JP2013152753A - Medium processor and medium collecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medium processor which can simplify the control for a thermal head when a code is printed even when a code printing function for printing a prescribed code is carried out by the thermal head in addition to the printing function.SOLUTION: In a medium processor, a block code 51 comprising a plurality of blocks 52 with width W that are approximately constant and lined up in a conveying direction X is printed on a medium 2 by a thermal head. This medium processor reproduces magnetic information of the medium 2 when the medium 2 is inserted, reads the block code 51 of the medium 2 and determines whether or not the reproduced magnetic information is correct. The medium processor discharges the medium 2 to a medium collecting mechanism when the magnetic information is correct, or determines whether or not information corresponding to the read block code 51 is correct when the magnetic information is not correct. Then the medium processor discharges the medium 2 to the medium collecting mechanism when the information corresponding to the read block code 51 is correct, or transmits error information when the information corresponding to the read block code 51 is not correct.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus including a thermal head for printing on a medium by a thermal method. Moreover, this invention relates to the medium collection | recovery apparatus for parking lots or bicycle parking lots provided with this medium processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, a reader / writer unit for reproducing magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording layer of a prepaid card and recording magnetic information on the magnetic recording layer, and a part of use data by a discharge destruction printing method on the printing unit of the prepaid card. 2. Description of the Related Art A reader / writer device with a printing apparatus including a discharge destruction type printer that performs printing is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the reader / writer device described in Patent Document 1, a bar code corresponding to card management data is printed on a prepaid card by a discharge destruction printer at an arbitrary time after the prepaid card is manufactured. That is, the discharge destruction type printer has a code printing function for printing a barcode corresponding to the card management data on the prepaid card in addition to a printing function for printing a part of the use data on the prepaid card. The reader / writer device also includes a barcode reading unit such as a scanner for reading a barcode printed on a prepaid card.

In the present specification, as shown in FIG. 9, “bar code” means a narrow bar (narrow bar NB), a thick bar (wide bar WB), a narrow gap (narrow space NS), and a thick gap (wide space WS). ) Is a combination of numbers and letters. The ratio between the thickness W11 of the narrow bar NB and the thickness W12 of the wide bar WB and the ratio between the thickness W13 of the narrow space NS and the thickness W14 of the wide space WS are determined as follows.
W11: W12 = 1: 2 to 1: 3
W13: W14 = 1: 2 to 1: 3

JP-A-5-307653

  In the reader / writer device described in Patent Document 1, a barcode is printed on a prepaid card by a discharge destruction type printer. Therefore, in this reader / writer device, it is necessary to change the thickness and combination of the narrow bar NB, the wide bar WB, the narrow space NS, and the wide space WS according to the character to be encoded, etc. Printer control becomes complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to control the thermal head when printing a code even if the thermal head fulfills a code printing function for printing a predetermined code on the medium in addition to the printing function on the medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a medium processing apparatus that can be simplified. Moreover, the subject of this invention is providing the medium collection | recovery apparatus for parking lots or bicycle parking lots provided with this medium processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, a medium processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a medium transport mechanism for transporting a medium, a medium insertion / ejection unit into which the medium is inserted and ejected, and a thermal head for performing printing on the medium in a thermal manner. And a magnetic head that reproduces the magnetic information recorded on the medium, and a block code composed of a plurality of blocks arranged in the transport direction with a substantially constant width in the transport direction of the medium so as to print on the medium A medium processing apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling a head and an optical reading mechanism for reading a block code, wherein the control unit is configured to use a medium conveyance mechanism to perform medium transfer when a medium is inserted from a medium insertion / ejection unit. The magnetic information recorded on the medium is reproduced by the magnetic head while the block code printed on the medium is read by the reading mechanism, and the magnetic head It is determined whether the reproduced magnetic information is correct magnetic information. If the magnetic information reproduced by the magnetic head is correct, the medium is moved toward the medium recovery mechanism for recovering the medium discharged from the medium processing apparatus. If the magnetic information reproduced by the magnetic head is incorrect, it is determined whether the information corresponding to the block code read by the reading mechanism is correct information, and the block read by the reading mechanism When the information corresponding to the code is correct, the medium is discharged toward the medium recovery mechanism, and when the information corresponding to the block code read by the reading mechanism is incorrect, error information is transmitted. And

  In the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit controls the thermal head to print on the medium a block code composed of a plurality of blocks arranged in the conveyance direction with a substantially constant width in the medium conveyance direction. Yes. Therefore, when printing the block code, the control unit may control the thermal head so as to print a plurality of blocks having a substantially constant width in the medium conveyance direction. There is no need for complex control of the thermal head with respect to width. That is, the present invention does not require complicated control as in the case of printing a barcode. Therefore, the present invention simplifies the control of the thermal head when printing the block code even when the thermal head fulfills the code printing function for printing the block code on the medium in addition to the printing function on the medium. It becomes possible to do.

  In the present invention, the control unit preferably controls the thermal head so that the width of the block in the transport direction is 1 mm or more. With this configuration, the block code can be read by the reading mechanism without bringing the medium and the reading mechanism into contact with each other, and the printing density (recording density) of the block codes printed on the medium is compared. It becomes rough. Therefore, even if the medium on which the block code is read in the media processing device is bent or torn, the control unit appropriately determines whether or not there is a block based on the reading result of the optical reading mechanism. Can be determined. As a result, even when the medium from which the block code is read is bent or torn, the medium processing apparatus can appropriately acquire predetermined information corresponding to the block code.

  In this case, the reading mechanism is preferably constituted by at least one photosensor having one light emitting element and one light receiving element. With this configuration, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the medium processing apparatus and reduce the cost of the medium processing apparatus, compared to the case where a scanner or the like is used as an optical reading mechanism for reading a block code. Become. Even if the reading mechanism is configured by a photosensor, the width in the conveying direction of the plurality of blocks arranged in the conveying direction is 1 mm or more, and therefore the presence or absence of the block is appropriately determined based on the reading result by the reading mechanism. It is possible to make a determination.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the block code is composed of a plurality of blocks arranged in the conveyance direction and arranged in a plurality of tracks arranged in the width direction of the medium orthogonal to the thickness direction of the medium and the conveyance direction. . If comprised in this way, it will become possible to increase the quantity of the information acquired from the block code printed on a medium.

  In this case, at least one of the plurality of tracks is preferably a reference track in which a plurality of blocks are arranged at substantially constant intervals in the transport direction. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether a block of another track is printed at a position corresponding to the block of the reference track. That is, it is possible to determine the presence / absence of a block of another track on the basis of the block printed on the reference track. Therefore, even when the medium conveyance speed varies by the medium conveyance mechanism when printing the block code and / or when reading the block code, the block code can be read without being affected by the fluctuation. That is, even if the medium conveyance speed by the medium conveyance mechanism varies, it is possible to appropriately acquire the predetermined information corresponding to the block code.

  In this case, the reading mechanism is constituted by a plurality of photosensors each having one light emitting element and one light receiving element, and each of the plurality of photosensors corresponds to each of a plurality of tracks. It is preferable to arrange | position. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the cost of the medium processing apparatus as compared with a case where a scanner or the like is used as a reading mechanism for reading a block code.

  The medium processing apparatus of the present invention can be used for a medium recovery apparatus for a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot that includes a medium recovery mechanism. In this medium recovery apparatus, it is possible to simplify the control of the thermal head when printing the block code on the medium.

  Moreover, when a medium processing apparatus is used for the medium collection apparatus for parking lots or bicycle parking lots, it is preferable that the control unit controls the thermal head so that the width of the block in the transport direction is 1 mm or more. In parking lot systems and bicycle parking lot systems, disposable media are often used. Therefore, in a medium recovery device for parking lots or bicycle parking lots, in order to reduce costs, a relatively inexpensive paper medium is often used as a medium, and the paper medium is easily bent or torn. If configured, even if the medium on which the block code is read in the medium processing apparatus is bent or torn, the presence / absence of a block is appropriately determined based on the reading result of the optical reading mechanism. Thus, the medium processing apparatus can appropriately acquire predetermined information corresponding to the block code.

  As described above, in the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the function of printing on the medium, the block code is printed on the medium even when the thermal head performs the code printing function of printing the block code on the medium. It is possible to simplify the control of the thermal head at the time. Further, in the medium recovery device for parking lots or bicycle parking lots according to the present invention, in addition to the printing function on the medium, even if the thermal head fulfills the code printing function for printing the block code on the medium, the block code is displayed. It becomes possible to simplify the control of the thermal head during printing.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the upper guide part of the medium processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a side view for demonstrating schematic structure of the medium processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating schematic structure of the medium processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the card shown in FIG. 2. It is a side view for demonstrating schematic structure of the ticket issuing apparatus by which the medium processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is mounted. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to magnetic information reproduction / recording control and printing / printing control of the medium processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control flow of the medium processing apparatus at the time of issuing a card | curd with the ticket issuing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control flow of the medium processing apparatus at the time of performing payment with the payment apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the barcode concerning a prior art.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic configuration of media processing device, ticket issuing device and payment device)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper guide portion 12 is opened in a medium processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining a schematic configuration of the medium processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a schematic configuration of the medium processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the card 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a schematic configuration of the ticket issuing apparatus 30 on which the medium processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  The medium processing device 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a card reader mounted and used in a ticket issuing device 30 (see FIG. 5) or a checkout device 31 (see FIG. 5) installed in a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot, as will be described later. And has a printing function for printing on the card 2 as a medium by a thermal method. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the medium processing apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 4 having a thermal head 3 for printing on a card 2 by a thermal method, and a platen roller 5 disposed to face the thermal head 3. A magnetic head 6 for reproducing and recording magnetic information, a card transport mechanism 7 as a medium transport mechanism for transporting the card 2 in the medium processing apparatus 1, and a card insertion / ejection unit into which the card 2 is inserted and ejected 8 and.

  In this embodiment, the card 2 is transported in the X direction in FIG. That is, the X direction is the card 2 conveyance direction. Further, the Z direction orthogonal to the X direction is the thickness direction of the card 2 when taken into the medium processing apparatus 1, and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction is within the medium processing apparatus 1. It is the width direction of the card | curd 2 when it was taken in. In the following description, the X1 direction side in FIG. 1 or the like is the “front” side, the X2 direction side is the “rear (back)” side, the Y1 direction side is the “right” side, the Y2 direction side is the “left” side, The Z1 direction side is the “upper” side, and the Z2 direction side is the “lower” side.

  A disposable card 2 is often used in a parking lot system or a bicycle parking lot system using the ticket issuing device 30 or the checkout device 31 on which the medium processing device 1 is mounted. Therefore, in this embodiment, relatively inexpensive paper is used as the material of the card 2 in order to reduce the cost. That is, the card 2 of this embodiment is a paper card having a predetermined thickness. The card 2 is made of thermal paper, and on the surface of the card 2, a printing area 2a where printing is performed by a thermal method is formed as shown in FIG. A magnetic layer or magnetic stripe (not shown) on which magnetic information is recorded is formed on the back surface of the card 2.

  The card 2 may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, or a card made of vinyl chloride having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. May be. Further, a cloudy rewrite layer in which white printing is performed on a silver printing surface by a thermal method may be formed on the surface of the card 2, and blue or black or the like may be formed on a white printing surface by a thermal method. A leuco-type rewrite layer on which printing is performed may be formed.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the medium processing apparatus 1 includes an optical reading mechanism 9 for reading a later-described block code 51 (see FIG. 4) printed in the print area 2a. The medium processing apparatus 1 also includes an upper guide portion 12, a lower guide portion 13, a right side plate 14, and a left side plate 15 that form a card transport path 11 through which the card 2 is transported. The card transport path 11 is formed between the right side plate 14 and the left side plate 15 in the left-right direction between the lower guide portion 13 and the lower guide portion 13.

  A right side plate 14 is fixed to the right end of the lower guide portion 13, and a left side plate 15 is fixed to the left end of the lower guide portion 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper guide portion 12 is configured to be rotatable with the rear end side as a fulcrum with respect to the lower guide portion 13, the right side plate 14 and the left side plate 15. .

  The printing unit 4 and the reading mechanism 9 are attached to the upper guide portion 12, and the platen roller 5 and the magnetic head 6 are attached to the lower guide portion 13. Further, the card insertion / ejection unit 8 is fixed to the front ends of the upper guide unit 12, the lower guide unit 13, the right side plate 14 and the left side plate 15.

  In addition to the thermal head 3, the printing unit 4 includes a solenoid 17 that moves the thermal head 3 and a head holding member 18 that holds the thermal head 3. The thermal head 3 is a so-called direct type thermal head that directly contacts the surface of the card 2 and prints on the card 2. The thermal head 3 may be a so-called thermal transfer type thermal head that prints on the card 2 by contacting the card 2 via an ink ribbon. That is, the thermal head 3 may be a thermal transfer type thermal head that prints on the card 2 by heating the ink applied to the ink ribbon.

  The solenoid 17 moves the thermal head 3 in a direction in which the thermal head 3 abuts on the card 2 (a direction in which the thermal head 3 abuts on the platen roller 5) and a direction in which the thermal head 3 moves away from the card 2 (a direction away from the platen roller 5). That is, the solenoid 17 moves the thermal head 3 held by the head holding member 18 to a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  The platen roller 5 is attached to the lower guide portion 13 so as to be able to rotate with the left-right direction as an axial direction. Further, as described above, the platen roller 5 is disposed to face the thermal head 3. Specifically, the platen roller 5 is disposed so as to face the thermal head 3 with the card transport path 11 interposed therebetween, and the thermal head 3 and the platen roller 5 can come into contact when there is no card 2 in the card transport path 11. It has become.

  The card transport mechanism 7 includes a transport roller 20 that contacts the card 2 and transports the card 2, a pad roller 21 that is disposed to face the transport roller 20, and a roller drive mechanism 22 that drives the transport roller 20. ing. The transport roller 20 is rotatably attached to the lower guide portion 13, and the pad roller 21 is rotatably attached to the upper guide portion 12. The roller driving mechanism 22 includes a driving motor 23, a pulley fixed to the rotation shaft of the conveying roller 20, a belt spanned over the pulley, and the like, and is attached to the lower guide portion 13.

  The reading mechanism 9 includes three photosensors 24-26. The photo sensors 24 to 26 are reflection type photo sensors each including one light emitting element (not shown) and one light receiving element (not shown). The photosensors 24 to 26 are attached to the upper guide portion 12. Specifically, in the front-rear direction, the photo sensor 24 and the photo sensor 26 are disposed at substantially the same position, and the photo sensor 25 is disposed in front of the photo sensors 24 and 26. Further, in the left-right direction, the photo sensor 24 and the photo sensor 26 are disposed adjacent to each other, the photo sensor 24 is disposed on the right side of the photo sensor 26, and the photo sensor 25 is disposed between the photo sensors 24 and 26. Has been.

  The medium processing device 1 is mounted and used in a ticketing device 30 as a medium issuing device installed at the entrance of a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot, and a checkout device 31 as a medium recovery device installed at the exit of a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ticket issuing apparatus 30 includes a medium supply mechanism 32 that supplies the card 2 toward the medium processing apparatus 1. Further, the ticket issuing device 30 includes a card discharge unit 33 that discharges the card 2 discharged from the card insertion / discharge unit 8 of the medium processing device 1. For example, a gate opening / closing device having a gate bar for opening / closing an entrance of a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot is connected to the ticket issuing device 30. The card 2 supplied from the medium supply mechanism 32 is taken into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the rear end of the medium processing apparatus 1.

  The payment apparatus 31 includes a medium recovery mechanism 34 that recovers the card 2 discharged from the medium processing apparatus 1 and a card insertion part 35 into which the card 2 is inserted toward the card insertion / discharge part 8 (see FIG. 5). For example, a gate opening / closing device having a gate bar for opening and closing an exit of a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot is also connected to the settlement device 31. The card 2 collected by the medium collection mechanism 34 is discharged from the rear end of the medium processing apparatus 1 toward the medium collection mechanism 34.

  Note that the medium processing apparatus 1 may be mounted on a ticket issuing and settlement apparatus having both the medium supply mechanism 32 and the medium recovery mechanism 34. In this case, ticketing and settlement devices are installed at the entrances and exits of parking lots and bicycle parking lots.

(Schematic configuration of the control unit of the medium processing apparatus)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to magnetic information reproduction / recording control and printing / printing control of the medium processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 40 of the medium processing apparatus 1 includes a thermal head 3, a magnetic head 6, a solenoid 17, a motor 23, and a photosensor as configurations related to magnetic information reproduction / recording control and printing / printing control. 24-26 etc. are connected. The control unit 40 is connected to a host control unit 41 that is a control unit of the ticket issuing device 30 or a host control unit 42 that is a control unit of the settlement apparatus 31.

  The control unit 40 controls the thermal head 3, the magnetic head 6, the solenoid 17 and the motor 23, and magnetic information reproduced by the magnetic head 6 and detection signals from the photosensors 24 to 26 are input to the control unit 40. Is done. The control unit 40 also exchanges various signals with the host control units 41 and 42.

  The control unit 40 of this embodiment controls the thermal head 3 so as to print the character information 50 (see FIG. 4) on the printing area 2a of the card 2. Further, the control unit 40 controls the thermal head 3 so as to print the block code 51 (see FIG. 4) in the print area 2a.

  The block code 51 of this embodiment is configured by tracks Tr1 to Tr3 including a plurality of blocks 52 arranged in the length direction (X direction) of the card 2 that is the conveyance direction of the card 2. That is, the block code 51 includes a plurality of tracks Tr1 to Tr3. In this embodiment, the block code 51 is configured by three tracks Tr1 to Tr3. The three tracks Tr1 to Tr3 are arranged in the width direction (Y direction) of the card 2. Specifically, the three tracks Tr1 to Tr3 are arranged in this order from the right end of the print area 2a to the left side at substantially constant intervals.

  The block 52 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction of the card 2. The entire block 52 is filled with a color that hardly reflects light or a color that does not reflect light. Specifically, the entire block 52 is painted black. Further, the width W of the plurality of blocks 52 in the length direction of the card 2 is substantially constant. That is, the width W of all the blocks 52 constituting the block code 51 is substantially constant. In this embodiment, the width W of the block 52 is 1 mm or more. That is, the control unit 40 controls the thermal head 3 so that the width W of the block 52 to be printed is 1 mm or more. More specifically, the width W of the block 52 is about 1 mm to 2 mm. For example, the width W of the block 52 is about 1.4 mm to 1.5 mm. In this embodiment, the length of the plurality of blocks 52 in the width direction of the card 2 is also substantially constant. That is, the length of all the blocks 52 constituting the block code 51 in the width direction of the card 2 is substantially constant.

  In each of the tracks Tr <b> 1 to Tr <b> 3, for example, a maximum of 18 blocks 52 can be arranged at a substantially constant interval D in the length direction of the card 2. That is, for example, the number of bits of each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3 is 18. The interval D at which the blocks 52 are arranged is, for example, about 1.3 to 1.4 mm.

Here, the width W and the interval D of the block 52 are determined in consideration of the following (1) to (4).
(1) Data amount (number of bits) of each track Tr1 to Tr3 printed on the card 2
(2) Minimum dot size that the thermal head 3 can print (an integer multiple of the minimum number of dots is the width W)
(3) The width W of the printed block 52 is such that it cannot be mistaken for noise such as dust. (4) Reading accuracy (resolution) of the photosensors 24-26.
However, when determining the width W and the interval D of the block 52, contents other than the above (1) to (4) may be taken into consideration as necessary.

  If the maximum number of blocks 52 (18 blocks 52) are arranged on all three tracks Tr1 to Tr3, the n-th bit (n is, for example, , 1 to 18) are arranged at substantially the same position in the length direction of the card 2. That is, in this case, the block 52 arranged in the nth bit of each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3 is arranged in the width direction of the card 2.

  In this embodiment, one of the three tracks Tr1 to Tr3 is a reference track in which a plurality of blocks 52 are arranged at intervals D in the length direction of the card 2. That is, the track Tr1 is a reference track for signal synchronization in which the maximum number of blocks 52 (18 blocks 52) are arranged at a substantially constant interval D.

  The tracks Tr2 and Tr3 are data tracks in which the blocks 52 are arranged in a pattern corresponding to predetermined information. In this embodiment, blocks 52 are printed on the tracks Tr2 and Tr3 in a pattern corresponding to the minimum information necessary to prevent the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 31 from being hindered. For example, blocks 52 are printed on the trucks Tr2 and Tr3 in a pattern corresponding to the date and time of entering the parking lot or the bicycle parking lot. The character information 50 printed in the print area 2a is, for example, the date and time of entering the parking lot or the bicycle parking lot as shown in FIG.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the card 2 is issued so that the additional printing of the block 52 can be performed in the tracks Tr2 and Tr3 (that is, the information corresponding to the tracks Tr2 and Tr3 can be changed). The number of blocks 52 printed on the track Tr2 and / or the track Tr3 is smaller than the number of blocks 52 printed on the track Tr1. That is, in this embodiment, when the card 2 is issued, the maximum number of blocks 52 are not printed on the track Tr2 and / or the track Tr3.

  As described above, in the left-right direction, the photosensor 24 is disposed on the right side of the photosensor 26, and the photosensor 25 is disposed between the photosensors 24 and 26. Specifically, each of the photosensors 24 to 26 is arranged at a position corresponding to each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3, and the presence or absence of the block 52 on the track Tr1 is detected by the photosensor 24. The presence or absence of the block 52 on the track Tr2 is detected, and the presence or absence of the block 52 on the track Tr3 is detected by the photosensor 26. Further, based on the detection results of the photosensors 24 to 26, the control unit 40 acquires information corresponding to the printed block code 51.

(Control method of media processing apparatus)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow of the medium processing apparatus 1 when the card 2 is issued by the ticket issuing apparatus 30 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow of the medium processing apparatus 1 when the settlement apparatus 31 illustrated in FIG. 5 performs settlement.

  An example of schematic control of the medium processing apparatus 1 when the medium processing apparatus 1 configured as described above is mounted on the ticket issuing apparatus 30, and a medium processing apparatus when the medium processing apparatus 1 is mounted on the checkout apparatus 31 An example of the general control 1 will be described below.

  First, an example of schematic control of the media processing device 1 when the media processing device 1 is mounted on the ticket issuing device 30 will be described. In the ticket issuing device 30, when a user tries to enter a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot, the host control unit 41 controls the medium supply mechanism 32 to supply the card 2 to the medium processing device 1.

  When the card 2 is supplied to the medium processing apparatus 1, the control unit 40 controls the magnetic head 6 while starting the motor 23 to convey the card 2 as shown in the flow of FIG. Magnetic information is recorded on the back surface of the disk (step S1). Specifically, magnetic information including the date and time of entering the parking lot or the bicycle parking lot is recorded by the magnetic head 6.

  When the recording of the magnetic information on the card 2 is finished, the control unit 40 drives the motor 23 to convey the card 2 and reproduces the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 with the magnetic head 6 so that the card 2 is correct. It is determined whether or not magnetic information has been recorded (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that the magnetic information is not correctly recorded on the card 2, the process returns to step S1 to record the magnetic information on the card 2 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the magnetic information is correctly recorded on the card 2, the control unit 40 drives the solenoid 17 to move the thermal head 3 in the direction in which it contacts the card 2 (step S2). S3). Thereafter, the controller 40 controls the thermal head 3 while driving the motor 23 to convey the card 2 to print the character information 50 on the print area 2a of the card 2 and print the block code 51 (step). S4).

  When the printing of the character information 50 and the printing of the block code 51 on the card 2 is completed, the control unit 40 drives the solenoid 17 to retract the thermal head 3 in the direction away from the card 2 (step S5). Further, the controller 40 reads the block code 51 printed on the card 2 with the reading mechanism 9 while driving the motor 23 to convey the card 2, and whether or not the correct block code 51 is printed on the card 2. Is determined (step S6).

  If it is determined in step S6 that the correct block code 51 is printed on the card 2, the control unit 40 drives the motor 23 to discharge the card 2 from the card insertion / discharge unit 8 (step S7). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the correct block code 51 is not printed on the card 2, the control unit 40 transmits error information to the upper control unit 41 (step S8). In step S <b> 8, the upper control unit 41 that has received the error information transmits a control command for performing a predetermined process to the control unit 40.

  Note that the magnetic information may be recorded on the card 2 after the character information 50 and the block code 51 are printed on the card 2. Further, after the character information 50 and the block code 51 are printed on the card 2, the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 is reproduced by the magnetic head 6, and the correct magnetic information is recorded on the card 2. It may be judged. Further, at the same time when magnetic information is recorded on the card 2, the character information 50 and the block code 51 may be printed on the card 2. It is also possible to eject the card 2 as it is without determining whether or not the correct block code 51 is printed on the card 2.

  Next, an example of schematic control of the medium processing apparatus 1 when the medium processing apparatus 1 is mounted on the settlement apparatus 31 will be described. In the checkout apparatus 31, when the user inserts the card 2 into the card insertion unit 35 in order to leave the parking lot or the bicycle parking lot, the control unit 40 activates the motor 23 to remove the card 2 as shown in the flow of FIG. While being conveyed, the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 is reproduced by the magnetic head 6, and the block code 51 printed on the card 2 is read by the reading mechanism 9 (step S11).

  Thereafter, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the reproduced magnetic information is correct magnetic information (step S12). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a magnetic information reproduction error has occurred. When it is determined in step S12 that the reproduced magnetic information is correct magnetic information, the control unit 40 drives the motor 23 to eject the card 2 toward the medium collecting mechanism 34 in order to collect the card 2. At the same time, the reproduced magnetic information is transmitted to the host controller 42 (step S13). In step S <b> 13, the host control unit 42 that has received the magnetic information performs a predetermined settlement process in the settlement apparatus 31 based on the received magnetic information.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that correct magnetic information has not been reproduced due to the card 2 being bent or torn (ie, it is determined that a reproduction error has occurred). In step S11, the control unit 40 determines whether the information corresponding to the read block code 51 is correct information (step S14). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a reproduction error of information corresponding to the block code 51 has occurred.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the information corresponding to the read block code 51 is correct information, the control unit 40 drives the motor 23 to collect the card 2 so as to collect the card 2. This information is transmitted to the host controller 42 (step S15). In step S15, the host control unit 42 that has received the information corresponding to the block code 51 performs a predetermined settlement process in the settlement apparatus 31 based on the received information.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the information corresponding to the read block code 51 is not correct information due to the degree of bending or tearing of the card 2 (ie, a reproduction error occurs). If it is determined that the error has occurred, the control unit 40 transmits error information to the host control unit 42 (step S16). In step S <b> 16, the upper control unit 42 that has received the error information transmits a control command for performing predetermined processing to the control unit 40.

  Even if it is determined in step S12 that the reproduced magnetic information is correct magnetic information, it is determined whether or not the information corresponding to the read block code 51 is correct information. The consistency between the information corresponding to the read block code 51 and the reproduced magnetic information may be confirmed. First, the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 is reproduced, and it is determined whether the reproduced magnetic information is correct magnetic information. When the correct magnetic information is not reproduced (when a reproduction error occurs) ), The block code 51 printed on the card 2 may be read by the reading mechanism 9 to determine whether or not the information corresponding to the read block code 51 is correct information.

  In this embodiment, additional printing of the block 52 is possible in the tracks Tr2 and Tr3. After the card 2 is issued by the ticket issuing device 30, the block 52 is additionally printed on the tracks Tr2 and Tr3. Sometimes. For example, the medium processing device 1 arranged in a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot used by the user, or a predetermined host device on which the medium processing device 1 is installed, the user's usage amount at the store Accordingly, the block 52 may be additionally printed on the tracks Tr2 and Tr3.

  In this embodiment, step S4 is a code printing step in which the thermal head 3 prints the block code 51 on the printing area 2a of the card 2.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 40 prints the block code 51 including the plurality of blocks 52 arranged in the length direction of the card 2 on the card 2 with the width W being substantially constant. The thermal head 3 is controlled. That is, in step S <b> 4, the thermal head 3 prints on the card 2 a block code 51 composed of a plurality of blocks 52 having a substantially constant width W and arranged in the length direction of the card 2.

  Therefore, when printing the block code 51, the control unit 40 may control the thermal head 3 so as to print a plurality of blocks 52 having a substantially constant width W. Each of the plurality of blocks 52 to be printed is controlled. There is no need to perform complicated control of the thermal head 3 with respect to the width W. That is, in this embodiment, complicated control as in printing a barcode is not required. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the printing function for the card 2, the thermal head for printing the block code 51 even when the thermal head 3 performs the code printing function for printing the block code 51 on the card 2. 3 control can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, since the width W of the plurality of blocks 52 constituting the block code 51 read by the reading mechanism 9 is substantially constant, for example, as in the reader / writer device described in Patent Document 1 described above, Data processing in the control unit 40 based on the read block code 51 is facilitated as compared with the case where the code reading unit reads the barcode and performs predetermined data processing based on the read barcode.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 40 controls the thermal head 3 so that the width W of the block 52 to be printed is 1 mm or more. For this reason, the printing density (recording density) of the block code 51 is sufficiently coarser than the recording density of the magnetic information recorded on the card 2. Further, when reproducing the magnetic information of the card 2, it is necessary to bring the card 2 and the magnetic head 6 into contact with each other to eliminate the spacing loss. However, in this embodiment, the block code is read by the optical reading mechanism 9. 51 is read, the block code 51 can be read by the reading mechanism 9 without bringing the card 2 and the reading mechanism 9 into contact with each other.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the card 2 processed by the medium processing device 1 mounted on the checkout device 31 is bent or torn, and the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 cannot be reproduced correctly. However, if the degree of bending or tearing of the card 2 is not large, the control unit 40 can appropriately determine the presence or absence of the block 52 based on the reading result of the reading mechanism 9, and the medium processing The apparatus 1 can appropriately acquire information corresponding to the block code 51.

  In particular, since the card 2 of this embodiment is a paper card, the card 2 is easily bent or torn, but the card 2 processed by the medium processing apparatus 1 mounted on the checkout apparatus 31 is bent or torn. Even if it is to be performed, if the degree is not large, the medium processing apparatus 1 can appropriately acquire information corresponding to the block code 51.

  That is, in this embodiment, the card 2 processed by the medium processing device 1 mounted on the checkout device 31 is bent or torn, and the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 cannot be correctly reproduced. In addition, the medium processing apparatus 1 can appropriately acquire information corresponding to the block code 51 and the settlement apparatus 31 can perform the settlement operation. As a result, for example, even when the parking lot or the bicycle parking lot where the ticketing device 30 and the payment device 31 are arranged are unmanned parking lots or bicycle parking lots, it is possible to reduce trouble when the user leaves the parking lot or the bicycle parking lot. become.

  In this embodiment, the reading mechanism 9 includes three photosensors 24 to 26, and each of the photosensors 24 to 26 is disposed at a position corresponding to each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3. Therefore, compared with the case where a scanner or the like is used as an optical reading mechanism for reading the block code 51, the configuration of the medium processing apparatus 1 can be simplified and the cost of the medium processing apparatus 1 can be reduced. . In this embodiment, since the width W of the block 52 is 1 mm or more, even if the reading mechanism 9 is configured by the photosensors 24 to 26, the block 52 of the block 52 is based on the reading results of the photosensors 24 to 26. Presence / absence can be determined appropriately.

  In this embodiment, one of the three tracks Tr1 to Tr3 is a reference track on which all the blocks 52 are printed at a substantially constant interval D. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not the blocks 52 of the tracks Tr2 and Tr3 are printed at positions corresponding to the blocks 52 of the track Tr1. That is, the presence / absence of the block 52 of the tracks Tr2 and Tr3 can be determined based on the block 52 printed on the track Tr1. Therefore, even if the card 2 transport speed varies by the card transport mechanism 7 when the block code 51 is printed and / or when the block code 51 is read, the track Tr2, which is a data track, is not affected by the fluctuation. , Tr3 can be read to appropriately acquire information corresponding to the tracks Tr2 and Tr3.

  In this embodiment, the two tracks Tr2 and Tr3 are data tracks. Therefore, the amount of information acquired from the block code 51 printed on the card 2 can be increased. In this embodiment, the medium processing apparatus 1 includes the magnetic head 6, and magnetic information is recorded on the card 2. Therefore, the amount of information that can be recorded on the card 2 and the amount of information that can be acquired from the card 2 can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the maximum number of blocks 52 are not printed on the track Tr2 and / or the track Tr3 when the card 2 is issued so that additional printing of the block 52 is possible in the tracks Tr2 and Tr3. Therefore, even after the block code 51 is once printed on the card 2, the information corresponding to the tracks Tr2 and Tr3 can be changed by additionally printing the block 52. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, as described above, the block 52 can be additionally printed on the tracks Tr2 and Tr3 according to the user's usage amount at a certain store, and various services can be handled. Become.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the block code 51 is composed of three tracks Tr1 to Tr3. In addition, for example, the block code 51 may be composed of one or two tracks, or may be composed of four or more tracks. When the block code 51 is composed of four or more tracks, the amount of information acquired from the block code 51 can be increased. In this case, the number of photosensors constituting the reading mechanism 9 may be increased or decreased according to the number of tracks constituting the block code 51.

  In the embodiment described above, one of the three tracks Tr1 to Tr3 is a reference track, and the remaining two tracks Tr2 and Tr3 are data tracks. In addition, for example, all the tracks Tr1 to Tr3 may be data tracks. For example, if the card transport mechanism 7 hardly changes the transport speed of the card 2, all the tracks Tr1 to Tr3 may be data tracks.

  In the above-described form, for example, the number of bits of each track Tr1 to Tr3 is 18. In addition to this, for example, the number of bits of each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3 may be increased or decreased by changing the interval D in which the blocks 52 are arranged and the width W of the blocks 52. When the number of bits of each track Tr1 to Tr3 is increased, the amount of information acquired from the block code 51 can be increased. Further, when the number of bits of each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3 is reduced, the printing density (recording density) of the block code 51 becomes coarser, so that the card 2 processed by the medium processing device 1 mounted on the checkout device 31. Even if the degree of bending or the degree of tearing is relatively large, the controller 40 can appropriately determine the presence or absence of the block 52 based on the reading result of the reading mechanism 9.

  In the form described above, the block 52 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction of the card 2. In addition to this, for example, the block 52 may be formed in a square shape, or may be formed in a circular shape or an elliptical shape. Further, the block 52 may be formed in a diamond shape, a trapezoid, or the like. However, when the block 52 is formed in a rectangular shape or a square shape, when the card 2 is transported on the card transport path 11 in a tilted state (skewed state), the width dimension of the card 2 varies. In this case, or even when the mounting positions of the sensors 24 to 26 vary, the sensors 24 to 26 can detect the blocks 52 having substantially the same width. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the influence of variations during the conveyance of the card 2 and increase the detection accuracy. Even if the block 52 is formed in a shape other than a rectangular shape, the entire block 52 is painted black. In other words, a frame such as a rectangle or a square that is not filled is not included in the “block” in the present invention. In the embodiment described above, the width W of the block 52 is 1 mm or more, but the width W of the block 52 may be less than 1 mm.

  In the embodiment described above, the length of the plurality of blocks 52 in the width direction of the card 2 is substantially constant. In addition, for example, the length of the block 52 in the width direction of the card 2 may be different for each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3, and the block 52 in the width direction of the card 2 in each of the tracks Tr1 to Tr3. The lengths of may be different.

  In the above-described form, the medium processing apparatus 1 includes the magnetic head 6 and performs recording of magnetic information on the card 2 and reproduction of magnetic information recorded on the card 2. In addition, for example, the medium processing apparatus 1 may not include the magnetic head 6. That is, a system of a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot in which the ticket issuing device 30 and the settlement device 31 are arranged may be operated based on information acquired from the block code 51 without using magnetic information.

  In the embodiment described above, the reading mechanism 9 is configured by the three photosensors 24 to 26, but the reading mechanism 9 may be a scanner or the like. Moreover, in the form mentioned above, although the medium processing apparatus 1 is mounted in the ticketing apparatus 30 for a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot, and the payment apparatus 31, the medium processing apparatus 1 is used in places other than a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot. It may be mounted on a ticket issuing device or a payment device, or may be mounted on a host device other than the ticketing device and the payment device.

1 Media processing device 2 Card (medium)
3 Thermal head 6 Magnetic head 7 Card transport mechanism (medium transport mechanism)
9 Reading mechanism 24-26 Photo sensor 31 Settling device (medium recovery device)
34 Medium recovery mechanism 40 Control unit 51 Block code 52 Block D Interval Tr1 track (reference track)
Tr2, Tr3 Track W Width X Card transport direction (medium transport direction)
Y card width direction (medium width direction)
Z card thickness direction (medium thickness direction)

Claims (8)

A medium transport mechanism for transporting a medium, a medium insertion / ejection unit into which the medium is inserted and ejected, a thermal head for printing on the medium by a thermal method, and reproduction of magnetic information recorded on the medium A control unit for controlling the thermal head so as to print on the medium a magnetic head and a block code composed of a plurality of blocks arranged in the transport direction with a substantially constant width in the transport direction of the medium; A medium processing apparatus comprising an optical reading mechanism for reading a block code,
When the medium is inserted from the medium insertion / ejection unit, the control unit reproduces the magnetic information recorded on the medium by the magnetic head while conveying the medium by the medium conveyance mechanism, and When the block code printed on the medium is read by the reading mechanism, it is determined whether the magnetic information reproduced by the magnetic head is correct magnetic information, and the magnetic information reproduced by the magnetic head is correct When the magnetic information reproduced by the magnetic head is not correct, the medium is discharged toward the medium recovery mechanism for recovering the medium discharged from the medium processing apparatus, and is read by the reading mechanism. It is determined whether the information corresponding to the block code is correct information, and the information corresponding to the block code read by the reading mechanism is correct. In the medium processing apparatus, the medium is discharged toward the medium recovery mechanism, and error information is transmitted when the information corresponding to the block code read by the reading mechanism is incorrect. .   The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the thermal head so that a width of the block in the transport direction is 1 mm or more.   3. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading mechanism includes at least one photosensor having one light emitting element and one light receiving element.   The block code includes a plurality of blocks arranged in the transport direction, and is configured by a plurality of tracks arranged in the medium width direction perpendicular to the medium thickness direction and the transport direction. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   5. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of tracks is a reference track in which the plurality of blocks are arranged at substantially constant intervals in the transport direction. The reading mechanism is composed of a plurality of photosensors having one light emitting element and one light receiving element,
6. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of photosensors is disposed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of tracks.   A medium recovery apparatus for a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot, comprising the medium processing apparatus according to claim 1 and the medium recovery mechanism.   The medium recovery apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the thermal head so that a width of the block in the transport direction is 1 mm or more.

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