JPH07276683A - Rewritable card reader-writer, printing and erasing method thereof and rewrite card used therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve the general-purpose properties of a rewrite card and to ensure the same printing grade even when a rewrite card different in kind is used by judging the kind of the rewrite card and performing the setting of the printing energy and erasing temp. corresponding to the judged kind to perform printing and the erasure of a character. CONSTITUTION:A rewrite card characterized by that a printed character or figure is erased by the application of heat and re-printing becomes possible after erasure is used. A rewritable card reader-writer is equipped with a discrimination means (S2) discriminating the kind of the rewrite card and a setting means (S3) performing the setting of the printing energy and erasing temp. corresponding to the kind of the rewrite card. Printing and the erasure of a character are performed on the basis of the printing energy and erasing temp. corresponding to the kind of the rewrite card discriminated by the discrimination means (S2). For example, the hole, notch part, marking or magnetic recording part for discriminating the kind of the rewrite card is provided to a part of the main body of the rewrite card.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rewritable card reader / writer, a character erasing method therefor, and a rewrite card used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A rewritable card reader / writer is a device in which heat is applied to a medium to print characters or graphics, or the printed characters or graphics can be erased and reprinted.
In general, a medium that is made into a card (hereinafter, referred to as a "rewrite card") is used as a medium. Figure 10
Shows an example of the rewrite card 12, which has a rewrite surface 12a capable of repeating printing and erasing on one side, and is formed into a thin card shape as a whole.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional rewritable card reader / writer. In this rewritable card reader / writer 1, a thermal head 4 is arranged along a transport path 3 along which a rewrite card 12 is reciprocally transported by a transport means (not shown), and an erasing stamp 5 is provided behind the thermal head 4. Also, a stamp table 6 is provided.

Next, the operation of the rewritable card reader / writer 1 will be described. First, the rewritable card 12 is sent from the front side of the thermal head 4 through the transfer passage 3 by means not shown, and the rewritable card 12 of the thermal head 4 is transferred. It is sent between the erasing stamp 5 and the stamp base 6 through the lower side.
Next, the erasing stamp 5 heated here is lowered, and the lower surface of the erasing stamp 5 is pressed against the rewrite surface 12a of the rewrite card 12 to make surface contact. Then, the rewrite card 12 is warmed on the lower surface of the erasing stamp 5,
The already printed characters and figures are erased. Then, the erasing stamp 5 is raised, and when the printing is not required thereafter, the rewrite card 12 is discharged through the lower side of the thermal head 4, and when the printing is required, the thermal head 4 is positioned at the thermal head 4. 4 is lowered to come into contact with the rewrite surface 12a of the rewrite card 12 to perform new printing, and is ejected after printing.

[0005]

However, in the apparatus having the above-described structure, the optimum printing energy and the erasing temperature often vary depending on the manufacturer of the rewrite card 12 and the type of the same manufacturer. In such a case, if printing or erasing is always performed with the same printing energy and erasing temperature, the quality may deteriorate. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not versatile because only a specific manufacturer or a rewriter card of the same manufacturer of a predetermined type can be used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to make the rewrite card versatile,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rewritable card reader / writer capable of ensuring the same print quality even if different types of rewrite cards are used, a method of erasing characters thereof, and a rewrite card used therefor.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a rewritable card which uses a rewritable card which erases printed characters and figures when it is heated and can be reprinted after erasing In the reader / writer, an identification unit that determines the type of the rewrite card and a setting unit that sets the printing energy and the erasing temperature corresponding to the type of the rewrite card are provided, and the rewrite determined by the identification unit This is achieved by performing printing and character erasing at the printing energy and erasing temperature corresponding to the type of card.

As the rewrite card used for the rewritable card reader / writer, if the identification information for indicating the type is provided in a part of the card body, the above object can be more easily achieved.

[0009]

According to this, it is possible to determine the type of the rewrite card and set the optimum printing energy and erasing temperature for each rewrite card based on this, regardless of the type such as manufacturer and type. It is always possible to print and erase characters well. At the same time, the rewrite card can be generalized.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration layout diagram of a rewritable card reader / writer showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of the rewritable card reader / writer. 2 and 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 9 denote the same parts as those in FIG.

That is, the rewritable card reader / writer 1 uses the rewrite card 12 shown in FIG. 10 as an example, and as a circuit, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21, the printing unit 22, and the erasing unit. 23, identification unit 24,
It is composed of a parameter setting unit 25 and the like. On the other hand, in terms of hardware configuration, the thermal head 4 is disposed along the transport path 3 through which the rewrite card 12 is reciprocally transported by the transport means, and the erasing stamp 5 and the stamp table 6 are disposed behind the thermal head 4. It has been configured. That is, this hardware configuration is the same as the conventional rewritable card reader / writer shown in FIG. Further, in the apparatus of this embodiment, a sensor 7 for determining the type of the rewrite card 12 inserted in the transport passage 3 is provided in the middle of the transport passage 3, and the determination signal from the sensor 7 is a recognition unit. The structure is input to 24.

The sensor 7 detects the identification information provided in advance in a part of the card body of the rewrite card 12 when the rewrite card 12 passes under the sensor 7 in the transport passage 3. When the detection signal is input to the recognition unit 24, the recognition unit 24 determines the type of the rewrite card 12.

Here, as the recognition information provided in the main body of the rewrite card 12, for example, as shown in FIG.
A hole 31 is provided in a part of the card body. For example, the positions and the numbers of the holes 31 provided for the manufacturers A, B, and C are uniformly changed by each manufacturer. And
By reading the position and number of the holes 31 with the optical sensor 7, it is possible to easily identify which manufacturer the rewrite card 12 is inserted into.

On the other hand, in the parameter setting section 25, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, for example, information about optimum printing energy and erasing temperature for the rewrite card 12 is stored in advance, and the rewrite card 12 to be used is to be stored. A control signal for setting the printing unit 22 and the erasing unit 23 in a state in which optimum printing energy and erasing temperature are obtained can be output. Then, the printing unit 22 and the erasing unit 23 perform printing or character erasing on the rewrite card 12 with printing energy or erasing temperature corresponding to this setting.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an example of a printing and character erasing processing procedure in the rewritable card reader / writer according to the present embodiment. Therefore, next in FIG.
The operation of the rewritable card reader / writer whose schematic configuration is shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 will be described together with the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the rewrite card 12 is inserted (step S1), this is detected by the sensor 7, the identification information (hole 31) is read at the same time, and the manufacturer of the rewrite card 12 is specified by the identification section 24 (step S1). S
2). Then, based on this, the optimum printing energy and erasing temperature are set in the rewrite card 12 inserted by the parameter setting unit 25 (step S3).

Then, in step S4, the rewrite card 1
It is determined whether or not the character deletion of No. 2 is necessary, and if it is determined that the character deletion is not necessary, the predetermined printing is performed at the position of the thermal head 4 with the printing energy of the set size (step S5). Further, when printing is completed, the sheet is discharged by the conveying means and the processing is completed.

On the other hand, when it is necessary to erase the print on the rewrite card 12, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S6. In step S6, the rewrite card 12 is first sent between the erasing stamp 5 and the stamp base 6 through the lower side of the thermal head 4, and the erasing stamp 5 heated to the set temperature is lowered and rewritten there. The lower surface of the erasing stamp 5 is pressed against the rewrite surface 12a of the card 12 and comes into surface contact therewith. Then, the rewrite card 12 is warmed on the lower surface of the erasing stamp 5, and the already printed characters and figures are erased. Then, the erasing stamp 5 is raised and then returned to the direction of the thermal head 4.

If it is determined in step S7 that printing is not necessary after erasing, printing is not performed in the thermal head 4 portion, and the sheet is ejected by the conveying means and the processing ends (step S8). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S7 that printing is necessary, the rewrite surface 12a of the rewrite card 12 conveyed in the discharge direction.
The thermal head 4 is moved down and printing is performed with the printing energy of the set size (step S).
5). Further, the rewrite card 12 that has been printed by the thermal head 4 is ejected, and the process is completed (step S
8).

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the type of the rewrite card 12 is discriminated, and the optimum printing energy and erasing temperature are set for the rewrite card 12 based on this, so that the type such as the manufacturer or the type can be set. Regardless of which, good printing and character deletion are always possible. At the same time, the rewrite card 12 can be generalized.

In the above embodiment, the recognition information provided in the main body of the rewrite card 12 is the one in which the hole 31 is provided in a part of the card main body, but other structures may be used. 6 to 8 for example.
The structure shown in is conceivable.

That is, the structure shown in FIG. 6 is one in which the notch 32 is provided in a part of the card body,
The manufacturer and the manufacturer change the positions and the number of the notches 32 for the companies B and C in a unified manner. And this notch 3
If the position and the number of 2 are read by the optical sensor 7, it is possible to easily identify which manufacturer the rewrite card 12 is inserted into.

Next, in the structure shown in FIG. 7, a magnetic recording portion 33 is provided in a part of the card body.
A magnetic code is recorded in the magnetic recording unit 33 for each of the companies B and C (for example, the company A is encoded as "0001", the company B as "0002", and the company C as "0003". ) Is changed by the manufacturer. Then, the information in the magnetic recording unit 33 is detected by the magnetic sensor 7
If the rewrite card 12 is read, the manufacturer of the rewrite card 12 inserted can be easily identified.

In the structure shown in FIG. 8, the marking 34 is provided on a part of the card body.
The manufacturers 34 unify the marking 34 for each of the B and C companies. Then, if the position and number of the marking 34 are read by the optical sensor 7, it is possible to easily identify which manufacturer the rewrite card 12 has been inserted into.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to determine the type of rewrite card and set the optimum printing energy and erasing temperature for each rewrite card based on this, and always perform good printing and character erasing regardless of the type such as manufacturer and type. It will be possible. Also,
At the same time, it can be expected that the rewrite card can be generalized and the practicality is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of printing and character erasing in an apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration layout diagram of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a rewrite card provided with identification information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting print / erase parameters.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a rewrite card provided with identification information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing still another example of a rewrite card provided with identification information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing still another example of a rewrite card provided with identification information.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration layout diagram of a conventional device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a general rewrite card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Rewritable Card Reader / Writer 7 Sensor 12 Rewrite Card 24 Identification Section 31 Hole (Identification Information) 32 Notch (Identification Information) 33 Magnetic Recording Section (Identification Information) 34 Marking (Identification Information)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G06K 17/00 A

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A rewritable card reader / writer that uses a rewritable card that can be reprinted after being erased, such as characters and figures that have been printed when heat is applied, and an identification means that determines the type of the rewrite card. A print energy and an erase temperature corresponding to the type of the rewrite card determined by the identifying means, A rewritable card reader / writer characterized by erasing. 2. A method for printing and erasing a rewritable card reader / writer that uses a rewriteable card that can be reprinted after being erased by applying heat to erase the printed characters, graphics, etc. An identification unit for determining and a setting unit for setting the printing energy and the erasing temperature corresponding to the type of the rewrite card are provided, and printing and character erasing are performed at the printing energy and the erasing temperature corresponding to the type of the rewriting card. A method for printing and erasing a rewritable card reader / writer characterized by performing. 3. The rewritable card reader according to claim 2, wherein the rewrite card has a hole for identifying the type in a part of the card body, and the identifying means optically identifies the hole. Writer printing and erasing method. 4. The rewritable card according to claim 2, wherein the rewrite card is provided with a notch for identifying the type in a part of the card body, and the identifying means optically identifies the notch. Printing and erasing method of card reader / writer. 5. The rewrite card is provided with a magnetic recording portion for identifying the type in a part of the card body,
3. The method for printing and erasing a rewritable card reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein the identification means magnetically identifies the magnetic recording unit. 6. The rewrite card is provided with a marking for identifying the type on a part of the card body,
The method for printing and erasing a rewritable card reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein the identifying means optically identifies the marking. 7. A rewritable card for a rewritable card reader / writer which is capable of erasing printed characters and figures when heat is applied, and reprinting after erasing, for identifying the type on a part of the card body. A rewritable card for a rewritable card reader / writer, which is provided with information. 8. The rewrite card for a rewritable card reader / writer according to claim 7, wherein the identification information is provided as a hole in a part of the card body. 9. The rewrite card for a rewritable card reader / writer according to claim 7, wherein the identification information is provided in a part of the card body as a notch. 10. The rewrite card for a rewritable card reader / writer according to claim 7, wherein the identification information is magnetically provided on a part of the card body. 11. The rewrite card for a rewritable card reader / writer according to claim 7, wherein the identification information is provided by marking on a part of the card body.