JPH036681A - Information reader for recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make best use of an information recording surface of a recording medium to the recording of information by using the outer fringe of the recording medium as a standard for an access given to an information recording position. CONSTITUTION:A reading part 70 reads an outer fringe 150a of a recording medium 150 and the recorded information of an information recording area. The part 70 and the medium 150 are moved relatively to each other by the relative moving means 56, 61 and 57 - 59. Then the relative position set between the part 70 and the medium 150 at output of the outer periphery detecting signal which is outputted when the part 70 passes through the fringe 150a is decided as an access reference position. Based on the reference position, the information recording area and the part 70 are moved relatively so as to secure the coincidence between them. Thus the recorded information of the information recording area is read by the part 70 when the coincidence is obtained between the recording area and the part 70. Thus it is possible to make best use of the information recording surface of the medium 150 to the recording of information.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to information recording for reading information written in an information recording area of a recording medium by, for example, thermal printing, dot impact, thermal transfer, or other methods. The present invention relates to an area access device, and more particularly to an information reading device for a recording medium including an outer periphery and an information recording area formed at a predetermined position inside the outer periphery for recording predetermined information.

[Prior Art] Conventionally known techniques for accessing the information recording area of a recording medium and reading the recorded information in the information recording area include, for example, a technique that sets an access standard to a predetermined position on the recording medium. A reading section reads the access reference position while moving relative to the recording medium, and an information reading section having an information reading function is moved relative to the recording medium by a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction. There was one that moved the device to the information recording area and read the written information.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, in the conventional information reading device for a recording medium, the reading area for reading the access reference position is provided in the information recording surface of the recording medium. There was a drawback that information could only be recorded on the information recording surface other than the reading area.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to make the information recording surface of a recording medium usable to the maximum extent for recording information.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides an information reading device for a recording medium including an outer peripheral edge and an information recording area formed at a predetermined position inside the outer peripheral edge for recording predetermined information, the information reading device comprising: the outer peripheral edge and the information. a reading section capable of reading recorded information in a recording area; a relative movement means for relatively moving the reading section and the recording medium; and a relative movement of the reading section by the relative movement means. Based on an outer periphery detection signal output when passing the periphery, the relative position of the reading section with respect to the information recording area at the time of output of the outer periphery detection signal is determined as an access reference position, and the access reference position is set as the access reference position. relative movement control means for relatively moving the information recording area and the reading section so that they coincide; and when the information recording area and the reading section coincide, the information recorded in the information recording area is transferred to the reading section. It is characterized by including a reading control means for causing reading by.

[Function] In the information reading device for a recording medium according to the present invention, the recording information on the outer periphery of the recording medium and the information recording area is read by the reading section, and the reading section and the recording medium are relatively moved by the relative moving means. The relative position of the reading unit with respect to the recording medium at the time of output of the outer periphery detection signal output when the reading unit passes the outer periphery due to relative movement is set as the access reference position, and the information recording area is set based on the access reference position. and the reading section are moved relative to each other by the relative movement control means, and the reading control means causes the reading section to read the recorded information in the information recording area when the information recording area and the reading section match. controlled by. That is, since the outer periphery of the recording medium is used as a reference for accessing the information recording position, there is no need to provide a reading area across the width of the recording medium for reading the access reference position.

[Embodiments of the Invention] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing the internal structure of a card reader/writer device, which is an example of an information reading/writing device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall side view showing the internal structure of the card reader/writer device 1. FIG.

The card reader/writer device 1 includes a card insertion/ejection port 11
The recorded information recorded on the card 150 (see FIG. 5, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 60), which is an example of a recording medium inserted from the card 1, is read, and necessary predetermined information is inserted into the card 1
It has a function of ejecting the card from the card insertion/ejection port 11 after writing to the card 50.

The card reader/writer device 1 has a card insertion/ejection port 11. DC motor (Mo
) 61. Stereo for card transport, sobbing motor (Ms.
) 29 Furthermore, various sensors and the like are provided.

When the card 150 is inserted through the card insertion/ejection port 11, the card insertion sensor (SWI) 7 first detects that the card has been inserted.

Then, the stepping motor (M, ) 29 rotates, and its rotational force is applied to the motor shaft 30. Gear 31a.

Belt 33. Gear 281 rotating shaft 22. Gear 20° belt 21. The signal is transmitted to the card feed roller 16 via the gear 191 rotating shaft 15, and the card feed roller 16 rotates. This rotation of the card feed roller 16 causes the inserted card to be drawn rightward in the figure. As the card is pulled in, the left vertical mark column mark field 153 and the right vertical mark column recorded on the card by the left vertical mark column read sensor (SW2) 4 and the right vertical mark column read sensor (SW3) 5 Read the mark in the mark column 154 (see FIG. 5). In addition, in the figure, 3 is an upper mounting plate, 9 is a regulation roller, 8 is a biasing spring, and 12.13 is a temporary spring.

Further, 6 is a lower mounting plate, and 14 is a clamping plate for clamping and mounting the leaf spring 12. Further, reference numeral 26 denotes a pressure spring, which has the function of pushing up the support shaft 17.24 of the guide roller 25.18, so as to press the guide rollers 25 and 18 against the corresponding card feed rollers 16 and 2B. It is configured.

The card taken in by the card feed roller 16 is read by the reader/writer mechanism 51. This reader/writer mechanism 51 is powered by a DC motor (Mo
) 61 is provided, and this DC motor (Mo) 61
The rotational force is transmitted to the head transport shaft 56 via the gears 59, 58, 57, and the head transport shaft 56 rotates. A spiral cut groove 56a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the head conveyance shaft 56. The head transport shaft 56 is inserted into a head transport shaft insertion hole (not shown) formed in the head transport member 80.
Insert it. In this state, a fixing plate 89 is provided on the upper surface of the head conveyance member 'F30, and a horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70, which is an example of an information reading section, and a thermal head 71, which is an example of an information writing section, are provided. Further, a drive bin 86 is inserted into the head transport member 80 from above so that the tip of the drive bin 86 bites into the spiral cut groove 56a, and as the head transport shaft 56 rotates, the drive bin 86 is inserted into the head transport member 80 from above. is moved along the spiral cut groove 56a in the axial direction of the head transport shaft 56, and the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70. Both thermal heads 71 are configured to move in the axial direction of the head transport shaft 56. In addition,
In the figure, reference numeral 67 denotes a guide shaft, which is inserted into the head transport member 80 and guides the movement of the head transport member 80 in the axial direction. In other words, the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 reads the marks in the horizontal mark row mark display field 155 (see FIG. 5) written on the card while moving laterally with respect to the card being conveyed. , by moving the RAD 71 in the horizontal direction to the inserted card, the horizontal mark row mark display field 1 is displayed.
55 to write horizontal mark row marks.

In addition, 92 in the figure is a head position detection sensor (SW5), and is for detecting that the head conveyance member 80 has been conveyed to the shaft end of the head conveyance shaft 56 (the position shown in the figure). Note that the stepping motor 29. Head transport shaft 56. DC motor (Mp61. Gear 57/58/
59 constitutes relative movement means for relatively moving the reading section and the recording medium, which will be described later.

The card taken in by the card feed roller 16 is
The card is further conveyed to the right in the figure by a card feed roller 23 rotated by a stepping motor (Ms) 29. Further, the card conveyed by the card feed roller 23 is further conveyed to the right in the figure and taken in by a card feed roller 40 provided at the end of the card conveyance. This card feed roller 40 is
Gear 31b, belt 35. The driving force of the stepping motor (Ms) 29 is transmitted through three rotating shafts of the gear 341 to rotate the motor.

In the figure, 32 is a motor mounting plate for mounting the stepping motor CMs>29 on the mounting board 2 side. 46 is a relay terminal board, which is used to control the card reader/writer device 1. Reference numeral 45 denotes an upper cover plate, which forms the upper surface of the card conveyance path. Further, 36 is a rear mounting plate, and the rotating shaft 39
This is for attaching the card feed roller 40 to the mounting board 2 side in a state where it is pivotally supported. Further, 38 is a cover plate. A guide roller 42 is freely rotatably provided below the card feed roller 40.
The second support shaft 41 is pressed toward the card feed roller 40 by a pressing spring 44.

Further, 47 is a wiring protection plate, which is used to prevent the flexible lead wire 106 (see FIG. 3) from coming into contact with the rotating shaft 22 and being damaged. Reference numeral 50 denotes a wiring escape hole, through which the flexible lead wire 88 is inserted when the head conveying member 80 is conveyed to the lowest end in FIG.
(See Figure 3).

3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the beam reader/writer mechanism 51, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the head conveyance mechanism 68 has been conveyed to the end of the conveyance stroke in the back direction. , FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the head transport mechanism is at an intermediate position in the transport direction.

In the figure, 54 is a platen, which is made up of a part of the attachment body 52 and is black in color.

150 is a card placed on the platen 54. The driving force of a DC motor (Mo) 61 consisting of a motor body 61a and a TG signal output section 61b is generated by gears 60, 59,
58 and 57 to the head transport shaft 56, and as the head transport shaft 56 rotates, the head transport mechanism 68
is transported from side to side. In addition, in the figure, 56 p is a spiral cut groove, 66 and 67 are guide shafts, 70 is a horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4), 71 is a thermal head, 79 is a pressure contact spring, 89 is a fixed plate, and 80 is a head Conveying member, 88 is a flexible lead wire, 69 is a mounting base, 92 is a head position detection sensor (SW5), 93 is a mounting base, 1
05 is a metal plate, 73 is a head pressure contact lever, 91 is an engagement pin, 76 is an engagement concave surface, 106 is a flexible lead wire,
88a is a terminal.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the head transport mechanism 68 is transported to the end of the transport stroke in the backward direction, that is, to the right in the figure, the engagement pin 91 engages with the engagement concave surface 76 as described above. , the engaging concave surface 76 is pushed upward, and the head pressure contact lever 73 is pushed upward against the restoring force of the pressure contact spring 79. In this state, thermal to Rad 71 and card 1
50 is released, and the card 150 can be transported smoothly. In addition, a support piece 107 is provided protruding from the mounting body 52, and a support piece 107 is provided for the DC motor (Mo) 6.
1 is supported by this support piece 107.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the head transport mechanism 68 is located in the middle of the transport direction, the engagement pin
1 and the engagement concave surface 76 is released. Then, the restoring force of the pressure contact spring 79 causes the head pressure contact lever 73 to swing downward, pressing the mounting base 69 downward so that the thermal head 71 comes into contact with the surface of the card 150 . In this state, the head transport mechanism 68 is transported in the horizontal direction, so that the thermal head 71 prints a mark containing predetermined information on the surface of the card 150, and the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 prints a mark on the card 150. The device is configured to read marks written on the surface of the device.

FIG. 5 is a front view for explaining various mark rows on the front surface of the card 150. On the surface of the card 150,
Left vertical mark column mark field 153 and right vertical mark column mark field 1
54, a horizontal mark row mark field 155a and further a numerical value display field 155b are formed. The horizontal mark row mark field 155a and the numerical value display field 155b constitute a horizontal mark row mark display field. A caution display field 156 is formed below the horizontal mark row mark display field 155 for displaying predetermined precautions to the card holder. Further, above the horizontal mark column mark display field 155, a date display field 151 for displaying the date on which the card 150 was released and an insertion direction display field 152 for indicating the direction in which the card is inserted into the machine are formed. . Note that the left vertical mark column mark field 153. Right vertical mark column mark field 154. The horizontal mark row mark display field 155 constitutes an information recording area for recording predetermined information formed at a predetermined position inside the outer periphery.

At the top of the left vertical mark column mark field 153, there is an index mark I for determining the reference position for reading card information.
MV is written. Its index mark IMv 1
Forty-four mark fields are formed from L to L44 from the bottom.

On the other hand, in the right vertical mark column mark field 154, R7 to R
A total of 44 mark fields are formed. Further, Ll in the left vertical mark row mark field and R4 in the right vertical mark row mark field are arranged to be at the same distance apart from the card edge 150a, which is an example of the outer peripheral edge. The horizontal mark column mark display field 155 is composed of 10 lines, and a mark column for writing horizontal mark column index marks IMH, to IMH, (, is formed at the left end of each row. As described later, the card edge 150a has a horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 connected to the IM
The force dodge 150b is used as a reference for transporting the card 150 so that it is in the center position of Mark row read sensor (
It is used as a reference for moving SW4) 70 to the last column of the horizontal mark column mark field 155a.

Figures 6A to 6C show the mark 15 after being issued, with predetermined marks actually written in various mark rows.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing 0. FIG. 6A shows a card that has been issued and is still unused. When the card 150 in this state is inserted into the card reader/writer device 1, the left vertical mark row read sensor (SW2) 4 and the right vertical mark row read sensor (SW3) 5 read the respective vertical mark row mark fields, and the next Horizontal mark row read sensor (S W4) 7
The horizontal mark column mark field is read by 0°. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, necessary predetermined information is written by the thermal head 71 in the second row of the horizontal mark column mark column. Furthermore, when the card is inserted into the card reader/writer device 1 in order to use the card for the second time, after the predetermined written information is read in the same manner as described above, the necessary predetermined information is transferred to the horizontal mark row mark by the thermal head 71. It is written on the third line of the column.

FIG. 7 shows a card reader/writer device 1 according to the present invention.
It is a front view showing a state where it is incorporated into a pachinko game machine 220, which is an example of a game machine.

The front frame 221 of the pachinko game machine 220 has a door holding frame 2.
22 is provided, and for this door holding frame 222,
A glass door frame 223 and a front door plate 224 are attached to be openable and closable. The glass door frame 223 incorporates transparent glass and is configured to cover the front surface of a game board 233 on which pachinko balls are driven and games are played.

A card reader/writer device 1 according to the present invention is incorporated in the lower left corner of the pachinko game machine 220 in the figure, and when a player inserts a card 150 through the card insertion/ejection port 11, the playable indicator 251 lights up. Or, if it blinks, you are ready to play. When a player operates a ball-striking operation handle 226 provided at the lower right corner of the pachinko game machine 220 in the figure, a ball-striking motor 227 is activated and a ball-striking rod 228 is intermittently oscillated. The pachinko balls in the batted ball standby gutter 232 are supplied one by one to the batted ball firing position by the batted ball supply device 231, and one by one the pachinko balls are sent to the game board 23 by the intermittent swinging of the batting ball rod 228.
3 is configured to be driven into the game area 235 on the front side. A ball guiding rail 234a is provided on the front of the game board 233.
and a game area forming rail 234b are provided, and are configured to guide pachinko balls fired by the ball hitting rod 228 into the game area 235. In the figure, 230 is a firing ball sensor, which is fired by the ball rod 228,
It is configured to detect the passage of pachinko balls guided by the ball launch rail 229. In addition, the repulsive force of the batting rod 228 is too weak, so that pachinko balls that flow down in the opposite direction on the batting ball guiding rail 234a without reaching the gaming area 235 are returned to the batting ball waiting gutter 232 as foul balls. The foul ball sensor 236 is configured to detect the foul ball.

At approximately the center position of the game board 233, there is a variable winning ball device 23.
7 is provided, and its variable winning ball device 23
A starting prize opening 238 is disposed below 7. Furthermore, a winning device 239 is arranged on the game board 233.

If a pachinko ball hit in the gaming area 235 wins a prize in the prize entry device 239, a predetermined number of points (for example, 13
points) are added to the points held and displayed by the points display 245. Furthermore, if a pachinko ball hit into the gaming area 235 wins in any of the starting winning holes 238, the variable winning ball device 237 opens and closes a predetermined number of times (for example, once or twice), and during that time, the number of balls hit is variable. If a prize is won in the winning ball device and a prize is won in a specific winning hole (not shown) provided in the variable winning ball device 237, a specific gaming state is entered, and the variable winning ball device 237 opens and closes continuously, The number of times it opens and closes is a predetermined number of times (
For example, a predetermined number of pachinko balls (for example, 10) are reached in the variable winning ball device that is continuously opened and closed (for example, 18 times).
Continuous opening and closing is performed until the earliest of the conditions for winning a prize is satisfied.

If a pachinko ball wins in this variable winning ball device 237, a predetermined number of points (for example, 13
points) are added to the points held and displayed by the points display 245.

In the figure, reference numeral 241 denotes a winning collecting gutter, which is configured to collect winning balls, guide them to the hit ball discharging gutter 243, and discharge the balls from the batted ball ejecting gutter 244 to the batted ball waiting gutter 232 again.

Further, an out port 240 is provided at a lower position of the game board 233, and out balls that are hit into the game area 235 and do not enter any winning holes or winning ball devices are collected from this out port 240. The balls are then guided to the hit ball discharge gutter 243 and discharged from the hit ball discharge port 244 into the batted ball waiting gutter 232. Then, the winnings collected by the entered prize gathering gutter are detected by the winning sensor 242 and used for game control to be described later.

In the figure, reference numerals 246 and 247 indicate game effect lamps, which light up or blink when the specific game state is established, and are used to improve the game effect. Further, 248 is a speaker, which emits a sound effect when the specific gaming state is established, or emits an alarm sound when an abnormal situation occurs. 249 is a game control microcomputer, and the variable winning ball device 237. Game effect lamp 246
247, a speaker 248, etc. Reference numeral 250 denotes a game end switch, and when the player presses the game end switch 250, the game ends, and the points obtained at that time are written on the card and sent from the card insertion/ejection port 11 to the player's side. It is configured so that it is discharged at 170 is a microcomputer for controlling the card reader/writer device. Further, 200 is a microcomputer for controlling a pachinko game machine, the functions of which will be described later. Further, 225 is a lower decorative plate.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit including a microcomputer 170 for controlling a card reader/writer device and various devices connected to the microcomputer 170 for controlling the card reader/writer.

The control circuit uses a microcomputer 1 as a control center.
Including 70. The microcomputer 170 has a function of controlling the operation of the card reader/writer device 1 as described below. The microcomputer 170 is composed of, for example, several chips of LSI, and includes a CPU 17 that can execute control operations according to a predetermined procedure.
1 and a ROM1 that stores the operating programs of the CPU 171.
72 and RAM1 where necessary data can be written and read.
73 is included. Furthermore, an input/output circuit 174 for ensuring signal consistency between the CPU 171 and an external circuit;
A power-on reset circuit 175 that provides a reset pulse to the CPU 171 when the power is turned on, a clock generation circuit 176 that provides a clock signal to the CPU 171, and a frequency division of the clock signal from the clock generation circuit 176 to periodically send an interrupt pulse to the CPU 171. Pulse frequency divider circuit 177
and an address decode circuit 178 that decodes address data from the CPU 171.

The CPU 171 can execute the operation of the interrupt control routine in response to interrupt pulses periodically given from the pulse frequency dividing circuit 177. Further, the address decode circuit 178 decodes the address data from the CPU 171 and outputs the address data from the ROM172°RAMI73. Input/output circuit 17
A chip select signal is given to each of the four terminals.

In this embodiment, the ROMI 72 is capable of rewriting its contents, i.e., storing the C
A programmable ROM 172 is used so that the program for PUI 71 can be changed. The CPU 71 provides control signals to the thermal head and the like described above in accordance with the program stored in the ROM 172 and in response to input of each control signal described below.

First, the card 150 is inserted from the card insertion/ejection port 11, and the card insertion sensor (SWI) 7 detects the card, and its detection output is given to the microcomputer 170 via the detection circuit 179. Then, the microcomputer 170 outputs a control signal for driving the stepping motor, and the control signal is applied to the stepping motor 29 (Ms) via the motor drive circuit 186. As a result, the card 150 is conveyed as described above, and as the card 150 is conveyed, each mark written on the card 150 in the left vertical mark column mark column 153 and the right vertical mark column mark column 154 (see FIG. 5) is read by the left vertical mark row read sensor 4 (SW2) and the right vertical mark row read sensor 5 (SW3). These read signals are then given to the microcomputer 170 via detection circuits 180 and 181, respectively. Next, the microcomputer 170 outputs a control signal for driving the DC motor, and this control signal is applied to the DC motor (Mo) 61 via the motor drive circuit 187, and the head transport mechanism 68 is transported as described above. (Figures 3 and 4)
(see figure). As the head transport mechanism 68 transports the head, the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 detects the horizontal mark row mark field 155a of the card 150 (see FIG. 5).
The write information is read, and the read signal is given to the microcomputer 170 via the detection circuit 182. Next, when the head transport mechanism 68 is transported to the end of the transport stroke in the backward direction as described above, it is detected by the head position detection sensor (SW5) 92 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and the detection signal is is applied to the microcomputer 170 via the detection circuit 183. Further, the output signal from the TG signal output section 61b is given to the microcomputer 170 in a shaped form through a waveform shaping circuit 184. Further, the microcomputer 170 outputs a write control signal for the thermal head, and the write control signal is transmitted to each of the heating elements 71a to 71g of the thermal head 71 via a thermal head drive circuit 185.
given to.

As a result, the heating elements 71a to 7 of the thermal head 71
1g, only the heating elements that follow the write control signal from the microcomputer 170 selectively generate heat, and marks containing predetermined information are placed in the horizontal mark column 155a (see FIG. 5) of the card 150. written. The thermal head drive circuit 185. Detection circuit 182 and card reader/writer device control microcomputer 17
0 controls the moving means, operates the information reading section to read the information recorded on the recording medium, and gives predetermined written information to the information writing section to write the information. A read/write control means is configured to write predetermined information onto the recording medium by causing the writing section to perform a writing operation. The microcomputer 170 for controlling the card reader/writer device and the microcomputer 200 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine are connected to each other so that they can exchange signals with each other.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit consisting of a pachinko gaming machine control microcomputer 200 and various devices connected to the microcomputer 200. In addition, microcomputer 2 for pachinko game machine control
Since the configuration of 00 is the same as that of the card reader/writer device control microcomputer 170, the explanation will be omitted here.

When the player presses the game end switch 250 (see FIG. 7), a detection signal from the game end switch 250 is sent to the microcomputer 200 via the detection circuit 209. When a pachinko ball is ejected by the ball rod 228 (see FIG. 7), it is detected by the ejected ball sensor 230, and its detection signal is provided to the microcomputer 200 via the detection circuit 210. When a pachinko ball wins, it is detected by the winning ball sensor 242, and the detection signal is sent to the microcomputer 20 via the detection circuit 211.
given to 0. If the pachinko ball fired by the ball rod 228 becomes a foul ball, the foul ball sensor 2
36 and its detection signal is given to the microcomputer 200 via the detection circuit 212.

Further, the microcomputer 200 outputs a control signal for driving the batted ball firing motor, and the control signal is applied to the batted ball firing motor 227 via the motor drive circuit 213. The microcomputer 200 outputs a control signal for lighting the playable indicator, and the control signal is applied to the playable indicator 251 via the lamp drive circuit 214. The microcomputer 200 outputs a control signal for displaying points, and the control signal is applied to the points display 245 via the 7-segment LED drive circuit 215.

The microcomputer 200 for controlling the pachinko game machine and the microcomputer 170 for controlling the card reader/writer device are connected to each other so that they can exchange signals with each other. Further, a game hall management host computer 216 installed in the game hall and a pachinko game machine control microcomputer 200 are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange signals with each other. The pachinko gaming machine control microcomputer 200 sends information regarding the operating status of the pachinko gaming machine machine and the income and expenditure of the machine to the gaming hall management host computer 216. For the computer 200, for example,
A forced stop command signal is sent to stop the ball hitting motor when a fraudulent act occurs, or a stop command signal is sent when a stop decision is made on the game hall management host computer 216 side.

10A, 10B, 10D, 10E, and 10F are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10C is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 9.

Next, the operations of the card reader/writer device 1 and the pachinko gaming machine 220 will be explained based on FIGS. 1OA to 10F. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the card insertion sensor (SWI) is turned on.
Wait until it becomes.

Then, the player inserts the card into the card insertion/ejection slot 11 (7th
(see figure), a YES determination is made in step S1, and the process proceeds to step S2, where the stepping motor M is rotated in the normal direction to start taking in the card. Then, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 has detected the index mark IMv of the card 150. If it is determined that the index mark IMv has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S4, where the stepping motors (M, ) is determined whether or not a predetermined number of pulses have been counted since the normal rotation, and if it is determined that the pulses have not been counted yet, a loop is formed in which the process returns to step S3.

During this loop, the main vertical mark row read sensor S
If W2 detects the index mark IMv of the card 150, a YES determination is made in step S3 and the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 does not detect the index mark IMv until a predetermined number of pulses are counted from the normal rotation of the stepping motor (M,) during the loop,
When a YES determination is made in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, in which the stepping motor M is stopped, and the process proceeds to step 8230, which will be described later, in which the stepping motor M is stopped.
, is reversed to eject the card and the control ends. If a YES determination is made in step S4, either the insertion direction of the card 150 is wrong or nothing is recorded on the card 150. In other words, as shown in FIG. 14, which will be described later, the distance from the card edge to the left end of the main vertical mark row is greater than the distance D from the card edge to the right end of the right vertical mark row.
2, so if the card is inserted into the card reader/writer device 1 from the opposite direction, the vertical mark row will shift from the reading position of the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2, and the left vertical mark row read A situation arises in which the sensor SW2 does not detect any marks at all.

Similarly, when no mark is written on the card 150, no mark is detected by the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2. In order to detect such a state, the stepping motor M is rotated in the normal direction until the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 counts a predetermined number of pulses that allow the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 to detect the index mark IMv with a margin. Lead sensor SW2
does not detect the index mark IMv,
A YES determination is made in step S4, and control is performed to eject out of the machine an abnormal card that has been inserted in the wrong direction or has no mark written at all.

Next, if YES is determined in step S3, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether a predetermined number of pulses have been counted since the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 detected the index mark IMy. The stepping motor (M) continues to rotate normally until a predetermined number of pulses are counted. Once a predetermined number of pulses have been counted, the process advances to step S7 and the stepping motor M5 is stopped. Main vertical mark row read sensor S
The reason why the stepping motor M is stopped only after W2 has counted a predetermined number of pulses after detecting the index mark IMV is that the center of the mark such as the index mark IMv and the main vertical mark row are
This is to correct the deviation from the mark detection position by a read sensor such as W2. In other words, when using an optical reading method, a width that can be used as a mark is required so that the optical reading sensor can read the mark with sufficient margin. However, if the mark is given a width, a situation arises in which the reading sensor outputs a detection signal indicating that the mark has been detected before it has reached the center of the mark. Therefore, it is necessary to account for the deviation from the reference position of the index mark IMv, etc., and carry out control so that the reading sensor reaches the center of the mark by transporting the card an additional amount by that amount. In addition,
The reference position is the index mark IMy.
Alternatively, the edge of the card may be used as in step 5190, which will be described later, or a timing mark written on the surface of the card 150 may be used.

Next, the process proceeds to step S8, where the right vertical mark row sensor SW3 reads and stores the presence/absence of the first right mark (R1) (see FIG. 5). At this point, the main vertical mark row read sensor (SW2) 4 has not yet reached the position of the first left mark (Ll). In other words, as shown in FIG. 1, the stone line mark row read sensor (SW3) 5
This is because it is shifted by one mark toward the card insertion/ejection port 11 side than the main vertical mark row read sensor (SW2) 4. Then, the process proceeds to step S9, where the stepping motor M is rotated in the normal direction, and the process proceeds to step SIO, where the pulses for one mak are counted. When the counting is completed, the process proceeds to step Sll, where the stepping motor M is stopped, and the step S12 The stone line mark row read sensor SW3 reads and stores the presence or absence of the second mark on the right (R2), and roughly the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 reads and stores the presence or absence of the first mark on the left (Ll). Read and store the state. Next, the processes of steps S9 to S12 are performed 4 times.
Repeat once, from the 3rd item on the right (R3) to the 43rd item on the right (R43)
) and from the second left (R2) to the 42nd left (R4)
2) Read and store the presence/absence status of the marks up to 2). Next, the process proceeds to step 5177, where the stepping motor M is rotated in the forward direction, and the process proceeds to step 5178, where it is determined whether or not the pulses for one mak have been counted, until the pulses for one mak have been counted. Wait with the stepping motor M in normal rotation. Then, the pulses for one mak are counted, and when the card is conveyed in the card receiving direction by one mak, a YES determination is made in step 5178, and the process proceeds to step 5179, where the stepping motor M is stopped. and proceeds to step 5180. Step 3
At 180, the stone line mark row read sensor SW3 reads and stores the presence/absence state of the 44th mark on the right (R44), and the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 reads the presence/absence state of the 43rd mark on the left (R43). Read and memorize. Next, in step 5181, the stepping motor M is rotated in the normal direction, and in step 5182, it is determined whether or not pulses for one mak have been counted, and the stepping motor M is rotated until the pulses for one mak are counted. Wait with M in normal rotation. Then, the pulses for one mak are counted, and when the card is conveyed in the card receiving direction by one mak, a YES determination is made in step 5182, and the process proceeds to step 8183, where the stepping motor M is stopped. and proceeds to step 5184. Step 5
184, the left 44 is the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2.
The state of presence/absence of the mark (L44) is read and stored. This completes the reading and storing of all the write data in the vertical mark row.

Next, the process proceeds to step 5185, where it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the data in the vertical mark row. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to step 8230, where the stepping motor M is reversed and the card is ejected. control ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no abnormality in the data of the vertical mark row, the process proceeds to step 8186, where the stepping motor is reversed, and the process proceeds to step 5187, where the stepping motor M is reversed until a predetermined number of pulses are counted. Wait in state. This predetermined number of pulses means that the card edge 150a (see FIG. 5) is connected to the horizontal mark row read sensor S.
This pulse is necessary to transport the card until it passes the detection position by W4.

Then, the stepping motor M is reversed, the card is conveyed in the ejection direction, and when the card edge 150a has passed the detection position by the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4, a YES determination is made in step 5187, and the process proceeds to step 5188. , stepping motor M, are stopped, and then the process proceeds to step 5189, where stepping motor M is stopped.

Rotate slowly forward. Next, proceed to step 5190;
Horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 is on card edge 150a
(See FIG. 5) is detected, and the stepping motor M is kept in normal rotation until it is detected. In this embodiment, the reading sensitivity of the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 is such that the card edge is 2/2/2 of the sensor surface.
The card edge is set to be detected when the sensor surface reaches point 3 and 2/3 of the sensor surface is occupied by the card area. Also, when reading a mark by the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4, it is set so that the mark can be read and judged when 2/3 of the sensor surface is occupied by the mark. However, the reading sensitivity of this horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 is configured to be adjustable as appropriate. The horizontal mark array sensor SW4 (70) constitutes a reading section capable of reading the outer peripheral edge and the recorded information in the information recording area. Then, if the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 detects the card edge 150a,
If YES is determined in step 5190, the process proceeds to step 5191, where it is determined whether a predetermined number of pulses have been counted, and the stepping motor M is kept in normal rotation until the predetermined number of pulses is counted. do. This predetermined number of pulses is applied to the horizontal mark row read sensor S.
IM8 from the position where W4 detected Card Edge 150a
is the number of pulses required to send the card the distance to the center of , (see Figure 5). In other words, as explained in step 5190, the card edge 150
By using the edge of the card as a positioning reference in this way, there is no need to provide a reference mark (index mark or timing mark) on the card surface for positioning reference, and the card surface can be used as a reference for positioning. It can be effectively used for writing necessary information. Then, when a predetermined number of pulses have been counted and the card has been transported a predetermined distance and the center of the IMH has reached the detection position of the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4, a YES determination is made in step 5191 and step 8192 Then, the stepper motor M is stopped.

Next, in step 8193, the horizontal mark alignment sensor SW4 is set to IM)1. A judgment will be made as to whether or not it has been detected. If the card is tampered with, and the IMH is not present in the position where it should naturally be, a NO determination is made in step 8193, and step 8
Proceeding to 230, the stepping motor M is reversed to eject the card and the control ends. Meanwhile, step 8193
By 1M8. If it is determined that the stepping motor M is detected, the process advances to step 5194.

The card is conveyed in the card receiving direction by rotating in the normal direction.

Next, the process proceeds to step 5195, in which it is determined whether the number of pulses required to convey only one row of cards in the horizontal mark row mark display field 155 (see FIGS. 5 and 14) has been counted. Then, the stepping motor Ms is kept in normal rotation until the pulses for one row are counted. Then, when the pulses for one line have been counted and the card has been conveyed by one line, step 5195 is performed and Y
After a determination of ES is made, the process proceeds to step 5196, where the stepping motor M is stopped, and the process proceeds to step 5197. In step 5197, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW
4 detects IMH2 or not. If no information is written in the second line of the horizontal mark column mark display column 155 (see FIGS. 5 and 14), a negative determination is made in step 5197 and the process proceeds to step 823.
1, the stepping motor Ms is reversed to transport the card in the card ejection direction, and the process advances to step 8232.
The pulses for one line are counted and a decision is made as to whether or not the pulses have been counted.
The stepping motor M is kept in reverse until the pulses for one line are counted. Then, in a state where the card has been conveyed by one line in the card ejection direction, step 82
32, the process proceeds to step 8233, where the stepping motor M is stopped, and the process proceeds to step 5234 and subsequent steps to control the reading of horizontal mark rows.

On the other hand, if the predetermined information has already been written in the second line of the horizontal mark column mark display field 155 (see FIGS. 5 and 14), a YES determination is made in step 197 and the process proceeds to step 5198. Stepping motor MS
In step 5199, it is determined whether or not the pulses for one line have been counted, and the stepping motor M is kept in normal rotation until the pulses for one line have been counted. Then, when the pulses for one line are counted and the card has been conveyed by one line in the card receiving direction, a YES judgment is made in step 8199, the process proceeds to step 5200, the stepping motor M is stopped, and the process proceeds to step 5201. Advance, horizontal mark row read sensor S
W4 is IMH.

A judgment is made as to whether or not to detect it. If the predetermined information is not written in the third line of the horizontal mark column mark display field 155, a negative determination is made in step 5201 and the process proceeds to step 8231, but the third line of the horizontal mark column mark display column 155 has already been written. If the predetermined information has been written, a YES determination is made in step 5201. If the determination in step 5201 is YES, the processes in steps 5198 to 5201 are repeated thereafter. and step 5
Proceeding to 225, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 is set to IM,
9 is detected, and if it is determined that it is not detected, the process proceeds to step 5231, but if it is detected, the process proceeds to step 3226, where the stepping motors M,
The stepping motor M is rotated in the normal direction to convey the card in the card receiving direction, and the stepping motor M is rotated in the normal direction until the pulses for one line are counted in step 5227.

Then, when the card has been conveyed by one line, step 5
227, a YES determination is made, and step 522
8, the stepping motor M is stopped, and in step 5229, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 is set to I.
It is determined whether MH+0 has been detected, and if it is determined that it has not been detected, the process proceeds to step 8231, and if it is determined that the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 has detected IMIIIO, the process proceeds to step 8230, and the step The motor M is reversed to transport the card and the control is completed. That is, steps 5186 to 823
0, the horizontal mark row mark field 155 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 14) is searched for the first blank column in which no information has been written yet, and if that blank column is found, step 8 is performed.
In steps 231 to 8233, the card is conveyed by one line in the card ejection direction, and the last line of the horizontal mark row in which predetermined information is written is searched for.

Next, in step 8234, the DC motor M starts rotating, and then in step 8235, the DC motor Mo
The timing signal (TG multiplication signal starts counting) generated by the TG signal output section.

Strictly speaking, counting of this timing signal starts when the head position detection sensor SW5 is switched from OFF to ON. Through step 8234, the head conveyance shaft 56 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) starts rotating,
The head transport mechanism 68 is first transported in the front direction.

Note that the pitch of the helical groove formed on the head conveyance shaft 56 is equal to 1 in the front direction and the back direction, as described above.
Since the ratio is 2 to 2, the amount of movement of the head transport shaft 68 in the front direction is 2do per rotation of the DC motor MD, and the amount of movement of the head transport mechanism in the back direction is the amount of movement of the head transport shaft 68 in the front direction. It moves 4do per rotation. And 1dot means Timing No. 13 (
This corresponds to the distance that the head transport mechanism 68 moves in the front direction during one cycle of the TG multiplication signal. In other words, the generation cycle of the TG double signal timing signal is 1 when the DC motor M0 is
As described above, as the DC motor M rotates, a sine waveform signal for two periods is output, and as the DC motor M rotates by 1/2, a timing signal for one period is output, and the head transport mechanism 68 outputs a sine waveform signal for one dot. It will be transported in the front direction.

Next, the process advances to step 8236, where it is determined whether the count value of the timing signal has reached a (x-1) + b-1. Here, a is a value obtained by converting the distance between the centers of marks into a count, and is 6 in this embodiment. Further, b is a count conversion value of the distance from the count start position to the mark center of the first column, and is 9 in this embodiment (see FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C).

Furthermore, X is rn-IJ, rn-2J, ... "n-1" shown in FIGS.
9" is the number of rows of marks. That is, rn-I
J is the first column of marks (x-1), and rn-2J is the second column of marks (x-2).

As can be seen from FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, if the count value of the timing signal is N, this X becomes x-1 when 8≦N≦10, and 14≦N≦1.
When it is 6, it becomes x-2. In other words, if expressed as a general formula, b
When +61-1≦N≦b+61+1, x-1+1 is obtained. Note that l-0, 1, 2, 3...18.

In step 8236, the count value N is a (
x-1) +b-1, and a(x-1)
If it is determined that the value has become +b-1, the process proceeds to step 8237, and the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 performs the first reading of the X column. The process then proceeds to step 8238, where the reading result in step 8237 is judged. If it is determined that there is a mark, the process proceeds to step 8239, where the judgment counter is incremented by 1 and the process proceeds to step 5240, but if it is determined that there is no mark, the process proceeds to step 8238. directly step 524
Go to 0.

In the step 5240, the count value is a (X −1
)+b is reached, and the process waits until it becomes +b. Here, a, x, and b are the same as described in step 8236 above. Then, the count value is a(x
-1) If it is determined that +b has been reached, the process proceeds to step 5241, where the horizontal mark array sensor SW4 reads the mark in the X column for the second time, and step 5242
Proceed to.

In step 5242, the reading result obtained in step 5241 is judged. If it is judged that the second reading has a mark, the process proceeds to step 8243, and the judgment counter is set to 1.
Increment and proceed to step 5244. Further, if it is determined in step 5242 that the second reading is without a mark, the process directly advances to step 5244. In step 5244, the count value is a (x-1)+b
A judgment is made as to whether or not the value has reached +1, and the system waits until it has reached +1.

If it is determined that the count value has become a (x-1)+b+l, the process proceeds to step 5245, where the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 reads the mark in the X column for the third time, and the process proceeds to step 5246.

In step 5246, the third reading result in step 5245 is determined, and if it is determined that there is a mark, the process proceeds to step 5247, where the determination counter is incremented by 1, and then the process proceeds to step 5248. On the other hand, step 524
If it is determined in step 6 that the result of reading the mark for the third time is that there is no mark, the process directly proceeds to step 8248. Said steps 5190, 519B, 5197, 5201, 5225
゜5229, 5237, 5241, 5245 or 5
No. 291,5294.3298 constitutes a reading control means that causes the reading section to read recorded information in the information recording area when the information recording area and the reading section match.

In step 5248, it is determined whether the determination counter is "2" or more. If it is determined that it is "2" or more, the process advances to step 5249, and it is determined that there is a mark in the X column, and step 5251 However, if the determination counter is less than "2", the process advances to step 5250 and X
It is determined that there is no mark in the column and the process advances to step 5251.

In other words, previous step 5237. By steps 5241 and 5245, one mark is set to 3 in total.
If it is determined that there is a mark in two or more of the three reading results, it is finally determined in step 8249 that there is a mark in the X column. If the determination that there is a mark is less than two times, that is, once or zero times, the final determination that there is no mark in the X column is made in total at step 5250. A concrete illustration of this is, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, which will be described later. In other words, FIG. 11A shows the relationship between the position of the horizontal mark row sensor SW4 corresponding to the timing signal count value and the mark position in the horizontal mark row mark display column, and when the timing signal count value is 1 count, As the number of horizontal mark rows increases, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Then, when the timing signal count value is, for example, ■, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 performs the first reading of the mark in the n-IJ column, and when the timing signal count value is ■, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 performs the second reading of the rn-IJ column, and then performs the third reading when the timing signal count value is ■.Then, out of the three reading results, it is determined that there are "2" or more marks. If this is done, a final determination is made that there is a mark in the rn-IJ column in total.

Next, the process proceeds to step 5251, where the determination counter is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 5252, where it is determined whether or not the count value has reached a certain number. is again the step 82
36, from step 8236 to step 525.
Perform reading judgment for marks up to 1. Step 5252
In this embodiment, the "-constant" is rl18J, and when the count value reaches rl18J, reading of the last row of marks to be read by the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 is completed, as shown in FIG. 11A, for example. This eliminates the need for further mark reading determination. Therefore, if it is determined in step 5252 that the count value has reached a certain number (for example, rl18J), the process proceeds to step 8253, ends counting of the timing signal, finishes reading, and proceeds to step 5254.

In step 5254, it is determined whether or not the head position detection sensor SW5 is turned off, and the process waits until it is turned off. Then, when the head transport mechanism 68 is transported to the end of the transport stroke in the front direction, the head position detection sensor SW5 is switched OFF, so step 5 is performed.
254, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step 5255.
Then, the DC motor MD is stopped and the head transport mechanism 6 is moved.
8 is stopped, and the process proceeds to step 5256. In step 5256, processing is performed to convert the data of the horizontal mark string into numerical values based on the data of the vertical mark string. That is, the reading format of the data of the horizontal mark string is recorded in the vertical mark string, and the data of the horizontal mark string is converted into numerical values according to the reading format. Next, the process advances to step 5257, where it is determined whether there is an abnormality in the horizontal mark row due to card tampering, etc.
If there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to step 8230, where the stepping motor M is reversed to eject the card and the control is terminated; if it is determined that there is no abnormality, the card reception signal and the card are output in step 5258. After outputting the recorded numerical value representing the points held to the pachinko gaming machine control microcomputer, the card acceptance control ends. Thereafter, a game is played using the pachinko game machine, and the control of the pachinko game machine will be explained based on FIG. 10C.

First, in step 5259, it is determined whether or not a card acceptance signal and a numerical value representing the points held have been input from the microcomputer for controlling the card reader/writer device, and the process waits until the input is received. If it is determined that there is an input, the process proceeds to step 5260, where the ball-hitting motor is activated so that a ball can be fired at any time if the ball-hitting operation handle 226 (see FIG. 7) is operated. Next, the process proceeds to step 5261, where the playable indicator 251 (see FIG. 7) is turned on to display to the player the state in which the player can play, and the process proceeds to step 5262, where the game is sent from the microcomputer for controlling the card reader/writer device. A numerical value representing the player's points that have been received is displayed on the points display 245 (see FIG. 7).

Then, the process proceeds to step 8263, where it is determined whether or not there is a shot ball, and if it is determined that there is no shot ball, step 5
The process proceeds to step 265, where it is determined whether or not there is a chance of winning a prize, and if it is determined that there is no chance of winning, the process proceeds to step 8267.
It is determined whether there is a foul ball or not, and if it is determined that there is no foul ball, the process advances to step 8269 and the points are
If it is determined that the number of points held has not reached "0" yet, the process proceeds to step 5270, and it is determined whether or not a stoppage has been established. If it is determined that this is not true, the process proceeds to step 5271, where it is determined whether or not the game end switch 250 (see FIG. 7) is turned on. A loop is formed that returns to step 5260.

In the middle of this loop, the player presses the ball batting operation handle 2.
26 (see Fig. 7) to fire a pachinko ball, the fired ball sensor 230 detects the fired ball, a YES determination is made in step 8263, and the process proceeds to step 5264, where the points are 1" is subtracted. Next, if the pachinko ball hit in the gaming area wins, the winning sensor 242 (see FIG. 7) detects the winning and the above-mentioned step 5265 determines that the pachinko ball has won.
After the determination of ES is made, the process proceeds to step 5266, where a process of adding a predetermined number (for example, r13J) to the existing points is performed. Next, if the firing force of the pachinko ball fired by the ball rod 228 is too weak and the fired ball turns into a foul ball, the foul ball sensor 236 detects the foul ball, and the step 5267 returns YES. After this determination is made, the process proceeds to step 5268, where a process of adding "1" to the points held is performed. In other words, "1" is subtracted from the score when the ball passes the sensor 230, which is fired by the ball rod 228, and the ball does not reach the game area 235 and becomes a foul ball. In this case, in step 8268, add "1" to the points and
QJ is controlled so that players will not be dissatisfied.

Next, if the player's points become "0", step 5269
When a YES determination is made, the process proceeds to step 5274, where the ball hitting motor is disabled and the player cannot fire a ball even if the player operates the ball hitting operation handle.

Next, the process proceeds to step 5275, where the playable indicator 250 (see FIG. 7) is turned off, and the process proceeds to step 5276, where a timer is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 5277, and it is determined whether or not there is a chance of winning a prize. If there is not, the process proceeds to step 5278, and it is determined whether or not there is a winning prize. If there is not, the process proceeds to step 5279, and the timer starts. A loop is formed in which it is determined whether or not the process has ended, and if it has not ended, the process returns to step 5277.

During this loop, if the remaining balls still remaining in the gaming area 235 win a prize, a YES determination is made in step 5277 and the process proceeds to step 5266. In other words, even if the ball hitting motor is disabled in step 5274, there may still be pachinko balls remaining in the gaming area at that time, and if a prize is won with the remaining balls, the points will be 13'' is added, and based on this, the pachinko balls are fired again to control the game to be playable, so that the players will not be dissatisfied. If a foul ball occurs during the loop, a YES determination is made in step 5278, and the process proceeds to step 5268, where "1" is added to the points. In other words, after the ball hitting motor is disabled, the ball guiding rail 234a (see FIG. 7)
If a foul ball is generated that flows down in the opposite direction, an addition process of "1" is performed based on the foul ball,
The system is configured so that the game based on the point "1" can be resumed so that the player will not be dissatisfied. If the timer ends without any winning balls or foul balls occurring during the loop,
When a YES determination is made in step 5279, the process proceeds to step 5280, where a card write command signal and a numerical value representing the points acquired by the player are output to the microcomputer for controlling the card reader/writer device, and the control ends.

The timer is set to a time sufficient to determine all game results (winning or return to the exit slot) using the remaining balls remaining in the gaming area after the ball hitting motor is disabled. .

Next, if it is determined in step 5270 that the ball has been stopped, the process proceeds to step 5272, where the ball hitting motor is disabled and the ball cannot be fired even if the player operates the ball hitting operation handle. The decision to stop in step 5271 may be made by the pachinko machine microcomputer itself, or the pachinko machine microcomputer may receive a stop command signal from the gaming hall management host computer. , and may be configured to perform termination control based on this. Next, the process proceeds to step 8273, where the playable indicator 250 (see FIG. 7) is turned off, and the process proceeds to step 5280, where a card write command signal and a numerical value indicating the player's points are sent to the card reader/writer device control. Control is completed by outputting to the microcomputer.

When a game using a pachinko game machine is finished, control is performed to write the player's points, which have changed depending on the pachinko game machine, on a card and discharge it to the player. The write and eject control of the card will be explained based on FIG. 10D.

First, in step 8281, a write command is issued from the pachinko gaming machine control microcomputer.

A determination is made as to whether or not a numerical signal has been input, and the system waits until the input is received. If it is determined that there is an input, the process proceeds to step 5282, where a process is performed to convert the numerical value sent from the pachinko gaming machine control microcomputer into a mark string based on the data of the vertical mark string. Next, the process proceeds to step 5283, in which the stepping motor M is rotated in the normal direction to transport the card in the card receiving direction, and in step 8284, the normal rotation of the stepping motor M is continued until pulses for one line are counted. .

Then, when the pulses for one line are counted and the card has been conveyed in the card receiving direction by one line, step 8284
When a YES determination is made, the process proceeds to step 5285, where the stepping motor M is stopped, and step 828
DC motor M by 6. start rotating. Next, the process advances to step 5287 and starts counting the timing signals generated from the DC motor MQ. Strictly speaking, the start time of this count is when the head position detection sensor SW5 is OF.
This is performed from the moment F is switched to ON.

Next, the process proceeds to step 5288, where processing is performed to write the IMM, the converted mark string, and the numerical value based on the count value. The process then proceeds to step 5289, where it is determined whether the count value has reached a certain value, and the process of step 5288 is executed until the count value reaches the certain value. The fixed number determined in step 5289 is r143J in this embodiment. In other words, as shown in Figure 12B,
When the head transport mechanism is conveyed from the normal stop position of the thermal head to the last row of the horizontal mark row mark display field, the count value of the timing signal becomes r143J, and in the case of writing, the count value of the numeric value display field 155b ( Since it is necessary to write a predetermined numerical value in the horizontal mark column (see FIGS. 5 and 14), this count value becomes necessary for transporting the head transport mechanism to the last row of the horizontal mark row mark display field. When the count value reaches r143J, the process advances to step 5290, where the counting of the timing signals is ended and the writing is ended. In this way, the updated numerical information is written each time the card is inserted, and this updated information is written horizontally on the card, so that it cannot be updated like the card reading format. Vertical mark column mark column 153.154 for missing information
(See FIGS. 5 and 14) That is, writing was done in the vertical direction of the card. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, since the card is vertically long, a relatively large amount of information can be recorded in the vertical direction, but it takes time to write and read. On the other hand, writing in the horizontal direction of the card means that you cannot record as much information.

It does not take much time to read, and since new updated information can be written over multiple cycles, there is an advantage that the information can be updated many times. In this way, since types of information are written that take advantage of the respective advantages of vertical writing and horizontal writing, it is possible to record information by effectively utilizing a rectangular card.

Note that even if the counting of the timing signal is completed and the writing is completed in step 5290+, the rotation of the DC motor MO in step 5286 is continued, so the head transport mechanism continues to transport the head. and the head transport mechanism is in the front direction (right direction).
When the head is transported to the end of the transport stroke, the head transport mechanism automatically transports the head in the back direction (to the left). Then, while the head transport mechanism is being transported in the back direction, it is determined in step 5291 whether or not the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 has detected a card edge, and the process waits until the card edge is detected. If it is determined that a card edge has been detected, the process proceeds to step 5292, where the count value of the timing signal is reset and a new count is started. This step 5292 or the step 5235 constitutes a counting means that counts the amount of relative movement of the mark reading section with respect to the recording medium.

Next, the process proceeds to step 8293, where step 5292
The count value counted based on is a' (x
-1)+b' is determined, and the process waits until the count value becomes a'(x'-1)+b'. Here, a' is a value obtained by converting the distance between mark centers into a count, and is "3" in this embodiment. In the explanation of step 5240, a is "6", but a' is a state in which the head transport mechanism is being transported in the back direction, and 1 count is 2d compared to the front direction.

Since it is conveyed by a minute, it becomes a'-3. Further, X' is the number of columns read by the horizontal mark column read sensor SW4, which is 19 columns in total. b' is a value obtained by converting the distance from the count start position to the mark reading position of the first column (the last column when counting from the front direction) into a count, and in this embodiment,
31'' (see Figure 13). As can be seen from Fig. 13, if the count value is N, then 31≦N≦
When 32, it becomes x'-1, and when 34≦N≦35, it becomes x'-2. That is, if the relationship with the count value X' is expressed by a general formula, it becomes x-I+1 when b'+31≦N≦'b'+31+1. However, I-0, 1, 2,...
It is 18. Then, the count value is a'(X'-1
)+b', a YES determination is made in step 8293, and the process proceeds to step 8294, where the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 performs the first reading of the X' column, and the process proceeds to step 5295, where the first reading result is read. If it is determined that the first reading result has a mark, the process advances to step 5296 and the determination counter is incremented by 1, and then the process advances to step 5297. However, if the first reading result is determined that there is no mark, the process proceeds to step 5297. Step 529
Proceed to step 7. Next, in step 5297, it is determined whether the count value has reached a'(X'-1)+b'+1, and the process waits until it becomes a(X'-1)+b'+1.

Then, the count value is a'(x'-1) + b' +
If it becomes 1, the process proceeds to step 5298, where the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 performs a second reading of the X'-th column, and the process proceeds to step 8299, where the second reading result is determined. This step 5298, step 5294. Step 3237. Step 5241 or Step 52
45 constitutes a reading command signal generating means that generates a reading command signal to the mark reading section based on the count value of the counting means reaching a predetermined value. Further, the "predetermined value" of the count value, which is a condition for the reading command signal generating means to generate a reading command signal, refers to the step 3236, step 524o,
Step 5244, 7. This is the value shown in step 5293 and step 5297. Note that step 51
90.5191.5192 Also Hastep 5291.5
292°5293.5297,52981. : The information recording of the reading unit at the time when the outer periphery detection signal is output based on the outer periphery detection signal output when the reading unit passes the outer periphery due to the relative movement by the relative movement means. Relative movement control means is configured to set a relative position with respect to the area as an access reference position, and to relatively move the information recording area and the reading unit based on the access reference position so that they coincide.

Next, in step 5299, the second reading result is determined, and if it is determined that the second reading result has a mark, the process proceeds to step 83.00, and after the determination counter is incremented by 1, the process proceeds to step 5301. , if the second reading result is determined to have no mark, directly proceed to step 5.
Proceed to 301.

Then, in step 5301, the determination counter is set to "1".
”, and if it is greater than or equal to “1”, the process proceeds to step 5302, where it is determined that there is a mark in the X′ column,
If the determination counter is less than "1", that is, 0, the process proceeds to step 8303, where it is determined that there is no mark in the X'th column, and the process proceeds to step 5304. In other words, when the head transport mechanism is transported in the back direction, the thirteenth
As shown in the figure, if one mark is read twice and it is determined that there is a mark in even one of them, it is finally determined that there is a mark in total. Steps 8248 to 5250 and Step 8
In steps 301 to 5303, the mark reading section reads one mark position multiple times in response to a reading command signal, and compares the result with a predetermined criterion to determine whether a mark has been recorded at the mark position. A determining means is configured to determine whether or not the vehicle is present. The "predetermined criterion" that is compared for the determination by the determination means is determined in step 5248 when the head transport mechanism is transported in the front direction, and is determined in step 5248 when the head transport mechanism is transported in the front direction. In this case, it is determined in step 5301.

Next, the process proceeds to step 5304, where the determination counter is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 5305, where it is determined whether reading of the last column of the conversion mark sequence has been completed. The final column of this conversion mark string is the mark string indicated by (n+1)-1 in FIG. 13. If it is determined that the last column has not been read yet, the process advances to step 5293, and steps 8293 to 53
The reading determination control for the mark 04 is repeatedly performed. If it is determined that the reading of the last column of the conversion mark array has been completed, the process proceeds to step 5306, where it is determined whether the count value has reached a certain value, and the process waits until it reaches the certain value. The fixed number determined in step 5306 is "90" in this embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the head transport mechanism reaches IMP (see FIG. 5) when the count value reaches "90". If it is determined in step 5306 that the count value has become "90", the process proceeds to step 5307, where IM is read, and the process proceeds to step 5308, where the timing signal count is finished and the reading is finished.

Note that the DC motor MD continues to rotate even at this point.

Then, in step 5309, it is determined whether or not the head position detection sensor SW5 is turned off, and the head position detection sensor SW5 is turned off.
will be waited until. When the head conveyance mechanism has been conveyed to the end of the conveyance stroke in the backward direction, a YES determination is made in step 5309 and the process proceeds to step 5310, where the DC motor MD is stopped and the data of the mark row read in step 5311. is converted in the opposite direction, and the process proceeds to step 5312. and step 531
In step 2, it is determined whether the written content and the read content match, and if they do not match, it is assumed that a writing error has occurred, so the process proceeds to step 8313, where error processing is performed. .

This error processing may include processing such as writing information again on the next line. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 5312 that the written content and read content match, step 53
Proceeding to step 14, it is determined whether the written content is numerical value "0" information, and if it is determined No, the process proceeds to step $3.
The process proceeds to step 15, where the stepping motor MS is reversed to eject the card, and the write ejection control is completed. Furthermore, if the determination in step 5314 is YES,
Since the point information recorded on the card is "0" and there is no need to discharge it to the player, the process advances to step 5316, where the stepping motor M is activated.

After the card is rotated in the normal direction and the card is collected into the machine, the write/discharge control ends.

In the above explanation, the mark reading unit reads one mark position multiple times and comprehensively judges the results of the multiple readings to determine whether or not a mark is recorded at the mark position. However, another embodiment of the mark reading determination method will be described with reference to FIGS. 10E and 10F.

FIG. 10E is a flowchart showing mark reading determination control when the head transport mechanism is being transported in the front direction. Step 823 in FIG. 10B
5, the process advances to step 5236' and the count value is a.
(x-1)+b is determined, and a(x
-1) Wait until +b. Note that a is the value obtained by converting the distance between mark centers into counts, and is "6".
It is. Further, X is the number of rows of marks, and b is a value obtained by converting the distance from the count start position to the mark center of the first row, and in this other embodiment, "10
”. In other words, in the case of the other embodiments shown in FIGS. 10E and 10F, FIGS.
Use cards with the mark column arrangement shown in Figure 8C. Specifically, compared to those shown in FIGS. 11A to 13, the interval between IM and the (n+1)-1 mark display field is made wider by 1 dot. Therefore, in the case of this other embodiment, it is b-10.

Next, when the count value becomes a(x-1)+b, the process proceeds to step 8237', where the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 reads the X column, and the process proceeds to step 8238', where the reading result is judged and whether there is a mark. If it is determined that
The process proceeds to step S239', where it is determined that there is a mark in the X column, and the process proceeds to step S241'; however, if the reading result is determined to have no mark, the process proceeds to step S240', where it is determined that there is no mark in the X column. The process then proceeds to step S241'. Then, in step S241', it is determined whether the count value has reached a certain number, and if it is determined that the count value has reached a certain number (rl18J in the main embodiment), the step S241' is performed in step S241'. The process proceeds to step 3253, but if it is determined that the count value has not yet reached a certain value, the process proceeds to step 8236' again, and the mark reading determination control is repeatedly executed.

Next, mark reading determination control when the head transport mechanism is being transported in the backward direction will be described with reference to FIG. 10F. The process proceeds from step 8292 in FIG. 10D to step 529B', and the count value is a'(x'-1).
+b' is determined, and t (x
'-1) Wait until +b'. here,
a' is a value obtained by converting the distance between mark centers into a count, and is "3".

Moreover, X' is the number of rows of marks. b' is a value obtained by converting the distance from the count start position to the mark reading position of the first column (the last column when counted from the front direction) into a count, and is "32" in this other embodiment. In this alternative example, b
'-32 is for the same reason as explained in step 5236' above. Then, the count value is a'
If (x'-1)+b', step 5294
The process proceeds to step S295', where the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 reads the X'th column, and the process proceeds to step S295', where the reading result is determined. If it is determined that there is a mark, the process proceeds to step 5296', where it is determined that there is a mark in the X' column, and the process proceeds to step 3298'; however, if it is determined that there is no mark, the process proceeds to step 8297'. X′
It is determined that there is no mark in the column and step 5298
' Proceed to '. In step 5298', it is determined whether reading of the last column of conversion marks has been completed.

The final column of the conversion mark column is (n+1) shown in FIG. 18A.
)-1, and if the reading of this final column has not yet been completed, the step 32 is performed again.
The process proceeds to step 93', and the above-described mark reading determination control is repeatedly performed, and if it is determined that the reading of the last column of the conversion mark string has been completed, the process proceeds to step 53 of FIG. 10D.
Proceed to 06.

In other words, in the other embodiment shown in FIGS. 10E and 10F, the center of one mark position is read only once under normal conditions, and based on the reading result, whether a mark is recorded at the mark position or not is determined. This is to determine whether or not it is possible.

11A to 11C are operation explanatory diagrams for explaining the horizontal mark row and the position of the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 corresponding to the count value of the timing signal.

As shown in FIG. 11A, horizontal mark row mark display field 15
The mark written in 5 has a size of 5 dots x 7 dat. Further, the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 is a 3do
The size is tX3dots. Then, when the count value of the timing signal is O, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW
4 is located at the center position in the width direction (the part shown by the grid in the figure) in IMHl. Then, as shown by the arrow in the figure, each time the count value of the timing signal increases by one, the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70
It moves dot by dot in the front direction (to the right). Then, the count value of the timing signal is 8, 9, etc., for example.
10, the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70
overlaps with the mark writing position in the horizontal mark row mark display field 155, and when the timing signal count value reaches the value of a circled number (for example, 8.9.10), the mark is read by the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4. Do the following. In this embodiment, each mark is read three times, and if it is determined that the mark is present two or more times, it is determined that there is a mark at that position.

Note that the reading ends when the count value of the timing signal reaches 118, and reading is not performed for n-20 to n-24. This is because n-2O-n-24 is a display mark written to allow the card holder to visually confirm the contents of the written information.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a case where the mark position is shifted by one dot from the normal mark position in the sensor movement direction (front direction).

When the timing signal count value is 0, the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 is present at the position indicated by the illustrated grid at IM,n. In this state, the head transport mechanism moves, the horizontal mark array sensor moves in the front direction, and reading is started when the timing signal count value reaches "8". Then, as shown in the figure, when the count values are "9" and "10", the entire reading surface of the horizontal mark row read sensor is located on the n-1 mark, and the mark reading signal is detected. However, when the count value of the timing signal is "8", one-third of the reading area of the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 protrudes to the left from the mark n-1, so the horizontal mark Depending on the setting of the reading accuracy of the column read sensor 70, there is a possibility that a determination that there is no mark will be detected and output. but,
Even if it is determined that there is no mark, that is, a space, when the count value of this timing signal is "8", the timing signal count value is "8" or "
If it is determined that a mark is present in two or more of the detection results detected at three locations up to 10'', it is determined that a mark is present in total as described above. In this way, accurate reading is possible even when the mark position is shifted by 1 dat.

Figure 11C shows that the actual mark position is 1 da in the opposite direction of the sensor movement direction (front direction) from the regular mark position.
It is a figure showing the case where it deviates by t. In this case, contrary to FIG. 11B, the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 protrudes from the mark position when the count value of the timing signal is, for example, "10", that is, at the third time of detection, and in this case as well, If it is determined that a mark is present twice from the three detection results, it is determined that a mark is present as a total, so accurate reading is possible.

As shown in the figure, there is a margin of 1 dat upward for the mark relative to the horizontal mark row read sensor 70, so even if the actual mark position shifts downward by 1 dat from the regular mark position, the horizontal mark Accurate readings by column read sensor 70 are made.

As explained above, when the reading sensor and the mark position overlap, the reading sensor detects the mark position multiple times, and the presence or absence of the mark is determined by comprehensively judging the multiple detection results. Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a mark even if the mark position relative to the reading sensor is slightly shifted from the reading direction, which has the advantage of reducing reading errors.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the relationship between written content and the ON/OFF state of each heating element of the thermal head. As shown in the figure, a thermal radar 71 having seven heating elements 71a to 71g moves to the right (front direction). Then, from the normal stop position of the thermal head 71, move 22 dots in the front direction (
(to the right), the thermal head 71 is in
.

It comes to the leftmost position of (n+1). Start writing from there. Note that a horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 is located at a position 24 dots away from the thermal radar 71 in the front direction (rightward direction). And IMH (
If you want to write a mark at the mark position n+1) as shown in FIG. 12B, 2,
Only the heating elements numbered 3, 4° and 5.7 are selected and turned on, and only the selected heating elements generate heat to write information on the card surface. Next, when the count value of the timing signal is "23", all seven heating elements are made to generate heat. Next, when the timing signal count value is "24", only the 2, 3, and 4.5 heating elements are made to generate heat. Furthermore, when the timing signal count value is "25", all seven heating elements are made to generate heat. Then, when the timing signal count value is "26", only the heating elements 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 are selectively heated to record information on the card surface. In this way, FIGS. 11A to 11
A mark in the shape shown in Figure C is written on the card surface.

Next, the count value of the timing signal is "27" or "
30'' is between mark positions, so all heating elements are kept in the OFF state during this period. Next, if you want to mark the mark position on the first line, set the timing signal count value to "31" as described above.
The seven heating elements are made to selectively generate heat between "35" and "35", and a mark of a predetermined shape is written on the card surface.

When the timing signal is "36", the mark position is located at the interval between the mark position of the first column and the mark position of the second column, so all the heating elements are turned off. Next, when it is desired to set the mark position in the second column as a space, all the heating elements are kept in the OFF state while the count value of the timing signal is from "37" to "41".

Next, a case will be described in which a predetermined numerical value for display is written in the numerical value display column 155b (see FIG. 5). First, if you want to print the number "4" in the 23rd column, the heating element of 4.5 is selectively heated when the timing signal count value is r133J, and the timing signal count value is r134J.
When the count value is "135", the heating elements of 3.5 are selectively made to generate heat, and when the count value is "135", the heating elements of 2.5 are selectively made to generate heat. Furthermore, when the count value is r136J, all the heating elements are made to generate heat, and the count value is r136J.
At 137J, only the fifth heating element selectively generates heat. As a result, "4" is printed in the 23rd column. Next, when printing "2" in the 24th column, as shown in the figure, the heating element corresponding to the display of "1" when the timing signal count value is between r139J and r143J is Printing is performed by selectively generating heat only. Note that the normal stopping position of the thermal head and (
The distance between the mark position of n+1) -24 and the right edge is 143
It is dat. Then, after writing of the information when the timing signal count value is r143J is completed, the writing ends.

As explained in FIG. 12A and FIG. 1.2B, FIG. 13 shows that the written information written by the thermal head is transferred while moving the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 in the backward direction (to the left in the figure). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation when confirming reading.

In the figure, 150b is the right edge of the card, and 54 is the platen. Then, the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 moves in the back direction (to the left in the figure), and as shown in the figure, the right card edge 150b is located at a position of 2/3 of the reading area of the horizontal mark row read sensor 70, and the With two-thirds of the reading area of the mark row read sensor 70 occupied by the card, the horizontal mark row read sensor 7o detects the car edge 150b. In this state, as described above, a YES determination is made in step 8273 and the process proceeds to step 5274, where the count of the timing signal is reset and a new count is started. At this position, the count value of the timing signal becomes "0". Since the pitch in the back direction of the spiral cut grooves 56a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the head conveying shaft 56 is twice the pitch in the front direction, the row of horizontal marks in the back direction is When transporting the read sensor 70, the count value of the timing signal increases by one, while the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 moves in the backward direction by two dots. As a result, the count value of the timing signal is r31J,
When the value is a circled number such as r32J, r34J, r35J, etc., the mark position and the sensor completely overlap, and the number of times of overlap is two for one mark position. In this embodiment, one mark is read twice, and if the mark is detected more than once, it is determined that there is a mark at that position (IM)1 (
n+1) is read only once).

Therefore, even if the positional relationship between the reading sensor and the mark is misaligned, reading errors can be prevented as much as possible. Note that reading in the backward direction starts from the timing signal count value "31", that is, from (n+1)-19, and does not read from (n+1)-24 to (n+1)-20. Then, when the count value of the timing signal reaches "90", the final reading is performed, and the reading ends.

In this way, since the reading speed in the back direction is set to an integral multiple (twice in this embodiment) of the writing speed in the front direction, reading confirmation can be performed quickly while moving in the back direction, and speed changes are also reduced. Since it is an integer multiple, there is no inconvenience that the relationship between the timing signal and the reading position of the reading sensor becomes out of order, and accurate reading is possible. Note that only if an error is detected as a result of the reading confirmation associated with this movement in the backward direction, the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 is activated by 1 d with respect to the increase in the count value of the timing signal.
It may also be configured to move it toward the front in increments of ot and slowly and carefully check the reading again.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front view of a main part of the card shown in FIG. 5. Among the reference numerals shown in FIG. 14, the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 5 have the same names, so detailed explanations will be omitted here.

The relationship between the distance from the card edge to the left side of the main vertical mark row mark field 153 and the distance MD2 from the card edge 150b to the left side of the stone line mark row mark field 154 is D,>02. . As a result, the 10th
As explained in steps S4 and S5 in Figure D, if the card is inserted in the wrong direction, the main vertical mark row sensor SW2 is not located at a position where it can read the stone line mark row mark field 154. Therefore, there is an advantage that the mark in the right vertical mark row is not mistakenly recognized as IMv, and the processing time until error is removed is shortened. Note that by adjusting the reading sensitivity of the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2,
D', >D'2, and even if <D2 (a state in which a part of the main vertical mark row read sensor SW2 is over the right vertical mark row), the same effect can be achieved. Here, D' is the distance from the card edge to the center of the mark in the main vertical mark column, and D/2 is:
From card edge 150b to stone line mark row mark column 154
is the distance to the center of the mark.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a mark 300 recorded on a recording medium and readable by an optical reading means. This mark 300 is made up of a collection of visually recognizable mark components (Aa to Ge). The optical reading section, which can be read by the optical reading means in a normal state, is composed of the Cb-Ed components shown by the grid portions in the figure. An optical reading means such as a visible light sensor or a near-infrared sensor reads this optical reading section, determines whether or not a mark is recorded in the mark display field, and reads the information recorded on the recording medium. . Next, mark constituent elements other than the optical reading section constitute a visual shape expression section for imparting individuality to the shape of the mark. In other words, no matter what shape this visual shape expression part is arranged, it will not affect the reading by the optical reading means, because normally the optical reading means reads only the optical reading part. . As a result, by making effective use of this visual shape expression part and arranging the mark 300 in various shapes, and creating a mark with a unique shape for each store in the industry, it is possible to differentiate it from other industries and stores. It has the advantage of being able to achieve

Further, a part of the visual shape expression section (the shaded section in the figure) is configured as an optical reading auxiliary section for absorbing a deviation in the positional relationship between the optical reading means and the optical reading section. There is. By providing this optical reading auxiliary part, optical reading means such as a visible light sensor or a near-infrared sensor and the mark 3 can be used.
Even if the positional relationship with 00 slightly deviates from the normal positional relationship, it is possible to prevent the optical reading means from erroneously reading.

Furthermore, the shape of the visual shape representation section may be changed for each mark, each row, or each column in the card shown in FIG. 5, for example. Furthermore, the optical reading section may be configured to be unrecognizable to the naked eye. For example, the optical reading section may be coated with paint that generates infrared rays that cannot be recognized with the naked eye, and the optical reading means that detects infrared rays may be used to read and determine the presence or absence of the mark.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing various shapes of the mark 300. In this figure, the marks shown in (V) to (X) are blank spaces formed in a part of the optical reading section, but adjust the reading sensitivity of the optical reading means such as the lead sensor 70. Then, such marks can also be read.

17A to 17C correspond to the separate real side of FIG. 10E, and show the horizontal mark row read sensor SW corresponding to the horizontal mark row and the count value of the timing signal.
4 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining the position No. 4. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17A, when the count value of the timing signal is 0, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4
Center position in the width direction at o (portion shown in the grid)
Located in Then, as indicated by the arrow direction in the figure, each time the count value of the timing signal increases by one, the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 moves one dot at a time in the front direction (to the right). Then, the count value of the timing signal is, for example, 10,16°112
．． At step 118, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 reads the mark. In this way, in this alternative embodiment, the center position of one mark is read only once, and the presence or absence of the mark is determined as a result. In this way, when the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 and the position of the mark are in a normal positional relationship, the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4 reads the center of each mark.

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a case where the mark position is shifted by 1 dot from the normal mark position in the sensor movement direction (front direction).

When the timing signal count value is 0, the horizontal mark row read sensor (SW4) 70 is present at the position indicated by the illustrated grid at IM,n. In this state, the head transport mechanism moves, the horizontal mark alignment sensor moves in the front direction, and reading is started when the timing signal count value reaches "10". Then, as shown in the figure, when the count value is "10", the horizontal mark row read sensor SW4
The part that is shifted to the left by 1 dot from the center position of the mark is read. However, since the above-mentioned optical reading auxiliary portion is formed in the mark, even if the horizontal mark row read sensor reads the mark with a shift of one dot to the left, no reading error occurs.

Figure 17C shows that the actual mark position is lda in the opposite direction of the sensor movement direction (front direction) with respect to the regular mark position.
It is a figure showing the case where it deviates by t. In this case, contrary to FIG. 17B, when the count value of the timing signal is, for example, "10", the horizontal mark row read sensor is in the ld state.

This means that the mark will be read if the mark is shifted to the shared side. However, as described above, since the mark is provided with an optical reading aid, even if the mark is read shifted one dot to the right, a reading error will not occur.

As shown in the figure, an optical reading auxiliary part is also formed one dot above the horizontal mark row read sensor 70, so even if the actual mark position is shifted downward by one dot from the regular mark position, Even so, accurate reading by the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 is performed.

18A to 18C correspond to the other embodiment shown in FIG. 10F, in which written information written by a thermal head is transferred to the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 in the backward direction (left direction in the figure). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation when checking reading while moving the camera.

In the figure, 150b is the right edge of the card, and 5
4 is a platen. Then, the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 moves in the back direction (to the left in the drawing), and as shown in the figure, 2/2 of the reading area of the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 is moved.
The right card edge 150b is located at position 3, and the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 detects the card edge 150b with 2/3 of the reading area of the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 covered by the card. In this state, as described above, a YES determination is made in step 5291 and the process proceeds to step 5292, where the count of the timing signal is reset and a new count is started. At this position, the count value of the timing signal becomes "0". When the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 is transported in the backward direction, the count value of the timing signal increases by 1, while
Since the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 moves in the backward direction by ot, the count value of the timing signal becomes r32J,
When the value becomes a circled number such as r35J, r38J, etc., reading is performed by the horizontal mark row read sensor 70. In this manner, when the positional relationship between the reading sensor and the mark is normal, the horizontal mark row read sensor reads the center of each mark.

FIG. 18B is a diagram showing a case where the mark position is shifted by ldo in the right direction (front direction) in the figure. In this case, the count value of the timing signal is r32J,
If the horizontal mark row read sensor reads a mark at a predetermined value such as r35J, the mark will be read at a position shifted to the left by 1 dat. However, as described above, this mark is provided with an optical reading aid, so even if the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 reads the mark with a shift of 1 dat to the left, a reading error will not occur. .

In FIG. 18C, the actual mark position is ld in the backward direction (to the right in the figure) with respect to the regular mark position.

FIG. In this case, contrary to FIG. 18B, the horizontal mark row read sensor will read the marks shifted to the right by 1 dat.

However, in this case, since the optical reading aid is provided, reading errors will not occur.

As shown in the figure, an optical reading auxiliary part is also formed 1 dot above the horizontal mark row read sensor 70, so even if the actual mark position is shifted downward by 1 dot from the regular mark position. Even so, accurate reading by the horizontal mark row read sensor 70 is performed.

As mentioned above, since the mark is provided with the optical reading auxiliary part in addition to the optical reading part, even if the positional relationship between the optical reading means and the optical reading part is slightly shifted when reading the mark, Since the optical reading means can read the mark by reading the optical reading auxiliary section, there is an advantage that reading errors do not occur.

In the above explanation, the width of the mark (5 dots in the example) is wider than the width of the mark reading section (width in the relative movement direction, 3 dots in the example), but the present invention applies to this. For example, the following may be used.

The width of both the mark reading section and the mark should be the same width (for example, 3 dots), and the reading sensitivity of the mark reading section should be set so that the mark can be read if 2/3 of the reading surface covers the mark. If the judgment criteria is set so that if the mark is found twice or more as a result of reading three times, it will be determined that there is a mark at the mark position, and if the position in the relative movement direction is within ±1 dot 1 dat, it will be read. Does not cause errors. As another example, the width of the mark reading section is set to 3 dots, for example, and the width of the mark is set to 2 dat, for example, so that the width of the mark reading section is wider than the width of the mark, and the reading sensitivity is adjusted by adjusting the width of the reading surface. The sensitivity is adjusted so that the mark can be read if 2/3 is over the mark, and if the result of two readings shows that there is a mark at least once, then it is determined that there is a mark at the mark position. If this is determined, a reading error will not occur if the positional deviation in the relative movement direction is ±1 dot 1 dat.

In other words, as explained above, after adjusting the sensitivity so that the mark can be read even if the entire reading surface of the mark reading section does not cover the mark, the width in the relative movement direction of the mark reading section and the relative movement of the mark are adjusted. The widths in the directions may be the same, or the width of the mark reading section in the direction of relative movement may be larger than the width of the mark in the direction of relative movement, and the relationship between the mark reading section and the width of the mark is not limited to the above embodiment.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the width of the optical reading auxiliary part of the mark was 1 dat, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The width of the optical reading aid may be narrower than 1 dat.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, since the outer periphery of the recording medium is used as a reference for accessing the information recording position, there is a reading area in the recording medium for reading the access reference position. Since there is no need to provide an information recording surface of the recording medium, the information recording surface of the recording medium can be used to the maximum extent for recording information.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of a card reader/writer device which is an example of an information reading/writing device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of the card reader/writer device. FIG. 3 is a front view of the reader/writer mechanism showing a state in which the head transport mechanism has been transported to the end of the transport stroke in the back direction. FIG. 4 is a front view of the reader/writer mechanism showing a state in which the head conveyance mechanism is located midway in the conveyance direction. FIG. 5 shows a card as an example of a recording medium used in the present invention, and is a front view showing various mark rows and mark columns formed on the card. Figures 6A to 6C are front views showing cards on which information is actually written, and the cards shown in Figure 6A are issued.
FIG. 6B shows the product after one use, and FIG. 6C shows the product after two uses. FIG. 7 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine as an embodiment of the game machine in which the reader/writer device according to the present invention is incorporated. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the card reader/writer device. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. 7. Figures 10A, 10B and 10D to 10F
This figure is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8, and FIGS. 10E and 10F are flowcharts showing other embodiments. FIG. 10C is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 9. 11A to 11C are operation explanatory diagrams for explaining the relationship between the position of the horizontal mark row read sensor corresponding to the timing signal count value and the mark position of the lock mark row mark display column, and FIG. indicates that the mark position in the horizontal mark column mark display field is at the normal position, and
Figure 1B shows the case where the position of the horizontal mark row mark display field is shifted by 1 dat in the sensor movement direction (front direction).
FIG. 11C is a diagram showing a case where the mark position in the horizontal mark row mark display field is shifted by 1 dat in the opposite direction (backward direction) of the sensor movement direction. FIGS. 12A and 12B are operation explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of writing predetermined information into the horizontal mark row mark display field by the thermal head. Figure 13 shows a state in which the horizontal mark row read sensor is moving in the backward direction while checking the reading of the written mark. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining the relative relationship with the mark position of the mark column mark display column. FIG. 14 is an enlarged front view of a main part of a card which is an example of the recording medium shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 15 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of marks recorded on a recording medium. (A) to (X) in FIG. 16 are diagrams showing the types of marks recorded on the recording medium, respectively. 17A to 17C are operation explanatory diagrams showing another embodiment and explaining the relationship between the position of the horizontal mark row read sensor and the mark position of the horizontal mark row mark display column corresponding to the timing signal count value. Fig. 17A shows the case where the mark position in the horizontal mark row mark display field is in the normal position, and Fig. 17B shows the case where the position of the horizontal mark row mark display field is shifted by 1 dat in the sensor movement direction (front direction). Figure 17C shows the case where the mark position in the horizontal mark row mark display field is in the opposite direction of the sensor movement direction (backward direction).
It is a figure which shows the case where it shifts|deviates by 1 dat. FIGS. 18A to 18C show another embodiment, in which the horizontal mark row read sensor is moving in the backward direction while checking the reading of the written mark. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining the relative positional relationship between the position of the horizontal mark row read sensor that moves correspondingly and the mark position of the horizontal mark row mark display field;
Fig. 18A shows the case where the mark position in the horizontal mark row mark display field is in the normal position, and Fig. 18B shows the case where the position of the horizontal mark row mark display field is 1 d in the front direction (toward the right in the figure).
Fig. 18C is a diagram showing a case where the mark position in the horizontal mark column mark display field is shifted by 1 dat in the back direction (left direction in the figure). In the figure, 70 is a horizontal mark row read sensor as an example of an information reading section, 71 is a thermal head as an example of an information writing section, 58 is a head transport Il structure, 61 is a DC motor as an example of a drive source, and 182 is a thermal head as an example of an information writing section. 185 is a thermal head drive circuit, 170 is a microcomputer for controlling the card reader/writer device, 56 is a head conveyance shaft, 56a is a spiral groove, 51 is a reader/writer mechanism, 29 is a stepping motor, 11 is a card insertion/writer device; 300 is a mark, 1 is a card reader/writer device which is an example of an information reading device, and 150 is a card which is an example of a recording medium. '2J5 Figure 5253 Chiku 10F Figure 5301, (A) (B) ((1) Figure 16

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An information reading device for a recording medium including an outer periphery and an information recording area for recording predetermined information formed at a predetermined position inside the outer periphery, the information reading device comprising: an outer periphery; a reading section capable of reading recorded information in the information recording area; a relative moving means for relatively moving the reading section and the recording medium; and a relative moving means for moving the reading section relative to the recording medium; Based on an outer circumferential edge detection signal output when passing the outer circumferential edge, a relative position of the reading section with respect to the information recording area at the time of output of the outer circumferential edge detection signal is determined as an access reference position, and based on the access reference position. relative movement control means for relatively moving the information recording area and the reading section so that they coincide; and when the information recording area and the reading section coincide, the recorded information in the information recording area is transferred to the 1. An information reading device for a recording medium, comprising: reading control means for causing a reading unit to read information.