JPS6446186A - Card system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent a card form being altered or forged and to improve the security of the card by heating a specific position in the card, detecting the existence of coloring to confirm the availabity of the card, and then punching the card to remove the coloring part. CONSTITUTION: Five punch hole perforating parts 33a to 33e to corresponding to a balance are formed on the lower part of a prepaid card 30 and small dot-like heat sensitive coloring parts 32a to 32e are formed on the insides of respective coloring parts 32a to 32e. When the card 30 is inserted, a reading head 4 reads out data and a photoelectric sensor 2 detects an already punched hole position. When the read data coincide with the detected hole, the validity of the card 30 is confirmed and the data are sent to a main control part 24. When a purchase amount is received from the control part 24, the thermosensitive coloring part on the punched position is heated by a thermal head 8, and when the coloring part is colored, a message 'card correct' is sent to the control part 24 and puncher 6 perforates a punch hole. When the position is correctly punched, a writing head 5 writes updated data. After completing correct punching and writing, the card 30 is ejected. Since the coloring part is removed at the time of punching, the check of the coloring part is hidden.