JPH0343668B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information reading device used when using a magnetic card, and in particular, the present invention relates to an information reading device used when using a magnetic card.
To provide a magnetic card reader having a built-in printing mechanism for printing numbers, etc. on paper and issuing them as slips, receipts, etc., and capable of simultaneously receiving a magnetic card that has been read and a printed paper.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, magnetic cards have been used to collect and process information about users of the magnetic cards. Examples include credit cards, employee identification cards, electronic locks, and membership tickets. In this case, specific personal information about the holder, such as membership number, PIN, account number, name, credit status, etc., is recorded in advance on the magnetic stripe attached to the magnetic card. When in use, this personal information is read by a card reader, and this personal information is combined with performance information such as amount, date and time, type, etc., assembled into one piece of information, processed, and stored.
It was used for later payments, management, etc.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In this case, a slip, receipt, balance certificate, etc. is often issued each time the magnetic card is used, but the ejection port for the magnetic card and the paper ejection port after reading are usually separated. The magnetic card and paper must be received separately,
This has become an inconvenience for users.

In addition, when payment is made using a magnetic card in this way, for example, if payment is made with a magnetic card at a company cafeteria, a queue usually forms,
The area near the cash register where payment is made will be crowded. In addition, register operators have to handle both magnetic cards and paper, which requires quite complicated operations.
I felt a burden and a problem arose.

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention separates the magnetic card insertion and ejection ports, and provides the magnetic card ejection port and paper ejection port close to each other, so that calculation results are printed on paper and received together with the magnetic card. The purpose is to smooth the flow of people and reduce the burden on register operators.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a card reader for reading information stored in a magnetic card and a read magnetic card inside an elongated box shape in which a magnetic card insertion slot and an ejection slot are provided at separate positions in the longitudinal direction. A magnetic card reader equipped with a transfer mechanism for transferring the magnetic card to an ejection port approaches the magnetic card reader and reads the information of the magnetic card owner in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the magnetic card is transferred. A register is provided that calculates and records the sales amount and outputs it to the magnetic card reading device, and the calculation results output from this register are printed on paper as characters and symbols, and the register is installed at a position close to above the magnetic card ejection port. a printing mechanism that discharges the printed paper to the discharge port, and a magnetic card that is transferred by the transfer mechanism in approximately synchronization with the discharge of the printed paper, and a portion of the card is exposed from the discharge port while being pressed. It is characterized by having a magnetic card ejecting mechanism therein.

[Effect]

When a magnetic card is inserted into the slot, its ID, such as an employee number, is read.

The operator of the register inputs the sales of the person with that employee number by operating the keys, and the sales amount is calculated. This result is recorded in the recording device of the register and printed on paper by the printing mechanism in the reading device.

Since the printed paper is ejected at a position close to the magnetic card ejection port, it is received together with the magnetic card.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this example, we will explain the payment process at a self-service employee cafeteria.Each employee is given a meal ticket card (magnetic card) that records personal information such as a unique number and name, and the employee is given a meal ticket card (magnetic card) that records personal information such as a unique number and name. The explanation is based on a system in which customers can freely purchase items and pay by entering the personal information on their food ticket card and the item name of each item to record it in a register, which can then be debited from a bank account at a later date.

First of all, Figure 1 shows the area near the cash register in a self-service cafeteria.The upper left of the diagram leads to a food shelf (not shown) where many cooked foods are lined up, and the lower right of the diagram shows the area near the cash register. Many tables are lined up. Following this food shelf, a pair of counters 1 and 2 at about waist height are provided at intervals, and a table 3 is fixed near the end between these counters 1 and 2. ，
A pipe tray holder 5 is fixed horizontally to the upper side of the tray 2. On this tray holder 5 is a tray 6 for receiving food taken out by each person from the food shelf.
is placed, and the tray 6 can be slid on this tray holder 5 and moved in the directions of arrows A and B, respectively. Therefore, the card user approaches the counters 1 and 2 and moves to the two columns A and B. Above the counters 1 and 2, near the food shelves, are installed readers 7 and 8, respectively, which read information recorded on the magnetic stripes of meal ticket cards (magnetic cards). A register 9, which is an information processing device, is installed above the register 9, and the readers 7, 8 and the register 9 are electrically connected by cables 10, respectively.

FIG. 2 explains the details of the readers 7, 8 and register 9 in detail. The readers 7 and 8 have an elongated box shape with a rectangular cross section, and have insertion slots 14 and 15 on one end surface of each (the movement start side of arrows A and B) into which meal ticket cards 12 and 13 are inserted.
are provided, and discharge ports 16 and 17 for discharging meal ticket cards 12' and 13' are provided on the other end surface of each. Each meal ticket card 12, 13 is provided with a magnetic stripe 18, 19 on which personal information is stored. Box-shaped printers 20 and 21 are fixed to the upper planes of the readers 7 and 8 at positions close to the discharge ports 16 and 17, and above the discharge ports 16 and 17 on the rear sides of the readers 7 and 8. are provided with discharge ports 22 and 23 through which sheets 24 and 25 as receipts printed by printers 20 and 21 are discharged. The register 9 includes an information processing section, a display section,
It houses an input section, a storage section, a printing section, etc., and its front side is sloped in two stages, and on the upper left side of the front side is a cathode ray that can display the information entered from the meal ticket cards 12 and 13. Tube (CRT) 2
5 is fixed. A function keyboard 26 for setting the operating mode and a data recorder 27 as a storage device are provided on the front side of the register 9, and a menu keyboard 28 for inputting the type of food is provided on the lower left side of the front surface. The left and right readers 7 are located on the right side.
A pair of changeover keys 29 are provided for selecting 8 (rows of left and right card users), and a power switch 30 is provided below these keys.

Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 show in detail the internal structure of the above-mentioned readers 7 and 8. Since the reader 8 has the same structure as the reader 7, the reference numerals will be used to describe it. An instruction lamp 31 for instructing when to insert the meal ticket card 12 is fixed at a position close to the insertion slot 14 on one end side of the reader 7, and a magnetic head ( A pair of elongated shaft support plates 33 are vertically provided at a distance from the side end surface of the card reader 32 to the discharge port 16. Between the shaft support plates 33, there are pulley shafts 34~
37 are rotatably supported at intervals. Two pulleys 38 to 41 are fixed to each pulley shaft 34 to 37 at intervals, and a narrow belt 42 is wound around the pulleys 38 and 39 and between the pulleys 40 and 41. . And the shaft support plate 3
A motor 44 is attached to the side of the motor 44, and a drive pulley 45 and a pulley 38 of the motor 44 are connected by a belt 46.
are connected by a belt 47, and the belt 4
The upper surfaces of 2 and 43 can be moved from the left side to the right side in FIGS. 3 and 4 by a motor 44.
A solenoid 48 is installed horizontally above the belt 43 near the discharge port 16, and a lever 4 bent into an L-shape approaches the solenoid 48.
9 is pivotably supported in the center thereof, and the shaft 50 of the solenoid 48 is brought into contact with this lever 49. Further, a holding pin 51 is projected downward from the tip of the lower surface of the lever 51, and this holding pin 51 is positioned approximately at the center of the discharge port 16. Then, on one side of the shaft support plate 33, the discharge port 1
Position detectors 52 and 53 of the optical sensor type are provided at intervals at positions close to the position detector 6. The inside of the printer 20 is hollow, and a long and narrow paper 24 is placed inside the printer 20 on the insertion opening 14 side.
A supply paper 54 which is wound around is supported by a shaft, and a printing roller 55 and a pressure roller 56 are respectively supported near the supply paper 54 and between the printing roller 55 and the pressure roller 56. The paper from the supply paper 54 is inserted through. Then, the printing roller 5
A cutter 57 for cutting the replenishment paper 54 into a suitable length is provided close to the cutter 57, and an inclined sliding plate 58 is provided between the cutter 57 and the discharge port 22.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal electrical systems of the readers 7, 8 and the register 9. Each reader 7, 8
Both have the same configuration, with readers 7 and 8
The output of the magnetic head 60 that reads information on the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 is input to a stack memory circuit 62 via an input conversion circuit 61, and an input/output control circuit 63 is connected to the stack memory circuit 62. The control output of the output control circuit 63 is transmitted to a display circuit 64, and the display lamp 31 described above is connected to the display circuit 64. Furthermore, circuits for printers 20 and 21 are housed within the readers 7 and 8. A switching circuit 65 for electronically switching the input signal path is provided in the register 9, and a switching circuit 65 is provided in the input/output control circuit 63 in each reader 7, 8.
5 contact ends are connected to each other, and an input/output conversion circuit 66 is connected to the switching ends. The input/output conversion circuit 66 is connected to the menu key 28, the switching key 29, and a clock circuit 67 that outputs a constant time signal, and the output of the input/output conversion circuit 66 is connected to the print control circuit 68 and the input control logic circuit The output of the print control circuit 68 is input to the switching terminal of a switching circuit 69 that electronically switches the signal path, and the printers 20 and 21 are connected to each switching terminal of the switching circuit 69. There is. The output of the input control logic circuit 70 is the output control logic circuit 71
The output of the output control logic circuit 71 is input to the switching circuit 65, a storage circuit 72 for storing temporary information, a comparison calculation circuit 73 for performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, a display circuit 74, and a storage control circuit 75. ing.
The outputs of the memory circuit 72, comparison arithmetic circuit 73, and memory control circuit 75 are input to an input control logic circuit 70, the display circuit 74 is connected to the cathode ray tube 25, and the memory control circuit 75 is provided with data. Recorders 27 are interconnected. A motor control logic circuit 76 is connected to the output control logic circuit 71, and the output of the motor control logic circuit 76 is connected to a switching end of a switching circuit 77.
7 and switching circuit 69 are operated together with said switching circuit 65 by an output control logic circuit 71. A drive logic circuit 78 provided in the readers 7 and 8 is connected to both switching ends of the switching circuit 77, and the outputs of the position detectors 52 and 53 are input to this drive logic circuit 78. The output of the drive logic circuit 78 is input to the motor 44 and solenoid 48 described above.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

Each card user (employee) individually holds the tray 6 from the upper left in Figure 1, takes out the cooked food of their choice from the food shelf, places it on their own tray 6, and moves the tray 6 on the tray stand 5. Arrows A and B in the figure
Move in sequence in the direction of the column indicated by . When the card holder approaches the register 9, the holder inserts the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 into the reader 7.
Insert the meal ticket card 1 into the insertion slots 14 and 15 of 8.
The personal information stored on the magnetic stripes 18 and 19 of No. 2 and 13 is read by the readers 7 and 8 and transmitted to the register 9. In the register 9, the personal information in the left and right columns from each reader 7 and 8 is stored respectively, and by operating the changeover key 29, the stored left and right personal information is individually called up, and the right or left column of the register 9 is read. While looking at the food on the tray 6 located on the left, enter the code for that food using the menu key 28 to calculate the meal fee for each card user, and summarize the calculation results, input personal information, product name information, etc. The data is stored in the data recorder 27 and used for later debiting the account. Once the information has been input and processed by the register 9, the inserted meal ticket cards 12, 13 are sent to the output ports 16 of the readers 7, 8,
The meal ticket cards 12 and 13 are held with about half protruding from the register 17, and the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 are pulled out. At the same time, signals such as the name of the dish, date and time, personal code, etc. are sent from the register 19 to the links 20 and 21. The calculation results are transmitted, and the contents are printed on sheets 24 and 25 and sent to the discharge ports 22 and 2.
Released from 3. Therefore, the card holder pulls out and collects the meal ticket cards 12', 13' from the ejection ports 16, 17, and simultaneously receives the ejected sheets 24, 25, keeps them as receipts, and stores the meal ticket cards 12, 13. It will be used again for the next use. In this way, meals at the self-service cafeteria are calculated and paid for.

FIG. 6 conceptually shows the flow of information and its processing, and the personal information 80 to 83 read from the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 according to columns A and B of the card holder is It is inputted according to the flow and is waiting for both input sides in the switching means 85 in the processing device 84 (corresponding to the register 9 in this case). The output of the switching means 85 is input to the input means 86, and the output from the switching means 85 is input to the input means 86.
In addition to individual personal information, sales information 88 and time information 89
The input means 86 sequentially transmits this information to the processing means 87 according to the timing. The processing means 87 processes these information 80 to
83, 88, 89 are processed and each personal information 80
- 83, one piece of performance information 90-92 is created, and each performance information 90-92 is numbered and stored in the order of arrow C, respectively. This performance information 9
0 to 92 are stored in a certain amount, or at a certain time, the entire memory is transmitted to a large-sized information processing device to perform payment work.

Next, the operation of the electrical system of this embodiment will be explained.

When the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 are inserted into the insertion slots 14 and 15, the meal ticket card 1 is inserted into the card reader 32.
The personal information stored in the magnetic stripes No. 2 and 13 is read, and this reading is performed by the magnetic head 60, and the read signal from the magnetic head 60 is sent to the stack memory circuit 6 via the input conversion circuit 61.
2 is temporarily stored. This stack memory circuit 6
When personal information is input to 2, a signal is transmitted to the input/output control circuit 63, and a signal that the information input is completed is transmitted to the display circuit 64, which lights up the display lamp 31 to visually indicate the completion of information input. be able to. Next, when one of the switching keys 29 is selected and pressed, the signal is transmitted to the switching circuit 65 via the input/output conversion circuit 66, input control logic circuit 70, and output control logic circuit 71, and the reader 7, 8 is selected and the personal information already stored in the stack memory circuit 62 is transferred to the input/output control circuit 6.
3. The signal is temporarily stored in a storage circuit 72 via a switching circuit 65, an input/output conversion circuit 66, an input control logic circuit 70, and an output control logic circuit 71. Further, at the same time, the time at which the personal information is input from the clock circuit 67, which always outputs time information, is similarly stored in the storage circuit 72. These individual meal information and time information are displayed on the cathode ray tube 25, and the operator confirms these displayed information and moves on to the next credit and payment operations. Then, while looking at the food items on the tray 6, the operator inputs the food item using the menu key 28, and transmits the code of this item to the input/output conversion circuit 66. In addition to the code, this item information includes the name and amount in katakana, and the name and amount are sent to the cathode ray tube 2 through the output control logic circuit 71 and display circuit 74.
5 for visual confirmation. When all the food items placed on the tray 6 have been entered using the menu key 28, the function key 26 is pressed to issue a calculation command, thereby inputting the total price of the food items stored in the memory circuit 72. Control logic circuit 70, output control logic circuit 71
is input to the comparison calculation circuit 73 via the comparison calculation circuit 73, and the total price of the dishes is calculated by the comparison calculation circuit 73.
The calculation result is stored in the aforementioned storage circuit 72 and simultaneously displayed on the cathode ray tube 25 via the display circuit 74. Next, when the function key 26 is pressed to instruct recording, the performance information such as personal information, time information, sales information, etc. stored in the memory circuit 72 is transferred to the input control logic circuit 70 and the output control logic circuit 7.
1 to the storage control circuit 75, and the storage control circuit 75 transmits the performance information to the data recorder 27.
and causes the data recorder 27 to record the performance information. The records of this data recorder 27 are collected after the day's work is completed and transmitted to a large-scale information processing device at the center. At the same time as the performance information is recorded in this data recorder 27, the same content is transmitted to the printers 20, 21 via the print control circuit 68 and the switching circuit 69.
The performance information is printed and typed out on sheets 24 and 25. This printed paper 2
4 and 25 can be received by the card user as a receipt through the outlets 22 and 23. Figure 7 shows sheets 24 and 25 on which this one piece of performance information is printed.
The clock circuit 6 is shown on the sheets 24 and 25.
Time information D of the year, month, day and hour from 7, the employee number E of the card user recorded on the meal ticket card 15, 15, the number F fixed to the register 9, the order in which the register 9 issued on that day. The indicated slip number G, the code H of the dish, the name I and amount J for the code H, and the total sales amount K for one card user are printed respectively.

In this way, food sales and information for one card user are recorded, and by repeating the same operation in sequence, payments and records for meals for all employees are performed, and this information is transferred to each meal ticket card at the end of the month.
The amount is calculated every 2.13 and deducted from your monthly salary or bank account, making it possible to abolish the use of cash and meal coupons at self-service employee cafeterias.

Although the information is processed electrically as described above, mechanical processing within the meal ticket card 12 readers 7 and 8 will now be described.

Meal ticket card 1 inserted from insertion slots 14 and 15
2 is read by the magnetic head 60 in the card reader 32 and its insertion is detected, and the output control logic circuit 71 transmits a signal to the motor control logic circuit 76 to start motor control. Therefore, the motor control logic circuit 76 transmits a start signal to the drive logic circuit 78 via the switching circuit 77, and the motor 44 is driven. 42, pulley 39, belt 47, pulley 39,
The transmission is carried out in the order of belt 43, and belts 42 and 43
The upper surface thereof moves toward the discharge port 16.
Therefore, the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 that have passed through the card reader 32 are placed on the belts 42 and 43, and are sequentially conveyed toward the discharge port 16 by the belts 42 and 43. Meal ticket card 12,1
3 is conveyed by the belt 43 to a position close to the outlet 16, the meal ticket cards 12, 13 first block the light beam of the position detector 52, then the light beam of the position detector 53, and the meal ticket cards 12, 13 block the light beam of the position detector 53. Card 12,1
3 position can be determined. The detection signals from the position detectors 52 and 53 are sent to the drive logic circuit 78.
is transmitted, the operation of the motor 44 is stopped, the conveyance of the meal ticket cards 12, 13 by the belts 42, 43 is stopped, and at the same time, the solenoid 48 is activated,
The shaft 50 is made to protrude, the lever 49 is swung by the shaft 50, and the holding pin 51 is lowered. Since the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 are located at the outlet 16 when the holding pin 51 is lowered, the holding pin 51 presses against the surfaces of the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 and temporarily holds them. The cards 12 and 13 are maintained so as not to be ejected from the ejection port 16. Therefore, half of the length of the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 is exposed from the outlet 16, and the rear portions are held by the holding pins 51. The card holder pulls out and collects the meal ticket cards 12 and 13 that have popped out from this outlet 16, but the meal ticket card 1
2, 13 are pulled out, the position detector 53 detects that the meal ticket cards 12, 13 are pulled out,
The signal is transmitted to the drive logic circuit 78, and the drive logic circuit 78 stops the operation of the solenoid 48, returns the lever 49, pulls up the holding pin 51, and waits for the next operation. In addition, the information stored in the memory circuit 72 and the calculation results are stored in the input control logic circuit 70, the input/output conversion circuit 66, the print control circuit 68, and the switching circuit 6.
The above-mentioned print drum 55 is always rotating at high speed, and the pressure roller 56 is directed toward the print drum 55 at the same time according to the transmitted signal. The characters and signals attached to the printing drum 55 are printed on the surface of the supply paper 54 by pressure contact. The supply paper 54 is sent out every time one line is printed, and when all the information is printed by the printing drum 55, the cutter 57 reciprocates to cut the supply paper 54 and drop it as the paper 24 toward the sliding plate 58. The paper 24 slides toward the outlet 22 while sliding on the sliding plate 58.
2 to the outside of the reader 7. Therefore, the paper 24 can be received together with the meal ticket card 12.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to receive the read magnetic card and the printed paper at the same time, and it is possible to quickly and easily receive the paper when using the magnetic card. Since the operator does not have to bother the operator, work such as information gathering becomes easier. Furthermore, the flow of people around the register can be made smoother, which has the effect of preventing crowding of magnetic card users.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the cash register of a self-service cafeteria that is an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing details of the reader and register, and Figure 3 is the side of the reader. 4 is a plan sectional view of the same as above, and FIG. 5 is a receiving block diagram showing the electrical system of the above.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the operation of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which information is printed on paper. 7, 8...reader, 12,13...meal ticket card, 16,17...discharge port, 20,21...printer, 22,23...discharge port.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A card reader that reads information stored in a magnetic card is installed inside a long and narrow box shape in which a magnetic card insertion slot and an exhaust port are provided at separate positions in the longitudinal direction, and a card reader that reads information stored in the magnetic card and a card reader that carries the read magnetic card to the discharge port. A magnetic card reader equipped with a transport mechanism for transporting a magnetic card approaches the magnetic card reader, and reads the sales amount of the magnetic card owner using information from the magnetic card reader in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the magnetic card is transported. A register is provided for calculating and recording and outputting it to the magnetic card reader, and a register located near the top of the magnetic card ejection port prints the calculation results output from this register on paper as characters and symbols. A printing mechanism that discharges printed paper to an outlet, and a magnetic card that presses the magnetic card transferred by the transfer mechanism almost in synchronization with the discharge of the printed paper and exposes a portion of the card from the discharge port. 1. A magnetic card reading device having a printing mechanism, characterized in that it includes an ejection mechanism therein.