JPH10255001A - Card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple structure and a simple operation even with a quality inspection function and to prevent a failure from being given in normal operation in a potable card reader that reads data of an IC card and displays it. SOLUTION: An IC chip 2a of an IC card 2 that is inserted into an insertion slot (not shown) comes into contact with a contact part 1a of a card reader 1. A scroll switch 1b is a switch that performs scroll display of data of the card 2 which is read through the part 1a on a display panel 1d. When the switch 1b is pressed in a prescribed timing, e.g. when it is continuously pressed several times since the card 2 is inserted, a self-diagnosis executing means 1c carries out a self-diagnosis program. Because the diagnosis result is shown on the panel 1d, it is easily confirmed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card reader for reading and displaying data of an IC card, and more particularly to a portable card reader.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attempts have been made to exchange data using an IC card such as electronic money. For example, in the case of use for electronic money, desired amount data is recorded on an IC card by a data reader / writer installed in a bank or the like, so that shopping or the like can be performed with this IC card instead of cash. Specifically, every time electronic money is used, data corresponding to the consumption amount is withdrawn from the IC card by a dedicated withdrawal device prepared at the place of payment (market, restaurant, etc.). This enables the same usage as cash. This IC card can be used until the balance becomes zero, and when the balance becomes zero, the desired amount data can be recorded on the IC card again at a bank or the like.

[0003] When an IC card is used as described above, it is preferable that a user can always check data such as a balance and a past withdrawal amount. Therefore, conventionally, various types of portable card readers have been manufactured. In this portable card reader, a balance and other data are displayed on a liquid crystal panel by inserting an IC card into an insertion slot.

[0004] By the way, manufacturers who manufacture portable card readers need to carry out quality inspection after production.
In the case of this card reader, the quality is confirmed by actually inserting an IC card, pressing a scroll button or the like, and reading a test pattern displayed on the liquid crystal panel with an optical device or the like at this time. I have.

[0005]

However, when such a quality inspection function is provided in the card reader, it is necessary to prevent the user from entering the mode by a normal operation. Therefore, conventionally, a plurality of buttons are provided on a card reader case, and a test pattern for inspection is displayed on the liquid crystal panel only when these buttons are operated in a special combination. For this reason,
There is a problem that the operation is complicated and the working efficiency is poor, and the structure of the card reader is complicated and large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a card reader which has a quality inspection function, has a simple structure and operation, and does not cause any trouble during normal operation. The purpose is to:

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable card reader for reading and displaying data of an IC card, comprising: a case having an insertion slot for the IC card; A display panel provided on the front side, a substrate on which various parts such as a contact portion with the IC card and a control circuit are mounted, and data to read data of the IC card inserted into the insertion slot through the contact portion Reading means, one scroll switch for scroll-displaying the data of the IC card on the display panel, and self-diagnosis executing means for executing a self-diagnosis program when the scroll switch is operated at a predetermined timing. , A card reader is provided.

In such a card reader, when a card is inserted into the insertion slot and the scroll switch is operated at a predetermined timing, the self-diagnosis executing means executes the self-diagnosis program. Thereby, self-diagnosis can be easily performed without providing a plurality of switches. Further, the self-diagnosis program is not erroneously executed by the normal operation.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the function of the card reader of the present embodiment. The contact portion 1a of the card reader 1 has an IC of the IC card 2 inserted through an insertion slot (not shown).
The chip 2a comes into contact. The scroll switch 1b is a switch for scrolling the data of the IC card 2 read through the contact portion 1a on the display panel 1d. When the scroll switch 1b is pressed a plurality of times continuously at a predetermined timing, for example, within a predetermined time after the IC card 2 is inserted, the self-diagnosis executing means 1c executes a self-diagnosis program. Since the diagnosis result is displayed on the display panel 1d, it can be easily confirmed.

Next, a specific configuration of the card reader 1 of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the card reader of the present embodiment. The case 10 of the card reader 1 is a thin case, and is formed by stacking a front half 11 and a back half 12. The overall shape of the case 10 is a curved shape, for example, an elliptical shape, so that it fits in a human hand and is easy to grasp and carry and operate. Front half 1
1, a substantially flat printing surface 11a is formed.
A logo mark or the like is printed on the printing surface 11a. A liquid crystal panel 13 is provided on the front half 11.

The case 10 has a card insertion slot 14 formed by cutting one side of the back half 12. Side edge 11b of card slot side of front half 11
Is formed in a wave shape, and is formed so as to be depressed inward from the jaw 12 a of the back half 12. The IC card 2 on which the IC chip 2a is mounted is inserted into such a card insertion slot 14. The shape of the side end 11b is not limited to a wave shape,
It is only necessary that the surface of the back half 12 and the surface of the front half 11 are not located on the same surface so that they can be easily inserted.

A hole 15 is formed in a part of the case 10 so that the case 15 can be connected to a key holder or the like. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an assembly structure of the card reader 10 of the present embodiment. A rib 121 for supporting the substrate is formed on the inner side surface 12b of the back half 12. The substrate 20 is placed on the rib 121. Also, ICs are provided at both ends of the jaw 12a of the back half 12.
Guide pieces 123a for facilitating insertion of the card 2,
123b are formed. This guide piece 123a, 1
23b is formed so as to protrude toward the storage space side of the IC card 2 in parallel with the jaw 12a. Further, guide ribs 124 are provided on the inner side surface 12 b of the rear half 12.
a, 124b are formed. This guide rib 124
The operations of a and 124b will be described later.

On the front surface 20a of the substrate 20, a control I
C21, a contact unit 22 for reading data, a combined contact unit 23 for detecting card insertion and scroll command detection, and the like are mounted.

A thin liquid crystal panel 13 and two disk-shaped batteries 1 are provided between the inner surface of the front half 11 and the substrate 20.
6, 17 are provided. The liquid crystal panel 13 is installed in an opening 11 c formed in the front half 11. The liquid crystal panel 13 is electrically connected to a wiring pattern of the substrate 20 via a thin connecting member (not shown).

On the other hand, the batteries 16 and 17 are housed in a later-described battery housing so that the polarities of the surfaces facing the inner surface of the front half 11 are opposite to each other. Further, holes 15a and 15b forming the holes 15 shown in FIG. 1 are formed in the front half 11 and the rear half 12, respectively.

Next, a specific configuration of each unit forming the card reader 1 will be described. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a specific shape of the case 10 of the card reader 1, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a rear view. As shown in FIG.
A card insertion slot 14 is formed on one side of the case 10. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the side end 11 b of the front half 11 on the card insertion slot 14 side is formed in a wave shape, and is recessed inside the jaw 12 a of the back half 12.

On the other hand, the rear half 12 of the case 10
As shown in FIG. 8B, the scroll switch 122 is formed by the cut 12c. The scroll switch 122 has an elliptical or circular depression 122a. The depression 12 of the scroll switch 122
By pressing 2a with an appropriate force, the scroll switch 122 is bent, and a switch unit for detecting an internal scroll command, which will be described later, is turned on. Each time the scroll command detection switch unit is turned on, the display contents of the liquid crystal panel 13 are sequentially switched. The scroll switch 12
2 is also used for an execution command of a self-diagnosis program described later.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the structure of the inner surface of the front half 11. Around the liquid crystal panel opening 11c,
A plurality of ribs 111 are formed. The liquid crystal panel 13 shown in FIG. 1 and the like is fitted in a region surrounded by the rib 111. A rib 112 for supporting the substrate 20 is formed at the center of the inner surface 11d of the front half. A battery housing 113 is formed below the battery housing 113 so as to be surrounded by a rib. A partition 113a is formed in the battery storage 113, and batteries 16 and 17 are stored respectively with the partition 113a interposed therebetween. A notch 113b is formed in the partitioning portion 113a, and an electrode connection fitting 18 for connecting the electrodes of the left and right batteries 16 and 17 through the notch 113b.
Is provided between the two storage areas.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the structure of the inner surface of the back half 12. As shown in FIG.
As shown by, a rib 121 supporting the substrate 20 is formed. A part of the rib 121 serves as a stopper 121a for restricting the entry of the IC card 2.

At both ends of the jaw 12a, an IC card 2
Guide pieces 123a, 123b for facilitating insertion of
Are formed. On the inner side surface 12b, two guide ribs 124a and 124b extending from the jaw 12a side to the back are formed in parallel with each other. Guide ribs 124a, 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the jaw 12a side portion of 24b is formed such that the card insertion side end portion rises gently. The guide ribs 124a and 124b are formed so as to be located below the contact unit 22 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the substrate 20.

On the inner surface 12b, two push-up ribs 125 are provided near the stopper 121a of the rib 121.
a, 125b are formed. This push-up rib 12
5a and 125b are formed so as to be located below the composite contact unit 23 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the substrate 20.

Inner side surface 122 of scroll switch 122
At least one rib 122c extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on b. By changing the width, the thickness, and the number of the ribs 122c, the scroll switch 122 is provided.
Can be adjusted in degree of flexibility.

Next, the mounting structure of various components mounted on the board 20 will be described. FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing the structure of a mounting portion of the contact unit 22 for reading data, wherein FIG. 7A is a plan view and FIG. 7B is a view seen from the IC card insertion side. The contact unit 22 is attached to its base 220 by 6
It has the terminals 221 to 226. Each terminal 221-
226 is formed by bending, and has a contact portion 221 a, 222 a, 223 a, for contacting with each wiring pad of the IC chip 2 a of the IC card 2 at each tip portion.
224a, 225a, and 226a are formed.

Contact portions 221a, 222a, 223a, 2
24a, 225a, and 226a protrude by a predetermined amount on the back side of the substrate 20, as shown in FIG. Terminal 2
Since 21 to 226 have elasticity, the contact portions 221
a, 222a, 223a, 224a, 225a, 226
a is pushed into the base 220 side by being pushed from the back side.

An electrostatic elimination member 24 is attached near the contact unit 22 and at the edge of the substrate 20. The antistatic member 24 is formed by bending one metal pin. The static electricity removing member 24 is fitted into a notch 20b formed in the substrate 20, and both ends of the static electricity removing member 24 are ground terminals 201, 20 respectively.
It is installed at the position where it comes into contact with 2. When the front half 11 is mounted from the front side of the substrate in this state, each folded portion of the end is pressed by a part of the rib 112 shown in FIG.
As a result, the entire static electricity removing member 24 is fixed to the substrate 20.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectional views showing the operation near the contact unit 22 for reading data when the IC card 2 is inserted. FIG. 8A is a view showing a state immediately before insertion, and FIG. FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a state, and FIG. First, as shown in FIG.
Projecting outward from the side end 11b of the front half 11, the step serves as a guide, and the IC card 2 can be easily inserted into the card insertion slot 14.

When the IC card 2 is inserted to a certain extent as shown in FIG.
4a and 124b (here, only the guide rib 124b is shown), and the upper surface of the IC card 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 223a of the contact unit 22 and the contact portion 24a of the static electricity removing member 24. Static electricity removing member 24
By contacting the contact portion 24a, the static electricity charged on the IC card 2 is removed. Thereby, the circuit in the IC chip 2a is protected.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the IC card 2 is completely inserted, the IC chip 2a
The contact portions 223a and 226a of the contact unit 22 are electrically contacted. Thereby, the control side can read the data in the IC chip 2a, and can display data such as the balance on the liquid crystal panel 13 shown in FIG. The scroll switch 122 shown in FIG.
Each time is pressed, the data contents on the liquid crystal panel 13 are sequentially switched.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a structure of a mounting portion of the composite contact unit 23. As shown in FIG. The composite contact unit 23
The two switch parts 231 and 232 are formed integrally with the base 230. One switch unit 231 is
The other switch 232 is a switch for detecting a scroll command, and the other switch 232 is a switch for detecting card insertion.

The switch section 231 includes a fixed terminal 231a and a movable terminal 231b. Movable terminal 23
A portion of 1b is bent and protrudes to the back side through an opening 203 formed in the substrate 20.
The fixed terminal 231a and the movable terminal 231b are normally in a non-contact state.

Similarly, the switch section 232 is connected to the fixed terminal 2.
32a and a movable terminal 232b. A part of the movable terminal 232b is bent and protrudes to the back side surface through the opening 204 formed in the substrate 20. The fixed terminal 232a and the movable terminal 232b are normally in a non-contact state.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. The movable terminal 231 b of the switch unit 231 is provided close to the inner side surface 122 b of the scroll switch 122. When the depression 122a of the scroll switch 122 is pushed in the direction of the arrow, the inner side surface 122b pushes the movable terminal 231b of the switch unit 231. Thereby, the movable terminal 231
b contacts the fixed terminal 231a, and the control side detects that a scroll command has been issued.

FIG. 11 shows a switch unit 2 for detecting card insertion.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 32, FIG.
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the inner surface 12b of the rear half 12 has a portion facing the switch portion 232,
Push-up ribs 125a and 125b (here, only the push-up rib 125b is shown) are formed. IC card 2
In the state where is not inserted, the movable terminal 232 b of the switch unit 232 protrudes to the rear side through the opening 204 of the substrate 20.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the IC card 2 is inserted between the substrate 20 and the back half 12 and the IC card 2 is inserted.
When the rear end of the card 2 is in contact with the stopper 121a, the movable terminal 232b contacts the upper surface of the IC card 2 and is pushed upward to contact the fixed terminal 232a. As a result, the control side detects that the IC card 2 has been completely inserted into the card reader 1.

At this time, the rear end of the IC card 2 is reliably pushed up by the push-up ribs 125a and 125b, so that the movable terminal 232b is not affected by the bending of the back half 12 or the substrate 20 or the like. Push up. Therefore, accurate detection is performed.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the control IC 21. The control IC 21 is, for example, a CPU 2
11, and a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a driver 214, an interface (IF) 215, and the like are connected to the CPU 211 via a bus 210. The ROM 212 stores a control program for controlling the entire card reader 1, a self-diagnosis program described later, and the like. The CPU 211 determines this R
The program in the OM 212 is read and each process is executed.

The RAM 213 temporarily stores various data during operation. The driver 214 is the CPU 21
The display of the liquid crystal panel 13 is controlled in response to a command from the control unit 1.
The contact unit 22 and the composite contact unit 23 are connected to the interface 215. The interface 215 reads data from the IC card 2 via the contact unit 22 and sends the data to the CPU 211. The interface 215 detects the ON / OFF state of each of the switch unit 231 and the switch unit 232 of the composite contact unit 23, and sends a detection signal to the CPU 211.

Next, a specific operation method of the card reader 1 having such a configuration will be described. When using the card reader 1, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the IC card 2 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14 of the card reader 1. I
When the C card 2 is completely inserted, a part of the data in the IC card 2, for example, the current balance is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13. In this state, scroll switch 1
When the user presses 22, the expenditure amount of the last use is displayed. Thereafter, every time the scroll switch 122 is pressed, the data of the old expenditure is displayed in order. The data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 may be various data other than those shown here.

When manufacturing and shipping such a card reader 1, it is necessary to perform a quality inspection. Next, a procedure of a quality inspection in the card reader 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, while holding down the scroll switch 122, the IC card 2 is inserted into the card slot 14 as in FIG.
Insert Then, when the IC card 2 is completely inserted, the scroll switch 122 is quickly turned on and off twice within 0.5 seconds. Thereby, the self-diagnosis program in the ROM 212 of the control IC shown in FIG. 12 operates, and the diagnostic data (for example, three types) is switched and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 in units of 0.5 seconds. By checking this displayed data, the worker can
Check the quality of the card reader 1.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the self-diagnosis program executed by the CPU 211. [S1] It is determined whether or not the IC card 2 has been inserted into the card insertion slot 14, and if inserted, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process repeats step S1. [S2] It is determined whether or not the scroll switch 122 is turned on. If so, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if it is off, this flowchart ends, and the process proceeds to normal data display processing. [S3] A counter n for counting the ON state of the scroll switch 122 is set to n = 2.

[S4] 500m for scroll switch
Start the s timer. [S5] 500 ms from the start of the timer in step S4
It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed. If the time has elapsed, the present flow chart ends, and if not, the flow proceeds to step S6. [S6] It is determined whether or not the scroll switch 122 has been turned on from off. If yes, the process proceeds to step S7. If not, the process returns to step S5. [S7] The counter n is set to n = n-1. [S8] Whether the counter n is n = 0, that is,
It is determined whether or not the scroll switch 122 has been turned on and off twice within 500 ms.
If not, the process returns to step S5.

[S9] The counter m for displaying the test pattern by the self-diagnosis program is set to m = 3. [S10] A test pattern corresponding to the current numerical value of m is displayed on the liquid crystal pattern 13. [S11] A 500 ms timer for displaying a test pattern is started. [S12] 500 from the start of the timer in step S11
ms is determined, and if so, step S1 is performed.
The process proceeds to step S3, and if not, step S12 is repeated. [S13] The counter m is set to m = m-1. [S14] It is determined whether or not the counter m is m = 0, that is, whether or not all three test patterns are displayed every 500 ms. If YES, the flow chart is terminated; otherwise, the flow returns to step S10. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the self-diagnosis program can be executed by pressing the scroll switch 122 at a predetermined timing, so that the operator can easily perform the quality check without providing a plurality of switches. Inspection can be performed. Therefore, work efficiency is improved,
The entire card reader 1 can also be reduced in size.

The operation procedure for executing the self-diagnosis program is not limited to the procedure shown in FIG. 13 as long as the self-diagnosis program is not erroneously executed by a normal operation.

[0046]

As described above, in the present invention, when a card is inserted into the insertion slot and the scroll switch is operated at a predetermined timing, the self-diagnosis program is executed. The self-diagnosis can be easily performed without providing the device. Therefore,
Work efficiency is improved, and the entire card reader can be downsized.

Further, since the self-diagnosis program is not erroneously executed during the normal operation, there is no adverse effect on the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a function of a card reader of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a card reader according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an assembly structure of the card reader according to the embodiment.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing a specific shape of a card reader case, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a rear view.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of an inner surface of a front half.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the inner surface of the back half.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a structure of a mounting portion of a contact unit for reading data, wherein FIG. 7A is a plan view and FIG.
It is the figure seen from the C card insertion side.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation in the vicinity of a data reading contact unit when an IC card is inserted, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state immediately before insertion, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in the middle of insertion, and FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a structure of a mounting portion of the composite contact unit.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 9;

11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an operation of a switch unit for detecting card insertion, and FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 9;
(B) is a diagram showing a detection state of card insertion.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a control IC.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of a self-diagnosis program executed by a CPU.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card reader 1a Contact part 1b Scroll switch 1c Self-diagnosis execution means 1d Display panel 2 IC card 2a IC chip 10 Case 11 Front half 12 Back half 13 Liquid crystal panel 14 Card slot 20 Substrate 21 Control IC 22 Contact unit 23 Composite contact Unit 122 scroll switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A portable card reader for reading and displaying data of an IC card, a case having an insertion slot for the IC card, a display panel provided on a front surface of the case, and contact points with the IC card. A board on which various parts such as a unit and a control circuit are mounted; data reading means for reading data of the IC card inserted into the insertion port via the contact portion; and data of the IC card on the display panel. A card reader comprising: one scroll switch for performing scroll display; and self-diagnosis executing means for executing a self-diagnosis program when the scroll switch is operated at a predetermined timing. 2. The self-diagnosis executing means executes the self-diagnosis program only when the scroll switch is turned on and off a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time after the IC card is inserted into the insertion slot. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the card reader is configured to execute the card reader. 3. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein said self-diagnosis executing means is configured to switch and display a plurality of test patterns for self-diagnosis on said display panel.