KR20230024786A - Media storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medium storage device that enables to classify and store large amounts and various mediums, and enables management for each medium by enabling easy insertion and discharge of the medium even when storing large amounts and various mediums. The medium storage device is equipped with: a frame; and a plurality of stackers, in the frame at predetermined intervals along a first direction, attachably/detachably coupled to a first frame to form a plurality of slots opened in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Description

Media storage device {MEDIA STORAGE DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a media storage device, and in particular, enables to classify and store a large amount or multiple types of media, facilitates inputting and discharging of media even when a large amount or multiple types of media is stored, and manages each medium. It relates to a media storage device that enables.

Mediums such as credit cards have been used by many users for a long time as a means to replace cash. In recent years, the use of media that can be used with various functions in addition to the function as a simple cash substitute has greatly increased due to the increase in usability and the expansion of services.

Taking the case of a card among these media as an example, in the past, the materials of an unissued card, called a blank card, are stored in a place such as a safe by type or use at a branch that issues a card, and if issuance of a card is required, this blank card is inserted into the issuing device to proceed with the issuing process. Through this, the usable state, that is, the issued card is delivered to the customer.

Such a conventional media issuing device can partially improve convenience and safety by using the issuing device for a part of a media issuing process by an employee. However, since processes such as issuance, storage, and inventory management of media are still performed by employees, accidents due to mistakes are highly likely, and a lot of time, effort, and manpower are required for issuance and management, which is very inefficient.

In particular, a conventional media issuing device has the advantage of issuing a plurality of media when necessary by accommodating a plurality of media therein. Such a conventional media issuing device uses a method of simply stacking and storing a plurality of media therein and sequentially withdrawing and issuing the media. For this reason, the conventional media issuing device has a limitation in that it is difficult to accommodate and selectively issue media of various types and purposes, and thus has to be used in a limited manner.

Moreover, since the media for issuance are simply stacked and stored, inventory management through the media issuing device is impossible, and inventory management requires an employee to manually check the number and type of media stored inside. There is a problem. That is, the conventional media issuing device still relies on manual work for major functions, resulting in low accuracy, high possibility of errors or accidents, and inefficient operation.

In order to improve this, a method for easily checking and managing the quantity and type of media stored in a different way than before is being sought. However, it is difficult to accommodate a large amount of media according to the sought methods, and when a large amount of media is stored, it is cumbersome to withdraw the stored media or insert the media into the storage position. Furthermore, although a process of directly handling media by an operator is required when a device malfunctions or errors occur or when actual inspection is in progress, it is not easy to apply a storage method that can satisfy all of the above-mentioned needs to a media issuing device. .

Registered Patent No. 10-1965831, "Card Issuing Device and Financial Device"

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and to accommodate a large amount and many types of media separately, and to facilitate the input and discharge of media even when a large amount and many types of media are stored, An object of the present invention is to provide a media storage device capable of managing each medium.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a medium storage device that allows an administrator to easily contact and check stored media when directly contacting them.

To achieve the above object, a media storage device according to the present invention includes a frame; A plurality of stackers detachably coupled to the first frame at predetermined intervals along the first direction to the frame to form a plurality of slots open in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

A circuit unit installed on one of two surfaces in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions and including a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a medium in each of the plurality of slots.

It further includes a fixing member installed on one of the two surfaces of the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions and pressurizing the medium put into the slot.

The frame has a concave-convex portion formed along the first direction on a surface coupled to the stacker, and the stacker is fitted into the concave portion of the concave-convex portion.

The stacker has a narrow portion having a narrower width than the width of the medium is formed at the first edge.

The stacker has an inclined portion connecting one end of the narrow portion and a second edge or a fourth edge adjacent to the first edge.

The first edge is an edge facing a feeder unit that inserts or withdraws the medium from the slot.

The stacker has a stepped portion formed at a second edge or a fourth edge in contact with the concavo-convex portion.

A fixing protrusion is formed on the second edge or the fourth edge.

The stacker has a first groove formed at a third corner facing one side in the second direction.

A subframe for opening and closing the slot is disposed on one side in the second direction facing the third edge.

The stacker has a second groove formed at a second or fourth edge facing the fixing member.

The narrow portion or the inclined portion is formed with a slope.

The media storage device according to the present invention is capable of classifying and storing a large amount of various types of media, facilitating input and output of the media even when storing a large amount of various types of media, and enabling management of each medium. do.

In addition, the media storage device according to the present invention enables an administrator to easily contact and check the stored media when it is necessary to directly contact the stored media.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of a media management device in which a stacker and a media storage device according to the present invention may be used;
2 is a block diagram briefly showing the internal configuration of a management device including a stacker and a media storage device according to the present invention;
3 is an exemplary view showing a hopper of a storage unit;
4 is an exemplary view showing a circuit unit and a medium fixing member provided in a hopper;
5 is an exemplary view showing a specific form of a stacker used for the hopper of FIG. 3;

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described so that those skilled in the art can easily implement it with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawing numbers indicated on the components in the accompanying drawings use the same reference numbers as much as possible when indicating the same components in other drawings. In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or known configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. And certain features presented in the drawings are enlarged, reduced, or simplified for ease of explanation, and the drawings and their components are not necessarily drawn to scale. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand these details.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of a media management device in which a stacker and a media storage device according to the present invention can be used.

Referring to FIG. 1, a media management device 1 in which a stacker and a media storage device according to the present invention can be used is configured as an independent device, and is connected to an issuing point, a system of an institution, or other network devices as needed. Can optionally be connected. For example, the media management device 1 may be configured in the form of a small box as shown and used by an employee who issues and manages media, or may be manufactured in the form of a kiosk or an automatic issuing machine and installed in various places. can be operated

The medium issuing device 1 is configured to allow internal access only by an authorized manager, and may be configured to enable only issuance and management-related functions and receipt of issued media from the outside.

Specifically, in the media management device 1, a case 11 is coupled to an internal frame to form an internal space together with the frame 10, and devices constituting the media management device 1 are accommodated in this space. Through this, the case 11 isolates the inside from the outside, and can be opened only by an authorized administrator through the door 7 .

The case 11 is provided with devices for using and managing the media management device, such as an interface for media management and issuance, and a media outlet 4 for receiving media when issuing media.

Specifically, the medium outlet 4 penetrates the case 11 and is configured to communicate with the inside, and is connected to the issuing unit provided inside the case 11, so that a part of the medium supplied from the issuing unit is outside the case 11. allow it to protrude into Here, a shelf, pedestal, etc., on which the issued media can be temporarily mounted may be provided at the lower end of the media outlet 4, and in this case, the media is completely discharged through the media outlet 4 and mounted on the shelf or pedestal. You may. The present invention is not limited only by what has been suggested that the medium discharge form through the medium outlet 4 may vary according to the operating method of the medium management device 1 . This media outlet 4 can be used as a media inlet for recovering or replenishing media into the media management device 1 as needed. That is, the media inserted through the media discharge port 4 are transported by the discharge unit in the opposite direction to the issuing direction and delivered to the feeder unit, so that the media can be introduced into the media management device 1 .

Here, the medium may be in the form of a card made of a material such as synthetic resin or paper. In addition, the medium may be configured to enable writing and reading of data by an authorized device such as an IC chip and memory. Also, the medium may be used for purposes equivalent to cash, such as a credit card, cash card, check card, bus card, or membership card, or may be used for proving or authenticating an individual's identity. In particular, the medium managed and issued by the medium management device 1 of the present invention means an unissued medium in which only minimum information, such as medium-specific information or medium type information, is described.

Such medium-specific information is information stored in advance in a process such as a manufacturing process in an unissued medium, and may be a serial number (SN) of the medium. The serial number of the medium may be a card serial number (CSN: Card SN) when the medium is a card, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The medium type information may be, for example, information indicating the type of card when the medium is a card. For example, the media type information on the card may include any one or more of the debit card product type, whether a deferred payment transportation card function is included or not, and the overseas payment network brand type. That is, the medium type information refers to medium classification information for performing a service or function in a field in which the medium is used.

This media management device 1 may be provided with an interface for use and management by a user. The interface may be configured to be exposed to the outside of the case 11 as shown, or may be wirelessly configured by a user terminal such as a smartphone or a computer or a predetermined device such as an ID card. However, in the present invention, for convenience of description, only the case where the interface is provided outside the case 11 will be described, and the radio can be configured with reference to this interface, and the present invention is not limited only by what is presented.

More specifically, interfaces such as a panel 2 , a fingerprint reader 3 , a media outlet 4 , and a security key 5 may be provided outside the case 11 . In addition, devices necessary for security and management of the media management device, such as a Near Field Communication (NFC) pad, camera, and iris recognition, may be additionally configured.

The panel 2 displays information related to the media management device and information required for a media issuance process, while a user's command or information for management or issuance may be input. To this end, the display panel includes a display panel and an input panel, and these may be configured separately, or an input panel in the form of a touch panel may be configured on the display panel. In particular, the panel 2 can be used for inputting information of a user who has delivered a dispensing command for issuing media.

In particular, the panel 2 may be configured such that a command for audit or inventory management is input, and spot information is output according to audit or inventory identification.

The fingerprint reader 3 is provided to verify the identity of a user or manager who wants to use the media management device 1 . For example, the fingerprint reader 3 is provided to reconfirm the identity of a user who wants to perform a series of actions such as controlling functions of the media management device 1, information inquiry, opening a door, and issuing media through the panel 2. . Here, in the present invention, it is described as a fingerprint recognizer 3, but as described above, it is suggested that it can be replaced with various authentication devices such as iris, face, or voice recognition, or they can be mixed to limit the present invention. no.

The security key 5 is provided to open or close the door 7 of the case 11 . To this end, a locking device may be provided in the case 11 so that the case 11 can be opened by the security key 5 or maintained in a locked state. On the other hand, the security key 5 can be replaced by the panel 1, and does not necessarily have to be provided.

In the above, the external appearance of the media management device of the present invention has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited by the bar presented, and can be modified in various forms. Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the media management device 1 will be described in more detail with reference to other drawings.

2 is a block diagram briefly showing the internal configuration of a management device including a stacker and a media storage device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is composed of a frame 10, issuing unit 20, cassette unit 30, storage device 50, feeder unit 70 and control unit 90, and collects 40 ) may be further included.

The frame 10 forms a space inside together with the case 11 to accommodate the issuing unit 20, the cassette unit 30, the storage device 50, the feeder unit 70, and the control unit 90. At this time, the case 11 is coupled to the outside of the frame 10 to isolate the inside and outside. In addition, the frame 10 is combined with the issuing unit 20, the cassette unit 30, and the storage device 50 installed inside the case 11 to fix and support them, and to enable the feeder unit 70 to operate. play a supporting role. To this end, the frame 10 may include a plurality of sub-frames classified according to functions or shapes, and the case 11 may be coupled to the outside of the frame 10 .

As described above, the case 11 has a role of preventing unauthorized users from accessing and allowing only authorized users to access the internal device, and a control device for using and managing the media management device 1, e.g. For example, a device such as panel 2 may be configured. The device provided in the case 11 may have various interfaces, and the panel 2 is included in the interface in that it transmits an administrator's or user's command to the control unit 90 and outputs and provides the result. . In particular, the interface provided on the inside or outside of the case 11 includes a wireless data communication device, for example, a device for communication with a device communicating by Bluetooth, ZigBee, infrared communication, NFC (Near Field Communication), or A wired communication device such as USB may be provided. These devices may form a communication channel for command input instead of the panel 2, and deliver operation results of the media management device 1, particularly audit and inventory management information, to terminals or network devices having management authority. It is also possible to form a communication channel for

The issuing unit 20 proceeds with a process of issuing any one of the media stored in the slot 51 of the storage device 50 under the control of the control unit 90, and the issuing process ends the medium through the medium outlet ( 4) discharged through To this end, the issuing unit 20 receives the medium supplied through the feeder unit 70, records the medium issuing information on the medium, and discharges the medium. For example, if the medium is a card, the issuing unit 20 may issue the medium by recording user information of the card as medium issuing information in the IC chip of the card. Since this medium issuance process is the same as or similar to a normal card issuance process, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, in the issuing process performed by the issuing unit 20, a process of writing information that makes the medium usable is performed in the medium.

Also, the issuing unit 20 may be used as an inlet through which media to be stored in the storage device 50 is input. That is, the issuing unit 20 may deliver the input, ie replenished medium, to the feeder unit 70 through the medium discharge port 4 . Here, the issuing unit 20 may check the medium-specific information of the medium input through the medium discharge port 4 and transmit it to the control unit 90 . In this case, the process of confirming medium-specific information by the feeder unit 70 and transferring it to the control unit 90 can be omitted. In addition, the issuing unit 20 may collect information such as additional information, inspection information, and code information of the medium input through the medium discharge port 4 for the supplemented medium and transmit it to the control unit 90 .

To this end, the issuing unit 20 includes a transfer device that transfers the media transported by the feeder unit 70 inside the issuance unit 20, and a writing device that writes media issuance information on the media transferred from the inside. It can be. Here, the writing device may also include a function of reading information recorded on the medium.

On the other hand, the issuing unit 20 may process the appearance of the medium in addition to the registration information, obtain the information of the issued medium or the information of the supplemented medium in a different form, transfer it to the control unit 90, or perform an inspection process. there is.

Specifically, the issuing unit 20 may have a pattern, image, or text written on the surface of a medium, such as printing, and may process the surface shape for pressurization or heat treatment, if necessary. Through this, it is possible to express the text in a three-dimensional form by forming irregularities. To this end, the issuing unit 20 may include any one of a printing device, a press device, and a heat treatment device for processing the appearance of media.

In addition, the issuance unit 40 may collect and store additional information related to the medium in addition to medium issuance information recorded on the medium and medium-specific information stored for each medium. This additional information may be information obtained by scanning or photographing the exterior. Such scanning or photographing information may acquire medium information using signals of various wavelengths such as ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, and X-rays in addition to visible light. To this end, the issuing unit 20 may include a scanner or camera for collecting such information. Here, the additional information can be performed when the medium is replenished in the medium management device 1 through the issuing unit 40 .

The information obtained by scanning or photographing the exterior of the medium by the issuing unit 40 may include code information printed on the outside of the medium, such as a QR code or barcode, in addition to the external image of the medium. In particular, such code information may be printed or attached together with media issuance information by the issuance unit 40 .

Meanwhile, the issuing unit 20 may proceed with a process of inspecting a medium for which a series of processes for issuance have been completed. To this end, the issuing unit 20 may read the recorded information again to check whether a normal reading operation is performed and whether the written information is correct. Alternatively, it can be confirmed whether normal processing has been performed by comparing the above-mentioned other information with the information of the dispensing command. Here, the issuing unit 20 is a medium input through the medium outlet 4 for replenishment.

The issuing unit 20 transmits the collected additional information to the control unit 90 . At this time, the issuing unit 20 may transmit inspection information including inspection results to the control unit 90 when the inspection process is performed on the issued media. Such inspection information may be included in additional information and delivered, or additional information may be included in inspection information and delivered.

The issuing unit 20 may be provided with first collection boxes 40 (40a, 40b). The first collection box 24 may be divided into a plurality of compartments separated from each other, or may be composed of a plurality of collection boxes 40a and 40b as shown. Media that have not been received after issuance may be collected and stored in the first collection box 40 , or media damaged during issuance or media that cannot be issued may be stored in the first collection box 40 . Here, the non-issuance medium may be a card in a state in which information cannot be stored in an IC chip, and the specific issuance impossible state is not specifically limited. When a plurality of compartments are provided in the first collection box 40 or when the first collection box 40 is divided into a plurality of collection boxes 40a and 40b as shown, each compartment or each box 40a , 40b), each medium can be stored separately by setting a different storage location for each medium state, such as a medium damaged during issuance, a medium that cannot be issued, and a medium that has not been received. When the first collection boxes 24 are configured in plurality, they can be installed at other locations of the issuing unit 20 other than the illustrated location.

The issuing unit 20 may deliver the unreceived or unissued medium to the feeder unit 70 so that it may be stored in another collection box or storage device 50 . However, by configuring the first collection box 24 separately in the issuance unit 20, it is possible to reduce the time required to collect and store media, and improve the convenience of management by clearly distinguishing media from unissued media.

The cassette unit 30 stores media to be stored or replenished in the storage device 30 . The cassette unit 30 may be composed of a cassette box (not shown) in which media is stored and a loading box (not shown) in which the cassette box is detachably attached.

In the cassette unit 30, media to be stored in the storage device 50 are stacked and stored regardless of media. That is, the cassette unit 31 is formed to have one space in the form of a cylinder or container, and a plurality of media are accommodated in the formed internal space, and the stored media are stored in contact with each other. The media loaded in the cassette unit 30 are separated into sheets and transported to the slot 51 of the storage device 50 to be stored.

To this end, the cassette unit 30 may include a separation device for separating and discharging the loaded media in sheets. For example, the separation device may be provided in the loading box 32 in which the cassette box 31 is accommodated, and may be configured to withdraw media one by one from the bottom of the cassette box. For example, the medium may be separated and discharged by pushing the medium in a direction crossing the medium stacking direction by means of a motor or actuator coupled thereto and reciprocating or rotating in one direction, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the cassette box 31 may be provided with an opening on a contact surface with the loading box 32 so that the operating body and the medium can be brought into contact and the contacted medium can be discharged.

Meanwhile, a medium pressurizing device (not shown) may be provided in the cassette box 31 to move or press the stored medium in one direction, for example, in the direction of the loading box 32 . This medium pressurizing device may be configured through a support that contacts the medium, an elastic member that presses the support in one direction, and a rail or guide coupled to the support so that the support moves at a designated position, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Here, the loading box 32 is fixedly installed at a designated position of the frame 10, and only the cassette box 31 can be separated and combined when replenishing media. In addition, although FIG. 2 shows an example in which one cassette unit 30 is configured, the present invention is not limited only by the fact that the cassette unit 30 may be configured in plural.

The storage device 50 stores a plurality of media pending issuance. The storage device 50 is provided with a plurality of slots 51 into which media are inserted so that a plurality of media to be stored can be divided into individual sheets and stored. The slot 51 may be provided for each rack or hopper (53, hereinafter, both the rack and the hopper will be collectively referred to as 'hopper': 53a, 53b), and a plurality of stackers 51 are coupled to the hopper 53. can be provided. To this end, a plurality of hoppers 53 may be configured, and each hopper 53 may be provided with a different number of slots 51 . In this case, the size or spacing of the slots 51 provided for each hopper 53 may be configured differently. Here, the size of the slot 51 may mean any one of the thickness, horizontal and vertical lengths of the medium to be accommodated.

Meanwhile, each slot 51 may have location information, and this location information may be managed by the control unit 90. For example, the location information of the slot 51 may be represented by information such as the number of slot 51 of which hopper 53a to 53b. When a medium is input through the positional information of the slot 51, medium-specific information and positional information are mapped and stored, and when there is no medium-specific information mapped to the positional information of the slot 51, the corresponding slot 51 may be recognized as an empty slot 51.

A sensor may be installed in this slot 51 . The sensor may be installed for each slot 51 to detect the presence or absence of a medium and transmit the detection result to the control unit 90 or the feeder unit 70. The sensor may be configured as a contact sensor or an optical sensor, but this does not limit the present invention, and various types of sensors can be selected and applied as long as they can check the presence or absence of a medium in the slot.

The feeder unit 70 is responsible for moving media inside the media management device 1 . The feeder unit 70 picks up the media from the cassette unit 30 or the issuing unit 20, puts it into the slot 51 and stores it, and also takes out the media stored in the slot 51 to issue the issuing unit 40. put into To this end, the feeder unit 70 operates under the control of the control unit 90 and performs movement, insertion and discharge operations by a driving device. Here, the feeder unit 70 transfers the unit stored in the storage device 50 to the second collection box 40c for media recovery according to inspection or inspection.

In particular, the feeder unit 70 reads medium-specific information from the picked-up medium and delivers the read medium-specific information to the control unit 90. Through this, the feeder unit 70 can check the media that is currently transferred and stored or discharged from the storage device 50, manages by mapping location information to unique information of the media, or manages according to issuance or collection progress. be able to perform Here, when the feeder unit 70 retrieves the medium stored in the storage device 50 for inspection or inspection, it can check the medium-specific information of the retrieved medium and transmit it to the control unit 90 again. The location information of the slot 51 that has been used can also be transmitted again together.

Here, the information identified by the feeder unit 70 is information recorded on the medium, and as described above, only the medium type information may be written instead of the medium specific information, or both the medium specific information and the medium type information may be written. may have been recorded. In this case, the feeder unit 70 may read the medium type information instead of the medium-specific information and transmit it to the control unit 90. When a plurality of information is recorded, only one information is identified and transmitted to the control unit 90, All confirmed information may be transmitted to the control unit 90 . Hereinafter, checking the medium-specific information may be regarded as confirming the medium type information or both the medium type information and the medium-specific information in this way, and this is equally applied to information processing using the same.

Specifically, the control unit 90 designates the storage location of the medium by using the medium-specific information provided by the feeder unit 70, the feeder unit 70 receives the storage location, and inputs the medium to the corresponding location. and can be saved. Alternatively, after the feeder unit 70 finds the empty slot 51 and inserts the corresponding medium, the medium-specific information and the location information of the slot 51 into which the corresponding medium is inserted may be transmitted to the control unit 90 . Thereafter, the control unit 90 may map, store, and manage the medium-specific information transmitted from the feeder unit 70 and location information. Meanwhile, medium type information may be mapped with location information and stored in addition to or instead of medium specific information and location information.

By allowing the media-specific information of the feeder unit 70 to be checked, the feeder unit 70 can directly check and transmit the media-specific information to the control unit 90 without using the issuing unit 20 to check the medium. there will be In addition, when inspecting or inspecting the media, the feeder unit 70 checks the media-specific information at the location where the media to be inspected is taken out, and then moves the media as needed or reinserts it into the slot 51. It is possible to reduce the time required for

When replenishing media, the feeder unit 70 picks up the media stored in the cassette unit 30 and directly inserts the media into the slot 51 at a position designated by the control unit 90. Even when the issuing unit 20 is used to replenish the medium, the issuing unit 20 only transfers the medium without going through the process of verifying the medium-specific information, and the feeder unit 70 checks the medium-specific information, so replenishment is made. you can make it

Alternatively, as described above, the feeder unit 70 may transmit the location information of the slot 51 into which the medium is inserted to the control unit 90 as medium input information together with medium-specific information in the process of replenishing the medium. To this end, in a situation such as replenishment of a large amount of media, inputting of all media and acquisition of location information thereof is completed, and media input information of all supplemented media is transmitted to the control unit 90, and the control unit 90 It can be mapped and stored. Through this, it is possible to enable the control unit 90 to recognize and manage the media inserted into all slots 51 of the storage device 50 by type while ensuring fast media replenishment.

Similarly, even when media is checked according to inspection or inspection, or media is transferred to the second collection box 40c, the feeder unit 70 reconfirms each media, that is, media-specific information and location information read again. may be accumulated, and the accumulated information may be delivered to the control unit 90 after the recovery of the medium is completed.

The control unit 90 controls the overall functions of the media management device including media insertion, issuance, collection, data collection, inspection and inspection. Specifically, the control unit 90 can store, manage, and issue a large number of media of various types. In addition, the control unit 90 acquires and uses medium-specific information and location information of the medium for such management and issuance, and in particular, may obtain additional information related to the medium and use it for management and issuance. In addition, the control unit 90 performs inventory management based on this information, and performs audit and inventory management to determine whether data is matched with the actual storage medium according to a manager's command or a predetermined cycle.

Specifically, the control unit 90 can store, manage, and issue a large number of media of various types. To this end, the control unit 90 maps and stores media-specific information or media type information and location information according to the storage of the media introduced into the media management device 1 through the cassette unit 30 or the issuing unit 20. and used for management and issuance. As described above, the control unit 90 controls the feeder unit 70 to store media in the storage device 50, and receives media-specific information or media type information through the feeder unit 70 to obtain location information and It may be mapped and stored, or the feeder unit 70 may receive data in which media-specific information or media type information and location information are matched, map them, and store and manage them.

In this process, the control unit 90 may determine the storage location of a specific medium to classify and store the medium. The storage location of such a medium may be determined by a manager and does not necessarily have to be determined by the control unit 90 .

In addition, although the control unit 90 may take the lead in controlling the feeder unit 70, as described above, the feeder unit 70 processes the command generated from the control unit 90 by itself and only outputs the result. It can be transmitted to the control unit (90). Hereinafter, it will be described assuming that a series of processes are performed by the control unit 90 except for cases where it is necessary to clearly distinguish subjects in the control process. However, this process includes that it may be performed by the issuing unit 20 or the feeder unit 70, and does not necessarily have to be performed only by the control unit 90.

When the aforementioned storage location is designated by the manager, it may be transmitted to the control unit 90 through the manager terminal or input through the panel 2 . Accordingly, the control unit 90 may allocate the slot 51 according to the location designation and control the feeder unit 70 to store the medium in the allocated slot 51 . And, according to the media storage, the media specific information or media type information obtained from the feeder unit 70 is mapped and stored with the location information, and media management, issuance, collection, inspection and audit procedures are performed by the stored mapping data. .

To this end, the control unit 90 may include a processor for performing a series of calculations and controls, a memory for storing information, and a communication interface or communication module for communication with the manager terminal or panel 2.

In addition, the control unit 90 records the medium issuance information for enabling use of the medium stored in the storage device 50 on the medium according to a dispensing command input through the panel 2 or an external device such as a user terminal, so that the medium discharge port (14) proceeds with the issuance process. For example, if the medium is a card, the user information of the card may be recorded as medium issuance information in an IC chip provided in the card, and the recorded medium may be issued. As described through the issuing unit 20, this procedure is the same as or similar to a normal card issuing procedure, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. To this end, the dispensing command may include medium issuance information and be transmitted. Such a dispensing command can be extracted from information input by a bank employee dealing with a customer or a user who proceeds to issue a medium for electronic issuance.

The control unit 90 may determine the recording time of the medium issuance information. Specifically, when the dispensing command is transmitted, the control unit 90 may control the issuing unit 20 to proceed with a process right before the point in time of writing the medium issuing information and to maintain a standby state thereafter. In addition, the control unit 90, when the authentication information of the user or administrator who delivered the disbursement command is input through the panel 2 or issuance is requested from a server or other network device, does not record the media on standby. The issuance unit 20 may be controlled to write issuance information and discharge through the medium outlet 14 . Through this, the medium management apparatus 1 of the present invention can accurately deliver the usable medium to the user who issued the issuance command.

In this way, the control unit 90 can store and manage a plurality of media and various types of media by mapping and managing media-specific information or media type information with location information. In particular, the control unit 90 can group and manage media by type by designating various types of media by a manager or by designating the location of the control unit 90, and grasping whether replenishment of each type of media is necessary. you can manage it.

In addition, the control unit 90 acquires and uses medium-specific information and location information of the medium for such management and issuance, and in particular, may obtain additional information related to the medium and use it for management and issuance.

Specifically, the control unit 90 may map and manage medium-specific information or medium type information with location information for each medium. The control unit 90 may add other information to the mapping data and use it for management and issuance.

In addition, the control unit 90 performs inventory management based on this information, and performs audit and inventory management to determine whether data is matched with the actual storage medium according to a manager's command or a predetermined cycle.

The control unit 90 performs inventory management such as checking the quantity and type of media stored therein according to a command transmitted from a server or a network device connected to the panel 2 or the media management device 1 or according to a predetermined cycle. Automatic auditing can be performed. Here, the server or network device may be a terminal of a manager having authority to manage or operate the media management device 1 or a system or device of a branch office for issuing media.

Specifically, the control unit 90 may check whether a medium corresponding to the quantity described in the data exists using the mapping data and the detection result of the sensor installed in each of the slots 51 . That is, the control unit 90 determines whether a medium is present at a location where a medium is present in the mapping data and whether a medium is present in an empty slot, and for this purpose, may check a detected value of a sensor. At this time, the control unit 90 may control the sensor to generate a detected value at the time of inspection.

3 is an exemplary view showing a hopper of the storage unit, and FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a circuit unit and a medium fixing member provided in the hopper.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the storage unit of the present invention may be provided with one or more hoppers 53 having a plurality of stackers 51 .

The hopper 53 forms a storage space for dividing and storing media into sheets. In particular, the hopper 53 may detect whether or not the medium is stored in the slot 52, which is a storage space, and deliver the detected medium to the control unit 90. To this end, the hopper 53 may include a frame 110 (110a to 110e), a stacker 51, a circuit unit 120, and a fixing member 130.

The frame 110 is provided for fixing and installing the stacker 51, the circuit unit 120, and the fixing member 130, and serves to couple and fix them to the frame of the media management device. To this end, the frame 110 is manufactured using materials such as metal and hard synthetic resin, and may be configured as a double frame. The outer frame is formed of a metal material, and an inner frame molded using synthetic resin may be provided inside the outer frame, but this is only presented as an example and can be applied in various forms.

The frame 110 is coupled by stacking stackers 51 in a first direction, for example, in a direction from the bottom to the top of the media management device, and media is inserted or discharged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. can be opened To this end, the front side 102a in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is opened, and the front side 102a and the rear side 102b may also be opened.

In addition, the frame 110 is configured to be open in the third directions 103a and 103b orthogonal to the first and second directions, so that the frame 110 is provided only on the corner portion and the upper or lower portion parallel to the first direction. can be configured. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 3, description will be made mainly on an example composed of four pillar parts 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d and an upper frame 110e. Here, the frame 110 can insert and discharge media if the front side 102a in the second direction is basically open, and the rear side 102b in the second direction and the third direction 103 must be open. It does not have to be in a form. This can be modified through the embodiment described as depending on the configuration additionally installed in the hopper 53 and the shape and size of the installed configuration, and does not limit the present invention only by what is presented.

Through this, the medium is inserted into or discharged from the slot 51 through the front 102a and the rear 102b in the second direction 102, and in the third direction 103, the media fixing member 130 or It may be used for installation of the circuit unit 120 .

The concave-convex portion 111 for fixing the stacker 51 at predetermined intervals to the frame 110 includes a concave portion 111a, which is a groove into which the stacker 51 is fitted, and a convex portion 111b forming the concave portion 111a. are provided alternately, and the interval between the stackers 51 is determined by the width of the convex portion 111b. To this end, a plurality of recessed parts 111a and convex parts 111b of the uneven part 111 are formed side by side in the first direction.

To this end, the above-described pillar portions 110a to 110d may be configured to have a long cross-sectional shape in a direction parallel to the second direction 102 such that surfaces on which the uneven portions 111 are formed face each other. Also, uneven portions 111 are formed on at least two pillar parts 110a to 110d among the pillar parts 110a to 110d. Through this, the stacker 51 and the frame 110 may be coupled by fitting two of the corners of the stacker 51 into the concave-convex portion 111 .

Meanwhile, the target 112 may be provided on one of the pillar parts 110a to 110d, especially on the side facing the feeder unit 70, for example, the first pillar part 110a. This target 112 may be provided correspondingly when an optical sensor such as a Hall sensor is provided in the feeder unit 70 . A slit 113 may be provided in the target 112 to transmit light from the optical sensor at regular intervals. For example, by calculating the number or spacing of the slits 113 through which the light of the optical sensor passes without being reflected, the feeder unit 70 calculates its own moving speed, moving direction and position, or as auxiliary information for calculating these information. available. In addition, when the sensor provided in the feeder unit 70 is composed of a sensor other than the optical sensor, the target 112 may be changed in shape and material to correspond to the sensor.

The stacker 51 is fitted into the uneven portion 111 to form a slot between adjacent stackers 51 . This stacker 51 will be described in more detail below with reference to other drawings.

The circuit unit 120 may be provided to detect the state of the hopper 53, create sensed information, and transmit the detected information to the control unit 90 or the feeder unit 70. The circuit unit 120 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a plurality of elements mounted on the board. In detail, the circuit unit 120 may include a sensor for detecting whether a medium exists in each slot 52 . The sensor may be provided in plurality to correspond to each slot 52 on the first surface of the circuit unit 120, that is, the surface facing the slot 52. Connectors for connection with other devices and circuit elements for transmitting detection values sensed from each sensor to the control unit 90 may be provided on the second surface of the circuit unit 120 . To this end, the circuit unit 120 may be attached to a side surface in the third direction 103 that does not interfere with input and output of media. The sensor provided in the circuit unit 120 may be an optical sensor or a contact sensor that detects the existence of a medium by contact with the medium. In addition, the present invention is not limited by the suggestion that various types of sensors capable of detecting whether a medium is present in a slot may be used.

The fixing member 130 is provided to fix the medium inserted into the slot 52 to the inside of the slot 52 . To this end, the fixing part 130 is provided with an elastic member such as a spring capable of pressurizing the medium. Specifically, the fixing member 130 may be a plate spring formed to be curved as shown in FIG. 4 .

The fixing member 130 may be provided for each slot 52 and may be provided on the surface of the hopper 53 in the second direction 102 .

The fixing member 130 is formed to be curved, formed in a semicircular shape or a wave type, and presses the protruding portion in contact with the medium. As shown in FIG. 4, when the fixing member 130 is provided on the surface of the second direction 102, it can press the side of the medium, but the position may be changed to press the wide surface of the front or rear surface of the medium.

On the other hand, the fixing member 130 has only one end coupled to the frame 110 of both ends, the other end is composed of a free end. Through this, when the media is inserted or discharged, the fixing member 130 is easily deformed, thereby preventing the media from being damaged or deformed.

In addition, the fixing member 130 may be configured such that an end 131 different from the fixing member 130 provided in the adjacent slot 52 is coupled to the frame 110 .

For example, when the first fixing member 130a is provided in the first slot and the second fixing member 130b is provided in the adjacent second slot, the ends 131 and the second fixing member 130a of the first fixing member 130a are provided. The ends 131 of the fixing member 130b are coupled to different frames 110b and 110d. Through this method, the fixing members disposed in each of the adjacent slots 52 are arranged in a zigzag pattern. Through this, when the fixing member 130 contracts and relaxes, interference with the fixing member 130 disposed in the adjacent slot 52 is excluded, and the fixing member 130 having a sufficient width can be used, stably with the medium. making contact possible.

5 is an exemplary view showing a specific form of a stacker used for the hopper of FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of stackers 51 are fitted into the uneven portion 111 of the hopper 53 to form a plurality of slots 52, and a sheet of media is accommodated in each slot 52. .

Such a stacker 51 has a structure in which media access by the feeder unit 70 is easy, easy coupling and separation between the stacker 51 and the frame 110 are possible, and media access by a manager is facilitated. is formed with

To this end, the stacker 51 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and four corners 512, 153, 154, and 155 are formed in a structure for implementing the above-described functions.

First, the media is fed into or discharged from the slot 52 by the feeder unit 70 through the first edge 152 facing the feeder unit 70 . To this end, the first edge 152 may be provided with a narrow portion 157 and an inclined portion 158 . The narrow portion 157 is formed to have a narrower width than the width of the medium mounted on the stacker 51. Inclined portions 158 are formed at both edge ends of the narrow portion 157 . One end of the inclined portion 158 is connected to the narrow portion 157, and the other end is connected to the second edge 153 or the fourth edge 155.

In particular, one end of the inclined portion 158, that is, the portion connected to the narrow portion 157, is formed stepwise with the narrow portion 157, and starts from the part retreated from the edge of the narrow portion 157 to the center of the stacker 151. do.

The narrow portion 157 and the slanted portion 158 prevent contact between the feeder of the feeder unit 70 and the stacker 51 when the media is put into or taken out of the slot 52, and the media and the feeder are accurately contacted. It is set up to make it possible. To this end, the narrow portion 157 and the inclined portion 158 are provided to form a portion where the media protrudes from the surface of the stacker 51, and are provided to provide a space where the feeder can contact the media.

For example, the feeder may be composed of a pair of arms and rollers coupled to ends of the arms, and the rollers may feed the media by contacting and pressing the side of the media. Considering this, the degree of retraction of the inclined portion 158, that is, the length of the step and the angle of inclination of the inclined portion may vary depending on the diameter of the roller and the position where the feeder contacts the medium.

In addition, slopes 159 are formed at the edges of the narrow portion 157 and the inclined portion 158. The slope 159 is formed such that the first edge 152 has a thinner thickness than other portions. Through this, it is possible to prevent the medium entering the first edge 152 from being caught on the first edge 152 .

The one-sided second edge 153 and the fourth edge 155 may be provided with a stepped portion 165 to be coupled to the concave portion 111a of the concave-convex portion 111 provided on the pillar portion 110 .

In addition, the second edge 153 and the fourth edge 155 are formed with a protrusion 156, so when the stacker 51 is fitted into the concave-convex portion 111, the concave-convex portion 111 is pressed to stack the stacker ( 51) may not be separated from the frame 110. This protrusion 156 may be formed in the form shown in FIG. 6, but is not limited to the form shown, and deformation and change such as forming a part of the corners 153 and 155 in a protruding form are possible. possible.

The third edge 154 is formed with a first groove 160 . The first groove 160 is provided to expose a part of the medium mounted in the slot 52 without being covered by the slot 52 .

For example, the first groove 160 formed on the third edge 154 may be provided so that a manager can directly pick up a medium inserted into the slot. When a subframe is provided in the media management device, the third edge 154 faces the subframe and prevents the inserted medium from being separated from the slot 52 . In this case, it can be coupled to the frame so that it can be opened by the manager of the subframe. Through this, when the subframe is opened, the third edge 154 is exposed by the opening of the subframe, and at this time, the user directly grips a part of the media exposed by the first groove 160 and removes the media from the slot 52. It may be possible to take out

The fourth edge 155 may have a second groove 161 formed in addition to the aforementioned stepped portion 165 and the locking protrusion 156 . The second groove 161 is provided to expose a portion of the medium mounted in the slot 52. In particular, the second groove 161 may be formed to correspond to the position where the fixing member 130 is provided and the size of the fixing member 130 .

That is, the fixing member 130 is configured to press the side surface of the medium exposed by the second groove 161 . When the fixing member 130 presses the medium, the second groove 161 is formed to expose the medium so that the side of the stacker 51 and the fixing member 130 do not contact each other so that only the fixing member 130 and the medium come into contact. can do.

On the other hand, as described above, the fixing members 130 are arranged alternately for each slot 52, and form the same shape as shown in FIG. 4 when looking at the fixing member from the top in the first direction. Therefore, when the second groove 161 is formed corresponding to the position of the fixing member 130 and the size of the fixing member 130 as described above, the second groove 161 is formed according to the coupling position of the fixing member 130. location may change. Therefore, the second groove 161 is formed long along the fourth edge 155 so as not to contact both the first and second fixing members 130a and 130b provided in the pair of adjacent slots 52 . Through this, it can be configured to be used by being coupled to both the slot 52 provided with the first fixing member 130a or the slot 52 provided with the second fixing member 130b.

Meanwhile, a cut piece 163 may be provided on the side of the first edge 152 . A cutting portion 164 may be provided at an edge of the cut piece 163 to enable separation from the stacker 51 . The cutting part 164 and the cutting piece 163 are provided to cut and separate a part of the stacker 51 according to the needs of the manager. For example, the cutting part 163 and the cutting part 164 may be prepared by selecting a position where a part of the medium needs to be additionally exposed for detection by a sensor or feeding of the medium.

Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the incision 163 is formed to include one inclined portion 158 and a narrow portion 157, two incisions may be formed to include portions of both side edges of the first edge 152. Alternatively, the incision piece 163 and the cutting portion 164 may be provided at other corners.

Although the above has been shown and described as specific examples to illustrate the technical idea of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the same configuration and operation as the specific embodiments as described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. can be carried out. Accordingly, such modifications should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims described below.

1: media management unit 2: panel
3: fingerprint reader 4: media outlet
5: security key 11: case
10: frame 20: issuing unit
30: cassette unit 40: storage box
50: storage device 51: stacker
52: slot 53: hopper
70: feeder unit 90: control unit
101: first direction 102: second direction
103: third direction 110: frame
112: target 113: slit
120: circuit part 130: fixing member
151: center 152: first edge
153: second edge 154: third edge
155: fourth edge 157: narrow portion
158: slope 159: slope
160: first groove 161: second groove
163: incision 164: cut

Claims (13)

frame;
A medium comprising a plurality of stackers detachably coupled to the first frame at predetermined intervals along the first direction to the frame to form a plurality of slots open in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. storage device. According to claim 1,
A medium further comprising a circuit unit installed on one of two surfaces in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions and having a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the medium in each of the plurality of slots. storage device. According to claim 1,
The medium storage device further includes a fixing member installed on one of the two surfaces in the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions and pressurizing the medium inserted into the slot. According to claim 1,
the frame
An uneven portion is formed along the first direction on a surface coupled to the stacker,
The media storage device, characterized in that the stacker is fitted into the concave portion of the concavo-convex portion. According to claim 1,
The stacker
A medium storage device characterized in that a narrow portion having a narrower width than the width of the medium is formed at the first edge. According to claim 5,
The stacker
A medium storage device characterized in that an inclined portion is formed connecting one end of the narrow portion and a second edge or a fourth edge adjacent to the first edge. According to claim 5 or 6,
The first edge is a medium storage device, characterized in that the edge facing the feeder unit that inserts the medium into the slot, or withdraws the medium from the slot. According to claim 4,
The stacker
A medium storage device characterized in that a stepped portion is formed at a second edge or a fourth edge in contact with the concave-convex portion. According to claim 8,
A media storage device, characterized in that a fixing protrusion is formed on the second edge or the fourth edge. According to claim 2,
The stacker
A media storage device characterized in that a first groove is formed at a third edge facing one side in the second direction. According to claim 10,
A medium storage device characterized in that a subframe for opening and closing the slot is disposed on one side of the second direction facing the third edge. According to claim 3,
The stacker
A medium storage device characterized in that a second groove is formed at a second or fourth edge facing the fixing member. According to claim 6,
The media storage device, characterized in that the narrow portion or the inclined portion is formed with a slope.

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