JPH07272017A - Recording medium processing apparatus and recording medium type / direction determining method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To speed up the determination of ticket type and insertion direction by the automatic ticket gate. [Structure] This automatic ticket gate is for processing a ticket 2 having a plurality of trucks provided on at least one surface regardless of the direction in which the ticket is inserted. The read heads 10 and 11 that read information on the side contacting the track surface, the bit density determination circuit 51 that determines the bit density for each track from the first dummy data read by the read head 10, and the data of the ticket 2 From the position of the reading head 10 on the side of reading, the front and back of the ticket 2 on the transport path 5 are discriminated, and the type of the ticket 2 is determined according to the bit density of each track determined by the bit density determination circuit 51. And a CPU 42 that determines the processing content of the ticket 2 based on the determination results and executes the processing according to the determination.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium processing device such as an automatic ticket gate for performing ticket collection or ticket collection of a recording medium such as a ticket, and a method of discriminating the type of recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, for the purpose of labor saving of railway ticket gates, many automatic ticket gates have been installed at entrances and exits (ticket gates) of facilities such as railways. This automatic ticket gate device takes in the ticket carried by the user when entering or exiting the facility or when changing trains, and if the ticket is appropriate, use it It allows people to pass, and blocks the passage of users if it is inappropriate. In recent years, various types of ticket have come to be handled by this type of automatic ticket gate.

For example, a narrow edmonson ticket size (such as an ordinary ticket) and a wide commuter ticket size, and even among commuter tickets of this commuter ticket size, a predetermined monetary value other than the commuter ticket. There is also a stored fair (SF) type ticket (SF card), etc., which has a value that is reduced in advance every time it is used with prepayment.

For this reason, the automatic ticket gate apparatus has the type of the inserted ticket (Edmonson ticket, commuter ticket and S ticket).
F card, etc.), different processing (magnetic writing, scissors, printing, etc.) depending on the insertion direction (front and back, forward and reverse, etc.)
Is configured to perform.

In the conventional automatic ticket gate, the width information of the ticket is detected by the width sensor provided in the vicinity of the slot, and the magnetic information (for each track) provided on one side of the ticket is read by the next reading head ( The presence / absence of data, preamble data, postamble data, the number of data, etc.) are read, and the CPU combines the information from these width sensors and the read head to determine the size, ticket type, direction, etc.

In this case, the CPU determines the ticket type, the direction, etc. based on the preamble data, the postamble data, the number of data, etc. obtained from the reading head, and therefore, only after reading all the magnetic information of the ticket. The judgment process cannot be completed.

At least this determination process must be completed within a very short time before the ticket is conveyed from the position of the read head to the next processing position (usually the position of the write head).

By the way, if the direction of inserting the ticket is opposite and the direction of the read data is different, a process for replacing the data will be added. However, if such processing is performed after all the magnetic information of the ticket has been read, the determination processing is completed within this time even for a CPU with the fastest processing speed, and preparation for the next processing (usually magnetic writing is performed). It is not possible to complete the creation of write data (for writing, etc.).

Therefore, in the case of the conventional automatic ticket gate apparatus, for the purpose of improving the processing speed, the data read by the read head is used as it is as a forward reading buffer and at the same time,
After converting the direction of the same data, it is also stored in the backward buffer,
Only one data is used as soon as the direction in which the ticket is inserted is determined.

However, this requires two data storage areas for read data of one ticket type, and thus requires a large-capacity read buffer, which is not economical. Even if such a configuration is required, if the data is recorded at high density, it takes time to convert all the read data in the backward direction and to store the two areas, and the determination process and the next process preparation are required. Next magnetic processing (writing processing)
It sometimes bites into, and sometimes causes a problem such as a writing error.

[0011]

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional automatic ticket gate apparatus, that is, the recording medium processing apparatus, all the information is read from the recording medium, and it is read as the forward area and the backward area after the data conversion. Respectively stored in
The type of the recording medium and the input direction were determined based on this, but this is not economical because it requires a large-capacity read buffer. Even with this configuration, it takes too much processing time when the amount of data is large,
There was a problem that the post-treatment might be affected.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and is capable of instantaneously determining the type of recording medium and the insertion direction without affecting post-processing, and is economical in using a small read buffer. The present invention aims to provide a recording medium processing device.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1 processes a recording medium having an information recording area on at least one surface on a conveying path. In the apparatus, on an information recording area surface of a recording medium, which is arranged so as to oppose a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium loaded on the conveying path with the conveying path interposed therebetween, and has been conveyed on the conveying path by the conveying unit. A plurality of information reading means for reading the information on the surface on which the contacting side is present, a front / back side determining means for determining the front / back side of the recording medium from the arrangement position of the information reading means on the side for reading the information, and the information reading means Information recording density determination means for determining the recording density from the information at the forefront of the information recording area obtained by loading the recording medium, and the information recording density determination means The recording density of the information recording area is provided and the type-on direction determining means for determining a type and charging direction of the recording medium based.

A recording medium processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a recording medium processing apparatus for processing a recording medium having an information recording area on at least one side thereof on a transport path, and transports the recording medium loaded on the transport path. A plurality of information reading means, which are arranged to face the conveying means with the conveying path interposed therebetween, and whose side abutting the information recording area surface of the recording medium conveyed on the conveying path by the conveying means reads information on the surface. A front and back side discriminating means for discriminating the front side and the back side of the recording medium from the arrangement position of the information reading means on the side reading the information; and the information recording area obtained by loading the recording medium into the information reading means. Information recording density discrimination means for discriminating the recording density from the information at the forefront, and the type of recording medium based on the recording densities of the respective information recording areas discriminated by the information recording density discrimination means. And type-on direction determining means for determining a preliminary charging direction, depending on the type charging direction determining means and the determination results of the front and rear discriminating means, and a processing means for executing processing on the recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the recording medium processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing means aligns the surfaces of the recording medium with one surface according to the result of the discrimination by the front / back discriminating means. The reversing mechanism includes a reversing mechanism and a processing unit that processes the recording medium whose one surface is aligned by the reversing mechanism.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium type direction determining method for a recording medium type input direction determining method in a recording medium processing apparatus which processes a recording medium having a plurality of information recording areas on at least one surface thereof. From the step of reading the information recorded in the foremost part of the plurality of information storage areas of the recording medium, the step of obtaining the recording density from the information in the foremost part, and the method of arranging the information storage areas having the recording density. , And a step of determining the type and loading direction of the recording medium.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the recording medium is conveyed and carried into the position of the plurality of information reading means, the frontmost information storage area of the recording medium read by one of the information reading means is read. The recording density is obtained from the information of the part,
Based on this, the type and direction of the recording medium are determined. Further, the front and back of the recording medium are discriminated from the arrangement position of the information reading means on the side that has read this information.

Therefore, before all the information on the recording medium is read, that is, the synchronization data (dummy data) of the recording medium.
When a few bits are read, it becomes possible to determine the ticket type and insertion direction, and when storing the read information and executing the ticket processing using that information, it is possible to perform , It is much more advantageous in terms of memory capacity.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the recording density is obtained from the information of the frontmost portion of the recording medium, and the type and direction of the recording medium is discriminated based on this. Then, the processing means executes the processing of the recording medium based on the discrimination result and the front / back discrimination result.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the surface of the recording medium is aligned to one side by the reversing mechanism of the processing means according to the discrimination result of the front and back discriminating means, and the recording is aligned to one side by the reversing mechanism. The medium is printed by the printing means.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a part of the information recorded in the foremost part of the plurality of information storage areas of the recording medium is read, the recording density is obtained from the read information, and each of the obtained recording densities is obtained. The type and loading direction of the recording medium are determined based on how the information storage areas are arranged.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic construction of an automatic ticket gate apparatus of an embodiment according to the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a ticket as a card-shaped recording medium having a predetermined surface (rear surface) with a magnetic recording unit for storing information by a magnetic recording system or the like at one end of the automatic ticket gate apparatus main body 1. A loading slot 3 for receiving 2 and a loading slot 4 for discharging the boarding ticket 2 loaded from the loading slot 3 are provided at the other end. As the ticket 2, for example, a fare prepaid method having a monetary value (normal ticket, commuter pass, coupon ticket, etc.), or a stored fair method (SF with a monetary value reduced each time the fare is prepaid) Different types such as thickness) and width are used. For example, an ordinary ticket is a paper ticket, the width of which is a small so-called ticket size (Edmonson ticket size), commuter tickets and SF cards are mainly plastic cards, and the width thereof is a so-called commuter ticket size.
The SF card is a commuter pass size ticket in which a standard punch hole is punched at a predetermined position on the face of the ticket according to the frequency of use, and a ticket name and the like are printed.

That is, the width of the ticket 2 is roughly classified into two types, and when the thickness is about 0.18 mm to 0.45 mm depending on the material.
It will vary to some extent. In addition, a ticket other than a ticket may be inserted into the slot 3.

A transport path 5 for transporting the ticket 2 inserted by the slot 3 to the slot 4 is formed between the slot 3 and the slot 4. On this transport path 5,
A plurality of detectors (sensors) 6 to 9 are provided to detect passage of the ticket 2 conveyed on the conveying path 5. An alignment belt 5a on which the tickets 2 that have passed the sensors 6 and 7 are aligned is provided on the transport path 5. In addition, this transport path 5
A magnetic processing unit is provided above the sensors 7 to 8. In this magnetic processing unit, a pair of reading heads 10 and 11 as magnetic information reading units for reading the magnetic information recorded on the ticket 2, and a magnetic information writing unit for recording magnetic information on the ticket 2. A pair of write heads 12 and 13, and a pair of read heads 14 and 15 as a verifying unit (magnetic information reading unit) for confirming the written magnetic information.

Each of the read / write heads 10 to 15 holds a predetermined interval so that the ticket 2 transported on the transport path 5 can pass therethrough, and a corresponding support member (rotating roller) 1 is provided.
6 to 21 are provided. These rotating rollers 16-
21 and the read / write heads 10 to 15 are attached to one side surface of the automatic ticket gate apparatus main body 1. In addition, each reading
The writing magnetic heads 10 to 15 are provided one above and one below the transportation path 5 so that the magnetic information recorded on the back surface of the ticket 2 can be read and written when the ticket 2 is transported either on the front or back side. It is provided. In addition, on the transport path 5,
Distribution units 22 and 23 for distributing the tickets 2 are provided. The distribution unit 22 is an SF card (hereinafter referred to as an SF card) such as an Edmonson ticket (normal ticket), a commuter ticket, etc.
Since the post-processing differs depending on the type, the boarding ticket 2 is distributed to one of the processing routes according to the type of the ticket. For example, an SF card or the like is distributed to the SF processing unit 24 side, and an ordinary ticket is distributed to the thermal stamp 25 or scissor punch 26 side. The sorting unit 23 takes out the ticket 2 when the ticket 2 that is input is to be discharged.
In the case where the ticket 2 should be collected, the ticket 2 is distributed to the collecting section 40 direction. Further, the automatic ticket gate apparatus main body 1 is provided with a door portion 41 which is closed to prevent passage of a user.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the control device of the automatic ticket gate will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the control system of this automatic ticket gate apparatus is a central processing unit 42 (hereinafter referred to as CPU) for controlling the entire automatic ticket gate apparatus, and a lead storing a control program of this CPU 42.・
Only memory 44 (hereinafter referred to as ROM), ticket 2
Random access memory 46 (hereinafter referred to as RAM) that stores information read from the computer and as a work area buffer for the control program, the entrance station where the use of the ticket 2 was started (or the entrance corresponding to the entrance station) Of the fare memory 48 storing the fare information corresponding to the station code), the reading circuit 50 for controlling the reading heads 10, 11, 14, 15 and the ticket 2 read by the reading heads 10, 11, 14, 15. Bit density determination circuit 51 for determining the bit density of each track, write heads 12 and 13
The write circuit 52 for controlling the detectors 6 to 9, 76, 83,
A ticket detection circuit 54 that detects the transportation state of the ticket 2 based on the output of 84; a main transportation control circuit 56 that controls a main transportation motor 55 that transports the ticket 2 along the transportation path 5;
SF processing section control circuit 9 which is a control circuit of the SF processing section 24
0, the speed control circuit 91 of the motor 94 for transporting the SF processing unit,
The punch driver 92 that drives the standard punch 68, the print driver 93 that drives the thermal head 89 that prints on the ticket 2, the door control circuit 60 that controls the door opening / closing mechanism 58 that drives the door portion 41, the automatic ticket gate device body 1 And a transmission control circuit 62 for transmitting information to and from a control panel (not shown) or a host computer for controlling the.

Next, the SF processing section 2 described above with reference to FIG.
4 will be described in detail.

This SF processing unit 24 is the automatic ticket gate apparatus main body 1
It is a unit that can be installed and removed freely.

As shown in the figure, the SF processing section 24 has a transport system (motor 64, transport belt 65, drive roller 66, etc.) for transporting the ticket 2 and the ticket 2 on the back side. Side, a reversing mechanism section 67, a standard punch 68 as a perforation mechanism section for punching a standard hole in the SF card in the ticket 2 according to the frequency of use, and a ticket 2
Boarding date, boarding station name, time,
Printing unit 69 for printing information such as deduction balance
(The thermal head 89, the pressing roller 87, and the like) are arranged on a transportation path for sorting the ticket 2 from the arrow A, transporting the ticket 2, and discharging it from the arrow B.

A reversing pocket 72 is rotatably supported on the shaft 71 of the reversing mechanism 67. A spring 73 is attached to the inversion pocket 72,
The inversion pocket 72 is biased in the direction of arrow C about the shaft 71. The biasing force of the spring 73 is set to about 500 gf. Further, in the reversing pocket 72, the supporting roller 7 is inserted into the reversing pocket 72 from above the pocket.
4 and a support roller 75 are supported so as to enter inside the pocket from below. Further, the reversing pocket 72 is provided with a detector 76 for detecting the entry position of the ticket 2 just before the stopper 72a, for example, 15 mm ahead.

A rotating roller 77 is disposed in the reversing mechanism 67 so as to face the supporting roller 75. A driving roller 79 for driving the rotating roller 77 in a predetermined direction by a belt 78 is arranged at the ticket insertion portion indicated by the arrow A of the reversing mechanism portion 67. The reversing mechanism 67 is provided with a driving roller 80 that is driven in the same direction as the driving roller 79 and faces the rotating roller 74 when the reversing pocket 72 rotates. Further, the reversing mechanism 67 includes a drive roller 79.
A distribution unit 81, which is controlled by the CPU 42 and distributes the tickets 2, is provided between the driving roller 80 and the driving roller 80.
The reversing mechanism 67 is provided with a PUSH-PULL type rotary solenoid 82 which is controlled by the CPU 42 and presses the reversing pocket 72. The pressing force of the rotary solenoid 82 is set to about 1000 gf. Sensors 83 and 84 are provided at the front and rear positions of the conveyance path on the reference punch 68 at the rear stage of the reversing mechanism 67.

Since the planes of the ticket 2 are aligned in one direction by providing the reversing mechanism section 67, it is only necessary to arrange one printing unit 69 on the conveying path, and the number of parts and man-hours can be reduced. In addition to the cost reduction effect, there is an effect of downsizing the entire device. Here, the type of the ticket 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the format of the data recorded on the ticket 2, and FIG. 5 is the ticket 2 during transportation.
It is a figure which shows the variation of the direction and the reading head.

Usually, the data format of the ticket 2 is
For example, according to the cybernet standard, 210BPI, 105BPI, 105 /
There are about 4 types such as 2BPI and 105 / 2BPI or less (NRZ). 210BPI is usually set when the amount of data to be recorded in the ticket 2 is set to 105BPI. Therefore, it can be said that the number of trucks provided on the ticket 2 and the bit density of each of them are different depending on the type (specifications of SF card, commuter pass, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4, the ticket 2 is of a commuter pass size, such as an SF card, and a blind person mark 100 is provided on one edge thereof. Further, a plurality of, for example, four, tracks 101 to 104 are provided on the back surface (magnetic surface) of the ticket 2. Each track 1
In 01 to 104, a dummy data area 105 is formed near both edges of the ticket 2, and a regular data area 106 is formed in the center. In the regular data area 106, when the ticket insertion direction is the forward direction, first, the preamble data 10
7. Finally, the postamble data 108 is always recorded.

In the case of the ticket 2 of this embodiment, the truck 1
Bit densities 01 to 103 are 105 BPI, track 104
The bit density is set to 210 BPI. Further, the dummy data area 105 of the tracks 101 to 103 and the dummy data area 105 of the track 104 have different area lengths due to ticket specifications and the like. So track 10
The dummy data area 105 of 4 is shorter.
In the dummy data area 105, for example, 0, 0,
The same continuous data such as 0 and 0 is recorded.

The above-mentioned ticket 2 (SF card) is inserted into the automatic ticket gate device in various directions by the user.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the ticket 2 is inserted in the forward direction and the magnetic surface is downward, the lower head, that is, the head portion 10 of the reading head 10 corresponding to each track.
The data of the tracks 101 to 104 are read by a to 10d. In this case, the head unit 1 of the reading head 10
0a, the first dummy data area 10 of the track 104
5 data and preamble data 107 are read.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the ticket 2 is inserted in the forward direction and the magnetic surface is on the upper side, the upper head, that is, the reading head 11 reads the data of the tracks 101 to 104. In this case, the head portion 11d of the read head 11 reads the data in the first dummy data area 105 of the track 104 and the preamble data 107.

As shown in FIG. 5C, when the ticket 2 is inserted in the reverse direction and the magnetic surface is on the lower side, the lower head, that is, the reading head 10 reads the data of the tracks 101 to 104. In this case, the head section 10a of the read head 10 reads the data in the first dummy data area 105 of the track 104 and the postamble data 108.

As shown in FIG. 5D, when the ticket 2 is inserted in the reverse direction and the magnetic surface is on the upper side, the upper head, that is, the reading head 11 reads the data of the tracks 101 to 104. In this case, the head portion 11d of the read head 11 reads the data in the first dummy data area 105 of the track 104 and the postamble data 108.

The operation of this automatic ticket gate will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

In this automatic ticket gate, when the ticket 2 is inserted through the slot 3 (step 601), first the ticket 2 is inserted.
Are detected by the detectors 6 and 7 in the widthwise direction, and are aligned while being conveyed by the alignment belt 5a (step 602). The detection result is taken into the CPU 42 through the boarding ticket detection circuit 54 and the ticket size is determined (step 603).

Here, if the ticket size is, for example, the size of an Edmonson ticket (step 604), the ticket 2 is transported through the transport path 5 and the reading process and the writing process of the magnetic surface are executed (Edmonson. Magnetic processing of tickets)
(Step 605).

When the magnetic processing is normally completed and the bill is valid (step 606), the CPU 42 controls the distribution unit 22 to sort the Edmonson bill to the scissors punch 26 side, and then the mode state of the apparatus. Is determined (step 607), and if the mode state is, for example, the ticket gate mode at the time of admission, the Edmonson ticket is punched by the scissors punch 26 (step 608) and conveyed to the exit 4 (step 609).
). Further, in the bill collecting mode at the time of participation, the Edmonson ticket is collected in the collecting unit 40 (collecting process) (step
610).

On the other hand, when the CPU 42 determines that the size of the Edmonson ticket is not the size of the Edmonson ticket in step 604, that is, when the ticket 2 is the size of the commuter ticket, the ticket 2 is left as it is (whether front or back). It is conveyed to the position of the read heads 10 and 11 provided one by one through.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the data (magnetic information) of each track of the ticket 2 is read by either one of the reading heads 10 and 11, and is read into the CPU 42 through the reading circuit 50. . Of the data, the first dummy data (synchronous data) in the dummy data area 105 is taken into the bit density determination circuit 51.

The bit density discriminating circuit 51 obtains the bit density of each track from the fetched dummy data for each track (step 611) and transfers it to the CPU 42 as the bit density discriminating result of the ticket 2.

Then, the CPU 42 combines the transferred bit density determination result of the boarding ticket 2 and the bit density for each track, which is pre-registered in the RAM 46 and is uniquely assigned to the ticket type and insertion direction. When they coincide with each other, the ticket type and the inserting direction of the conveyed ticket 2 are determined (step 612).

In other words, the CPU 42 determines, based on the arrangement of the tracks 101 to 104 having different bit densities of the ticket 2 and the position of the read head 10 or the read head 11 that read the data, whether the direction is the insertion direction (forward or reverse direction). ) And the ticket type and the direction of the face of the inserted ticket 2 (front or back) (step 612).

Then, the CPU 42 determines the processing content and processing method of the ticket 2 based on the type, direction, and front / back of the ticket 2.

For example, if the type of the ticket 2 is an SF card (step 613) and it can be determined that the ticket has been inserted in the forward direction (step 614), the reading head 1 on the transport path 5
Write heads 1 provided one behind each of 0 and 11
Information is written on the magnetic surface of the ticket 2 by either one of the numbers 2 and 13, and the result of this writing is written by either one of the read heads 14 and 15 provided one by one (the magnetic surface of the ticket 2). The write-verify process (confirmation) is performed on the side that has abutted against (the positive direction magnetic process) (step 615). This series of writing and confirmation processing is called magnetic processing. If the input direction is the reverse direction (step 614), the information to be written (bit data) is arranged in the reverse direction to the normal direction, for example, it is converted byte by byte, and the magnetic processing in the reverse direction is executed (step 616). .

Further, when the type of the boarding ticket 2 is a commuter ticket (step 613), the processing is executed in the same manner as described above according to the inserting direction of the commuter ticket (steps 617 to 619). If the type of the ticket 2 is neither a commuter pass nor a SF card (step 613), the ticket 2 is conveyed to the exit 4 as a waste of processing (no need to handle) (step 620), When it is removed (step 621) and the person returns (step 622), it waits for the next ticket to be inserted.

On the other hand, if the card is a SF card or a commuter pass,
The CPU 42 determines whether the ticket 2 is valid or invalid based on the read data during or after the above processing (step 623). If this determination result is valid, C
Depending on whether the ticket 2 is an SF card or a commuter ticket (step 624), the PU 42 controls the distribution unit 22 to convert the ticket 2 into S.
It is distributed to the F processing unit 24 side or the outlet 4 side.

Tickets 2 distributed to the SF processing section 24
The surface is aligned in one direction by the reversing mechanism section 67 according to the front and back thereof, and is conveyed to the reference punch 68 side in the next step by the belt 78, and the reference punch 68 forms a reference hole according to the frequency of use. It is opened (step 625).

Ticket 2 that has passed through the standard punch 68
Are carried into the printing unit 69 by the belt 78.
Here, for example, the boarding date, the time, the boarding station name, and the remaining deduction amount are printed on the surface (the recording portion on the back surface) that is in contact with the thermal head 89 while being pressed by the thermal head 89 and the platen roller 87 ( Step 625).

Finally, the Edmonson ticket, SF
Valid tickets 2 such as cards and commuter passes are discharged to the outlet 4.

When the user pulls out the ticket 2 discharged to the outlet 4, the sensor 9 provided at that position
Detects it, and when the user passes by the side of the apparatus main body 1, a human detection sensor (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 1 detects it, and outputs the respective detection information to the CPU 42.
(Step 626, step 627), the CPU 42
Is in a state of waiting for the next ticket 2 to be inserted.

As described above, according to the automatic ticket gate of the present embodiment, the bit density discriminating circuit 51 starts from the first data (the front dummy data) of the tracks 101 to 104 provided on the magnetic surface of the ticket 2. , The bit densities of the tracks 101 to 104 are obtained, and the CPU 42 determines that the tracks 101 to 104 are
From the arrangement (combination) of the bit densities 104 and the positions of the reading heads 10 and 11 that read the data, the ticket type and the insertion direction of the boarding ticket 2 are determined and the corresponding processing is executed. Even if the magnetic data of the ticket 2 is not completely read, the ticket type and the inserting direction can be instantly discriminated. Whether the data is recorded at high density or not, the post-processing can be performed. Not only is it not affected, but the occurrence rate of processing abnormalities can be reduced.

At the time of reading the dummy data (the data of the frontmost part of the magnetic surface of the ticket 2), the ticket type and the inserting direction can be determined, so that the main data can be stored in one data area accordingly. It is not necessary to have two data areas for storing the read data from the forward direction and the backward direction as in the conventional case, the read buffer can be downsized in terms of hardware, and the economical efficiency is improved in terms of component cost. .

Further, if the ticket type and the inserting direction of the ticket 2 can be quickly discriminated, the time for storing the main data itself, the subsequent ticket processing time, the data processing time, etc. can be shortened,
Problems related to processing time, such as writing being delayed, can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the bit density of the dummy data of the ticket 2 is obtained and the ticket type of the ticket 2 is determined by the combination of the tracks. However, each track has the same bit density or each track has the same bit density. If they are symmetrical in the forward and reverse directions, the direction in which the ticket 2 is inserted cannot be determined. Therefore, at this time, the preamble data 10
7 or postamble data 108 and the number of data for each track, it is possible to determine the ticket type and the inserting direction.

[0066]

As described above, according to the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the recording density of the information at the forefront of the recording medium is obtained, and the type and direction of the recording medium are determined based on the obtained recording density. However, since the processing of the recording medium, such as magnetic reading and writing, is performed based on this determination result and the front / back determination result, the type of the recording medium and the insertion direction are read before all the information of the recording medium is read. It becomes possible to discriminate whether the read information is stored or to use the information to perform the ticket processing, which is far more advantageous in terms of time and memory capacity than the conventional case.

That is, since the type and loading direction are discriminated at the time when a part of the information on the recording medium is read, there is no influence on the post-processing in the type discrimination of the recording medium and the loading direction discrimination processing. . Moreover, since it is not necessary to store a plurality of pieces of read information, a small and economical read buffer can be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a control system of the automatic ticket gate apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an SF processing unit of the automatic ticket gate apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of data recorded on a ticket.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing variations of a ticket input direction and a reading head.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of this automatic ticket gate.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Main body of automatic ticket gate, 2 ... Ticket, 5a ... Aligning belt, 10, 11 ... Read head, 24 ... SF processing section, 42
… Central processing unit (CPU),
51 ... Bit density determination circuit, 67 ... Inversion mechanism section, 68 ...
Standard punch, 69 ... Printing unit, 100 ... Blind mark, 101-104 ... Track, 105 ... Dummy data area, 106 ... Regular data area, 107 ... Preamble data, 108 ... Postamble data.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium processing apparatus for processing a recording medium having an information recording area on at least one side thereof on a transport path, comprising: a transport means for transporting the recording medium loaded on the transport path; and the transport path. A plurality of information reading means arranged to face each other with the information recording area surface of the recording medium conveyed on the conveying path by the conveying means to read information on the surface, and a side from which the information is read. Front and back discriminating means for discriminating the front side and the back side of the recording medium from the arrangement position of the information reading means, and the recording density from the frontmost information of the information recording area obtained by loading the recording medium into the information reading means. And an information recording density determining means for determining whether the recording medium is a recording medium type or a loading direction based on the recording density of the information recording area determined by the information recording density determining means. Recording medium processing apparatus characterized by comprising a direction discrimination means. 2. A recording medium processing apparatus for processing a recording medium having an information recording area on at least one surface on a transport path, a transport means for transporting the recording medium loaded on the transport path, and the transport path. A plurality of information reading means arranged to face each other with the information recording area surface of the recording medium conveyed on the conveying path by the conveying means to read information on the surface, and a side from which the information is read. Front and back discriminating means for discriminating the front side and the back side of the recording medium from the arrangement position of the information reading means, and the recording density from the frontmost information of the information recording area obtained by loading the recording medium into the information reading means. And an information recording density determining means for determining whether the recording medium is a recording medium type or a loading direction based on the recording density of the information recording area determined by the information recording density determining means. A direction discrimination means, depending on the type charging direction determining means and the determination results of the front and rear discriminating means, a recording medium processing apparatus characterized by comprising a processing means for executing processing on the recording medium. 3. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing means arranges the surface of the recording medium to one surface in accordance with the discrimination result of the front and back discriminating means, and the reversing mechanism, A recording medium processing device, comprising: a printing unit configured to perform a printing process on the recording medium having one surface aligned on one side. 4. A method of determining the type of a recording medium inserting direction in a recording medium processing apparatus for processing a recording medium having a plurality of information recording areas on at least one surface thereof, wherein the frontmost part of the plurality of information storage areas of the recording medium is provided. From the step of reading the information recorded in, the step of obtaining the recording density from the information of the foremost part, and the method of arranging each information storage area having the recording density,
A method for determining the type and direction of the recording medium, the method for determining the type and direction of the recording medium.