JP2008293377A - Magnetic recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic recorder with which the same level of reading output can be obtained even when reading a magnetic stripe with a different coercive force. <P>SOLUTION: This magnetic recorder is provided with a writing current table storing for each type of magnetic stripes writing current values (e, f) presenting an identical reading output when reading the plurality of types of magnetic stripes, which are high coercive force or low coercive force, adhered to a passbook with a magnetic head. It is also provided with a writing current setup part which sets up the current value stored in the writing current table to the magnetic head based on the information indicating the type of magnetic stripes by the coercive force. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic recording apparatus for writing / reading magnetic information to / from a magnetic stripe provided on a bankbook or card used in a financial institution or the like.

  Conventionally, a magnetic recording device is mounted on an automatic teller machine used in a financial institution or the like, but such a magnetic recording device reads or writes magnetic data of a magnetic stripe attached to a passbook or a card. . The position where the magnetic stripe is attached to the passbook is not necessarily the same among financial institutions. If the magnetic stripe is attached to a different position, the magnetic recording process cannot be performed by the same magnetic recording apparatus.

A countermeasure against such a problem is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-101482. In the solution disclosed in this publication, when the OCR is provided in the passbook processing apparatus and the magnetic stripe information cannot be read due to the difference in the magnetic stripe position of the passbook, the customer information of the passbook is recognized by the OCR, and the customer information Is sent to the host computer, and when customer information is confirmed by the host computer, the transaction details are printed.
JP 2001-101482 A

However, in recent years, mobile phones that generate magnetism have become widespread. For example, when a passbook and a mobile phone are put together in a bag or the like, the magnetic stripe of the passbook is affected by the magnetism of the mobile phone. Many magnetic data disappear or become weak. One countermeasure is to increase the coercivity of the magnetic stripe, for example.

In order to increase the coercive force, it is necessary to create a new magnetic stripe itself. As a result, both a passbook with a low coercive force magnetic stripe, which has been used by financial institutions, and a newly created passbook with a high coercive force magnetic stripe are used in one magnetic recording device. Therefore, the device side does not know which magnetic stripe passbook is inserted. In this case, there is a problem that magnetic stripes having different coercive forces have different read outputs. This will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the saturation characteristics of magnetism when writing magnetism with the magnetic head, and FIG. 11 is a graph showing the read output of the magnetic stripe. FIG. 10 shows saturation characteristics indicating the relationship between the current and magnetic read output when magnetic information is written by the magnetic head, and shows the case of a 300 (Oe) low coercive force magnetic stripe. In this case, normally, a current value that is 3 to 5 times the write current (a) of 80% of the output peak (c) of the read output (a current value that is 3 times in the example of FIG. 10) is set as the write current value. To do. The write current value set in this way is generally considered to be optimal as a magnetic write current because magnetic writing is performed at a portion where output fluctuation is small with respect to current fluctuation.

FIG. 11 shows a waveform 16 showing the relationship between the read output and the write current of the low coercive force magnetic stripe and a waveform 17 showing the relationship between the read output and the write current of the high coercive force magnetic stripe. In FIG. 11, the write current in the case of a magnetic stripe having a low coercive force (for example, 300 Oe) is b, and the read output at that time is c1. In the case of a magnetic stripe having a high coercive force (for example, 2750 Oe), the write current is d, and the read output at that time is c2 (≠ c1).

As described above, the read output when magnetic writing is performed with the optimum write current value is different, and when the read output is processed by one apparatus, the read output must be processed in accordance with one of the read outputs. In that case, since it usually matches the read output of the worse one, there was a problem that the other read output obtained satisfactorily was sacrificed.

In addition, since the contact pressure between the magnetic head that reads magnetic information and the magnetic stripe varies from device to device, the magnetic writing varies depending on the device, and the variation causes the read output to vary. There is a problem that cannot be made.

Further, when a magnetic stripe is attached to a bound medium such as a passbook, the contact pressure with respect to the magnetic head differs for each open page, resulting in variations in magnetic writing. As a result, there is a problem in that the read output also varies, and the read output cannot be set to the same level.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording apparatus capable of obtaining the same level of read output even when reading magnetic stripes having different coercive forces.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording apparatus in which the read output is at the same level even if the contact pressure varies among the apparatuses.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording apparatus in which the read output becomes a push level even when the contact pressure varies from page to page.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a magnetic recording apparatus for writing / reading magnetic information by bringing a magnetic head into contact with a magnetic stripe provided on a medium. Current value storage means for storing the write current value for each magnetic stripe type so that the read output of the current is the same, and the current value stored in the current value storage means based on the information indicating the magnetic stripe type. Setting means for setting the head is provided.

  According to the present invention, the current value storage means includes correction value storage means for storing a correction value of the current value for each device, and the current value set by the setting means is stored in the correction value storage means. Thus, a magnetic recording apparatus is obtained in which the read output is at the same level even if the contact pressure varies among the apparatuses.

  Further, according to the present invention, the medium is a booklet-like medium, and the current value storage means includes page correction value storage means for storing a correction value of the current value for each page of the booklet-like medium, and the current value set by the setting means. Is corrected by the correction value stored in the page correction value storage means so that a magnetic recording apparatus can be obtained in which the read output is a push level even when there is a variation in contact pressure for each page. is there.

According to the present invention, the same level of read output can be obtained even when magnetic stripes having different coercive forces are read. Further, by storing the correction value of the current value adjusted for each device in the current value storage means, a magnetic recording device in which the read output becomes the same level even if there is a variation in contact pressure due to the device is obtained. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, when the medium is a booklet-shaped medium, the current value correction unit stores the correction value of the current value adjusted for each page of the booklet-shaped medium, so that the contact pressure is adjusted for each page. Even when there is a variation, it is possible to obtain a magnetic recording apparatus in which the read output becomes a push level.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a bankbook processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In each embodiment described below, a bankbook processing apparatus built in an automatic transaction apparatus as a magnetic recording apparatus will be described as an example.

  In FIG. 1, a suction port 2 is provided at the left end of the bankbook processing apparatus 1, and a conveyance path 3 is formed on the right side from the suction port 2. Along the conveyance path 3, conveyance roller pairs 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d, 4 e, a magnetic head 5, a page break mechanism 6, a printing unit 7, and a page / row reading unit 8 are provided. The suction port 2 is a portion where the passbook P having a magnetic stripe is inserted and discharged. The conveyance roller pairs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are rotated by a motor (not shown) to convey the bankbook P on the conveyance path 3. The bankbook P is conveyed in both directions.

  The magnetic head 5 writes / reads magnetic information to / from the magnetic stripe provided in the passbook P. Details of the magnetic head 5 will be described later. The page break mechanism 6 turns the cover of the passbook and inserts the page. The printing unit 7 includes a print head 7a and a platen 7b, and prints transaction information on the passbook P. The page / line reading unit 8 reads page information printed at a predetermined position of the passbook P, and is provided with a CCD sensor.

  In addition, the passbook processing apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 9 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus 1. The control unit 9 is connected to the host device 10, and the host device 10 determines information related to the magnetic stripe and instructs the control unit 9 to write information and the like. The host device 10 is, for example, a host computer.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing the control unit and the magnetic head. In FIG. 2, the magnetic head 5 has a write head portion 5a and a read head portion 5b. The write head unit 5a writes information to the magnetic stripe 11 of the passbook P with a given current. The read head unit 5 b reads magnetic information from the magnetic stripe 11. The control unit 9 is provided with a write current table 9 a and an analysis unit 9 b, and the control unit 9 is connected to the write current setting unit 14 and the magnification setting unit 15.

The write current setting unit 14 sets a current that flows to the write head unit 5 a of the magnetic head 5. The magnification setting unit 15 sets the magnification of the output read by the read head unit 5 b of the magnetic head 5. The analysis unit 9 b analyzes the read output read by the read head unit 5 b of the magnetic head 5 and amplified by the magnification setting unit 15. The write current table 9a stores a current value set by the write current setting unit 14.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. Prior to the processing operation in the bankbook processing apparatus 1, a write current value is stored in advance in the write current table 9a of the control unit 9. First, the storage of the write current value will be described. Using the passbook PA and passbook PB having magnetic stripes with different coercive forces, the read output against the write current is evaluated as shown in FIG. 3 while changing the set write current value. The read output of the passbook PA having a low coercive force magnetic stripe and the passbook PB having a high coercive force magnetic stripe are both the same (c3), and the write current value within the optimum range for each passbook PA, PB e and f are obtained in advance. The acquired current values e and f are held in the write current table 9a of the control unit 9. FIG. 3 is a graph showing a method for obtaining the write current value. Reference numeral 16 denotes a waveform of a low coercive force magnetic stripe, and reference numeral 17 denotes a waveform of a high coercive force magnetic stripe.

In this way, the passbook processing device 1 performs the passbook process with the acquired current values e and f being held in the write current table 9a. Next, the passbook processing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the passbook processing operation of the first embodiment.

First, when the bankbook P is inserted from the suction port 2 of the bankbook processing apparatus 1, an insertion detection sensor (not shown) detects this (step 1), and the control unit 9 rotates a drive motor (not shown) to feed the conveyance roller pairs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are rotated. Thereby, the bankbook P is conveyed in the arrow direction shown in FIG. At the time of conveyance, the read head unit 5b of the magnetic head 5 reads the magnetic information of the magnetic stripe 11 attached to the spine of the bankbook P (step 2). The read output in step 2 is set by the magnification setting unit 9b of the control unit 9, and then sent to the analysis unit 9c, where the read information is analyzed.

Thereafter, the bankbook P is conveyed to the page / line reading unit 8 where the page and the last print line opened are read (step 3). This reading state is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the passbook P is in a spread state, and a page mark 12 indicating a page is written on the page that has been spread open. The page mark 12 is provided in the CCD sensor 13 provided in the page / row reading unit 8. Read with.

When the next line of the final print line is opened, the passbook P is conveyed to the printing unit 7 and the transaction information and the like are printed by the print head 7a in the printing unit 7 (step 4). If the next line of the last print line is not opened, the passbook P is returned to the page break section 6, where a page break is performed so that the next line of the last print line is opened, and then the page / page is again displayed. After conveying to the line reading unit 8 and confirming the spread page, the passbook P is conveyed to the printing unit 7 and printing is performed.

When all the printing processes are completed, the bankbook P is conveyed to the magnetic head 5. The control unit 9 transmits the magnetic information read by the magnetic head 5 in step 3 and the information read by the page / row reading unit 8 to the host device 10 (step 5). Based on the received information, the host device 10 determines the type of the magnetic stripe 12 of the bankbook P being processed, that is, whether the coercive force is high or low. For example, if the magnetic information read in step 3 includes information about the coercive force, it is determined whether the coercive force is high or low based on the information. If customer information is included in the information read by the page / row reading unit 8, it is determined from the customer information whether the coercive force is low or low. The host device 10 transmits the determined result to the control unit 9.

When the determination result is received from the host device 10 (step 6), the control unit 9 selects a write current value from the write current table 9a based on the determination result, and sets the selected write current value in the write current setting unit 14. (Step 7). The current having the set write current value is sent to the write head portion 5a of the magnetic head 5, and the write head portion 5a performs magnetic writing with the current having the current value (step 8). Thereafter, the bankbook P is discharged from the suction port 2 (step 9).

When the magnetic stripe 11 magnetically written as described above is read by the magnetic head 5 during the next passbook processing, the same read output (c3) is obtained in both cases of high coercive force and low coercive force. can get. The effect of obtaining the same read output for both high and low coercive forces is the optimum read output for either coercive force without sacrificing the read performance of either coercive force. This means that output processing is possible.

As described above, in the first embodiment, since magnetic writing is performed with a current value that can provide the same read output for any coercive force magnetic stripe, a magnetic stripe having a different coercive force is read. However, the same level of read output can be obtained.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing the second embodiment. The overall configuration of the passbook processing apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the control unit 9 of the bankbook processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is provided with a write current table 9a and an analysis unit 9b, and a correction value table 9c is further provided in the write current table 9a. Similarly to the first embodiment, the write current table 9a stores the current value set by the write current setting unit 14, and the correction value table 9c is a write corresponding to the difference in magnetic read output for each apparatus. Stores the current difference.

Similar to the first embodiment, prior to the processing operation in the passbook processing apparatus 1, the write current value is stored in advance in the write current table 9a of the control unit 9. At the same time, correction values are stored in the correction value table 9c. This storage operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a current value adjusting operation in the second embodiment. For the description, FIG. 1 is used.

First, when one of the passbook PA and passbook PB having magnetic stripes having different coercive forces is inserted into the suction port 2 of the passbook processing apparatus 1, insertion of the passbook is detected by an insertion detection sensor (not shown) (step 11). Then, while changing the write current value to be set, the read output with respect to the write current is evaluated as shown in FIG. The read output of the passbook PA having a low coercive force magnetic stripe and the passbook PB having a high coercive force magnetic stripe are both the same (c3), and the write current value within the optimum range for each passbook PA, PB e and f are obtained in advance. The acquired current values e and f are held in the write current table 9a of the control unit 9 (step 12).

Next, magnetic writing is performed with the current value stored in the write current table 9a, followed by reading (step 13). Here, it is checked whether or not the read output is the assumed output c3 (step 14). The read output should be an output c3 that is supposed to be originally intended, but may be a value that is close to c3 but not c3 due to manufacturing variations of the apparatus. If the reading output does not become c3, the current value is changed, reading is performed again, and the reading output is checked. This is repeated until the read output becomes c3 (step 15). When the read output becomes c3, the current value at the time of adjustment is stored as a correction value in the correction value table 9c (step 16).

The storage operation of the write current value and the correction value is thus completed, but this storage is performed at the time of factory shipment or maintenance adjustment of the passbook processing apparatus 1.

In the second embodiment, when magnetic writing is performed as a passbook process in the passbook processing device 1, the control unit 9 selects a write current value from the write current table 9a based on the determination result from the host device 10. At the same time, a correction value is selected from the correction value table 9c. Then, the selected write current value and correction value are set in the write current setting unit 14. The current having the write current value thus set is sent to the write head portion 5a of the magnetic head 5, and the write head portion 5a performs magnetic writing with the current having the current value.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the write current value is adjusted for each device, and the correction value table 9c for storing the correction value for the write current value is provided. In this way, a device that makes it possible to obtain a read output at the same level can be realized. Further, with respect to two kinds of passbooks having magnetic stripes having different coercive forces, it is possible to perform magnetic writing that allows the read output to be at the same level even if there are variations in the manufacture of the apparatus.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a control block diagram showing the third embodiment. The overall configuration of the bankbook processing apparatus of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the control unit 9 of the passbook processing apparatus of the third embodiment is provided with a write current table 9a and an analysis unit 9b, and a page correction value table 9d is provided in the write current table 9a. The write current table 9 a stores current values set by the write current setting unit 14. The page correction value table 9d stores a write current difference corresponding to a magnetic read output difference for each page of the passbook P.

Similar to the first embodiment, prior to the processing operation in the passbook processing apparatus 1, the write current value is stored in advance in the write current table 9a of the control unit 9. At the same time, the correction value for each page is stored in the page correction value table 9d. This storing operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the current value adjusting operation in the third embodiment. For the description, FIG. 1 is used.

First, when one of the passbook PA and the passbook PB having magnetic stripes having different coercive forces is inserted into the suction port 2 of the passbook processing apparatus 1, insertion of the passbook is detected by an insertion detection sensor (not shown) (step 21). Then, while changing the write current value to be set, the read output with respect to the write current is evaluated as shown in FIG. The read output of the passbook PA having a low coercive force magnetic stripe and the passbook PB having a high coercive force magnetic stripe are both the same (c3), and the write current value within the optimum range for each passbook PA, PB e and f are obtained in advance. The acquired current values e and f are held in the write current table 9a of the control unit 9 (step 22).

Next, magnetic writing is performed with the current value stored in the write current table 9a, followed by reading (step 23). The difference between the read output obtained here and the originally assumed output c3 is calculated (step 24). The calculated difference is stored in the page correction value table 9d as a page correction value (step 25). It is determined whether the magnetically read page is the last page (step 26). If the page is not the last page, the passbook P is then transferred to the page breaker 6 and one page is turned (step 27). Then, the process returns to step 23 and the subsequent operations are repeated.

Thus, the write current value is stored in the write current table 9a, and the current correction value for each page of the bankbook P is stored in the page correction value table 9d. This storing operation is performed at the time of factory shipment or maintenance adjustment of the bankbook processing apparatus 1.

In the third embodiment, when magnetic writing is performed as a passbook process in the passbook processing device 1, the control unit 9 selects a write current value from the write current table 9a based on the determination result from the host device 10. At the same time, the page correction value is read from the page correction value table 9d based on the page information read by the page / row reading unit 8. The read write current value and page correction value are set in the write current setting unit 14. The current having the write current value thus set is sent to the write head portion 5a of the magnetic head 5, and the write head portion 5a performs magnetic writing with the current having the current value.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, by having the correction value for each page in the apparatus, the correction value corresponding to the page read in advance by the page / row reading unit 8 is added to the write current value. As a result, it is possible to reduce writing variations caused by the state of the passbook, such as the contact pressure of the magnetic head 5 differing between the spread pages.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, in each of the above embodiments, a booklet-like passbook is described as an example of a medium having a magnetic stripe, but there are other cards that have a magnetic stripe. In the case of a card, the third embodiment is not applied.

In the description of the first embodiment, the information read by the magnetic head 5 and the page / row reading unit 8 is transmitted to the host device 10, and the host device 10 determines the type of the magnetic stripe 11. The control unit 9 in the apparatus may make a determination based on information read by the magnetic head 5 and the page / row reading unit 8.

It is a block diagram which shows the bankbook processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a control block diagram which shows a control part and a magnetic head. It is a graph which shows the acquisition method of a write-in electric current value. It is a flowchart which shows the passbook process operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reading state of a bankbook. It is a control block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the electric current value adjustment operation | movement in 2nd Embodiment. It is a control block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the electric current value adjustment operation | movement in 3rd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the saturation characteristic of a magnetic head. It is a graph which shows the read output of a magnetic stripe.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Passbook processing apparatus 5 Magnetic head 9 Control part 9a Write current table 9c Correction value table 9d Page correction value table 11 Magnetic stripe 14 Write current setting part P Passbook

Claims (4)

In a magnetic recording apparatus for writing / reading magnetic information by bringing a magnetic head into contact with a magnetic stripe provided on a medium,
Current value storage means for storing a write current value for each type of magnetic stripe such that the read output when reading a plurality of types of magnetic stripes with a magnetic head is the same;
A magnetic recording apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to set a current value stored in the current value storage unit in a magnetic head based on information indicating a type of magnetic stripe. Connected to the host device,
Comprising reading means for reading the identification information of the medium,
The magnetic recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein identification information of a medium read by the reading unit is transmitted to the host apparatus, and a determination result obtained by determining the type of magnetic stripe by the host apparatus is received. The current value storage means includes correction value storage means for storing a correction value of a current value for each device,
3. The magnetic recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the current value set by the setting means is corrected by a correction value stored in the correction value storage means. The medium is a booklet medium;
The current value storage means includes page correction value storage means for storing a current value correction value for each page of the booklet-shaped medium,
3. The magnetic recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the current value set by the setting means is corrected by a correction value stored in the page correction value storage means.

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