JPS628293A - Card system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Technical Field The present invention relates to a card system in which a card can be used only once.

(b1 Summary of the Invention The card system according to the present invention implements identification code setting in a simple manner so that once a card has been used, it cannot be used again unless the data contents are updated.

The card data storage device stores in the card a code that allows the card to be used this time as a current code, and stores a code that allows the card to be used next time as a new code. An identification code is stored in the card reader to match the current code.

When the card is inserted into a card reading device, the current code and the identification code are compared, and if they match, the card is considered valid and the card functions (e.g.
use of light and heat sources, open and close doors, etc.). At that time, the new code stored on that card is stored in the card reading device as a new identification code, and if you try to use this card next time, the current code and this new identification code will not match, so you will not be able to use it. I can't do it. To use this card next time, it is reinserted into the card data storage device, the current new code is replaced with the current code, and the next new code is stored as the new code.

This means that the card cannot be reused unless it is updated every time it is used (and the card reading device can update the identification code based on the data on the inserted card without having to generate or store the code itself). , it is possible to identify whether the card inserted after that has been updated or not.

(C) Background of the Invention In recent years, apartments (so-called weekly condominiums, monthly condominiums) that are rented by contract institutions on a weekly or monthly basis have become popular, especially in urban centers, but many of them are used indoors. Charges for light and heat sources such as gas and electricity are paid in advance.

This is because the contracting organization is short-term, and in a system where payment is made after checking the amount used, collection may become impossible.

Devices for realizing this prepayment system include a device that stores the prepaid amount on a card, a control device that opens and closes gas main valves and electricity service lines and counts charges, and reads the prepaid amount and pays for the electricity by that amount. A utility bill management system is being considered that consists of a card reader that turns on the gas. The general method of this system is that when a resident pays an advance payment to a manager, etc., a card is issued, and when the card is scanned into a card reading device installed in the resident's room, the prepayment amount stored in the memory can be read. It is stored in the card reading device and allows you to use gas, electricity, etc. for that amount. In such a system, if the card cannot be identified once it has been scanned, the data of the prepaid amount once paid can be stored in the card reading device many times, making it possible to fraudulently use the utility bill. Once a card has been scanned, it must be impossible to use it even if it is scanned again.

Therefore, if a code is stored in both the card and the card reading device, and the card data is validated when the codes match, and the code on the card reading device side is updated every time the card is scanned, the same code can be stored in both the card and the card reading device. A card with a code cannot be used twice. but,
Conventionally, in order to use this method, it was necessary to have means for generating or storing the same code string in both the card reading device and the card data storage device that updates the card data.

(d1) Purpose of the Invention In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a card system in which a card can be used only once and the identification code of the card can be easily updated.

(e) Structure and effect of the invention This invention comprises means for generating or storing a code string, means for storing two consecutive codes from this code string in an inserted card in order as a current code and a new code, and a card data storage device having code updating means for storing the new code as a new current code when the card is inserted and storing the next new code in the code string as the new code; means for storing a new code stored in the card when the card is first inserted as an identification code; and means for storing the new code stored in the current code storage area of the card when the card is inserted next time; The present invention is characterized by comprising a card reading device having means for storing a new code stored in the card as a new identification code, and determining that the card is valid when the code matches the code.

According to the present invention, configured as described above,
Since the card reading device changes the identification code that makes the data valid each time it reads card data, it becomes impossible to use the same card more than once. Also,
Since the identification code of the card reading device is updated using the code in the card data read just before, there is no need for a code generation or storage function on the reading device side, which has the advantage of simplifying the system configuration.

(flEmbodiment) Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a utility expense management system for a short-term rental apartment, which is an embodiment of the present invention.
and a card reading device installed in each room3. It consists of a gas control device 4 and a card 2 issued by the card data storage device 1. When a resident pays in advance the price of gas used in the room to a manager or the like, the manager uses a card data storage device 1 to issue and deliver a card 2 storing the data of the amount. The resident scans the card into the card reading device 3 in his or her room, registers the prepaid amount, and is able to use the gas for that amount.

Each device that makes up the system will be explained below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the card data storage device 1. As shown in FIG. CPU10 has memory 11. A keyboard 12 and a card reader/writer 13 are connected. When an employee such as a manager who uses this device receives advance payment for gas usage fees from a resident, he or she inserts the card into the card reader/reader 13 and inputs the paid amount etc. from the keyboard 12. . Then, this device issues a card 2 with the amount stored therein (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 3 shows the card reading device 3 and gas control device 4.
FIG. Card reading device 3 is CPU3
0 and the memory 31.0 connected to this CPU 30. It consists of a card scanner 32 and an interface 33. A charge counter 40 and a gas valve solenoid 41 of the gas control device 4 are connected to the interface 33 . Card 2 with the prepaid amount stored in the card scanner 32
When the CPU 30 scans the data, the CPU 30 stores the data in the memory 31.
is stored, and the gas valve is opened by the gas valve solenoid 41 until the charge counter 40 counts the amount (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the card 2. As shown in FIG. Area M2
0 stores a current code which is an identification code for validating this card data, and area M21 stores a new code which is an identification code of a card to be read next after card data is read using this data. Area M22 stores the prepaid amount of the utility fee.

FIG. 5 is a partial configuration diagram of the memory 31 of the card reading device 3. As shown in FIG. Card scanner 3 in areas M1-M3
Data of the card scanned in step 2 (current code (Ml)
, new code (M2) and prepaid amount (M3)) are stored. Area M4 stores an identification code for identifying whether or not the data of the scanned card, that is, the card stored in areas M1 to M3 is valid.
The balance of prepaid utility bills is stored in . If the scanned card is valid, the amount data stored in area M3 is added to the balance in area M5.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the card data storage device. As mentioned above, this device is installed in the manager's room of a rental apartment operated by this system, and is operated when a tenant pays their utility bill in advance. Step nl (Hereinafter, step ni will be simply referred to as ni.)
When a card is inserted, n2 reads the data of the card. A new card is inserted in the case of a new tenant, and a previously used card is inserted in the case of additional prepayment of utility charges.

When a new card is inserted, the read data is all "0". When the prepaid amount is input at n3, the amount is stored in area M22 of the card at n4. At n5, it is determined whether this card is inserted into this device for the first time or for the second time or later. If it is the second or subsequent card, the current code and new code are updated from the code string at n6 and the card is ejected (n9), and the operation ends. If the card is inserted into this device for the first time, proceed to n7 to generate a new code string, store the current code and new code from that code string on the card (n8), and eject the card (n9) to finish the operation. .

The code string may be a code string or a number string, but when generated within the device, for example: 1st term (a I)
, the second term (a-) is 0. 1, and the general term (a7) from the third term onward is: If you set a numerical sequence such that an = an -1 + an -2, the first inserted card will memorize 0.1, and from then on this card will be Once inserted, the codes (numbers) can be advanced in the order of 1, 2.3, 5, 8.13, and so on.

Various numerical sequences can be generated by arbitrarily setting the first term (al) and the second term (a2). When a new code string is generated when the above-mentioned card whose operation is interrupted is inserted, the card reading device 3 described later can operate without any problem by generating a number string with the new code of the previous card as the first term (aI). I can do it. Moreover, the code string is
It may be generated using a so-called random number generation formula, or a fixed number may be stored in the memory 11. When storing information, it is easy to use symbols other than numbers, such as alphabets.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control section of the card reading device. This device is installed in each room of the apartment as described above, and the resident who has been issued the card 2 scans the card 2 and opens the gas main valve. At steps n20 and n30, the process waits until the card is scanned or a charge pulse is input from the gas charge counter 40. When the card 2 is scanned by the card scanner 32, the process proceeds to n21 based on the judgment at n20, where the card data (memory contents of areas M20, M21, and M22) is read and temporarily stored in areas M1 to M3. At n22, the current code (Ml) and the identification code (M4) are compared, and if they match, the card is determined to be valid and the process goes to n23, and if they do not match, nothing is done and the process returns to the standby routine (n20.n30). On n23, the prepaid amount (M
Add 3) to the utility expense balance (M5) and create new data (M2)
After updating the identification code (M4) by (n24)
, the gas valve is opened (if it is already open, it remains open) and the process returns to the standby routine.

When the charge pulse is input from the charge counter 40, the process proceeds to n31 based on the judgment in n30, in which the utility bill balance (M5) is subtracted, and if it is judged in n32 that the balance has become 0'', the gas valve solenoid 41 is activated. The gas valve is driven and the gas valve is closed (n33), and the process returns to the standby routine.If the remaining amount is not O'', the process returns to the standby routine.

In this way, in this rental apartment utility bill management system, the card that stores the prepaid amount of utility bills is only valid for one scan on the card reading device in that room, and the prepaid amount is not stored twice. This prevents the light and heat source from being used illegally for more than the prepaid amount. Further, since the code string generation or storage means need only be provided in the card data storage device 1, there are advantages such as the structure of the card reading device 3 being simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a utility expense management system for a short-term rental apartment that is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a card data storage device used in the above embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the card reading device used in the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the card used in the above embodiment, FIG. 5 is a partial block diagram of the memory of the card reading device, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the card used in the above embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data storage device, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the card reading device. 1-card data storage device, 2-card, 3-card reader;

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Means for generating or storing a code string; means for storing two consecutive codes from this code string in the inserted card in order as a current code and a new code; a card data storage device having code updating means for storing a code as a new current code and a next new code in said code sequence as a new code, and when said card is first inserted into said card; means for storing the new code stored in the new code as an identification code;
Next time this card is inserted, if the code stored in the current code storage area of the card matches the identification code, this card is considered valid and a new code stored in this card is inserted. A card system comprising: a card reading device having means for storing an identification code.