JPH11265465A - Card processor, automatic ticket examination device and card processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a card processor, an automatic ticket examination device and a card processing method capable of enhancing ticket examination processing efficiency per unit time by shortening length of a carrier path on which a card like a ticket medium, etc., is transported and simultaneously shortening ticket examination processing time. SOLUTION: A first ticket medium for which a printing processing is required is transported at a first carrier speed when the ticket medium passes through a reading head 48. In this case, a main carrier path 32 is blocked and transportation of the first ticket medium is stopped by a first stopper S1. During this, drive of a main motor 74 is controlled and the carrier speed at the main carrier path 32 is reduced to second carrier speed which is slower than the first carrier speed and suitable for the printing processing. And stop of the transportation of the first ticket medium by the first stopper S1 is released and the first ticket medium is transported at the second carrier speed. The printing processing is performed for the first ticket medium which is transported at the second carrier speed by a thermal head 56.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a card processing device, an automatic ticket gate, and a card processing method.
The present invention relates to a card processing device for processing a card such as a ticket medium possessed by a passenger, an automatic ticket gate device including the card processing device, and performing a ticket gate process and a ticket collection process, and a card processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automatic ticket gates for performing automatic ticket processing and automatic ticket collection apparatuses for performing automatic ticket collection processing have begun to be installed at transportation stations such as railways. In such an automatic ticket gate and an automatic ticket collection device (hereinafter, collectively referred to as an automatic ticket gate), magnetic reading processing for reading magnetic information recorded on an inserted ticket medium and magnetic information processing for the ticket medium are performed. Magnetic processing such as a magnetic writing process for writing the information, a traffic judging process for judging whether or not the vehicle can pass based on the read magnetic information, a punching process to be performed on the inserted ticket medium as necessary, a printing process, and the like. It has been subjected.

[0003]

In such an automatic ticket gate, it is necessary to reduce the time required from receiving the inserted ticket medium to discharging the same in order to improve processing efficiency. To this end, it is necessary to shorten the transport path from the slot through which the ticket media is transported in the automatic ticket gate to the outlet, and to increase the transport speed of the ticket media in the transport route to shorten the processing time. is there.

[0004] However, when processing such as reading or recording of magnetic information, there is no problem if the ticket medium is transported at a high speed, but when printing processing is performed, high quality is ensured. In order to print character information, it is necessary to transport a ticket medium at a low speed suitable for printing to some extent.

When processing magnetic information, the ticket medium is conveyed at, for example, 2.5 m / s, and when performing printing processing, the ticket medium is printed at, for example, about 0.05 m / s. Transported at a low speed suitable for As described above, in order to perform the printing process on the ticket medium which is being conveyed at a high speed, it is necessary to perform a stepwise deceleration process, and until the low-speed conveyance of the ticket medium is stabilized. A transport path of a certain distance is required. For this reason, the overall length of the transport path tends to be long. For this reason, there is a problem that the time required for processing the ticket medium becomes longer and the processing efficiency cannot be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a card processing apparatus capable of shortening the length of a conveying path on which a card such as a ticket medium is conveyed, shortening a ticket processing time, and improving ticket processing efficiency per unit time. And an automatic ticket gate provided with the card processing device and a card processing method.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned problems. According to the first aspect, a conveying means for conveying a card on which magnetic information is recorded, and a first means provided by the conveying means. Magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on a card being conveyed at a speed of; a stopping means for stopping the conveyance of the card subjected to the magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means; and a conveyance of the card being stopped by the stopping means During this operation, the transport speed of the transport unit is reduced, and when the transport speed of the transport unit reaches a second speed lower than the first speed, the stop of the transport of the card by the stop unit is released. A card processing apparatus comprising: a control unit; and a printing unit that performs a printing process on a card that has been released from the transport stop state and that is being transported at a second speed by the transport unit. It is.

According to the second aspect, a transporting means for transporting the card on which the magnetic information is recorded, a driving means for driving the transporting means at a predetermined transporting speed, and a first driving means provided by the driving means.
Magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on a card being conveyed at a first conveyance speed by the conveyance means driven at the conveyance speed, and stopping conveyance of the card subjected to magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means A stopping unit that controls the driving unit to reduce the transport speed of the transport unit to a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed while the transport of the card is stopped by the stop unit. Control means for canceling the stop of card transport by the stop means when the transport speed of the transport means reaches the second transport speed; and the transport driven by the drive means at a second transport speed. And a printing unit for performing a printing process on the card, which has been released from the stoppage of conveyance, being conveyed at a second conveyance speed by a unit, is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a pair of conveyor belts for sandwiching a card on which magnetic information is recorded and conveying the card along a conveyance path, and a driving unit for driving the pair of conveyor belts at a predetermined conveyance speed, Magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on a card being conveyed at a first conveyance speed by the conveyance belt driven at a first conveyance speed by the driving means, and a state in which the conveyance belt is driven Stopping means for closing the transfer path and stopping the transfer of the card subjected to magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means; and controlling the drive means while the transfer of the card is stopped by the stop means. Then, the transport speed of the transport belt is reduced to a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed, and when the transport speed of the transport belt reaches the second transport speed, A control unit for releasing the blockage of the conveyance path and re-conveying the card, and a card re-conveyed at a second conveyance speed by the conveyance belt driven at a second conveyance speed by the driving unit. There is provided a card processing apparatus comprising: a printing unit for performing a printing process.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a conveying means for conveying a ticket medium on which magnetic information is recorded, and a magnetic means for performing magnetic processing on the ticket medium conveyed at a first speed by the conveying means. Processing means, ticket checking means for performing ticket processing based on the magnetic information processed by the magnetic processing means, stopping means for stopping transport of the ticket medium subjected to magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means, and stopping means While the conveyance of the ticket medium is stopped, the conveying speed of the conveying means is reduced, and when the conveying speed of the conveying means reaches a second speed lower than the first speed, the stopping means is stopped. Control means for canceling the stoppage of the transport of the ticket medium by the printer, and printing means for performing a printing process on the ticket medium, which is transported at a second speed by the transport means and has been released from the transport stop. Was Automatic gate apparatus is provided, wherein the door.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a conveying means for conveying a ticket medium on which magnetic information is recorded, a reading means for reading magnetic information recorded on the ticket medium being conveyed by the conveying means, Ticket checking means for performing a ticket checking process based on the magnetic information read by the reading means, and a ticket medium being conveyed by the conveying means, if necessary, based on the magnetic information read by the reading means. Writing means for writing magnetic information, and a ticket medium conveyed at a first conveying speed by the conveying means,
Confirmation means for confirming the magnetic information written by the writing means, stopping means for stopping the transport of the ticket medium on which the magnetic information written by the confirmation means is confirmed, and ticket medium by the stopping means While the conveyance is stopped, the conveyance speed of the conveyance means is reduced, and when the conveyance speed of the conveyance means reaches a second speed lower than the first speed, the ticket medium by the stop means is reduced. Control means for canceling the stoppage of conveyance, and printing means for performing a printing process on the ticket medium which is conveyed at a second speed by the conveyance means and whose conveyance stop has been canceled. An automatic ticket gate device is provided.

According to the present invention, the conveying means for conveying the ticket medium on which the magnetic information is recorded, the driving means for driving the conveying means at a predetermined conveying speed, and the first conveying speed by the driving means. Magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on a ticket medium being conveyed at a first conveying speed by the conveying means driven by, and a ticket gate for performing ticket processing based on magnetic information processed by the magnetic processing means Means, stop means for stopping the transportation of the ticket medium subjected to magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means, and controlling the driving means while the transportation of the ticket medium is stopped by the stop means. Reducing the transport speed of the transport unit to a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed, and when the transport speed of the transport unit reaches the second transport speed, the ticket medium by the stop unit of Control means for canceling the transport stop, and printing on the ticket medium from which the transport stop has been released, which is transported at a second transport speed by the transport means driven at a second transport speed by the drive means. An automatic ticket gate device comprising: a printing unit for performing processing.

According to the present invention, the transport means for transporting the ticket medium on which the magnetic information is recorded, the driving means for driving the transport means at a predetermined transport speed, and the boarding transported by the transport means Reading means for reading magnetic information recorded on the ticket medium, ticket checking means for performing a ticket processing based on the magnetic information read by the reading means, and a ticket medium being conveyed by the conveying means, Writing means for writing magnetic information as necessary based on the magnetic information read by the reading means; and a transport means driven at a first transport speed by the drive means at a first transport speed. Checking means for checking the magnetic information written by the writing means in the ticket medium, and a ticket medium in which the magnetic information written by the checking means is checked. Stopping means for stopping the feeding, and controlling the driving means while the conveyance of the ticket medium is stopped by the stopping means, so that the conveying speed of the conveying means is lower than the second conveying speed. Control means for reducing the transport speed of the ticket medium by the stopping means when the transport speed of the transport means reaches the second transport speed, and a second transport by the driving means. Printing means for performing a printing process on the ticket medium, which has been released from the stoppage of transportation, being transported at a second transportation speed by the transportation means driven at a high speed. An apparatus is provided.

According to the present invention, the conveying means for nipping and conveying the card on which the magnetic information is recorded is driven at the first conveying speed, and the magnetic processing is performed on the card conveyed at the first speed. And stopping the conveyance of the card on which the magnetic treatment has been performed. While the conveyance of the card is stopped, the conveyance speed of the conveyance unit is reduced, and the conveyance unit is slower than the first conveyance speed. The card is driven at the second transfer speed, and when the transfer speed of the transfer means reaches the second transfer speed, the transfer stop of the card is released, and the transfer stop being transferred at the second transfer speed is released. A card processing method for performing a printing process on the processed card.

[0015]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a card processing apparatus of the present invention, an automatic ticket gate provided with the card processing apparatus, and a card processing method. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an appearance of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the automatic ticket gate can execute the ticket inspection process and the ticket collection process, respectively.

This automatic ticket gate is an automatic ticket gate capable of processing a plurality of cards, which can be used in combination with a ticket medium as a plurality of cards. For example, at a transfer station between a Shinkansen and a conventional line, the automatic ticket gate installed at the transfer station includes a conventional line ticket starting or ending at the transfer station and an end point or starting point at the transfer station. The ticket and the limited express ticket of the Shinkansen are accepted, and based on these data, it is possible to check whether or not there is any irregularity in the boarding section, and to perform a ticket collection process.

Hereinafter, such a collection ticket processing will be described in detail. Note that the above-described continuous ticket medium of the ticket section is referred to as a related ticket. The main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate is provided with an insertion port 12 into which a ticket medium is inserted when entering the inside of the station premises or when exiting the outside of the station yard.
And a discharge port 14 for discharging the ticket media accepted by the vehicle.

Passenger ticket media as cards are classified into tickets such as ordinary tickets, commuter passes, limited express tickets, coupon tickets, transit tickets, and cards such as prepaid cards. , Predetermined information, for example, expiration date information and available section information are magnetically recorded in a predetermined format.

When these ticket media are issued, information such as the name of the issuing station, the date and time of issue, and the expiration date are printed on the front surface or the back surface. And, when these ticket media pass through an automatic ticket gate, that is, when they are subjected to a predetermined process after being inserted into and discharged,
Some information is printed and discharged.

For example, information such as the date and time of use, the name of the station that passed through the automatic ticket gate, the balance of the card, and the like are printed on the ticket medium of cards when passing through the automatic ticket gate. In addition, information such as the date and time of use and the names of stations that have passed through the automatic ticket gate during ticket gate processing are printed on the coupon. Also, on the transit ticket, information such as the station name of the transit station that passed through the automatic ticket gate at the time of transit, a message indicating that entry is possible on the way out, and the like are printed.

As described above, when passing through an automatic ticket gate after a ticket is issued, such as cards, coupons, transit tickets, etc., a ticket medium on which some information is printed is referred to as a first ticket medium.
It is called a seed ticket medium and is printed or not processed when passing through an automatic ticket gate like a regular ticket or a commuter pass,
The ticket medium collected without passing through the automatic ticket gate is hereinafter referred to as a second-class ticket medium.

In this embodiment, the insertion slot 12 can receive a batch of a plurality of ticket media. The insertion slot 12 can of course also accept the insertion of one ticket medium at a time. As a combination of a plurality of ticket media, a combination of a prepaid card in addition to a regular ticket and a regular ticket, a regular ticket and an express ticket, a regular ticket and an ordinary ticket, and the like can be considered. Furthermore, the discharge port 14 of this embodiment is capable of simultaneously discharging a plurality of ticket media when a plurality of ticket media are simultaneously loaded. It is discharged in a state of being stacked under a small-sized ticket medium. This batch discharge will be described later in detail.

In the vicinity of the slot 12, there is provided a shutter for preventing insertion of a ticket medium. The shutter prohibits the insertion of another ticket medium for a predetermined period after a predetermined time has elapsed after the insertion of the ticket medium. The function of this shutter prevents another person's ticket medium from being continuously inserted.

In front of the slot 12, there is provided a slot vicinity display section 16 for displaying various kinds of guidance to the user. The insertion port vicinity display unit 16 displays, for example, the remaining amount of a prepaid card or the like. Further, a passage guidance display unit 13 for displaying guidance of the passage of the automatic ticket gate is provided below the slot 12. Outlet 14
A display 18 near the outlet is provided for displaying various kinds of guidance to the user.

A door portion 20 is provided on the side surface of the main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate to close the door to prevent the passer of the ticket medium from passing. Further, a frame 22 serving as a partition for distinguishing a passage corresponding to the main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate is provided on the upper part of the main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate. A child ticket is inserted into this frame 22,
A display 26 is provided for notifying a user of an invalid ticket or an abnormal ticket or an abnormality of a device. Further, a plurality of human detection sensors 24 for detecting passage of a user are provided on the side surface portion of the main body 10 and the frame 22. The human detection sensor 24 detects the passage of a user, and is a transmission type,
A reflection type or the like is used.

It is to be noted that an invalid ticket is a ticket that cannot be used even when combined with another ticket medium. For example, an expired ticket medium corresponds to this. What is an abnormal ticket?
The ticket cannot be read by this automatic ticket gate.
For example, credit cards having different recording formats, and tickets without magnetic recording correspond to this.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an internal mechanism of the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG. Inlet 12 and outlet 14
A main transport path 32 through which the ticket medium inserted from the input port 12 is transported to the output port 14 is formed.
Along the main transport path 32, a plurality of transport rollers for transporting a ticket medium functioning as transport means and a transport belt for sandwiching and transporting the ticket medium are arranged. These transport rollers and transport belts are driven by a main motor 74.

On the main transport path 32, the transport path 32
Sensor for detecting a ticket medium conveyed above, for example,
A plurality of input port sensors 90 for detecting a ticket medium inserted from the input port 12, a plurality of output port sensors 92 for detecting a ticket medium discharged to an output port, and the like are provided.

At the entrance from the insertion port 12 to the main transport path 32, a shutter 28 for prohibiting the insertion of a ticket medium for a predetermined period is provided.
Is provided. The shutter 28 is controlled to close at the moment when the ticket medium is inserted. Thus, the ticket medium inserted first and the ticket medium inserted by the next customer are distinguished.

On the transport path of the main transport path 32, an input port 1 is provided.
A take-in roller 33 for taking in, one by one, the collectively or one by one in the order from 2 along the discharge port 14;
Also, an alignment unit 34 for aligning the taken ticket media is provided. A size detection sensor 35 for detecting the size of the ticket medium is provided between the take-in roller 33 and the alignment unit 34.

Here, the type and size of the ticket medium will be described. Examples of the ticket medium include a 30 mm ticket called a so-called Edmonson ticket such as a normal ticket and a transit ticket, an 80 mm ticket such as a commuter pass and a prepaid card, and a 120 mm ticket such as an express ticket. These sizes are
30mm x 57.5mm for 30mm tickets, 5 for 80mm tickets
7.5mm x 85mm, 120mm ticket is 57.5mm x
120 mm.

The size detection sensor 35 detects the size of the ticket medium according to the sensor output. The aligning unit 34 aligns the ticket media inserted into the slot 12 such that a predetermined direction is set as a transport direction and is set as a one-side reference.

On the downstream side of the arranging section 34 in the main transport path 32, when the ticket medium is loaded on the surface, that is, the surface on which the entry station information and the fare information of the ticket medium are printed faces upward. Even if it is inserted, when the ticket medium is inserted on the back side, that is, when the ticket medium is inserted with the back side having a magnetic recording unit for recording magnetic information such as entrance station information and fee information of the ticket medium facing up In order to be able to read magnetic information, magnetic heads 36a and 36b as magnetic processing means and reading means for reading information magnetically recorded on a magnetic recording portion provided on the back side of the ticket medium are provided above and below the transport path. ing.

When the ticket medium is loaded on the front side, the magnetic recording portion of the ticket medium faces below the main transport path 32.
Magnetic information is read by a reading head 36b provided below the main transport path 32.

When the ticket medium is inserted on the back side, the magnetic recording portion of the ticket medium is directed to the upper side of the main transport path 32, so that the read head 36 provided above the main transport path 32 is provided.
The magnetic information is read by a.

It is possible to determine whether the ticket medium has been loaded on the front side or the back side, depending on whether the magnetic information of the ticket medium has been read by either of the read heads 36a and 36b.

The reading head 3 in the main transport path 32
On the downstream side of 6a and 36b, there is provided a first holding unit 42 which includes a reversing unit 38 for unifying and sending out the front and back of the ticket medium and temporarily holds the ticket medium before writing magnetic information. ing.

The reversing section 38 is provided with a sorting gate 39. In order to unify the front and back of the ticket medium, the ticket medium is transferred by the sorting gate 39 to the main transport path 3 if necessary.
2 to the reversing unit 38. The ticket medium inserted on the back side is drawn into the reversing section 38 from the main transport path 32 by the distribution gate 39, is transported on the reverse path 40, is reversed upside down, and is returned to the main transport path 32.

The necessity of pulling the ticket medium into the reversing unit 38 is determined based on the size of the ticket medium and the front and back information of the ticket medium read by the reading head 36a or 36b. That is, it is determined that the ticket medium from which the magnetic information has been read by the reading head 36a has been inserted into the back side, and the sorting gate 39 causes the reversing section 38 to move from the main transport path 32 to the reversing section 38.
And is returned from the reversing path 40 to the main transport path 32, whereby the front and back are reversed.

The reversing path 40 of the reversing section 38 is connected to the first holding section 4
2 is connected to the second discharge path 47. A stopper 41 is provided between the reversing path 40 and the discharge path 47. Therefore, if necessary, the reversing unit 38 can also function as a holding unit that temporarily holds the ticket medium on the reversing path 40. When the reserved ticket medium is discharged to the main transport path 32, the reversing path 40 is switched back and discharged, so that the front and back sides of the rear-entered ticket medium can be reversed and discharged. Yes, stopper 41
, It is possible to discharge the ticket medium inserted on the surface in that state.

The first holding unit 42 temporarily holds the ticket medium in order to check the validity of the ticket medium in a combination of a plurality of sheets, for example, whether or not the available sections are continuous. It is.

The first holding section 42 has a sorting gate 4
3, a plurality of, for example, two holding paths 44, stoppers 45 and the like are provided. These three reserve paths 44 are all connected to a discharge path 47. Each reservation path 44 and discharge path 47
Are provided between them.

When the ticket medium is temporarily held in the first holding section 42, the ticket medium is drawn into the holding path 44 from the main transport path by the sorting gate 43, and the drawn ticket medium is stopped by the stopper. It is suspended by being stopped by 45. At this time, a plurality of ticket media are not overlapped on the reservation path 44, that is, another reservation path 44
The distribution gate 43 is operated so as to be suspended.

To release the hold, that is, to discharge the held ticket medium, the stopper 45 is opened and the ticket medium is discharged one by one from each reservation path 44 toward the discharge path 47. It is returned to the transport path 32.

The order in which the ticket media temporarily reserved in the reservation path 44 is discharged to the main transport path 32 is, for example, in descending order of size, and priority is given to the ticket media that is not subjected to subsequent processing. Shall be discharged. That is, 120 mm
Tickets that do not require printing of tickets, tickets that require printing of 120 mm tickets, tickets that do not require printing of 85 mm tickets, tickets that require printing of 85 mm tickets, and printing processes of 30 mm tickets that do not require Are discharged in the order of the ticket to be printed and the ticket requiring the printing process of the 30 mm ticket.

On the downstream side of the first holding section 42 in the main transport path 32, a magnetic processing section for recording predetermined magnetic information on a magnetic recording section provided on the back surface of the ticket medium and a writing section functioning as a writing section. A magnetic processing unit for confirming information recorded by the head 46 and the write head 46 and a read head 48 functioning as a confirming unit; a punch processing unit 5 for punching a predetermined position of a ticket medium such as an ordinary ticket;
0, a thermal transfer thermal head 56 that prints predetermined information on the surface of a first-class ticket medium that needs to be subjected to a printing process by thermally transferring the ink of the transfer ribbon 55, when a plurality of ticket media are loaded For example, a second holding unit 60 is provided for stacking and aligning a plurality of ticket media to be discharged to the printer such that the large-sized ticket media is on the bottom.

A first stopper S that temporarily closes the main transport path 32 at a predetermined timing is provided between the punch processing section 50 and the thermal transfer type thermal head 56 in the main transport path 32.
1 is provided. The first stopper S1 closes the main transport path 32 when the first-class ticket medium that needs to be printed by the thermal transfer thermal head 56 is transported along the main transport path 32, and The transport of the seed ticket medium is temporarily stopped.

The transport speed of the main transport path 32 is reduced while the transport of the first type ticket medium is stopped.
Then, when the transport speed of the main transport path 32 is reduced to a predetermined transport speed, the blockage of the main transport path 32 of the first stopper S1 is released, and transport of the first-class ticket medium is restarted.

When a second-type ticket medium that does not need to be printed by the thermal transfer thermal head 56 is conveyed along the main conveyance path 32, the stopper S1 does not close the main conveyance path 32.

A branch transport path 53 is provided downstream of the read head 48 in the main transport path 32. The ticket medium to be transported on the branch transport path 53 is distributed from the main transport path 32 to the branch transport path 53 by the distribution gate 51.

On the branch conveyance path 53, a punch processing section 52 for performing a punching process on a predetermined position of a ticket medium such as a prepaid card is provided on the back side of a first-class ticket medium which needs to be printed. A thermal transfer type thermal head 58 that prints predetermined information by coloring the thermal layer is provided.

Punch processing section 52 in branch conveyance path 53
A second stopper S2 that temporarily closes the branch transport path 53 at a predetermined timing is provided between the second stopper S2 and the thermal head 58. The second stopper S2 closes the branch transport path 53 when the first-class ticket medium that needs to be subjected to the printing process by the thermal head 58 is transported along the branch transport path 53, and The transportation of the ticket medium is temporarily stopped.

Then, while the transport of the first-class ticket medium is stopped, the transport speed of the branch transport path 53 is reduced. When the transport speed of the branch transport path 53 is reduced to a predetermined transport speed, the branch transport path 53 of the second stopper S2 is
Is released, and the transport of the first-class ticket medium is restarted.

In the automatic ticket gate according to this embodiment,
At the time of ticket inspection or ticket collection processing, the first-class ticket medium whose front surface needs to be subjected to printing processing is a punch processing unit 5
After passing through 0, predetermined information is printed by the thermal head 56 while being continuously transported along the main transport path 32. Also,
The first class ticket media that needs to be printed on the back side is
By the distribution gate 50, the main transport path 32 is branched to the branch transport path 5.
3 and predetermined information is printed by the thermal head 58.

When the ticket medium inserted from the slot 12 is a second-class ticket medium that does not need to be subjected to a printing process,
For example, a ticket medium such as a commuter pass is continuously transported along the main transport path 32, the driving of the thermal head 56 is stopped, and no printing process is performed.

The second holding section 60 is provided with a holding section 61, a distribution gate 62, a ticket detection sensor 63, and the like. Even when a plurality of ticket media having different sizes are collectively ejected, the second holding unit 60 prevents the specific ticket media from being lost, that is, not overlooked. This is a mechanism in which a plurality of different ticket media are rearranged in the order of size and overlapped.

In the second holding section 60, the ticket media is aligned and discharged as follows. For example, it is assumed that an ordinary ticket as a small ticket and a commuter pass as a medium-sized ticket are inserted all at once or one by one, and are temporarily reserved in the reversing unit 38 and the first retaining unit 42. At this time, the ticket is discharged from the first holding unit 42 in the order of larger ticket media, that is, in the order of a commuter pass and a regular ticket, and is transported on the main transport path 32.

First, a commuter pass is taken into the holding unit 61 by the distribution gate 62. When the taken commuter pass is detected by the ticket detection sensor 63, the driving of the transport mechanism 64 is stopped, and the commuter pass is temporarily reserved at a predetermined position of the retaining unit 61.

Subsequently, the ordinary ticket is set such that the tip of the previously held commuter pass coincides with the tip of the ordinary ticket.
The ordinary ticket is transported by the transport mechanism 64 and is taken into the holding unit 61 by the distribution gate 62. As a result, the commuter pass is loaded into the holding unit 61 in a state where the leading end of the commuter pass coincides with the leading end of the ordinary ticket and in a state where the ordinary ticket is overlaid on the commuter pass. When the ordinary ticket and the commuter pass taken into the holding unit 61 are detected by the ticket detection sensor 63, the driving of the transport mechanism 64 is stopped. That is, the ordinary ticket and the commuter pass are superimposed at a predetermined position of the holding unit 61, and are temporarily held in a state where the leading ends thereof are matched.

If the ticket medium is not held in the first holding section 42, the discharge roller 65 is rotated, and the entire ticket medium taken in the holding section 61 is conveyed toward the outlet 14.

When a plurality of related tickets which have been overlapped in this way are discharged, all the tickets can be confirmed from the side of the person who receives these related tickets. Therefore, by arranging the ticket media having different sizes in order of size and discharging the ticket media at once, it is possible to realize a smooth ticket inspection process and prevent the ticket media from being lost.

The distribution gate 66 is a gate that distributes discharge and collection according to the type of the ticket medium. For example,
At the time of bill collection, commuter passes are discharged, and ordinary tickets for entry from the station yard are collected. The ticket medium collected by the sorting gate 66 is sorted and collected by the sorting gate 68 into the first ticket collection box 70 and the second ticket collection box 72 according to the type of the ticket medium.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the automatic ticket gate shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The entire automatic ticket gate is controlled by the CPU 100. The CPU 100 includes a ROM 102 that stores a control program of the CPU 100, a RAM 104 that stores information read from a ticket medium and stores information as a buffer of the control program, and a station from an entrance station to a station where the automatic ticket gate is installed. Memory 106 storing the fare information of each of the above, a read circuit 108 for controlling the read heads 36a and 36b, and a write circuit 1 for controlling the write head 46.
10 and a reading circuit 112 for controlling the reading head 48 are connected. The CPU 100 includes the read head 3
Based on the information read in step 6a or 36b, passability determination processing is performed, and the type of the ticket medium is identified.

The CPU 100 includes a distribution control circuit 114 for controlling the distribution gates 39, 43, 51, 59, 62, 66, 68, etc., a printer control circuit 116 for controlling the thermal heads 56 and 58, First
First holding unit control circuit 11 for controlling driving of holding unit 42
7. A detection circuit 118 for detecting the transport status of the ticket medium based on signals from the sensors such as the size detection sensor 35, the sensor 63, the inlet sensor 90, and the outlet sensor 92 is connected. The CPU 100 detects the size of the ticket medium based on the detection signal from the size detection sensor 35.

Further, the CPU 100 controls a main roller 74 for driving a conveying roller and a conveying belt for conveying the ticket medium by controlling the main conveying path 32 and the branch conveying path 5.
3, a conveyance control circuit 120 for controlling the conveyance speed of the ticket medium, and a passage detection circuit 122 for detecting the passage of the person who has entered the ticket medium based on the output from the human detection sensor 24.
And a door control circuit 126 for controlling a door opening / closing mechanism 124 for driving the door unit 20 and the like.

The CPU 100 includes a display control circuit 128 for controlling the display units such as the passage guide display unit 13, the input port display unit 16, and the output port display unit 18.
A stopper control circuit 130 for controlling the driving of the first stopper S1 and the second stopper S2, a punch processing control circuit 132 for controlling the punch processing units 50 and 52, and a shutter control circuit 134 for controlling the driving of the shutter 28. ,
Second holding unit control circuit 1 for controlling driving of second holding unit 60
36 and a monitoring panel interface 138 for connecting to a monitoring panel 140 for monitoring a plurality of automatic ticket gates collectively.
Etc. are connected.

Next, the traffic judging process will be described. The ticket collection processing by this traffic determination processing is controlled by the CPU 100 provided in the automatic ticket gate main body.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The collection ticket processing by the traffic determination processing will be described. The collection ticket processing is started when a ticket medium is inserted.

First, the shutter 2 provided in the input port 12
8 is opened, and the insertion of the ticket medium into the slot 12 is permitted (ST10). When the ticket medium is inserted into the slot 12, the ticket sensor 90 detects the ticket medium and closes the shutter 28, thereby prohibiting the next ticket medium from being inserted. If only one ticket medium is inserted, this one ticket medium is taken into the main transport path 32 by the take-in roller 33. When a plurality of ticket media are inserted, the plurality of ticket media are separated and taken into the main transport path 32 by the take-in roller 33 one by one. The ticket medium taken in by the take-in roller 33 is aligned by the alignment unit 34.

This aligned ticket medium is transferred to the main transport path 3
2 is conveyed, and the magnetic information recorded on the ticket medium is read by the read heads 36a and 36b (ST11). At this time, the read heads 36a and 36b
By judging which of the read heads has read the magnetic information recorded on the ticket medium, it is determined whether the taken ticket medium has been loaded on the front side or the back side.

When a plurality of ticket media are inserted, the respective ticket media are temporarily reserved by the first retaining unit 42 and the reversing unit 38 (ST12). At this time, the ticket medium inserted on the back side is subjected to a reversing process by the reversing unit 38, and then is reserved in any one of the reserve paths 44 of the first retaining unit 42.

In this traffic judging process, if only one ticket medium is inserted at a time, the ticket medium is
The subsequent processing is executed on the ticket medium without being held in the first holding unit 42 while being conveyed along the main conveyance path 32.

Then, all the information read from all the ticket media are collated, and the contents of the read information are determined (ST13). That is, when the information on the ticket medium cannot be read, it is determined that the inserted ticket is an abnormal ticket (NO in ST14), and the door unit 20 is used to prevent the owner of the ticket medium from passing. Is immediately closed (ST1
5) Then, an alarm is displayed on the display 26 (ST1).
6).

The ticket determined to be an abnormal ticket is immediately discharged to the discharge port 14 (ST17). In addition, if there is a ticket that is inserted at the same time as the ticket determined to be an abnormal ticket, this ticket is also immediately discharged to the discharge port 14.

When all the ticket media ejected to the exit 14 is removed (ST18, YES), it is determined whether or not the owner has returned to the entrance of the automatic ticket gate (ST19).

When it is determined by the human detection sensor 24 that the owner has returned to the entrance of the automatic ticket gate (ST19, YES), the alarm operation of the display 26 is reset (ST20), and the door unit 20 is reset. (ST2
1).

When it is determined that the inserted ticket is not an abnormal ticket, a traffic judging process is performed by the collectively inserted ticket medium. In the traffic determination process, it is determined whether to apply a ticket gate process or a ticket collection process to the inserted ticket medium, a determination as to whether a boarding section and a boarding deadline are valid, etc. It is determined whether the obtained ticket medium is a first-class ticket medium that requires printing processing or a second-class ticket medium that does not require printing processing.

As a result of the traffic determination process, when the traffic of the owner of the ticket medium is permitted (ST14, YES), the door 20 is not blocked. Then, based on the determination result of the traffic determination process, it is determined whether to apply the ticket gate process or the ticket collection process to the inserted ticket medium (ST22).

Subsequently, when the ticket processing is performed on the ticket medium (ST22, YES), the processing of discharging the ticket medium held in the first holding unit 42 is started. That is, the ticket media held in the first holding unit 42 is sent out to the main transport path 32 in descending order of size, for example.

At this time, predetermined information is written by the write head 46 on the ticket medium on which magnetic information needs to be written (ST23). Then, the written data is read by the reading head 48, and the written contents are confirmed (ST24).

At this time, a punching process is performed by the punching section 50 on the ticket medium requiring the punching process (ST25). Then, based on the determination result of the traffic determination processing, it is determined whether the inserted ticket medium is the first ticket medium or the second type ticket medium (ST2).
6).

When the ticket medium subjected to the various processes described above is the first ticket medium (ST26, YE
S) The predetermined information is printed on the front surface or the back surface of any one of the thermal heads 56 and 58 on the ticket medium, that is, the first-type ticket medium (ST27).

The ticket medium that has been processed as necessary is taken into the second holding unit. On the other hand, based on the result of the traffic determination processing, if the inserted ticket medium is the second-class ticket medium (ST26, NO), the medium is conveyed through the main conveyance path 32 without being printed.

The second-class ticket medium is stored in the main transport path 3
2 is conveyed and taken into the second holding unit 60. If the ticket medium conveyed from the first holding unit 42 still exists, it is continuously taken into the second holding unit 60. Then, the front end of the taken ticket medium is aligned and temporarily held.

When there is no ticket medium conveyed from the first holding unit 42, all the ticket media aligned by the second holding unit 60 is conveyed to the outlet 14 (S
T28). At this time, all the ticket media are discharged so as not to be lost, that is, in such a state that the small-sized ticket media is not hidden behind the large-sized ticket media.

Then, it is determined whether the owner of the ticket medium, ie, the passenger, has passed through the automatic ticket gate (ST2).
9) If the passage of the passenger is completed (ST29, YE
S), the number of passengers who have passed is counted by 1 (ST30).

On the other hand, when the ticket collection processing is performed on the ticket medium (ST22, NO), different processing is performed depending on the type of the ticket medium. That is, when the ticket medium is a commuter pass (ST31, YES), the main transport path 32 is transported toward the second holding unit 60 on the discharge port 14 side without performing printing processing or punching processing.

If the print processing is a first-class ticket medium that needs to be printed and returned to the passenger (ST32, YES), a first-class ticket such as a transit ticket is used. The ticket medium is stored in one of the thermal heads 56
Alternatively, information such as a message to the effect that it is possible to re-enter the way at the transit station is printed on the front or back surface of the ticket medium by means of or 58 (ST27).

The ticket medium processed as required is taken into the second holding unit. On the other hand, if the ticket medium is a type 2 ticket medium other than the commuter pass, that is, a ticket medium that does not need to be returned to the passenger (ST32, N
O), it is transported through the main transport path 32 as it is,
The bills are sorted by 6 and 68, and collected in the first bid collection box 70 or the second bid collection box 72 (ST33).

Then, it is determined whether the owner of the ticket medium, that is, the passenger, has passed through the automatic ticket gate (ST2).
9) If the passage of the passenger is completed (ST29, YE
S), the number of passengers who have passed is counted by 1 (ST30).

With the steps described above, the ticket gate and ticket collection processing of the ticket medium are executed. Next, the printing process performed on the first-class ticket medium will be described in more detail.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control method when printing the first-class ticket medium. That is,
The ticket medium to be subjected to the ticket collection processing by the automatic ticket gate device is released from the first reservation unit 42 after the reservation is released.
The main transport path 32 is transported at a first transport speed by a transport roller and a transport belt driven at a transport speed, for example, 2.5 m / s (ST41). Magnetic information is written to the ticket medium being transported at the first transport speed by the write head 46 as necessary, and the magnetic information written to the ticket medium is confirmed by the read head 48. .

Then, the CPU 100 proceeds to step ST1.
If it is determined based on the result of the traffic determination processing in Step 4 that the ticket medium transported at the first transport speed is a second-class ticket medium that does not require printing processing (ST4).
2, NO), step S in the flowchart shown in FIG.
The process moves to T28.

If the CPU 100 determines that the ticket medium being conveyed at the first conveyance speed is a first-class ticket medium requiring printing processing (ST42, YE
S) Further, it is determined whether or not the surface on which the printing process is to be performed is the surface of the ticket medium based on the result of the traffic determination process (ST43).

When the CPU 100 determines that the printing surface of the first-class ticket medium is the front side based on the result of the traffic determination processing (ST43, YES), the CPU 100 controls the stopper control circuit 130 to perform main transport. The first stopper S1 provided in the path 32 is turned on, and the first stopper S1
The main transport path 32 is closed (ST44). And the first
The stopper S1 stops the transport of the first-class ticket medium transported on the main transport path 32 at the first transport speed.

While the transport of the first ticket medium is stopped by the first stopper S1, the CPU 100 controls the transport control circuit 120 so that the transport rollers disposed on the main transport path 32 by the main motor 74 and The transport speed of the transport belt is reduced (ST45).

Then, the CPU 100 continues until the transport speed in the main transport path 32 reaches a second transport speed suitable for printing processing lower than the first transport speed, for example, a low speed of about 0.05 m / s (ST46, YES). , Transport control circuit 120
Is controlled to reduce the transport speed. At this time, the transport belt or the transport roller that has transported the first-class ticket medium, the transport of which has been stopped by the first stopper S1, is decelerated until it reaches the second transport speed while idling.

When the CPU 100 determines that the transport speed of the main transport path 32 has reached the second transport speed (ST4).
6, YES), by controlling the stopper control circuit 130, the first stopper S1 is turned off, and the blockage of the main transport path 32 by the first stopper S1 is released (ST47). Then, the conveyance of the first-class ticket medium, the conveyance of which has been stopped by the first stopper S1, is restarted, and the first ticket medium is
The transport belt 32 and the transport rollers driven at the second transport speed transport the main transport path 32 at the second transport speed.

Then, the CPU 100 controls the printer control circuit 116 to drive the thermal transfer type thermal head 56 at a predetermined timing when the first ticket medium passes through the thermal transfer type thermal head 56, and Print predetermined character information in a predetermined print area on the front surface (ST4)
8).

Then, the printing process ends. On the other hand, CP
If U100 determines that the printing surface of the first-class ticket medium is the back surface based on the result of the traffic determination process (S100).
T43, NO), the first ticket medium is guided to the branch transport path 53 by the distribution gate 51, and the stopper control circuit 130 is controlled to control the second stopper S provided in the branch transport path 53.
2 is turned on, and the branch conveyance path 53 is closed by the second stopper S2 (ST49). Then, the second stopper S2 stops the transport of the first-class ticket medium transported along the branch transport path 53 at the first transport speed.

While the transport of the first ticket medium is stopped by the second stopper S2, the CPU 100 controls the transport control circuit 120 to control the transport rollers disposed on the main transport path 32 by the main motor 74 and the transport rollers. The transport speed of the transport belt is reduced (ST50).

Then, the CPU 100 sets the branch conveying path 53
The transport control circuit 120 is controlled to reduce the transport speed until the transport speed in (2) reaches the second transport speed suitable for the printing process (ST51, YES). At this time, the transport belt or the transport roller that has transported the first-class ticket medium, the transport of which has been stopped by the second stopper S2, is decelerated until it reaches the second transport speed while idling.

When the CPU 100 determines that the transport speed of the branch transport path 53 has reached the second transport speed (ST5).
1, YES), by controlling the stopper control circuit 130 to turn off the second stopper S2 and release the blockage of the branch conveyance path 53 by the second stopper S2 (ST52). Then, the conveyance of the first-class ticket medium, the conveyance of which has been stopped by the second stopper S2, is resumed, and the first ticket medium is branched and conveyed by the conveyance belt or the conveyance roller driven at the second conveyance speed. The sheet is conveyed on the path 53 at the second conveying speed.

Then, the CPU 100 controls the printer control circuit 116 to drive the thermal transfer thermal head 58 at a predetermined timing at which the first ticket medium passes through the thermal transfer thermal head 58, so that the first type ride is performed. Printing predetermined character information or the like in a predetermined printing area on the back of the ticket medium (S
T53).

Then, the printing process ends. As described above, according to the card processing device of the present invention, the automatic ticket gate provided with the card processing device, and the card processing method, the ticket medium is transported at the first transport speed in order to perform the printing process. The transport of the ticket medium is temporarily stopped after magnetic processing such as magnetic reading processing or magnetic writing processing is performed, during which the transport speed of the transport belt and transport rollers is suitable for printing processing that is slower than the first transport speed. When the second transport speed is reached, the transportation stop of the ticket medium is released, and the ticket medium is transported at the second transport speed suitable for printing. The area has been subjected to print processing.

Therefore, it is possible to surely reduce the transport speed of the ticket medium requiring the printing process to a transport speed suitable for printing, and to transport the ticket media at the reliably reduced transport speed. In addition, since the printing process is performed, high-quality character information can be reliably printed.

Further, compared with the conventional processing method in which the ticket medium transported at the first transport speed is reduced to a second transport speed suitable for print processing while transporting the ticket medium, the ticket transported at the first transport speed is compared with the conventional transport method. Since the speed is reduced to the second transport speed while the transport of the medium is stopped, the entire length of the transport path can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the ticket processing time and improve the ticket processing efficiency per unit time.

[0108]

As described above, according to the present invention, the length of the transport path on which a card such as a ticket medium is transported is reduced, and the ticket processing time is reduced, thereby improving the ticket processing efficiency per unit time. Processing device, an automatic ticket gate provided with the card processing device, and a card processing method can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an external appearance of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an internal mechanism of the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a ticket collection process by a traffic determination process applied to the automatic ticket gate according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of a printing process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4;

[Description of Signs] 10 Automatic ticket gate main body 32 Main transport path 36a, 36b Reading head 42 First holding unit 46 Writing head 48 Reading head 56 Thermal head 58 Thermal head 60 Second holding Part 74: Main motor 100: CPU 120: Transport control circuit 130: Stopper control circuit S1: First stopper S2: Second stopper

Claims (8)

[Claims] A transport unit for transporting a card on which magnetic information is recorded; a magnetic processing unit for performing a magnetic process on the card being transported at a first speed by the transport unit; Stopping means for stopping the conveyance of the card subjected to the magnetic processing; and while the conveyance of the card is stopped by the stopping means, the conveyance speed of the conveyance means is reduced, and the conveyance speed of the conveyance means is reduced to the second speed. Control means for canceling the stoppage of transport of the card by the stop means at the time when a second speed lower than the first speed is reached; and a card released from the stoppage of transport being transported at a second speed by the transport means And a printing means for performing a printing process on the card processing device. 2. A transport unit for transporting a card on which magnetic information is recorded, a drive unit for driving the transport unit at a predetermined transport speed, and the transport unit driven at a first transport speed by the drive unit. Magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on a card being conveyed at a first conveying speed by the above, stopping means for stopping conveyance of the card subjected to magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means, and a card by the stopping means While the conveyance is stopped, the driving unit is controlled to reduce the conveyance speed of the conveyance unit to a second conveyance speed lower than the first conveyance speed. Control means for releasing the stop of card transport by the stop means when the second transport speed is reached; and a second transport speed by the transport means driven at a second transport speed by the drive means. Card processing device for a printing unit for the conveyance stop being sent is to perform printing processing on the released card, further comprising a said. 3. A pair of transport belts for nipping a card on which magnetic information is recorded and transporting the card along a transport path, driving means for driving the pair of transport belts at a predetermined transport speed, and: Magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on a card being conveyed at a first conveyance speed by the conveyance belt driven at a first conveyance speed; and Closing means for stopping the transport of the card subjected to magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means, and controlling the driving means while the transport of the card is stopped by the stopping means, The conveying speed of the belt is reduced to a second conveying speed that is lower than the first conveying speed, and when the conveying speed of the conveying belt reaches the second conveying speed, the stop means closes the conveying path. Control means for releasing the card and re-conveying the card; and printing for performing a printing process on the card being re-conveyed at the second conveyance speed by the conveyance belt driven at the second conveyance speed by the driving means. Means, and a card processing device. 4. Transport means for transporting a ticket medium on which magnetic information is recorded, magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on the ticket medium being transported at a first speed by said transport means, and said magnetic field. Ticket checking means for performing ticket checking processing based on the magnetic information processed by the processing means, stopping means for stopping transport of the ticket medium subjected to magnetic processing by the magnetic processing means, and While the transport is stopped, the transport speed of the transport unit is reduced, and when the transport speed of the transport unit reaches a second speed that is lower than the first speed, the transportation of the ticket medium by the stop unit is stopped. Control means for canceling the conveyance stop; and printing means for performing a printing process on the ticket medium, the conveyance of which has been cancelled, being conveyed at a second speed by the conveyance means. You Automatic ticket gate apparatus. 5. Transport means for transporting a ticket medium on which magnetic information is recorded, reading means for reading magnetic information recorded on the ticket medium being transported by the transport means, and reading means for reading the magnetic information. Ticket checking means for performing a ticket checking process based on the read magnetic information, and writing magnetic information as needed based on the magnetic information read by the reading means on the ticket medium being conveyed by the conveying means. Writing means; checking means for checking magnetic information written by the writing means in a ticket medium being conveyed at a first conveying speed by the conveying means; magnetic information written by the checking means A stopping means for stopping the transportation of the ticket medium, the transportation speed of the transportation means being reduced while the transportation of the ticket medium is stopped by the stopping means. Control means for canceling the stoppage of the transport of the ticket medium by the stop means when the transport speed of the transport means reaches a second speed lower than the first speed; and a second speed by the transport means. A printing means for performing a printing process on the ticket medium for which the conveyance stop has been released, which is being conveyed in (a). 6. A transport means for transporting a ticket medium on which magnetic information is recorded, a driving means for driving said transport means at a predetermined transport speed, and said driving means driven at a first transport speed by said drive means. Magnetic processing means for performing magnetic processing on a ticket medium being conveyed at a first conveying speed by the conveying means; ticket processing means for performing ticket processing based on magnetic information processed by the magnetic processing means; Stopping means for stopping the transport of the ticket medium subjected to the magnetic processing by the processing means, and controlling the driving means while the transport of the ticket medium is stopped by the stopping means, to control the transport means. The transport speed is reduced to a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed, and when the transport speed of the transport unit reaches the second transport speed, the transport stop of the ticket media by the stop unit is released. Printing means for performing a printing process on the ticket medium, which has been released from the transport stop state, being transported at a second transport speed by the transport means driven at a second transport speed by the drive means. Means, and an automatic ticket gate. 7. A transport means for transporting a ticket medium on which magnetic information is recorded, a driving means for driving the transport means at a predetermined transport speed, and a drive means for recording on the ticket medium being transported by the transport means. Reading means for reading the magnetic information, reading means for performing a ticket check process based on the magnetic information read by the reading means, and reading the ticket medium being conveyed by the conveying means by the reading means. Writing means for writing magnetic information as needed based on the magnetic information, and a ticket medium being transported at a first transport speed by the transport means driven at a first transport speed by the drive means. Checking means for checking the magnetic information written by the writing means; and stopping conveyance of the ticket medium on which the magnetic information written by the checking means is checked. Stopping means, while the conveyance of the ticket medium is stopped by the stopping means, controlling the driving means to set the conveying speed of the conveying means to a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed. Control means for decelerating and releasing the stop of the transportation of the ticket medium by the stop means when the transport speed of the transport means reaches the second transport speed; and the drive means is driven at the second transport speed. And a printing means for performing a printing process on the ticket medium, which has been released from the stoppage of transport, being transported by the transporting means at a second transporting speed. 8. A transport means for nipping and transporting a card on which magnetic information is recorded is driven at a first transport speed, and performs magnetic processing on the card being transported at the first speed. Is stopped, and while the card is stopped being transported, the transport speed of the transport unit is reduced, and the transport unit is moved to a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed. When the transport speed of the transport unit reaches the second transport speed, the transport stop of the card is released, and the transported transport being released at the second transport speed is released. A card processing method, wherein a printing process is performed.