JP5301888B2 - Card reader and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a card reader and an electronic apparatus.

  Conventionally, cards such as a magnetic card having various data recorded on a magnetic stripe and an IC card having various data recorded on an IC chip are provided, and the data recorded on the card can be read by a card reader. It has become.

By the way, in a non-contact type card, data is read without bringing the card into contact with the data reading unit. Therefore, the card reader includes a card detection circuit, and when a card is detected by the card detection circuit, data is read by a data reading unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .
JP 2003-223619 A

  However, in the conventional card reader, since it is necessary to keep the power on in order to detect the card, the power consumption cannot be reduced.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a card reader and an electronic device that can solve the problems of the conventional card reader and reduce power consumption.

Therefore, in the card reader of the present invention, the apparatus main body, a card holder that is swingably disposed with respect to the apparatus main body, and data for reading data of the card placed on the card holder A reading unit; and a power supply device that supplies power to the data reading unit as the operator places the card on the card table.
And this power supply device generates electric power with rotation of a card stand.

According to the present invention, in the card reader, the apparatus main body, a card holder that is swingably disposed with respect to the apparatus main body, and data for reading data on the card placed on the card holder A reading unit; and a power supply device that supplies power to the data reading unit as the operator places the card on the card table.
And this power supply device generates electric power with rotation of a card stand.

  In this case, when the operator places the card on the card holder, the power supply device supplies power to the data reading unit, so that it is not necessary to keep the power on at all times in order to detect the card. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a cross-sectional view of a card reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of the card reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the gear unit in the form.

  In the figure, 11 is a card reader as an electronic device. The card reader 11 comprises a base 13 made of a box-like body having an opening at the upper end, and an inverted box-like body having an opening at the upper end. A cover 12 is provided to cover the base 13. The cover 12 functions as a card placing table for placing a card (not shown), and is swingable around a cover fulcrum 20 as a swing center formed at a predetermined position on the upper end of the base 13. Supported.

  The upper edge eg1 of the opening of the base 13 is inclined so that the portion where the cover fulcrum 20 is formed is the highest and becomes lower as the distance from the cover fulcrum 20 increases. In the vicinity of the cover fulcrum 20, a leaf spring 21 as an urging member is disposed between the cover 12 and the base 13, and the leaf spring 21 lifts the cover 12 with a predetermined urging force. The upper surface, that is, the card mounting surface Sa is maintained substantially horizontal. Therefore, a swing margin is formed between the upper edge eg1 and the lower surface of the cover 12, that is, the bottom surface Sb so that the cover 12 can swing by a predetermined angle.

  A power generator u1 is disposed in the base 13. The electric power generation device u1 has an arc shape, is attached to the bottom surface Sb of the cover 12, has a gear 14 suspended from the bottom surface Sb, has a circular shape, and is rotatably disposed in the base 13. Gears 15 to 18, a generator 19 and the like.

  The gear 14 is formed of a plate, and teeth (not shown) are formed on the inner peripheral surface. The teeth are formed so as to draw an arc that forms part of a circle centered on the cover fulcrum 20. The gears 16 and 17 are relatively rotatably arranged on the same shaft to form a gear unit, and the gear 18 is attached to the shaft of the generator 19. The gears 15 to 18 have teeth (not shown) formed on their outer peripheral surfaces, the gears 15 and 17 have substantially the same diameter, and the gears 16 and 18 are larger than the gears 15 and 17 and have substantially the same diameter. . Then, the gear 14 and the gear 15 are meshed, the gear 15 and the gear 16 are meshed, and the gear 17 and the gear 18 are meshed.

  By the way, the gear unit comprising the gears 16 and 17 has a one-way clutch structure, and when the gear 16 is rotated counterclockwise (first rotation direction) as shown in FIG. Locked and the rotation is transmitted to the gear 17, but if the gear 17 is rotated counterclockwise with the gear 16 stopped, the rotation is free and the rotation is not transmitted to the gear 16. Further, when the gear 16 is rotated clockwise (second rotation direction), the gear unit becomes free and the rotation is not transmitted to the gear 17.

  For this purpose, the gear 17 includes a first rotating body 24, a second rotating body 25 that is relatively rotatable in the first rotating body 24, and first and second rotating bodies. The second rotating body 25 is formed integrally with the gear 16 and is disposed on the same axis. A locking groove k having a plurality of triangular shapes in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first rotating body 24, and each locking groove k is an outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 25. And a second surface m2 extending in a tangential direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 25. Further, the locking tool 26 is disposed at an equal pitch in the circumferential direction of the second rotating body 25 and is swingable with respect to the second rotating body 25, and the locking groove is formed at the tip. A locking portion 26a having a triangular shape corresponding to k is provided.

  Then, when the second rotating body 25 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the respective locking tools 26 are raised, the locking portions 26a and the locking grooves k are locked, and the gear unit. Is locked, and the first rotating body 24 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. On the other hand, when the first rotating body 24 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3 with the second rotating body 25 stopped, each of the locking tools 26 is directed in the tangential direction, The locking of the portion 26a and the locking groove k is released, the gear unit becomes free, and the second rotating body 25 does not rotate. Further, when the second rotating body 25 rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, the respective locking tools 26 are directed in the tangential direction, the locking between the locking portions 26a and the locking grooves k is released, and the gears The unit becomes free and rotation is not transmitted to the first rotating body 24.

  When the cover 12 is pushed down and rotated by the operator, the gear 14 is rotated about the cover fulcrum 20 in the direction of arrow a, and the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow b. Along with this, the gear 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow c, the gear unit is locked, and the gear 17 is rotated in the direction of arrow d. As a result, the gear 18 is rotated in the direction of arrow e, and the generator 19 generates power.

  When the pressing of the cover 12 is stopped, the cover 12 is lifted by the urging force of the leaf spring 21 and rotated in the opposite direction, and the gear 14 is rotated in the direction of the arrow f around the cover fulcrum 20, and the gear 15 Is rotated in the direction of arrow g. Along with this, the gear 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow h, but the gear unit becomes free, so the rotation is not transmitted to the gear 17.

  Next, the operation of the card reader 11 having the above configuration will be described.

  4 is a first diagram showing the operation of the card reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a second diagram showing the operation of the card reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a third diagram showing the operation of the card reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in the card reader 11 in the state shown in FIG. 4, when a card (not shown) is placed on the cover 12, the cover 12 is pressed and rotated to the state shown in FIG. At this time, the gear 14 is rotated about the cover fulcrum 20 in the direction of arrow a, and the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow b. Along with this, the gear 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow c, the gear unit is locked, and the gear 17 is rotated in the direction of arrow d. As a result, the gear 18 is rotated in the direction of arrow e, and the generator 19 generates power.

  When the cover 12 is pressed and placed in a predetermined position, the gear 17 tries to continue to rotate due to inertia, but the gear 16 and the second rotating body 25 are stopped as the gear 15 stops. At this time, since the gear unit becomes free, the first rotating body 24 continues to rotate for a while, and the gear 18 also continues to rotate. Therefore, power generation is performed for a while with the cover 12 kept pressed.

  When the pressing of the cover 12 is stopped, the cover 12 is lifted by the urging force of the leaf spring 21 and rotated in the reverse direction, so that the cover 12 is in the state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the gear 14 is rotated about the cover fulcrum 20 in the direction of arrow f, and the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow g. Along with this, the gear 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow h, but the gear unit becomes free and the rotation is not transmitted to the gear 17. The gear 18 continues to rotate while the first rotating body 24 continues to rotate. Therefore, even if the pressing of the cover 12 is stopped, power generation can be performed for a while.

  Next, a description will be given of a multifunction machine including the card reader 11 and a printer connected to the card reader 11.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the multi-function device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the card reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the card reader 11 includes a power generation unit 31 as a power supply device, a data reading unit 32 as a data processing unit, and a communication unit 33. As the card cd (in the present embodiment, a non-contact IC card) is placed on the cover 12, power is supplied to the data reading unit 32. Therefore, when the cover 12 is pushed down as the card cd is placed, the power generation unit 31 transmits the power generated in the generator 19 to the data reading unit 32 and the communication unit 33. Supply.

  The data reading unit 32 reads data (card data) recorded on an IC chip (not shown) of the card cd, and sends the data, that is, read data to the communication unit 33. If necessary, the data reading unit 32 can function as a data reading / writing unit to perform writing in addition to data reading. Reference numeral 34 denotes a wiring (power line) for sending the power generated from the power generating unit 31 to the data reading unit 32 and the communication unit 33, and 35 denotes a wiring for sending the read data to the communication unit 33.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a printer as an external device that is connected to the card reader 11 via a wiring (communication line) 48 and performs printing based on the read data received from the card reader 11. Printing data, that is, print data is received via the network 47, and printing is performed when there is print data that matches the read data (read information) received from the card reader 11.

  The printer 41 also includes a main control circuit 45 as a control unit that controls the entire printer 41, a network circuit 42 that receives print instructions and print data via the network 47, and the card reader 11 via the wiring 48. It has a communication control circuit 43 that receives read data and sends it to the main control circuit 45, a power supply unit 44 that is a power source of the printer 41, and a printing unit 46. The main control circuit 45 forms an image based on the print data received via the network circuit 42 and the read data received from the communication control circuit 43, and sends a print instruction to the print unit 46. The print unit 46 Then, printing is performed in accordance with an instruction from the main control circuit 45.

  In FIG. 8, 11 is a card reader, 31 is a power generating unit, 32 is a data reading unit, and 33 is a communication unit. The data reading unit 32 and the communication unit 33 operate by receiving the power generated by the power generation unit 31.

  The power generation unit 31 includes a generator 19, a rectifier circuit 55 that rectifies the power generated in the generator 19 and generates a DC voltage, and a capacitor and a backflow prevention diode (not shown). A smoothing circuit 56 for converting the voltage is provided.

  The data reading unit 32 includes an antenna 51 for performing wireless communication, a transmission / reception circuit (wireless circuit) 52, and a control circuit 53. The transmission / reception circuit 52 uses the antenna 51, and the control circuit 53. In accordance with the instruction, transmission / reception is performed with the card cd.

  The control circuit 53 controls the entire data reading unit 32 and transmits data to the transmission / reception circuit 52 or receives read data from the transmission / reception circuit 52.

  Next, the operation of the MFP having the above-described configuration will be described.

  When electric power is generated in the generator 19, the rectifier circuit 55 rectifies the AC voltage and generates a DC voltage. The DC voltage depends on the rotational speed of the generator 19 and does not take a constant value. Therefore, the smoothing circuit 56 sets the DC voltage generated by the rectifying circuit 55 to a constant voltage and supplies power to the data reading unit 32.

  When power is supplied to the data reading unit 32, the control circuit 53 sends an instruction to the transmission / reception circuit 52 to read the data recorded on the card cd. Upon receiving an instruction from the control circuit 53, the transmission / reception circuit 52 receives card data via the antenna 51 and transmits read data to the control circuit 53. The control circuit 53 transmits the read data to the printer 41 via the communication unit 33.

  In the printer 41, when receiving the read data from the card reader 11, the communication control circuit 43 sends the read data to the main control circuit 45. Further, when the network circuit 42 receives the print instruction via the network 47, the network circuit 42 transmits the print instruction to the main control circuit 45.

  When the main control circuit 45 receives the read data and the print instruction, the main control circuit 45 determines whether or not the received print instruction has a code that matches the code of the read data. Send instructions.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when the operator places the card cd on the cover 12, when the cover 12 is pressed, the power generation unit 31 generates power by the generator 19 and generates it. Since the generated power is supplied to the data reading unit 32, it is not necessary to always turn on a power supply (not shown) in order to detect the card cd. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption required for reading data recorded on the card cd.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a card reader according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the power supply switching part in 2 embodiment.

  In this case, the card reader 71 includes a card holder (not shown) in order to place the card cd. Unlike the cover 12 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment, the card holder is formed by the housing of the card reader 71 and is fixed to the main body of the card reader 71.

  The card reading device 71 includes a data reading unit 32, a communication unit 33, a power supply unit 72, a switch 75 as a card detection element for detecting that the card cd is placed on the cover 12, and an external device. A power supply that switches between the power supplied from the power supply unit 72 and the power supplied from the printer 41 depending on the state of the wiring (power supply line) 81 connecting the printer 41 and the state of the switch 75 and the control circuit 53. A switching unit 73 and a non-volatile memory 77 as a storage device for recording the read data read by the data reading unit 32 are provided. The power supply unit 72 constitutes a first power supply device, and the power supply switching unit 73 constitutes a second power supply device. The power supply unit 72 and the power supply switching unit 73 supply power to the data reading unit 32 as the operator places the card cd on the card table.

  The switch 75 is mechanically operated, and is turned on when the card cd is placed on the card table, and transmits a signal indicating that the card cd has been detected to the power supply switching unit 73. The switch 75 is turned off when the card cd is removed from the cover 12.

  When the data reading unit 32 reads data from the card cd as read data, the data reading unit 32 records the read data in the non-volatile memory 77 via the wiring (signal line) 83. The communication unit 33 and the power supply switching unit 73 are notified via the wiring (signal line) 85 that the recording of the read data is completed. When the communication unit 33 receives a notification that reading of the read data and recording of the read data has been completed, the communication unit 33 instructs to turn on (turn on) the power to the printer 41 via the wiring (power control line) 82. That is, a power-on instruction is sent.

  In the printer 41, upon receiving a power-on instruction, the power supply unit 44 turns on the power of the printer 41 and supplies power to the card reader 71 via a wiring (power supply line) 81.

  Reference numeral 84 denotes a wiring (signal line) for the communication unit 33 to read the read data recorded in the nonvolatile memory 77. After the printer 41 is turned on, the communication control circuit 43 receives the read data read by the communication unit 33 in the card reader 71 via the wiring 48. Reference numeral 86 denotes a wiring (power supply line) for supplying power from the power supply switching unit 73 to the communication unit 33, the data reading unit 32, and the nonvolatile memory 77.

  In the card reader 71, the control circuit 53 controls the wirings 83 and 85. The power supply unit 72 includes a charge / discharge control circuit 91 and a secondary battery 92 as a battery and as a charge / discharge element. The charge / discharge control circuit 91 is supplied with power from a power supply switching unit 73. Charge / discharge of the secondary battery 92 is controlled by charging the secondary battery 92 or discharging the secondary battery 92 to supply power to the power supply switching unit 73. That is, the charge / discharge control circuit 91 monitors and controls the voltage and current when the secondary battery 92 is charged / discharged, performs switching between charging and discharging, and prevents overcharging and overdischarging. Or

  In the power supply switching unit 73, 95 is a relay for selecting whether to output the power supplied from the printer 41 or the power supplied from the power supply unit 72 to the wiring 86, and 96 is a relay control circuit. The relay control circuit 96 turns on and off the relay 95 according to the control signal from the timer circuit 97 and the supply state of power from the printer 41.

  That is, the relay control circuit 96 turns on and short-circuits the relay 95 when the power from the printer 41 is supplied, and follows the instruction from the timer circuit 97 when the power from the printer 41 is not supplied. The relay 95 is turned on, short-circuited, turned off, and opened.

  When the switch 75 is turned on, the timer circuit 97 turns on the relay control circuit 96 and starts measuring time by a timer (not shown) built in the timer circuit 97. When time-out occurs, the relay control circuit 96 is turned off. Also, when the card reading end detection circuit 98 detects that the card cd has been read by the card reading device 71 in accordance with the notification from the control circuit 53 and transmits a detection signal to the timer circuit 97, the timer circuit 97 Turns off the relay control circuit 96.

  When the relay 95 is turned on, the power supplied from the printer 41 or the power supplied from the power supply unit 72 is output to the wiring 86 and supplied to the communication unit 33, the nonvolatile memory 77, and the data reading unit 32. When the relay 95 is turned off, the output of the power supplied from the printer 41 or the power supplied from the power supply unit 72 to the wiring 86 is stopped.

  Next, the operation of the MFP having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a time chart showing the operation of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, at timing T0, the power of the printer 41 is turned off (shut off). At this time, in the power supply unit 72, the charge / discharge control circuit 91 discharges the secondary battery 92 to discharge the secondary battery 92. Is supplied to the power supply switching unit 73, and the power supply switching unit 73 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 72, but does not output power because the relay 95 is turned off. Further, since the power supply switching unit 73 is provided with the diode 99, the power supplied from the power supply unit 72 is not supplied to the printer 41 via the wiring 81.

  Next, at timing T1, when the card cd is placed on the card table and the switch 75 is turned on, the power switch 73 is turned on. In the power switch 73, the timer circuit 97 And the relay control circuit 96 is turned on. The relay control circuit 96 turns on the relay 95, outputs the power supplied from the power supply unit 72 to the wiring 86, and supplies it to the data reading unit 32. After that, when the card cd is removed from the card table, the switch 75 is turned off, but the time measurement by the timer is continued.

  In the data reading unit 32, when power is supplied from the power supply switching unit 73, the control circuit 53 instructs the transmission / reception circuit 52 to read data, and the transmission / reception circuit 52 receives the card via the antenna 51. The cd data is read and sent to the control circuit 53. The control circuit 53 records the read data in the nonvolatile memory 77.

  Next, at the timing T <b> 2, the control circuit 53 notifies the communication unit 33 and the power supply switching unit 73 via the wiring 85 that the reading of the card cd and the writing to the nonvolatile memory 77 are completed. When the communication unit 33 receives notification that the reading of the card cd and the writing to the non-volatile memory 77 have been completed, the communication unit 33 transmits an instruction for turning on the power to the printer 41 via the wiring 82, and the power supply switching unit 73. The card reading end detection circuit 98 transmits a timer clear signal to the timer circuit 97. When the timer circuit 97 receives the timer clear signal, after the time necessary for the communication unit 33 to send an instruction to turn on the power has elapsed, the timer circuit 97 stops the time measurement by the timer, clears the time measured, The relay control circuit 96 is turned off. As a result, the relay 95 is turned off, and the supply of power to the transmission / reception circuit 52, the control circuit 53, and the nonvolatile memory 77 is stopped.

  Next, when the supply of power from the printer 41 is started at the timing T3, the relay control circuit 96 turns on the relay 95, and transmits the power supplied from the printer 41 to the transmission / reception circuit 52, the control circuit 53, and the nonvolatile memory. Supply to the memory 77. The power of the printer 41 is supplied to the power supply unit 72, and the charge / discharge control circuit 91 charges the secondary battery 92 in the power supply unit 72.

  The printer 41 receives the read data in the nonvolatile memory 77 via the wiring 48, and performs printing based on the read data.

  Thus, as the operator places the card cd on the cover 12, power is supplied from the power supply unit 72 to the data reading unit 32, so that the power supply is always turned on to detect the card cd. There is no need to keep it. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption required for reading data recorded on the card cd. Further, when the reading of data from the card cd and the writing of the read data to the nonvolatile memory 77 are completed, the supply of power to the card reader 71 is stopped, so that the power consumption is further reduced. be able to. In the meantime, the power of the printer 41 can be turned off, so that the consumed power can be further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, power is supplied from the power supply unit 44 of the printer 41 to the card reader 71, but power can also be supplied from the USB power supply unit to the card reader 71.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the multifunction peripheral in which the card readers 11 and 71 and the printer 41 are connected is described. However, the personal computer that needs to read the card and the card readers 11 and 71 are connected. can do.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

It is sectional drawing of the card reader in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is an external view of a card reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the gear unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows operation | movement of the card reader in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows operation | movement of the card reader in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows operation | movement of the card reader in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the card reader in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the multifunctional device in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the card reader in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the power supply switching part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a time chart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

11, 71 Card reader 12 Cover 31 Power generation unit 32 Data reader 72 Power supply unit 73 Power supply switching unit cd card

Claims (2)

(A) the device body;
(B) a card holder that is swingably disposed with respect to the apparatus body;
(C) a data reading unit for reading data of the card placed on the card placing table;
(D) a power supply device that supplies power to the data reading unit as the operator places the card on the card table;
(E) The card reader is characterized in that the power supply device generates electric power with the rotation of the card holder . Electronic equipment card reader is mounted according to prior Symbol claim 1.

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