JP2012203958A - Magnetic information reader, magnetic information reading system, control method of magnetic information reader, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of times of retrial and shorten a processing time by eliminating an error caused by an inappropriate reference value when reading magnetic information from a magnetic information recording medium and converting it into read digital data.SOLUTION: A printer 10 for reading magnetic information recorded in a magnetic information recording medium causes a magnetic head 34 to read the magnetic information recorded in the magnetic information recording medium and output an analog waveform; causes a pulse output section 66 to convert the output waveform of the magnetic head into pulse; causes a data conversion section 67 to compare a pulse period of the converted pulse with the reference value, binarize it, and output digital data; and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, causes a conversion control section 68 to convert the reference value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic information reader that reads magnetic information, a magnetic information reader system, a control method for a magnetic information reader, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus for reading information magnetically recorded on a magnetic information recording medium such as a magnetic stripe attached to a passbook is known (for example, Patent Document 1). Usually, as described in Patent Document 1, magnetic information is read by reading magnetic information with a magnetic head to generate an analog waveform, converting the analog waveform into a pulse, and setting the pulse width to a preset reference value. By comparison, it is converted into data “0” or “1”, and digital data is output.

JP 2005-174480 A

By the way, if the reference value used when converting the pulse width into the value of digital data is not appropriate, it cannot be converted into digital data accurately. In such a case, since the output digital data is abnormal data that does not conform to the standard, it is determined as an error. Conventionally, when a reading error occurs, reading is retried, but retrying the reading operation increases the time required for processing, which may hinder efficiency improvement.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and makes it possible to eliminate an error caused by an inappropriate reference value when reading magnetic information from a magnetic information recording medium and converting it into digital data. The purpose is to shorten the processing time by reducing the number of times.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a magnetic information reader for reading magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium, and reads the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium and outputs an analog waveform. Digital data is obtained by binarizing the magnetic head, pulse output means for converting the output waveform of the magnetic head into a pulse, and comparing the pulse period of the pulse output by the pulse output means with a reference value. Conversion means for outputting, and conversion control means for changing the reference value used by the conversion means when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
According to the present invention, by changing the reference value when converting the pulse obtained from the analog waveform output by the magnetic head into digital data, the reference value is not adapted depending on the hardware state of the magnetic head, for example. In some cases, the non-conformance of the standard value can be resolved. Thereby, the reading error caused by the reference value can be eliminated, and the processing time can be shortened by avoiding the retry of the reading operation.

Further, the present invention provides the magnetic information reader, wherein the conversion control means uses the reference used by the conversion means based on a pulse period of the latest predetermined number of pulses among the pulses converted into digital data. A function of correcting a value, and when the same value appears continuously in the data binarized by the conversion means as the predetermined condition, the reference value is changed so that it is difficult to detect another value It is characterized by that.
According to the present invention, the reference value can be appropriately held by the function of correcting the reference value based on the pulse period of the latest predetermined number of pulses among the pulses converted into digital data. If the reference value is biased due to the same data being continued, it is possible to prevent the bias from being easily determined as the other data due to this bias. Thus, the function of correcting the reference value can be utilized, and the bias of the reference value due to this function can be prevented, and conversion into digital data using an appropriate reference value can be performed.

According to the present invention, in the magnetic information reader, the conversion control unit changes the reference value used by the conversion unit when an instruction to change a reference value is given from an external device as the predetermined condition. It is characterized by that.
According to the present invention, since the reference value can be changed by instructing the change of the reference value from an external device, the non-conformance of the reference value is resolved and the processing time is shortened by avoiding the retry of the reading operation. be able to.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a plurality of magnetic information reading devices that read magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium, and an information management device that is communicably connected to the magnetic information reading devices. A magnetic information reading system comprising: a magnetic information reading device that reads a magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium from a recording medium having a magnetic information recording area and a recording surface; A magnetic head for reading magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium and outputting an analog waveform, and pulse output means for converting the output waveform of the magnetic head into a pulse and outputting the pulse Conversion means for binarizing the pulse period of the pulse output by the pulse output means with a reference value and outputting digital data; and Conversion control means for changing the reference value used by the means, and the information management device acquires a reference value set by the control of the conversion control means included in each of the magnetic information reading devices; Means for transmitting information indicating a reference value to each of the magnetic information reading devices, and the conversion control means provided in the magnetic information reading device converts the reference value transmitted from the information management device into the conversion means. Is set as a reference value to be used.
According to the present invention, when the information management device transmits the reference value, the reference value when the pulse obtained from the analog waveform output from the magnetic head in the magnetic information reading device is converted into digital data can be changed. For this reason, for example, when the reference value does not conform to the hardware state such as the magnetic head, the incompatibility state can be eliminated by changing the reference value. Thereby, the reading error caused by the reference value can be eliminated, and the processing time can be shortened by avoiding the retry of the reading operation.

Further, the present invention provides the magnetic information reading system, wherein the magnetic information reading device determines whether reading is successful or reading error based on the digital data output by the converting means, and information indicating an error occurrence state is provided. An error detection means for transmitting to the information management device, the information management device acquires information indicating an error occurrence state transmitted by each of the magnetic information readers, and the error information among the plurality of magnetic information readers A reference value of the magnetic information reading device having a low error occurrence rate is transmitted to the magnetic information reading device having a high occurrence rate.
In this case, if an error has occurred due to the reference value not being met in the magnetic information reader, it can be changed to the reference value used by the magnetic information reader with a low error rate. It is possible to reduce the error occurrence rate and improve the processing efficiency.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a control method of a magnetic information reader for reading magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium, the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium by a magnetic head. The analog waveform is output, the output waveform of the magnetic head is converted into a pulse, the pulse period of the converted pulse is binarized by comparing it with a reference value, and digital data is output while a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the above condition is satisfied, the reference value is changed.
By applying the control method of the present invention, the reference value for converting the pulse obtained from the analog waveform output from the magnetic head into digital data is changed. When a non-conformance of the reference value occurs, such as when it is no longer compatible, the non-conformity state can be resolved by changing the reference value. Thereby, the reading error caused by the reference value can be eliminated, and the processing time can be shortened by avoiding the retry of the reading operation.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a program that can be executed by a control unit that controls a magnetic information reading device that reads magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium. The analog waveform output by reading the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium is converted into a pulse, and the pulse period of the converted pulse is binarized by comparing it with a reference value to output digital data On the other hand, the reference value is changed when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
By executing the program of the present invention, the reference value for converting the pulse obtained from the analog waveform output from the magnetic head into digital data is changed, so that the reference value is adapted to the state of the hardware such as the magnetic head, for example. If a nonconformity of the reference value occurs, such as when it is no longer possible, the nonconformity state can be resolved by changing the reference value. Thereby, the reading error caused by the reference value can be eliminated, and the processing time can be shortened by avoiding the retry of the reading operation.

  According to the present invention, the reference value when the pulse obtained from the analog waveform output by the magnetic head that reads the magnetic information from the magnetic information recording medium is converted into digital data is changed, so that the reference value does not match. Error can be resolved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a record management system according to an embodiment. It is a top view which shows an example of the recording medium processed with a recording management system. It is a sectional side view of a printer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printer control system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the reading operation | movement of a magnetic stripe. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a printer. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of operation | movement of a recording management system.

Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording management system 1 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a recording management system 1 (magnetic information reading system) is connected to a host computer 2 (external device, information management device) via a communication network 3 and a plurality of printers 10 (magnetic information reading devices). Are connected. The communication network 3 is a network such as a LAN composed of wired or wireless communication lines. The record management system 1 is, for example, a counter service system for a financial institution, and a plurality of printers 10 are installed corresponding to a plurality of operators performing the same counter service, and these printers 10 are connected to the communication network 3. System. Among the printers 10 constituting the recording management system 1, at least a plurality of printers 10 are used for processing the same type of recording medium. The same type of recording medium refers to a recording medium having the same shape when the recording medium is classified according to the shape of a cut sheet, a passbook, etc., a recording medium having a common process to be executed, or a magnetic stripe MS to be described later (FIG. 2). ) Refers to recording media with common specifications. The host computer 2 may store a plurality of printers 10 that process the same type of recording medium as one group, and store the printers 10 constituting the recording management system 1 as a group.

  The printer 10 has a printer function of printing on a recording medium S including a magnetic information recording medium to be processed by a recording head 18 (see FIG. 3) of a SIDM (Serial Impact Dot Matrix) system, and is recorded on the recording medium S with magnetic ink MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) function for reading characters, MSR (Magnetic Stripe Reader / Writer) function for reading / writing information recorded on or stored in a magnetic stripe provided on the recording medium S, and recording medium S This is a device having a scanner function for optically scanning both sides of the image by the optical reader 110 (see FIG. 3). Here, it can also be said that the magnetic stripe MS corresponds to a magnetic information recording medium.

Examples of the recording medium S that can be used by the printer 10 include a cut medium cut to a predetermined length and a continuous sheet in which a plurality of sheets are connected. Examples of the cut medium include cut paper, cut copy paper, and the like, as well as passbooks, postcards, envelopes, etc. The continuous paper includes continuous copy paper and fanfold paper connected by perforations. In this embodiment, a check or bill issued by a financial institution or the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as a check) or a passbook issued by a financial institution or the like is used as the recording medium S. A check is a sheet of paper with MICR information such as the user's account number and the serial number of the check printed on a part of the surface of the check using magnetic ink. The passbook is in the form of a booklet in which a plurality of recording papers are bound, and the inner side of the booklet is the recording surface.
In the following description, a case where a plurality of printers 10 constituting the recording management system 1 uses a passbook type recording medium S, and performs printing by the printer function and reading of magnetic information by the MSR function with respect to the recording medium S. Will be described.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the recording medium S processed by the recording management system 1. The recording medium S illustrated in FIG. 2 is a booklet-type recording medium having a binding at the center, for example, a bankbook of a financial institution. FIG. 2 shows the surface in a state where the recording medium S is expanded, but a magnetic stripe MS is attached to one end side of the surface. The magnetic stripe MS is a tape-like magnetic information recording medium for recording magnetic information, and one that conforms to standards such as ANSI and ISO is known.
This recording medium S is inserted into the printer 10 from the manual feed port 15 (FIG. 3) in the direction indicated by the symbol A in the drawing, and printing, reading of magnetic information, and the like are executed inside the printer 10 as described above. And discharged from the printer 10. The recording medium S is also conveyed in the direction indicated by symbol B as necessary when printing or reading magnetic information. At the time of reading magnetic information, the magnetic head 34 (FIG. 3) of the printer 10 scans the magnetic stripe MS while moving in the direction indicated by the symbol R in the drawing of the recording medium S, and reads the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic stripe MS. .

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the printer 10 of FIG. Note that a plurality of printers 10 constituting the recording management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 are all assumed to have a common configuration.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes an upper cover 12, an upper case 13, and a lower case 14 as exterior bodies, and hands for inserting and ejecting the recording medium S on the front surfaces of the upper case 13 and the lower case 14. The opening 15 is open. On the other hand, a discharge port 20 for discharging the recording medium S is opened on the back surface of the upper case 13 and the lower case 14. The printer 10 discharges the processed recording medium S from the manual feed port 15 or from the discharge port 20 according to the control of the host computer 2. The side where the manual feed port 15 is opened, that is, the left side in FIG. 3 is the front (front) side of the printer 10, and the side where the discharge port 20 is opened, ie, the right side in FIG.

A main body 11 is accommodated in the exterior body of the printer 10. The main body 11 includes a base frame 16 and a pair of side frames (not shown) fixed to both ends of the base frame 16. A carriage guide shaft 31 is spanned between the side frames, and a flat medium-shaped front medium guide 24 and rear medium guide 25 are fixed. A planar platen 21 is disposed between the front medium guide 24 and the rear medium guide 25, and the recording head 18 is disposed above the platen 21 so as to face the platen 21.
The recording head 18 is mounted on a carriage 19 that is slidably inserted into the carriage guide shaft 31. The carriage 19 is driven via a timing belt (not shown) by a forward and reverse operation of a carriage drive motor 56 (FIG. 4) that drives the carriage 19, and is guided back and forth by a carriage guide shaft 31. .

  While the recording head 18 travels with the carriage 19, the recording wire protrudes from the front end surface of the recording head 18 and strikes the ink ribbon, and the recording medium S conveyed between the platen 21 and the recording head 18 is applied to the recording medium S. Characters and images are recorded on the recording medium S by attaching ink. The ink ribbon is folded and stored in a stationary ink ribbon cartridge 39 mounted on the main body frame, and is fed out as the carriage 19 is scanned. A medium width sensor 55 is mounted on the carriage 19 on the rear side of the recording head 18. The medium width sensor 55 is used to scan the platen 21 together with the carriage 19 to detect the side edge of the recording medium S and obtain the width of the recording medium S.

  The medium transport mechanism 100 includes a platen 21, a first driving roller 22A, a first driven roller 22B, a second driving roller 23A, a second driven roller 23B, a third driving roller 124A, a third driven roller 124B, a front medium guide 24, The rear medium guide 25, the medium conveyance motor 26, and the drive wheel train 27 are provided. The medium transport mechanism 100 forms a transport path P for transporting the recording medium S on the front medium guide 24 and the rear medium guide 25, and the upper surface of the front medium guide 24 and the rear medium guide 25 is a transport surface PA of the transport path P. It has become.

The first driving roller 22A, the second driving roller 23A, and the third driving roller 124A are driving rollers that are rotationally driven by the medium transport motor 26, and are the first driven roller 22B, the second driven roller 23B, and the third driven roller 124B. Are driven rollers that are spring-biased by springs 42A, 42B, and 42C with a predetermined pressing force toward the first drive roller 22A, the second drive roller 23A, and the third drive roller 124A, respectively. Accordingly, the first driving roller 22A and the first driven roller 22B are rotationally driven in opposite directions, the second driving roller 23A and the second driven roller 23B are rotationally driven in opposite directions, and the third driving roller 124A. And the third driven roller 124B are rotationally driven in directions opposite to each other.
The first drive roller 22A, the second drive roller 23A, and the third drive roller 124A of the medium transport mechanism 100 are connected to the medium transport motor 26 via a drive wheel train (not shown). The drive wheel train (not shown) transmits the output of the medium transport motor 26 to the first drive roller 22A, the second drive roller 23A, and the third drive roller 124A, and transports the recording medium S.

The printer 10 includes an alignment mechanism 28 that aligns the recording media S. The alignment mechanism 28 includes a plurality of alignment plates 38 that protrude into the conveyance path P and an alignment motor 58 (FIG. 4) that drives the alignment plate 38, and the alignment plate 38 protrudes into the conveyance path P. The recording medium S can be aligned by abutting the leading end of the recording medium S on the surface. The main body 11 is provided with a plurality of alignment sensors 37 for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium S abutted against the alignment plate 38 in the vicinity of the upstream side of the alignment plate 38, and depending on the detection state of these alignment sensors 37, the recording is performed. It can be determined whether or not the inclination of the medium S is within an allowable range.
In the main body 11, a plurality of medium edge sensors 47 that detect insertion of the recording medium S from the manual feed port 15 are arranged in parallel on the front side of the first drive roller 22 </ b> A.

  The main body 11 includes an optical reading device 110 that optically reads the surface of the recording medium S. The optical reader 110 is a first scanner module 111 that is an optical image sensor that reads the upper surface side of the recording medium S, and an optical image sensor that is disposed opposite to the first scanner module 111 and reads the lower surface side of the recording medium S. A second scanner module 112. The first scanner module 111 and the second scanner module 112 are, for example, CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type image reading sensors, flat cover glasses 140 and 150 that are in close contact with the recording medium S, and these cover glasses 140 and 150. Main body cases 141 and 151, respectively. Inside the main body cases 141 and 151, an irradiation unit (not shown) for irradiating light output from a light source such as an LED to a reading area of the recording medium S and an array in the main scanning direction (X direction). A plurality of light receiving sensors (not shown) and an output unit (not shown) for outputting a signal from the light receiving sensor to the control board unit are accommodated. The first scanner module 111 is urged toward the second scanner module 112 by the urging member 113.

The platen 21 extends in the traveling direction of the carriage 19 and is formed in a planar shape. The platen 21 is urged toward the recording head 18 by an urging spring 180 and is elastically supported. Due to the elastic force of the biasing spring 180, the platen 21 moves up and down in accordance with the thickness of the recording medium S, so that a gap between the recording head 18 and the recording surface is ensured regardless of the thickness of the recording medium.
The main body 11 also has a medium transport mechanism 100 that transports the recording medium S, an alignment mechanism 28 that aligns the recording medium S, MICR information provided on the check, and a magnetic stripe provided on the passbook. The magnetic data reading unit 29 having a magnetic head 34 for reading or writing magnetic information, and the magnetic head 34 of the magnetic data reading unit 29 lifts the recording medium S when performing magnetic information processing including reading MICR information. In order to suppress this, a medium presser 30 that presses the recording medium S from above is provided.

The magnetic data reading unit 29 includes two parallel magnetic head guide shafts 60 and 61 spanned on left and right side frames (not shown), and a magnetic head 34, and extends along the magnetic head guide shafts 60 and 61. And a magnetic head unit 62 configured to be reciprocally movable. The magnetic head unit 62 reciprocates by forward and reverse rotation of a magnetic head drive motor 57 (FIG. 4) described later, whereby the magnetic head 34 scans the magnetic stripe MS of the recording medium S. That is, since the magnetic head unit 62 is moved in the direction indicated by the symbol R in FIG. 2, the magnetic information recorded in the magnetic stripe MS can be read in the direction of arrow R by the magnetic head 34.
In this operation, the CPU 40 functions as a conversion control unit together with the conversion control unit 68, the pulse output unit 66 functions as a pulse output unit, the data conversion unit 67 functions as a conversion unit, and the conversion control unit 68 functions as a conversion control unit. Function as.

  The printer 10 controls the entire printer 10 such as drive control of the medium transport motor 26, travel control of the carriage 19, control of the recording operation by the recording wire of the recording head 18, control of the reading operation of the optical reader 110, and the like. For example, a control board part (not shown) is provided below the rear side of the main body 11.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control system of the printer 10.
Each unit shown in FIG. 4 is realized by the cooperation of hardware mounted on a control board (not shown) and software.
The printer 10 executes a control program stored in the flash ROM 42 to control the entire printer 10. The CPU 40 temporarily stores a control program executed by the CPU 40 and data to be processed. A flash ROM 42 in which the control program and data are stored in a nonvolatile manner, a sensor control unit 45 for obtaining detection values of various sensors, a motor drive unit 46 for driving various motors, a head driver 48 for operating the recording head 18, and A magnetic reading unit 65 for controlling the reading operation by the magnetic head 34 is provided, and these units are connected via a bus 49. The RAM 41 functions as a buffer memory such as a reception buffer that temporarily stores various commands transmitted from the host computer 2 and an image buffer that temporarily stores read image data read by the optical reading device 110.
The printer 10 also includes a communication interface 43 that converts a data format when information is transmitted to and received from the host computer 2.

The sensor control unit 45 is connected to the alignment sensor 37, the medium edge sensor 47, the medium width sensor 55, the first scanner module 111, and the second scanner module 112. The sensor control unit 45 quantizes analog voltages input from the alignment sensor 37, the medium edge sensor 47, and the medium width sensor 55, converts them into digital data, and outputs the digital data to the CPU 40. In addition, the sensor control unit 45 quantizes the analog voltage output from the first scanner module 111 and the second scanner module 112 of the optical reading device 110 and outputs the quantized digital data to the CPU 40.
The motor drive unit 46 is connected to the medium transport motor 26, the carriage drive motor 56, the magnetic head drive motor 57, and the alignment motor 58, and supplies drive currents and drive pulses to these motors to operate these motors. .
The head driver 48 is connected to the recording head 18 and causes the recording wire to protrude by supplying a driving current to the recording head 18.

  Based on the control program stored in the flash ROM 42, the CPU 40 obtains detection states of various sensors via the sensor control unit 45, the motor drive unit 46, and the head driver 48, and drives each motor to record the recording medium S. And recording (printing) on the recording medium S is performed by driving each head. Further, the CPU 40 transports the recording medium S by the medium transport mechanism 100, and reads the surface of the recording medium S by the first scanner module 111 and the second scanner module 112 by the sensor control unit 45. During execution of this reading, the CPU 40 temporarily stores data input from the sensor control unit 45 in a buffer memory (not shown) provided in the RAM 41 sequentially. Then, the CPU 40 reads the image data stored in this buffer memory (not shown) and transmits it to the host computer 2 via the communication interface 43.

  The control system of the printer 10 shown in FIG. 4 executes a control program stored in the flash ROM 42 by the CPU 40 to drive and control each part of the main body 11 of the printer 10 and according to a command transmitted from the host computer 2. Operates and realizes the above printing function, MICR function, MSR function, and optical reading function.

When the magnetic head 34 contacts the magnetic stripe MS and outputs an analog current, the magnetic reading unit 65 quantizes the analog current waveform to generate a pulse, and the pulse generated by the pulse output unit 66. And a threshold value used by the data converter 67. The data converter 67 converts the period into a digital value by comparing the period with a preset threshold value (reference value). A conversion control unit 68 for controlling setting and change.
The printer 10 controls the motor driving unit 46 by the CPU 40 and drives the magnetic head driving motor 57 to move the magnetic head 34. An analog waveform output from the magnetic head 34 during this movement is acquired by the magnetic reading unit 65, and processing described later is performed, and digital data indicating information recorded in the magnetic stripe MS is output to the CPU 40.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the reading operation of the magnetic stripe MS. 5A shows an example of the magnetic arrangement (N pole, S pole) in the recording area of the magnetic stripe MS, and FIG. 5B shows the output from the magnetic head 34 that has scanned the magnetic arrangement of FIG. (C) shows an example of converting the current waveform of FIG. (B) into a pulse waveform, and (D) shows the pulse waveform of FIG. (C) converted into a form in which the period can be measured. An example is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic stripe MS by appropriately reversing the magnetic poles of the magnetic material applied or attached to the surface. Magnetic information is recorded not by the magnetic pole but by the polarity reversal period. The magnetic head 34 is configured to output a current corresponding to a change in polarity. For this reason, when the magnetic stripe MS of FIG. 5A is scanned by the magnetic head 34, the output of the magnetic head 34 corresponds to the reversal of the polarity of the magnetic stripe MS, as shown in FIG. Current.

  Here, the pulse output unit 66 (FIG. 4) quantizes the analog current waveform (FIG. 5B) output from the magnetic head 34 to generate a pulse waveform (FIG. 5C). This pulse waveform is generated by detecting the peak of the analog current waveform and making this peak the edge of the pulse. The pulse output unit 66 further outputs a pulse waveform synchronized with the rising and falling edges of the generated pulse waveform as shown in FIG. The pulse shown in FIG. 5D has a constant pulse width, and the rising edge of the pulse substantially coincides with the polarity inversion position (FIG. 5A) in the magnetic stripe MS. The data converter 67 measures the pulse interval shown in FIG. 5D and calculates the pulse period. Then, by comparing this pulse period with a preset threshold value, it is determined whether the data value between the pulses is “0” or “1”.

According to a general standard that defines the specifications of the magnetic stripe MS, for example, “0” of data is represented by a pulse train having a recording density of 210 bits / inch, and “1” is represented by a pulse train having a recording density of 105 bits / inch. Show. If the pulse period calculated by the data converter 67 is 210 bits / inch, the data is “0”, and if it is 105 bits / inch, the data is “1”.
By the way, the cycle of the pulse generated by the data conversion unit 67 may be shifted from the cycle determined by the standard due to the influence of the moving speed and response characteristics of the magnetic head 34 that reads the magnetic stripe MS. In order to accurately determine the value causing such a deviation, the data converter 67 determines a threshold value between 210 bits / inch and 105 bits / inch, and sets a value higher than this threshold value (short cycle). ) Is determined to be “0”, and if the value is lower than the threshold value, “1” is determined. By this processing, the data conversion unit 67 generates binary digital data of data “0” and “1” and outputs it to the conversion control unit 68. The conversion control unit 68 converts the digital data input from the magnetic reading unit 65 into, for example, 5 bits and performs error determination or the like. The conversion control unit 68 outputs the data output from the data conversion unit 67 and the determination result to the CPU 40, and if not an error, the CPU 40 transmits the input data to the host computer 2 as read data of the magnetic stripe MS. . Note that the CPU 40 may execute the error determination performed by the conversion control unit 68.

The threshold value used by the data conversion unit 67 can be changed under the control of the conversion control unit 68. That is, the conversion control unit 68 has a function of changing a threshold value when the data conversion unit 67 converts the pulse period into binary digital data.
The threshold value is changed every time the data conversion unit 67 converts data. Further, when the host computer 2 instructs to change the threshold value and when the converted digital data values are continuously the same value, the conversion control unit 68 changes the threshold value.

  First, the threshold value change performed each time the data conversion unit 67 converts data will be described. The conversion control unit 68 obtains an average value of the converted pulse period values, and can use this average value as a threshold value for the data conversion unit 67 to determine data “0” and “1”. When this method is adopted, since the value between the pulse period indicating the actually read data “0” and the pulse period indicating the data “1” becomes a threshold value, the data “0” and “1” are changed. Can be judged accurately. Here, in order to obtain a threshold value accurately reflecting the tendency of the read data (the influence of the moving speed of the magnetic head 34 and the magnetic characteristics), it is preferable to obtain the average of the latest pulse period as much as possible. On the other hand, if there are few elements included in the population for calculating the average, the threshold value may fluctuate greatly. Therefore, it is preferable to obtain an average of a certain number of pulse periods in order from the latest pulse period. .

  However, even when the population for calculating the average value is appropriately determined, if the data having the same value continues, the average value may be dragged to either the long cycle or the short cycle. For example, when data “0” continues, since a short pulse period of 210 bits / inch or its vicinity appears continuously, the average value gradually increases. On the other hand, when data “1” continues, since the pulse period of 105 bits / inch or its vicinity appears continuously, the average value gradually decreases. Due to the fluctuation of the average value, the possibility of erroneous determination is increased. For example, when data “0” continues, the threshold pulse period has a short value (high frequency), and therefore it is easy to determine that the pulse period is longer than the threshold value (low frequency). . That is, it is easier to determine data “1” than data “0”.

In the example of FIGS. 5A to 5D, an Erase region having no polarity inversion is provided at the head of the magnetic information of the magnetic stripe MS so as to comply with a known standard, and subsequently, data “0” is stored. A continuous L0 region is provided. The Erase region and the L0 region are recognized as a data introduction part. Subsequent to the introduction part, a data area in which actual information is recorded is provided. Although not shown in the figure, a terminal portion indicating that the magnetic stripe MS is a terminal portion is also provided at the terminal portion of the magnetic stripe MS. Among these, the L0 area and the terminal part of the introduction part are composed of consecutive “0” s to be distinguished from the data area. Therefore, the threshold value is likely to change as described above.
Therefore, the conversion control unit 68 compensates for the fluctuation of the threshold value when the average value is used as the threshold value, and changes the threshold value so that it is difficult to detect the other value when the same value continues. To do. In the above example, when the data “0” continues, the threshold pulse period is changed to be longer as the threshold pulse period is shorter (frequency is higher). The width or amount by which the threshold pulse period is lengthened is preset and determined by the CPU 40. This change makes it possible to accurately determine the data “0” and “1”, and reduce the risk of erroneous determination.

The conversion control unit 68 controls the CPU 40 when the CPU 40 receives a command for instructing a change of the threshold value and data indicating the threshold value (may be included in the command) from the external host computer 2. Change the threshold under
Hereinafter, reading the magnetic stripe MS and changing the threshold value will be described with reference to flowcharts.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the printer 10.
When the printer 10 detects that the recording medium S is inserted from the manual feed port 15 in the standby state by the medium end sensor 47 (step S11), the medium conveying mechanism 100 controls the inserted recording medium S under the control of the CPU 40. The sheet is conveyed and aligned by the alignment plate 38 (step S12). Subsequently, the sheet is conveyed and the width of the recording medium S is detected using the medium width sensor 55 (step S13).
Here, the CPU 40 operates the medium transport mechanism 100 to transport the recording medium S to the reading position of the magnetic stripe MS (step S14). The reading position of the magnetic stripe MS is a position where the magnetic stripe MS of the recording medium S overlaps the area where the magnetic head 34 reciprocates. Then, the CPU 40 operates the magnetic data reading unit 29 to start reading magnetic information (step S15), and controls the conversion control unit 68 during that time to appropriately change the threshold value (step S16).

When the reading of the magnetic stripe MS is completed, the CPU 40 receives the print execution command and the print job data transmitted from the host computer 2, and transports the recording medium S to the print start position by the medium transport mechanism 100 (step S17). ). The CPU 40 repeatedly executes printing by the recording head 18 and conveyance for the line feed (step S18). When the print end position is reached (step S19), the recording medium S is conveyed to the scan start position by the optical reading device 110 (step S19). Step S20).
Here, the CPU 40 executes a scan based on a scan execution command transmitted from the host computer 2 and a command or data specifying a reading condition transmitted together with this command (step S21). The image data read by executing the scan is transmitted to the host computer 2, and the CPU 40 conveys the recording medium S to the manual feed port 15 side or the discharge port 20 side and discharges it (step S22). Shifts to an insertion standby state from (step S23).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printer 10, and particularly shows the operation in which the conversion control unit 68 changes the threshold value of the data conversion unit 67.
The operation shown in FIG. 7 is executed by starting reading of the magnetic stripe MS in step S15 of FIG.
Under the control of the CPU 40, the magnetic reading unit 65 converts the analog waveform output from the magnetic head 34 into a pulse waveform by the function of the pulse output unit 66, and further converts the analog waveform output to a pulse waveform whose period can be detected. Data conversion is started from the beginning of the pulse by the function (step S31). That is, for each pulse, a pulse period with the previous pulse is obtained, and the obtained pulse period is compared with a threshold value to determine whether it is “0” or “1” and binarize.
Here, the conversion control unit 68 acquires the data output by the data conversion unit 67 under the control of the CPU 40 (step S32), and whether or not the same value is output continuously compared to the data acquired in the past. Is determined (step S33).

When data having the same value is continuously output from the data conversion unit 67 (step S33; Yes), the conversion control unit 68 corresponds the threshold value of the data conversion unit 67 to the value that is not output. It changes so that it may approach a pulse period (step S34). Specifically, when data “0” continues, the threshold value is changed so as to approach a pulse period (for example, 105 bits / inch) corresponding to data “1”. The width to be changed may be a preset value, or may be determined by a ratio to the threshold value at that time. In this case, the threshold value of the data conversion unit 67 is an average value of several to several tens of pulse periods recently.
Thereafter, the conversion control unit 68 determines whether or not the reading of the magnetic stripe MS is completed (step S35). If the reading continues (step S35; No), the conversion control unit 68 returns to step S33. When the reading is completed (step S35; Yes), this process ends.
On the other hand, when the data output from the data conversion unit 67 do not have the same continuous value (step S33; No), the conversion control unit 68 proceeds to step S35.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the printer 10 changes the threshold value based on an instruction received from the external host computer 2. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the recording management system 1, (A) shows the operation of the printer 10, and (B) shows the operation of the host computer 2. In the operation of FIG. 8A, the CPU 40 functions as error detection means.
When the magnetic reading unit 65 of the printer 10 converts the analog waveform output from the magnetic head 34 into a pulse waveform by the function of the pulse output unit 66 and binarizes the digital data, the CPU 40 outputs the digital data. The digital data output by is acquired, and whether or not the magnetic stripe MS is read is determined (step S41). That is, whether the reading is successful or unsuccessful (error) is determined based on the data output by the magnetic reading unit 65. Here, when the content of the data clearly deviates from the standard, or when it is not regarded as normal data, it is determined that reading has failed. Specifically, for example, the data “1” is mixed in the introduction part L0 described above, the length of the Erase region or the introduction part L0 is shorter than specified, and all the data is “0” even if the introduction part L0 is exceeded. This is the case.

After determining whether reading is successful or reading error, the CPU 40 calculates an error rate (error determination ratio) based on the determination result (step S42). Since the error rate calculated by the CPU 40 is stored in the RAM 41 or the flash ROM 42, the CPU 40 updates the stored error rate.
The CPU 40 calculates the error rate and the threshold value used by the data conversion unit 67 when calculating the error rate each time the error rate is calculated or when the error rate changes beyond a predetermined range. Is transmitted to the host computer 2 (step S43). In this case, the CPU 40 may add identification information for individually identifying the plurality of printers 10 constituting the recording management system 1 and transmit the identification information to the host computer 2.

The host computer 2 receives and acquires the error rate and threshold value transmitted from the printer 10 (step S51), and compares the error rates received from the plurality of printers 10 constituting the recording management system 1 (step S51). S52).
Here, the host computer 2 selects the printer 10 that needs to change the threshold value (step S53). The selected printer 10 is, for example, a printer 10 having a relatively high error rate among a plurality of printers 10 or a printer 10 that has transmitted an error rate exceeding a predetermined standard.

The host computer 2 acquires a threshold value of the printer 10 having a relatively low error rate among the plurality of printers 10 or the printer 10 that has transmitted an error rate lower than a predetermined reference. Then, the host computer 2 transmits the acquired threshold value and the threshold value change command to the printer 10 selected in step S53 (step S54).
The CPU 40 of the printer 10 that has received the threshold value and the threshold value change command transmitted from the host computer 2 (Step S44) controls the conversion control unit 68 based on the received threshold value, and the data conversion unit 67 The threshold value is changed (step S45). Further, the CPU 40 resets the error rate calculated and stored in the RAM 41 or the flash ROM 42, and newly reads the magnetic stripe MS. At this time, when the recording medium S is inserted into the printer 10, the reading of the magnetic stripe MS may be retried using the changed threshold value.

As described above, the plurality of printers 10 of the recording management system 1 have the same type of recording medium S set therein and read the magnetic stripe MS. For this reason, when the error rates of the plurality of printers 10 are compared, and there is a printer 10 with a low error rate and a printer 10 with a high error rate for reading the magnetic stripe MS of the recording medium S, the threshold value The difference is likely to be affected. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, the threshold value of the printer 10 that is considered to be suitable for reading the recording medium S with a relatively low error rate is applied to the other printers 10. Then, the improvement of the error rate of the other printer 10 can be expected.
When a plurality of printers 10 constituting the recording management system 1 are mixed with printers 10 that process different types of recording media, or when printers 10 that process different jobs are mixed, The printer 10 may be grouped for each type of recording medium or each type of business, and the error rate may be compared for each group, and the process of FIG. 8 may be performed.

  As described above, the recording management system 1 includes the magnetic head 34 that reads the magnetic information recorded in the magnetic stripe MS and outputs an analog waveform, and the pulse output unit that converts the output waveform of the magnetic head 34 into a pulse and outputs the pulse. 66 and a data conversion unit 67 that outputs the digital data by binarizing the pulse period of the pulse output from the pulse output unit 66 by comparing it with a threshold value, and a data conversion unit 67 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. And a conversion control unit 68 that changes a threshold value used by the printer, and has a printer 10 that changes a threshold value when converting a pulse obtained from an analog waveform output from the magnetic head 34 into digital data. According to this printer 10, when a threshold value mismatch occurs, for example, when the threshold value does not match the hardware state of the magnetic head 34 or the like, the non-conforming state is changed by changing the threshold value. The processing time can be reduced by eliminating the reading error and reducing the retry of the reading operation.

  Further, the conversion control unit 68 has a function of correcting the threshold value using the average value of the pulse period of the latest predetermined number of pulses among the pulses converted into digital data as a threshold value. When the same value appears continuously in the data binarized by the data conversion unit 67, the threshold value is changed so that it is difficult to detect other values. When the value is biased, it is possible to prevent the data from being easily determined as the other data due to the bias. This makes it possible to utilize the function of correcting the threshold value and prevent deviation of the threshold value due to this function, and perform conversion into digital data with an appropriate threshold value.

  The conversion control unit 68 changes the threshold value used by the data conversion unit 67 when a threshold change command is received from the host computer 2 as a predetermined condition. The processing time can be shortened by eliminating the nonconformity and avoiding the retry of the reading operation.

In addition, the recording management system 1 includes a plurality of printers 10 and a host computer 2 connected so as to be communicable with the printers 10. The host computer 2 is set by the control of the conversion control unit 68 included in each printer 10. The conversion control unit 68 provided in the printer 10 is configured to be capable of transmitting information indicating the threshold value to each printer 10 and transmitting the information indicating the threshold value. Is set as the threshold value used by the data conversion unit 67, so that the threshold value of the data conversion unit 67 can be changed by the host computer 2 transmitting the threshold value.
Further, the host computer 2 acquires information indicating the error occurrence state transmitted by each printer 10, and among the plurality of printers 10, a printer with a lower error occurrence rate than a printer 10 with a higher error occurrence rate. Since the threshold value is changed by transmitting 10 threshold values, the error occurrence rate can be reduced and the processing efficiency can be improved.

The embodiment described above shows a specific example to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the medium on which the printer 10 reads magnetic information has been described as the passbook type recording medium S. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is used for a credit card, a cash card, or the like. The present invention may be applied to reading of a card type recording medium or a tape-like magnetic recording medium.
In addition, for example, the CPU 40 of the printer 10 controls the conversion control unit 68 to threshold when the same value continues in the converted data and when a threshold value change command is received from the host computer 2. Although the example of changing the value has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reading direction of the magnetic stripe MS (direction R in FIG. 2 or the opposite direction), the thickness of the recording medium S, the magnetic The state of contact between the head 34 and the magnetic stripe MS (contact angle, etc.), the number of repetitions of reading the same magnetic stripe MS, the passbook type recording medium S, the type of medium including card type media and other media The threshold value may be changed according to a difference or the like. Alternatively, a plurality of threshold values may be stored in the flash ROM 42, and the threshold value selected therefrom may be set in the data conversion unit 67.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the magnetic data reading unit 29 included in the printer 10 including the SIDM recording head 18 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration corresponding to the magnetic data reading unit 29 may be provided in an ink jet printer, a thermal printer, a laser printer, or the like. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a reading device that reads a check or a device that has only a function of reading magnetic information such as a magnetic stripe MS exclusively and outputting it as digital data. Furthermore, it is of course possible to apply the present invention to an apparatus incorporated in a device other than the printer (ATM (Automated Teller Machine), CD (Cash Dispenser), etc.).
Further, the interface for connecting the printer 10 to the host computer 2 has been described as a LAN interface or a wireless communication interface, but the total number and types of interfaces are not limited. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which a control unit mounted on a control board (not shown) mounted on the printer 10 has the functions shown in the functional blocks of FIG. 4 and controls each unit of the printer 10 is taken as an example. As described above, for example, a device externally connected to the printer 10 may function as part or all of the functional units illustrated in FIG. 4 to control the printer 10. Furthermore, each functional block shown in FIG. 4 is realized by cooperation between hardware and software, and a specific hardware implementation form, software specifications, etc. are arbitrary, and other details. Regarding the configuration, the above-described embodiment is merely an example to which the present invention is applied, and can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  Moreover, it is possible to provide each process of the printer 10 and the host computer 2 shown in the embodiment as a program. Further, the program can be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory. Of course, the above-described invention can be implemented by the host computer 2 or the printer 10 reading and executing these programs from an external device or an external recording medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording management system (magnetic information reading system), 2 ... Host computer (external apparatus, information management apparatus), 10 ... Printer (magnetic information reading apparatus), 18 ... Recording head, 29 ... Magnetic data reading part, 34 ... Magnetic head, 40 ... CPU (conversion control means, error detection means, 57 ... magnetic head drive motor, 65 ... magnetic reading section, 66 ... pulse output section (pulse output means), 67 ... data conversion section (conversion means), 68 ... conversion control unit (conversion control means), MS ... magnetic stripe (magnetic information recording medium), S ... recording medium (magnetic information recording medium).

Claims (7)

A magnetic information reader for reading magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium,
A magnetic head for reading magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium and outputting an analog waveform;
Pulse output means for converting the output waveform of the magnetic head into a pulse and outputting the pulse;
Conversion means for binarizing the pulse period of the pulse output by the pulse output means by comparing with a reference value and outputting digital data;
Conversion control means for changing the reference value used by the conversion means when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
A magnetic information reading apparatus comprising:   The conversion control means has a function of correcting the reference value used by the conversion means based on the pulse period of the latest predetermined number of pulses among the pulses converted into digital data, and the predetermined condition is 2. The magnetic information reading according to claim 1, wherein when the same value appears continuously in the data binarized by the conversion means, the reference value is changed so that it is difficult to detect another value. apparatus.   2. The magnetic information reading according to claim 1, wherein the conversion control means changes the reference value used by the conversion means when an instruction to change a reference value is given from an external device as the predetermined condition. apparatus. A magnetic information reading system comprising a plurality of magnetic information reading devices that read magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium, and an information management device that is communicably connected to these magnetic information reading devices,
The magnetic information reader is
A recording device for reading magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium and recording on the recording surface with respect to a recording medium having a magnetic information recording area and a recording surface,
A magnetic head for reading magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium and outputting an analog waveform;
Pulse output means for converting the output waveform of the magnetic head into a pulse and outputting the pulse;
Conversion means for binarizing the pulse period of the pulse output by the pulse output means by comparing with a reference value and outputting digital data;
Conversion control means for changing the reference value used by the conversion means,
The information management device transmits a reference value set by the control of the conversion control unit included in each magnetic information reader and information indicating the reference value to each magnetic information reader. And means for
The conversion control means included in the magnetic information reader sets a reference value transmitted from the information management apparatus as a reference value used by the conversion means;
A magnetic information reading system. The magnetic information reading device comprises error detection means for determining whether reading is successful or reading error based on the digital data output by the conversion means, and transmitting information indicating an error occurrence state to the information management device,
The information management device acquires information indicating an error occurrence state transmitted by each of the magnetic information reading devices, and the magnetic information reading device having a high error occurrence rate among the plurality of magnetic information reading devices. Transmitting a reference value of the magnetic information reader with a low error rate,
The magnetic information reading system according to claim 4. A method for controlling a magnetic information reader for reading magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium, comprising:
Reading magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium by a magnetic head and outputting an analog waveform,
Converting the output waveform of the magnetic head into a pulse;
While comparing the pulse period of the converted pulse with the reference value to binarize and output digital data,
Changing the reference value when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
A method for controlling a magnetic information reader. A program executable by a control unit that controls a magnetic information reader that reads magnetic information recorded on a magnetic information recording medium,
The control unit reads the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic information recording medium by a magnetic head and converts the analog waveform output to a pulse,
While comparing the pulse period of the converted pulse with the reference value to binarize and output digital data,
Changing the reference value when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
A program characterized by

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