JP2532451Y2 - Magnetic card processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a magnetic card processing apparatus using a cleaning card for cleaning a magnetic head.

"Conventional technology" For example, a magnetic card-type underpayment machine that issues underpayment tickets for train tickets (hereinafter referred to as a card-based payment machine)
As described above, in a frequently used magnetic card processing apparatus, it is often necessary to clean the magnetic head.

Conventionally, a cleaning card has been used as a cleaning means for the magnetic head in such a case. This type of cleaning card comprises a card substrate and a cleaning film formed on the surface of the card substrate. The cleaning film is composed of a coating layer of an abrasive. Then, with the film surface of the cleaning film in contact with the magnetic head, the cleaning card is moved back and forth to slide and remove dust adhering to the surface of the magnetic head. In a conventional card-type payment machine, the number of times a card is passed through the card unit (the number of times the card has been used) is counted. Then, a predetermined reference value is set, and cleaning is to be performed when the number of times the card has been used reaches the reference value. When the number of times the card has been used has reached the reference value, the card abnormality monitor on the display unit blinks, so that the operator is notified that cleaning is to be performed. Therefore,
The operator inserts a cleaning card into the card unit to clean the magnetic head. Then, when the counting of the number of times of card use is reset by the operator at the same time as or before or after the cleaning operation, the counting of the number of times of card use is started from 1 again.

"Problems to be solved by the invention" By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional card-type payment machine, an operation of inserting a cleaning card into the card unit to clean the magnetic head, a counter clear, and counting are performed. Since the reset operation is not synchronized, the operator may only perform the cleaning operation and inadvertently forget the counter clear operation. Alternatively, perform the counter clear operation first,
In some cases, the cleaning operation intended to be performed later was inadvertently forgotten.

For this reason, there is a possibility that the cleaning is performed without the necessity of the cleaning, and as a result, the normal card processing is delayed. Conversely, the dirt on the magnetic head increases, and the card abnormality monitor on the display unit does not blink even though cleaning is necessary. Therefore, normal card processing is continued, and as a result, a card reading abnormality occurs. There was a fear.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a magnetic head cleaning card capable of appropriately performing magnetic head cleaning management and a magnetic card processing apparatus using the same. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention removes a magnetic data surface on which various data relating to a cleaning process including at least data indicating that the card is a cleaning card, and removes foreign matter adhering to a magnetic head. A magnetic card including a cleaning card of a magnetic head for cleaning the magnetic head by moving the magnetic head in contact with the magnetic head, and writing the magnetic data on the magnetic data surface. A magnetic card processing apparatus having the magnetic head for reading various data, comprising: a counting unit for counting the number of inserted magnetic cards; and a number of sheets for determining whether the number of inserted magnetic cards exceeds a predetermined reference number. When the number of inserted magnetic cards is determined to exceed the reference number by the determination unit and the number determination unit Cleaning notifying means for notifying an operator or the like that it is time to clean the magnetic head, and when the cleaning card of the magnetic head is inserted, it is cleaned by the cleaning surface and written on the magnetic data surface. A magnetic head for reading various data; card type determining means for determining whether or not the inserted magnetic card is a cleaning card for the magnetic head; and The above object is attained by providing reset means for resetting the counting means when it is determined that the cleaning card is a head cleaning card.

Further, in this invention, the reset means determines that the inserted magnetic card is the cleaning card for the magnetic head by the type determination means, and the number of inserted magnetic cards is determined by the number determination means. The above problem is solved by resetting the counting means when it is determined that the reference number has been exceeded.

[Operation] When a magnetic card is inserted, the number of inserted magnetic cards is counted by the counting means, and when the number of inserted magnetic cards exceeds a predetermined reference number by the number determining means, cleaning head is cleaned by the cleaning notifying means. Is notified.

When the cleaning card for the magnetic head is inserted, the magnetic head is cleaned by the cleaning surface and various data written on the magnetic data surface are read. If it is determined to be a card,
Alternatively, if the inserted magnetic card is determined to be a cleaning card, and the number determination unit determines that the number of inserted magnetic cards exceeds a predetermined reference number, the number of inserted magnetic cards is determined. Are reset.

In this way, when the counter clear operation is required during the cleaning operation of the magnetic head,
Since the counter is automatically cleared and the counter is not erroneously cleared, the cleaning of the magnetic head can be properly managed.

"Example" Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of a cleaning card (reference numeral 1) applied to a card-type payment machine. On the substrate surface of the cleaning card 1, a cleaning film 2 and a magnetic recording film 3 are formed adjacent to each other. The cleaning film 2 is made of a film material coated with an abrasive for a magnetic head so that the film surface can be moved in contact with the magnetic head to remove foreign substances adhering to the magnetic head surface. I have. At the center of the surface of the magnetic recording film 3, a track TK is formed in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning card 1. This track TK
Is designed to store 14 characters of 8-bit characters. The magnetic data related to the cleaning of the magnetic head surface can be stored in a so-called F2F (magnetic recording) system at a writing density of 210 BPI (Bits Per Inch). Written (this format matches the format of a normal denomination card processed by a card-type payment machine). Details of the magnetic data written in the track TK are as follows.

(1) Start mark STA: a character indicating the start of data (for one character).

(2) ID code IDC: This is an issuing organization code for identifying the issuer, and each magnetic card processing device determines whether or not use is permitted based on the contents of the code (for four characters).

(3) Card type KIN; indicates that the card is a cleaning card (for four characters). For a normal denomination card, it is indicated that the card is a stored value card or a coupon card.

(4) Spare YOB: a spare YOB (for four characters).

(5) End mark END: A character indicating the end of data (one character).

In addition, the normal denomination card has a longer track distance than the cleaning card and can store up to 72 characters,
Magnetic data indicating the expiration date, release value, residual value, card use date, place of use, machine used, etc., is written between the card type KIN and the spare YOB.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the card-type payment machine of this example, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the card-type payment machine. In these figures, reference numeral 4 denotes an operation unit, which comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 5, an input unit 6, a display unit 7, a printing unit 8, and various interfaces 9 to 12. The input unit 6 has a numeric keypad, a function key, and a key switch, and various data such as an amount and a date are input by operating these keys. Input unit 6
Is input to the CPU 5 through the input interface 9 and the bus line 13. The display unit 7 is provided with an output interface 10 from the CPU 5 through the output interface 10.
The billing amount, card balance, change, card abnormality, cleaning instruction, and the like are displayed. Also, the printing unit 8
The underpayment ticket is printed and issued based on the print control signal and print data supplied from the CPU 5 via the printer interface 11. 14 is a display unit,
From the CPU 5 via the output interface 10, the billing amount,
Card balance, change, etc. are displayed. Reference numeral 15 denotes a card unit which accepts and returns a magnetic card inserted from a card insertion slot, reads various magnetic data,
Perform writing, etc. At this time, various signals are exchanged between the CPU 5 and the card unit 15 via the transmission interface 12.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a mechanical configuration of the card unit 15. As shown in FIG. In this figure, F is a frame holding each mechanism to be described later, 16a and 16b are an upper plate and a lower plate constituting the card insertion slot 16, and only one magnetic card is formed by the upper plate 16a and the lower plate 16b. A slit 16c that can be inserted is formed. ST ₀ is housed in the upper plate 16a, and the support shaft J ₀
The a vertically swingably supported by the stopper at the center, also SL ₁ is an electromagnetic solenoid for driving the stopper ST ₀ vertically. When the solenoid SL ₁ is excited state, the stopper ST ₀ is lifted upward, and when the solenoid SL ₁ is in the non-energized state, the stopper ST ₀ is depressed to close the slit 16c, the insertion of a magnetic card regulate. P ₀ and P ₁ are two pairs of photosensors for card insertion detecting to detect that the magnetic card has been inserted into the card insertion slot 16, are respectively constituted by transmission photosensor comprising a light emitting diode and the phototransistor , Are arranged on the back side of the card insertion slot 16 at a predetermined distance in the width direction. V ₀ and V ₁ are belts that convey the magnetic card inserted into the card insertion slot 16 in a state of being clamped as indicated by C ₀ .
M ₁ is a pulse motor for driving the belt V ₀ , R ₁ , R ₃ , R
₄ pulleys to hold and guide the belt V _0, R ₉ is tension adjustment pulley for adjusting the tension of the belt V _0,
R ₁₁ is directly coupled to the rotation shaft of the pulse motor M _1, a pulley for transmitting a rotational force of the pulse motor M ₁ to the belt V _0.
R _5, R _7, R ₈ to hold the belt V ₁ guide pulleys, R
₆ is a tension adjustment pulley for adjusting the tension of the belt V _1. R ₀ is a roller supported by the holder H ₀ , and is constantly urged downward by a spring SP ₀ , whereby the roller R ₀ comes into pressure contact with the pulley R ₅ via the belt V ₁ , and the card insertion port The magnetic card inserted from 16 is guided between the belts V ₀ and V ₁ . HD is a magnetic head that reads and writes magnetic data on a magnetic card conveyed while being held between the belts V ₀ and V ₁ . The magnetic head HD has a read coil and a write coil integrated therein, and reads magnetic data from tracks of a magnetic card,
It has a function of writing magnetic data to tracks of a magnetic card. Also, R ₂ uses the magnetic head H
This is a platen roller pressed against D. PU is belt V ₀ , V
A punch mechanism for punching a predetermined punch hole in a magnetic card conveyed while being clamped by ₁ ,
Rotary electromagnetic solenoid SL ₂ and this solenoid S
A punch rod PL directly connected to L ₂ of the plunger, and punch guide PG to guide movably the punch rod PL in the vertical direction, is composed of a die PD, when the solenoid SL ₂ is energized, the punch rod PL Is rotated downward and urged downward to punch a hole in the magnetic card. Ga and Gb are guide plates for guiding the magnetic card sent from the belts V ₀ and V ₁ . Further, P ₂ is a photo sensor for the card position detection for detecting the edge of the magnetic card, it is respectively constituted by transmission photosensor comprising a light emitting diode and a phototransistor. In this case the photosensor P _2, the magnetic card is passed through the magnetic head HD, and detects that it has reached the position indicated by C ₁ in FIG, the start position when the punches holes in the magnetic card by the punch mechanism PU Used to detect.

Next, an operation procedure for cleaning the magnetic head of the card-type payment machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

First, at step SP1, the card-type adjustment machine In the ticketing standby state, the electromagnetic solenoid SL ₁ card unit 15 shown in FIG. 4 is excited, the stopper ST ₀ is lifted upward, allows introduction of magnetic cards It has become. At this time, when the magnetic card is inserted from the card insertion slot 16 and the two sets of photosensors P ₀ and P ₁ provided on the back side thereof are shielded from light, the pulse motor M ₁ is now turned on in step SP2.
Starts, and starts a forward rotation in the direction of arrow A. The belts V ₀ and V ₁ rotate with the forward rotation of the pulse motor M ₁ , whereby the magnetic card into which the card insertion slot 16 is inserted is held in a state where the card unit is held between the belts V ₀ and V ₁ .
It is transported inside 16 and passes over the magnetic head HD. When the magnetic card passes over the magnetic head HD, the magnetic data recorded on the tracks of the magnetic card are read by the magnetic head HD (step SP3), and are transmitted via the transmission interface 12 to the bus line 13 (step SP3). 3) is supplied to the CPU 5. In the case where the inserted magnetic card is a cleaning card, the magnetic head is moved by the film surface of the cleaning film 2 during the passage.
HD cleaning is also performed. The magnetic card is further transported even after the magnetic data is read by the magnetic head HD (after cleaning). Then, the tip portion of the magnetic card shields photosensor P ₂ (step SP4) Then, Thus, in step SP5, a pulse motor M ₁ is stopped, the magnetic card is stopped at the position of C _1, the insertion number of the magnetic card The count value of the counter for counting (the number of times the card has been used) is incremented. In step SP6, the CPU 5 determines whether or not the inserted ID code of the magnetic card corresponds to any of the codes registered in its own storage unit. As a result, if the determination is “NO”, that is, if it is determined that the magnetic card is an unregistered magnetic card, the CPU 5 proceeds to step SP10 and sends a return instruction signal to the card unit 15. Accordingly, the pulse motor M ₁ is started, start reverse rotation in the arrow B direction. The belts V ₀ and V ₁ rotate with the reverse rotation of the pulse motor M ₁ , whereby the magnetic card is returned to the card insertion slot 16. Here, when the operator pulls out the magnetic card partially pushed out from the card insertion slot 16, the photo sensors P ₀ and P ₁ change from the light-shielded state to the light-projected state (step SP11). From this step SP
In 12, after the pulse motor M ₁ is stopped, the card-type settlement device becomes ticketing standby state again. Meanwhile, step SP6
In step, when the result of “YES” is obtained, the CPU 5 proceeds to step SP7, and determines the card type from the read card type data. If it is determined that the inserted magnetic card is a normal denomination card,
Moving to step SP13, a normal card processing routine is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP7 that the inserted magnetic card is a cleaning card, the CPU 5 proceeds to step SP8 to determine whether the number of inserted magnetic cards has reached a predetermined reference value. to decide.
As a result, when a result of "NO" is obtained, the process shifts to step SP10 to send a return instruction signal to the card unit 15.
As a result, the cleaning card is returned from the card insertion slot 16 according to the processing procedure described above. When the number of inserted magnetic cards has not reached the predetermined reference value, the cleaning instruction monitor of the display unit 7 is turned off. If a result of "YES" is obtained in step SP8 (at this time, the cleaning instruction monitor of the display unit 7 is in a blinking state), that is, when the card usage count reaches a predetermined reference value. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step SP9, where the count value of the counter is cleared and the counter is reset. Then step SP
The process proceeds to step 10, where a return instruction signal is sent to the card unit 15. Thus, the cleaning card is returned from the card insertion slot 16 according to the above-described processing procedure (steps SP11 and SP12). In step SP10, when the cleaning card passes through the magnetic head HD, the magnetic head HD is cleaned again. In step SP12, after the cleaning operation is completed, the card-type payment machine is again in a ticketing standby state. At this point, the calculated value registered in the counter has been reset to zero. According to the configuration described above, when a counter clear operation is required during the cleaning operation of the magnetic head, the counter is automatically cleared, and the counter is not erroneously cleared. Cleaning management can be appropriately performed.

In the above-described example, the determination in step SP8 may be omitted, the process may be unconditionally proceeded to the counter clear in step SP9, and the next cleaning time may be set.

Further, in the above-described example, the case where the magnetic card processing device of the present invention is applied to a card-type payment machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, it can be applied to a magnetic card reader / writer.

In the above-described example, the data relating to the cleaning process is stored on the magnetic recording surface of the cleaning card.
Although the case where the ID code and the card type data are written has been described, in addition to these, other data, for example,
With the cleaning card in contact with the magnetic head HD, command data for reciprocating several times may be written.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the magnetic card processing apparatus of the present invention has a magnetic data surface on which various data relating to the cleaning process including at least data indicating that the card is a cleaning card is written, A magnetic card including a cleaning card of a magnetic head for cleaning the magnetic head by moving the magnetic head in contact with the magnetic head. What is claimed is: 1. A magnetic card processing apparatus comprising: a magnetic head for reading the written various data, wherein a counting means for counting the number of inserted magnetic cards, and whether the number of inserted magnetic cards exceeds a predetermined reference number. Means for judging whether or not the number of inserted magnetic cards is equal to the reference number Cleaning information means for notifying an operator or the like that it is time to clean the magnetic head when it is determined that the magnetic data has been exceeded, and when the cleaning card of the magnetic head is inserted, the magnetic head is cleaned by the cleaning surface and the magnetic data is removed. A magnetic head for reading various data written on the surface, card type determining means for determining whether or not the inserted magnetic card is a cleaning card for the magnetic head; and Resetting means for resetting the counting means when it is determined that the set magnetic card is a cleaning card for the magnetic head, and the resetting means is provided by the type judging means. The inserted magnetic card is a cleaning card for the magnetic head. When the number of magnetic cards inserted is determined to exceed the reference number by the number determining means, the counting means is reset, so that when the magnetic head cleaning operation is performed, When the counter clear operation is required, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the counter clear operation is not performed, prevent the counter from being cleared by mistake, and further manage the cleaning of the magnetic head. Can be performed appropriately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cleaning card for a magnetic head showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external structure of a card-type payment machine of the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the machine, FIG. 4 is a side view showing a mechanical configuration of the card unit, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation procedure of the embodiment. 1. Cleaning card, 2. Cleaning film,
3 ... magnetic recording film, 4 ... operation unit, 5 ... CPU
(Central processing unit), 7 ... Display unit (notifying means), 15 ...
Card unit, HD: magnetic head, P ₀ , P ₁ , P ₂ ... photo sensor.

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A magnetic data surface on which various data relating to a cleaning process including at least data indicating that the card is a cleaning card; and a cleaning surface for removing foreign matter adhering to the magnetic head, A magnetic card including a magnetic head cleaning card for cleaning the magnetic head by moving the magnetic head in contact with the head is inserted, and the magnetic head for reading the various data written on the magnetic data surface is read. A magnetic card processing device comprising: a counting unit for counting the number of inserted magnetic cards; a number determining unit for determining whether the number of inserted magnetic cards exceeds a predetermined reference number; and the number determining unit. When it is determined that the number of inserted magnetic cards exceeds the reference number, the magnetic head is provided to an operator or the like. Cleaning notifying means for notifying that cleaning is being performed; and a magnetic head for reading various data written on the magnetic data surface while being cleaned by the cleaning surface when a cleaning card of the magnetic head is inserted. Card type determining means for determining whether the inserted magnetic card is a cleaning card for the magnetic head; and the magnetic card inserted by the type determining means is a cleaning card for the magnetic head. And a resetting means for resetting the counting means when it is determined that the magnetic card processing apparatus has been determined. 2. The resetting means determines that the inserted magnetic card is a cleaning card for the magnetic head by the type determining means, and the number of magnetic cards inserted is determined by the number determining means. The magnetic card processing device according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit is reset when it is determined that the number has exceeded the number.