JPH03219433A - Recording medium and recording medium processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make rewriting of statements by providing a recording layer which is changed from the state of a 1st color to the state of a 2nd color by photoirradiation with >=400nm in an atmosphere contg. >=12% oxygen and is changed from the the state of the 2nd color to the state of the 1st color by photoirradiation with <=350nm. CONSTITUTION:A card 1 is provided with a substrate 2, a printed layer 3 having a printing surface 1a to be printed with designs, etc., a magnetic recording layer 4 to be magnetically recorded with a utilization condition, and the reversible recording layer 5 having a recording surface 1b to be stated with a utilization condition. The layer 5 is constituted of the layer formed by dispersing the condensed polycyclic arom. compd. expressed by specific formula and a sensitizer which forms singlet state oxygen into a matrix polymer, such as PMMA. The layer 5 is changed from the 1st color to the 2nd color by the photoirradiation with >=400nm UV light in the atmosphere contg. 12% oxygen and is changed from the 2nd color to the 1st color by the irradia tion with <=350nm UV light or heating. The information recorded on the layer 4 is stated on the printing area of the recording medium at need by utilizing this prop erty and controlling the wavelength of the light with which the layer is irradiated and the heating.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a prepaid card, a prepaid card used in telephones, ticket vending machines, etc., and a financial institution ID.
The present invention relates to a recording medium useful for cards, identification documents such as employee ID cards, passes used in transportation systems, securities, etc., and a processing device therefor.

(Prior Art) Traditionally, with prepaid cards that are used in telephones, ticket vending machines, etc., there is a print area provided on the card each time the card is used, in order to clearly indicate the available balance. A method of printing and recording can be used. However, prepaid cards that are numerically more expensive are used more frequently, making it difficult to record within a limited printing area. Furthermore, if the characters are made smaller in order to fit within a limited printing area, the recorded notation becomes difficult to read. Therefore, a method is usually used in which the price of a prepaid card is divided into several levels, and each price range is printed or punched in one place to roughly record the available balance.

However, with this normal recording method, it is not possible to know the usage history and accurate balance just by looking at the card.

Therefore, in recent years, there has been a demand for a device that allows the recorded contents of the print area on the card to be rewritten as necessary.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium in which recorded contents in a print area provided on the recording medium can be rewritten as necessary.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium processing device for processing this recording medium.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The recording medium of the present invention is exposed to light of 400 nm or more in an atmosphere containing 12% or more of oxygen.

and a reversible recording layer that changes from the color state to the second color state and changes from the second color state to the first color state by irradiation with ultraviolet light of 350 nm or less or heating. It is characterized by

The reversible recording layer is a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound \CH represented by the following general formula (1).

or +CH2→-, CH3 (n is any integer from 0 to 5) and a sensitizer that generates singlet oxygen.

Further, the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention changes from the first color state to the second color state by irradiating light of 400 nm or more in an atmosphere containing 12% or more oxygen,
A magnetic reading head that reads magnetic information from a recording medium having a reversible recording layer and a magnetic recording layer that change from a second color state to a first color state by irradiation with ultraviolet light or heating; a magnetic writing head for writing new information determined from the information determined in the magnetic recording layer; an erasing means for erasing unnecessary inscriptions on the reversible recording layer by irradiation with the ultraviolet light or heating; The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a writing means for writing new information into the reversible recording layer.

(Function) The reversible recording layer of the recording medium of the present invention is irradiated with light of 400 nm or more in an atmosphere containing at least 12% oxygen.
changes from the first color state to the second color state, 350
It has the property of changing from the second color state to the first color state by irradiation with ultraviolet light of nm or less or by heating. The recording medium of the present invention makes use of this property, and by controlling the wavelength and heating of the irradiated light, information magnetically recorded in the magnetic recording layer can be written on the print area of the recording medium as necessary. This is what I did.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a reduced amount card (prepaid card) according to the present invention.

This card 1 includes a substrate 2, a printing layer 3 laminated on one side of this substrate and having a printing surface 1a, a magnetic recording layer 4 laminated on the other side of this substrate 2, and this magnetic recording layer. 4 and a reversible recording layer 5 having a recording surface 1b.

The substrate 2 is made of, for example, plastic, glass, paper, cloth, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printed surface 1a of the printed layer 3 has the card's amount, picture, etc. printed thereon.

The magnetic recording layer 4 is capable of magnetically recording the usage status of the card 1, such as the usage opening and balance amount.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the recording surface 1b of the reversible recording layer 5, the usage status of the card 1, such as the date of use and the balance, are written. This reversible recording layer 5 is made of, for example, P
A fused polycyclic aromatic compound (PHO) \ CH represented by the following chemical formula (2) is contained in a matrix polymer such as MM A.

and a sensitizer that generates singlet oxygen is dispersed therein.

This condensed polycyclic aromatic compound (PHO) (first color state) has an absorption peak at 450 to 700 nm and exhibits a blue color. 400 in an atmosphere containing 1226 or more oxygen
Upon irradiation with light of nm or more, the sensitizer absorbs light and generates singlet oxygen, oxygen is added to PHO, and the following chemical formula (
3) Fused polycyclic aromatic compound (PHOPO) (
second color state).

\CH3 However, if the oxygen content in this atmosphere is less than 12%, the oxygen addition reaction rate will be slow and it will take time to erase the color.

For PHOPO, the absorption peak at 450 to 700 nm disappears and becomes colorless. PH0PO is stable at room temperature and under visible light.

Furthermore, PHOPO can be irradiated with ultraviolet light below 350 nm or about 20 nm in the presence of a sensitizer that generates singlet oxygen.
Oxygen is eliminated by heating at 0°C and the above chemical formula (2) is obtained.
The state returns to blue PH0 (first color state) represented by . The reobtained PHO is stable even at room temperature and visible light.

Figure 4 shows the change in absorbance over time due to the difference in oxygen concentration of PHO (first state) when continuously irradiated with light of 400 nm or more.
A graph is shown in which the absorbance of m is expressed as a rate of change in absorbance as AO(-1). As can be seen from this graph, the lower the oxygen content of the light irradiation atmosphere, the slower the rate of decrease in absorbance.

Furthermore, when the oxygen content is 12%, the absorbance change rate A t /Ao after 1 second of exposure is 0.75, which is the minimum allowable value. Therefore, the oxygen content is 1296
If it is less than that, it is not suitable for practical use.

Thus, the oxygen content of the light irradiation atmosphere needs to be 129° or more. Normally air contains about 20% oxygen. In order to maintain such an atmosphere containing oxygen, a ventilation window may be provided near the card processing device or a ventilation fan may be provided to send fresh air.

The fused polycyclic aromatic compound in the reversible recording layer contains 1-
95, preferably 2 to 80% by weight, and 1
If it is less than 95% by weight, the amount of the color changing component is too small to be sufficient for visual recognition, and if it exceeds 95% by weight, the amount of the matrix polymer is too small and there is a tendency to lose film formability.

The reversible recording layer 5 contains a fused polycyclic aromatic compound represented by the above general formula (1) in a matrix polymer, and this fused polycyclic aromatic compound is limited to the compound represented by the above chemical formula (2). It's not something you do.

As the matrix polymer, it is possible to use a polymer that has film-forming properties and disperses the sensitizer that generates the condensed polycyclic aromatic group and singlet oxygen, such as polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyvinyl acrylate. can.

Sensitizers that generate singlet oxygen include perylene, perylene derivatives, 9.10-dibromanthracene, 9.1
Examples include 0-dichloroanthracene.

The reversible recording layer 5 contains 1 to 90% plasticizer, preferably 1 to 80%, in order to improve oxygen permeability into the film.
May be added. Furthermore, the reversible recording layer 5 may contain additives such as a sensitizer to improve the efficiency of light absorption and a dispersion aid to help disperse the condensed polycyclic aromatic compound, to the extent that its properties are not adversely affected. may be added.

In the card shown in FIG. 1, the reversible recording layer 5 is laminated over the entire surface of the magnetic recording layer 4, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be laminated on a part of the magnetic recording layer 4, or may be laminated on the entire surface or a part of the printing layer 3. Further, it may be provided on both sides of the magnetic recording layer 4 and the printing layer 3.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, a violet layer 6 is provided between the magnetic recording layer 4 and the reversible recording layer 5, or as shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide it on the colored layer 6. When a transparent substance such as polyethylene terephthalate is used for the base material 2, the printing layer 3 can be provided between the base material 2 and the magnetic recording layer 4, and the reversible recording layer 5 can also be formed directly on the base material. . Furthermore,
A protective film 7 may be provided on the reversible recording layer 5.

The card according to the present invention is also manufactured, for example, as follows. First, a magnetic recording layer with a thickness of about 1 μm formed using a conventional method and a protective film formed on this magnetic recording layer are laminated on one side, and the layer is made of polyethylene terephthalate with a thickness of about 188 μm. Prepare the board. Next, 1 part by weight of a fused polycyclic aromatic compound (PHO), 18.8 parts by weight of polymethyl methacrylate, and 0.2 parts by weight of perylene were dissolved in 80 parts by weight of benzene and stirred well to prepare a reversible photosensitive solution. do. By spin-coding this solution onto the other side of the substrate and drying it, a thickness of approximately 10 mm is obtained.
A magnetic recording card is obtained in which a μm reversible recording layer is laminated. Note that an oxygen permeable protective film may be provided on the reversible recording layer 3 if necessary.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an internal mechanism of an example of a card processing device that processes the magnetic recording card obtained in this manner. In this device 11, the card 1 is inserted through the card insertion slot 12, and the card 1 is inserted into the device 1 through the conveyance path 17.
1 and transported. Conveyance path 17
, conveyance rollers 13 for conveying the card 1 are provided at several locations. Along this conveyance path 17, in order, a read head 14 reads information magnetically recorded on the magnetic recording layer 4 of the card 1, a write head 15 magnetically records new information, and additional writing is possible on the reversible recording layer 5. A reflection density sensor 16 that reads the area of the printing area, a light source such as an ultraviolet light source 18 or a heat roller 19 for erasing unnecessary markings in the printing area, and a light source such as a laser light source 20 ( He-Ne, Ar,
semiconductors, etc.) are arranged.

The arrangement within this processing device is not limited to the above arrangement; the reading head 14 is located in front of the writing head 15 and the writing light source 20, and the reflection density sensor 16 is located in front of the erasing light source 18. , any other arrangement order is acceptable as long as the erasing light source 18 is located in front of the writing light source 20. Note that when the reading head 14 is located in front of the erasing light source 18, it is possible to read the gold-white area of the print area with the reading head 14, so it is not necessary to provide the reflection density sensor 16. When marking the reversible recording layer 5 in a mode from colorless (second state) to blue (first state), contrary to the above device 11, a laser light source or light of 4000 m or more is used as the erasing light source 18. A patterned mask, an ultraviolet light source of 350 nm or less, or a thermal head is used as a light source that can irradiate and a writing light source 20.

Further, instead of the heat roller 19, other heating means such as an infrared lamp or an electric heater may be used.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of this card processing device. As shown in this block diagram, the card processing device is
A transport control unit 22 that drives the transport mechanism 23, a read control unit 24 that uses the read head 14 to read the magnetically recorded information on the usage history balance, and a write head 15 that magnetically records the usage history and balance information that is updated. Control unit 25, the laser light source 20 and the ultraviolet light source 18
a print control section that writes or erases the usage history balance by driving the main control section 21 that controls the entire system;
It is made up of.

This main control section 21 is connected to a control section of a ticket vending machine main body or a telephone main body as an external device (not shown), and outputs information on the last use date and balance amount to the control section,
Information such as date of use and balance amount is accepted as updated information.

Next, the processing operation of the card according to the present invention will be explained by taking as an example a ticket vending machine or a telephone equipped with the device 11 having such a configuration and a prepaid card dedicated to these devices. First, when the card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 12, the card 1 is transported by the transport mechanism 6 and the reading head 14 reads magnetic recording information such as the date of last use and balance amount from the magnetic recording layer 4.

Next, the main control section 21 outputs the magnetically recorded information of the date of last use and balance to the ticket vending machine or the control section of the telephone main body. This allows the user to purchase a ticket or make a phone call from the ticket vending machine or the main body of the telephone.

Thereafter, when magnetic recording information such as the date of use and balance amount to be updated from the control unit of the phone body is supplied to the main control unit, the main control unit 21 uses the write head 15 to write information on the magnetic recording layer 4 of the card 1.
Information on the date of use and balance amount to be updated is magnetically recorded, and the information on the date of use and balance amount is additionally written on the reversible recording layer 5 of the card 1 using a laser light source 20. Before making this additional notation, if the notation of the reversible recording layer 5 is filled in the printing area, the oldest notation should be changed to the ultraviolet light source 1.
8, and additionally write the information to be updated in the deleted place. As described above, usage status can be sequentially added to the Brebate card. Moreover, instead of only erasing a part of the notation and adding 7 notations like this, it is also possible to delete all the notations and write the final usage status.

Further, an example in which the configuration shown in the device 11 is applied to an automatic ticket gate installed in a station premises will be described below with reference to FIG. 9. However, here, only the automatic ticket gate installed at the ticket gate in the station premises will be explained, and the automatic ticket gate installed at the bidding gate will not be explained because it has the same configuration.

The automatic ticket gate 30 includes an input slot 32 into which the card 1 is inserted;
transport parts 34, 36, 38 and 40 for transporting the card 1;
A drive unit (not shown) that drives the transport units 34 to 40, a read head 42 that reads magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording layer 4 of the card 1, and a read head 42 that reads magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording layer 4 of the card 1;
A writing head 44 for recording on the reversible recording layer 5 of the card 1, ultraviolet light #: 46 for erasing unnecessary markings in the display-recordable print area on the reversible recording layer 5, It is composed of a light source (such as a semiconductor laser) 48 for marking the card 1, an ejection port 50 for ejecting the card 1, and the like.

8 In this automatic ticket gate 30, when a card 1 as shown in FIG.
is driven by a drive unit (not shown) to transport the card 1 in the direction of arrow 52. Then, within the conveyance unit 36, the information recorded on the card 1 (for example, balance and entry station) is read by the reading head 42 from the magnetic recording layer 4 of the card 1, and the fare from the entry station to the exit station is calculated. A calculation is performed to subtract the information from the balance of recorded information, and the new balance obtained by this calculation is recorded in the magnetic recording layer 4 by the write head 44.

Next, the card 1 is transported by the next-stage transport sections 38 and 40, a new balance is printed on the printing area on the reversible recording layer 5 by the light source 48, and the card 1 is ejected to the ejection port 50. At this time, if there is no area on the reversible recording layer 5 to print the new balance amount, the unnecessary information in the printing area is erased by the ultraviolet light source 46, and the erased printing area is The light source 48 is configured to print the new balance amount.

9. The magnetic recording card according to the present invention can be used not only for prepaid cards, transportation tickets, commuter passes, and hotel tickets, but also for identification cards such as cash cards, passports, driver's licenses, and employee ID cards, and hospital tickets. It can be widely used as a medical card, stored fare card, etc.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the magnetic recording medium of the present invention, a reversible recording layer is provided on the recording medium base material, and oxygen is
Numbers, letters, symbols, etc. can be written by changing the reversible recording layer from the first color state to the second color state by irradiating light at a distance of 4000 m or more in an atmosphere containing % or more. Further, by irradiating with ultraviolet light of 350 nm or less or heating, the written contents can be rewritten as necessary. This eliminates drawbacks such as not being able to write usage status due to insufficient margins in the printing area, and making it difficult to read when small characters are used to fit within a limited area, and recording It is possible to provide a recording medium that allows one to quickly know the usage history and accurate balance just by looking at the print area of the medium.

In addition, according to the present invention, new information can be additionally printed on the recording medium, and the printed information can also be erased, so it can be used for various purposes such as checking fraudulent securities. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a magnetic recording card according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. Fig. 3 is a top view of a card showing an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the reversible recording layer side, and Fig. 4 shows the change in absorbance over time due to differences in oxygen concentration of PHO. 1)
5 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a graph showing the rate of change in absorbance. , FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a card processing unit, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an automatic ticket gate representing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The first color state changes to the second color state by irradiation with light of 400 nm or more in an atmosphere containing 12% or more oxygen, and the second color state changes by irradiation with ultraviolet light of 350 nm or less or heating. A recording medium comprising a reversible recording layer that changes from a color state to a first color state. (2) The recording according to claim 1, wherein the reversible recording layer contains a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound represented by the following general formula (1) and a sensitizer that generates singlet oxygen. Medium. ▲There are mathematical formulas, chemical formulas, tables, etc.▼...(1) (However, R_1 and R_2 in the above formula are each ▲There are mathematical formulas, chemical formulas, tables, etc.▼ or ▲There are mathematical formulas, chemical formulas, tables, etc.▼ (n is any integer from 0 to 5.) (3) Change from the first color state to the second color state by irradiation with light of 400 nm or more in an atmosphere containing 12% or more oxygen. death,
By irradiating with ultraviolet light of 350 nm or less or heating,
a magnetic read head that reads magnetic information from a recording medium having a reversible recording layer and a magnetic recording layer that change from a color state to a first color state; a magnetic writing head for writing on the magnetic recording layer; an erasing means for erasing unnecessary markings on the reversible recording layer by irradiation with the ultraviolet light or heating; and a writing means for writing new information in the reversible recording layer by the irradiation with the light. A recording medium processing device comprising: