JP2000268483A - Device for detecting recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent read/write errors in recording data and to enhance degree of freedom in design. SOLUTION: This medium detector is designed to discriminate the coercive force of a magnetic card 14 having magnetic stripes 6 of different coercive force. A sensor 20 for detecting the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripes 6 is attached to a moving mechanism 30 so as to be movable between a position 28 in contact with the magnetic card 14 and a position 29 away from the magnetic card 14. Only at the time of discrimination of the coercive force, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is moved to the contact position 28, thereby preventing the sensor 20 from coming into contact with the magnetic card 14 during read/write operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a recording medium detecting device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording medium detecting device that determines a coercive force of a magnetic recording unit of a recording medium to be used when recording media having different coercive forces of a magnetic recording unit are used together. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With respect to recording media such as magnetic cards, magnetic recording media having different coercive forces such as magnetic stripes have been standardized. For example, conventional JIS and IS
Low coercivity card (300 (O
e) and 650 (Oe)), the ISO has newly standardized high coercive force cards (2500 to 4200 (Oe)). From the viewpoint of protecting magnetic data recorded on a magnetic card, it is advantageous to use a high coercive force card.Therefore, there is a movement to switch the magnetic card to be used from a low coercive force card to a high coercive force card. May be used simultaneously.

In general, when using magnetic cards having different coercive forces, an appropriate output cannot be obtained unless writing is performed with an appropriate write current corresponding to the coercive force. Therefore, a magnetic card reader or the like must have a function of identifying the coercive force of the magnetic card inserted into the card insertion slot. For this reason, a method of determining the coercive force of a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card using a magnetic permeability sensor has been studied. This magnetic permeability sensor outputs the difference between the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe and the magnetic permeability of the space without the magnetic stripe. Since there is a fixed relationship between the magnetic permeability and the coercive force, the magnetic permeability sensor It is considered that the coercive force of the magnetic card is identified based on the output of the magnetic card.

[0004]

However, since it is necessary to use the magnetic permeability sensor in contact with the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card, simply installing the magnetic permeability sensor in the transport path of the magnetic card requires a magnetic data sensor. During the read / write operation, the magnetic card contacts the magnetic permeability sensor, or the magnetic card separates from the magnetic permeability sensor that has been in contact. At the moment of contact or separation of the magnetic permeability sensor, the transport speed of the magnetic card changes slightly, so
This will adversely affect the read / write of magnetic data. For this reason, it is conceivable to install the magnetic permeability sensor far enough away from the magnetic sensor that performs read / write so that the magnetic permeability sensor does not come into contact with the magnetic card while reading / writing magnetic data. In this case, the installation position of the magnetic permeability sensor is limited, and the degree of freedom in designing the recording medium detecting device is impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium detecting apparatus capable of properly reading and writing recording data and having excellent design flexibility.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a recording medium detecting device which determines a coercive force of a recording medium having a magnetic recording portion having a different coercive force. A magnetic permeability sensor that detects the magnetic permeability of the magnetic recording unit is attached to a moving mechanism so as to be movable between a contact position where the magnetic recording unit is in contact with the medium and a separation position that is separated from the medium. The magnetic permeability sensor is moved to the contact position.

Therefore, when the moving mechanism moves the magnetic permeability sensor to the separated position, the magnetic permeability sensor does not come into contact with the conveyed recording medium, and does not cause a change in the conveying speed. On the other hand, when the moving mechanism moves the magnetic permeability sensor to the contact position, the magnetic permeability sensor contacts the magnetic recording portion of the recording medium, so that the magnetic permeability can be detected.
Since the magnetic permeability and the coercive force of the magnetic recording unit have a fixed relationship, the magnetic permeability sensor is moved to the contact position only when necessary, so that the coercive force of the magnetic recording unit is based on the output of the magnetic permeability sensor. Can be determined.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium detecting device including a magnetic head for detecting the presence or absence of a magnetic recording portion, and moving the magnetic permeability sensor to the contact position only when the output of the magnetic head is detected. It is. The output of the magnetic head is detected when an appropriate recording medium is correctly inserted, and when the magnetic head contacts the magnetic recording section of the recording medium to confirm the presence of the magnetic recording section. . Therefore, only when a proper recording medium is correctly inserted, the moving mechanism moves the magnetic permeability sensor to the contact position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a recording medium can be taken into the apparatus from a medium insertion port, and a recording medium can be taken into the apparatus between the medium insertion port and the inside of the apparatus. A shutter plate which can be opened and closed with respect to the medium passage, and the magnetic head is provided on the medium insertion port side of the shutter plate. Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the magnetic recording unit, open the shutter plate, and move the magnetic permeability sensor to the contact position.

The magnetic head may be a wound magnetic head or a magneto-resistive element type head.

Further, in the recording medium detecting device according to the present invention, a contact sensor for detecting contact with the recording medium is attached to the moving mechanism to which the magnetic permeability sensor is attached. Therefore, the magnetic permeability sensor and the contact sensor are integrally moved by the moving mechanism, and when the magnetic permeability sensor moves to the contact position, whether the magnetic permeability sensor is actually in contact with the magnetic recording unit of the recording medium is determined. Can be detected by the output of the contact sensor.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of the present invention will be described below in detail based on the best mode shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a recording medium detecting apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, the recording medium detection device is applied to, for example, a magnetic card reader using a magnetic card 14 as a recording medium. This recording medium device has a magnetic recording portion (magnetic stripe) having a different coercive force.
The magnetic permeability sensor 20 for detecting the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 is separated from a contact position 28 that contacts the magnetic card 14 and is separated from the magnetic card 14. It is attached to a moving mechanism 30 so as to be movable between the position 29 and the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is moved to the contact position 28 only when the coercive force is determined.

The moving mechanism 30 includes, for example, a substantially L-shaped lever 31 supported at the center so as to be swingable, and a solenoid 32 for swinging the lever 31. The magnetic permeability sensor 20 is fixed to the tip of the lever 31. When the solenoid 32 is turned on, the lever 31 swings toward the medium passage 24 and the magnetic permeability sensor 2
0 moves to the contact position 28 (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2).
On the other hand, when the solenoid 32 is turned off, the lever 31 is swung by the return spring 33 in a direction away from the medium passage 24, and the magnetic permeability sensor 20 moves to the separated position 29 (solid line position in FIG. 2). The recording medium detecting device includes a magnetic head 21 for detecting the presence or absence of the magnetic stripe 6 of the magnetic card 14, and sets the magnetic permeability sensor 20 to the contact position 28 only when the output of the magnetic head 21 is detected.
To move it.

The moving mechanism 30 includes a magnetic permeability sensor 2.
A contact sensor 34 for detecting the contact of the “0” with the magnetic card 14 is attached. The contact sensor 34 is, for example, a magnetic head, and the magnetic permeability sensor 20 and the contact sensor 34 are arranged in parallel to the transport direction of the magnetic card 14 (FIG. 3). The magnetic permeability sensor 20 and the contact sensor 34 are provided so as to simultaneously contact the magnetic stripe 6 of the magnetic card 14. The contact sensor 34 makes contact with the magnetic stripe 6 to
Therefore, by arranging the magnetic permeability sensor 20 and the contact sensor 34 in parallel, if the contact sensor 34 contacts the magnetic stripe 6 and detects this, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 also contacts the magnetic stripe 6. You can think you are.

The magnetic card reader to which the recording medium detecting device is applied can take in the magnetic card 14 from the medium insertion port 22 into the inside 23 of the device. A medium passage 24 is provided between the medium insertion slot 22 and the inside 23 of the apparatus to permit the magnetic card 14 to be taken into the inside 23 of the apparatus.
Is provided with a shutter plate 25 that can be opened and closed. The shutter plate 25 is opened and closed by an actuator (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows the magnetic permeability sensor 20. The magnetic permeability sensor 20 forms a magnetic sensor unit 5 by winding an exciting coil 3 and a detection coil 4 around two main magnetic poles 2 juxtaposed so as to have a gap 1 on at least one side. 5 is provided so that the magnetic flux passing through one of the main magnetic poles 2 of the main magnetic poles 2 is changed by the magnetic stripe 6 of the magnetic card 14 conveyed on the medium path 24, and the change in the magnetic flux of the one main magnetic pole 2 is detected by a detection coil. 4. In the present embodiment, the gap 1 is provided only at one end of each main pole 2, and the other end of each main pole 2 is connected by the connecting portion 8.

At least one end of each of the two main magnetic poles 2 has
An auxiliary core portion 7 is formed to assist the formation of a magnetic path by the magnetic stripe 6. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary core portions 7 are formed at both ends of the two main magnetic poles 2. Each auxiliary core portion 7 is formed so as to protrude to the opposite side from the connecting portion 8. Each of the main magnetic poles 2 and each of the auxiliary cores 7 are integrally formed of a high-permeability magnetic material, and a space between the auxiliary cores 7 is a winding 9 around which the exciting coil 3 and the detection coil 4 are wound.

The exciting coil 3 is wound around the winding portion 9 of each main magnetic pole 2. The exciting coils 3 are wound in opposite directions, and the magnetic fluxes passing through the main magnetic poles 2 are opposite to each other, so that a closed-loop magnetic flux Φ1 is generated as a whole.

The leads 3a, 3a of the coils 3, 4
The reference numerals 4a are arranged so as to have the same positional relationship with respect to each main pole 2 so that the magnetic flux passing through each main pole 2 is balanced. In other words, the main magnetic poles 2 are equidistant with respect to the virtual intermediate axis L so as to have a plane-symmetric positional relationship based on the virtual intermediate plane existing equidistant from each main pole 2 or as shown in FIG. When viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 3A (from the top to the bottom in FIG. 3B), the coils are arranged so as to have a point-symmetrical positional relationship based on the virtual intermediate axis L. 3,
Four lead lines 3a and 4a are arranged. By arranging the leads 3a and 4a of the coils 3 and 4 in this manner, the magnetic flux passing through the main magnetic poles 2 can be balanced. However, not necessarily in such a positional relationship,
It is not necessary to arrange the four lead wires 3a, 4a, and the magnetic flux passing through each main magnetic pole 2 may be balanced by a circuit electrically connected to each coil 3, 4. The exciting coil 3 is supplied with an exciting current enough to detect the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 in a region where the high magnetic permeability core members of the main magnetic poles 2 and the auxiliary core portions 7 are not magnetically saturated. ing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is arranged so that each main magnetic pole 2 is parallel to the plane A through which the magnetic stripe 6 passes.

The circuit shown in FIG. 6, for example, is connected to the magnetic sensor unit 5 of the magnetic permeability sensor 20. The exciting coil 3 is connected to, for example, an AC power supply 10 and generates a magnetic flux Φ1 that forms a closed loop through the two main magnetic poles 2.
When the magnetic stripe 6 does not exist around the magnetic sensor unit 5 and the magnetic fluxes passing through the main magnetic poles 2 are equal, the magnetic fluxes passing through the main magnetic poles 2 are balanced and the output of the detection coil 4 does not change. From this state, the magnetic stripe 6 is
Approaching, a magnetic flux Φ2 leaking from one main pole 2 through each auxiliary core portion 7 toward the magnetic stripe 6 is generated,
The balance of the magnetic flux passing through each main pole 2 is lost. Since the degree of leakage of the magnetic flux Φ2 changes depending on the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6, the output of the detection coil 4 changes according to the magnitude of the magnetic permeability. After the output of the detection coil 4 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 11, the detection circuit 12 and the peak hold circuit 1
3, the signal is subjected to half-wave rectification and envelope detection, and becomes an output signal having a magnitude corresponding to the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6. In this case, the order of amplification and detection may be reversed. Since there is a certain relationship between the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 and the magnitude of the coercive force of the magnetic stripe 6, by checking the output value of the detection coil 4 corresponding to the magnitude of the coercive force in advance, The coercive force of the magnetic stripe 6 can be identified based on the output of the detection coil 4.

That is, in the magnetic permeability sensor 20, each excitation coil 3 is wound around a substantially π-shaped high magnetic permeability core member so that the magnetic flux Φ1 forms a closed loop, and the detection coil 4 becomes a differential type. Is wound. Therefore, when the magnetic stripe 6 approaches the magnetic sensor unit 5, most of the magnetic flux Φ1 becomes a closed loop, but the minimum magnetic flux Φ2 depending on the medium permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 acts on the magnetic stripe 6. Therefore, a magnetic flux large enough to damage recording data does not act on the magnetic stripe 6.

The magnetic permeability sensor 20 includes a magnetic head 27
The magnetic card 14 is installed in a range where the magnetic card 14 moves when reading / writing data. Therefore, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 can be installed near the magnetic head 27, and the size of the device can be reduced. Also,
The degree of freedom in selecting the installation position of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is improved,
The degree of freedom in designing the recording medium detection device is improved.

The magnetic head 21 is provided on the medium insertion port 22 side of the shutter plate 25. That is, generally, the medium insertion port 22 is located near the medium insertion port 22 of the magnetic card reader.
A pre-head is provided for determining whether or not a proper magnetic card 14 has been inserted, and whether or not the front and back surfaces of the magnetic card 14 have been correctly inserted. For this reason, in this embodiment, the pre-head functions as the magnetic head 21. The magnetic head 21 is, for example, a wound magnetic head or a magnetoresistive element type head.

A plurality of roller pairs 26 for transporting the magnetic card 14 and a magnetic card 14
A magnetic head 27 for reading / writing magnetic data from / to the magnetic stripe 6 is provided. Each roller pair 26
It is driven by a motor (not shown).

Next, the operation of the recording medium detecting device will be described.

When the magnetic card 14 is not inserted into the magnetic card reader, the solenoid 32 is turned off, and the lever 31 is pulled by the return spring 33.
Have moved to.

In this state, when the magnetic card reader is inserted into the medium insertion slot 22 and the magnetic card 14 is detected by the magnetic head 21, the solenoid 32 of the moving mechanism 30 is turned on. Thereby, the return spring 33
The lever 31 is swung against the spring force of (1), and the magnetic permeability sensor 20 moves to the contact position 28. At the same time, shutter plate 2
5 is opened, the motor is started and each roller pair 26 starts rotating, and the magnetic card 14 is taken into the inside 23 of the apparatus. Therefore, the magnetic stripe 6 slides with respect to the magnetic permeability sensor 20, and the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 is detected. Since there is a certain relationship between the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 and the coercive force, the magnetic card 1 is determined based on the output of the magnetic permeability sensor 20.
4 coercive forces can be identified.

Now, assuming that two types of magnetic cards 14 are used, a low coercive force card (for example, 300 (Oe)) and a high coercive force card (for example, 2500 (Oe)). The difference between the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 and the magnetic permeability of the space where the magnetic stripe 6 does not exist is relatively large (difference of 10% or more of the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 of the low coercive force card), while it is high. The difference between the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 of the card and the magnetic permeability of the space where the magnetic stripe 6 does not exist is small (less than 1% of the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe of the high coercive force card). For this reason, when the captured magnetic card 14 is a low coercive force card, a relatively large value is obtained as the output of the magnetic permeability sensor 20, so that the magnetic card 14 captured based only on the output of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is used. May be determined to be a low coercive force card. On the other hand, if the captured magnetic card 14 is a high coercive force card, it is not possible to obtain an output of a very large value as the output of the magnetic permeability sensor 20. It is dangerous to judge that the card is a high coercive force card. Therefore, when the magnetic card 14 to be used is of two types, a low coercive force card and a high coercive force card, the magnetic head 21 confirms the presence of the magnetic stripe 6 and the magnetic permeability sensor 20
Is a value corresponding to the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 of the high coercive force card, it is determined that the captured card is a high coercive force card.

The magnetic head 27 reads magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 6 while detecting the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 by the magnetic permeability sensor 20. When the reading of the magnetic data is completed, the solenoid 32 is turned off and the return spring 33 swings so that the lever 31 is pulled. Thereby, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 moves to the separated position 29. And each roller pair 2
6 is rotated in the opposite direction, and data is written by the magnetic head 27 while the magnetic card 14 is conveyed toward the medium insertion slot 22. In this case, since the coercive force of the magnetic stripe 6 is known, the magnetic head 27 writes data with a current value corresponding to the coercive force. In this state, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is retracted to the separation position 29, so that the magnetic permeability sensor 20 does not contact the magnetic card 14 being conveyed and does not fluctuate its speed. Has no effect. The magnetic permeability sensor 20
Is separated from the magnetic stripe 6, the wear of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 can be prevented.

When the writing of the magnetic data is completed, each roller pair 26 is reversed again to move the magnetic card 14 inside the apparatus 23.
Verify reading is performed while transporting toward the back of the device. Also in this case, since the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is retracted to the separated position 29, the verify reading is performed properly without a change in the transport speed, and the wear of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is also prevented. Then, after confirming that the magnetic data has been properly written by the verify read, the magnetic card 14 is ejected. Also in this case, since the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is retracted to the separated position 29, the wear of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is prevented.

Thus, by providing the moving mechanism 30, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is moved to the contact position 28 only when it is necessary to detect the coercive force of the magnetic stripe 6 of the magnetic card 14. Therefore, the magnetic head 27
Sensor 2 during reading and writing of data by
0 does not hit the magnetic stripe 6 and the transport speed of the magnetic card 14 is not changed to adversely affect read / write. In addition, since the restriction on the installation position of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 is reduced, the degree of freedom in designing the recording medium detecting device is improved. Furthermore, durability can be improved by preventing wear of the magnetic permeability sensor 20.

The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above description, the lever 3 of the moving mechanism 30
Although 1 is swung by the solenoid 32, it is not limited to the solenoid 32 and may be swung by a motor or the like.

In the above description, when data is read / written by the magnetic head 27, the magnetic card 1
Although the magnetic permeability sensor 20 has been installed in the range where 4 moves, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 may be installed in positions before and after this range.

In the above description, the magnetic permeability sensor 20
Is provided so as to face the surface of the magnetic card 14 on which the magnetic stripe 6 is formed. However, as shown in FIG.
The magnetic sensor 20 may be provided so as to face the surface of the magnetic card 14 opposite to the surface on which the magnetic stripe 6 is formed. That is, the magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 may be detected from the opposite surface of the magnetic card 14.

In the above description, the magnetic permeability sensor 20
Although the contact sensor 34 and the contact sensor 34 are arranged in parallel, the magnetic permeability sensor 20 and the contact sensor 34 may be arranged in series as shown in FIG. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the magnetic permeability sensor 20 and the contact sensor 34 close to each other.

It is not necessary to provide an independent actuator as the moving mechanism 30.
The actuator for opening and closing 5 may also be used as the actuator of the moving mechanism 30 so that the magnetic permeability sensor 20 moves between the contact position 28 and the separation position 29 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the shutter plate.

Further, it is not always necessary to provide the shutter plate 25, and the shutter plate 25 may be omitted.

In the magnetic permeability sensor 20 described above, the main magnetic poles 2 are arranged so as to be parallel to the plane A through which the magnetic stripe 6 passes, but the magnetic permeability sensor 20 shown in FIG.
As in the second embodiment, the main magnetic poles 2 may be arranged perpendicular to the plane A through which the magnetic stripe 6 passes. In this case, if the positional relationship between the magnetic stripe 6 and each of the main magnetic poles 2 becomes equal, the magnetic flux passing through each of the main magnetic poles 2 is balanced, and the output of the detection coil 4 cannot be obtained. The magnetic sensor unit 5 is installed at a position that affects only the magnetic flux of one main pole 2, that is, the magnetic sensor unit 5 is arranged so that only one main pole 2 is opposed to the path along which the magnetic stripe 6 relatively moves. So that when the magnetic stripe 6 approaches one of the main poles 2, the balance of the magnetic flux passing through each main pole 2 is lost. Alternatively, even when the magnetic sensor unit 5 is installed so that both main magnetic poles 2 face the path in which the magnetic stripe 6 relatively moves, the magnetic stripe 6 that moves relatively passes through one main magnetic pole 2. The magnetic permeability of the magnetic stripe 6 is detected at a stage where only the magnetic flux is affected, that is, in a state where the magnetic fluxes of the two main magnetic poles 2 are not balanced.
In this case, since the magnetic stripe 6 faces both main poles 2 after the detection of the magnetic permeability, most of the magnetic flux flowing through each main pole 2 passes through the magnetic stripe 6 at this time. Therefore, whether to detect the magnetic permeability using a magnetic flux of a strength that does not impair the recorded data,
Alternatively, for example, the magnetic sensor unit 5 may be made to face an empty area of the magnetic stripe 6 of the magnetic card 14.

In the above-described magnetic permeability sensor 20, the auxiliary cores 7 are formed at both ends of each main magnetic pole 2. However, the auxiliary cores 7 do not necessarily need to be formed at both ends. The auxiliary core portion 7 may be formed only on one side of the second member 2, or the auxiliary core portion 7 may be omitted. For example, the auxiliary core unit 7 may be omitted as in the third embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 shown in FIG.

In the above-described magnetic permeability sensor 20, the exciting coils 3 of the respective main magnetic poles 2 are wound in opposite directions so that the direction of the magnetic flux passing through the respective main magnetic poles 2 is reversed to generate a magnetic flux Φ1 which forms a closed loop. However, as in the fourth embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 shown in FIG.
May be wound in the same direction so that the magnetic flux passing through each main magnetic pole 2 becomes the magnetic flux Φ3 going in one direction. In this case, when the magnetic stripe 6 approaches, almost all of the magnetic flux passing through the one main pole 2 becomes the magnetic flux Φ2 passing through the magnetic stripe 6, so that the magnetic permeability is reduced by using a magnetic flux having a strength that does not impair the recording data. The detection may be performed or, for example, the magnetic sensor unit 5 may be opposed to a free area of the magnetic stripe 6 of the magnetic card 14.

In the magnetic permeability sensor 20 described above, the excitation coil 3 is wound around each of the main magnetic poles 2. However, as in the fifth embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 shown in FIG. 3 may be one.

In the above-described magnetic permeability sensor 20, one detection coil 4 is wound around two main magnetic poles 2. For example, as in the sixth embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 shown in FIG. The detection coil 4 may be wound around each of the two main magnetic poles 2 to extract a differential output from each detection coil 4.

Further, as in the seventh embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor 20 shown in FIG. 14, the detection coil 4 may be wound so as to include two main magnetic poles 2.

Further, in the above description, one main pole 2
Although the magnetic stripe 6 acts only on the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic pole 6, the magnetic stripe 6 may act on only the magnetic flux passing through the other main magnetic pole 2 instead of the one main magnetic pole 2. is there.

[0047]

As described above, in the recording medium detecting device according to the first aspect, the magnetic permeability sensor for detecting the magnetic permeability of the magnetic recording portion is provided between the contact position where it contacts the medium and the separated position that is separated from the medium. Since the magnetic permeability sensor is attached to the moving mechanism so that the gap can be moved and the magnetic permeability sensor is moved to the contact position only when the coercive force is determined, for example, when rewriting the magnetic data of the magnetic recording portion of the recording medium, etc. The magnetic permeability sensor contacts the magnetic recording unit only when it is necessary to determine the coercive force of the magnetic recording unit, and in other cases, the contact between the magnetic permeability sensor and the magnetic recording unit can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transport speed of the recording medium from being changed while data is being read / written, and to prevent wear of the magnetic permeability sensor to improve its durability. it can. In addition, restrictions on the installation position of the magnetic permeability sensor are reduced, and the degree of freedom in designing the device can be improved.

Further, the recording medium detecting device according to the present invention is provided with a magnetic head for detecting the presence or absence of a magnetic recording portion, and moves the magnetic permeability sensor to the contact position only when the output of the magnetic head is detected. Therefore, the magnetic permeability sensor can be moved to the contact position only when an appropriate recording medium is correctly inserted.

Further, in the recording medium detecting apparatus according to the third aspect, the recording medium can be taken into the apparatus from the medium insertion port, and the recording medium can be taken into the apparatus between the medium insertion port and the inside of the apparatus. A shutter plate that can be opened and closed with respect to the medium passage is provided to allow the magnetic head to be provided, and the magnetic head is provided on the side of the medium insertion port from the shutter plate. The magnetic permeability sensor can be moved to a contact position.

The magnetic head may be a wound type magnetic head or a magneto-resistive element type head.

Further, in the recording medium detecting device according to the fifth aspect, since the contact sensor for detecting contact with the recording medium is attached to the moving mechanism to which the magnetic permeability sensor is attached,
It is possible to detect whether the magnetic permeability sensor is actually in contact with the magnetic recording portion of the recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a recording medium detection device according to the present invention, which is applied to a magnetic card reader.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a moving mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a magnetic permeability sensor and a contact sensor of FIG. 1 and a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a magnetic permeability sensor.

5A and 5B show the arrangement of the lead wires of the excitation coil and the detection coil of the magnetic permeability sensor, wherein FIG. 5A is a view of a main pole viewed from a direction along a virtual intermediate axis, and FIG. It is the figure seen from the orthogonal direction.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram connected to a magnetic sensor unit of the magnetic permeability sensor.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the recording medium detection device of the present invention.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the magnetic permeability sensor and the contact sensor of FIG. 7 and a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the magnetic permeability sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 6 magnetic recording section (magnetic stripe) 14 recording medium (magnetic card) 20 magnetic permeability sensor 21 magnetic head 22 medium insertion port 23 inside device 24 medium passage 25 shutter plate 28 contact position 29 separation position 30 moving mechanism 34 contact sensor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium detecting device for determining the coercive force of a recording medium having magnetic recording portions having different coercive forces, wherein a magnetic permeability sensor for detecting the magnetic permeability of the magnetic recording portion is applied to the medium. It is attached to a moving mechanism so as to be movable between a contact position in contact with and a separation position separated from the medium, and the magnetic permeability sensor is moved to the contact position only when the coercive force is determined. Recording medium detecting device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic head for detecting the presence or absence of the magnetic recording unit, wherein the magnetic permeability sensor is moved to the contact position only when the output of the magnetic head is detected. The recording medium detection device according to claim 1. 3. A medium passage for allowing the recording medium to be taken into the apparatus from a medium insertion port and permitting the recording medium to be taken into the apparatus between the medium insertion port and the inside of the apparatus. 3. The recording medium detecting device according to claim 2, wherein a shutter plate that can be opened and closed is provided, and the magnetic head is provided on the medium insertion port side of the shutter plate. 4. The recording medium detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic head is a wound magnetic head or a magnetoresistive element type head. 5. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a contact sensor for detecting contact with the recording medium is attached to the moving mechanism to which the magnetic permeability sensor is attached. Detection device.