JP6438700B2 - Card issuing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a card issuing device that records magnetic information on a magnetic recording carrier such as a magnetic stripe and issues an information-recorded card. In particular, the mounting position and the number of mounting of the recording carrier on the card have changed. The present invention relates to a card issuing device capable of recording magnetic information on the record carrier.

  It is already well known that when a card issuing device issues a card, magnetic information is recorded on a magnetic stripe or the like attached to the card body. Here, the attachment position and the number of attachments of the magnetic stripe in the card body vary depending on the type and specification of the issued card. Some card issuing devices have a plurality of magnetic information writing heads for issuing cards having different magnetic stripe mounting positions and mounting numbers.

  On the other hand, the larger the number of heads, the larger the card issuing device and the higher the cost. For this reason, in recent years, a card issuing device equipped with a mechanism for mounting only one head and reciprocating the head has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Specifically, in the card issuing device described in Patent Document 1, the magnetic head mechanism can reciprocate on the rack, and the magnetic head moves up and down as the magnetic head mechanism reciprocates on the rack. It is configured to move in the direction. Thereby, in the card issuing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to record and read magnetic information on the magnetic stripe of each card with only one magnetic head for a plurality of types of cards having different magnetic stripe positions. It becomes.

JP 2012-173766 A

  However, if the head is moved for the purpose of recording magnetic information when the mounting position of the magnetic stripe is changed as in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the head is movable so that the head does not interfere with surrounding devices. Space must be reserved. Further, as a mechanism for moving the head, a carrier that moves integrally with the head may be used. In such a case, it is necessary to secure an extra movable space as much as the carrier is provided. As a result, the card issuing device is increased in size, which may hinder the installation of the device. Therefore, there is a need for development of a card issuing device that can cope with a change in the mounting position of the magnetic stripe without moving the head.

  On the other hand, the mounting position and number of magnetic stripes are various as described above, and the case where the magnetic stripe is attached to the center of the card body in the short direction and the magnetic at the end in the short direction. Each case is considered with a stripe attached.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its object is to attach the recording carrier attached to the central portion in the short direction of the card body and the end portion without moving the head. Another object is to provide a card issuing device capable of recording magnetic information on any of the record carriers.

According to the card issuing apparatus of the present invention, the object is to record information on a card having a rectangular card body and a magnetic record carrier attached to the card body to record an information-recorded card. A card issuing device for issuing, a head for writing magnetic information on the record carrier while facing the record carrier, and a transport mechanism for transporting the card so as to pass through a position facing the head; A transport path when the transport mechanism transports the card, an end portion that first passes through the opposing position of both ends of the card in the transport direction, and the card when passing through the opposing position. A switching mechanism provided to switch a facing surface with the head, and the switching mechanism to control the facing position in the transport path and the both ends of the card in the transport direction A controller that executes a switching process for switching at least one of an end portion that passes first and a facing surface of the card that faces the head when passing through the facing position; The switching process is executed according to the mounting position of the record carrier with respect to the card body so that the head faces the record carrier while the card passes through the facing position, and the controller performs the switching with respect to the card body. By executing the switching process for switching the transport path according to the mounting position of the record carrier, the head is attached to the central portion in the short direction of the card body, and the card body The magnetic information on any of the record carriers attached to the end in the lateral direction What can der be recorded, the transport mechanism includes a regulating member for regulating the conveyance path, conveying the card to the extending direction of the transport path and the longitudinal direction of the card along one another The switching mechanism includes a displacement mechanism that displaces the restricting member in a direction crossing the transport direction with respect to the head, and the controller displaces the restricting member by the displacement mechanism to thereby transport the transport member. This can be solved by performing the switching process for switching the path .

If it is said structure, in order to make a head oppose a record carrier, while a card | curd passes the opposition position with a head, in the conveyance path | route at the time of conveying a card, the head of the both ends of a card | curd in a conveyance direction At least one of the end portion that first passes the opposite position and the face that faces the head of the card when passing the opposite position is switched. This makes it possible to record magnetic information on the record carrier without moving the head, regardless of whether the record carrier is attached to the central part or the end part in the short direction of the card body.
In the above configuration, the transport path is switched by displacing the regulating member to the side with respect to the head. Thus, according to said structure, it becomes possible to switch a conveyance path | route with a comparatively simple structure. That is, with the above configuration, a case of recording magnetic information on a record carrier attached to the central portion in the short direction of the card body, and a case of recording magnetic information on a record carrier attached to the end portion It is possible to cope with both with a relatively simple configuration.

In the card issuing device, the switching mechanism includes the displacement mechanism, an upside down mechanism that switches an end portion that first passes through the facing position among both ends of the card in the transport direction, and the facing It is preferable to have a front / back reversing mechanism that switches a surface of the card facing the head when passing the position.

Further, in the above card issuing device, a plurality of containers for storing the cards are provided for each mounting position of the record carrier with respect to the card body, and when the card is taken out from the container, the controller The attachment position corresponding to the container from which the container is taken out may be specified, and the switching process may be executed according to the specified attachment position.
In the above configuration, the card containers are provided separately for each position where the record carrier is attached. For this reason, it is possible to easily specify the mounting position of the record carrier for the card taken out from each container. Then, if the switching process is executed according to the specific result regarding the mounting position of the record carrier, the head reliably faces the record carrier while the card passes through the position facing the head.

Further, in the above-described card issuing device, a container that accommodates the card, and the attachment position of the record carrier with respect to the card body in the card taken out from the container are detected, and according to a detection result A detector for outputting a signal, and the controller determines a mounting position of the record carrier with respect to the card body in the card taken out from the container based on the signal output from the detector. It is good to specify.
In the above configuration, it is not necessary to provide a card container for each position where the record carrier is attached, and accordingly, the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to sort the cards by container, the card storing operation (replenishment operation) becomes easier.

The card issuing apparatus further includes an image forming mechanism for forming an image on the card body, wherein the controller records the magnetic information on the record carrier by the head; An image forming process for forming the image by the image forming mechanism in an area other than the area where the record carrier is attached, and performing the switching process between the recording process and the image forming process. It is good to execute.
In the above configuration, by executing the image forming process in addition to the recording process, variations of the information recorded card to be issued increase. Further, by executing the switching process between the recording process and the image forming process, an image is formed in an area other than the area where the record carrier is attached in the card body. This makes it possible to form an image without interfering with the record carrier.

In the above card issuing device, the card body is made of a magnetic material, and the controller includes a first recording process for recording the magnetic information on the record carrier by the head, and the card body. A second recording process may be performed in which the magnetic information is recorded by the head in an area other than the area where the record carrier is attached.
In the above configuration, not only the magnetic information is recorded on the record carrier, but also the magnetic information is recorded in an area of the card body other than the area where the record carrier is attached. Thereby, variations of information-recorded cards that can be issued increase, and for example, it is possible to issue cards with higher security.

Further, in the above card issuing device, the controller executes both the first recording process and the second recording process when issuing one piece of the information recorded card. The switching process may be executed.
In the above configuration, since the switching process is executed between the first recording process and the second recording process, the record carrier passes through the position immediately below the head when the first recording process is executed, while the second recording process is executed. When the recording process is executed, an area other than the area where the record carrier is attached in the card body surely passes through the position directly below the head. As a result, the magnetic information is appropriately recorded in each area of the card body other than the area where the record carrier is attached and the record carrier.

  According to the card issuing device of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately record magnetic information on the record carrier regardless of the mounting position of the record carrier on the card body. In the card issuing device of the present invention, it is possible to cope with a change in the mounting position of the record carrier by switching the posture and orientation of the card and the card transport path without moving the head. As a result, a miniaturized card issuing device can be realized.

(A) to (F) in FIG. 1 are diagrams showing variations regarding the mounting position and the number of mounting of the record carrier in the card. 1 is an external view of a card issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the card issuing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a switching mechanism. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a switching mechanism. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a switching mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the card issuing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of a card | curd issuing process (the 1). It is a figure which shows the flow of a card | curd issuing process (the 2). 10A shows the state of the front / back inversion process as the switching process, FIG. 10B shows the state of the upside down process as the switching process, and FIG. 10C shows the state of the displacement process as the switching process. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of the card issuing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the card | curd which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which records magnetic information in an absent area during the card | curd issuing process which concerns on a modification. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a recording process is performed in the card issue process which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following explanation, “card” refers to credit cards, cash cards, membership cards, cards for electronic money, cards for using public transportation such as trains, and benefits for purchasing products and using services. This includes all cards issued by merchants such as banks and credit companies to customers, such as cards for managing points (point cards).

<< Outline of Card Issuing Device According to this Embodiment >>
First, the application of the card issuing device according to the present embodiment will be outlined.
The card issuing apparatus according to the present embodiment is used to issue a card applied by a card user, and performs a predetermined process on the pre-issue card to create a processed card. The pre-issue card is a card in a state where processing necessary for handing it over to the card user is not completed, and includes a card body and a magnetic stripe attached to the card body. Here, the card body is a portion of the card excluding the magnetic stripe, and has a rectangular outer shape. Note that the longitudinal direction of the card body coincides with the longitudinal direction of the pre-issue card. Similarly, the short direction of the card body coincides with the short direction of the pre-issue card, and specifically corresponds to the vertical direction of the pre-issue card.

  The magnetic stripe is a strip-shaped record carrier having magnetism, and is attached along the longitudinal direction of the card body. Note that the magnetic stripe is merely an example of a record carrier, and any medium having magnetism and capable of recording magnetic information may be used, and such a medium may be used instead of the magnetic stripe.

  On the other hand, a processed card is a card in which magnetic information is recorded in a magnetic stripe and can be handed to a card user. In other words, the card issuing device according to the present embodiment records magnetic information necessary for using the card on the magnetic stripe of the pre-issued card, and issues the card on which information recording has been completed (information recorded card) as a processed card. To do. Also, the card issuing device performs processing for printing magnetic information on the magnetic stripe (recording processing), processing for printing character strings and symbols on the card body (printing processing), and imprinting character strings and symbols on the card body. Processing (embossing processing) is executed as necessary.

  By the way, as described above, there are variations regarding the type of pre-issue card, in particular, the mounting position and number of magnetic stripes. Examples of such variations include those illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1F. More specifically, in the pre-issue card C shown in FIG. 1A, one magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the upper end of the back surface Sb. In the pre-issue card C shown in (B), one magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the center in the vertical direction of the back surface Sb. In the pre-issue card C shown in (C), one magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the lower end of the back surface Sb. In the pre-issue card C shown in (D), one magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the upper end of the surface Sf. In the pre-issue card C shown in (E), a plurality of relatively narrow magnetic stripes 100 are attached side by side to the upper end of the back surface Sb. In the pre-issue card C shown in (F), the magnetic stripes 100 are attached to the upper and lower center portions of the back surface Sb at intervals. The above six configurations are merely examples, and there are other variations of the pre-issue card other than the above six configurations.

  Incidentally, the front and back surfaces of a card are surfaces that are located opposite to each other and make a pair. In this embodiment, the surface on which a color or a pattern is applied is the front surface. In addition, the upper and lower ends of the card are ends corresponding to a pair of long sides forming the outer edge of the card. In this embodiment, the normal posture (intelligiblely, characters printed on the card are normally displayed). When the card placed so as to be read) is viewed from the front, the upper end is defined as the upper end.

  The card issuing apparatus according to the present embodiment can appropriately execute processing such as recording processing for any type of pre-issue card C. That is, according to the card issuing apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the mounting position and the number of mounting of the magnetic stripe in the pre-issue card C, and any type of pre-issue card C can be used. The processed card can be issued normally. Hereinafter, a configuration for realizing such a characteristic function will be described in detail.

<< Configuration of Card Issuing Device According to this Embodiment >>
The configuration of the card issuing device according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the present device 1) will be described. The card issuing device has an appearance shown in FIG. 2 and includes a hopper 20 as a container disposed on the near side in the casing 10. Further, the apparatus 1 includes a card delivery unit 30 and various processing units (specifically, a printer unit 50, an embosser unit 60, and an encoder unit 70) in the casing 10. In the present embodiment, the three processing units are installed in the casing 10 in a state in which they are arranged in the vertical direction, that is, in a vertically arranged state. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the inner space of the casing 10, a plurality of base plates 14 serving as a base for installing the processing unit are arranged side by side in the vertical direction in the inner space, One processing unit is stored in each space partitioned by the base plate 14, that is, in the chamber 15. However, the arrangement of the processing units is not limited to the vertically aligned state, and may be installed in the casing 10 in a horizontally aligned state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of doors that can be opened and closed are attached to the casing 10. More specifically, the front panel of the casing 10 has a door 11 that is opened when the hopper 20 is refilled with cards, and a door 12 that is opened when a defective card that has not been processed normally by each processing unit is taken out. , Is provided. The side panel of the casing 10 is provided with a door 13 that can be opened when the card delivery unit 30 is inspected. Furthermore, doors 17A and 17B that can be opened during maintenance of the processing unit are provided on the top panel and the side panel of the casing 10. Furthermore, a discharge port 16 for discharging the processed card to the outside of the apparatus is formed on the top panel of the casing 10.

The hopper 20 stores pre-issue cards C in a bundle, and in the present embodiment, a plurality (five in the case shown in FIG. 2) are arranged in a vertically arranged state. The pre-issue card C stored in each hopper 20 is extracted by the take-out mechanism 21 shown in FIG. 4 at the start of the card issue process. The extracted pre-issue card C moves out of the hopper 20 and is delivered to a main transport mechanism 31 described later.

The take-out mechanism 21 used in the present apparatus 1 includes a rotating roller as shown in FIG . This rotation roller is in sliding contact with the pre-issue card C at the top position among the pre-issue cards stacked in a bundle in each hopper 20. As a result, the uppermost pre-issue card C is pulled out of the bundle by the frictional force. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one that can be extracted from a bundle of pre-issue cards C can be used without limitation.

  In this embodiment, the variation of the pre-issue card C accommodated in each hopper 20, strictly speaking, the mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100 differs between hoppers. For example, the pre-issue card C shown in FIG. 1A is accommodated in the hopper 20 located at the uppermost stage, and the hopper 20 located in the second stage from the top is shown in FIG. 1B. The pre-issue card C is stored.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of hoppers 20 are installed for each mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100. Here, the fact that the hopper 20 is provided for each attachment position of the magnetic stripe 100 means that at least cards having different attachment positions of the magnetic stripe 100 are accommodated in different hoppers 20. Therefore, a case where cards having the same mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100 are accommodated in different hoppers 20 is also included.

  Each of the pre-issue cards C stacked in a bundle in each hopper 20 is in a state in which the directions (specifically, the front / back direction and the upper / lower direction) are aligned. Therefore, when the pre-issue card C is taken out from the same hopper 20, the pre-issue card C is always taken out in the same direction. At this time, the pre-issue card C is taken out with one end in the longitudinal direction positioned at the front end and the other end in the longitudinal direction positioned at the rear end.

The card delivery unit 30 receives the pre-issue card C from each hopper 20, conveys the received pre-issue card C in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and delivers it to each processing unit. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 , the card delivery unit 30 is installed between the hopper 20 and the processing unit in the casing 10, and transports the pre-issue card C taken out from the hopper 20 toward the processing unit. To do.

The configuration of the card delivery unit 30 will be described in more detail . As shown in FIG. 4 , the card delivery unit 30 includes a main transport mechanism 31 and an elevating mechanism 32. The main transport mechanism 31 constitutes a transport mechanism together with the sub transport mechanisms 51, 61, 71 included in each processing unit, and transports the pre-issue card C in the horizontal direction (strictly, the depth direction of the casing 10). . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , a conveyor-type transfer device is used as the main transfer mechanism 31, but other mechanisms may be used as long as the pre-issue card C is transferred in the horizontal direction. Good.

  The elevating mechanism 32 moves the pre-issue card C in a state of being moved in the transport direction by the card delivery unit 30 and the unit 30 in the vertical direction, and its configuration is known. As the elevating mechanism 32 and the main transport mechanism 31 described above cooperate, the pre-issue card C moves toward the processing unit that is the transport destination. More specifically, one pre-issue card C is taken out from the hopper 20, and first, the main transport mechanism 31 receives the pre-issue card C on its upper surface. Thereafter, the elevating mechanism 32 moves up and down together with the main transport mechanism 31 in the vertical direction. As a result, the pre-issue card C on the main transport mechanism 31 moves in the vertical direction.

  When the pre-issuance card C reaches the same position as the processing unit that is the transport destination in the vertical direction, the main transport mechanism 31 is activated, and the pre-issue card C is directed toward the transport processing unit. Move horizontally. When the main transport mechanism 31 transports the pre-issue card C, the longitudinal direction thereof is transported along the transport direction. However, the posture of the pre-issue card C at the time of conveyance is not limited to the above contents, and the short direction of the pre-issue card C in the conveyance state may be along the conveyance direction.

  Further, the pre-issue card C is processed by a certain processing unit, and then delivered again from the certain processing unit to the main transport mechanism 31. Then, the pre-issue card C is moved to the position of the processing unit (hereinafter referred to as the next processing unit) which is the next transport destination by the elevating mechanism 32. Thereafter, the main transport mechanism 31 transports the pre-issue card C toward the next processing unit by the same procedure as described above. Then, the card for which all the processes have been completed, that is, the processed card is delivered to the main transport mechanism 31 and moved to a predetermined position (upper position in the lifting range) by the lifting mechanism 32. The processed card that has reached the predetermined position is finally discharged out of the casing 10 through the discharge port 16 by a discharge mechanism (not shown).

  The configuration of the card delivery unit 30 will be described below. In the present embodiment, the front / back reversing mechanism 33 and the up / down reversing mechanism 34 as switching mechanisms are provided in the middle of the transport path when the main transport mechanism 31 transports the pre-issue card C. And the displacement mechanism 35 is installed. Details regarding these mechanisms will be described in later sections.

  Next, the processing unit, specifically, the printer unit 50, the embosser unit 60, and the encoder unit 70 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer unit 50 includes a sub transport mechanism 51 and a printer main body 52 as constituent devices. The sub transport mechanism 51 transports the pre-issue card C along a transport path formed in the unit. Here, the transport path when the sub transport mechanism 51 transports the pre-issue card C is again after the pre-issue card C received from the card delivery unit 30 passes through the lower part of the printer main body 52, as shown in FIG. It is configured to be returned to the card delivery unit 30. In the present embodiment, the pre-issue card C is transported with its longitudinal direction along the transport direction.

  The printer main body 52 corresponds to a first example of an image forming mechanism, and faces the pre-issue card C at a predetermined position in the transport path. At such time, an image, specifically a card number, a card, A character string and a symbol indicating the expiration date of the card and the name of the card user are printed (formed). The image formed by the printer main body 52 is not limited to a character string or a symbol, but may be a pattern or a character image. Further, the printing method by the printer main body 52 is not particularly limited, and any of an ink jet method, an electrophotographic method, and a thermal transfer method may be adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the embosser unit 60 includes a sub transport mechanism 61 and an embosser body 62 as constituent devices. The sub transport mechanism 61 is the same as the mechanism provided in the printer unit 50. The embosser main body 62 corresponds to a second example of the image forming mechanism, and faces the pre-issue card C at a predetermined position in the transport path. At such time, an image, specifically a card number, a card, A character string or symbol indicating the expiration date of the card, the name of the card user, etc. is stamped (formed). The image formed by the printer main body 52 is not limited to a character string or a symbol, and may be a pattern / pattern or the like. Further, instead of the embosser (the embosser body 62), an indenter that prints a character string or a symbol on the card surface by indentation may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the encoder unit 70 includes a sub transport mechanism 71 and an encoder body 72 as constituent devices. The sub transport mechanism 71 is the same as the mechanism provided in the printer unit 50. The encoder body 72 has a head 72a as a magnetic information writing device. When the head 72a faces the magnetic stripe 100 of the pre-issue card C at a predetermined position in the transport path, the head 72a writes magnetic information to the magnetic stripe 100 during that period. The method of writing magnetic information by the head 72a is not particularly limited as long as it can be written by facing the magnetic stripe 100 and satisfies such a condition.

  Each of the processing units described above is integrated as a unit and is detachable from the casing 10. More specifically, each processing unit is configured as one module and is detachably installed in the chamber 15 with bolts or screws. As a result, each processing unit can be easily attached to or removed from the casing 10.

  In addition, the processing device of each processing unit (specifically, the printer main body 52, the embosser main body 62, and the head 72a of the encoder main body 72) is provided in a fixed state in the unit. On the other hand, the pre-issuance card C is processed when passing under the processing device while moving in each processing unit. At this time, the pre-issue card C has a predetermined surface on the upward side. Processing is performed on the area.

  More specifically, the pre-issue card C is subjected to a printing process while passing under the printer main body 52 during the period of movement in the printer unit 50. A predetermined character string or symbol is printed on a portion facing 52. Similarly, the pre-issue card C is embossed while passing under the embosser body 62 during the period in which it moves through the embosser unit 60. More specifically, A predetermined character string or symbol is imprinted on the opposing portion.

  Further, the pre-issue card C is subjected to a recording process while passing under the head 72a of the encoder main body 72 during the period of movement in the encoder unit 70. That is, when the pre-issuance card C exists at a position immediately below the head 72a, the head 72a writes magnetic information in a portion of the pre-issue card C that faces the head 72a. Here, the part where the magnetic information is recorded in the pre-issue card C is the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the pre-issue card C. Therefore, the pre-issue card C moves within the encoder unit 70 so that magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic stripe 100 in the recording process, in other words, the magnetic stripe 100 faces the head 72a.

  In the present apparatus 1, the card delivery unit 30 and the sub transport mechanism 71 of the encoder unit 70 cooperate to allow the pre-issue card C to face the head 72a (specifically, a position directly below the head 72a). ). Further, in the present apparatus 1, the front / back reversing mechanism 33 serves as a mechanism for moving the pre-issue card C or the transport path so that the head 72a faces the magnetic stripe 100 while the pre-issue card C passes the position facing the head 72a. A vertical reversing mechanism 34 and a displacement mechanism 35 are provided. Hereinafter, these devices will be described in detail.

  The front / back reversing mechanism 33 is a mechanism for switching between the front surface Sf and the back surface Sb of the pre-issue card C and the surface facing upward during transport. That is, when the front / back reversing mechanism 33 performs front / back reversal, of the front surface Sf and the back surface Sb of the pre-issue card C, the surface that faces upward when the pre-issue card C passes below the processing device of each processing unit, That is, the surface facing the processing apparatus is switched.

The front / back reversing mechanism 33 is provided in the card delivery unit 30 and, strictly speaking, is installed in a transport path when the main transport mechanism 31 transports the pre-issue card C. The configuration of the front / back reversing mechanism 33 is not particularly limited, but the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 is given as an example. Describing such a configuration, the front / back reversing mechanism 33 shown in FIG. 5 is configured to freely rotate the tray 201 constituting a part of the transport path, the rotating shaft 203 extending from both ends of the tray 201, and the rotating shaft 203. A supporting base 202 to be supported, a driven pulley 204 attached to one end of the rotating shaft 203, a driving pulley 205 paired with the driven pulley 204, a belt 206 bridged between both pools, and a driving pulley 205 It has a motor 207 for rotation and a rotation roller 208 for card conveyance.

In the configuration as described above, the pre-issue card C is placed on the tray 201 as shown in FIG. 5 , and is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by slidingly contacting the circumferential surface of the rotating roller 208 in a rotating state. The On the other hand, when the motor 207 rotates while the pre-issue card C is placed on the tray 201, the rotational motion is transmitted to the rotating shaft 203 via the driving pulley 205, the belt 206 and the driven pulley 204. Thereby, the rotating shaft 203 rotates integrally with the tray 201, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the tray 201 are reversed. With this reversing operation, the front and back of the pre-issue card C placed on the tray 201 are reversed.

  The up / down reversing mechanism 34 is for switching the upper end UP and the lower end DN of the pre-issue card C at one end side (for example, the left side when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction) in the direction intersecting the transport direction during transport. Mechanism. That is, when the upside down mechanism 34 performs upside down, the end of the longitudinal direction of the pre-issue card C that passes through the position facing the processing apparatus first in each processing unit ( The end located on the downstream side in the transport direction) is switched.

The upside down mechanism 34 is provided in the card delivery unit 30 and, strictly speaking, is installed in the transport path when the main transport mechanism 31 transports the pre-issue card C. The configuration of the upside down mechanism 34 is not particularly limited, but the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 is an example. Explaining this configuration, the upside down mechanism 34 shown in FIG. 6 extends downward from the tray 211 that forms part of the transport path, the support base 218 that supports the tray 211, and the lower surface of the support base 218. The rotating shaft 212, the driven pulley 213 attached to the lower end of the rotating shaft 212, the driving pulley 214 paired with the driven pulley 213, the belt 215 spanned between both pools, and the driving pulley 214 are rotated. It has a motor 216 and a rotation roller 217 for card conveyance.

In the configuration as described above, the pre-issue card C is placed on the tray 211 and conveyed to the downstream side in the conveying direction by being in sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the rotating roller 217 in a rotating state, as shown in FIG. The On the other hand, when the motor 216 rotates while the pre-issue card C is placed on the tray 211, the rotational motion is transmitted to the rotary shaft 212 via the drive pulley 214, the belt 215 and the driven pulley 213. Thereby, the rotating shaft 212 rotates integrally with the tray 211, and the front end (end on the downstream side in the transport direction) and the lower surface (end on the upstream side in the transport direction) of the tray 211 are reversed. With this reversing operation, the upper end UP and the lower end DN of the pre-issue card C placed on the tray 211 are reversed.

The displacement mechanism 35 is for displacing a part of the members constituting the transport path in order to switch the transport path. More specifically, the displacement mechanism 35 is provided in the card delivery unit 30 and, strictly speaking, is installed in the transport path when the main transport mechanism 31 transports the pre-issue card C. More specifically, the displacement mechanism 35 has a tray 221 shown in FIG. 7 as a member constituting a part of the transport path. The tray 221 has a bottom wall extending in the transport direction and side walls rising from both sides of the bottom wall. The pre-issue card C is placed on the bottom wall of the tray 221 and is conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction while being regulated by the side wall. That is, the tray 221 corresponds to a regulating member that regulates the conveyance path. And the displacement mechanism 35 displaces said tray 221 to the side seeing from the processing apparatus of each processing unit. To explain in an easy-to-understand manner, the displacement mechanism 35 changes the position of the tray 221 in a direction crossing the transport direction (in other words, the short direction of the pre-issue card C).

The mechanism for changing the position of the tray 221 is not particularly limited, but the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 is an example. 7 will be described . The displacement mechanism 35 shown in FIG. 7 includes the tray 221, the rack 222 attached to the lower surface of the tray 221, the pinion 223 that meshes with the rack 222, and the motor 224 that rotates the pinion 223. , And rotation rollers 225, 226, and 227 for card conveyance. In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7 , the pre-issue card C is placed on the tray 221 and slidably contacts the peripheral surfaces of the rotating rollers 225, 226, and 227 in the rotating state so that the card C is placed on the tray 221. Move toward the downstream side in the transport direction.

  On the other hand, if the motor 224 rotates while the pre-issue card C is placed on the tray 221, the pinion 223 rotates, and the meshing position with the pinion 223 in the rack 222 changes accordingly. As a result, the tray 221 is displaced laterally by a distance corresponding to the amount of rotation of the pinion 223, and the trajectory when the pre-issue card C on the tray 221 moves thereafter is also displaced laterally.

<< Control system of card issuing apparatus according to this embodiment >>
Next, the control system of the apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG . The device 1 has a controller 40 as shown in FIG . The controller 40 controls each part of the apparatus 1, that is, the take-out mechanism 21 in the hopper 20, the card delivery unit 30, and each processing unit, and performs a card issuing process described later. More specifically, the controller 40 controls the take-out mechanism 21 to take out the pre-issue card C from the hopper 20, and then controls the main transport mechanism 31 and the sub-transport mechanisms 51, 61, 71 of each processing unit. Then, a process (transport process) for transporting the pre-issue card C along the transport path is executed.

  Further, the controller 40 controls the printer main body 52 when the pre-issue card C passes the position directly below the printer main body 52 during the conveyance process. A process (printing process) for printing a character string or a symbol on the opposite part is executed. Similarly, the controller 40 controls the embosser body 62 when the pre-issuance card C passes through the position immediately below the embosser body 62, and puts a character string or symbol in the portion of the pre-issue card C that faces the embosser body 62. A stamping process (embossing process) is executed. Here, the printing process and the embossing process correspond to an image forming process.

  Further, the controller 40 controls the head 72a of the encoder main body 72 when the pre-issue card C passes the position directly below the encoder main body 72, and records magnetic information in the portion of the pre-issue card C facing the head 72a. Process (recording process) to be executed.

  Further, the controller 40 adjusts each of the front / back reversing mechanism 33, the up / down reversing mechanism 34, and the displacement mechanism 35 as necessary so that the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the pre-issue card C faces the head 72a when the recording process is executed. And a process (switching process) for switching the transport path and the direction and orientation of the pre-issue card C being transported. That is, the controller 40 of the apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment attaches the magnetic stripe 100 to the card body so that the head 72a faces the magnetic stripe 100 while the pre-issue card C passes the position directly below the head 72a. A switching process is executed according to the position.

  The controller 40 includes a CPU 41 and a memory 42. The memory 42 stores a unit control program (that is, a device driver). By reading this device driver by the CPU 41, the above-described various processes (conveying process, printing process, embossing process, and recording process) are executed.

  Further, the memory 42 stores the correspondence between each hopper 20 and the type of the pre-issue card C stored in each hopper 20 as table data. By referring to the table data, the controller 40 specifies the type of the pre-issue card C taken out from the hopper 20, specifically, the mounting position and the number of mounting of the magnetic stripe 100 with respect to the card body.

<< Flow of card issuing process >>
Next, the flow of the card issuing process using the apparatus 1 will be described. As described above, the card issuing process is realized by the controller 40 controlling each unit. More specifically, when receiving a card issuing command from a host computer (not shown), the controller 40 starts control of each unit using this as a trigger. Thereafter, the controller 40 sequentially advances the processing according to the flow shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, whereby the card issuing process proceeds and finally the processed card is issued.

  More specifically, the controller 40 analyzes the received card issuing command and specifies the type of the pre-issuing card C to be used (S001). Then, the controller 40 controls the take-out mechanism 21 to take out one pre-issue card C from the hopper 20 in which the specified type of pre-issue card C is accommodated (S002). At the same time, the controller 40 controls the card delivery unit 30 and starts the conveyance process (S002). As a result, the pre-issue card C taken out from the hopper 20 is delivered to the main transport mechanism 31 and transported along the transport path by the mechanism.

  Incidentally, each of the pre-issue cards C stacked in a bundle in each hopper 20 is in a state in which the directions are aligned. Therefore, when the pre-issue cards C are taken out from the hoppers 20 in a predetermined direction. The pre-issue card C is taken out. In this embodiment, each pre-issue card C is transported with the surface Sf facing upward and the upper end UP positioned at the left end (left end when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction).

  When the main transport mechanism 31 performs transport, the elevating mechanism 32 operates, and the main transport mechanism 31 and the pre-issue card C delivered to the main transport mechanism 31 move in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, first, the main transport mechanism 31 and the pre-issue card C move so as to go to the position where the encoder unit 70 is arranged in the vertical direction.

  When the pre-issue card C reaches the same position as the encoder unit 70 in the vertical direction, the main transport mechanism 31 operates, and the pre-issue card C moves horizontally toward the encoder unit 70. On the other hand, the controller 40 determines whether or not to execute the switching process by each of the front / back reversing mechanism 33, the vertical reversing mechanism 34, and the displacement mechanism 35 based on the card type specified in the previous step S001 (S003, S005). , S007).

  Specifically, the controller 40 determines the position of the magnetic stripe 100 corresponding to the type from the type of the pre-issue card C specified in the previous step S001 (strictly speaking, the mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100 with respect to the card body), And specify the number of installation. Then, the controller 40 determines whether to execute each of the front / back reversing process, the vertical reversing process, and the displacement process based on the specified mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100. When a plurality of magnetic stripes 100 are attached, whether each process is executed is determined for each magnetic stripe 100 according to the attachment position.

  More specifically, first, the controller 40 determines whether or not it is necessary to record magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the back surface Sb of the card body (S003). If it is determined that the magnetic information needs to be recorded on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the back surface Sb, the front / back reversing process by the front / back reversing mechanism 33 is executed (S004).

  The front / back reversing process will be described with reference to FIG. 10A. A position where the tray 201 of the front / back reversing mechanism 33 is arranged in the transport path of the pre-issue card Cf transported by the main transport mechanism 31. Then, the controller 40 controls the front / back reversing mechanism 33 to turn the tray 201 upside down. As a result, the pre-issuance card C is turned upside down, and as a result, the state where the front surface Sf has faced up until then is switched from the state where the back surface Sb has faced up. In other words, by executing the front / back reversal process, the surface facing the head 72a when passing through the position facing the head 72a in the pre-issue card C is switched.

  Next, the controller 40 determines which of the upper end portion, the center portion, and the lower end portion of the card body is to record the magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 100 attached. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to record magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the lower end of the card body (S005). As a result of the determination, if it is necessary to record magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the lower end of the card body, an upside down process by the upside down mechanism 34 is executed (S006).

  The upside down process will be described with reference to FIG. 10B. The pre-issue card Cf that is being transported by the main transport mechanism 31 is located in the transport path where the tray 211 of the upside down mechanism 34 is disposed. Then, the controller 40 controls the upside down mechanism 34 to reverse the tray 211 back and forth. As a result, the pre-issuance card C is turned upside down, and as a result, the state where the upper end UP is positioned at the left end is switched to the state where the lower end DN is positioned at the left end. In other words, by performing the upside down process, the end of the longitudinal direction of the pre-issue card C that passes through the position facing the head 72a first is switched.

  The execution result of the upside down process will be described in an easy-to-understand manner. In a normal case (that is, when the upside down process is not executed), one end of the longitudinal direction both ends of the pre-issuance card C has a position facing the head 72a first. To pass through. In this case, if the magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the upper end of the card body, the magnetic stripe 100 faces the head 72a while the pre-issue card C passes through the position facing the head 72a. On the other hand, when the upside down process is executed, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the pre-issue card C passes through the position facing the head 72a first. In this case, if the magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the lower end of the card body, the magnetic stripe 100 faces the head 72a while the pre-issue card C passes through the position facing the head 72a.

  The controller 40 also determines whether it is necessary to record magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the center of the card body (S007). As a result of the determination, if it is necessary to record magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the central portion of the card body, a displacement process by the displacement mechanism 35 is executed (S008).

  The displacement process will be described with reference to FIG. 10C. The pre-issue card Cf being transported by the main transport mechanism 31 is inserted into the transport path at the position where the tray 221 of the displacement mechanism 35 is disposed. When applied, the controller 40 controls the displacement mechanism 35 to slide (displace) the tray 221 to the side. As a result, the pre-issue card C moves to the left and right, and as a result, the position of the upper end UP of the pre-issue card C during transport is switched to a position that is somewhat shifted in the left-right direction from the initial position. In other words, the position of the transport path of the pre-issue card C (strictly, the path through which the pre-issue card C actually passes) switches with respect to the head 72a by executing the displacement process.

  The execution result of the displacement process will be described in an easy-to-understand manner. In normal cases (that is, when the displacement process is not executed), the transfer path of the pre-issue card C forms the main transfer mechanism 31 as shown in FIG. Located slightly to the right in the transport device. In this case, if the magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the upper end of the card body, when the pre-issue card C is transported along the transport path and passes the position facing the head 72a, the magnetic stripe 100 is the head. It comes to oppose 72a. In contrast, when the displacement process is executed, the transport path of the pre-issue card C is displaced to the left as shown in FIG. In this case, if the magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the central portion of the card body, when the pre-issue card C is transported along the transport path and passes the position facing the head 72a, the magnetic stripe 100 is It comes to oppose 72a.

  The flow of the card issuing process will be further described. After each switching process (that is, the front / back reversing process, the upside down process, and the displacement process) is performed according to the mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100, the pre-issue card C continues to be conveyed. It is conveyed downstream in the direction. When the pre-issue card C reaches the end position of the transport path when transported by the main transport mechanism 31, the pre-issue card C is delivered from the main transport mechanism 31 to the sub transport mechanism 71 of the encoder unit 70. Thereafter, the pre-issue card C is transported along the transport path in the unit by the sub transport mechanism 71.

  Then, at the time when the pre-issue card C passes through the position facing the head 72a in the transport path, the controller 40 controls the encoder body 72 to execute the recording process (S009). That is, the head 72a writes magnetic information to the magnetic stripe 100 that passes through the position immediately below the head 72a. The pre-issue card C in which magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic stripe 100 is completely transported by the sub-transport mechanism 71 after being completely passed through the position facing the head 72 a and finally returned to the main transport mechanism 31.

  After the recording process is completed, the process proceeds to a process of executing the remaining process (processing process). On the other hand, for the pre-issue card C to which a plurality of magnetic stripes 100 are attached, the above-described series of steps (specifically, steps S002 to S009) are repeatedly executed by the number of magnetic stripes 100 ( S010). That is, for the pre-issue card C to which a plurality of magnetic stripes 100 are attached, when magnetic information is recorded in one magnetic stripe 100 and returned to the main transport mechanism 31, it depends on the attachment position of the next magnetic stripe 100. Switching processing is executed. After the switching process, when the pre-issue card C passes the position facing the head 72a again, magnetic information is recorded on the next magnetic stripe 100.

  The subsequent card issuing process proceeds according to the flow shown in FIG. More specifically, the controller 40 determines whether or not to execute a printing process or an embossing process on the pre-issue card C for which the recording process has been completed (S011, S020). More specifically, the controller 40 analyzes the received card issuance command, information indicating the character string or symbol to be printed (print request information) and information indicating the character string or symbol to be printed in the command. It is determined whether (emboss request information) is incorporated.

  If the print request information is incorporated, the controller 40 controls the printer unit 50 to execute print processing. In such processing, the character string or symbol indicated by the print request information is printed in the print execution area of the pre-issue card C by the printer main body 52. Here, the printing execution area is an area other than the area where the magnetic stripe 100 is attached in the card body. When executing the printing process, the controller 40 specifies the position of the print execution area (strictly speaking, the position of the print execution area in the card body) (S012). The position of the printing execution area is specified based on the pre-issue card C type specified in step S001.

  Thereafter, the controller 40 executes a printing process and prints a character string or a symbol in the printing execution area specified in the previous step S012. Further, the controller 40 determines whether or not to execute the switching process by each of the front / back reversing mechanism 33, the up / down reversing mechanism 34, and the displacement mechanism 35 according to the position of the printing execution area, before executing the printing process. (S013, S015, S017). More specifically, the controller 40 determines whether or not to execute each switching process so that the printing execution area can face the printer main body 52 when the pre-issue card C passes the lower position of the printer main body 52. The determination is made according to the position of the print execution area.

  When the controller 40 determines that the front / back reversal is necessary, the controller 40 controls the front / back reversing mechanism 33 to execute the front / back reversing process (S014). Similarly, the controller 40 controls the upside down mechanism 34 to execute the upside down process when it is determined that the upside down is necessary (S016), and the displacement mechanism 35 when it is determined that the conveyance path needs to be changed. Is controlled to execute displacement processing (S018).

  As described above, various kinds of switching processes are executed according to the position of the printing area, so that the printing area faces the printer body 52 when the pre-issue card C passes the lower position of the printer body 52. become. At this time, the controller 40 controls the printer main body 52 to execute the printing process, and the requested character string or symbol is printed in the printing area by the process (S019).

  Furthermore, when the emboss request information is incorporated in the received card issuance command, the controller 40 executes an emboss process, and in this process, the embosser main body 62 issues a character string or symbol indicated by the emboss request information. Printing is performed in the engraving area of the previous card C. Here, the engraving area is an area of the card body other than the area where the magnetic stripe 100 is attached. Note that the stamping execution area and the printing execution area may be different from each other or may overlap with each other.

  In executing the embossing process, the controller 40 specifies the position of the above-described stamping area (strictly speaking, the position of the stamping area in the card body) (S021). Identification of the position of the engraving area is performed based on the type of the pre-issue card C identified in step S001, similarly to the identification of the printing area.

  Subsequent procedures relating to the execution of the embossing process are the same as those in the printing process. Specifically, the controller 40 determines whether or not to execute the switching process by each of the front / back reversing mechanism 33, the vertical reversing mechanism 34, and the displacement mechanism 35 in accordance with the position of the specified marking execution area (S022). , S024, S026). Then, the controller 40 executes the switching process determined to be executed (S023, S025, S027). As a result, when the pre-issue card C passes the lower position of the embosser main body 62, the embossing execution area faces the embosser main body 62. At this time, the controller 40 controls the embosser main body 62 to execute the embossing process, and the requested character string or symbol is stamped in the stamping execution area by the process (S028).

  A processed card is completed when all of the above processing is completed. The completed processed card is delivered to the main transport mechanism 31 and then transported to the vicinity of the discharge port 16 of the casing 10 by the cooperation of the main transport mechanism 31 and the lifting mechanism 32. Finally, the processed card is discharged out of the casing 10 through the discharge port 16 by a discharge mechanism (not shown). When this processed card is discharged out of the casing 10, the card issuing process ends.

  As described above, according to the present apparatus 1, when magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic stripe 100 in the card issuing process, even if the mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100 in the card body changes, it can flexibly cope with it. Is possible. In particular, in the present apparatus 1, magnetic information can be recorded also on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the central part of the card body (the central part in the short direction of the card body). Cards (processed cards) will be further increased. Furthermore, according to the present apparatus 1, it is possible to print / stamp a requested character string or symbol in the print execution area regardless of the position of the print execution area or the stamping execution area.

<< Other Embodiments >>
Embodiment mentioned above (henceforth this example) shows one Example of the card issuing apparatus of this invention. However, the present example is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  Moreover, about the structure of a card issuing apparatus, the structure different from this example can be considered. Below, the structure of the card issuing apparatus which concerns on a modification is demonstrated, referring drawings.

(First modification)
In this example, the hopper 20 is provided separately for each type of pre-issue card C. As a result, when the pre-issue card C is taken out from the hopper 20, if it is known from which hopper 20 the card C is taken out, the type of the pre-issue card C taken out, more strictly, the attachment position and attachment of the magnetic stripe 100 in the card body The number can be specified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the hopper 20 may not be provided separately for each type of the pre-issue card C, and a configuration in which only one hopper 20 is provided is also conceivable. Hereinafter, as a first modification, a configuration in which the single hopper 20 is provided as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, only contents different from the present example in the first modification will be described.

  In the card issuing device 1X according to the first modification, a single hopper 20 is provided, and pre-issue cards C of different types are accommodated in the hopper 20 in a bundled state. Yes. Note that the pre-issue cards C accommodated in a bundle in the hopper 20 are in a state in which the directions (specifically, the direction of the front surface / back surface and the direction of the upper end / lower end) are aligned. Therefore, the pre-issue card C in the hopper 20 is always taken out in the same direction.

  On the other hand, the card issuing device 1X according to the first modification incorporates a sensor 43 that detects the attachment position of the magnetic stripe 100, as shown in FIG. The sensor 43 is an example of a detector, and is arranged outside the hopper 20, more specifically, near the card outlet (extraction port) of the hopper 20. Then, when the pre-issue card C is taken out from the hopper 20, the sensor 43 detects the attachment position of the magnetic stripe 100 with respect to the card body in the card and outputs a signal corresponding to the detection result. The method for detecting the mounting position of the magnetic stripe 100 is not particularly limited. There are a method for determining the mounting position by contacting the magnetic stripe 100 and a method for determining the mounting position by a non-contact method. Any of them may be used.

  When the controller 40 receives the output signal from the sensor 43, the type of the pre-issue card C taken out from the hopper 20 based on the output signal, in other words, the attachment position and the number of attachments of the magnetic stripe 100 to the card body. Is identified. As described above, in the first modified example, the above-described sensor 43 is installed in the vicinity of the card outlet of the hopper 20, so that the issue issued from the hopper 20 can be taken out without providing the hopper 20 separately for each type of the pre-issue card C. The type of the front card C can be specified. Thereby, in the first modification, the number of hoppers 20 can be reduced, and the pre-issue card C need not be sorted according to the hopper 20, and the pre-issue card C receiving operation (replenishment operation) is easier. Become.

  Further, since it is not necessary to sort the pre-issuance cards C by the hoppers 20, there is no occurrence of sorting mistakes (incorrectly replenishing the pre-issue cards C to the hoppers 20 other than the corresponding hoppers 20). In other words, according to the card issuing device 1X according to the first modification, even if various types of pre-issue cards C are accommodated in the hopper 20, they are appropriately applied to the magnetic stripe 100 of each type of pre-issue cards C. Magnetic information can be recorded.

(Second modification)
In this example, magnetic information is recorded only on the magnetic stripe 100 in the pre-issue card C. That is, in this example, when the magnetic stripe 100 passes through a position directly below the head 72a, magnetic information is written to the magnetic stripe 100 by the head 72a. On the other hand, among the pre-issue cards C, there are cards in which the card body is made of a magnetic material as shown in FIG. 12 (hereinafter, a card Cx according to a modification). When a processed card is issued using the card Cx according to such a modification, magnetic information may be recorded on the card body in addition to the magnetic stripe 100. Such a configuration (hereinafter, second modified example) will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In the following, only contents different from the present example in the second modification will be described. Further, the card Cx according to the modified example will be described assuming a card illustrated in FIG. 12, that is, a card in which the magnetic stripe 100 is attached to the upper end portion of the card body.

  In the second modified example, when the card Cx according to the modified example is taken out from the hopper 20, the controller 40 executes the transport process and the recording process according to the same procedure as in the present example, that is, the flow shown in FIG. Thereby, magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic stripe 100 attached to the card Cx according to the modification. In the second modification, the recording process for recording magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 100 corresponds to the first recording process. When this first recording process is executed, the magnetic stripe 100 passes through a position immediately below the head 72a of the encoder main body 72, as shown in FIG.

  After executing the first recording process, the controller 40 determines whether or not to record magnetic information in an area other than the area where the magnetic stripe 100 is attached (hereinafter referred to as the absent area) in the card body (S031). ). Such a determination is made based on a card issuing command received from a host computer (not shown). When magnetic information is recorded in the absent area, the card Cx according to the modification is returned to the main transport mechanism 31. Thereafter, the controller 40 executes a displacement process by the displacement mechanism 35, and slides the tray 221 on which the card Cx according to the modified example is placed sideways as shown in FIG. 14B (S032).

  Thereafter, the card Cx according to the modified example is delivered again from the main transport mechanism 31 to the sub transport mechanism 71 of the encoder unit 70, and thereafter transported along the transport path in the unit by the sub transport mechanism 71. When the card Cx according to the modified example passes again through the position where the encoder main body 72 faces the head 72a, as shown in FIG. 14C, the absence area passes through the position directly below the head 72a. To come. That is, by performing the displacement process after the first recording process is performed, the card Cx according to the modified example is transported along a path different from the transport path before and immediately after the first recording process. It will be.

  Then, while the absent area passes through the position directly below the head 72a of the encoder main body 72, the controller 40 executes a recording process by the head 72a (S033). This recording process corresponds to the second recording process, and is a process for recording magnetic information in an absent area in the card body.

  After execution of the second recording process, the card issuing process proceeds in the same procedure as in this example, that is, according to the flow shown in FIG. 9, and the remaining processing (specifically, printing process and embossing are performed as necessary). Process). As described above, in the second modification, when issuing one processed card, both the first recording process and the second recording process are executed, so that the magnetic stripe 100 and the absent area in the card body are displayed. It is possible to record magnetic information. Thus, by recording the magnetic information not only in the magnetic stripe 100 but also in the absent area in the card body, the number of processed cards that can be issued increases.

  More specifically, in the case of a card in which magnetic information is recorded in the magnetic stripe 100 and the absent area in the card body, each of the magnetic stripe 100 and the absent area is different from a normal device in order to read the magnetic information. Requires a dedicated device (card reader) that can read magnetic information from the card. This makes it possible to provide a highly secure card that avoids an illegal information acquisition act such as skimming.

  In the second modification, a switching process, specifically a displacement process, is executed between the first recording process and the second recording process. As a result, when the first recording process is executed, the magnetic stripe 100 passes through the position immediately below the head 72a, and when the second recording process is executed, the absent area passes through the position immediately below the head 72a. In other words, by executing the displacement process between the first recording process and the second recording process, the absent area surely passes the position directly below the head 72a when the second recording process is executed. As a result, magnetic information is appropriately recorded in each of the magnetic stripe 100 and the absent area.

  In the second modification, the displacement process is executed after the first recording process and the second recording process is executed. However, the displacement process is executed after the second recording process is executed. The first recording process may be executed.

1 This device (card issuing device)
1X Card Issuing Device 10 According to First Modification Example Casing 11, 12, 13, 17A, 17B Door 14 Base plate 15 Chamber 16 Discharge port 20 Hopper 21 Removal mechanism 30 Card delivery unit 31 Main transport mechanism 32 Elevating mechanism 33 Front / back reversing mechanism 34 Upside down mechanism 35 Displacement mechanism 40 Controller 41 CPU, 42 Memory 43 Sensor 50 Printer unit 51, 61, 71 Sub transport mechanism 52 Printer main body 60 Embosser unit 62 Embosser main body 70 Encoder unit 72 Encoder main body 72a Head 100 Magnetic stripes 201, 211 , 221 Tray 202, 218 Support base 203, 212 Rotating shaft 204, 213 Drive pulley 205, 214 Drive pulley 206, 215 Belt 207, 216 Motor 208, 217 Rolling roller 222 racks, card Sb back surface Sf surface UP upper according to 223 the pinion 224 motor 225, 226, and 227 rotate the roller C issued before the card Cx modification, DN bottom

Claims (7)

A card issuing device that issues information recorded cards by recording information on a card comprising a rectangular card body and a magnetic record carrier attached to the card body,
A head for writing magnetic information on the record carrier while facing the record carrier;
A transport mechanism for transporting the card so as to pass a position facing the head;
A transport path when the transport mechanism transports the card, an end portion that first passes through the opposing position of both ends of the card in the transport direction, and the card when passing through the opposing position. A switching mechanism provided for switching the surface facing the head;
The switching mechanism is controlled so that the transport path, the end of the both ends of the card in the transport direction that pass through the facing position first, and the head of the card when passing through the facing position A controller that executes a switching process for switching at least one of the facing surfaces of
The controller performs the switching process according to the mounting position of the record carrier with respect to the card body so that the head faces the record carrier while the card passes the facing position,
When the controller executes the switching process for switching the transport path according to the attachment position of the record carrier with respect to the card body, the head is attached to the central portion in the short direction of the card body. carrier, and, I to both can record the magnetic information der of the record carrier which is attached to an end portion in the widthwise direction of the card body,
The transport mechanism has a regulating member that regulates the transport path, and transports the card so that the extending direction of the transport path and the longitudinal direction of the card are along each other,
The switching mechanism has a displacement mechanism that displaces the regulating member in a direction intersecting the transport direction with respect to the head,
The card issuing device characterized in that the controller executes the switching process for switching the transport path by displacing the regulating member by the displacement mechanism . The switching mechanism includes a displacement mechanism, a vertical reversing mechanism that switches an end portion that first passes through the opposing position of the both ends of the card in the transport direction, and a card that passes through the opposing position. The card issuing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a front / back reversing mechanism that switches a surface facing the head. A plurality of containers for accommodating the cards, each provided with a position for mounting the record carrier to the card body,
When the card is removed from the container, the controller identifies the attachment position corresponding to the container from which the card has been removed, and executes the switching process according to the identified attachment position. The card issuing device according to claim 1 or 2 . A container for containing the card;
A detector that detects the attachment position of the record carrier with respect to the card body in the card taken out from the container, and outputs a signal according to a detection result;
The controller, on the basis of the outputted the signal from the detector, according to claim 1, characterized in that to identify the mounting position of the record carrier relative to the card body in the card taken out from the container or 2. The card issuing device according to 2. An image forming mechanism for forming an image on the card body;
The controller includes a recording process for recording the magnetic information on the record carrier by the head, and an image for forming the image by the image forming mechanism in an area other than the area where the record carrier is attached in the card body. 5. The card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the switching process is executed between the recording process and the image forming process. The card body is made of a magnetic material,
The controller records the magnetic information by the head in a region other than a region of the card body where the record carrier is attached in the first recording process for recording the magnetic information on the record carrier by the head. 6. The card issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second recording process is executed.   The controller executes both the first recording process and the second recording process and issues the switching process between the two when issuing one information-recorded card. The card issuing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

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