JP2018045511A - Holding mechanism and conveyance device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a holding mechanism or the like which can be applied to a reading device capable of discharging in predetermined order.SOLUTION: The holding mechanism includes a plurality of sub-holding parts and a position setting part. The plurality of sub-holding parts can hold a plurality of cards conveyed through a predetermined conveyance mechanism individually respectively. The position setting part performs a first setting and a second setting. The first setting is a setting for setting the positions of the plurality of sub-holding parts, so as to receive each of the plurality of cards. The second setting is a setting for performing setting, so as to supply the card held by each of at least two of the plurality of sub-holding parts to the conveyance mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a holding mechanism for holding a card.

  In a processing apparatus that processes information held by a card such as an automatic teller machine, when two cards are inserted and processed, it is generally performed that the discharging order of the cards is opposite to the insertion order. Yes. In this case, although the user surely removes the card inserted later in the memory, the user forgets to remove the card inserted first and then discharged. In that case, in a general card processing apparatus, a card that is forgotten to be removed is collected by a card collection function. In order for the user to retrieve the card collected by the card collection function, a time-consuming procedure is required. In order for the user not to forget to take two cards together, it is desirable that the insertion order and the ejection order for the two cards do not change.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic transaction apparatus that can be discharged from either of two inserted cards.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a card processing device in which each of a plurality of card cases capable of storing cards has a head insertion hole through which the head can be inserted in a direction intersecting with the insertion / removal direction for inserting / removing the card. To do.

JP 2005-327066 A JP-A-2005-157807

  However, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that a bent conveyance path is used. Therefore, the retractable card out of the two inserted cards needs to be a card that is easy to bend like a paper card. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to process two cards that are not assumed to be bent when used, such as a normal automatic teller machine card.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a holding mechanism or the like that can be applied to a reading device that accommodates a plurality of cards that are not assumed to be bent when used, reads the information on the cards, and can eject the cards in a predetermined order. .

  The holding mechanism of the present invention includes a plurality of sub holding units and a position setting unit. The plurality of sub-holding units can individually hold a plurality of cards conveyed through a predetermined conveyance mechanism. The position setting unit performs a first setting and a second setting. The first setting is a setting for setting the positions of the plurality of sub-holding units so that each of the plurality of cards can be received. The second setting is a setting in which each of the plurality of cards held by at least two of the plurality of sub-holding units can be supplied to the transport mechanism.

  The holding mechanism or the like according to the present invention can be applied to a reading device that accommodates a plurality of cards that are not supposed to be bent at the time of use, reads the card information, and ejects the cards in a predetermined order.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of a structure of the reader of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram (part 1) illustrating a configuration example of a reading device 11a. It is a conceptual diagram (the 2) showing the structural example of the reader 11a. It is a conceptual diagram (the 3) showing the structural example of the reader 11a. It is a conceptual diagram showing the structural example of a position setting part. It is a conceptual diagram (the 1) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 2) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram (part 3) illustrating an operation example of the reading apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 4) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 5) showing the operation example of the reading apparatus of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 6) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 7) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 8) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 9) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 10) showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment (the 11). It is a conceptual diagram showing the operation example of the reader of this embodiment (the 12). It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of a structure of a holding part provided with three sub holding parts. It is a figure showing the structural example of a holding | maintenance part provided with a communication part. It is a conceptual diagram showing the specific example of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 1) showing the specific example of the part of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 1) showing the specific example of the part of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 2) showing the specific example of the part of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 3) showing the specific example of the part of the reader of this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram (the 4) showing the specific example of the part of the reader of this embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the minimum structure of the holding | maintenance mechanism of this invention.

[Configuration and operation]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading device 11a that is an example of a reading device according to the present embodiment.

  The reading device 11a is a device for reading information recorded on each of a plurality of inserted cards and discharging the plurality of cards.

  The reading device 11a includes a transport unit 111a, a reading unit 121a, a holding unit 131a, and a processing unit 141a.

  The transport unit 111a passes each of the inserted cards through the vicinity of the reading unit 121a and transports them to the holding unit 131a. The transport unit 111a also discharges each of the plurality of cards sent out by the holding unit 131a to the outside. The transport unit 111a does not completely eject each of the plurality of cards, but exposes a predetermined portion of the card to the outside so that the user can manually eject the card. It doesn't matter. In the following, discharging to the outside of the card or making the card in a state where the user can manually discharge the card is referred to as “discharge”.

  The reading unit 121a reads information recorded on each of the cards when the transport unit 111a transports each of the cards and passes the vicinity of the reading unit 121a.

  The information recorded on each of the cards is, for example, magnetic information magnetically recorded or information recorded on a semiconductor.

  When the information recorded on the card is magnetic information, the reading unit 121a includes, for example, a reproducing unit (not shown) that reads the recorded magnetic information. Then, the reproducing unit reproduces magnetic information passing through the vicinity while moving. The reproducing unit is a magnetic head, for example.

  On the other hand, when the information recorded on the card is the information recorded on the semiconductor memory, for example, both the card and the reading unit 121a include a communication unit (not shown). A card communication unit (card communication unit) is connected to a semiconductor memory in which information is recorded. The reading unit communication unit communicates with the card communication unit when the card communication unit is positioned in the vicinity of the communication unit (reading unit communication unit) of the reading unit 121a by conveying the card by the transfer unit 111a. The reading unit communication unit reads information recorded in the semiconductor memory through the communication.

  The holding unit 131a holds each of the plurality of cards transported by the transport unit 111a at different locations. Then, each of the held cards is separately sent to the transport unit 111a and discharged from the transport unit 111a to the outside.

  The processing unit 141a controls operations performed by the transport unit 111a, the reading unit 121a, and the holding unit 131a. For example, the processing unit 141a adjusts the timing of operations performed by the transport unit 111a, the reading unit 121a, and the holding unit 131a.

  2 to 4 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a configuration of a reading device 11aa which is an example of the reading device 11a illustrated in FIG. However, in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the description corresponding to the processing unit 141a shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. 2 to 4 is not included in the reading device 11aa. The transport unit 111aa, the reading unit 121aa, and the holding unit 131aa illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 are examples of the transport unit 111a, the reading unit 121a, and the holding unit 131a illustrated in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the reading device 11aa. FIG. 3 is a diagram assuming a case where the direction of the arrow 199a shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram assuming a case where the reading device 11aa is viewed in the direction of the arrow 199b illustrated in FIG.

  The transport unit 111aa includes rollers 156a to 156d and guides 151a to 151h and 152a to 152d.

  The shaft 181a of the roller 156a and the shaft 181b of the roller 156b are held by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the base 146a. The shaft 181a can rotate in the circumferential direction of the roller 156a inside the bearing that supports the shaft 181a. The shaft 181b can rotate in the circumferential direction of the roller 156b inside the bearing that supports the shaft 181b.

  At least one of the rollers 156a and 156b can be driven in the circumferential direction by a drive unit (not shown).

  The shaft 181c of the roller 156c and the shaft 181d of the roller 156d are respectively held by bearings (not shown) fixed to the base 146a. The shaft 181c can rotate in the circumferential direction of the roller 156c inside the bearing that supports the shaft 181c. Further, the shaft 181d can rotate in the circumferential direction of the roller 156b inside the bearing supporting the shaft 181d.

  At least one of the rollers 156a and 156b can be driven in the circumferential direction by a drive unit (not shown).

  Each of the guides 151a to 151h is fixed to the base 146a by a member (not shown). Each of the guides 151a to 151h prevents the card from shifting when the transport unit 111a transports a card (not shown). The shift is a shift in a direction perpendicular to FIG.

  Each of the guides 152a to 152d is fixed to the base 146a by a member (not shown). Each of the guides 152a to 152d prevents the card from shifting when the transport unit 111a transports a card (not shown). The shift is a shift in the vertical direction in FIG.

  The reading unit 121aa includes a reproducing unit 161a. The reproducing unit 161a converts the magnetic information into an electrical signal when a portion of the card (not shown) where the magnetic information is recorded passes through the vicinity. The reproducing unit 161a is typically a magnetic head.

  The holding part 131aa includes a holding unit 172a, a position setting part 166a, and a pushing part 201a. The holding unit 172a includes sub holding portions 171a and 171b and members 176a and 176b.

  Each of the sub-holding portions 171a and 171b of the holding unit 172a is a portion that holds the card. Each of the sub-holding portions 171a and 171b can hold one card. The members 176a and 176b are members that hold the sub holding portions 171a and 171b.

  The position setting unit 166a sets the height position of the holding unit 172a in FIGS. The position setting unit 166a performs the setting according to an instruction from the processing unit 141a illustrated in FIG. This setting is to set the height position of the holding unit 172a depending on which of the sub holding units 171a and 171b holds the card conveyed from the conveyance unit 111aa. In addition, the setting is to set the height position of the holding unit 172a depending on whether the card held in the auxiliary holding part 171a or 171b is pushed into the transport part 111aa by the pushing part 201a described later. It is.

  The pushing portion 201a can be moved in the direction of the arrow 199b shown in FIG. 2 and in the opposite direction of the arrow 199b by a driving unit (not shown). When the card held by the holding unit 172a is discharged to the outside through the transport unit 111aa, the pushing unit 201a moves in the direction of the arrow 199b, and the card is supplied between the rollers 156c and 156d of the transport unit 111aa. To do.

  The shape of the sub-holding portions 171a and 171b is arbitrary as long as the card can be held and the pressing portion 201a can be supplied between the rollers 156c and 156d by pressing the card. Further, the shape and amount of movement of the pushing portion 201a are arbitrary as long as the card can be fed between the rollers 156c and 156d by pushing the card.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a position setting unit 166ab that is an example of the position setting unit 166a illustrated in FIGS. FIG. 5A is a side view of the position setting unit 166ab. FIG. 5B is a diagram assuming a case where the direction of the arrow 199h illustrated in FIG. 5A of the position setting unit 166ab is viewed. FIG. 5C is a diagram assuming a case where the direction of the arrow 199i shown in FIG. 5A of the position setting unit 166ab is viewed.

  The position setting unit 166ab includes a gear 212a, a driving unit 213a, and members 211b to 211d.

  The member 211c and the member 211d are fixed to the base body 146b.

  A fitting groove 215a is formed in the member 211c. The fitting groove 215a is a groove for enabling the member 211b to be moved in the vertical direction in FIGS. 5A and 5B in a state in which a fitting portion 214a of a member 211b described later is fitted. It is.

  A drive unit 213a is fixed to the member 211d.

  The drive unit 213a can rotate the shaft 217a of the drive unit 213a in the forward direction and the reverse direction. A gear 212a is fixed to the shaft 217a. The drive unit 213a can rotate the gear 212a by rotating the shaft 217a.

  The teeth 216b of the gear 212a mesh with the teeth 216a formed at the end 197b of the member 211b. The drive unit 213a can move the member 211b in the vertical direction in FIGS. 5A and 5B by rotating the gear 212a. The amount of movement of the member 211b can be adjusted by the amount of rotation by which the drive unit 213a rotates the shaft 217a.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the holding unit 172a can be moved in the vertical direction of FIG. 2 by fixing the holding unit 172a shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the member 211b. At this time, the position of the member 211b for fixing the holding unit 172a is arbitrary as long as the holding unit 172a can move in the vertical direction of FIG. Furthermore, as will be described in a specific example described later, the member 211b and the holding unit may be common. When the member 211b and the holding unit are common, the holding unit 131a illustrated in FIG. 1 can be further downsized.

  A mechanism for converting a rotary motion into a linear motion by a combination of gears and teeth as shown in FIG. 5 is generally called a rack and pinion. The position setting unit 166ab can move the member 211b up and down with respect to the base body 146b by a rack and pinion mechanism.

  Note that the same mechanism as the position setting unit 166ab shown in FIG. 5 can be used for the operation of moving the push-in unit 201a shown in FIGS. The pushing portion 201a is fixed to the member 211b shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and the pushing portion 201a is moved by moving the member 211b.

  Next, an operation example of the reading apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  6 to 17 are conceptual diagrams showing an operation example in which the reading device 11aa shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 reads information recorded on the card and then ejects the card. The portion other than the card 301a and the base 146a shown in FIGS. 6 to 17 is the reading device 11aa.

  First, before the state of FIG. 6, the position setting unit 166a shown in FIG. 2 has a height from the upper surface of the base 146a of the surface 198a, and the upper surface of the sub-holding unit 171a is a height between the rollers 156c and 156d. Set it to be slightly lower. The position setting unit 166a performs the setting according to an instruction from the processing unit 141a illustrated in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the card 301a is inserted between the rollers 156a and 156b by the user. The card 301a is inserted through the guide 151a and the guide 151b shown in FIG. The roller 156b is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow 199d. The roller 156b conveys the inserted card 301a in the direction of the arrow 199c.

  The roller 156b need not always be driven to rotate. The reader 11aa may include a sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence of the card 301a, such as an optical sensor, in the vicinity between the guide 151a and the guide 151b. When the sensor is provided, the driving of the roller 156b is started by the detection of the card 301a by the sensor. By this detection, in addition to the driving of the roller 156b, the driving of the roller 156d in the direction of the arrow 199e may be started.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the end portion 197a of the card 301a passes near the lower portion of the reproducing portion 161a and is inserted between the rollers 156c and 156d. At that time, the end portion 197a is located between the guide 151c and the guide 151d shown in FIG. 3, between the guide 152a and the guide 152b, between the guide 152c and the guide 152d, and between the guide 151e and the guide 151f shown in FIG. Pass between them sequentially. The reproduction unit 161a converts the magnetic information of the card 301a into an electric signal when the portion where the magnetic information is recorded passes near the lower part. Then, the reproducing unit 161a sends the converted electric signal to the processing unit 141a shown in FIG. The electric signal is sent to the processing unit 141a shown in FIG.

  The roller 156d further conveys the card 301a in the direction of the arrow 199c.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the end portion 197a of the card 301a moves in the direction of the arrow 199c, passes between the guide 151g and the guide 151h shown in FIG. 3 and above the sub-holding portion 171a, and pushes in the pushing portion 201a. Stops at surface 198b. Then, the card 301a is held on the sub holding unit 171a.

  And as shown in FIG. 9, the position setting part 166a changes the height from the base | substrate 146a upper surface of the surface 198a high. The position setting unit 166a performs the change according to an instruction from the processing unit 141a illustrated in FIG. As described above, the holding unit 172a and the card 301a move upward.

  In this state, when the card 301b, which is the second card, is inserted between the rollers 156a and 156b, as shown in FIG. 10, the card 301b is subjected to procedures similar to those shown in FIGS. And held on the sub-holding portion 171b.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the position setting unit 166a lowers the height of the surface 198a from the upper surface of the base 146a. The position setting unit 166a performs the change according to an instruction from the processing unit 141a illustrated in FIG. Thereby, the holding unit 172a lowers the height, and the height of the card 301a is set in the vicinity of the height between the rollers 156c and 156d.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the pushing portion 201a moves in the direction of the arrow 199b, and moves the card 301a in the direction of the arrow 199b. The roller 156d starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow 199g. 156b starts rotating in the direction of the arrow 199f.

  The card 301a is conveyed in the direction of the arrow 199b by the rollers 156d and 156b.

  Then, the card 301a is discharged as shown in FIG.

  The roller 156b may stop the rotational drive in the direction of the arrow 199f in the state shown in FIG. 13 when the card 301a is discharged. In that case, the user can acquire the card 301a from the reader 11aa by moving the card 301a in the direction of the arrow 199b. Further, the reading device 11aa can rotate the roller 156b in the direction opposite to the arrow 199f to hold the card 301a in the holding unit 172a again. For example, when the user does not acquire a card for a certain period of time.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the position setting unit 166a increases the height of the surface 198a from the upper surface of the base 146a, and the height of the card 301b from the upper surface of the base 146a is between the rollers 156c and 156d. Set to be close to the height. The position setting unit 166a performs the setting according to an instruction from the processing unit 141a illustrated in FIG.

  Then, the pushing portion 201a moves in the direction of the arrow 199b, and moves the card 301b in the direction of the arrow 199b. Thereafter, the card 301b is conveyed in the direction of the arrow 199b by the rollers 156d and 156b.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the card 301b is discharged to the outside in the direction of the arrow 199b from between the rollers 156a and 156b.

  The roller 156b may stop the rotational drive in the direction of the arrow 199f in the state shown in FIG. 13 when the card 301b is discharged. In that case, the user can acquire the card 301a from the reading device 11aa by moving the card 301b in the direction of the arrow 199b. Further, the reading device 11aa can also rotate the roller 156b in the direction opposite to the arrow 199f to hold the card 301b in the holding unit 172a again. The re-holding is performed, for example, when the user does not acquire the card 301b for a certain period of time.

  6 to 15, the reading device 11aa discharges the card 301a inserted first, and discharges the card 301b inserted later later.

  The reading device 11aa can discharge the card 301a inserted first later, and can discharge the card 301b inserted later first. In that case, the position setting unit 166a changes the height of the surface 198a from the upper surface of the base 146a as shown in FIG. 16 from the state where the two cards 301a and 301b shown in FIG. 11 are held by the holding unit. do not do. Then, the pushing portion 201a moves the card 301b in the direction of the arrow 199b. Thereafter, the card 301b is conveyed in the direction of the arrow 199b, and is discharged to the outside as shown in FIG.

  The roller 156b may stop the rotational drive in the direction of the arrow 199f in the state shown in FIG. 13 when the card 301b is discharged. In this case, the user can eject the card 301b from the reading device 11aa by moving the card 301b in the direction of the arrow 199b. In this case, the reading device 11aa can also rotate the roller 156b in the direction opposite to the arrow 199f to hold the card 301b again on the holding unit 172a.

  Although illustration is omitted, after that, the pushing portion 201a moves to the same position as that shown in FIG. Then, the position setting unit 166a causes the height of the card 301a from the upper surface of the base 146a to be close to the height between the roller 156c and the roller 156d. Then, the pushing portion 201a moves the card 301a in the direction of the arrow 199b. The card 301a is conveyed in the direction of the arrow 199b by the rollers 156d and 156b, and is discharged to the outside.

  In the above, the case where the holding unit has two sub-holding units has been described. However, there may be three or more sub-holding units provided in the holding unit. The reader according to the present embodiment may hold a number of cards corresponding to the number of sub-holding units provided at a time and sequentially discharge those cards.

  FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a holding unit 131aa that is an example of the holding unit 131a illustrated in FIG. 1 including three sub-holding units.

  The holding unit 131aa includes a position setting unit 166a and a holding unit 172aa.

The holding unit 172aa includes sub-holding portions 171a, 171b, and 171c, and a member 176a.
The sub holding units 171a, 171b, and 171c are sub holding units for holding cards. The sub holding portions 171a, 171b, and 171c are fixed to a member 176a fixed to the position setting portion 166a.

  The position setting unit 166a adjusts the height of the holding unit 172aa from the upper surface of the base 146a.

  Any one of the sub-holding portions 171a to 171c may be used solely for transporting and holding the discharged card again. 13, 15, and 17, when the card is not manually ejected for a certain time due to a user error or the like, the sub-holding portion held between the rollers 156 a and 156 b is held. It is used as a holding unit for the card. In that case, it may be assumed that the card transported and held again is not supplied to the transport unit.

  The holding unit 131aa may include a communication unit that reads information recorded on a semiconductor included in the card in a state where the holding unit holds the card.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a holding unit 131ab that is an example of a holding unit including a communication unit.

  The holding unit 131ab includes a communication unit 221a, a holding unit 172aa, and a position setting unit 166a.

  The description of the holding unit 172aa and the position setting unit 166a is the same as the description of the holding unit 172aa and the position setting unit 166a illustrated in FIG.

  The communication unit 221a is fixed to the base 146a via a member (not shown). And when communication is possible with the card | curd hold | maintained in either of the sub holding | maintenance part 171a, 171b, 171c, it communicates with the said card | curd. And the communication part 221a acquires the said information by communication, when the information which the said card | curd should provide is hold | maintained.

  The card is typically a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card. When the card is a non-contact type IC card, the communication unit 221a is an information reading unit of the non-contact type IC card.

  The installation position of the communication unit 221a is arbitrary. However, the installation position is a position that does not contact the holding unit 172aa and the card held by the holding unit 172aa due to the position change of the holding unit 172aa by the position setting unit 166a. And the said installation position is a position which can communicate with the card | curd with which the communication part 221a should communicate.

  In addition to reading the card holding information by the reading unit 121a shown in FIG. 1, the holding unit 131ab communicates with the target card in a state held by the holding unit 131aa, and the information held by the reading device 11a is held by the card. Enables reading.

As described above, the reading device 11a shown in FIG. 1 holds each of the plurality of inserted cards in each of the plurality of sub-holding units provided in the holding unit. Then, the reading device 11a discharges each of the plurality of cards from each of the plurality of sub holding units. Therefore, the reading device 11a can set the order of discharging each of the plurality of cards regardless of the order in which the cards are inserted.
[Concrete example]
Next, a specific example of the reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

  20 to 25 are conceptual diagrams showing a reading device 11n, which is a specific example of the reading device of the present embodiment, and its constituent parts.

  As illustrated in FIG. 20, the reading device 11n represents a transport unit 111an and a holding unit 131an.

  The transport unit 111an and the holding unit 131an are specific examples of the transport unit 111a and the holding unit 131a illustrated in FIG. The reading device 11n includes portions corresponding to the reading unit 121a and the processing unit 141a illustrated in FIG. 1 in addition to the conveyance unit 111an and the holding unit 131an, but these are not illustrated. A portion corresponding to the reading unit 121a illustrated in FIG. 1 exists inside the transport unit 111an.

  Further, the transport unit 111an and the holding unit 131an have a complicated structure as shown in FIG. This is because the specific example focuses on designing the reading device 11n to be more compact.

  FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams showing a part including a part of the transport unit 111an and the holding unit 131an. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the portion. FIG. 22 is a top view of the portion. 21 and 22 also show the magnetic card 1 which is an example of the card described above.

  As described with reference to FIG. 20, the conveyance unit 111an and the holding unit 131an have an intricate structure. 21 and 22, the transport rollers 3 and 4, the transport motor 6, the belt 41 a, and the position sensor 5 belong to the transport unit 111 an. Of the configurations shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, configurations with reference numerals other than those and the magnetic card 1 belong to the holding unit 131an.

  When the magnetic card 1 is transported in the direction of the arrow 199j by the transport unit 111an and detected by the position sensor 5, the transport motor 6 starts its operation. And the conveyance motor 6 drives the conveyance rollers 3 and 4 via the belt 41a. By this driving, the magnetic card 1 is held in either the predetermined slot of the sub-holding unit 36 or the collection box 13 shown in FIG. The predetermined slot is any one of the upper slot 51, the middle slot 52, and the lower slot 53 of the sub-holding unit 36 shown in FIG. The upper slot 51, the middle slot 52, and the lower slot 53 are sub-holding portions (see the sub-holding portions 171a, 171b, and 171c shown in FIG. 19). The collection box 13 is provided further below the sub-holding unit 36. The collection box 13 is a part that collects and holds the card when the user forgets to remove the magnetic card 1. The forgetting to remove is the user forgetting to remove the magnetic card 1 from the state corresponding to the states shown in FIGS. The collection box 13 is a kind of sub-holding unit because it can hold a card. And the part which consists of the sub holding unit 36 and the collection | recovery box 13 is the holding unit 172n shown in FIG.

  The vertical movement motor 8 is a drive unit for moving the auxiliary holding unit 36 up and down. The vertical movement motor 8 drives the belt 41b. The belt 41b drives the gear 21a. The teeth of the gear 21a mesh with the teeth 22a formed on the side portion 92a of the auxiliary holding unit 36 shown in FIGS. The gear 21a drives the teeth 22a in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, bearings 31 a and 31 b are formed in the sub holding unit 36. The shafts 26a and 26b shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, which are fixed to a base (not shown) on which the reading device 11n is installed, pass through holes in the bearings 31a and 31b. Therefore, the sub-holding unit 36 can move only in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the tooth 22a is driven in the vertical direction by the gear 21a, the auxiliary holding unit 36 on which the tooth 22a is formed moves in the vertical direction.

  The vertical movement of the sub-holding unit 36 is the movement by the rack and pinion described above.

  The holding part 131an directly forms the teeth 22a on the auxiliary holding unit 36, and drives the auxiliary holding unit 36 by the gear 21a by a rack and pinion mechanism. Therefore, the holding portion 131an can be configured compactly as shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 24.

  The height sensor 7 sends information indicating the height of the sub-holding unit 36 that moves up and down to the processing unit (corresponding to the processing unit 141a in FIG. 1). The processing unit controls the drive of the vertical movement motor 8 based on the information, and indicates the location where the magnetic card 1 is to be held at the upper slot 51, the middle slot 52, the lower slot 53 shown in FIG. 23, and the collection box shown in FIG. Select from 13. Alternatively, the processing unit controls the driving of the vertical movement motor 8 based on the information, and indicates the location where the magnetic card already held by the sub holding unit 36 is provided to the transport unit 111an, as shown in FIG. The middle slot 52 and the lower slot 53 are selected.

  The collection box 13 is provided below the sub-holding unit 36 as shown in FIG. When the transport unit 111an transports the magnetic card 1 to the holding unit 131an with the sub-holding unit 36 moved to the uppermost position, the magnetic card 1 is accommodated in the collection box 13 from below the sub-holding unit 36. . The holding unit 131an does not provide the magnetic card 1 accommodated in the collection box 13 to the transport unit 111an. The collection of the magnetic card 1 accommodated in the collection box 13 is performed manually.

  The discharge plate 11 shown in FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 is for supplying the card held in any one of the upper slot 51, the middle slot 52 and the lower slot 53 to the transport unit 111an. It is a thing. The discharge plate 11 corresponds to the pushing portion 201a in FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 25A and 25B, the operation of the discharge plate 11 will be described.

  The discharge plate 11 is connected to the member 47a by the fulcrum part 46c and to the member 47b by the fulcrum part 46d. The discharge plate 11 can rotate with the member 47a with the fulcrum portion 46c as a fulcrum. Further, the discharge plate 11 can rotate with the member 47b with the fulcrum portion 46d as a fulcrum.

  The member 47a is connected to the member 47c by the fulcrum part 46a. The member 47a is rotatable with respect to the member 47c with the fulcrum portion 46a as a fulcrum. The member 47b is connected to the member 47c by the fulcrum part 46b. The member 47b is rotatable with respect to the member 47c with the fulcrum portion 46b as a fulcrum.

  The discharge solenoid 12 includes a magnet and a coil (not shown) inside. The magnet (or coil) is fixed to the shaft 27. The shaft 27 can be moved only in the left-right direction in FIG. 25 by a bearing (not shown). When a current in a certain direction flows through the coil, the shaft 27 moves to the left or right due to the repulsive force between the magnetic field generated by the magnet and the magnetic field generated by the coil. On the other hand, when a current in the reverse direction is passed through the coil, the shaft 27 moves to the left and right by the attractive force between the magnetic field generated by the magnet and the magnetic field generated by the coil.

  The fulcrum part 46e of the shaft 27 is connected to the member 47a. The member 47a can rotate between the shaft 27 with the fulcrum 46e as a fulcrum.

  The member 47c is fixed to the discharge solenoid 12.

  With the above configuration, the discharge plate 11 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 25A by flowing a current in a direction in the discharge solenoid 12 and moving the shaft 27 to the right. In this state, the left end of the magnetic card 1 is separated from the transport roller 3.

Then, by passing a current in the reverse direction through the discharge solenoid 12 and moving the shaft 27 to the left, the discharge plate 11 is in the state shown in FIG. In this state, the left end of the magnetic card 1 is in contact with the transport roller 3. Therefore, the magnetic card 1 is conveyed to the left by rotating the magnetic card 1 in a predetermined direction with the conveying roller 3 in the state shown in FIG.
[effect]
The reading device of the present embodiment holds each of the plurality of inserted cards in each of the plurality of sub-holding units provided in the holding unit. Then, the reading device of the present embodiment discharges each of the plurality of cards from each of the plurality of sub holding units. Therefore, the reading device 11a of the present embodiment can set the order in which each of the plurality of cards is discharged regardless of the order in which the cards are inserted.

  Furthermore, the reading device of this embodiment does not require an operation of bending the card during operation. Therefore, the reading apparatus according to the present embodiment can operate even with a card that is not assumed to be bent when used.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the holding mechanism 131x which is the minimum configuration of the holding mechanism of the present invention.

  The holding mechanism 131x includes a plurality of sub holding units 172x and a position setting unit 166x.

  The plurality of sub-holding units 172x can individually hold a plurality of cards (not shown) transported via a predetermined transport mechanism (not shown).

  The position setting unit 166x performs the first setting and the second setting on the positions of the plurality of sub holding units 172x. The first setting is a setting that allows each of the plurality of cards to be received. The second setting is a setting in which each of the plurality of cards held by at least two of the plurality of sub-holding units can be supplied to the transport mechanism.

  The holding mechanism 131x separately supplies the transport mechanism from each of the sub-holding units that hold each of the plurality of cards. The holding mechanism 131x holds the supply of each of the plurality of cards from the transport mechanism, holds each of the plurality of cards in a separate sub-holding unit, and changes the position of the plurality of sub-holding units 172x. By doing. Therefore, the holding mechanism 131x can set the order of each of the plurality of cards supplied to the transport mechanism.

  Meanwhile, the transport mechanism supplies each of the plurality of cards to the plurality of sub holding units 172x in the transport order. The transport mechanism transports each of the plurality of cards in the order supplied from the plurality of sub-holding units 172x, and discharges the cards.

  Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a reading device that accommodates the plurality of cards, reads the information on the cards, and can eject the cards in a predetermined order.

  Further, the holding mechanism 131x does not require an operation of bending the card during operation. Accordingly, the holding mechanism 131x can operate even for the card that is not assumed to be bent when used.

  Therefore, the holding mechanism 131x has the effects described in the section [Effects of the Invention] with the above configuration.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments may be made without departing from the basic technical idea of the present invention. Can be added. For example, the configuration of the elements shown in each drawing is an example for helping understanding of the present invention, and is not limited to the configuration shown in these drawings.

  Moreover, although a part or all of said embodiment may be described also as the following additional remarks, it is not restricted to the following.

(Appendix 1)
A plurality of sub-holding units capable of individually holding a plurality of cards transported via a predetermined transport mechanism;
A first setting for setting the positions of the plurality of sub-holding units so that each of the plurality of cards can be received; and the plurality of cards held by each of at least two of the plurality of sub-holding units. A position setting unit that performs at least one of the second setting that is set so that the supply to each of the transport mechanisms can be performed;
A holding mechanism.

(Appendix 2)
The holding mechanism according to appendix 1, wherein the second setting is performed after performing the first setting for the plurality of cards.

(Appendix 3)
The holding mechanism according to attachment 1 or 2, wherein the second setting is performed after holding the plurality of cards.

  (Supplementary Note 4) The holding mechanism according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the order of supply and the order of reception of each of the plurality of cards that have been supplied are equal.

(Appendix 5)
The holding mechanism according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein each of the plurality of sub-holding units holds each of the plurality of cards obtained by reading recorded information.

(Appendix 6)
The holding mechanism according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 5, further comprising a supply unit for performing the supply.

(Appendix 7)
The holding mechanism according to appendix 6, wherein the supply unit is a pushing unit that pushes each of the plurality of cards held by each of the at least two sub-holding units into the transport mechanism.

(Appendix 8)
The holding according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of sub-holding units does not supply one of the plurality of cards held to the transport mechanism. mechanism.

(Appendix 9)
The holding mechanism according to appendix 8, wherein the at least one is a sub-holding unit for collecting one or more of the plurality of cards that the user has forgotten to take.

(Appendix 10)
The holding mechanism according to appendix 8 or appendix 9, wherein the at least one is a collection box that collects the one or more cards that the user has forgotten to remove and allows the manual removal of the one or more cards.

(Appendix 11)
Any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 10, further comprising a communication unit that acquires information held by the one card by communicating with one of the plurality of cards held by the plurality of sub-holding units A holding mechanism according to any one of the above.

(Appendix 12)
The said 1st setting and said 2nd setting are any one of the additional notes 1 thru | or the additional notes 11 which are the settings by the movement of these sub holding parts to the substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the installation surface of a position setting part. Retention mechanism.

(Appendix 13)
The holding mechanism according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 12, wherein the first setting and the second setting are performed by a rack and pinion.

(Appendix A1)
A transport apparatus comprising the holding mechanism described in appendix 1 to appendix 13 and the transport mechanism.

(Appendix A2)
A reading apparatus, comprising: the conveyance device described in Appendix A1; and a reading mechanism that reads information of at least one of the plurality of cards.

3, 4 Conveying rollers 5 Position sensor 6 Conveying motor 7 Height sensor 8 Vertical movement motor 11 Discharge plate 12 Discharge solenoid 13 Collection box 21a Gear 22a Teeth 31a, 31b Bearings 41a, 41b Belts 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d Support point 51 Upper slot 52 Middle slot 53 Lower slot 92a Side 11a Reading device 111a, 111aa, 111an Transport unit 121a, 121aa Reading unit 131x Holding mechanism 131a, 131aa, 131ab, 131an Holding unit 141a Processing unit 146a, 146b Substrate 151a, 151b, 151c , 151d, 151e, 151f, 151g, 151h, 152a, 152b, 152c, 152d Guides 156a, 156b, 156c, 156d Roller 161a Reproducing unit 1 6a, 166x Position setting unit 171a, 171b, 171c Sub holding unit 36, 172a, 172aa, 172n Holding unit 172x Multiple sub holding units 47a, 47b, 47c, 176a, 176b, 211b, 211c, 211d members 26a, 26b, 27 , 181a, 181b, 181c, 181d Shaft 197a, 197b End 198a, 198b Surface 199a, 199b, 199c, 199d, 199e, 199f, 199g, 199h, 199i, 199j Arrow 201a Pushing part 212a Gear 213a Drive part 214a Fitting part 215a Fitting groove 216a, 216b Teeth 221a Communication unit 301a, 301b Card

Claims (10)

A plurality of sub-holding units capable of individually holding a plurality of cards transported via a predetermined transport mechanism;
A first setting for setting the positions of the plurality of sub-holding units so that each of the plurality of cards can be received; and the plurality of cards held by each of at least two of the plurality of sub-holding units. A position setting unit that performs at least one of the second setting that is set so that the supply to each of the transport mechanisms can be performed;
A holding mechanism.   The holding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second setting is performed after holding the plurality of cards. The holding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the order of supply and the order of reception for each of the plurality of cards that have been supplied are equal.   The holding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a supply unit for performing the supply.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sub-holding units does not supply the one or more cards of the plurality of held cards to the transport mechanism. The described retention mechanism.   The holding mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the at least one is a sub-holding unit for collecting one or more of the plurality of cards that the user has forgotten to take.   The communication part which acquires further the information which the said one card | curd acquires by communicating with one card | curd of the said some card | curd hold | maintained by these sub holding | maintenance part among Claim 1 thru | or 6 A holding mechanism according to any one of the above.   8. The setting according to claim 1, wherein the first setting and the second setting are settings based on movement of the plurality of sub-holding units in a direction substantially perpendicular to the installation surface of the position setting unit. The holding mechanism described in 1.   The holding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first setting and the second setting are performed by a rack and pinion.   A transport apparatus comprising the holding mechanism according to claim 1 and the transport mechanism.

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