JPH0589295A - Storage medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the storage medium processor which can discharge safely an IC card, even in the case a host device runs away by some cause CONSTITUTION:In the storage medium processor for executing an information processing to an IC card C being a storage medium, this processor is provided with a card driving mechanism part for taking in and discharging the IC card C, a detecting means for detecting a taking-in state of the IC card C, a counting means for counting the time to a set time, based on a result of detection by this detecting means, an information processing means 76 for executing an information processing to the IC card C, and a control means 70 for sending & signal for discharging the IC card to the card driving mechanism part and executing a discharge operation of the card driving mechanism part at a stage that the information processing to the IC card C by this information processing means 76 is finished, or at a stage that the counting means counts the time to the set time. According to this constitution, the IC card C can be discharged safely.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage medium processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a storage medium processing apparatus which takes in an IC card, performs information processing on the IC card, and ejects the IC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an IC card is completely inserted into a storage medium processing device (hereinafter also referred to as "IC card reader / writer") that handles an IC card,
Even when there is no processing command for the IC card from the host device (host computer) to the IC card reader / writer, the IC card reader / writer is IC
He kept holding cards indefinitely. This is because the card drive mechanism section for taking in and ejecting the IC card in the IC card reader / writer and the information processing means for performing information processing on the IC card are not organically associated with each other.

[0003]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional device, the host device connected to the IC card reader / writer in the state where the IC card is completely inserted in the IC card reader / writer does not exist. In the case of a runaway caused by the cause, there is a problem that the information processing for the IC card of the information processing means is in a continuous state and the IC card cannot be taken out.

Therefore, the present invention provides a storage medium processing device capable of safely ejecting an IC card even if the host device connected to the IC card reader / writer goes out of control for some reason. The purpose is that.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in a storage medium processing device for processing information on an IC card as a storage medium, a card drive mechanism section for loading and unloading the IC card, and loading of the IC card. Detecting means for detecting a state, counting means for counting time up to a set time based on the detection result of the detecting means, information processing means for performing information processing on the IC card, and information processing for the IC card by the information processing means. And a control means for sending an IC card ejection signal to the card drive mechanism section when the counting means has counted the time up to the set time and for executing the ejection operation of the card drive mechanism section. Is.

The set time counted by the counting means can be set arbitrarily.

[0007]

The operation of the storage medium processing device will be described below.

When an IC card is taken in by the card drive mechanism section of this storage medium processing device, the detection means detects the IC card and sends out the detection result. The counting means counts time up to a set time based on the detection result from the detecting means. The information processing means performs information processing with respect to the IC card taken in by the card drive mechanism portion, and at this time, the control means is at the stage when the information processing with respect to the IC card by the information processing means is completed or the counting is performed. When the means counts the time up to the set time (this set time can be arbitrarily set), a signal for discharging the IC card is sent to the card drive mechanism section to execute the discharge operation of this card drive mechanism section. Let

[0009]

EXAMPLES Next, examples of the present invention will be described in detail.

An IC card reader / writer 1 as a storage medium processing device of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a main body 1A.
And a card holding section 3 which constitutes a card driving mechanism section.

The main body 1A is formed in a box shape,
An insertion port 4 for inserting the IC card C is provided at one end.

The contact portion 2 is a contact means 1.
3 and cover means 14.

The contact means 13 is provided with a pair of guide plates 16A extending upright along the moving direction of the card C (insertion direction A, removal direction B), and each guide plate 16A has a pair of elongated holes (not shown). Elevating guide grooves are provided facing each other. The receiving moving body 18 is guided and supported by the guide plate 16A so as to be movable back and forth along the moving direction. Receiving moving body 1
A receiving portion 19 into which the IC card C is inserted is formed in the lower portion of 8, and above the receiving portion 19, a contact block 21 to be described later is supported along the up-down direction so as to be able to move forward and backward.

The receiving moving body 18 is constantly urged in the take-out direction B by a take-out spring body (not shown). Then, when the IC card C is inserted and its tip hits the contact surface 22 and is further inserted against the take-out spring body, the receiving moving body 18 moves.

The above-mentioned contact block 21 is provided with a plurality of contact pins 23, the ends of which are opposed to the card contact portion of the IC card C.

Further, the contact block 21 is penetrated by a press contact pin 24 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction, and both ends thereof are fitted in the elevating guide grooves, so that the receiving moving body 18 is inserted in the inserting direction A. When moving forward, press contact pin 24
As the contact block 21 descends, the contact block 21 descends and advances, and in the vicinity of the lower end of the elevating guide groove, the tip of the contact pin 23 is elastically pressed against the card contact portion.

When the pushing force of the IC card C is loosened in this state, the receiving moving body 18 is retracted by the force of the take-out spring 125, which will be described later, and the contact pin 23 is moved to the contact portion 2.
It is designed to be separated from.

A cover means 14 is provided near the insertion port 4. A cover shaft 52 attached near the upper portion of the insertion port 4, a cover member 53 rotatably supported by the cover shaft 52, and a closing spring body 54 that constantly urges the cover member 53 to the outside of the insertion port 4. , And a card detector 55 for detecting the insertion of the IC card C.

The card detector 55 includes a cover member 53.
The partition plate 55A mounted on the main body 1A and the optical sensor 55B mounted on the main body 1A. The partition plate 55A enters the slit of the optical sensor 55B and blocks the light. It is designed to detect its presence.

When the cover member 53 rotates and reaches a predetermined position, the partition plate 55A enters between the optical sensors 55B and detects that the IC card C is inserted. That is, the cover member 53 always closes the insertion port 4 by the closing spring body 54. However, when the IC card C is inserted, the cover member 53 rotates inward, and the IC card C moves to the main body 1A. It is designed to invade inside.

As shown in FIG. 3, the card holding portion 3 has a card holding mechanism 101. The card holding mechanism 101 includes an engagement means 102 and an engagement operation means 10.
3 and 3.

The engaging means 102 comprises a lock shaft 111 attached to the main body 1A, a lock pawl 112 rotatably attached to the lock shaft 111, and a lock pin 113 protruding downward from the lock pawl 112. By rotating the lock pin 113, the tip of the lock claw 112 is engaged with the rear end of the IC card C.

The engagement operating means 103 is for operating the lock pin 113. That is, the drive lever 121 is slidably supported by the main body 1A so as to be located above the IC card C and in a parallel arrangement. The tip of the drive lever 121 is bent downward at a right angle to form a contacted surface 122 with which a part of the front end surface of the IC card C abuts. A partition plate 123 for position detection is bent and formed.

Then, the drive lever 121 and the main body 1
A take-out spring 125 is stretched between the spring post 124 fixed to A and constantly biases the drive lever 121 in the take-out direction B.

Above the drive lever 121, a lock lever 126 is slidably supported by the main body 1 in parallel with the drive lever 121. This lock lever 12
The sensor partition plate 12 is provided on the side of the front end portion and the rear end portion of 6.
7 and 128 are formed, and a lock pin 1 is provided at the rear end.
An operation hole 129 engaging with 13 is provided.

A lock spring 131 is stretched between the lock lever 126 and the drive lever 121.
The lock lever 126 is constantly urged in the insertion direction A with respect to the drive lever 121. Further, the lock lever 1
A protrusion 132 is formed in the middle portion of 26 to restrict the urging of the lock lever 126 in the insertion direction A.

An electromagnetic solenoid 135 fixed to the main body 1A is provided on the side of the lock lever 126. A return spring 136 is attached to the plunger 135A of the electromagnetic solenoid 135. Furthermore, the plunger 1
One end of 35A is connected to one end of a solenoid arm 137 rotatably supported by the main body 1A and a sensor lever 139 slidably supported by the main body 1A and having a sensor partition plate 138. ing.

The other end of the solenoid arm 137 is a release claw 140, which is constantly engaged with the protrusion 132, and is released when the solenoid arm 137 rotates in the direction of arrow X by the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 135. Claw 140
The protrusion 132 is disengaged, and the lock lever 126 is driven in the insertion direction A by the pulling force of the lock spring 131.

On the other hand, each of the sensor partition plates 123, 12
Optical sensors 142 and 143 as detection means for detecting the taken-in state of the IC card C are attached near 7, 128 and 138, and the sensor partition plates 123, 127 and 1 are attached.
28 and 138 enter between these optical sensors 142 and 143 to shield the light, thereby outputting an ON (high level) and OFF (low level) signal. still,
The partition plate 138 is provided with a slit 138A.

Next, the control system of the entire card reader / writer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

This information processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU 71 for controlling the whole and a program 7 storing a control program.
It comprises a control means 70 consisting of two.

The CPU 71 has the optical sensor 142,
143 is connected to the electromagnetic solenoid 135.

Further, an IC card interface 74 for transmitting / receiving information to / from the IC card C from the CPU 71.
Information is transmitted and received between the timer 75 as a counting unit that counts the set time under the control of the CPU 71, the information processing unit 76 that performs information processing on the IC card C, and the external host device 80. It is connected to the interface 77.

Next, the IC card reader / writer 1 described above
The normal operation of will be described.

First, when the IC card C is inserted from the insertion port 4, the front end surface of the IC card C contacts the cover member 53, and by further insertion, the cover member 53 rotates and the IC card C passes through. At this time, the partition plate 55A is the optical sensor 55.
When it comes between B and reaches a predetermined position, this optical sensor 5
5B is off (low level).

Then, the front end surface of the IC card C hits the contact surface 22 of the receiving moving body 18, and the receiving moving body 18 also moves forward, and accordingly, the contact block 21 also descends, and eventually the contact pin. 23 is pressed against the contact portion 2, and the power supply voltage to the IC card C is ready for supply.

On the other hand, in parallel with the above-mentioned operation, the card holding mechanism 101 operates as described below. That is,
When the IC card C is inserted in the insertion direction A, the drive lever 1
The front end surface of the IC card C contacts the contact surface 122 of the IC card 21.

In this state, the optical sensor 142 is "on (high level)" and the optical sensor 143 is "off (low level)" shielded by the partition plate 138.

Next, when the IC card C is further pushed in, the drive lever 121 is pulled and starts to move in the insertion direction A together with the IC card C. At this time, the lock spring 126 also pulls the lock lever 126 in the same direction.
Since 32 is engaged with the release claw 140 of the solenoid arm 137, its movement is blocked and the lock spring 131 is extended.

Further, the take-out spring 125 is also pulled by the movement of the drive lever 121, and the force at the time of take-out is stored. Eventually, the sensor partition plate 123 of the drive lever 121 shields the optical sensor 142 from light, turning on (high level) → off (low level). The electromagnetic solenoid 135 is excited by such light shielding, the solenoid arm 137 rotates in the arrow X direction, and the sensor lever 139 also moves in the insertion direction A. In this state, the optical sensor 134 is still “off (low level)”. During this time, the IC card C is further pushed.

Next, the protrusion 132 is disengaged from the release claw 140 by the rotation of the solenoid arm 137, the lock lever 126 is moved in the insertion direction A by the lock spring 131, and the lock pin engaged with the operation hole 129 is engaged. 113 rotates, and the lock claw 112 rotates downward.

Next, the electromagnetic solenoid 135 is demagnetized after a certain period of time, and the return spring 136 restores the original state. During this time, if the lock lever 126 is completely moved in the insertion direction A, the sensor lever 139 returns to the initial state,
The slit 138A makes the optical sensor 143 bright and the operation is completed.

Next, when the IC card C is released, the drive lever 121 and the lock lever 126 try to move in the take-out direction B by the take-out spring 125, but the release claw 140 of the solenoid arm 137 does not move them. Blocked and the locking pawl 112 remains in normal engagement. With this, the IC card C is completely positioned and locked, and is mounted.

In order to eject the IC card C, when the electromagnetic solenoid 135 is excited, the solenoid arm 13
7, the release claw 140 is disengaged from the protrusion 132, the drive lever 121 is displaced in the take-out direction B by the take-out spring 125, and the IC card C is taken out.

When a power failure occurs with the IC card 1 mounted, the IC card C can be ejected by pushing the sensor lever 139 from outside the device.

Next, the operation of the card reader / writer 1 considering the safety of the IC card C will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

Inside the card reader / writer 1, the I
When the optical sensor 142 is switched from ON to OFF with the C card C inserted (ST1) and the IC card C positioned and locked, the timer 75 starts counting time (ST2).

Next, the CPU 71 causes the information processing means 76.
It is determined whether or not there is a processing command for the IC card C (ST3), if there is a processing command, the command data is executed (ST3), and if there is no processing command, it is further determined whether or not there is a card discharge command (ST3). ST5).

If there is no card ejection command, the process proceeds to step 8 described later. If there is a card ejection command, the counting time of the timer 75 is managed, and when the predetermined time is reached (S
T7, 8), a card ejection command is issued to the electromagnetic solenoid 13
Send to 5. As a result, as in the case described above, the electromagnetic solenoid 135 is excited, the solenoid arm 137 rotates, the release claw 140 disengages from the protrusion 132, and the drive lever 121 is displaced in the take-out direction B by the take-out spring 125 and the IC The card C is ejected.

To set the predetermined time (timer value) for the timer 75, as shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 71 determines the presence or absence of a timer value setting command based on an input signal from an input unit (not shown) (ST11). If there is a timer value setting command, the timer value is set to the timer 75 according to the input signal (ST12). 7. FIG. 7 shows a table of set codes and timer values in the case of setting timer values.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0052]

According to the present invention described in detail above, since it has the above-mentioned configuration, even if the host device runs out of control, the IC card is ejected at the stage when the counting means counts for a predetermined time. It is possible to provide a storage medium processing device capable of preventing functional damage of an IC card and improving safety.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a state of setting a timer value in the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a table showing set codes and timer values in the case of setting timer values.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Storage Medium Processing Device 70 Control Unit 75 Timer 76 Information Processing Unit 135 Electromagnetic Solenoid 143 Optical Sensor C IC Card

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium processing apparatus for performing information processing on an IC card as a storage medium, a card drive mechanism section for loading and unloading the IC card, and a detection means for detecting a loading state of the IC card. Counting means for counting time up to a set time based on the detection result of the detecting means, information processing means for performing information processing on the IC card, and at the stage when the information processing for the IC card by the information processing means is completed, or the counting A storage medium processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit that sends an IC card ejection signal to the card drive mechanism unit when the unit counts the time up to a set time and causes the card drive mechanism unit to perform an ejection operation of the card drive mechanism unit. .. 2. The storage medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set time counted by the counting means can be arbitrarily set.