JP2009176011A - Ic card reader/writer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IC card reader/writer having a card lock mechanism, allowing miniaturization and power saving, and allowing reduction of production cost. <P>SOLUTION: In the lock mechanism of this IC card reader/writer, a card 13 is manually inserted, a rotation link 5 is rotated by movement of a slide link 6 when the card 13 is inserted to a certain position, movement of a first branch part 5d of the rotation link 5 is sensed by a scanning line X of a card insertion detection sensor, power supply to a solenoid 2 is started by a control circuit, the solenoid 2 attracts a plunger 3 to interlockingly respectively move the slide link 6, the rotation link 5, and a lock hook 7, and locking is performed such that the card is not discharged by a first lock system wherein a card rearward end part 13b opposite to an insertion direction of the card 13 is hooked by a tip part 7a of the lock hook 7 and a second lock system wherein a contact unit 1 is locked by a third branch part 5c by the rotation of the rotation link 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC card reader / writer, and an IC card reader suitable for a contact IC card used in an information processing apparatus such as an on-board device for an automatic toll collection system (ETC) or an automatic teller machine (ATM). The present invention relates to a card lock mechanism and a lock release mechanism in a writer.

  An IC card reader / writer used in an information processing apparatus such as an automatic teller machine (ATM) or an electronic money transaction processing apparatus has an IC card (hereinafter referred to as a “card”) in which various data are stored by a user. When inserted, the card data is read or written. However, if the card is removed from the IC card reader / writer intentionally or erroneously while reading or writing data, the data processing may not be performed normally and the data stored in the card may be destroyed. Therefore, for the purpose of preventing removal during data processing of the card, the IC card reader / writer is locked so that the card is not inserted until the card is completely inserted into the IC card reader / writer and the data processing is completed. In addition, a lock mechanism for releasing the lock when the data processing is completed is provided.

  Conventionally, the lock mechanism described above does not release the lock even if the user pulls the card with force during data processing. Also, the user cannot use the card when the information processing device is not turned on or during a power failure. There is a demand for an IC card reader / writer equipped with a lock mechanism that satisfies both of these requirements.

  In recent years, there has been a strict demand for miniaturization and power saving of devices / equipment, especially in ETC OBE, in addition to thinning and power saving, the demand for low noise has become more severe. An IC card reader / writer using a solenoid is often used.

  The card locking mechanism is roughly classified into a manual method using an eject button and an automatic method using a motor or a solenoid.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining a lock mechanism of a conventional IC card reader / writer.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the card 52 is inserted, the IC card reader / writer 51 is pushed by the tip of the card 52 and the push rod 53 moves in the card insertion direction (arrow A), and interlocks with this movement. When the lock hook 54 rotates forward (arrow C) and the card is completely inserted, the card is locked. Further, the lock lever 57 is rotated clockwise by exciting the solenoid 55 and the elastic force of the spring 56, and the push rod 53 moved in the card insertion direction (arrow A) by this lever is moved in the card ejection direction (arrow B). By locking so as not to move, the locked state of the card by the lock hook 54 is maintained. When the data processing is completed, the solenoid 55 is excited to the opposite polarity, the lock lever 57 is rotated counterclockwise, and the push rod 53 is released. When the lock is released, the push rod 53 is moved in the card ejection direction (arrow B) by the elastic force of the spring 56, and in conjunction with this movement, the lock hook 54 reversely rotates (arrow D) to release the card lock. To do. Such an IC card reader / writer is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2000-293639 A

  However, in the conventional IC card reader / writer 51 shown in FIG. 5, when the card 52 is pulled in the locked state, the pulling force of the card 52 is transmitted from the rear end portion in the insertion direction of the card 52 to the lock hook 54 and the push rod 53. The push rod 53 is pressed against the lock lever 57 by being added to the contact portion between the push rod 53 and the lock lever 57. For this reason, even if the solenoid 55 is energized in an attempt to release the lock while the card 52 is pulled, the lock lever 57 is difficult to move away from the push rod 53 and it becomes difficult to release the lock of the push rod 53. It is also difficult to release the lock.

  In the above IC card reader / writer 51, the solenoid 55 is excited to the opposite polarity to unlock the push rod 53 and the lock 52 to unlock the card 52, so that the power supply is cut off. The solenoid 55 cannot be excited, and therefore the push rod 53 cannot be unlocked and the card cannot be unlocked. Furthermore, the above-described reverse polarity excitation and power supply are required, which hinders power saving.

  As described above, the conventional IC card reader / writer locking mechanism supplies power to the solenoid in both cases of card locking and unlocking, and is constantly performed during the entire process of card insertion, data processing, and card removal. Power supply to the solenoid is required, which increases power consumption and hinders power saving.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an IC card reader / writer provided with a card lock mechanism that can solve the above-described problems and can reduce the manufacturing cost while reducing the size and power consumption.

  In order to solve these problems, the locking mechanism of the IC card reader / writer includes at least a contact unit that contacts the IC chip of the card, a spring biased in the card ejection direction, a card insertion detection sensor, and a card. A slide link that moves simultaneously with insertion, a rotary link that engages with the slide link, a solenoid and a plunger, a control circuit that controls power supply to the solenoid and data processing of the card, and a lock hook that locks the card When the card is inserted manually and the card is inserted to a certain position, the rotation link is rotated by the movement of the slide link, and the card insertion detection sensor detects the rotation movement, and the control circuit detects the solenoid. Power supply to the solenoid, the solenoid sucks the plunger, and the slide A first lock system that engages each of the link, the rotation link, and the lock hook, and hooks the rear end of the card insertion direction at the tip end of the lock hook, and the rotation of the rotation link rotates the contact unit. The card is locked so that the card is not ejected by the second locking system to be locked, and data is processed in this locked state.

  When the data processing is completed, the power supply to the solenoid is stopped by the control circuit, and the solenoid plunger is released, so that the slide link moves in the card discharge direction and rotates by the plunger spring biased in the card discharge direction. The first lock system is released by rotating the link in the opposite direction and the lock hook moves upward to release the lock, and the contact unit locked by the rotation of the rotary link in the opposite direction. When the second lock system is released, the urging spring moves the card in the card discharging direction to move away from the IC chip of the card and automatically discharge the card.

  That is, the card is inserted manually against the spring biased in the card ejection direction, and power is supplied to the solenoid to lock the card only when the card is completely inserted, and data processing starts in this locked state. When the data processing is completed, the power supply to the solenoid is stopped, the lock is released, and the card is mechanically automatically ejected by the elastic force of the spring biased in the card ejection direction. With this configuration, the lock hook moves and approaches to the vicinity of the card, so the amount of movement of the lock hook when the solenoid is fully powered and locked is a small amount of about 2 mm, which is slightly larger than the card thickness. The displacement (stroke) of the solenoid plunger that moves the lock hook may be as small as about 1 mm.

  Therefore, at the time of starting the lock, the displacement amount (stroke) of the solenoid plunger can be reduced, so that the power supply amount (power consumption) to the solenoid can be kept small, and the power supply time to the solenoid during the lock operation is also reduced. Since only the data processing time of the card, the power supply time can be shortened, and the power supply amount (power consumption) during the lock operation can be kept small.

  Furthermore, by reducing the amount of power supplied (power consumption), the drive voltage should be unified to a low voltage in a control circuit where a low-voltage communication system responsible for data processing and a high-voltage power system responsible for locking are essential. It is possible to reduce the cost and weight of the device by reducing and simplifying the control circuit components.

  According to the present invention, an IC card reader / writer, at least a contact unit that is in electrical contact with an IC chip of an IC card, a spring biased in the IC card ejection direction, an IC card insertion detection sensor, a solenoid, A plunger that is engaged with the solenoid, a slide link that is engaged with the plunger, a rotation link that is engaged with the slide link, a lock hook that is engaged with the rotation link, a power supply to the solenoid, and the IC A control circuit for controlling data processing of the card, and when the IC card is inserted, the contact unit and the slide link move in the card insertion direction, and the rotary link engaged with the slide link rotates. The movement of the rotating link is sensed by the IC card insertion detection sensor, and the control circuit Power supply to the solenoid is started, and when the solenoid sucks the plunger, the slide link, the rotation link, and the lock hook are engaged with each other, and the lock hook locks the end of the IC card. An IC card reader / writer characterized in that the IC card is locked so that the IC card is not ejected by a first lock system that performs and a second lock system that locks the contact unit as the rotary link rotates. It is done.

  According to the present invention, the power supply to the solenoid is performed from the time when the IC card insertion detection sensor senses the movement of the rotating link to the time when the data processing of the IC card is completed. A reader / writer is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the rotating link has a first branch part, a second branch part, and a third branch part, and the IC card insertion detection sensor senses the movement of the first branch part. The movement of the second branch part is engaged with the slide link and the lock hook to act as the first lock system, and the movement of the third branch part is engaged with the contact unit. An IC card reader / writer characterized by acting as the second lock system can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the card is manually inserted and the solenoid is powered to lock the card only for the time during which data processing is performed. Then, since power is not supplied to the solenoid, the plunger is opened and the lock function does not act, and the card is automatically ejected by the elastic force of the spring biased in the card ejection direction. Similarly, even when the power to the card reader / writer is cut off for some reason during the data processing of the card, the power supply to the solenoid is cut off, the plunger is released, and the lock is released. The card is automatically ejected by force.

  Also, when locking, it is performed manually, that is, mechanically, until the position immediately before the lock hook is hooked to the end of the card, that is, just before locking, and when the card comes to that position, the insertion detection sensor completes the card insertion. This is detected, power supply to the solenoid is started, the lock hook is moved, and the card is completely locked and locked. Since the amount of movement of the lock hook at that time may be as small as about 2 mm, which is a little thicker than the card thickness, the displacement amount (stroke) of the solenoid plunger can be made very short, so the amount of power supplied to the solenoid can be greatly reduced.

  As a result, conventionally, the communication system voltage for data processing, for example, 5V system, and the drive system voltage for the lock mechanism, for example, 12V system must be provided differently, and the circuit configuration and elements have become complicated. On the other hand, in the present invention, the lock mechanism can be driven by unifying it to the same low voltage of, for example, 5V system by the power saving of the lock mechanism, so that the lock mechanism can be driven, the circuit configuration is simplified, the circuit parts are reduced, and the cost is low. Can also be achieved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, each figure shown below has shown only the components and parts directly related to the operation | movement of the card lock mechanism by this invention simply, transparently, and those indirect or auxiliary parts. Etc. are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a locking mechanism of an IC card reader / writer according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view. Show.

  2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the locking mechanism of the IC card reader / writer according to the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a plan view and FIG. 2B shows a side view. A state immediately after the completion of the contact and the contact of the IC chip of the card with the contact unit is shown.

  3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the locking mechanism of the IC card reader / writer according to the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a plan view and FIG. 3B shows a side view. Power supply is started and the card is locked.

  4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the lock mechanism of the IC card reader / writer according to the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a plan view and FIG. 4B shows a side view. The power supply to is stopped, and the card is unlocked.

  1 (a) and 1 (b) show the card 13 in the frame 11 in a state where the card 13 is manually temporarily inserted along the guide groove 12 formed on the inner wall parallel to the card moving direction of the frame 11. FIG. It is in the state stored in the. The lock mechanism of the IC card reader / writer includes a contact unit 1 including a control circuit board that performs data processing by electrically contacting an IC chip (not shown) of the card 13, a solenoid 2, a plunger 3, and the plunger 3. A spring 4 inserted and urged on the outer periphery, a rotating link 5, a slide link 6, and a lock hook 7 for locking the card. The contact unit 1 is a spring urged in the card discharge direction B. The rotating link 5 is engaged with the slide link 6 by the spring 8 and the spring 9, and is locked by the spring 10 biased clockwise around the rotating shaft 5e. Further, the lock hook 7 is engaged with the second branch portion 5 a of the rotary link 5.

  2 (a) and 2 (b) show a state in which the card 13 is manually pushed in against the biased springs 4, 8, 9, and 10 from the stored state of the card 13 and inserted. is there. The card front end portion 13a pushes against the pressure applying portion 1c of the contact unit 1, and the contact unit 1 contacts an electrode surface of an IC chip (not shown) of the card 13 while moving obliquely downward through the support hole 1b. Simultaneously with the movement of the contact unit 1, the card front end portion 13a pushes the pressing portion 6c formed vertically below the slide link 6 to move the slide link 6 in the card insertion direction A along the support hole 6b. As a result, the rotating link 5 is rotated clockwise around the rotating shaft 5e by the biased spring 10, and the second branch 5a installed on the rotating link 5 is moved in the card insertion direction A. Since the lock hook 7 engaged with the second branch portion 5a moves downward about the rotation shaft 7c by the support hole 7b, the position of the front end portion 7a is in a state immediately before being hooked on the card rear end portion 13b or to the solenoid 2. It will be in the state just before starting electric power feeding. The card front end indicates an end in the card insertion direction, and the card rear end indicates an end opposite to the card insertion direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the insertion of the card 13 is completed, the scanning line X of the insertion detection sensor (not shown) in which the first branch portion 5d of the rotary link 5 is installed in the frame 11 is used. , The completion of card insertion is sensed, and the power supply to the solenoid 2 is started by the control circuit, and the plunger 3 is sucked by the stroke D in the card insertion direction A. At the same time, the slide link 6 connected to the plunger 3 by the pin 6a is further moved in the card insertion direction A by the sucked stroke D, so that the rotary link 5 is centered on the rotary shaft 5e by the elastic force of the spring 10. Further rotating in the clockwise direction, the second branch part 5a installed on the rotary link 5 is further moved in the card insertion direction A, and the lock hook 7 engaged with the second branch part 5a is supported by the rotary shaft 7c. The card 7 is further moved downward by the hole 7b, and the card rear end 13b is completely covered by the tip 7a to lock the card 13 (first lock system). At the same time, the third branch 5c of the rotating link 5 rotates clockwise around the rotating shaft 5e, so that it is locked to the pin 1a installed on the contact unit 1 and the contact unit 1 moves in the card ejection direction B. It is mechanically locked as a stopper so that it cannot be done (second lock system). In this state, data processing of the card 13 is performed. In addition, since the suction force of the plunger 3 is a force that rotates the rotary link 5 in the clockwise direction about the rotary shaft 5e, the spring 8 biased to the contact unit 1 to eject the card 13 and the spring Since it does not relate to the urging force of 9, it does not require a large suction force, that is, a power supply amount.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the data processing of the card 13 is completed, the power supply to the solenoid 2 is stopped by the end signal, and the plunger 3 of the solenoid 2 is opened to cover the plunger 3. The slide link 6 is moved in the card discharge direction B by the elastic force of the spring 4 biased and pushes the rotary link 5 so as to rotate counterclockwise about the rotary shaft 5e. The second branch portion 5a moves in the card discharge direction B, the lock hook 7 engaged with the rotation link 5 moves upward by the rotation shaft 7c and the support hole 7b, and the leading end portion 7a is the card rear end portion 13b. And the card 13 is unlocked (release of the first lock system). At the same time, the third branch 5c of the rotary link 5 also rotates counterclockwise about the rotary shaft 5e, so that it is disengaged from the pin 1a installed on the contact unit 1 (release of the second lock system). Accordingly, the contact unit 1 is moved in the card ejection direction B by the elastic force of the biased springs 8 and 9, and is separated from the IC chip (not shown) of the card 13, and the above-described FIG. 1 (a) and FIG. Return to the same initial state.

  With this configuration, the card is inserted and ejected by a so-called simple mechanical mechanism using manual and biasing springs, and the solenoid is energized only during communication during card data processing. It has a mechanism to lock the card. Until just before the lock mechanism is activated, the card is manually inserted against the biasing spring, and at the same time, the lock hook also hooks the rear end of the card inserted by the mechanical operation mechanism, that is, immediately before the lock is locked. Position.

  Also, when starting the lock, the amount of movement of the lock hook in the vertical direction can be a little larger than the card thickness, so the plunger stroke linked to the solenoid can be controlled with a minute amount of about 1 mm or less, for example. Thus, a large suction force at a small stroke can be used efficiently. As a result, the solenoid can be miniaturized and the IC card reader / writer can be thinned. At the same time, power is supplied to the solenoid only during card data processing, which is the shortest time when card removal is absolutely not allowed, so the amount of power supply related to the control of the lock mechanism, that is, power consumption, can be minimized and power can be saved. It becomes.

  Each of the rotating link 5, the slide link 6, the lock hook 7, and the biased springs 4, 8, 9, and 10 is made of a lightweight material such as stainless steel or aluminum so that smooth operation is possible. In addition, it is preferable that each shape, length, angle, and thickness is appropriately designed in consideration of mutual engagement operations.

  The relative strength between the suction force of the solenoid 2 and the elastic force of each of the biased springs 4, 8, 9, 10 is spring 10> solenoid 2> (spring 8, spring 9)> spring 4. In addition, it is preferable that the absolute intensity of each is determined by appropriately adjusting.

  Further, the support hole 1b formed in the contact unit 1, the support hole 5b formed in the rotary link 5, the support hole 6b formed in the slide link 6, and the support hole 7b formed in the lock hook 7 are oval and bent oval. However, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the shape according to the mutual engaging operation between the parts.

  Hereinafter, it explains in full detail using an Example.

  As the contact unit 1, a unit including a control circuit board having a length of 35 mm, a width of 20 mm, and a height of 8 mm as shown in FIG. 1 was prepared.

  As the solenoid 2, one having an outer diameter of 10 mm × 12 mm × 20 mm square and a suction force of 250 gf was used, and the plunger 3 was an iron material having an outer diameter of 3 mm and a length of 15 mm.

  As the rotary link 5, a stainless steel SUS304 material having a shape having three branches as shown in FIG. 1 and having a length of 50 mm, a width of 35 mm, and a thickness of 0.3 mm was used.

  As the slide link 6, a stainless steel SUS304 material having a length of 60 mm, a width of 20 mm, and a thickness of 0.3 mm as shown in FIG. 1 was used, and an oval support hole 6b having a width of 2 mm was formed.

  As the lock hook 7, a stainless steel SUS304 material having a substantially L shape as shown in FIG. 1 having a length of 50 mm, a width of 7 mm, and a thickness of 0.3 mm is used. Formed.

The energized springs 4, 8, 9, 10 are all made of stainless steel SUS304,
The spring 4 has an elastic force of 25 gf, an outer diameter of 5.5 mmφ, a length of 5 mm,
The spring 8 has an elastic force of 50 g, an outer diameter of 2 mmφ, a length of 20 mm,
The spring 9 has an elastic force of 50 g, an outer diameter of 2 mmφ, a length of 20 mm,
The spring 10 has an elastic force of 400 g, an outer diameter of 3 mmφ, a length of 25 mm,
I used one.

  A resin molded body using an ABS material having an outer shape of 80 mm × 60 mm and a thickness of 10 mm was used as the frame 11, and a card moving guide groove 12 having a width of 1 mm and a depth of 2 mm was formed on both inner walls.

  With the above configuration, the IC card reader / writer provided with the locking mechanism of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 was obtained. As a comparative example, the conventional IC card reader / writer shown in FIG. 5 was prepared using the same material and shape as those of the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

  With respect to the IC card reader / writer according to the present invention and the comparative example manufactured as described above, the stroke of the solenoid, the amount of power supplied to the solenoid in the card lock state, and the external dimensions of the solenoid are measured, and the comparison results are shown in Table 1. Shown in The power supply amount was a value calculated by the product (W · h) of voltage (V) × current (A) × energization time (seconds), and an average value of n = 10 (times).

  As shown in Table 1, in the IC card reader / writer according to the present invention, the stroke of the solenoid is about 70%, the power supply amount is about 55%, and the external dimension of the solenoid is about 1/2 by volume. It was possible to significantly reduce each.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above using the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention is not limited to the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention. That is, various changes and modifications that can be naturally made by those skilled in the art are also included in the present invention.

  With the IC card reader / writer of the present invention, it is possible to provide an IC card reader / writer with a card lock mechanism that is inexpensive, high quality, and has low power consumption for both contact type and non-contact type IC cards. Intelligent car traffic, road traffic information service (VICS), automatic toll collection system (ETC), and other advanced road traffic systems (ITS) that are expected to diversify in the future, ID cards, membership cards, prepaid It can also contribute to the construction of an information processing system using an IC card suitable for personal information management using a card, a cash card, etc., and improvement of communication technology and services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The figure explaining the locking mechanism of the IC card reader / writer of this invention (card temporary insertion state), FIG. 1 (a) is a top view, FIG.1 (b) is a side view. The figure explaining the locking mechanism of the IC card reader / writer of the present invention (the state immediately before the card lock), FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a side view. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a lock mechanism of an IC card reader / writer according to the present invention (card locked state), FIG. 3A is a plan view, and FIG. 3B is a side view. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a lock mechanism of the IC card reader / writer according to the present invention (card unlock state), FIG. 4A is a plan view, and FIG. 4B is a side view. The perspective view explaining the locking mechanism of the conventional IC card reader / writer.

Explanation of symbols

1 Contact Unit 1a Pin 1b Support Hole 1c Pressure Part 2 Solenoid 3 Plunger 4, 8, 9, 10 Spring
5 Rotating Link 5a Second Branch 5b Support Hole 5c Third Branch 5d First Branch 5e Rotating Shaft 6 Slide Link 6a Pin 6b Support Hole 6c Pressure Part 7 Lock Hook 7a Tip 7b Support Hole 7c Rotation Shaft 11 Frame 12 Guide groove 13 Card 13a Card front end 13b Card rear end 51 IC card reader / writer 52 Card 53 Push rod 54 Lock hook 55 Solenoid 56 Spring 57 Lock lever A Card insertion direction B Card ejection direction D Stroke X Scan line

Claims (3)

  IC card reader / writer, at least a contact unit that is in electrical contact with the IC chip of the IC card, a spring biased in the IC card ejection direction, an IC card insertion detection sensor, a solenoid, and a solenoid A plunger that engages with the plunger, a rotation link that engages with the slide link, a lock hook that engages with the rotation link, power supply to the solenoid, and data processing of the IC card When the IC card is inserted, the contact unit and the slide link move in the card insertion direction, the rotary link engaged with the slide link rotates, and the movement of the rotary link Is detected by the IC card insertion detection sensor and the solenoid is controlled by the control circuit. First, when the solenoid sucks the plunger, the slide link, the rotary link, and the lock hook are engaged with each other, and the lock hook locks the end portion of the IC card. An IC card reader / writer, wherein the IC card is locked so as not to be ejected by the lock system and a second lock system that locks the contact unit as the rotary link rotates.   2. The IC card reader according to claim 1, wherein the power supply to the solenoid is performed from the time when the IC card insertion detection sensor senses the movement of the rotating link to the time when the data processing of the IC card is completed. lighter.   The rotating link has a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch. The IC card insertion detection sensor senses the movement of the first branch, and the second branch The movement of the portion is engaged with the slide link and the lock hook to act as the first lock system, and the movement of the third branch is engaged with the contact unit to be the second lock system. The IC card reader / writer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

Images