JP2000298713A - Composite magnetic recording medium reader, control method therefor, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a host device to obtain a detection result of outer magnetic noise as needed and to prevent the transmission/reception of the unnecessary detection result by transmitting the detection result whether the outer magnetic noise exceeds prescribed quantity to the host device according to a command, when a command analysis part analyzes the prescribed command. SOLUTION: When a magnetic head does not read a magnetic pattern 7, a detection part 41 detects an electrical signal outputted from the magnetic head, namely the amplitude of external noise by an amplitude detector. When an interface part 2 receives data from a host device I and the data is a command for selecting a magnetic recording medium reading part 4, a command analysis part 3 informs the magnetic recording medium reading part 4 of effect. A detection result notice part 42 transmits the detection result of the detection part 41, namely whether external noise exceeds a permissible value to the interface part 2, according to the analysis result of the command analysis part 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite magnetic recording medium in which an apparatus for reading a magnetic pattern from a recording medium on which a magnetic pattern such as MICR characters is recorded and a processing apparatus for performing other processing on the recording medium are combined. The present invention relates to a reading device, and particularly to a technique for notifying a user or the like when reading cannot be performed accurately due to the influence of extraneous magnetic noise or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, attempts have been made to detect and notify an operator when an externally induced noise is applied to an apparatus for reading MICR characters or the like. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-245119 discloses M
Prior to reading the certificate in which the ICR character is recorded, a signal guided from the outside to the magnetic head is detected, and when the signal reaches a predetermined level, the display element is immediately turned on or transmitted to the host device through the interface. A technique of notifying an operator or the like by the notification of the above is disclosed.

[0003] However, in such a technique, particularly when a notification is made to the host device, the notification is performed irrespective of the processing being performed by the host device, so that the processing of the host device may be hindered. Was. In particular, when a magnetic pattern reading device and a device that performs other processing such as a printing device are combined, for example, the process of preparing and transmitting print data to the printing device of the host device is interrupted, and the throughput is reduced. There were problems such as lowering. In addition, the host device must manage information as to whether or not the reading process cannot be performed accurately due to extraneous magnetic noise. If such a condition frequently changes, processing on the host side becomes complicated. Thus, there is also a problem that the throughput is reduced.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to manage information on whether or not a reading process cannot be performed accurately due to extraneous magnetic noise from a host device. And an apparatus capable of acquiring the information as required by the host apparatus, and a control method therefor. Note that the present invention is particularly effective in improving the throughput of both the magnetic recording medium reading device and the device for performing other processing such as a printing device when the devices are combined.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a composite magnetic recording medium reader according to the present invention comprises: a magnetic recording medium reading section for reading a magnetic pattern on a recording medium using a magnetic head; In a multifunction device including a processing unit that performs other processing on a medium and an interface unit that is provided in common with them and communicates with a host device, whether external magnetic noise near the magnetic head exceeds a predetermined amount. A detection unit that detects whether or not the command is received, a command interpretation unit that interprets a command received from the host device via the interface unit, and when the command interpretation unit interprets a predetermined command, according to the command, A detection result notification unit that transmits a detection result of the detection unit to the host device via the interface unit. As a result, the host device can acquire the detection result of the extraneous magnetic noise as needed, so that unnecessary reception and transmission of the detection result are not performed, and the host device and the composite magnetic recording medium reader device are not used. And the throughput of the process is improved.

In this case, it is preferable that the detection result notifying section transmits the detection result to the host device when the command interpreting section interprets a command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading section. When the magnetic recording medium reading unit is selected by a command,
Since it is highly probable that the magnetic pattern of the magnetic recording medium is read immediately, if the detection result of the extraneous magnetic noise is notified to the host device at this timing, the host device does not need to send a separate command, which is convenient. It is.

In this case, a parameter for designating whether or not to transmit the detection result of the external magnetic noise may be added to the command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading unit. As a result, the host device can specify the acquisition timing of the external magnetic noise detection result more finely.

In the above case, when the detection result notifying unit transmits the detection result to the host device, the detecting unit notifies the external magnetic noise in response to a request from the detection result notifying unit. It is desirable to detect whether or not exceeds a predetermined amount. Accordingly, since the external magnetic noise is detected only when the host device needs the detection result, the throughput of other processing can be improved.

The control method of the composite magnetic recording medium reader according to the present invention is also specified by the same items as described above, and has the same functions and effects. Further, the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention also includes:
A computer program for realizing the control method of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device by a computer is stored therein, and each has the same effect as the above.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a composite magnetic recording medium reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The recording medium 7 is provided with a magnetic pattern 71. The magnetic pattern 71 may be printed on the recording medium 7 using magnetic ink or the like, or may be recorded on a magnetic recording medium or the like applied or affixed on the recording medium by a method such as longitudinal recording or perpendicular recording. It may be.

The recording medium 7 is moved relative to the magnetic head 411 by a conveying mechanism 6 having a conveying roller and a stepping motor for driving the recording medium. The magnetic head 43 may be mounted on a carriage and move with respect to the recording medium, and the drive source of the transport roller may be a DC motor having a positioning mechanism such as an encoder.

The detecting section 41 has a magnetic head 411, an amplitude detector (not shown) and a comparator. Magnetic head 411
Has a magnetic gap substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium, and originally detects a change in magnetic flux due to the movement of the magnetic pattern 2 and outputs a current corresponding thereto. The magnetic gap length in this case is set according to the frequency of the magnetic signal to be reproduced. When reading a magnetic pattern that requires re-magnetization such as MICR characters, a re-magnetization magnet (not shown) is used, or a self-biased type having an electromagnet for forming a bias magnetic field in the magnetic head 411 is used. .

A current signal corresponding to the magnetic pattern 71 generated by the magnetic head 411 is converted into a voltage signal by an amplitude detector (not shown), amplified, and then its amplitude is detected.
At this time, normally, a DC component is removed by AC coupling, and an appropriate bias voltage is applied. The amplification is performed by an operational amplifier. After the analog-to-digital conversion, the amplitude is detected by a microprocessor at a predetermined cycle. This detection value is stored in a RAM described later.

The detecting section 41 detects the electric signal output from the magnetic head 411 when the magnetic head 411 does not read the magnetic pattern 7, that is, the amplitude of the external magnetic noise by an amplitude detector. The amplitude of the extraneous magnetic noise obtained by this operation is compared with a predetermined allowable value by a comparator (not shown). In this example, the comparison refers to comparing a preset allowable value of the external magnetic noise with a measured value of the external magnetic noise amplitude. Specifically, for example, 20% of the read signal amplitude is set as an allowable value of the external magnetic noise amplitude, and a process of comparing the allowable value with the measured value of the external magnetic noise amplitude is performed. Although the present embodiment focuses on amplitude information, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it is possible to set an allowable frequency of external magnetic noise. That is, if the read signal frequency and the extraneous magnetic noise frequency are sufficiently separated, the extraneous magnetic noise can be removed by a digital filter operation or the like by a microprocessor. As will be described later, the detection unit 41 includes a magnetic head 411, a microprocessor, and a ROM storing a program that defines the operation of the microprocessor. The detection unit 41 acquires the output of the amplitude detector at a predetermined timing. The above function is realized by comparing with a permissible value by a comparator.

The detection result notifying section 42 sends the detection result of the detecting section 41, that is, whether or not the external magnetic noise exceeds an allowable value, to the interface section 2 according to the interpretation result of the command interpretation section 3. That is, when the command interpreting unit 3 receives, for example, a command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4, the above processing is performed in response to the command.

The command interpreting unit 3 is provided commonly to the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4 and the processing unit 5 for performing other processing. When the interface unit 2 receives data from the host device 1, the command interpreting unit 3 transmits the data. The data is compared with a predetermined command code or a command code sequence, and the data is interpreted as a command. For example, if the data is a command for selecting a magnetic recording medium reading unit, the data is notified to the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4, and if the data is a command for selecting a processing unit for performing other processing, The processing unit 5 is notified of the fact. In this example, the processing unit 5 is a recording medium 7
The print control unit 5 controls the transport mechanism 6 and the print head 51 to print the print data received from the host device on the recording medium 7. More specifically, the present example is an apparatus for processing a personal check in a POS system, which reads MICR characters provided on the front side of the personal check and performs endorsement printing on the back side.

The interface unit 2 is provided commonly to the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4 and the print control unit 5 and sends out the data received from the host device 1 to the command interpreting unit 3, and the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4 The external magnetic noise detection result and status information transmitted from the print control unit 5 are transmitted to the host device 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the composite magnetic recording medium reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control system of the command interpreting unit 3, the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4, and the printing control unit 5 is mainly a CPU 31,
It is composed of a ROM 32 and a RAM 33. That is,
The CPU 31 performs the above processing according to a control program stored in the ROM and / or the RAM.

When the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4 and the printing control unit 5 rotate the stepping motor of the transport mechanism 6, a predetermined phase drive signal 61 is output from the I / O circuit 52. When the print control unit 5 drives the print head 51 to perform printing, the print control unit 5 outputs a print head drive signal 511 via the I / O circuit 52. If the driving capability of the I / O circuit is not sufficient, the driving is performed via a driver circuit such as a power transistor (not shown).

When the magnetic recording medium reading section 4 performs a reading operation and detection of extraneous magnetic noise, an analog
The CPU 31 takes in the output signal amplitude of the magnetic head 411 connected to the magnetic head connection terminal 413 at a predetermined cycle via a digital converter (hereinafter, abbreviated as ADC). When the output signal level of the magnetic head 411 is low, an AC amplifier is used.

Magnetic recording medium reader 4, print controller 5
When the command interpreter 3 communicates with the host device 1, the communication can be performed via an interface element 21 such as an RS232C driver and a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART).

The control program of the CPU 31 is stored in a recording medium such as the floppy disk 10 or the hard disk 11 and is stored in the interface element 2.
1 can be installed in the RAM 65 and executed. It is also possible to use the Internet server 12 as a recording medium and install the control program via the recording medium. Further, the ROM 66 may be an EEPROM, into which the control program may be installed.

Next, the operation of the magnetic recording medium reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and the method of reading the magnetic recording medium will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the external magnetic noise detection processing of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the external magnetic noise detection processing is performed constantly or at predetermined time intervals, and the result is stored in the RAM 33 as a flag described later. In step S31, the CPU 31 takes in extraneous magnetic noise via an ADC or the like. As described above, this capture is performed by capturing the amplitude data a predetermined number of times at a predetermined cycle while the magnetic head 411 does not generate a read signal due to relative movement with the magnetic pattern 71.

The read data is stored in a predetermined area in the RAM 65 in the form of amplitude data for each predetermined cycle. This read data is compared with a predetermined allowable value of external magnetic noise in step S32. As the allowable value of the external magnetic noise, for example, a level around 20% of the maximum value (PP value) obtained by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value of the standard magnetic pattern read signal amplitude data is used. A frequency range, for example, one octave away from the frequency range of the standard magnetic pattern read signal may be set as the allowable value of the external magnetic noise. That is, in this range, the external magnetic noise can be removed by the filtering process regardless of the amplitude of the external magnetic noise.

If it is determined in step S32 that the extraneous magnetic noise exceeds the allowable value, the process proceeds to step S32.
In step 33, the "external magnetic noise abnormality flag" is set, and the process ends. If it is determined in step S32 that the external magnetic noise does not exceed the allowable value, the "external magnetic noise abnormality flag" is reset in step S34, and the process ends. This flag is referred to in an external magnetic noise detection result transmission process described later.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting a detection result of an external magnetic noise of the composite magnetic recording medium reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The transmission process is started when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the command process, as described later. In step S41, the "external magnetic noise abnormality flag" is checked. If the flag is not set, a notification that the external magnetic noise is normal is transmitted to the host device 1 via the interface element 21 in step S42. If the flag has been set, a notification that the external magnetic noise is abnormal is made in step S43. At the same time as this notification, error processing such as ejection of the recording medium or display of a warning on a display of the apparatus may be performed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the command processing of the composite magnetic recording medium reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The command processing is performed by the command interpreting unit 3 when the interface unit 2 receives data from the host device 1 in principle. However, when data is received from the host device 1 during interpretation by the command interpreting unit 3 and processing of the command, the data is
The data is temporarily stored in a reception buffer or a command buffer provided in the AM 33, and is read out and processed in the order of storage.

In step S51, if the command is interpreted and it is determined that the command is a command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading unit 4, such as the MICR selection command, the above-described external magnetic noise detection result transmission processing is performed in step S52. Done. In step S53, an MICR selection process is performed. This process includes, for example, a process of moving a pressing member (not shown) to bring the recording medium 7 into close contact with the magnetic head 411, and a process of transporting the starting end of the magnetic pattern 71 to the position of the magnetic head 411 by the transport mechanism 6. It is. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that the command is a command other than the magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command, a process corresponding to the command is performed in step S54. After the command processing is completed, processing for checking the state of the apparatus such as the power supply voltage is performed.

(Second Embodiment) A composite magnetic recording medium reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the composite magnetic recording medium reader according to the first embodiment except for command processing. Therefore, only the command processing will be described, and the other description will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the command processing of the composite magnetic recording medium reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the apparatus according to the first embodiment is that the apparatus according to the present embodiment controls the transmission of the external magnetic noise detection result according to the parameter of the magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command. The details will be described below.

If it is determined in step S61 that the command is a magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command (here, an MICR selection command), the parameters of the command are further compared with predetermined values in step S62. Here, if the parameter is equal to a predetermined value,
For example, when the predetermined bit is set, the transmission processing of the external magnetic noise detection result is performed in step S63. If the parameter is not equal to the predetermined value, step S63 is skipped. In any case, the above-described MICR selection processing is executed, and the command processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that the command is a command other than the magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.

(Third Embodiment) A composite magnetic recording medium reading apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention relates to the above-described first or second embodiment except for the timing of performing the external magnetic noise detection processing. Since it is the same as the composite magnetic recording medium reader, only the differences will be described, and the other description will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a composite magnetic recording medium reading apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The detection result notification unit 42 makes a detection request to the detection unit 41, and the detection unit 41 detects external magnetic noise in response to the detection request, and passes the result to the detection result notification unit 42.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting a detection result of an external magnetic noise of the composite magnetic recording medium reading apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, unlike the other embodiments, an external magnetic noise detection process shown in FIG. 3 is performed at the beginning of this process (step S121). That is, in the other embodiments, the processing is performed at all times or at predetermined time intervals. However, in the present embodiment, the processing is performed prior to transmitting the detection result of the external magnetic noise.

The transmission process is started when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the command process, as in the other embodiments. In step S122, the “external magnetic noise abnormality flag” is checked. If the flag is not set, a notification that the external magnetic noise is normal is transmitted to the host device 1 via the interface element 21 in step S123. If the flag has been set, a notification that the external magnetic noise is abnormal is made in step S124. At the same time as this notification, error processing such as ejection of the recording medium or display of a warning on a display of the apparatus may be performed.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The present invention is not limited to this, but includes various changes and modifications made within the scope obvious to those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains from the above description.

[0037]

As described above, the composite magnetic recording medium reading apparatus of the present invention comprises a magnetic recording medium reading section for reading a magnetic pattern on a recording medium using a magnetic head;
In a multifunction device including a processing unit for performing other processing on the recording medium and an interface unit commonly provided for performing communication with a host device, an external magnetic noise near the magnetic head exceeds a predetermined amount. A detection unit for detecting whether or not the command is received, a command interpretation unit for interpreting a command received from the host device via the interface unit, and, when the command interpretation unit interprets a predetermined command, responding to the command. A detection result notifying unit that transmits the detection result of the detection unit to the host device via the interface unit, so that the host device can obtain the detection result of the external magnetic noise as necessary, Unnecessary detection results are not received and transmitted, and throughput of processing on the host side and the composite magnetic recording medium reader side is reduced. It can both improve.

In this case, the detection result notifying section transmits the detection result to the host device when the command interpreting section interprets the command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading section. When it is highly probable that the magnetic recording medium reading unit immediately reads the magnetic pattern of the magnetic recording medium selected by the command, the host device does not need to separately transmit a command, which is convenient.

In this case, since the parameter for designating whether or not to transmit the detection result of the external magnetic noise is added to the command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading unit, the host device can control the external magnetic noise. The acquisition timing of the detection result can be specified more finely.

In the above case, when the detection result notifying unit transmits the detection result to the host device, the detecting unit notifies the external magnetic noise in response to a request from the detection result notifying unit. Is detected as to whether or not exceeds a predetermined amount. Therefore, by detecting the external magnetic noise only when the host device needs the detection result, the throughput of other processing is improved. be able to.

The control method of the composite magnetic recording medium reader according to the present invention is also specified by the same items as described above, and has the same functions and effects. Further, the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention also includes:
A computer program for realizing the control method of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device by a computer is stored therein, and each has the same effect as the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an external magnetic noise detection process of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an external magnetic noise detection result transmission process of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing command processing of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating command processing of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an external magnetic noise detection result transmission process of the composite magnetic recording medium reader according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host apparatus 2 ... Interface part 3 ... Command interpretation part 4 ... Magnetic recording medium reading part 5 ... Processing part (print control part) 6 ... Transport mechanism 7 ... Recording Medium 41 detection unit 42 detection result transmission unit 51 print head 71 magnetic pattern (MICR character) 411 magnetic head

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic recording medium reading section for reading a magnetic pattern on a recording medium using a magnetic head, a processing section for performing other processing on the recording medium, and a communication section provided in common with these for communicating with a host device. A composite magnetic recording medium reading device comprising: an interface unit for detecting whether an external magnetic noise near the magnetic head exceeds a predetermined amount; and a receiving unit for receiving from the host device via the interface unit. A command interpreting unit that interprets the received command, and a detecting unit that, when the command interpreting unit interprets a predetermined command, transmits a detection result of the detecting unit to the host device via the interface unit according to the command. A composite magnetic recording medium reading device comprising: a result notifying unit. 2. The composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to claim 1, wherein the detection result notifying unit interprets a magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading unit by the command interpreting unit. And transmitting the detection result to the host device in response to the command. 3. The composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to claim 2, wherein the detection result notifying unit is responsive to a parameter of the magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command, and when the parameter has a predetermined value, the detection result notifying unit. The composite magnetic recording medium reading device transmits to the host device. 4. The composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the detection when the detection result notification unit transmits the detection result to the host device. A composite magnetic recording medium reading device for detecting whether or not the extraneous magnetic noise exceeds a predetermined amount in response to a request from a result notifying unit. 5. A magnetic recording medium reading section for reading a magnetic pattern on a recording medium using a magnetic head, a processing section for performing other processing on the recording medium, and a communication section provided in common with these for communication with a host device. A method for controlling a composite magnetic recording medium reading device having an interface unit for performing a step of detecting whether external magnetic noise in the vicinity of the magnetic head exceeds a predetermined amount; and Interpreting a command received from the device, and, when a predetermined command is interpreted in the command interpreting process, transmitting a detection result in the detection process to the host device via the interface unit according to the command. And a control method of the composite magnetic recording medium reader. 6. The control method for a composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to claim 5, wherein, in the detection result notifying step, a magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading unit in the command interpreting step. And transmitting the detection result to the host device in response to the command when interpreting the command. 7. The control method for a composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to claim 6, wherein in the detection result notifying step, when the parameter has a predetermined value in accordance with a parameter of the magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command. Transmitting the detection result to the host device. 8. The control method for a composite magnetic recording medium reading device according to claim 5, wherein the detecting step includes transmitting the detection result to the host device in the detection result notifying step. And detecting whether or not the extraneous magnetic noise exceeds a predetermined amount. 9. A magnetic recording medium reading section for reading a magnetic pattern on a recording medium using a magnetic head, a processing section for performing other processing on the recording medium, and a communication section provided in common with these for communication with a host device. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing a control method of the composite magnetic recording medium reading device provided with an interface unit for performing the control. A step of detecting whether or not external magnetic noise in the vicinity exceeds a predetermined amount; a step of interpreting a command received from the host device via the interface unit; and a step of interpreting the predetermined command in the command interpretation step. In this case, according to the command, the detection result in the detection step is transmitted via the interface unit. Transmitting to the host device. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein in the detection result notifying step of the control method, a magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command for selecting the magnetic recording medium reading unit is interpreted in the command interpreting step. In this case, the recording medium transmits the detection result to the host device in response to the command. 11. The recording medium according to claim 10, wherein
In the detection result notifying step of the control method, according to a parameter of the magnetic recording medium reading unit selection command, the detection result is transmitted to the host device when the parameter has a predetermined value. Medium. 12. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein in the detecting step of the control method, when transmitting the detection result to the host device in the detection result notification step, A recording medium for detecting whether or not magnetic noise exceeds a predetermined amount.