JPH0378671B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to an IC card reading or writing device (hereinafter referred to as
The present invention relates to an IC card reader (simply referred to as an "IC card reader"), particularly an IC card reader equipped with a protection function against foreign object insertion.

An IC card is a thin card with a built-in microcomputer and memory, which allows information to be written to and read from the memory, and has a larger storage capacity than conventional magnetic cards. This is suitable for writing new information when using the card.

Conventional Technology IC cards and IC card readers are currently still in the development stage, and the complete picture of the device is not necessarily clear. However, in general, IC cards have read or write terminals arranged at predetermined positions, for example, as a group of eight points in two rows.
When the IC card is inserted into the IC card reader, the IC
A read or write operation is performed by receiving the terminal of the IC card with the read or write terminal consisting of two rows of corresponding 8 points on the card reader, and when the operation is completed, the IC card reader reads the IC card. It is designed to be expelled.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention There is no problem when a specified IC card is inserted into an IC card reader, but if there is a problem due to mischief etc.
In some cases, a metal plate or the like with the same dimensions as the IC card is inserted. Then, there is a problem in that the reading or writing section of the IC card reader attempts to perform the same operation as when inserting the IC card, causing a shortcut and damaging the device.

In general, IC card readers do not seem to be equipped with protection devices to deal with such situations. However, for example, if a reading or writing operation is performed with an IC card or a foreign object inserted, a circuit is attached to the reading or writing part to protect the device from excessive current caused by foreign objects such as metal pieces. It may be possible to keep the device in place, but that would make the device complicated and expensive.

Means for Solving the Problems The means according to the present invention for solving the above problems is such that when an IC card or a foreign object having a shape similar to an IC card is inserted, the inserted object cannot be read by an IC card reader or This consists of performing a preliminary continuity test on the insert between the test terminals before it reaches the writing section, and protecting the reading or writing section when energization is detected.

If electricity is detected in the preliminary continuity test, ways to protect the reading or writing section include, for example, stopping the operation of the reading or writing section, or stopping the delivery of foreign objects to the reading or writing section midway. Or you can send it backwards.

Example This will be explained with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1A, an IC card reader 1 according to the present invention is provided with a card reading or writing terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as a card reading terminal) 2 and a foreign object detection terminal 3 near the IC card entrance. FIG. 2 is a top view of the IC card reader 1 and the IC card 4. For example, 2 for IC card 4.
There are six rows of terminals 5, and the IC card reader 1 also has two corresponding rows of six reading terminals 6.
In addition to this, the IC card reader 1 has, for example, two foreign object detection terminals 3 (3a, 3) near the IC card entrance.
There is b).

In FIG. 1B, when the IC card 4 is inserted from the entrance, the foreign object detection terminal 3 passes a weak current to test continuity. At this time, if the inserted object is a normal IC card, the first thing that comes into contact with the foreign object detection terminal 3 is plastic, and there is no continuity. However, if, for example, a piece of metal or a magnetically coated card is inserted, there is continuity. Therefore, if continuity is found when the IC card is first inserted (also, the foreign object detection terminal 3 may be placed in a different position from the IC card terminal 5 for inspection), the reading by the IC card reading terminal 2 or stop the write operation. Therefore, even if a foreign object reaches the reading terminal 6 as shown in FIG. 1C, no voltage is applied and no current flows.

On the other hand, if the inserted object is determined to be the specified IC card in the continuity test, the terminal 5 of the IC card 4 reaches the reading terminal 2, and voltage is applied to each terminal, as shown in Figure 1 (c). Data on the card 4 is read and/or written.

In this way, if a metal piece or the like is inserted in place of the IC card, the reading and writing operations of the IC card reader 1 are stopped and the device is protected from shot.

Note that it is preferable to arrange the card sensor 7 at the entrance of the IC card reader 1. This makes it easy to recognize whether or not a foreign object is inserted into the IC card reader, and to link the stoppage of the IC card reader's reading operation to the critical time from the insertion of the foreign object to its ejection. Become.

If the card insertion of the IC card reader is automatic rather than manual, the reader circuit of the IC card reader stops or reverses the automatic feed motor when a foreign object is detected at the foreign object detection terminal. can also be protected.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, even if a metal piece or the like is inserted into an IC card reader,
The reading circuit will not shoot, and the device will be protected. Moreover, the protection measures for this purpose are simple and inexpensive.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views showing how the IC card reader according to the present invention is used, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing how the IC card reader according to the present invention is used.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing the terminal arrangement of an IC card reader and an IC card. 1...IC card reader, 2...reading terminal, 3
...Foreign object detection terminal, 4...IC card, 5...IC
Card terminal, 6... IC card reader reading terminal, 7... Card sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. If an IC card or a foreign object having a shape similar to an IC card is inserted into a thin IC card reading and/or writing device that has a built-in microcomputer and memory, the inserted object will not be read or written. An IC card reader characterized by performing a preliminary continuity test on the insert between test terminals before reaching the reading and/or writing section of the device, and protecting the reading or writing section when energization is detected. and/or writing device.