JP4197106B2 - Reader / writer and membership card switching issuance method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reader / writer of a membership card using a magnetic card or an IC card for performing member inquiry and cumulative point confirmation, and a membership card switching issuance method using the reader / writer. The present invention relates to a reader / writer that can be rewritten and a membership card switching issuance method using the reader / writer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, service providers, including various stores, have adopted a membership system for giving benefits to specific customers, and IDs such as membership numbers for inquiring members to customers who have joined this membership system. A membership card filled with is distributed. In such a membership card, an ID is displayed on the surface, and a magnetic card or IC card that records the ID as magnetic data or electronic data is used. Further, the ID displayed on the surface of the membership card may be an ID itself or a barcode.
[0003]
In this way, a membership card composed of a magnetic card or an IC card is read out by a reader equipped with a magnetic header or a wireless communication unit, and the magnetic data or electronic data recorded in the membership card is read out, and the owner's ID Confirm and confirm the membership. When the barcode is displayed on the surface of the membership card, the barcode is read by an infrared barcode reader, and the member is inquired. Further, when the ID itself is displayed on the surface of the membership card, the member is inquired by operating the reader and inputting the numbers constituting the ID.
[0004]
In addition, such a membership card, such as a point card, is used which has a function of recording the accumulated points when giving the members points according to the amount paid by the members. This membership card consists of a sheet coated with a reversible thermosensitive material such as a leuco thermosensitive color developing material, a sheet encapsulated with microcapsules filled with magnetic powder, or a resin dispersed with organic low-molecular substances. Sheets or the like coated with a solution dissolved in a solvent (hereinafter collectively referred to as “rewrite sheets”) are pasted on the surface, and points and the like are printed on the rewrite sheet.
[0005]
Since the membership card provided with this rewrite sheet can rewrite the characters printed on the rewrite sheet, the accumulated points obtained by adding the points obtained by using the member are rewritten. In addition, this membership card is provided with a magnetic stripe or IC chip capable of recording magnetic data or electronic data, such as a magnetic card or IC card, in order to confirm the accumulated points up to the previous time.
[0006]
In this way, the membership card provided with the rewrite sheet is rewritten with the printed content of the rewrite sheet by the reader / writer provided with the print header and the erasure header. At this time, the magnetic data and electronic data recorded on the magnetic stripe, IC chip, etc. are updated to new data corresponding to the print contents of the rewrite sheet by the magnetic header or wireless communication unit provided in the reader / writer.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0008]
As described above, the membership card provided with the rewrite sheet and the magnetic stripe or the IC chip is superior in functionality to the conventional membership card using a magnetic card or an IC card. Therefore, the demand for membership cards equipped with this rewrite sheet is increasing. In response to such demand, the service provider needs to change the membership card using the existing magnetic card or IC card owned by the customer who is already a member to the membership card equipped with the rewrite sheet. .
[0009]
However, when such an existing membership card is changed to a new membership card, the customer who is a member enters various personal information recorded in the existing membership card on a predetermined form, and then the predetermined form. It is necessary to record the various personal information entered in the field as magnetic data or electronic data on the magnetic stripe or IC chip of a new membership card. Thus, in order to switch to a new membership card, both the customer and the service provider need to go through complicated procedures.
[0010]
In view of such problems, the present invention is a reader / writer that can read information recorded on an existing membership card and write the read information on a new membership card having a rewritable print area. The purpose is to provide. It is another object of the present invention to provide a membership card switching issuance method capable of switching to a new membership card using this reader / writer without going through complicated procedures.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the reader-writer according to claim 1, the first membership card that includes a rewritable printing area and the first recording unit for recording the personal information and the rewritable switching information An insertion slot to be inserted, a recording unit head for writing / reading the first recording unit, a sheet head for rewriting the printing contents of the printing area, a conveying unit for conveying the membership card, and the recording a memory for recording the data read out in part head, the reader-writer comprising a when the second membership card with only the second recording unit for recording the personal information has been inserted from the insertion opening, The personal information recorded in the second recording unit read from the recording unit head is stored in the memory, and after the second membership card is ejected from the insertion slot, the new first membership card is From the insertion slot And the sheet content is initialized by the sheet head and the personal information in the second recording unit stored in the memory is recorded in the first recording unit by the recording unit head. It is characterized by doing.
[0012]
According to such a configuration, when the first membership card is inserted from the insertion slot, the printing contents in the printing area (corresponding to the rewrite sheet) are updated by the sheet head, and the recording unit head is inserted. Thus, the switching information recorded in the first recording unit is updated. When the second membership card is inserted through the insertion slot, the personal information is read from the second recording unit by the recording head and temporarily recorded in the memory, and then the second membership card is ejected to obtain the first member. The personal information read from the second recording unit temporarily recorded in the memory is recorded in the first recording unit, and the print contents in the print area are initialized. In this way, when the second membership card is inserted, the switching issue operation to the first membership card is performed. When the printing area is made of a heat-sensitive color developing material, the sheet head is composed of an erasing head for erasing the printing contents and a printing head for printing.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print area, the rewritable area that is rewritten every time the print content is updated is always the same print content and cannot be rewritten only when rewriting is necessary. Area, and when the first membership card is inserted from the insertion slot and the print content is changed, the rewrite of the non-rewritable area is required by the sheet head, After only the print contents in the rewritable area are erased, the changed print contents are printed, and when it is necessary to rewrite the non-rewritable area, the sheet head uses the sheet head. After the print contents are erased, the changed print contents are printed in the rewritable area, and the same print contents as before the erasure are printed in the non-rewritable area. It does not matter.
[0014]
At this time, as described in claim 3, when the print contents of the print area are initialized, or when rewriting of the non-rewritable area is required, the personal information is stored in the non-rewritable area. You may make it print the printing content based on member ID contained in. By doing in this way, member ID can be recognized using the printed content based on member ID printed on the printing area. The printed content based on the member ID may be a barcode as described in claim 4 or a number as described in claim 5.
[0015]
Also, as described in claim 6, by the data read by the recording unit head is only before Kiko personal information, membership card, which is inserted from the insertion port in the second membership card You may make it operate | move by judging that there exists.
[0016]
Further, the number of times of insertion into the reader / writer is recorded as one of the switching information in the first recording part of the first membership card, and when the number of insertions exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that rewriting of the non-rewritable area is necessary. However, the print contents in the non-rewritable area may be rewritten.
[0017]
Also, a membership card switching issuing method according to claim 7, the first membership card that includes a rewritable printing area and the first recording unit for recording the personal information and the rewritable switching information is inserted inserted A recording section head for writing / reading the first recording section, a sheet head for rewriting the print contents of the print area, a transport section for transporting the membership card, and the recording section head. a memory for recording the read data, as well as using a reader-writer and a first step of inserting a second membership card with only the second recording unit for recording the personal information from the insertion port A second step of storing the personal information recorded in the second recording unit read from the recording unit head in the memory and discharging the second membership card from the insertion slot; and the new first In front of membership card A third step of inserting from the insertion slot; a fourth step of initializing the print contents of the print area by the sheet head; and an individual in the second recording unit stored in the memory by the recording unit head. And a fifth step of recording information in the first recording unit.
[0018]
In this case, as described in claim 8, in the print area, a rewrite area that is always the same print content as a rewritable area that is rewritten every time the print content is updated and is rewritten only when rewriting is necessary. An improper area is provided, and in the fourth step, the print content based on the member ID included in the personal information may be printed in the non-rewritable area. Furthermore, the printed content based on the member ID may be a barcode as described in claim 9 or a number as described in claim 10.
[0019]
Also, as described in claim 11, in the second step, the by data read out by the recording unit head is only before Kiko personal information, membership card, which is inserted from the insertion port You may make it judge that it is the said 2nd membership card.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the reader / writer of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the existing membership card is a magnetic card provided with a magnetic stripe.
[0022]
The reader / writer shown in FIG. 1 includes a magnetic head 1 that reads and writes magnetic data, an erasing head 2 that erases the print content on the rewrite sheet to make it blank, and a print head 3 that prints on the rewrite sheet. A transport unit 4 that transports the membership card so as to pass over the magnetic head 1, the erasing head 2, and the print head 3, an operation unit 5 for inputting point information and the like, and input information from the operation unit 5 A display unit 6 that displays the contents of magnetic data, a memory 7 that temporarily stores information input from the operation unit 5 and the contents of magnetic data, and a control unit 8 that controls the entire apparatus are provided.
[0023]
In this reader / writer, the magnetic head 1, the erasing head 2, and the print head 3 are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. That is, the magnetic head 1, the erasing head 2, and the print head 3 are installed in order from the one near the insertion slot 9 into which the membership card is inserted, and the insertion slot 9 is in contact with the rewrite sheet on the front side of the membership card. The erasing head 2 and the print head are installed on the upper side, and the magnetic head 1 is installed on the lower side of the insertion slot 9 so as to contact the magnetic stripe on the back side of the membership card. Although not shown, the transport unit 4 includes a belt for moving the membership card, a motor for driving the belt, and a position sensor for confirming the position of the membership card.
[0024]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the existing membership card A has a barcode 10 and a number 11 representing the member ID as shown in FIG. 3 (a). As described above, the magnetic stripe 12 in which various personal information including the member ID is recorded as magnetic data is provided.
[0025]
Further, the membership card B newly issued from the membership card A is provided with a rewritable rewrite sheet 20 on its front surface as shown in FIG. 4 (a), and on the back surface thereof with FIG. 4 (b). As described above, information such as the magnetic stripe 26a in which various personal information such as member IDs are recorded as magnetic data and information that is switched at the time of use such as accumulated points and last use date (hereinafter referred to as "switching information"). Are recorded as magnetic data.
[0026]
The rewrite sheet 20 provided on the surface of the membership card B is rewritten only when it is necessary to rewrite the rewritable area 20a that is rewritten each time it is used, such as when it becomes difficult to read the printed contents. And a non-rewritable area 20b. In the rewritable area 20a of the rewritable sheet 20, after adding the last date 21 indicating the date on which the membership card B was last used, the number 22 of points added at the time of use, and the number of points at the time of use. The cumulative number of points 23 is printed. Further, a barcode 24 and a number 25 representing the member ID are printed in the non-rewritable area 20b of the rewrite sheet 20.
[0027]
Therefore, in the reader / writer configured as shown in FIG. 1, when the rewrite sheet 20 provided on the membership card B is a sheet coated with a reversible heat sensitive material such as a leuco heat sensitive color developing material, When the print head 3 generates heat at a predetermined temperature, the print contents of the rewrite sheet 20 can be erased and printed.
[0028]
The operation of the reader / writer configured as shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when either one of the membership cards A and B is inserted into the insertion port 9 of the reader / writer (STEP 1), the membership cards A and B are transported by the transport unit 4 so as to pass through the magnetic head 1 and become members. The magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 12 of the certificate A or the magnetic stripes 26a and 26b of the membership card B is read (STEP 2). That is, when the membership card A is inserted, the personal information recorded on the magnetic stripe 12 is read, and when the membership card B is inserted, the personal information recorded on the magnetic stripes 26a and 26b, respectively. And switching information is read out.
[0029]
Then, the read magnetic data is stored in the memory 7 (STEP 3). At this time, the display unit 6 displays the ID or member name confirmed from the personal information of the magnetic stripe 12 or the magnetic stripe 26a. Thereafter, it is confirmed by the control unit 8 whether or not the switching information is included in the magnetic data recorded in the memory 7 (STEP 4). That is, it is confirmed whether or not the magnetic stripe 26b has passed over the magnetic head 1, and it is determined whether the membership card inserted into the reader / writer is the membership card A or the membership card B.
[0030]
When it is confirmed that the switching information is included (Yes), it is recognized that the membership card B having the magnetic stripes 26a and 26b has been inserted, so the number of points added to the display unit 6 is increased. After the display for prompting input is made, the number of points is input by operating the operation unit 5 (STEP 5). At this time, the number of input points is displayed on the display unit 6. The inputted point number is added to the accumulated point number confirmed from the switching information stored in the memory 7 to generate a new accumulated point number, which is stored in the memory 7 together with the inputted point number ( (STEP6). At this time, the accumulated points obtained by adding together with the number of input points are displayed on the display unit 6.
[0031]
Then, it is confirmed by the control unit 8 whether or not an input indicating whether or not the rewriteable area 20b of the rewrite sheet 20 needs to be rewritten by the operation unit 5 is made (STEP 7). The input related to the rewriting of the non-rewritable area 20b may be performed before inputting the number of points or simultaneously with the input of the number of points, and it may be determined in STEP 7 whether or not this input has been performed. Absent.
[0032]
Thereafter, when an input for rewriting the non-rewritable area 20b is not confirmed (No), the membership card B is conveyed by the conveying unit 4 so as to pass over the erasing head 2, and the rewritable area of the rewritable sheet 20 is rewritten. Only the printed content printed on 20a is erased (STEP 8). At this time, only the rewritable area 20a may pass through the erasing head 2, or the erasing head 2 may operate only when the rewritable area 20a passes.
[0033]
When the print contents are erased by the erasing head in this way, the current date confirmed by the control unit 8 and the number of added points and the total number of points read from the memory 7 are confirmed. The membership card B is conveyed so as to pass over the print head 3 and printed on the rewritable area 20a of the rewrite sheet 20 (STEP 9). At this time, only the rewritable area 20a may pass through the print head 2, or the print head 2 may operate only when the rewritable area 20a passes. As described above, by performing the operations of STEP8 and STEP9, the last use date 21, the point number 22, and the cumulative point number 23 of the rewritable area 20a are rewritten.
[0034]
Further, in STEP 7, when an input for rewriting the non-rewritable area 20 b is confirmed (Yes), the membership card B is conveyed by the conveying unit 4 over the erasing head 2, and the entire area of the rewrite sheet 20 is The printed contents printed on the are deleted (STEP 10). That is, at this time, not only the print contents printed in the rewritable area 20a but also the print contents printed in the non-rewritable area 20b are erased.
[0035]
When the print contents are erased by the erasing head in this way, the current date confirmed by the control unit 8 and the number of added points, the total number of points and the ID read from the memory 7 are confirmed, and the conveying unit 4 is conveyed so that the membership card B passes over the print head 3 and printed on the entire area of the rewrite sheet 20 (STEP 11). Thus, by performing the operations of STEP 10 and STEP 11, the last use date 21 and the number of points 22 and the cumulative number of points 23 of the rewritable area 20a, and the barcode 24 and the number 25 of the non-rewritable area 20b are obtained. Rewritten.
[0036]
Then, when the rewriting operation of STEP8 and STEP9 or the rewriting operation of STEP10 and STEP11 is performed, the membership card B is transported by the transport unit 4 so as to pass over the magnetic head 1 and recorded on the magnetic stripe 26b. The switching information is rewritten (STEP 12). That is, new switching information based on the current date confirmed by the control unit 8 and the number of added points and the total number of points read from the memory 7 is written in the magnetic stripe 26b, thereby updating the switching information. Is done.
[0037]
If it is confirmed in STEP 4 that the switching information is not included (No), it is recognized that the membership card A having only the magnetic stripe 12 is inserted, and it is necessary to issue switching to the membership card B. Since it is confirmed that the membership card A is present, the membership card A is discharged from the insertion slot 9 (STEP 13). When a display requesting the insertion of a new membership card B is displayed on the display unit 6 and the new membership card B is inserted into the insertion slot 9 (STEP 14), first, the member is moved over the magnetic head 1 by the transport unit 4. The certificate B is conveyed so as to pass, and the magnetic data of the magnetic stripes 26a and 26b is read to confirm whether it is a new membership card (STEP 15).
[0038]
At this time, if the membership card inserted through the insertion slot 9 is not the new membership card B (No), a display requesting the insertion of the new membership card B is performed again, and the new membership card B is inserted (STEP 14). If the membership card inserted through the insertion slot 9 is a new membership card B (Yes), the membership card B is transported by the transport unit 4 so that it passes over the erasing head 2, and the entire area of the rewrite sheet 20 is transferred. Is erased (STEP 16).
[0039]
Then, a display requesting input of missing personal information is made on the display unit 6, and the operation unit 5 is operated to input personal information (STEP 17). The inputted personal information is stored in the memory 7 together with the personal information read from the magnetic stripe 12 (STEP 18). When the personal information stored in the memory 7 is read and the ID is confirmed, the membership card B is transported over the print head 3 by the transport unit 4 and the entire area of the rewrite sheet 20 is transported. Printing is performed (STEP 19).
[0040]
At this time, the date of issue and the initial value of the number of points and the cumulative number of points are confirmed by the control unit 8, and the initial value of the date of issue and the number of points and the cumulative points are stored in the writable area 20 a. The initial value of the number is printed as date 21, date 22 and cumulative point 23. Further, based on the ID confirmed from the personal information, the barcode 24 and the number 25 are printed in the non-writable area 20b.
[0041]
Thereafter, the membership card B is transported over the magnetic head 1 by the transport unit 4, and personal information and switching information are written in the magnetic stripes 26a and 26b, respectively (STEP 20). At this time, the personal information read from the magnetic stripe 12 of the membership card A and the personal information input by the operation unit 5 are written as personal information in the magnetic stripe 26a, and the date of issue and the initial value of the number of points and The initial value of the cumulative number of points is written as switching information in the magnetic stripe 26b.
[0042]
When the rewriting operation of the switching information recorded in the magnetic stripe 26b in STEP 12 or the writing operation of the personal information and switching information to the magnetic stripes 26a and 26b in STEP 20 is completed, the membership card B is inserted from the insertion slot 9. Is discharged (STEP 21).
[0043]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the membership card with the magnetic stripe is switched and issued, but it can also be used for switching and issuing the membership card with the IC chip. At this time, the reader / writer may be provided with a wireless unit that reads and writes the IC chip instead of the magnetic head that reads and writes the magnetic stripe.
[0044]
In addition, each time a membership card equipped with a rewrite sheet is inserted into the reader / writer, the number of insertions is counted as one, and the counted number of insertions is used as one piece of switching information to determine the magnetic stripe of the membership card. You may make it record to. At this time, when a membership card with a rewrite sheet is inserted in the reader / writer and the switching information is read from the magnetic stripe, the contents of the rewrite sheet in the non-rewritable area cannot be identified based on the recognized number of insertions. It may be determined whether or not the current state is in a proper state. That is, when the number of insertions exceeds a predetermined value, it is assumed that the print contents in the non-rewritable area cannot be identified, and the non-rewritable area is automatically reprinted.
[0045]
Further, when the reader / writer recognizes the number of insertions by reading the switching information, whether or not the rewrite sheet can be rewritten may be determined from the recognized number of insertions. That is, when the number of insertions exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the rewrite sheet cannot be rewritten, the inserted membership card is ejected, and then a membership card with a new rewrite sheet is requested and ejected. The content printed or recorded on the membership card is printed on a rewrite sheet of a new membership card and recorded on the magnetic stripe.
[0046]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reader / writer automatically determines whether or not the membership card is provided with a rewrite sheet depending on whether or not the switching information is included in the data read from the magnetic stripe. When the switching information is not included, the membership card switching issue operation is performed. However, the operation unit may be operated to instruct to perform the membership card switching issuing operation. Absent.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a membership card reader / writer with a rewrite sheet can be used to issue a switch from a membership card without a rewrite sheet to a membership card with a rewrite sheet. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce a new system for performing switching issuance, and the conventional complicated procedures for switching issuance can be omitted, and membership card switching issuance can be easily performed. Can do. Further, since the membership card switching issuance can be easily performed by the reader / writer, the time required for the membership card switching issuance can be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a reader / writer according to the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing a positional relationship among a magnetic head, an erasing head, and a print head in the reader / writer of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a membership card that does not include a rewrite sheet.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a membership card provided with a rewrite sheet.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reader / writer of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic head 2 Erase head 3 Print head 4 Conveyance part 5 Operation part 6 Display part 7 Memory 8 Control part 9 Insertion slot

Claims (11)

Recording performing an insertion opening in which the first membership card that includes a rewritable printing area and the first recording unit for recording the personal information and the rewritable switching information is inserted, the writing and reading of the first recording unit A reader comprising: a copy head; a sheet head that rewrites the print contents of the print area; a conveyance unit that conveys the membership card; and a memory that records data read by the recording unit head. In the writer
When the second membership card with only the second recording unit for recording the personal information has been inserted from the insertion opening,
Storing the personal information recorded in the second recording unit read from the recording unit head in the memory, and discharging the second membership card from the insertion slot;
The new first membership card is inserted through the insertion slot,
With the sheet head, the print contents in the print area are initialized,
A reader / writer, wherein the recording unit head records the personal information in the second recording unit stored in the memory in the first recording unit. In the print area, a rewritable area that is rewritten every time the print content is updated, and a non-rewritable area that is always the same print content and is rewritten only when rewriting is required,
When the first membership card is inserted through the insertion slot and the print content is changed,
Except when it is necessary to rewrite the non-rewritable area, after the print content of the rewritable area is erased by the sheet head, the changed print contents are printed,
In addition, when it is necessary to rewrite the non-rewritable area, the print content after the change is printed in the rewritable area after the print contents in the entire print area are erased by the sheet head. The reader / writer according to claim 1, wherein the same print content as before erasure is printed in the non-rewritable area. When initializing the print contents of the print area, or when rewriting the non-rewritable area is required,
3. The reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein a print content based on a member ID included in the personal information is printed in the non-rewritable area.   4. The reader / writer according to claim 3, wherein the printed content based on the member ID is a barcode.   5. The reader / writer according to claim 3, wherein the printed content based on the member ID is a number. By data read by the recording unit head is only before Kiko personal information, claims membership card that is inserted from the insertion port, characterized in that it is determined that the second membership card The reader / writer according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Recording performing an insertion opening in which the first membership card that includes a rewritable printing area and the first recording unit for recording the personal information and the rewritable switching information is inserted, the writing and reading of the first recording unit A reader comprising: a copy head; a sheet head that rewrites the print contents of the print area; a conveyance unit that conveys the membership card; and a memory that records data read by the recording unit head. While using a writer,
A first step of a second membership card inserted from the insertion port with only the second recording unit that records personal information,
Storing the personal information recorded in the second recording unit read from the recording unit head in the memory, and discharging the second membership card from the insertion port;
A third step of inserting the new first membership card from the insertion slot;
A fourth step of initializing the print contents of the print area by the sheet head;
A fifth step of recording the personal information in the second recording unit stored in the memory by the recording unit head in the first recording unit;
A membership card switching issuance method comprising: In the print area, a rewritable area that is rewritten every time the print content is updated, and a non-rewritable area that is always the same print content and is rewritten only when rewriting is required,
8. The membership card switching and issuing method according to claim 7, wherein, in the fourth step, a print content based on a member ID included in the personal information is printed in the non-rewritable area.   9. The membership card switching issuing method according to claim 8, wherein the printed content based on the member ID is a barcode.   10. The membership card switching and issuing method according to claim 8, wherein the printed content based on the member ID is a number. In the second step, the by data read out by the recording unit head is only before Kiko personal information, the membership card that is inserted from the insertion port is determined to be the second membership card The membership card switching issuance method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

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