JPH11328333A - Prepaid card system and reader writer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect a prepaid card medium which is altered or forged by copying stored information. SOLUTION: A magnetic head 143 reads magnetically stored information such as money amount information and reference gradation distribution information out of a prepaid card under the control of a data read write part 142. An abnormality detection part 144 compares and matches actual gradation distribution information, which is detected by an optical sensor 145 from a specific bar code print position and quantized by a quantizing process part 146, against reference gradation distribution information read out through the data read write part 142 and decides that an illegal prepaid card has been inserted when the both do not match each other, thereby detecting the abnormality. The optical sensor 145 is controlled by an abnormality detection part 144 to detect the reference gradation information from the specific bar code print position corresponding to the reference gradation distribution information and supply it to the quantizing process part 146.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for processing a prepaid card according to the consumption of money, and more particularly to a prepaid card system and a reading apparatus for dealing with fraudulent copying of stored information of a prepaid card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A prepaid card system has been realized in which a prepaid card storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value is used for monetary settlement. In a prepaid card system, a service is usually provided in a plurality of stores. For example, each store is provided with a plurality of reading devices and a relay device or the like which is a higher-level processing device of the reading devices. A reading device is a terminal device for using a prepaid card. In this reading device, based on the amount information stored in the prepaid card, the prepaid card is used as a fee for lending game media and selling goods. Consumed. The relay device couples a plurality of reading devices and the like in the store to, for example, a settlement center installed at the issuer of the prepaid card, and communicates with the settlement center to manage the reading devices and process the consumption amount. I do.

[0003] That is, the prepaid card is consumed as a price for lending game media, for example, by using a reading device installed in a store. When the prepaid card is consumed, the reading device counts the amount of consumption and provides the payment processing, and updates the amount information stored in the prepaid card according to the amount of consumption. When the amount information of the prepaid card is updated, if the amount falls within a predetermined remaining amount range, a remaining amount reference hole is punched at a predetermined location corresponding to the remaining amount range of the prepaid card. The sales information of the reading device due to the consumption of the prepaid card is collected, for example, by a relay device, and the relay device compiles the sales information of each reading device under control and transmits the total to the settlement center. In this way, the prepaid card consumption settlement is performed.

On the other hand, in the reading apparatus, when reading and updating the amount information, etc., an error is checked, and at the same time, an illegal and unauthorized prepaid card, that is, an illegal prepaid card due to falsification, forgery, illegal use, etc., is detected. I am trying to do it. Generally, such fraudulent prepaid cards are discriminated by, for example, presuming that they are fraudulent if the storage information and punch hole information of the prepaid card and their histories and the like include inconsistent contents. In addition, card information such as identification information of an unauthorized prepaid card detected by the reading device is stored, and based on this information, an unauthorized prepaid card detected in the past is discriminated and discharged together with an error display. Prevent use.

Further, a prepaid card corresponding to an unauthorized prepaid card detected by another reading device notified from a relay device connected to the reading device is also discriminated and eliminated. That is, when an unauthorized prepaid card is detected by one of a plurality of reading devices coupled to the same relay device in the same store, detection data including identification information and the like of the prepaid card is detected from the reading device. The information is transmitted to the relay device as information. By transmitting the notification data indicating the unauthorized prepaid card to the other reading device by the relay device, the other reading device can also discriminate the unauthorized prepaid card and prevent its use.

[0006]

As described above, since the prepaid card has a monetary value, there is a risk that fraudulent or falsification may be caused by falsification. As one method of fraud, there is a method of illegally using the prepaid card by falsifying or forging the prepaid card. The prepaid card stores initial encoding information at the time of issuance and is processed based on the stored information. Therefore, the prepaid card medium cannot be used simply by falsifying or forging the prepaid card medium. Therefore, it is attempted to copy the stored information of the prepaid card from another regular prepaid card and use it.

When the storage information of another regular prepaid card is copied onto an unauthorized prepaid card medium, the storage information itself should not be inconsistent. In such a case, it is not easy to identify impropriety only by checking the stored information itself. In order to prevent such fraud, it is required by card issuers and the like to individually recognize prepaid cards and individually associate stored information with prepaid cards using information unique to each card. Have been. By associating the information unique to each prepaid card medium with the storage information in this way, it is considered that an unauthorized prepaid card obtained by simply copying only the storage information can be identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and accurately detects unauthorized use of a copy of the storage information of a regular prepaid card on a falsified or forged prepaid card medium, and performs falsification or alteration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a prepaid card system and a reading device that can prevent improper use of a prepaid card due to forgery.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention has a bar code printed on a predetermined portion and stores money amount information corresponding to a monetary value in a magnetic layer. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement using a prepaid card comprising a storage medium for storing in a prepaid card, a gradation distribution including a ground color of a barcode portion printed on the predetermined portion of the prepaid card is optically detected. Real tone distribution information based on a detection signal corresponding to the variation of the tone distribution, and a reference tone stored in advance based on the tone distribution detection signal of the bar code portion when the prepaid card is issued. By matching with distribution information, we detect fraud by inconsistency of both,
The reading unit that updates the price information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card and transmits sales information including the consumption amount, and performs communication between the reading unit and the reading unit. And a higher-level processing means for receiving and storing the sales information and the used prepaid card information.

[0010] According to such a configuration, the reading means stores the reference gradation distribution information which is stored in advance at the time of issuing the prepaid card and corresponds to the variation of the gradation distribution of the barcode printing portion unique to each medium of the prepaid card. By comparing the information with the actual gradation distribution information of the prepaid card, fraudulent copying of the stored information of another prepaid card can be accurately detected. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to falsification or forgery of the medium can be eliminated.

The prepaid card stores the reference gradation distribution information obtained by quantizing the optically detected gradation distribution, and the reading means stores the optical detection information of the gradation distribution. The image processing apparatus may further include a quantization unit that obtains the actual gradation distribution information by quantizing the reference gradation distribution information using a substantially common quantization method.

A prepaid card system according to a second aspect of the present invention uses a prepaid card comprising a storage medium in which a barcode is printed on a predetermined portion and amount information corresponding to a monetary value is stored in a magnetic layer. In a prepaid card system for performing a financial settlement by paying, predetermined information is recorded on a prepaid card medium, and a gradation distribution including a ground color of a barcode portion printed on the predetermined portion is optically detected, and Recording means for recording reference tone distribution information based on a detection signal corresponding to a variation in tone distribution together with the predetermined information and issuing it as the prepaid card; and a ground color of the barcode portion in the predetermined portion of the prepaid card. Is optically detected, and actual tone distribution information based on a detection signal corresponding to the variation of the tone distribution is obtained. The said actual tone distribution information by matching the reference tone distribution information previously stored in the prepaid card, and detects unauthorized by both mismatch,
The reading unit that updates the price information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card and transmits sales information including the consumption amount, and performs communication between the reading unit and the reading unit. And a higher-level processing means for receiving and storing the sales information and the used prepaid card information.

[0013] According to such a configuration, since the reference gradation distribution information corresponding to the variation of the gradation distribution of the bar code printing portion peculiar to each medium of the prepaid card is stored in advance at the time of issuing the prepaid card, the reading means is not required. By comparing actual tone distribution information of a prepaid card with reference tone distribution information stored in the medium, fraudulent copying of stored information of another prepaid card can be accurately detected. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to falsification or forgery of the medium can be eliminated.

The recording means includes first quantizing means for quantizing optical detection information of the gradation distribution to obtain the reference gradation distribution information, and the reading means comprises an optical discriminator for the gradation distribution. A second quantization means for obtaining the actual gradation distribution information by quantizing the accurate detection information by a quantization method substantially common to the first quantization means may be included.

A reading apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a prepaid device comprising a storage medium on which a bar code is printed at a predetermined portion, and money information corresponding to a monetary value is stored in a magnetic layer and used for financial settlement. A magnetic head for reading and writing the storage information of the card, and reading and writing the price information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and at the time of issuing the prepaid card, changing the ground color of the barcode portion printed on the predetermined portion when the prepaid card is issued. Reading processing means for reading out, using the magnetic head, reference tone distribution information stored in advance based on an optical detection signal corresponding to the variation of the tone distribution, and a floor including a ground color of the bar code portion. An optical sensor for optically detecting a tone distribution, and actual tone distribution information corresponding to a variation in tone distribution in the bar code portion based on a detection signal of the optical sensor. An abnormality detecting unit that obtains the reference gradation distribution information read by the reading processing unit and detects fraud by mismatching the two, and the reading processing unit according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card. A consumption processing unit for updating the price information and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount.

According to such a configuration, the reading apparatus stores the reference gradation distribution information which is stored in advance at the time of issuing the prepaid card and is related to the dispersion of the gradation distribution of the barcode printing portion unique to each medium of the prepaid card. By comparing the information with the actual gradation distribution information of the prepaid card, fraudulent copying of the stored information of another prepaid card can be accurately detected. Therefore, unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to falsification or forgery of the medium can be eliminated.

The prepaid card stores the reference gradation distribution information obtained by quantizing the optically detected gradation distribution, and the abnormality detecting means stores the optical detection information of the gradation distribution. The image processing apparatus may further include a quantization unit that obtains the actual gradation distribution information by quantizing the reference gradation distribution information using a substantially common quantization method.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A prepaid card system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A reading device as a main part of a prepaid card system according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. The reading device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a communication processing unit 11, a consumption processing unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a reader / writer 14.

The communication processing unit 11 performs communication between the consumption processing unit 12 and the relay device 2. The communication processing unit 11 reads, for example, the sales information including the consumption amount information of the prepaid card in the reading device 1 from the storage unit 13 and transmits the sales information to the relay device 2 as a response to the request command from the relay device 2. The consumption processing unit 12 is linked to a vending machine (not shown) that performs a consumption operation by providing an article such as a game medium or the like, and based on consumption of a prepaid card corresponding to provision of the game medium or the like, Reader / writer 14
The storage information such as the amount information of the prepaid card is updated via the storage device, and the sales information including the amount of consumption information is stored in the storage unit 13. The storage unit 13 stores the daily consumption processing unit 12
Store and accumulate sales information based on the processing of the amount of consumption in.

When the prepaid card is inserted, the reader / writer 14 first reads the stored information of the prepaid card, and gives the amount information to the consumption processing unit 12. At this time, the reader / writer 14 reads the reference gradation distribution information, which will be described later, and also reads the gradation distribution information, such as light and shade gradations, at a predetermined barcode printing portion corresponding to the reference gradation distribution information. Obtain gradation distribution information. The actual tone distribution information is compared with the reference tone distribution information,
If the two do not correspond, it is determined that an unauthorized prepaid card has been inserted. If it is determined that the two cards correspond to each other, it is determined that the card is an appropriate prepaid card, and then the remaining amount guide punch hole is detected, and it is confirmed whether there is any inconsistency with the amount information stored in the prepaid card. This amount information is processed by the consumption processing unit 12, and the remaining amount information is written to the storage unit 13. Further, the balance information is updated according to the consumption amount information in the consumption processing unit 12, and the amount information of the prepaid card is similarly rewritten. At this time,
Based on the updated balance, a remaining amount guide punch hole is punched as necessary.

That is, the reader / writer 14 includes a reading control unit 141, a data reading unit 142, a magnetic head 143,
Abnormality detector 144, optical sensor 145, and quantization processor 1
46. The reading control unit 141 controls the entire reading operation in the reader / writer 14. The data reading unit 142 updates and writes the money amount information on the prepaid card via the magnetic head 143 based on the control of the reading control unit 141, and also punches a remaining amount guide punch hole at the time of the predetermined remaining amount based on the remaining amount. The magnetic head 143 reads out magnetic storage information such as amount information and reference gradation distribution information on the prepaid card under the control of the data reading unit 142.

The abnormality detecting section 144 mainly detects the actual gradation distribution information detected from a predetermined barcode printing area by the optical sensor 145 and quantized by the quantization processing section 146 through the data reading section 142 when the prepaid card is inserted. If the two do not correspond to each other, it is determined that an unauthorized prepaid card has been inserted and an abnormality is detected. The quantization processing unit 146 includes the optical sensor 145
Is quantized, and the signal is quantized and supplied to the abnormality detection unit 144. The optical sensor 145 is controlled by the abnormality detection unit 144, detects a reference gradation distribution from a predetermined barcode printing portion corresponding to the reference gradation distribution information, and supplies the reference gradation distribution to the quantization processing unit 146.
In addition, the optical sensor 145 is also used for detecting a remaining amount punch hole of the prepaid card.

In this case, the quantization method in the quantization processing unit 146 is such that when generating the reference gradation distribution information stored in the prepaid card, the detection signal of the gradation information such as the gradation gradation in the bar code printing portion is generated. And a common quantization method.

The prepaid card system according to the embodiment of the present invention including the reading device 1 configured as described above,
As shown in FIG. 2, the reading device 1, the relay device 2, and the recording device 3
And a settlement center 4. The recording device 3 and the settlement center 4 are installed at a card issuer D such as a card issuing company and a card manufacturing factory. Generally, there are a plurality of stores S corresponding to the card issuer D, and each store S
A plurality of reading devices 1 and a relay device 2 for connecting the reading devices 1 to a settlement center 4 are provided.

The relay device 2 is not limited to one for each store S,
For example, one relay device 2 may be provided for each predetermined area in the store S, for example, for each hall and floor. That is, the relay device 2 includes a plurality of reading devices 1 for each store S,
The payment center 4 is provided between the plurality of reading devices 1 for each hall in the store S or the plurality of reading devices 1 for each floor in the store S.

In this prepaid card system, a prepaid card manufactured and issued by the card issuer D is sold to the store S, and further sold to the user at the store S.
At the store S, the user can pay for the provision of a service such as lending of a game medium by using a prepaid card. This service provision and payment is performed using the reading device 1 installed in the store S, and the amount stored as the amount information on the prepaid card is consumed. The store S counts the amount information consumed by the reading device 1 in the relay device 2 and transmits the information to the settlement center 4 of the card issuer D. The card issuer D pays each store S an amount corresponding to the amount information received from each store S at the settlement center 4 as sales.

A prepaid card used in the prepaid card system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the prepaid card C has a magnetic information storage section A using a magnetic layer, and the information storage section A includes a price information area A1, a reference gradation distribution information area A2, and other information. It has an area A3. In the money amount information area A1, money amount information such as a balance is written. Reference gradation distribution information area A2
The reference gradation distribution information obtained by quantizing the detection information of the gradation distribution of a predetermined barcode printing portion at the time of encoding is written in the. In the other information area A3, card identification information (card ID) of the prepaid card C, a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer, manufacturing date (encoding date) information, an error code when an error occurs, and the like are recorded.

The recording device 3 is a device for issuing a prepaid card C at the card issuer D. The recording device 3 writes initial amount information in the amount information area A1 of the prepaid card C when the prepaid card C is issued,
The reference gradation distribution information is written in the reference gradation distribution information area A2, and the card identification information (card ID) of the prepaid card C, the manufacturer code indicating the manufacturer, the production date (encoding date) information, and the like are written in the other information area A3. Put in. Prior to writing the reference gradation distribution information into the reference gradation distribution information area A2, a gradation distribution of a bar code portion printed at a predetermined portion, for example, a gradation gradation distribution is detected, and the gradation distribution is quantized. The reference gradation distribution information obtained by the conversion is written.
As the reference gradation distribution information, for example, information obtained by quantizing an analog reproduction signal by PCM (pulse code modulation) or other information obtained by A / D (analog-digital) conversion is used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording device 3 includes an encoding control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a writing processing unit 3.
3, magnetic head 34, optical sensor 35 and quantization processing unit 3
6. The encoding control unit 31 controls encoding of the prepaid card C in the recording device 3, that is, writing of initial information. The storage unit 32 stores various types of information necessary for the encoding process by the encoding control unit 31 and temporary information being processed. The write processing unit 33
The magnetic head 34 is controlled by the encode controller 31.
To write predetermined information.

The magnetic head 34 is controlled by the write processor 33 to magnetically write information into the magnetic layers of the money information area A1, the reference gradation distribution information area A2 and the other information area A3 of the prepaid card C. . The optical sensor 35 is controlled by the encode control unit 31 to optically detect a gradation distribution of a predetermined barcode printing portion. The magnetic head 34 is moved relative to the prepaid card C when writing and reading the magnetic information of the prepaid card C. In this case, even if the magnetic head 34 is moved, the prepaid card C is moved. Or both may be simultaneously moved in different directions. The optical sensor 35 is also moved relative to the prepaid card C when detecting the gradation distribution of the barcode portion of the prepaid card C. In this case, even if the optical sensor 35 is moved, May be moved, or both may be simultaneously moved in different directions.

The optical sensor 35 optically detects a gradation distribution of a predetermined bar code printing portion, and supplies it to a quantization processing unit 36. The quantization processing unit 36 A / D converts the gradation distribution signal detected by the optical sensor 35 by PCM or the like, quantizes the signal, and supplies the result to the encoding control unit 31 as reference gradation distribution information. The encoding control unit 31 writes the reference gradation distribution information given from the quantization processing unit 36 into the writing processing unit 3.
3 is written into the reference gradation distribution information area A2 of the prepaid card C.

The reading device 1 is connected to, for example, a vending machine (not shown) for renting out a game medium, and stores the prepaid card C with the value of the game medium and the like provided by the vending machine to the user. This is a device for embodying the consumption of the prepaid card C by subtracting it from the remaining amount in the amount information. When the prepaid card C is set, the reading device 1 first detects the gradation distribution of the barcode printing portion of the prepaid card C by the optical sensor 145, and the detected information is sent to the quantization processing unit 146. Quantized by PCM or the like, the reference gradation distribution information area A2
Is compared with the reference reproduction information read from the. At this time,
The quantization method when the reference gradation distribution information is generated in the recording device 3 (the quantization processing unit 36) and the quantization of the actual detection signal of the gradation distribution of the barcode portion in the reading device 1 (the quantization processing unit 146). The same quantization scheme is used as the scheme.

The reading device 1 compares the actual gradation distribution information with the reference gradation distribution information, and when it is determined that the two correspond, the prepaid card C is determined to be normal and the actual gradation distribution information is determined. As a result of comparing the distribution information with the reference gradation distribution information, if it is determined that the two do not correspond, the prepaid card C is abnormal and the unauthorized prepaid card C
Is determined. At this time, in many cases, the actual gradation distribution information includes stains on the prepaid card surface due to aging,
Barcode printing degradation / discoloration and optical sensors 35 and 145
There is a possibility that there is a difference in detection characteristics between the actual tone distribution information and the reference tone distribution information, and the actual tone distribution information and the reference tone distribution information do not need to completely match, and can be regarded as substantially the same prepaid card medium. All that is required is a degree of similarity.

Further, the reading device 1 checks whether or not the stored information and the punched hole information of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C are inconsistent. It is determined that there is a defect. When it is determined that the card is fraudulent or defective, the reading device 1 transmits the detection data including the card identification information and the like of the fraudulent prepaid card to the relay device 2, and blocks the use of the prepaid card C and discharges the card. Further, the reading device 1 receives the notification data of the prepaid card information determined to be an unauthorized prepaid card by the other reading device 1 from the relay device 2, and immediately after the prepaid card C is loaded, based on the notification data, The prepaid card C is discriminated, the use is stopped, and the card is discharged.

The relay device 2 aggregates the amount information processed as the consumption amount in each reading device 1 in the store S,
Send to settlement center 4.

Next, the processing in the above-mentioned prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the encoding process in the recording device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The encoding process shown in FIG. 5 is started each time a prepaid card medium is set in the recording device 3. When the prepaid card medium is set, first, the encoding control unit 31 detects the grayscale distribution of the barcode printed on a predetermined portion of the prepaid card medium by the optical sensor 35 (step S1). The predetermined part on which the barcode is printed is, for example, as shown in FIG. Bar code B as shown
C is printed.

Bar code BC detected by optical sensor 35
The gradation gradation distribution of
Alternatively, the image data is quantized by other A / D conversion or the like, and provided to the encode control unit 31 as reference gradation distribution information (step S2). The encoding control unit 31 writes the required encoding information and the reference gradation distribution information obtained by the quantization processing unit 36 into the respective areas A1 to A3 of the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C via the writing processing unit 33. (Step S
3), end the encoding process.

Next, the consumption processing in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The consumption process shown in FIG. 6 is started each time the prepaid card C is set in the data reading unit 142 of the reader / writer 14 of the reading device 1.

When the processing is started, the reader / writer 14
The abnormality detection unit 144 checks whether the set prepaid card C is normal (step S11). That is, first, the abnormality detection unit 144 of the reader / writer 14
However, the optical sensor 145 detects the grayscale distribution of the bar code portion printed on a predetermined portion of the prepaid card C, and the quantization processing unit 146 determines the quantization method in the quantization processing unit 36 of the recording device 3. Quantization is performed by a substantially common predetermined quantization method to obtain actual gradation distribution information. Then, the abnormality detecting unit 144 reads the reference gradation distribution information written at the time of encoding from the reference gradation distribution information area A2 of the prepaid card C by the magnetic head 143 via the data reading unit 142. The abnormality detection unit 144 compares and compares the reference gradation distribution information with the actual gradation distribution information read from the prepaid card C. If the two do not correspond, the set prepaid card C is abnormal, It is determined that it was created by an unauthorized means.

If the actual gradation distribution information corresponds to the reference gradation distribution information, then the abnormality detection unit 144 of the reader / writer 14 determines whether there is any contradiction in the position of the remaining standard punch hole and the stored information. Is detected. At this time, if inconsistency is detected in the position of the remaining amount guide punch hole and the stored information, it is determined that the prepaid card C is abnormal. The optical sensor 145 can also be used to detect the remaining standard punch holes. Further, the remaining amount guide hole may be detected using the magnetic head 143.

It is determined by the abnormality detector 144 whether an abnormality has been detected (step S12). If an abnormality has been detected, the prepaid card C is determined to be invalid.
After displaying an invalid or error message, an abnormal / illegal process such as stopping the operation of the system is executed (step S1).
3).

If it is determined in step S12 that no abnormality has been detected, the consumption processing unit 12 reads the prepaid card C via the reader / writer 14 (the reading control unit 141 and the data reading unit 142). Check the balance,
It is stored in the storage unit 13 (Step S14). If there is a balance, it is checked whether or not there is an end request from the user by pressing an end switch (not shown) (step S15). If there is no end request, a consumption request by a consumption switch (not shown), for example, a game medium It is checked whether there is a lending request (step S16). For example, in the case of a game system or the like, the end switch is a card return switch for requesting the return of a card, and the consumption switch is a lending switch for requesting lending of a game medium.

In step S16, if there is a consumption request from the user, the user consumes the game medium by renting out a game medium or the like (step S17). The consumption processing unit 12 subtracts the consumption amount from the original balance and updates the balance stored in the storage unit 13 as a new balance (step S1).
8). Then, it is determined whether or not the updated balance is “0” (step S19). If the balance is “0”,
A message to that effect is displayed (step S20), and the process proceeds to an end process for ending the consumption process (step S21). After the end processing, the consumption processing ends, and the process returns to the standby state.

In step S14, if there is no remaining amount of the prepaid card C or if the remaining amount cannot be confirmed, the process immediately jumps to step S21 to execute an end process. If the end request is recognized in step S15, the process immediately jumps to step S21 to execute the end process. If there is no consumption request in step S16, the process returns to step S15 and waits for an end request or a consumption request. In step S19, even when the remaining balance does not become “0” and the remaining balance remains, the process returns to step S15 and waits for an end request or a consumption request.

FIG. 7 shows details of the card check process in step S11. When the card check process is started, first, the reading control unit 141 detects the density gradation distribution of the bar code portion from a predetermined portion of the prepaid card C via the optical sensor 145 by the abnormality detection unit 144 (step S1). S31). The quantization processing unit 146 performs quantization by PCM or the like on the detection signal to obtain actual gradation distribution information (step S32).

On the other hand, the abnormality detecting section 144 reads out the reference gradation distribution information from the reference gradation distribution information area A2 of the prepaid card C by the data reading section 142 via the magnetic head 143 (step S33), and first performs quantization. The actual gradation distribution information thus obtained is compared with the reference gradation distribution information (step S34). In this case, the comparison and collation are the same P
It is quantized by a quantization method such as CM, and even if the two do not completely match due to signal level fluctuation or aging change in the system, if they are substantially common information,
Treated as substantially matched.

As a result of the comparison and collation, it is determined whether or not the two correspond to each other, and whether or not they substantially match (step S35). It is detected whether there is any inconsistency between the information and the other information and between these and the remaining amount punch hole punching state (step S36). If there is no inconsistency (step S37), the abnormality detection unit 144 determines that the prepaid card C is normal (step S38), ends the process, and returns to the consumption process of FIG.

If it is determined in step S35 that they do not match, it is determined that there is an abnormality (step S39),
The process ends, and returns to the consumption process of FIG. If it is determined in step S37 that there is a contradiction, the process proceeds to step S39, ends the process, and returns to the consumption process in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows details of the end processing of step S21 shown in FIG. When the end process is started, the balance of the amount information area A1 of the prepaid card C is updated and recorded based on the final balance stored in the storage unit 13 at that time (step S41). It is checked whether the remaining amount of the punch hole is the required amount (step S42). The amount of money required for punching the remaining amount of reference punch holes is an amount of money newly entering an area of the remaining amount area printed on the prepaid card C as a frequency value, which is different from the previous area. If the amount is such an amount, the data reading unit 142 of the reader / writer 14 punches a remaining amount guide punch hole (step S43). After punching out the remaining amount guide punch hole, the reader / writer 14 sends the prepaid card C
Is discharged (step S44). Then, the process ends, the process returns to the consumption process, and returns to the main routine.

If it is determined in step S42 that the remaining amount after the update is not the amount required for punching the remaining standard punch holes, step S43 is skipped and step S43 is skipped.
The process proceeds to 44, and the prepaid card is discharged. As shown in FIG. 9, the bar code B
C is printed, and in the normal case, recognition of the barcode BC in the reading device 1 is performed based on the relative output difference between the ground color and the barcode portion. In other words, the ground color of the back surface of the prepaid card C is gray, but the density of the gray color, which is the ground color, varies during manufacturing even within the same prepaid card C.

The bar code BC is printed on a ground color surface of the prepaid card medium having such a density variation. Variations also occur in the printing density of the barcode BC, but even if the printing density of the barcode BC is constant and there is no variation, the barcode BC is detected due to the variation due to the position of the ground color. The concentration fluctuates. For example, the barcode BC is detected relatively light in a portion of the prepaid card C where the background color is dark, and the barcode BC is detected relatively dark in a portion where the background color of the card is light. As described above, in the barcode portion, even in the same prepaid card C, the gradation such as shading varies.

The variation in gradation such as shading of the bar code portion occurs at the time of manufacturing the prepaid card C and is a random number variation that cannot be controlled. As described above, conventionally, a barcode has been generally recognized based on a relative value based on a difference in density gradation from a ground color portion. That is, as shown in FIG.
Bars with low density and light color (not only with low density of bars but also with the same density of bars and sometimes high density or dark color of the ground color) and bars of normal color intermediate between the two In the case where there is, the detection signals based on these relative values with the ground color have waveforms having different amplitudes as shown in FIG. In the conventional barcode recognition, a barcode is extracted from such a waveform by extracting a portion having a larger amplitude than a predetermined reference level RL as shown in FIG. Recognize the presence of the bar by obtaining a simple waveform.

On the other hand, in the present invention, information unique to each prepaid card C is obtained by identifying the distribution of gradations such as shading of the bar code portion including the ground color in detail. That is, at the time of manufacturing the prepaid card C, FIG.
As shown in (1), the shading of the bar code portion is analyzed in, for example, 8 gradations, and the displacement (position, that is, the distance from the reference point) is detected by dividing it into, for example, 16 sections. The gradation distribution information GD as shown in FIG. 14 for the ground color and the barcode portion obtained in this way is quantized to obtain reference gradation distribution information. The reference gradation distribution information is written as magnetic information in the reference gradation distribution information area A2 of the prepaid card C as shown in FIG.

As described above, when reading the magnetic storage information with the reading apparatus 1, the ground color and the actual gradation distribution information of the bar code portion detected by the optical sensor 145 and quantized by the quantization processing unit 146 are: It is checked whether the pre-recorded reference gradation distribution information matches, and if they match, the card is used as a normal prepaid card C. If the actual gradation distribution information obtained by measurement is different from the read reference gradation distribution information, only the magnetic storage information may be copied from another prepaid card C, so that it is not used.

In this manner, the tone distribution information of the bar code portion unique to each medium of the prepaid card C is stored in advance as the reference tone distribution information when the prepaid card C is issued, and the reading device 1 By comparing actual gradation distribution information obtained by actual measurement with reference gradation distribution information stored in the prepaid card medium, fraudulent copying of stored information of another prepaid card C is accurately detected. Therefore, fraudulent attempts to use a falsified or forged prepaid card medium by copying the stored information of a legitimate prepaid card C are accurately detected in advance, and improper use of the prepaid card due to falsification or falsification is eliminated. It is possible to do.

The prepaid card system of the present invention can be realized by using an ordinary computer system without configuring as a dedicated prepaid card system. For example, by installing a computer system from a medium (floppy disk, CD-ROM, or the like) storing a program for executing the above-described operation, a system for executing the above-described processing can be constructed. By the installation, the program is stored in a medium such as a hard disk in the computer system, configures the system, and is provided for execution. The medium for supplying the program to the computer is not limited to a storage medium in a narrow sense, but may be a communication medium that temporarily and fluidly holds information such as a program, such as a communication line, a communication network, and a communication system. It may be a storage medium in a broad sense.

For example, the program may be registered in an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server provided on a communication network such as the Internet, and distributed to an FTP client via the network. The program may be registered in a board system or the like and distributed via a network. Then start this program and run the OS
The above processing can be achieved by executing under the control of the (Operating System). Furthermore, the above-described processing can also be achieved by starting and executing the program while transferring the program via the communication network.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The reference gradation distribution information corresponding to the variation in the gradation distribution of the barcode printing portion unique to each medium of the prepaid card is stored in advance when the prepaid card is issued, and the actual gradation distribution information of the prepaid card is stored in the medium. By comparing the stored information of another authorized prepaid card on a falsified or forged prepaid card medium, the fraudulent use of the prepaid card is accurately detected by collating with the reference gradation distribution information thus obtained. , A prepaid card system and a reading device capable of eliminating the problem can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a reading device as a main part of a prepaid card system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a prepaid card system into which the configuration of FIG. 1 is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing stored contents of a prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a recording device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an encoding process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining consumption processing in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a card check process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an end process in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a barcode arrangement in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a bar code for explaining variation of a bar code portion including a ground color in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a relative amplitude waveform with a ground color conventionally used for detecting a barcode portion in a prepaid card system.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining an extracted waveform of a barcode portion according to FIG. 11;

13 is a schematic diagram for explaining analysis of gradation and displacement of a gradation waveform of a bar code portion including a ground color in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining an analysis waveform of gradation and displacement of a gradation waveform of a bar code portion including a ground color in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a barcode and a reference gradation distribution information area of the prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reading device 2 Relay device 3 Recording device 4 Payment center 11 Communication processing unit 12 Consumption processing unit 13 Storage unit 14 Reader / writer 31 Encoding control unit 32 Storage unit 33 Write processing unit 34 Magnetic head 35 Optical sensor 36 Quantization processing unit 141 Reading control unit 142 Data reading unit 143 Magnetic head 144 Abnormality detection unit 145 Optical sensor 146 Quantization processing unit C Prepaid card D Card issuer S Store

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid card system in which a barcode is printed on a predetermined portion and a monetary settlement is made by using a prepaid card made of a storage medium for storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value in a magnetic layer. Optically detects a gradation distribution including a ground color of a bar code portion printed on the predetermined portion of the predetermined portion, obtains actual gradation distribution information based on a detection signal corresponding to the variation of the gradation distribution, and obtains the prepaid When the card is issued, it is checked against the pre-stored reference gradation distribution information based on the detection signal of the gradation distribution of the bar code portion to detect fraud due to inconsistency between the two, and to reduce the consumption amount of the prepaid card. The reading means for updating the price information accordingly and transmitting the sales information including the consumption amount; and performing communication between the reading means and the reading means. A host processing unit for storing process by receiving the sales information and use the prepaid card information of the prepaid card,
A prepaid card system comprising: 2. The prepaid card stores the reference gradation distribution information obtained by quantizing an optically detected gradation distribution, and the reading means includes optical detection information of the gradation distribution. 2. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, further comprising quantization means for quantizing the reference gradation distribution information with a substantially common quantization method to obtain the actual gradation distribution information. 3. A prepaid card system in which a barcode is printed on a predetermined portion, and a monetary settlement is performed using a prepaid card comprising a storage medium for storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value in a magnetic layer. A predetermined grayscale distribution including a ground color of a barcode portion printed on the predetermined portion, and a reference grayscale based on a detection signal corresponding to a variation in the grayscale distribution. Recording means for recording distribution information together with the predetermined information and issuing as the prepaid card; optically detecting a gradation distribution including a ground color of the bar code portion in the predetermined portion of the prepaid card; Real tone distribution information based on the detection signal corresponding to the variation of the tonal distribution is obtained, and the actual tone distribution information is stored in advance in the prepaid card. Reading by comparing with the reference gradation distribution information, detecting fraud due to inconsistency between the two, updating the price information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount Means, performing communication between the reading means, higher-level processing means for receiving the sales information and used prepaid card information of the prepaid card from the reading means and storing and processing,
A prepaid card system comprising: 4. The recording means includes first quantization means for quantizing optical detection information of a gradation distribution to obtain the reference gradation distribution information. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a second quantization means for quantizing optical detection information by a quantization scheme substantially common to said first quantization means to obtain said actual gradation distribution information. The prepaid card system described in 1. 5. A magnetic head for printing a bar code on a predetermined portion, reading and writing storage information of a prepaid card comprising a storage medium for storing a monetary value corresponding to a monetary value in a magnetic layer and providing a monetary settlement. Reading and writing the amount information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and at the time of issuing the prepaid card, an optical optical system corresponding to a variation in gradation distribution including a ground color of a bar code portion printed on the predetermined portion. Reading processing means for reading out, using the magnetic head, reference tone distribution information stored in advance based on various detection signals, and an optical sensor for optically detecting a tone distribution including a ground color of the bar code portion. Obtaining actual tone distribution information corresponding to the variation in tone distribution of the bar code portion based on the detection signal of the optical sensor, and reading the information by the reading processing means; Abnormality detecting means for comparing the reference gradation distribution information with the reference gradation distribution information to detect fraud by mismatching the two, and updating the amount information by the reading processing means in accordance with the amount of consumption of the prepaid card; and A consumption processing unit for transmitting sales information including a consumption amount; 6. The prepaid card stores the reference gradation distribution information obtained by quantizing an optically detected gradation distribution, and the abnormality detecting means optically detects the gradation distribution. 6. The reading apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a quantization unit that quantizes information according to a substantially common quantization method with the reference gradation distribution information to obtain the actual gradation distribution information.