JP5749111B2 - Medium processing apparatus and method for controlling medium processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus having a function of reading magnetic data recorded on a card-like recording medium and a function of printing on a recording medium, and a control method for the medium processing apparatus.

  Note that “printing” in this specification includes figures, symbols, patterns, and the like written on the recording medium in addition to characters written on the recording medium. In addition, “printing” in this specification includes not only writing characters on a recording medium but also writing figures, symbols or patterns on the recording medium.

  Conventionally, as an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate of a station, a magnetic processing unit for reading magnetic data of a ticket inserted from the ticket gate and writing magnetic data to the ticket, and printing on the ticket There is known an automatic ticket gate having a printing section for performing the above. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the automatic ticket gate described in Patent Document 1, the printing unit makes contact with one surface of a ticket and prints with a thermal method, and the printing unit makes contact with the other surface of the ticket and prints with a thermal method. Two thermal heads with thermal head to perform are provided.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-7807

  In general, in an automatic ticket gate, a ticket is taken into the automatic ticket gate in various postures. In other words, the ticket may be taken into the automatic ticket gate from one end of the ticket with the front side of the ticket facing upward, or the front side of the ticket may be In some cases, the ticket is taken into the automatic ticket gate from the other end of the ticket while facing upward. The ticket may be taken into the automatic ticket gate from one end of the ticket with the back of the ticket facing up, or the other end of the ticket with the back of the ticket facing up In some cases, a ticket is taken into the automatic ticket gate. On the other hand, even when the ticket is taken into the automatic ticket gate in various postures as described above, the automatic ticket gate is required to perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position of the ticket.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a medium processing apparatus capable of performing appropriate printing at a predetermined position on a recording medium even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus in various postures. It is in. Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a control method for a medium processing apparatus that can perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position of the recording medium even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus in various postures. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, a medium processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a medium conveyance path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is conveyed, and a medium from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium passing through the medium conveyance path. The first magnetic head facing the transport path, the second magnetic head facing the medium transport path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium, and the transport direction of the recording medium relative to the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head And a detection mechanism for detecting whether the recording medium has been taken into the medium conveyance path in a state where one surface or the other surface of the recording medium faces the first magnetic head. A first thermal head that faces the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the medium, a second thermal head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium, and a first that can contact the recording medium Contact position and A first moving mechanism that moves the first thermal head between a first retreat position that retreats away from the body conveyance path, a second contact position that can contact the recording medium, and a medium conveyance path. A second moving mechanism for moving the second thermal head between the second retracted position retracted in the direction, the first thermal head, the second thermal head, the first moving mechanism, and the second movement. A control unit that controls the mechanism, and the control unit operates the first moving mechanism or the second moving mechanism based on the detection result of the detection mechanism to move the first thermal head to the first thermal head. The recording medium is arranged at the contact position, or the second thermal head is arranged at the second contact position, and the recording medium is based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head. One end side or other end side The first thermal head or the second thermal head is controlled based on the determination result, and the first thermal head is controlled while the recording medium is transported. The head or the second thermal head is made to print on a recording medium.

  In the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit detects whether the recording medium is taken into the medium conveyance path in a state where one surface or the other surface of the recording medium faces the first magnetic head side. Based on the detection result of the detection mechanism, the first thermal head is disposed at the first contact position, or the second thermal head is disposed at the second contact position. In the present invention, the control unit takes in the recording medium from one end side or the other end side into the medium transport path based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head. The first thermal head or the second thermal head is controlled while controlling the temperature of the first thermal head or the second thermal head and controlling the conveyance of the recording medium based on the determination result. Printing on a recording medium is performed.

  Therefore, in the present invention, for example, even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus with either the front surface or the back surface of the recording medium facing upward, Even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus from either the side or the other end side, it is possible to perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position on the recording medium. That is, according to the present invention, even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus in various postures, it is possible to perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position on the recording medium.

  In the present invention, the detection mechanism is, for example, a pre-head that detects the presence or absence of a magnetic stripe.

  In order to solve the above problems, the medium processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a medium conveyance path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is conveyed, and one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium passing through the medium conveyance path. A first magnetic head facing the medium conveyance path, a second magnetic head facing the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium, and a first magnetic head facing the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium. A second thermal head facing the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium, a first contact position capable of contacting the recording medium, and a first retreating direction away from the medium conveyance path Between the first moving mechanism that moves the first thermal head between the retreat position, the second contact position that can contact the recording medium, and the second retreat position that retreats away from the medium transport path. In the second thermal head A second moving mechanism for moving the first moving head, a first thermal head, a second thermal head, a first moving mechanism, and a control unit for controlling the second moving mechanism. It is determined whether the magnetic data is read by the magnetic head or the second magnetic head, and based on the determination result, the first moving mechanism or the second moving mechanism is operated to move the first thermal head. Based on the reading result of the magnetic data with the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head, and the second thermal head is arranged at the second contact position, or the second thermal head is arranged at the first contact position. It is determined whether the recording medium is taken into the medium conveyance path from one end side or the other end side, and based on this determination result, the temperature control of the first thermal head or the second thermal head and the recording medium While a transport control, characterized in that to perform printing on the recording medium to the first thermal head or the second thermal head.

  In the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit determines whether the magnetic data is read by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head, and based on the determination result, the first moving mechanism or the first magnetic head. The second moving mechanism is actuated to place the first thermal head at the first contact position, or the second thermal head is placed at the second contact position. In the present invention, the control unit takes in the recording medium from one end side or the other end side into the medium transport path based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head. The first thermal head or the second thermal head is controlled while controlling the temperature of the first thermal head or the second thermal head and controlling the conveyance of the recording medium based on the determination result. Printing on a recording medium is performed. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus in various postures, it is possible to perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position on the recording medium.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problems, the control method of the medium processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a medium conveyance path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is conveyed, and a thickness direction of the recording medium passing through the medium conveyance path. A first magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from one side of the recording medium, a second magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium, and a medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium. A first thermal head movable between a first contact position arranged so as to face the recording medium and a first retracted position retracted in a direction away from the medium conveyance path, and a thickness direction of the recording medium A second thermal element that is arranged so as to face the medium conveyance path from the other side of the recording medium and is movable between a second contact position that can contact the recording medium and a second retraction position that retreats away from the medium conveyance path. And a head A control method for a body processing apparatus, wherein a first determination is made as to whether a recording medium has been taken into a medium conveyance path in a state where one surface or the other surface of the recording medium faces the first magnetic head. The recording medium is taken into the medium conveyance path from either one end side or the other end side of the recording medium based on the take-in direction determination step and the reading result of the magnetic data by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head. The first thermal head is moved to the first contact position based on the determination results in the second capture direction determination step and the first capture direction determination step, or the second The first thermal head moved in the thermal head moving step based on the thermal head moving step for moving the thermal head to the second contact position and the determination result in the second take-in direction determining step Or a printing step of performing printing on the recording medium by the first thermal head or the second thermal head while performing temperature control of the second thermal head and conveyance control of the recording medium. .

  In the control method of the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, in the first take-in direction determination step, the recording medium is inserted into the medium conveyance path in a state where either one of the recording medium or the other surface faces the first magnetic head side. And the other end of the recording medium based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head in the second capturing direction determining step. It is determined from which side the recording medium has been taken into the medium conveyance path. In the present invention, in the thermal head moving step, the first thermal head is moved to the first contact position based on the detection result in the first take-in direction determining step, or the second thermal head is moved. Is moved to the second contact position, and in the printing step, the temperature of the first thermal head or the second thermal head moved in the thermal head moving step based on the determination result in the second taking-in direction determining step Printing is performed on the recording medium by the first thermal head or the second thermal head while performing control and conveyance control of the recording medium. Therefore, according to the control method of the present invention, it is possible to perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position on the recording medium even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus in various postures.

  As described above, in the medium processing apparatus and the control method for the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, even when the recording medium is taken into the medium processing apparatus in various postures, appropriate printing is performed at a predetermined position on the recording medium. It becomes possible to do.

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. Further, the presence or absence of the magnetic stripe 2c is detected by the pre-head 16, so that the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 with either the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b facing upward (that is, the front surface 2a or the back surface). 2b is detected in which state the recording medium 2 is taken into the medium conveyance path 13). 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 magnetic head 24 of this embodiment is a first magnetic head, and the magnetic head 25 is a second magnetic head.

  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, a distance L1 between the gap of the magnetic head 24 and the gap of the magnetic head 25 in the front-rear direction, a distance L2 between the gap of the magnetic head 26 and the gap of the magnetic head 27 in the front-rear direction, and The distance L3 between the gap of the magnetic head 28 and the gap of the magnetic head 29 in the front-rear direction 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. 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 are longer than the length (width in the longitudinal direction) of the recording medium 2. Yes.

  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 of the solenoid 55. ing. 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, the operation of the solenoid 55 causes the pad rollers 45, 47, and 49 to come into contact positions 45A, 47A, and 49A that can contact the recording medium 2 that passes through the medium conveyance path 13, as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), it moves between retreat positions 45B, 47B, and 49B that retreat in a direction away from the medium conveyance path 13 (that is, upward).

  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. 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, the pad rollers 46, 48, 50 are brought into contact with the recording medium 2 passing through the medium conveyance path 13 by the operation of the solenoid 58, as shown in FIG. 5B. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), it moves between retreat positions 46B, 48B, and 50B that retreat in a direction away from the medium conveyance path 13 (that is, downward).

  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. Further, the platen rollers 67 and 68 are arranged at positions that can always contact the recording medium 2 passing through the medium conveyance path 40.

  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. In this embodiment, the operation of the solenoid 71 causes the thermal head 36 to come into contact with the recording medium 2 (first contact position) 36A, as shown in FIG. 7A, and in FIG. 7B. As shown, it moves between a retracted position (first retracted position) 36B retracted from the medium transport path 40. That is, the first thermal head moving mechanism 38 moves the thermal head 36 between the contact position 36A and the retracted position 36B.

  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. In this embodiment, the operation of the solenoid 73 causes the thermal head 37 to come into contact with the recording medium 2 (second contact position) 37A, as shown in FIG. 7B, and in FIG. As shown, it moves between a retracted position (second retracted position) 37B retracted from the medium transport path 40. That is, the second thermal head moving mechanism 39 moves the thermal head 37 between the contact position 37A and the retracted position 37B.

  In addition, the thermal head 36 of this embodiment is a first thermal head, and the thermal head 37 is a second thermal head. The first thermal head moving mechanism 38 of the present embodiment is a first moving mechanism that moves the thermal head 36 that is the first thermal head between the contact position 36A and the retracted position 36B, and the second thermal head. The moving mechanism 39 is a second moving mechanism that moves the thermal head 37, which is the second thermal head, between the contact position 37A and the retracted position 37B.

  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). That is, in step S <b> 3, the control unit 5 determines whether the recording medium 2 is inserted from the insertion port 8 and taken into the medium conveyance path 13 with either the front surface 2 a or the back surface 2 b facing upward. 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).

  Further, when the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e (see FIG. 2) side (when taken into the medium transport path 13), the medium from the other end 2f (see FIG. 2) side. Since the reading result of the magnetic data by the magnetic head 24 is different from the case of being inserted into the processing apparatus 1 (in the case of being taken into the medium conveyance path 13), in step S6, the control unit 5 Based on the reading result of the magnetic data, it is determined whether the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side or the other end 2f side. That is, in step S6, the control unit 5 determines the insertion direction of the recording medium 2.

  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 in the magnetic stripe 2c is changed to the upper control unit. 6 is 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.

  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 place it at 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 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. Printing is performed by the thermal head 36 while performing control and the like. For example, when printing is performed in the region 2g indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2A, the sensor 75 depends on whether the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side or the other end 2f side. Since the conveyance amount of the recording medium 2 after the recording medium 2 is detected, the heated area of the thermal head 36, the heating time, and the like are different, the control unit 5 in step S8 is based on the determination result in step S6. Then, printing by the thermal head 36 is performed while controlling the transport amount of the recording medium 2 after the recording medium 2 is detected by the sensor 75, the heating area of the thermal head 36, the heating time, and the like.

  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).

  Since the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side and the case where the recording medium 2 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the other end 2f side, the magnetic data read result by the magnetic head 25 is different. As in step S6, in step S11, the control unit 5 determines whether the recording medium 2 is the medium processing device from either the one end 2e side or the other end 2f side based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the magnetic head 25. 1 is discriminated. That is, in step S11, the control unit 5 determines the insertion direction of the recording medium 2.

  In step S11, as in 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 written to the magnetic stripe 2c based on the sent magnetic data. Magnetic data is generated by the host controller 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.

  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 is inserted into the medium processing apparatus 1 from the one end 2e side or the other end 2f side. In step S13, as in step S8, the control unit 5 controls the conveyance of the recording medium 2 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. The thermal head 37 performs printing while controlling the temperature of the thermal head 37 and the like.

  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.

  Step S4 of the present embodiment is a first take-in direction discrimination that discriminates whether the recording medium 2 has been taken into the medium transport path 13 with either the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b of the recording medium 2 facing the magnetic head 24 side. Steps S <b> 6 and S <b> 11 are based on the result of reading magnetic data by the magnetic head 24 or the magnetic head 25, and the recording medium 2 is moved from the one end 2 e side or the other end 2 f side to the medium transport path 13. This is a second capturing direction determination step for determining whether 2 is captured. In steps S7 and S12, the thermal head 36 is moved to the contact position 36A or the thermal head 37 is moved to the contact position 37A based on the determination result in step S4 which is the first take-in direction determination step. Steps S8 and S13 are thermal head movement steps to be performed, and the thermal heads moved in steps S7 and S12 which are thermal head movement steps based on the determination results in steps S6 and S11 which are second take-in direction determination steps. This is a printing step in which printing is performed on the recording medium 2 by the thermal head 36 or the thermal head 37 while performing temperature control of the head 36 or thermal head 37 and conveyance control of the recording medium 2.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 5 causes the medium processing apparatus 1 to record the recording medium 2 with the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b of the recording medium 2 facing upward based on the detection result of the pre-head 16. 2 is taken in, and based on the determination result, the thermal head 36 is arranged at the contact position 36A, or the thermal head 37 is arranged at the contact position 37A. In this embodiment, the control unit 5 takes the recording medium 2 into the medium processing apparatus 1 from either the one end 2e side or the other end 2f side based on the magnetic data read result by the magnetic head 24 or the magnetic head 25. Printing on the recording medium 2 on the thermal head 36 or the thermal head 37 while controlling the temperature of the thermal head 36 or the thermal head 37 and controlling the conveyance of the recording medium 2 based on the determination result. To do.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the recording medium 2 is taken into the medium processing apparatus 1 with either the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b of the recording medium 2 facing upward, the one end 2e side of the recording medium 2 is also used. Even when the recording medium 2 is taken into the medium processing apparatus 1 from either the other end 2f side, it is possible to perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position on the recording medium 2. In other words, in this embodiment, even when the recording medium 2 is taken into the medium processing apparatus 1 in various postures, it is possible to perform appropriate printing at a predetermined position on the recording medium 2.

(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 control unit 5 has taken the recording medium 2 into the medium processing apparatus 1 with the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b of the recording medium 2 facing upward based on the detection result of the pre-head 16. The first thermal head moving mechanism 38 or the second thermal head moving mechanism 39 is operated based on the determination result. In addition to this, for example, the control unit 5 determines which of the magnetic head 24 or the magnetic head 25 has read the magnetic data, so that either the front surface 2a or the back surface 2b of the recording medium 2 faces upward. Thus, it may be determined whether or not the recording medium 2 has been taken into the medium processing apparatus 1, and the first thermal head moving mechanism 38 or the second thermal head moving mechanism 39 may be operated based on the determination result.

  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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medium processing apparatus 2 Recording medium 2c Magnetic stripe 2e One end 2f Other end 5 Control part 13, 40 Medium conveyance path 16 Pre head (detection mechanism)
24 Magnetic head (first magnetic head)
25 Magnetic head (second magnetic head)
36 Thermal head (first thermal head)
36A Contact position (first contact position)
36B Retraction position (first retraction position)
37 Thermal head (second thermal head)
37A Contact position (second contact position)
37B Retraction position (second retraction position)
38 First thermal head moving mechanism (first moving mechanism)
39 Second thermal head moving mechanism (second moving mechanism)
S4 First capture direction determination step S6, S11 Second capture direction determination step S7, S12 Thermal head moving step S8, S13 Printing step

Claims (4)

A medium conveyance path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is conveyed, a first magnetic head facing the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium passing through the medium conveyance path, and the recording A second magnetic head facing the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the medium, and disposed upstream of the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, A detection mechanism for detecting whether the recording medium is taken into the medium conveyance path in a state where one surface or the other surface of the recording medium faces the first magnetic head side; A first thermal head facing the medium transport path from one side in the thickness direction; a second thermal head facing the medium transport path from the other side in the thickness direction of the recording medium; and the recording medium A first moving mechanism that moves the first thermal head between a first contact position that can contact the first recording medium and a first retraction position that retreats in a direction away from the medium conveyance path; and contacts the recording medium A second moving mechanism for moving the second thermal head between a possible second contact position and a second retracted position retracted in a direction away from the medium conveyance path, the first thermal head, A controller that controls the second thermal head, the first moving mechanism, and the second moving mechanism,
The control unit operates the first moving mechanism or the second moving mechanism based on the detection result of the detection mechanism, and arranges the first thermal head at the first contact position. Alternatively, the second thermal head is disposed at the second contact position, and the recording medium is based on a result of reading magnetic data by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head. It is determined whether the recording medium has been taken into the medium conveyance path from one end side or the other end side. Based on the determination result, the temperature control of the first thermal head or the second thermal head and the recording medium A medium processing apparatus that causes the first thermal head or the second thermal head to perform printing on the recording medium while performing conveyance control.   The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection mechanism is a pre-head that detects the presence or absence of the magnetic stripe. A medium conveyance path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is conveyed, a first magnetic head facing the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium passing through the medium conveyance path, and the recording A second magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction of the medium; a first thermal head that faces the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium; A second thermal head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side in the thickness direction; a first contact position that can contact the recording medium; and a first retraction position that retreats away from the medium conveyance path. Between a first moving mechanism that moves the first thermal head between the second contact position that can contact the recording medium and a second retreat position that retreats away from the medium conveyance path. Said Comprising of a second moving mechanism for moving the thermal head, said first thermal head, said second thermal head, and a control unit for controlling said first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism,
The control unit determines whether the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head has read the magnetic data, and based on the determination result, the first moving mechanism or the second moving head The mechanism is operated to place the first thermal head at the first contact position, or to place the second thermal head at the second contact position, and the first magnetic head. Alternatively, based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the second magnetic head, it is determined whether the recording medium has been taken into the medium conveyance path from one end side or the other end side, and based on the determination result The first thermal head or the second thermal head is controlled while performing temperature control of the first thermal head or the second thermal head and transport control of the recording medium. Medium processing apparatus for causing the head to perform printing on the recording medium. A medium conveyance path through which a card-like recording medium having a magnetic stripe is conveyed, a first magnetic head facing the medium conveyance path from one side in the thickness direction of the recording medium passing through the medium conveyance path, and the recording A second magnetic head that faces the medium conveyance path from the other side of the thickness direction of the medium, and is arranged to face the medium conveyance path from one side of the thickness direction of the recording medium and is capable of contacting the recording medium A first thermal head movable between a first contact position and a first retracted position retracted in a direction away from the medium transport path; and the medium transport path from the other side of the recording medium in the thickness direction. And a second thermal head movable between a second contact position arranged so as to face the recording medium and capable of contacting the recording medium and a second retraction position retracted in a direction away from the medium conveyance path. Medium A method of controlling a management apparatus,
A first take-in direction determining step for determining whether the recording medium has been taken into the medium conveyance path in a state where one surface or the other surface of the recording medium faces the first magnetic head side; ,
Whether the recording medium is taken into the medium conveyance path from one end side or the other end side of the recording medium based on the reading result of the magnetic data by the first magnetic head or the second magnetic head A second taking-in direction determining step for determining
Based on the determination result in the first take-in direction determination step, the first thermal head is moved to the first contact position, or the second thermal head is moved to the second contact position. A thermal head moving step to move;
Based on the determination result in the second take-in direction determination step, temperature control of the first thermal head or the second thermal head moved in the thermal head moving step and conveyance control of the recording medium are performed. And a printing step of printing on the recording medium with the first thermal head or the second thermal head while performing the method.

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