JPH11328334A - Prepaid card system and reader writer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stop a prepaid card medium, which is altered or forged by copying stored information, from being used by accurately detecting it. SOLUTION: A magnetic head 143 reads out magnetically stored information on a prepaid card under the control of a data read write part 142. An optical sensor 146 reads out gradation distribution information such as light and shade gradations at a bar code part of the prepaid card and supplies it to a quantizing process part 145 under the control of a ciphering process part 144. The quantizing process part 145 quantizes the gradation distribution information to generate a cipher key. The ciphering process part 144 when reading and writing the stored information of the prepaid card through the magnetic head by the data read write part 144 ciphers and deciphers the information by using the cipher key obtained by the quantizing process part 145. When information read out through the data read write part 142 with this cipher key is not deciphered correctly, it is decided that the prepaid card is illegal.

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. In this way, by associating the information unique to each prepaid card medium with the storage information, it is considered that an unauthorized prepaid card in which only the storage information is copied can be identified and used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and accurately detects and discriminates fraudulent copying of stored information of a legitimate prepaid card to a falsified or forged prepaid card, and detects and discriminates a falsified or forged prepaid card. An object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid card system and a reading device that can prevent unauthorized use.

[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. Quantizing the detection signal corresponding to the variation of the gradation distribution, and using the quantized information as an encryption key,
Reading means for decrypting / encrypting the read / write information of the prepaid card, updating the price information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount; and the reading means To communicate with
A high-level processing unit that receives the sales information and the used prepaid card information of the prepaid card from the reading unit and stores the received information.

[0010] According to such a configuration, the reading means quantizes the 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 to obtain an encryption key, and By using for decryption / encryption in reading / writing of storage information of the card, it is possible to appropriately prevent unauthorized use by copying storage information of another prepaid card. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to falsification or forgery of the medium.

A prepaid card system according to a second aspect of the present invention uses a prepaid card formed of 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 financial settlement by means of a method, optically detects a gradation distribution including a ground color of a barcode portion printed on the predetermined portion of the prepaid card medium, and detects the gradation distribution corresponding to the variation of the gradation distribution. Recording means for quantizing a signal, encrypting and recording predetermined initial information on the prepaid card medium using the quantized information as an encryption key, and issuing the same as the prepaid card; and the barcode at the predetermined portion of the prepaid card. Optically detecting a gradation distribution including a ground color of a portion, and outputting a detection signal corresponding to a variation in the gradation distribution to the recording means. The quantized information is quantized by a substantially common quantization method, the read / write information of the prepaid card is decrypted / encrypted using the quantized information as an encryption key, and the amount information is converted according to the amount of consumption of the prepaid card. The reading means for updating and transmitting the sales information including the consumption amount, and performing communication between the reading means, receiving the sales information and the used prepaid card information of the prepaid card from the reading means And a higher-level processing means for performing storage processing.

According to such a configuration, when the prepaid card is issued, the gradation distribution information based on the gradation distribution of the predetermined barcode printing portion is quantized and used as the encryption key, so that the reading means can store the prepaid card. When reading / writing information, decryption / encryption can be performed by using a unique encryption key for each medium of the prepaid card, and illegal use by copying stored information of another prepaid card can be properly prevented. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to falsification or forgery of the medium.

The reading means includes a magnetic head for reading and writing storage information of the prepaid card, a reading processing means for reading / writing storage information including amount information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, An optical sensor for optically detecting a gradation distribution including a ground color of the barcode portion of the prepaid card; and a gradation distribution corresponding to a variation in the gradation distribution of the barcode portion based on a detection signal of the optical sensor. Quantization processing means for quantizing information to obtain an encryption key; and encryption processing means for decrypting / encrypting the read / write information in the reading processing means using the encryption key obtained by the quantization processing means. Consumption processing means for updating the price information by the reading processing means in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount; It may contain a.

A reading device 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 amount 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, reading processing means for reading / writing the storage information including the price information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head, and a ground color of a bar code portion of the prepaid card. An optical sensor for optically detecting a gradation distribution including
A quantization processing unit that quantizes gradation distribution information corresponding to a variation in the gradation distribution of the bar code portion based on the detection signal of the optical sensor to obtain an encryption key; and a quantization processing unit. Encryption processing means for decrypting / encrypting the read / write information in the reading processing means using an encryption key; and updating the price information by the reading processing means in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card; Consumption processing means for transmitting sales information including the consumption amount.

According to such a configuration, the reading device quantizes the gradation distribution information based on the dispersion of the gradation distribution of the bar code printing portion unique to each medium of the prepaid card when issuing the prepaid card, and encrypts the encryption key. By using it for decryption / encryption in reading / writing the storage information of the prepaid card, it is possible to appropriately prevent unauthorized use by copying the storage information of another prepaid card.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the prepaid card due to falsification or forgery of the medium.

[0016]

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 obtains an encryption key by quantizing detection information obtained by detecting gradation information such as light and shade gradation of a bar code portion printed on a predetermined portion according to a predetermined quantization method. . The encryption key is used for decryption / encryption in reading / writing of information stored in the prepaid card. Since the encryption key is also used at the time of writing the initial encoding information at the time of issuing the prepaid card, the encryption key based on the quantization result of the gradation distribution information detected from the barcode portion is used for encoding. If it does not correspond to the encryption key, the storage information cannot be correctly decrypted and read, and it is determined that an unauthorized prepaid card has been inserted. If the stored information can be correctly decoded and read, it is determined that the card is an appropriate prepaid card, and the remaining amount of the punch hole is detected next, and inconsistency with the amount information stored in the prepaid card is detected. Check if there is any. 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, a remaining amount guide punch hole is punched as needed based on the updated remaining amount.

That is, the reader / writer 14 includes a reading control unit 141, a data reading unit 142, a magnetic head 143,
Encryption processing unit 144, quantization processing unit 145, and optical sensor 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 magnetic storage information such as money amount information on the prepaid card under the control of the data reading unit 142. The optical sensor 146 is
Under the control of the encryption processing unit 144, it reads out gradation distribution information such as light and shade gradations of the barcode portion of the prepaid card, and supplies it to the quantization processing unit 145. Quantization processing unit 14
Reference numeral 5 quantizes the gradation distribution information detected from the bar code portion by the optical sensor 146 to generate an encryption key.

The encryption processing unit 144 includes a data reading unit 142
Thus, when reading / writing the storage information such as the amount information of the prepaid card performed via the magnetic head 143, the data is decrypted / encrypted using the encryption key obtained by the quantization processing unit 145. That is, the encryption processing unit 144 decrypts the stored information using the encryption key obtained by the quantization processing unit 145 when the prepaid card is inserted. If the information read via the data reading unit 142 is not correctly decrypted by the encryption key, it is assumed that an unauthorized prepaid card has been inserted, and it is determined that there is an abnormality.

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 number of the relay devices 2 is not limited to one in 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
A plurality of reading devices 1 for each store S, a plurality of reading devices 1 for each hall in the store S, or a plurality of reading devices 1 for each floor in the store S and the settlement center 4 are provided.

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 unit A using a magnetic layer, and the information storage unit A has a money amount information area A1 and another information area A2. In the money amount information area A1, money amount information such as a balance is written.
In the other information area A2, 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 storage information of the money amount information area A1 and the other information area A2 is obtained by using the quantization information obtained by reading out the bar code printing portion of the prepaid card C and quantizing it according to a predetermined quantization method as an encryption key. , Is encrypted.

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,
In the other information area A2, the card identification information (card ID) of the prepaid card C, the manufacturer code indicating the manufacturer, the manufacturing date (encoding date) information, and the like are written.

Amount information area A1 and other information areas A
Prior to writing the stored information into the data 2, the grayscale distribution information obtained by detecting the grayscale distribution such as the grayscale grayscale of the bar code portion by the optical sensor, for example, the analog detection signal is converted to PCM (pulse code modulation). ) Or other A / D
It is quantized by (analog-digital) conversion to obtain an encryption key. The recording device 3 uses this encryption key to encrypt the write information in the amount information area A1 and the other information area A2.

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, quantization processing unit 36
And a cryptographic processing unit 37. Encoding control unit 3
1 controls the encoding of the prepaid card in the recording device 3, that is, the writing of the 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 writing processing unit 33 drives the magnetic head 34 under the control of the encoding control unit 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 and the other information area A2 of the prepaid card C. The optical sensor 35 is controlled by the encoding control unit 31 to detect a gradation distribution such as a light and shade gradation of a bar code portion printed on a predetermined 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, the magnetic head 34, the prepaid card C, or both are moved. May be simultaneously moved in different directions. Also, the optical sensor 3
5 also moves 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, the prepaid card C is moved. Or both may be simultaneously moved in different directions.

The optical sensor 35 detects gradation distribution information such as light and shade gradation of a bar code portion including a ground color 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 information by PCM or the like, quantizes the information, and supplies the result to the encryption processing unit 37 as an encryption key. The encryption processing unit 37 encrypts the write information using the encryption key obtained by the quantization processing unit 36 when the writing processing unit 33 writes information in the money amount information area A1 and the other information area A2. The encoding control unit 31 includes the optical sensor 3
After the gradation distribution information is detected in step 5, the amount information and other information are written to the amount information area A1 and the other information area A2 via the writing processing unit 33. When writing the money amount information and other information, the write processing unit 33 performs encryption by the encryption processing unit 37.

The reading device 1 is connected to, for example, a vending machine (not shown) for renting out game media, etc., and the prepaid card C stores the value of the game media 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 information of the barcode printing portion of the prepaid card C by the optical sensor 146, and converts the detected information into the quantization processing unit 145. In step (1), an encryption key is generated by quantizing using PCM or the like, and is used for subsequent decryption and encryption. At this time, the same quantization method is used as the quantization method at the time of generating the encryption key in the recording device 3 (the quantization processing unit 36) and the reproduction signal in the reading device 1 (the quantization processing unit 145). Used.

The reading apparatus 1 decrypts the money information such as the money information area A1 of the prepaid card C by the encryption processing unit 144 using the encryption key obtained by quantization by the quantization processing unit 145. If the payment is successful, it is determined that the prepaid card C is normal,
As a result of the decryption, when it is determined that the decryption has not been performed normally, the prepaid card C is abnormal and is determined to be an unauthorized prepaid card C. At this time, in many cases, there is a possibility that the reproduction information has a level drop due to a change with time and a signal waveform shift due to a difference between the magnetic heads 34 and 143. , And can be used as the same encryption key.

Further, the reading device 1 checks whether there is any inconsistency in the information stored in the information storage section A of the prepaid card C, the punch hole information, and the like. 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, Prepaid cards are discriminated, used and ejected.

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-described 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 portion on which the barcode is printed is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a portion in the vicinity of the frequency value row for the remaining guide punch hole on the back surface of the prepaid card C, and the portion is as shown in the drawing. The bar code BC is printed.

The bar code BC detected by the optical sensor 35
The gradation gradation distribution of
Alternatively, it is quantized by other A / D conversion or the like, and given to the encryption processing unit 37 as an encryption key (step S2).
The encoding control unit 31 encrypts required encoding information via the writing processing unit 33 by using the encryption key obtained by the quantization processing unit 36 by the encryption processing unit 37, and stores the encoded information in the information storage unit of the prepaid card C. Writing is performed on each of the areas A1 and A2 of A (step S3), and the encoding process ends.

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 reader / writer 14 of the reading device 1.

When the processing is started, the reader / writer 14
The encryption processing unit 144 checks whether the set prepaid card C is normal (step S11). That is, first, the encryption processing unit 144 of the reader / writer 14
However, the optical sensor 146 detects a gradation distribution from a predetermined barcode printing portion of the prepaid card C (the barcode is printed on the back surface of the prepaid card C in the same manner as the lot number etc.), and the gradation distribution information And the quantization processing unit 1
Quantization is performed at 45 to obtain an encryption key. And the encryption processing unit 1
Reference numeral 44 denotes a magnetic head 143 via the data reading unit 142.
Thus, the stored information of the prepaid card C, for example, the amount information of the amount information area A1, is read out and decrypted using the encryption key. The encryption processing unit 144 checks whether or not the read storage information has been successfully decrypted. If the storage information cannot be decrypted normally, the prepaid card C that has been set is abnormal and has been created by unauthorized means. Is determined.

If the read storage information has been successfully decrypted, then the encryption processing unit 144 of the reader / writer 14 is read.
Thus, the presence or absence of inconsistency 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. Encryption processing unit 14
It is determined whether or not an abnormality is detected in step 4 (step S12). If an abnormality is detected, the prepaid card C is determined to be invalid, and after displaying an invalid or error display, the system operation is stopped. Then, an abnormal / illegal process is performed (step S13).

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). The remaining amount is decrypted and confirmed using the previous encryption key, and 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 a card return, 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 the game medium (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 flow returns to step S15 to wait 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 the details of the card check process in step S11. When the card check process is started, first, the reading control unit 141 detects a gradation distribution from a predetermined barcode printing portion of the prepaid card C by the encryption processing unit 144 via the optical sensor 146 (step S31). . The quantization processing unit 145 performs quantization on the reproduced signal by PCM or the like, and uses it as an encryption key (step S32). On the other hand, the encryption processing unit 144 reads out the storage information of the prepaid card C, for example, the amount information from the amount information area A1 via the magnetic head 143 by the data reading unit 142 (step S33), and decrypts using the encryption key generated earlier. (Step S34). In this case, the money amount information and the like are encrypted using an encryption key quantized by PCM or the like by detecting a common gradation distribution, and the reproduction signal of the reference information is changed due to a signal level fluctuation in the system. Even if they do not completely match, substantially the same encryption key can be obtained by quantizing.

As a result of the decryption, it is determined whether or not the amount information has been normally decrypted (step S35). If it is determined that the amount information has been decrypted normally, the encryption processing unit 144 next proceeds to the amount information and other information. It is detected whether or not there is any inconsistency between the information and the remaining information and the state of punching the remaining standard punch holes (step S36). If there is no contradiction (step S
37), the encryption processing unit 144 determines that the prepaid card C
Is normal (step S38), the process ends, and the process returns to the consumption process in FIG.

If it is determined in step S35 that the data has not been decoded normally, it is determined that the data is abnormal (step S39), the processing is terminated, and the flow returns to the consumption processing in 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 in step S21 shown in FIG. When the termination process is started, the remaining amount in the amount information area A1 of the prepaid card C is encrypted using the above-mentioned encryption key and updated and recorded based on the final remaining amount stored in the storage unit 13 at that time. Then, it is checked whether or not the remaining amount after the update is the amount required for punching the remaining amount punch hole (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 the remaining holes,
The prepaid card C is discharged from the writer 14 (step S44). Then, the process ends, and the process returns to the consumption process.

If it is determined in step S42 that the remaining amount after the update is not the amount required for punching the remaining amount guide punch hole, step S43 is skipped and step S43 is skipped.
The process proceeds to 44, and the prepaid card C is discharged.

As shown in FIG. 9, a bar code BC is printed on the back of the prepaid card C. In a normal case, the reading device 1 recognizes the bar code BC by comparing the background color with the bar code portion. This is performed based on the output difference. 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 of the ground color and the barcode portion obtained in this way is quantized to obtain an encryption key. The stored information such as the amount information for the prepaid card C is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the data is encrypted using the encryption key and written into the information storage unit A.

As described above, when the magnetic recording information is read by the reading apparatus 1, it is detected by the optical sensor 146 and quantized by the quantization processing section 145 (based on the ground color and the gradation distribution information of the bar code section). ) It is checked whether or not the storage information of the prepaid card C can be decrypted by using the encryption key. If the storage information can be decrypted, the card is used as a normal prepaid card C. Quantization processing unit 1 based on gradation distribution information in a barcode printing area
If the magnetic storage information could not be decrypted and decrypted using the encryption key obtained by quantizing in step 45, there is a possibility that only the magnetic storage information was copied from another prepaid card C. To

Accordingly, the code information is encrypted and stored at the time of issuing the prepaid card C using information obtained by quantizing the gradation distribution information of the bar code portion unique to each medium of the prepaid card C as an encryption key, The reading device 1 reproduces an encryption key by quantizing the gradation distribution information actually measured from the prepaid card C, and reads / writes the storage information stored in the prepaid card medium using the encryption key. By decrypting / encrypting, another prepaid card C
Unauthorized detection by duplicating the stored information of a person is accurately detected and the use is prevented. Therefore, fraudulent attempts to use a falsified or forged prepaid card medium by copying stored information of a regular prepaid card C are accurately prevented in advance, and improper use of the prepaid card due to falsification or forgery is prevented beforehand. It is possible to do.

The prepaid card system of the present invention can be realized by using an ordinary computer system without configuring 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. An electronic bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin) of the communication network may be used. 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.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the prepaid card is issued, the gradation distribution information based on the gradation distribution of a predetermined bar code printing portion is quantized and used as an encryption key, so that when reading / writing the storage information of the prepaid card, each medium of the prepaid card is read and written. It can be decrypted / encrypted using a unique encryption key, and can accurately detect and discriminate against unauthorized use by copying stored information of other prepaid cards, and prevent unauthorized use of prepaid cards by alteration or forgery. It is possible to provide a prepaid card system and a reading device that can prevent the user from blocking beforehand.

[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 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 encrypted information storage unit of the prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 reading device 2 relay device 3 recording device 4 settlement 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 37 encryption processing unit 141 reading control unit 142 data reading unit 143 magnetic head 144 encryption processing unit 145 quantization processing unit 146 optical sensor C prepaid card D card issuer S store

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G09C 1/00 640 G07F 7/08 C

Claims (4)

[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 barcode portion printed on the predetermined portion of the above, quantizes a detection signal corresponding to the variation of the gradation distribution, and uses the quantized information as an encryption key, Reading means for decrypting / encrypting the read / write information of the prepaid card, updating the price information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount; Upper-level processing for performing communication with the storage device and receiving the sales information and the used prepaid card information of the prepaid card from the reading means and storing the received information. And the stage,
A prepaid card system comprising: 2. A prepaid card system in which a barcode is printed on a predetermined portion and a monetary settlement is made using a prepaid card comprising 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 barcode portion printed on the predetermined portion of the above, quantizes a detection signal corresponding to the variation of the gradation distribution, and uses the quantized information as an encryption key, Recording means for encrypting and recording predetermined initial information on the prepaid card medium and issuing the same as the prepaid card; and optically detecting a gradation distribution including a ground color of the barcode portion in the predetermined portion of the prepaid card. Then, the detection signal corresponding to the variation of the gradation distribution is quantized by a substantially common quantization method with the recording unit, and the quantized information is Reading / reading means for decrypting / encrypting the read / write information of the prepaid card as a number key, updating the price information according to the consumption amount of the prepaid card, and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount; An upper-level processing unit that performs communication with the reading unit, receives the sales information and the used prepaid card information of the prepaid card from the reading unit, and stores the received information.
A prepaid card system comprising: 3. The reading means comprises: a magnetic head for reading and writing storage information of the prepaid card; and a reading processing means for reading / writing storage information including amount information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head. An optical sensor that optically detects a gradation distribution including a ground color of the barcode portion of the prepaid card; and a floor corresponding to a variation in the gradation distribution of the barcode portion based on a detection signal of the optical sensor. Quantization processing means for quantizing the key distribution information to obtain an encryption key; and encryption for decrypting / encrypting the read / write information in the reading processing means using the encryption key obtained by the quantization processing means. Processing means; and a consumption processing means for updating the price information by the reading processing means in accordance with the consumption amount of the prepaid card and transmitting sales information including the consumption amount. Prepaid card system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a and. 4. A magnetic head for printing a bar code on a predetermined portion, reading and writing stored information of a prepaid card comprising a storage medium for storing money amount information corresponding to a monetary value in a magnetic layer for monetary settlement. Reading processing means for reading / writing the storage information including the price information of the prepaid card using the magnetic head; and light for optically detecting a gradation distribution including a ground color of a bar code portion of the prepaid card. A sensor, quantization processing means for quantizing a gradation distribution information corresponding to a variation in the gradation distribution of the bar code portion based on a detection signal of the optical sensor to obtain an encryption key, and the quantization processing means An encryption processing means for decrypting / encrypting the read / write information in the reading processing means using an encryption key obtained in The writing processing unit updates the amount information, and reading apparatus comprising: a, a consumption processing means for transmitting a sales information including digestion costs money.