JP2014071673A - Card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card reader that conveys a card with a magnetic stripe and embossment conforming to International Standards or JIS standards in its transverse direction and secures a contact pressure between a magnetic head and a magnetic stripe and can prevent wear of a counter face facing the magnetic head and damage of an embossed part even when the card is conveyed to a deep side of the magnetic head and is processed there.SOLUTION: The card reader comprises: a magnetic head 7; a movement mechanism of the magnetic head 7; a counter member 57 in which a counter face 57a for bringing the magnetic head 7 into contact with the magnetic stripe of a card 2 at a prescribed contact pressure is formed; a conveyance roller 32 that is arranged on a near side of the magnetic head 7; and a conveyance roller 33 that is arranged on the deeper side from the magnetic head 7. The counter member 57 is arranged on an upper side of a conveyance passage 5, and a contact position between the conveyance roller 33 and the card 2 is located on a lower side than the contact position between the conveyance roller 33 and the card 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a card reader that processes a card formed in a substantially rectangular shape by conveying it in the short direction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic head moving type magnetic stripe reading / writing device that reads magnetic data from a magnetic stripe formed on a magnetic medium and writes magnetic data to the magnetic stripe is known (for example, patents). Reference 1). In a magnetic medium processed by the magnetic stripe reading / writing device described in Patent Document 1, magnetic stripes are formed in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the magnetic medium. The magnetic stripe reading / writing device includes a slide mechanism that moves the magnetic head in the direction in which the magnetic stripe is formed, and a transport roller that transports the magnetic medium in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the magnetic head.

  Conventionally, there is known a magnetic head moving type card processing apparatus that reads magnetic data from a magnetic stripe formed on a card and writes magnetic data to the magnetic stripe (for example, see Patent Document 2). ). In the card processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a pad for bringing the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe into contact with a predetermined contact pressure when reading or writing magnetic data is provided. The pad is provided to face the magnetic head. Further, the pad is provided in the entire moving range of the magnetic head in the moving direction of the magnetic head.

  The shape of a card having a magnetic stripe is defined by international standards and JIS standards, and is a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. In addition, in a card with a magnetic stripe conforming to the international standard or JIS standard, the magnetic stripe is formed in an elongated strip shape parallel to the longitudinal direction of the card formed in a substantially rectangular shape and formed on the back surface of the card. Yes. The position of the magnetic stripe in the short direction of the card is also defined by international standards and JIS standards, and the magnetic stripe is formed within a predetermined range based on one end of the card in the short direction of the card. .

  In addition, the card includes an embossed card in which letters, numbers, and the like are formed by embossing. In an embossed card that complies with international standards and JIS standards, an embossed area where embossing is performed is defined, and a predetermined range based on the other end in the short side of the card is the embossed area. ing. A predetermined range excluding both ends in the longitudinal direction of the card is an embossing region. Characters, numbers, and the like formed by embossing in the embossing region protrude toward the front side of the card.

JP-A-9-128872 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-177748

  A device that transports a magnetic medium in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the magnetic stripe, such as the magnetic stripe reading / writing device described in Patent Document 1, and processes cards with magnetic stripes that comply with international standards and JIS standards. If so, the card is transported in the short direction. Also, when processing cards with magnetic stripes conforming to international standards and JIS standards with this device, the magnetic head moves in the width direction of the conveyance path perpendicular to the card conveyance direction while in contact with the magnetic stripes. While reading and writing magnetic data. On the other hand, in this apparatus, there are cases where the card is transported to the back side of the magnetic head to perform various processes on the card or to collect the card. In addition, in this apparatus, there is a case where it is desired to process an embossed card conforming to an international standard or a JIS standard.

  Here, when reading or writing magnetic data, it may be impossible to read or write appropriate magnetic data unless the contact pressure between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe is secured. In an apparatus for transporting a card in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the magnetic stripe, the pad described in Patent Document 2 may be provided in this apparatus in order to ensure the contact pressure between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe.

  However, the pad described in Patent Document 2 is provided so as to face the magnetic head, and is provided in the entire moving range of the magnetic head in the moving direction of the magnetic head. In addition, as described above, in an embossed card compliant with international standards and JIS standards, characters, numbers, and the like (hereinafter referred to as “embossed portions”) formed by embossing are formed. It protrudes to the front side of the card. Therefore, in an apparatus provided with a pad described in Patent Document 2, when an embossed card conforming to international standards or JIS standards is transported to the back side of the magnetic head, the embossed part comes into contact with the pad, There is a risk of scratches and wear of the pads.

  Therefore, the problem of the present invention is that even when a card with magnetic stripe and embossing conforming to international standards and JIS standards is conveyed in the short direction and conveyed to the back side of the magnetic head for processing, An object of the present invention is to provide a card reader capable of preventing wear of the facing surface of a facing member facing the magnetic head and damage to the embossed portion while ensuring a contact pressure between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe.

  In order to solve the above problems, a card reader of the present invention is a card reader that processes a card formed in a substantially rectangular shape in the short direction of the card. At least one of reading of magnetic data recorded on the card and recording of magnetic data on the card in contact with the magnetic stripe formed on the one side of the card in parallel with the conveyance direction of the card and the longitudinal direction of the card The magnetic head that performs either of the above and the magnetic head is moved in the width direction of the conveyance path orthogonal to the card conveyance direction, and the head contact position where the magnetic head can abut on the magnetic stripe and the magnetic head retract from the conveyance path. A head moving mechanism for moving the magnetic head between the head retracted position and a predetermined contact between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe at the head contacting position. And a card conveying mechanism arranged in front of the magnetic head in the card take-in direction to convey the card in contact with the card. A roller and a second transport roller disposed in the back side of the magnetic head in the card take-in direction to contact the card and transport the card, and a direction orthogonal to the card transport direction and the width direction of the transport path Is the height direction of the transport path, the opposing member is disposed on one side of the transport path in the height direction of the transport path, and the second transport roller has a first contact position between the second transport roller and the card. It arrange | positions so that it may become the other side in the height direction of a conveyance path rather than the contact position of a conveyance roller and a card | curd.

  In the present invention, for example, the contact position between the first transport roller and the card is substantially the same as the facing surface in the height direction of the transport path. In the present invention, for example, the card transport mechanism is disposed to face the first transport roller, and is disposed to face the first pad roller that is biased toward the first transport roller and the second transport roller. And a second pad roller biased toward the second transport roller.

  A card reader according to the present invention includes a facing member having a facing surface for contacting a magnetic head and a magnetic stripe at a head contact position capable of contacting the magnetic stripe with a predetermined contact pressure. . Therefore, in the present invention, even when a card with magnetic stripe and embossing conforming to international standards and JIS standards is conveyed and processed in the short direction, the contact pressure between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe is reduced. It becomes possible to secure.

  In the card reader of the present invention, the card transport mechanism is disposed on the back side of the magnetic head in the card take-in direction, and the first transport roller arranged on the front side of the magnetic head in the card take-in direction. A second conveying roller, the opposing member is disposed on one side in the height direction of the conveying path, and the second conveying roller has a first conveying roller at a contact position between the second conveying roller and the card. It is arrange | positioned so that it may become the other side in the height direction of a conveyance path rather than the contact position with a card | curd. That is, in the present invention, the second transport roller is arranged such that the contact position between the second transport roller and the card is farther from the facing surface than the contact position between the first transport roller and the card in the height direction of the transport path. Has been. Therefore, in the present invention, the card that contacts the second transport roller and is transported to the back side of the magnetic head moves in a direction away from the facing surface. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to prevent contact between the embossed portion of the card conveyed to the back side of the magnetic head and the opposing surface. Or it becomes possible to reduce the contact pressure of the embossed part of a card | curd conveyed by the back | inner side of a magnetic head, and an opposing surface. As a result, in the present invention, even when a card with magnetic stripe and embossing conforming to international standards and JIS standards is conveyed in the short direction and conveyed to the back side of the magnetic head, It becomes possible to prevent wear of the opposing surface of the member and damage to the embossed portion.

  In addition, even if the 2nd conveyance roller is arrange | positioned so that the contact position of a 2nd conveyance roller and a card | curd and the contact position of a 1st conveyance roller and a card | curd may become the same in the height direction of a conveyance path. If the opposing member is retracted to one side in the height direction of the transport path, contact between the embossed portion of the card transported to the back side of the magnetic head and the facing surface can be prevented, or the back side of the magnetic head It is possible to reduce the contact pressure between the embossed portion of the card conveyed to the opposite surface and the opposing surface. However, in this case, a mechanism for retracting the facing member is required, and the configuration of the card reader is complicated.

  In the present invention, the card reader includes a contact portion where one end of the card in contact in the card transport direction contacts and the card is positioned, and a retracting mechanism that retracts the contact portion from the transport path. It is preferable that the card is disposed between the magnetic head and the second transport roller in the card transport direction. With this configuration, the card is positioned by bringing one end of the card in the short direction of the card, which is the standard of the magnetic stripe formation range, into contact with the contact portion in a card with a magnetic stripe conforming to international standards and JIS standards. In this state, it is possible to read and record magnetic data by moving the magnetic head. Therefore, it is possible to accurately align the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe when reading and recording magnetic data, and as a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reading accuracy and recording accuracy of magnetic data. become. Also, with this configuration, the contact portion is disposed between the magnetic head and the second transport roller in the card transport direction, so that the first transport roller is used when reading or recording magnetic data. (Ie, without using the second transport roller), the card may be transported until it abuts against the abutting portion. Therefore, even if the contact position between the first transport roller and the card and the contact position between the second transport roller and the card are shifted in the height direction of the transport path, the transport is performed in order to read and record the magnetic data. It becomes possible to stabilize the state at the time of carrying the card to be printed.

  In the present invention, the embossing area where the embossing is performed is defined on the card, and when one end of the card in the card transport direction is in contact with the contact portion, the embossing area is It is preferable that it is arranged on the near side of the opposing surface in the direction. If comprised in this way, the embossed part of the card | curd conveyed in order to read and record magnetic data and an opposing surface will not contact. Accordingly, it is possible to surely prevent the embossed portion from being damaged due to the conveyance operation for reading and recording the magnetic data, and it is possible to reliably prevent the facing surface from being worn.

  As described above, in the card reader according to the present invention, a card with a magnetic stripe and embossing conforming to international standards and JIS standards is transported in the short direction and processed to the back side of the magnetic head. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent wear of the facing surface of the facing member facing the magnetic head and damage to the embossed portion while ensuring the contact pressure between the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe.

It is a perspective view of the card reader concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of the card reader shown in FIG. 1 from a side surface. It is a top view of the card | curd shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the head moving mechanism shown in FIG. 2 from the upper surface. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the head moving mechanism shown in FIG. 2 from the front. It is a figure for demonstrating from the front the contact block moving mechanism which drives the IC contact block shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the positioning member of the positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 2, and its peripheral part from a side surface. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 2, and its peripheral part from a side surface. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 2 from the upper surface. It is a figure for demonstrating a state when the contact part shown in FIG. 7 retracts | saves from a conveyance path, and a card | curd is conveyed to the back | inner side of a magnetic head.

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

(Schematic configuration of card reader)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card reader 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a schematic configuration of the card reader 1 shown in FIG. 1 from the side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the card 2 shown in FIG.

  The card reader 1 according to the present embodiment is a device for reading at least one of data recorded on the card 2 and recording data on the card 2, and is mounted on a predetermined host device such as ATM (Automated Teller Machine). Have been used. The card reader 1 includes a card insertion portion 4 in which an insertion port 3 into which a card 2 is inserted is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, a transport path 5 for transporting the card 2 is formed inside the card reader 1. The conveyance path 5 is formed so as to be connected to the insertion port 3.

  The card reader 1 includes a card transport mechanism 6 that transports the card 2, a magnetic head 7 that contacts the card 2 and reads the magnetic data recorded on the card 2, and records the magnetic data on the card 2. A head moving mechanism 8 for moving the magnetic head 7 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the card 2, an IC contact block 9 for contacting a terminal portion 2b (to be described later) formed on the card 2 and performing data communication, A contact block moving mechanism 10 (see FIG. 6) for moving the IC contact block 9 and a positioning mechanism 11 for positioning the card 2 taken into the card reader 1 are provided.

  The card 2 is a vinyl chloride card having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. The card 2 of this embodiment is a card with magnetic stripe and embossing conforming to international standards (for example, ISO / IEC7811) and JIS standards (for example, JISX6302), and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. ing. On the back surface of the card 2, a magnetic stripe 2a on which magnetic data is recorded is formed. The card 2 is a contact type IC card. That is, an IC chip (not shown) is built in the card 2, and a terminal portion 2 b made up of eight external connection terminals is formed on the front surface of the card 2. A part of the card 2 is an embossing region 2c where embossing is performed. That is, the card 2 is defined with an embossing area 2c to be embossed.

  The magnetic stripe 2a is formed in an elongated strip shape parallel to the longitudinal direction (U direction in FIG. 3) of the card 2 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The magnetic stripe 2a is formed over the entire area of the card 2 in the longitudinal direction. The magnetic stripe 2a is formed on the one end 2d side in the short direction of the card 2 in the short direction of the card 2 (the V direction in FIG. 3). Specifically, based on international standards and JIS standards, the magnetic stripe 2 a is formed in a predetermined range with the one end 2 d of the card 2 as a reference in the short direction of the card 2.

  The terminal portion 2 b is formed at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the card 2 and at a substantially intermediate position in the short direction of the card 2. The eight external connection terminals constituting the terminal portion 2 b are arranged in four rows in the short direction of the card 2 and in two columns in the long direction of the card 2. The embossing area 2 c is arranged on the other end 2 e side in the short direction of the card 2. Specifically, a predetermined range based on the other end 2e in the short direction of the card 2 is an embossing region 2c based on an international standard or a JIS standard. A predetermined range excluding both ends in the longitudinal direction of the card 2 is an embossing region 2c. Characters, numbers, and the like (embossed portions) formed by embossing in the embossing region 2c protrude to the front surface side.

  In this embodiment, the card 2 is conveyed in the X direction shown in FIG. Specifically, the card 2 is taken in the X1 direction and the card 2 is ejected in the X2 direction. That is, the X direction is the card 2 transport direction, the X1 direction is the card 2 take-in direction, and the X2 direction is the card 2 discharge direction. In this embodiment, the card 2 is taken into the card reader 1 so that the short direction of the card 2 and the X direction coincide. Further, the card 2 is conveyed in the card reader 1 so that the short direction of the card 2 and the X direction coincide with each other. That is, the card reader 1 conveys the card 2 in the short direction of the card 2 and performs a predetermined process.

  The Y direction orthogonal to the X direction is the width direction of the transport path 5 and is the longitudinal direction of the card 2 taken into the card reader 1 in the correct posture. 1 and the like perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction are the height direction of the transport path 5 and the thickness direction of the card 2 taken into the card reader 1. In this embodiment, the card reader 1 is arranged so that the Z direction and the vertical direction coincide. In the following description, the X direction is “front-rear direction”, the Y direction is “left-right direction”, the Z direction is “up-down direction”, the X1 direction side is “back (back)” side, and the X2 direction side is The “front” side, the Y1 direction side as the “right” side, the Y2 direction side as the “left” side, the Z1 direction side as the “upper” side, and the Z2 direction side as the “lower” side.

(Configuration of card insertion part)
The card insertion portion 4 constitutes a front side portion of the card reader 1. In this card insertion portion 4, the card members 2 are inserted into the card reader 1 so that the shutter members 14 and 15 disposed on the back side of the insertion slot 3 and the short direction of the card 2 coincide with the front-rear direction ( That is, an insertion detection mechanism 16 that detects that the card 2 is inserted into the insertion slot 3, magnetic sensors 17 and 18 that detect that magnetic data is recorded on the card 2, and an IC chip on the card 2. A metal sensor 19 for detecting that the external connection terminal is fixed (that is, that the terminal portion 2b is fixed), and an infrared sensor 20 for detecting a human body that detects the movement of a person in front of the card reader 1; It has.

  The shutter member 14 is disposed at the back end of the card insertion portion 4. The shutter member 14 is movable between a closed position where the shutter member 14 is disposed in the conveyance path 5 and closes the conveyance path 5, and an open position where the shutter member 14 retracts below the conveyance path 5 and opens the conveyance path 5. Yes. A driving mechanism for the shutter member 14 having a solenoid or the like is connected to the shutter member 14.

  The shutter member 15 is disposed in front of the shutter member 14. The shutter member 15 of this embodiment is a roller that can rotate with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The shutter member 15 is movable between a closed position where the shutter member 15 is disposed in the conveyance path 5 to close the conveyance path 5 and an open position where the shutter member 15 is retracted below the conveyance path 5 to open the conveyance path 5. Yes. The shutter member 15 of this embodiment is biased to a closed position by a biasing member (not shown), and when the card 2 inserted from the insertion port 3 contacts the shutter member 15, the shutter member 15 moves to the open position. To do. Further, the card insertion unit 4 includes a sensor 21 for detecting that the shutter member 15 has moved to the open position.

  The insertion detection mechanism 16 is disposed at substantially the same position as the shutter member 15 in the front-rear direction. The insertion detection mechanism 16 includes two detection levers that are arranged on both left and right ends of the card insertion portion 4 and can be moved in and out of the conveyance path 5, and two sensors that detect the movements of the two detection levers. It has. During standby before the card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1, a part of the detection lever is arranged in the transport path 5. In this state, when the card 2 is inserted from the insertion slot 3 so that the short direction of the card 2 coincides with the front-rear direction, the left and right ends of the card 2 are in contact with the two detection levers. The detection lever rotates. Therefore, based on the detection results of the two sensors, it is detected that the card 2 has been inserted from the insertion port 3 so that the short direction of the card 2 coincides with the front-rear direction.

  The magnetic sensors 17 and 18 are, for example, flux gate sensors. The magnetic sensors 17 and 18 output an output signal having a level corresponding to the distance from the magnetic body. Moreover, the magnetic sensors 17 and 18 are arrange | positioned so that the card | curd 2 inserted from the insertion port 3 may be pinched | interposed in an up-down direction. In this embodiment, when the card 2 is inserted from the insertion slot 3 with the short direction of the card 2 coinciding with the front-rear direction and the back surface of the card 2 facing downward, the magnetic sensor 18 The level of the output signal that is output is higher than the level of the output signal that is output from the magnetic sensor 17. On the other hand, when the card 2 is inserted from the insertion slot 3 with the short side direction of the card 2 coinciding with the front-rear direction and the front surface of the card 2 facing downward, the magnetic sensor 17 The level of the output signal from the magnetic sensor 18 becomes higher than the level of the output signal from the magnetic sensor 18. Therefore, by comparing the level of the output signal from the magnetic sensor 17 and the level of the output signal from the magnetic sensor 18, whether the card 2 has been inserted from the insertion slot 3 with the back surface facing downward, Alternatively, it is detected whether the card 2 is inserted from the insertion slot 3 with the front side facing downward.

  The metal sensor 19 is a magnetic sensor including an excitation coil, a detection coil, and a core around which the excitation coil and the detection coil are wound. The metal sensor 19 is disposed slightly in front of the magnetic sensors 17 and 18 in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the metal sensor 19 is arrange | positioned in the position through which the terminal part 2b of the card | curd 2 inserted with the correct attitude | position passes in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, when the card 2 is inserted from one end 2d side in the short direction of the card 2 with the back surface facing downward, the metal sensor 19 detects the terminal portion 2b of the card 2. Further, even when the card 2 is inserted from the other end 2e side in the short direction of the card 2 with the front surface facing downward, the metal sensor 19 detects the terminal portion 2b of the card 2. Therefore, whether the card 2 is inserted from the one end 2d side of the card 2 based on the detection results of the magnetic sensors 17 and 18 and the detection result of the metal sensor 19, or the card 2 from the other end 2e side of the card 2 Whether or not is inserted is detected.

  The infrared sensor 20 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor, and includes a pyroelectric element that detects light including infrared rays by a pyroelectric effect. As described above, the infrared sensor 20 detects a human motion in front of the card reader 1. Specifically, the infrared sensor 20 detects the movement of a human hand or the like in front of the card reader 1. Further, the infrared sensor 20 calculates a difference between a human body temperature in front of the card reader 1 and a temperature around the person within the detection range of the infrared sensor 20 based on infrared rays generated by the person in front of the card reader 1. By detecting, the movement of the person in front of the card reader 1 is detected. As shown in FIG. 1, the infrared sensor 20 is disposed on the front side of the card insertion portion 4.

(Configuration of card transport mechanism and transport path)
The conveyance path 5 is formed in substantially the entire area of the card reader 1 in the front-rear direction. The card transport mechanism 6 includes transport rollers 31 to 33 that contact the upper surface of the card 2 to transport the card 2, and pad rollers 34 to 36 that are opposed to the transport rollers 31 to 33 from below. The outer diameter of the transport roller 31, the outer diameter of the transport roller 32, and the outer diameter of the transport roller 33 are equal. Further, the outer diameter of the pad roller 34, the outer diameter of the pad roller 35, and the outer diameter of the pad roller 36 are equal.

  The transport roller 31 is disposed inside the card insertion unit 4. Specifically, the transport roller 31 is disposed in front of the shutter member 14. The transport rollers 32 and 33 are disposed inside the main body 37 of the card reader 1 disposed on the back side of the card insertion unit 4. Specifically, the transport roller 32 is disposed on the front side of the magnetic head 7 and the IC contact block 9 and on the back side of the shutter member 14 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the transport roller 33 is disposed on the back side with respect to the magnetic head 7, and is disposed on the back side with respect to a contact portion 66 a of a later-described positioning member 66 constituting the positioning mechanism 11. The conveyance rollers 31 to 33 are arranged on both the left and right ends of the conveyance path 5. A motor 39 is connected to the transport rollers 31 to 33 via a power transmission mechanism 38 including a belt, a pulley, a gear train, and the like.

  The pad roller 34 is biased toward the transport roller 31 and can come into contact with the card 2 from below. The pad roller 35 is urged toward the transport roller 32 and can come into contact with the card 2 from below. The pad roller 36 is biased toward the transport roller 33 and can contact the card 2 from below. As described above, the transport rollers 31 to 33 are disposed on both the left and right ends of the transport path 5, and the transport rollers 31 to 33 are in contact with the upper surfaces on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the card 2. The pad rollers 34 to 36 are in contact with the lower surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the transport rollers 31 to 33 and the pad rollers 34 to 36 are in contact with both ends of the card 2 in the longitudinal direction and avoiding the embossing region 2c. In this embodiment, the conveyance roller 32 is a first conveyance roller, the conveyance roller 33 is a second conveyance roller, the pad roller 35 is a first pad roller, and the pad roller 36 is a second pad roller. is there. The transport rollers 31 to 33 may be in contact with the lower surface of the card 2 and the pad rollers 34 to 36 may be disposed to face the transport rollers 31 to 33 from above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transport roller 31 and the transport roller 32 are configured such that the lower end of the transport roller 31 and the lower end of the transport roller 32 have the same height in the vertical direction (that is, the transport roller 31 in the vertical direction). And the contact position of the card 2 and the contact position of the transport roller 32 and the card 2 are arranged at the same height). That is, the rotating shaft that rotates together with the conveying roller 31 and the rotating shaft that rotates together with the conveying roller 32 are arranged at the same height.

  On the other hand, the conveying roller 33 is arranged such that the lower end of the conveying roller 33 is below the lower end of the conveying rollers 31 and 32 in the vertical direction (that is, the contact position between the conveying roller 33 and the card 2 is in the vertical direction). , And the lower side of the contact position between the conveying rollers 31 and 32 and the card 2). In other words, the rotating shaft that rotates together with the conveying roller 33 is disposed at a position lower than the rotating shaft that rotates together with the conveying rollers 31 and 32.

  Guide members 26 and 27 for guiding the lower surface of the card 2 are arranged inside the main body 37. The guide members 26 and 27 are fixed to the frame of the main body 37 of the card reader 1. As will be described later, the magnetic head 7 is disposed between the transport roller 32 and the pad roller 35 and the transport roller 33 and the pad roller 36 in the front-rear direction, and the guide member 26 is disposed in the front-rear direction. 32 and the pad roller 35 and the magnetic head 7. Further, the guide member 27 is disposed on the back side of the magnetic head 7 in the front-rear direction, and is disposed at substantially the same position as the positioning mechanism 11.

  In this embodiment, two guide members 26 are disposed on both the left and right ends of the conveyance path 5 (see FIG. 6). In addition, the guide member 27 includes two guide portions 27a that are arranged at a predetermined interval on the left and right. The upper surface of the guide member 26 and the upper surface of the guide portion 27 a constitute a part of the lower surface of the transport path 5. An opening 28 is formed between the guide member 26 and the guide portion 27 a on the lower surface of the transport path 5. That is, an opening 28 is formed in the transport path 5. The opening 28 is formed in substantially the entire area of the conveyance path 5 in the left-right direction.

  The guide portion 27a has a function of guiding the card 2 toward the transport roller 33 and the pad roller 36. The front end side of the upper surface of the guide portion 27a is an inclined surface that is inclined downward as it goes to the front side. Moreover, the back end side of the upper surface of the guide part 27a is an inclined surface which inclines downward as it goes to the back side. The upper end of the guide portion 27 a is lower than the lower end of the transport roller 33.

(Configuration of head moving mechanism and configuration of peripheral portion of magnetic head)
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the head moving mechanism 8 shown in FIG. 2 from above. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the head moving mechanism 8 shown in FIG. 2 from the front.

  The magnetic head 7 is disposed between the transport roller 32 and the pad roller 35 and the transport roller 33 and the pad roller 36 in the front-rear direction. Further, as described above, the magnetic head 7 is disposed between the guide member 26 and the guide member 27 in the front-rear direction.

  The head moving mechanism 8 is configured to move the magnetic head 7 up and down, a guide shaft 43 that guides the carriage 42 in the left-right direction, a lead screw 44 that sends the carriage 42 in the left-right direction, and the magnetic head 7. The cam plate 45 and a rotation prevention shaft 46 for preventing the carriage 42 from rotating about the guide shaft 43 are provided. The carriage 42 includes a carriage main body 47 and a head holding member 48 that holds the magnetic head 7. An internal thread member 49 that engages with the lead screw 44, a sliding bearing 50 that engages with the guide shaft 43, and a sliding member 51 that engages with the rotation prevention shaft 46 are attached to the carriage body 47. . A motor 53 is coupled to the lead screw 44 via a power transmission mechanism 52 composed of a pulley and a belt.

  A fixed shaft 54 that rotatably holds the head holding member 48 is fixed to the carriage body 47 with the left-right direction as an axial direction. A torsion coil spring 55 is disposed between the carriage body 47 and the head holding member 48, and the head holding member 48 is lifted by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 55 around the fixed shaft 54. It is energized in the direction to do. The cam plate 45 is formed in a long and narrow shape in the left-right direction, and rollers 56 that are in contact with cams 45a formed on both ends of the cam plate 45 in the left-right direction are rotatably attached to the head holding member 48. It has been.

  In this embodiment, when the motor 53 is driven and the lead screw 44 is rotated, the magnetic head 7 moves in the left-right direction along with the carriage 42 along the guide shaft 43. At both ends in the left-right direction, the roller 56 is in contact with the cam 45a, and the magnetic head 7 is below the conveying path 5 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 55, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Evacuated to the side. That is, the magnetic head 7 that moves in the left-right direction is at a head retreat position that retreats downward from the conveyance path 5 on both ends in the left-right direction.

  On the other hand, when the magnetic head 7 moves in the left-right direction together with the carriage 42 and the roller 56 is removed from the cam 45a, the magnetic head 7 guided by the cam 45a so as to be retracted below the conveying path 5 is moved to the torsion coil spring. Ascending by the urging force of 55, the magnetic stripe 2a of the card 2 can be contacted. That is, when the roller 56 is disengaged from the cam 45a, the magnetic head 7 is in a head contact position where it can contact the magnetic stripe 2a. The carriage 42 moves in the left-right direction while the magnetic head 7 is in contact with the magnetic stripe 2a, so that magnetic data is read and recorded by the magnetic head 7. When the magnetic head 7 moves in the left-right direction, the magnetic head 7 passes through the opening 28.

  As described above, the head moving mechanism 8 moves the magnetic head 7 in the left-right direction, the head contact position at which the magnetic head 7 can contact the magnetic stripe 2 a, and the head retraction where the magnetic head 7 retracts from the transport path 5. The magnetic head 7 is moved between the positions. The magnetic head 7 is connected to the control board of the card reader 1 via a predetermined cable.

  On the upper side of the magnetic head 7, an opposing member 57 is provided, on which an opposing surface 57 a is formed for contacting the magnetic head 7 at the head contact position and the card 2 with a predetermined contact pressure. The facing member 57 is fixed to the frame of the main body 37 of the card reader 1 and is disposed on the upper side of the transport path 5. The opposing surface 57a is formed in a planar shape orthogonal to the up-down direction. Further, the facing surface 57a is formed in a substantially rectangular planar shape elongated in the left-right direction. The width of the facing surface 57a in the left-right direction is substantially equal to the moving range of the magnetic head 7 in the left-right direction. Further, the width of the facing surface 57a in the front-rear direction is substantially equal to the width of the magnetic head 7 in the front-rear direction. The opposing surface 57a is substantially at the same position as the lower ends of the transport rollers 31 and 32 (that is, the contact position between the transport rollers 31 and 32 and the card 2) in the vertical direction. Specifically, the height of the facing surface 57 a is slightly above the lower ends of the transport rollers 31 and 32.

  When the magnetic head 7 is in the head contact position, the card 2 is sandwiched between the facing surface 57a and the magnetic head 7, as shown in FIG. At this time, the magnetic head 7 is in contact with the magnetic stripe 2a of the card 2 inserted in a correct posture with a predetermined contact pressure, and the upper surface of the card 2 (specifically, the front surface of the card 2) is The contact surface 57a is in contact with a predetermined contact pressure.

  Note that the facing surface 57 a constitutes a part of the upper surface of the transport path 5 in the main body portion 37 of the card reader 1. The opposing member 57 is formed with guide portions 57b and 57c that constitute a part of the upper surface of the transport path 5 in the main body portion 37 (see FIG. 10). The guide portion 57b is formed so as to protrude forward from a base portion 57d where the facing surface 57a is formed. In this embodiment, guide portions 57b are formed at three locations, the center of the conveyance path 5 in the left-right direction and both ends in the left-right direction. The guide portion 57c is formed so as to protrude from the base portion 57d to the back side. In this embodiment, a guide portion 57c is formed at one place in the center of the conveyance path 5 in the left-right direction. The lower surfaces of the guide portions 57b and 57c are disposed slightly above the opposing surface 57a. Except for FIG. 10, the guide portions 57b and 57c are not shown.

(Configuration of IC contact block and configuration of contact block moving mechanism)
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the contact block moving mechanism 10 for driving the IC contact block 9 shown in FIG. 2 from the front.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the IC contact block 9 includes a plurality of IC contact springs 59 that come into contact with each of the external connection terminals constituting the terminal portion 2 b of the card 2, and a spring holding member 60 that holds the IC contact spring 59. And a substrate 61 to which an IC contact spring 59 is connected. The substrate 61 is fixed to the spring holding member 60. The IC contact block 9 is disposed between the conveyance roller 32 and the pad roller 35 and the magnetic head 7 in the front-rear direction. The IC contact block 9 is disposed on the left end side of the transport path 5 and on the upper side of the transport path 5 in the left-right direction. Under the IC contact block 9, a guide member 26 disposed on the left end side of the two guide members 26 is disposed.

  The contact block moving mechanism 10 includes a block holding member 62 and a solenoid 63 to which the IC contact block 9 is fixed. The block holding member 62 is rotatably held by a fixed shaft 64 fixed to the frame of the main body 37 with the front-rear direction as an axial direction. A fixing pin 65 is fixed to the plunger 63 a of the solenoid 63. The fixing pin 65 is engaged with an engaging groove 62 a formed in the block holding member 62. The solenoid 63 is arranged so that the plunger 63a moves in the left-right direction. A compression coil spring (not shown) is disposed between the main body 63b of the solenoid 63 and the plunger 63a, and the plunger 63a is biased in a direction protruding from the main body 63b by the biasing force of the compression coil spring.

  When the plunger 63a protrudes from the main body 63b by the urging force of the compression coil spring, the IC contact block 9 is retracted to the upper side of the conveying path 5 as shown in FIG. That is, at this time, the IC contact block 9 is in a spring retracted position where the IC contact spring 59 is retracted from the conveyance path 5. When the solenoid 63 is driven in this state, the plunger 63a is pulled toward the main body 63b against the urging force of the compression coil spring, and the IC contact block 9 is lowered as shown in FIG. 6B. When the IC contact block 9 is lowered, the IC contact spring 59 can come into contact with the external connection terminals constituting the terminal portion 2b. That is, when the solenoid 63 is driven and the plunger 63a is pulled toward the main body 63b, the IC contact block 9 is in a spring contact position where the IC contact spring 59 can contact the external connection terminal. As described above, the contact block moving mechanism 10 includes the IC contact block 9 between the spring contact position at which the IC contact spring 59 can contact the external connection terminal and the spring retracted position at which the IC contact spring 59 retracts from the transport path 5. Move.

(Configuration of positioning mechanism)
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the configuration of the positioning member 66 of the positioning mechanism 11 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the positioning mechanism 11 and its peripheral portion shown in FIG. 2 from the side. FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the configuration of the positioning mechanism 11 shown in FIG. 2 from above.

  The positioning mechanism 11 includes two positioning members 66 each having a contact portion 66a with which the back end of the card 2 taken into the card reader 1 contacts, and a retracting mechanism for retracting the contact portion 66a from the transport path 5. 67. The retracting mechanism 67 includes a link member 68 that rotatably holds the positioning member 66 and a solenoid 69. In addition, the positioning mechanism 11 includes a sensor 70 that detects the movement of the rotatable positioning member 66, a tension coil spring 71 (see FIG. 8A) that biases the positioning member 66, and a contact portion 66a. 5 is provided with a sensor 72 that detects that it is retracted from the position 5. The sensors 70 and 72 are transmissive optical sensors each including a light emitting element and a light receiving element that receives light from the light emitting element.

  The positioning member 66 is formed in a flat plate shape. The positioning member 66 includes an arm portion 66b extending substantially upward from the upper end of the contact portion 66a in addition to the contact portion 66a described above. The two positioning members 66 are arranged with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. In addition, the positioning member 66 is rotatably held by a fixed shaft 74 that is fixed to a holding portion 68a (described later) that constitutes the link member 68. The fixed shaft 74 is fixed to the link member 68 with the left-right direction as the axial direction. The positioning member 66 is rotatably held by the fixed shaft 74 at the boundary between the contact portion 66a and the arm portion 66b. The rotation range of the positioning member 66 is regulated by a stopper (not shown) formed on the link member 68 or the like.

  The contact portion 66a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The contact portion 66a is disposed on the back side of the magnetic head 7 in the front-rear direction. Further, the contact portion 66a is disposed in front of the transport roller 33 and the pad roller 36 in the front-rear direction. On the front end side of the contact portion 66a, a support portion 66c that supports the card 2 that contacts the contact portion 66a from the lower surface side is formed. The support part 66c is formed on the lower end side of the contact part 66a. Further, the support portion 66c is formed so as to have a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the left-right direction, and projects forward from the abutment surface 66d with which the card 2 abuts. The contact surface 66d is disposed above the inclined surface formed on the front end side of the upper surface of the guide portion 27a. On the upper end side of the arm portion 66b, a light shielding portion 66e that blocks between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor 70 is formed. A spring engagement portion 66f with which one end of the tension coil spring 71 is engaged is formed below the light shielding portion 66e. The other end of the tension coil spring 71 is fixed to the frame of the main body portion 37.

  In this embodiment, when the card 2 is not in contact with the contact portion 66a, the positioning member 66 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. ) (See FIG. 7A). At this time, the contact surface 66d is inclined, for example, about 2 to 3 ° with respect to the vertical direction. In this state, when the back end of the card 2 inserted from the insertion port 3 and transported to the back side by the card transport mechanism 6 comes into contact with the contact portion 66a, as shown in FIG. 7B, the contact portion 66a. Is pushed by the card 2, and the positioning member 66 rotates around the fixed shaft 74 in the clockwise direction of FIG. When the positioning member 66 contacts the stopper, the card 2 is positioned in the front-rear direction. At this time, the contact surface 66d is substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

  The distance L (see FIG. 7B) between the center of the transport roller 32 and the contact surface 66d in the front-rear direction when the back end of the card 2 is in contact with the contact portion 66a and the card 2 is positioned. The width of the card 2 is shorter than the width W1 in the short direction. The distance between the shutter member 14 and the contact surface 66d in the front-rear direction is longer than the width W1 of the card 2 in the short direction. Further, when the card 2 is positioned with the back end of the card 2 in contact with the contact portion 66a, as shown in FIG. 7B, the embossed region 2c of the card 2 is on the front side of the facing surface 57a. Is arranged. It should be noted that the distance between the center of the transport roller 32 and the center of the transport roller 33 in the front-rear direction is slightly shorter than the width W1 of the card 2 in the short direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the card 2 is not in contact with the contact portion 66a, the light shielding portion 66e is separated from between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor 70. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the back end of the card 2 is in contact with the contact portion 66a, the light shielding portion 66e blocks between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor 70. Therefore, it is detected that the card 2 is positioned in the front-rear direction by blocking the light traveling from the light emitting element to the light receiving element of the sensor 70 by the light shielding portion 66e. That is, based on the detection result of the sensor 70, it is detected that the card 2 is positioned at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the link member 68 includes two flat plate-like holding portions 68a for holding the positioning member 66 and a flat plate-like connecting portion 68b for connecting the two holding portions 68a. The two holding portions 68 a are arranged with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction, and constitute the left and right end portions of the link member 68. The rear end side and the lower end side of the holding portion 68a are rotatably supported by a fixed shaft 75 that is fixed with the left-right direction as an axial direction. A fixed shaft 74 is fixed to the front end side of the holding portion 68a.

  The solenoid 69 is arranged such that its plunger 69a moves in the front-rear direction. A fixing pin 76 is fixed to the plunger 69a. The fixing pin 76 is engaged with the back end side of the holding portion 68a disposed on the right side. A compression coil spring (not shown) is disposed between the main body 69b of the solenoid 69 and the plunger 69a, and the plunger 69a is urged in a direction protruding from the main body 69b by the urging force of the compression coil spring.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the plunger 69a protrudes from the main body 69b by the urging force of the compression coil spring, the back end of the card 2 can come into contact with the contact portion 66a. That is, at this time, the contact portion 66a is in a contact position where the back end of the card 2 can contact. When the solenoid 69 is driven in this state, the plunger 69a is pulled toward the main body 69b against the urging force of the compression coil spring, and the link member 68 rotates about the fixed shaft 75 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. To do. When the link member 68 rotates counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 8B, the contact portion 66a is retracted upward from the transport path 5 and the card 2 passes toward the transport roller 33 and the pad roller 36. It becomes possible. In other words, when the plunger 69 a is pulled toward the main body 69 b, the contact portion 66 a is in a retracted position where it is retracted from the transport path 5, and the card 2 can pass toward the transport roller 33 and the pad roller 36. Yes. In this embodiment, the positioning member 66 is normally in the contact position, and moves to the retracted position when performing a predetermined process.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the contact portion 66a is in the contact position, the light shielding portion 66e is separated from between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor 72. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the contact portion 66a is in the retracted position, the light shielding portion 66e blocks the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor 72. Therefore, it is detected that the light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element of the sensor 72 is blocked by the light blocking part 66e, so that the contact part 66a is retracted from the transport path 5. That is, based on the detection result of the sensor 72, it is detected that the contact portion 66a is retracted from the transport path 5.

(Schematic operation of the card reader)
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a state when the contact portion 66a shown in FIG. 7 is retracted from the transport path 5 and the card 2 is transported to the back side of the magnetic head 7. FIG.

  In the card reader 1 configured as described above, the shutter member 14 is in the closed position and the transport path 5 is closed during standby before the card 2 is inserted from the insertion port 3. In this standby state, the magnetic head 7 is in the head retracted position retracted from the transport path 5, and the IC contact block 9 is in the spring retracted position retracted from the transport path 5. Further, at the time of this standby, the contact portion 66a is in the contact position.

  The shutter member 14 detects that the card 2 has been inserted from the insertion slot 3 based on the detection result of the sensor 21, and the short direction of the card 2 based on the detection result of the sensor constituting the insertion detection mechanism 16. It is detected that the card 2 has been inserted from the insertion slot 3 so that is coincident with the front-rear direction, and based on the detection results of the magnetic sensors 17, 18 and the metal sensor 19, the terminal 2 b has magnetic data. When it is detected that the card 2 on which is recorded is inserted from the one end 2d side of the card 2 with the back surface facing downward, the card 2 moves to the open position. That is, when it is detected that the regular card 2 is inserted from the insertion slot 3 in the correct posture, the shutter member 14 moves to the open position.

  When it is detected that the regular card 2 is inserted from the insertion slot 3 in the correct posture, the motor 39 is activated and the card transport mechanism 6 transports the card 2 to the back side. When one end 2d of the card 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 66a of the positioning member 66, light directed from the light emitting element to the light receiving element of the sensor 70 is blocked by the light shielding portion 66e, and the card 2 is positioned in the front-rear direction. Is detected. When it is detected that the card 2 is positioned, the motor 39 stops. In this embodiment, when the one end 2d of the card 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 66a, the entire card 2 is taken into the back side of the shutter member 14, so the one end 2d of the card 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 66a, When it is detected that the card 2 is positioned in the front-rear direction, the shutter member 14 moves to the closed position and closes the conveyance path 5.

  Thereafter, the motor 53 is activated, and the magnetic head 7 moves in the left-right direction while contacting the magnetic stripe 2a of the card 2 to read and record magnetic data. As described above, the distance L between the center of the transport roller 32 and the contact surface 66d in the front-rear direction is shorter than the width W1 of the card 2 in the short direction, and one end 2d of the card 2 is in contact with the contact surface 66d. The front end side of the card 2 is sandwiched between the transport roller 32 and the pad roller 35 in the state where the card 2 is in contact. In this embodiment, the card transport mechanism 6 holds the card 2 between the transport roller 32 and the pad roller 35 while the one end 2d of the card 2 is pressed against the contact surface 66d, and the magnetic head 7 moves in the left-right direction. To read and record magnetic data.

  Further, the solenoid 63 is activated, and the IC contact spring 59 is brought into contact with the external connection terminal constituting the terminal portion 2 b of the card 2 to perform data communication with the card 2. At this time, with the one end 2d of the card 2 pressed against the contact surface 66d, the IC contact block 9 is lowered while holding the card 2 between the transport roller 32 and the pad roller 35, and is connected to the external connection terminal. The IC contact spring 59 is brought into contact.

  Further, when the card 2 taken into the card reader 1 is transported to the back side of the magnetic head 7 to perform predetermined processing on the card 2 or to collect the card 2, the solenoid 69 is driven. Thus, the abutting portion 66a moves to the retracted position, and the card transport mechanism 6 transports the card 2 to the back side. The card 2 conveyed to the back side is conveyed by the conveyance roller 32 and the pad roller 35 as shown in FIG. 10 (A), and thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 10 (B) and 10 (C), the conveyance roller 33. And it is conveyed by the pad roller 36. At this time, the lower surface of the card 2 is supported by the guide member 26.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the transport roller 33 is disposed so that the contact position between the transport roller 33 and the card 2 is lower than the contact position between the transport roller 32 and the card 2. Therefore, when the embossed area 2c of the card 2 passes below the opposing surface 57a, the characters, numbers, etc. (embossed portions) formed by the embossing are as shown in FIG. It does not contact 57a, or it contacts the opposing surface 57a with a slight contact pressure.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the opposing surface 57a is formed on the upper side of the magnetic head 7 so as to contact the magnetic head 7 at the head contact position and the card 2 with a predetermined contact pressure. A member 57 is arranged. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the card 2 with the magnetic stripe 2a conforming to the international standard or the JIS standard is transported and processed in the short direction, the contact pressure between the magnetic head 7 and the magnetic stripe 2a. Can be secured.

  In this embodiment, the transport roller 33 is disposed so that the contact position between the transport roller 33 and the card 2 is lower than the contact position between the transport roller 32 and the card 2. Therefore, as described above, when the embossed region 2c of the card 2 passes below the facing surface 57a, the embossed portion does not contact the facing surface 57a or is slightly contacted with the facing surface 57a. Contact. Therefore, in this embodiment, the card reader 1 with the emboss is used in the card reader 1 in which the facing surface 57a whose width in the left-right direction is substantially equal to the moving range of the magnetic head 7 in the left-right direction is disposed above the magnetic head 7. Even if the magnetic head 7 is transported to the back side, it is possible to prevent the embossed portion from being damaged and to prevent the facing surface 57a from being worn.

  Even if the transport roller 33 is arranged so that the contact position between the transport roller 33 and the card 2 and the contact position between the transport roller 32 and the card 2 are the same in the vertical direction, the opposing member 57 By retracting to the upper side, the contact between the embossed portion of the card 2 conveyed to the back side of the magnetic head 7 and the opposing surface 57a is prevented, or the emboss of the card 2 conveyed to the back side of the magnetic head 7 It is possible to reduce the contact pressure between the portion and the facing surface 57a. However, in this case, a mechanism for retracting the facing member 57 is required, and the configuration of the card reader 1 is complicated. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the embossed portion of the card 2 is arranged with a simple configuration in which the rotating shaft that rotates together with the conveying roller 33 is arranged at a position lower than the rotating shaft that rotates together with the conveying roller 32. It is possible to prevent contact with the facing surface 57a, or reduce the contact pressure between the embossed portion of the card 2 and the facing surface 57a.

  In this embodiment, when the card 2 is positioned with the back end of the card 2 in contact with the contact portion 66a, the embossed area 2c of the card 2 is disposed on the front side of the facing surface 57a. . For this reason, in the present embodiment, the embossed portion of the card 2 is used during normal use in which magnetic data is read or recorded by the magnetic head 7 or data communication with the card 2 is performed by the IC contact block 9. The opposing surface 57a does not contact. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent the embossed portion from being damaged during normal use, and to reliably prevent the facing surface 57a from being worn.

  In this embodiment, in the card 2 with the magnetic stripe 2a conforming to the international standard or the JIS standard, the card 2 is positioned by bringing the end 2d of the card 2 serving as a reference of the formation range of the magnetic stripe 2a into contact with the contact portion 66a. In this state, the magnetic head 7 is moved to read and record magnetic data. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to accurately align the magnetic head 7 and the magnetic stripe 2a when reading or recording magnetic data. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the card 2 with the magnetic stripe 2a conforming to the international standard or the JIS standard is conveyed and processed in the short direction, a decrease in reading accuracy and recording accuracy of the magnetic data is suppressed. It becomes possible to do.

  In this embodiment, the contact portion 66a is disposed between the transport roller 33 and the pad roller 36 and the magnetic head 7 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the conveyance rollers 31 and 32 are set in the normal use for reading and recording magnetic data by the magnetic head 7 and for communicating data with the card 2 by the IC contact block 9. The card 2 may be conveyed until it abuts against the abutting portion 66a (ie, without using the conveying roller 33). Therefore, even when the contact position between the transport roller 32 and the card 2 and the contact position between the transport roller 33 and the card 2 are deviated in the vertical direction, the state during transport of the card 2 transported during normal use is stable. It becomes possible to make it.

(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 above-described embodiment, the pad rollers 34 to 36 are disposed to face the transport rollers 31 to 33, respectively. In addition to this, for example, a conveyance roller to which a driving source such as a motor is connected may be disposed opposite to each of the conveyance rollers 31 to 33.

  In the embodiment described above, the magnetic head 7 is retracted below the transport path 5 on both end sides in the left-right direction. In addition to this, for example, the magnetic head 7 may be retracted below the conveyance path 5 only at one end side in the left-right direction. In this case, the cam 45a is formed only on one end side of the cam plate 45 in the left-right direction. In the embodiment described above, the support portion 66c is formed on the contact portion 66a, but the support portion 66c may not be formed on the contact portion 66a.

  In the embodiment described above, the card 2 is a rectangular vinyl chloride card having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. In addition, for example, the card 2 may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, or a paper card having a predetermined thickness. In the above-described embodiment, the card reader 1 processes the contact type IC card 2 with magnetic stripes and embosses. However, the card 2 with magnetic stripes and embosses that does not contain an IC chip is used as the card. It may be processed by the reader 1. In this case, the card reader 1 may not include the IC contact block 9 and the metal sensor 19.

  In the embodiment described above, the magnetic stripe 2 a is formed on the back surface of the card 2. In addition to this, for example, a magnetic stripe may be formed on the front surface of the card 2 in addition to the back surface of the card 2. For example, in addition to the back surface of the card 2, a magnetic stripe conforming to the standard of JISX6302 may be formed on the front surface of the card 2. In this case, the magnetic head 7 is disposed on both the upper side and the lower side of the transport path 5.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card reader 2 Card 2a Magnetic stripe 2c Embossing area | region 5 Conveyance path 6 Card conveyance mechanism 7 Magnetic head 8 Head moving mechanism 32 Conveyance roller (1st conveyance roller)
33 Conveying roller (second conveying roller)
35 Pad roller (first pad roller)
36 Pad roller (second pad roller)
57 Opposing member 57a Opposing surface 66a Abutting portion 67 Retraction mechanism U Longitudinal direction of card V Short side direction of card X Card transport direction X1 Card loading direction Y Transport path width direction Z Transport path height direction

Claims (5)

In a card reader that transports and processes a card formed in a substantially rectangular shape in the short direction of the card,
A card transport mechanism for transporting the card, a transport path for transporting the card, and a magnetic stripe formed on one surface of the card parallel to the longitudinal direction of the card and recorded on the card. A magnetic head that performs at least one of reading of magnetic data and recording of magnetic data on the card, and moving the magnetic head in the width direction of the transport path perpendicular to the transport direction of the card and the magnetic head A head moving mechanism for moving the magnetic head between a head contact position capable of contacting the magnetic stripe and a head retract position where the magnetic head retracts from the transport path, and the head contact position An opposing member formed with an opposing surface for contacting the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe with a predetermined contact pressure;
The card transport mechanism includes a first transport roller disposed in front of the magnetic head in the card take-in direction and transporting the card in contact with the card, and the magnetic head in the card take-in direction. A second transport roller disposed on the back side and contacting the card to transport the card,
When the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the card and the width direction of the conveyance path is the height direction of the conveyance path,
The opposing member is disposed on one side of the transport path in the height direction of the transport path,
The second transport roller is disposed such that the contact position between the second transport roller and the card is on the other side in the height direction of the transport path than the contact position between the first transport roller and the card. A card reader.   The card reader according to claim 1, wherein a contact position between the first transport roller and the card is substantially the same position as the facing surface in a height direction of the transport path.   The card transport mechanism is disposed to face the first transport roller and is biased toward the first transport roller, and is disposed to face the second transport roller and the second transport roller. The card reader according to claim 1, further comprising a second pad roller biased toward the roller. An abutting portion where one end of the card abuts in the card conveying direction and the card is positioned; and a retracting mechanism for retracting the abutting portion from the conveying path;
4. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is disposed between the magnetic head and the second transport roller in the transport direction of the card. 5. The card is defined with an embossing area to be embossed,
When one end of the card in the card transport direction is in contact with the contact portion, the embossing area is disposed on the front side of the facing surface in the card taking-in direction. The card reader according to claim 4.

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