JPH03290777A - Interlock mechanism for ic card reader/writer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable handling in a safe state and to reduce energy consumption by selecting an IC card in a mode, which can cancel the control positioning lock state of an electric fixing means, and a mode which can not cancel such a state. CONSTITUTION:At a projecting part 14 on the side edge of a card holder 10, a lock lever 12 is pivotally supported freely turnably so as to position the IC card housed in the card holder 10 by the lock with the notched part of this IC card. On the other hand, on the back of the tip corner part of the card holder 10, the electric fixing means is provided through a bracket 26 and this electric fixing means can be selected in the mode, which can cancel the lock of the positioning lock state, and the mode disabling the cancel under electric control. Thus, the energy consumption is reduced and the IC card can be safely handled.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention is a card or the like that incorporates a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) and exchanges information with an IC card that has memory and performance functions. Regarding IC card reader/writer,
In particular, the interlocking means of the IC card reader/writer is capable of selecting between a mode in which the positioning and locking state of the IC card can be released and a mode in which it is not possible by controlling the electric fixing means.

[Prior Art] A semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is built into a card, etc. to store and perform data. 2. Description of the Related Art An IC card reader/writer is known that stores a functional IC card in a card holder and exchanges information with the IC card.

In such an IC card reader/writer, after the information has been exchanged with the IC card placed in the "i! It was configured to be fixed and inoperable.

In other words, this type of interlock means has a drive source equipped with an operating rod that moves forward and backward by the excitation of a solenoid at a position opposite to a locking piece at the tip of an ejector lever that is movable in a longitudinal direction. A swingable lock lever is disposed between the eject lever and the locking piece.

That is, this lock lever is pivoted at its center by a pin, and one end of this lever is pivoted to the operating rod of the drive source, and the other end of this lever is biased by a spring so that when it is not energized, The lock lever is configured to swing to the retracted position so that the eject lever can be moved, and when information is being exchanged with the IC card, the retracting action of the operating rod due to the excitation of the drive source causes the eject lever to move. The lock lever is swung against the biasing force of the spring, whereby the eject lever is prevented from moving forward due to contact with the lock lever, making it impossible to push the lever, and preventing erroneous operation of the reader/writer. (For example, JP-A-1
-219973).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In other words, the drive source that operates the lock lever by means of the interlock means for positioning the IC card fA, f in this manner locks only by excitation due to energization, and is locked or released when energization is not applied. The structure was such that only a single type of product could be used.

Therefore, when such an interlock means applies excessive force to the eject lever, its power consumption increases due to the action of the load, and the lock lever may come off due to the action or the interlock mechanism may fail. It had the disadvantage of being damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable TFR4 to select between a mode in which the IC card can be released from the positioning locked state and a mode in which it is not possible to release the positioning locking state by controlling the electrical fixing means.
An object of the present invention is to provide an interlock mechanism for an IC card reader/writer, which can reduce power consumption and safely handle IC cards.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an IC of the present invention stores an IC card inserted through a card insertion slot in a card holder and exchanges information with the IC card. In the card reader/writer, an 18th moving part that moves against the bias in the direction of ejecting the IC card by the IC card inserted into the card boulder; a second moving part that engages with the positioning part to position and lock the IC card in the card holder; and a direction in which the elastic member is biased by the movement of the first moving part in this state to release the engagement. a third moving part that presses the second moving part; and an electrical fixing means that fixes the second moving part in a predetermined position against the bias of the elastic member and makes it impossible to release the engagement. The apparatus is characterized in that it is configured such that a mode in which the positioning and locking state can be released and a mode in which it is not possible can be selected by controlling the electrical fixing means.

In this case, the electrical fixing means may be configured such that the positioning and locking state can be released when energized, and the positioning and locking state cannot be released when power is not applied.

Further, the electrical fixing means may be configured such that the positioning and locking state cannot be released when energized, and the positioning and locking state can be released when power is not applied.

[Operation] According to the IC card reader/writer according to the present invention, the IC card can be selected between a mode in which the positioning and locking state can be released and a mode in which it cannot be released by controlling the electrical fixing means.

In other words, the electromagnetic type, in which the electrical fixing means is fixed when electricity is applied, enables automatic ejection of the IC card during a power outage, and
Cards can be handled safely, and the permanent magnet type, in which the electrical fixing means is fixed when not energized, can be ejected in a short time when energized, so power consumption can be reduced.

[Implementation@] Next, an embodiment of the IC card reader/writer according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of a card holder for storing an IC card, seen from the bottom, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the card holder for storing an IC card, seen from the top. .

In the figure, reference numeral 10 indicates a card holder for storing an IC card, and a protrusion 14 on the side edge of the card holder 10 allows an IC card (not shown) stored in the card holder 10 to be inserted into the notch of the IC card. A lock lever 12, which serves as a second moving part and which is positioned by engagement with the lock lever 12, is rotatably supported.

Further, this lock lever 12 has protrusions 16 formed on its four sides to engage with the notch of the IC card, and further extends from a stepped part 12a formed on the same side to form a locking part 18 at the tip. A lever 19 is formed. The tip of this lever 19 from the stepped portion 12a is located on the upper surface of the card holder 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the lock lever 12 has one end locked in the locking part 20 of the protrusion 14, and is rotated clockwise by a torsion coil spring 22 wound around a boss at the center of rotation of the lock lever 12. The lever 12 is biased, and rotation of the lever 12 due to this biasing force is prevented by contact with a protrusion 24 formed on the curved surface of the card holder.

On the other hand, an electrical fixing means is provided on the back surface of the tip corner of the card holder 10 via a bracket 26.

In this case, the electrical fixing means can be electrically controlled to select a mode in which the positioning and locking state can be released or a mode in which it is not possible.

That is, two types of electrical fixing means are selectively used depending on the purpose of use.

In this case, the electrical fixing means is a child magnet type tricar magnet 1 to 288 (for example, CM-IDC type manufactured by Shirokane Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) that is fixed by magnetic force when energized, or fixed by magnetic force when not energized. A permanent magnet type tricker magnet 28b (for example, CM-8 type manufactured by Shirogane Seisaku Shin) is selectively used.

First, the case where the latter permanent magnet type tricker magnet 28b is used will be explained below.

A metal piece 30 as a suction part is attached to the tip of the card holder 10.
A lock release lever 32 as a third moving part provided with a lock release lever 32 is rotatably supported, and the trigger magnet 28b that attracts the metal piece 30 is made of a permanent magnet, so it attracts and fixes the metal piece 30 when not energized. can be done.

This lock release lever 32 has a stop arm 34 extending at right angles to its surface, and this stop arm 34 is bent further rearward to position it in the same phase as the end locking portion 18 of the lock lever 12 on the top surface of the card holder 12. I'm letting you do it.

As a result, the tip of the locking arm 34 of the lock release lever 32 can engage with the tip locking portion 18 of the lock lever 12 through this rotational movement.

Furthermore, the boss 3 at the center of rotation of the lock release lever 32
A torsion coil spring 38 is wound around the torsion coil spring 38, and each output end of the coil spring 38 is locked to a locking portion 32a, 32b formed at the rear end of the lock release lever 32 and an intermediate portion thereof.

Further, at the tip end corner of the top surface of the card holder 10, an operating lever 40 serving as a first moving section for ejecting the IC card is rotatably supported on a shaft 41 provided on the top surface of the card holder 10. An L-shaped protrusion piece is formed on the side surface of the tip end of the operating lever 40, one horizontal piece of this protrusion piece serves as a locking piece 42, and the vertical piece functions as a detection piece 44.

A protrusion 45 is formed on the intermediate side surface of the operating lever 40, and the protrusion 45 is exposed to the outer circumference of the boss 36 of the opening/link release lever <-32 and the locking part 32b, so that the coil spring 38 extends. position so as to be able to engage with the output end.

Furthermore, a hook 43 is formed at the tip of the operating lever 40, and one end of a tension spring 48 that is engaged with a hook 46 of the card holder 10 insertion slot is engaged with this hook 43, and the operating lever 40 is rotated counterclockwise. It is energizing the surroundings.

In this case, the protrusion 5 formed on the lower surface of the operating lever 40
0 comes into contact with the bent step portion 52 of the locking arm 34 and prevents the operating lever 40 from rotating counterclockwise. Furthermore, the protrusion 45 at the tip of the operating lever 40 is attached to the card holder 10.
It enters into a notch 52 formed at the tip and faces the inside of the card holder 10.

Further, an engaging portion 55 consisting of a fan-shaped stepped surface centered on the rotating shaft 41 of the operating lever 40 is formed, and an L-shaped guide hole 55 is further formed in the engaging portion 55.
6 is formed.

Therefore, when assembling the lever 40, the bent locking piece 57 at the tip of the card holder 10 is passed through one end of the L-shaped guide hole 56, and is locked to the engaging portion 55 by rotating the lever 40.
We are trying to prevent them from leaving No. 1.

In this way, by fixing the circuit board 59 made of synthetic resin or the like to the bottom of the card holder 10, a reader/writer that exchanges information with an IC card properly stored in the card holder can be used. configured.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the IC card 58 is inserted from the IC card insertion slot 54a of the operation panel 54 inserted into the front surface of the card holder 10, the tip of the IC card 58 is inserted into the locking part of the operation lever 40. 42, and along with this insertion operation, the operation lever 40 rotates counterclockwise, and the IC
The card 58 is manually inserted until it contacts the stopper 61 at the tip of the card holder 10.

When the IC card is stored in a predetermined position, the detection piece 44 is detected by a transmission type photointerrupter as a detector 60 attached to the circuit board 56 by rotating the operation lever 40, and the IC card 58 is stored in a predetermined position. It is confirmed that it has been inserted.

In this case, the lock release lever 32 is used to rotate the operating lever 40, and either a force is applied to the tip of the lever to separate it from the trigger magnet 28b, or it is attracted to the metal piece 30 at the tip or the permanent magnet of the helical magnet 28b. Therefore, the clockwise rotation of the release lever 32 is prevented.

When the IC card 58 is inserted into the appropriate position, the protrusion 16 of the lock lever 12 engages with the notch 62 of the IC card 58.
is engaged with and positioned.

Next, information is completely transferred to and from the positioned IC card 58, and when this is confirmed, a command signal to unlock the IC card 58 is issued.

This allows the trigger magnet 28b to be connected for a short time (101
sec) When energized, the polarity of the magnet is reversed, this magnetic force is released, and the metal piece 30 of the lock release lever 32 is separated from the magnet 28b.

Therefore, the lock release lever 32 is rotated clockwise by the action of the torsion coil spring 38 until it comes into contact with the locking portion 32b. For this rotation, the locking lever 34 is also rotated in the same way, and by bringing it into contact with the locking portion 18 of the lock lever 12, the lock lever 12 is rotated counterclockwise.
The engagement with the C card 58 is released (see FIG. 3).

The above explanation is based on the case where the permanent magnet type trigger magnet 28b is used as the electrical fixing means. However, when using the @magnet type trigger magnet 28a which is fixed by adsorption when energized, the above-mentioned permanent trigger magnet 28b is used. Magnet type 2
8b attracts when not energized, but conversely, the chucking action acts when energized.

Therefore, when the electromagnetic type trigger magnet 28a is used, the IC card can be automatically ejected at the time of F'Ptb.

That is, in any case, as soon as the attraction of the trigger magnet is released by electrical control, the IC card 58 is immediately rotated clockwise by the action of the tension spring 48 and ejected to the outside.

In this case, if the IC card reader/writer is connected to, for example, a personal computer and electrically controlled, the ejection of the IC card can be performed by remote control.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the embodiments described above, the IC card reader/writer of the present invention allows the IC card to be released from the positioning and locking state by controlling the electrical fixing means. By configuring the mode so that it can be selected, if the electrical fixing means is an electromagnetic type that is fixed when electricity is applied, it becomes possible to automatically eject the IC card in the event of a power outage, and the IC card as an information mediating means can be placed in the surrounding environment. It can be handled safely depending on the situation, and if the electrical fixing means is a permanent magnet type that is fixed when the electricity is not energized, it can be discharged in a short time when the electricity is on, making it possible to significantly reduce power consumption. can improve the economic effect.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a card holder for storing an IC card seen from the bottom. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the card holder with an IC card inserted therein, viewed from the bottom. 10...Card holder 12...Second moving part (lock lever) 16...Protrusion part 18...Locking part 19...Lever 2238.
...Torsion coil spring 28a...5lid stone-shaped trigger magnet 28b.
...Permanent trigger magnet 30...Metal piece 32...Third moving part (lock release lever) 32a,
32b...Locking portion 34...Locking arm 40...
First moving part (operation lever) 41... Shaft 42.58... Locking piece 44
...Detection piece 45.50...Protrusion 4346
...Hook 54a...IC card insertion slot

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an IC card reader/writer that stores an IC card inserted from a card insertion slot in a card holder and exchanges information with the IC card, the IC card inserted into the card holder a first moving part that moves against the bias in the direction of ejecting the IC card; and a first moving part that engages with a predetermined positioning part of the inserted IC card to position and lock the IC card in the card holder. a third moving part that presses the second moving part in a direction to release the engagement by urging the elastic member by movement of the first moving part in this state; and an electrical fixing means for fixing the second moving part in a predetermined position against force and making it impossible to release the engagement, and the positioning locked state can be released by controlling the electrical fixing means. An interlock mechanism for an IC card reader/writer, characterized in that it is configured to be selectable between a possible mode and a disable mode. (2) The electrical fixing means is configured such that the positioning and locking state can be released when energized, and the positioning and locking state cannot be released when not energized.
Interlock mechanism of the described IC card reader/writer. (3) The electrical fixing means is configured such that the positioning locked state cannot be released when energized, and the positioning locked state can be released when not energized.
Interlock mechanism of the described IC card reader/writer.