inserted into the reader / writer remain the same (the B direction with respect to the A direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). ) By inserting it, the magnetic head of the reader / writer for either one of the data tracks can handle both data tracks.

Next, FIG. 4 is a view showing that the data tracks are symmetrical between the front and back. In the card 1 shown in the figure, magnetic recording layers 2a and 2b are formed on the entire front surface and back surface of the support 3, and a concealing layer 4 is formed on the entire surface thereof, and a data track T1 is formed on a part of the front magnetic recording layer 2a. , Back magnetic recording layer 2
A part of b has a data track T3 which is symmetrical between the front and back sides with respect to the data track T1. Front-to-back symmetry means that the data track is an arbitrary line segment in the lateral direction of the card (parallel to the reading / writing direction 6 of the magnetic head) (for example, the same distance from the upper and lower edges of the card as in FIG. 3). Is equal to the intermediate line 51 ([distance d1 between the intermediate line 51 and the data track T1] = [distance d3 between the intermediate line 51 and the data track T3]]. As shown in, the data track T
1 and T3 exist separately on the front and back. It should be noted that such a relationship is such that a plane that is in the thickness direction of the card 1 and that is intermediate between the front surface side magnetic recording layer 2a and the back surface side magnetic recording layer 2b and that is horizontal to the front or back surface of the card is a symmetry plane. Becomes In such a data track that is symmetrical between the front and back, leave the top and bottom of the card to be inserted into the reader / writer unchanged,
By inserting them with the front and back reversed (direction C with respect to direction A in FIGS. 1 and 2), the magnetic head of the reader / writer for one of the data tracks can handle both data tracks.

Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the rotational symmetry of the data tracks between the front and back. Similar to FIG. 4, the card 1 shown in the same figure has a magnetic recording layer 2a formed on the entire front surface and back surface of the support 3.
And 2b, and the concealing layer 4 is formed on the entire surface thereof. The front side magnetic recording layer 2a has a data track T1 and the back side magnetic recording layer 2b has a data track T4 rotationally symmetrical between the front and back sides of the data track T1. What is rotational symmetry between front and back?
In the data track, a line segment equidistant from the upper edge and the lower edge of the card (and passing through the center of the thickness of the card) is the axis of rotational symmetry ([distance H1 between rotational axis of symmetry 5 and upper edge] =
Due to the relationship [distance H2 between the rotational symmetry axis 5 and the lower end side], the rotational symmetry axis 5 is parallel to the reading / writing direction 6 of the magnetic head, and is equidistant from the rotational symmetry axis 5 ([rotation symmetry axis 5 and data The distance d1] from the track T1 = [the distance d4 between the rotational symmetry axis 5 and the data track T4]. The data tracks T1 and T4 are present on the front and back sides separately. In such a data track that is rotationally symmetrical between the front and back, the front and back of the card to be inserted into the reader / writer are left as they are (by rotating them along the rotational symmetry axis 5) (see FIG. 1 and (D direction with respect to A direction in FIG. 2)
By inserting it, the magnetic head of the reader / writer for either one of the data tracks can handle both data tracks.

The cards shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the above-described three types of symmetrical data tracks with respect to the data track T1. In the above description based on the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the data track T1 is used as a reference, but the data tracks T2 to T4 are used.
It goes without saying that any of the above can be considered as the reference. Further, for example, in a card having two data tracks having a certain symmetric relationship (provisionally, the front and the back are symmetrical between the front and back shown in FIG. 4), a third data track having no symmetric relationship with these data tracks is provided. I don't mind. In this case, naturally, the third data track requires a dedicated magnetic head, but other data tracks and the third data track can be used simultaneously. For example, a data track for security or the like. The "data track" of the present invention includes a track for recording auxiliary information such as a security track.

In the case of FIG. 1, two data tracks (for example, a set of T1 and T2, a set of T3 and T4, or a set of T1 and T4, a set of T2 and T3, etc.). It may be used as In this case, if the combination of T1 and T2 and the combination of T3 and T4 is used, the concept is to use T1 and T4, and T2 and T4 if they are used in rotational symmetry.
3 is rotationally symmetric, or T1 and T3, and T2 and T
4 is a front-back symmetrical relationship. As such, the symmetrical data tracks existing on one card are not limited to one set. In addition, the magnetic recording layer or the data track is
Only one side or both sides may be used.

In the magnetic card of the present invention, the support 3, the magnetic recording layer 2, the concealing layer 4 (which has been simplified for the sake of convenience in the description so far) and the like may be conventionally known materials.
An example of a more detailed vertical sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention will be shown. In FIG. 6, a magnetic card 1 of the present invention comprises a support 3 as a center core layer, and an oversheet 3 on both sides thereof.
1. The magnetic recording layer 2 on the entire surface of the oversheet 31 on the surface side, the data tracks T1 and the data tracks T2 on a part of the magnetic recording layer 2, the concealing layer 4 on the entire surface of the magnetic recording layer 2, and the pattern printing layer. 41 and the overcoat layer 42 are sequentially provided, and the positions of the two data tracks are in the same plane and have a vertical symmetry relationship. In the magnetic card of the present invention, the magnetic recording layer is provided on the entire surface, but by using, for example, a vinyl chloride resin sheet as a support,
It is also possible to form conventionally known embossed characters (avoid the position of the data track).

The operation of the magnetic card of the present invention will be described below. The data tracks are vertically symmetrical in the same plane.
If there is a symmetrical relationship between the front and back sides, or the front and back sides are rotationally symmetric, insert the card into the reader / writer so that the front and the end are opposite or the front and the end are opposite. The reader / writer equipped with a single magnetic head can also be read and written to and read from these data tracks by inserting the reader / writer with a single magnetic head by reversing the front or back, or by reversing the front and back as they are. Can handle. Further, since the magnetic recording layer is provided on the entire surface of the card, the location of the data track is not discriminated by the boundary of the magnetic recording layer, and the positional restriction for providing the data track is eliminated.

[0016]

According to the magnetic card of the present invention, the positional relationship of the data tracks provided in a part of the magnetic recording layer is either vertical symmetry within the same plane, front-back symmetry between front and back, or rotational symmetry between front and back. In order to have one or more kinds of symmetry, by changing the insertion direction of the card into the reader / writer to, for example, turn over, upside down, etc., the magnetic head of the reader / writer can be used in common. The data track is not formed by a magnetic stripe provided only in that part, but is provided as a part of a magnetic recording layer having a larger area. After being issued as a function card, for example, an upside-down symmetrical position (initially, if the data track has only one side or only one side, the magnetic recording layer need only have one side, so that one-sided symmetry is possible. However, if a magnetic recording layer is also provided on the back side, it is of course possible that the front and back symmetry or front and back rotation symmetry positions are added.) It is also possible to operate in. Specifically, for example, after issuing as a cash card, a loan card function is added depending on the transaction record. Incidentally, when the magnetic recording layer is provided on the entire surface as the layer structure of the magnetic card, there is no new positional restriction or additional positional restriction of the data track, which is convenient in such a case. Therefore, it can be used as a multi-card that can be used for a plurality of types of usage depending on the situation.

Also, on the side of the reader / writer, unless the data tracks having a symmetrical relationship are simultaneously read and written,
That is, if used for independent transactions, a small number of common magnetic heads can be used. Moreover, if a data track having a symmetrical relationship is added, the reader / writer side can cope with it without installing a new magnetic head. Therefore, it becomes easy to operate such a magnetic card from the corresponding side on the reader / writer side.

Since the data tracks are provided on a part of the magnetic recording layer provided on the entire surface, there is no boundary between the data tracks like a magnetic stripe, so that the data tracks cannot be distinguished and the location of the data is It is difficult to understand, has high security, and is effective in preventing forgery. Also,
When a magnetic stripe is provided for each data track, it was not easy to manufacture in terms of the positional accuracy of the stripe, but since it is provided in a part of the magnetic recording layer, the problem of positional accuracy is solved and manufacturing is easy. Further, since the magnetic recording layer is provided on the entire surface, it is possible to arbitrarily provide a security track at an arbitrary position (and its position is difficult to understand), or change or provide a plurality of security tracks.
On the other hand, there is also an advantage that the reader / writer side can determine the position of the head after the card is manufactured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a magnetic card of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of a magnetic card of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a symmetrical positional relationship of data tracks (same plane symmetry).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a symmetrical positional relationship between data tracks (front and back sides are symmetrical).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a symmetrical positional relationship of data tracks (rotational symmetry between front and back).

FIG. 6 is a detailed vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the magnetic card of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional magnetic card (asymmetric in the same plane).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional magnetic card (front and back non-rotationally symmetrical).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a magnetic card of the present invention and a magnetic head of a reader / writer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 magnetic card 2 magnetic recording layer 2a front side magnetic recording layer 2b back side magnetic recording layer 21 magnetic stripe 3 support 31 oversheet 4 concealing layer 41 picture printing layer 42 overcoat layer (protective layer) 5 rotational symmetry axis (symmetry reference line) 51 Intermediate line (symmetry reference line) 6 Magnetic card reading direction d1 to d4 Data tracks T1 to T from symmetry reference line
Distance between H1 card top edge and rotational symmetry axis or intermediate line H2 Distance between card bottom edge and rotational symmetry axis or intermediate line T1 to T6 Data track 7 Magnetic head 8 Conventional magnetic card 9 Reader / writer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic card in which a magnetic recording layer is provided on one or both sides and a plurality of data tracks is provided on a part of the magnetic recording layer, and the magnetic card is vertically symmetrical within the same plane and front and back symmetrical between the front and back sides. , Or a magnetic card having data tracks located in one or more symmetric relations of rotational symmetry between the front and back.