JP3731527B2 - Card reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an insertion type card reader configured to read data stored in a card inserted into the inside of a main body through an insertion slot.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The card system has been increasingly used for, for example, entrance management, personal computer access management, attendance management in companies, and payment terminals. In a certain type of card reader used in such a system, when it is detected that the card has been inserted into the main body through the card insertion slot, the conveyance roller is driven to convey the card to a predetermined position in the main body. There is something that communicates with the card afterwards.
[0003]
Specifically, there are various types of cards such as magnetic cards, IC cards (contact type, non-contact type), optical cards, etc. The outline of the card is ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or It is uniquely determined by standards such as JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). Therefore, the card reader needs to be structurally designed according to the shape based on the standard.
[0004]
FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of an insertion type IC card reader used in such a system. The IC card reader 1 includes a main body 2 having a conveyance path 4, a sensor 5, a conveyance roller 6, a card reading unit 7, a sensor 8, a stopper 9, and the like that perform non-contact communication using a radio wave signal. I have. The sensor 5, the transport roller 6 and the sensor 8 are positioned so as to be arranged on a straight line on one end side in the transport path 4 (the lower side in FIG. 6A). Moreover, the stopper 9 is arrange | positioned in the position used as the contact of the conveyance path 4 formed between guide 10L, 10R.
[0005]
When a control unit (not shown) composed of a microcomputer or the like detects that the IC card 3 is inserted into the insertion slot 11 located on the left side in FIG. 6B by the sensor 5 composed of a photo interrupter or the like. The conveyance roller 6 is driven via a motor (not shown) to convey the IC card 3 to a predetermined position on the conveyance path 4.
Then, when the sensor 8 detects that the IC card 3 has been transported to a predetermined position (that is, a position where the tip of the IC card 3 is in contact with the stopper 9), the control unit stops driving the transport roller 6. Then, communication with the IC card 3 is performed via the card reading unit 7 to read data stored in the IC card 3. The read data is transmitted to an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer via an external interface.
[0006]
By the way, if a card-like object having an outer shape equal to or smaller than the standard size of the IC card 3 is mistakenly inserted into the card reader 1 designed in this way, the object is normally inserted inside the main body 2. It may be impossible to transport.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a card-like object 12 having a width (short side dimension) shorter than that of a normal IC card 3 is inserted into the insertion slot 11, and the sensor 5 detects the object 12, thereby conveying rollers. When 6 is driven, a rotational moment (stress) in the lateral direction (upward in FIG. 7) is generated in the transport roller 6, and the object 12 falls off the transport roller 6. In the worst case, it may be assumed that the object 12 cannot be discharged to the outside and stays inside the main body 2 so that subsequent cards cannot be read.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to prevent the object from staying inside the main body even when a card-like object having an outer shape of a standard size or less is inserted by mistake. To provide a card reader.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the card reader of claim 1, the two card detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the card are positioned closer to the insertion port than the conveyance means for carrying the card and on both sides of the conveyance path. Deploy. When the two card detection means detect the card inserted into the main body, the conveyance control means outputs a conveyance command to the conveyance means to start conveyance of the card. When at least one of the two card detection means no longer detects a card, control is performed to stop the output of the conveyance command to the conveyance means.
[0009]
That is, the conventional card reader does not recognize the necessity of detecting whether the size of the card is appropriate, so there is only one corresponding to the card detection means. Accordingly, even when a card of a standard size or smaller or a card-like object is inserted, it may be determined that “the card is present” and the object may be transported.
[0010]
On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the configuration in which the two card detection means are arranged on both sides of the transport path is adopted, it is possible to detect whether or not the size of the card is appropriate depending on the detection state. That is, when only one of the card detection means detects an object from the beginning, the object does not have a width that satisfies the standard size of the card, and the card transport is not started. In addition, if only one of the card detection means is in the detection state after the card transport is started, it can be estimated that the card has a shape that is partially cut off. In this case, the transport is stopped. To do. Further, when any card detection means is in a non-detection state before the card transport is completed (that is, before the card reaches a predetermined position), the object has a depth (that satisfies the standard size of the card) Length). Therefore, also in this case, the conveyance is stopped.
[0011]
By taking such measures, even when a card or the like that does not have a dimension that satisfies the standard is inserted into the main body, the object stays inside the main body without being transported or stopped halfway. Can be avoided. Thereafter, it is possible to read an appropriate card.
[0012]
According to the card reader of claim 2, since the conveyance control means stops outputting the conveyance command to the conveyance means and then outputs a reverse command to the conveyance means to eject the card, the person who inserted the card or the like However, the card or the like can be easily taken out. Moreover, the person can be made to recognize clearly that the said card | curd etc. cannot be handled.
[0013]
According to the card reader of claim 3, the two card detection means are configured to detect the card between the time when the conveyance control means stops outputting the conveyance command to the conveyance means until the conveyance means actually stops. Is disposed at a position where it can be prevented from falling off the conveying means. That is, in general, since the conveyance means (for example, a motor) has inertia, the conveyance control means does not stop at the same time as the conveyance control means stops outputting the conveyance command. Therefore, if the two card detecting means are arranged in the vicinity of the conveying means as described above to prevent the card from dropping from the conveying means more reliably, it is possible to easily discharge the card or the like that has stopped conveying. Can do.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an IC card reader will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the same parts as those in FIG. In FIG. 1 showing the configuration of the IC card reader 20, another sensor (card detection means) is disposed on the main body 21 of the IC card reader 20 at a position facing the sensor (card detection means) 5 with the conveyance path 4 interposed therebetween. 22 is provided.
[0015]
In FIG. 2 showing the electrical configuration, a control unit (transport control means) 23 composed of a microcomputer or the like has three sensors 5 (A), 22 (B), 8 (C) arranged in the transport path 4. ) Output signal. The control unit 23 outputs a conveyance control signal to a motor (conveyance unit) 24 for driving the conveyance roller (conveyance unit) 6 and communicates with the IC card 3 via the card reading unit 7. 3 is read out.
Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
[0016]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control unit 23. When the IC card 3 is inserted into the insertion slot 11 by the user, any of the sensors 5 and 22 (A, B) arranged in the vicinity of the insertion slot 11 is shielded from light projection by the IC card 3 so that the IC The card 3 is detected (see FIG. 4A).
[0017]
The control unit 23 waits until both the sensors 5 and 22 detect the IC card 3 (step S1). When the detection state is reached ("YES"), the control unit 23 gives a transport command to the motor 24 and turns the transport roller 6 on. Rotate (step S2), start transporting the IC card 3 and introduce it into the transport path 4. Then, while the IC card 3 is being transported, it is determined whether or not both of the sensors 5 and 22 have detected the IC card 3 (step S3), and if both are in the detected state (“YES”) step. The process proceeds to S4.
[0018]
In step S <b> 4, the control unit 23 determines whether or not the sensor 8 (C) disposed in front of the stopper 9 has detected the IC card 3. The sensor 8 is a sensor for detecting that the conveyed IC card 3 has reached a predetermined position for communication. When the sensor 8 detects the IC card 3 (“YES”), the control unit 23 stops the output of the conveyance command to the motor 24 and stops the conveyance of the IC card 3 by the conveyance roller 6 (step S5). That is, it corresponds to the state shown in FIG. If the sensor 8 does not detect the IC card 3 (step S4, “NO”), the IC card 3 is in a state of being conveyed, and the process returns to step S3.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the distance L2 between the sensors 5 and 8 is set to be slightly shorter than the long side dimension of the IC card 3.
[0019]
When the drive of the motor 24 is stopped in step S5, the controller 23 communicates with the IC card 3 via the card reading unit 7 and reads data stored in the IC card 3 (step S6). Then, a conveyance control signal is given so as to reverse the motor 24, and the discharge of the IC card 3 is started (step S7). In this case, the rear end side of the IC card 3 may be ejected from the insertion slot 11 so that the user can grasp and remove the portion, so that the IC card 3 is transported by an appropriate predetermined distance (step S8, "YES") The motor 24 is stopped (step S9). Then, the process returns to step S1.
[0020]
The above is a case where the IC card 3 is an appropriate card. For example, when the object 12 having the shape shown in FIG. 7 is inserted from the insertion slot 11, only one of the sensors 5 and 22 holds the object 12. There is no detection. Accordingly, in this case, since the control unit 23 continues to determine “NO” in step S1, the conveyance of the object 12 is not started.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 5, when a card 25 (or a card-like object) having a shape in which a part (rear end side) of the IC card 3 is lost is inserted into the insertion slot 11, the control unit 23 Since “YES” is determined in the step S1, the card 25 is conveyed. However, when the card 25 reaches the position shown in FIG. 5 during conveyance, one sensor 5 does not detect the card 25. Then, the control unit 23 determines “NO” in step S3, and stops driving the motor 24 at that time (step S10). Then, the process proceeds to step S7, and similarly to the case of the IC card 3, the motor 24 is reversed to perform the discharge process.
[0022]
Furthermore, even if a card-like object whose depth dimension (long side dimension) is shorter than the standard is inserted in the width dimension that meets the standard of the IC card, it is initially determined as “YES” in step S1. Is started. However, after that, both sensors 5 and 22 do not detect the object before “YES” is determined in step S4. Therefore, “NO” is determined in step S3, and the conveyance is stopped at that time.
[0023]
In this case, after the control unit 23 determines “NO” in step S3, a motor stop command is output in step S10 until the motor 24 and the transport roller 6 are actually stopped. 24 and the conveyance roller 6 have inertia, so there is a slight time difference.
[0024]
Therefore, even if the card 25 is transported during the time difference, the sensors 5 and 22 and the motor 24 and the transport roller 6 are connected so that the card 25 does not fall off the transport roller 6 when the transport is stopped. It is preferable to arrange the two so that the distance L1 between the arrangements (centers) is as short as possible. That is, if the card 25 is prevented from dropping, the card 25 can be easily discharged using the transport roller 6.
[0025]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the main body 21 of the IC card reader 20, the two sensors 5, 22 are positioned closer to the insertion port 11 than the motor 24 and the transport roller 6 and on both sides of the transport path 4. Respectively. When the two sensors 5 and 22 detect the IC card 3, the control unit 23 starts transporting the IC card 3 by the motor 24 and the transport roller 6, and the two sensors 5 are transported during the transport of the IC card 3. , 22 stops the conveyance by the motor 24 and the conveyance roller 6 when the IC card 3 is no longer detected.
[0026]
Accordingly, even when a card-like object 12 or a card 25 or the like that does not have a dimension that satisfies the standard is inserted into the main body 21, the object 12 or the like is not conveyed, or the conveyance is stopped halfway. 12 or the like can be prevented from staying inside the main body 2. Thereafter, the proper reading of the IC card 3 can be performed.
[0027]
Further, since the controller 23 reverses the motor 24 and discharges the card 25 after stopping the conveyance of the card 25, it is possible to make it easier for the person who inserted the card 25 to take out the card 25. It becomes. Then, the person can clearly recognize that the card 25 or the like cannot be handled. Further, in the two sensors 5 and 22, the card 25 is dropped from the transport roller 6 after the control unit 23 stops driving the motor 24 until the rotation of the motor 24 and the transport roller 6 actually stops. Since it arrange | positions in the position which can avoid this, discharge | emission of the card | curd 25 etc. which stopped conveyance can be performed easily.
[0028]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following modifications or expansions are possible.
The IC card reader may be provided with a contact type communication interface.
The card is not limited to an IC card, and any other card that stores externally readable data such as a magnetic card or an optical card may be used.
[0029]
You may apply to what is called a reader / writer provided also with the function of writing the data with respect to a card | curd.
If “NO” is determined in the step S3, the process may proceed to a step S9 to stop the motor 24 only.
In the case of a shape like the card 25, if the user can eject the card 25 even if the card 25 is dropped from the transport roller 6, the dimension L1 need not necessarily be defined as in the above embodiment. Absent.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an IC card reader, (a) is a plan view showing the inside of the IC card reader, and (b) is a side view thereof. Functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the card reader FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control unit. FIG. 4 is a plan view when a regular IC card is inserted into the main body. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state at the end of conveyance. FIG. 5 is a plan view when a card having a partially missing shape is inserted into the main body. FIG. Figure corresponding to 1 [Fig. 7] Plan view when a card-like object with a shorter width than a regular IC card is inserted into the main unit [Explanation of symbols]
3 is an IC card, 5 is a sensor (card detection means), 6 is a conveyance roller (conveyance means), 20 is an IC card reader, 21 is a main body, 22 is a sensor (card detection means), and 23 is a control unit (conveyance control means). , 24 indicates a motor (conveying means).

Claims (3)

In an insertion type card reader configured to read data stored in a card inserted into the main body through an insertion slot,
A conveying means for conveying the card, which is disposed in a card conveying path communicating with the insertion slot;
Two card detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the card, which are arranged at positions closer to the insertion port than the transport means and on both sides of the transport path, respectively,
When both of these two card detection means detect a card inserted into the main body, the conveyance means is output to the conveyance means to start conveyance of the card, and the two card detections are detected during conveyance of the card. A card reader comprising: a conveyance control unit that controls to stop outputting a conveyance command to the conveyance unit when at least one of the units no longer detects a card. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the transport control unit outputs a reverse feed command to the transport unit and discharges the card after stopping the output of the transport command to the transport unit. The two card detection means are configured such that the card is dropped from the transport means between the time when the transport control means stops outputting the transport command and until the transport means actually stops. 3. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the card reader is disposed at a position where it can be avoided.

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