JP2002092707A - Radio card issuing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio card issuing machine capable of detecting the near end and the end of radio cards stored in a card hopper section by utilizing the radio data, which are the feature of the radio card, without using a conventional optical sensor. SOLUTION: ID numbers are inquired on the radio cards stored in a card hopper section 11. The near end and the end of the radio cards A are detected by the number of remaining cards calculated based on the returned number of ID numbers or the returned numerals of ID numbers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless card issuing machine for issuing a wireless card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless card is taken out of a hopper,
Based on a purchaser's instructions, the card is printed after purchasing the purchase information or adding the purchase information by wireless collection, and then issuing the card.

In such a wireless card issuing machine, near-end detection and end detection of a wireless card stored in a hopper are performed by using an optical sensor.

[0004] That is, in the case of near-end detection, detection is performed when the uppermost side of the card loaded on the hopper passes through the optical axis of the near-end sensor. End detection is also performed by arranging a sensor at a position where the presence or absence of the last card can be detected.

As described above, since the near-end detection and the end detection of the wireless card stored in the hopper are performed by using the optical sensor, the wireless card is vulnerable to dust, the light source is deteriorated, the wiring is routed, and the like. Extra things are needed.

Therefore, there is a need for a wireless card that can detect near-end and end of a wireless card inside a hopper by utilizing wireless data, which is a feature of a wireless card, without performing detection using the above-described conventional optical sensor. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wireless card which is characterized by using wireless data which is a feature of a wireless card without performing detection using a conventional optical sensor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless card issuing machine capable of detecting near-end and end of a wireless card inside a hopper.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a wireless card issuing machine for storing a wireless card for transmitting an identification number by radio, and taking out the wireless card stored by the storing means. Means, issuing means for adding predetermined information to the wireless card taken out by the taking out means, and issuing means, receiving means for receiving an identification number wirelessly transmitted from the wireless card stored in the storing means. And determining means for determining whether the number of wireless cards stored in the storing means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number based on the number of identification numbers received by the receiving means.

According to the wireless card issuing machine of the present invention, a wireless card for transmitting an identification number by wireless is stored in a storage unit in the order of the identification number, and the wireless card stored in the storage unit is sequentially taken out. Means, issuing means for adding predetermined information to the wireless card taken out by the taking out means, and issuing means, receiving means for receiving an identification number wirelessly transmitted from the wireless card stored in the storing means. And a determining means for determining whether or not the number of wireless cards is equal to or more than a predetermined number based on the smallest identification number or the largest identification number among the identification numbers received by the receiving means.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A radio card issuing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

This wireless card issuing machine is for issuing a wireless card A based on a purchaser's instruction. For example, a ticket vending machine for selling wireless tickets and commuter passes (wireless card A) used in transportation and the like. Machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless card issuing machine has a customer service section 2 for purchasers on the front surface of a main body 1. The customer service unit 2 receives a coin input by a purchaser, a charge input unit 3, a charge input by the charge input unit 3, a charge display unit 4 on which change is displayed, and a charge input unit 3. .., A card discharging unit 6 for discharging the purchased (issued) wireless card A, and a change discharging unit 7 for discharging change. ing. In the above example, coins are accepted, but bills may be accepted.

In this wireless card issuing machine, as shown in FIG. 2, a wireless card A in which purchase information is not recorded is stacked and stored in a main body 1 (a new wireless card A is loaded). A card hopper 11 as a storage means, and a take-out unit 13 for taking out the lowermost wireless card A of the card hopper 11 one by one into the main transport path 12 are provided.

The wireless card A includes a control unit, a storage unit, and an antenna unit, and an ID number (recognition number) is stored in the storage unit in advance.

A wireless antenna 1 for reading an ID number for performing wireless communication with a wireless card A stored in the card hopper 11 is provided below the card hopper 11.
4 are provided. The wireless antenna 14 is connected to an ID number reading unit 23 described later.

From the card hopper 11 to the take-out unit 13
The wireless card A taken out by the above is transported by the main transport path 12 and is discharged from the card discharge unit 6. Take-out unit 1 from card hopper unit 11
A printing unit 15 and a wireless data processing unit 16 are sequentially provided on the main transport path 12 up to 3.

The printing section 15 prints the purchase information of the card selected by the current purchaser on the wireless card A taken out of the card hopper section 11 by the take-out section 13 so that the card can be visually confirmed. is there.

Further, the wireless data processing unit 16 includes the printing unit 1
5 stores, by wireless communication, the purchase information of the card selected by the customer this time in the storage section of the wireless card A on which the purchase information is printed.

The main transport path 12 is driven and controlled by a motor 17 so as to transport the wireless card A in the direction of arrow a.

The wireless card issuing machine has a charge input unit 3
And a change unit (not shown) is provided inside the upper part of the change discharging unit 7. The check section counts the amount input from the charge input section 3.

Next, a control circuit of the wireless card issuing machine will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, a control unit 21 for controlling the entire wireless card issuing machine is provided. The control unit 21 is stored in the card hopper unit 11 by driving the charge display unit 4, the card purchase button 5,..., The driver 22 for driving the take-out unit 13, and the wireless antenna 14 for the customer service unit 2. ID number reading unit 23 for reading the ID number of the wireless card A, a driver 24 for driving the printing unit 15, and a driver 2 for driving the motor 17
5. The sensor 26 for detecting the transport state of the wireless card A in the main transport path 12 and the transport jam, and the wireless data processing unit 16 are connected.

After issuing the wireless card A, the control unit 21 controls the ID number reading unit 23 to perform wireless communication with the wireless card A stored in the card hopper unit 11 using the wireless antenna 14. By doing so, the wireless card A is inquired of the ID number.

The control unit 21 responds to the inquiry by
It is possible to determine that the number of wireless cards for which the D numbers have returned is stored in the card hopper section 11. For example, when five ID numbers as slice levels have returned, the near end is determined, and an inquiry is made. On the other hand, when the ID number does not return, the end is determined.

Next, a ticketing process in the above configuration will be described.

First, the purchaser enters the price associated with the purchase through the fee input unit 3. Then, the control unit 21 selectively lights the card purchase buttons 5,... According to the inserted amount.

Next, the purchaser selects and presses down one of the lit card purchase buttons 5,.

Next, the control section 21 controls the drive of the take-out section 13 and takes out (feeds out) the wireless card A from the card hopper section 11 and conveys it through the main conveyance path 12. At this time, the wireless card A is transported in the direction of the arrow a on the main transport path 12 by the drive control of the motor 17 by the control unit 21.

Next, the control unit 21 causes the printing unit 15 to
The controller 21 prints the purchase information of the card selected by the current purchaser on the surface of the wireless card A conveyed along the main conveyance path 12 so that the card can be visually checked. Wireless card A transported on transport path 12
Wireless communication between the wireless card A and the storage unit of the wireless card A.

Thereafter, the wireless card A is ejected (issued) from the card ejection section 6.

Next, a description will be given of near-end and end detection in the case where an ID number is assigned in advance to a wireless card stored in the card hopper section 11, but the order is unknown. That is, after the issuance of the wireless card A, the control unit 21 controls the ID number reading unit 23 to perform wireless communication with the wireless card A stored in the card hopper unit 11 using the wireless antenna 14. By
The ID number is inquired to each wireless card A (ST1).

In response to this inquiry, the card hopper 11
Is supplied to the ID number reading unit 23 via the wireless antenna 14 and is read by the ID number reading unit 23 and output to the control unit 21. (ST2). Thus, when five ID numbers are returned in response to the inquiry (ST5), the control unit 21 determines the near end (ST5).
6) If the ID number has not returned in response to the inquiry (ST3), the end is determined (ST4).

As a result, the control unit 21 provides guidance on a display unit (not shown) when determining near end, and provides guidance on a display unit (not shown) when determining end.

As described above, after the wireless card is issued, the wireless card stored in the card hopper is inquired of the ID number, and based on the number of ID numbers returned in response to the inquiry. Thus, the near end and the end of the wireless card stored in the card hopper are determined.

As a result, the near-end and the end of the wireless card stored in the card hopper can be detected by utilizing the wireless data, which is a feature of the wireless card, without performing the detection using the conventional optical sensor.

In the above-described embodiment, the case is described in which the wireless card stored in the card hopper is assigned an ID number in advance and the order is unknown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An ID number is assigned to a wireless card in advance, and the order can be determined in a similar manner.

In this case, the largest ID number or the smallest ID number is the last wireless card, and the number of wireless cards before this wireless card is set to near end. For example, 100 IDs from 1 to 100
It is assumed that 100 wireless cards with numbers are stored in the card hopper. In this case, the ID numbers are in the order of 1, 2, 3,... From the bottom, and the top is 100. Also, ID as near end
The number is set to 96 which is the last five sheets.

That is, after the issuance of the wireless card A, the control section 21 controls the ID number reading section 23 and uses the wireless antenna 14 to perform wireless communication with the wireless card A stored in the card hopper section 11. Is performed, the wireless card A is inquired of the ID number.

In response to this inquiry, the card hopper 11
Is supplied to the ID number reading unit 23 via the wireless antenna 14 and is read by the ID number reading unit 23 and output to the control unit 21. . Thereby, the control unit 21 determines that the smallest ID number in response to the inquiry is the wireless card A stored at the bottom of the card hopper unit 11 and, when the smallest ID number is “96”, , The near end is determined, and if the ID number has not returned, the end is determined.

When the smallest ID number is "100" in response to the inquiry, the control unit 21 determines that the wireless card A is the last one, and when the wireless card A is issued, determines the end. You may do it.

As a result, the control unit 21 provides guidance on a display unit (not shown) when determining the near end (the number immediately before disappearance), and on the display unit (not shown) when determining the end (0). Give the guidance.

As described above, after issuing a wireless card, the wireless card stored in the card hopper is inquired of an ID number, and based on the ID number returned in response to the inquiry, The near end and the end are determined by calculating the remaining number of wireless cards stored in the card hopper.

As a result, the near-end and the end of the wireless card stored in the card hopper can be detected by utilizing the wireless data which is a characteristic of the wireless card without using the conventional optical sensor.

[0044]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the data is stored in the card hopper by utilizing the wireless data which is a characteristic of the wireless card without performing the detection using the conventional optical sensor. A wireless card issuing machine capable of detecting near-end and end of a wireless card can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a customer service surface of a wireless card issuing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a wireless card issuing machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control circuit of the wireless card issuing machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining near-end and end detection processing of a wireless card stored in a card hopper unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Wireless card 11: Card hopper section 12: Main transport path 13: Extraction section 14: Wireless antenna 15: Printing section 16: Wireless data processing section 21: Control section 23: ID number reading section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A storing means for storing a wireless card for transmitting an identification number by wireless, a removing means for sequentially taking out the wireless cards stored by the storing means, and a wireless card to be removed by the removing means. Issuing means for adding predetermined information to the receiving means, receiving means for receiving an identification number wirelessly transmitted from a wireless card stored in the storing means, and number of identification numbers received by the receiving means. Determining means for determining whether or not the number of wireless cards stored in the storing means is equal to or more than a predetermined number. 2. The wireless card issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number determined by the determination means is one or the number immediately before the number is depleted. 3. The wireless card issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein the determination by the determination unit is performed after the issuance of the wireless card by the issuing unit. 4. A storing means in which a wireless card for transmitting an identification number wirelessly is stored in the order of the identification number, an extracting means for sequentially extracting the wireless cards stored by the storing means, Issuing means for adding predetermined information to the wireless card to be taken out and issuing; receiving means for receiving an identification number wirelessly transmitted from the wireless card stored in the storing means; Determining means for determining whether or not the number of wireless cards is equal to or greater than a predetermined number based on the smallest identification number or the largest identification number among the identified identification numbers. Machine. 5. The wireless card issuing machine according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined number determined by the determination means is one or the number immediately before the number is depleted. 6. The wireless card issuing machine according to claim 4, wherein the determination by said determining means is performed after the issuance of the wireless card by said issuing means.