JP6424366B2 - Card processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a card processing apparatus for taking a card inside and performing predetermined processing. In particular, it can be suitably used for a card having translucency.

  In the present specification, "card" is broadly used to mean a card-like article, and has transparency and an information storage function in addition to a card-type information storage medium (information storage medium card) having translucency. Not including cards and card-like articles. Specifically, telephone cards, prepaid cards, character cards, bromides, amusement cards, magnetic stripe cards such as credit cards and bank cards, cards with IC cards and barcodes, or cards of this type or equivalent It includes sheet-like articles made of paper or the like having a greater thickness than that.

  As a first prior art related to the present invention, there is a card handling device disclosed in Patent Document 1. This card handling apparatus comprises a card insertion slot for receiving a card having an information storage unit, a card conveying means for conveying a card inserted in the card insertion slot, and the information from the card conveyed by the card conveying means The card handling apparatus is provided with card information reading means for reading information in the storage unit, and card reading position detection means for detecting that the card has been transported to the position where the card information reading means reads. The card reading position detecting means is disposed on a locus of the information storage unit when the card is carried by the card carrying means, and the card information reading means in the card carrying direction by the card carrying means. It is installed at least before or after.

  Specifically, the card handling device comprises a sensor as the card reading position detecting means, specifically, an optical sensor (first sensor) for detecting card insertion and an optical sensor for detecting card position 2), an optical sensor (third sensor) for measuring data read timing disposed in front (upstream side) of the magnetic head, and / or data read timing disposed behind (downstream side) the magnetic head All of the light sensors for measurement (fourth sensors) are disposed on the locus of the information storage unit (for example, magnetic stripe) of the card carried by the card carrying means. With this configuration, the information storage unit can be reliably detected by the light sensor during transportation, so that a card (so-called skeleton card) in which the parts other than the information storage unit are transparent can be detected reliably. It is supposed to be possible.

  As a second prior art related to the present invention, there is a card processing device disclosed in Patent Document 2. The card processing apparatus includes an optical insertion detection sensor provided at a card insertion slot of a card conveyance path, and an optical type provided downstream of the insertion direction with a predetermined distance from the insertion detection sensor. The operation state of the card conveyance mechanism is controlled based on the signals from the length detection sensor, the card conveyance mechanism for feeding the card in the card conveyance path, and the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor. And a transport controller. A card detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a card regardless of whether the card is transparent or opaque is disposed on a card conveyance path between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor. ing. The conveyance controller receives a card detection signal from the insertion detection sensor and drives the card conveyance mechanism in the card insertion direction, and a signal from the insertion detection sensor and the length detection Length determining means for determining whether or not the length of the opaque portion of the card has reached a prescribed length based on the signal from the sensor, and the length of the opaque portion of the card by the length determining means If it is determined that the card has reached the specified length, the card transport mechanism continues to capture the card, while it is determined that the length of the opaque portion of the card has not reached the specified length. Furthermore, it is determined whether or not the card is detected by the card detection sensor, and if the card is detected, the card transport mechanism is driven in the card ejection direction. The card conveyance mechanism is returned to the initial state after the card is ejected from the card insertion slot, and the card return operation regulation means is provided to immediately return the card conveyance mechanism to the initial state if no card is detected. .

  In this card processing apparatus, the card is transparent by arranging the card detection sensor on the card conveyance path between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor (all of which are optical sensors). Whether the card is opaque or not, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the card. Then, only when the card is detected by the card return operation restricting means, the card transport mechanism is driven in the card ejection direction to eject the card from the card insertion slot while the card is not detected. In this case, the card transport mechanism is immediately returned to the initial state to prepare for the insertion of the next card. Therefore, when the card having the transparent portion is handled, the opaque portion of the card is positioned between the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor, so that the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor are used. Even under the situation where detection of a card becomes impossible, meaningless return processing can be prevented, and it is said that the operation efficiency of the card processing device can be improved.

JP-A-2005-173947 (FIG. 3, claim 1, paragraph numbers 0009, 0014 to 0016, 0023 to 0024) Patent No. 4888789 (FIG. 2, FIG. 4, claim 1, paragraph numbers 0023, 0034 to 0043, 0048 to 0072)

  However, in the card handling apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when the skeleton card is inserted in the wrong state from the card insertion slot, the card taken in can be properly handled in the card handling apparatus. There is a problem that it disappears.

  For example, when the skeleton card is inserted upside down, or when it is inserted upside down, or when a card with the entire surface transparent and no information storage unit is inserted, the card handling device Information can not be read from the card loaded inside or information can not be written to the card. This is because the information storage unit of the taken-in skeleton card can not be detected by a plurality of optical sensors as card reading position detection means. Therefore, the card can not be handled properly, and an operation to eject the card toward the card slot as an "error" must be immediately executed.

  In the card processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, the card detection sensor disposed on the card conveyance path can detect the presence or absence of a card regardless of whether it is a skeleton card or not. . However, since both the insertion detection sensor and the length detection sensor are constituted by optical sensors, these two sensors are opaque information storage units of the skeleton card inserted from the card insertion slot. Is located at a position where it can be detected. For this reason, when the skeleton card is inserted upside down, or when it is inserted upside down, or when a card whose entire surface is translucent and a card without an information storage unit is inserted, the card is inserted. There is a problem that the presence or absence of the insertion of the skeleton card into the mouth and the position of the skeleton card in the card processing device can not be detected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the first and second prior arts described above, and is the object of the present invention being whether the inserted card has an opaque place (for example, an information storage unit) Regardless of whether or not the card to be inserted has an opaque portion (for example, an information storage unit), whether or not the card is inserted into the device regardless of the position where the card is formed, and the device It is an object of the present invention to provide a card processing device capable of reliably detecting the card position in the card.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a card processing apparatus capable of eliminating the restriction on the presence / absence of an opaque portion (for example, an information storage unit) and the formation position of the card to be used.

  Still another object of the present invention is to simplify detection of presence / absence of insertion of a card and position of the card in the apparatus without causing trouble in card transport or processing (for example, reading and writing of information) on the card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a card processing device that can be realized with the following configuration.

  Further objects of the present invention which are not specified herein will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, a card processing apparatus according to the present invention is:
A first card insertion portion having a first card insertion slot;
A transport unit configured to transport a card inserted through the first card insertion unit along a predetermined transport path;
A transport mechanism that drives the transport unit to transport the card forward or backward along the transport path;
A first card detection unit provided at a first position adjacent to the first card insertion slot in the transport path;
A second card detection unit provided at a second position spaced apart from the first card detection unit by a predetermined distance rearward along the conveyance route in the conveyance route;
A third card detection unit provided at a third position at a predetermined distance from the second card detection unit rearward along the conveyance route in the conveyance route;
A control unit configured to control the transport mechanism based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal respectively sent from the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, and the third card detection unit; Equipped
Each of the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, and the third card detection unit is a movable member that is displaced from the standby position to the movement position by the contact of the card being transported on the transport path A sensor for sensing displacement of the movable member from the standby position to the movement position;
The control unit determines whether any one of the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal indicates a card detection or non-card detection, from the first card insertion slot of the card. It is characterized in that the presence or absence of the insertion and the position of the card on the transport path are determined.

  In the card processing apparatus according to the present invention, the first card detection unit is provided at the first position adjacent to the first card insertion slot in the transport path, and is backward along the transport path in the transport path. The second card detection unit is provided at the second position separated by a predetermined distance from the first card detection unit, and is separated by a predetermined distance from the second card detection unit rearward along the conveyance route in the conveyance route. The third card detection unit is provided at the third position, and the control unit controls the transport mechanism based on first to third signals respectively sent from the first to third card detection units. It is like that. Further, each of the first to third card detection units is configured to move from the standby position to the movement position by the contact of the card being transported on the transport path, and the movable portion And a sensor for sensing a displacement from a standby position to the movement position, and the control unit is responsive to which one of the first to third signals is a signal for detecting card detection or card non-detection. Then, the presence or absence of the insertion of the card from the first card slot and the position of the card on the transport path are determined.

  Therefore, regardless of whether or not the inserted card has an opaque portion (for example, an information storage unit), and if the inserted card has an opaque portion (for example, an information storage unit), Regardless of the formation position in the card, the presence or absence of a card inserted in the card processing device and the card position in the card processing device can be reliably detected.

  In addition, with respect to the card to be used, it is possible to eliminate the restriction on the presence / absence of the opaque portion (for example, the information storage unit) and the formation position thereof.

  Furthermore, the detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the card inserted and the position of the card in the apparatus can be realized with a simple configuration without causing any trouble in the transportation of the card or the processing (for example, reading and writing of information) on the card. can do.

  Further, first to third card detection units are respectively provided at the first to third positions in the conveyance path, and each of the first to third card detection units is conveyed on the conveyance path. Since the movable member is displaced from the standby position to the movement position by contact of the card, and the sensor for detecting the displacement from the standby position to the movement position of the movable portion, the card The detection of the presence or absence of the insertion and the position of the card in the apparatus can be realized with a simple configuration without causing any problem in the transportation of the card and the processing (for example, reading and writing of information) on the card.

  (2) In a preferable example of the card processing apparatus according to the present invention, the standby position of the movable member is set to a position where the card being transported on the transport path can contact the movable member. The member is configured to move toward the outside of the transport path by contact with the card to reach the transfer position, and to return to the standby position as soon as the contact with the card is released.

  (3) In another preferable example of the card processing apparatus according to the present invention, the transport unit includes a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the transport path, and the movable member transports the pair of side walls to the transport side. It is provided as it can appear in the path.

  (4) In still another preferable example of the card processing apparatus according to the present invention, the movable member is attached to an elastic shaft having one end fixed and the other end displaceable, and the other end of the elastic shaft And a contact capable of contacting the card transported on the path, and when the card contacts the contact, the elastic shaft is deformed to displace the contact from the standby position to the movement position And the displacement is detected by the sensor.

  In this example, the function of automatically returning from the movement position to the standby position when contact with the card is released is easily provided. Furthermore, since the roller is rotated and displaced, the frictional force between the side surface of the roller and the side edge of the card is reduced and the movement of the card is impeded when the card is moved in either the receiving direction or the discharging direction. You can move cards more smoothly without being In other words, there is an advantage that the load on the card at the time of contact is reduced, and deformation and damage of the card can be prevented.

  (5) In still another preferable example of the card processing device according to the present invention, the control unit is configured such that the first signal is a signal for conveying card detection, and the second and third signals are signals for conveying no card detection. If so, it is determined that the card has been inserted from the first card insertion slot, and the transport mechanism is driven to transport the card rearward.

  (6) In still another preferable example of the card processing device according to the present invention, the control unit inserts the first to third cards from the first card insertion slot if all of the first to third signals are signals indicating card non-detection. It is determined that the loading of the card has been completed, and the transport mechanism is stopped to stop transport of the card.

  (7) In still another preferable example of the card processing device according to the present invention, when the card discharge instruction is issued, the control unit causes the third signal and the second signal to sequentially transmit card detection signals from the card non-card. Detection of the change in the signal conveying the detection is detected, and the transport mechanism is stopped to stop the transport of the card forward.

  (8) In still another preferable example of the card processing apparatus according to the present invention, a second card insertion portion having a second card insertion port provided on the opposite side of the transport path to the first card insertion port; And a fourth card detection unit for transmitting a fourth signal provided at a fourth position adjacent to the second card insertion slot in the transport path, the control unit including the fourth signal If it is a signal for detecting card detection, it is determined that the card is inserted from the second card insertion slot, and the transport mechanism is driven to transport the card forward.

  (9) In still another preferable example of the card processing apparatus according to the present invention, the contact is a roller-shaped member that swings from the standby position to the movement position by contact with the card. In this example, since the configuration is simple, there is an advantage that the movable member can be miniaturized.

  In the card processing device of the present invention, (a) the inserted card is opaque (for example, information storage unit) regardless of whether the inserted card has the opaque portion (for example, information storage unit) In the case where the card is used, whether or not the card is inserted into the device and the card position in the device can be reliably detected regardless of the formation position in the card. (B) (C) detection of card insertion / non-insertion and card position within the device, card conveyance and card removal This can be realized with a simple configuration without causing any problem in the processing (for example, reading and writing of information).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the perspective view seen from the front side which shows the whole structure of the card processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the card processing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the back side. It is a right view of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a left view of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a top view of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a bottom view of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the AA 'line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the BB 'line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which followed the BB 'line of FIG. 5 which shows the card | curd collection | recovery state of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter mechanism of the card processing apparatus of FIG. (A) is a perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st conveyance part of the card processing apparatus of FIG. 1, (b) is the side view. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conveyance mechanism of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conveyance mechanism of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the card | curd conveyance state of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the card | curd conveyance state of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the card | curd conveyance state of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the card | curd conveyance state of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the card | curd conveyance state of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart of card | curd conveyance control of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart of card | curd conveyance control of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart of card | curd conveyance control of the card processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the various states of the 1st card | curd detection part of the card processing apparatus of FIG. 1, (a) is a perspective view which shows the rest state (normal state), (b) is the elements on larger scale of the C section of (a). (C) is a perspective view showing the operation state, (d) is a partially enlarged view of part D of (c). (A) is a principal part perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st card | curd detection part of the card processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the side view. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st card | curd detection part of the card processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the side view. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st card | curd detection part of the card processing apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the side view.

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

First Embodiment
A card processing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.

(Whole configuration of card processing device)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the card processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is disposed continuously in the rear of the first insertion portion 102 having the first card insertion opening 102a and the first insertion portion 102. A second insertion having a second card insertion slot 110a continuously arranged behind the distributing unit 106, the distributing unit 106 continuously arranged behind the conveying unit 104, and the rear side of the distributing unit 106 And a unit 110. An IC data read / write unit 108 is disposed above the distribution unit 106. On the right side of the transport unit 104 and the distribution unit 106, a transport mechanism 112 for driving the transport unit 104 is provided.

  The first insertion unit 102 takes the card 120 into the inside of the first insertion unit 10 via the first card insertion slot 102 a and sends the card 120 to the transport unit 104. The card 120 is thus taken into the inside of the card processing device 100.

  The conveyance unit 104 is a first conveyance path 150 formed in the conveyance unit 104 by the driving force of the conveyance mechanism 112, the card 120 taken into the inside of the first insertion unit 102 through the first card insertion opening 102a. The card 120 is transported backward (or forward) along (see FIG. 7).

  The distribution unit 106 closes the space between the first conveyance path 150 and the second insertion unit 110, and guides the card 120 to be collected to the collection port 114 (see FIG. 8).

  The second insertion unit 110 takes the card 120 into the second insertion unit 110 via the second card insertion slot 110 a and sends the card 120 to the distribution unit 106. The card 120 is thus taken into the inside of the card processing device 100.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are defined. The X-axis is in the horizontal plane, and the X-axis direction is the insertion direction of the card 120 into the first card insertion slot 102 a and also the transport direction of the card 120. The direction from the first insertion portion 102 to the second insertion portion 110 along the X axis is also referred to as the rear, and the opposite direction is also referred to as the front. The X-axis extends obliquely in the direction from the left front to the right back in FIG. The Y-axis is orthogonal to the X-axis in the horizontal plane, and in FIG. 1 extends obliquely in the direction from the front right to the rear left. The Z-axis is orthogonal to the horizontal plane or XY plane, and extends vertically in the vertical direction. The card processing device 100 is disposed on a horizontal surface.

  In addition, the rotational direction when the card 120 is transported backward along the X axis, that is, the clockwise rotational direction in FIG. 3, is defined as a first rotational direction R1, and the card 120 is moved forward along the X axis. The rotation direction at the time of conveyance, that is, the counterclockwise rotation direction in FIG. 3 is taken as a second rotation direction R2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-9, the card processing apparatus 100 configured from the above components includes a pair of long sides extending along the X axis and a pair of short sides extending along the Y axis. And a frame 130 having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape parallel to the X-Y plane (horizontal plane). That is, the first insertion unit 102, the conveyance unit 104, the distribution unit 106, the second insertion unit 110, the IC data read / write unit 108, and the conveyance mechanism 112 of the card processing apparatus 100 are sequentially provided along the frame 130. ing.

  The frame 130 forms a pair of long sides and has first and second side plates 132 and 134 opposite to each other at a predetermined interval. Further, the frame 130 forms a pair of short sides, and further includes a first stay 136 fixed to one end of the first and second side plates 132 and 134, and the first and second side plates 132 and 134. And a second stay 138 fixed to the other end of the second stay 138.

  The first stay 136 has a pair of opposing flanges 136a and 136b, and a web 136c connecting the flanges 136a and 136b. The pair of flanges 136a and 136b has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is fixed to each of the first and second side plates 132 and 134 by screws or the like. The second stay 138 has a pair of opposing flanges 138a, 138b and a web 138c connecting the flanges 138a, 138b. The pair of flange portions 138a and 138b has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is fixed to the first and second side plates 132 and 134 by screws or the like. The length in the Z-axis direction of the pair of flange portions 138a and 138b of the second stay 138 is formed larger than the width in the Z-axis direction of the web portion 138c. In other words, the second stay 138 is configured in a substantially U-shape in a YZ plan view.

  The frame 130 further includes a rectangular plate-shaped third stay 140 mounted on the back side (lower side) of the transport unit 104 and a fourth stay disposed above the pair of flange portions 138 a and 138 b of the second stay 138. There are 148. The fourth stay 148 connects the pair of flange portions 138a and 138b to each other.

  A first insertion portion 102 is provided above the first stay 136, and a second insertion portion 110 is provided above the second stay 138, that is, above the web portion 138c of the second stay 138. ing.

  The first insertion portion 102, the transport portion 104, the distribution portion 106, and the second insertion portion 110 are disposed in this order along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the frame 130, and the first card insertion port 102a is described later. The first transport path 150 of the transport section 104 to be transported, the second transport path 402 of the distribution section 106 and the second card insertion port 110a of the distribution section 106, which will be described later, communicate with each other substantially flush. The transport path 118 of the

  Driving of the transport mechanism 112 for transporting the card 120 on the transport path 118 to the side opposite to the second side plate 134 of the first side plate 132, in other words, the outer surface of the frame 130 (the outer surface on the right in FIG. 1) A connection mechanism 326 and a switching mechanism 410 for switching the connection state between the first conveyance path 150 and the second conveyance path 402 to the connection state between the first conveyance path 150 and the collection path 404 of the distribution unit 106 are arranged. . In addition, on the side opposite to the first side plate 132 of the second side plate 134, in other words, on the outer surface of the frame 130 (the outer surface on the left side in FIG. 1) 2, and third and fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506, and a state detection unit 424 that detects the state of the distribution unit 106. A control unit 146 that controls the card processing device 100 is disposed on the upper surface of the third stay 140.

(First insertion section)
Next, the first insertion portion 102 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 9.

  The first insertion portion 102 has a function of receiving the card 120 via the first card insertion port 102 a and guiding the card 120 toward the transport portion 104. The first insertion portion 102 of the first embodiment is formed of a square pillar 142 having a convex shape in plan view, and is screwed to the frame 130. A through hole 144 is formed inside the prism 142 along the projecting direction (X axis) of convex shape in plan view, and the through hole 144 is a first card insertion slot formed at the tip of the prism 142 It is in communication with 102a. The through hole 144 has a substantially rectangular shape in cross section parallel to a plane (Y-Z plane) perpendicular to the X axis. The width of the through hole 144 is slightly larger than the length of the pair of short sides of the card 120, and the thickness thereof is formed slightly larger than the thickness of the card 120 and smaller than the thickness of two cards 120. The first card insertion slot 102 a is one size larger than the through hole 144. The card inserted into the first card insertion slot 102 a is sent to the transport unit 104 while being guided by the inner wall of the through hole 144 through the through hole 144.

  In addition, the shape of the 1st insertion part 102 is not limited to what was described here. It may have an outer shape other than a prismatic shape such as a cylindrical shape, or the through hole 144 may be formed directly on the front end of the frame 130 without providing the prism 142. In that case, the tip of the through hole 144 is the first insertion port 102. It goes without saying that the shape and configuration of the first insertion portion 102 can be appropriately changed according to the application.

(Shutter mechanism)
The shutter mechanism 220 is, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, more specifically, a through hole 144 of the first insertion portion 102 and a conveyance portion to be described later, between the first insertion portion 102 and the conveyance portion 104. It is provided between the first conveyance path 150 and the first conveyance path 150, and has a function of restricting transfer of the card 120 from the first insertion portion 102 to the first conveyance path 150.

  The shutter mechanism 220 is between a first position P1 for blocking communication between the first conveyance path 150 and the first insertion portion 102, and a second position P2 for causing the first conveyance path 150 and the first insertion port 102 to be in communication. And a first solenoid 232 for driving (rotating) the shutter 222, and a movable shaft 230 for transmitting the driving force of the first solenoid 232 to the shutter 222.

  The first solenoid 232 is fixed to the inside of the frame 130 on the first side plate 132 side of the first stay 136 via a bracket as shown in FIG. 10B, the plunger of the first solenoid 232 One end of the movable shaft 230 is fixed to 232a.

  The shutter 222 includes a restricting portion 224 formed in a substantially convex shape, and a pair of connecting portions 226 a and 226 b which project substantially at right angles from both ends of the convex portion of the restricting portion 224. A pair of through holes are formed at opposite positions in the pair of connecting portions 226a and 226b, and the pivot shafts 228 fixed to the first and second side plates 132 and 134 are inserted into these through holes. The shutter 222 is configured to pivot about a pivot shaft 228. An elliptical through hole is formed between the through hole and the restricting portion 224 in the connecting portion 226a on the first side plate 132 side, and the oval through hole is engaged with the plunger 232a. One end of the movable shaft 230 is inserted, and the driving force of the first solenoid 232 is transmitted to the shutter 222.

  The shutter 222 is always held at the first position P1. Therefore, the communication between the first conveyance path 150 and the first insertion portion 102 is always shut off so that the card 120 is not sent out to the first conveyance path 150. When an instruction to open the shutter 222 is output from the external device 1 to the card processing device 100, the control unit 146 of the card processing device 100 outputs a drive control signal of the first solenoid 232. The first solenoid 232 is driven in response to the drive control signal, and the shutter 222 is moved to the second position P2. Thus, the first transport path 150 and the first insertion port 102 communicate with each other, and the card 120 can be delivered to the first transport path 150.

  In this embodiment, since a general pull solenoid is adopted as the first solenoid 232, when the first solenoid 232 is excited, the plunger 232a is attracted to the inside of the first solenoid 232, and the shutter 222 is It turns from the 1 position P1 toward the 2nd position P2. As a result, the first insertion port 102 and the first conveyance path 150 communicate with each other. On the other hand, when the first solenoid 232 is demagnetized, the plunger 232a protrudes from the inside of the first solenoid 232, and the shutter 222 pivots from the second position P2 toward the first position P1. Thus, the communication between the first insertion port 102 and the first conveyance path 150 is blocked.

  In the present embodiment, although a pull solenoid is used as the first solenoid 232, the drive source of the shutter mechanism 220 is not limited to this, and a push solenoid, a rotary solenoid, a motor or the like may be used. .

(Transport unit)
Next, the transport unit 104 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The transport unit 104 has a function of transporting the card 120 in the front-rear direction (along the X axis), and a function of reading the magnetic data stored in the magnetic stripe formed on the card 120 and writing the data in the magnetic stripe. doing.

  The transport unit 104 is configured of a first unit 240 in which the magnetic head 244 and the like are disposed, and a second unit 242 disposed above the first unit 240. A flat space in which the card 120 can pass is formed between the first and second units 240 and 242, and the space functions as a first conveyance path 150.

  The first transport path 150 includes a bottom surface 152 on which the card 120 is placed, an upper surface disposed opposite to the bottom surface 152, and first and second pairs provided on a side of the bottom surface 152 parallel to the X axis. Similar to the through hole 144 of the first insertion portion 102, a cross section parallel to the YZ plane is formed by the side walls 156 and 158, and has a substantially rectangular shape slightly larger than the pair of short sides and thickness of the card 120. ing. As described above, since the first transport path 150 is formed between the first and second units 240 and 242, the bottom surface 152 of the first transport path 150 corresponds to the top surface of the first unit 240, and The upper surface of the one conveyance path 150 corresponds to the lower surface of the second unit 242. Each of the first and second side walls 156 and 158 functions as a spacer between the upper surface of the first unit 240 and the lower surface of the second unit 242 so that the first and second units 240 and 242 can be separated from each other. One conveyance path 150 is formed.

  On the bottom surface 152 of the first conveyance path 150, as shown clearly in FIGS. 7 and 10A, a first through hole 160 in which the magnetic head 244 is disposed, and a support for supporting the card 120 with the magnetic head 244 The second through hole 162 in which the portion 246 is disposed, the pair of third through holes 164a and 164b in which the pair of rollers 302a and 302b of the first transport roller device 302 of the transport mechanism 112 are disposed, and the second transport roller device 304, a pair of notches 172a, 172b in which a pair of rollers 304a, 304b are arranged, and a fourth to a fourth card detection unit 180, 182, 184 in which the card 120 on the transport path 118 is detected. Sixth through holes 166, 168, and 170 are formed.

  The first through hole 160 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape at a position substantially apart from the first side wall 156 by a predetermined distance at substantially the center of two sides of the bottom surface 152 in the X-axis direction. More specifically, the first through hole 160 is formed at a position facing the information storage unit of the card 120 (for example, the magnetic stripe of a general magnetic stripe card) being conveyed on the first conveyance path 150.

  The second through hole 162 is a substantially rectangular shape having a pair of long sides parallel to the X axis at a position substantially away from the second side wall 158 at substantially the center of the two sides in the X axis direction of the bottom surface 152. It is formed. The second through hole 162 is formed at substantially the same position as the first through hole 160 with respect to the position in the X-axis direction. Since the card 120 is supported by both the magnetic head 244 and the support portion 246 by forming the second through hole 162 in this manner, magnetic data for the information storage portion (magnetic stripe) of the card 120 being transported can be obtained. The attitude of the card 120 when reading and writing is stabilized.

  The pair of third through holes 164 a and 164 b are formed in the vicinity of the end on the side (upstream side) of the first insertion portion 102 of the bottom surface 152. The third through hole 164a is formed on the side of the first side wall 156, and the third through hole 164b is formed on the side of the second side wall 158 so as not to face the information storage portion (magnetic stripe) of the card 120 being transported. ing.

  The pair of notches 172 a and 172 b are formed at the end of the bottom surface 152 opposite to the first insertion portion 102 (that is, on the side of the second insertion opening 110). The notch 172a is formed on the side of the first side wall 156, and the notch 172b is on the side of the second side wall 158 so as not to face the information storage portion (magnetic stripe) of the card 120 being transported.

  The pair of third through holes 164a and 164b is provided with a pair of rollers 302a and 302b constituting a first conveyance roller device 302, and the pair of notches 172a and 172b is a pair constituting a second conveyance roller device 304. The rollers 304a and 304b are disposed. Therefore, the third through holes 164a and 164b and the notches 172a and 172b do not face the information storage unit (magnetic stripe) of the card 120. Therefore, the rollers 302a, 302b, 304a and 304b do not correspond to the information storage unit of the card 120. There is no contact with Therefore, damage or the like of the information storage unit of the card 120 can be reliably prevented.

  The fourth through hole 166 is formed in the vicinity of the end of the second side wall 158 closer to the first insertion portion 102 than the third through hole 164 b. The fifth and sixth through holes 168 and 170 are formed in this order between the third through hole 164 b and the notch 172 b.

  Seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176, and 178 are formed in the second side wall 158 at positions corresponding to the fourth to sixth through holes 166, 168, and 170, respectively. In the seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176 and 178, first to third rollers 182, 192 and 202 of first to third card detection units 180, 182 and 184, the details of which will be described later, are arranged, respectively. ing. Therefore, the distance between the pair of edges parallel to the X axis of the seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176, 178 is the thickness of the first to third rollers 182, 192, 202 (parallel to the X axis Length) is formed larger. The seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176, 178 are provided at a pair of end edges extending in a direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the bottom surface 152 of the seventh through ninth through holes 174, 176, 178. A taper is formed so that the distance between the pair of side edges gradually increases as the distance from the first conveyance path 150 in the Y-axis direction. By doing this, the distance between the ends of the seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176, 178 close to the first conveyance path 150 is made smaller than the diameters of the corresponding first to third rollers 182, 192, 202, As a result, the distance between the end portions located farther from the first conveyance path 150 is made larger than the diameter of the corresponding first to third rollers 182, 192, 202.

  In addition, in the card processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, although it is formed as one through-hole which the 3rd through-hole 164b, the 4th through-hole 166, and the 5th through-hole 168 connected, it is 3rd through-hole 164b and The fourth through holes 166 and the fifth through holes 168 may be formed integrally or separately. The pair of notches 172a and 172b may be through holes such as the third through holes 164a and 164b. The third to sixth through holes 164 b, 166, 168, 170 and the notch 172 b may be connected to form one through hole or a notch.

  The magnetic head 244 has a function of reading the magnetic data stored in the information storage portion of the card 120 transported through the first transport path 150, that is, the magnetic stripe, and writing the data in the same magnetic stripe. As shown in FIG. 12, the magnetic head 244 is disposed substantially at the center of the plate spring 248 and is inserted into the first through hole 160 from the back side (lower side) of the bottom surface 152 of the first conveyance path 150. . Both ends of the plate spring 248 are fixed to the back side of the bottom surface 152 of the first conveyance path 150. The magnetic head 244 is biased toward the front side of the bottom surface 152, that is, toward the inside of the first conveyance path 150 by a plate spring 248. Therefore, the magnetic head 244 can swing in the direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the bottom surface 152 in accordance with the movement of the card 120. In addition, although the leaf | plate spring 248 is arrange | positioned on the back side of the bottom face 152 via the fixing tool 250 here, you may fix to the bottom face 152 directly.

  The support portion 246 has a function of holding the attitude of the card 120 transported on the first transport path 150 in cooperation with the magnetic head 244, as shown in FIG. The support portion 246 includes a flat plate portion 252 having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a projecting portion 254 having a rectangular shape in a plan view protruding from the center of the flat portion 252. The protruding portion 254 is inserted into the second through hole 162 from the back side of the bottom surface 152, and the protruding amount from the surface of the bottom surface 152 of the magnetic head 244 and the protruding amount from the surface of the bottom surface 152 of the protruding portion 254 are substantially the same. I am trying to be On the upper surface of the projecting portion 254, inclined surfaces are formed at both ends along the X-axis direction, and each end of the inclined surfaces extends to the back side of the bottom surface 152. With this configuration, the card 120 being transported can be smoothly moved from the bottom surface 152 to the protrusion 254 without being caught by the two ends of the protrusion 254 in the X-axis direction.

  Below the support part 246, the fixing tool 258 fixed to the bottom surface 152 is arrange | positioned (refer FIG. 8, FIG. 9). A pair of screws are inserted from the opposite side of the flat plate portion 252 to the flat portion of the fixture 258 disposed opposite to the flat plate portion 252, and the springs 256 are respectively fitted to the screws. One end of the spring 256 is in contact with the flat portion of the fixing tool 258, and the other end is in contact with the back side of the flat plate portion 252, and the support portion 246 is urged toward the front side of the bottom surface 152 (first conveying path 150). doing. Therefore, similarly to the magnetic head 244, the support portion 246 also swings in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) following the card 120 being transported.

  In the card processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the springs 256 are respectively inserted into the pair of screws inserted into the flat portion of the fixing tool 258, but even if the fixing tool 258 forms a shaft for inserting the pair of springs I do not care. In addition, one spring may be used to bias the support portion 246, or three or more springs may be used. Furthermore, although a coil spring is used as the spring 256 for biasing the support portion 246, it may be a leaf spring as with the magnetic head 244.

  Next, the first, second and third card detection units 180, 182 and 184 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 7, 10, 11 and 23. FIG.

  Through holes (not shown) are formed in the second side plate 134 at positions corresponding to the seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176, 178 of the second side wall 158, respectively. Therefore, the seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176, 178 of the second side wall 158 are all outside the second side plate 134 (card processing device 100) through the through holes of the second side plate 134. It will be open. First to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184 are disposed in the seventh to ninth through holes 174, 176, and 178, respectively.

  The first card detection unit 180 is rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to the Z axis and is pushed by the card 120 along the Y axis, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 13. The roller 186a configured to be pivotable (in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the card 120) and the roller 186a are rotatably held, and the roller 186a is urged toward the inside of the first conveyance path 150. And a sensor 190a for detecting the presence or absence of the card 120 in the first conveyance path 150 by detecting the swing of the roller 186a in the Y-axis direction (direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the card 120). have.

  The roller 186a is formed of a disc-like or cylindrical rotor, and has an axial hole 188a at the center of the upper and lower circular surfaces. A first shaft 198a of a wire spring 196a as the rotation shaft of the roller 186a is inserted into the shaft hole 188a, and can be rotated about the first shaft 198a. The wire spring 196a is formed in a substantially L shape by the first shaft 198a and the second shaft 200a. The first shaft 198a extends in the Z-axis direction and is disposed at the center of the X axis of the first through hole 174, and the second shaft 200a is fixed to the second side plate 134 by a screw or the like. The roller 186 a is disposed in the seventh through hole 174, and is urged toward the first conveyance path 150 by the wire spring 196 a so as to be able to move back and forth to the inside of the first conveyance path 150. The roller 186a at the standby position P5a is configured such that the minimum distance between the side surface of the roller 186a and the first side wall 156 of the first conveyance path 150 is smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120.

  The sensor 190a is a grooved transmission type photo sensor in which a light projector and a light receiver are disposed to be opposed to each other at the tip of a substantially U-shaped box having a groove portion 192a. The sensor 190a is fixed to the second side plate 134 via a bracket provided corresponding to the seventh through hole 174 on the opposite side (that is, the outer side) of the second side plate 134 to the first conveyance path 150. There is. In the sensor 190a, the optical axis 194a of light emitted from the light projector to the light receiver is parallel to the Z axis, and the roller 186a is disposed in the groove portion 192a so as to be able to advance and retreat.

  When the roller 186a is held at the standby position P5a by the biasing force of the wire spring 196a, the roller 186a enters the first conveyance path 150 and withdraws from the groove 192a of the sensor 190a to shield the optical axis 194a of the sensor 190a. do not do. On the other hand, when the roller 186a moves to the movement position P6a against the biasing force of the wire spring 196a, the roller 186a withdraws from the first conveyance path 150 and enters the groove 192a of the sensor 190a, and the optical axis 194a of the sensor 190a Shield

  Since the minimum distance between the side surface of the roller 186 a and the first side wall 156 of the first conveyance path 150 is smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120, the roller 186 a is the second of the card 120. It can be displaced in the Y-axis direction by contacting the side surface on the side of the side plate 134, and can be pushed from the standby position P5a toward the moving position P6a and retreat from the first conveyance path 150. Therefore, when the card 120 reaches the first card detection unit 180, the roller 186a is pushed by the side surface of the card 120 from the standby position P5a toward the movement position P6a, and enters the groove 192a of the sensor 190a and the optical axis 194a. Block the light. The sensor 190a outputs a first detection signal SS1 when the light axis 194a is shielded by the roller 186a. When the first control signal SS1 is input to the control unit 146, the first card detection unit 180 determines that the card 120 is detected. That is, the card 120 is detected by the sensor 190a via the roller 186a.

  Since the second card detection unit 182 and the third card detection unit 184 are configured in the same manner as the first card detection unit 180, components of the first card detection unit 180 that are the same as the first card detection unit 180 are We will assign the same number as it and distinguish it with the alphabetic suffix "b" and "c". That is, since "a" is given to the first card detection unit 180, "b" is given to the second card detection unit 182, and "c" is given to the third card detection unit 184. , To distinguish the three. The roller 186 b of the second card detection unit 182 is disposed in the eighth through hole 176, and the roller 186 c of the third card detection unit 184 is disposed in the ninth through hole 178. Although the configuration is different, the other configuration is the same as the first card detection unit 180, and thus the detailed description of the second and third card detection units 182 and 184 will be omitted.

  Each of the first to third card detection units 180, 182, 184 detects the movement (displacement) of the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c contacted / pushed by the side surface of the card 120 with the sensors 190a, 190b, 190c. Thus, the presence of the card 120 is detected. Therefore, even if the card 120 is a skeleton card having translucency over the entire surface, the problem that the card 120 can not be detected by the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184 does not occur.

  A pair of tenth through holes 262a and 262b, a pair of eleventh through holes 264a and 264b, a pair of twelfth through holes 266a and 266b, and a pair of tenth through holes 262a and 262b are provided on the upper surface of the first transport path 150 (the lower surface of the second unit 242). 13 through holes 268 are formed. Each of the pair of tenth through holes 262a and 262b has a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed opposite to the pair of third through holes 164a and 164b formed on the bottom surface 152, and the third through holes 262a and 262b are formed therein A pair of rollers 306 a and 306 b of the transport roller device 306 are disposed. Each of the pair of eleventh through holes 264a and 264b has a substantially rectangular shape and is formed opposite to the pair of notches 172a and 172b formed on the bottom surface 152, and a pair of fourth transport rollers is formed therein. A pair of rollers 308a, 308b of the device 308 are arranged.

  Each of the pair of twelfth through holes 266 a and 266 b has a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed to be opposed to the first through hole 160. A pair of support portions 270a and 270b are disposed in the pair of twelfth through holes 266a and 266b, and the card 120 is held by the magnetic head 244 and the pair of support portions 270a and 270b. The thirteenth through hole 268 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed to face the second through hole 162 formed in the bottom surface 152. The support portion 272 is inserted into the thirteenth through hole 268, and works together with the support portion 246 to hold the card 120.

(Distribution department)
Next, the distributing unit 106 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The distribution unit 106 has a function of guiding the collection target card 120 to the collection port 114 by closing the passage between the first conveyance passage 150 and the second insertion unit 110. The distributing unit 106 reciprocates between a third position P3 communicating the passage between the first conveyance path 150 and the second insertion port 110 and a fourth position P4 closing the passage. And the state detection unit 424 that detects which of the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 the distributing member 400 is positioned, and the distributing member 400 pivots between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4. And a switching mechanism 410.

  In the following description, each direction (that is, X axis, Y axis, Z axis) is based on the case where the distributing member 400 is located at the third position P3.

  The distributing member 400 has a substantially H-shaped cross section in parallel to the YZ plane, and a pair of side walls 400b and 400c having a pair of long sides extending in the X-axis direction and a pair of side walls And a web 400a connecting between 400b and 400c. The rear end of the pair of side walls 400b and 400c (the end opposite to the first conveyance path 150) is rotatable to the fifth rotation shaft 322 of the fifth conveyance roller device 310 of the conveyance mechanism 112 described later. It is being fixed and the distribution member 400 can be rotated between the 3rd position P3 and the 4th position P4 centering | focusing on the 5th rotating shaft 322. As shown in FIG.

  On the surface side of the web 400 a of the distribution member 400, a second conveyance path 402 for conveying the card 120 along the X axis is formed. Similar to the first transport path 150, the second transport path 402 has a substantially rectangular shape whose cross section (vertical cross section) parallel to the YZ plane has a shape slightly larger than the pair of short sides and thickness of the card 120. Have. The bottom surface 402 a of the second conveyance path 402 is formed by the web 400 a. The pair of side surfaces 402 c and 402 d of the second conveyance path 402 is formed by the pair of side walls 400 b on the surface side of the web 400 a. Furthermore, an upper surface 402b parallel to the bottom surface 402a is disposed above the bottom surface 402a. When the distributing member 400 is positioned at the third position P3, the bottom surface 402a of the second conveyance path 402 is configured to be substantially flush with the bottom surface 152 of the first conveyance path 150. In this way, the card 120 transported along the X axis can be smoothly moved between the first transport path 150 and the second transport path 402.

  An antenna 440 for reading and writing IC data of the noncontact IC chip 124 mounted on the card 120 is disposed on the upper surface 402 b of the second conveyance path 402. The antenna 440 is disposed on the trajectory of the IC chip along the X axis, and when the card 120 is transported along the X axis along the first and second transport paths 150 and 402 and the IC chip reaches the antenna 440, The IC data is read from the IC chip based on the IC data read control signal IDR output from the control unit 146, and the data is written to the IC chip based on the IC data write control signal IDW.

  On the back side of the web 400 a of the distribution member 400, a recovery path 404 for guiding the card 120 to the recovery port 114 is formed. On the back surface of the web 400 a of the distribution member 400, a pair of guide members 406 formed so as to protrude toward the recovery port 114 is formed at the end on the second insertion portion 110 side. In the pair of guide members 406, an end surface 406a on the side of the first conveyance path 150 is formed as a concave curved surface or an inclined surface. As a result, the leading end of the card 120 in the transport direction guided from the first transport path 150 to the recovery path 404 abuts on the end face 406 a of the guide member 406 and also along the surface of the end face 406 a toward the recovery port 114. You will be guided.

  On the side of the first side plate 132 of the frame 130, as shown in FIG. 3, a switching mechanism 410 for rotating the distributing member 400 between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 is disposed. The switching mechanism 410 uses the driving force of the second solenoid 412 as a driving source, the push bar 418 connected to the second solenoid 412, and the driving force of the second solenoid 412 transmitted via the push bar 418 to the distribution member 400. A transmitting link member 420 and a driven member 422 provided on the distributing member 400 and connected to the linking member 420 are provided.

  The second solenoid 412 has a frame 412a containing a coil (not shown) and a fixed core (not shown), a plunger 414 inserted in the frame 412a, and a spring for urging the plunger 414 in a direction to project from the frame 412a. And 416. When the second solenoid 412 is energized, the plunger 414 is attracted to the inside of the frame 412 a against the biasing force of the spring 416. When the second solenoid 412 is de-energized, the biasing force of the spring 416 pushes the plunger 414 out of the frame 412 a. Thus, as the second solenoid 412, a so-called pull solenoid in which the plunger 414 is reciprocally driven is used. The second solenoid 412 is disposed to reciprocate the plunger 414 substantially along the X-axis, and is fixed to the first side plate 132 via a bracket.

  The push bar 418 has a substantially linear shape, and is disposed along the direction in which the plunger 414 reciprocates (approximately in the X-axis direction), and one end thereof protrudes from the frame of the plunger 414. It is connected to the part. Therefore, the push bar 418 reciprocates substantially along the X axis in conjunction with the reciprocation of the plunger 414. On the other hand, since the link member 420 is connected to the end of the push bar 418 opposite to the side to which the plunger 414 is connected, the driving force of the second solenoid 412 is linked via the push bar 418 to the link member 420. Transmitted to

  The link member 420 is formed of a plate-like member having a substantially obtuse triangle shape, and is locked to the first side plate 132 so as to be rotatable about the inner core. Push bars 418 are rotatably connected to each other at one end of a pair of apexes of the link member 420 having acute angles. A roller is disposed at an end of the link member 420 opposite to the end, and is connected to a driven member 422 provided on the distributing member 400. Thus, the driving force of the second solenoid 412 is transmitted to the driven member 422 through the push bar 418 and the link member 420.

  The driven member 422 is provided at the end of the side wall of the distribution member 400 on the side of the collection passage 404. The driven member 422 has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape, and the first protrusion protruding from the side wall along the Y axis and the first protrusion from the end opposite to the side wall of the first protrusion A second protrusion extending along the Z-axis at a right angle to the portion, and a through hole formed in the second protrusion. The through hole is formed in a substantially "F" shape, the apex thereof is disposed on the side of the first insertion portion 102 of the second projection, and the rear end thereof is disposed along the X axis and the Z axis from the apex ing. The roller of the link member 420 is inserted into the through hole, and the inside of the through hole can be reciprocated.

  Next, the operation of the distribution unit 106 will be described in detail.

  When the second solenoid 412 is in the standby state, that is, de-energized, the plunger 414 is pulled out of the frame by the biasing force of the spring 416. The push bar 418 is pushed along the X axis by the plunger 414 and pushes the end of the link member 420 along the X axis. The link member 420 rotates about the inner center in the second rotation direction R2 along with the movement to the X axis of the end. As the link member 420 rotates in the second rotation direction R2, the end moves forward. Along with this, the distribution member 400 moves to the third position P3.

  When the second solenoid 412 is energized, the plunger 414 is drawn into the frame against the bias of the spring 416. In other words, the plunger 414 moves forward. As the plunger 414 moves, the push bar 418 moves forward and the end of the link member 420 moves forward. Along with this, the link member 420 rotates in the first rotation direction R1, and the end moves toward the rear. With the movement of the end, the distributing member 400 moves from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4.

  On the second side plate 134 side of the frame 130, as shown in FIG. 4, a state detection unit 424 for detecting which of the third position and the fourth position P3 or P4 the distributing member 400 is located is disposed It is done. The state detection unit 424 includes a pair of detected portions 428 and 432, and a pair of sensors 426 and 430 that detect each of the pair of detected portions 428 and 432. Each of the pair of detected portions 428 and 432 is formed of a plate-like member protruding from the side wall of the distribution member 400 along the Y axis. As the pair of sensors 426 and 430, a grooved transmissive photo sensor is used, in which a light projector and a light receiver are disposed opposite to each other at the end of a substantially U-shaped box. The pair of sensors 426 and 430 protrude from the second side plate 134 along the Y axis and are fixed to a bracket extending in the X axis, and the sensor 426 is disposed at a position corresponding to the detected portion 428 The sensor 430 is disposed at a position corresponding to the detected portion 432.

  When the distributing member 400 is located at the third position P3, the pair of detected portions 428 and 432 are configured to be inserted into the grooves of the pair of sensors 426 and 430, respectively. Therefore, when the distributing member 400 is positioned at the third position P3, the optical axis from the light emitter of each of the pair of sensors 426, 430 to the light receiver is blocked by the pair of detected portions 428, 432, and as a result, the pair The amount of light received by the light receivers of the sensors 426 and 430 decreases. On the other hand, when the distributing member 400 is positioned at the fourth position P4, each of the pair of detected portions 428, 432 is configured to withdraw from the groove of the pair of sensors 426, 430. Therefore, when the distributing member 400 is positioned at the fourth position P4, the optical axis from the light projector to the light receiver of each of the pair of sensors 426, 430 is not blocked by the pair of detected portions 428, 432, and as a result, The amount of light received by the light receivers of the pair of sensors 426 and 430 is increased as compared with the case where the distributing member 400 is located at the third position P3. By detecting a change in the amount of light received by the light receivers of the pair of sensors 426 and 430, it is detected which one of the third and fourth positions P3 and P4 of the distributing member 400 is located.

(2nd insertion part)
Next, the second insertion portion 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the second insertion portion 110 is provided at the end of the conveyance path 118 opposite to the first insertion portion 102. The second insertion portion 110 stores a plurality of cards 120 and is communicated with a card dispenser (not shown) or the like for dispensing the cards 120 one by one, and transports the cards 120 dispensed from the card dispenser. It has a function of guiding to the route 118.

  The second insertion portion 110 is disposed above the second stay 138. The second insertion portion 110 detects the first member 500 and the second member 502 disposed opposite to each other at a distance slightly larger than the thickness of the card 120 and the card 120 inserted from the second card insertion port 110 a And a four-card detection unit 506.

  The first member 500 has a substantially rectangular stay portion 500a, and a substantially rectangular guide portion having a vertical relationship with the stay portion 500a and having a pair of long sides parallel to the pair of long sides of the stay portion 500a. A tapered portion 500c connecting one of a pair of long sides of the stay portion 500a to one of a pair of long sides of the guide portion 500b, and a tapered portion continuously provided from the other long side of the guide portion 500b And 500 d. The second member 502 has a configuration similar to that of the first member 500, and includes a stay portion 502a, a guide portion 502b, and tapered portions 502c and 502d. The second member 502 is disposed below the first member 500 so that the distance between the guide portion 502 b of the first member 500 and the guide portion 502 b of the second member 502 is slightly larger than the thickness of the card 120. The guide portion 500 b and the guide portion 502 b are disposed to face each other.

  A rectangular through hole 504 is formed in the flange portion 138b of the second stay 138 at substantially the same height as the gap 518 (see FIG. 12) provided between the guide portion 500b and the guide portion 502b. . In the through hole 504, a roller 508 of a fourth card detection unit 506, which will be described in detail later, is disposed. The through hole 504 is formed such that the length in the X-axis direction is larger than the diameter of the roller 508, and the length in the Z-axis direction is larger than the thickness of the roller 508.

  The fourth card detection unit 506 basically has the same configuration as the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184, and includes a roller 508, a sensor 510, and a torsion spring 516. The roller 508 is formed of a disk-like or cylindrical rotor, and has an axial hole 508 a at the center of the upper and lower circular surfaces. The first shaft 518a of the torsion spring 516 is inserted into the shaft hole 508a, and the roller 508 is rotatable around the first shaft 518a. The torsion spring 516 is formed in a substantially L shape by the first shaft 518a and the second shaft 518b, and the first shaft 518a extends in the Z-axis direction, and the second shaft 518b is screwed to the fourth stay 148 It is fixed by and so on. The roller 508 is disposed in the through hole 504 and biased toward the gap 518 by the torsion spring 516, and is configured to be capable of advancing and retracting with respect to the second insertion portion 110. The roller 508 at the standby position P5d is configured such that the minimum distance between the side surface of the roller 508 and the flange 138a of the second stay 138 is smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120.

  As the sensor 510, a grooved transmission type photo sensor is used in which a light projector and a light receiver are disposed to be opposed to each other at the tip of a substantially U-shaped box having a groove portion 512. The sensor 510 is fixed to the flange 138 b of the second stay 138 via a bracket provided corresponding to the through hole 512 on the opposite side to the second insertion port 110, that is, on the outer side of the second side plate 134. . In the sensor 510, the optical axis 514 of the light emitted from the light projector to the light receiver is parallel to the Z axis, and the roller 508 is disposed in the groove 512 so as to be able to enter. The sensor 510 is arranged so that the optical axis 514 is not blocked by the roller 508 under normal conditions, and the optical axis 194 a is blocked when the roller 508 leaves the first conveyance path 150.

  As described above, the minimum distance between the side surface of the roller 508 and the flange 138 a of the second stay 138 is smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120, so the roller 508 contacts the side surface of the card 120 And can be pushed out along the Y-axis to exit from the second insertion port 110. Therefore, when the card 120 reaches the fourth card detection unit 506, the roller 508 is pushed toward the Y axis by the side surface of the card 120, and as a result, enters the groove 512 of the sensor 510 and cuts off the optical axis 514. Do. The sensor 510 outputs a fourth detection signal SS4 when the roller 508 cuts off the optical axis 514. When the fourth detection signal SS4 is input to the control unit 146, the fourth card detection unit 506 determines that the card 120 is detected. That is, the card 120 is indirectly detected by the sensor 190a via the roller 186a. Therefore, even if the card 120 is a skeleton card having translucency over the entire surface, the problem that the fourth card detection unit 506 can not detect the card 120 does not occur.

  In addition, although the 2nd insertion part 110 of this embodiment is comprised by the 1st and 2nd members 500 and 502, it is not limited to this. The first insertion portion 102 may be formed of a columnar member provided with a substantially rectangular through hole slightly larger than the card 120. Further, a substantially rectangular through hole slightly larger than the card 120 may be provided in the flat stay connecting the first and second side plates.

(Transporting mechanism)
Next, the transport mechanism 112 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5 to 9 and 12.

  The transport mechanism 112 has a function of transporting the card 120 on the transport path 118 along the X axis. The transport mechanism 112 is a motor 300 for driving the transport mechanism 112. The transport mechanism 112 includes first and third transport roller devices 302 and 306, and second and fourth transport rollers disposed opposite to each other for gripping and transporting the card 120. Drive connection for transmitting the driving force of the devices 304 and 308 and the fifth and sixth transport roller devices 310 and 312 and the motor 300 to the first to sixth transport roller devices 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 and 312 And H.326.

  The motor 300 is disposed between the first and second side plates 132 and 134, that is, inside the frame 130, and its rotation axis 300a is parallel to the Y axis. The tip of the rotation shaft 300 a protrudes from the through hole formed in the first side plate 132 along the Y axis.

  The first conveyance roller device 302 has a pair of rollers 302a and 302b, and a first rotation shaft 314 on which the pair of rollers 302a and 302b are coaxially fixed. The pair of rollers 302 a and 302 b is fixed to the first rotation shaft 314 at both ends (both ends) of the conveyance path 118 in the Y-axis direction. The first rotation shaft 314 is disposed parallel to the Y axis, and the end opposite to the end to which the roller 302a is fixed is along the Y axis from the through hole formed in the first side plate 132 It protrudes toward the outside of the conveyance path 118.

  The second and fifth conveyance roller devices 304 and 310 have the same configuration as the first conveyance roller device 302. The second conveying roller device 304 has a pair of rollers 304a and 304b, and a second rotation shaft 316 on which the pair of rollers 304a and 304b are coaxially fixed. The pair of rollers 304 a and 304 b is fixed to the second rotation shaft 316 at both ends (both ends) of the conveyance path 118 in the Y-axis direction. The second rotation shaft 316 is disposed parallel to the Y axis, and the end opposite to the end where the roller 304 a is fixed is along the Y axis from the through hole formed in the first side plate 132 It protrudes toward the outside of the conveyance path 118. Further, the fifth transport roller device 310 has a pair of rollers 310a and 310b, and a fifth rotation shaft 322 on which the pair of rollers 310a and 310b are coaxially fixed. The pair of rollers 310 a and 310 b is fixed to the fifth rotation shaft 322 at both ends (both ends) of the conveyance path 118 in the Y-axis direction. The fifth rotation shaft 322 is disposed parallel to the Y axis, and the end opposite to the end to which the roller 310a is fixed is from the through hole formed in the first side plate 132 along the Y axis It protrudes toward the outside of the conveyance path 118.

  The third, fourth and sixth transport roller devices 306, 308, 312 are disposed opposite to each other above the first, second and fifth transport roller devices 302, 304, 310, respectively, It is biased toward the second and fifth transport roller devices 302, 304, 310. In the third conveying roller device 306, the pair of rollers 306a and 306b is disposed opposite to the pair of rollers 302a and 302b of the first conveying roller device 302 above the first conveying roller device 302, and parallel to the Y axis A pair of rollers 306 a and 306 b is fixed to both ends of the arranged third rotation shaft 318. Similarly to the third conveyance roller device 306, in the fourth conveyance roller device 308, the pair of rollers 308a and 308b are in a position relative to the pair of rollers 304a and 304b of the second conveyance roller device 304 above the second conveyance roller device 304. And a pair of rollers 308a and 308b are fixed to both ends of a fourth rotation shaft 320 which is disposed parallel to the Y axis. Similarly to the third and fourth conveying roller devices 306 and 308, the sixth conveying roller device 312 has a pair of rollers 312 a and 312 b above the fifth conveying roller device 310 as a pair of rollers of the fifth conveying roller device 310. A pair of rollers 312a and 312b are fixed to both ends of a sixth rotation shaft 324 which is disposed to face 310a and 310b and is disposed parallel to the Y axis.

  The first conveyance roller device 302 and the third conveyance roller device 306, the second conveyance roller device 304 and the fourth conveyance roller device 308, and the fifth conveyance roller device 310 and the sixth conveyance roller device 312 are disposed to face each other. It is done. In addition, the third conveyance roller device 306, the fourth conveyance roller device 308, and the sixth conveyance roller device 312 are attached to the first conveyance roller device 302, the second conveyance roller device 304, and the fifth conveyance roller device 310, respectively. It is powered. Therefore, the card 120 includes the first conveying roller device 302 and the third conveying roller device 306, the second conveying roller device 304 and the fourth conveying roller device 308, and the fifth conveying roller device 310 and the sixth conveying roller device 312. It will be sandwiched between.

  The driving connection portion 326 includes the first to eighth gears 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342 and the driving force of the motor 300 as the first to eighth gears 328, 330, 332, 334, 336. , 338, 340 and 342, and the first to third endless belts 344, 346 and 348, respectively. The first to sixth gears 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338 are outward from the rotation shaft 300a of the motor 300 and the first side plate 132 of the first, second, fifth rotation shafts 314, 316, 322. It is fixed to the tip part which protrudes in each. The first and second gears 328 and 330 are fixed to the rotation shaft 300 a of the motor 300. The third and fourth gears 332, 334 are fixed to the second rotation shaft 316 of the second conveyance roller device 304. The fifth gear 336 is fixed to the first rotation shaft 314 of the first conveyance roller device 302. The sixth gear 338 is fixed to the fifth rotation shaft 322 of the fifth conveyance roller device 310. Accordingly, in the drive connecting portion 326, the first and second gears 328 and 330 rotate with the rotation of the rotation shaft 300a of the motor 300, and the second conveyance roller rotates with the third and fourth gears 332 and 334. The first conveyance roller device 302 rotates with the rotation of the fifth gear 336, and the fifth conveyance roller device 310 rotates with the rotation of the sixth gear 338.

  A first endless belt 344 is stretched between the first gear 328 and the third gear 332. The inner circumferential surface of the first endless belt 344 is formed with tooth portions that mesh with the tooth portions of the first and third gears 328 and 332 over substantially the entire circumference. When the motor 300 is started and the first gear 328 rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the first endless belt 344 and the first endless belt 344 travels. When the first endless belt 344 travels, its driving force is transmitted to the third gear 332, and the third gear 332 rotates. As a result, the driving force of the motor 300 is transmitted to the second rotary shaft 316 via the first gear 328, the first endless belt 344, and the third gear 332, and the second rotary shaft 316 is rotated. 334 and the 2nd conveyance roller apparatus 304 rotate.

  A second endless belt 346 is stretched between the fourth gear 334 and the fifth gear 336. Similar to the first endless belt 344, the inner circumferential surface of the second endless belt 346 is formed with tooth portions that mesh with the tooth portions of the fourth and fifth gears 334 and 336 over substantially the entire circumference. When the fourth gear 334 rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the second endless belt 346, and the second endless belt 346 travels. When the second endless belt 346 travels, its driving force is transmitted to the fifth gear 336, and the fifth gear 336 rotates. Thus, the driving force of the motor 300 is transmitted to the first rotary shaft 314 via the first gear 328, the first endless belt 344, the third gear 332, the fourth gear 334, the second endless belt 346, and the fifth gear 336. As a result, the first rotation shaft 314 rotates, and the first conveyance roller device 302 rotates accordingly.

  A third endless belt 348 is stretched between the second gear 330 and the sixth gear 338. Similar to the first endless belt 344, the inner circumferential surface of the third endless belt 348 is formed with tooth portions that mesh with the tooth portions of the second and sixth gears 330 and 338 over substantially the entire circumference. When the motor 300 is activated and the second gear 330 rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the third endless belt 348, and the third endless belt 348 travels. When the third endless belt 348 travels, its driving force is transmitted to the sixth gear 338, and the sixth gear 338 rotates. As a result, the driving force of the motor 300 is transmitted to the fifth rotation shaft 322 via the second gear 330, the third endless belt 348, and the sixth gear 338, and the fifth rotation shaft 322 is rotated. The roller device 310 rotates.

  Seventh and eighth gears 340 and 342 are disposed on the inner side of the first and second endless belts 344 and 346, respectively. The seventh and eighth gears 340 and 342 have a function of adjusting the tension of the first and second endless belts 344 and 346, respectively. The seventh and eighth gears 340 and 342 are movably fixed to the first side plate 132 along the Z-axis. The tension of the first and second endless belts 344 and 346 is adjusted by moving the seventh and eighth gears 340 and 342 up and down according to the tension of the first and second endless belts 344 and 346 respectively. As a result, idle rotation of the drive coupling portion 326 is prevented.

  In the card processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the drive connecting portion 326 includes the first to eighth gears 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342 and the first to third endless belts 344, 346, Although it comprises including 348, it is not limited to this. For example, the drive shaft 300a of the motor 300, the first rotation shaft 314, the second rotation shaft 316, and the fifth rotation shaft 324 may be drivingly connected by a bevel gear and a shaft. Also, instead of the first to eighth gears 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, and 342, rollers may be used, and driving connection may be performed with an endless belt having no teeth.

(Control unit)
The control unit 146 of the card processing apparatus 100 has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the control unit 146 is configured by a microcomputer including an MPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and operates in response to an instruction from the external device 1. The control unit 146 controls the magnetic head 244, the antenna 440, the first and second solenoids 232 and 412, and the motor 300. Also, in response to output signals from the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506, control of the conveyance of the card 120 in the conveyance path 118 is controlled.

(Card transport control)
Next, card conveyance control by the control unit 146 of the card processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 22.

  In the following, the transport control of the card 120 related to the present invention will be mainly described, and the process of reading and writing magnetic data and IC data to the magnetic stripe and IC chip of the card 120 is known, so the description is omitted. Do.

  First, the case where the card 120 is taken into the card processing apparatus 100 from the first insertion slot 102 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and 20.

  When the card processing apparatus 100 is in the standby state, as shown in FIG. 14A, in the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506, the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c, and 508 are sensors 190a. , 190b, 190c, and 510 are held at standby positions P5a, P5b, P5c, and P5d that do not shield the light axes of the optical axes 194a, 194b, 194b, and 514.

  When the card 120 is inserted from the first card insertion slot 102a when the card processing apparatus 100 is in the standby state, the roller 186a of the first card detection unit 180 is connected to the card 120 as shown in FIG. 14 (b). The side surface is pushed outward along the Y axis to move to the movement position P6a, and shields the optical axis 194a of the sensor 190a of the first card detection unit 180. In other words, the first card detection unit 180 transitions to the ON state (step S1 in FIG. 20). Thereby, the first card detection unit 180 detects the card 120 and outputs the first detection signal SS1 to the control unit 146. When the first detection signal SS1 is input, the control unit 146 determines that the card 120 is inserted, and outputs the first drive control signal DS1. In the direction (forward rotation direction) in which the first, second and fifth transport roller devices 302, 304, 310 transport the card 120 backward according to which the motor 300 is driven to rotate forward based on the first drive control signal DS1. It rotates (step S2 of FIG. 20). Thereby, the card 120 is transported backward along the X axis.

  When the card 120 is conveyed to the second card detection unit 182, as shown in FIG. 14C, the roller 186b of the second card detection unit 182 is moved outward along the Y axis by the side surface of the card 120. The optical card 194 is pushed to move to the movement position P6b, and the light axis 194b of the sensor 190b of the second card detection unit 182 is shielded. In other words, the second card detection unit 182 transitions to the ON state (step S3 in FIG. 20). Thereby, the second card detection unit 182 detects the card 120 and outputs the second detection signal SS2. At this time, since the first card detection unit 180 continues detecting the card 120, the output of the first detection signal SS1 is continued. As a result, the control unit 146 receives the first and second detection signals SS1 and SS2.

  When the card 120 is conveyed to the third card detection unit 184, the roller 186c of the third card detection unit 184 is moved outward along the Y-axis by the side surface of the card 120, as shown in FIG. 14 (d). It is pushed to move to the movement position P6c, and the optical axis 194c of the sensor 190c of the third card detection unit 184 is shielded. In other words, the third card detection unit 184 transitions to the ON state (step S4 in FIG. 20). Thereby, the third card detection unit 184 detects the card 120 and outputs the third detection signal SS3. At this time, since each of the first and second card detection units 180 and 190 continues to detect the card 120, the output of each of the first and second detection signals SS1 and SS2 is continued. Thus, the control unit 146 receives the first to third detection signals SS1, SS2, and SS3.

  When the card 120 is further transported backward and the front end of the card 120 is moved further rearward than the first card detection unit 180, the roller 186a of the first card detection unit 180 is a card, as shown in FIG. The pushing state by the side surface 120 is released, and the optical axis 194a of the sensor 190a of the first card detection unit 180 is moved to the standby position P5a where the light is not blocked. In other words, the first card detection unit 180 transitions to the OFF state (step S5 in FIG. 20). Thereby, the first card detection unit 180 does not detect the card 120, and stops the output of the first detection signal SS1. At this time, since the second and third card detection units 182 and 184 continue to detect the card 120, the output of the second and third detection signals SS2 and SS3 is continued. Accordingly, the input of the first detection signal SS1 is stopped in the control unit 146, and the input of the second and third detection signals SS2 and SS3 is continued.

  When the card 120 is further transported backward, and the front end of the card 120 moves further backward than the second card detection unit 182, as shown in FIG. 15B, the roller 186b of the second card detection unit 182 The pressing by the side surface 120 is released, and the optical axis 194b of the sensor 190b of the second card detection unit 182 is moved to the standby position P5b where the light is not blocked. In other words, the second card detection unit 182 transitions to the OFF state (step S6 in FIG. 20). Accordingly, the second card detection unit 182 does not detect the card 120, and stops the output of the second detection signal SS2. At this time, since the third card detection unit 184 continues detecting the card 120, the output of the third detection signal SS3 is continued. Thereby, the input of the second detection signal SS2 is stopped in the control unit 146, and the input of the third detection signal SS3 is continued.

  When the card 120 is further transported backward, and the front end of the card 120 is moved further rearward than the third card detection unit 184, the roller 186c of the third card detection unit 184 is a card, as shown in FIG. The pressed state by the side surface 120 is released, and the optical axis 194c of the sensor 190c of the third card detection unit 184 is moved to the standby position P5c where the light is not blocked. In other words, the third card detection unit 184 transitions to the OFF state (step S7 in FIG. 20). As a result, the third card detection unit 184 does not detect the card 120, and stops the output of the third detection signal SS3, and the input of the third detection signal SS3 to the control unit 146 is stopped. When none of the first to third detection signals SS1, SS2, and SS3 is input, the control unit 146 determines that the backward conveyance of the card 120 is completed, and stops the output of the first drive control signal DS1. The driving of the motor 300 is stopped (step S8 in FIG. 20). In this way, the process of loading the card 120 inserted from the first card insertion slot 102a into the card processing apparatus 100 is completed.

  Next, the case where the card 120 is taken into the card processing apparatus 100 from the second card insertion slot 110a will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the card 120 is inserted from the second card insertion slot 110a when the card processing apparatus 100 is in the standby state (see FIG. 16A), as shown in FIG. 16B, the fourth card detection is performed. The roller 508 of the portion 506 is pushed outward along the Y axis by the side surface of the card 120 to move to the movement position P6d, and shields the optical axis 514 of the sensor 510 of the fourth card detection portion 506. In other words, the fourth card detection unit 506 transitions to the ON state (step S11 in FIG. 21). Thereby, the fourth card detection unit 506 detects the card 120 and outputs a fourth detection signal SS4. When the fourth detection signal SS4 is input, the control unit 146 determines that the card 120 is inserted into the second insertion slot 110, and outputs a second drive control signal DS2. The motor 300 is reversely driven based on the second drive control signal DS2, and accordingly, the first, second and fifth transport roller devices 302, 304, 310 transport the card 120 in the forward direction (reverse direction) It rotates (step S12 of FIG. 21). Thereby, the card 120 is transported forward.

  When the card 120 is conveyed forward and the front end of the card 120 moves further forward than the fourth card detection unit 506, the roller 508 of the fourth card detection unit 506, as shown in FIG. The pressed state due to the side surface of the second card detection unit 506 is released, and the optical axis 514 of the sensor 510 of the fourth card detection unit 506 is moved to the standby position P In other words, the fourth card detection unit 506 transitions to the OFF state (step S13 in FIG. 21). As a result, the fourth card detection unit 506 does not detect the card 120 and stops the output of the fourth detection signal SS4, so the input of the fourth detection signal SS4 to the control unit 146 is stopped.

  When the card 120 is further transported forward and the card 120 is transported to the third card detection unit 184, as shown in FIG. 16C, the third card detection unit 184 is transitioned to the ON state (FIG. 21). Step S13). Thereby, the third card detection unit 184 detects the card 120 and outputs the third detection signal SS3. When the third detection signal SS3 is input, the control unit 146 determines that the card 120 has been transported to the IC data read / write unit 108, and outputs the first drive control signal DS1. The drive of the motor 300 is switched from the reverse drive to the forward drive based on the first drive control signal DS1, and the card 120 is transported backward (step S14 in FIG. 21).

  When the front end of the card 120 moves to the rear of the third card detection unit 184, as shown in FIG. 16 (d), the third card detection unit 184 shifts to the OFF state (step S15 in FIG. 21). Thereby, the third card detection unit 184 does not detect the card 120, and stops the output of the third detection signal SS3. When the input of the third detection signal SS3 is stopped, the control unit 146 determines that the transport of the card 120 is completed, stops the output of the first drive control signal DS1, and stops the driving of the motor 300 (see FIG. 21 step S16). In this way, the process of loading the card 120 inserted from the second insertion slot 110a into the card processing apparatus 100 is completed.

  Next, the discharge process of the card 120 taken into the card processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

  The card 120 taken into the card processing device 100 is not detected by any of the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506, as shown in FIG. Held on top. When the card ejection process of the card processing apparatus 100 is executed, the control unit 146 outputs a second drive control signal DS2. The motor 300 is reversely driven based on the second drive control signal DS2, and the first, second and fifth transport rollers 302, 304, 310 rotate in the reverse direction accordingly (step S21 in FIG. 22). Thus, the card 120 is transported forward.

  When the card 120 is transported to the third card detection unit 184, as shown in FIG. 17B, the third card detection unit 184 shifts to the ON state (step S22 in FIG. 22). As a result, the third card detection unit 184 detects the card 120 and outputs the third detection signal SS3. The control unit 146 receives the third detection signal SS3.

  When the card 120 is conveyed to the second card detection unit 182, as shown in FIG. 17C, the second card detection unit 182 transitions to the ON state (step S23 in FIG. 22). Thereby, the second card detection unit 182 detects the card 120 and outputs the second detection signal SS2. At this time, since the third card detection unit 184 continues detecting the card 120, the output of the third detection signal SS3 is continued. As a result, the second and third detection signals SS2 and SS3 are input to the control unit 146.

  When the card 120 is conveyed to the first card detection unit 180, as shown in FIG. 17D, the first card detection unit 180 shifts to the ON state (step S24 in FIG. 22). Thereby, the first card detection unit 180 detects the card 120 and outputs the first detection signal SS1. At this time, since the second and third card detection units 182 and 184 continue to detect the card 120, the output of the second and third detection signals SS2 and SS3 is continued. Thus, the control unit 146 receives the first to third detection signals SS1, SS2, and SS3.

  When the card 120 is further conveyed forward and the rear end of the card 120 moves further forward than the third card detection unit 184, as shown in FIG. 18A, the third card detection unit 184 is in the OFF state. To (step S25 in FIG. 22). Thereby, the third card detection unit 184 does not detect the card 120, and stops the output of the third detection signal SS3. At this time, since the first and second card detection units 180 and 190 continue to detect the card 120, the output of the first and second detection signals SS1 and SS2 is continued. As a result, the input of the third detection signal SS3 to the control unit 146 is stopped, and the input of the first and second detection signals SS1 and SS2 is continued.

  When the card 120 is further conveyed forward and the rear end of the card 120 moves further forward than the second card detection unit 182, as shown in FIG. 18B, the second card detection unit 182 is in the OFF state. To (step S26 in FIG. 22). Accordingly, the second card detection unit 182 does not detect the card 120, and stops the output of the second detection signal SS2. At this time, since the first card detection unit 180 continues detecting the card 120, the output of the first detection signal SS1 is continued. Thereby, the input of the second detection signal SS2 to the control unit 146 is stopped, and the input of the first detection signal SS1 is continued.

  From the state where all of the first to third detection signals SS1, SS2, and SS3 are input, the control unit 146 sequentially stops input of the third detection signal SS3 and the second detection signal SS2, and inputs only the first detection signal SS1. When it comes to be, it is judged that the transport of the card 120 is completed, the output of the second drive control signal DS2 is stopped, and the driving of the motor 300 is stopped (step S27 in FIG. 22). Therefore, the process of discharging the card 120 taken into the card processing apparatus 100 into the first card insertion slot 102a is completed.

  Since the input of the first detection signal SS1 is also stopped when the card 120 is withdrawn from the first card insertion slot 102a, the control unit 146 determines that the card 120 has been withdrawn from the first card insertion slot 102a.

  As described above in detail, in the card processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first card detection unit 180 is provided at the first position adjacent to the first card insertion slot 102a in the transport path 118, A second card detection unit 182 is provided at a second position at a predetermined distance from the first card detection unit 180 rearward along the conveyance route 118 in the conveyance route 118, and backward along the conveyance route 118 in the conveyance route 118. The third card detection unit 184 is provided at a third position away from the second card detection unit 182 by a predetermined distance, and the first to third sent from the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184, respectively. The transport mechanism 112 is controlled by the control unit 146 based on the three signals. In addition, each of the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184 moves from the standby positions P5a, P5b, and P5c to the movement positions P6a, P6b, and P6c when the cards 120 transported on the transport path 118 contact each other. Sensors 190a and 190b that sense displacements of the displaced rollers 186a, 186b and 186c (movable members) and the rollers 186a, 186b and 186c (movable members) from the standby positions P5a, P5b and P5c to the movement positions P6a, P6b and P6c. , And 190c, and the control unit 146 transmits card detection or card non-detection from any of the output signals (first to third signals) from the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184. Depending on whether it is a signal or not, whether or not the card 120 is inserted from the first card insertion slot 102 a and the card on the transport path 118 Determining the position of the de-120.

  Therefore, regardless of whether or not the inserted card 120 has an opaque portion (for example, an information storage unit), if the inserted card 120 has an opaque portion (for example, an information storage unit) Regardless of the formation position in the card 120, the presence or absence of a card inserted into the card processing device 100 and the card position in the card processing device 100 can be reliably detected.

  In addition, with regard to the card 120 to be used, it is possible to eliminate the restriction on the presence / absence of the opaque portion (for example, the information storage unit) and the formation position thereof.

  Furthermore, detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the insertion of the card 120 and the position of the card 120 in the apparatus 100 do not interfere with the transport of the card 120 or the processing (for example, reading and writing of information) on the card 120. It can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Furthermore, while providing the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184 at the first to third positions in the transport path 118, respectively, each of the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184 is provided. The rollers 186a, 186b, and 186c (movable members) and the rollers 186a and 186c are displaced from the standby positions P5a, P5b, and P5c to the movement positions P6a, P6b, and P6c by the contact of the card 120 transported through the transport path 118. Since the sensors 190a, 190b, and 190c for detecting the displacement from the standby positions P5a, P5b, and P5c of the movable members 186b and 186c (movable members) to the movement positions P6a, P6b, and P6c, the presence or absence of insertion of the card 120 and The detection of the position of the card 120 in the device 100 can be performed by transporting the card 120 or processing the card 120 Eg to without causing a trouble in reading and writing) of information can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Moreover, in the first embodiment, the fourth card detection unit 506 is provided on the side of the second card insertion slot 110a, and the four-card detection unit 506 is brought into contact with the card 120 conveyed through the conveyance path 118. As a result, the second card insertion slot is configured by the roller 508 (movable member) displaced from the standby position P5d to the movement position P6d and the sensor 510 sensing the displacement of the roller 508 from the standby position P5d to the movement position P6d The card 120 inserted from 110 a can also carry the conveyance path 118.

  In addition, the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506 are rollers of the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506 pushed outward by the side surface of the card 120. 186a, 186b, 186c, 508 receive the change in the amount of light caused by the light interception of the light axes 194a, 194b, 194c, 514 of the corresponding sensors 190a, 190b, 190c, 510, the light reception of the sensors 190a, 190b, 190c, 510 By detecting the card, the card 120 is detected. In other words, the card 120 is indirectly driven by the corresponding sensors 190a, 190b, 190c, 510 via the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c, 508 of the first to fourth card detectors 180, 182, 184, 506. It is detected. For this reason, it is necessary to change the arrangement of the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506 depending on the type of the card 120, that is, the presence or absence of the opaque portion of the card 120 and the position of the opaque portion. Absent. Furthermore, even if the card 120 is a translucent card as a whole, it can be detected by the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506. Further, since the members pushed by the side surface of the card 120 are constituted by the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c, and 508, the conveyance of the card 120 is hindered by the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506. The card 120 can be smoothly transported not only backward but also forward.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 24 shows a first card detection unit of the card processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the roller 186a has the same configuration as the card processing device 100 according to the first embodiment described above except that the roller 186a is not in the shape of a disk (cylinder) but in the shape of a hexagonal plate. . The roller 186a can be modified in this way.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 25 shows a first card detection unit of the card processing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the roller 186a has a shape in which an inner semicircular portion and an outer rectangular portion are coupled and integrated. The third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the card processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above except for this point. The roller 186a can also be modified in this way.

Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 26 shows a first card detection unit of the card processing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the roller 186a is the same as the card processing device 100 according to the first embodiment described above, except that the roller 186a is not in the form of a disk (cylinder) but in the shape of an elliptical plate. The roller 186a can also be modified in this way.

(Modification)
The above-described first to fourth embodiments show examples embodying the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment described above, any one of the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506 may be disposed on the first side plate 132 side.

  In addition, the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184 are disposed on one of the bottom surface 152 and the top surface of the first conveyance path 150, and are configured to be able to move back and forth to the surface side. The detection unit 506 may be disposed on any one of the guide portion 502b of the second member 502 of the second card insertion slot 110a and the guide portion 500b of the first member 500, and may be configured to be movable back and forth on the surface side . Thereby, even if a member smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120 is inserted into the first and second card insertion openings 102a and 110a, any one of the back surface and the front surface of the member and the first to fourth card detection portions Since the contacts 180, 182, 184, and 506 are in contact, the presence or absence of the member can be detected.

  Furthermore, the first to third card detection units 180, 182, and 184 may be disposed on any one of the bottom surface 152 and the top surface of the first conveyance path 150, and may be configured to be movable back and forth to the surface side. Thus, even if a member smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120 is inserted into the first card insertion slot 102a, one of the back surface and the front surface of the member and the first to third card detection units 180, 182, 184 Can be detected, the presence or absence of the member can be detected.

  The first card detection unit 180 may be disposed on any one of the bottom surface 152 and the top surface of the first conveyance path 150, and may be configured to be capable of advancing and retracting to the surface side. As a result, even if a member smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120 is inserted into the first card insertion slot 102a, the first card detection unit 180 contacts either the back surface or the front surface of the member, so The presence or absence of a member can be detected.

  The fourth card detection unit 506 is disposed in either one of the guide portion 502b of the second member 502 of the second card insertion slot 110a and the guide portion 500b of the first member 500, and can be moved forward and backward to the surface side I don't care. As a result, even if a member smaller than the pair of short sides of the card 120 is inserted into the second card insertion slot 110a, the fourth card detection unit 506 is in contact with either the back surface or the front surface of the member. The presence or absence of a member can be detected.

  In the embodiment described above, the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506 are configured to include the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c, and 508, and corresponding sensors 190a, 190b, 190c, and 510. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A ball bearing roller or the like may be used instead of the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c, and 508.

  In the first embodiment described above, the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506 are configured to include the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c, and 508, and the sensors 190a, 190b, 190c, and 510. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A ball plunger type touch switch or the like may be used.

  In the first embodiment described above, the first to fourth card detection units 180, 182, 184, and 506 are configured to include the rollers 186a, 186b, 186c, and 508, and the sensors 190a, 190b, 190c, and 510. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. You may use a micro switch, a limit switch, etc.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to fourth embodiments and the above-described modifications, and includes various other modifications. For example, in the first embodiment described above, the magnetic head 244 and the noncontact antenna 440 are disposed, but a contact type IC contact probe may be further added. Alternatively, each of the magnetic head 244, the noncontact antenna 440 and the IC contact probe may be selectively disposed. Furthermore, the card processing apparatus 100 may be limited to the transport and recovery functions of the card 120 without arranging any of the magnetic head 244, the noncontact antenna 440 and the IC contact probe.

  A card processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to take in a card from the outside such as an automatic teller machine (ATM), an automatic ticket vending machine, a card vending machine, a card charging machine, etc. It can be suitably used in combination with a device having a configuration.

100 card processing apparatus 102 first card insertion unit 102 a first card insertion slot 104 transport unit 106 distribution unit 108 IC data reading and writing unit 110 second card insertion unit 110 a second card insertion slot 112 transport mechanism 114 recovery port 118 transport Path 120 Card 130 Frame 132 First side plate 134 Second side plate 136 First stay 136a, 136b Flange portion 136c Web portion 138 Second stay 138a, 138b Flange portion 138c Web portion 140 Third stay 142 Square post 144 Through hole 146 control Part 148 fourth stay 150 first conveyance path 152 bottom surface 156 first side wall 158 second side wall 160 first through hole 162 second through holes 164a, 164b third through hole 166 fourth through hole 168 fifth through hole 170 sixth Through holes 172a and 172b Notch 174 seventh through hole 176 eighth through hole 178 ninth through hole 180 first card detection unit 182 second card detection unit 184 third card detection unit 186 roller 188 axial hole 190 sensor 192 groove portion 194 optical axis 196 wire spring 198 First shaft 200 Second shaft 220 Shutter mechanism 222 Shutter 224 Regulating portion 226 Coupling portion 226a, 226b Coupling portion 226c, 226d, 226e Through hole 228 Pivot shaft 230 Movable shaft 232 First solenoid 232a Plunger 240 First unit 242 Second Unit 244 Magnetic head 246 Support section 248 Flat spring 250 Fixing tool 252 Flat section 254 Projecting section 256 Spring 258 Fixing tool 260 Screws 262a, 262b Tenth through holes 264a, 264b Eleventh through holes 266a, 266b 12th through holes 268 13th Through hole 27 a, 270b support portion 272 support portion 300 motor 302 first conveying roller device 302a, 302b roller 304 second conveying roller device 304a, 304b roller 306 third conveying roller device 306a, 306b roller 308 fourth conveying roller device 308a, 306b roller 310 fifth conveying roller device 310a, 310b roller 312 sixth conveying roller device 312a, 312b roller 314 first rotary shaft 316 second rotary shaft 318 third rotary shaft 320 fourth rotary shaft 322 fifth rotary shaft 324 sixth rotary shaft 326 drive connecting portion 328 first gear 330 second gear 332 third gear 334 fourth gear 336 fifth gear 338 sixth gear 340 seventh gear 342 eighth gear 344 first endless belt 346 second endless belt 348 third endless Belt 400 Distribution member 400a Web 400b, 400c Sidewall 402 Second transport path 402a Bottom surface 402b Top surface 402c, 402d Side surface 404 Recovery path 406 Guide member 406a End surface 410 Switching mechanism 412 Second solenoid 412a Frame 414 Plunger 416 Spring 418 Push bar 418a, 418b End 420 Link member 420a Inner core 420b End 420c End 422 Driven member 422a First projection 422b Second projection 422c Through hole 422ca Peak 422cb Rear end 424 State detection unit 426 Fourth sensor 428 Detected unit 430 Fifth sensor 432 Detected unit 440 Antenna 500 First member 500a Stay portion 500b Guide portion 500c Tapered portion 500d Tapered portion 502 Second member 502a Stay portion 502b Guide portion 502c Tapered portion 502d Tapered portion 50 Through hole 506 Fourth card detection unit 508 Roller 508a Shaft hole 510 Sensor 512 Groove 512 Optical axis 516 Torsion spring 518 Clearance P1 First position P2 Second position P3 Third position P4 Fourth position P5a, P5b, P5c, P5d Standby position P6a, P6b, P6c, P6d Movement position R1 First rotation direction R2 Second rotation direction SS1 First detection signal SS2 Second detection signal SS3 Third detection signal SS4 Fourth detection signal DS1 First drive control signal DS2 Second drive control signal

Claims (9)

A first card insertion portion having a first card insertion slot;
A second card insertion portion having a second card insertion slot;
A transport unit configured to transport a card inserted via the first card insertion unit or the second card insertion unit along a predetermined transport path;
A transport mechanism that drives the transport unit to transport the card forward or backward along the transport path;
A first card detection unit provided at a first position adjacent to the first card insertion slot in the transport path;
A second card detection unit provided at a second position spaced apart from the first card detection unit by a predetermined distance rearward along the conveyance route in the conveyance route;
A third card detection unit provided at a third position at a predetermined distance from the second card detection unit rearward along the conveyance route in the conveyance route;
A fourth card detection unit provided at a fourth position spaced apart from the third card detection unit by a predetermined distance rearward along the conveyance route and in the fourth position adjacent to the second card insertion slot; Based on the first signal, the second signal, the third signal and the fourth signal respectively sent from the one card detection unit, the second card detection unit, the third card detection unit, and the fourth card detection unit. And a controller for controlling the transport mechanism,
Each of the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, the third card detection unit, and the fourth card detection unit moves from the standby position to the movement position by the contact of the card transported on the transport path. A movable member that displaces, and a sensor that senses displacement of the movable member from the standby position to the movement position;
The control unit is configured to insert the first card of the card according to which of the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal is a signal indicating card detection or card non-detection. It is comprised so that the presence or absence of insertion from the mouth or said 2nd card insertion slot and the position of the card on the said conveyance path may be judged,
The first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, and the third card detection unit are configured to receive the first card detection unit by contact with a single card conveyed forward or backward in the conveyance path. At the first position, the second position, and the third position, the movable members in the second card detection unit and the third card detection unit can be simultaneously displaced to the corresponding movement positions. Yes,
When the first signal is a signal for conveying a card detection, and the second and third signals are signals for conveying a non-card detection, the control unit inserts the first card into the card conveyed on the conveyance path. It is determined that the card has been inserted into the card processing apparatus through the mouth, and the transport mechanism is driven to transport the card backward.
After determining that the card transported on the transport path is inserted into the card processing apparatus through the first card insertion slot , all of the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal are non-cards. When it is a signal to convey detection, the control unit determines that loading of the card inserted through the first card insertion slot into the card processing device is completed, and stops the transport mechanism. A card processing apparatus characterized by stopping conveyance of a card and processing the card. In each of the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, and the third card detection unit, the standby position of the movable member is a position at which a card transported on the conveyance path can contact the movable member. Is set to
The movable member is configured to move toward the outside of the transport path by contact with the card to reach the movement position, and immediately return to the standby position when the contact with the card is released. The card processing device according to claim 1.   The conveyance unit includes a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the conveyance path, and the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, the third card detection unit, and the fourth card detection unit. The card processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable member in each is provided on the pair of side walls so as to be able to protrude and retract in the transport path. In each of the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, the third card detection unit, and the fourth card detection unit, an elastic shaft in which the movable member is fixed at one end and displaceable at the other end And a contact attached to the other end of the elastic shaft and capable of contacting a card transported on the transport path,
When the card contacts the contact, the elastic shaft is deformed to displace the contact from the standby position to the moving position, and the displacement is detected by the sensor. Card processing equipment.   In each of the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, the third card detection unit, and the fourth card detection unit, the contactor stands by the contact with the card conveyed on the conveyance path. The card processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the card processing apparatus is a roller-shaped member swinging from a position to the movement position.   When instructed to eject a card, the control unit drives the transport mechanism to transport the card on the transport path forward, and each of the third signal and the second signal detects the card in order 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: detecting a change from a signal conveying a signal to a signal conveying no card detection, and stopping the transport mechanism to stop the transport of the card on the transport path. Card processor as described. The fourth card detection unit, the first card detection unit, the second card detection unit, when the card conveyed on the conveyance path is between the third card detection unit and the fourth card detection unit And the movable members in the third card detection unit and the fourth card detection unit are disposed at the fourth position so that they can be simultaneously held at the corresponding standby positions,
When the fourth signal is a signal indicating card detection, the control unit determines that the card transported on the transport path is inserted into the card processing apparatus through the second card insertion slot, and The card processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transport mechanism is driven to transport the card forward. Wherein the fourth signal is changed to signals conveying card non-detection of signals conveying the card detection, then the third signal is changed to signals conveying card detected from signals conveying card non-detection, the control unit, the It is determined that the card transported on the transport path has been transported to the IC data reading and writing unit, and the transport mechanism is driven to transport the card toward the rear, and then the third signal is a signal for conveying the card detection The control unit determines that the loading of the card inserted through the second card insertion slot into the card processing device is completed when the signal changes to a signal indicating that the card is not detected . The card processing apparatus according to any one.   Each of the third signal, the second signal, and the first signal changes in order from a signal that conveys card non-detection to a signal that conveys card detection, and then each of the three signals and the second signal in turn When the signal indicating detection changes to a signal indicating no card detection and the one signal remains a signal indicating card detection, the control unit transmits the signal through the first card insertion slot or the second card insertion slot. The card processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein it is determined that the ejection of the card taken into the card processing apparatus is completed.

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