JP2004070538A - Card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To satisfactorily detect types of various cards via a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: Inlet sensors 10, 20 and 30 for detecting the type of an inserted card are arranged in appropriate positions upstream of a reading/writing position along the card insertion direction. With detection signals from the inlet sensors 10, 20 and 30, if an unusable card is inserted, a control action of, for example, closing shutter means 40 is possible to prevent a practice card fraud and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００４１】
すなわち、上述した構成を有する磁気差動型センサ２０では、励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄと、検出用コイル２２とが区別されて配置されていて、しかも、一対の励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄどうしの間のバランスに基づいて検出が行われることから、直流抵抗分等によるインピーダンスに関係なく磁束の変化量が、薄型で小型のコア体２１を用いつつ良好な直線性をもって高感度で得られる。しかも、従来のような定電流回路を使用することなく安価な回路によって環境の温度変動にかかわらず、カードの有無に関して安定的な検出動作が可能となる。
【００４２】
また、本実施形態では、カード側に対面配置される軸端コア部２１ｃ，２１ｄを小幅なものとして、当該軸端コア部２１ｃ，２１ｄにおける電流効率を向上させており、それによって、より多くの磁束を発生させていることから、検出の変化量、つまりカードの有無に関する検出感度が、より一層高められるようになっている。さらにまた、本実施形態にかかる磁気差動型センサ２０では、中央コア部２１ａと、軸端コア部２１ｃ，２１ｄとの境界部分に、係止鍔部２１ｂを設けることによって、各コイル２２，２３ｃ，２３ｄの巻回位置を精度良く位置決め可能としていることから、位相ズレ又は出力ズレが低減されるとともに、大きな変化率が得られる。
【００４３】
加えて、本実施形態にかかる磁気差動型センサ２０では、一対の励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄどうしの間の出力バランスを差動状態としていることから、一層高感度で正確な検出が可能となっている。また差動になっているので、ＩＣカードが存在していない、又は無限遠のとき、温度変化によるφ１，φ２の変化量はほぼ同じとなり、出力は０のままであるから、温度特性も良好である。
【００４４】
ここで、接触型ＩＣカード３の接点端子部３ｂ、又は非接触型ＩＣカードのアンテナ部を検知するには、上述した入口センサ１０，２０，３０からの出力電圧の温度変動よりも大きな閾値（スライスレベル）を設定して検出を行うようにすれば良いこととなるが、磁気差動型センサ２０，３０からの出力電圧の温度変動は極めて小さいため、感度の良好な磁気差動型センサとすることができる。具体的に、磁気差動型センサ２０，３０からの出力電圧と、磁気差動型センサ２０，３０とカード側との間の間隔との関係をみてみると、例えば図１０に示されているように、上記磁気差動型センサ２０，３０からの出力電圧（図１０の縦軸）は、当該磁気差動型センサ２０，３０とカード側との間の距離（図１０の横軸）にほぼ反比例したものとなっているが、適宜に閾値（スライスレベル）設定することによって良好な検知出力が得られることが判る。
【００４５】
このようなことから、本実施形態にかかる磁気差動型センサ、すなわち第２及び第３の磁気センサ２０，３０を取り付けるにあたっては、当該第２及び第３の磁気センサ２０，３０を、カード搬送路４から引き込んだ位置に配置することが可能となり、実際には、上記第２及び第３の磁気センサ２０，３０の図示下面を、前述したカード搬送路４の上側フレーム４ａの壁面（図示下面）から適宜の距離だけ引き込んだ位置に配置して、第２及び第３の磁気センサ２０，３０がカード表面に非接触となるように設定されている。このような構成によって第２及び第３の磁気センサ２０，３０は、カード表面や、装置内部に侵入した粉塵などとの間の擦れによって変形したり損傷を受けたりすることのないように取り付けられている。
【００４６】
一方、上述したような第１、第２及び第３の磁気センサ１０，２０，３０は、図１１〜図１４に示されているような磁気カード、及びＩＣカードの規格寸法に対応して配置されている。すなわち、まず第１の磁気センサ１０は、図１１に示されているような磁気カード５０における磁気ストライプ５０ａの位置規格（ＩＳＯ０７８２１−２）に対応するように配置されており、当該第１の磁気センサ１０から検出信号が得られれば、磁気ストライプ５０ａを有するカードが挿入されたものと判断することができる。
【００４７】
次に、第２の磁気センサ２０は、図１２及び図１３に示されているような接触型ＩＣカード３における接点端子３ｂの位置規格（ＩＳＯ７８１６）Ｃ１〜Ｃ８の少なくとも一部に対応するように配置されている。但し、当該の第２の磁気センサ２０の配置領域には、図１４に示されているような非接触型ＩＣカード６０におけるアンテナ部とチップとの最小結合領域６０ａが存在していることから、その最小結合領域６０ａの位置規格（ＩＳＯ１４４４３−２）にも対応した位置となるようにしている。従って、この第２の磁気センサ２０から検出信号が得られれば、非接触型ＩＣカード６０、又は接触型ＩＣカード３のいずれかが挿入されたものと判断するすることができる。
【００４８】
更に、前記第３の磁気センサ３０は、例えば本実施形態では、非接触型ＩＣカード６０の全体を張り巡らすようにして配置されたアンテナ部を検知することができる位置、例えば非接触型ＩＣカードの長手方向に沿って延在しているアンテナ部の一部分に対応する位置に配置されている。この非接触型ＩＣカードにおけるアンテナ部は、ＩＳＯ規格等では規定されておらず、各システム、カードごとにそれぞれ個別に規定されていることから、それらのアンテナ部の各位置に各々対応して上記第３の磁気センサ３０を適宜に配置することとなる。従って、この第３の磁気センサ３０から検出信号が得られれば、非接触型ＩＣカード６０が挿入されたものと判断することができる。
【００４９】
以上のような第１の磁気センサ１０、第２の磁気センサ２０、及び第３の磁気センサ３０からの各検出信号をみれば、挿入されたカードの種別が次のように判定可能となる。
すなわち、
▲１▼　第１の磁気センサ１０のみの検出信号を得た場合には「磁気カード」が挿入されたものと判断される。
▲２▼　第３の磁気センサ３０からの検出信号がなく、第２の磁気センサ２０のみの検出信号を得た場合には「接触型ＩＣカード」が挿入されたものと判断される。
▲３▼　第２の磁気センサ２０からの検出信号と、第３の磁気センサ３０からの検出信号との双方を得た場合には「非接触型ＩＣカード」が挿入されたものと判断される。
▲４▼　第３の磁気センサ３０からの検出信号がなく、第１及び第２の磁気センサ２０からの双方の検出信号を得た場合には「磁気と接触型ＩＣの共用カード」が挿入されたものと判断される。
▲５▼　第１、第２及び第３の磁気センサ１０，２０及び３０から全ての検出信号を得た場合には、「磁気と非接触型との共用カード」が挿入されたものと判断される。
このようなことから、使用不能なカードを挿入した場合には、シャッター手段４０を閉じるなどの制御動作が可能となる。
【００５０】
一方、上述した実施形態と同一の構成物に対して同一の符号を付した図１５に示された実施形態では、一対の軸端コア部２１ｃ，２１ｄのうちの図示下側に配置された一方側の軸端コア部２１ｃが、カード側と対向するように配置されているとともに、図示上側に配置された他方側の軸端コア部２１ｄが、カード側と同一材質、又は同程度の導電率、或いは同程度の透磁率を有する比較金属体７０と対向するように配置されている。
【００５１】
そして、上述したようなカードが、磁気差動型センサ２０（又は３０）に対して対面・離間するように図示左右の方向に移動すると、上記一方側の軸端コア部２１ｃが、カードに対して対面・離間されて、それら両部材どうしの間の間隔Ｌ１が、有限値と無限値との間で変化することになる。そのとき、他方側の軸端コア部２１ｄは、比較金属体７０に対して間隔Ｌ２を変えることなく所定の位置に維持される構成になされている。
【００５２】
従って、上記検出用コイル２２からの出力が「０」となる位置は、上記比較金属体７０と他方側の軸端コア部２１ｄとの間の間隔Ｌ２が、一方側の軸端コア部２１ｃとカード側との間隔Ｌ１と等しくなる位置であることから、上述した一方側の軸端コア部２１ｃと、カード側の検出を行う間隔Ｌ１を、比較金属体７０と他方側の軸端コア部２１ｄとの間の間隔Ｌ２よりも同じか小さい範囲（０≦Ｌ１≦Ｌ２）に設定しておけば、カードの有無に関して大きな検出出力を取り出すことが可能となる。
【００５３】
このように、本実施形態にかかる磁気差動型センサ２０（又は３０）によれば、カード側からの検出出力と、比較金属体７０からの検出出力との差分が変化量になされることから、比較金属体７０と軸端コア部２１ｃとの距離Ｌ２や、比較金属体７０の材質などを変更することによって、図１６中の符号０〜Ｌ２で示されたカードに対する必要な検出区間において、「０」となる位置Ｌ２を任意に変更して用いることが可能となり、その結果、カードの有無に関して大きな出力を得ることによって検出精度が高められる。
【００５４】
以上、本発明者によってなされた発明の実施形態を具体的に説明したが、本発明は、上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、その要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形可能であることはいうまでもない。
【００５５】
例えば、上述した実施形態にかかるカードリーダでは、３体の磁気センサを配置しているが、装置の構成によっては２体の磁気センサで同様な作用・効果が得られることもある。従って、本発明では、少なくとも二つの磁気センサを備えていればよい。
【００５６】
また、上述した実施形態にかかる磁気差動型センサ２０（又は３０）では、検出用コイル２２を中央部分に挟んで両側に励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄを配置しているが、励磁用コイルを中央部分に挟んで両側に検出用コイルを配置するように構成することも可能である。
【００５７】
また、上述した実施形態にかかる磁気差動型センサ２０（又は３０）では、軸端コア部２１ｃの幅寸法を、中央コア部２１ａの幅寸法よりも小さくしているが（Ｗ_２＜Ｗ_１）、両者を等しくしたり、逆の大小関係に設定することも可能である。また、上述した実施形態におけるコア体２１の中央コア部２１ａには、検出用コイル２２を巻回する部位に凹状の切欠き部が設けられているが、そのような切欠き部を設けることなく単純な矩形状をなすように形成することも可能である。
【００５８】
さらに、上述した実施形態にかかる磁気差動型センサ２０（又は３０）では、コア体として、一枚の薄板形状部材を用いているが、図１７（ａ），（ｂ）に示されているような立体形状のコア体２１’，２１”であっても同様に採用することができる。なお、この場合においても、軸方向の中央部分に設けられた切欠状の凹部２１’ａ，２１”ａを形成することなく単純形状に構成することが可能である。なお、同形状の薄板材を２枚以上貼り付けてもよい。
【００５９】
さらに、上述した実施形態では、一対の励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄが一連・一体に直列状態にて接続されているが、例えば、図１８に示されているように、それらの各励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄを、交流電源２５に対して並列状態となるように接続して対向磁界を形成することも可能である。
【００６０】
さらにまた、上述した実施形態は、一つの励磁用電源を単独で設けたものであるが、各励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄ毎に、別個の電源をそれぞれ配置することも可能である。但し、その場合には、各電源どうしの位相が同期するように設定することが必要となる。
【００６１】
一方、上述した実施形態における一対の両軸端コア部２１ｃ，２１ｄの各幅寸法Ｗ_２，Ｗ_２が、作製誤差などによって、例えば５μｍのように微少量だけ互いに異なってしまい、その結果、被検出物がない場合の差動出力が「０」にならなくなってしまうことも考えられるが、その場合には、上記各励磁用コイル２３ｃ，２３ｄに供給する電流値を、差動出力が「０」となるようにオフセット調整することによって容易に対処することが可能である。
【００６２】
また、磁気差動型センサとしては、上述した実施形態のような磁気差動型のものに限定されることはなく、渦電流型のセンサや、光センサなども同様に適用することができる。
【００６３】
さらに、上述した実施形態ではＩＣカードが自動的に搬送されるカードリーダにおける実施の形態を説明したが、カードの搬送が手動式であるカードリーダにおいても本発明を実施することができる。
【００６４】
【発明の効果】
以上述べたように、本発明の請求項１にかかるカードリーダは、読取／書込位置よりもカード挿入方向において上流側の適宜の位置に、挿入されたカードの種別を検出する入口センサを設け、その入口センサからの検出信号を用いることによって、使用不能なカードを挿入した場合にはシャッターを閉じるなどの制御動作を可能としたものであるから、カードの不正行為などを未然に防止することができ、カードリーダの信頼性を向上させることができる。
【００６５】
また、請求項２記載のカードリーダは、上記請求項１記載の入口センサが、磁気カードの磁気ストライプを検出する第１の磁気センサと、接触型ＩＣカードの接点端子部を検出する第２の磁気センサと、非接触型ＩＣカードのアンテナ部を検出する第３の磁気センサとのうちの少なくとも二つの磁気センサを備え、入口センサからの検出信号によって、挿入されたカードが、磁気カードであるか、接触型ＩＣカードであるか、非接触型ＩＣカードのであるから、又はそれらのいずれを共用するカードであるかが良好に検出されるようにしたものであるから、上述した効果を確実に得ることができる。
【００６６】
さらに、本発明の請求項３にかかるカードリーダは、上記請求項１における装置本体に、そのカード挿入口を通して挿入されたカードを前記読取／書込位置まで導くカード搬送路を設けるとともに、そのカード搬送路を遮断・開放するシャッター手段を設け、そのカード挿入口とシャッター手段との間の位置に入口センサを配置したことによって挿入されたカードを入口センサで検知した後にカード搬送路内に送り込むようにしたものであるから、上述した効果に加えて、シャッター手段によって不正カードの排除を確実に行わせることができるとともに、装置本体内の清浄性を良好に維持することができる。
【００６７】
さらにまた、本発明の請求項４にかかるカードリーダは、上記請求項１における磁気差動型センサとして磁気差動型の磁気差動型センサを用いたことにより、小型のコア体を用いつつ高感度な出力を得つつ環境の温度変動にかかわらず安定的な検出動作が可能としたものであるから、上述した効果に加えて、カードの検出を良好な検出感度により安定的に行うことができ、小型で高性能なカードリーダを得ることができる。
【００６８】
また、本発明の請求項５にかかるカードリーダは、前記請求項４における磁気差動型センサのコア体を板形状部材から形成してコア体を薄型化したものであるから、上述した効果に加えて、より一層の小型化を図ることができる。
【００６９】
さらに、本発明の請求項６及び請求項７にかかるカードリーダは、上記請求項４及び請求項５における磁気差動型センサの軸端コア部を小幅として、当該軸端コア部における電流効率を向上させ、より多くの磁束を集めるようにして検出感度を一層高めるようにしたものであるから、上述した効果を更に高めることができる。
【００７０】
また、本発明の請求項８にかかるカードリーダは、上記請求項６における磁気差動型センサの中央コア部と軸端コア部との境界部分に係止鍔部を設けることによって、各コイルの巻回位置を精度良く位置決め可能として、位相ズレを低減させるとともに、大きな変化率を得るように構成したものであるから、上述した効果を更に高めることができる。
【００７１】
一方、本発明の請求項９にかかるカードリーダは、上記請求項６における磁気差動型センサによるカードからの検出出力と、比較金属体からの検出出力との差分を変化量として検出を行い、比較金属体と軸端コア部との距離や、比較金属体の材質などを変更することによって、被検出体に対して必要とされる検出区間における始点位置を「０」出力に設定して用いることを可能とし、それによって、大きな出力変化を得て検出精度及び分解能を高めるとともに良好な直線性が得られるように構成したものであるから、上述した効果を一層高めることができる。
【００７２】
また、本発明の請求項１０にかかるカードリーダは、上記請求項４における磁気差動型センサの一対の励磁用コイルにより対向磁界を形成することによって出力を理想的な差動状態とし、より一層高感度で正確な検出が可能としたものであるから、上述した効果を一層高めることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態におけるカードリーダのカード搬送路においてＩＣカードが読取／書込位置に搬送された状態を表した縦断面説明図である。
【図２】図１に表されたカードリーダのカード搬送路においてカードが読取／書込位置に至る直前の状態を表した縦断面説明図である。
【図３】図１に表されたカードリーダのカード搬送路におけるカード挿入口部分を拡大して表した側面説明図である。
【図４】図３に表されたカード挿入口部分の正面説明図である。
【図５】図４に表されたカード挿入口部分を拡大して表した正面説明図である。
【図６】図１に示されたカードリーダに用いられている磁気差動型センサの一例を表した側面説明図である。
【図７】図６に表された磁気差動型センサの平面説明図である。
【図８】図６及び図７に表された磁気差動型センサの概略構造を表した側面説明図である。
【図９】図８に示された磁気差動型センサのコア構造を表した外観斜視説明図である。
【図１０】磁気差動型センサとＩＣカードとの間の間隔と、磁気差動型センサからの出力電圧との関係を測定した結果を表した線図である。
【図１１】磁気カードにおける磁気ストライプの位置規格を表した平面説明図である。
【図１２】接触型ＩＣカードに設けられた接点端子部の位置を表した平面説明図である。
【図１３】図１２中のＡ部拡大図である。
【図１４】非接触型ＩＣカードにおける設けられたアンテナ部とチップとの最小結合領域を表した平面説明図である。
【図１５】本発明の他の実施形態における磁気差動型センサの概略構造を表した側面説明図である。
【図１６】図１６に示された磁気差動型センサによる検出区間の調整状態を表した線図である。
【図１７】コア体の他の立体形状例を表したものであって、（ａ）は円筒形状のコア体、（ｂ）は角柱形状のコア体の外観斜視説明図である。
【図１８】励磁用コイルの並列状の接続例を表した回路説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１　装置本体
２　カード挿入口
３　接触型ＩＣカード
３ｂ　接点端子部
４　カード搬送路
７　ＩＣ接点
８　接点ブロック
１０　第１の磁気センサ（磁気プリヘッド）
２０　第２の磁気センサ（磁気差動型センサ）
３０　第３の磁気センサ（磁気差動型センサ）
２１　コア体
２１ａ　中央コア部
２１ｃ，２１ｄ　軸端コア部
２２　検出用コイル
２３ｃ，２３ｄ　励磁用コイル
２５　交流電源
φ１，φ２　対向磁界
４０　シャッター手段
５０　磁気カード
５０ａ　磁気ストライプ
６０　非接触型ＩＣカード
６０ａ　結合最小領域
７０　比較金属体[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card reader for recording / reproducing information on a card inserted up to a reading / writing position in an apparatus main body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in ATMs, vending machines, vending machines and the like, cart readers for recording / reproducing specific information to / from information recording sections of various types of cards are widely used. 2. Description of the Related Art An entrance sensor for detecting the authenticity and front and back of a card inserted into a main body has been installed. The entrance sensor is disposed immediately after the card insertion slot, and the entrance sensor detects an information recording portion or the like of the card inserted into the apparatus main body, so that the proper card is inserted or the proper card is inserted. If the card is incorrect, it detects if the card is upside down, and if the card is incorrect, it holds the shutter located immediately after the entrance sensor to keep it closed. We try to prevent actions.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of a cart reader that records and reproduces information on a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card that is generally widely used, a simple configuration can be achieved by employing a magnetic head as the above-described entrance sensor. However, in the case of a cart reader using a recent IC card, no specific proposal has been made yet on how to detect the type of the card.
[0004]
As described above, the conventional card reader cannot determine the type of the card inserted into the apparatus main body, and cannot determine whether the currently used card is a magnetic card or an IC card. There is a problem. Further, in the case of an IC card, it is not possible to determine whether the IC card is a contact type IC card or a non-contact type IC card. It is completely impossible. For this reason, for example, when an unusable card is inserted, a control operation for closing the shutter cannot be reliably performed, and no countermeasure such as preventing malfunction or damage of the apparatus can be taken at present.
[0005]
If an eddy current sensor as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-352108 is used to determine the IC card, a problem occurs in that the IC card cannot be reduced in thickness. That is, in the eddy current type sensor, the size is inevitable due to the arrangement of three or more exciting rod-shaped cores, and the temperature characteristics with respect to the usage environment are greatly increased due to the fact that the magnetic permeability of the core changes with temperature and humidity. When the threshold level for determining the presence / absence of an IC card must be set higher than the variation in temperature characteristics, and a certain distance or more is formed between the IC card and the entrance sensor. In this case, there is a possibility that the IC card cannot be detected.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention provides a card reader that can reliably and stably detect the type of an inserted card with a simple and small device configuration and can prevent malfunction and damage of the device in a good manner. The purpose is to do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the card reader according to the first aspect, an entrance sensor for detecting the type of the inserted card is provided at an appropriate position upstream of the reading / writing position in the card insertion direction. Therefore, by using the detection signal from the entrance sensor, it is possible to perform a control operation such as closing a shutter when an unusable card is inserted.
[0008]
In the card reader according to the second aspect, the entrance sensor according to the first aspect includes a first magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card and a second magnetic sensor that detects a contact terminal of a contact type IC card. At least two magnetic sensors of a magnetic sensor and a third magnetic sensor for detecting an antenna unit of the non-contact type IC card are provided.
Therefore, according to the invention according to claim 2, the inserted card is a magnetic card, a contact type IC card, or a non-contact type IC card according to the detection signal from the entrance sensor. Alternatively, which of these cards is shared can be detected satisfactorily.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card reader in which a card insertion slot for inserting a card and a card inserted through the card insertion slot are guided to the reading / writing position. Path, transport driving means for moving a card in the card transport path, and shutter means for shutting off and opening the card transport path downstream of the card insertion slot in the card insertion direction. Is disposed between the card insertion slot and the shutter means.
Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the card inserted from the card insertion slot is fed into the card transport path after the shutter means is opened by being detected by the entrance sensor. Has become.
[0010]
Further, in the card reader according to the fourth aspect, at least one of the entrance sensors according to the first aspect has an excitation coil and a detection coil wound on the same axis of the core body. One of the excitation coil and the detection coil is mounted on a central core portion disposed substantially at the center in the axial direction of the core body. At the same time, the other side of the exciting coil and the detecting coil are respectively attached to a pair of shaft end cores disposed at both ends in the axial direction of the core body, and one of the pair of shaft end cores is provided. The side and the object to be detected are arranged so that they can face each other.
That is, in the magnetic differential type entrance sensor used in the card reader having such a configuration, the excitation coil and the detection coil are arranged separately, and a pair of excitation coils or a pair of excitation coils is used. Since the detection is performed based on the balance between the detection coils, the amount of change in magnetic flux is directly measured regardless of the impedance including DC resistance, etc. In addition, a stable detection operation can be performed by an inexpensive circuit without using a constant current circuit as in the related art, regardless of environmental temperature fluctuations.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the card reader according to the fifth aspect, since the core body according to the fourth aspect is formed of a plate-shaped member, the core body is reduced in thickness, and the size is further reduced.
[0012]
On the other hand, in the card reader according to claim 6, the width of the shaft end core portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft end core portion is formed to be smaller than the width size of the central core portion. In the card reader according to the seventh aspect, the width dimension of the shaft end core portion according to the sixth aspect is set to be not more than half of the width dimension of the central core portion.
As described above, by reducing the width of the shaft end core portion approaching the card as the object to be detected, improving the current efficiency in the shaft end core portion and generating more magnetic flux, the detection sensitivity is further increased. .
[0013]
In a card reader according to an eighth aspect, a locking flange protruding in the width direction is provided at each boundary between the central core part according to the sixth aspect and the pair of shaft end core parts. The winding positions of the exciting coil and the detecting coil are regulated at predetermined positions by the locking flange.
As described above, by providing the locking flange at the boundary between the central core and the shaft end core, if the winding position of each coil can be accurately positioned, the phase shift or the output shift can be reduced. At the same time, a large change rate can be obtained.
[0014]
Further, in the card reader according to the ninth aspect, of the pair of the shaft end cores according to the sixth aspect, the shaft end opposite to the side arranged so as to face the card as the object to be detected. A comparative metal body is arranged on the core so as to face the shaft end core.
As described above, if the difference between the detection output from the card as the object to be detected and the detection output from the comparison metal body is detected as the amount of change, the distance between the comparison metal body and the shaft end core portion, the comparison metal By changing the material of the body, the starting point position in the detection section required for the card as the detected object can be set to “0” output and used. As a result, the detection accuracy and the resolution are improved, and good linearity is obtained.
[0015]
Still further, in the card reader according to the tenth aspect, the exciting coil according to the fourth aspect has a pair of coil winding portions, and the pair of coil winding portions are opposed to each other on the same axis. According to such a means, one output in a differential state is obtained by the pair of exciting coils, so that more sensitive and accurate detection can be performed. Become.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a contact type IC card reader will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
First, an IC card 3 inserted through a card insertion slot 2 provided on the right end side in the drawing is arranged in the device main body 1 of the IC card reader shown in FIG. 1 so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The card is guided by the card transport path 4 and sent to the rear end side of the apparatus as shown in the figure. The card transport path 4 is configured to be sandwiched between the upper frame 4a and the lower frame 4b, and is disposed at a position relatively forward (right side in the drawing) of the card transport path 4. When the card feed roller 5a or the feed pad 5b as a driving means is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), the IC card 3 reads / writes the card read / write arranged on the rear end side (right end side in the figure) of the apparatus. It is designed to be guided to the insertion position.
[0018]
Specifically, the IC card 3 taken in from the card insertion slot 2 to the inside of the card transport path 4 is further pushed in after the leading end 3a of the IC card 3 comes into contact with the card contact member 6, The card contact member 6 is moved together with the IC card 3 in the card running direction. Then, with the movement of the card contact member 6, the IC contact 7 is moved to a position where the IC contact 7 comes into contact with the contact terminal portion 3b of the IC card 3 by the action of the contact block 8.
[0019]
On the other hand, the card contact member 6 includes a protruding portion 6a for contacting the front end 3a of the IC card 3, and a receiving means 6b for supporting the back surface of the IC card 3. The protruding portion 6a is formed so as to face downward at the front end portion (left end side portion in the drawing) of the card contact member 6, and the IC card traveling in the card transport path 4 with respect to the protruding portion 6a. A part of the protruding portion 6a is disposed so as to protrude into the card transport path 4 formed by the upper frame 4a and the lower frame 4b so that the protruding portion 3 contacts.
[0020]
The above-mentioned card contact member 6 is provided so as to be movable in the direction in which the IC card 3 runs, but is moved toward the rear end side of the IC card 3 by a spring or the like (not shown), that is, toward the right side in the figure. As shown in FIG. 2, it is in the rear position (right position in the figure) until the IC card 3 comes into contact with the card contact member 6 and moves. Then, when the IC card 3 travels toward the card reading / writing position on the left side in the figure and the tip 3a of the IC card 3 comes into contact with the protrusion 6a of the card contact member 6, the card contact member 6 moves together with the IC card 3 in the card traveling direction, that is, toward the left side in the figure, so that the card contact member 6 is moved to the card set position shown in FIG. / Reach the position for writing.
[0021]
On the other hand, the contact block 8 is engaged with the card abutting member 6 while holding the probe needle-shaped IC contact 7, and interlocks with the movement of the card abutting member 6 toward the left end in the drawing. Then, it descends from the card separation position in FIG. 2 along the cam groove 8b in the oblique direction, and reaches the card contact position shown in FIG. The contact block 8 is configured to contact the IC contact 7 with the contact terminal 3b of the IC card 3 immediately before reaching the card contact position.
[0022]
The sensor 9 disposed on the upper side in the figure is provided so as to detect a slit 6c provided in the card contact member 6 and a rear end surface 6d of the card contact member 6, and this sensor 9 is provided. Detecting the slit 6c to detect the timing of lowering the traveling speed of the IC card 3, and detecting the rear end surface 6d to stop the IC card 3 at the card reading / writing position. Is detected. In the present embodiment, an optical sensor is used as the sensor 9, but other means, for example, a magnetic sensor or a mechanical sensor may be used.
[0023]
On the other hand, as shown particularly in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a card insertion portion, that is, a position upstream of the card reading / writing position in the insertion direction of the IC card 3 (left direction in the figure). Are provided with three entrance sensors 10, 20, 30 for detecting the type of the inserted card. These entrance sensors 10, 20, 30 include a first magnetic sensor 10 for detecting a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card, a second magnetic sensor 20 for detecting a contact terminal of a contact type IC card, and a non-contact type IC. And a third magnetic sensor 30 for detecting the antenna section of the card.
[0024]
The second magnetic sensor 20 and the third magnetic sensor 30 are magnetic differential sensors provided so as to face the card transport path 4 (detailed structures will be described later). In the present embodiment, the two sensors 20 and 30 are located substantially at the same position with each other by being arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the card running direction immediately after the above-described card insertion slot 2 on the left side in FIG. Are located in
[0025]
Here, the second magnetic sensor 20 has a function of detecting the contact terminal portion 3b provided on the contact type IC card 3 described above. When the second magnetic sensor 20 is inserted, a detection signal is generated from the second magnetic sensor 20. Further, the third magnetic sensor 30 is arranged to detect an antenna portion which is arranged so as to form a band or the like on a non-contact type IC card. When inserted from the insertion slot 2, the third magnetic sensor 30 emits a detection signal.
[0026]
On the other hand, the first magnetic sensor 10 constitutes a magnetic prehead when a card having a magnetic stripe is used as a magnetic recording information section, and the second and third magnetic sensors 20 and The first magnetic sensor 10 is arranged slightly downstream (rear side) of the first magnetic sensor 30 and emits a detection signal when a card having a magnetic stripe such as a magnetic card is inserted from the card insertion slot 2. It has become.
[0027]
Further, on the downstream side (rear side) of the first magnetic sensor 10 in the card transport direction, a well-known shutter means 40 for opening and closing the card transport path 4 is arranged. When inserted, the shutter means 40 is opened based on the proper detection signal. However, when an improper card is inserted, that is, when the contact terminal portion 3b of the IC card 3 is not detected. Is designed to prevent the use of an unauthorized card or the like by keeping the shutter means 40 in a closed state.
[0028]
The opening / closing circuit of the shutter means 40 is the same as that of a conventionally known circuit, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, without providing such a shutter means 40, the illegal drive card is not taken into the apparatus by drive control of the motor. It is also possible to
[0029]
On the other hand, when an appropriate detection signal from the IC card 3 is emitted from the entrance sensors 10, 20, and 30, the card and the motor of the conveyance driving means are driven based on the detection signal, and thereby the card feed roller 5a described above. Is driven to rotate, and the IC card 3 is carried into the card transport path 4 through the shutter means 40. The leading end 3 a of the IC card 3 traveling in the card transport path 4 is guided to the projecting portion 6 a of the card contact member 6. Even after the leading end 3a of the IC card 3 comes into contact with the protruding portion 6a, the card feed roller 5a is continuously driven to rotate so that the IC card 3 runs. Therefore, the projecting portion 6a of the card contact member 6 is pushed in the card traveling direction by the tip 3a of the IC card 3, and the card contact member 6 is integrated with the IC card 3 in the card traveling direction, that is, the left side in the drawing. Will be moved to the back side of.
[0030]
As the card contact member 6 moves in the card running direction, the contact block 8 that engages with the card contact member 6 moves up and down. That is, the contact block 8 descends by using the cam groove 8b to bring the IC contact 7 into contact with the contact terminal portion 3b of the IC card 3. Thereafter, since the IC card 3 moves to a position where information is read / written, the contact block 8 is further lowered. Therefore, as the IC card 3 approaches the card reading / writing position, the IC contacts 7 are further pressed against the contact terminal portions 3b of the IC card 3.
[0031]
Here, the above-described second magnetic sensor 20 and third magnetic sensor 30 are composed of magnetic differential sensors having substantially the same structure as each other. This will be described in detail. Since the sensors 20 and 30 have the same configuration as described above, only the second magnetic sensor 20 will be described below.
[0032]
First, the second magnetic sensor 20 is composed of a magnetic differential sensor, but is embedded in a resin body 20b attached to a housing 20a, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in particular. Each of the second magnetic sensors 20 extends from a magnetic differential sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a magnetic differential sensor 20) constituting the second magnetic sensor 20 and projects substantially horizontally toward the outside of the housing 20a. The terminal plate 20c is connected to a circuit control unit (not shown).
[0033]
The magnetic differential sensor 20 itself has a detection coil 22 wound around a central core portion 21a of a core body 21 made of a single thin plate-shaped member as shown in FIGS. It has a rotated magnetic differential type structure, and a pair of shaft end core portions 21c, 21c, which are integrally connected to both sides of the central core portion 21a in the vertical direction in the figure via locking flange portions 21b, respectively. Exciting coils 23c and 23d are wound around each of 21d.
[0034]
One of the pair of shaft end cores 21c and 21d, which is disposed on the lower side in the figure, is provided with the contact terminal 3b of the contact type IC card 3 or the non-contact type IC. It is arranged to be able to face the antenna part of the card. At this time, in the present embodiment, the direction of the axis CX (the vertical direction in the drawing) extending from the central core portion 21a to the shaft end core portion 21d on the other side is substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the IC card. Is set to Then, the contact terminal portion 3b of the contact type IC card 3 or the antenna portion of the non-contact type IC card reciprocates with respect to the shaft end core portion 21c on one side along a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis CX. By being moved, the shaft end core portion 21c on one side and the contact terminal portion 3b of the contact type IC card 3 or the antenna portion of the non-contact type IC card are moved toward and away from each other while facing each other. When the two members face each other within an appropriate distance range, the presence (presence) of the contact terminal portion 3b of the contact type IC card 3 or the antenna portion of the non-contact type IC card 3 is detected. It is configured to be.
[0035]
Note that the magnetic differential sensor 20 may move in a state in which the contact terminal portion 3b of the contact type IC card 3 or the antenna portion of the non-contact type IC card 3 is fixed.
[0036]
More specifically, the central core portion 21a is disposed at a substantially central portion of the magnetic differential sensor 20 in the extending direction of the axis CX (vertical direction in the drawing), and is arranged in the direction of the axis CX. Width dimension W in the direction orthogonal to ₁ Are formed relatively wide. On the other hand, each width dimension W of the both shaft end core portions 21c and 21d ₂ Is the width W of the central core portion 21a. ₁ It is set smaller (W ₂ <W ₁ ), In this embodiment, the dimension (W ₂ ≤W ₁ / 2). At this time, the portion of the central core portion 21a around which the detection coil 22 is wound has a slightly smaller width W. ₃ The shape is cut out so that
[0037]
Further, the pair of exciting coils 23c and 23d wound around the both shaft end core portions 21c and 21d are constituted by a series of coil members integrally connected, and among these coil members, The inner ends wound around the roots of the two shaft end cores 21c and 21d are integrally connected by a connecting wire 23e to form a series state. On the other hand, the lead portions 23f and 23g drawn out from the respective distal end sides of the both shaft end core portions 21c and 21d are connected to both contact terminal portions of the AC power supply 25 via appropriate resistors, respectively. When a sine wave or a rectangular wave generated from the power supply 25 is applied to the coil winding portions of the two shaft end core portions 21c and 21d, opposing magnetic fields in opposite directions on the same axis CX described above. It is configured so that φ1 and φ2 are formed.
[0038]
At this time, each locking flange 21b, 21b provided at each boundary portion between the central core 21a and the pair of shaft end cores 21c, 21d has a width direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the axis CX. The exciting coil 23c and the detecting coil 23d are respectively wound around the respective locking flanges 21b at positions before and after in the axial direction. That is, the winding positions of the coils 23c, 23d are determined by the locking flanges 21b, 21b.
[0039]
In the magnetic differential sensor 20 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the detection output obtained from the detection coil 22 is generated by the opposing magnetic field φ1, which is generated by the pair of excitation coils 23c and 23d. It is based on a magnetic field corresponding to the sum of φ2, and therefore, when the above-mentioned card is not present (absent) or when the card is sufficiently far from the magnetic differential sensor 20 (infinity) , The absolute values of the opposing magnetic fields φ1 and φ2 in the opposite directions become equal (| φ1 | = | φ2 |), and the output from the detection coil 22 becomes “0”. On the other hand, when the magnetic differential sensor 20 and the card are in a state of being relatively close to each other and present in an appropriate range (present), the IC card 3 side responds to a change in the distance between the two. The eddy current generated in the above-mentioned state changes, and thus the balance between the opposing magnetic fields φ1 and φ2 in the opposite directions is lost. For example, when φ1 increases, φ2 decreases. Then, a differential output is obtained from the detection coil 22 based on a magnetic field corresponding to the difference (| φ1 | − | φ2 |) between the absolute values of the opposing magnetic fields φ1 and φ2 at that time.
[0040]
One output is obtained by such a differential state, and the output is represented by the following equation, for example.
(Equation 1)

[0041]
That is, in the magnetic differential sensor 20 having the above-described configuration, the excitation coils 23c and 23d and the detection coil 22 are arranged separately from each other, and furthermore, between the pair of excitation coils 23c and 23d. Since the detection is performed based on the balance of the above, the amount of change in the magnetic flux can be obtained with good linearity and high sensitivity using the thin and small core body 21 irrespective of the impedance due to the DC resistance and the like. Moreover, a stable detection operation regarding the presence / absence of a card can be performed by an inexpensive circuit without using a constant current circuit as in the related art, regardless of environmental temperature fluctuations.
[0042]
Further, in the present embodiment, the shaft end core portions 21c and 21d arranged to face the card side are made narrow to improve the current efficiency in the shaft end core portions 21c and 21d. Since the magnetic flux is generated, the amount of change in detection, that is, the detection sensitivity regarding the presence or absence of a card is further enhanced. Furthermore, in the magnetic differential sensor 20 according to the present embodiment, by providing the locking flange 21b at the boundary between the central core 21a and the shaft-end cores 21c, 21d, the coils 22, 23c are provided. , 23d can be accurately positioned, so that a phase shift or an output shift can be reduced and a large change rate can be obtained.
[0043]
In addition, in the magnetic differential sensor 20 according to the present embodiment, since the output balance between the pair of exciting coils 23c and 23d is in the differential state, more sensitive and accurate detection can be performed. ing. Also, since there is a difference, when an IC card is not present or at infinity, the amounts of change in φ1 and φ2 due to temperature changes are almost the same, and the output remains 0, so that the temperature characteristics are good. It is.
[0044]
Here, in order to detect the contact terminal portion 3b of the contact type IC card 3 or the antenna portion of the non-contact type IC card, a threshold value larger than the temperature fluctuation of the output voltage from the entrance sensors 10, 20, 30 described above ( It suffices to perform detection by setting a slice level). However, since the temperature fluctuation of the output voltage from the magnetic differential sensors 20 and 30 is extremely small, a magnetic differential sensor having good sensitivity can be used. can do. Specifically, the relationship between the output voltage from the magnetic differential sensors 20 and 30 and the distance between the magnetic differential sensors 20 and 30 and the card is shown in FIG. 10, for example. As described above, the output voltage from the magnetic differential sensors 20 and 30 (vertical axis in FIG. 10) corresponds to the distance between the magnetic differential sensors 20 and 30 and the card side (horizontal axis in FIG. 10). Although it is almost inversely proportional, it can be seen that a good detection output can be obtained by appropriately setting a threshold (slice level).
[0045]
For this reason, when attaching the magnetic differential sensor according to the present embodiment, that is, the second and third magnetic sensors 20 and 30, the second and third magnetic sensors 20 and 30 are transported by the card transporter. In this case, the lower surface of the second and third magnetic sensors 20 and 30 is actually connected to the wall surface of the upper frame 4a of the card transport path 4 (the lower surface in the drawing). ), The second and third magnetic sensors 20 and 30 are set so as to be in non-contact with the card surface. With such a configuration, the second and third magnetic sensors 20 and 30 are attached so as not to be deformed or damaged by rubbing between the card surface and dust or the like that has entered the inside of the device. ing.
[0046]
On the other hand, the first, second, and third magnetic sensors 10, 20, and 30 as described above are arranged corresponding to the standard size of the magnetic card and the IC card as shown in FIGS. Have been. That is, first, the first magnetic sensor 10 is arranged so as to correspond to the position standard (ISO07821-2) of the magnetic stripe 50a in the magnetic card 50 as shown in FIG. If a detection signal is obtained from the sensor 10, it can be determined that a card having the magnetic stripe 50a has been inserted.
[0047]
Next, the second magnetic sensor 20 corresponds to at least a part of the position standard (ISO7816) C1 to C8 of the contact terminal 3b in the contact type IC card 3 as shown in FIGS. Are located. However, in the arrangement area of the second magnetic sensor 20, there is a minimum coupling area 60a between the antenna unit and the chip in the non-contact type IC card 60 as shown in FIG. The position is adapted to the position standard (ISO14443-2) of the minimum coupling region 60a. Therefore, if a detection signal is obtained from the second magnetic sensor 20, it can be determined that either the non-contact type IC card 60 or the contact type IC card 3 has been inserted.
[0048]
Further, in the present embodiment, for example, in the present embodiment, the third magnetic sensor 30 is located at a position where it can detect an antenna unit disposed so as to extend over the entire non-contact type IC card 60, for example, a non-contact type IC card. Are arranged at positions corresponding to a part of the antenna section extending along the longitudinal direction of the antenna section. The antenna section of this non-contact type IC card is not defined in the ISO standard or the like, but is individually defined for each system and each card. The third magnetic sensor 30 will be appropriately arranged. Therefore, if a detection signal is obtained from the third magnetic sensor 30, it can be determined that the non-contact type IC card 60 has been inserted.
[0049]
By looking at the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 10, the second magnetic sensor 20, and the third magnetic sensor 30 as described above, the type of the inserted card can be determined as follows.
That is,
{Circle around (1)} When the detection signal of only the first magnetic sensor 10 is obtained, it is determined that the “magnetic card” has been inserted.
{Circle around (2)} When there is no detection signal from the third magnetic sensor 30 and only the detection signal from the second magnetic sensor 20 is obtained, it is determined that the “contact type IC card” is inserted.
{Circle around (3)} When both the detection signal from the second magnetic sensor 20 and the detection signal from the third magnetic sensor 30 are obtained, it is determined that the “contactless IC card” is inserted. .
{Circle around (4)} When there is no detection signal from the third magnetic sensor 30 and both detection signals from the first and second magnetic sensors 20 are obtained, the “shared card for magnetic and contact type IC” is inserted. It is determined that
{Circle around (5)} When all the detection signals are obtained from the first, second and third magnetic sensors 10, 20 and 30, it is determined that the “magnetic and non-contact type shared card” is inserted. You.
For this reason, when an unusable card is inserted, a control operation such as closing the shutter means 40 becomes possible.
[0050]
On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 in which the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described embodiment, one of the pair of shaft end core portions 21c and 21d which is disposed on the lower side in the drawing is shown. The shaft end core portion 21c on the side is arranged so as to face the card side, and the shaft end core portion 21d on the other side arranged on the upper side in the figure is made of the same material as the card side or the same conductivity. Alternatively, it is arranged so as to face a comparative metal body 70 having the same degree of magnetic permeability.
[0051]
When the above-described card is moved in the left and right direction in the drawing so as to face and separate from the magnetic differential sensor 20 (or 30), the one-side shaft end core portion 21c moves with respect to the card. As a result, the distance L1 between the two members changes between a finite value and an infinite value. At that time, the shaft end core portion 21d on the other side is configured to be maintained at a predetermined position with respect to the comparative metal body 70 without changing the distance L2.
[0052]
Accordingly, the position at which the output from the detection coil 22 is “0” is determined by the distance L2 between the comparison metal body 70 and the shaft end core portion 21d on the other side and the shaft end core portion 21c on the one side. Since the position is equal to the distance L1 from the card side, the above-described one-side shaft end core part 21c and the distance L1 for performing the detection on the card side are defined by the comparison metal body 70 and the other side shaft end core part 21d. Is set to be equal to or smaller than the interval L2 (0 ≦ L1 ≦ L2), it is possible to take out a large detection output regarding the presence or absence of a card.
[0053]
As described above, according to the magnetic differential sensor 20 (or 30) according to the present embodiment, the difference between the detection output from the card side and the detection output from the comparison metal body 70 is determined as the amount of change. By changing the distance L2 between the comparison metal body 70 and the shaft end core portion 21c, the material of the comparison metal body 70, and the like, in the necessary detection section for the card indicated by reference numerals 0 to L2 in FIG. The position L2 where “0” is set can be arbitrarily changed and used. As a result, a large output regarding the presence or absence of a card is obtained, thereby improving detection accuracy.
[0054]
As described above, the embodiments of the invention made by the inventor have been specifically described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it can be said that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Not even.
[0055]
For example, in the card reader according to the above-described embodiment, three magnetic sensors are arranged. However, depending on the configuration of the device, the same operation and effect may be obtained with two magnetic sensors. Therefore, in the present invention, it is sufficient that at least two magnetic sensors are provided.
[0056]
Further, in the magnetic differential sensor 20 (or 30) according to the above-described embodiment, the excitation coils 23c and 23d are arranged on both sides with the detection coil 22 interposed between the central portions. It is also possible to arrange so that the detection coils are arranged on both sides of the portion.
[0057]
In the magnetic differential sensor 20 (or 30) according to the above-described embodiment, the width of the shaft end core 21c is smaller than the width of the center core 21a (W). ₂ <W ₁ ), It is also possible to make them equal or to set the opposite magnitude relationship. Further, the central core portion 21a of the core body 21 in the above-described embodiment is provided with a concave notch at a position where the detection coil 22 is wound, but without providing such a notch. It is also possible to form a simple rectangular shape.
[0058]
Further, in the magnetic differential sensor 20 (or 30) according to the above-described embodiment, a single thin plate-shaped member is used as the core body, which is shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and (b). The core bodies 21 'and 21 "having such a three-dimensional shape can be similarly adopted. In this case also, the notch-shaped concave parts 21'a and 21" provided at the central part in the axial direction can be used. It is possible to configure a simple shape without forming a. Note that two or more sheets of the same shape may be attached.
[0059]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pair of excitation coils 23c and 23d are connected in series and integrally in a series state. However, for example, as shown in FIG. , 23d can be connected in parallel with the AC power supply 25 to form a counter magnetic field.
[0060]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, one excitation power supply is provided independently. However, it is also possible to provide a separate power supply for each of the excitation coils 23c and 23d. However, in that case, it is necessary to set so that the phases of the respective power supplies are synchronized.
[0061]
On the other hand, each width dimension W of the pair of both shaft end core portions 21c, 21d in the above-described embodiment. ₂ , W ₂ However, due to a manufacturing error or the like, for example, it is conceivable that the output may differ from each other by a very small amount, for example, 5 μm, and as a result, the differential output when no object is detected may not be “0”. Can be easily dealt with by adjusting the current value supplied to each of the excitation coils 23c and 23d by offset adjustment so that the differential output becomes "0".
[0062]
In addition, the magnetic differential sensor is not limited to the magnetic differential sensor as in the above-described embodiment, and an eddy current sensor, an optical sensor, and the like can be similarly applied.
[0063]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the embodiment in which the IC card is automatically conveyed has been described. However, the present invention can also be implemented in a card reader in which card conveyance is manual.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the card reader according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided with the entrance sensor for detecting the type of the inserted card at an appropriate position upstream of the reading / writing position in the card insertion direction. By using the detection signal from the entrance sensor, when an unusable card is inserted, the shutter can be closed and other control operations can be performed. And the reliability of the card reader can be improved.
[0065]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the card reader, the entrance sensor according to the first aspect has a first magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card and a second magnetic sensor for detecting a contact terminal of a contact type IC card. The magnetic card includes at least two magnetic sensors of a magnetic sensor and a third magnetic sensor that detects an antenna unit of a non-contact type IC card, and the inserted card is a magnetic card according to a detection signal from an entrance sensor. Or the contact type IC card, the non-contact type IC card, or the card sharing any of them, so that the above-mentioned effects can be surely obtained. Obtainable.
[0066]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card reader, wherein a card transport path for guiding a card inserted through the card insertion slot to the reading / writing position is provided in the apparatus main body of the first aspect. A shutter means for blocking and opening the transport path is provided, and an entrance sensor is disposed at a position between the card insertion port and the shutter means so that the inserted card is detected by the entrance sensor and then sent into the card transport path. Therefore, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to reliably remove the unauthorized card by the shutter means and to maintain the cleanliness inside the apparatus main body.
[0067]
Furthermore, the card reader according to the fourth aspect of the present invention uses a magnetic differential type magnetic differential sensor as the magnetic differential type sensor according to the first aspect of the present invention. This enables stable detection operation irrespective of environmental temperature fluctuations while obtaining a sensitive output.In addition to the above-mentioned effects, the card can be detected stably with good detection sensitivity. Thus, a compact and high-performance card reader can be obtained.
[0068]
In the card reader according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the core of the magnetic differential sensor according to the fourth aspect is formed from a plate-shaped member to reduce the thickness of the core. In addition, further downsizing can be achieved.
[0069]
Further, the card reader according to the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention has the magnetic core of the magnetic differential sensor according to the fourth and fifth aspects, wherein the magnetic core has a small width at the shaft end and the current efficiency at the shaft end core is reduced. Since the detection sensitivity is further enhanced by collecting more magnetic flux, the above-described effect can be further enhanced.
[0070]
The card reader according to claim 8 of the present invention provides the magnetic differential sensor according to claim 6 by providing a locking flange at a boundary portion between the central core and the shaft end core, so that each coil has its own coil. Since the winding position can be accurately positioned to reduce the phase shift and obtain a large change rate, the above-described effects can be further enhanced.
[0071]
On the other hand, a card reader according to claim 9 of the present invention detects a difference between a detection output from a card by the magnetic differential sensor according to claim 6 and a detection output from a comparison metal body as a change amount, By changing the distance between the comparison metal body and the shaft end core portion, the material of the comparison metal body, and the like, the starting point position in the detection section required for the detection target is set to “0” output and used. This makes it possible to obtain a large output change to increase the detection accuracy and resolution and to obtain good linearity, so that the above-described effects can be further enhanced.
[0072]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the card reader according to the fourth aspect of the present invention forms an opposing magnetic field by using a pair of exciting coils of the magnetic differential sensor, thereby setting an output to an ideal differential state. Since the detection can be performed with high sensitivity and accuracy, the above-described effects can be further enhanced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a state in which an IC card is transported to a reading / writing position in a card transport path of a card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view showing a state immediately before a card reaches a reading / writing position in a card transport path of the card reader shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view illustrating a card insertion portion of a card transport path of the card reader shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory front view of the card insertion port shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing the card insertion slot shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory side view illustrating an example of a magnetic differential sensor used in the card reader shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory plan view of the magnetic differential sensor shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view showing a schematic structure of the magnetic differential sensor shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;
FIG. 9 is an external perspective explanatory view showing a core structure of the magnetic differential sensor shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a measurement result of a relationship between an interval between a magnetic differential sensor and an IC card and an output voltage from the magnetic differential sensor.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view showing a position standard of a magnetic stripe in the magnetic card.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view showing positions of contact terminal portions provided on the contact type IC card.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory plan view showing a minimum coupling area between an antenna unit and a chip provided in a non-contact type IC card.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory side view showing a schematic structure of a magnetic differential sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an adjustment state of a detection section by the magnetic differential sensor shown in FIG. 16;
FIGS. 17A and 17B show another example of the three-dimensional shape of the core body, wherein FIG. 17A is an external perspective explanatory view of a cylindrical core body, and FIG.
FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing an example of parallel connection of exciting coils.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Device body
2 Card slot
3 Contact IC card
3b Contact terminal
4 Card transport path
7 IC contacts
8 Contact block
10 First magnetic sensor (magnetic prehead)
20 Second magnetic sensor (magnetic differential sensor)
30 Third magnetic sensor (magnetic differential sensor)
21 core body
21a Central core
21c, 21d Shaft end core
22 Detection coil
23c, 23d Excitation coil
25 AC power supply
φ1, φ2 Opposing magnetic field
40 Shutter means
50 magnetic card
50a magnetic stripe
60 Non-contact IC card
60a Minimum binding area
70 Comparative metal body

Claims (10)

In a card reader configured to record / reproduce desired information in / from an information recording unit of a card inserted into an apparatus main body and conveyed to a reading / writing position,
A card reader, wherein an entrance sensor for detecting the type of the inserted card is provided at an appropriate position upstream of the reading / writing position in the card insertion direction. The entrance sensor includes a first magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card, a second magnetic sensor that detects a contact terminal of a contact IC card, and a second magnetic sensor that detects an antenna of a non-contact IC card. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, further comprising at least two magnetic sensors among the three magnetic sensors. The apparatus main body has a card insertion slot for inserting the card, a card conveyance path for guiding the card inserted through the card insertion port to the reading / writing position, and a conveyance for moving the card in the card conveyance path. Driving means, shutter means for blocking and opening the card transport path downstream of the card insertion slot in the card insertion direction is provided,
The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the entrance sensor is disposed at a position between the card insertion slot and a shutter. At least one of the inlet sensors is configured as a magnetic differential type mounted by winding an exciting coil and a detecting coil on the same axis of the core body, respectively,
One side of the exciting coil and the detecting coil is mounted on a central core portion arranged substantially at the center in the axial direction of the core body, and the other side of the exciting coil and the detecting coil is mounted on the core. Attached to each of a pair of shaft end cores arranged at both ends in the axial direction of the body,
2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein one of the pair of shaft end cores and the object to be detected are arranged so as to be able to face each other. The card reader according to claim 4, wherein the core body is formed of a plate-shaped member. The card reader according to claim 4, wherein a width dimension of the shaft end core portion in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction is formed smaller than a width size of the central core portion. 7. The card reader according to claim 6, wherein a width dimension of the shaft end core portion is set to be equal to or less than half of a width size of the central core portion. At each boundary portion between the central core portion and the pair of shaft end core portions, a locking flange portion projecting in the width direction is provided,
7. The card reader according to claim 6, wherein the winding positions of the exciting coil and the detecting coil are regulated at predetermined positions by the locking flange. Of the pair of shaft end core portions, the shaft end core portion on the opposite side to the side which is disposed so as to be able to face the card side as the object to be detected, so as to face the shaft end core portion. 7. The card reader according to claim 6, wherein a comparison metal body is arranged. The exciting coil has a pair of coil winding portions,
The card reader according to claim 4, wherein the pair of coil winding portions are arranged so that an opposing magnetic field is formed on the same axis.

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