JP3632452B2 - Card reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card reader that is used for customer management, point service, and the like and performs at least one of recording, reproduction, printing, and the like of data on a card-like carrier such as a magnetic card, IC card, rewrite card, and non-contact IC card. Is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional card reader. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a card reader main body. The main body 1 includes an upper housing 2 and a lower housing 3, and the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3 are coupled by a coupling means such as a hinge. .
[0003]
4 is a display provided in the upper casing 2, 5 is a keyboard provided in the upper casing 2, and 6 is a card conveyance path (not shown) formed between the upper casing 2 and the lower casing 3. A card insertion slot for inserting a card. The card insertion slot 6 is provided in a lid 7 having a rotating shaft in the lower housing 3.
[0004]
One end of the lid 7 is rotatably attached to the lower housing 3, and the other end is provided with a hook portion that can be engaged with the upper housing 2.
[0005]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional card reader. When the lid 7 is opened, the memory card 8 is exposed. The memory card 8 is provided with an attaching / detaching portion 9 for attaching / detaching the memory card 8 to / from the upper housing 2.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3 are rotated around the rotation shaft to expose the card transport path 10 for maintenance and the like. In such a configuration, first, when performing maintenance or the like, it is necessary to release the engagement of the one end portion of the lid 7 from the upper housing 2 and to expose the memory card 8. Since the memory card 8 is exposed every time the operation is performed, the memory card 8 is accidentally brought into contact with the maintenance card and the memory card 8 is not completely detached from the attaching / detaching portion 9, but sufficient electrical connection cannot be performed. There is a problem that the coupling is broken or dust generated during maintenance or the like enters the detachable portion 9 to cause contact failure.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a card reader capable of performing stable electrical connection between a memory card and a main body without exposing the memory card when unnecessary. Objective.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, a mechanism for opening a pair of housings and a mechanism for covering a card attaching / detaching portion for attaching / detaching a memory card are individually provided.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the card transport path can be exposed and the card is inserted into the card transport path by holding the pair of casings rotatably and opening the pair of casings. comprises a card insertion port for, performs the card insertion to predetermined processing to the card transport path, a card reader having a card loading section for detachably holding the memory card, one casing the provided openable cover for covering the card loading section, said cover is disposed at a position such as to close the card insertion slot, the mechanism and the cover which allows opening a pair of casing when opening the cover Since the opening / closing mechanism is provided separately, there is no need to expose the card insertion / removal part of the memory card every time maintenance is performed by opening a pair of housings. It can be carried out.
[0011]
In addition, by placing the cover in a position that closes the card insertion slot when the cover is opened, the card will not be accidentally inserted into the card transport path when inserting or removing the memory card. Can be prevented.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 2 is the opening amount of the cover according to claim 1, wherein the long hole is provided in one housing, the rotating shaft is provided in the cover, and the rotating shaft is inserted into the long hole. Can be made large, and it is very easy to attach and detach the memory card.
[0014]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views showing a warp of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
1 and 2, 11 is a card reader main body, which is divided into an upper housing 12 and a lower housing 13, and the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 13 are rotated by a coupling means such as a hinge. It is attached to work freely.
[0016]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a display unit provided in the upper housing. As the display unit 14, at least one of display devices such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an LED display, and a plasma display is used. The display unit 14 displays at least one of the current time, processing command, predetermined character, personal identification number, ID number, and the like. The display unit 14 is preferably provided on an inclined table 15 that is inclined so that the display can be easily seen from the card insertion side.
[0017]
Reference numeral 16 denotes an input unit that is provided in the upper housing 12 and inputs predetermined data. As the input unit 16, a keyboard is used as shown in the figure, and a touch panel, a handwriting input device, a voice input device, etc. At least one is used.
[0018]
In addition, in this Embodiment, although both the input part 16 and the display part 14 were provided, you may comprise so that at least one may be provided.
[0019]
A cover 17 is provided on the upper housing 12 and covers the memory card 18. The cover 17 is rotatably attached to the upper housing 12 at one end as shown in FIG. 12 has means by engagement or the like. When the memory card 18 is attached to the main body 11, the cover 17 is rotated about the rotational axis and inserted into the card attaching / detaching portion 19, the cover 17 is closed as shown in FIG. It is fixed to the upper housing 12 by means such as engagement. When removing the memory card 18, the cover 17 is opened from the state shown in FIG. 1, the memory card 18 is exposed, the memory card 18 is pulled out from the card attaching / detaching portion 19, and the cover 17 is closed, or another memory The card 18 is inserted and the cover 17 is closed.
[0020]
Reference numeral 20 denotes a slider of locking means for locking the upper casing 12 and the lower casing 13 to each other. By moving the slider 20 in the direction of the arrow, the locking means is released, and the upper casing 12 and the lower casing 13 are rotated. The card transport path can be opened by making it work freely.
[0021]
Reference numeral 21 denotes a power switch of the main body 11 provided in the lower housing. Generally, the power switch 21 is connected to a power circuit provided in the lower housing 13.
[0022]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a card insertion slot for inserting a card.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the cover 17 that opens and closes at least when the memory card 18 is attached and detached, and the mechanism that opens the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 13 are provided as separate mechanisms. When performing maintenance, the memory card 18 is not exposed to the outside, so that the memory card 18 is not poorly bonded, and dust or the like does not enter the card attaching / detaching portion 19. It can be carried out.
[0023]
As contents recorded in the memory card 18, for example, customer data, point data, data relating to a print font, data relating to application software, and the like are stored.
[0024]
When customer data or point data is recorded in the memory card 18, the data recorded on the card is read to update or erase the data in the memory card 18, or to store new customer data or point data. Or record.
[0025]
When printing data or font data is recorded in the memory card 18, the font such as the character to be printed on the card, the character to be printed itself, or the printing font of the printer connected to the card reader is determined. Let
[0026]
When application software data is recorded in the memory card 18, it is possible to easily replace software that controls the operation of the card reader main body 11 and the like.
[0027]
Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2, when the cover 17 is opened, the cover 17 closes the card insertion slot 22 so that the card is mistakenly inserted when the memory card 18 is attached or detached. It can be prevented from being inserted into the device, and malfunctions can be prevented from occurring.
[0028]
Next, the inside of the main body 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 13 are rotated about the rotation shaft to open the inside of the apparatus, the card transport path 23 connected to the card insertion slot 22 may be exposed. it can. At this time, the card conveyance path is provided in at least one of the upper casing 12 and the lower casing 13 or is formed between the upper casing 12 and the lower casing 13. In the case of the present embodiment, a card transport path 23 is provided in the upper housing 12, and the card transport path 23 is exposed.
[0029]
The lower housing 13 is provided with driving rollers 24, 25, and 26 that are driven by driving means such as a motor (not shown) and move the inserted card in the card transport path 23. The driven rollers 27, 28, and 29 provided on the upper housing 12 are opposed to the 25 and 26. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 22 is sandwiched between the drive rollers 24, 25, 26 and the driven rollers 27, 28, 29 and moves in the card transport path 23.
[0030]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a magnetic head provided in the lower housing 13, and a driven roller 31 provided in the upper housing faces the magnetic head 30, and the driven roller 31 has a magnetic stripe portion of the card at the magnetic head 30. In close proximity to this, at least one of data recording or reproduction is prevented from causing a problem.
[0031]
Reference numerals 32 and 33 denote an image erasing head and an image printing head, respectively. Platen rollers 34 and 35 which are driven by driving means respectively face the erasing head 32 and the printing head 33.
[0032]
A card used in the configuration of the card reader described above is a type in which a magnetic stripe and a printing unit are provided. As the printing portion, a rewritable layer in which crystals are dispersed in a resin or a leuco dye is used. Since the printing unit using these thermoreversible materials develops color at a predetermined temperature or higher and decolors if a certain temperature range is maintained to some extent, the image of the printing unit is erased by the erasing head 32 as described above. And an image is formed by the print head 33.
[0033]
In this embodiment, a card reader corresponding to a card in which a magnetic stripe and a printing unit are combined has been described. However, when a contact type IC card is used as the card, it is necessary to provide an electrical contact in the main body 11. In the case of using a non-contact type IC card, it is necessary to provide an antenna, a capacitor, etc. in the other 11. In addition, the erasing head 32 is not necessary when the printing unit forms not only the rewrite layer but also an image that cannot be erased.
[0034]
Next, the configuration of the cover 7 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 4A, a rotating shaft 36 is provided at one end of the cover 17, and this rotating shaft 36 passes through a long hole 37 provided in the upper housing 12. The working shaft 36 meets in the long hole 37. An engaging portion 39 is provided at the other end of the cover 17, and the engaging portion 39 engages with a receiving portion 38 provided in the upper housing 12.
[0035]
4 (b) shows a state where the cover 17 starts to open, and FIG. 4 (c) shows a state where the cover 17 is completely opened. At this time, the rotating shaft 36 is shown in FIG. 4 (a). In the state shown, it is in a state where it abuts on the end opposite to the end that abuts on the long hole 37. With such a configuration, the cover 17 can be widely opened, the memory card 18 can be easily attached and detached, and the card insertion opening 22 can be closed when the cover 17 is opened.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, since a mechanism for opening a pair of housings and a mechanism for covering a card attaching / detaching portion for attaching / detaching a memory card are separately provided, it is not necessary to expose the card attaching / detaching portion of the memory card during maintenance. Thus, it is possible to perform reliable coupling with the main body of the memory card.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a card reader according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a card reader according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a card reader in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional card reader. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional card reader. ] Perspective view showing a conventional card reader [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Main body 12 Upper housing | casing 13 Lower housing | casing 14 Display part 16 Input part 17 Cover 18 Memory card 19 Card attaching / detaching part 22 Card insertion slot 36 Turning shaft 37 Long hole

Claims (2)

A card insertion port for inserting a card into the card conveyance path, and enabling the card conveyance path to be exposed by holding a pair of casings so as to be rotatable and opening the pair of casings , performs the card insertion to predetermined processing in the conveying path, a card reader having a card loading section for detachably holding the memory card, openably that the one casing covering the memory card slot, The cover is disposed at a position that closes the card insertion slot when the cover is opened, and a mechanism that allows a pair of housings to be opened and an opening / closing mechanism for the cover are provided separately. A featured card reader. 2. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein a long hole is provided in one housing, a rotating shaft is provided in a cover, and the rotating shaft is inserted into the long hole.

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