JP2009199272A - Card processing device and card insertion state detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the operational efficiency of a card processing device from deteriorating due to meaningless returning processing when a card having a transparent part is handled. <P>SOLUTION: The presence or absence of the card 103 is determined by a non-optical type card detecting sensor S3 arranged on a card conveying path 101 between an optical-type insertion detecting sensor S1 and an optical-type length detecting sensor S2. Only when the card 103 is detected, a card conveying mechanism 104 is driven in a card discharging direction to discharge the card 103 from a card inserting hole 102. When the card 103 is not detected, the card conveying mechanism 104 is immediately returned to the initial state to be ready for the next insertion of the card 103. The card 103 having a transparent part can be detected by using the non-optical type card detecting sensor S3, and the deterioration of the operational efficiency due to meaningless returning processing can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a card processing apparatus and a card insertion state detection method for handling a card having a transparent portion.

  FIG. 6 shows a general configuration example of a card processing apparatus that handles a card having a transparent portion, a so-called skeleton card.

  A card processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 is a card processing apparatus used as a part of an automatic teller machine or the like, and only the peripheral structure of the card insertion slot 102 in the card transport path 101 is shown in a simplified manner.

  The card processing apparatus 100 is provided on the downstream side in the card insertion direction at a predetermined interval from the optical insertion detection sensor S1 provided in the card insertion slot 102 of the card transport path 101 and the insertion detection sensor S1. Optical length detection sensor S2, roller-type or belt-type card conveyance mechanism 104 for feeding the card 103 in the card conveyance path 101, insertion detection sensor S1, and length detection sensor A transport controller (not shown) that controls the operating state of the card transport mechanism 104 based on a signal from S2 is provided.

  Here, a structure in which four rollers 105 are rotationally driven to feed the card 103 is shown, but there is also a structure in which the card 103 is fed using a belt instead of the rollers.

  The card 103 is a skeleton card having a transparent portion.

  In the case of the card 103 handled by an automatic teller machine or the like, an area that can be made transparent on the card 103 is determined by the ISO standard so that the detection by the card reader & writer is not hindered. However, in many cases, a skeleton card having a transparent part exceeding the range allowed by the ISO standard may be manufactured, and a transparent card that should not be inserted into an automatic teller machine or the like For example, an error may occur in which a transparent membership card, a transparent game card, or the like is erroneously inserted into an automatic teller machine or the like.

  In the card processing apparatus 100 used in an automatic teller machine or the like, a conveyance controller (not shown) drives the card conveyance mechanism 104 when the insertion detection sensor S1 detects that the card 103 is inserted into the card insertion slot 102. The card 103 is automatically taken in.

  Although FIG. 6 shows the card 103 in which the length of the opaque portion 103a does not reach the specified length, even such a card 103 is opaque when the card 103 is inserted into the card insertion slot 102. Since the leading end of 103a activates the insertion detection sensor S1, the card 103 can be taken in by the card transport mechanism 104 itself.

  In the process of transporting the card 103, a transport controller (not shown) determines the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 based on signals from the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2.

  Here, when it is determined that the length of the opaque portion 103a has reached the prescribed length, the card 103 can be regarded as an appropriate card at least in terms of the specifications. The transfer controller that does not continue the card 103 taking-in process by the card transfer mechanism 104, and then executes substantial processes related to authenticity determination and transaction of the barcode, magnetic stripe, IC chip, etc. of the card 103.

  When it is determined that the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 has not reached the predetermined length, that is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2 If a situation occurs in which the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is located between them, it means that the specification of the card 103 itself is not appropriate. Therefore, the transport controller (not shown) moves the card transport mechanism 104 in the card ejection direction. A card return process is performed in which the card 103 is ejected from the card insertion slot 102 by being driven in reverse.

  However, a user accidentally inserts a transparent card that should not be inserted into an automated teller machine, such as a transparent membership card or a transparent game card, into the card slot 102 without any malicious intent. In such a case, a user who notices an error manually pulls out the card 103 against the feed of the card transport mechanism 104 even after the card transport mechanism 104 starts the card 103 take-in operation. Can happen.

  In such a case, in the determination process using only the signals from the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2, the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is positioned between the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2. As a result, whether the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2 are in a non-detection state (in this case, the card 103 remains in the card transport path 101) or a customer who notices an error. Whether the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2 are not detected as a result of manually pulling out the card 103 (in this case, the card 103 does not actually exist in the card transport path 101). Appropriate determination cannot be made on the transport controller side.

  Therefore, the transfer controller (not shown) causes inconvenience caused by the card 103 remaining in the card transfer path 101, for example, jamming caused by the user forgetting to remove the card 103 or additional insertion of another card 103. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the card 103 actually remains in the card transport path 101, it is necessary to execute a card return process by driving the card transport mechanism 104 in the reverse direction.

  As a result, even if a user who notices an error manually pulls out the card 103, the card return process by the reverse rotation driving of the card transport mechanism 104 is always executed, and it takes time for the meaningless return process. This causes a problem that the operation efficiency of the card processing apparatus 100 is deteriorated. In particular, in an automatic teller machine or the like, there are cases in which a large number of customers are waiting in line in a line, causing inconvenience such as harming the feelings of the users.

  As a technique for improving the inconvenience related to the sensor function of the card processing device that handles the skeleton card, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the path through which the magnetic stripe of the skeleton card passes, that is, the configuration example shown in FIG. In response to this, a card handling device is proposed in which light receiving and emitting sensors are arranged along the path through which the opaque portion 103a passes. In this case, the length of the opaque portion 103a has reached a specified length. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to determine the position and presence / absence of the card 103 because only the light emitting / receiving sensor is used as the detecting means.

  As a technique for determining the length of the card itself, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a plurality of sensors, for example, five sensors are provided along the card conveying direction, A medium conveyance determination apparatus that determines the length of a card based on a relationship with a detection signal is known. However, if these sensors are of a contact type, the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 cannot be detected even if the length of the card 103 itself can be detected. Further, if it is an optical sensor, the position of the card 103 is assumed for the same reason as described above, that is, in a situation where the opaque portion 103a is located between the optical sensors. In addition, there is an inconvenience that the presence or absence of the location cannot be determined (Patent Document 2 does not clarify the configuration of the sensor).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-173947 (FIG. 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-260788 (FIG. 3)

  An object of the present invention is to provide a card processing device and a card insertion state detection method capable of preventing a reduction in operational efficiency of the card processing device due to a meaningless return process when handling a card having a transparent portion. is there.

The card processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical insertion detection sensor provided at a card insertion port of a card transport path, and an optical provided downstream of the insertion detection sensor at a predetermined interval from the insertion detection sensor. A length detection sensor of the type, a card transport mechanism that feeds a card in the card transport path, and an operation state of the card transport mechanism based on signals from the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor. A card processing device having a transport controller to control, in order to achieve the above-mentioned problem,
While deploying a non-optical card detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a card on the card conveyance path between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor,
In the conveyance controller,
A card take-in control means for receiving a card detection signal from the insertion detection sensor and driving the card transport mechanism in the card insertion direction;
Length determining means for determining whether or not the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached a predetermined length based on the signal from the insertion detection sensor and the signal from the length detection sensor;
When the length determining means determines that the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached a predetermined length, the card transport mechanism continues to take in the card, while the length of the opaque portion of the card is If it is determined that the specified length has not been reached, it is further determined whether or not a card is detected by the card detection sensor. If a card is detected, the card transport mechanism is ejected. Card return operation restricting means for returning the card transport mechanism to the initial state after driving in the direction and discharging the card from the card insertion slot, and immediately returning the card transport mechanism to the initial state if no card is detected It has the structure characterized by comprising.

The card insertion state detection method of the present invention includes an optical insertion detection sensor provided at a card insertion port of a card transport path, and a downstream side in the card insertion direction at a predetermined interval from the insertion detection sensor. Is a card insertion state detection method for a card processing device comprising an optical length detection sensor provided on the card and a card transport mechanism for feeding a card in a card transport path, and achieves the same problem as described above In particular,
After driving the card transport mechanism in the card insertion direction based on the card detection signal from the insertion detection sensor,
Determining whether the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached a specified length by monitoring the signal from the insertion detection sensor and the signal from the length detection sensor;
If the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached the specified length, while the card transport mechanism continues to take in the card,
If the length of the opaque portion of the card does not reach the specified length, the non-optical card detection provided on the card conveyance path between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor is further performed. Based on the signal from the sensor for the presence of the card,
If a card is detected, the card transport mechanism is driven in the card ejection direction to eject the card from the card insertion slot, and then the card transport mechanism is returned to the initial state. The card transport mechanism is immediately returned to the initial state.

  The card processing device and the card insertion state detection method of the present invention determine the presence or absence of a card by a non-optical card detection sensor provided on a card conveyance path between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor. Only when a card is detected, the card transport mechanism is driven in the card ejection direction to eject the card from the card insertion slot. When no card is detected, the card transport mechanism is immediately returned to the initial state. In order to prepare for the insertion of the next card, when handling a card having a transparent portion, the opaque portion of the card is positioned between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor. Even when the card cannot be detected by the length detection sensor, meaningless return processing is prevented to improve the operation efficiency of the card processing device. Door can be.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a card processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment to which a card insertion state detection method of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a card transport path 101 of the card processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing the configuration of the transport controller 2 provided in the card processing apparatus 1 of the embodiment. FIG.

  Although the card processing apparatus 1 is used as a part of an automatic teller machine or the like, various kinds of automatic teller machines are already known, and are directly related to the gist of the present invention. Since it is not what is to be done, a specific description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the card processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an optical insertion detection sensor S <b> 1 including a pair of light receiving and emitting portions provided at a card insertion slot 102 of the card transport path 101, and insertion detection. The optical length detection sensor S2 including a pair of light receiving and emitting portions provided downstream from the sensor S1 at a predetermined interval in the card insertion direction, and the card 103 in the card transport path 101 are sent. A roller-type or belt-type card transport mechanism 104 is provided.

  Here, a structure in which four rollers 105 are rotationally driven to feed the card 103 is shown, but there is also a structure in which the card 103 is fed using a belt instead of the rollers.

  The card 103 is a skeleton card having a transparent portion.

  In the case of the card 103 handled by an automatic teller machine or the like, an area that can be made transparent on the card 103 is determined by the ISO standard so that the detection by the card reader & writer is not hindered. However, in many cases, a skeleton card having a transparent part exceeding the range allowed by the ISO standard may be manufactured, and a transparent card that should not be inserted into an automatic teller machine or the like For example, an error may occur in which a transparent membership card, a transparent game card, or the like is erroneously inserted into the card insertion slot 102.

  The card 103 in FIG. 2 is an example of a skeleton card having a non-transparent portion 103a such as a bar code, a magnetic stripe, an IC chip, and a name entry column in a part of various cards.

  However, it is not necessarily a skeleton card defined by the ISO standard, and there are some in which the length of the opaque portion 103a in the card insertion direction has reached a prescribed length, and some has not.

  The above configuration is the same as that of the conventional card processing apparatus 100 as shown in FIG.

  In the card processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a non-optical card that detects the presence / absence of the card 103 on the card transport path 101 between the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2 is further provided. A detection sensor S3, more specifically, a contact-type card detection sensor S3 that physically contacts the card 103 and detects the presence of the card 103 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the card detection sensor S3 is pressed at the leading end portion or the side portion in the insertion direction of the card 103 moving in the card transport path 101 and retreats from the card transport path 101 to the outside. From the detection member 3, the light shielding plate 4 that moves integrally with the card detection member 3, and a pair of light emitting and receiving units that operate by detecting changes in the position and posture of the light shielding plate 4 accompanying the retraction operation of the card detection member 3 And an urging unit that urges the card detection member 3 toward the card conveyance path 101 with a minimum force sufficient to cause the card detection member 3 to protrude into the card conveyance path 101. And the torsion coil spring 6 to be configured.

  More specifically, the card detection member 3 is attached to a pivot pin 7 planted in a frame portion (not shown) of the card processing device 1 at a position offset outward from the card transport path 101. It is a rocking lever. A torsion coil spring 6 that functions as an urging means has a central coil-shaped portion mounted around a pivot pin 7, and one end of the torsion coil spring 6 is implanted in the frame portion of the card processing apparatus 1. On the other hand, the other end portion of the torsion coil spring 6 urges the lever-shaped card detection member 3 steadily with a slight force toward the clockwise direction in FIG. Yes.

  In this embodiment, the card detection member 3 and the light shielding plate 4 are an integral product formed of synthetic resin such as engineering plastic.

  A commercially available limit switch or the like can be used as a contact-type card detection sensor instead of the card detection sensor S3 including the card detection member 3, the light shielding plate 4, the optical sensor 5, the torsion coil spring 6, and the like. However, in such a case, a large force is required to press the operation unit such as a limit switch, and wear and damage of the outer peripheral portion of the card 103 and an increase in frictional resistance acting when the card 103 is fed become a problem. In the present embodiment, the coil spring 6 having a minimum necessary force to project the card detection member 3 is used so that the card detection member 3 can be swung by a slight contact force of the card 103, and the card detection is performed. The retracting operation of the light shielding plate 4 that moves integrally with the member 3 is detected by the optical sensor 5 in a non-contact state.

  In other words, the card detection sensor S3 needs to be operated by bringing the card detection member 3 that is the pickup portion into direct contact with the card 103, but the operation force and frictional resistance required at that time are possible. It is desirable to make it as small as possible.

  Note that the positions and orientations of the card detection member 3 and the light shielding plate 4 shown in FIG. 2 are in a state where the card 103 is not detected, and the positions of the card detection member 3 and the light shielding plate 4 shown in FIG. The posture is the state when the card 103 is detected.

  The transport controller 2 provided in the card processing apparatus 1 is for controlling the operating state of the card transport mechanism 104 based on signals from the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2, and is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the card take-in control means 9 which receives the card detection signal from the insertion detection sensor S1 and drives the card transport mechanism 104 in the card insertion direction, the signal from the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2. Length determining means 10 for determining whether or not the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 has reached a specified length based on the signal from.

  Also, the transport controller 2 continues to take in the card 103 by the card transport mechanism 104 when the length determination means 10 determines that the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 has reached a specified length. If it is determined that the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 has not reached the prescribed length, it is further determined whether or not the card 103 is detected by the card detection sensor S3. Is detected, the card transport mechanism 104 is driven in reverse to eject the card 103 from the card insertion slot 102 and then the card transport mechanism 104 is returned to the initial state. If the card 103 is not detected, the card transport mechanism Card return operation restriction means 11 is provided for immediately returning 104 to the initial state.

  Furthermore, the transport controller 2 of the present embodiment temporarily stops the operation of the card transport mechanism 104 when the length determination unit 10 determines that the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 has not reached the specified length. The card detection operation stabilizing means 12 is also provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main part of the transport controller 2 includes a microprocessor 13 that functions as a card take-in control unit 9, a length determination unit 10, a card return operation regulation unit 11, and a card detection operation stabilization unit 12; ROM 14 storing a control program for causing the microprocessor 13 to function as the card taking-in control means 9, the length determination means 10, the card return operation regulating means 11 and the card detection operation stabilizing means 12, and used for storing data and parameters The non-volatile RAM 15 and the input / output circuit 16 for connection to various control objects are included.

  The insertion detection sensor S1, the length detection sensor S2, and the card detection sensor S3 are driven by the microprocessor 13 via the drivers 17, 18, and 19 and the input / output circuit 16, respectively. Detection signals from the detection sensor S2 and the card detection sensor S3 are input to the microprocessor 13 via the input / output circuit 16.

  The card transport motor M that rotationally drives the roller 105 of the card transport mechanism 104 is driven and controlled by the microprocessor 13 via the driver 20 and the input / output circuit 16 so that a feedback pulse from a pulse coder Pc provided to the card transport motor M is received. The data is input to the microprocessor 13 through the input / output circuit 16.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the configuration of the control program stored in the ROM 14 of the transport controller 2.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the processing operation of the microprocessor 13 functioning as the card take-in control means 9, the length determination means 10, the card return operation restriction means 11 and the card detection operation stabilization means 12 will be specifically described. To do.

  When power is turned on to the card processing device 1, the microprocessor 13 of the transport controller 2 first determines whether or not the insertion detection sensor S 1 detects the opaque portion 103 a of the card 103, that is, the card processing device 1. It is determined whether or not the card 103 is inserted into the card insertion slot 102 by the user's hand (step a1).

  If the insertion detection sensor S1 does not detect the opaque portion 103a of the card 103, it means that the card 103 has not been inserted yet, so the microprocessor 13 of the transport controller 2 only performs the determination process of step a1. Are repeatedly executed to wait for the card 103 to be inserted.

  While the determination process of step a1 is repeatedly executed, the insertion detection sensor S1 detects the opaque portion 103a of the card 103, and it is confirmed that the card 103 is inserted into the card insertion slot 102 by the user's hand. Then, the microprocessor 13 functioning as the card take-in control means 9 of the transport controller 2 drives the card transport motor M in the normal direction so as to rotate the roller 105 of the card transport mechanism 104 in the card insertion direction. The taking-in operation of the received card 103 is started (step a2).

  When the leading end of the card 103 taken along the card transport path 101 physically contacts the card detection member 3, the card detection member 3 constituting a part of the card detection sensor S 3 is biased by the torsion coil spring 6. The position / posture of the light shielding plate 4 that swings counterclockwise around the pivot pin 7 and moves integrally with the card detection member 3 changes as shown in FIG. Is blocked between the light receiving and emitting parts of the optical sensor 5, and a card detection signal is output from the optical sensor 5 which forms the main part of the card detection sensor S3.

  Since the card detection member 3 is oscillated and biased with a minimum necessary force to project into the card transport path 101, the card 103 is inadvertently worn by the contact between the card detection member 3 and the card 103. Such as that the card 103 and the conveyance of the card 103 are hindered.

  Until the card 103 passes the arrangement position of the card detection sensor S3, the position / posture of the card detection member 3 is maintained in the same state as that shown in FIG. The sensor S3 continues to detect the card 103.

  Next, the microprocessor 13 of the transport controller 2 functioning as the length determination means 10 determines whether or not the insertion detection sensor S1 continues to detect the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 (step a3), and detects insertion. If the sensor S1 continues to detect the opaque portion 103a of the card 103, it is further determined whether or not the length detection sensor S2 detects the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 (step a4).

  If the length detection sensor S2 does not detect the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 and the determination result in step a4 is false, the tip of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is arranged with the length detection sensor S2. Since it means that the installation position has not been reached, the microprocessor 13 functioning as the length determination means 10 repeatedly executes only the determination processing of step a3 and step a4 to perform insertion detection sensor S1 and length detection. The signal from the sensor S2 is monitored, and the determination result of step a3 is true while the determination result of step a3 is true, or the determination result of step a3 is false without the determination result of step a4 being true. It waits to become.

  If the determination result of step a3 is true while the determination result of step a3 remains true while the determination process of step a3 and step a4 is repeatedly executed in this way, the insertion detection sensor S1 is detected by the card. That the length detection sensor S2 detects the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 while the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is detected, that is, the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is the separation distance between the sensors S1 and S2. It means that the specified length corresponding to is reached, more specifically, the minimum size of the opaque portion 103a allowed by the ISO standard has been reached.

  Accordingly, in this case, the microprocessor 13 of the transport controller 2 functioning as the card return operation restricting means 11 performs the normal processing of the card transport motor M started by the card transport mechanism 104 taking-in process of the card 103, that is, the process of step a2. The rolling drive is continued as it is, and after executing the substantial processing related to the authenticity determination and transaction of the barcode, magnetic stripe, IC chip, etc. of the card 103 and the return processing of the card 103 in the same manner as in the past ( Step a5), returning to the initial standby state in preparation for the insertion of the next card 103 (step a1).

  Substantial processes related to authenticity determination and transactions such as barcodes, magnetic stripes, and IC chips are already known and are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, so detailed explanations are omitted. .

  On the other hand, if the determination result of step a3 becomes false without the determination result of step a4 being true while the determination process of step a3 and step a4 is repeatedly executed, the length detection sensor S2 is The insertion detection sensor S1 does not detect the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 without detecting the opaque portion 103a of the card 103, that is, the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is the separation distance between the sensors S1 and S2. This means that the specified length corresponding to is not reached, more specifically, the minimum size of the opaque portion 103a allowed by the ISO standard has not been reached.

  Therefore, in this case, first, the microprocessor 13 functioning as the card detection operation stabilizing means 12 of the transport controller 2 immediately stops the forward rotation driving of the card transport motor M started in the process of step a2, and the card transport. The card 103 taking-in process by the mechanism 104 is urgently stopped (step a6).

  At this time, the card 103 taking-in process is urgently stopped by a measure for preventing overtravel in the feeding of the card 103 due to inertial movement caused by inertia of the drive system of the card transport mechanism 104, and the like. Specifically, this is a measure for preventing a situation in which the detection of the card 103 by the card detection sensor S3 is in danger.

  Next, the microprocessor 13 functioning as the card return operation restricting means 11 of the transport controller 2 determines whether or not the card 103 is detected by the card detection sensor S3, that is, the card 103 is detected by the sensors S1 and S1 in the card transport path 101. It is determined whether or not it remains so as to cross S2 (step a7).

  In this embodiment, a contact-type card detection sensor S3 that physically detects the presence of the card 103 by physically contacting the card 103 is provided between the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a situation occurs in which the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is located between the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2, that is, light reception / emission. Even in a situation where it is difficult to detect the transparent portion of the card 103 by the optical sensors S1 and S2 composed of the sections, it is accurately detected whether or not the card 103 remains in the card transport path 101. can do.

  If the determination result in step a7 is true and it is confirmed that the card detection sensor S3 detects the card 103, it means that the card 103 remains in the card transport path 101. The microprocessor 13 functioning as the card return operation restricting means 11 of the transport controller 2 drives the card transport motor M in the reverse direction to rotate the roller 105 of the card transport mechanism 104 in the card discharge direction. A return operation is started (step a8), the card 103 is ejected from the card insertion slot 102, and then the drive of the card transport motor M is stopped (step a9), so that an initial standby state for the next card 103 is inserted. Return (step a1).

  Substantial processing related to the return of the card 103 is already known. For example, it is considered that the card 103 is completely discharged when the reverse rotation of the card transport motor M is continued for a predetermined set time. There is a return process, a return process that confirms that the insertion detection sensor S1 is switched on and off again from the current off state, and assumes that the card 103 has been ejected. Technology.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step a7 is false and it is confirmed that the card detection sensor S3 does not detect the card 103, the customer forcibly pulls out the card 103 manually and voluntarily. Since it means that the card is being collected, the microprocessor 13 functioning as the card return operation restricting means 11 of the transport controller 2 skips the processing of step a8 and step a9 related to the return of the card 103, and Immediately return to the initial standby state for preparation (step a1).

  In this way, the meaningless processing operation relating to the return of the card 103, that is, the waste of driving the card transport mechanism 104 even though the card 103 has already been removed, is eliminated. As a result, the card processing apparatus 100 In particular, in the situation where a large number of customers are queued up and waiting for their turn, it is possible to improve the trouble that the user's feelings are harmed by repeating unnecessary processing operations.

  Further, as another phenomenon, for example, a transparent membership card or a transparent game card is mistakenly inserted immediately after the card 103 using the card transport mechanism 104 is started in the process of step a2. In some cases, the user notices that the card has been inserted into the card insertion slot 102, and the card 103 is pulled out before the tip of the card 103 presses the card detection member 3 of the card detection sensor S3.

  In such a case, the length detection sensor S2 does not detect the opaque portion 103a of the card 103, but immediately after the insertion detection sensor S1 detects the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 in the determination process of step a1. Again, the insertion detection sensor S1 changes to a non-detection state. That is, regarding the point where the determination result of step a3 is false, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 is positioned between the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2. In this case as well, the microprocessor 13 of the transport controller 2 immediately stops the normal rotation driving of the card transport motor M started in the process of step a2, and the card by the card transport mechanism 104 is used. 103 is urgently stopped (step a6), and it is determined whether or not the card 103 is detected by the card detection sensor S3 (step a7).

  Naturally, in this case, since the card detection sensor S3 is in a non-detection state, the determination result of step a7 is false, and the microprocessor 13 of the transport controller 2 performs the processing of step a8 and step a9 related to the return of the card 103. Is immediately returned to the initial standby state in preparation for the insertion of the next card 103 (step a1).

  That is, in the card processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, it is not always necessary to wait for the result of the determination as to whether or not the length of the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 has reached the specified length, and the card 103 is removed. It is possible to immediately stop the taking-in operation by the card transport mechanism 104 and return to the initial standby state at the time when is detected.

  In the above embodiment, the contact type card detection sensor S3 is used as the non-optical type card detection sensor. However, if there is no problem such as cost, the contact type card detection sensor S3 is used instead. For example, an ultrasonic sensor or the like can be used. That is, the essential meaning of the non-optical card detection sensor is a sensor having a function of accurately detecting the card 103 regardless of whether the card 103 is transparent or opaque.

  The insertion detection sensor S1, the length detection sensor S2, and the sensor 5 (main part of the card detection sensor S3) are optical sensors composed of a light receiving and emitting part, and are transmissive or reflective. Furthermore, it does not matter whether it is a dark on type or a dark off type. The difference in the arrangement position of the light emitting and receiving parts caused by the difference between the transmission type and the reflection type, and the difference in signal processing caused by the difference between the dark on type and the dark off type are only a design problem. Whichever configuration is applied, the insertion detection sensor S1 and the length detection sensor S2 detect the opaque portion 103a of the card 103 (the transparent portion of the card 103 is not detected), and the card detection sensor S3. Thus, it is possible to detect the card 103 regardless of whether it is a transparent portion or an opaque portion 103a.

  The card processing apparatus and the card insertion state detection method of the present invention are not limited to card detection in a card reader & writer of an automatic teller machine (ATM), but are inserted in an apparatus having a configuration for taking a medium into the apparatus from the outside. The detection sensor is an optical sensor, and the present invention can be applied to detection of what has a characteristic that most of the medium to be taken in does not react with the optical sensor.

It is the functional block diagram shown about the outline of the structure of the card processing apparatus of one Embodiment to which the card insertion state detection method of this invention was applied. It is the top view which simplified and showed about the periphery structure of the card insertion slot of the card processing apparatus of the embodiment. It is the block diagram which simplified and showed the structure of the conveyance controller with which the card processing apparatus of the embodiment is provided. It is an action principle figure which showed the condition where conveyance of a card | curd stopped in the state in which the opaque part of the card | curd was located between the sensor for insertion detection, and the sensor for length detection. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the structure of the control program stored in ROM of the conveyance controller with which the card processing apparatus of the embodiment is provided. It is the figure which simplified and showed about the general structural example of the card processing apparatus which handles the card | curd which has a transparent part.

Explanation of symbols

1 Card processing device 2 Transport controller 3 Card detection member (oscillating lever)
4 light shielding plate 5 optical sensor 6 torsion coil spring (biasing means)
7 Pivoting Pin 8 Support Pin 9 Card Intake Control Unit 10 Length Determination Unit 11 Card Return Operation Restricting Unit 12 Card Detection Operation Stabilizing Unit 13 Microprocessor 14 ROM
15 Nonvolatile RAM
16 I / O circuits 17, 18, 19, 20 Driver 100 Card processing device 101 Card transport path 102 Card insertion slot 103 Card 103a Opaque portion 104 Card transport mechanism 105 Roller S1 Optical insertion detection sensor S2 Optical length detection Sensor S3 Contact-type card detection sensor (non-optical card detection sensor)
M Card transport motor Pc Pulse coder

Claims (11)

An optical insertion detection sensor provided at the card insertion port of the card conveyance path, and an optical length detection sensor provided downstream of the insertion detection sensor at a predetermined interval from the insertion detection sensor And a card transport mechanism that feeds the card in the card transport path, and a transport controller that controls the operating state of the card transport mechanism based on signals from the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor. Card processing device,
While deploying a non-optical card detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a card on the card conveyance path between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor,
In the conveyance controller,
A card take-in control means for receiving a card detection signal from the insertion detection sensor and driving the card transport mechanism in the card insertion direction;
Length determining means for determining whether or not the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached a predetermined length based on the signal from the insertion detection sensor and the signal from the length detection sensor;
When the length determining means determines that the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached a predetermined length, the card transport mechanism continues to take in the card, while the length of the opaque portion of the card is If it is determined that the specified length has not been reached, it is further determined whether or not a card is detected by the card detection sensor. If a card is detected, the card transport mechanism is ejected. Card return operation restricting means for returning the card transport mechanism to the initial state after driving in the direction and discharging the card from the card insertion slot, and immediately returning the card transport mechanism to the initial state if no card is detected A card processing apparatus comprising:   When the length detection sensor detects the opaque portion of the card while the insertion detection sensor detects the opaque portion of the card, the length determination means determines the length of the opaque portion of the card to a predetermined length. The card processing device according to claim 1, wherein the card processing device is determined to have reached.   The transport controller includes a card detection operation stabilization unit that temporarily stops the operation of the card transport mechanism when the length determination unit determines that the length of the opaque portion of the card has not reached a predetermined length. The card processing device according to claim 1, wherein the card processing device is provided.   4. The card detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the card detection sensor comprises a contact sensor that physically contacts the card to detect the presence of the card. The card processing device according to one item.   A card detection member that is pressed by a card that moves in the card conveyance path, and the card detection sensor retracts outward from the card conveyance path; a light shielding plate that moves integrally with the card detection member; and the card detection member An optical sensor that operates by detecting a change in the position / posture of the light shielding plate due to the retraction operation of the card, and the card detection member with a minimum force sufficient to cause the card detection member to protrude into the card conveyance path. 5. The card processing device according to claim 4, wherein the card processing device is configured by urging means for urging the conveying path.   6. The card processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the card detection member is constituted by a swinging lever.   The card processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the card detection member and the light shielding plate are integrally formed. An optical insertion detection sensor provided at the card insertion port of the card conveyance path, and an optical length detection sensor provided downstream of the insertion detection sensor at a predetermined interval from the insertion detection sensor And a card insertion state detection method of a card processing device comprising a card transport mechanism that feeds a card in a card transport path,
After driving the card transport mechanism in the card insertion direction based on the card detection signal from the insertion detection sensor,
Determining whether the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached a specified length by monitoring the signal from the insertion detection sensor and the signal from the length detection sensor;
If the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached the specified length, while the card transport mechanism continues to take in the card,
If the length of the opaque portion of the card does not reach the prescribed length, the non-optical card detection provided on the card conveyance path between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor is further performed. Based on the signal from the sensor for the presence of the card,
If a card is detected, the card transport mechanism is driven in the card ejection direction to eject the card from the card insertion slot, and then the card transport mechanism is returned to the initial state. A card insertion state detection method comprising: immediately returning a card transport mechanism to an initial state.   After the card transport mechanism is driven in the card insertion direction, the length detection sensor detects the opaque part of the card while the insertion detection sensor detects the opaque part of the card. 9. The card insertion state detection method according to claim 8, wherein it is determined that the length of the opaque portion has reached a predetermined length.   10. The card according to claim 8, wherein the operation of the card transport mechanism is temporarily stopped when the length of the opaque portion of the card does not reach a specified length. Insertion state detection method.   The card insertion state detection method according to claim 8, wherein presence of the card is detected based on presence / absence of contact between the card detection sensor and the card.

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