WO2010032413A1

WO2010032413A1 - Information reader

Info

Publication number: WO2010032413A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/004553
Authority: WO
Inventors: 高山一博; 山田篤広; 植村比呂志
Original assignee: 株式会社セガ
Priority date: 2008-09-17
Filing date: 2009-09-14
Publication date: 2010-03-25
Also published as: JP2010072795A; JP5332433B2

Abstract

An information reader has guide paths (400, 402, 404) for inserting board-like information carriers of three width types, and the guide paths correspond to the board-like information carriers having different widths. The guide path (404) is formed in a shape of substantially horizontal groove, which has opened top and a rectangular cross-section, and an opened end thereof is formed as an inserting port (410) for inserting the board-like information carrier. The guide paths (400, 402, 404) hold the board-like information carrier substantially horizontally by means of the bottom surfaces (400BF, 402BF, 404BF) of the guide paths, and eliminate horizontal shifts of the board-like information carrier by means of both side surfaces (400SF, 402SF, 404SF).

Description

Information reader

The present invention relates to an information reading device such as a bar code card, a magnetic card, or an IC card, or an information reading / rewriting device, and more particularly to an information reading device for inserting a flat information carrier such as a card by hand, or an information reading / writing device. The present invention relates to a rewriting device.

For example, in some game devices, a flat information carrier such as a card held by a user is read by a card reader to specify the user and set items in the game. There are two types of card readers, a movable type that operates the reader side and a fixed type that operates the card side. However, game devices often use a plurality of cards. In many cases, a fixed type in which a game progresses by operating the card is used.

The fixed type card reader usually assumes a card having a predetermined width, such as a general business card or a credit card as in Patent Document 1 related to the application of the present applicant. Many use rectangular cards with sides of different lengths, and other than that, for example, using a triangular card with the same length on three sides, multiple types (for example, three types) on one medium Some of them had card information.

However, even in the case of the above example, even if it is a special example, the bar code width on the card and the type of code are the same. It was difficult to give change. However, in order to provide a game that attracts the user's interest, it is necessary to pursue all possibilities including card diversification.

Further, in the game device of Non-Patent Document 1, it is possible to insert and read a barcode card having a small width at a reading port through which a barcode card having a large width can be inserted, and read two types of barcode cards. However, since the reading slot has a large clearance for a narrow bar code card, it is difficult to know how the player should perform the input operation, and as a result it is difficult to say that the operability is good. .

In addition, if a large number of card readers or card readers / writers are provided to support various cards, the configuration of the operation unit of the game device becomes complicated, and the operation becomes complicated and causes an erroneous operation. Will increase.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-105327
Non-patent document 1: http://www.daikaijyu.com/portal/event/index.html

That is, conventionally, a single information reading device or information reading / rewriting device could not process cards of various shapes while ensuring good operability.

The present invention has been developed to solve such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to process flat information carriers having various shapes while ensuring good operability.

The present invention is an information reading apparatus for reading the information when a flat information carrier on which information is recorded is inserted, the reading means for reading the information, and the inserted flat information carrier comprising the Stop means for stopping the flat information carrier by coming into contact with the tip of the flat information carrier when reaching a predetermined position with respect to the reading means, and moving the flat information carrier toward the predetermined position A plurality of guide means corresponding to different flat information carrier widths of the flat information carrier, and each guide means has an insertion slot for inserting the flat information carrier. The guide means is arranged so that the insertion port is arranged in parallel in the thickness direction of the flat information carrier.
Thereby, cards having various sizes, widths, thicknesses and shapes can be processed while ensuring good operability.

In the information reading apparatus according to the present invention, for example, the information is printed on the flat information carrier, and the reading means sets an optical axis toward the predetermined position so as to optically read the information. The guide means guides the flat information carrier so that the distance from the reading means at a position where reading is performed by the optical axis is within a predetermined distance.
In addition, each guide means is a guide portion that is different for each type of card so that the angle between the flat information carrier and the optical axis at the predetermined position is different for each type of card and is within a predetermined range. And guiding the flat information carrier.
Thereby, information can be reliably read in the optical information reading device.

In the information reading apparatus according to the present invention, each guide means is formed in a substantially linear shape so as to guide the flat information carrier linearly toward the predetermined position, for example.
This ensures a smooth insertion of the flat information carrier.

The information reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an objective sensor that detects the flat information carrier when the flat information carrier reaches the predetermined position, and the flat plate corresponding to the guide means by the objective sensor. It may further comprise vibration generating means that vibrates in a vibration mode corresponding to each of the guide means when an information carrier is detected.
Accordingly, the user can confirm that the inserted flat information carrier is sorted and read, and the operability is further improved.

In the information reading apparatus according to the present invention, the insertion openings of the guide means are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.
This facilitates selection of the guide means corresponding to each flat information carrier and prevents erroneous insertion.

The information reading apparatus according to the present invention may further include rewriting means for rewriting information on the flat information carrier.

According to the present invention, cards of various sizes, widths and shapes can be processed while ensuring good operability.

It is a front view which shows the game device to which Example 1 of the information reading apparatus which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the game device of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the information reader of FIG. It is a top view of the information reading apparatus of FIG. It is a right view of the information reading apparatus of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which reads a flat information carrier with the information reader of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which reads another flat information carrier by the information reading apparatus of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which reads another flat information carrier by the information reading apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flat information carrier discrimination | determination result output process by the information reader of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows Example 2 of the information reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the XI-XI arrow line of FIG.

Next, a game device to which Example 1 of the information reading device according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Example of application to game devices]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game apparatus to which an embodiment 1 of an information reading apparatus according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the game apparatus of FIG.

In FIG. 1, a game apparatus 100 includes a display unit 112 such as a liquid crystal monitor and a joystick 105A, a coin switch 105B, a button 105C, and a button 105D as operation input units. A game screen is displayed on the display means 112. In FIG. 2, the input operation means 105A to 105D are collectively indicated by reference numeral 105.

The game apparatus 100 is provided with a card dispenser 120A and a card dispenser 120B for the first and second cards (flat information carrier), and when the player inserts a coin into the coin switch 105B, these cards are To be supplied. In FIG. 2, the card dispensers 120 </ b> A and 120 </ b> B are collectively indicated by reference numeral 120.

The game apparatus 100 is provided with a light emitting / receiving unit 300 (information reading means) for reading the first and second cards and the third flat information carrier supplied from the card dispensers 120A and 120B.

2, the game apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101 that controls the whole, a boot ROM 104 that stores a program for starting the game apparatus 100, an image generation program executed by the CPU 101, and a system that stores other programs and data. And a memory 102. Further, the game apparatus 100 is provided with a backup memory 118, which is used for storing the game progress.

The game apparatus 100 includes a rendering processor 107 that functions as the image generation unit 117 in cooperation with the CPU 101, and displays a game image on the display unit 112. The rendering processor 107 generates an image based on the image data stored in the graphic memory 108 and stores the image data in the graphic memory 108.

The game apparatus 100 is provided with a sound processor 109 that generates sound and a sound memory 110 that stores data of the generated sound. The sound processor 109 digitally converts sound based on the data stored in the sound memory 110. A signal is generated, and a sound is output from the speaker 113 and headphones (not shown).

The game apparatus 100 is provided with a storage medium 103 for program data and the like, a communication interface 111, and a modem 114.

The game apparatus 100 is provided with

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204 for discriminating a flat information carrier inserted into the card reader 116, and a vibration generating device 115 that indicates a discrimination result by the

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204. .

The above components in the game apparatus 100 are connected to the bus, and the bus arbiter 106 controls input / output between the components of the program and data.

Next, the information reading device (card reader) 116, the

objective sensors

200, 202, 204, and the vibration generating device 115 will be described in detail.

[Information reading device (card reader)]
3 is a perspective view showing the information reading device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the information reading device of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a right side view of the information reading device of FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state of reading another flat information carrier by the information reading device of FIG. 3, and FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which reads another flat information carrier by the information reading apparatus.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 to 8, the information reader 116 has guide paths (guide means) 400, 402 for inserting flat information carriers PC1, PC2, PC3 having three kinds of widths. , 404, and guide

paths

400, 402, 404 correspond to flat information carriers PC1, PC2, PC3 having widths W1, W2, W3 (W1 <W2 <W3). In this example, PC1 is described as an example of a record information carrier having the narrowest reading width (for example, a card on which a barcode is printed), and PC3 is described as an example of a record information carrier having the widest reading width.

The guide path 404 is formed in a substantially horizontal groove shape having a rectangular cross section opened upward, and an open end thereof serves as an insertion port 410 into which the flat information carrier PC1 is inserted.

The guide path 404 supports the flat information carrier PC1 substantially horizontally by its bottom surface 404BF, and prevents lateral displacement of the flat information carrier PC1 by both side surfaces 404SF. The bottom surface 404BF is a plane having a downward slope in the insertion direction of the flat information carrier PC1 (the direction toward the information reading device 116). Thereby, the user can smoothly and smoothly insert the flat information carrier PC1 in a predetermined direction.

The guide path 402 is formed by L-shaped

grooves

402A and 402B that are formed on the left and right sides from the upper ends of both side surfaces of the guide path 404, and open upward and inward. The open end of the guide path 402 has a flat information carrier PC2. It becomes the insertion port 420 into which is inserted.

The guide path 402 supports the flat information carrier PC2 substantially horizontally by the bottom surfaces 402BF of the L-shaped

grooves

402A and 402B, and prevents lateral displacement of the flat information carrier PC2 by both side surfaces 402SF. The bottom surface 402BF is a plane having a downward slope in the insertion direction of the flat information carrier PC2 (the direction toward the inside of the information reading device 116). As a result, the user can smoothly and smoothly insert the flat information carrier PC2 in a predetermined direction.

The guide path 400 is formed by L-shaped grooves 400A and 4004B that are formed laterally from the upper end of the side surfaces of the L-shaped

grooves

402A and 402B and open upward and inward. It is an insertion slot 430 into which the PC 3 is inserted.

The guide path 400 supports the flat information carrier PC2 substantially horizontally by the bottom surfaces 400BF of the L-shaped grooves 400A and 4004B, and prevents lateral displacement of the flat information carrier PC2 by both side surfaces 400SF. The bottom surface 400BF is a plane having a downward slope in the insertion direction of the flat information carrier PC3 (the direction toward the information reading device 116). Thereby, the user can smoothly and smoothly insert the flat information carrier PC3 in a predetermined direction.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the tips of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 inserted while being guided by the

guide paths

400, 402, and 404 are abutted and stopped inside the information reader 116. A stop wall (stop means) 304 is provided. The stop wall 304 stops the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 at a predetermined position PP.

The flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 record information in a card such as a bar code card, a magnetic recording card, and an IC card (the flat information carriers PC1 and PC3 in FIGS. 6 and 8) or in various forms. The information reading device 116 includes a reading unit 300 for reading information on these flat information carriers. In this example, the PC 2 has a picture book shape as a medium having a thickness. However, the thickness width of each carrier is not particularly limited as long as it has a thickness and shape that can fit in the clearance. For example, a plurality of carriers PC2 having a width W2 but different thicknesses may be used.

The predetermined position PP is a position where information reading by the reading unit 300 is surely performed, and the presence of the stop wall 304 ensures reliable information reading.

For example, as shown in the present embodiment, information in the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 is recorded on a barcode, and the reading unit 300 is a light emitting / receiving unit that optically reads the barcode. The predetermined position PP where the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 are stopped is set based on the optical axis OA of the light emitting / receiving unit 300.

For optical reading by the light emitting / receiving unit 300, a reading window 302 (FIG. 3) is formed at the barcode printing position of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3.

The descending slopes A1, A2, and A3 of the bottom surfaces 400BF, 402BF, and 404BF in the

guide paths

400, 402, and 404 have crossing angles between the optical axis OA and the flat information carriers PC3, PC2, and PC1 within a predetermined range from the orthogonal state. The angle is set to ensure a good reading state.

Good operability is ensured by the stable support of the flat information carriers PC3, PC2, and PC1, the guide, and the position setting at the normal reading position by the

guide paths

400, 402, and 404.

The

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204 are arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the flat information carriers PC3, PC2, and PC1 inserted in the

guide paths

400, 402, and 404, for example, in the vicinity of the position PP, the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, It is provided to detect PC3.

The objective sensor 200 includes

objective sensors

200A and 200B arranged above and below the L-shaped groove 400A, and

objective sensors

200C and 200D arranged above and below the L-shaped groove 400B, and both ends of the flat information carrier PC3 in the width direction. Can be detected from above and below.

The objective sensor 202 includes objective sensors 202A and 202B arranged above and below the L-shaped groove 402A, and objective sensors 202C and 202D arranged above and below the L-shaped groove 402B, and both ends of the flat information carrier PC2 in the width direction. Can be detected from above and below.

The objective sensor 204 includes

objective sensors

204A, 204B, 204C, and 204D that are arranged above and below the widthwise ends of the guide path 404, and can detect the widthwise ends of the flat information carrier PC1 from above and below.

The

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204 detect both ends of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3, respectively, thereby confirming normal reading of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3, and the flat information carriers PC1 and PC2. PC3 can be discriminated. This determination process is executed when the CPU 101 and the system memory 102 cooperate to function as a control device. As a result, the control device can confirm whether the flat information carrier inserted by the user's operation input has a width of PC1, PC2, or PC3. Here, the CPU 101 and the system memory 102 cooperate with the control device.

The

object sensors

200, 202, and 204 can employ various types that can detect a flat information carrier, such as a type that detects a change in infrared reflectance.

The game apparatus 100 may output the detection / discrimination results of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 by the

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204 to the vibration generator 115. The game apparatus 100 vibrates the vibration generator 115 in a vibration mode corresponding to the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3, and transmits the vibration to the inserted flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3. At this time, the user who manually feeds the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 is touching the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 and can feel vibration, so that normal reading can be confirmed. In an environment with a lot of noise for information transmission, such as a play facility, reading confirmation by vibration enables reliable information transmission.

Each

objective sensor

200, 202, 204 can detect both ends of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, PC3 in the width direction, so that the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, PC3 corresponding to the

guide paths

400, 402, 404 are correct. It can be confirmed that it has been inserted.

Note that the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 can also be discriminated by providing the

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204 on one of the top and bottom of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3.

Furthermore, a predetermined index such as a hologram may be provided on the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3, and the index may be detected by the

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204. In this case, the objective sensor uses an optical reflective objective sensor, so that, for example, colors having different reflectances are printed on the front and back surfaces of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3. By using special printing or material that can be discriminated by an optical sensor such as holographic printing, or by using a magnetic reaction type objective sensor that reacts to magnetism for the

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204. The flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 can be detected and discriminated from the front and back of the insertion state of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3, and the special flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 having special printing, special materials, and magnetic information.

[Card discrimination result output]
An example of processing for outputting the result of discriminating the flat information carrier by the

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204 to the vibration generator 115 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 9, the flat information carrier discrimination result output process is executed by the CPU 101 and the system memory 102 by the following steps.

Step S901: First, it is determined whether or not a flat information carrier such as a card is detected by any of the

objective sensors

200, 202, and 204. If a flat information carrier is detected, the process proceeds to step S902, and if not detected, the process ends.

Step S902: It is determined whether the objective sensor that has detected the flat information carrier has detected any of the objective sensors at both ends in the width direction. When the objective sensors at both ends detect, the process proceeds to step S903, and when only one of them detects, the process proceeds to step S905.

Step S903: It is determined that the flat information carrier has been normally inserted, and the process proceeds to step S904.

Step S904: Vibration generation by the vibration generator 115 is executed in a vibration mode corresponding to the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3. Each vibration mode is preloaded in the system memory 102.

Step S905: An error process indicating that the correct flat information carrier is not inserted in the

guide paths

400, 402, and 404 is executed, and the process is terminated as it is.

Next, a second embodiment of the information reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, the flat information carrier is inserted horizontally, but in the second embodiment, the flat information carrier is inserted in a substantially vertical state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing Example 2 of the information reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

10 and 11, the information reading device 600 has

guide paths

404, 402, and 400 having heights corresponding to the widths W1, W2, and W3, and the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 are in a substantially vertical state. Can be inserted.

The guide path 404 includes a groove 700 having a width W1, which is opened in the right direction in FIG. 10, a spacer 802A protruding downward from the upper end of the open end, and a spacer 802B protruding upward from the lower end of the open end. Composed. The bottom surface of the groove 700, that is, the bottom surface 404BF of the guide path 404 is substantially horizontal.

The guide path 402 is formed upward from the upper right end of the groove 700, and is a groove 702 opened in the right direction in FIG. 10, a bottom surface 402BF continuous to the bottom surface 404BF, and a spacer protruding downward from the upper end of the open end of the groove 700. 800A, a spacer 800B protruding upward from the lower end of the open end portion, and spacers 802A and 802B.

The guide path 400 includes a groove 704 formed upward from the upper right end of the groove 702, a bottom surface 400BF continuous to the bottom surface 402BF, and spacers 800A and 800B.

As in the first embodiment, inside the information reading device 116, the tips of the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 inserted while being guided by the

guide paths

400, 402, and 404 come into contact with and stop the stop ( Stop means) 304 is provided. The stop wall 304 stops the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 at a predetermined position PP.

As in the first embodiment, the information reading device 116 includes a light emitting / receiving unit (reading unit) 300, a vibration generator 115, and objective sensors 200 to 204.

A leaf spring 830 that elastically biases the flat information carrier PC1 in the direction of the spacers 800A and 800B is provided on the side surface 400SF of the guide path 400 facing the spacers 800A and 800B. , 800B and hold stably. Thereby, reliable reading by the reading unit 300 is guaranteed.

A plate spring 840 that elastically biases the flat information carrier PC3 in the direction of the spacers 802A and 802B is provided on the side surface 404SF of the guide path 404 facing the spacers 802A and 802B. , 802B and hold stably. Thereby, reliable reading by the reading unit 300 is guaranteed.

In the guide path 402, the flat information carrier PC3 is elastically held between the spacers 802A, 802B, 800A, and 800B, is stably held, and reliable reading by the reading unit 300 is guaranteed.

A tip sliding contact portion 810 having a circular cross section is provided in the vertical direction at the tip end of the information reading device 116 of the spacers 800A and 800B, and a tip sliding tip having a circular cross section is provided at the tip of the information reading device 116 of the spacers 802A and 802B. A contact portion 820 is provided in the vertical direction, and the spacers 800A, 800B, 802A, 802B smoothly contact the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, PC3. Accordingly, the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 can be smoothly inserted and removed, and the flat information carriers PC1, PC2, and PC3 are prevented from being damaged.

In the above embodiment, only the information reading device that optically reads the barcode has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an information reading device for reading various information carriers such as a magnetic recording card and an IC card. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a card reader / writer having an information rewriting function. Further, the present invention can be applied to various devices that require information reading and / or information rewriting other than game devices.

A1, A2, A3 Angle PP Predetermined position OA Optical axis 100 Game device 115 Vibration generating device (vibration generating means)
116, 600 Card reader (information reading device / reading means)
200 (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) Objective sensor 202 (202A, 202B, 202C, 202D) Objective sensor 204 (204A, 204B, 204C, 204D) Objective sensor 206 (206A, 206B, 206C, 206D) Objective sensor 300 Light emitting part (reading part)
302 Reading window 304 Stop wall (stop means)
400 (400A, 400B) Guide path (guide means)
402 (402A, 402B) Guide path (guide means)
404 (404A, 404B) Guide path (guide means)
410, 420, 430

Insertion slot

500, 502, 504, 506

Screw receiving groove

700, 702 Guide groove 800A, 800B, 802A,

802B Spacer

810, 820

Tip sliding portion

830, 840 Leaf spring

Claims

An information reading device for reading the information when a flat information carrier on which information is recorded is inserted,
Reading means for reading the information;
Stop means for stopping the flat information carrier by contacting the tip of the flat information carrier when the inserted flat information carrier reaches a predetermined position with respect to the reading means;
Guide means for guiding the flat information carrier toward the predetermined position;
With
A plurality of the guide means are provided corresponding to different flat information carrier widths of the flat information carrier,
Each guide means is provided with an insertion port for inserting the flat information carrier,
The guide means is arranged so that the insertion port is arranged in parallel in the thickness direction of the flat information carrier,
Information reader.
The information is printed on the flat information carrier, and the reading means has an optical axis set toward the predetermined position so as to optically read the information,
Each guide means guides the flat information carrier so that a distance between the flat information carrier and the optical axis at the predetermined position is within a predetermined range;
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1.
The information is printed on the flat information carrier, and the reading means has an optical axis set toward the predetermined position so as to optically read the information,
Each guide means guides the flat information carrier so that an angle between the flat information carrier and the optical axis at the predetermined position is within a predetermined range;
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the guide means is formed in a substantially linear shape so as to guide the flat information carrier linearly toward the predetermined position.
An objective sensor for detecting the flat information carrier when the flat information carrier reaches the predetermined position;
Vibration generating means that vibrates in a vibration mode corresponding to each guide means when the objective information sensor detects the flat information carrier corresponding to the guide means;
The information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising:
The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion openings of the guide means are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction.
The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion openings of the guide means are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction.
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising rewriting means for rewriting information on the flat information carrier.