JPH1021353A - Card reader/writer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card reader/writer in which the processing time of a card on which an IC is mounted can be shortened, and the deterioration of the card due to the damage of the card or the like can be prevented. SOLUTION: An IC detecting sensor 30 constituting the detecting coil of a blocking oscillator is arranged so as to be isolated from a card carrying passage 33 in a prescribed distance just after a card inserting port 11 of the card carrying passage 33. Whether or not the oscillation of the blocking oscillator is stopped is detected by the electromagnetic connection of this detecting coil with a metallic IC contact 2 of a card 1 so that whether or not an integrated circuit is mounted at the proper position of the card can be detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an integrated circuit (I).
C) The present invention relates to a card reader / writer that writes and reads data to and from an IC card on which an IC is mounted.
The present invention relates to a card reader / writer in which the waiting time of a card user is reduced by detecting whether or not the card is equipped with C before contact connection operation of an IC contact.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in information processing cards and the like, 1) improving security 2) increasing the amount of data that can be processed by the card, etc., in addition to a magnetic stripe, an integrated circuit (IC).
It has been proposed to use a so-called composite card equipped with such.

In a conventional card reader / writer for writing and reading data to / from a composite card having an IC mounted thereon, a card having an IC mounted thereon or a card having an IC mounted at an appropriate position is used. The identification of whether or not there is actually performed at the time of the connection operation for actually connecting to the contact of the IC.

That is, a conventional card reader / writer that writes and reads data to and from this type of composite card is configured to be able to process even a card without an IC. In the card reader / writer having such a configuration, the connection operation with the contact points of the IC is performed even on a card on which no IC is mounted or a card on which an IC is not mounted at an appropriate position. If proper data cannot be read or written, the card is configured to identify a card on which no IC is mounted or a card on which no IC is mounted at an appropriate position and to perform a corresponding process.

[0005]

However, according to the conventional connection operation, whether a card has an IC mounted thereon or a card having an IC mounted at an appropriate position is determined by an actual connection operation with the contacts of the IC. A card reader / writer cannot identify whether a card has an IC or a card with an IC mounted in an appropriate position unless an actual connection operation with the contact of the IC is performed. Processing takes a long time, resulting in a long waiting time for the card user, and useless IC contacts when a card without an IC or a card without an IC is inserted in an appropriate position. The connection operation with the card causes damage to the card and the like, which causes a problem that the life of the card is shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a card reader / writer capable of shortening the processing time of a card having an IC mounted thereon and preventing the card from being deteriorated due to damage to the card.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a card inserted from a card insertion slot is transported along a card transport path, and the card is inserted at a predetermined position in the card transport path. In a card reader / writer that performs writing and reading of data with respect to the integrated circuit by making connection with a contact of the integrated circuit mounted on the
A detection coil disposed at a predetermined distance from the card conveyance path between the card insertion slot of the card conveyance path and a predetermined position for connecting a contact point of the integrated circuit, and connected to the detection coil; And a detecting means for detecting whether or not the integrated circuit is mounted at an appropriate position on the card based on the oscillating output of the oscillating circuit.

Here, the oscillation circuit can be constituted by a blocking oscillation circuit.

The detection coil has substantially the same size as a contact of an integrated circuit formed on the card.
It can be composed of a coil wound in parallel with the card transport path.

[0010] The detecting means may be based on an oscillating output of the oscillating circuit when the card is conveyed to a position where the position of the contact point of the integrated circuit coincides with the position of the detecting coil by the conveying control means. It can be configured to detect whether or not the integrated circuit is mounted at an appropriate position on the card.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect in a non-contact manner whether or not the IC card is mounted on the card or the IC card is mounted on an appropriate position before the connection operation of the contact points of the IC. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the processing time of the composite card equipped with the IC and to prevent the deterioration of the service life due to the damage of the card.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a card reader / writer according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a card reader / writer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a card used in the card reader / writer of this embodiment.

First, the configuration of a card used in the card reader / writer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, a card 1 used in the card reader / writer of this embodiment has an integrated circuit (IC) contact 2 and a magnetic stripe 3 formed on the surface thereof.

That is, the card 1 is configured as a composite card using an integrated circuit (IC) (not shown) embedded therein and a magnetic stripe 3 formed on the surface of the card 1.

Here, writing and reading of data with respect to an integrated circuit (IC) (not shown) embedded in the card 1 are performed by using an IC formed on the surface of the card 1.
Data is written to and read from the magnetic stripe 3 through the contact 2 by using a magnetic head described later.

By the way, the card reader / writer 1 of this embodiment
Reference numeral 00 denotes a shutter 12 which moves in the direction of arrow A to open and close the card insertion slot 11 and a card inserted from the card insertion slot 11 as shown in FIGS.
Rollers 13-1, 13-2, and 14 that are transported along
-1, 14-2, 15-1, 15-2, 16-1, 16
-2, 17-1, 17-2, 18-1, 18-2, 19
-1, 19-2, 20-1, 20-2, an IC contact contact portion 27 that moves in the direction of arrow B to contact the IC contact 2 shown in FIG. 3, and an entrance sensor that detects a card at the card insertion slot 11. 28, an insertion sensor 29 for detecting a card inserted from the card insertion slot 11, an IC detection sensor 30 for detecting an IC contact 2 shown in FIG. 3 formed on a card conveyed along a card conveyance path 33, a card conveyance A magnetic head 31 for writing and reading data to and from a magnetic stripe 3 shown in FIG. 3 formed on a card conveyed along a path 33, and drive rollers 13-1 to 16-2 and 17
-1 to 20-2.

Next, the card reader / writer 1 of this embodiment
The general operation of 00 will be described.

The card inserted from the card insertion slot 11 is first detected by the entrance sensor 28, and the shutter 12 is opened based on the detection output of the entrance sensor 28. When the card is further inserted and detected by the insertion sensor 29, the transport motor 32 is started, and the drive roller 13-
The card is transported along the card transport path 33 by 1-16-2 and 17-1-20-2.

The card conveyed along the card conveyance path 33 is first detected by the IC
The presence or absence of the contact 2 (see FIG. 3) is detected.

Here, the IC detection sensor 30 is disposed at a position corresponding to the proper position of the IC contact 2 of the card 1 shown in FIG. 3, and based on the detection output of the IC detection sensor 30. It can be determined whether or not the card has an IC mounted at an appropriate position. The configuration of the IC detection sensor 30 and its detection processing will be described later in detail.

Next, data is written to and read from the magnetic stripe 3 (see FIG. 3) of the card transported along the card transport path 33 by the magnetic head 31.

When the card reaches the end of the card transport path 33, an integrated circuit (IC) (not shown) embedded therein due to contact with the IC contact 2 (see FIG. 3) by the IC contact contact portion 27. And writing and reading of data are performed.

That is, this card is transferred to the card transport path 33
Is moved to the position where the IC contact portion 27 is disposed, the IC contact portion 27 is lowered, and the IC contact 2
The C contact portion 27 is brought into contact.

The card contact I by this IC contact contact portion 27
By contact with the C contact 2, data is written to and read from an integrated circuit (IC) embedded in the card.

Next, the configuration of the IC detection sensor 30 constituting the gist of the present invention and its detection processing will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the I used in this embodiment.
FIG. 4A shows a configuration example of the C detection sensor 30.
Is a top view, (b) is a cross-sectional view, and (c) is a bottom view.

Here, this IC detection sensor 30 is constituted by accommodating a coil 30a in a pot-shaped core 30b,
This size is substantially the same as the size of the IC contact 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement state of the IC detection sensor 30. The IC detection sensor 30 is disposed at a predetermined distance d from a card transport path 33 on which a card is transported. You.

The IC detection sensor 30 is disposed on the card transport path 33 at a position corresponding to the proper position of the IC contact 2 of the card 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a detection circuit of the IC contact 2 using the IC detection sensor 30.

In FIG. 6, a coil 30a of the IC detection sensor 30 is connected to an oscillation circuit 41 as a detection coil.
It constitutes a blocking oscillator. The blocking oscillator is configured such that the detection coil 30a is connected to the IC contact 2
When it is not above the sensor, continuous oscillation occurs.
When a comes over the IC contact 2, the detection coil 30a and the metal I
Electromagnetic coupling with the C contact 2 occurs, thereby stopping its oscillation.

Therefore, by monitoring the output of the blocking oscillator, it is possible to determine whether or not the IC contact 2 is at an appropriate position.

That is, the output of the oscillation circuit 41 is detected by the detection circuit 42 and input to the comparison circuit 44.

A reference voltage corresponding to when the blocking oscillator is in an oscillating state is set in the reference voltage setting circuit 43. The reference voltage generated from the reference voltage setting circuit 43 is input to a comparison circuit 44. Is done.

The comparison circuit 44 compares the output of the detection circuit 42 with the output of the reference voltage setting circuit 43. When the output of the detection circuit 42 becomes smaller than the output of the reference voltage setting circuit 43, I
Generates a C detection output.

That is, the detection coil 30a is connected to the IC contact 2
When it is not above, the output of the detection circuit 42 is output from the reference voltage setting circuit 4 because the blocking oscillator is in the oscillating state.
3, the output of the comparator 44 is
No C detection output is generated.

However, when the detection coil 30a comes over the IC contact 2, the blocking oscillator stops oscillating,
As a result, the output of the detection circuit 42 becomes smaller than the output of the reference voltage setting circuit 43, and an IC detection output is generated from the comparison circuit 44.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an IC detection process using the detection circuit of FIG.

First, the system waits until the card inserted from the card insertion slot 11 is detected by the entrance sensor 28 (there is no card in step 101).
(Step 101), the shutter 12 is opened (Step 102), and it is checked whether the card is detected by the insertion sensor (Step 10).
3). When a card is detected by the insertion sensor (there is a card in step 102), the transport motor 32 is turned on (step 104), and the timer (not shown) starts counting time (step 105).

Next, after the card is detected by the insertion sensor, the IC contact 2 of the appropriate card 1 shown in FIG.
It is checked whether or not a predetermined specified time set corresponding to the time until the disposition position reaches the disposition position of the IC detection sensor 30 has elapsed (step 106), and the predetermined specified time has not elapsed. (NO in step 106), returns to step 106, waits until a predetermined elapsed time has elapsed, and when a predetermined specified time has elapsed (YES in step 106),
It is checked whether or not the IC contact 2I is detected by the IC detection sensor 30, that is, whether or not the IC is detected (step 10).
7).

Here, if IC detection, that is, IC contact is detected (YES in step 107), it is determined that this card is a card having an IC mounted at an appropriate position (step 108).

If it is determined in step 107 that no IC contact is detected (NO in step 107), it is checked whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step 10).
9) If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step 1)
(NO in step 09), the process returns to step 107, and it is checked again whether or not the IC has been detected. However, if it is determined in step 109 that the predetermined specified time has elapsed (YES in step 109), the IC is placed in an appropriate position. It is determined that the card is not mounted (step 110).

When the IC detection sensor 30 determines that the card inserted into the card reader / writer 100 is a card having an IC mounted at an appropriate position, as described above, 1) the magnetic head 31 2) Writing and reading of data to and from magnetic stripe 3 by IC
Writing and reading of data to and from the integrated circuit (IC) embedded in the card by lowering the contact contact portion 27 to contact the IC contact 2 are performed, and then the card is ejected from the card insertion slot 11.

However, if the IC detection sensor 30 determines that the card inserted into the card reader / writer 100 is not a card having an IC mounted at an appropriate position, the IC contact contact portion described in 2) above is used. Writing data to an integrated circuit (IC) embedded in this card by lowering 27 to contact IC contacts 2;
Since the reading is insignificant simply by damaging the card, a process excluding at least the process 2) is performed.

For example, when the card inserted into the card reader / writer 100 is a card having only the magnetic stripe 3 and the card reader / writer 100 is configured to accept a card having only the magnetic stripe 3, The card is ejected from the card insertion slot 11 by performing only the processing relating to 1) writing and reading of data to and from the magnetic stripe 3 by the magnetic head 31.

The IC detection sensor 30 determines that the card inserted into the card reader / writer 100 is not a card with an IC mounted at an appropriate position, and the card without the card reader / writer 100 mounted with an IC is If it is configured to be unacceptable, IC
When the detection sensor 30 determines that the card is not a card having an IC mounted at an appropriate position, the transport motor 32 is immediately rotated in the reverse direction, and the card is inserted into the card insertion slot 1.
Discharge from 1.

In the above embodiment, a blocking oscillator is constituted by the coil 30a of the IC detection sensor 30 and the oscillation circuit 41, and IC detection is performed by determining whether or not the oscillation of the blocking oscillator is stopped by the presence of the IC contact 2. However, IC detection can also be performed by connecting a normal oscillation circuit to the coil 30a of the IC detection sensor 30 and monitoring a change in the output level of the oscillation circuit.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A detection coil is disposed at a predetermined distance from the card conveyance path between the card insertion slot of the card conveyance path and a predetermined position for connecting the contact point of the integrated circuit, and the appropriateness of the card is determined based on the output of the detection coil. Since it is configured to detect whether or not the integrated circuit is mounted at the position, it is possible to perform IC detection without performing useless connection operation with the contact of the IC,
As a result, it is possible to shorten the processing time of the card on which the IC is mounted and to prevent the card from being deteriorated due to damage to the card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a card reader / writer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the card reader / writer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a card used in the card reader / writer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of an IC detection sensor used in the card reader / writer shown in FIGS.
Is a top view, (b) is a cross-sectional view, and (c) is a bottom view.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement state of the IC detection sensor shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of an IC contact detection circuit using the IC detection sensor shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an IC detection process using the detection circuit shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Card 2 Integrated circuit (IC) contact 3 Magnetic stripe 12 Shutter 13-1, 13-2, 14-1, 14-2, 15-1,
15-2, 16-1, 16-2, 17-1, 17-2,
18-1, 18-2, 19-1, 19-2, 20-1,
20-2 Drive Roller 27 IC Contact Section 28 Inlet Sensor 29 Insertion Sensor 30 IC Detection Sensor 30a Coil (Detection Coil) 30b Core 31 Magnetic Head 32 Transport Motor 33 Card Transport Path 41 Oscillation Circuit 42 Detection Circuit 43 Reference Voltage Setting Circuit 44 Comparison circuit 100 Card reader / writer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A card inserted through a card insertion slot is conveyed along a card conveyance path, and is connected to a contact point of an integrated circuit mounted on the card at a predetermined position on the card conveyance path. In a card reader / writer for writing and reading data to and from an integrated circuit, a predetermined distance from the card transport path between the card insertion slot of the card transport path and a predetermined position for connecting a contact point of the integrated circuit. A detection coil disposed on the card, an oscillation circuit connected to the detection coil, and detection means for detecting whether or not the integrated circuit is mounted at an appropriate position on the card based on an oscillation output of the oscillation circuit. And a card reader / writer. 2. The card reader / writer according to claim 1, wherein the oscillation circuit is a blocking oscillation circuit. 3. The detection coil according to claim 2, wherein the detection coil has substantially the same size as a contact point of an integrated circuit formed on the card, and includes a coil wound in parallel with the card transport path. 1. The card reader / writer according to 1. 4. The detecting means, based on an oscillation output of the oscillating circuit when the card is conveyed by the conveyance control means to a position where a contact position of the integrated circuit coincides with a position where the detection coil is provided. 2. The card reader / writer according to claim 1, wherein whether the integrated circuit is mounted at an appropriate position on the card is detected.