JP2007041689A - Recording medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a magnetic head from being partially worn out in a system where the width of a magnetic stripe is narrower than the write track width of a magnetic head. <P>SOLUTION: This recording medium processor is provided width a magnetic head 20 for operating the reading/writing of magnetic data in a band-shaped magnetic stripe 6 provided in a recording medium 8, a head sliding mechanism(guide cover 42, a feeding screw 44 and a magnetic head driving motor 46 or the like) for making the magnetic stripe 6 and the magnetic head 20 relatively slide in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 6 and a sliding position setting mechanism(conveyance roller 16, a feeding motor 34 or the like) for displacing the magnetic head 20 or the recording medium 8 to the width direction of the magnetic stripe 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium processing device (such as a card reader) that processes magnetic data of a magnetic stripe provided on a recording medium such as a bankbook or a savings passbook, and more particularly to a magnetic stripe and a magnetic provided on a recording medium. The present invention relates to a recording medium processing apparatus capable of changing a sliding position relative to a head.

  For example, in a recording medium processing apparatus (passbook reader) that reads / writes magnetic data for a strip-shaped magnetic stripe provided in a bankbook or savings bankbook, there is a system in which the magnetic stripe width is narrower than the write track width of the magnetic head. Are known. In such a system, if the relative sliding position between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe is set to be constant, the magnetic head surface that slides on the magnetic stripe is worn only at the contact portion. The phenomenon that occurs.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a worn state of the magnetic head in the conventional system. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic stripe 6 provided on the recording medium 8, FIG. 6B is a front view of the magnetic head 220 viewed from the side in contact with the magnetic stripe 6, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the magnetic head 220. As shown in FIG. 6A, a recording medium 8 which is a bankbook such as a bankbook or a bankbook is usually provided with a strip-shaped magnetic stripe 6 having a thickness (T) of about 20 μm. As shown in FIG. 6B, the shape of the magnetic head 220 is a gentle convex shape, and a head for writing information to the magnetic stripe 6 and reading information from the magnetic stripe 6 at the center of the magnetic head 220. There is a gap 221. The portion where the head gap 221 is formed is the most protruding portion.

  The magnetic head 220 is a “wide write / narrow read head” in which writing is performed on the entire surface of the head gap 221 and information is read by the reading portion 220 a of the head gap 221. In the conventional system, since the magnetic head 220 and the magnetic stripe 6 are always in sliding contact at the same position, only the contact portion of the magnetic head 220 is selectively worn, and stepped uneven wear 219 occurs. It was. In the present application, “selectively wear” means that only the same portion is worn due to a predetermined positional relationship between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe.

  Due to the uneven wear of the magnetic head described above, a spacing (gap) is generated between the wear surface of the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe, and as a result, a data error is likely to occur when reading / writing magnetic data with respect to the magnetic stripe. There was a bug.

  Particularly in recent years, the coercive force of magnetic stripes, which was conventionally about 300 to 650 oersteds, has been improved to about 2750 oersteds with the technical development of magnetic materials. Such an increase in coercive force can prevent destruction of magnetic stripe data due to an external magnetic field or the like, but it is necessary to increase the applied magnetic field when writing magnetic data. However, if the magnetic stripe and the magnetic head are spaced due to stepped wear or uneven wear of the magnetic head, there may be a problem that the magnetic data cannot be written or read normally.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its object is to prevent a stepped wear and uneven wear of a magnetic head and to prevent a spacing between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe from occurring. It is to provide a processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention includes a magnetic head for reading / writing magnetic data with respect to a strip-shaped magnetic stripe provided on a recording medium, and the magnetic stripe in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe. A magnetic head sliding mechanism for relatively sliding the magnetic head, and a sliding position setting mechanism for displacing the magnetic head or the recording medium in the width direction of the magnetic stripe.

  According to the present invention, since the slide position setting mechanism for displacing the magnetic head or the recording medium in the width direction of the magnetic stripe is provided, the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe do not contact at the same position. As a result, the magnetic head is not selectively worn, and more uniform magnetic head wear can be realized. According to the present invention, since no spacing occurs between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe, no data error occurs when reading / writing magnetic data to / from the magnetic stripe, and reading / writing of magnetic data is stabilized. Can be done. This is particularly effective for a magnetic stripe having a high coercive force.

  In the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the sliding position setting mechanism moves the magnetic head or the recording medium in the width direction of the magnetic stripe every time the magnetic data is read / written by the magnetic head a predetermined number of times. Displaced.

  According to the present invention, since the magnetic head or the recording medium is displaced every time the magnetic data is read / written a predetermined number of times, the magnetic head is not selectively worn, and more uniform magnetic head wear is realized. can do.

  In the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the sliding position setting mechanism may randomly or pseudo-randomly move the magnetic head in the width direction of the magnetic stripe every time the magnetic data is read / written by the magnetic head. Alternatively, the recording medium is displaced.

  According to the present invention, since the displacement of the magnetic head or the recording medium is performed randomly or pseudo-randomly every time the magnetic data is read / written, the sliding position of the magnetic head with respect to the magnetic stripe is averagely dispersed. The magnetic head is not selectively worn, and more uniform magnetic head wear can be realized.

  In the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, (1) the recording medium is transported in the direction from the recording medium inlet to the back side of the recording medium processing apparatus or in the opposite direction, and the transport direction is the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe. May be configured so that the recording medium conveyance mechanism also serves as the sliding position setting mechanism, or (2) a direction from the recording medium inlet toward the back side of the recording medium processing apparatus Alternatively, the recording medium is transported in the opposite direction, and the recording medium transporting mechanism has the same transporting direction as the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe, and the recording medium transporting mechanism also serves as the magnetic head sliding mechanism. May be.

  Among the inventions, the invention (1) is a case where the transport direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe, and the invention (2) is the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe. According to the former (1), since the recording medium transport mechanism also serves as the sliding position setting mechanism, the stepping wear of the magnetic head can be reduced without providing a new sliding position setting mechanism in addition to the recording medium transport mechanism. Uneven wear can be reduced. According to the latter (2), since the recording medium transport mechanism also serves as a magnetic head sliding mechanism, the magnetic stripe is read and the magnetic head is relatively slid by the recording medium transport mechanism. A write operation can be performed.

  In the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, at least one of the information on the number of times of reading / writing magnetic data by the magnetic head, the number of times of insertion of the recording medium, and the date / time information of insertion of the recording medium is included. Accordingly, a sliding position change instructing unit for instructing displacement of the magnetic head or the recording medium is provided.

  According to the present invention, since the sliding position change instructing means for instructing the displacement of the magnetic head or the recording medium in accordance with each information is provided, uniform and stable wear without variations can be given to the magnetic head. As a result, since no spacing occurs between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe, no data error occurs when reading / writing magnetic data with respect to the magnetic stripe, and magnetic data can be read / written stably. it can.

  According to the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording medium processing apparatus that prevents stepping wear and uneven wear of the magnetic head and does not cause spacing between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe. As a result, the life of the magnetic head can be greatly extended, and magnetic data can be read and written more reliably. Further, according to the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium processing apparatus can be miniaturized by using the recording medium transport mechanism also as the sliding position setting mechanism or the magnetic head sliding mechanism, and the recording medium processing can be performed at low cost. An apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

  The recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention includes a magnetic head that reads / writes magnetic data to / from a strip-shaped magnetic stripe provided on the recording medium, and relatively slides the magnetic stripe and the magnetic head in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe. The magnetic head sliding mechanism to be moved and the sliding position setting mechanism to displace the magnetic head or the recording medium in the width direction of the magnetic stripe are characterized. Such a recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention includes a recording medium conveying mechanism that conveys the recording medium in the direction from the recording medium inlet to the inner side of the recording medium processing apparatus or in the opposite direction. It is roughly divided into the following two embodiments according to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The recording medium processing apparatus according to the first embodiment is a case in which the transport direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped magnetic stripe, and the recording medium processing apparatus according to the second embodiment has a strip-shaped transport direction. This is the same case as the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe. In the present application, “read / write” means read and / or write.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a recording medium processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this recording medium processing apparatus 10, when a user inserts a recording medium 8 such as a deposit passbook or a savings passbook into the recording medium inlet 14, the recording medium 8 is magnetic data along the conveyance path 12 of the recording medium processing apparatus 10. The identification information recorded on the magnetic stripe 6 provided on the recording medium 8 is read at the reading / writing position, and processing such as payment of money, deposit, transfer, and bookkeeping is performed. This unit is a unit having a function of being performed and discharging the recording medium 8 from the recording medium inlet 14 and returning it to the user when each process is completed. In the first embodiment, the conveyance direction of the recording medium 8 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped magnetic stripe.

  In the recording medium processing apparatus 10, a recording medium inlet 14 into which a recording medium 8 having a strip-like magnetic stripe 6 such as a bankbook or a savings bankbook is inserted, and the inserted recording medium 8 along the conveyance path 12 are inserted. A conveying roller 16 for conveying, a photo sensor 18 for confirming the position of the recording medium 8, a magnetic head 20 for reading / writing magnetic data such as identification information recorded on the magnetic stripe 6, and a money balance There is provided printing means 22 for printing various information such as a balance on the recording medium 8 from the side opposite to the side appearing in FIG. In FIG. 1, the control unit 98 outputs character information to be printed to the print driver 86, and the print driver 86 outputs a drive signal for printing based on the character information input from the control unit 98 to the printing unit 22. Then, it is printed on a recording medium 8 such as a bankbook. In this embodiment, the transport roller 16 functions as a sliding position setting mechanism and a recording medium transport mechanism.

  In the vicinity of the recording medium inlet 14 of the recording medium processing apparatus 10, an insertion sensor 30 that detects that the recording medium 8 has been inserted is arranged, and the user inserts the recording medium 8 into the recording medium inlet 14 by the insertion sensor 30. Is detected, and the detection signal is transmitted to the control means 98 via the counting means 80. When the insertion sensor 30 detects the insertion of the recording medium 8 and the detection signal is transmitted to the control means 98, the control means 98 outputs a conveyance signal for rotating the conveyance roller 16 to the feed driver 84, and the recording medium 8. Is carried into the back side of the recording medium processing apparatus 10. Further, when each process is completed and the recording medium 8 is discharged, the insertion sensor 30 confirms that the recording medium 8 has been removed by the user.

  In this embodiment, the counting unit 80 counts the number of insertions of the recording medium 8, and the control unit 98 (setting position changing unit) changes the position of the recording medium 8 according to the number of insertions. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, “position 1”, “position 2”, and “position 3” are changed. Thereby, the setting position of the magnetic stripe 6 with respect to the magnetic head 20 is changed. By changing the setting position, the magnetic head 20 can be slid at each changed position. Therefore, the contact surface of the magnetic head 20 can be more evenly worn so that no step wear or uneven wear occurs. . Accordingly, spacing at the time of reading and writing can be eliminated, and information reading errors and writing errors can be reduced. Further, since the magnetic head 20 can be uniformly worn, the life of the magnetic head 20 can be extended.

  Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which a contact type micro switch is used for the insertion sensor 30, a non-contact type photo sensor can also be used. Further, the installation position of the insertion sensor 30 is not limited to the position shown in FIG.

  The conveyance roller 16 functions as a sliding position setting mechanism and a recording medium conveyance mechanism, contacts the recording medium 8 and conveys the recording medium 8 along the conveyance path 12 for loading / unloading, and the magnetic head 20. The magnetic stripe 6 is positioned relative to the printing means 22 and a predetermined entry field of the recording medium 8 is positioned relative to the printing means 22.

  The recording medium processing apparatus 10 includes a feed driver 84 that outputs a drive signal based on the rotational speed signal or position signal input from the control means 98 to the feed motor 34, and a transport roller based on the drive signal input from the feed driver 84. And a feed motor 34 for rotating and positioning the recording medium 8, and feeding and positioning of the recording medium 8 are controlled based on a command from the control means 98.

  The magnetic head 20 is attached to the carriage 40 and is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 6 (same as the magnetic data recording direction) by a magnetic head sliding mechanism. The magnetic head sliding mechanism is based on a guide bar 42 that guides the carriage 40 in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 6, a feed screw 44 that drives the carriage 40 along the guide bar 42, and a drive signal input from the head driver 82. And a magnetic head drive motor 46 for rotating the feed screw 44.

  The head driver 82 outputs a drive signal for the magnetic head drive motor 46 in accordance with the rotation speed signal or position signal input from the control means 98. Thus, the sliding speed, sliding direction, stop position, etc. of the magnetic head 20 are controlled based on the rotational speed signal or position signal output from the control means 98.

  The input / output terminal of the magnetic head 20 is connected to the input / output terminal of the head amplifier 88. A recording signal to the magnetic stripe 6 is output from the input / output terminal of the head amplifier 88 when the magnetic head 20 is slid in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 6. The recording signal is transmitted to the magnetic head 20 via the input / output terminal of the magnetic head 20. Thereby, various information such as identification information is recorded on the magnetic stripe 6.

  On the other hand, information such as identification information recorded on the magnetic stripe 6 is read by the magnetic head 20 when the magnetic head 20 is slid in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 6. The recorded information is transmitted to the head amplifier 88 via the input / output terminal of the magnetic head 20. The head amplifier 88 amplifies the information, and after performing processing such as equalizing and filtering, outputs it to the control means 98 or the outside.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing cross sections of the recording medium 8 and the magnetic stripe 6. A magnetic stripe 6 having a thickness (T) of about 20 μm is provided on a recording medium 8 such as a bankbook or savings bankbook. The width of the magnetic stripe 6 is not particularly limited because it varies depending on the type of the recording medium 8. For example, a width of about 6 mm can be exemplified.

  FIG. 2B is a front view as seen from the side where the magnetic head 20 contacts the magnetic stripe 6. The head of the magnetic head 20 has a gentle convex shape, and a head gap 21 for writing information to the magnetic stripe 6 and reading information recorded on the magnetic stripe 6 at the center of the magnetic head 20. Exists. The head gap 21 is the most protruding portion. In the example of FIG. 2, the case where the write track width of the magnetic head 20 is about 8 mm is shown.

    FIG. 2C is a side view showing a worn state of the magnetic head 20 when the recording medium 8 is positioned at “position 1” and “position 3” and information recorded on the magnetic stripe 6 is read. . The magnetic head 20 will be described using a “wide write narrow read head” in which writing is performed with the full width of the head gap 21 and information is read only by the reading portion 20a. It is not limited to.

  In this embodiment, the setting position of the magnetic stripe 6 with respect to the magnetic head 20 is changed to “position 1” and “position 3” according to the number of insertions of the recording medium 8. The difference between “position 1” and “position 3” is about 2.5 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 2, by changing the setting position of the magnetic stripe 6 with respect to the magnetic head 20, the magnetic stripe 6 comes into contact with the entire width of the convex portion of the magnetic head 20. Wear becomes more uniform. Accordingly, since extreme stepped wear does not occur on the convex portion of the magnetic head 20, the magnetic head 20 can be used until the wear amount M reaches the wear limit that is the usable limit of the magnetic head 20. According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the stepped wear and uneven wear generated in the convex portion of the magnetic head as in the prior art (see FIG. 6), so that an extreme difference between the magnetic stripe 6 and the head gap 21 occurs. Spacing (gap) does not occur, and magnetic data can be stably written / read.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart of a passbook process including a process of changing the setting position of the magnetic stripe with respect to the magnetic head in accordance with the number of insertions of the recording medium. This flowchart shows a passbook process executed by the control means 98 or a higher-level control means when the recording medium 8 is a deposit passbook or a savings passbook.

  Step S102 “START” (hereinafter abbreviated as S102) is a standby state in the handling time zone of the recording medium 8. In S104 “passbook insertion”, the insertion sensor 30 detects the recording medium 8 (passbook) when the passbook is inserted, and in S106 “count the number of insertions”, the number of insertions is counted by the counting means 80.

  In S108 “determination of setting position”, a process of changing the relative setting position of the magnetic stripe 6 with respect to the magnetic head 20 by changing the stop position of the recording medium 8 according to the count value indicating the number of insertions of the recording medium 8. I do.

  For example, when the last two digits of the count value indicating the number of insertions of the recording medium 8 are 00 to 49, the process branches to S110 “position 1”, and “position 1” shifted as the stop position of the recording medium 8 is selected. . For example, when the last two digits of the count value are 50 to 99, the process branches to S114 “Position 3”, and “Position 3” shifted as the stop position of the recording medium 8 is selected.

  In the above-described S106 and S108, the embodiment in which the number of times the recording medium 8 is inserted is counted and the stop position of the recording medium 8 is selected based on the counted value has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the stop position may be selected every time the recording medium 8 is inserted, or the stop position may be selected according to the date and time information of insertion such as the date and time when the recording medium 8 is inserted. . In this way, the object of the present invention can be achieved by preventing the use at the same set position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the position may be set at random or pseudo-random timing by comparing the number of insertions and date / time information of insertion with data such as a random number table. Furthermore, S108 “setting position determination” itself may be executed based on data such as a random number table. For example, each time a passbook is inserted, a random variable is checked. If the variable is an even number, “position 1” is selected, and if the variable is an odd number, a position branched to “position 3” is selected. Even if it does in this way, since the magnetic head is not continued to be used at the same set position, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

  In S110 to S114, processing for outputting predetermined stop position information to the feed driver 84 is performed. The feed driver 84 outputs a drive signal corresponding to the stop position to the feed motor 34. For example, when a stepping motor is used as the feed motor 34, the feed driver 84 outputs a pulse corresponding to the transport distance to the feed motor 34.

  When the positioning of the recording medium 8 is completed, S115 “passbook processing” starts. The passbook process of S115 includes S116 “magnetic data reading”, S118 “magnetic data process”, S120 “print process”, and S122 “passbook discharge process”.

  In S <b> 116 “Read magnetic data”, the control means 98 outputs a drive signal for the magnetic head 20 to the head driver 82. Then, the magnetic head 20 slides in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 6, and the magnetic head 20 outputs information recorded on the magnetic stripe 6 to the head amplifier 88. The head amplifier 88 amplifies the input information, and after performing processing such as equalizing and filtering, outputs the information to the control means 98 or the outside.

  In the next S118 “magnetic data processing”, the identification information obtained from the head amplifier 88 and the password entered by the user are transmitted to a higher-level server (not shown) and authenticated, Process payments, deposits and transfers.

  In the next S120 “printing process”, the control means 98 outputs position information for conveying the recording medium 8 to a predetermined position to the feed driver 84 in order to perform printing related to the handling items. When the positioning of the recording medium 8 is completed, the character information to be written is output to the print driver 86 and the necessary items are printed.

  In the next S122 “passbook discharge process”, a command to rotate the transport roller 16 in the direction of discharging the recording medium 8 is output to the feed driver 84. Then, the processed recording medium 8 is ejected from the recording medium processing apparatus 10. When the user removes the discharged recording medium 8, the insertion sensor 30 detects that the recording medium 8 has been removed and transmits it to the counting means 80, and the control means 98 removes the recording medium 8 from the counting means 80. When the information to the effect is acquired, the passbook discharging process is terminated and the process proceeds to “End” in S124. Note that S124 is a step of waiting for the insertion of a new bankbook, and is the same step as S102 “START”.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of a passbook process including a process of changing the setting position of the magnetic stripe with respect to the magnetic head according to the number of sliding times of the magnetic head. This flowchart also shows the passbook process executed by the control means 98 or the higher-order control means when the recording medium 8 is a deposit passbook or a savings passbook, as described above. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, steps with the same reference numerals indicate basically the same operation as that shown in FIG. 3, and therefore, in the following description, only portions that operate differently from those described in FIG. 3 will be described. Thus, duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, S115 “passbook processing” is performed subsequent to S102 “START” and S104 “passbook insertion”, and S116 “magnetic data reading”, S118 “magnetic data processing”, and S120 “ The printing process "and S122" passbook discharge process "are performed.

  When the passbook discharge process is completed in S122 “passbook discharge process”, the process proceeds to S105 “count the number of sliding times”, and the control means 98 counts the drive signal acquired from the head driver 82 or the drive signal output to the head driver 82. The number of sliding is counted. Note that S105 may be executed in parallel with S120 to S122 following S118 “magnetic data processing”.

  In S107 “set number of times determination”, the control means 98 determines whether or not the preset number of times of sliding has been reached. If the set number of times is not reached, the process returns to S104 [insert passbook] and the next passbook is reached. Processing (S115) is performed. On the other hand, if the set number of times has been reached, the process proceeds to S108 [Set position determination], and the stop position of the recording medium 8 is changed to, for example, “position 1” → “position 2” → “position 3” → “ By changing the position in the order of “1” →..., The relative setting position of the magnetic stripe 6 with respect to the magnetic head 20 is changed. The set number of times can be set to an arbitrary number, for example, 10 times. After the position change process, the process proceeds to S124 “End” and waits for insertion of a new bankbook (same as S102 “START”).

  In S107 “determination of set number” described above, the setting position of the magnetic head 20 may be set at random or pseudo-random timing by comparing the number of slides with data such as a random number table. Furthermore, of course, S108 “setting position determination” itself may be executed based on data such as a random number table and the setting position of the magnetic head 20 may be selected.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a recording medium processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the conveyance direction of the recording medium 108 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped magnetic stripe 106. Since the overall configuration is the same as that of the recording medium processing apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, only characteristic differences will be described below, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. To do.

  In the recording medium processing apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment, the carriage 140 is changed to a plurality of positions, and the information recorded on the magnetic stripe 106 is read by rotating the transport roller 16. By doing so, the contact surface of the magnetic head 20 is more evenly worn. Therefore, the spacing (gap) at the time of reading and writing can be reduced, and information reading errors and writing errors can be reduced. Further, since the magnetic head 20 can be more evenly worn, step wear is reduced and the life of the magnetic head 20 can be extended.

  The conveyance roller 16 (magnetic head sliding mechanism) is in contact with the recording medium 108 to convey the recording medium 108 along the conveyance path 112 and to discharge the recording medium 108, and to move the magnetic head 20 and the magnetic stripe 106 relative to each other. To read / write magnetic data. Further, the conveyance roller 16 positions a predetermined entry field of the recording medium 108 with respect to the printing unit 122 in order to perform a printing process.

  The magnetic head 20 is attached to the carriage 140, and the position relative to the magnetic stripe 106 is changed to, for example, “position 1”, “position 2”, and “position 3” by the sliding position setting mechanism of the magnetic head. Can do.

  The magnetic head sliding position setting mechanism includes a guide bar 142 that guides the carriage 140 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 106, and a shift actuator 146 that shifts the carriage 140 along the guide bar 142. ing.

  The head driver 82 outputs a signal for driving the shift actuator 146 based on the shift position signal acquired from the control means 98. Therefore, the set position of the magnetic head 20 can be controlled based on the command from the control means 98. For example, a three-position latching solenoid or the like can be used as the shift actuator 146.

  The input / output terminal of the magnetic head 20 is connected to the input / output terminal of the head amplifier 88. A recording signal to the magnetic stripe 6 is output from the input / output terminal of the head amplifier 88 when the recording medium 108 is conveyed and the magnetic head 20 and the magnetic stripe 6 are slid. The recording signal is transmitted to the magnetic head 20 via the input / output terminal of the magnetic head 20. Thereby, various kinds of information such as identification information can be recorded on the magnetic stripe 6.

  On the other hand, information such as identification information recorded on the magnetic stripe 6 is read by the magnetic head 20 when the recording medium 108 is transported along the transport path 12 by the control means 98. The recorded information is transmitted to the head amplifier 88 via the input / output terminal of the magnetic head 20. The head amplifier 88 can amplify the information and output it to the control means 98 or the outside after performing processing such as equalizing and filtering.

  Processing for changing the setting position of the magnetic head 20 with respect to the magnetic stripe 106 in the recording medium processing apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, about the process of S102-S106, since it is the same as the process demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In S108 “determination of set position”, a process of changing the set position of the magnetic head 20 with respect to the magnetic stripe 106 is performed by shifting the magnetic head 20 according to the value of the count value.

  For example, if the last two digits of the count value indicating the number of insertions of the recording medium 108 are 00 to 49, the process branches to S110 “position 1” and “position 1” is selected as the setting position of the magnetic head 20. For example, when the last two digits of the count value are 50 to 99, the process branches to S114 “position 3” and “position 3” is selected as the setting position of the magnetic head 20. For example, when magnetic data is written to the magnetic stripe 6, the process branches to S <b> 112 “position 2”, and the center “position 2” is selected as the setting position of the magnetic head 20.

  Also in the second embodiment, the selection of the setting position of the magnetic head 20 is not limited to the selection based on the number of times the recording medium 108 has been inserted, and the insertion of the date, month, etc. when the recording medium 108 has been inserted. The object of the present invention can be achieved even if the stop position is selected according to the date and time information and the use is not continued at the same set position. Alternatively, the setting position of the magnetic head 20 may be selected randomly or pseudo-randomly using data such as a random number table.

  In S <b> 110 to S <b> 114, predetermined set position information is output to the head driver 82. The head driver 82 outputs a drive signal for controlling the position of the magnetic head 20 to the shift actuator 146 based on a command from the control means 98 to position the magnetic head 20 at a predetermined position.

  In S <b> 116 “Reading magnetic data”, the control unit 98 outputs a conveyance signal for carrying the recording medium 108 to the feed driver 84. Then, the feed motor 34 rotates to rotate the transport roller 16 and the recording medium 108 is carried in. Then, since the magnetic stripe 106 slides relatively in contact with the magnetic head 20, the magnetic head 20 reads information recorded on the magnetic stripe 106 and outputs it to the head amplifier 88. The head amplifier 88 amplifies the input information, and after performing processing such as equalizing and filtering, outputs the information to the control means 98 or the outside.

  Since the subsequent processing of S118 to S124 is the same as the processing described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a process of changing the setting position of the magnetic stripe with respect to the magnetic head according to the number of times the magnetic head slides can be similarly applied. In the following, only processing different from the processing described in the first embodiment will be described.

  In S <b> 116 “Reading magnetic data” in FIG. 4, the control unit 98 outputs a conveyance signal for carrying the recording medium 108 to the feed driver 84. Then, the feed motor 34 rotates to rotate the transport roller 16 and the recording medium 108 is carried in. Then, since the magnetic stripe 106 slides relatively in contact with the magnetic head 20, the magnetic head 20 reads information recorded on the magnetic stripe 106 and outputs it to the head amplifier 88. The head amplifier 88 amplifies the input information, and after performing processing such as equalizing and filtering, outputs the information to the control means 98 or the outside.

  In S108 “determination of set position”, a process of changing the set position of the magnetic head 20 with respect to the magnetic stripe 106 is performed by shifting the magnetic head 20 according to the value of the count value. The magnetic stripe for the magnetic head 20 is changed by changing the stop position of the magnetic head 20 in the order of “position 1” → “position 2” → “position 3” → “position 1” →. 6 is performed to change the relative setting position.

  In S <b> 110 to S <b> 114, predetermined set position information is output to the head driver 82. The head driver 82 outputs a drive signal for controlling the position of the magnetic head 20 to the shift actuator 146 based on a command from the control means 98 to position the magnetic head 20 at a predetermined position.

  After the position change process, the process proceeds to S124 “End” and waits for insertion of a new bankbook (same as S102 “START”).

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the magnetic data is read by changing the setting position of the magnetic head 20 with respect to the magnetic stripe 106, the wear of the contact surface of the magnetic head 20 can be made more uniform. .

1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a recording medium processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the abrasion state of a magnetic head at the time of positioning the recording medium in "position 1" and "position 3", and reading the information recorded on the magnetic stripe. It is an example of the flowchart of a passbook process including the process which changes the setting position of the magnetic stripe with respect to a magnetic head according to the frequency | count of insertion of a recording medium. It is an example of the flowchart of a passbook process including the process which changes the setting position of the magnetic stripe with respect to a magnetic head according to the frequency | count of a magnetic head sliding. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the recording-medium processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the abrasion state of the conventional magnetic head.

Explanation of symbols

6, 106 Magnetic stripe 8, 108 Recording medium 10, 110 Recording medium processing device 14 Recording medium inlet 12 Conveying path 16 Conveying roller 18 Photo sensor 20, 220 Magnetic head 20a, 220a Reading portion 21, 221 Head gap 22 Printing means 30 Insertion sensor 34 Feed motor 40, 140 Carriage 42, 142 Guide bar 44 Feed screw 46 Magnetic head drive motor 80 Count means 82 Head driver 84 Feed driver 86 Print driver 88 Head amplifier 98 Control means 146 Shift actuator 219 Uneven wear M Wear amount T Magnetic stripe thickness

Claims (6)

  A magnetic head for reading / writing magnetic data with respect to a strip-shaped magnetic stripe provided on a recording medium, and a magnetic head sliding mechanism for relatively sliding the magnetic stripe and the magnetic head in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe And a sliding position setting mechanism for displacing the magnetic head or the recording medium in the width direction of the magnetic stripe.   2. The sliding position setting mechanism displaces the magnetic head or the recording medium in the width direction of the magnetic stripe every time the magnetic data is read / written by the magnetic head a predetermined number of times. 2. A recording medium processing apparatus according to 1.   The sliding position setting mechanism displaces the magnetic head or the recording medium in the width direction of the magnetic stripe randomly or pseudo-randomly every time magnetic data is read / written by the magnetic head. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1.   A recording medium transport mechanism that transports the recording medium in a direction from the recording medium intake toward the back side of the recording medium processing apparatus or in the opposite direction, and in which the transport direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe; The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transport mechanism also serves as the sliding position setting mechanism.   The recording medium is transported in the direction from the recording medium inlet to the back side of the recording medium processing apparatus or in the opposite direction, and the recording medium transport mechanism has the same transport direction as the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mechanism also serves as the magnetic head sliding mechanism.   The magnetic head or the recording medium according to at least one of information on the number of times of reading / writing magnetic data by the magnetic head, information on the number of insertions of the recording medium, and date / time information of insertion of the recording medium 6. A recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising sliding position change instructing means for instructing the displacement of the recording medium.

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