JP2010262419A - Non-contact ic read/write system, non-contact ic reader/writer, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce such an error that processing performed to a card on a card conveying path is performed to a card held over by a user even if an IC reader/writer is provided so as to be capable of communicating with the card on the card conveying path and the card held over by the user. <P>SOLUTION: When the presence or absence of a card in a communication range of the IC reader/writer 11 is detected, the IC reader/writer 11 discriminates whether the card is the card C1 on the conveying path or the card C2 held over by the user. In this case, the IC reader/writer reads data stored in a memory of the card and determines whether the card is the card C1 or the card C2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact IC read / write system capable of communicating with an IC card in a non-contact manner and capable of reading and writing data.

  IC cards are composed of cards with built-in IC chips, can handle large volumes of data compared to magnetic stripe cards, and can ensure high security, so they can be used as ID cards for personal identification, prepaid cards, etc. Has been. In order to issue such an ID card, a printer device in which a card printer having a function of printing on the card surface and an IC reader / writer for writing and reading data on the card is used. Then, printing processing on the card surface and data recording processing on the IC chip are performed. In such a case, the printer apparatus has a card transport path, and an IC reader / writer antenna is provided in the vicinity of the card transport path, so that the card transported to a predetermined position on the card transport path and the IC reader / writer can communicate with each other. Do. As another IC reader / writer, there is an IC reader / writer that communicates between the card and the IC reader / writer by a user holding the card from the outside of the device housing of the IC reader / writer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an IC reader / writer device that can communicate with both a card on the above-described card transport path and a card held by a user from the outside of the device housing with a single IC reader / writer is known ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In such an IC reader / writer device, data for issuing a card may be written to a card on the card transport path. At this time, a blank card is often used as a card to which data is written. On the other hand, cards that have already been issued are often used as cards held from the outside of the apparatus housing, and data reading and rewriting processes are performed on the cards.

  However, these non-contact type IC reader / writers can detect the presence of a plurality of cards within the communication range of the IC reader / writer, but they are either cards on the card transport path or cards held from the outside of the device casing. Cannot be distinguished. Therefore, there is a possibility that data that should originally be written on the blank card is overwritten on the issued card.

  By the way, there is known an IC reader / writer device configured such that a card on the card transport path and a card held from the outside of the device housing are not simultaneously communicated by one IC reader / writer (for example, Patent Documents). 2). According to this apparatus, the lock mechanism for locking the card on the card transport path is provided, and a lock signal is generated when the card is inserted into the transport path and the card is fixed by the lock mechanism. By generating the lock signal, the communication distance of the IC reader / writer is shortened, and communication with a card held from the outside of the apparatus housing is not performed. With this configuration, only the card on the transport path is processed when the lock signal is generated, so that the above-mentioned problem can be prevented, but the configuration is complicated because a lock mechanism must be provided in addition to the existing device. become.

JP-A-11-161751 JP 2000-285207 A

  The present invention solves the above-described problem. Even if one IC reader / writer is provided so as to be able to communicate with a card on a card transport path and a card held by a user, it can be used for the card on the card transport path. Non-contact IC read / write system and non-contact IC reader / writer device capable of discriminating between a card on a card transport path and a card held by the user so that the processing is not performed on the card held by the user Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a host computer, an IC reader / writer device casing, a transport path for transporting a first card provided in the device casing, and a radio signal. The second card that is positioned by the user from the outside of the apparatus housing to the first communication unit on the first communication unit on the transport path and the second communication unit at a position different from the transport path by transmitting and receiving In a non-contact IC read / write system that includes an IC read / write unit that can selectively communicate with the transfer unit, a transfer unit that transfers the first card on the transfer path, the first communication unit, and the second communication Detecting means for detecting presence / absence of a card based on presence / absence of a reaction from a card to a radio signal transmitted from the IC read / write unit, and detected by the detecting means. Discriminating means for discriminating whether the received card is the first card or the second card.

  According to the present invention, when the card is detected within the communication range of the IC reader / writer, the first card and the second card are discriminated. Even if it is provided to be able to communicate with a card held by the user, it is possible to reduce an error such that processing to be performed on the card on the card transport path is performed on the card held by the user.

1 is a system configuration diagram to which a printer apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable can be connected. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer apparatus according to the first embodiment, showing a state where a card on a transport path is in a first communication unit. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer apparatus according to the first embodiment, showing a state where a user holds the card during a response process for the card on the transport path. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment showing a state in which communication between the IC reader / writer and a card held by a user is prohibited. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit of the printer apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows communication between the IC reader / writer of 1st Embodiment, and an IC card. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process before receiving the card issue command of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a process after receiving the card issue command of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the card | curd of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the printer apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, and shows the state in which the card | curd on a conveyance path exists in a 1st communication part. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the printer apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, and shows the state in which the user held the card in the response process with respect to the card | curd on a conveyance path | pass. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the printer apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, and the state which has prohibited communication with the card | curd held by the IC reader / writer and the user is shown. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the printer apparatus of 3rd Embodiment, and shows the state in which the card | curd on a conveyance path exists in a 1st communication part. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the printer apparatus of 3rd Embodiment, and shows the state in which the user held the card in the response process with respect to the card | curd on a conveyance path | pass. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer apparatus according to a third embodiment, showing a state where communication between an IC reader / writer and a card inserted by a user is prohibited.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<System configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer device 1 is connected to a host device 10 (for example, a host computer such as a personal computer) via an interface (not shown), and print data and IC are transferred from the host device 10 to the printer device 1. It is possible to instruct a recording operation or the like by transmitting recording data or the like.

  The host device 10 generally includes an image input device 4 (for example, a camera or a scanner) for inputting an image or the like used for print data, and an input device such as a keyboard or mouse for inputting commands and data to the host device 10. 3. Connected to a monitor 2 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying data generated by the host device 10 and data obtained from a card by an IC reader / writer described later.

<Internal configuration>
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, each component inside the printer device 1 and the host device 10 will be described. The card supply unit 16 is detachably provided on one side of the printer apparatus 1 and can store therein a plurality of blank cards C1 before recording processing in a stacked manner, and is provided on the printer apparatus 1 side. The supply roller 17 that is rotationally driven by a motor that omits the No. card feeds the card at the lowest level (lowermost layer) into the apparatus. The printer apparatus 1 includes a transport path P through which the card C1 is transported inside the housing 24, and the card C1 is fed out to the transport path P by the supply roller 17.

  The printing unit 20 prints data such as characters and images on the surface of the card C1. In the first embodiment, the printing unit 20 adopts the configuration of a thermal transfer printer, and has a thermal head 21 provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a platen roller 22 provided at a printing position on the conveyance path P. ing. Between the platen roller 22 and the thermal head 21, an ink ribbon R in which a plurality of colors such as ink layers Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) are repeated in a surface order is interposed. The thermal head 21 is pressed against the card C1 through the ink ribbon R to perform printing.

  The card C1 on the transport path P is transported while being sandwiched between a plurality of transport rollers (pairs) 18 provided in the transport path P. The transport roller 18 is rotated by driving a stepping motor M. A card detection sensor 15 is provided in the transport path P, and the sensor 15 detects that the front end of the card C1 has passed. Then, the control unit 95 described later manages the position of the card C1 with reference to the detection result of the sensor 15 and the driving amount of the stepping motor M.

  A card discharge unit 25 is provided below the card supply unit 16 so as to be detachable from the apparatus housing 24. When all the processes for the card C1 are completed, the card C1 is conveyed to the card discharge unit 25, and the processed cards C1 are stored in a stacked manner in the card discharge unit 25. When the card C <b> 1 is transported to the card discharge unit 25, the transport path P is switched in the direction of the card discharge unit 25.

  The IC reader / writer 11 includes an IC control unit 11 a and an antenna (coil) 11 b, and is provided between the transport path P and the top plate of the housing 24. The IC reader / writer 11 of the first embodiment communicates with a card in a non-contact manner using an electromagnetic induction method. The card C (see FIG. 9) has an IC chip 30 and an antenna (coil) 31 mounted thereon, and performs communication using an induced electromotive force between the antenna 31 of the card C and the antenna 11b of the IC reader / writer. First, a current is passed through the antenna 11b of the IC reader / writer 11 to generate a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the antenna 11b. Next, when the antenna 31 of the card C receives this magnetic field, an electromotive force is generated in the antenna 31 and a current flows through the antenna 31 to supply power to the IC chip 30. Further, the IC reader / writer 11 transmits a signal in which specific data (command) is modulated on the generated magnetic field, and the card C performs communication by receiving the signal. Similarly, when a current flows through the antenna 31 of the card C, a magnetic field is generated, and a signal is transmitted to the IC reader / writer 11 on the magnetic field.

  The IC reader / writer 11 transmits a response request signal from the antenna 11b. When the card C receives the response request signal, the response signal is transmitted according to the response request signal, and the IC reader / writer 11 receives the response signal. Thus, it can be detected that the card C exists within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11, but it is not known whether there are a plurality of cards C. Therefore, a response prohibition signal is transmitted to the card C that has transmitted the response signal so as not to react to the next response request signal. After that, when a response request signal is transmitted again and a response signal is received, it can be seen that a card C further exists. Conversely, when there is no response, it can be seen that there is only one card C in the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11. The IC reader / writer 11 repeats this until there is no response signal, and detects how many cards C are within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11 (hereinafter referred to as response processing).

  Thereafter, the IC reader / writer 11 inquires the card C for a specific number and performs authentication, and does not communicate with other than the authenticated card. When it is detected that there are a plurality of cards C, card authentication is performed for all cards (hereinafter referred to as card authentication processing). Then, data writing or reading processing is performed on the authenticated card C in accordance with a command from the host device 10 (hereinafter referred to as read / write processing).

  As described above, since the IC reader / writer 11 communicates with the card C in a non-contact manner, the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C can communicate anywhere within the range of the generated magnetic field. Therefore, the communicable area of the IC reader / writer 11 of the first embodiment is the range indicated by reference numerals 12 and 13 in FIG. 2, and the first communication unit 12 and the casing 24 are located on the transport path P side with respect to the IC reader / writer 11. The top plate side is referred to as a second communication unit 13. A part of the top plate of the housing 24 is provided with a card holding part 33 made of the above-described material that allows the magnetic field to pass therethrough, and the user holds the card C2 over the card holding part 33 to perform the second communication. The card C2 is entered into the unit 13. Therefore, in the 1st communication part 12, communication with the card | curd C1 conveyed on the conveyance path P is performed, and in the 2nd communication part 13, it communicates with the card | curd C2 hold | maintained at the card holding part 33 by the user.

  2 shows a state in which the card C1 is transported to the first communication unit 12 on the transport path P, and FIG. 3 shows that the card C2 is transferred by the user when the card C1 is transported to the first communication unit 12. The state over which it holds up to the holding part 33 is represented.

  The blocking plate 32 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is a plate made of a material that blocks a magnetic field generated from the IC reader / writer 11, and is provided so as to be movable between a blocking position and a retracted position by a motor (not shown). It has been. As shown in FIG. 3, when the blocking plate 32 is in the retracted position, the range of the second communication unit 13 has reached the card holding unit 33, so the card C <b> 2 held by the user over the card holding unit 33 is Communication with the IC reader / writer 11 is possible. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the blocking plate 32 is in the blocking position, the blocking plate 32 blocks the magnetic field generated by the IC reader / writer 11 so that the range of the second communication unit does not reach the card holding unit 33. Therefore, since the card C2 held by the user over the card holding unit 33 is outside the range of the second communication unit 13, communication between the card C2 and the IC reader / writer 11 is impossible.

  Further, when the standby unit 14 is provided between the printing unit 20 and the first communication unit 12 in the transport path P and the card C1 is in the standby unit 14, communication between the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C1 is not performed. .

  In addition, a display unit 19 that displays the status of the printer device 1 and a warning to the user is provided at a position close to the card holding unit 33.

  Next, the control and electrical system of the printer apparatus 1 will be described. The printer device 1 can drive / activate each mechanism unit and control unit from a commercial AC power source, a control unit 95 that controls the operation of the entire printer device 1, an IC control unit 11a that controls the IC reader / writer 11, and the like. And a power supply unit 90 for converting into a DC power supply.

<Control unit>
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 95 includes a microcomputer 95 b (hereinafter simply referred to as a microcomputer 95 b) that performs overall control processing of the printer device 1. The microcomputer 95b is a CPU that operates as a central processing unit with a high-speed clock, a ROM that stores basic control operations (programs and program data) of the printer apparatus 1, a RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU, and an internal bus that connects these. It is configured.

  An external bus is connected to the microcomputer 95b. An interface (not shown) for communicating with the control unit of the host device 10 and a buffer memory 95a for temporarily storing print record data to be printed on the card C1 are connected to the external bus.

  The external bus includes a sensor control unit 95c that controls signals from various sensors such as the sensor 15, an actuator control unit 95d that controls a motor driver that sends drive pulses and drive power to each motor, and a thermal head 21. A thermal head controller 95e for controlling thermal energy and a display controller 95f for controlling the display unit 19 are connected. The sensor control unit 95c is used for a card detection sensor 15 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element and other sensors (not shown), and the actuator control unit 95d is used for a stepping motor M and other motors and actuators (not shown). Are connected to the thermal head 51, and the operation display control unit 95f is connected to the operation panel unit 5, respectively.

  Similarly to the printer device 1, the IC reader / writer 11 built in the printer device 1 also includes an IC control unit 11 a that controls the IC reader / writer 11. The IC control unit 11a also has a memory and a microcomputer, communicates with the control unit of the host device 10, and operates according to instructions from the host device 10. Then, the IC control unit 11a controls the antenna 11b to communicate with the card C. The power supply unit 90 supplies operation / drive power to the control unit 95, the thermal head 21, the display unit 19, each sensor (including the sensor 15), each actuator (including the motor M), and the IC reader / writer 11. Yes.

<Operation>
Hereinafter, the processing flow of the host device 10 and the printer device 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

  The IC reader / writer 11 built in the printer device 1 executes processing instructed by the host device 10 upon card issuance for the card C1 in the first communication unit. On the other hand, the card C2 in the second communication unit is programmed to read predetermined data stored in the card C2 and display the read data on the monitor 2 connected to the host device 10. ing. The user compares the information printed on the card C2 with the information displayed (stored on the card C2) to determine whether it is an appropriate card.

  The IC reader / writer 11 constantly transmits a response request signal, and communicates with a card that has entered the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11 (the card that has transmitted the response signal). Therefore, when the command for issuing the card to the card C1 in the first communication unit is not generated from the host device 10, the card C1 is not drawn out to the transport path P. The process for C2 is performed (see FIG. 7).

  When a card issue command is generated by the host device 10 and a command is issued to the printer device 1, the card C1 is fed out to the transport path P, so that the card C1 and the card C2 are within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11 (first 1 communication unit and 2nd communication unit). Therefore, the first embodiment operates according to the following processing flow (see FIG. 8).

  First, a card issue command for the card C1 is generated by the host device 10. When the printer apparatus 1 receives the command, the IC reader / writer 11 stops sending the response request signal (S1). Thereafter, the card C1 is fed out to the transport path P (S2) and transported to the first communication unit 12 (S3). Here, the IC reader / writer 11 transmits a response request signal (S4), and detects the number of cards in the first communication unit 12 and the second communication unit 13 based on the presence or absence of a response (response signal) to the response request signal. (S5).

  If it is detected that one card has transmitted the response signal, it can be seen that the card existing within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11 is the card C1 in the first communication unit 12 (see FIG. 2). Thereafter, the blocking plate 32 is moved to the blocking position, and the range of the second communication unit 13 is forcibly shortened so that the communication between the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2 held over the card holding unit 33 becomes impossible. Then, a warning is displayed on the display unit 19 so as not to hold the card C2 over the card holding unit 33 (S6) (see FIG. 4). In this state, IC processing (card authentication processing and read / write processing) is performed on the card C1 (S7). When the IC processing is completed, the card C1 is switched back and conveyed in the direction of the printing unit 20 (S8). Here, the communication between the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2 is possible by moving the blocking plate 32 to the retracted position when the card C1 passes the sensor 15 and returning the range of the second communication unit 13 to the original range. Put it in a state. The warning display displayed on the display unit 19 is also canceled (S9). Printing processing is performed on the card C1 transported to the printing unit 20 (S10), and the card C1 for which all processing has been completed is discharged to the card discharge unit 25 (S11).

  If two cards are detected in step S5 (see FIG. 3), it is necessary to determine whether the detected card is the card C1 in the first communication unit 12 or the card C2 in the second communication unit 13 Whether or not is determined by a determination method described later (S12). When it is necessary to discriminate by this, the card C1 and the card C2 are discriminated by the discriminating method described later (S13). When the determination is completed, card authentication processing is first performed on the cards C1 and C2 (S14). When the card authentication process is completed, a read / write process is performed on the card C2 (S15), and then a read / write process is performed on the card C1 (S16). Then, the card C1 for which the read / write process is completed is conveyed to the printing unit (S17), and the printing process is performed (S10). The card C1 for which the printing process has been completed is discharged to the card discharge unit 25 (S11). On the other hand, if it is not necessary to make a determination, the determination process in step S13 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S14.

<Judgment process>
Here, when it is detected by the response signal to the response request signal transmitted by the IC reader / writer 11 that there are two cards within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11, the detected card is the card C1 or the card C2. A determination process for determining whether or not it is necessary to determine whether or not will be described.

  In the first embodiment, since the IC process for the card C1 and the IC process for the card C2 are different as described above, it is necessary to determine the detected card. However, when the same IC processing is performed on both the card C1 and the card C2, it is not necessary to determine the detected card. For example, when data “Intellectual Property Department” is set to be written at a predetermined address of the card C, the cards C1 loaded on the card supply section 16 are sequentially fed out to the transport path P, and the first communication section 12, data “Intellectual Property” is written at a predetermined address of the card C1. When the user wants to write the data to the card C2 held by the user during this process, the user holds the card C2 over the card holding unit 33 and writes the data to a predetermined address of the card C2. Include. In such a process, it is not necessary to discriminate between the card C1 and the card C2, and it is determined in step S12 in FIG.

  However, even if the IC processing for the cards C1 and C2 performed by the IC reader / writer 11 is the same, there may be a case where it is necessary to distinguish between the card C1 and the card C2. For example, the card C2 is programmed to read the data stored in the card C2 and display the read data on the monitor 2 of the host device 10, while the card C1 has the card C1. Is programmed to read the data stored in the card C1 and print on the surface of the card C1 based on the read data, the IC processing for the card C1 and the card C2 performs the data stored in the card. It is the same in that it reads. However, if printing is performed on the card C1 based on the data stored on the card C2, the data stored on the card C1 is different from the characters and images printed on the surface. It is a problem. Therefore, in such a case, even if the IC processing for the cards C1 and C2 is the same, it is necessary to determine if the processing for the cards after the IC processing is different.

  Further, even when both the card C1 and the card C2 are written, it is necessary to determine if the data written to the card C1 is different from the data written to the card C2.

  In other words, whether or not to discriminate between the card C1 and the card C2 is determined based on whether or not the entire process for the card C1 and the entire process for the card C2 are the same.

<Distinction process>
Here, when it is detected in step S5 that two cards C exist in the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11, and it is determined in step S12 that it is necessary to discriminate between the card C1 and the card C2, the card C1 and A determination process for determining the card C2 will be described. In addition, the case where it is programmed to write data to the card C1 (blank card before light emission) and to read data on the card C2 (issued card) and display it on the monitor 2 is shown. The explanation is based on the assumption.

  When the response process is completed, the IC reader / writer 11 performs a data read process on a predetermined address of the card C. In this address, a flag consisting of “1” and “0” can be set, and “0” is set in the blank card before issuance. Further, when the IC processing is completed for the card C1 when issuing the card, the IC reader / writer changes the flag from “0” to “1”. Therefore, if the IC reader / writer 11 reads “0” as a result of reading the flag, it is a blank card and can be identified as the card C1. On the other hand, if the result of reading the flag is “1”, it is an issued card and can be identified as the card C2.

  However, when both the card C1 and the card C2 are issued cards or the IC processing for the cards is the same, it cannot be determined by the above method. Therefore, in such a case, if it is detected as a result of the response processing that two cards exist within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11, the card C1 is once transported to the standby unit 14. In this state, the response process is performed again, and the card detected there can be determined to be the card C2 in the second communication unit 13.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the structure of 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIGS. 10-12 is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the printer apparatus 1 concerning 2nd Embodiment. In the first embodiment, a blocking plate 32 that can move between a blocking position and a retracted position is provided, and when performing IC processing on the card C1, the blocking plate 32 moves to the blocking position, whereby the second Although the communication unit cannot communicate with the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2, the second embodiment does not include the blocking plate 32.

  Instead, the IC reader / writer is disposed near the transport path P between the transport path P and the card holding unit 33 (L1 <L2), and the IC control unit 11a further increases the strength of the current flowing through the antenna 11b. It is configured to be adjustable in stages. Basically, as shown in FIG. 11, both ranges of the first communication unit and the second communication unit reach the transport path P and the card holding unit 33, but the intensity of the current flowing through the antenna 11 b is By weakening, the communication range is reduced as shown in FIG. 12, and the range of the first communication unit 12 reaches the transport path P, but the range of the second communication unit 13 does not reach the card holding unit 33. Accordingly, since the card C1 is within the communication range of the first communication unit 12, communication with the IC reader / writer 11 is possible. However, even if the user holds the card C2 over the card holding unit 33, the card C2 does not receive the second communication. Communication between the card C2 and the IC reader / writer 11 is impossible because it is outside the communication range of the unit 13.

  The operations of the host device 10 and the printer device 1 of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. However, the method of the communication prohibition process (S6) and the communication prohibition release process (S9) for the card C2 in FIG. 8 is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, step S5 and subsequent steps different from the first embodiment will be described here.

  If it is detected in step S5 that there is only one card within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11, the IC control unit 11a weakens the current flowing through the antenna 11b, and the first communication unit 12 and the second communication The range of the unit 13 is reduced, and a warning is displayed on the display unit 19 so as not to hold the card C2 over the card holding unit 33 (S6) (see FIG. 12). In this state, card authentication processing and read / write processing are performed on the card C1 (S7). When the read / write process is completed, the card C1 is transferred back in the direction of the printing unit 20 (S8). Here, when the card C1 passes the sensor 15, the IC control unit 11a increases the current flowing through the antenna 11b and restores the range of the second communication unit 13 to restore the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2. Enable communication with. The warning display displayed on the display unit 19 is also canceled (S9). Printing processing is performed on the card C1 transported to the printing unit 20 (S10), and the card C1 for which all processing has been completed is discharged to the card discharge unit 25 (S11).

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the structure of 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  13 to 15 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the configuration of the printer device 1 according to the third embodiment. In the first embodiment, the user places the card C2 into the second communication unit 13 by holding the card C2 over the card holding unit 33. However, in the third embodiment, the user places a card on a part of the housing 24. An insertion portion 34 for manually inserting C2 is provided.

  A shutter member 35 is provided at the entrance of the insertion portion 34. When the shutter member 35 is open, the user can insert the card C2 into the insertion portion 34 (see FIG. 14), but the shutter member 35 is inserted into the insertion portion 34. When closed so as to close the entrance of the card 34, the card C2 cannot be inserted (see FIG. 15). The shutter member 35 is moved between an open position and a closed position by a solenoid (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the card C2 is inserted into the insertion unit 34, the card C2 exists within the range of the second communication unit 13, and therefore communication between the card C2 and the IC reader / writer 11 is possible. Although it is possible, as shown in FIG. 15, when the card C2 cannot be inserted into the insertion section 34 by the shutter member 35, the card C2 is out of the range of the second communication section 13, so the card C2 and the IC reader / writer 11 Communication between is impossible.

  The operations of the host device 10 and the printer device 1 of the third embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. However, the method of the communication prohibition process (S6) and the communication prohibition release process (S9) for the card C2 in FIG. 8 is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, step S5 and subsequent steps different from the first embodiment will be described here.

  If it is detected in step S5 that only one card exists within the communication range of the IC reader / writer 11, the shutter member 35 is closed so that the user cannot insert the card C2 into the insertion unit 34. A warning is displayed on the display unit 19 so that the user does not hold the card C2 over the card holding unit 33 (S6). In this state, card authentication processing and read / write processing are performed on the card C1 (S7). When the read / write process is completed, the card C1 is transferred back in the direction of the printing unit 20 (S8). Here, when the card C1 passes the sensor 15, the shutter member 35 is opened so that the user can insert the card C2 into the insertion portion. Therefore, the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2 can communicate with each other. The warning display displayed on the display unit 19 is also canceled (S9). Printing processing is performed on the card C1 transported to the printing unit 20 (S10), and the card C1 for which all processing has been completed is discharged to the card discharge unit 25 (S11).

<Effects>
In the printer device 1 of this embodiment, the built-in IC reader / writer 11 is provided so as to be able to selectively communicate with the card C1 in the first communication unit 12 and the card C2 in the second communication unit 13, and at least the first When a response is being made to the card C1 in the first communication unit 12 and the card C2 is held over the second communication unit 13 by the user, communication between the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2 is permitted. Therefore, the read / write process that should originally be performed on the card C1 is not performed on the card C2.

  In addition, when the card C2 is held over while the response process is being performed on the card C1, the card C1 and the card C2 can be discriminated, so that an appropriate IC process is performed on each card. Can do. Further, since the communication between the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2 is disabled after the response process for the card C1 is completed, the card C2 performs the second communication after the response process for the card C1 is completed. Since it is not positioned in the portion 13, the read / write process that should be originally performed on the card C1 is not performed on the card C2.

  Note that the discrimination process for discriminating between the card C1 and the card C2 does not have to be performed in all cases, and is configured so as to be discriminated when the process for the card C1 and the process for the card C2 are different. When processing is not necessary, the number of processing steps is reduced and productivity is improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, as a method of discriminating between the card C1 and the card C2, an example of discriminating by reading flag information stored at a predetermined address of the card C is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the memory of the card C, the IC reader / writer 11 performs a reading process on an address where data is to be written. As a result, if the initial data (for example, FFFF) is stored in the memory of the card C, it can be determined that the card is the card C1 because the card is a blank card. On the other hand, if predetermined data is stored, it is an issued card, and therefore it can be determined that it is a card C2.

  As another example, the unique number of the issued card is registered in a database in the host device 10, and when performing the discrimination process, the unique number of the card C is read by the IC reader / writer 11, and the database To match. As a result, if the number is not registered in the database, the card has not yet been issued and can be identified as the card C1. On the other hand, if the read number matches the number registered in the database, the card has already been issued and can be identified as the card C2.

  In this embodiment, the standby unit 14 is provided between the first communication unit 12 and the printing unit 20 on the transport path P. However, a position other than the first communication unit 12 on the transport path P is shown. Any place is acceptable. Furthermore, although the example which stops transmission of a response request signal when the card issue command was received from the high-order apparatus 10 was shown, you may always transmit until the card | curd C1 is conveyed to the 1st communication part 12. FIG. By doing so, IC processing of the card C2 can be performed even while the card C1 is being transported to the first communication unit 12.

  Further, when a warning is displayed on the display unit 19, a red LED may be blinked, or “unprocessable” may be displayed as character information. In a state where the IC reader / writer 11 and the card C2 can communicate with each other, a blue LED may be lit on the display unit 19 or “processable” may be displayed as character information.

  Furthermore, although the thermal transfer type printing unit 20 is provided in the printer device 1 of the present embodiment, any printer that can record visible information on the surface of the card C1 may be used. Further, in this embodiment, it is described that the printing process is performed by the printing unit 20 after the IC process for the card C1, but the print process may be performed before the IC process. Further, in this embodiment, the processed card C1 is discharged from the card discharge unit 25. However, a card discharge port 23 is provided on the opposite side of the card supply unit 16 with respect to the device casing 24, and the card C1 is removed. It may be discharged from the outlet 23. With this configuration, the printing process is first performed on the card C1, and then the IC process is performed, and the card C1 is discharged from the card discharge port 23 as it is.

  When the processing for the card C1 is only printing and the IC processing is not performed, if the printing process is performed on the card C1 and the card C1 is discharged as it is to the card discharging unit 25, the card C1 does not pass through the first communication unit 12, and therefore the second communication The IC process for the card C2 in the unit 13 is not disturbed.

  Further, in this embodiment, an example in which the printer device 1 and the IC reader / writer 11 are operated by a command from the host device 10 has been described. However, the printer device 1 and the IC reader / writer may be operated according to firmware of the printer device 1 or the IC reader / writer.

  The present invention is a non-contact IC reader / writer device capable of communicating with a card on a transport path and a card held by a user from the outside of the device housing, and both cards are within the communication range of the IC reader / writer. To provide a non-contact IC read / write system, a non-contact IC reader / writer device, and a printer device that can reduce errors due to mixing, manufacture of the non-contact IC read / write system, non-contact IC reader / writer device, and printer device Since it contributes to sales, it has industrial applicability.

1 Printer device 10 Host device (host computer)
11 IC reader / writer 11a IC control unit 11b Antenna 12 First communication unit 13 Second communication unit 14 Standby unit 15 Sensor 18 Transport roller 19 Display unit 20 Printing unit 24 Case 25 Card ejecting unit 30 IC chip 31 Antenna 32 Blocking plate 33 Card holding section 34 Inserting section 35 Shutter member 95 Control section C Card C1 Card C2 on the transport path Card held by the user P Transport path M Motor

Claims (6)

A host computer;
An IC reader / writer device housing;
A transport path provided inside the apparatus housing for transporting the first card;
By transmitting / receiving a radio signal, the first card located in the first communication unit on the transport path and the second communication unit located at a position different from the transport path are positioned by the user from the outside of the device housing. An IC read / write unit capable of selectively communicating with two cards;
In a non-contact IC read / write system with
Transport means for transporting the first card on the transport path;
In the first communication unit and the second communication unit, detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a card based on the presence or absence of a reaction from the card to a radio signal transmitted from the IC read / write unit;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether the card detected by the detecting means is the first card or the second card;
A non-contact IC read / write system comprising: The first card and the second card each have a memory for storing identification information for identifying whether or not the card has been issued, and the determination means uses the IC read / write unit to store the identification information. 2. The non-contact IC read / write system according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact IC read / write system determines whether the first card or the second card is read according to the identification information. 3. The non-contact IC read / write system according to claim 1, further comprising identification information writing means for writing the identification information to the first card. The transport means is configured to be capable of transporting the first card between the first communication unit and a standby unit removed from the first communication unit on the transport path,
The determining means, after detecting the first card and the second card by the detecting means, transports the first card to the standby section, and the first card is in the standby section. 2. The non-contact IC read / write system according to claim 1, wherein the card detected by the detecting means is determined to be the second card. An IC reader / writer device housing;
A transport path provided inside the apparatus housing for transporting the first card;
By transmitting / receiving a radio signal, the first card located in the first communication unit on the transport path and the second communication unit located at a position different from the transport path are positioned by the user from the outside of the device housing. An IC read / write unit capable of selectively communicating with two cards;
In a non-contact IC reader / writer device comprising:
Transport means for transporting the first card on the transport path;
In the first communication unit and the second communication unit, detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a card based on the presence or absence of a reaction from the card to a radio signal transmitted from the IC read / write unit;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether the card detected by the detecting means is the first card or the second card;
A non-contact IC reader / writer device comprising: A printer device housing;
A transport path provided inside the apparatus housing for transporting the first card;
By transmitting / receiving a radio signal, the first card located in the first communication unit on the transport path and the second communication unit located at a position different from the transport path are positioned by the user from the outside of the device housing. An IC read / write unit capable of selectively communicating with two cards;
A printing unit for printing characters or images on the surface of the first card;
In a printer device comprising:
Transport means for transporting the first card on the transport path;
In the first communication unit and the second communication unit, detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a card based on the presence or absence of a reaction from the card to a radio signal transmitted from the IC read / write unit;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether the card detected by the detecting means is the first card or the second card;
A printer apparatus comprising: