JP2002342723A - Ic card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an IC card reader while preventing the deterioration of read/write performance. SOLUTION: This IC card reader is provided with a card carrying means 3 for carrying a non-contact IC card 4, a card carriage path 2 on which the non-contact IC card 4 is carried, and an antenna 10 for communication for transferring a signal with the non-contact IC card 4. This IC card reader is also provided with a resin-molded holder 16 arranged so as to be opposite to the antenna 10 for communication with the card carriage path 2 interposed, a rib 22 formed at the holder 16 for pressing any part other than the emboss part of the IC card 4, and a pressurizing mechanism 6 for pressing the IC card 4 through the rib 22. The antenna 10 for communication is arranged so as to be opposite to the non-contact IC card 4 to be carried on the card carriage path 2, and members defining the card carriage part 2 in the neighborhood of the antenna 10 for communication are resin molded, and a scanner 5 for reading the emboss of the IC card 4 which is being carried is mounted on the holder 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an IC card reader. More specifically, the present invention relates to an IC card reader for reading and writing data without contacting an IC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of IC cards, the use of IC card readers capable of processing IC cards is expanding. In general, contact IC cards are widely used.
An IC card reader that processes a contact type IC card is provided with an IC contact block. After the taken-in IC card is transported to a predetermined position and stopped, the IC contact block is brought into contact with the IC contact of the IC card to read / write data. The lights are going.

[0003] Further, for example, an IC card reader used in an ATM or the like of a bank is provided with an image scanner for photographing embossed characters or the like of a processed IC card and acquiring image data.

[0004]

In recent years, with the development of non-contact type IC cards, there has been a new demand for IC card readers capable of processing non-contact type IC cards. Non-contact IC cards transmit radio waves from a communication antenna and
This is a system for reading / writing a C card. For this reason, it is necessary to newly install a communication antenna. However, it is known that if a communication antenna is installed near a metal component, the transmitted radio wave is weakened and the read / write performance is reduced. In general, metal parts are often used in card readers, and there has been a demand for installing a communication antenna without deteriorating read / write performance.

In order to add a function capable of processing a non-contact type IC card to an IC card having an IC contact block and capable of processing a contact type IC card, it is necessary to newly provide a communication antenna. In that case, simply adding a communication antenna would increase the size of the IC card reader.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an IC card reader capable of preventing a decrease in read / write performance and reducing the size.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a card conveying means for conveying a non-contact type IC card, a card conveying path for conveying the non-contact type IC card, An IC card reader having a non-contact type IC card and a communication antenna for transmitting and receiving signals, a resin-molded holder disposed at a position facing the communication antenna across the card transport path, and a holder formed on the holder. A rib for pressing a part other than the embossed part of the IC card, and a pressure mechanism for pressing the IC card through the rib, and the communication antenna faces a non-contact type IC card conveyed on the card conveying path. The member that defines the card transport path in the vicinity where the communication antenna is located is formed of resin, and the holder is provided with a non-contact IC card that is being transported. Scanner for reading the formed de embossing is attached.

Therefore, when the card transport means transports the non-contact type IC card along the card transport path, the non-contact type IC card passes near the communication antenna and reads / writes data without contact. Since the card transport path around the communication antenna is made of resin, the radio wave of the communication antenna is not greatly weakened by the card transport path. The communication antenna is mounted inside the IC card reader.

Further, a non-contact type I
Non-contact type IC by scanner while transporting C card
Images on the surface of the card can be captured. At this time, the pressing mechanism presses the rib of the holder against the surface of the non-contact type IC card. Therefore, even if the non-contact type IC card is curved, the card surface is scanned while correcting the curvature. In addition, since the holder is pressed toward the non-contact type IC card by the pressing mechanism, scanning of the card surface is performed with the distance between the scanner attached to the holder and the non-contact type IC card kept constant. Will be Further, by pressing the holder by the pressing mechanism, read / write communication is performed in a state where the distance between the IC card and the communication antenna is kept constant.

Further, the scanner may be a contact type scanner or a reduction optical type scanner as in the IC card reader according to the second aspect.

Further, the IC card reader according to the third aspect of the present invention has an opening / closing mechanism capable of moving the holder in a direction of approaching / separating from the card transport path. Therefore, the direction in which the pressing mechanism presses the holder is the same as the direction in which the opening and closing mechanism moves the holder.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an IC card reader comprising:
In an IC card reader having a card transport path for transporting a non-contact type IC card and a communication antenna for exchanging signals with the non-contact type IC card, the IC card reader is disposed at a position facing the communication antenna with the card transport path interposed therebetween. And a resin molded holder, and a rib formed on the holder and pressing a part other than the embossed part of the IC card, wherein the communication antenna faces a non-contact type IC card conveyed along the card conveyance path. The member that defines the card transport path in the vicinity where the communication antenna is located is formed of resin, and the holder has a reduced optical type that reads the emboss formed on the non-contact type IC card being transported. Scanner is installed.

Therefore, when the card transport means transports the non-contact IC card along the card transport path, the non-contact IC card passes near the communication antenna and reads / writes data in a non-contact manner. Since the card transport path around the communication antenna is made of resin, the radio wave of the communication antenna is not greatly weakened by the card transport path. The communication antenna is mounted inside the IC card reader.

[0014] Further, a non-contact type I
An image on the surface of the non-contact type IC card can be captured by the reduction optical scanner while transporting the C card. The reduction optical scanner has a large depth of field, and can clearly capture an image on the card surface even if the IC card is slightly curved.

[0015]

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.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of an IC card reader to which the present invention is applied. This IC card reader (hereinafter simply referred to as a card reader) is a non-contact type I card reader.
Card transport means 3 for transporting a C card (hereinafter simply referred to as an IC card) 4, a card transport path 2 for transporting the IC card 4, and a communication antenna (non-contact IC antenna) for exchanging signals with the IC card 4 And a resin-molded holder 16 and a portion other than the embossed portion of the IC card 4 which is disposed at a position facing the communication antenna 10 with the card transport path 2 interposed therebetween. And a pressing mechanism 6 for pressing the IC card 4 through the rib 22.
Is disposed at a position facing the IC card 4 conveyed through the card conveyance path 2, and a member that defines the card conveyance path 2 in the vicinity where the communication antenna 10 is disposed is formed of resin and is attached to the holder 16. Is equipped with a scanner 5 for reading an emboss formed on the IC card 4 being conveyed.

The scanner 5 is, for example, a contact type scanner or a reduction optical type scanner, and in this embodiment, is a contact type scanner. Further, this card reader is provided with a holder 16.
The opening and closing mechanism 7 is movable in a direction to approach and separate from the card transport path 2.

The scanner 5 reads embossed characters formed on the surface of the IC card 4. However, the scanner 5 is not limited to reading embossed characters, but reads a pattern or the like on the surface of the IC card 4. May be.

This card reader is provided between a contact-type IC contact block 8 for reading and writing data by contacting an IC contact provided on the IC card 4 and a magnetic stripe provided on the IC card 4. In addition to the magnetic head 9 for reading / writing data, communication is performed with an antenna provided on the IC card 4 to read / write data in a non-contact manner.
It has a communication antenna 10 for performing writing. The communication antenna 10, the contact type scanner 5, and the pressurizing mechanism 6 are arranged in the image reading unit 12 on the back side of the magnetic processing / contact processing unit 11 of the card reader.

The opening / closing mechanism 7 includes a frame 1 of a card reader.
3 and a holder 16 fixed to the swing frame 15 so as to be swingable by a shaft 14.
And locking means 18 for locking the holder 16 to the fixed frame 17. The contact type scanner 5 is fixed to the holder 16 by left and right pressing plates 19 and 20. The front and rear portions of the holder 16 before and after the contact type scanner 5 are walls 21 (hereinafter, referred to as upper walls of the transport path) 21 that define the upper side of the card transport path 2. Further, in this embodiment, the holder 16 is formed of resin, and the front and rear transport path upper side walls 21 are also formed of resin. The ribs 22 are formed on the front and rear upper side walls 21 of the transport path, and the ribs 22 are slid to positions avoiding embossed characters formed on the IC card 4, that is, to portions other than the embossed portions, so that the IC card 4 And the contact type scanner 5 has a predetermined length.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, ribs 22 are formed at the left and right ends and the center of the front and rear transport path upper side walls 21.

The locking means 18 is provided with a knob 23, a shaft 24 fixed to the knob 23, and a stop pin 25 penetrating the shaft 24 in the radial direction. Shaft 24 is holder 1
6 is prevented from dropping through a hole 26 provided in 6 and being stopped by a locking pin 25. As shown in FIG. 5, a locking pin 25 is provided on the lower surface of a portion around the hole 26 of the holder 16.
Is provided.

FIG. 6 shows the fixed frame 17. The fixed frame 17 is fixed to the frame 13 of the card reader, and forms a wall that defines the upper side of the card transport path 2. At a position facing the locking means 18 of the fixed frame 17, a hole 28 is provided as shown in FIG. A locking plate 29 is mounted on the upper surface of the fixed frame 17 so as to cover the hole 28.
Is provided with a slit 30 having a shape through which the tip of the shaft 24 and the stopper pin 25 can pass. Therefore, by rotating the shaft 24 to adjust the position of the stopper pin 25 to the shape of the slit 30, the tip of the shaft 24 is
8 or pulled out of the hole 28. Further, by rotating the shaft 24 and shifting the position of the stopper pin 25 from the slit 30, the tip of the shaft 24 inserted into the hole 28 can be prevented from falling out of the hole 28.

The pressing mechanism 6 includes, for example, the shaft 2 of the locking means 18.
4 is a coil spring disposed around the coil spring 4. The pressurizing mechanism 6 is provided in a compressed state between the knob 23 and the holder 16, and directs the holder 16 toward the card transport path 2.
That is, the opening and closing mechanism 7 is pressed in the opening and closing direction.
The pressure mechanism 6 expands and contracts according to the thickness and the shape (whether or not it is curved) of the IC card 4 handled by the card reader.

The lower side of the card transport path 2 in the image reading section 12 is defined by a transport path lower side wall 31 made of resin. The communication antenna 10 is disposed below the lower side wall 31 of the transport path. The transport path lower side wall 31, the holder 16, and the fixed frame 17 are made of resin, and a member defining the card transport path 2 in the vicinity where the communication antenna 10 is arranged is a resin molded product. In addition, the communication antenna 10
No metal parts are arranged in the vicinity of. The communication antenna 10 exchanges data with an antenna provided on the IC card 4 in a non-contact manner. In addition,
The card 4 is also provided with a contact type IC contact. The IC card 4 is also provided with a magnetic stripe.

When the pre-head 33 detects the IC card 4 inserted into the card insertion slot 32 of the card reader, the drive motor 1 rotates to drive the card transport means 3. The card conveying means 3 includes, for example, four conveying roller pairs 3
4 to 37 are provided. The rotation of the drive motor 1 is controlled by a gear 38.
, And further transmitted to the conveying roller pair 34. The rotation of the transport roller pair 34 is performed by rotating the two transport roller pairs 35 and 36.
The rotation of the transport roller pair 35 is further transmitted to the transport roller pair 37.

When the IC card 4 taken into the card reader by the card conveying means 3 is conveyed to the image reading section 12 and passes below the contact type scanner 5, the image on the surface of the IC card 4 is converted by the contact type scanner 5. Is read.

Since the contact type scanner 5 attached to the holder 16 is pressed toward the card transport path 2 by the pressing mechanism 6, the rib 22 comes into contact with the surface of the IC card 4 and comes into close contact with the IC card 4. The distance from the mold scanner 5 is kept constant. Even if the IC card 4 is curved, even if the bending of the IC card 4 is corrected by the pressing force of the pressing mechanism 6 or the bending cannot be completely corrected, the coil spring as the pressing mechanism 6 As the contact type scanner 5 retreats in accordance with the curvature of the IC card 4 due to the contraction, the distance between the IC card 4 and the contact type scanner 5 is always kept constant. For these reasons, the reading quality of the contact type scanner 5 can be improved. Further, since the contact type scanner 5 retreats in accordance with the curvature of the IC card 4, no jam occurs during conveyance even if the IC card 4 is curved.

A communication antenna 10 is disposed below the contact-type scanner 5 with the card transport path 2 interposed therebetween. The contact-type scanner 5 captures an image on the surface of the IC card 4 while the IC chip of the IC card 4 is being read. Read / write of data is performed in a non-contact manner. Since the IC card 4 is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 6, the distance between the IC card 4 and the communication antenna 10 is kept constant,
The reliability of read / write communication can be improved, and the quality of read / write can be improved.

For maintenance of the contact type scanner 5, the locking means 18 may be removed from the fixed frame 17 and the opening / closing mechanism 7 may be opened. The tip of the shaft 24 can be pulled out from the hole 28 of the fixed frame 17 by rotating the knob 23 of the locking means 18 to adjust the position of the locking pin 25 to the shape of the slit 30 of the locking plate 29. Axis 24
The opening and closing mechanism 7 is opened by pulling out the front end of the holder 16 and raising the swing frame 15 around the shaft 14, and the reading surface of the contact type scanner 5 can be turned upward to facilitate maintenance. When the tip of the shaft 24 is pulled out from the hole 28 of the fixed frame 17, the pressing force of the pressing mechanism 6 tries to pull out the shaft 24 from the hole 26.
To prevent the stopper pin 25 from entering and catching in the recess 27 provided in the shaft 27, and the shaft 24 from falling off.

After the maintenance of the contact type scanner 5, the opening / closing mechanism 7 is closed. The holder 16 and the swing frame 15 are lowered around the shaft 14, and are locked to the fixed frame 17 by locking means 18. Locking pin 2 of locking means 18
By adjusting the position of 5 to the shape of the slit 30, the shaft 24
Can be inserted into the hole 28 of the fixed frame 17. By rotating the knob 23 to shift the position of the stopper pin 25 from the slit 30, the tip of the shaft 24 does not fall out of the hole 28 of the fixed frame 17, and the holder 16 and the swing frame 15 are fixed by the locking means 18. Locked to the frame 17.

In this card reader, since the holder 16 of the opening / closing mechanism 7 is pressed by the pressing mechanism 6, the distance between the IC card 4 and the contact type scanner 5 can be kept constant, and the depth of field can be maintained. This makes it possible to use the contact type scanner 5 having a small depth. The contact type scanner 5 is smaller than the reduced optical image scanner, and can reduce the size of the card reader.

Further, since the contact type scanner 5 captures an image while correcting the curvature of the IC card 4 by the pressing mechanism 6, the reading performance is improved.

Further, even if the curvature of the IC card 4 cannot be completely corrected, the contact type scanner 5 retreats because the coil spring serving as the pressing mechanism 6 contracts.
The height of the card transport path 2 changes according to the curvature of the IC card 4, so that the transport load can be reduced and card jams can be prevented.

Further, since the contact type scanner 5 is opened and closed by the opening / closing mechanism 7, maintenance properties such as cleaning of dust and the like attached to the light emitting / receiving surface (glass) of the contact type scanner 5 are improved.

Further, since the holder 16 of the opening / closing mechanism 7 is pressed by the pressing mechanism 6 and the opening / closing direction of the opening / closing mechanism 7 and the pressing direction of the pressing mechanism 6 are matched, so to speak, Since the opening / closing mechanism 7 is also used, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed, and the production cost can be reduced.

In this card reader, the lower wall 31, the holder 16, and the fixed frame 17 of the transport path are made of resin, and the members that define the card transport path 2 near the communication antenna 10 are resin molded products. Further, no metal component is arranged near the communication antenna 10. Radio waves transmitted from the communication antenna 10 can pass through the resin member and are not greatly reduced. Therefore, the non-contact read / write performance is improved, and data read / write with the IC card 4 is reliably performed.

In this card reader, the transfer path lower side wall 31, the holder 16 and the fixed frame 17 are made of resin.
Thus, since the communication antenna 10 is installed inside the card reader, the size of the card reader can be reduced as compared with a case where the communication antenna 10 is attached as a separate unit after the image reading unit 12. That is, when a non-contact type read / write function is added to a card reader that performs reading / writing by contacting a contact, the card transport path 2 is extended to the rear of the image reading unit 12, and the communication antenna 10 By disposing the, it is possible to easily add a non-contact read / write function. However, in this case, the card reader becomes large. In the card reader of the present invention, since the card transport path 2 is not extended, the size of the card reader can be reduced.

In this card reader, a communication antenna 10 is arranged at a position facing the scanner 5 with the card transport path 2 interposed therebetween. A position facing the scanner 5 across the card transport path 2 is an empty space. That is, the communication antenna 10 is arranged using the empty space, and a non-contact read / write function can be added without increasing the size of the card reader.

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 contact type scanner is used as the scanner 5, but the present invention is not limited to the contact type scanner. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a reduced optical image scanner or the like may be used as the scanner 5. That is, the communication antenna 10 with the card transport path 2 interposed therebetween.
And a resin-molded holder 16
And a rib 22 formed on the holder 16 for holding a part other than the embossed part of the IC card 4.
The member defining the card transport path 2 in the vicinity where the communication antenna 10 is disposed is formed of resin, and the holder 16 is provided with an emboss formed on the IC card 4 being transported. A card reader to which the reduced optical scanner 5 for reading is attached may be used.

In the above description, the opening / closing mechanism 7 is connected to the shaft 14.
Is a structure that opens and closes in the vertical direction by swinging around the center, and the structure in which the holder 16 is pressed downward by the pressing mechanism 6, but is not necessarily limited to this structure. For example, the holder 16 may be moved up and down along a guide or the like (not shown) to enable maintenance, and the holder 16 may be pressed downward by the pressing mechanism 6. Further, the holder 16 may be removable.

In the above description, a compression coil spring is used as the pressurizing mechanism 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a tension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, and a leaf spring may be used. You may.

Further, in the above description, in addition to the communication antenna 10, the contact type IC contact block 8 and the magnetic head 9
Although the card reader provided with is described as an example, the present invention may be applied to a card reader not having the magnetic head 9 or a card reader not having the IC contact block 8.

[0043]

As described above, the IC according to claim 1
In the card reader, a resin-molded holder is disposed at a position facing the communication antenna with the card transport path interposed therebetween, and a rib formed on the holder and pressing a portion other than the embossed portion of the IC card; The communication antenna is arranged at a position facing the non-contact type IC card conveyed through the card conveyance path, and the card conveyance path in the vicinity where the communication antenna is arranged is provided. In addition to molding the member to be defined, the holder is equipped with a scanner for reading the emboss formed on the non-contact type IC card being conveyed, so that the communication antenna can be arranged inside the IC card reader, The size of the IC card reader can be reduced. In addition, since there is no metal component for weakening radio waves near the communication antenna, non-contact read / write performance can be improved.

Further, since the image can be read by the scanner while the curvature of the card is corrected by the pressing mechanism, the image can be read with the distance between the card and the scanner being properly set, and the image can be read. The performance can be improved. Also, since the card is transported while correcting the curvature of the card by the pressurizing mechanism,
Read / write communication can be performed in a state where the distance between the card and the communication antenna is appropriate, and the quality of read / write can be improved. Further, even if the curvature of the card cannot be completely corrected, the scanner can be released by the pressurizing mechanism, so that the card transfer load can be reduced and card jam can be prevented.

In this case, the scanner may be a contact type scanner or a reduced optical type scanner as in the IC card reader according to the second aspect. That is, a reduced optical scanner having a large depth of field can be used, and the gap between the IC card and the scanner is maintained at the height of the rib by the action of the pressing mechanism. A contact scanner with a small depth can also be used.

Further, in the IC card reader according to the third aspect, the maintenance of the scanner is facilitated because the IC card reader has the opening / closing mechanism capable of moving the holder in the direction of approaching / separating from the card transport path. In addition, the pressing direction of the pressing mechanism and the moving direction of the scanner and the pressing mechanism by the opening / closing mechanism become the same, so that the parts of the pressing mechanism and the opening / closing mechanism can be shared, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of parts and manufacturing. Costs can be reduced.

Further, in the IC card reader according to the present invention, a resin-molded holder is provided at a position facing the communication antenna with the card transport path interposed therebetween, and an embossed portion of the IC card formed on the holder. A rib that presses a part other than the communication antenna, a communication antenna disposed at a position facing the non-contact type IC card conveyed on the card conveyance path, and a member that defines the card conveyance path in the vicinity where the communication antenna is disposed And the holder is equipped with a reduced optical scanner for reading the emboss formed on the non-contact type IC card being conveyed, so that the communication antenna can be arranged inside the IC card reader,
The size of the IC card reader can be reduced. In addition, since there is no metal component for weakening radio waves near the communication antenna, non-contact read / write performance can be improved. Further, a reduction optical scanner having a large depth of field can be used as the scanner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a card reader to which the present invention is applied, viewed from a side thereof.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an enlarged image reading unit of the card reader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an image reading unit of the card reader of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing ribs provided on a holder of the card reader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a holder of the card reader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a fixed frame of the card reader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of a card reader to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the side thereof.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the card reader of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Card transport path 3 Card transport means 4 Non-contact type IC card 5 Contact type scanner 6 Pressing mechanism 7 Opening / closing mechanism 10 Communication antenna 16 Holder 22 Rib

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A non-contact type IC card has a card conveying means, a card conveying path for conveying the non-contact type IC card, and a communication antenna for exchanging signals with the non-contact type IC card. In the IC card reader, a resin-molded holder is disposed at a position facing the communication antenna with the card transport path interposed therebetween, and a rib formed on the holder and pressing a portion other than the embossed portion of the IC card. A pressure mechanism that presses the IC card through the rib, the communication antenna is disposed at a position facing the non-contact type IC card conveyed on the card conveyance path, and the communication antenna is The member that defines the card transport path in the vicinity of the arrangement is formed of resin, and the holder is provided with a non-contact type IC being transported.
An IC card reader comprising a scanner for reading an emboss formed on a card. 2. The IC card reader according to claim 1, wherein said scanner is a contact type scanner or a reduction optical type scanner. 3. The IC card reader according to claim 1, further comprising an opening / closing mechanism capable of moving the holder in a direction approaching / separating from the card transport path. 4. A card transporter for transporting a non-contact IC card, a card transport path for transporting the non-contact IC card, and a communication antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the non-contact IC card. In the IC card reader, a resin-molded holder is disposed at a position facing the communication antenna with the card transport path interposed therebetween, and a rib formed on the holder and pressing a portion other than the embossed portion of the IC card. The communication antenna is disposed at a position facing the non-contact type IC card conveyed on the card conveyance path, and a member that defines the card conveyance path in the vicinity where the communication antenna is disposed is In addition to being molded with resin, a non-contact I
An IC card reader comprising a reduced optical scanner for reading an emboss formed on a C card.