JP2005215938A - Card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distinguish the kind of a card on the basis of magnetism or a signal of the card to control a magnetic head. <P>SOLUTION: When the card 1 partway passes magnetic reading parts 6a, 6b, a card detection part 9 decides whether magnetic information is detected or not. At that time, when the card 1 is a magnetic card, the information of the card 1 is successively read by the magnetic reading parts 6a, 6b. When the card 1 is an IC card, information about it is transmitted to a control means 8, magnetic reading part moving means 7a, 7b are carried with electricity, the magnetic reading parts 6a, 6b are moved in a direction separating from a card passage 4, and the magnetic reading parts 6a, 6b are brought into a non-contact state with the card 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a card reader.

  Conventionally, a card reader capable of using both a magnetic card and an IC card has a magnetic head for reading information written on the magnetic card, and an IC contact for reading information written on the IC card. The card information was being read.

  However, in such a structure, when the card passed through the card reader is an IC card, there is a problem that the card is worn by the magnetic head.

  In order to avoid this problem, the type of card is detected and the magnetic head is controlled to prevent wear (for example, Patent Document 1).

  A conventional card reader will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B.

  FIG. 9 shows a card reader / writer that can handle the two types of cards 50a and 50b shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). The card shown in FIG. 10 (a) is an IC card with a magnetic stripe. The card shown in 50a and FIG. 10 (b) is a magnetic stripe card 50b.

  Of course, a magnetic stripe M2 is formed on the magnetic stripe card 50b, but an extremely short magnetic stripe M1 is also formed on the IC card 50a with a magnetic stripe.

  In FIG. 9, in the vicinity of the card insertion slot 51, a detection head 52 for detecting the recording section lengths L1 and L2 of the magnetic stripes M1 and M2 of the inserted cards 50a and 50b is provided.

  A card information recording / reproducing magnetic head 55 is disposed at the upper part of the card transport system 53 with the card running surface 54 interposed therebetween, and a pressing roller 56 is disposed at the lower part.

  The magnetic head 55 is connected to a solenoid 57 and is provided in the vicinity of the card running surface 54 and can move to a place where the card does not contact. The direction is a direction perpendicular to the card running surface 54 and away from the running surface.

This movement is performed according to the lengths of the recording sections L1 and L2 of the magnetic stripes M1 and M2 read by the detection head 52. When the recording section length is L1, that is, the inserted card is an IC card 50a with a magnetic stripe. If the magnetic head 55 is identified as the magnetic stripe card 50b, the magnetic head 55 moves close to the card running surface 54.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-119887

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, since the detection head identifies the type of card according to the length of the read section of the magnetic stripe read, the magnetic stripe must also be formed on the IC card. In order to determine the type of card, there is a problem that a special card having such a magnetic stripe must be prepared.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and has an object to discriminate a card type based on the magnetism or signal of the card and control the magnetic head.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a magnetic reader, magnetic reader moving means for moving the magnetic reader in a direction substantially perpendicular to the card path, and a card inserted into the card reader. And a card detection unit for detecting the card.

  With this structure, the type of card inserted into the card reader can be determined, and the magnetic head can be controlled.

  The card reader of the present invention can discriminate the type of card, thereby controlling the magnetic head and preventing the card from being worn by the magnetic head.

  An embodiment of the present invention includes a card reader body, a card insertion portion provided in the card reader body, a card path provided in the card reader body, and card information reading provided in the vicinity of the card path. A card information reading unit moving means for moving the card information reading unit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the card path, and a card detection unit for detecting that a card has been inserted into the card reader body. As a result, the type of the card can be discriminated, and wear of the card by the card information reading unit can be prevented.

  The card information reading unit is a contact type detection unit that reads information on the magnetic card and is located in a state protruding from the card path and detects magnetism by contacting the magnetic part of the card. Can read the information.

  In addition, after the card detection unit detects the insertion of the card, when the card information reading unit has not read the magnetic information, the card information reading unit is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the card path by the card information reading unit moving means. It is possible to prevent the card from being worn.

  Further, by including a detection unit provided closer to the card insertion unit than the card information reading unit, and a card detection unit provided at a position between the detection unit and the card information reading unit, the type of card Can be detected quickly, and card wear can be further prevented.

  When the card inserted by detecting the magnetic or IC information by the detection unit is a magnetic card, the card can be detected quickly and the card information reading unit can be controlled.

  In addition, by providing an external device for inputting the card type outside in order to determine the type of card to be inserted, the card type can be determined in advance, and wear of the card can be reliably prevented.

  In addition, by providing a card type input unit for determining the type of card to be inserted, the type of card can be determined in advance, and wear of the card can be reliably prevented.

  Furthermore, a shutter means for restricting card insertion is provided in the vicinity of the card insertion slot. When no card designation information is input, the card cannot be inserted by the shutter means, so that the card can be worn more reliably. Can be prevented.

  The card detection unit can detect whether or not the card is inserted by detecting that the card is in contact with the card detection unit, and can more accurately determine the type of the card.

(Example 1)
In FIG. 1, a card 1 is a magnetic card or an IC card.

  The card reader main body 2 (hereinafter referred to as the main body 2) is provided with an insertion portion 3 for inserting the card 1 into the main body 2. The card 1 inserted into the main body 2 from the insertion portion 3 It passes through a card passage 4 provided inside.

  Further, in the vicinity of the card passage 4, when the card 1 is an IC card, an IC contact 5 for reading the information, and when the card 1 is a magnetic card, as a card information reading unit for reading the information. Magnetic reading units 6a and 6b are provided. The magnetic reading portions 6 a and 6 b are provided in a state protruding from the card passage 4.

  Further, the magnetic reading units 6 a and 6 b are provided with magnetic reading unit moving means 7 a and 7 b as card information reading unit moving means that moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the card path 4.

  In addition, a control unit 8 is provided for obtaining signals from the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b and controlling the magnetic reading unit moving units 7a and 7b.

  Further, card detecting means 9 for detecting that the card 1 is inserted into the main body 2 and reaches a certain point of the card passage 4 is also provided.

  The general operation of the card reader configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the card 1 is inserted into the main body 2 (step 1). After the card 1 has passed through the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b to some extent and the card detection means 9 detects that the card has passed through the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b (step 2), the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b receive magnetic information. Is detected (step 3).

  At this time, if the card 1 is a magnetic card (Yes in step 3), the information of the card 1 is read by the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b (step 4).

  If the card 1 is an IC card (No in step 3), this information is transmitted to the control means 8 (step 5), where the magnetic reading unit moving means 7a and 7b are energized (step 6). . Therefore, the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b are moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the card path 4 and away from the card path 4 (step 7), and the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b do not contact the card 1. Like that.

  In this way, when the card 1 is not a magnetic card, it is possible to prevent the card from being worn by the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b.

  Next, each part which comprises a card reader is explained in full detail.

  When the card 1 inserted into the main body 2 of the card reader is a magnetic card, information on the card is read by the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b. The magnetic reading units 6a and 6b include, for example, GMR (Giant). A Magneto-Resistance head is used. MR (Magneto-Resistance) is a property that electrical resistance changes when affected by magnetism.

  By utilizing the properties of this GMR head, the magnetic direction of the card surface can be detected as a change in electrical resistance. In other words, if a current is passed through the GMR head in advance, the voltage between the GMR heads changes due to the change in electrical resistance due to magnetism on the card surface, so that data on the card can be detected.

  The control unit 8 accesses the memory 10 to determine the presence or absence of information, and thereby controls the movement of the magnetic reading unit moving units 7a and 7b.

  The card detection means 9 may be a contact type method for directly detecting the card 1 or a non-contact type method for detecting the card 1 based on information (such as magnetism) of the card 1.

  Data read by the magnetic reading units 6 a and 6 b is stored in the memory 10.

  When it is confirmed that there is no information in the memory 10, the control means 8 sends a signal to the magnetic reading part moving means 7a, 7b as described above, thereby moving the magnetic reading parts 6a, 6b from the card path 4. The magnetic reading units 6a and 6b are moved away from the card 1 so as not to contact the card 1.

  Thereby, when the card | curd 1 is not a magnetic card | curd, the abrasion by the magnetic reading parts 6a and 6b can be prevented.

  Further, when the card detection means 9 is also a contact type, it is controlled by this control means 8.

  In addition, the magnetic reading parts 6a and 6b are arrange | positioned in the position which does not protrude in the card | curd channel | path 4, and when the card | curd 1 is a magnetic card, it moves to the position which contacts a card | curd, and the method of reading card | curd information is also considered.

  The card reader configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to an automatic card reader that inserts the card to a certain extent and then pulls the card into the interior by a motor provided in the main body 2 to prevent wear of the card. It is considered possible.

(Example 2)
In FIG. 2, magnetic detection units 11 a and 11 b as detection units and card detection means 9 are arranged in this order from the side closer to the insertion unit 3 between the insertion unit 3 and the magnetic reading units 6 a and 6 b.

  In FIG. 6, the general operation is described. The card 1 is inserted from the insertion section 3 to the card reader body 2 to some extent (step 1), and the card detecting means 9 detects the presence of the card 1 (step 2). ), It is checked whether or not magnetism is detected by the magnetic detectors 11a and 11b (step 3). If magnetism is detected in step 3 (Yes), it is converted into, for example, an electric signal or the like and sent to the control means 8. When this signal is present, the control means 8 determines that the inserted card 1 is a magnetic card and does not move the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b as it is, but reads the information on the card 1 by the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b. (Step 4).

  On the other hand, if magnetism is not detected and the signal is not sent to the control means 8 (No in step 3), the control means 8 determines that the card 1 is an IC card (not a magnetic card), and magnetic reading unit moving means 7a. 7b (step 5), thereby energizing the magnetic reading unit moving means 7a, 7b (step 6), and moving the magnetic reading units 6a, 6b away from the card path 4 (step 7). ) So that the magnetic reading units 6 a and 6 b do not contact the card 1. Thereby, wear of the card can be prevented.

  Moreover, when the magnetic detection parts 11a and 11b are contact types, they are controlled by the control means 8.

  Other details in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The magnetic detection units 11a and 11b may be IC information detection units that read IC information.

(Example 3)
FIG. 3 shows an external device 12 for inputting the type of the card 1 outside.

  When the card 1 is a contact IC card by the external device 12, the signal (for example, 001 for a magnetic card, 010 for a contact IC card, 011 for a non-contact IC card, etc.) Is transmitted to the card type input unit 13 provided in the.

  Thereafter, when this signal is transmitted to the control means 8 and a card type other than the magnetic card is input, the magnetic reading sections 6a and 6b are moved to a position where they do not contact the card 1 by the magnetic reading section moving means 7a and 7b. Wear caused by the magnetic reading portions 6a and 6b when the inserted and inserted card 1 is not a magnetic card can be prevented.

  Further, using FIG. 7, the type of the card 1 is input by the external device 12 (step 1). When the card 1 is a magnetic card in Step 2 (Yes in Step 2), the information of the card 1 is read by the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b (Step 3).

  If the card 1 is a non-contact type IC card (No in step 2), this information is transmitted to the control means 8 (step 4), where the magnetic reading unit moving means 7a and 7b are energized. (Step 5). Therefore, the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b are moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the card path 4 and away from the card path 4 (step 6), and the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b do not contact the card 1. Like that. In addition, the detailed operation in this embodiment conforms to the above embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the external device 12 for discriminating the type of card installed outside may be provided at an appropriate portion somewhere outside the card reader body.

Example 4
In FIG. 4, the shutter means 14 is provided in the insertion part 3 of the card reader in the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, there was an input other than a card specified in advance (for example, an input other than 001 for a magnetic card, 010 for a contact IC card, 011 for a non-contact IC card, etc.). In the case (step 11), the shutter unit 14 is not opened, and the shutter unit 14 is opened only when there is an appropriate input (step 12), and the subsequent flow is the same as in FIG. Other details and the processing method of the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

(Example 5)
Assuming the following situation, it is possible to form a card reader that performs more strict control by combining the configurations of the card readers of the above embodiments.

  When an input that matches the card specified in advance is made, the shutter opens.

  If the input card type is a magnetic card but the user accidentally inserts a card other than the magnetic card, the magnetic readers 6a and 6b will wear the card. There is a fear.

  Under such circumstances, a card reader using the configuration of the second embodiment is conceivable as the fourth embodiment in order to solve these problems and perform control more strictly.

  Roughly explaining this operation, it is assumed that there is an appropriate input by the external device 12, the shutter means 14 is opened, and the input indicates a magnetic card.

  In this case, since the control unit 8 determines that the magnetic card is used, the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b are not moved to read the information on the card and remain as they are.

  At this time, even if the card 1 is a card other than a magnetic card, if the magnetism detection units 11a and 11b cannot detect magnetism, the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b are moved, and the magnetic reading units 6a and 6b are moved to the card. Do not touch 1

  Thereby, even when another card different from the card entered by mistake is inserted into the card reader, the wear of the card 1 can be prevented.

  As described above, the card reader according to the present invention can prevent wear due to the magnetic contact portion of the card by the card information reading unit, the card information reading unit moving means, and the card detection unit, such as a bank, a restaurant, etc. Such an IC card and a magnetic card are considered to be suitable for use.

1 is a block diagram of a card reader shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Configuration diagram of a card reader shown in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Configuration diagram of a card reader shown in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Configuration of a card reader shown in Embodiment 4 of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the card reader shown in Example 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the card reader shown in Example 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the card reader shown in Example 3 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the card reader shown in Example 4 of this invention. Configuration of conventional card reader Plan view of conventional card

Explanation of symbols

2 Card reader body 3 Insertion section 4 Card passage 6a, 6b Magnetic reading section (card information reading section)
7a, 7b Magnetic reading part moving means (card information reading part moving means)
9 Card detection means 11a, 11b Magnetic detection part (detection part)
12 External device 13 Card type input unit 14 Shutter means

Claims (10)

A card reader main body; a card insertion portion provided in the card reader main body; a card passage provided in the card reader main body; a card information reading portion provided in the vicinity of the card passage; and the card information reading portion. Card information reading unit moving means that moves as it moves toward and away from the card path, and a card detection unit that detects the type of the card inserted into the card reader body, the card depending on the type of card A card reader, characterized in that the information reading unit is moved as it approaches and separates from the card path. 2. The contact information detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the card information reading unit is a contact-type detection unit that reads information on the magnetic card, is positioned in a state of projecting into the card path, and detects magnetism by contacting a magnetic part of the card. Card reader. After the card detection unit detects the insertion of the card, if the card information reading unit has not read the magnetic information, the card information reading unit is moved away from the card path by the card information reading unit moving means. The card reader according to claim 2 which was made. 4. The card reader according to claim 3, further comprising: a detection unit provided closer to the card insertion unit than the card information reading unit; and a card detection unit provided at a position between the detection unit and the card information reading unit. . The card reader according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects magnetism. The card reader according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects information of the IC. 7. A card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an external device for inputting the card type is provided outside in order to determine the type of card to be inserted. 7. The card reader according to 1 to 6, wherein a card type input unit for determining the type of a card to be inserted is provided in advance. 9. The card reader according to claim 7, further comprising shutter means for restricting card insertion in the vicinity of the card insertion slot, so that the card cannot be inserted by the shutter means when no card designation information is input. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the card detection unit detects that a card is in contact with the card detection unit.

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