JP2000090205A - Card processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card processor which attains the miniaturization and simplification of a shutter mechanism and attains improvement in convenience, safety and reliability by enabling the bidirectional conveyance of a card. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a carrier path 2 for carrying and guiding a card C, a shutter 4 provided while facing the card C, which is carried and guided along with this carrier path, and supported so as to freely open/close the carrier path 2, an opening part 5 provided on this shutter 4 and composed of slopes 5a and 5b for receiving the carrying force of the card C and converting it to the opening action of the shutter 4, and an elastic member 6 for returning the shutter, with which the carrier path is opened by this opening part 5, into closed state after the passage of the card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card processing apparatus, such as an automatic teller machine, for automatically performing a process such as deposit or withdrawal of cash using a card, and is particularly provided at an insertion slot for inserting a card. The present invention relates to improvement of a shutter mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a card processing apparatus such as an automatic teller machine for performing a predetermined process using a card, a shutter mechanism for opening and closing the insertion port is provided at an insertion slot for inserting a card.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, a shutter mechanism A of a flap type using a torsion spring a is provided to face a card insertion slot b. This is a simple structure in which the shutter s is opened by being pushed by the card C as the card C is conveyed and resisting the elastic force of the torsion spring a.

In this case, the rotation of the shutter s toward the near side, which is the card insertion side, is restricted by the stopper d, and when the card C partially projects from the shutter s,
A predetermined process is performed on the card C.

That is, during card processing, the card C
Is not completely stored in the device and a part of the device is exposed.

[0006]

Therefore, for example, an elevating mechanism is connected to the shutter s, and when the insertion of the card C is detected, the shutter s is driven upward to open the insertion slot b, and the card C is inserted into the apparatus. A shutter mechanism has been used in which the shutter s is driven downward after the storage is completed to close the insertion opening b.

In this case, during card processing, the card C
Is completely stored in the apparatus and is not exposed at all, so that the occurrence of unwitting acts on the card C or the shutter mechanism is reduced.

That is, while safety and reliability can be ensured, the shutter s must be driven up and down using an actuator such as a solenoid or a motor.
In addition, a sensor for detecting a card and a means for controlling all components are required, and the shutter mechanism becomes large and complicated, resulting in high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the size and simplification of a shutter mechanism and to improve the usability by enabling the card to be transported in both directions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a card processing device that improves security and reliability.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card processing apparatus, comprising: a conveying path for conveying and guiding a card; and a conveying path provided opposite to the conveying path. A shutter that is openable and closable, an opening means provided on the shutter for receiving the transfer force of the card and changing the opening operation of the shutter, and a shutter having a transfer path opened by the opening means and closed after passing the card. And returning means for returning.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the opening means is provided so as to protrude from a card loading side and a loading side of the shutter, and the card is brought into contact with the shutter and the shutter is displaced so that the shutter is displaced. Surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the return means is an elastic member that elastically presses the shutter in the direction of closing the transport path.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the shutter is a rectangular plate provided so as to face the width direction of the transport path, and the opening and closing means includes a shutter. It is characterized in that it is an inclined surface of a triangular piece portion provided on both sides and protruding in the loading direction and the unloading direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the transport path includes an engaging groove for partially closing the shutter and the opening means to completely close the transport path. And

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the shutter has a step portion for passing an emboss provided on the card when the transport path is opened.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the elastic member is a tongue piece integrally provided with the shutter. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the elastic force of the elastic member is set to be greater than the force supporting the own weight of the shutter.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the card processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the return means is the own weight of the shutter. In order to achieve the above object, the card processing device of the present invention is provided as a claim 10, provided with a conveyance path for conveying and guiding the card, and opposed to the conveyance path,
A shutter capable of opening and closing the transport path, an opening means provided in the shutter for changing the opening operation of the shutter by receiving the transport force of the card, and a shutter having the transport path opened by the opening means and closed after passing the card; A return means for returning to the state, a detection means for detecting the opening of the conveying path of the shutter, and a control means for controlling to stop the card processing when the detection means detects the intentional opening of the shutter. It is characterized by having done.

According to the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, the shutter mechanism is reduced in size and simplified, and
Improves usability by enabling bi-directional transport of cards,
Gain improved safety and reliability.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment.
4 shows a shutter mechanism 1 in the card processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 2 denotes a transport path for transporting and guiding the card C. The card insertion slot 3 extends in the width direction of the transport path 2.
Is provided. A transport drive mechanism (not shown) is connected to the transport path 2, and the card C is automatically inserted into the apparatus with the card C inserted only a predetermined distance from the insertion slot 3 and transported to a position where card processing is performed, and After the processing is completed, the card C is again carried out from the insertion slot 3 by a predetermined amount.

The shutter mechanism 1 is provided in a device facing the card insertion slot 3 so as to open and close the transport path 2. As a result, the shutter mechanism 1 opens and closes the insertion opening 3.

The shutter mechanism 1 includes a shutter 4 and a card opening portion 5 provided on the shutter 4 and serving as an opening means for opening the insertion slot 3 when the card C is loaded and unloaded.
And an elastic member 6 serving as a return means for forcibly moving the shutter 4 having the transport path 2 opened in the closing direction.

The shutter 4 is a rectangular plate provided across the width of the transport path 2 and is standing by a guide member (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport path 2. , And is supported so as to be able to move up and down.

The free end of a pressing spring, which is a leaf spring forming the elastic member 6, is in contact with the upper end of the shutter 4,
The lower end of the shutter 4 is brought into contact with the transport path 2, and the shutter 4 is elastically pressed and urged to close the transport path 2.

At the lower end of the shutter 4 and on both left and right sides in the width direction, the card opening portions 5 are integrally provided. Each of the card opening portions 5 has an inclined surface of a triangular piece protruding toward the card loading side and the card loading side of the card transport path 2.

Here, the inclined surface of the card opening portion 5 projecting in the card loading direction is called a first inclined surface 5a, and the inclined surface projecting in the card loading direction is called a second inclined surface 5b. The vertex 5c of the card opening 5, which is the portion where the first inclined surface 5a and the second inclined surface 5b intersect, is on the extension of the lower edge 4a of the shutter 4 and is at the same height.

When such a card opening portion 5 is provided on both sides of the shutter 4, when the shutter 4 is viewed from the side, it is formed as an arrow pointing downward.

In the standby state in which the card C is not inserted into the insertion slot 3, the shutter 4 is urged by the pressing spring 6 so that the lower edge of the shutter 4 comes into contact with the vertex 5c of the card opening 5 on the transport path 2. , The transport path 2 is closed.

In order to insert the card C into the insertion slot 3, the card C must be slid along the transport path 2 with the vertical and horizontal directions of the card C correctly oriented in a predetermined direction. The transport-side leading edge of the card C contacts the first inclined surface 5 a of the card opening 5 protruding from the shutter 4.

When the card C is forcibly inserted along the transport path 2, both sides of the card C slide on the first inclined surface 5a. Since the first inclined surface 5a is obliquely inclined from the upper side to the lower side, the contact force on the card C is changed to the urging force for pushing up the shutter 4.

The shutter 4 is pushed up against the elastic force of the pressing spring 6, and when the shutter 4 rises by the thickness of the card C, the apex portion 5c of the card opening 5 and the lower edge of the shutter 4 are moved. Place on card C.

The card C is transported and guided along the transport path 2 as it is. When the leading end of the card is inserted into the apparatus by a predetermined distance, the transport driving mechanism is operated, and the card C is automatically taken into the apparatus. Alternatively, the transport drive mechanism may start driving with the shutter 4 riding on the card C, and the timing can be set as appropriate.

In any case, the card C finally moves into the apparatus which is entirely inside the shutter 4. Card C
Immediately after passing through the shutter 4, the elastic force of the pressing spring 6 acts again to push down the shutter 4.

This time, the second inclined surface 5b comes into contact with the rear edge of the card C, and the movement of the card C and the lowering of the shutter 4 are performed simultaneously. At a position where the rear edge of the card C is separated from the second inclined surface 5b, the insertion slot 3 is completely closed by the shutter 4 together with the transport path 2.

On the other hand, the card C is automatically transported along the transport path 2 as it is, stopped at a predetermined position, and the processing on the card C is performed. Then, when the processing is completed, the transport drive mechanism operates again, and the card C is automatically transported in the direction of the insertion slot 3.

When the card C reaches the insertion slot 3 again, the transport-side edge comes into contact with the second inclined surface 5b of the card opening portion 5 protruding from the shutter 4. Still card C
, The both sides of the card C slide on the second inclined surface 5 b, and push up the shutter 4 against the elastic force of the pressing spring 6.

When the shutter 4 rises by the thickness of the card C, the lower end edge 4a of the shutter and the apex 5c of the card opening 5 are placed on the card C by the urging force of the pressing spring 6, and slide on this surface. .

When the edge of the card C passes over the shutter 4, the shutter 4 is pushed down again by the action of the elastic force of the pressing spring 6, and the first inclined surface 5a slides along the edge of the card C. At a position where the card C is separated from the opening 5, the transport path 2 is completely closed again together with the insertion slot 3 by the shutter 4. Then, the card C can be taken out in this state.

As described above, the shutter 4 has a relatively simple structure and does not require a special actuator, so that the shutter 4 can be opened and closed reliably. In addition, the shutter 4 can be automatically opened and closed in accordance with the two directions of loading and unloading of the card C, so that handling can be improved. In addition, intrusion of an abnormal card or foreign matter can be reliably prevented, and processing trouble due to misuse or mischief can be prevented.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a shutter mechanism 1A in a card processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Conveyance path 2 for conveying and guiding card C
That is, there is no change in that a card insertion slot (not shown) is provided to face the transport path 2 and that the shutter mechanism 1A opens and closes the transport path 2 together with the card insertion port.

The shutter mechanism 1A includes a shutter 4A
And a card opening portion 5 composed of a first inclined surface 5a and a second inclined surface 5b for opening the conveyance path 2 with the conveyance of the card C, and the shutter 4A is elastically pressed in the closing direction. And a pressing spring 6 for urging.

The shutter 4A is a rectangular plate.
It is supported by a guide member (not shown) in a standing state in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport path 2 and to be able to move up and down.

The space between the card opening portions 5 which are the lower edges of the shutter 4A is somewhat higher than the vertex 5c of the card opening portion 5 and is dimensioned so as to form a step. Such a step at the lower end of the shutter 4 is called a stopper 4b.

On the other hand, the shutter 4 in the card transport path 2
In the A-facing portion, the stopper 4b and the card opening 5
Is provided with an engaging groove 7 in which a part of the engaging groove 7 engages. That is, the engaging groove 7 has both sides on the vertex 5c of the opening 5,
A V-shaped groove 7a formed in a V-shaped cross section is formed from a portion where the first and second inclined portions 5a and 5b, which are in the vicinity thereof, engage.

A space between the V-shaped grooves 7a, 7a is a concave-shaped groove 7b having a concave-shaped cross-section in which the stopper 4b of the shutter 4A engages. Since the stopper 4b has a stepped shape with respect to the vertex 5c of the card opening 5,
The depth dimension of the concave groove 7b with respect to the depth dimension of the V-shaped groove 7a is set to be shallow.

When the shutter 4A closes the card transport path 2 together with the insertion slot 3, the stopper 4b of the shutter 4A and the card opening 5 are both engaged with the engaging groove 7. In addition, if it explains, opening part 5 of shutter 4A both sides is V
The stopper groove 4a is inserted into and engaged with the groove 7a, and the stopper portion 4b is inserted and engaged with the concave groove 7b.

Therefore, dust and the like do not enter the apparatus through the insertion port 3, and the accuracy of the internal mechanism is maintained high. Then, for example, even if the foreign object collides with the shutter 4A in an attempt to insert the foreign object into the insertion port due to mischief or the like,
These insertions are prevented without raising the shutter 4A itself.

Alternatively, even if an attempt is made to insert a card having a smaller size than the regular card C, the insertion of the card is stopped by the plate surface on the stopper portion 4b, and the shutter 4
There is no opening of A.

[0049] Even if the card C is a regular card and the vertical and horizontal settings are correctly inserted, if the card C is erroneously inserted so as to be in contact with one of the opening 5 and the surface of the shutter 4A, The shutter 4A does not rise.

When both sides of the card C simultaneously contact the card opening portions 5 on both sides of the shutter 4A and press the shutter 4A with the same pressing force, the shutter 4A is opened as described above for the first time.

That is, by adopting such a configuration, not only the intrusion of foreign matter can be surely prevented, but also the wrong orientation of the regular card in the vertical and horizontal directions or the incorrect insertion of the regular card in an inclined state can be surely prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, the shutter 4
The stopper portion 4b of A is provided with a step between the vertex 5c of the card opening portion 5 and the step. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as described above with reference to FIG. An engaging groove corresponding to a configuration in which the height of the apex portion 5c of the portion 5 is the same may be used.

FIG. 3 shows a shutter mechanism 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Here, shutter 4
B, the above-mentioned open portions 5 are provided on both sides, and between the open portions 5 is a stopper portion 4b which is a step portion,
Basically, the configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment described above.

However, in this case, the width of the card opening 5 is kept to the minimum necessary, and the difference in size between the top 5c of the opening 5 and the lower edge of the stopper 4b is determined by the protrusion of the emboss E provided on the card C. The feature is that the thickness is set to be larger than the thickness.

That is, the card C used here is:
According to the JIS standard, the vertical and horizontal dimensions and the thickness dimension are standardized, and a range for providing the emboss E and its protruding thickness are standardized.

According to the JIS standard, the emboss E is provided except for both sides of the card C.
Since both side surfaces of the card C are flat, the apex portion 5c of the open portion 5 is placed here.

On the other hand, the surface of the card C in the area where the emboss E is provided is uneven, and the stopper portion 4b is configured to face this portion. Stopper part 4b
Since the lower end is located at a position higher than the thickness of the emboss E, the card C is reliably conveyed without the emboss E being caught.

FIG. 4 shows a shutter 4C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. That is, the card opening 5 having the first inclined surface 5a and the second inclined surface 5b is integrally provided on both sides of the shutter 4C as in the case described above.

Here, the shutter 4C is connected to the card transport path 2
The elastic member 6A that elastically presses the shutter 4C
It is characterized in that it is integrally provided at the upper end of both sides.
The shutter 4C is made of a synthetic resin material, and a tongue piece 6A integrally provided at the upper end of both sides forms an elastic member.

To be more specific, the base end of the tongue piece 6A is located at a predetermined interval from both side edges of the shutter 4C, and is parallel to the upper edge of the shutter 4C at a predetermined interval from both sides of the shutter 4C. It extends to the same position as the edge.

In a normal state in which the shutter 4C closes the card transport path 2, the tip of the tongue piece 6A is in contact with a part of the apparatus. When the card C is conveyed and the shutter 4C is pushed up, the tongue piece 6A is deformed into a curved shape, and the gap with the upper end of the shutter 4C is reduced. When the card C passes, the shutter 4C is pushed down by the elastic force of the tongue piece 6A, and the card transport path 2 is closed.

As described above, by forming the tongue piece 6A as an elastic member integrally with the shutter 4C, the pressing spring, which is a separate component described above, becomes unnecessary, and the number of components can be reduced, and the shutter mechanism can be constructed. Can be simplified.

FIG. 5 shows a shutter mechanism 1C according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the shutter 4 having the card opening 5 may be the same as that described with reference to FIG. Here, the shutter 4 is arranged below the card transport path 2 and a part of the first and second inclined surfaces 5A and 5b and a vertex 5c are projected onto the transport path 2.

In this case, the pressing spring 6B as an elastic member
Is characterized in that the elastic force of the shutter 4 is set to be stronger than the force supporting the own weight of the shutter 4. Therefore, the mounting posture of the shutter 4 can be freely set in the forward direction, and the shutter 4 can be opened and closed in any direction.

FIG. 6 shows a shutter mechanism 1D according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The shutter 4C has card opening parts 5 on both sides, and a stopper part 4b between them.
And may be the same as that described above with reference to FIG.
Here, it is characterized in that the self-weight of the shutter 4C is used as the return means.

That is, the mounting posture of the shutter mechanism 1D is set horizontally, or the shutter 4C is
May be set within the range of the inclination posture that can naturally descend by its own weight.

Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be simplified by eliminating the need for an elastic member.
(A) and (B) show a shutter mechanism 1E according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The structure of the shutter 4 itself and the structure in which the engaging groove 7 is provided at a portion opposed to the transport path 2 are described in, for example, FIG.
The embodiment may be completely the same as the embodiment described above, or may be another embodiment.

Here, the switch member 10 is mounted at a predetermined position in the upper part on both sides of the shutter 4, and is electrically connected to a control circuit 11 which is a control means for receiving the detection signal. It is.

The control circuit 11 includes a timer circuit, and is electrically connected to a drive motor of a transport drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the card transport path 2, so that the drive-stop control is performed in a timely manner. Be composed.

The mounting position of the switch member 10 is a member that is linked to the shutter 4A directly or in conjunction with the displacement of the shutter 4A when the shutter 4A is pushed up in accordance with the conveyance of the card C. Is selected.

When the shutter 4A closes the card transport path 2, there is no contact with the switch member 10, so that the transport drive motor of the card transport path 2 is also stopped.
When the card C is inserted into the insertion slot 3 and the shutter 4A is pushed up, it comes into contact with the switch member 10.

The switch member 10 sends the detection signal to the control circuit 1
1 and the control circuit 11 sends a drive signal to the transport drive motor. The card C is automatically conveyed in a state where the card C on the card conveyance path 2 is inserted to a predetermined position.

When the card C passes through the shutter 4A and is taken into the apparatus, the detection signal of the switch member 10 is turned off.
And the control circuit 11 stops the drive motor and stops the card C at the processing position. In this state, the processing for the card C is started.

During the processing of the card C, for example, if the user attempts to make unauthorized contact with the card C from outside through the insertion slot 3 or mistakenly inserts another second card by mistake. Inadvertent actions such as forcibly pulling out a card or inserting a foreign object, etc.
A may be pushed up on purpose.

If the shutter 4A is raised for any reason, the switch member 10 will detect it. The switch member 10 sends a detection signal to a control circuit 11, and the control circuit 11 sends a control signal for stopping card processing to a predetermined portion. Therefore, safety and reliability can be improved, for example, processing troubles can be reliably avoided.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a shutter mechanism having a simple structure that opens and closes in conjunction with the card transport operation, thereby reducing the number of parts, and reducing the size and cost of the apparatus. A shutter that smoothly opens and closes not only in the card loading direction but also in the loading direction, and can reliably prevent the entry of abnormal cards and foreign objects, and prevents processing problems due to misuse or mischief. It produces effects such as being able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shutter mechanism in a different state, showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a shutter mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shutter mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shutter integrally provided with an elastic member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a shutter mechanism according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a shutter mechanism according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a shutter mechanism according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, showing different states of the shutter mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional shutter mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C: card, 2: transport path, 4, 4A to 4C: shutter, 5: opening means (opening part), 5a: first inclined surface, 5b: second inclined surface, 6: returning means (elastic member) 6A: tongue piece, E: embossed, 7: engaging groove, 4b: step (stopper), 10: detecting means (switch member), 11: control means (control circuit).

Claims (10)

[Claims] A transport path for guiding the transport of the card, a shutter provided opposite to the transport path and capable of opening and closing the transport path, a shutter provided on the shutter, and opening the shutter by receiving the transport force of the card. A card processing apparatus, comprising: opening means for changing to an operation; and returning means for returning a shutter having a transport path opened by the opening means to a closed state after passing a card. 2. The shutter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opening means is provided on the shutter so as to protrude on a card loading side and a card discharging side, and is an inclined surface for displacing the shutter when the card abuts and slides. Card processing equipment. 3. The card processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said return means is an elastic member which elastically presses said shutter in a conveying path closing direction. 4. The shutter is a rectangular plate that is provided so as to face the width direction of the transport path. The opening means is provided on both sides of the shutter, and is in a loading direction and a discharging direction. 2. The card processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface of the triangular piece protrudes from the card processing device. 5. The card processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport path includes an engaging groove in which a part of the shutter and a part of the opening unit engage each other to completely close the transport path. 6. The card processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter has a step portion for passing an emboss provided on the card when the transport path is opened. 7. The card processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said elastic member is a tongue piece provided integrally with said shutter. 8. The card processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the elastic force of the elastic member is set to be greater than the force supporting the own weight of the shutter. 9. A card processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said return means is the weight of said shutter. 10. A transport path for transporting and guiding a card, a shutter provided opposite to the transport path and capable of opening and closing the transport path, and provided on the shutter to open the shutter by receiving the transport force of the card. Opening means for changing the operation, a return means for returning the shutter, which has opened the transport path by the opening means, to a closed state after passing the card, a detecting means for detecting the opening of the transport path of the shutter, Control means for controlling to stop card processing when intentional opening of the shutter is detected.