JPH04341461A - Card conveying control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cope with unmanned operation of cash dispensers, etc., by detecting residual cards on a conveying route securely and also conveying and returning the cards securely. CONSTITUTION:In a card conveying mechanism, a sensor carrier 12 on which two sensors 7 and 8 are provided for detecting the existence of cards, a drive means provided with a sensor carrier motor 5 for driving the sensor carrier 12, and a control means are provided. The control means controls the drive means according to the sensor output from the sensor, and moves the sensor carrier 12 following the cards to be conveyed. Also the cards left on a conveying route move the sensor carrier 12, and the residual cards and their positions are detected with the output from the sensor. Thus the monitoring of the cards to be conveyed and the detection of all residual cards on the conveying route can be performed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a card transport mechanism such as an automatic teller machine, and in particular, the present invention relates to a card transport mechanism such as an automatic teller machine, and particularly to a card transport mechanism in which a card may remain in a position where it cannot be detected by a sensor. The present invention relates to a card transport control method that is effective as a solution when it is necessary to transport and return cards reliably.

0002

[Prior art] The conventional card transport control system was
As described in No. 3-24358 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-288492, cards are conveyed by belts or rollers and monitored by sensors fixed on the conveyance path. For this reason, there have been cases where it has been impossible to detect a card remaining between the sensors, or it has been impossible to input/output card information such as a deformed card. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that the imported card would be returned.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the cards are transported by belts or rollers and monitored by sensors on the transport path.Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for detecting cards remaining between the sensors and detecting deformed cards, etc. The method of inputting and outputting card information was not taken into account, and there were problems in that it was not possible to detect the presence of cards remaining on the transport path, and that it was not possible to input and output card information such as deformed cards. Furthermore, no consideration was given to the problem of reliably transporting and returning cards, which is essential for unmanned operations. The present invention aims to solve the above problems.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides (1) a movable card detection means, which tracks and monitors the card being conveyed, controls the conveyance, and , cards remaining on all conveyance paths are detected. In addition, (2) a conveying means equipped with a card detection means for holding and conveying the card is provided, and this conveying means corrects card deformation before holding and conveying the card, thereby ensuring reliable card conveyance and card information. This allows for accurate input and output. Both (1) and (2) above have a card detection means that follows the card being transported, making it possible to reliably transport and return the taken card.

[0005]

[Operation] The movable card detection means in (1) moves along with the card being conveyed and monitors the card while following it, and upon detecting that the card detection means has moved a specified amount, stops the card conveyance. Fixed sensors on the transport path are no longer required. Further, if a jam occurs at any position during conveyance, the movable card detecting means also stops, so jam detection can be performed reliably. Furthermore, since all conveyance paths can be checked by moving the card detection means, residual cards and foreign matter can be detected. Further, the conveyance means for holding the card, which is equipped with the card detection means described in (2) above, corrects the amount of deformation of the card by guiding both ends of the card, and the card is conveyed by the conveyance motor while holding the card. I
After inputting/outputting card information such as C memory, it operates to eject the card while holding it. Therefore, not only can the card be reliably transported through the card transport mechanism, but also deformed cards can be transported after being corrected, allowing accurate input and output of card information such as magnetic stripes and IC memories. Furthermore, in both (1) and (2) above, since the card is constantly monitored by the card detection means that follows the card being transported, it is possible to reliably transport and return the captured card.

[0006]

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below. [Embodiment 1] Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. 1 is a schematic diagram of a card transport mechanism using a movable sensor, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the card transport mechanism shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3a and 3b are flowcharts of card transport control using a movable sensor, and FIG. 4 is a transport path using a movable sensor It is a flowchart of residual check. The card conveyance mechanism 1 of FIG. 1 sucks in a card 2 inserted into an insertion slot 3, causes the card to follow a movable sensor consisting of a sensor carrier to which a sensor is attached, and conveys the card while detecting the presence of the card. This unit reads and writes the magnetic stripe of the card 2 using the magnetic head 11, and ejects the card 2 into the insertion slot 3 again.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the card transport mechanism 1 shown in FIG. An example of the general operation of the card transport mechanism 1 will be described below. Card 2 by customer into slot 3 in Figure 1
When inserted, an instruction is given to the main control section 26 through the upper line control section 24 in FIG. 2 in response to an instruction from the main body control section. For example, if the instruction is to read the card, the main control unit 26 gives an instruction to the card conveyance motor control unit 21 to rotate the card conveyance motor 4 in FIG. Control part 2
2 to move the sensor carrier to the position of the magnetic head 11 in FIG. Then, the sensor carrier 12 of FIG. 1 is moved in the suction direction by the driving force of the sensor carrier motor 5 connected to the conveyor belt 6 while the sensors 7 and 8 (for example, optical sensors) detect the card. The sensors 7 and 8 are attached to the lower part of the sensor carrier 12,
A hole is provided in the sensor carrier 12 so that the sensors 7 and 8 can detect the card. The sensor carrier 12 is connected to the conveyor belt 6 by a link mechanism 13. The detection outputs of the sensors 7 and 8 are monitored by the sensor control section 15.

The sensor carrier motor control section 22 stores the current position of the sensor carrier in a sensor carrier position storage section 25.
When the sensor carrier is transported to the position where reading of the card is completed, the main control unit 26 controls the card transport motor control unit 2.
1 and the sensor carrier motor control section 22, and reports the termination result to the main body control section through the upper line control section 24.

A card conveyance control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained below. In Figure 1, sensor carrier 1
2 is assumed to be at the insertion opening 3. When the card 2 is inserted into the insertion slot 3, it is detected by the sensor 7. When the main control section 26 in FIG. 2 reports this to the main body control section, the main body control section instructs the main control section 26 through the upper line control section 24 to read the card magnetic stripe. The main control section 26 instructs the card conveyance motor control section 21 and the sensor carrier motor control section 22 to carry out reading of the card magnetic stripe, as explained in the above-mentioned general operation.

[0010] This operation will be explained below along the flowcharts of FIGS. 3a and 3b. First, the card conveyance motor control section 21 normally drives the card conveyance motor 4 to rotate the roller 15, and while conveying the card along the conveyance guide 14, the sensor control section 23 drives the card conveyance motor 4 until both the sensors 7 and 8 detect the card. wait. When both the sensors 7 and 8 detect the card, the sensor carrier motor control unit 22 normally drives the sensor carrier motor 5 to transport the sensor carrier 12. At this time, sensor carrier 1
2 is sequentially stored and updated in the sensor carrier position storage unit 25. Usually, card 2 and sensor carrier 12
Since the cards are transported at the same speed, both sensor 7 and sensor 8 are transported while detecting the presence of a card. However, if a card jam occurs or a sensor carrier abnormality occurs, sensor 7 or sensor 8 detects the presence of a card. become unable.

Therefore, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3a and 3b, when the sensor 7 no longer detects the presence of a card, the card transport motor is decelerated and driven to compensate for the delay in the sensor carrier 12, and the sensor 7 is reactivated. When detecting the presence of a card, the card transport motor is normally driven. Similarly, when the sensor 8 no longer detects the presence of a card, the sensor carrier motor is decelerated and driven to correct the delay of the card 2, and when the sensor 8 detects the presence of a card again, the sensor carrier motor is normally driven. When the main control unit 26 detects that the position count in the sensor carrier position storage unit 25 has reached the card target position after being transported in this way, the main control unit 26
Instructs each motor control section to stop the card transport motor 4 and sensor carrier motor 5, and ends the transport. The main control section 26 reports the completion result to the main body control section through the upper line control section 24.

[0012] Also, when ejecting the sucked card into the insertion slot 3, the card may be monitored in the same manner by reversing the view of the sensors 7 and 8. That is, when the sensor 7 no longer detects the presence of a card, the sensor carrier motor is decelerated and driven.
When the sensor 8 no longer detects the presence of a card, the card can be monitored by decelerating the card transport motor. This not only improves the reliability of card transport since the card can be transported while always following the card, but also allows the number of sensors to be reduced because all transport paths can be controlled with two sensors. Note that in the case of card jam or sensor carrier malfunction, it is reported to the main body control section, which displays the abnormality and stops the device.

[0013] Next, a method for checking the residue on the conveyance path will be explained with reference to FIG. The exhaust and suction limit positions of the sensor carrier 12 are detected by sensors 9 and 10 (for example, optical sensors) in FIG. 1, respectively. If the sensor 9 does not detect the sensor carrier 12 at first, the sensor carrier motor 5 is driven for ejection, and when the sensor 9 detects the sensor carrier 12, the sensor carrier motor 5 is stopped and the sensor carrier 12 is set at the initial position. After that, the sensor carrier motor 5 is driven by suction, and the sensor 7 or the sensor 8 is
The sensor carrier 12 is moved until the sensor 10 detects the sensor carrier 12 while checking whether the sensor carrier 12 is detected. During this time, if the sensor 7 or sensor 8 detects that the card remains, the main body control section can know the remaining position by reporting the sensor carrier position where the remaining card was detected to the main body control section. As a result, it is possible to check the residue on all conveyance paths, so that even residual substances that cannot be detected by fixed sensors can be checked, and reliability on the conveyance path is improved.

[Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a card transport mechanism using a card carrier, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the card carrier and related mechanisms, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the card transport mechanism of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a card transport control using a card carrier. This is a flowchart. The card transport mechanism 101 in FIG. 5 takes in the card 102 inserted into the insertion slot 103 while being held in the card carrier 112 at the initial position, reads and writes the magnetic stripe of the card 112 using the magnetic head 111, and then returns to the insertion slot. 103
This is a unit that discharges water.

An example of the general operation of the card transport mechanism 111 will be explained below. When the card 102 is inserted into the insertion slot 103 in FIG. 5 by the customer, the main control unit 126
instructions are given. For example, if the instruction is to read the card, the main control unit 126 gives an instruction to the card carrier motor control unit 121 to rotate the card carrier motor 105 in FIG. 5 in the suction direction (rightward in the figure). Then, the card carrier 112 in FIG. 5 moves in the suction direction while holding the card 102 by the driving force of the card carrier motor 105 connected to the conveyor belt 106. The card carrier control unit 121 transports the carrier while storing the current position of the carrier in the card carrier position storage unit 125. When the position of the carrier reaches the position where reading of the card is completed, the main control unit 126 controls the card carrier motor. Control unit 12
1 and reports the result to the main body control unit through the upper line control unit 124.

Next, the mechanism of the card carrier shown in FIG. 6 will be explained. The card carrier 112 has a structure that does not cover the parts necessary for inputting and outputting card information, such as the magnetic stripe part and the IC part of the card, and it can be sucked and moved on the rail 96 while being securely held by the claws 97 and 99. It is designed to move in the ejection direction. Sensors 107, 108
(e.g., an optical sensor) is attached to the bottom of the card carrier 112, and the card carrier 12 includes the sensor 107,
A hole is provided so that 108 can detect the card. Card carrier 112 is connected to conveyor belt 106 by a linkage mechanism. The driving force is provided by the rotation of the card carrier motor 105 and transmitted by the conveyor belt 106. Sensors 109 and 110 detect card carrier 112, thereby detecting card carrier 112.
This is to detect the limit positions of ejection and intake.

The card carrier 112 is provided with a card holding/feeding mechanism. This mechanism has claws 97 and 99
and a card feed motor. The card feeding motor 98 is driven when the card 102 is removed from the holding state of the card carrier 112 during card ejection.
This allows the card to be fed out to make it easier for the customer to take the card. The card carrier 112 then maintains the card ejected state until the next customer inserts the card. When the card is inserted, for example, the tab 99 will move back due to the insertion force, and when the card is completely inserted, the tab 99 will move back.
7 returns upwards and enters the holding state.

A card conveyance control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the initial position of the card carrier 112 is in the insertion slot 103. When the card 102 is inserted into the insertion slot 103, the sensor 107
When the card 102 is further pushed in, both the sensors 107 and 108 become in a state where the card is detected. At this time, the card 102 is in a shape in which deformations such as card warpage are corrected by the guides at both ends of the card carrier 112.
Furthermore, it is securely held by the claws 97 and 99 in FIG.

From the main control unit 126 in FIG.
, 108, the main body control section instructs the main control section 126 through the upper line control section 124 to read the card magnetic stripe. The main control section 126 instructs the card carrier motor control section 121 to transport the card to read the magnetic stripe, as explained in the above-mentioned general operation.

This operation will be explained below along the flow chart of FIG. First, the card carrier motor control section 121 suction drives the card carrier motor 105, and the sensor control section 123 moves the card 102 into the card carrier 1 while monitoring the presence of a card using the sensors 107 and 108.
The magnetic head 111 reads the magnetic stripe of the card. When the main control unit 126 detects that the position count of the card carrier position storage unit 125 has reached the card target position, the main control unit 126 instructs the card carrier motor control unit 121 to stop the card carrier motor 105. Give instructions and finish the conveyance.

The main control section 126 reports the completion result to the main body control section through the upper line control section 124. Furthermore, the sucked card can be ejected into the insertion slot 103 by similarly transporting the card carrier motor in the ejection direction. After conveyance, the card 102 remains held in the card carrier 112, so when the main control section 126 instructs the card dispensing control section 122 to dispense, the dispensing motor 98 drives the claw 99 in the ejection direction, and at the same time the claw 97 is retracted. Play out the card. This makes it easier for the customer to remove the card.

As described above, since the card is always held and transported by the card carrier, it is not only possible to transport the card reliably without the occurrence of card jams, but also to correct deformed cards using the card carrier. This improves the accuracy of reading card information such as magnetic stripes on deformed cards, which previously could not be read. Similarly, the accuracy of writing card information is also improved. In both of the above-described embodiments, the card is constantly monitored by a sensor that follows the card being transported, so that the card that has been taken in can be reliably transported and returned.

[0023]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the first embodiment, since the card can be transported while being constantly followed by a sensor, not only can the reliability of card transport be improved, but also the card transport and residual check on all transport paths can be carried out with a small number of sensors. There is an effect that it can be done. In addition, it is possible to check for residual substances that cannot be detected with conventional fixed sensors, improving reliability on the conveyance path. According to the second embodiment, since the card is conveyed while being held by the card carrier at all times, the card can be conveyed reliably without occurrence of card jams or slips. Furthermore, since the deformed card is corrected by the card carrier, accurate card information can be input and output, and the reliability of the card transport mechanism is improved. In both embodiments 1 and 2, the cards are transported while being constantly monitored by sensors, so that the cards that have been taken in can be reliably transported and returned, improving the reliability of the card transport mechanism.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a card transport mechanism using a movable sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the card transport mechanism in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is the first half of a flowchart of card transport control using a movable sensor.

FIG. 3b is the second half of a flowchart of card transport control using a movable sensor.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a conveyance path residual check using a movable sensor.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a card transport mechanism using a card carrier according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the card carrier of FIG. 5 and its related mechanisms.

7 is a control block diagram of the card transport mechanism of FIG. 5. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of card transport control by the card carrier.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,101 Card transport mechanism 2,102 Cards 7, 8, 107, 108 Card detection sensor 12
Sensor carrier 25 Sensor carrier position storage section 9, 10 Sensor carrier detection sensor 112 Card carrier 125 Card carrier position storage section

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claim 1: A card transport mechanism comprising a means for inputting card transaction information, a means for outputting transaction result information to the card, and a card transport means, a movable sensor for detecting the presence of a card, and a movable sensor for driving the movable sensor. and a control means for controlling the drive means in accordance with a sensor output of the movable sensor, the control means controlling the drive means to move the movable sensor to follow the card. A card transport control method that is characterized by being able to monitor cards being transported and detect cards remaining on all transport paths. 2. The card transport control system according to claim 1, wherein the movable sensor comprises a sensor carrier and at least two sensors. 3. The card transport control method according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls the drive means and the card transport means according to a sensor output of the movable sensor. method. 4. A card transport mechanism comprising means for inputting card transaction information, means for outputting transaction result information to the card, and card transport means, wherein the card transport means comprises a card having a sensor for detecting the presence of the card. A carrier, a card carrier drive means, and a control means for controlling the card carrier drive means, the control means for reading and writing the card according to a sensor output when the card is inserted into the card carrier. By controlling the card carrier driving means to transport the carrier and transport the card carrier to the card insertion position after completion of reading and writing, reliable card transport and accurate input/output to the card are possible. Card transport control method. 5. The card transport control system according to claim 4, wherein the card carrier includes a mechanism for holding and feeding out an inserted card.