JP2005031935A - Structure of card reader housing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the structure of a card reader housing, the structure being shared by the upper housings of a stand-alone type card reader and card reader for POS in one kind of shape. <P>SOLUTION: In a card reader 1, in which the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3 are composed so that freely opened and closed by means of a hinge part 4, a card conveying mechanism for conveying a card 17 inserted from a card insertion port 18 and a card reading-and-recording mechanism are provided. A keyboard hole 2a and a window 2b for a display part are provided in the upper housing 2. For the stand-alone type card reader, an operation part is provided so that a keyboard may be exposed from the keyboard hole 2a, and for the POS system type the keyboard hole 2a is closed by a plate-shaped panel 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used for customer management, point service, medical examination tickets, etc., and is a card reader that records, reproduces, prints data, etc. on a card-like recording medium such as a magnetic card, IC card, rewrite card, and non-contact IC card. It relates to a housing structure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional card reader structure, for example, there is one disclosed in (Patent Document 1). The structure will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0003]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of a conventional stand-alone card reader, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conventional card reader with the upper housing opened.
[0004]
4 and 5, reference numeral 111 denotes a card reader main body. The main body 111 is divided into an upper housing 112 and a lower housing 113, and the upper housing 112 and the lower housing 113 are connected by a coupling means such as a hinge. It is pivotally attached.
[0005]
The display unit 114 displays at least one of current time, processing command, predetermined character, password, ID number, and the like. The display unit 114 is provided on an inclined table 115 that is inclined so that the display can be easily seen from the card insertion side.
[0006]
Reference numeral 116 denotes an input unit that is provided in the upper casing 112 and includes a keyboard for inputting predetermined data and the like.
[0007]
Reference numeral 120 denotes a slider of locking means for locking the upper casing 112 and the lower casing 113 to each other. The locking mechanism is released by moving the slider 120 in the direction of the arrow, and the upper casing 112 and the lower casing 113 are rotated. The card transport path can be opened by making it movable.
[0008]
Reference numeral 121 denotes a power switch of the main body 111 provided in the lower casing 113, and the power switch 121 is generally connected to a power circuit provided in the lower casing 113.
[0009]
Reference numeral 122 denotes a card insertion slot for inserting a card.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the upper housing 112 and the lower housing 113 are rotated around the rotation shaft to open the inside of the apparatus 111, a card transport path 123 connected to the card insertion slot 122 is provided inside the main body 111. Can be exposed. At this time, the card transport path 123 is provided in at least one of the upper casing 112 and the lower casing 113 or is formed between the upper casing 112 and the lower casing 113. In the case of this example, a card transport path 123 is provided in the upper housing 112, and the card transport path 123 is exposed.
[0011]
The lower casing 113 is provided with driving rollers 124, 125, and 126 that are driven by driving means such as a motor (not shown) to move the inserted card in the card transport path 123. The driven rollers 127, 128, and 129 provided in the upper housing 112 are opposed to the 125 and 126. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 122 is sandwiched between the drive rollers 124, 125, 126 and the driven rollers 127, 128, 129 and moves in the card transport path 123.
[0012]
Reference numeral 130 denotes a magnetic head provided in the lower housing 113, and a driven roller 131 provided in the upper housing 112 is opposed to the magnetic head 130. The driven roller 131 has a magnetic stripe portion of the card facing the magnetic head 130. Closely, at least one of data recording and reproduction is prevented from causing a problem.
[0013]
Reference numerals 132 and 133 denote an image erasing head and an image printing head, respectively. Platen rollers 134 and 135 driven by a driving unit are opposed to the erasing head 132 and the printing head 133, respectively.
[0014]
A card used in the configuration of the card reader described above is a type in which a magnetic stripe and a printing unit are provided. As the printing portion, a rewritable layer in which crystals are dispersed in a resin or a leuco dye is used. Since the printing portion using these thermoreversible materials develops color at a predetermined temperature or higher and is decolored if the specific temperature range is maintained to some extent, the image of the printing portion is erased by the erasing head 132 as described above. And an image is formed by the print head 133.
[0015]
The above configuration is generally a stand-alone card reader that is not connected to the host computer, but there is also a type that is connected to the POS and transmits / receives information to / from the host computer.
[0016]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a card reader used in a conventional POS system. As you can see from this appearance. The POS system compatible card reader 141 includes an upper housing 142 and a lower housing 143. On the upper surface of the upper housing 142, a display panel provided with a power lamp 144, a ready lamp 145, and a seven segment 146 is provided. A switch 147, a slider 148 that locks the upper casing 142 and the lower casing 143 in a closed state, and a card insertion slot 149 are provided.
[0017]
When the card is inserted from the card insertion slot 149, information such as a customer code recorded on the card is sent to the host computer, and necessary data relating to the customer is recorded on the card.
[0018]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-48142 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the card reader type includes the stand-alone type card reader shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the card reader used in the POS system shown in FIG. The recording mechanism is almost the same as the mechanism shown in FIG. 5, and the difference is whether data is input from the keyboard or a signal from the host computer is used.
[0020]
However, conventionally, even when the same transport mechanism and recording mechanism are used, even though the lower housing can be shared, the shape of the upper housing is different between the stand-alone type and the POS, so Two types of molds had to be created. Therefore, the cost of the mold is increased, and it is necessary to stock two types of upper casings.
[0021]
An object of the present invention is to provide a card reader casing structure that can share the upper casing of two types of card readers for the stand-alone type and the POS in one type.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the case of the card reader casing of the present invention, a keyboard hole and a display window are opened in the upper casing, and when used as a stand-alone card reader, a keyboard is attached to the keyboard hole and used for the POS system. In this case, the keyboard hole is closed with a panel, and a display panel corresponding to each type is attached to the display window.
[0023]
According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a card reader housing structure in which the upper housing of two types of card readers for the stand-alone type and the POS can be shared in one type.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper housing and the lower housing are configured to be openable and closable by the rear hinge, and the card inserted into the upper housing and the lower housing through the card insertion slot. In a card reader equipped with a card transport mechanism and a card reading and recording mechanism, a keyboard hole and a display window are opened in the upper housing, and in the case of a stand-alone card reader specification, the keyboard is exposed from the keyboard hole. A display panel is attached to the display window, and the keyboard hole is closed with a plate-like panel and the display panel is attached to the display window when the POS system is used. It is a card reader housing structure, and it uses a plate-like panel to close the keyboard hole or attach a keyboard according to the type. By Unisuru has the effect that the same ones as the mold of the upper housing.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 2 is a card reader case structure including an upper case and a lower case, and a card processing mechanism is disposed inside the upper case and the lower case, wherein the upper case The card reader has a stepped portion on the body surface, a through hole is formed in the stepped portion, and a plate-like panel that covers the stepped portion is provided. The upper case of different types of card readers can be shared by forming a part and a through hole, and the inside of the card reader can be protected by the plate-like panel and the strength of the case can be maintained. And it is not necessary to create a mold for each type.
[0026]
The invention according to claim 3 is the card reader casing structure according to claim 2, wherein the casing structure is used for a POS system specification card reader, and the keyboard is not required. When the card reader is used, the inside of the card reader can be protected, the strength of the housing can be maintained, and the surface of the upper housing can be flattened, which is convenient.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 4 is the card reader casing structure according to claim 2, wherein the plate-like panel is provided with a through hole substantially coinciding with the through hole formed in the stepped-down portion. Thus, the strength of the casing can be maintained and the buttons of the keyboard can be inserted into the through holes.
[0028]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the card reader according to the fourth aspect, wherein the button of the keyboard is inserted into the through hole formed in the stepped portion and the through hole formed in the plate-like panel. The housing structure can be used for a stand-alone card reader.
[0029]
The invention according to claim 6 is the card reader case structure according to claim 5, wherein the case structure is used for a stand-alone type card reader. The housing can be shared.
[0030]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a housing structure of a card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a card reader 1 is composed of an upper housing 2 and a lower housing 3, and the upper housing. 2 and the lower housing 3 can be freely opened and closed by a hinge portion 4 and can be held closed by a slider 5 on a side portion.
[0032]
A keyboard hole 2a is opened in the upper casing 2, and a display window 2b is opened.
[0033]
The keyboard hole 2a uses the same panel as the mold of the upper housing 2 by using a plate-like panel 6 for closing the keyboard hole 2a according to the type of the card reader, or by attaching a keyboard. can do. In addition, a transparent decorative panel 7 is attached to the display window 2b, and a liquid crystal display panel is arranged from the inside, or a display unit 8 equipped with the illustrated seven segments (for simple message display) and a power lamp is arranged. Thus, it can be applied as a stand-alone card reader and a card reader for a POS system.
[0034]
The internal structure of FIG. 1 will be described. An upper housing 10 and a lower housing 11 are provided inside the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3, and can be opened and closed together with the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3. A locking claw 12 is provided in front of the upper housing 10 and engages with a lock pin 13 provided on the lower housing 11. The locking claw 12 can be unlocked in conjunction with the slider 5.
[0035]
A first control board 14 is attached to the upper housing 10, and a second control board 15 is attached to the lower housing 11. A power supply unit 16 is provided at the bottom of the lower housing 3.
[0036]
The card 17 is inserted into the card through the card insertion slot 18, and the both sides are guided into the guide groove 19 and are carried in and out. The card transport mechanism is transported by the drive rollers 20 and 21 and the pressure rollers 22 and 23, and magnetic information is read and recorded by the magnetic head 24 when passing between the magnetic head 24 and the magnetic head pressure roller 25. . Behind the magnetic head 24 is an erasing / printing head 27 that is driven up and down by a cam 26 to erase characters and figures recorded on a card passing between the platen 28 and new characters and figures. Write. The leading end of the card is sandwiched between a driving roller 32 and a pressing roller 33 driven by a driving motor 29, a driven gear 30, and a driving gear 31, and is driven to reciprocate.
[0037]
These card transport mechanisms operate when a sensor (not shown) detects a card, and information is read and recorded in a predetermined process.
[0038]
As described above, the card transport mechanism includes, for example, a motor, a gear, a roller, a pulley, a belt, or the like, and has a function of transporting a card. Further, as a card recording mechanism, a magnetic head for reading or recording on a magnetic recording layer of a card represented by a magnetic stripe, a mechanism for reading or recording on an IC card, a thermoreversibility of the card. A thermal head or the like that performs printing or erasing on a printing unit using a material, and has a function of performing recording or reproduction on a card. The card processing mechanism means a card transport mechanism and / or a card recording mechanism.
[0039]
Next, an assembly process diagram when the upper casing of the present invention is applied as a card reader for a POS system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0040]
In the card reader for the POS system, the information to be recorded is transmitted from the host computer to the card reader 1 through a communication cable (not shown), so that the keyboard is not used. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, the keyboard hole 2 a of the upper housing 2 is closed with a plate-like panel 6. Here, the surface of the upper housing 2 on which the keyboard hole 2a is formed is provided with a step around the plate-like panel 6 so that the plate-like panel 6 is attached. Has become a department.
[0041]
Moreover, as a material of the plate-like panel 6, a polycarbonate which is general as a sheet material and excellent in impact resistance can be used. The plate-like panel 6 can be easily manufactured by cutting the sheet material into a predetermined dimension by press working or the like.
[0042]
FIG. 2B shows a state where the plate-like panel 6 is pasted on the keyboard hole 2a.
[0043]
Note that a display unit for a POS system, such as a power lamp, a ready lamp, and seven segments, is attached to the display unit window 2b.
[0044]
Next, an assembly process diagram when the upper housing of the present invention is applied as a stand-alone card reader will be described with reference to FIG.
[0045]
A keyboard 34 of a keyboard unit (not shown) connected to the first control board 14 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the keyboard hole 2a of the upper housing 2 so as to protrude. As described above, the surface on which the keyboard hole 2a is formed is a stepped portion having a step which is lowered by the amount of the plate-like panel 6 for attaching the plate-like panel 6 for the POS system. As shown in FIG. 3A, a panel 35 in which the same hole as the keyboard hole 2a is punched is attached to improve the appearance and prevent the surface of the upper housing 2 from being soiled with hand dust or oil. An LCD (liquid crystal display) panel 36 is attached to the display portion window 2b.
[0046]
The assembled state is shown in FIG.
[0047]
As described above, the same upper housing 2 can be assembled as a stand-alone card reader or a card reader for a POS system.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a keyboard hole and a display window are opened in the upper housing, and when used as a stand-alone card reader, a keyboard is attached to the keyboard hole and used as a POS system. The keyboard hole is closed with a panel, and the display window is fitted with a display panel according to each type, so there is one type of upper case for both the stand-alone type and the POS card reader. Can be shared in any shape.
[0049]
For this reason, the cost of the mold can be reduced, and it is not necessary to always have two types of upper casings in stock, so that any type of order can be dealt with immediately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a case structure of a card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an assembly process diagram when the upper case of the present invention is applied as a card reader for a POS system. 3 is an assembly process diagram when the upper casing of the present invention is applied as a stand-alone card reader. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of a conventional stand-alone card reader. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a card reader used in a conventional POS system.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card reader 2 Upper housing | casing 2a Keyboard hole 2b Display part window 3 Lower housing | casing 4 Hinge part 5 Slider 6 Plate-like panel 7 Cosmetic panel 8 Display unit 10 Upper housing 11 Lower housing 12 Locking claw 13 Lock pin 14 1st Control board 15 second control board 16 power supply unit 17 card 18 card insertion slot 19 guide grooves 20, 21 driving rollers 22, 23 pressing roller 24 magnetic head 25 magnetic head pressing roller 26 cam 27 erasing / printing head 28 platen 29 driving Motor 30 Driven gear 31 Drive gear 32 Drive roller 33 Press roller 34 Keyboard 35 Panel 36 LCD panel

Claims (6)

The upper housing and the lower housing are configured to be openable and closable by a rear hinge, and a card transport mechanism and a card reading and recording mechanism inserted through a card insertion slot are provided inside the upper housing and the lower housing. Card reader
Open the keyboard hole and the display window in the upper housing,
When the stand-alone card reader specification is used, the operation unit is attached so that the keyboard is exposed from the keyboard hole, and the display panel is attached to the display unit window,
A card reader casing structure in which the keyboard hole is closed with a plate-like panel when the POS system is used, and the display panel is attached to the display unit window. A card reader case structure comprising an upper case and a lower case, wherein a card processing mechanism is disposed inside the upper case and the lower case,
A card reader casing structure comprising a stepped portion on a surface of the upper casing, wherein the stepped portion is provided with a through-hole and a plate-like panel covering the stepped portion. . 3. The card reader casing structure according to claim 2, wherein the casing structure is used for a POS system specification card reader. 3. The card reader casing structure according to claim 2, wherein the plate-like panel is provided with a through hole substantially matching a through hole formed in the stepped-down portion. 5. The card reader casing structure according to claim 4, wherein a button of a keyboard is inserted into a through hole formed in the stepped portion and a through hole formed in the plate-like panel. 6. The card reader casing structure according to claim 5, wherein the casing structure is used for a stand-alone card reader.

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