JP2000182006A - Justice judgment system of information card, information card and manufacture of information card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely read a fixed mark which is difficult to be imitated and reproduced by a comparatively easy means as being based on enhancement of security of a card by physically engraving the mark on an information card. SOLUTION: A justice judgment system 12 is provided with the information card 10 that many fine through holes 18 are formed for a card base 14 in which fixed data are recorded by a specified means according to a specified pattern, a means to detect states of the through holes 18 formed on the information card 10 and a means to judge justice of the information card 10 based on a detection result. In this case, the detecting means is provided with a light emitting part 26 to irradiate one surface of the information card 10 with light, a light receiving part 28 to grasp transmitted light from the light emitting part 26 on the side of the other surface and the justice is judged based on output of the light receiving part 28 by the judging means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a prepaid card, a credit card, a cash card and the like.
The present invention relates to a technology for determining forgery or falsification by performing physical processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Cards in which a certain amount of information (data) is added to a rectangular synthetic resin card by using various means are now in widespread use. Typical examples include a prepaid card in which a magnetic material applied to the entire back surface of a PET resin card is provided with amount data using magnetic means, and a magnetic stripe attached to the surface of a vinyl chloride card. A credit card or a cash card in which a confirmation code (personal identification number) or the like is stamped using magnetic means can be used.

[0003] Since these information cards have a property value, they are always exposed to the risk of forgery or falsification, and it is essential to take measures to prevent them. That is,
Since the magnetic data itself attached to the information card can be decrypted and copied using a dedicated magnetic reader / writer device, for example, in the case of a prepaid card such as a telephone card or a pachinko card, every time the number of uses decreases. Reuse of used cards (modification) by punching punch holes in the card body and magnetically detecting the presence of these punch holes
Has been prevented. However, there has been devised a method of closing the punched hole with a magnetic tape, and writing necessary magnetic data on the punched hole so that the hole can be reused, which is a major social problem at present.

Therefore, a technique has been developed for irradiating an information card with a laser beam to form a large number of fine recesses which cannot be identified by the naked eye, thereby detecting the fact of falsification. FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example of this information card.
Reference numeral 70 denotes a three-layer structure in which both surfaces of a light reflection layer 72 made of aluminum foil or the like are sandwiched between resin layers. Among them, a large number of fine concave portions 76 having a diameter of 10 μm or less are formed at a constant pitch in the first resin layer 74 by laser processing. On the surface of the second resin layer 78, a magnetic material is applied to form a data recording section 80.

[0005] The information card 70 is used, for example, as a telephone card, and each time it is inserted into a public telephone and used, a punch hole 82 is formed at a position corresponding to the remaining frequency in the recess forming portion (FIG. 16). . The punched hole 82 is detected each time by the magnetic sensor 84 disposed in the public telephone, and when the punched hole 82 is punched in the used position, it is determined that “the residual number is zero” and the call is rejected. The Rukoto. As shown in FIG. 16, the punch holes 82 themselves are formed by sticking a magnetic tape 86 on the surface of the second resin layer 78 and writing necessary information on the surface by magnetic means to check the existence of the magnetic tape 86 on the surface of the second resin layer 78. It is possible to hide from the sensor 84. However, when the information card 70 is observed from the first resin layer 74 side, the punch hole 82 remains as it is. Then, when the punched holes 82 are closed for the purpose of reuse and the information card 70 is inserted into the public telephone, the fact that the fine concave portions 76 that should be arranged at a constant pitch are partially missing is recorded in the telephone. The arrangement of the optical sensor 88 detects and the presence of the punched hole 82 is reliably recognized.

[0006]

The above-mentioned fine concave portion 76 has a diameter of 10 μm or less and cannot be recognized by the naked eye. Using a microscope, the presence can be recognized, but the punch hole 82 is filled with a resin material and closed. In order to accurately reproduce the concave portion 76, a large-scale laser processing device and advanced processing technology are required, and it is practically impossible to perform alteration. On the other hand, since it is extremely easy to form the fine concave portions 76 at a constant pitch in the first resin layer 74 by using a laser beam, there is an advantage that the prepaid card can be subjected to a falsification prevention process at a relatively low cost. .

However, in the case of the above-described conventional alteration prevention system, the presence of the minute recess 76 is determined by the light sensor 88.
The detection laser light output from the light emitting element in the inside reaches the target object, and the light receiving element recognizes the change in the amount of reflected light reflected there by catching it. For this reason,
Fine recesses 76 to make it more difficult to modify the information card 70
The smaller the aperture, the finer the concave
There was a limit that detection of 76 became difficult. In particular, when the minute concave portion 76 is formed by laser processing, a very small amount of processing residue (carbide or precipitate) peculiar to laser processing adheres to the periphery of the opening of the concave portion 76, and the reflected light is scattered. For this reason, there has been a problem that even if micromachining with a bent laser is realized, this cannot be detected accurately.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is based on improving the security of a card by physically imprinting a fixed mark that is difficult to reproduce or reproduce on an information card. It is another object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of reliably reading the mark by relatively simple means.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information card validity judging system according to the present invention comprises a fine hole formed in a card base on which certain data is recorded by a predetermined means. A plurality of information cards formed according to a predetermined pattern, means for detecting at least the state of a hole formed in the information card, and means for determining the validity of the information card based on the detection result. A validity determination system comprising:
A substance having a property different from that of the constituent material of the card base is filled, and the detecting means comprises a sensor for detecting the substance filled in the hole, and the determining means outputs an output from the sensor. It is characterized in that the validity is determined based on this. The “hole” is a concept including a bottomed concave portion (non-through hole) and a through hole.

For example, the hole is filled with a substance having a specific gravity different from that of the constituent material of the card base, and a sensor (for example, an "ultrasonic sensor" or the like) capable of detecting a difference in specific gravity between the substances is used as the detecting means. ), The above determination means determines the validity based on the output from the sensor. In this case, since the sensor directly detects the specific gravity of the substance filled in the hole, the presence of the hole can be more reliably recognized, and the conventional case of capturing the reflected light from the concave portion is different from the conventional case. On the contrary, even if some processing residue is present on the periphery of the opening, the detection accuracy is not significantly affected by this. Alternatively, the card base is made of a synthetic resin material, the hole is filled with a magnetic material, the presence of the magnetic material is detected by a magnetic sensor, and based on the output from the magnetic sensor, the determination means is valid. It can also be configured to determine gender. Further, the card base is made of a synthetic resin material, and the hole is filled with a metal material such as aluminum or iron, and the presence of the metal material is detected by a metal sensor, and based on an output from the metal sensor. Thus, the determination means may determine the validity.

[0011] Another validity determination system according to the present invention is an information card comprising a card base on which certain data is recorded by a predetermined means, and a large number of fine through holes formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern. A validity determination system comprising: means for detecting a state of a through hole formed in the information card; and means for determining validity of the information card based on a result of the detection. It has a light emitting unit that irradiates light toward one side of the information card, and a light receiving unit that captures the transmitted light on the other side,
The determination means determines the validity based on an output from the light receiving unit. Since this validity determination system is a mechanism for detecting the transmitted light from the through-hole, it is possible to reliably detect the presence of the through-hole as compared with the conventional case in which the reflected light from the concave portion is captured.

Another legitimacy determining system according to the present invention is an information card comprising a card base on which predetermined data is recorded by predetermined means, and a large number of fine through holes formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern. A validity determination system comprising: means for detecting a state of a through hole formed in an information card; and means for determining validity of the card based on the detection result, wherein a magnetic material is provided in the through hole. Is filled, and the detecting means includes a first magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic material appearing at one end opening of each through hole and a second magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic material appearing at the other end opening. And the judging means judges legitimacy based on outputs from the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. In the case of this validity determination system, the magnetic material appearing at the one end opening and the other end opening of each through hole is detected by a magnetic sensor, so that the presence of the through hole can be reliably detected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information card in which constant data is recorded by predetermined means and a large number of fine through holes are formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern. And a means for determining the validity of the card based on the detection result, wherein the conductive material is filled in the through hole. In addition, the detecting means applies a predetermined voltage between the first electrode in contact with the conductive material appearing in one end opening of each through hole, the second electrode in contact with the conductive material appearing in the other end opening, and both electrodes. A power supply to be applied and a means for detecting a current value between both electrodes are provided, and the determining means determines validity based on an output from the current value detecting means. This legitimacy determination system is a mechanism that detects the energization phenomenon that occurs when electrodes are brought into contact with both ends of the conductive material filled in each through-hole, so it is necessary to reliably detect the presence of the through-hole. Becomes possible.

The holes (including the through holes) are formed, for example, by irradiating the card base with laser light.
In addition, as the through-hole, not only a through-hole formed perpendicular to the card base but also an inclined through-hole formed at a predetermined inclination angle from the front surface to the back surface of the card base. Alternatively, a funnel-shaped through hole in which one end opening is formed larger in diameter than the other end opening may be adopted as the through hole. Further, as the through hole, a through hole formed from the surface to the side surface of the card base may be used.

The plurality of holes (through holes) formed in the information card may have a common size and shape, but may be arranged so as to change according to a fixed pattern. .

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 show a first information card 10 according to the present invention and a validity judgment system 12 using the same. First information card
Reference numeral 10 denotes a substantially rectangular card base 14 made of a synthetic resin such as PET, as shown in FIG.
And a validity identification unit 16 formed in the same. Although not shown, a data recording portion coated with a magnetic material is formed on at least a part of the back surface 14b of the card base. The data recording unit stores necessary data (for example, amount data) using a known magnetic means (such as a magnetic head).
Are recorded in a predetermined format. Of course, a magnetic material may be applied in stripes on the surface 14a of the card base, and this may be used as a data recording section.

The validity discriminating section 16 is formed in an elongated strip shape along the longitudinal direction of the card base 14. In the validity discriminating portion 16, a large number of fine through holes 18 having a diameter of about 1 μm to 10 μm are formed at a constant pitch. As shown in FIG. 2, each through hole 18 is not formed perpendicularly (90 degrees) to the card base surface 14a, but is formed so as to be inclined at a fixed angle (for example, 80 degrees). I have.
As a result, the upper end opening 18a and the lower end opening 18 of each inclined through hole 18 are formed.
There is a certain positional deviation between b and b.

Hereinafter, a method of using the first information card 10 will be described. For example, when the first information card 10 is used as a telephone card for a public telephone,
In the data recording portion formed on the back surface 14b of the card base,
A certain amount of money information (for example, “500 yen”) is recorded in advance. As shown in FIG. 3, a first information card 10 as a telephone card is inserted into a card insertion slot of a public telephone 20.
When the first information card 10 is inserted into the first information card 10, the first information card 10 is conveyed inward at a constant speed.

During the transfer of the first information card 10, the insertion slot
From the light emitting unit 26 disposed in the vicinity of 22, the detection laser light L is continuously emitted toward the validity identifying unit 16. Since the laser light L is emitted at an angle substantially equal to the angle of inclination of each inclined through hole 18, the component incident on the upper end opening 18a of the inclined through hole 18 passes through the through hole 18 as it is and the lower end opening 18b Output from Then, the laser light L transmitted through each inclined through hole 18 is captured by the light receiving unit 28 arranged on the back side of the first information card 10. This light receiving section 28
Are mainly configured with a light receiving element such as a phototransistor, and have a function of outputting a current value proportional to the amount of light incident on the light receiving surface. The electric signal output from the light receiving unit 28 is subjected to predetermined amplification and A / D conversion processing, is converted into a pulse, and is transmitted to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes a CPU including a microcomputer, a ROM and an RA.
M, etc., a memory device, an input / output interface device, a system bus connecting the devices, and the like.
By executing the control program stored in M, the function of determining the validity of the inserted information card 10 is achieved. The inclined through hole 18 by the laser light L
In parallel with the scanning, the amount data recorded in the data recording unit of the first information card 10 is read by a magnetic sensor (not shown) and sent to the control unit 30.

The control unit 30 determines whether the information card 10 is valid by comparing the amount data read by the magnetic sensor with the output signal transmitted from the light receiving unit 28. For example, when the information card 10 is unused, the amount data indicates the full amount of “500 yen”. Also, since no punch holes are formed in the validity identification unit 16, a number of pulse signals corresponding to the number of the respective inclined through holes 18 are sent from the light receiving unit 28 at regular intervals. It should be. Therefore, the control unit 30 counts the number of signals of the same pulse width transmitted from the light receiving unit 28, confirms that this matches the number of the inclined through holes 18 set in advance, and undoubtedly uses unused information. It is determined to be card 10. As a result, "50" indicating the available number is displayed on a display (not shown), and the call is permitted.

If a call for 100 yen is made, for example, a magnetic recording device (not shown) rewrites the amount data in the data recording section to a value indicating the remaining amount of 400 yen. At the same time, a punching device (not shown) is used to set a punch hole 3 at a position corresponding to 400 yen in the validity identification unit 16.
2 is drilled. When the information card 10 with the remaining balance of 400 yen is inserted into the card insertion slot 22 of the public telephone 20 again, the magnetic sensor reads data indicating the remaining balance of 400 yen, and the read result is sent to the control unit 30. Further, the control unit 30 includes a light receiving unit 28
By analyzing the state of the signal output from, it is confirmed that the punched hole 32 is surely drilled at the position of the remaining amount of 400 yen, and a call up to 400 yen is permitted.

Here, the existence of the punch holes 32 is recognized as follows. That is, the diameter of the punch hole 32 is 1 mm
Since the opening area is much larger than that of the inclined through hole 18 on the order of microns, the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit 28 when the punched hole 30 passes increases dramatically, and the light receiving unit 28 is proportionately increased. Also, the pulse width of the signal output from is increased. The pulse width corresponding to the punch holes 32 is determined in advance by the control unit.
The control unit 30 can recognize the presence of the punched hole 32 by comparing the set value with the set value, since it is set in the storage element in the unit 30. Further, the position where the punch hole 32 is formed is the inclined through hole 18 until the punch hole 32 is reached.
It is specified by counting the number of.

By irradiating the processing laser beam to the surface 14a of the card base from an oblique direction through an optical system such as a galvanometer mirror, the inclined through hole 18 can be formed easily and with high precision. Of course, each inclined through hole 18
A small amount of processing residue peculiar to laser processing adheres to the periphery of the upper end opening 18a of the first information card.
In the legitimacy determination system 12 using the laser beam L, the laser beam L transmitted through the inclined through hole 18 is applied to the back surface 14b of the card base.
Since the light receiving unit 28 detects the presence of the inclined through hole 18 by capturing the light on the side, compared to the conventional example in which the presence of the concave portion is detected by capturing the reflected light, it is not affected by the processing residue. rare. Although FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the inclined through holes 18 are formed in a line, the inclined through holes 18 may be formed in a plurality of lines in the validity identification unit 16.

As described above, although it is relatively easy to form the inclined through hole 18 in the card base 14 of the first information card 10, it is modified and reused after use. It is extremely difficult to do. Certainly, it is not impossible to analyze the data structure of the data recording unit using a dedicated magnetic reader / writer and write fake money data. However, it is almost impossible to reproduce the validity discriminating unit 16 that has been destroyed once by punching the punched holes 32. For example, simply paste tape etc. and punch holes
The light receiving section 28 cannot detect the transmitted light from the inclined through hole 18 as it should be by simply closing the 32 portion,
Is detected, and the subsequent processing is rejected.

It is theoretically possible to fill the punch holes 32 with a synthetic resin material and then form a false through-hole for the filling material. It is extremely difficult to reproduce things. First of all,
To imitate the inclined through hole 18, it is essential to secure a large-scale laser processing device. Secondly, even if a laser beam machine can be obtained, a plurality of inclined through-holes are formed around an existing inclined through-hole 18 in a region having a diameter of only about 1 mm.
Advanced processing techniques are required in order to form them without any loss. Third, even if a slanted through-hole can be formed barely, it is very likely that it will be detected as a fake. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in this system, the inclination angle of the through-hole 18 and the irradiation angle of the detection laser beam L are adjusted so as to substantially coincide with each other. The light receiving area S is set in advance. For this reason, FIG.
As shown in (5), when the inclination angle of the false through hole 18 'is slightly different from the irradiation angle of the laser beam L, the light receiving area S' is different from the above set value. This decrease in the light receiving area appears as a decrease in the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit 28,
The pulse width of the signal output from 28 to the control unit 30 will be narrowed, and it will be immediately recognized as `` a false inclined through hole 18 ''',
Subsequent processing will be rejected.

In the above, the first information card 10
Is applied to a prepaid card, but the present invention can also be applied to an information card such as a credit card or a bank card which has a risk of being forged. In this case, apart from the usual magnetic stripe (data recording unit),
A validity identification section 16 having a large number of inclined through holes 18 is formed in an appropriate place on the card base 14 in advance. The light emitting unit 26, the light receiving unit 28, and the control unit 30 are arranged in a credit card reader or a bank cash dispenser. Then, every time the information card 10 is inserted, the state of the validity identification unit 16 is detected, and only when the angle and the number of the inclined through holes 18 match those set in advance, the information is treated as a valid information card 10. . For a forger such as a credit card, even if it is possible to imitate a magnetic stripe in which a certain amount of data is stored, it is extremely difficult to form the above-described inclined through hole 18, and incomplete inclination is not possible. In the through hole, it will be immediately detected as forgery.

In the above description, an example is shown in which the inclination angles of the through holes 18 formed in the card base 14 are made common, but as shown in FIG. 6, the inclination angles of the through holes 18 are changed. Can also. For example, the first through-hole = 80 degrees, the second through-hole = 85 degrees, the third through-hole = 90 degrees, the fourth through-hole = 70 degrees, and so on. The patterns are formed at different inclination angles, and the change pattern (array pattern) is set in the control unit 30 in advance. The difference in the inclination angle of each through hole 18 can be grasped as a change in the amount of transmitted light captured by the light receiving unit 28. Then, at the time of the validity determination, the control unit 30 compares the change pattern of the pulse width of the signal output from the light receiving unit 28 and the set pattern, and determines that the two are completely correct only when both match completely. to decide.
In this way, if the configuration is such that the change in the inclination angle of each through hole 18 is identified, the imitation becomes more difficult, and the safety of the first information card 10 can be further improved. Further, it is also possible to make the inclination angle itself of each through hole 18 or its change pattern correspond to specific information (such as numerals) (for example, 80 degrees = 1, 85 degrees = 2, 90 degrees = 3...).
・). In this case, for example, only when the personal identification number recorded on the magnetic stripe of the cash card and the number sequence read from the validity identification unit 16 match, it is possible to operate such that the validity of the card is recognized. .

The pitch between the inclined through holes 18 does not need to be constant as described above, but can be varied according to a preset pattern. in this case,
Unless the actual pitch between the inclined through holes 18 is arranged according to a preset pitch, it is determined to be unauthorized use, and it is difficult for a third party to imitate it. Further, similarly to the above, it is also possible to make the pitch itself between the inclined through holes 18 and the pattern of the change thereof correspond to specific information (such as numerals) (for example, pitch 50 μm = 1, 40 μ).
m = 2, 70 μm = 3...). The pitch between the inclined through holes 18 is determined by the laser light L as described above.
Is scanned at a constant speed, it can be grasped by the difference in the time when the transmitted light from each inclined through hole 18 reaches the light receiving unit 28.

FIG. 7 shows a second information card according to the present invention.
34 is shown. In the case of this second information card 34,
The first information card 10 is characterized in that the inclined through hole 18 in the first information card 10 is filled with a magnetic material 36 such as ferrite, and other configurations are substantially common. This second information card
When using 34 as a telephone card, the validity identification unit
The state of 16 is detected by a pair of magnetic sensors arranged in the public telephone. That is, the surface 14a of the card base
The shape and area of the magnetic material 36 appearing at the upper end opening 18a of each inclined through hole and the magnetic material 36
The pitch between the two is detected, and the second
The magnetic sensor 40 detects the shape and area of the magnetic material 36 appearing at the lower end opening 18b of each inclined through hole and the pitch between the magnetic materials 36. Although not shown, the first magnetic sensor 38 and the second magnetic sensor 40 are connected to the same control unit 30 as described above, and each time the presence of the magnetic material 36 is detected, the first magnetic sensor 38 and the second magnetic sensor 40 A signal indicating the characteristic is sent to the control unit 30.

A punch hole is provided in the validity identification section 16 of the card base 14.
If the first magnetic sensor 38 and the second
Since the magnetic sensor 40 cannot detect the presence of the magnetic material 36 at the corresponding location, the presence of the punched hole 32 is recognized. Further, the magnetic material 36 until the punch hole 32 is reached is reached.
The formation position of the punched hole 32 can be specified by counting the number of. Even if the punched holes 32 are closed with any substance with the intention of altering the card, it is extremely difficult to reproduce the marks of the magnetic material 36 on the upper and lower surfaces at a constant pitch. In the case of the second information card 34, each magnetic sensor 38, 40 detects the magnetic material 36, so that the presence of the inclined through hole 18 can be reliably grasped.

In the case of the legitimacy determination system using the second information card 34, the inclination angle and pitch of each through hole 18 are changed, and the authenticity of the card is determined based on the change pattern. Can be configured.

FIG. 8 shows a third information card according to the present invention.
42 is shown. This third information card 42 is different from that in which a plurality of funnel-shaped through-holes 44 are formed by laser processing instead of forming the inclined through-holes 18 in the card base 14, thereby forming the validity identification section 16. Has features. The funnel-shaped through-hole 44 has an upper end opening located on the surface 14a side of the card base.
The diameter of the lower end opening 44b located on the back side is formed to be smaller than the diameter of 44a, and the inner wall surface of the through hole 44 has a tapered shape narrowing from the upper end opening 44a toward the lower end opening 44b. I have.

In the case of the third information card 42, a laser beam L for detection is vertically emitted from the light emitting portion 26 disposed on the front surface 14a side of the card substrate, and the light receiving portion disposed on the rear surface 14b side of the card substrate. By detecting the transmitted light by the part 28, the existence and the position of the funnel-shaped through hole 44 are recognized. Also, based on the change in the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit 28, the presence of the punched holes 32 and the authenticity of each funnel-shaped through hole 44 are determined by the control unit 30 similar to the above.
Is determined by

If the laser processing technique is used, the upper end opening 44a
In addition, the diameter of the lower end opening 44b can be accurately set in μm units. On the other hand, the third information card 42
Even if a person who intends to modify the material fills the punched hole 32 with some kind of substance, the funnel-shaped through hole 44
It is extremely difficult to accurately reproduce.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth information card 46, which is characterized in that the magnetic material 36 is filled in the funnel-shaped through hole 44 of the third information card 42. Also in this case, similarly to the second information card 34, the surface 14a of the card base is used.
The first magnetic sensor 38 arranged on the side detects the shape and area of the magnetic material 36 appearing at the upper end opening 44a of each funnel-shaped through hole, the pitch between the magnetic materials 36, and the back surface 14 of the card base.
The second magnetic sensor 40 arranged on the side b detects the shape and area of the magnetic material 36 appearing at the lower end opening 44b of each funnel-shaped through hole, and the pitch between the magnetic materials 36. Although illustration is omitted, the first
The magnetic sensor 38 and the second magnetic sensor 40 are connected to the control unit 30 similar to the above, and every time the presence of the magnetic material 36 is detected, a signal indicating the characteristic of the magnetic material 36 is transmitted to the control unit 30. Sent to

A punch hole is provided in the validity identification section 16 of the card base 14.
If the first magnetic sensor 38 and the second
Since the magnetic sensor 40 cannot detect the presence of the magnetic material 36 at the corresponding location, the presence of the punched hole 32 is recognized. Further, the magnetic material 36 until the punch hole 32 is reached is reached.
The formation position of the punched hole 32 can be specified by counting the number of. Even if the punched holes 32 are closed with any substance with the intention of altering the card, it is extremely difficult to reproduce the marks of the magnetic material 36 on the upper and lower surfaces at a constant pitch.

Also in the case of the validity judgment system using the third information card 42 and the fourth information card 46, the inclination angles of the inner surfaces of the funnel-shaped through holes 44 (the upper end opening 44a and the lower end opening 44b). And change the pitch.
The authenticity of the card can be determined based on the pattern of the change. Also, the upper end opening 44a and the lower end opening 44b do not necessarily need to be arranged concentrically,
It is also possible to form them so that their center points are shifted by a fixed direction and angle.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a fifth information card 48,
And a validity determination system 50 using the fifth information card 48. The first information card 10 to the fourth
Information cards 46 are all from the front surface 14a to the back surface of the card base.
Although an example in which a through hole penetrating through 14b was formed was shown,
The fifth information card 48 is characterized in that a through hole 52 penetrating from the surface 14a to the side surface 14c of the card base 14 is formed. This through hole 52 is formed on the surface of the card base 14.
14a is formed by irradiating a processing laser from an oblique direction.

The detection of the through-hole 52 is realized as follows. First, a conductive material 54 made of solder or the like is filled in each through hole 52. Next, as shown in FIG. 11, electrodes 56 for taking out are respectively provided on both ends of the conductive material 54 appearing on the surface side opening 52 a and the side surface opening 52 b of each through hole 52.
a and 56b are contacted. A circuit 58 formed between the electrodes 56a and 56b includes a DC power supply 60, a switch 62, and an ammeter 64.
Is connected. The switch 62 is connected to the same control unit 30 as described above, and ON / OFF switching is realized in response to a command from the control unit 30. The ammeter 64 is also connected to the control unit 30, and the current value of the circuit 58 measured by the ammeter 64 is digitized and output to the control unit 30. Then, switch 62 is set to O
If the fifth information card 48 is moved in a fixed direction while applying a fixed power supply voltage to the N, the circuit is switched every time the electrodes 56a and 56b come into contact with both ends of the conductive material filled in the through holes 52. 58
A current flows through the current meter, and the current meter 64 detects this conduction phenomenon. Since the through holes 52 are arranged at a fixed pitch set in advance, if the through holes 52 that should be present are missing on the way due to the presence of punch holes, a long interval will occur, and this fact is immediately recognized. Is detected.

To apply the fifth information card 48 to a prepaid card of a public telephone, as shown in FIG.
A validity identification unit 16 having a large number of the through holes 52 is provided on one side of the card base surface 14a, and a punch hole 32 corresponding to the frequency of use is formed therein. In this case, by monitoring the output from the ammeter 64, the existence and position of the punched hole 32 can be reliably detected.

Even if the punched holes 32 are closed by any means, the punched holes 32 may be inserted from the surface 14a of the card base to the side surfaces 14a.
It is extremely difficult to form a fine through-hole 52 penetrating through c. Further, even if the through hole 52 can be formed, unless the opening diameter is accurately reproduced, the illegality can be detected. That is, if the diameter of the through-hole 52 formed by the forger is different from the preset one,
The diameter of the conductive material 54 filled therein will also be different, which will cause the resistance value of the conductive material 54 to fluctuate. Therefore, the value of the current flowing through the circuit 58 is different from the set value, and the control unit 30 determines that “illegal use”.

In the case of the fifth information card 48, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the diameter of each through hole 52 can be changed along a certain pattern. In this case, each through hole 52
The change in the aperture is recognized by the control unit 30 as a change in the resistance value of the conductive material 54 filled in each through-hole 52, and as a result, a change in the current value of the circuit 58.

When the fifth information card 48 having a variation in the diameter of each through hole 52 is applied to, for example, a credit card or a bank card, it is possible to effectively prevent forgery by others. That is, a person who intends to forge a credit card or the like obtained the card base 14 of the same material, formed a magnetic stripe portion on the surface, and analyzed the magnetic stripe portion of a valid credit card there. It can be relatively easy to record the data. On the other hand, it is extremely difficult to analyze the diameter of each fine through-hole 52 formed in the validity identification section 16 of the intrinsic card and to reproduce this accurately.

It is also possible to associate certain information such as numbers with the resistance value of the conductive material 54 filled in each through hole 52 (for example, 1Ω = 1, 2Ω = 2, 3Ω = 3...). In the case of the fifth information card 48, compared with the case where a through hole is formed from the front surface 14a to the back surface 14b of the card base,
Since the length of each through hole can be shortened, it can be used for an information card having a relatively thick card base 14, such as a credit card, a bank card, or an IC card which is expected to spread in the future. There is also an advantage that application becomes easy. Of course, from the front surface 14a of the card base to the back surface 14a
The validity determination system 50 can also be configured by using an information card in which a through-hole is formed over b and a conductive material 54 is filled therein.

In the above, an example in which a through hole is formed in the card base 14 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a concave portion (non-through hole) 65 having a predetermined depth is formed on the surface 14a of the card base 14 by laser irradiation, and a material different from the material of the card base 14 is formed in the concave portion 65. Substance with physical properties
A validity determination system may be configured by using a sixth information card 67 filled with 66 and providing a sensor 68 capable of detecting this substance. Here, the card base 14 is made of PET, and a substance 66 having a specific gravity different from that of PET is filled as the substance 66 to be filled in the recess 65. As the sensor 68, an ultrasonic sensor capable of detecting a difference in specific gravity of a substance is used.

Although not shown, the sensor 68 is also connected to the control unit 30 similar to the above. The specific gravity of the PET and the specific gravity of the filling material 66 are set in advance in the storage element of the control unit 30, and it is possible to reliably recognize the presence of the concave portion 65 by the output change from the sensor 68. . Then, a punch hole 32 is formed in the validity identification section 16 of the card base 14.
If a hole is drilled, the sensor 68
Since the presence of 66 cannot be detected, the presence of punched hole 32 is recognized. Further, by counting the number of the filling substances 66 until reaching the punch hole 32, the formation position of the punch hole 32 can be specified. Even if this punch hole 32 is closed with some substance with the intention of altering the card,
It is extremely difficult to form the fine concave portions 65 on the upper surface at a constant pitch and fill the inside with the substance 66. Also in the case of the validity determination system using the sixth information card 67, the pitch of each concave portion 65 can be changed, and the authenticity of the card can be determined based on the pattern of the change.

[0047]

According to the information card validity judging system according to the present invention, a large number of fine holes (recesses or through holes) for validity judging are previously formed in the information card in accordance with a predetermined pattern. Since the validity is determined by detecting the state of each hole when using an information card, it is compared with a system that determines validity based on magnetically and electronically recorded data and the presence or absence of punched holes. Forgery / falsification of the information card becomes difficult. In addition, the presence of the above-mentioned hole detects the substance filled in the above-mentioned hole, and the presence of the hole (through-hole)
Since it is recognized by detecting the transmitted light from the concave portion, the state can be grasped more reliably than in the conventional case where the reflected light from the concave portion is detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first information card.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a first information card.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a validity determination system using a first information card.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing an intrinsic inclined through hole.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a false inclined through hole.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a modified example of the inclined through hole.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a second information card.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a third information card.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a fourth information card.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fifth information card.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a validity determination system using a fifth information card.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a fifth information card.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modification of the fifth information card.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a sixth information card.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a conventional information card.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional validity determination system using an information card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 First information card 12 Validity determination system 14 Card base 14a Surface of card base 14b Back of card base 14c Side of card base 18 Inclined through hole 18a Upper end opening of inclined through hole 18b Lower end opening of inclined through hole 26 Light emitting unit 28 Light receiving unit 30 Control unit 32 Punch hole 34 Second information card 36 Magnetic material 38 First magnetic sensor 40 Second magnetic sensor 42 Third information card 44 Funnel-shaped through-hole 44a Upper end opening of funnel-shaped through-hole 44b Lower end opening of the funnel-shaped through hole 46 Fourth information card 48 Fifth information card 50 Validity judgment system 52 Through hole 52a Surface opening of through hole 52b Side opening of through hole 54 Conductive material 56a, 56b Electrode 58 Circuit 60 DC power supply 64 Ammeter 65 Recess 66 Filling substance 67 Sixth information card 68 Sensor L Detection laser beam

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuichi Sakawa 3-6-2 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term in Shinozaki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 5B035 AA15 BA04 BB02 BC02 5B058 CA31 KA32 YA06

Claims (14)

[Claims] An information card in which a number of fine holes are formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern on a card base on which certain data is recorded by a predetermined means, and a state of the holes formed in the information card. And a means for judging the validity of the information card based on the detection result, wherein the hole has a physical property different from that of the constituent material of the card base. And the detection means comprises a sensor for detecting the substance filled in the hole, and the determination means determines validity based on an output from the sensor. Information card validity determination system. 2. An information card in which a number of fine through holes are formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern on a card base on which certain data is recorded by predetermined means, and a state of the through holes formed in the information card. And a means for judging the validity of the information card based on the detection result, wherein the detecting means irradiates light onto one surface of the information card. And a light receiving unit that captures the transmitted light on the other side, wherein the determination unit determines validity based on an output from the light receiving unit. Sex determination system. 3. An information card in which a number of fine through-holes are formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern on a card base on which certain data is recorded by predetermined means, and a state of the through-holes formed in the information card. And a means for judging the validity of the card based on the detection result. The magnetic material is filled in the through hole, and the detecting means A first magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic material appearing at one end opening of each through-hole, and a second magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic material appearing at the other end opening. An information card validity determining system for determining validity based on outputs from a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor. 4. An information card in which a large number of fine through holes are formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern with respect to a card base on which certain data is recorded by predetermined means, and a state of the through holes formed in the information card. A validity determination system comprising: means for detecting; and means for determining validity of the card based on the detection result, wherein the through-hole is filled with a conductive material, and the detection means comprises: A first electrode in contact with the conductive material appearing in one end opening of each through hole, a second electrode in contact with the conductive material appearing in the other end opening, a power supply for applying a predetermined voltage between the two electrodes, and both electrodes; Means for detecting a current value between the information cards, wherein the determining means determines validity based on an output from the current value detecting means. 5. The information card according to claim 2, wherein said through hole is an inclined through hole formed at a predetermined inclination angle from the front surface to the back surface of said card base. Validity judgment system. 6. The validity of an information card according to claim 2, wherein said through hole is a funnel-shaped through hole having one end opening formed larger in diameter than the other end opening. Sex determination system. 7. The information card validity judging system according to claim 2, wherein said through hole is a through hole formed from a surface to a side surface of said card base. 8. An information card comprising a plurality of fine holes formed according to a predetermined pattern on a card substrate on which predetermined data is recorded by predetermined means, wherein the card substrate has a plurality of fine holes formed therein. An information card, which is filled with a substance having physical properties different from constituent materials. 9. An information card comprising a plurality of fine through-holes formed in a predetermined pattern on a card base on which certain data is recorded by predetermined means, wherein said through-holes are formed on said card base. An information card comprising an inclined through hole formed at a predetermined inclination angle from the front surface to the back surface. 10. An information card in which a number of fine through-holes are formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern on a card base on which certain data is recorded by predetermined means, wherein said through-hole has an opening at one end. An information card comprising a funnel-shaped through-hole formed larger in diameter than an end opening. 11. An information card in which a number of fine through-holes are formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern in a card base on which certain data is recorded by predetermined means, wherein said through-holes are formed in said card base. An information card comprising a through hole formed from a surface to a side surface. 12. An information card according to claim 9, wherein said through hole is filled with a magnetic material. 13. An information card according to claim 9, wherein said through hole is filled with a conductive material. 14. A method for manufacturing an information card, comprising irradiating a laser beam to the card base to form the hole or through hole.