JPH113555A - Magnetic card recording / reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To control a gap between a magnetic head and a magnetic card so that an output at the time of magnetic reproduction becomes a predetermined value, thereby avoiding contact between the magnetic card and the magnetic head and achieving high reliability. Performs magnetic recording and playback to prevent wear and dirt on the magnetic head,
An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism system for reducing maintenance work and repair / exchange costs of these elements. A magnetic head (4) and a magnetic card (4) are arranged so that an output signal from the magnetic head (4) is in a predetermined value range such that the magnetic head (4) is in a non-contact state or a state close to the non-contact state during magnetic reproduction. 5 is provided with position control means for controlling the relative position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in wear life and an improvement in reliability of magnetic recording and reproduction on a magnetic card, and a magnetic head while minimizing contact between the magnetic head and the magnetic card. The present invention provides a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for a magnetic card which is suitable for reducing abrasion and adhesion of dirt.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the prior art, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
As shown in JP-A-59640, although the magnetic card has a space between the magnetic heads, when the magnetic card enters between them, the magnetic card is sandwiched in a state of being pressed between the magnetic head and the conveying roller and the magnetic head is pressed. Magnetic recording / reproduction was performed in the contact state. However, in this method, the wear of the magnetic head progresses while processing a large number of magnetic cards, and the magnetic reading cannot be performed.
In addition, there is another problem that dust and the like adhering to the magnetic card are transferred and the magnetic head side becomes dirty, so that the magnetic recording / reproducing performance is deteriorated and the function is impaired. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically replace or periodically clean the magnetic head, resulting in disadvantages such as a cost burden for maintenance or a loss of convenience to the user due to a stoppage of the operation of the apparatus. Was.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-153222, a magnetoresistive element is applied to a magnetic head, and magnetic reproduction is performed without contacting the magnetic card and the magnetic head. In this technology, the gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card changes when the magnetic card is deformed, or when the accuracy of the transfer position of the magnetic card is varied due to abrasion of the rubber belt or roller that supports and conveys the magnetic card. However, there is a problem that the magnetic output is insufficient and the reproduction performance is deteriorated.

[0004]

According to the present invention, magnetic recording and reproduction can be performed while preventing the magnetic head from coming into contact with the magnetic card as much as possible, thereby preventing wear or contamination of the magnetic head and preventing dust in the air. Automatically removes dirt from the magnetic head to which it has adhered, provides a magnetic card recording / reproducing device, reduces costs associated with replacement and cleaning of the magnetic head, and improves the operating rate of the device. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus for a magnetic card.

[0005]

A transport means for transporting a magnetic card provided with a magnetic material for recording magnetism on its surface, a magnetic head for recording or reproducing magnetism on the magnetic card, and a magnetic head. In a magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus provided with input / output signal control means for a magnetic head for processing the provision of recording information or the reproduction output from the magnetic head, the magnitude of an output signal from the magnetic head during magnetic reproduction is predetermined. And a position control means for controlling the relative position between the magnetic head and the magnetic card so as to obtain the output.

[0006] The magnetic card detecting means for detecting the timing of transporting the magnetic card is provided, and the position control means is provided when the leading end of the magnetic card reaches the magnetic head based on the output signal of the magnetic card detecting means. Has been retracted from the magnetic card transport path by a predetermined amount in advance,
After the tip of the magnetic card was conveyed to a position where it did not interfere with the magnetic head, the position of the magnetic head was controlled so as to read the magnetism while controlling the position of the magnetic head.

[0007] The position control means of the magnetic head, based on the average value of the outputs of a plurality of magnetic cards handled during operation of the apparatus, determines the correlation between the gap between the magnetic card and the magnetic head and the read output value. The relative gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card was determined from the table shown in FIG.

In the magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus, the position control means of the magnetic head uses a table showing a correlation between a gap between the magnetic card and the magnetic head provided in advance and a read output value. And a circuit for calculating the relative gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card from the output value of the magnetic head.

In the magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus, the position control means of the magnetic head determines a relative gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card based on an average value of outputs of a plurality of magnetic cards handled during operation of the apparatus. The correlation between the gap between the magnetic card and the magnetic head and the read output value was determined from a table showing the correlation.

[0010] The magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus further includes type detecting means for detecting the type of the magnetic card,
According to the type of the card, the position control means of the magnetic head detects the type of the magnetic card before the magnetic card reaches the magnetic head, and determines the range of the output value obtained from the magnetic head according to the type of the card. It was set independently to control the gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card.

In the magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus, the type detecting means for detecting the type of the magnetic card detects the size of the card, the thickness of the card, or magnetic information recorded on the card to detect the type of the magnetic card. Type was detected.

In the magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus, the magnetic head is provided with a magnetic recording and reproducing head independently, and a position control means for controlling a relative position between the magnetic head and the magnetic card is based on an output of the reproducing head. In addition, a gap that is a relative position between the magnetic card and the magnetic head is determined, and the gap between the recording head and the magnetic card is controlled to be smaller during magnetic recording than during magnetic reproduction.

In the magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus, the position control means for controlling the relative position between the magnetic head and the magnetic card is provided when the magnetic card type detection means detects a magnetic card which does not require magnetic recording. The recording magnetic head was retracted to a position farther from the magnetic card than during recording.

In the magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus, the position control means of the magnetic head is provided when a card for cleaning the magnetic head other than the magnetic card is conveyed, when the output of the magnetic head is reduced, or when the output of the magnetic head is reduced. After processing a number of magnetic cards, the position of the magnetic head was made closer to that during normal handling so that the magnetic head was brought into contact with those cards to be transported at a predetermined pressure.

[0015] The magnetic card carried by the carrying means is
In accordance with the magnitude of the magnetic reproduction output read by the magnetic head and the input / output signal control means, the position control means controls the magnetic field so that the magnitude of the output signal from the magnetic head during reproduction becomes a predetermined output. Controls the relative position between the head and the magnetic card. This makes it possible to keep the magnetic head and the magnetic card in a non-contact state or a state close to the non-contact state, and to obtain a reproduction output signal that enables reading of magnetic information.

Further, by detecting the transport timing of the magnetic card by the magnetic card detecting means, the magnetic head is moved in advance by a predetermined amount until the leading end of the magnetic card reaches the magnetic head and does not interfere with the magnetic head. Since the magnetic card is evacuated from the transport path, even if the magnetic card has a large thickness or is deformed, the leading end of the magnetic card can interfere with the magnetic head and cause a jam or avoid abrasion of the magnetic head.

Further, the relative gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card is calculated from the magnetic head output value using a table showing the correlation between the gap between the magnetic card and the magnetic head and the read output value. Since the gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card is recognized based on information from the circuit and the magnetic card enters, the magnetic head position control means retracts the magnetic head by a predetermined amount from the transport path. Things become possible.

Further, the gap between the magnetic card and the magnetic head is obtained from a table based on the average value of the outputs of a plurality of magnetic cards handled during operation of the apparatus. , The position of the magnetic head can be obtained with a reduced effect, so that the gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card can be set more accurately.

The type of the magnetic card is detected by the type detecting means, and the position control means of the magnetic head determines the range of the output value obtained from the magnetic head in accordance with the type of the card. Since the gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card is controlled independently, the contact between the magnetic head and the magnetic head due to the variation of the deformation of the magnetic card can be set smaller, so the wear of the magnetic head can be further reduced. Becomes

Further, since the type of the magnetic card is detected by detecting the size or thickness of the card or the magnetic information recorded on the card, it can be realized by a sensor having a simple configuration. .

Also, by independently providing magnetic recording and reproducing heads whose relative positions are known,
The gap between the magnetic card and the magnetic head, which is the relative position between the magnetic card and the magnetic head, can be obtained based on the output of the reproducing head. This allows the gap between the recording head and the magnetic card during magnetic recording to be optimal so that the magnetic recording performance does not deteriorate. Can be set to

The position control means for controlling the relative position between the magnetic head and the magnetic card includes a magnetic head for recording when the magnetic card unnecessary for magnetic recording is detected by the magnetic card type detecting means. Since the magnetic recording head is evacuated to a position farther from the magnetic card, unnecessary contact between the magnetic recording head and the magnetic card can be avoided, and wear and dirt can be prevented.

The magnetic head position control means performs processing on a predetermined number of magnetic cards when a magnetic head cleaning card other than the magnetic card is conveyed, or when the output of the magnetic head is reduced. After that, the position of the magnetic head can be made closer to that at normal pressure so that the magnetic head comes into contact with those cards to be conveyed at a predetermined pressure. Dirt can be wiped off by contact.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a recording / reproducing apparatus for a magnetic card. The magnetic card transport path is composed of a plurality of belt pairs 1 running oppositely and a plurality of roller pairs 2 rotating oppositely. The roller pair 2 has a shaft fixed at the upper roller, and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The lower roller is rotatably supported on the shaft,
The shaft is pressed upward by a spring 3 via an arm so as to be movable downward.

The magnetic head 4 is supported by a housing via a piezoelectric element as shown in FIG. The magnetic head 4 comes close to the magnetic card 5 and reads and outputs magnetic recording contents of a magnetic stripe on the magnetic card 5. The input / output control circuit 6 outputs information indicating the position of the magnetic head 5 based on the output of the magnetic head 4 to a control circuit 7 of a piezoelectric element for controlling the position of the magnetic head 5. Control circuit 7
Determines and outputs a voltage value Vt to be output to the piezoelectric element based on the information. That is, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is changed so that the output of the magnetic head approaches the intended target output value.
For example, Vt = Vt + (target output value of magnetic head−output value of magnetic head) × ΔV.

The transport timing detection sensor 8 shown in FIG.
Is a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving sensors, which are arranged on the transport path of the magnetic card 4. When the magnetic card 5 crosses the transport timing detection sensor 8, the light does not reach the light receiving sensor, and it is detected that the magnetic card 5 has passed. Also,
The time t0 (t0 = U / Q) from when the magnetic card 5 passes through the transport timing detection sensor 7 to the magnetic head 4 is determined by the distance U between these elements and the transport speed Q of the magnetic card 5. Things.

The position control circuit 7 of the magnetic head 4 controls the magnetic card 5 based on the output of the aforementioned transport timing detection sensor 7 so that the magnetic card 5 does not collide with the magnetic head 4.
During the time until the tip of the magnetic head 4 reaches the magnetic head 4, the magnetic head 4 is retracted from the lower end position of the upper roller to the information by a predetermined amount.

FIG. 3 is a table in which the amount of the gap between the magnetic head 4 and the magnetic card 5 and the output value of the magnetic head 4 are obtained in advance. This value is obtained by averaging the output values of a plurality of magnetic cards 4 actually distributed. The amount by which the magnetic head 4 is evacuated so as not to collide with the magnetic card 5 is determined by estimating the position of the magnetic head 4 from the output value in FIG. 3 and reading the magnetism of the conveyed magnetic card 5. And the position is controlled by the position control circuit 7.

With the above arrangement, the magnetic card 5 is fed to the magnetic head 4 without colliding with the magnetic head 4, so that the magnetic head 4 reproduces the magnetism and at the same time the output value becomes constant. The position of the magnetic head 4 is controlled. As a result, the magnetic reproduction is performed with high reliability, and the position of the magnetic head 4 is controlled so that the magnetic card 5 is not in contact with the magnetic card 5 even if the magnetic card 5 is deformed. Can be prevented from being worn. Further, it is possible to prevent the magnetic card 5 from adhering dirt.

As a result, replacement of the magnetic head with a new one for preventing a reading failure accompanying the wear of the magnetic head 4 and maintenance work for removing dirt on the magnetic head can be reduced.

Further, the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved.

FIG. 4 shows that the type of the magnetic card 5 is detected, and when a magnetic card 5 that does not require magnetic recording is conveyed, the magnetic recording magnetic head 4 is prevented from contacting the magnetic card 5. Fig. 1 shows a configuration for retreating from the transport path.

The size detection sensor 9 of the magnetic card 5 is a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving sensors, and is arranged on the transport path of the magnetic card 4. When the magnetic card 5 crosses the transport timing detecting sensor 9, the light does not reach the light receiving sensor, and it is detected that the magnetic card 5 has passed. As shown in FIG. 5, the size detection sensor 9 is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the direction in which the magnetic card 5 is conveyed. These sensors 9 have a distance R
It is located at a remote location. With this configuration, when a bill is conveyed, the output value of the size detection sensor 9 is obtained according to the length of the magnetic card 5 in the conveying direction, and the magnetic card 5
The size of can be obtained. That is, assuming that the transport speed Q of the magnetic card 5, the time during which the magnetic card 5 crosses the size detection sensor 9 and the output of the sensor 9 is interrupted is Δt2, and the length of the magnetic card 5 is S (= Δt2 × Q), The length L in the transport direction of the card 5 is L = Ssinθ, where θ = arctan (Δt1 × Q
÷ R).

The thickness detecting sensor 10 in FIG. 4 comprises a pair of opposing rotatable rollers and a displacement measuring sensor (not shown) of the rollers. The rotatable roller is pressed against the conveyor belt 1 by a spring. When the magnetic card 5 enters the conveyor belt 1, the roller moves with the displacement of the conveyor belt 1, which is deformed according to the thickness of the magnetic card 5. It measures the displacement of a rotatable roller. The displacement measuring sensor 9 measures the displacement of a member supporting the rotatable roller. With these sensors, the thickness and size of the conveyed magnetic card 5 are determined. The type of the card is determined by a card type determination circuit 11 that compares the values of the thickness and the size with these values associated with the types of the various handling magnetic cards 5 stored in advance. As a result, when a card that does not perform magnetic recording is conveyed, the position control circuit 7 of the magnetic head 4 is moved.
The magnetic recording head 4 is largely retracted from the transport path when the magnetic card 5 is transported, based on the information from the card type determination circuit 11.

With the above configuration and operation, when the magnetic card 4 does not perform magnetic recording, contact between the magnetic card 4 and the magnetic head 4 can be avoided. The occurrence of wear of the head 4 can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the magnetic card 5 from adhering dirt.

Thus, as described above, the magnetic head 4
The effect of reducing the replacement of a magnetic head with a new one for preventing a reading error accompanying the wear of the magnetic head and the maintenance work for removing the dirt on the magnetic head can be expected.

The same operation and effect can be obtained even if it is determined from the magnetically reproduced information by the magnetic head 4 disposed upstream of the recording head that the magnetic card 4 does not require magnetic recording. Needless to say. That is, the relationship between the recorded contents of the magnetic card and the type of the magnetic card is stored in advance, and by determining the type of the magnetic card 5 to be conveyed, it is possible to determine whether the magnetic recording is necessary. It is possible.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the transport roller 2 near the magnetic head 4. The transport 2 is a magnetic head 4
Before and after, and within 10 mm of each other.
Thereby, the shape of the magnetic card 4 that has been deformed in advance can be made flat when the magnetic card 5 accesses the magnetic head 4, and the reproduction output of the magnetic card 5 is within a predetermined range. It is possible to easily control the position of the magnetic head 4 so that the value becomes a value. That is, it is possible to easily avoid contact between the magnetic card 5 having the deformed shape and the magnetic head 4, thereby preventing the magnetic head 4 from being worn. Further, it is possible to prevent the magnetic card 5 from adhering dirt.

Thus, as described above, the magnetic head 4
The effect of reducing the replacement of a magnetic head with a new one for preventing a reading error accompanying the wear of the magnetic head and the maintenance work for removing the dirt on the magnetic head can be expected.

Although not shown, the position control circuit 7
Record the number of processed magnetic cards with an integrator, and position the magnetic card 5 so that the magnetic card 5 positively contacts the magnetic head 4 every time the processed number of magnetic cards 5 reaches a predetermined number. Let me. With this configuration operation, dust in the air attached to the magnetic head 4 can be removed, operations such as cleaning of the magnetic head can be automated, and an effect of reducing maintenance work can be expected.

[0042]

According to the present invention, the magnetic recording / reproducing of the magnetic card can be made highly reliable, and the contact between the magnetic card 5 and the magnetic head 4 can be avoided as much as possible. Can prevent the magnetic head 4 from being worn. Further, it is possible to prevent the magnetic card 5 from adhering dirt.

Thus, it is possible to reduce the need for replacing the magnetic head with a new one for preventing a reading defect accompanying the wear of the magnetic head 4 and for the maintenance work for removing dirt on the magnetic head.

Further, the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a magnetic card transport mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of mounting a magnetic head.

FIG. 3 shows a gap between a magnetic card and a magnetic head and magnetic reproduction output characteristic data.

FIG. 4 is a control system of a magnetic recording head during magnetic reproduction.

FIG. 5 shows a method for detecting the size of a magnetic card.

FIG. 6 is a configuration of a transport mechanism near a magnetic head.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyer belt, 4 ... Magnetic head, 5 ... Magnetic card, 7
... Position control circuit.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A transport means for transporting a magnetic card having a surface on which a magnetic material for recording magnetism is recorded, a magnetic head for recording or reproducing magnetism on the magnetic card, and a method for applying recording information to or writing magnetic information on the magnetic head. In a magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus provided with a magnetic head input / output signal control means for processing a reproducing output from the head, the magnetic head and the magnetic card are in a non-contact state when an output signal from the magnetic head reproduces magnetism. Alternatively, a magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus is provided with position control means for controlling a relative position between a magnetic head and a magnetic card so as to be in a predetermined value range close to the state. 2. The magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: magnetic card detecting means for detecting a timing of transporting the magnetic card, wherein the position control means is provided based on an output signal of said magnetic card detecting means. When the tip of the magnetic card reaches the magnetic head, the magnetic head is retracted by a predetermined amount from the transport path of the magnetic card in advance, and after the tip of the magnetic card is transported to a position where it does not interfere with the magnetic head, the magnetic head A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that the position of a magnetic head is controlled so as to perform magnetic reading while controlling the position of the magnetic card. 3. The magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic head position control means indicates a correlation between a gap between the magnetic card and the magnetic head provided in advance and a read output value. A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a circuit for calculating a relative gap between a magnetic head and a magnetic card from a magnetic head output value using a table. 4. A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic head position control means controls the magnetic head based on an average value of outputs of a plurality of magnetic cards handled during operation of the apparatus. A magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus, wherein a relative gap between a magnetic head and a magnetic card is obtained from a table showing a correlation between a gap between the card and the magnetic head and a read output value. 5. A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a type detecting means for detecting a type of the magnetic card, and a position control means of the magnetic head according to the type of the card. Before the magnetic card reaches the magnetic head, the type is detected, and according to the type of the card,
A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by independently setting a range of an output value obtained from a magnetic head and controlling a gap between the magnetic head and the magnetic card. 6. A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the type detecting means for detecting the type of the magnetic card detects the size of the card, the thickness of the card, or the magnetic information recorded on the card. A magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus characterized in that the type of the magnetic card is detected by detecting. 7. A magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic head comprises a magnetic recording and reproducing head independently, and a position control means for controlling a relative position between the magnetic head and the magnetic card comprises: The gap, which is the relative position between the magnetic card and the magnetic head, was determined based on the output of the reproducing head, and the gap between the recording head and the magnetic card was controlled to be smaller during magnetic recording than during magnetic reproduction. A magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position control means for controlling the relative position between the magnetic head and the magnetic card comprises a magnetic card type detecting means which does not require magnetic recording. A magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that when a card is detected, the recording magnetic head is retracted to a position farther from the magnetic card than during recording. 9. The magnetic card recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic head position control means is provided when a magnetic head cleaning card other than the magnetic card is conveyed.
Or, when the output of the magnetic head has been reduced, or after processing a predetermined number of magnetic cards, the position of the magnetic head is normally handled so that the magnetic head comes into contact with the conveyed cards at a predetermined pressure. A magnetic card recording or reproducing apparatus characterized in that it is made closer to time.