JP2000182319A - Magnetic data reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and simply discriminate the authenticity of the data by generating the prescribed data discriminating the synchronizing data such as the data length of the synchronizing data or a jitter pattern based on the read data and comparing the prescribed data with the read data. SOLUTION: The data D are provided on a track (t) along a transfer direction shown by an arrow, and the synchronizing data D1 of a prescribed length L are provided on its start end side, and succeedingly, the effective data D2 are provided. When the read is started from a magnetic card C by a magnetic head, the magnetic head reads the data recorded on the track (t), and a CPU of a processing circuit performs the decision processing. The length L of the synchronizing data D1 is measured based on the number of bits contained in the data D1, and then, the length data of the synchronizing data D1 recorded in the effective data D2 are extracted. The CPU judges the magnetic card as the truth when the length L of the measured synchronizing data D1 coincides with the length of the recorded data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic data reading apparatus, and more particularly to a magnetic data reading apparatus capable of effectively determining the authenticity of magnetic data recorded on a magnetic data recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of magnetic data reader has been
While a magnetic data recording medium such as a magnetic card (hereinafter, referred to as a magnetic card) is being conveyed through a conveyance mechanism, magnetic data recorded on a track provided along the conveyance direction of the magnetic card. Is read via a magnetic head (read head).

In the read data, synchronization data and predetermined valid data such as the validity period of the magnetic card are recorded. Therefore, analysis means mainly composed of a CPU uses the synchronization data based on the synchronization data. It is configured to analyze valid data.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional magnetic data reading apparatus uses a complicated encryption method in order to determine whether the read data is genuine data or illegal data copied or the like. A complicated method such as using a method or coexisting other data such as optical data on a magnetic card is required, and furthermore, a device for analyzing the method is required, resulting in an increase in cost.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic card capable of easily and efficiently determining the authenticity of data recorded on a magnetic card. A data reading device is provided.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a magnetic data reading apparatus according to the present invention provides predetermined effective data such as an effective period on a track and synchronization data used when reading the effective data. In the magnetic data reading device for a magnetic data recording medium having: a reading means for reading data recorded on the track, and a data length of the synchronization data based on the read data, such as a jitter pattern or the like. Generating means for generating predetermined data for specifying the data for synchronization, extracting means for extracting predetermined data for specifying the data for synchronization from the read data, and extracting the predetermined data generated Determining means for determining that the magnetic data recording medium is genuine when the data matches the predetermined data and determining that the magnetic data recording medium is abnormal when the data does not match. It is characterized in Rukoto.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a magnetic data reading device according to one embodiment.

The magnetic card C is configured to be movable by a transport mechanism (not shown) (see an arrow in FIG. 1), and abuts the magnetic head H while being pressed by the pinch roller P during the movement. It is configured as follows.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a processing circuit (not shown) which converts a signal read by a magnetic head H into a hybrid I signal.
A signal generation circuit formed of C or the like, a magnetic data width recorded by a predetermined method such as an FM or MFM signal generated by the signal generation circuit, and processing the detected magnetic data width. It is composed of a CPU and the like for analyzing valid data, and is configured to be able to determine the authenticity of the analyzed data.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of the magnetic card C, and shows the contents of data D included in a track t provided along the transport direction (see the arrow). This track t is provided with synchronization data (synchronization bit) D1 of a predetermined length (L) at the start end (left side in FIG. 1).
Next, valid data D2 is provided. Note that synchronization data is also provided at the end of the valid data D2, but is omitted here.

The magnetic card C is usually provided with a plurality of tracks t described above, but here, only one track t is shown for the sake of simplicity.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation for judging the authenticity of the magnetic card C. The judgment control operation will be described with reference to this flowchart.

First, when reading of the magnetic card C is started by the magnetic head H (Yes at Step 100; hereinafter, the step is referred to as "S"), the data recorded on the track t is read and the processing circuit is operated. 1 (S102). The CPU of the processing circuit 1 performs the following determination processing.

The CPU measures the length (L) of the data D recorded on the track t in which the synchronization data D1 is recorded. This measurement is performed based on the number of bits included in the synchronization data D1. Then, the synchronization data D recorded in the valid data D2
Data (L0) indicating the length of 1 is extracted (S10).
4). The data (L0) recorded in the valid data D2 is written when the magnetic card C is issued, and has a property unique to the magnetic card C.

That is, the length L of the synchronization data D1
Has a property that when the valid data D2 is newly created by copying the magnetic card C or the like, the length (L) of the initial synchronization data D1 is different.

Therefore, the measured synchronization data D1
If the length (L) of the recorded data coincides with the length (L0) of the recorded synchronization data D1, the valid data D2 can be determined to be genuine, that is, the magnetic card C can be determined to be genuine. (S106). When it is determined that the magnetic card C is authentic, a predetermined card processing such as a reduction processing using the magnetic card C is performed (S110).

Length (L) of the measured synchronization data D1
Does not match the length (L0) of the synchronization data D1 recorded (No at S106), there is a high possibility that the contents of the data D of the track t have been copied, so in this case, the magnetic card The processing using C is stopped (S11).
2, S114).

In the above description, one track t is recorded on the magnetic card C.
Is provided, but when a plurality of tracks t are provided, the above-described determination is performed for each track.

In the above example, the length (L) of the synchronization data D1 was measured as a basis for the determination. However, since the jitter pattern of the synchronization data D1 is unique to each magnetic card, this jitter is measured. A pattern may be detected, and the authenticity of the magnetic card may be determined from the jitter pattern. In a predetermined case using this jitter pattern, when writing data to a new magnetic card C, the synchronization data D2
Sparse and dense jitter patterns may be compulsorily created within a range that does not hinder data reading.

As described above, when the jitter pattern is used instead of the length (L) of the synchronization data D1, the data of the jitter pattern at the time of issuing the magnetic card C (at the time of data writing) is included in the effective data D2. Be recorded. Then, the jitter pattern detected by using the magnetic card C is compared with the recorded jitter pattern.

FIG. 4 shows a plurality of (two in the illustrated example, for ease of explanation) tracks t 1, t
2, the relative position (L1 -L2 = L ') of the synchronous data of both tracks t1 and t2 is detected, and the magnetic card C
An example is shown in which the authenticity of the magnetic card C is determined by comparing with the data indicating the relative position recorded in the effective data D2 (or D2 ') when writing data to the magnetic card C.

As described above, when a plurality of tracks t1 and t2 are provided and data writing is simultaneously performed on the tracks t1 and t2, the jitter pattern of the synchronization data D1 and D1 'of each track t1 and t2 is obtained. Becomes the same. Therefore, when the magnetic card C is used, both tracks t1, t2
If the jitter patterns are different, it can be determined that the magnetic card is abnormal.

When there are a plurality of tracks t1 and t2, each time data is written, both tracks t1 and t2 are used.
It is also possible to change the relative position of the synchronous data D1 and D1 ', and use this as the key for encryption. In this case, a magnetic card having more excellent security can be obtained.

The magnetic card C shown in FIG. 4 has a plurality of tracts t1, t2 provided on one surface of the magnetic card C.
The track t2 may be provided on the back surface. By doing so, a magnetic card with better security can be obtained.

FIG. 5 shows a magnetic card C having optical data k which is optically read on a magnetic card C other than the track t.
Is shown. The authenticity of the magnetic card C can be determined using the relative position between the fixed position of the optical data k and the synchronization data D1.

That is, data indicating the relative position between the optical data k and the synchronization data D1 is recorded in the effective data D2 when writing data on the magnetic card C, and the relative position detected when the magnetic card C is used is stored in the valid data D2. Are compared, the authenticity of the magnetic card C is determined.

[0027]

According to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic data reading apparatus comprising: reading means for reading data recorded on a track; and a data length or a jitter pattern of the synchronization data based on the read data. Generating means for generating predetermined data for specifying the data for synchronization; extracting means for extracting predetermined data for specifying the data for synchronization from the read data; and extracting means for generating the predetermined data. The magnetic card is determined to be authentic when the data matches the predetermined data, and when the data does not match, it is determined to be abnormal. Therefore, the authenticity of the magnetic card can be easily determined.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a magnetic data reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of the magnetic card.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a determination control operation.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing another example of the magnetic card.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing another example of the magnetic card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Processing Circuit H Magnetic Head P Pinch Roller C Magnetic Data Recording Medium (Magnetic Card) D Data D1, D1 'Synchronization Data D2, D2' Effective Data k Optical Data t, t1, t2 Track

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic data reading apparatus for a magnetic data recording medium having predetermined valid data such as a valid period and a synchronization data used for reading the valid data on a track, wherein the data recorded on the track is Reading means for reading; generating means for generating predetermined data for specifying the data for synchronization such as the data length of the synchronization data or a jitter pattern based on the read data; and Extracting means for extracting predetermined data for specifying the synchronization data from the apparatus; and when the generated predetermined data matches the extracted predetermined data, the magnetic data recording medium is determined to be authentic, and A magnetic data reading device, comprising: a determination unit that determines an abnormality in the case of (1).