JP5739264B2 - Media processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus for reading magnetic data recorded on a card-shaped recording medium having a magnetic stripe and writing magnetic data on the recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate of a station, an automatic ticket gate equipped with a detour conveyance path and a reversing mechanism for reversing the front and back of a ticket inserted from a slot is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The automatic ticket gate described in Patent Document 1 determines the state of the front and back of the ticket taken from the slot, and if the ticket is taken with the front (front) face up As it is, when the ticket is taken with the back side facing up, predetermined processing such as reading and writing of magnetic data is performed on the ticket, and the ticket is led to the detour conveyance path and reversed. After reversing the front and back by the mechanism, after returning to the regular conveyance path again, predetermined processing is performed on the boarding ticket.

  In the automatic ticket gate described in Patent Document 1, when a ticket is taken with the back side facing up, a predetermined process is performed after inverting the front and back of the ticket. It takes time to process the ticket.

  Therefore, conventionally, a magnetic recording medium reading / writing device capable of performing predetermined processing on the recording medium at high speed regardless of the taking-in posture of the recording medium such as a ticket has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). . The magnetic stripe of the recording medium handled by the magnetic recording medium reading / writing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is deviated from the center of the recording medium in the width direction of the recording medium orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction. Therefore, this magnetic recording medium read / write device performs first reading and writing of magnetic data when the recording medium is taken into the device from one end side of the recording medium with the surface of the recording medium facing upward. A writing unit, a second reading / writing unit for reading and writing magnetic data when the recording medium is taken into the apparatus from the other end of the recording medium with the surface of the recording medium facing down, and the recording medium A third read / write unit for reading and writing magnetic data when the recording medium is taken into the apparatus from the other end of the recording medium with the surface of the recording medium facing upward, and the surface of the recording medium facing downward And a fourth read / write unit for reading and writing magnetic data when the recording medium is taken into the apparatus from one end side of the recording medium.

  In the magnetic recording medium reading / writing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the first to fourth reading / writing units are arranged in order and in a line along the conveyance path of the recording medium. The magnetic head constituting the first read / write unit and the magnetic head constituting the third read / write unit are arranged so as to face the transport path from the lower side, and constitute the second read / write unit. The magnetic head and the magnetic head constituting the fourth read / write unit are arranged so as to face the transport path from above. Further, the magnetic head constituting the first read / write unit and the magnetic head constituting the second read / write unit are arranged at positions shifted to one side from the center of the transport path in the width direction of the recording medium. The magnetic head constituting the third read / write unit and the magnetic head constituting the fourth read / write unit are arranged at positions shifted from the center of the conveyance path to the other side in the width direction of the recording medium. Has been. Each of the magnetic heads is provided with a pad roller opposed to the magnetic head.

  In the magnetic recording medium read / write device described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to perform predetermined processing without inverting the recording medium regardless of the orientation of the recording medium. Predetermined processing can be performed at high speed.

JP 2001-325623 A JP 2006-286108 A

  As described above, the magnetic recording medium read / write device described in Patent Document 2 can process a recording medium at high speed. However, in this magnetic recording medium reading / writing apparatus, since the first to fourth reading / writing units are arranged in sequence and in a line along the recording medium conveyance path, the apparatus is large in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Turn into.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a medium processing apparatus that can process a recording medium at a high speed and that can downsize the apparatus in the recording medium conveyance direction.

In order to solve the above problems, a medium processing apparatus according to the present invention is a medium processing apparatus including a medium transport path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is transported. A first magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction, a second magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium, and a first magnetic head that is disposed opposite the first magnetic head. A first pad roller biased toward the magnetic head, and a second pad roller disposed opposite the second magnetic head and biased toward the second magnetic head; A first contact position where the first magnetic head and the first pad roller can contact the recording medium, and a first position where the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller retreats away from the medium conveyance path. 1 evacuation A first moving mechanism that moves the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller between the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head, and a second contact that allows the second magnetic head and the second pad roller to contact the recording medium. The second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller are moved between the position and the second retracted position where the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller are retracted in a direction away from the medium conveyance path. A second moving mechanism that is disposed upstream of the magnetic head portion in the recording medium conveyance direction, and the medium is in a state in which one of the surfaces of the recording medium or the other surface faces the first magnetic head. A detection mechanism that detects whether a recording medium is inserted into the processing device, and in the magnetic head unit, the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head are displaced from each other in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, Recording medium The distance between the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head in the conveyance direction of is shorter than the length of the recording range of the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe, based on the detection result of the detection mechanism, The first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are controlled .

  The medium processing apparatus of the present invention includes a first magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium, and a second magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium. I have. Therefore, for example, when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus with the front side facing up, and when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus with the back side facing up In any case, the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head can perform predetermined processing on the recording medium without inverting the recording medium in the apparatus. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to process the recording medium at high speed.

  In the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the distance between the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head in the recording medium conveyance direction is shorter than the length of the recording range of the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe. Yes. Therefore, even if the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head are misaligned in the recording medium conveyance direction, the distance between the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head in the recording medium conveyance direction is shortened. As a result, according to the present invention, the apparatus can be downsized in the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, since the distance between the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head in the conveyance direction of the recording medium is shorter than the length of the recording range of the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe, for example, the recording medium When the first magnetic head is arranged on the upstream side and the second magnetic head is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction, the magnetic data is read or written by the first magnetic head. If the recording medium enters between the second magnetic head and the second pad roller while the recording medium is being moved, the speed of the recording medium to be conveyed may fluctuate and the jitter may deteriorate. In addition, when the recording medium is removed from between the first magnetic head and the first pad roller while the magnetic data is being read or written by the second magnetic head, the speed of the conveyed recording medium is increased. Fluctuations may occur and jitter may deteriorate.

  The medium processing apparatus of the present invention includes a first contact position where the first magnetic head and the first pad roller can contact the recording medium, and the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller as a medium conveyance path. A first moving mechanism for moving the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller between the first retracted position retracted in a direction away from the first magnetic head, and the second magnetic head and the second pad roller. A second magnetic head between a second contact position where the recording medium can be contacted and a second retraction position where the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller retreat in a direction away from the medium conveyance path And / or a second moving mechanism for moving the second pad roller. Therefore, when the magnetic data is being read or written by the first magnetic head, the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller are retracted from the medium transport path by the second moving mechanism, When the magnetic data is being read or written by the magnetic head, the first moving mechanism can retract the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller from the medium conveyance path. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the distance between the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head in the recording medium conveyance direction is short, the magnetic data is read or written by the first and second magnetic heads. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of jitter by suppressing fluctuations in the recording medium conveyance speed.

Further, in the present invention, the medium processing apparatus, than magnetic head is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium, either the side the first magnetic head of the one surface or the other surface of the recording medium toward recording medium on the medium processing apparatus have a state has a detection mechanism for detecting whether the inserted, based on the detection result of the detection mechanism, the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism is controlled Therefore , for example, even if the recording medium is taken into the medium processing device with the front side facing up, the recording medium is taken into the medium processing unit with the back side facing up. In addition, based on the detection result of the detection mechanism, the first movement mechanism or the second movement mechanism can be operated in a short time.

  In the present invention, the magnetic stripe is formed on the entire surface of one surface of the recording medium, for example. In this case, in the width direction of the recording medium perpendicular to the thickness direction of the recording medium and the conveyance direction of the recording medium, the center of the first and second magnetic heads is aligned with the center of the medium conveyance path. What is necessary is just to arrange | position a head part. That is, in this case, it is not necessary to arrange the two magnetic head portions so as to sandwich the center of the medium conveyance path. Therefore, the configuration of the medium processing device can be simplified.

  In the present invention, the first magnetic head is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path from the lower side, and the second magnetic head is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path from the upper side, before the recording medium is inserted. During the standby, the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller are arranged at the first contact position, and the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller are arranged at the second retracted position. It is preferable that In a recording medium such as a ticket, a magnetic stripe is generally formed on the back surface. In addition, a user of a recording medium such as a boarding ticket generally inserts the recording medium into the medium processing apparatus with its surface facing up. Therefore, when configured in this manner, the probability that the processing of the recording medium can be performed without operating the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism is increased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of operations of the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism, and as a result, it is possible to suppress wear and the like of components constituting the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism. It becomes possible.

  In this case, the second magnetic head is preferably arranged on the downstream side of the first magnetic head in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. With this configuration, if the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller are moved to the second contact position before the one end of the recording medium reaches the second magnetic head, the second Magnetic data can be read and written by the magnetic head, and the first magnetic head and / or the other end of the recording medium is removed from between the first magnetic head and the first pad roller. If the first pad roller is moved to the first retracted position, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of jitter. That is, with this configuration, the movement time of the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller by the first movement mechanism, and the second magnetic head and / or the second movement by the second movement mechanism. Even if the movement time of the pad roller is long (that is, even if the operating speed of the first moving mechanism and the operating speed of the second moving mechanism are slow), the magnetic data can be read and written by the second magnetic head. And the deterioration of jitter can be suppressed. Therefore, the configuration of the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism can be simplified.

  In the present invention, the detection mechanism is, for example, a pre-head that detects the presence or absence of a magnetic stripe. In this case, for example, the pre-head is disposed so as to face the medium conveyance path from one side or the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium.

  In the present invention, the medium processing apparatus includes, as the magnetic head unit, a first magnetic head unit that is a read head for reading magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe by the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head, And a second magnetic head unit, which is a write head for writing magnetic data in the magnetic stripe, and the second magnetic head unit is more of a recording medium than the first magnetic head unit. It is preferable that the pre-head disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction reads magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to lengthen the time from reading the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe to writing the magnetic data to the magnetic stripe. Therefore, for example, when the magnetic data to be written to the recording medium is generated by the second magnetic head unit based on the reading result of the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe of the recording medium, the generation time of the magnetic data to be written is reduced. It becomes possible to secure. Therefore, even if the conveyance speed of the recording medium is high, the second magnetic head unit can appropriately write magnetic data on the recording medium.

  In the present invention, the medium processing apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic head units, and the first moving mechanism moves the first magnetic heads and / or the first pad rollers of the plurality of magnetic head units together, Preferably, the second moving mechanism moves the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller of the plurality of magnetic head portions together. With this configuration, the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are compared with the case where the plurality of first and second magnetic heads and the first and second pad rollers are individually moved. It is possible to simplify the configuration of the moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism.

  As described above, the medium processing apparatus of the present invention can process a recording medium at a high speed and can downsize the apparatus in the recording medium conveyance direction.

It is a side view for demonstrating schematic structure of the medium processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the recording medium used with the medium processing apparatus of FIG. 1, (A) is a figure which shows the front (front) surface of a recording medium, (B) is a figure which shows the back surface of a recording medium. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit and a configuration related to the control unit of the medium processing apparatus of FIG. 1. (A) is a side view of the magnetic head unit, the first pad roller moving mechanism, and the second pad roller moving mechanism shown in FIG. 1, and (B) is a plan view of the magnetic head unit shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the magnetic head part shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of the printing process part shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the thermal head shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a schematic operation of the medium processing apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the back surface of the recording medium concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the magnetic head part concerning other embodiment of this invention.

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

(Schematic configuration of media processing device)
FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining a schematic configuration of a medium processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a recording medium 2 used in the medium processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a front surface 2a of the recording medium 2, and FIG. 2B is a recording medium. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control unit 5 and the configuration related to the control unit 5 of the medium processing apparatus 1 of FIG.

  The medium processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that is used by being mounted on an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate of a station, for example. The medium processing apparatus 1 stores magnetic data recorded on a card-like recording medium 2 such as a ticket. Reading, writing of magnetic data to the recording medium 2, and printing on the recording medium 2 are performed. As shown in FIG. 1, the medium processing apparatus 1 includes a magnetic data processing unit 3 that performs reading and writing processing of magnetic data, and a print processing unit 4 that performs printing processing. Further, the medium processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 5 that controls the medium processing apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. The control unit 5 is connected to a host control unit 6 that controls a host device such as an automatic ticket gate on which the medium processing apparatus 1 is mounted.

  In the following description, three directions orthogonal to each other are defined as an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction. In this embodiment, the up-down direction and the Z direction coincide with each other. The Y direction is the left-right direction, the X direction is the front-rear direction, the X1 direction side is the “front” side, and the X2 direction side is the “rear (back)” side.

  The lower end of the print processing unit 4 is connected to the rear end of the magnetic data processing unit 3, and the medium processing apparatus 1 is formed so that the shape when viewed from the left-right direction is substantially L-shaped. An insertion port 8 into which the recording medium 2 is inserted is formed at the front end of the magnetic data processing unit 3, and a discharge port 9 through which the recording medium 2 is discharged is formed at the upper end of the print processing unit 4. Further, the magnetic data processing unit 3 transports the recording medium 2 in the backward direction, and the print processing unit 4 transports the recording medium 2 in the substantially upward direction.

  The recording medium 2 is, for example, a paper card having a predetermined thickness, and is formed in a rectangular shape. On the front (front) surface 2a of the recording medium 2, there is formed a printing portion where printing is performed by a thermal method. A magnetic stripe 2c on which magnetic data is recorded is formed on the back surface 2b of the recording medium 2. The magnetic stripe 2c is formed on the entire back surface 2b. Three tracks of magnetic data are recorded in the magnetic stripe 2c of this embodiment.

  The magnetic data processing unit 3 includes a medium take-in unit 11 that takes in the recording medium 2 and a magnetic data read / write unit 12 that reads and writes magnetic data. The medium take-in unit 11 is disposed on the front side of the magnetic data read / write unit 12. Inside the magnetic data processing unit 3, a medium transport path 13 through which the recording medium 2 is transported is formed.

  As described above, in the magnetic data processing unit 3, the recording medium 2 is conveyed in the backward direction. Specifically, in the magnetic data processing unit 3, the recording medium 2 is transported backward so that its length direction (longitudinal width direction) is parallel to the front-rear direction. That is, in the magnetic data processing unit 3, the front-rear direction (more specifically, the rear direction) is the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2, and the vertical direction is the thickness direction of the recording medium 2 passing through the medium conveyance path 13. It is. In the magnetic data processing unit 3, the front side (X1 direction side) is the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2, and the rear side (X2 direction side) is the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2. . The left-right direction is the width direction (short width direction) of the recording medium 2 orthogonal to the thickness direction of the recording medium 2 and the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2.

  The medium take-in portion 11 has a shutter member 14 for closing the insertion port 8, a take-in roller 15 for taking in the recording medium 2 inserted into the insertion port 8, and either the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b. A pre-head 16 as a detection mechanism for detecting whether or not the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the insertion port 8 in a state of facing, and a sensor for detecting that the recording medium 2 is inserted into the insertion port 8 17. The sensor 17 is disposed on the front side of the shutter member 14 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the pre-head 16 and the sensor 17 are connected to the control unit 5.

  The shutter member 14 is connected to a solenoid 18 via a power transmission mechanism such as a link mechanism. The shutter member 14 moves up and down by the power of the solenoid 18. In this embodiment, when the solenoid 18 is not energized, the shutter member 14 is raised to close the insertion port 8. When the solenoid 18 is energized, the shutter member 14 is lowered to open the insertion port 8. . The solenoid 18 is connected to the control unit 5 as shown in FIG.

  The take-in roller 15 is disposed, for example, so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from the lower side of the medium conveyance path 13. The take-in roller 15 is connected to a motor 65 described later via a power transmission mechanism such as a pulley or a belt. A pad roller 19 is opposed to the take-in roller 15 from above. The pad roller 19 is biased toward the take-in roller 15. The intake roller 15 and the pad roller 19 are disposed behind the shutter member 14 in the front-rear direction.

  The pre-head 16 is disposed so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from below the medium conveyance path 13. Further, the center of the pre-head 16 in the left-right direction is disposed on the center line of the medium transport path 13 in the left-right direction. A pad roller 20 is opposed to the pre-head 16 from above. The pad roller 20 is urged toward the pre-head 16. The pre-head 16 and the pad roller 20 are disposed behind the take-in roller 15 and the pad roller 19 in the front-rear direction.

  When the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with the front surface 2 a facing up, the magnetic stripe 2 c on the back surface 2 b of the recording medium 2 comes into contact with the prehead 16, so that a magnetic signal is output from the prehead 16. On the other hand, when the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with the back surface 2b facing up, no magnetic signal is output from the prehead 16 even if the prehead 16 contacts the recording medium 2. In this embodiment, based on the magnetic signal output from the pre-head 16, it is detected whether or not the magnetic stripe 2c is present on the lower surface of the inserted recording medium 2. In addition, the presence or absence of the magnetic stripe 2c is detected by the pre-head 16, thereby detecting whether the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b facing upward. The pre-head 16 of this embodiment is a three-channel type magnetic head, and can read three tracks of magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 2c. The pre-head 16 may be a one-channel type magnetic head.

  The magnetic data read / write unit 12 includes a magnetic head unit 31 having magnetic heads 24 and 25, a magnetic head unit 32 having magnetic heads 26 and 27, a magnetic head unit 33 having magnetic heads 28 and 29, and a recording medium 2. And a transport mechanism 34 for transporting. The detailed configuration of the magnetic data read / write unit 12 will be described later.

  The print processing unit 4 includes thermal heads 36 and 37 that perform printing on the printing unit on the surface 2 a of the recording medium 2, a first thermal head moving mechanism 38 that moves the thermal head 36, and a second thermal head that moves the thermal head 37. A head moving mechanism 39. Inside the print processing unit 4, a medium transport path 40 through which the recording medium 2 is transported is formed. The detailed configuration of the print processing unit 4 will be described later.

  As described above, since the recording medium 2 is transported substantially upward in the print processing unit 4, in the print processing unit 4, the substantially vertical direction (more specifically, substantially upward direction) The recording medium 2 is transported in the print processing unit 4, and the substantially front-rear direction is the thickness direction of the recording medium 2 passing through the medium transport path 40. In the print processing unit 4, the substantially lower side is the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2, and the substantially upper side is the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2.

(Configuration of magnetic data read / write unit)
4A is a side view of the magnetic head units 31 to 33, the first pad roller moving mechanism 51, and the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is the same as FIG. It is a top view of the magnetic head parts 31-33. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the magnetic head units 31 to 33 shown in FIG.

  As described above, the magnetic data read / write unit 12 includes the magnetic head units 31 to 33 and the transport mechanism 34. The magnetic head units 31 to 33 are provided with pad rollers 45 to 50 arranged to face the magnetic heads 24 to 29, respectively. The magnetic data read / write unit 12 includes a first pad roller moving mechanism 51 that moves the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49, and a second pad roller moving mechanism 52 that moves the pad rollers 46, 48, and 50. Yes. The magnetic head portions 31 to 33 are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side with a predetermined interval.

  The magnetic head unit 31 includes the magnetic heads 24 and 25 and the pad rollers 45 and 46 as described above. The magnetic head 24 is disposed so as to face the medium transport path 13 from below the medium transport path 13, and the magnetic head 25 is disposed so as to face the medium transport path 13 from above the medium transport path 13. In this embodiment, the magnetic heads 24 and 25 are disposed at positions that can always contact the recording medium 2 passing through the medium conveyance path 13. Further, the magnetic head 25 is arranged behind the magnetic head 24 in the front-rear direction. Further, the centers of the magnetic heads 24 and 25 in the left-right direction are disposed on the center line CL of the medium transport path 13 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 4B).

  The magnetic heads 24 and 25 are read heads that read magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 2 c of the recording medium 2. The magnetic heads 24 and 25 are three-channel magnetic heads having three channels corresponding to three tracks of magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 2c. The magnetic heads 24 and 25 are connected to the control unit 5 as shown in FIG.

  The pad roller 45 is disposed so as to face the magnetic head 24 from above, and is urged toward the magnetic head 24 by an urging member (not shown). The pad roller 46 is opposed to the magnetic head 25 from below and is urged toward the magnetic head 25 by an urging member (not shown).

  The magnetic head unit 32 includes the magnetic heads 26 and 27 and the pad rollers 47 and 48 as described above. The magnetic head 26 is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from below the medium conveyance path 13, and the magnetic head 27 is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from above the medium conveyance path 13. In this embodiment, the magnetic heads 26 and 27 are disposed at positions that can always contact the recording medium 2 passing through the medium conveyance path 13. Further, the magnetic head 27 is disposed behind the magnetic head 26 in the front-rear direction. The centers of the magnetic heads 26 and 27 in the left-right direction are disposed on the center line CL of the medium transport path 13 in the left-right direction.

  The magnetic heads 26 and 27 are write heads that write magnetic data to the magnetic stripe 2 c of the recording medium 2. The magnetic heads 26 and 27 are three-channel magnetic heads having three channels corresponding to three tracks of magnetic data written to the magnetic stripe 2c. The magnetic heads 26 and 27 are connected to the control unit 5 as shown in FIG.

  The pad roller 47 is opposed to the magnetic head 26 from above, and is urged toward the magnetic head 26 by an urging member (not shown). The pad roller 48 is disposed so as to face the magnetic head 27 from below, and is urged toward the magnetic head 27 by an urging member (not shown).

  The magnetic head unit 33 includes the magnetic heads 28 and 29 and the pad rollers 49 and 50 as described above. The magnetic head 28 is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from below the medium conveyance path 13, and the magnetic head 29 is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from above the medium conveyance path 13. In this embodiment, the magnetic heads 28 and 29 are disposed at positions that can always contact the recording medium 2 passing through the medium conveyance path 13. Further, the magnetic head 29 is disposed behind the magnetic head 28 in the front-rear direction. The centers of the magnetic heads 28 and 29 in the left-right direction are arranged on the center line CL of the medium transport path 13 in the left-right direction.

  The magnetic heads 28 and 29 verify the magnetic data written on the magnetic stripe 2c of the recording medium 2 by the magnetic heads 26 and 27 and confirm whether the magnetic data is properly written on the magnetic stripe 2c. Head. The magnetic heads 28 and 29 are three-channel magnetic heads having three channels corresponding to three tracks of magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 2c. The magnetic heads 28 and 29 are connected to the control unit 5 as shown in FIG.

  The pad roller 49 is disposed to face the magnetic head 28 from above, and is urged toward the magnetic head 28 by an urging member (not shown). The pad roller 50 is disposed to face the magnetic head 29 from below, and is urged toward the magnetic head 29 by an urging member (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the distance between the magnetic head 24 and the magnetic head 25 in the front-rear direction (specifically, the distance between the gap of the magnetic head 24 and the gap of the magnetic head 25) L1, the magnetic force in the front-rear direction. The distance between the head 26 and the magnetic head 27 (specifically, the distance between the gap between the magnetic head 26 and the magnetic head 27) L2, and the distance between the magnetic head 28 and the magnetic head 29 in the front-rear direction (specifically (Distance between the gap of the magnetic head 28 and the gap of the magnetic head 29) L3 is substantially equal to each other.

  The distances L1 to L3 are shorter than the length L4 (see FIG. 2B) of the magnetic data recording range 2d of the magnetic stripe 2c. For example, the distances L1 to L3 are about 1/4 to 1/5 of the length L4. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pad roller 46 disposed opposite to the magnetic head 25 and the rear end of the pad roller 45 disposed opposite to the magnetic head 24 when viewed from above and below. The magnetic heads 24 and 25 are arranged such that the front end of the pad roller 47 overlaps, and the rear end of the pad roller 47 disposed opposite to the magnetic head 26 and the front end of the pad roller 48 disposed opposite to the magnetic head 27 overlap. The magnetic heads 26 and 27 are arranged such that the rear end of the pad roller 49 arranged opposite to the magnetic head 28 and the front end of the pad roller 50 arranged opposite to the magnetic head 29 overlap. Has been placed.

  Note that the distance between the magnetic head 25 and the magnetic head 26 in the front-rear direction and the distance between the magnetic head 27 and the magnetic head 28 in the front-rear direction may be longer than the length of the recording medium 2 (width in the longitudinal direction). preferable. Further, the distance between the magnetic head 24 and the magnetic head 26 in the front-rear direction, the distance between the magnetic head 26 and the magnetic head 28, the distance between the magnetic head 25 and the magnetic head 27, and the distance between the magnetic head 27 and the magnetic head 29. Are the distance L5 from one end 2e of the recording medium 2 (see FIG. 2) to the other end of the recording range 2d of the magnetic stripe 2c, and the recording range of the magnetic stripe 2c from the other end 2f of the recording medium 2 (see FIG. 2). It is longer than the distance L6 to one end of 2d.

  The first pad roller moving mechanism 51 includes three lever members 54 that rotatably support the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49, a solenoid 55, and a connecting member 56 that is connected to a plunger 55 a of the solenoid 55. I have. The lever member 54 is rotatably supported by the frame of the magnetic data reading / writing unit 12. The lever member 54 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 56. The solenoid 55 is connected to the controller 5 as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, when the plunger 55a of the solenoid 55 is retracted, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 can contact the recording medium 2 that passes through the medium conveyance path 13. (First contact position) 45A, 47A, 49A. On the other hand, when the plunger 55a of the solenoid 55 protrudes, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 are retracted in the direction away from the medium transport path 13 (that is, upward). (First retraction positions) 45B, 47B, 49B. That is, the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 moves the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 together between the contact positions 45A, 47A, 49A and the retracted positions 45B, 47B, 49B.

  Similarly to the first pad roller moving mechanism 51, the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 includes three lever members 57 that rotatably support the pad rollers 46, 48, and 50, a solenoid 58, and a solenoid 58. And a connecting member 59 connected to the plunger 58a. The lever member 57 is rotatably supported by the frame of the magnetic data reading / writing unit 12. The lever member 57 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 59. As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid 58 is connected to the control unit 5.

  In this embodiment, when the plunger 58a of the solenoid 58 is retracted, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 can contact the recording medium 2 that passes through the medium conveyance path 13. (Second contact position) 46A, 48A, 50A. On the other hand, when the plunger 58a of the solenoid 58 protrudes, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 are retracted in a direction away from the medium transport path 13 (that is, downward). (Second retraction positions) 46B, 48B, 50B. That is, the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 moves the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 together between the contact positions 46A, 48A, 50A and the retracted positions 46B, 48B, 50B.

  The magnetic heads 24, 26, and 28 of the present embodiment are first magnetic heads, the magnetic heads 25, 27, and 29 are second magnetic heads, and the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49 are the first magnetic heads. The pad rollers 46, 48 and 50 are second pad rollers. The magnetic head unit 31 is a first magnetic head unit in which both the magnetic head 24 and the magnetic head 25 are read heads, and the magnetic head unit 32 is in which both the magnetic head 26 and the magnetic head 27 are write heads. This is a second magnetic head unit. The first pad roller moving mechanism 51 is a first moving mechanism that moves the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 between the contact positions 45A, 47A, 49A and the retracted positions 45B, 47B, 49B. The two-pad roller moving mechanism 52 is a second moving mechanism that moves the pad rollers 46, 48, and 50 between the contact positions 46A, 48A, and 50A and the retracted positions 46B, 48B, and 50B.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance mechanism 34 is configured to contact the upper surface of the recording medium 2 and convey the recording medium 2, and contact the lower surface of the recording medium 2 and convey the recording medium 2. A plurality of pulleys 63 on which the belt 61 is bridged and a plurality of pulleys 64 on which the belt 62 is bridged are provided. The pulleys 63 and 64 are connected to the motor 65 via a power transmission mechanism such as a belt or a pulley (not shown). The motor 65 is connected to the controller 5 as shown in FIG.

(Configuration of print processing section)
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the configuration of the main part of the print processing unit 4 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the thermal heads 36 and 37 shown in FIG.

  In addition to the above-described thermal heads 36 and 37, the first thermal head moving mechanism 38, and the second thermal head moving mechanism 39, the print processing unit 4 includes a platen roller 67 disposed opposite to the thermal heads 36 and 37, 68 and a discharge roller 69 for discharging the recording medium 2 from the discharge port 9.

  The width (the width in the left-right direction) of the thermal heads 36 and 37 is substantially equal to the width (short width) of the recording medium 2. The thermal head 36 is disposed below the thermal head 37. Further, the thermal head 36 is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 40 from substantially the front side of the medium conveyance path 40, and the thermal head 37 is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 40 from substantially the rear side of the medium conveyance path 40. ing. The thermal heads 36 and 37 are connected to the control unit 5 as shown in FIG. The platen roller 67 is disposed to face the thermal head 36 from substantially the rear side, and the platen roller 68 is disposed to face the thermal head 37 from substantially the front side. The platen rollers 67 and 68 are connected to the motor 65 via a power transmission mechanism such as a pulley or a belt.

  The first thermal head moving mechanism 38 includes a head fixing member 70 to which the thermal head 36 is fixed, and a solenoid 71 to which the head fixing member 70 is connected. The head fixing member 70 is rotatably supported by the frame of the print processing unit 4. The solenoid 71 is connected to the control unit 5 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, the first thermal head moving mechanism 38 includes a contact position 36A at which the thermal head 36 can contact the recording medium 2, and a thermal head 36 as a medium as shown in FIG. The thermal head 36 is moved between the retracted position 36B retracted from the transport path 40.

  The second thermal head moving mechanism 39 includes a head fixing member 72 to which the thermal head 37 is fixed, and a solenoid 73 to which the head fixing member 72 is connected. The head fixing member 72 is rotatably supported by the frame of the print processing unit 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid 73 is connected to the control unit 5. As shown in FIG. 7B, the second thermal head moving mechanism 39 includes a contact position 37A at which the thermal head 37 can come into contact with the recording medium 2, and a thermal head 37 as a medium as shown in FIG. The thermal head 37 is moved between the retreat position 37B retreating from the transport path 40.

  The discharge roller 69 is disposed, for example, so as to face the medium conveyance path 40 from substantially the front side of the medium conveyance path 40. The discharge roller 69 is connected to a motor 65 through a power transmission mechanism such as a pulley or a belt. A pad roller 74 is opposed to the discharge roller 69 from the rear side. The pad roller 74 is urged toward the discharge roller 69.

  A sensor 75 for measuring the timing of starting printing by the thermal heads 36 and 37 is disposed below the thermal head 36 (see FIG. 1).

(Schematic operation of the media processing device)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a schematic operation of the medium processing apparatus 1 of FIG.

  In the medium processing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the shutter member 14 is lowered and the insertion port 8 is opened in a standby state before the recording medium 2 is inserted while the power is on. ing. Further, at the time of standby, all of the pad rollers 45 to 50 are in the retracted positions 45B to 50B, and the thermal heads 36 and 37 are also in the retracted positions 36B and 37B.

  In this state, when the sensor 17 detects that the recording medium 2 has been inserted from the insertion port 8 (step S1), the control unit 5 drives the take-in roller 15, the transport mechanism 34, and the like to perform medium processing. The recording medium 2 starts to be taken into the apparatus 1 (step S2). Further, the control unit 5 checks whether or not the magnetic stripe 2c is present on the lower surface of the inserted recording medium 2 based on the magnetic signal output from the pre-head 16 (step S3). Note that a sensor (not shown) is disposed behind the pre-head 16, and when the recording medium 2 is detected by the sensor, the control unit 5 detects the lower surface of the inserted recording medium 2 in step S3. It is confirmed whether or not there is a magnetic stripe 2c.

  When the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with the front surface 2a facing upward, and as a result of confirmation in step S3, the magnetic stripe 2c is present on the lower surface of the inserted recording medium 2 (in step S4, “ In the case of “Yes”, the controller 5 drives the solenoid 55 to operate the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 (step S5). Specifically, in step S5, the control unit 5 moves the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49 that have been at the retracted positions 45B, 47B, and 49B to the contact positions 45A, 47A, and 49A as shown in FIG. Move to.

  When the recording medium 2 is transported by the transport mechanism 34 with the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49 at the contact positions 45 A, 47 A, and 49 A, the recording is first performed on the magnetic stripe 2 c of the recording medium 2 by the magnetic head 24. Then, the magnetic data is written to the magnetic stripe 2c by the magnetic head 26, and then the magnetic data written to the magnetic stripe 2c by the magnetic head 26 is read by the magnetic head 28 and magnetically It is confirmed whether or not magnetic data has been properly written in the stripe 2c (step S6). In step S6, the magnetic data read by the magnetic head 24 is sent from the control unit 5 to the upper control unit 6, and based on the transmitted magnetic data, the magnetic data written to the magnetic stripe 2c is sent by the upper control unit 6. Generated. The generated magnetic data is sent from the host control unit 6 to the control unit 5, and then sent from the control unit 5 to the magnetic head 26 and written to the magnetic stripe 2 c.

  In step S6, the control unit 5 determines whether the recording medium 2 has been inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the magnetic head 24, or the recording medium 2 Is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the other end 2f side.

  Thereafter, the control unit 5 drives the solenoid 71 to operate the first thermal head moving mechanism 38 (step S7). Specifically, in step S7, the control unit 5 moves the thermal head 36 that has been at the retracted position 36B to the contact position 36A. When the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the platen rollers 67, 68 and the like while the thermal head 36 is in the contact position 36A, the thermal head 36 prints on the surface 2a of the recording medium 2 (step S8).

  As described above, in step S6, it is determined whether the recording medium 2 has been inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side or has been inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the other end 2f side. In step S8, the control unit 5 controls the conveyance of the recording medium 2 and the temperature of the thermal head 36 based on the determination result in step S6 so that printing is performed at an appropriate position on the surface 2a of the recording medium 2. Control and so on. For example, when printing is performed in the region 2g indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2A, in step S8, the control unit 5 detects the recording medium 2 by the sensor 75 based on the determination result in step S6. The conveyance amount of the recording medium 2 from the head, the heating time of the thermal head 36, and the like are controlled.

  When printing is performed in step S8, the recording medium 2 is discharged from the discharge port 9 by the discharge roller 69 or the like (step S9).

  On the other hand, when the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with the back surface 2b facing upward, and the result of the confirmation in step S3 is that there is no magnetic stripe 2c on the lower surface of the inserted recording medium 2 (step S4). In the case of “No”, the control unit 5 drives the solenoid 58 to operate the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 (step S10). Specifically, in step S10, the control unit 5 moves the pad rollers 46, 48, 50, which have been at the retracted positions 46B, 48B, 50B, to the contact positions 46A, 48A, 50A as shown in FIG. Move to.

  When the recording medium 2 is transported by the transport mechanism 34 with the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 at the contact positions 46A, 48A, 50A, first, the magnetic head 25 records on the magnetic stripe 2c of the recording medium 2. Then, the magnetic data is written to the magnetic stripe 2c by the magnetic head 27, and then the magnetic data written to the magnetic stripe 2c by the magnetic head 27 is read by the magnetic head 29 to be magnetic. It is confirmed whether or not magnetic data is properly written in the stripe 2c (step S11). In step S11, similarly to step S6, the magnetic data read by the magnetic head 25 is sent from the control unit 5 to the host control unit 6, and the magnetic data written in the magnetic stripe 2c based on the sent magnetic data. Is generated by the upper control unit 6. The generated magnetic data is sent from the host control unit 6 to the control unit 5, and then sent from the control unit 5 to the magnetic head 27 and written to the magnetic stripe 2 c.

  In step S11, the control unit 5 determines whether the recording medium 2 has been inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the magnetic head 25, or the recording medium 2 Is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the other end 2f side.

  Thereafter, the control unit 5 drives the solenoid 73 to operate the second thermal head moving mechanism 39 (step S12). Specifically, in step S12, the control unit 5 moves the thermal head 37 that has been at the retracted position 37B to the contact position 37A. When the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the platen rollers 67, 68 and the like while the thermal head 37 is at the contact position 37A, printing is performed on the surface 2a of the recording medium 2 by the thermal head 37 (step S13).

  As described above, in step S11, it is determined whether the recording medium 2 has been inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side or has been inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the other end 2f side. In step S13, the controller 5 controls the conveyance of the recording medium 2 and the temperature of the thermal head 37 based on the determination result in step S11 so that printing is performed at an appropriate position on the surface 2a of the recording medium 2. Control and so on.

  When printing is performed in step S13, the process proceeds to step S9, and the recording medium 2 is discharged from the discharge port 9 by the discharge roller 69 or the like (step S9).

  If a relatively high quality is required as the print quality of the surface 2a of the recording medium 2, in steps S7 and S12, the conveyance of the recording medium 2 is temporarily stopped, and then the thermal heads 36 and 37 are moved to the contact positions. Move to 36A, 37A. On the other hand, if the print quality of the surface 2a is not so high, in steps S7 and S12, the thermal heads 36 and 37 are moved to the contact positions 36A and 37A while transporting the recording medium 2.

  In addition, a sensor (not shown) is disposed on the front side of the magnetic head 24. When the recording medium 2 taken into the medium processing apparatus 1 is detected by this sensor, the shutter member 14 is raised, The insertion port 8 is blocked. When the recording medium 2 is discharged from the discharge port 9, the shutter member 14 is lowered and the insertion port 8 is opened.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, the magnetic heads 24, 26, and 28 are arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from below the medium conveyance path 13, and the magnetic heads 25, 27, and 29 are arranged on the medium conveyance path 13. It is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from above. Therefore, even if the recording medium 2 is taken into the medium processing apparatus 1 with the front surface 2a facing up, the recording medium 2 is taken into the medium processing apparatus 1 with the back surface 2b facing up. Even in this case, the magnetic data is read from the recording medium 2 by the magnetic heads 24, 26, 28 or the magnetic heads 25, 27, 29 without inverting the recording medium 2 inside the medium processing apparatus 1. And write processing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the recording medium 2 can be processed at high speed.

  In this embodiment, the distance L1 between the magnetic head 24 and the magnetic head 25 in the front-rear direction, the distance L2 between the magnetic head 26 and the magnetic head 27 in the front-rear direction, and the distance L3 between the magnetic head 28 and the magnetic head 29 in the front-rear direction. Is shorter than the length L4 of the magnetic data recording range 2d of the magnetic stripe 2c. Therefore, even if the magnetic heads 24, 26, 28 and the magnetic heads 25, 27, 29 are arranged so as to be displaced in the front-rear direction, the front-rear positions of the magnetic heads 24, 26, 28 and the magnetic heads 25, 27, 29 are The distance L1 to L3 in the direction can be shortened, and the medium processing apparatus 1 can be downsized in the front-rear direction.

  On the other hand, since the distances L1 to L3 are shorter than the length L4 of the recording range 2d of the magnetic data, the magnetic heads 25, When the recording medium 2 enters between the magnetic heads 27 and 29 and the pad rollers 46, 48 and 50, or when the magnetic heads 25, 27 and 29 read or write magnetic data, the magnetic heads 24 and 26 , 28 and the pad rollers 45, 47, 49, the recording medium 2 may come off, and the speed of the conveyed recording medium 2 may fluctuate, causing jitter to deteriorate.

  However, in this embodiment, when the magnetic heads 24, 26, 28 read or write magnetic data, the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 are retracted, and the magnetic heads 25, 27, 29 store the magnetic data. During reading and writing, the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49 are retracted. Therefore, even if the distances L1 to L3 are shorter than the length L4 of the magnetic data recording range 2d, the conveyance speed of the recording medium 2 when the magnetic data is read or written by the magnetic heads 24 to 29 is reduced. It is possible to suppress fluctuations and suppress deterioration of jitter.

  In this embodiment, the distance between the magnetic head 24 and the magnetic head 26 in the front-rear direction, the distance between the magnetic head 26 and the magnetic head 28, the distance between the magnetic head 25 and the magnetic head 27, and the magnetic head 27 and the magnetic head. 29 is a distance L5 from one end 2e of the recording medium 2 to the other end of the recording range 2d of the magnetic stripe 2c, and a distance from the other end 2f of the recording medium 2 to one end of the recording range 2d of the magnetic stripe 2c. Since it is longer than L6, when the magnetic data is read or written by the magnetic heads 24 to 29, the recording medium 2 may come off between the magnetic heads 24 to 27 and the pad rollers 45 to 48, The recording medium 2 does not enter between the magnetic heads 26 to 29 and the pad rollers 47 to 50. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the jitter by suppressing the fluctuation of the conveyance speed of the recording medium 2 when the magnetic heads 24 to 29 read or write the magnetic data.

  In the present embodiment, the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 moves the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 together between the contact positions 45A, 47A, 49A and the retracted positions 45B, 47B, 49B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 can be simplified as compared with the case where the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49 are individually moved. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 moves the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 together between the contact positions 46A, 48A, 50A and the retracted positions 46B, 48B, 50B. Therefore, the configuration of the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 can be simplified as compared with the case where the pad rollers 46, 48 and 50 are individually moved.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiments and modifications are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the magnetic stripe 2c is formed on the entire back surface 2b. In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a magnetic stripe 2 c having a width smaller than the width of the recording medium 2 may be formed at the center of the recording medium 2 in the width direction of the recording medium 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the magnetic stripe 2 c may be formed at a position shifted from the center of the recording medium 2 in the width direction of the recording medium 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the two magnetic head portions 31, the two magnetic head portions 32, and the two magnetic head portions so as to sandwich the center line CL of the medium conveyance path 13 in the left-right direction. 33 should just be arrange | positioned. In this case, the two magnetic head units 31, the two magnetic head units 32, and the two magnetic head units 33 may be arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. You may arrange | position in the position shifted | deviated slightly in the front-back direction. Even in this case, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2 as compared with the magnetic recording medium reading / writing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 described above.

  When the magnetic stripe 2c is formed on the entire back surface 2b, or when the magnetic stripe 2c is formed at the center of the recording medium 2 in the width direction of the recording medium 2, the magnetic head 24 in the left-right direction. One magnetic head unit 31, one magnetic head unit 32, and one magnetic head unit 33 may be arranged so that the centers of .about.29 and the center of the medium transport path 13 coincide. Therefore, in this case, the configuration of the medium processing device 1 can be simplified.

  In the above-described form, all the pad rollers 45 to 50 are in the retracted positions 45B to 50B during standby before the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1. In addition, for example, any of the pad rollers 45 to 50 may be in the contact positions 45A to 50A during standby. In this case, in step S5 described above, the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 operates, and the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 at the contact positions 46A, 48A, 50A move to the retracted positions 46B, 48B, 50B. At the same time, in step S10 described above, the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 is operated, and the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 at the contact positions 45A, 47A, 49A move to the retracted positions 45B, 47B, 49B.

  Further, when waiting before the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1, the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 are in the contact positions 45A, 47A, 49A, and the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 are in the retracted position 46B. 48B and 50B. As described above, the magnetic stripe 2 c is formed on the back surface 2 b of the recording medium 2. In general, a user who uses an automatic ticket gate often inserts the recording medium 2 into the medium processing apparatus 1 with the front surface 2a facing up. Therefore, in this case, the probability that the reading process and the writing process for the recording medium 2 can be performed without operating the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 and the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 is increased. Therefore, in this case, the number of operations of the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 and the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 can be reduced, and as a result, the components constituting the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 and the second It becomes possible to suppress wear and the like of parts constituting the pad roller moving mechanism 52.

  In this case, when the magnetic stripe 2c is not detected by the pre-head 16, if the pad roller 46 is moved to the contact position 46A before the recording medium 2 reaches the magnetic head 25, the magnetic head 25 If the pad roller 45 is moved to the retracted position 45B before the recording medium 2 comes out of the space between the magnetic head 24 and the pad roller 45, the magnetic data can be read by the magnetic head 25. It is possible to suppress the speed fluctuation of the recording medium 2 at the time of reading and suppress the deterioration of jitter. That is, in this case, even if the movement time of the pad roller 45 by the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 and the movement time of the pad roller 46 by the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 are long (that is, the first pad roller movement). Even if the operating speed of the mechanism 51 and the operating speed of the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 are low), the magnetic data can be read by the magnetic head 25 and the deterioration of jitter can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to use small solenoids 55 and 58 with small power, and as a result, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 and the second pad roller moving mechanism 52. .

  Further, during standby before the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1, the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 are in the retracted positions 45B, 47B, 49B, and the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 are in the contact position 46A. 48A and 50A.

  In the embodiment described above, when the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with the surface 2a facing upward, the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 2c of the recording medium 2 is read by the magnetic head 24. Yes. In addition, for example, when the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with the surface 2a facing upward, the pre-head 16 may read the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe 2c. In this case, it is possible to lengthen the time from reading the magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe 2c to writing the magnetic data in the magnetic stripe 2c. Therefore, as described above, the read magnetic data is sent from the control unit 5 to the upper control unit 6, and based on the transmitted magnetic data, the magnetic data written in the magnetic stripe 2 c is transferred to the upper control unit 6. Even when the generated magnetic data is sent from the host control unit 6 to the control unit 5, the generation time of the magnetic data written in the magnetic stripe 2c and the control unit 5 and the host control are controlled. The communication time with the unit 6 can be secured. As a result, even if the conveyance speed of the recording medium 2 is high, the magnetic data can be appropriately written on the recording medium 2 by the magnetic head 26. In this case, the magnetic head 24 can be omitted.

  In the embodiment described above, the pad rollers 45 to 50 are movable between the contact positions 45A to 50A and the retracted positions 45B to 50B. In addition to this, for example, instead of the pad rollers 45 to 50, the magnetic heads 24 to 29 are movable between a contact position where the magnetic heads 24 to 29 can contact the recording medium 2 and a retreat position where the magnetic heads 24 retreat from the medium conveyance path 13. May be. Further, both the magnetic heads 24 to 29 and the pad rollers 45 to 50 may be movable between a contact position at which the magnetic heads 24 to 29 can contact the recording medium 2 and a retreat position at which the magnetic heads 24 to 29 retreat from the medium transport path 13.

  In the embodiment described above, the magnetic heads 25, 27, 29 are arranged behind the magnetic heads 24, 26, 28 in the front-rear direction. In addition, for example, the magnetic heads 25, 27, and 29 may be disposed in front of the magnetic heads 24, 26, and 28 in the front-rear direction. In the embodiment described above, the pre-head 16 is disposed so as to face the medium transport path 13 from below the medium transport path 13, but the pre-head 16 faces the medium transport path 13 from above the medium transport path 13. It may be arranged as follows. Two pre-heads 16 may be arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path 13 from both the upper and lower sides of the medium conveyance path 13.

  In the above-described form, the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 moves the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 together. However, the first pad roller moving mechanism 51 moves the first pad so that the pad rollers 45, 47, 49 can be moved individually. A roller moving mechanism 51 may be configured. Similarly, in the above-described form, the second pad roller moving mechanism 52 moves the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 together, but the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 can be moved individually. A second pad roller moving mechanism 52 may be configured.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medium processing apparatus 2 Recording medium 2b Back surface (one surface)
2c Magnetic stripe 2d Magnetic data recording range 13 Medium transport path 16 Pre-head (detection mechanism)
24 Magnetic head (first magnetic head, read head)
25 Magnetic head (second magnetic head, read head)
26 Magnetic head (first magnetic head, write head)
27 Magnetic head (second magnetic head, write head)
28 Magnetic head (first magnetic head)
29 Magnetic head (second magnetic head)
31 Magnetic head section (first magnetic head section)
32 Magnetic head part (second magnetic head part)
33 Magnetic head 45, 47, 49 Pad roller (first pad roller)
45A, 47A, 49A Contact position (first contact position)
45B, 47B, 49B Retraction position (first retraction position)
46, 48, 50 Pad roller (second pad roller)
46A, 48A, 50A Contact position (second contact position)
46B, 48B, 50B Retraction position (second retraction position)
51 First pad roller moving mechanism (first moving mechanism)
52 Second pad roller moving mechanism (second moving mechanism)
L1 to L3 Distance between first magnetic head and second magnetic head L4 Length of magnetic data recording range X Recording medium transport direction X1 Upstream side of recording medium transport direction X2 Downstream side of recording medium transport direction Z Thickness direction of recording medium

Claims (8)

A medium processing apparatus comprising a medium conveyance path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is conveyed,
A first magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium passing through the medium conveyance path, and a second magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium. A magnetic head; a first pad roller disposed opposite to the first magnetic head and biased toward the first magnetic head; and a second magnetic head disposed opposite to the second magnetic head. A magnetic head portion having a second pad roller biased toward the
A first contact position where the first magnetic head and the first pad roller can contact the recording medium, and the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller are separated from the medium conveyance path. A first moving mechanism for moving the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller between a first retracted position retracted in a direction;
A second contact position where the second magnetic head and the second pad roller can contact the recording medium, and the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller are separated from the medium conveyance path. A second moving mechanism for moving the second magnetic head and / or the second pad roller between a second retracted position retracted in the direction;
Arranged on the upstream side of the recording medium in the conveyance direction of the recording medium from the magnetic head unit, the recording medium is placed in the medium processing apparatus in a state where either one surface or the other surface faces the first magnetic head side. A detection mechanism for detecting whether the recording medium has been inserted ,
In the magnetic head unit, in the transport direction of the recording medium, said first magnetic head and said second magnetic heads are shifted from each other, said first magnetic head in the transport direction of the recording medium The distance from the second magnetic head is shorter than the length of the recording range of magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe ,
The medium processing apparatus , wherein the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are controlled based on a detection result of the detecting mechanism . The magnetic stripe claim 1 medium processing apparatus, wherein a formed on the entire surface of one surface of the recording medium. The first magnetic head is disposed so as to face the medium conveyance path from below,
The second magnetic head is disposed so as to face the medium conveyance path from above,
At the time of standby before the recording medium is inserted, the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller are disposed at the first contact position, and the second magnetic head and / or the first pad roller are disposed. 2 of the pad roller, according to claim 1 or 2 medium processing apparatus according to, characterized in that arranged in the second retracted position. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second magnetic head is disposed downstream of the first magnetic head in the transport direction of the recording medium. The detection mechanism, the medium processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pre-head for detecting the presence or absence of the magnetic stripe. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the pre-head is disposed so as to face the medium conveyance path from one side or the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium. As the magnetic head unit, the first magnetic head unit, which is a read head for reading the magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe by the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head, the first magnetic head, The second magnetic head includes a second magnetic head portion which is a write head for writing magnetic data to the magnetic stripe;
The second magnetic head unit is disposed downstream of the first magnetic head unit in the transport direction of the recording medium,
The pre-head is medium processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the reading magnetic data recorded on the magnetic stripe. A plurality of the magnetic head units;
The first moving mechanism moves the first magnetic head and / or the first pad roller of the plurality of magnetic head portions together,
The said 2nd moving mechanism moves the said 2nd magnetic head and / or the said 2nd pad roller of the said several magnetic head part together, The any one of Claim 1 to 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Media processing device.

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