JPH01197892A - Card processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make card carrying action stable and secure by providing respective exclusive-use card processing and carrying paths for two types of cards having different thickness and elastic force (flexural rigidity) respectively. CONSTITUTION:When a taken in card 2 is a thick card 2A, and the tip of the card 2A is abutted on a card abutting part 21A of a card guiding member 21, since the elastic force of the card 2A is larger than that of the card guiding member 21, the card 2A elastically deforms the card abutting part 21A upward and makes the card abutting part 21A recede to the upper part of a branch connection 20. Consequently, a card taking in path 4 and a first card processing and carrying path 6 are communicated, and the thick card 2A is sent through the branch connection 20 into the first card processing and carrying path 6. On the other hand, when the taken in card 2 is a thin card 2B, since the card itself is bent downward, the card cannot push up the card abutting part 21A and is sent through an inclined path part 7A into a second card processing and carrying path 7. Thus, two types of cards having different thickness and elastic force respectively can be used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a card processing device that can use two types of cards with different thicknesses, such as magnetic cards and IC cards.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, Ao-Ao Cards such as magnetic cards, IC cards, and magnetic/ICC cards have come into use. Since these machines were also dedicated machines, multiple types of card processing devices were required depending on the type of card.

However, it is uneconomical to install multiple types of card processing devices, and it is easy for users to confuse them, causing problems such as malfunctions.
Magnetic stripe cards and magnetic stripe I
A device capable of processing both C cards has been proposed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the card reading and writing devices disclosed in the above application example publication merely provide an IC information processing section and a magnetic information processing section in the same conveyance path, and only define their positional relationship. However, it was insufficient for simultaneous use of cards of different thicknesses.

In other words, Class D cards can be roughly divided into three types: ■ JIS cards such as cash cards and credit cards (2) IC cards (with or without magnetic stripe) ■ Prepaid cards such as telephone cards. Comparing the material, thickness, and elasticity (bending rigidity), the cards marked ■ and ■ are made of hard vinyl chloride material and have a strength of 0.7
Cards with a thickness of approximately 0.8 mm and ■ are made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin, have a thickness of approximately 0.2 to 0.3 mm, and are generally considered to have a smaller elasticity than cards with ■ or ■. Therefore, if the card is used for both purposes, the card conveying force will not be constant due to the difference in thickness, and the accuracy of reading and writing card information will deteriorate.

Therefore, one way to solve this problem is to provide a dedicated card processing and transport path for each card of different thickness, but in that case, to prevent incorrect insertion, it is necessary to have a single card insertion and return slot. Although it is desirable to do so, it would require an internal means to detect the thickness of the card and a mechanism to divide the cards into card processing transport paths Km according to the thickness. Because it requires a drive device such as a solenoid that is driven by the engine, the structure is complicated and only 7L! >, the number of parts per unit of assembly work increases, it causes an increase in cost, and it also becomes an obstacle to miniaturization and weight reduction.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems at once, makes it possible to use two types of cards with different thicknesses and resiliency with a simple structure, and also enables the use of a thickness detection means and a card sorting means. The object of the present invention is to provide a card processing device that can reduce the number of lever actuating solenoids and the like, and can be made inexpensive, small, and lightweight.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a card insertion system for inserting and returning two types of cards with different thicknesses and elastic forces.
a return port, an intake passage whose one end communicates with the card insertion/return slot and takes the inserted card into the interior, and a barley tube having a thickness and elasticity that communicates with the other end of the intake passage in a substantially straight line. A first card processing conveyance path for processing card data; and a card processing path branching from the other end of the taking-in passage and arranged in parallel in the card thickness direction of the first card processing conveyance path, and having a small thickness and elasticity. a second card processing conveyance path for performing data processing; and a card abutting portion located at the branching portion and normally blocking the first card processing conveyance path while opening the second card processing conveyance path. When a card with a small thickness and elastic force is inserted, the card is not displaced and is guided to the 20th card processing conveyance path, and when a card with a large thickness and elastic force is inserted, the card is guided to the 20th card processing conveyance path. and a card guide member that, when displaced by a card, causes the card abutting portion to retreat from the branching portion and open the first card processing conveyance path.

[For production]

In the present invention, the card guide member usually closes the first card processing conveyance path, and when a card with a large thickness and elastic force is inserted, the card guide member is displaced by the skeleton card and exits from the branching part. The first card processing conveyance path is opened, and in the case of a card having a small thickness and a small elastic force, the card is not displaced and remains in an inoperable state. Therefore, thin cards are guided to the second card processing transport path.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a card processing device according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a card processing device, and two types of cards 2 having different thicknesses and resiliency, such as IC cards 2A, are placed at appropriate locations on the front surface of the card processing device 1.
, mate insertion/returning prepaid card 2B
A return port 3 is provided, and inside there is a substantially horizontal card receiving passage 4 communicating with the card insertion/return port 3, and a first IC card with a large thickness and elasticity for processing data for two people.
A second card processing transport path 6 and a second card processing transport path T for processing data on a prepaid card 2B having a small thickness and elasticity are provided. The card 2 inserted into the card insertion/return slot 3 is inserted into the card intake passage 4.
a take-in roller 9 as a card take-in mechanism for taking in the card;
A vertically movable pinch roller 10 is disposed facing each other across the passage 4, and means 11 for detecting insertion of the card 2.
is installed. In this embodiment, the card detection means 11 is an example in which a photocoupler consisting of a light emitting element 11a and a light receiving element 11b facing each other via the card receiving passage 4 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Various modifications are possible.

The first card processing conveyance path 6 has one end communicating with the inner end of the card intake path 4 in a substantially straight line, and has an IC card magnetic head 15 . It includes an IC reading contact 16 and a pair of conveyance rollers 17A and 17B.

The second card processing transport path T has a prepaid magnetic head 18 and a pair of transport rollers 19A, 19B, and is arranged below the first card processing transport path 6 at an appropriate interval. , one end thereof communicates with the inner end of the card intake path 4, thereby forming an inclined path section 7A whose front end intersects the first card processing and conveyance path 6 at an appropriate angle.

A card guide member 21 is disposed at the branch portion 20 of the first and second card processing conveyance paths 6, 7. This card guide member 21 is formed of a leaf spring K, the base end of which is screwed and fixed above the card intake passage 4, and the distal end thereof bent into a substantially V-shape to form a card abutting portion 21.
A normally enters into the branching section 20, thereby blocking the tenth card processing conveyance path 6.

On the other hand, the second card processing conveyance path 7 is connected to the card contacting section 2.
It is not blocked by 1A and is always open and communicates with the card receiving passage 4. The elastic force of the card guide member 210 is smaller than the elastic force of two thick cards;
The elasticity is greater than that of the thin card 2B. Therefore, even if the thin card 2B hits, it does not elastically deform and maintains its current state, and when two thick cards hit, it is elastically deformed by the two cards, and the card abutting part 21A moves out above the branch part 20.

Next, the operation of the card processing device 1 having the above configuration will be explained.

The card 2 inserted into the card take-in passage 4 from the card insertion/return slot 3 is detected by the card detection means 11. Then, in response to this detection signal, the pinch row 210 is lowered by driving an unillustrated lens or the like and presses the card 2 against the take-in roller 9, whereby the card 2 is taken into the interior.

When the cards 2 taken in are two thick cards, the tips of the two cards are attached to the card guide member 21 as shown in FIG.
When the card contacts the card contact portion 21A, since the elastic force of the two cards is greater than that of the card guide member 2'1, the two cards elastically deform the card contact portion 21A upward. It is made to exit above the branching part 20. Therefore, the card intake path 4 and the first card processing transport path 6 communicate with each other, and the two thick cards are fed into the first card processing transport path 6 through the branch part 20, where the magnetic head 15 and I
Data reading and writing processing by the C read contact 16 is performed. Then, when the processing is finished, the transport row 217
A, 17B and the take-in row 29 are reversed to send the two thick cards backwards and return them to the card insertion φ return port 3. In addition, when returning the card, the card contacting part 21A is pushed upward by the two thick cards, and the card exits from the branching part 20.
After returning the card, it returns to its original state and returns to the first card processing conveyance path 6.
occlude.

On the other hand, in the case of a thin card 2B, the card guide member 21
Even if the card contacts the card contact portion 21A, the elastic force is smaller than this, so the card itself cannot bend downward and push up the card contact portion 21A, as shown in FIG. The card is fed into the second processing conveyance path 7 through the inclined passage section rh, where it is subjected to overnight reading and writing processing by the magnetic head 18, and after the processing is completed, the card is sent to the second processing conveyance path 7 through the inclined passage section rh. The card is returned to the card insertion/return slot 3 through the reversal of the card through the take-in passage 4.

In this case, since the thin card 2B is highly flexible, it bends along the 7 inclined passages, passes through it smoothly, and reciprocates between the card intake passage 4 and the second card processing conveyance first. Moving.

When using two thick cards and a thin card 2B at the same time, first insert one of them, for example, the thin card 2B, into the card insertion/return slot 3 and into the second card processing conveyance path 7, then dial the number and start the card processing. Connect device 1 to the center. If you receive a message saying "Please insert your IC card from the center in this state," please insert your IC card, which is a thick card.
A card (or credit card) is inserted through the card insertion/return slot 3 into the first card processing conveyance path 6, and the two IC cards exchange data with the center.

When the cards are returned, first the two IC cards are returned, and then the thin card 2B is returned.

In addition, although the above embodiment describes the case where the card guide member 21 is configured as a plate spring, the present invention is not limited to this in any way, and the card guide member 21 is not limited to this and is not elastic and is biased by a spring. However, the key is to use a thick card 2A.
Any structure may be used as long as it is configured to be displaced by K and temporarily exit from the branching portion 20, but not to be displaced and to change its course for the thin card 2BK.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the card processing device according to the present invention, dedicated card processing and transport paths are provided for the 2S type cards having different thicknesses and elastic forces (bending rigidity), so that the card transport The operation is stable and reliable, and the reliability of data processing can be improved. In addition, since it can be used for two types of cards with different thicknesses, it is cheaper and requires less installation space than when two dedicated machines are installed side by side, and it is less confusing and safer for users. You can use it with care. Furthermore, since the card guide member is displaced by the card, there is no need for a driving means such as a solenoid to drive it, and two types of cards with different thicknesses can be moved by the difference in the elastic force of the card. The card processing device can be reliably sorted, thereby simplifying the structure, reducing the number of parts, making it smaller and lighter, and providing an inexpensive card processing device, which is extremely effective.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a card processing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the situation when a thick card is inserted, and FIG. tJa is a thin cart. It is a figure which shows a situation when inserted. 1...Card processing device, 2...Card, 3...
・Card insertion/return slot, 4...Card intake passage,
6...-first card processing transport path, 7-second card processing transport path, 15°18...magnetic head, 2
0... Branch portion, 21... Card guide member, 2
1A...Card contact part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A card insertion/return slot for inserting/returning two types of cards with different thicknesses and elasticity;
an intake passage that communicates with the return port and takes the inserted card into the interior, and a first card that communicates with the other end of the intake passage in a substantially straight line and performs data processing on the card having a large thickness and elasticity. a processing conveyance path, and a second card processing section that branches from the other end of the intake path and is arranged in parallel in the card thickness direction of the first card processing conveyance path, and performs data processing on cards with small thickness and elastic force. A card with a small thickness and elastic force, which has a transport path and a card abutting part located at the branch part and which normally blocks the first card processing transport path and opens the second card processing transport path. When a card is inserted, the card is not displaced and is guided to the second card processing conveyance path, and when a card with a large thickness and elasticity is inserted, the card is displaced by the card and the card is guided to the second card processing conveyance path. A card processing device comprising: a card guide member whose abutting portion exits from the branching portion to open the first card processing conveyance path.