JPS6151627A - Optical memory card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the positioning mechanism and to attain simple formation by setting roughly a positioning accuracy of a servo and correcting the setting error in the processing stage of a read signal of a card. CONSTITUTION:X, Y axis moving control sections 109, 113 started through the detection of card loading by a switch 121 drive servo motors 107, 111 and set the card to the initial position. A control section 109 feeds the card in a prescribed speed in the direction of data band and a sensor drivecircuit 101 uses a CCD sensor to scan the card face on which a laser light source is irradiated. A signal from the sensor is outputted as a digital signal DS from the circuit 101 and a count signal CS and a synchronizing signal SS are outputted from the circuit 101. A detection 102 detects an area consecutive by a prescribed bit being a reference line part from the digital signal, and when the area exists at high and low levels of the digital signal for two positions for >=3 times consecutively, normal status information ST is transmitted to an extraction section 104, a control section 113 and a microprocessor 115.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention provides a card-type data band that is constructed in a band-like manner by arranging a large number of tracks in which a plurality of data cells are arranged in a straight line. The present invention relates to an optical memory card reading device for reading out digital information from an optical memory card which is provided on a base and stores digital information along the trunk by optical brightness of the data cells.

[Prior Art] In recent years, cards in which a magnetic storage medium is provided on a card-like base and necessary information is stored in the medium have been widely used, such as personal identification cards and financial cards.

By the way, in today's information age, there is a demand for devices that can store more information in a smaller area.
For cards stored for each purpose, dictionaries for word processors, electronic translators, etc., and cards on which the contents of educational printed materials, business printed materials, notes, etc. are written, A storage capacity of several kilobytes to several megabytes is required. However, magnetic cards have a small storage capacity and cannot be used for this purpose.

In contrast, optical memories have recently been gaining popularity. There are various types of optical memory, but one suitable for card-type memory is one in which a memory layer is formed by arranging a large number of memory cells that store digital values depending on the level of reflectance of light. There is a type of memory that is made by pasting on a card-type substrate.

This memory has storage cells arranged in high density, so
The storage capacity is large, ranging from several kilobytes to several megabytes.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the card-type optical memory has the following problems, and its practical application has been delayed. That is, because of high-density storage, there is a problem in that it is not easy to position the write or read head when writing or reading information.

This type of positioning is generally performed using a servo mechanism, but with conventional magnetic cards, even slight errors do not interfere with writing and reading, so a relatively simple mechanism is used. Positioning can be performed by

By the way, optical memory is high-density recording.

Even a slight positional shift or angular displacement causes writing and reading errors. To correct this slight misalignment,
It requires a complex and highly accurate control mechanism, and extremely accurate positioning is required.

Although this is technically possible, the equipment becomes expensive.

As described above, since it is not possible to provide a reading device for reading out the contents of a memory at a low cost, it is not possible to popularize this type of memory.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to set the accuracy of positioning by a positioning mechanism such as a servo to be relatively rough, and to correct the error of the rough positioning at the stage of processing the signal read from the card. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical memory card reading device in which the positioning mechanism is relatively simple and inexpensive, and the reading device can be formed at low cost.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems is to form a track by arranging a plurality of data cells in a straight line, and to arrange a large number of these tracks in parallel. A data band configured in the form of a strip is provided on a card-shaped base, and a reference line consisting of a no-signal area of a constant width is provided on both longitudinal sides of the data band, and the data cell In an optical memory card reading device for reading digital information from an optical memory card of a type that stores digital information along the tracks by optical brightness and darkness.

(a) an X-Y moving device that relatively moves the card or the carrier on which the card is placed and the sensor in the X-Y direction; (b) a range wider than the width of the data band; (C) a sensor and its driving circuit that digitally detects a light and dark pattern of data cells on the track, and that digitally detects the brightness pattern of the data cells on the track; (C) detects the data band from digital information sent from the sensor; In addition to detecting the reference line of
and (d) based on the status information,
Sends to the X-Y moving device a displacement signal for relatively displacing the sensor and the card so as to fit the data band within the field of view of the sensor, and a movement signal for relatively moving the sensor along the data band. with control means.

(e) data storage means for reading and accumulating data temporarily stored in the reading control means.

The above-mentioned technical solutions of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

First, the configuration of an example of an optical memory to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

An optical memory card includes, for example, a plastic substrate 1 about the size of a business card, a memory layer 2 formed by a large number of strip-shaped data bands 3 arranged side by side, and a memory layer 2 provided along the column direction of the memory layer 2. A row reference matrix 1i70 and a row reference line 71 are provided along the row direction of the memory layer 2.

The memory layer 2 is located approximately at the center of the substrate 1, and is provided so that a plurality of data bands 3 are arranged in parallel and in a generally rectangular shape. A column reference line 6 is provided on one side of the memory layer 2 in the column direction (the left end side in the above figures).

The data band 3 is divided into upper and lower parts at the center of the memory layer 2.

A row reference generating line 70 is provided at the boundary between the two parts, which is perpendicular to the center of the column reference line 6 and the T-shape. Furthermore, row reference lines 71 are provided along the longitudinal direction on the sides of each three data bands and the outer data bands 3, respectively.

The data band 3 is constructed by providing a large number of memory cells 5 that store one bit of digital data.

The memory cells 5 are lined up in a row in the width direction of the data band 3 to form a track 4, and a large number of tracks 4 are arranged in parallel, and as shown in FIG. 4, the data band 3 is long in the longitudinal direction. form. However, in the same figure, the memory cell 5
is shown in a grid pattern, but this is for convenience of explanation and does not mean that lines are actually provided in a grid pattern.

The column reference line 6, the row reference bus line 70, and the row base $ line 71 are marked with "l On" or "i" to distinguish them from the data band 3.
The row reference bus line 70 is provided as a reference for setting the initial position of the data band 3 of the card C, and is formed with a thick width so that the row reference bus line 70 It is distinguished from line 71.

The present invention has a configuration in which the sensor S sequentially reads data stored in the card C by relatively moving the card C and the sensor S having the above-described configuration. FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of the present invention.

Relative movement is performed by an X-Y movement device.

This moving device consists of an X-axis moving unit that moves the sensor S on the card surface in the direction (Xll) along the data band, and a Y-axis moving unit that moves the sensor S in the direction (Y-axis) orthogonal to this. It consists of In this case, either the sensor S or the card C may be moved. The card C may be moved directly or may be moved together with an appropriate stand.

As the sensor S, for example, a linear CCD array, such as a linear CCD array, is used, in which a light receiving section is arranged in a linear shape corresponding to a track. However, the sensor S is not limited to one linear sensor, but may be arranged in a row so that a plurality of trunks can be placed within the field of view at the same time.

The length of the sensor field of view in the track direction is set to be longer than the width of the data band. Therefore, even if the sensor S and the card C are misaligned in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the data band, they can be read as long as they are within the visual field. Further, in the case of a linear sensor, the width of the sensor field of view in the data band direction (X-axis direction) is approximately equal to or narrower than the track width, but is preferably narrower.

Note that the sensor S is provided with an appropriate illumination means for illuminating its field of view.

The reading control means includes a reference line detection section that detects a reference line portion from the digital information sent from the sensor S. The function of this detection unit is to set a preset “0°” in the information.
The reading control means detects whether or not there is an area in which the state of either '' or '1' continues to be a constant bit loss, and also detects the position of that area in the information. Information regarding reference line detection is sent as status information to the movement control means and the data storage means.

Further, the read ffi control means has a temporary storage section that temporarily stores digital information.

The movement control means includes a determination section that determines whether the position of the reference line is above or below the normal range based on the status information, and a displacement signal that relatively displaces the sensor S and the card C in accordance with the determination result. and a transition signal exit section for sending out to the Y moving means.

Further, the movement control means includes the sensor S and the drive circuit,
The sensor S and the card C are synchronized with the operation of the reading control means, etc.
It has a movement signal sending unit that sends a movement signal to the XY movement device, which sends the movement signal continuously or in small steps so as to relatively move along the data band.

The data storage means includes a memory that can store a large amount of data, and a transfer control section that stores the data temporarily stored in the read control means in the memory.

[Operation of the Invention] In the above configuration, when the card is placed in a predetermined position and the reading device is activated, the movement control means first causes the X-
A movement signal and a displacement signal are sent to the Y movement device, and the sensor S and card C are set to their initial positions.

The sensor S detects a bright and dark pattern within its field of view and sends it as digital information to the reference line detection section via the sensor drive circuit. In response to this information, the reference line detection section sets the preset "°0°" in the information.

Detects whether there is a region in which the state of "1'° or "1'° continues for a certain number of bits, and if the region is 1'
Detects the position in the information of 2 pieces of information.

If the card C and sensor S are initially in the correct position, the field of view of sensor S is on the column reference line, and all areas within the field of view are in a continuous state of either "O'" or "1". ing. Therefore, the baseline a-line detection section sends status information to that effect to the determination section of the movement control means.

In response to this, the determination section sends a movement signal for moving the card C or sensor S along the data band from the movement signal sending section to the X-axis movement section.

This movement signal is set in consideration of the reading speed of the sensor S, and is set so that at least one reading operation can be performed for one track.

When the sensor S relatively moves on the data band, digital information is sent from the sensor S to the reference line detection section via the sensor drive circuit. From this information, the reference line detection unit detects the portion where either "o°' or °"1'" continues for a certain number of bits, that is, the base line a and its position. At this time, the above-mentioned If there is a part in the center of the digital information in which a certain number of consecutive bits of either 0 or "1" are continuous, and this part is a row reference bus line that is wider than other reference lines, then card C is in the data band. It is confirmed that the base line a is at the initial position.Therefore, the baseline a-line detection section sends status information to that effect to the determination section of the movement control means.

In response to this, the determination section transmits a displacement signal for displacing the card C or sensor S upward or downward in the width direction of the data band from the movement signal transmitting section to the Y-axis displacement section.

As the card moves, digital information is sent from the sensor S to the reference line detection section via the sensor drive circuit. From this information, the reference line detection unit determines “Opa or”
If there are parts in which either °1°° is consecutive for a certain number of bits in the upper and lower parts of the digital information,
It is assumed that the data of the track exists normally between these parts, and normal status information to that effect is sent to the transfer control section of the data storage means. On the other hand, °゛0” or “1”
If there is one part where any of °' has a certain number of consecutive bits, or if there is no part at all, this fact and the abnormal status information regarding the position of the reference line are sent to the transfer control unit of the data storage means and the movement control means. Each is sent to the determination section.

Then, the track portion data is extracted from the detected normal digital information and stored in the temporary storage section, making it possible to receive the next digital information.

The transfer control unit of the data storage means sequentially transfers the data stored in the temporary storage unit to the memory with an address, and stores the data. At this time, the transfer control section performs the transfer in accordance with the above status information, and when it corresponds to abnormal information, does not read data from the temporary storage section and leaves the corresponding part of the memory blank.

Note that when the sensor S moves on the card C, if the reading operation is performed multiple times for one track, digital information is input multiple times for the track. In this case, one of the plural pieces of digital information is selected. Selection is performed by selecting data corresponding to normal status information on a first-come, first-served basis, or by performing a parity check and selecting data with the least number of errors.

The movement control section receives normal or abnormal information each time digital information is input from the reference line detection section. The determination unit extracts a synchronization signal from the input timing of this information,
Send it to the mobile signal sending unit. The movement signal sending section forms a movement signal for relatively moving the sensor S or card C based on this synchronization signal, and sends it to the X-axis movement section.

On the other hand, when the reference line detection section sends information indicating the position of the reference line where only one line has been detected as abnormal information, the 1 determination section sends the information to the shift signal sending section. The displacement A3 sending section sends a displacement signal to the Y-axis moving section to relatively move the sensor S and the card C in the track direction. This movement continues until a normal signal is input to the 1 determination section.

Furthermore, when information indicating that there is no reference line as abnormal information is sent from the reference line detection section to the judgment section of the movement control means, the judgment section sends the sensor S to the movement signal sending section and the displacement signal sending section. and card C to be moved to their initial positions. In this case, if the last track of the data band has been read, the determination unit instructs the shift signal sending unit to move the sensor S to the next data band.

In this way, as the sensor S and the card C move relative to each other on the track of each data band, the data written in each data band of the card is transferred to the memory of the data storage means. Ru.

These data are read and used by access from a data processing device connected to the data storage means.

[Example] An example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

<Configuration of Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the optical memory card dispensing device of the present invention.

The device of this embodiment has a structure in which a sensor scans one track three times as the card moves in the data band direction. Further, the structure of the card is basically the same as the card shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 above.

In FIG. 5, a sensor drive circuit 101 is connected to a COD image sensor not shown in the figure, and drives and controls the sensor.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the COD image sensor is constructed by incorporating a light receiving section Iota in which 256 elements are arranged one-dimensionally, a laser light source 101b, an optical system consisting of a lens system +01c, etc. , the data band to be detected is expanded and observed.

The light receiving section 101a is set so that four elements correspond to one data cell. That is, an image of one data cell is formed by four elements.

The length of the field of view is set to approximately two data bands, with one data band at the center, the reference lines on both sides, and approximately half of the adjacent data bands. Cover. The width of the field of view is set to a width that allows one track to be scanned three times as it moves in the data band direction.

The laser light source 101b is set to irradiate a slightly wider range than the above field of view.

The sensor drive circuit 101 drives the CCD sensor,
The 256 elements are sequentially scanned from one end to detect bright and dark patterns within the field of view. Furthermore, the detected signal is output as a serial digital signal.

A base line detection unit 102 and a reference bus line detection unit 103 are connected to the sensor drive circuit 101.
The subsequent data extraction unit 104 and the reading accuracy check unit 10
5, the temporary storage section 106, and the microprocessor 115 connected via the bus 100 constitute a memorization control means.

In this embodiment, the temporary storage unit L06 has a serial-in/parallel-out configuration.

The structure is first-in-first-store.

In addition, the X-axis movement control unit 108 and the Y@h movement control unit 1
13 connects to the microprocessor 115 via the bus 100.
and constitutes a movement control means. The X-axis movement control section 108 includes an X-axis drive circuit 108 that constitutes an X-axis movement section.
and support motor 107 are connected, and X-axis movement control section 1
13 is connected to a Y-axis drive circuit +12 and a servo motor 111 that constitute an X-axis moving section.

The X@I+ moving section has a moving mechanism as shown in FIG. This moving mechanism is the servo motor 10? In this embodiment, the card C is placed on a carrier 119b on the conveyor 19a and moves back and forth.In this embodiment, the card is moved in the data band direction. Photoelectric detectors 110a constituting end detection 110 are installed at both ends of the conveyor 119a. This end detection 110 is performed by the X-axis movement control section 10
9 is connected.

On the other hand, although not shown, the X-axis moving unit moves the four sensor side in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, that is, in a track direction.

These X-axis movement control section 109 and X-axis movement control section 1
13 is connected to a switch 120 for requesting ejection of the card C and a switch 121 for detecting a door blockage of a card insertion slot of a device case (not shown). A discharge mechanism 114 is connected to the X-axis movement control section 113.

Microprocessor 11 connected via bus 100
5 and random access memory (hereinafter abbreviated as RAM).

) 117 constitutes a data storage means. In this case, the RAM 117 is the memory and the microprocessor 115 is the transfer control means.

Note that this bus 100 has a read-only memory (R
OM) 11G and communication port 118 are connected. The read-only memory (ROM) 11B stores the control program for the microprocessor 115. The communication port 118 stores the RAM 11? It is used when the data stored in is used in another data processing device.

<Operation of the Embodiment> In order to read data stored in a card using the device of this embodiment, first, the door of the case (not shown) is opened and the card is inserted through the insertion slot. When the card is inserted, the door is automatically closed, and the switch 121 detects this.

This activates the movement control means.

That is, in the movement control means, the xalI movement control unit lO9 and the X-axis movement control unit 113 respectively control the X-axis drive circuit and the
The servo motors 107 and 111 are driven via the shaft drive circuit to set the card at the initial position. Then, the X-axis movement control section 109 sends the card C at a constant speed in the data band direction using the movement mechanism shown in FIG. 6 above.

The sensor drive circuit 101 includes a CCD sensor 1 shown in FIG.
01a, the card surface irradiated by the laser light source 101b is scanned. A signal from the sensor is output from the sensor drive circuit 101 as a serial digital signal DS. Further, from the sensor drive circuit 101, a count signal C5 for counting the number of each pulse of the digital signal and a scan period signal S are outputted each time a track is scanned, prior to that scan.
S is output.

The reference line detection unit 102 detects a reference line portion from the digital signal, that is, an area where either °"O11 or "1'° is continuous for a certain number of bits, and this region is used as the upper and lower parts of the digital signal. Normal status information ST, provided that it exists in two locations and that this state continues three or more times.

The data is sent to the data extraction section 104, the Y-axis movement control section 113, and the microprocessor 115. In addition, if two reference lines cannot be detected, status information S to that effect will be provided.
If no reference line can be detected, five pieces of status information to that effect are similarly output.

The reference bus line detection unit 103 detects a reference bus line portion from the digital signal DS, that is, an area in which either °“0’° or “1 pa” continues over a certain number of wide bits, and detects the existence or non-existence of that portion. The status information is sent to the Y-axis movement control section 113.

The data extraction unit 104 uses the count signal CS to
The data portion is extracted from the digital signal DS, and the information of each data cell represented by the 4-bit digital signal is restored to 1-bit representation.

The read accuracy check unit 105 checks the parity, etc. of the restored data.In this embodiment, one trunk is scanned three times, so the read accuracy check unit 105 checks the parity, etc. of the restored data. The data DT is stored in the temporary storage unit 108.

The data stored in the temporary storage unit 106 is read by the microprocessor 115, assigned a predetermined address, and transferred to the RAM 11? through the path 100. +=44.

In this way, as the card is moved at a constant speed in the X-axis direction by the X-axis moving section 108, the information recorded in the data band is transferred to the RAM 11? is read out. Then, the last track of the data band is scanned and one end of the card is detected by the photoelectric detector 110 of the edge detection 110.
When detected at point a, the X-axis movement control unit 109 reverses the card feeding.

When the other end of the card is detected by the end detection 110,
1 microprocessor 115 is a Y-axis movement control section 113
command to move to the primary data band. In response to this, the Y-axis movement control section 113 controls the Y-axis drive circuit 1
A servo motor 107 is driven via the servo motor 12 to move the card in the width direction of the data band. This movement is performed by outputting pulses corresponding to the movement distance instructed by the microprocessor 115 and driving the servo motor in steps. After this, the above-described operation is repeated.

By the way, the reference line detection unit 1 for the Y-axis movement control unit 113
When the status information ST from 02 indicates that there is only one reference line, the Yab movement control unit 113 moves the stave 2 in the direction instructed by the microprocessor 115, and if the reference line is The process stops at the point where the status information indicating that two lines exist is input.

In this case, the positioning accuracy is as described above.

It is sufficient that two reference lines exist within the field of view of the sensor.

Positional deviation within the field of view, which does not require precise positioning, can be detected when extracting data from the read digital signal.
removed.

Further, in the case of the status information indicating that no reference line can be detected, the microprocessor 115 detects the reference line.

Redo the initial w1 settings for the card.

After scanning all the data bands in this way, the Y-axis movement control unit 113 controls the ejection machines 4V, 1
14, an instruction to eject the card is output.

If you wish to stop the reading and eject the card while reading the data from the card, just turn on the ejection request switch 120. This causes the Y-axis movement control section 113 to control the ejection mechanism 114 in the same manner as described above. Outputs an instruction to eject the card.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention sets the accuracy of positioning by a positioning mechanism such as a servo to be relatively rough, and corrects the error of the rough positioning at the stage of processing the signal read from the card. This has the effect that the positioning mechanism can be made relatively simple and inexpensive, and the reading device can be formed at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical memory card reading device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an optical memory card to be used with the reading bag of the present invention, and an embodiment of the optical memory card reading device of the present invention. The block diagram shown in FIG. 6 is the x! used in the above embodiment device. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the @fI moving mechanism, and a side view showing the structure of the sensor used in the above embodiment device. 1...Substrate 2...Memory layer 3...
Data band 4...Track 5...Storage cell
6...Column reference line 70...Row reference line a71...
- Row reference line 101...sensor drive circuit 102...
Reference line detection unit 104...data extraction unit 106...
Temporary storage unit 107, 111...Servo motor 109...X-axis movement control unit 113...Y-axis movement control unit 115...Microprocessor 117...Random access memory (RAM) Applicant Computer Service Co., Ltd. Company agent Patent attorney Iwao MishinaFigure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] A data band is provided on a card-shaped base, in which a plurality of data cells are arranged in a straight line to form a track, and a large number of the tracks are arranged in parallel to form a band-like data band. , and a reference line consisting of a non-signal area of a constant width is provided on both longitudinal sides of the data band, and digital information is stored along the track by optical brightness of the data cell. In an optical memory card reading device for reading digital information, (a) an X-Y moving device that relatively moves the card or the carrier on which the card is placed and the sensor in the X-Y direction; b) A sensor and its driving circuit that face at least one of the tracks within a field of view in a range wider than the width of the data band, and digitally detect a pattern of brightness and darkness due to data cells on the track; (c) the above; Detecting the reference line of the data band from the digital information sent from the sensor, extracting the data of the track portion from the digital information and temporarily storing it,
and (d) based on the status information, the sensor and the card are configured to cause the X-Y moving device to include the data band within the field of view of the sensor. (e) data storage means for reading and accumulating data temporarily stored in the reading control means; An optical memory card reading device comprising: