JPH0219987A - Ic card reader-writer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the insertion of an unsuitable card-shaped object into the internal part of the title device by composing the device so that its shutter mechanism can open only when a detected metal position is within a prescribed range. CONSTITUTION:When the edge of a card 11 is inserted into an IC card inserting port 2, a shutter mechanism 4 is previously moved down up to its lower limit position under its initial state, and a metal detector 6 detects the existence of a metal when the tip of the card 11 passes through sensors 7-9. A metal position deciding part 10 decides whether the position where the metal is detected is the position supposed in the IC card or not, and when the position is any position except the supposed position, the shutter mechanism 4 is kept in a closed state. On the other hand, when the position where the metal is detected is the position supposed in the IC card, a shutter driving part 5 moves up the shutter mechanism 4 up to its upper limit position, and the card 11 can be inserted into an IC card inserting path 3. Thus, a situation in which the unsuitable card-shaped object is inserted into the internal part of the device can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an IC card reading/writing device used for reading and writing to an IC card.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, an IC card is used by being set in an IC card reading/writing device.

By the way, a card other than an IC card may be inserted into this IC card reading/writing device.

For this reason, in conventional devices, the card is once loaded into the device, a reading operation is performed, and it is determined whether or not it is an IC card. When a card other than an IC card is inserted, it is immediately ejected.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional device configuration, the card is inserted into the device and then the card is identified. Therefore, if a soft paper type that cannot be ejected is forcibly inserted, problems such as internal failure of the apparatus occur.

The purpose of the present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems,
To provide an IC card reading/writing device that can reliably eliminate inappropriate card insertion at the stage of device installation.

[Means to solve the problem]

The IC card reading/writing device of the present invention has a shutter mechanism for blocking insertion of a card-like object on the IC card insertion path connecting the IC card insertion slot and the inside of the device. When the card-like object is inserted to the front of this shutter mechanism,
Detects the presence or absence of metal at a predetermined location. Then, only when it is determined from this detection result that the detected position of the metal of the card-like object corresponds to the metal position of the IC card, the shutter mechanism control means releases the shut-off state of the shutter mechanism, and the card-like object is placed inside the device. Make it insertable.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, since the shutter mechanism opens only when the detected metal position is within a predetermined range, it is possible to effectively prevent an inappropriate card-like object from being inserted into the device.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an IC card reading/writing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the device. In the IC card reading/writing device 1, a shutter mechanism 4 for blocking insertion of a card-like object is disposed in an IC card insertion path 3 leading from an IC card insertion slot 2 to the inside of the device.

This shutter mechanism 4 includes a shutter drive unit 5 such as a solenoid.
It is configured to be driven by and move up and down.

When the shutter mechanism 4 is at the upper limit position, the IC card insertion path 3 is open, while when it is at the lower limit position, the IC card insertion path 3 is closed.

IC between this shutter mechanism 4 and IC card insertion slot 2
At the top of the card insertion path 3, there is a metal detector 6 and a sensor 7.8.9 for detecting the position of the tip of the inserted card 11.
is located. This metal detector 6 and sensor 7.
8 and 9 are each connected to a metal position determining section 1O, and the metal position of the inserted card 11 is measured to determine whether it is an IC card or not.

Next, the operation of the IC card reading/writing device configured as above will be explained. First, the operation when the end of the card 11 is inserted into the IC card insertion slot 2 as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In this case, in the initial state, the shutter mechanism 4 is lowered to the lower limit position, and the metal detector 6 detects the presence or absence of metal when the leading edge of the card 11 passes the sensor 7,8,9. If a plastic card or paper card with only a magnetic stripe attached is inserted into the IC card insertion slot 2, no metal will be detected.

On the other hand, if a metal card is inserted, sensor 7.
8.9 Metals will be detected in all locations.

The metal position determining unit 10 determines whether the position where metal is detected is the position expected by the IC card. When the shutter mechanism 4 is in a position other than the expected position, the shutter mechanism 4
remains closed.

On the other hand, if the position where metal is detected is the position assumed by the IC card, the shutter drive unit 5 raises the shutter mechanism 4 to the upper limit position as shown in FIG. Thereby, the card 11 can be inserted into the IC card insertion path 3 located further back than the shutter mechanism 4. In this way, only the IC card is taken into the device, and data is read and written.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the IC card reading/writing device according to the present invention, the presence or absence of metal at a predetermined position on the card is detected, and the shutter mechanism opens only when the detected metal position is within a predetermined range. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent an inappropriate card-like object from being inserted into the device. In addition, it is possible to quickly detect incorrect insertion, such as when an IC card is inserted upside down, and the shutter mechanism also has the effect of making it difficult for dust and the like to be taken into the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an IC card reading/writing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the device. 1... IC card reading/writing device, 2...
・IC card insertion slot, 3...IC card insertion path, 4...shutter mechanism, 5...shutter drive section, 6...
...Metal detector, 7.8.9...Sensor, 10...Metal position determination section, ...Card. Applicant NEC Engineering Co., Ltd. Agent

Claims (1)

[Claims] A shutter mechanism for blocking insertion of a card-like object arranged on an IC card insertion path connecting the IC card insertion slot and the inside of the device, and a metal at a predetermined position of the card-like object existing between the shutter mechanism and the IC card insertion slot. an IC card reader comprising: a mechanism for detecting the presence or absence of metal; and a shutter mechanism control means for releasing the shut-off state of the shutter mechanism only when metal is present at a predetermined position of the card-like object based on the detection result. writing device.