JPS63222302A - Reader/writer for portable medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control fine adjustment of the rotation angle of a head and to prevent surreptitious use, falsification, or the like of data by providing an angle detecting means which detects the rotation angle of the head and setting the magnetic recording direction of a magnetic card to an arbitrary angle. CONSTITUTION:Information related to rotation of a magnetic head for read and write of data stored in a magnetic card 1 is encoded to a magnetic bar code 1B, and this bar code is printed on the rear side of the magnetic card 1 while changing the magnetic material or its quantity for each magnetic bar. When the magnetic card is inserted to a slot 11, the magnetic bar code is read by a magnetic bar code sensor 29, and the rotation position is detected by a potentiometer 33 in a magnetic head 27, and the magnetic head 27 is rotated around the axis vertical to the magnetic card 1 through a belt 32 by a head rotating motor 31. By this constitution, the direction of magnetic recording of an arrow 1A is set to various arbitrary angles for each card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a portable medium reading/writing device that can prevent falsification and theft of data.

(Prior Art) FIGS. 8 and 9 show the structure of a conventional magnetic card.

The magnetic card shown in each figure has a resin card body with a number of n+m
It has ~10 to 101 tripes.

Conventionally, magnetic recording on magnetic cards has been mainly carried out in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the magnetic stripe, as shown in FIG. However, in such a recording method, since the magnetization direction (the angle between the gap of the optical head and the magnetic stripe) is determined, there is a risk that the recorded data can be easily read and falsified or stolen.

For this reason, as shown in Figure 9, there is a known structure in which recording is performed diagonally with respect to the length direction of the magnetic tape, so that the data cannot be read by a normally arranged magnetic head. .

However, in the conventional magnetic cards mentioned above, the recording direction was either perpendicular or diagonal to the length direction of the magnetic tape, so if the direction is known, it can be determined whether the recording direction is perpendicular or diagonal. If you point a magnetic head at the target, the data can be easily read, making it easy to steal or tamper with the data.

For this reason, it is conceivable to record magnetic data in any direction to prevent fraud such as data theft or falsification.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In this way, when magnetic data is recorded in any direction on a magnetic card to prevent data theft, falsification, etc.
The magnetic head of the read/write device must also be configured to rotate in accordance with the recording direction of magnetic data.

Then, it became necessary that the magnetization direction of the data recorded on the magnetic card and the magnetic head for reading the data be in the same direction. However, if slippage occurs in a belt or pulley in a drive mechanism that rotates the magnetic head, there is a problem in that it becomes difficult to accurately detect the direction of the magnetic head.

If the direction of this magnetic head differs even slightly from the magnetization direction of data recorded on the magnetic card, accurate reading or writing of data will not be possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a portable medium reading/writing device that allows fine adjustment control of the rotation angle of a magnetic head.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a head that reads or transfers information from a recording area provided on a portable medium; a head direction rotation means for rotating the head direction to vary the recording direction of the head with respect to the recording area of the portable medium; and an angle detection means for detecting the direction of the head rotated by the head direction rotation means. It is characterized by having the following.

(Operation) In the present invention, the head reads or embeds information into a recording area provided on an inserted portable medium.

This head rotates and records in order to vary the recording direction with respect to the recording area of the portable medium, and the rotation direction at this time is detected by the angle detection means. Based on this detected angle, minute angle control of the head is performed.

(Example) Figure 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in which (A) is a front view showing the internal configuration, (B) is a plan view, and (C) is a front view showing the internal configuration. ) is a left side view. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a magnetic card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This magnetic card is a flexible magnetic card, and the user purchases this card in advance as, for example, an expressway usage card. Every time you use an expressway, it is inserted into a processing device that has a reading/input device shown in Figure 1 placed at each entrance and exit, and the contents are read 11, and new data is written and the correctness of the written data is checked. After this has been checked, the date of use, the exit of the expressway used, the remaining amount, etc. are printed on the front of the card, as shown in Figure 2 (A).

Furthermore, a magnetic barcode 1B is preprinted on the back side of the magnetic card 1. This magnetic barcode 1
B indicates encoded information regarding the rotation of the magnetic head when data stored in the magnetic card 1 is read or written by the magnetic head, as will be described later. Therefore, it goes without saying that the card does not have the magnetic barcode 1B printed on the predetermined force point of the card, but if the magnetic barcode 1B is printed on the predetermined force point, the rotating direction of the magnetic head indicated by this magnetic barcode is If the pattern of the magnetic data does not match the pattern of the recorded magnetic data in the recording direction, the recorded data cannot be read. Therefore, fraud such as theft or falsification of recorded data can be prevented.

The magnetic barcode 1B of this embodiment is made of a magnetic material such as gamma iron oxide or barium ferrite.

In particular, in this embodiment, the amount of magnetic material or the magnetic material itself is changed for each magnetic bar.

In other words, the amount of magnetic material (magnetic ink) for each magnetic bar
Alternatively, by changing the magnetic material, the magnetic layer of each magnetic bar can be changed. Therefore, unlike conventional magnetic barcodes, the structure of a magnetic barcode cannot be understood at first glance; the information contained in a magnetic barcode can be read by reading the differences in the magnetic layer of each bar with a magnetic barcode sensor. It will be done.

In this way, the magnetic barcode 1B is constructed by changing the magnetic material or magnetic material for each bar of each magnetic barcode 1B and combining these, so the data content of the magnetic barcode can be easily changed. There is no risk of it being read. Further, by setting a magnetic material or a plurality of magnetic materials, it is possible to configure magnetic bar codes 1B with various amounts of magnetism, so it is possible to increase the number of patterns that can be expressed by the magnetic barcode 1B.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the magnetic card.

This magnetic card 1 is made by laminating a magnetic layer 3 on one side of a PET resin layer 2 with a thickness of about 200μ, and then laminating a tin layer 4 with a thickness of about 600A on the magnetic layer 3. It is constructed by laminating a protective layer 5 on a tin layer 4.

The magnetic layer 3 is made of gamma iron oxide or barium ferrite, and has a high magnetism of about 2700 (Oe).

Furthermore, the tin layer 4 is melted by the heating from the thermal head during printing, as shown by the symbol A in FIG.
3 is exposed, thereby making a predetermined print.

FIG. 4 shows the magnetic recording section 1 of the magnetic card 1 in this embodiment.
This diagram schematically shows the data recording state of Δ.

The figure shows an example in which one bit string is composed of 8-bit magnetic data, and the magnetization direction of each bit string is different for each bit string. For example, the first bit string is oriented vertically, the second bit string is oriented approximately 45 degrees to the left, etc.
, the fifth and sixth bit strings are magnetized in the direction of approximately 45 degrees to the right.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the direction of magnetic recording can be determined not only in the vertical direction but also at various angles in the left and right diagonal directions, so that a large number of magnetic recording directions can be set for each card. As a result, fraud such as theft or falsification of written data can be prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the magnetic recording section 1A is particularly divided into three parts, and a code for determining the rotating direction of the magnetic head can also be stored in the first block 1A1. Also,
The next two blocks IA2 and IA3 store magnetic data and rule data for reading this magnetic data.

For example, if rule data is stored to invert and read the data stored in each block 1A2 or 1A3, if the magnetic data is 10110011'', it is read as inverted ``01001100''.

This configuration further prevents fraud such as theft or falsification of magnetic data.

The device shown in FIG. 1 performs magnetic data processing such as reading and writing magnetic data on a magnetic card and checking the write flow data, and also prints necessary information on the surface of the magnetic card after processing the magnetic data. and discharged outside the device.

In FIG. 1, the magnetic card 1 inserted through the insertion slot 11 is transported by a first conveyance roller 13 provided on a conveyance path 12. Platen roller 15. Second conveyance roller 17. There are a third conveyance roller 19 and a first conveyance roller.

Each of these rollers 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 is belt-driven by a pulse motor (conveyance motor) 23 via a boot provided for each roller. Further, each conveyance roller 13, 17, 19 and 21 is driven by a pulse motor 23.
The rollers 13, 17, 19, and 21 rotate in the same direction as the pulse motor 23, and as the pulse motor 23 rotates in the opposite direction, the rollers 13, 17, 19, and 21 also rotate in the opposite direction.

On the other hand, the platen roller 15 always rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, regardless of whether the pulse motor 23 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, as will be described later.

Directly above the platen roller 15, a thermal head 25 having a depth approximately equal to the width of the magnetic card 1 is arranged to face and print on the surface of the magnetic card being conveyed.

Further, a magnetic head 27 is placed directly above the third conveyance roller 19.
is provided to read and write data in the magnetic card.

Furthermore, a magnetic barcode sensor 29 is disposed on the conveyance path 12 at an approximately intermediate position between the third conveyance roller 19 and the fourth conveyance roller 21, so that the magnetic barcode 1B provided on the magnetic card 1 can be read. It has become.

A first card sensor 35 is installed on the transport path at the end on the insertion port 11 side.
However, a second card sensor 37 is located between the first card sensor 35 and the first transport roller 13, and third and fourth card sensors 39 and 41 are located between the 211th transport roller 17 and the third transport roller 19. But I on the transport path? A fifth card sensor 43 is provided at each end.

Each of the card sensors 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43 is composed of a photo sensor consisting of a pair of light emitting/light receiving elements, for example, and when the leading edge of the card or the rear edge of the card is detected, based on the detection signal. Controls such as forward/reverse rotation of the motor and printing timing are executed.

A first flapper 50 and a twenty-seventh flapper 60 are provided in the conveyance path 12 between the first conveyance roller 13 and the platen roller 15 and between the platen roller 15 and the 21st conveyance roller 17 for switching the card conveyance path. .

Next, reading the magnetic card in the device of this embodiment,
Write processing will be explained.

Platen roller 15. The magnetic barcode of the magnetic card 1 transported by the second transport O-roller 17 and the third transport roller 19 is read by the magnetic barcode sensor 29 .

As mentioned above, this magnetic barcode contains information that determines the rotational direction of the magnetic head 27 when checking the reading, writing, and writing of data stored or recorded in the recording section of the magnetic card 1, that is, the magnetic barcode. The recording pattern is shown as a barcode.

The magnetic head 27 is a head rotation motor (pulse motor)
31, the magnetic card 1 is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the magnetic card 1 via a belt 32. Further, this magnetic head 27 is a combination head for both reading and writing.

Further, in this embodiment, a potentiometer 33 for specifically detecting the rotation angle of the magnetic head 27 is attached to the rotation shaft of the 11-magnetic head 27, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the potentiometer 33.

A slider 33a is attached to the rotating shaft 27a of the magnetic head 27. Also, a cylinder 33 centered on this rotation axis
b is composed of a resistor. And the magnetic head 27
The slider 33a rotates in accordance with the rotation of the slider 33a, and a voltage proportional to its position is output.

In this embodiment, the potentiometer 33 for detecting the rotational position of the magnetic head 27 is provided in the magnetic head 27, so that it is possible to detect not only the initial position but also the detected angle of the magnetic head 27 and the target angle. By employing feedback control for matching, etc., fine position control of the magnetic head 27 can be performed. Furthermore, since the potentiometer 33 is provided within the magnetic head 27, angle detection can be easily and easily performed without requiring a large mounting space.

By the way, if the angle control of the magnetic head 27 becomes impossible due to an accident in the software of the control device, which will be described later, for example, the magnetic head 27 will fly off, and if it rotates in the same direction many times, it will break the control cord line of the magnetic head 27. There is a fear.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a stopper 33c is provided in the potentinometer to prevent it from rotating more than 45 degrees left and right from the initial position (the position where writing is performed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the card).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the control system of this device.

This device has a control unit 10 configured with a CPU as the control center.
1, and each of the card sensors 35 to 4
3 are connected via an A/D converter 103. In addition, the transport motor 23. The head rotation motor 31 and the thermal head 25 are connected to separate driver circuits 105, 107 and 1, respectively.
It is connected via 09. Furthermore, the magnetic head 27
The potentiometer 33 that detects the rotation angle of Δ/D conversion P! 1111.

In addition, the control unit 101 includes the magnetic barcode sensor 29. Main memory 113 and memory 115 are connected.

The main memory 115 is composed of a ROM, and stores a control program for the entire system. Further, the memory 115 stores a print pattern to be printed on the magnetic card 1 via the thermal head 25.

In such a configuration, when the magnetic card 1 is inserted from the insertion slot 11, the first card sensor 35 detects the card 1.
The tip of the is detected. As a result, a motor drive signal is sent from the control unit 101 to the driver 105, and the transport motor 23 is rotated.

The magnetic card 1 is transferred to the first transport roller 13. Platen roller 1
5. It is conveyed via the second conveyance roller 17 and the third conveyance roller 19. Then, when the card 1 passes over the magnetic barcode sensor 29, the magnetic barcode 1B is read and supplied to the control unit 101.

When the leading end of the magnetic card 1 is detected by the fifth card pincer 43, the controller 101 sends the driver 108 to the motor 23.
A reverse rotation command is output, and the card 1 is conveyed to the insertion slot side. In the middle of sending llI2, card 1
Recorded data in the magnetic recording section is read by the magnetic head 27. At this time, the magnetic head 27 is rotated according to the rotation pattern indicated by the magnetic barcode. Therefore, if the rotation pattern indicated by the magnetic barcode and the rotation pattern during magnetic recording do not match, the data cannot be read.

When the leading end of the magnetic card 1 from which the recorded data has been read is detected by the fourth card sensor 41, the motor 2 is activated again.
3 rotates in the opposite direction, and is conveyed to the magnetic head 27, whereupon new data is written to the magnetic recording section of the magnetic card 1.

Then, the tip of the card 1 is connected to a fifth card sensor 43.
When detected, the card 1 is conveyed to the ejection side, and the data recorded on the magnetic card 1 is read by the magnetic head 27. Through this reading, it is checked whether the data has been recorded correctly.

After the data check, the magnetic card 1 is transferred to the second conveyance roller 1
It is transported up to 7. Then, the magnetic card 1 is conveyed by the flapper 60 between the platen roller 15 and the thermal head 25, and the thermal head 25 prints a predetermined character on the surface of the card. The printing timing is determined by the time set by a timer in the control section 101, which starts from the time when the leading end of the magnetic card 1 on the insertion side is detected by the third card sensor 39. - Then, the printed magnetic card 1 is transferred to the first conveyance roller 1
3 and is discharged from the insertion port 11.

When the insertion-side leading end of the magnetic card 1 is detected by the first card sensor 35, the pulse motor 23 stops, and the series of processes ends.

[Advantageous Effects of the Invention 1] As explained above, according to the present invention, since the angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the head is provided, it is possible to further finely adjust the rotation angle of the head based on the detected angle. Precise reading and precise writing of data recorded on a portable medium becomes possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the magnetic card reading and
It is a block diagram of a writing device, the same figure (A) is a front view, the same figure (
B) is a plan view, FIG. 2(C) is a left side view, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a magnetic card according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the magnetic card. , FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing examples of recording of the same magnetic force into the magnetic recording section, and FIG.
The figure shows a button 9 (1) in an embodiment of the present invention.
) HA diagram, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing examples of data recording in a conventional magnetic card. 15.
...Platen roller 25...Thermal head 27...Magnetic head

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A head that reads or writes information to a recording area provided on a portable medium, and a head that rotates the head direction to vary the recording direction of this head with respect to the recording area of the portable medium. A portable medium reading/writing device comprising: a direction rotation means; and an angle detection means for detecting the direction of the head rotated by the head direction rotation means.