WO2013118183A1

WO2013118183A1 - Magnetic card reader and magnetic card reading method

Info

Publication number: WO2013118183A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/000872
Authority: WO
Inventors: 昌浩芳井
Original assignee: 日立オムロンターミナルソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-02-09
Filing date: 2012-02-09
Publication date: 2013-08-15

Abstract

The present invention prevents information read failures caused by noise. The magnetic card reader of the present invention is provided with the following: a conveyance unit that conveys a magnetic card; a magnetic detection unit that detects a magnetic signal from the magnetic card conveyed by the conveyance unit; a first control unit that reads information by receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while the magnetic card is conveyed at a first speed by the conveyance unit; and, additionally as needed, a second control unit that reads the information by receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while the magnetic card is conveyed by the conveyance unit at a second speed that exceeds the first speed.

Description

Magnetic card reader and magnetic card reading method

The present invention relates to a technology for reading information recorded on a magnetic card.

Conventionally, when a magnetic card having a magnetic stripe on which information is recorded is inserted as a magnetic card reader, a configuration is known in which information is read from the magnetic stripe by a magnetic head while conveying the magnetic card internally. It is done.

Furthermore, in order to prevent the information on the magnetic card from being squeezed out by a false magnetic card reader (skimming device) illegally attached to the card insertion slot, a coil for generating a magnetic field (disturbing magnetic field) is provided in the card insertion slot A magnetic card reader has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2001-67524 A JP 2005-266999 A

However, in the technology in which the disturbance magnetic field generator such as the coil is provided, noise from the disturbance magnetic field generator may be mixed in the magnetic signal detected by the magnetic head, and reading of information may fail. This problem is similarly likely to occur due to external noise even in a magnetic card reader not equipped with a disturbing magnetic field generator.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent reading failure of information due to noise.

The present invention can take the following forms or application examples in order to solve at least a part of the problems described above.

Application Example 1
A magnetic card reader for reading information recorded on a magnetic card, comprising:
A magnetic detection unit for detecting a magnetic signal from the magnetic card being transported;
A transport unit that transports the magnetic card relative to the magnetic detection unit;
A first control unit that reads the information by receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while conveying the magnetic card by the conveyance unit at a first speed;
Optionally, the information reading is performed by receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while conveying the magnetic card by the transport unit at a second speed higher than the first speed. And a second control unit to perform the magnetic card reader.

According to the magnetic card reader of application example 1, the second control unit additionally conveys the magnetic card at a speed higher than the conveyance speed by the first control unit, as needed, to read information. Do. When the transport speed of the magnetic card becomes high, the level of the magnetic signal detected by the magnetic detection unit increases, while the noise mixed in the magnetic signal does not increase. Therefore, it is possible to prevent reading failure of information due to noise.

Application Example 2
In the card processing device described in Application Example 1,
The second control unit is
A determination unit that determines whether the information read by the first control unit is normal;
A magnetic card reader comprising: an execution limiting unit that causes the magnetic card to be transported and the magnetic signal is received when the determination unit determines that the information is not normal.

According to this configuration, when the information read by the first control unit is not normal, the second control unit reads the information. Therefore, failure in reading information due to noise can be further prevented.

Application Example 3
In the card processing device described in Application Example 2,
The second control unit is
The magnetic card further includes a write level determination unit that determines whether the write level of the information on the magnetic card falls below a predetermined value,
The execution limiting unit is
When the determination unit determines that the information is not normal and the write level determination unit determines that the write level is less than the predetermined value, conveyance of the magnetic card and reception of the magnetic signal are performed. A magnetic card reader comprising: an execution limiting unit.

Generally, when the write level of the information on the magnetic card is high, even if some noise is mixed in the magnetic signal, reading of the information does not fail. Even so, the fact that the determination unit determines that the information is not normal is highly likely that reading has failed due to reasons other than noise. According to the card processing device of the third application example, since the reading process by the second control unit can be limited to the case where the write level of the information on the magnetic card is low, when the write level of the information on the magnetic card is high, It is possible to avoid reading by high-speed transport which is less effective. Therefore, the execution time of reading information is not unnecessarily extended.

Application Example 4
In the magnetic card reader according to any one of application examples 1 to 3,
The magnetic detection unit
Detecting a magnetic signal from each of the plurality of tracks of the magnetic card;
The second control unit is
The magnetic detection unit includes a character generation unit that receives a magnetic signal for each track from the magnetic detection unit, detects a peak for each of the magnetic signals, and generates character data based on the interval of the peaks.
The character generation unit
A peak determination unit that determines whether or not the detected peaks occur at the same timing in all of the plurality of tracks;
And a peak interval calculation unit for determining intervals of the peaks by invalidating the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing by the peak determination unit.

The plurality of tracks of the magnetic card are not all recorded at the same recording density, and some tracks are recorded at a recording density different from that of the other tracks. In tracks with different recording densities, the peaks of the magnetic signal are not inherently at the same timing. On the other hand, since noise is mixed into each track at the same timing, it is possible to determine that the peak determined to have occurred at the same timing by the peak determination unit is noise. According to the magnetic card reader of application example 3, the peak interval calculation unit invalidates the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing by the peak determination unit and determines the interval of the peaks. The influence of noise can be eliminated. Therefore, failure in reading information due to noise can be further prevented.

Application Example 5
In the magnetic card reader according to any one of application examples 1 to 4,
The transport unit transports the magnetic card in the forward direction, and then transports the magnetic card in the return direction.
The first control unit is
Reading the information during the first transport in the forward direction and the transport in the return direction;
The second control unit is
A magnetic card reader, which reads the information at the second transport in the forward direction and at the transport in the return direction.

According to the magnetic card reader of application example 5, the reading of the magnetic card can be performed by the first forward pass and return pass, and the second forward pass and return pass. Therefore, failure to read information can be further prevented.

Application Example 6
In the magnetic card reader according to any one of application examples 1 to 4,
The transport unit transports the magnetic card in the forward direction, and then transports the magnetic card in the return direction.
The first control unit is
Reading the information at the time of conveyance in the forward direction;
The second control unit is
The magnetic card reader which reads the information at the time of conveyance of the return direction.

According to the magnetic card reader of application example 6, the reading of the magnetic card can be performed in the forward pass and the return pass. Therefore, failure to read information can be further prevented.

Application Example 7
A magnetic card reader for reading information recorded on a plurality of tracks of a magnetic card, comprising:
A magnetic detection unit that detects a magnetic signal for each track;
A character generation unit that receives a magnetic signal for each track from the magnetic detection unit, detects a peak for each of the magnetic signals, and generates character data based on an interval between the peaks.
The character generation unit
A peak determination unit that determines whether or not the detected peaks occur at the same timing in all of the plurality of tracks;
And a peak interval calculation unit for determining intervals of the peaks by invalidating the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing by the peak determination unit.

According to the magnetic card reading device of the seventh application example, like the magnetic card reading device of the fourth application example, the peak interval calculation unit invalidates the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing by the peak determination unit. Since the peak interval is determined, the magnetic signal can be free from the influence of noise. Therefore, failure in reading information due to noise can be prevented.

Application Example 8
A magnetic card reading method for reading information recorded on a magnetic card, comprising:
The computer reads the information by receiving the magnetic signal from a magnetic detection unit that detects a magnetic signal with respect to the conveyed magnetic card while conveying the magnetic card at a first speed,
The information may be read by the computer receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while transporting the magnetic card at a second speed exceeding the first speed, as needed. How to read the magnetic card.

Application Example 9
A magnetic card reading method for reading information recorded on a plurality of tracks of a magnetic card, comprising:
A computer detecting a magnetic signal for each of the tracks;
The computer detects a peak for each of the detected magnetic signals, and generates character data based on the interval of the peaks.
In the process of generating the character data,
Determining whether the computer has generated the detected peaks at the same timing in all of the plurality of tracks;
And D. determining the interval of the peaks by invalidating the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing in the determining step.

According to the magnetic card reading method of application example 8, as in the magnetic card reading device of application example 1, it is possible to prevent reading failure of information due to noise. According to the magnetic card reading method of application example 9, as in the magnetic card reading device of application example 7, it is possible to prevent reading failure of information due to noise.

Furthermore, the present invention can be realized in various forms other than the above, and for example, an automatic cash transaction processing apparatus provided with the magnetic card reader, an information processing apparatus provided with the magnetic card reader, and the magnetic card reading method The present invention can be realized in the form of a computer program for causing a computer to execute each process included, a recording medium recording the computer program, or the like.

It is an explanatory view showing a schematic structure of magnetic card reader 100 as a 1st example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a magnetic card reader 100. It is a flow chart which shows operation of magnetic card reading. It is a flowchart which shows an outward read process. It is a flow chart which shows magnetic information reading processing. It is a flow chart which shows return pass reading processing. It is a flowchart which shows the outward path | pass read-out process with high-speed conveyance. It is a flowchart which shows the return path reading process accompanied by high-speed conveyance. It is an explanatory view showing the waveform of magnetic signal S1, and noise NZ. It is explanatory drawing which shows the waveform of the magnetic signal S2 in the case of the magnetic card with a low write level, and noise NZ. It is explanatory drawing which shows the waveform and noise NZ of magnetic signal S3 at the time of raising conveyance speed. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the magnetic card reading in 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the magnetic card reading in 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the magnetic card reading in 4th Example. It is a flowchart which shows the magnetic information reading process in 4th Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the magnetic signal obtained from each track. It is an explanatory view showing a magnetic signal and jitter data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the jitter data when noise mixes in the magnetic signal of each track with a magnetic signal. It is a flow chart which shows operation of magnetic card reading in a 5th example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the magnetic card reading in 6th Example.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
A-1. overall structure:
A-2. Configuration of control unit:
A-3. Action, effect:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Fourth embodiment:
E. Fifth embodiment:
F. Modification:

A. First embodiment:
A-1. overall structure:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of a magnetic card reader 100 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic card reader 100 is mounted on, for example, an automatic cash transaction processing device, and is electrically connected to a host device such as the automatic cash transaction processing device. The magnetic card reader 100 reads the information recorded on the magnetic card 200, and transmits the read information to the host device.

As illustrated, the magnetic card reader 100 has a housing 10 and an insertion slot 20 provided at an end of the housing 10. The insertion slot 20 is for inserting the magnetic card 200, and the insertion slot 20 is provided with a card insertion sensor 22 for detecting that the magnetic card is inserted. The card insertion sensor 22 is configured of, for example, a magnetic head for detecting card insertion. Further, a loop antenna (coil) 24 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the insertion port 20. When a drive signal is applied from both ends of the loop antenna 24 from the oscillator 130 (see FIG. 2), a magnetic field (also referred to as a disturbing magnetic field) generated by the loop antenna 24 is attached to the front of the insertion slot 20. It prevents the exploitation of the magnetic information of the magnetic card 200 (also referred to as a skimming device).

Inside the housing 10, first to fourth transport rollers 31 to 34, first to third card position sensors 41 to 43, and a magnetic head 50 for reading information are provided. The first to fourth conveyance rollers 31 to 34 are respectively provided in a pair on the upper and lower sides of the conveyance path P, and rotate by rotational driving of a motor 120 (see FIG. 2). The first to fourth transport rollers 31 to 34 transport the magnetic card 200 in the forward direction (direction of arrow F) when the motor 120 is driven to rotate forward, and return the magnetic card 200 when the motor 120 is driven reversely (arrow B Direction).

The first to third card position sensors 41 to 43 are, for example, photo interrupters, and detect the position of the magnetic card 200 on the transport path P. The first card position sensor 41 is disposed at a reading preparation position P1 where the magnetic card 200 is made to stand by before reading data from the magnetic card 200, and the magnetic card 200 is transported in the return direction B and When it comes to the position P1, the rear end 202 of the magnetic card 200 is detected and switched from the OFF state to the ON state. The second card position sensor 42 is disposed at the reading start position P2 where the magnetic head 50 starts reading data on the magnetic card 200, and when the magnetic card 200 is transported in the forward direction F and comes to this position P2. The leading end portion 201 of the magnetic card 200 is detected and switched from the OFF state to the ON state. The third card position sensor 43 is disposed at a reading end position P3 at which the magnetic head 50 ends reading data on the magnetic card 200. When the magnetic card 200 is transported in the forward direction F and comes to this position P3, The leading end portion 201 of the magnetic card 200 is detected and switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

When reading information on the magnetic card 200 transported in the forward direction F, the reading start position P2 is a reading start position to start reading information, and the reading end position P3 is reading information End position to end reading. When reading information on the magnetic card 200 transported in the backward direction B, the reading start position P2 is the reading start position to start reading the information, and the preparation position P1 ends the reading of the information. It becomes the reading end position.

The magnetic head 50 is disposed at a position in contact with the conveyed magnetic card 200, and detects a magnetic pattern from a magnetic stripe (not shown) of the magnetic card 200. More specifically, the magnetic head 50 detects the change in the magnetic force of the magnetic stripe by the built-in core and coil, converts it to a change in voltage, and amplifies and outputs the change in voltage by the built-in amplifier.

A-2. Configuration of control unit:
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the magnetic card reader 100. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, the magnetic card reader 100 includes a control unit 110 that controls each part of the magnetic card reader 100. The control unit 110 is electrically connected to the various sensors described above, that is, the card insertion sensor 22 and the first to third card position sensors 41 to 43, and is further electrically connected to the magnetic head 50. . Further, the control unit 110 is electrically connected to a motor 120 for each of the transport rollers 31 to as an actuator. Further, it is electrically connected to an oscillator 130 that sends a drive signal to the loop antenna 24. The conveying rollers 31 to 34 and the motor 120 correspond to the “conveying unit” in the invention described in the application example 1, and the magnetic head 50 corresponds to the “magnetic detection unit” in the invention described in the application example 1.

The control unit 110 has a known configuration including a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and an input / output interface. With these configurations, the control unit 110 functionally implements the first control unit 112 and the second control unit 114 as illustrated. The second control unit 114 includes a determination unit 114 a and an execution restriction unit 114 b. The units 112 to 114 b are realized by the CPU in cooperation with the memory. The respective units 112 to 114 b can be realized by discrete electronic circuits instead of the configuration including the CPU, the memory, and the like. The functions of the units 112 to 114b will be described in detail below.

FIGS. 3 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operation of magnetic card reading by the magnetic card reader 100, and show the process executed by the control unit 110. In practice, the CPU provided in the control unit 110 executes the computer program stored in the ROM. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the whole, and FIGS. 3 to 8 are flowcharts showing a part in detail.

In the magnetic card reader 100, when the magnetic card 200 is inserted into the insertion slot 20, the control unit 110 takes in the magnetic card 200 and reads information from the magnetic card 200. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 110 first performs forward path reading processing (step S110). The details of the forward path reading process are shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 110 first determines whether the card insertion sensor 22 is in the ON state (step S111), and when the card insertion sensor 22 is in the ON state (step S111: YES), the magnetic card It is determined that 200 is inserted, and the motor 120 is driven to rotate normally (step S112). Thereby, the magnetic card 200 is transported in the forward direction F. The transport speed of the magnetic card 200 at this time is a predetermined speed, for example, 200 [mm / sec]. Hereinafter, this predetermined speed is referred to as "first speed".

After execution of step S112, the control unit 110 determines whether the second card position sensor 42 is in the ON state (step S113), and when the second card position sensor 42 is in the ON state (step S113: YES), It is determined that the card 200 has been transported to the P2 position, and reading of information from the magnetic card 200 by the magnetic head 50 is started (step S114). After the start of reading the information, the control unit 110 determines whether the third card position sensor 43 is in the ON state (step S115), and when the third card position sensor 43 is in the ON state (step S115: YES), It is determined that the magnetic card 200 has been conveyed to the P3 position, and the reading of information from the magnetic card 200 by the magnetic head 50 is stopped (step S116), and the driving of the motor 120 is stopped (step S117). By stopping the driving of the motor 120, the transport of the magnetic card 200 is stopped. At this point, the forward path reading process ends, and the process of step S110 in FIG. 3 is ended.

The reading of information on the magnetic card 200 is performed by the magnetic information reading process shown in FIG. The magnetic information reading process is called and started in step S114 in FIG. 4 and stopped in step S116. The magnetic information reading process sequentially receives a predetermined amount of magnetic signals from the magnetic head 50 and is repeatedly executed for each predetermined amount. Ru. As shown in FIG. 5, when the process is started, the control unit 110 receives a predetermined amount of magnetic signal from the magnetic head 50 (step S121), and detects a peak from the waveform of the magnetic signal (step S122). Subsequently, control unit 110 generates character data based on the interval of the peaks (step S123). More specifically, voltage waveform data is converted to pulse data as jitter data according to peak intervals, and jitter data is converted to bit data according to the pulse rise and fall intervals of the jitter data. Are converted to character data according to a predetermined format.

After execution of step S123, the control unit 110 performs processing of checking the validity of the signal waveform, jitter data, bit data, and character data described above (step S124). This processing is to check with various confirmation items, such as whether each data can be detected properly or whether each data falls within a predetermined range, and when the check result is valid (step S125) : Valid) and stores in the RAM that the character data which is the read result is normal (step S126). On the other hand, when the check result is invalid (step S125: invalid), the fact that the character data which is the read result is abnormal is stored in the RAM (step S127). After execution of step S126 or S127, the process returns to "return", and the magnetic information reading process is temporarily ended. The magnetic information reading process is repeatedly performed until the reading of the information is stopped in step S116.

As shown in FIG. 3, after completion of the forward path reading process, the control unit 110 determines whether the read result of the magnetic information is normal (step S128). Here, if the character data stored as abnormal in the above-mentioned magnetic information reading process does not exist, it is determined as "normal", and if the character data stored as abnormal reading is present as "abnormal" Determine that there is.

If it is determined in step S128 that the reading is normal, the control unit 110 ends the magnetic card reading operation on the assumption that the reading of the magnetic card 200 is completed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S128 that there is an abnormality, control unit 110 advances the process to step S130 to perform return path read processing. In the return path reading process, the magnetic card 200 is moved in the return direction B from the position P3 where the magnetic card 200 is stopped first to read the magnetic card again, the details of which are shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, the control unit 110 reversely drives the motor 120 (step S131). Thus, the magnetic card 200 is transported in the return direction B. The transport speed of the magnetic card 200 at this time is the same first speed as at the time of the return path reading process.

After execution of step S121, the control unit 110 determines whether the second card position sensor 42 is in the on state (step S132), and when the second card position sensor 42 is in the on state (step S132: YES), It is determined that the card 200 has been transported to the P2 position, and reading of information from the magnetic card 200 by the magnetic head 50 is started (step S133). After the start of reading information, the control unit 110 determines whether the first card position sensor 41 is in the ON state (step S134), and when the first card position sensor 41 is in the ON state (step S134: YES), It is determined that the magnetic card 200 has been transported to the P1 position, and the reading of information from the magnetic card 200 by the magnetic head 50 is stopped (step S135), and the driving of the motor 120 is stopped (step S136). By stopping the driving of the motor 120, the transport of the magnetic card 200 is stopped. At this point, the return path reading process is completed, and the process of step S130 in FIG. 3 is ended. The reading of the information to the magnetic card 200 described above is performed by the magnetic information reading process shown in FIG. 5 as in the forward path reading process.

The reading of the magnetic information is performed again in the return path reading process of step S130 because the possibility of normally reading the magnetic information is increased by switching the transport direction to the return direction B. In the processes from step S110 to step S130, the control unit 110 functions as the first control unit 112 of FIG.

After execution of step S130, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the result of reading the magnetic information is normal (step S138). This determination is the same as the determination in step S128, and is determined in response to the check result in the magnetic information reading process (FIG. 5). In the process of step S138, the control unit 110 functions as the determination unit 114 of FIG.

If it is determined in step S138 that the operation is normal, the control unit 110 ends the magnetic card reading operation. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S138 that the state is not normal, the control unit 110 advances the process to step S140 and performs forward path reading processing by high-speed conveyance.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the forward path reading process by the high-speed conveyance performed in step S140. As illustrated, the control unit 110 first drives the motor 120 in the forward direction (step S141). As a result, the magnetic card 200 is transported in the forward direction F from the position P1 at which the magnetic card 200 first stopped. The motor 120 is driven such that the transport speed of the magnetic card 200 at this time is a second speed, eg, 300 [mm / sec], which exceeds the above-described first speed. The numerical values of the first speed and the second speed are merely an example, and it is not necessary to be limited to this, and it is possible to set other numerical speeds if the relation of first speed <second speed is satisfied.

After execution of step S141, the same steps S113 to S117 as in the forward path reading process of FIG. 4 are executed, and the forward path reading process is ended. Thereby, the process of step S140 of FIG. 3 is ended. After execution of step S140, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the result of reading the magnetic information is normal (step S148). This determination is the same as the determination in step S128, and is determined in response to the check result in the magnetic information reading process (FIG. 5).

If it is determined in step S148 that the operation is normal, the control unit 110 ends the magnetic card reading operation. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S148 that it is not normal, the control unit 110 advances the process to step S150 to perform return path read processing by high-speed conveyance.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the return path reading process by high-speed transport performed in step S150. As illustrated, first, the control unit 110 reversely drives the motor 120 (step S151). As a result, the magnetic card 200 is transported in the return direction B from the position P3 at which the magnetic card 200 first stopped. The motor 120 is driven such that the transport speed of the magnetic card 200 at this time is the second speed described above.

After execution of step S151, steps S132 to S136 which are the same as the return path reading process of FIG. 6 are executed, and the return path reading process is ended. Thus, the process of step S150 of FIG. 3 is ended. In the processes from step S138 to step S150, the control unit 110 functions as the second control unit 114 in FIG. In particular, in the process of step S138, the control unit 110 functions as the determination unit 114a of FIG. The control unit 110 functions as the execution limiting unit 114 b in FIG. 2 in the processing from step S 138 determined as NO to step S 150.

After the execution of step S150, the control unit 110 determines whether the result of reading the magnetic information is normal (step S158). This determination is the same as the determination in step S128, and is determined in response to the check result in the magnetic information reading process (FIG. 5).

If it is determined in step S158 that the operation is normal, the control unit 110 ends the operation of reading the magnetic card. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S158 that the reading is not normal, an error notification indicating that reading of the magnetic card 200 has failed is performed (step S160), and the operation of reading the magnetic card is ended. This error notification is issued to the higher-level device.

A-3. Action, effect:
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the waveform of the magnetic signal S1 output from the magnetic head 50 and the noise NZ. FIG. 9A shows the waveform of the magnetic signal S1 when no noise is mixed, and FIG. 9B shows the waveform of the magnetic signal S1 when the noise NZ is mixed. When saturation write is performed on the magnetic card, as shown in FIG. 9A, the output level of the magnetic signal S1 output from the magnetic head 50 is 100%. When the noise NZ is mixed in the magnetic field (or another factor from the outside) by the loop antenna 24, the waveform of the magnetic signal S1 shown in FIG. 9B is obtained. In this case, reading of the magnetic information does not fail because the level of the magnetic signal S1 is larger than the level (amplitude) of the noise NZ.

In contrast to the above, in the case of a magnetic card with a low write level, as shown in FIG. 10A, if the level of the waveform of the magnetic signal S2 decreases and noise NZ gets mixed in, as shown in FIG. , And the magnetic signal S2 and the noise NZ can not be distinguished. For this reason, according to the conventional magnetic card reader, reading of magnetic information may fail.

According to the magnetic card reader 100 of the present embodiment, as described above, the transport speed when transporting the magnetic card 200 by the second control unit 116 is higher than that when the first control unit 112 transports the magnetic card 200. doing. In general, the transport speed of the magnetic card and the level of the magnetic signal output from the magnetic head 50 are proportional to each other. When the transport speed of the magnetic card is increased, the change amount of the magnetic flux is increased, and the output level is increased. When the transport speed of the magnetic card when obtaining the magnetic signal S2 shown in FIG. 10 is twice as high as the transport speed of the magnetic card, the magnetic signal S3 shown in FIG. 11 can be obtained. That is, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the level of the magnetic signal S3 is as shown in FIG. 11 (a) by doubling the transport speed to the point where the level of the magnetic signal S2 is 5%. Can be made 10%. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, the level of the noise NZ mixed in the magnetic signal S3 does not increase. Therefore, according to the magnetic card reader 100 of the present embodiment, the distinction between the magnetic signal S3 and the noise NZ becomes easy, and it is possible to prevent reading failure of information due to the noise.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of magnetic card reading in the second embodiment. The magnetic card reader according to the second embodiment differs from the magnetic card reader 100 according to the first embodiment only in the operation of reading a magnetic card, and the hardware configuration is the same. The same hardware elements are assigned the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

The flowchart of FIG. 12 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment in that the processes of steps S210 and S220 are added, and the processes of the other steps are the same. About the same step, the same number of steps as FIG. 3 is attached, and the explanation is omitted.

As shown, the control unit 110 performs the forward path reading process in step S110, performs the backward path reading process in step S130, and when it is determined that the reading result is not normal in step S138, the writing of the magnetic card 200 is performed. A process of measuring the level is performed (step S210). In this embodiment, in the return path reading process of step S130, the magnetic signal output from the magnetic head 40 is temporarily stored in the RAM, and in step S210, the write level is measured from the stored magnetic signal.

After execution of step S210, the control unit 110 determines whether the write level obtained in step S210 is less than a predetermined value (step S220). Here, when it is determined that the value is less than the predetermined value, the control unit 110 proceeds to the process of step S140 and executes the forward path reading process by high-speed conveyance. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S220 that the write level is not below the predetermined value, control unit 110 advances the process to step S160.

That is, in the second embodiment, only when it is determined that the write level of the magnetic card 200 is lower than the predetermined value, the forward reading process by the high speed conveyance and the backward reading process by the high speed conveyance are executed. When the level is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the reading process by high speed conveyance is not performed. Generally, when the write level of the information on the magnetic card is high, even if some noise is mixed in the magnetic signal, reading of the information does not fail. Even so, the fact that the reading result is determined not to be normal in step S138 is likely to have failed reading due to reasons other than noise. For this reason, in the second embodiment, when it is determined that the write level is high, the reading process by high-speed conveyance with low effectiveness can be avoided, so that the execution time of the reading process is not unnecessarily extended.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the magnetic card reading operation in the third embodiment. The magnetic card reader according to the third embodiment differs from the magnetic card reader 100 according to the first embodiment only in the operation of reading a magnetic card, and the hardware configuration is the same. The same hardware elements are assigned the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Comparing the flow chart of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment with the flow chart of FIG. 13, while FIG. 3 includes the processing of steps S130 to S148, FIG. 13 does not have the processing of steps S130 to S148. So, both are different. The processing of each step included in FIG. 13 is the same as the processing of the same number of steps in FIG.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the forward path reading process, the backward path reading process, the forward path reading process (high-speed transport), and the backward path read process (high-speed transport) can be sequentially performed. The third embodiment has the following configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, first, the control unit 110 performs the forward path reading process (step S110), and performs the backward path reading process (high-speed transport) when the reading result is not normal (step S128: NO) Step S150). Therefore, according to the magnetic card reader of the third embodiment, by performing the reading process by the high speed conveyance in the first return path, it is possible to prevent the reading failure of the information due to the noise.

Also in this third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the configuration in which the processing of step S210 and step S220 of FIG. 12 is added before the reading processing by high speed conveyance, that is, between step S128 and step S150. It can also be done.

D. Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of reading a magnetic card in the fourth embodiment. The magnetic card reader according to the fourth embodiment differs from the magnetic card reader according to the second embodiment only in the operation of reading a magnetic card, and the hardware configuration is the same. That is, the magnetic card reader 100 according to the first embodiment is the same. The same hardware elements are assigned the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Although not described in the above embodiment, the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card 200 has three tracks, and the recording density of the magnetic data differs depending on the tracks. The first and third tracks have a recording density of 210 bpi (bit / inch), and the second track has a recording density of 75 bpi (bit / inch).

The flowchart of FIG. 14 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 12 in the second embodiment in the processes of steps S440 and S450, and the processes of other steps are the same. About the same step, the same step number as FIG. 12 is attached, and the explanation is omitted.

Step S440 executes the forward path reading process of FIG. 7 in the same manner as the process of step S140 (FIG. 3) described above. That is, in step S440, the forward path reading process by high-speed transport is performed. Furthermore, in step S440, noise removal is also performed. The noise removal is performed by the magnetic information reading process which is started / stopped in the forward path reading process.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the magnetic information reading process in the fourth embodiment. This flowchart is different from the flowchart of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment in that the processes of steps S510 to S540 are added, and the processes for other steps are the same. About the same step, the same number of steps as FIG. 5 is attached, and the explanation is omitted.

As shown in the figure, when it is determined in step S125 that the check result is invalid, the control unit 110 performs a process of checking the jitter abnormality of the jitter data obtained in the middle of the process of step S123 (step S510). ). The jitter data is obtained for each track of the magnetic stripe described above, and in step S510, the above-mentioned check is performed on each jitter data obtained from each track. Jitter anomalies are defects that occur in the short term in jitter data that is a pulse waveform (see NX in FIG. 18). Next, the control unit 110 determines whether the jitter abnormality occurs at the same timing for all of the plurality of jitter data, performs character conversion from the jitter data by invalidating the jitter abnormality generated at the same timing ( Step S520).

After execution of step S520, control unit 110 performs the same data validity check as step S124 (step S530). When the check result is valid, control unit 110 advances the process to step S126. On the other hand, when the check result is invalid, control unit 110 advances the process to step S127.

Referring back to FIG. 14, step S450 is to execute the return path reading process of FIG. 8 in the same manner as the process of step S150 (FIG. 3) described above. That is, in step S450, the return path reading process by high speed conveyance is executed. Furthermore, in step S450, noise removal is also performed. This noise removal is performed by the magnetic information reading process of FIG. 15 described above.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing magnetic signals obtained from each track provided in the magnetic stripe. FIG. 16 (a) shows magnetic signals obtained from the first track and the third track, and FIG. 16 (b) shows magnetic signals obtained from the second track. Since the first and third tracks and the second track have different recording densities, as shown, peaks of the magnetic waveform are output at different timings. When noise NZ is mixed into this magnetic signal, as shown in the figure, the noise NZ is mixed into each track at the same timing.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a magnetic signal and jitter data formed from the magnetic signal. FIG. 17 (a) shows a magnetic signal, and FIG. 17 (b) shows jitter data. The jitter data is an F2F output signal (RDD) obtained by amplifying, differentiating and waveform shaping a magnetic signal acquired from the magnetic head. As illustrated, the jitter data has a pulse-like waveform according to the peak interval of the magnetic signal.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing jitter data in the case where noise is mixed in the magnetic signal of each track together with the magnetic signal. FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b) are the same as FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b). FIG. 18 (c) shows jitter data formed from magnetic signals obtained from the first track and the third track, and FIG. 18 (d) is formed from magnetic signals obtained from the second track. It shows jitter data. As shown in the figure, when noise NZ is mixed into the magnetic signal, a missing portion (jitter abnormality) NX of a waveform due to noise also occurs at the same timing in the jitter data corresponding to each track.

According to the fourth embodiment, since character conversion is performed with steps S510 and S520 (FIG. 15) invalidating the jitter abnormality occurring at the same timing for all the jitter data, the character data is not affected by noise. It can be Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the high speed conveyance can further prevent the information reading failure due to the noise, and further, the noise can be eliminated by the noise removal. Failure to read information due to it can be further prevented.

In the fourth embodiment, as described above, noise removal is added to each of the second forward pass reading process and the second pass backward process in the second embodiment, but instead, noise is removed in the first embodiment. Noise removal may be added to each of the second forward reading process and the backward reading process.

E. Fifth embodiment:
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the magnetic card reading operation in the fifth embodiment. The magnetic card reader according to the fifth embodiment differs from the magnetic card reader according to the fourth embodiment only in the operation of reading the magnetic card, and the hardware configuration is the same. That is, the magnetic card reader 100 according to the first embodiment is the same. The same hardware elements are assigned the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Comparing the flowchart of FIG. 14 in the fourth embodiment with the flowchart of FIG. 19, FIG. 14 includes the processing of steps S130, S138, S210, S220, S220, S440, and S148, while FIG. The two are different in that S130, S138, S210, S220, S440, and S148 are not performed. The processing of each step included in FIG. 19 is the same as the processing of the same number of steps in FIG.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the forward path reading process, the backward path reading process, the forward path reading process (high speed transport + noise removal), and the backward path reading process (high speed transport + noise removal) can be sequentially performed. However, instead of this, the fifth embodiment has the following configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, first, the control unit 110 performs the forward path reading process (step S110), and when the reading result is not normal (step S128: NO), the backward path reading process (high speed conveyance + noise removal) (Step S450). Therefore, according to the magnetic card reader of the fifth embodiment, by performing the reading process by high speed conveyance and noise removal in the first return path, it is possible to prevent reading failure of information due to noise. it can.

Also in this fifth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the configuration in which the processing of step S210 and step S220 of FIG. 12 is added before the reading processing by high speed conveyance, that is, between step S128 and step S450. It can also be done.

F. Sixth embodiment:
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the magnetic card reading operation in the sixth embodiment. The magnetic card reading operation in the sixth embodiment is different from the magnetic card reading operation in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 19) only in the processing contents of step S550, and the processing in the other steps is the same. It is. About the same step, the same step number as FIG. 19 is attached, and the explanation is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20, the control unit performs return path reading processing in step S550. In the return path reading process, the reading process is performed in the return path while conveying the magnetic card at a normal speed (first speed), and noise removal is also performed on the path. This noise removal is performed by the magnetic information reading process of FIG. 15 as described above.

Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, the noise removal can prevent the reading failure of the information due to the noise. In the sixth embodiment, the noise removal is performed in the backward path reading process at the time of retry. Alternatively, the noise removal may be performed in the forward path reading process of step S110. Furthermore, as another modification, only the forward path reading process may be performed without performing the backward path reading process, and noise removal may be performed in the forward path reading process.

F. Modification:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the modifications thereof, but can be practiced in various forms without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the following modifications can be made.

Modification 1:
The magnetic card reader of each of the above embodiments has the coil 24 at the insertion slot 20, and the disturbance magnetic field generated by the coil 24 can prevent the skimming device from exploiting the magnetic information. Alternatively, it may be configured without the disturbing magnetic field generator such as the coil 24. Since the disturbing magnetic field generator can be a noise source, reading errors due to noise are likely to occur, but noise may be mixed in due to an external factor even in a magnetic card reader without the disturbing magnetic field generator. Therefore, the configuration in which the coil 24 is removed in each of the above-described embodiments can be used as an embodiment of the present invention.

・ Modified example 2:
In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic detection unit is configured of a magnetic head having a core and a coil, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a magnetoresistive element or the like may be provided.

Modified Example 3:
In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic card is configured to include three tracks, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two, four and a plurality of other tracks may be provided.

Modification 4:
In each of the above embodiments, the transport unit transports the magnetic card, but instead, the magnetic head may be moved without moving the magnetic card. The point is that the transport unit may be configured to transport the magnetic card relative to the magnetic head.

Modification 5:
In the above fourth embodiment, fifth embodiment, and their modifications, it is configured to determine whether jitter abnormality occurs at the same timing in each jitter data formed from the magnetic signal for each track. So, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the peak position may be detected directly from the magnetic signal for each track, and it may be determined whether the peak position occurs at the same timing for all the magnetic signals.

Modification 6:
In each of the above embodiments, the second control unit is configured to read information when it is determined that the information read by the first control unit is not normal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit and the second control unit may always be continuously performed, and the reading results may be compared with each other to increase the reading accuracy. The point is that the secondary control unit may be additionally provided to the first control unit as needed.

Modification 7:
In the above embodiments, a part of the functions realized by software may be realized by hardware (for example, integrated circuit), or a part of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software. .

In addition, the element except the element described in the independent claim in the component in the Example and each modification which were mentioned above is an additional element, and can be abbreviate | omitted suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Body 20 ... Insertion slot 22 ... Card insertion sensor 24 ... Loop antenna (coil)
31 to 34: Conveying roller 40: Magnetic head 41: First card position sensor 42: Second card position sensor 43: Third card position sensor 50: Magnetic head 100: Magnetic card reader 110: Control unit 112: First control Part 114: Judgment part 116: Second control part 120: Motor 130: Oscillator 200: Magnetic card 201: Tip part 202: Rear end part P: Conveying path F: Forward direction B: Return direction

Claims

A magnetic card reader for reading information recorded on a magnetic card, comprising:
A magnetic detection unit for detecting a magnetic signal from the magnetic card being transported;
A transport unit that transports the magnetic card relative to the magnetic detection unit;
A first control unit that reads the information by receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while conveying the magnetic card by the conveyance unit at a first speed;
Optionally, the information reading is performed by receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while conveying the magnetic card by the transport unit at a second speed higher than the first speed. And a second control unit to perform the magnetic card reader.
In the magnetic card reader according to claim 1,
The second control unit is
A determination unit that determines whether the information read by the first control unit is normal;
A magnetic card reader comprising: an execution limiting unit that causes the magnetic card to be transported and the magnetic signal is received when the determination unit determines that the information is not normal.
In the magnetic card reader according to claim 2,
The second control unit is
The magnetic card further includes a write level determination unit that determines whether the write level of the information on the magnetic card falls below a predetermined value,
The execution limiting unit is
When the determination unit determines that the information is not normal and the write level determination unit determines that the write level is less than the predetermined value, conveyance of the magnetic card and reception of the magnetic signal are performed. A magnetic card reader comprising: an execution limiting unit.
The magnetic card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The magnetic detection unit
Detecting a magnetic signal from each of the plurality of tracks of the magnetic card;
The second control unit is
The magnetic detection unit includes a character generation unit that receives a magnetic signal for each track from the magnetic detection unit, detects a peak for each of the magnetic signals, and generates character data based on the interval of the peaks.
The character generation unit
A peak determination unit that determines whether or not the detected peaks occur at the same timing in all of the plurality of tracks;
And a peak interval calculation unit for determining intervals of the peaks by invalidating the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing by the peak determination unit.
The magnetic card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The transport unit transports the magnetic card in the forward direction, and then transports the magnetic card in the return direction.
The first control unit is
Reading the information during the first transport in the forward direction and the transport in the return direction;
The second control unit is
A magnetic card reader, which reads the information at the second transport in the forward direction and at the transport in the return direction.
The magnetic card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The transport unit transports the magnetic card in the forward direction, and then transports the magnetic card in the return direction.
The first control unit is
Reading the information at the time of conveyance in the forward direction;
The second control unit is
The magnetic card reader which reads the information at the time of conveyance of the return direction.
A magnetic card reader for reading information recorded on a plurality of tracks of a magnetic card, comprising:
A magnetic detection unit that detects a magnetic signal for each track;
A character generation unit that receives a magnetic signal for each track from the magnetic detection unit, detects a peak for each of the magnetic signals, and generates character data based on an interval between the peaks.
The character generation unit
A peak determination unit that determines whether or not the detected peaks occur at the same timing in all of the plurality of tracks;
And a peak interval calculation unit for determining intervals of the peaks by invalidating the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing by the peak determination unit.
A magnetic card reading method for reading information recorded on a magnetic card, comprising:
The computer reads the information by receiving the magnetic signal from a magnetic detection unit that detects a magnetic signal with respect to the conveyed magnetic card while conveying the magnetic card at a first speed,
The information may be read by the computer receiving the magnetic signal from the magnetic detection unit while transporting the magnetic card at a second speed exceeding the first speed, as needed. How to read the magnetic card.
A magnetic card reading method for reading information recorded on a plurality of tracks of a magnetic card, comprising:
A computer detecting a magnetic signal for each of the tracks;
The computer detects a peak for each of the detected magnetic signals, and generates character data based on the interval of the peaks.
In the process of generating the character data,
Determining whether the computer has generated the detected peaks at the same timing in all of the plurality of tracks;
And D. determining the interval of the peaks by invalidating the peaks determined to have occurred at the same timing in the determining step.