Control method of a card reader

Abstract

A control method of a card reader, which can improve the success rate of re-communication when communication between the card reader and an IC card fails and re-communication is required. The control method of the card reader includes a card insertion port, a moving path, a contact block having contacts and capable of moving between a protruding position and a retracted position, and a contact block drive unit that drives the contact block, and includes a normal communication step of moving the contact block toward the protruding position by the contact block drive unit to cause the contacts to contact a terminal portion of the IC card at a first speed when the IC card is positioned at a communication position, and performing communication between the card reader and the IC card, and a first retry step of moving the contact block toward the retracted position by the contact block drive unit when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails in the normal communication step, and then moving the contact block toward the protruding position to cause the contacts to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a second speed that is greater than the first speed, and performing communication between the card reader and the IC card.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control method for a card reader. Background Technology

[0002] When using a card reader to read and / or write IC cards, sometimes the contact between the card reader's contact block and the IC card's terminal may be poor due to dirt or other contaminants on the surface of the IC card's terminal portion, resulting in communication failure between the card reader and the IC card.

[0003] In response to the above situation, the previous practice was to have the card reader's contact block repeatedly perform a retry step of separating the contact from the IC card's terminal and then re-contacting the IC card's terminal.

[0004] Through the above retry steps, the communication between the card reader and the IC card may indeed turn from failure to success. However, since the contact block only performs the same action repeatedly, the possibility of the communication between the card reader and the IC card turning from failure to success is small, and the communication status is rarely improved. Therefore, it cannot fundamentally improve the success rate of re-communication between the card reader and the IC card.

[0005] In response to the above situation, changes to the hardware structure, such as the mechanical and circuit structures, could be considered, but this could easily lead to high change costs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a control method for a card reader that can improve the success rate of re-communication when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails and re-communication is required.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a control method for a card reader, the card reader comprising: a card insertion slot for inserting an IC card having a terminal portion in a predetermined direction; a movement path for moving an IC card inserted into the interior of the card reader from the card insertion slot; a contact block having contacts and movable between a protruding position protruding toward the movement path and contacting the terminal portion of an IC card located at a communication position within the movement path, and a retracted position retracting from the movement path and separating the contacts from the terminal portion of the IC card located at the communication position; and a contact block driving unit driving the contact block, wherein the method includes: In the normal communication step, when the IC card is in the communication position, the contact block driving unit moves the contact block toward the protruding position, causing the contact to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a first speed, and then communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed; and in the first retry step, when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails in the normal communication step, the contact block driving unit moves the contact block toward the retracted position, and then moves the contact block toward the protruding position, causing the contact to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a second speed greater than the first speed, and then communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed.

[0008] The control method for a card reader according to the present invention includes: a normal communication step, in which, when the IC card is in a communication position, a contact block is moved toward a protruding position by a contact block driving unit, causing the contact to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a first speed, thereby performing communication between the card reader and the IC card; and a first retry step, in which, when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails in the normal communication step, the contact block is moved toward a retracted position by the contact block driving unit, and then the contact block is moved toward a protruding position, causing the contact to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a second speed greater than the first speed. The reader contacts the IC card's terminals (this action can also be called a "strong impact"), and then communication between the reader and the IC card takes place. Therefore, even if there are stains or other contaminants on the surface of the IC card's terminals, these can be easily removed through the first retry step. This improves the success rate of subsequent communication between the reader and the IC card. Furthermore, compared to changing the hardware structure to improve the success rate of communication between the reader and the IC card, this helps reduce change costs, eliminates the need for hardware change operations, adjustments after hardware change operations, and operation confirmation, and avoids unnecessary manpower.

[0009] Furthermore, in the control method of the card reader of the present invention, a second retry step is preferably included. In this second retry step, when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails in the first retry step, the contact block is moved toward the retraction position by the contact block driving unit. Then, the contact block is moved toward the protruding position so that the contact contacts the terminal portion of the IC card at a third speed greater than the first speed. Then, communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed.

[0010] The control method for a card reader according to the present invention includes a second retry step. In this second retry step, when communication between the card reader and the IC chip fails in the first retry step, the contact block is moved toward a retracted position by a contact block driving unit. Then, the contact block is moved toward a protruding position so that the contact contacts the terminal portion of the IC card at a third speed greater than the first speed. Then, communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed. Therefore, when there are stains or the like on the surface of the IC card terminal portion, it is easier to remove the stains or the like from the surface of the IC card terminal portion, and the success rate of re-communication between the card reader and the IC card can be further improved.

[0011] Furthermore, in the control method of the card reader of the present invention, it is preferable that the third speed is the same as the second speed.

[0012] According to the control method of the card reader of the present invention, the third speed is the same as the second speed, thus simplifying the control.

[0013] Furthermore, in the control method of the card reader of the present invention, the card reader preferably also has a card moving mechanism. In the first retry step, after the contact block is moved toward the protruding position and the contact contacts the terminal portion of the IC card at the second speed, while keeping the contact in contact with the terminal portion of the IC card, the card moving mechanism is used to move the IC card back and forth at least twice in the moving path along the preset direction or in a direction orthogonal to the preset direction, and then the IC card returns to the communication position. Then, communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed.

[0014] According to the control method of the card reader of the present invention, the card reader further includes a card moving mechanism. In the first retry step, after the contact block is moved toward the protruding position and the contact contacts the terminal portion of the IC card at a second speed, while keeping the contact in contact with the terminal portion of the IC card, the card moving mechanism is used to move the IC card back and forth at least twice in a preset direction or a direction orthogonal to the preset direction within the moving path and then return to the communication position (this action can also be called "vibration"). Then, communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed. Therefore, when there are stains or the like on the surface of the IC card terminal portion, it is easier to remove the stains or the like from the surface of the IC card terminal portion, which can further improve the success rate of re-communication between the card reader and the IC card.

[0015] Furthermore, in the control method of the card reader of the present invention, the card moving mechanism preferably includes a transport roller and a pad roller, which move the IC card by abutting against the IC card in the moving path from both sides of the moving path.

[0016] (Invention Effects)

[0017] According to the present invention, a control method for a card reader includes: a normal communication step, in which, when the IC card is in a communication position, a contact block is moved toward a protruding position by a contact block driving unit, causing the contact to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a first speed, thereby performing communication between the card reader and the IC card; and a first retry step, in which, when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails in the normal communication step, the contact block is moved toward a retracted position by the contact block driving unit, and then the contact block is moved toward a protruding position, causing the contact to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a second speed greater than the first speed. The reader contacts the IC card's terminals (this action can also be called "impact"), and then communication between the reader and the IC card takes place. Therefore, even if there are stains or other contaminants on the surface of the IC card's terminals, these can be easily removed through the first retry step. This improves the success rate of subsequent communication between the reader and the IC card. Furthermore, compared to changing the hardware structure to improve the success rate of communication between the reader and the IC card, this helps reduce change costs, eliminates the need for hardware change operations, adjustments after hardware change operations, and operation confirmation, and avoids unnecessary manpower. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a side sectional view schematically illustrating a card reader and an IC card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The image shows a top view of the IC card.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation performed by the card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] (Symbol Explanation)

[0022] 100 Card Reader

[0023] 110 Housing

[0024] 111 Card Insertion Slot

[0025] 112 Movement Path

[0026] 120 contact block

[0027] 121 contacts

[0028] 130 magnetic head

[0029] 140 Card Moving Mechanism

[0030] 141 Transport Roller

[0031] 142 Pad Roller

[0032] 200 IC cards

[0033] 2a Magnetic strip

[0034] 2b Terminal section Detailed Implementation

[0035] Below, in conjunction with Figures 1 to 3 The card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, wherein, Figure 1 This is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a card reader and an IC card according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The top view of the IC card shown. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation performed by the card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] For ease of explanation, the three mutually orthogonal directions are designated as X, Y, and Z. One side of the X direction is designated as X1, and the other side as X2. One side of the Y direction is designated as Y1, and the other side as Y2. One side of the Z direction is designated as Z1, and the other side as Z2. X1 is assumed to be aligned with the direction in which the IC card is inserted into the card reader, and X2 is assumed to be aligned with the direction in which the IC card is ejected from the card reader.

[0037] (Structure of a card reader)

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the card reader 100 includes: a card insertion slot 111 for inserting an IC card 200 along a preset direction (in the illustrated example, this is the length direction of the IC card 200, which is consistent with the X direction, but is not limited to this; it could also be the width direction or other directions of the IC card 200); a movement path 112 for moving the IC card 200 inserted into the card reader 100 through the card insertion slot 111; and a contact block 120 having contacts 121 that can protrude toward the movement path 112 to allow the contacts 121 to communicate with the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 located at a communication position within the movement path 112 (see reference 2b). Figure 2 ) The protruding part of the contact (refer to) Figure 1 The dotted line position in the diagram) and the retraction position where the contact 121 separates from the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 located in the communication position by retracting from the movement path 112 (see reference). Figure 1The solid line positions in the diagram are moved between the positions of the solid line and the contact block driving unit (not shown), which drives the contact block 120.

[0039] Here, the card reader 100 has a housing 110, which has a card insertion slot 111 (in the illustrated example, the card insertion slot 111 is located on the X2 direction side of the housing 110), a movement path 112 is formed inside the housing 110 (in the illustrated example, the movement path 112 extends along the X direction), and a contact block 120 and a contact block drive are provided.

[0040] Furthermore, the contacts 121 of the contact block 120 are used to interact with the terminal portion 2b (described later) formed on the IC card 200. Figure 2 Data communication is performed by contact. The contact block driving unit has, for example, a solenoid, which moves the contact block 121 between the protruding position and the retracted position, and the moving speed of the contact block 120 can be changed by changing the magnitude of the current flowing through the solenoid.

[0041] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the card reader 100 also includes a magnetic head 130, which is disposed inside the housing 110. The magnetic head 130 connects with the magnetic stripe 2a of the IC card 200 (described later). Figure 2 It can connect to and read the magnetic data recorded in the IC card 200 or record magnetic data to the IC card 200.

[0042] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the card reader 100 also includes a card moving mechanism 140, which is located inside the housing 110, allowing an IC card 200 inserted into the card reader 100 through the card insertion slot 111 to move along a movement path 112. Specifically, the card moving mechanism 140 includes a transport roller 141 and a pad roller 142. The transport roller 141 and the pad roller 142 abut against the IC card 200 in the movement path 112 from both sides (in the illustrated example, both sides in the Z direction), thereby drawing the IC card 200 into or discharging it from the card reader 100. Furthermore, more than one pair of transport rollers 141 and pad rollers 142 are provided on the movement path 112 (two pairs in the illustrated example, but not limited to this).

[0043] In addition, although not shown, the card reader 100 also includes a control unit, a memory, and sensors. The control unit controls the operation of the contact block drive unit and the card moving mechanism 140, for example, based on the program (instructions) and data stored in the memory and the information detected by the sensors.

[0044] (Structure of an IC card)

[0045] IC Card 200 is a contact card with a built-in IC chip (illustration omitted).

[0046] Here, as Figure 2 As shown, IC card 200 is a roughly rectangular card with rounded corners, for example, made of vinyl chloride, with a thickness of about 0.7mm to 0.8mm.

[0047] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, a terminal portion 2b, consisting of eight external connection terminals, is formed on the front side of the IC card 200. The terminal portion 2b is formed at one end of the IC card 200 in the length direction (which is consistent with the X direction in the illustrated example) and approximately at the middle position in the width direction of the IC card 200 (which is consistent with the Y direction in the illustrated example).

[0048] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, a magnetic stripe 2a for recording magnetic data is formed on the back of the IC card 200. The magnetic stripe 2a is formed as a thin strip parallel to the length direction of the generally rectangular IC card 200, and is formed over the entire length direction of the IC card 200. Furthermore, the magnetic stripe 2a is formed at one end of the IC card 200 in the width direction.

[0049] (Control methods for card readers)

[0050] In this embodiment, the control method of the card reader 100 includes: a normal communication step, in which, when the IC card 200 is located at a communication position within the movement path 112, the contact block 120 is moved toward a protruding position by the contact block driving unit, causing the contact 121 to contact the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a first speed, and then communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is performed; and a first retry step, in which, when communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 fails in the normal communication step, the contact block 120 is moved toward a retracted position by the contact block driving unit, and then... The contact block moves toward the protruding position, causing the contact 121 to contact the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a second speed greater than the first speed (for example, this can be achieved by making the current flowing through the solenoid of the contact block drive portion in the first retry step greater than the current flowing through the solenoid of the contact block drive portion in the normal communication step). Then, communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is performed again. Compared with changing the hardware structure to improve the success rate of communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200, this helps to reduce change costs, eliminate hardware change operations, adjustments and operation confirmation after hardware change operations, and avoid generating unnecessary working hours.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the first retry step described above, after the contact block 120 is moved toward the protruding position and the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a second speed, while keeping the contact 121 in contact with the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200, the IC card 200 is moved back and forth (e.g., a few millimeters) at least twice within the movement path in the preset direction or in a direction orthogonal to the preset direction (in the illustrated example, along the preset direction, i.e., along the X direction) and then returns to the communication position. Then, communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is performed.

[0052] Below, in conjunction with Figure 3 A specific example of the control method for the card reader is provided.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, in step ST1, after the IC card 200 is inserted into the card reader 100 from the card insertion port 111 along the X direction, the card moving mechanism 140 sucks the IC card 200 into the interior of the card reader 100 and moves the IC card 200 along the X direction to the communication position within the moving path 112.

[0054] Next, in step ST2, the contact block 120 is moved toward the protruding position by the contact block driving unit, so that the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a first speed (this action can also be called "weak impact").

[0055] Then, in step ST3, the IC card 200 is activated, and communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is performed via the contact 12 and the terminal 2b.

[0056] Then, in step ST4, it is determined whether the communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is successful.

[0057] When it is determined in step ST4 that the communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is successful, the operation ends.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST4 that the communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 has failed, the process proceeds to step ST5.

[0059] In step ST5, the contact block 120 is moved toward the retraction position by the contact block driving unit.

[0060] Next, in step ST6, the remaining number of retries for communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 (which can be preset, for example, preset to "3") is reduced by 1, and it is determined whether the remaining number of retries for communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is zero.

[0061] In step ST6, when it is determined that the remaining number of retries for communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is zero, the operation ends.

[0062] On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST6 that the remaining number of retries for communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is not zero, the process proceeds to step ST7.

[0063] In step ST7, the contact block 120 is moved toward the protruding position by the contact block driving unit, so that the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a second speed greater than the first speed (this action can also be called "strong impact").

[0064] Next, in step ST8, the IC card 200 is moved back and forth along the length of the IC card 200 at least twice within the movement path 112 using the card moving mechanism 140, and then returns to the communication position.

[0065] Then, return to step ST3.

[0066] (Main effects of this implementation method)

[0067] According to this embodiment, the control method of the card reader 100 includes: a normal communication step, in which, when the IC card 200 is located in the communication position within the movement path 112, the contact block 120 is moved toward the protruding position by the contact block driving unit, so that the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a first speed, thereby performing communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200; and a first retry step, in which, when communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 fails in the normal communication step, the contact block 120 is moved toward the retraction position by the contact block driving unit, and then the contact block is moved toward the protruding position, thereby performing communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200; and a first retry step, in which, when communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 fails in the normal communication step, the contact block 120 is moved toward the retraction position by the contact block driving unit, and then the contact block is moved toward the protruding position, thereby performing communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200. Contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of IC card 200 at a second speed greater than the first speed, and then communication between card reader 100 and IC card 200 is performed. Therefore, even if there are stains or other contaminants on the surface of terminal portion 2b of IC card 200, the stains or other contaminants on the surface of terminal portion 2b of IC card 200 can be easily removed through the first retry step. As a result, the success rate of communication between card reader 100 and IC card 200 can be improved. Moreover, compared with changing the hardware structure to improve the success rate of communication between card reader 100 and IC card 200, it helps to reduce change costs, save hardware change operations, adjustments and operation confirmation after hardware change operations, and avoid generating unnecessary working hours.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in the first retry step, after the contact block 120 is moved toward the protruding position and the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a second speed, while keeping the contact 121 in contact with the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200, the IC card 200 is moved back and forth at least twice in a preset direction or a direction orthogonal to the preset direction within the movement path by the card moving mechanism 140 and then returns to the communication position. Then, communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is performed. Therefore, when there are stains or the like on the surface of the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200, it is easier to remove the stains or the like from the surface of the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200, which can further improve the success rate of re-communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200.

[0069] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, the card moving mechanism 140 sucks the IC card 200 into the interior of the card reader 100 or ejects the IC card 200 from the interior of the card reader 100, but is not limited thereto. The card moving mechanism 140 can also be specifically used to move the IC card 200 back and forth within the moving path in the first retry step.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the first retry step, after the contact block 120 is moved toward the protruding position and the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a second speed, the card moving mechanism 140 moves the IC card 200 back and forth along the length direction of the IC card 200 at least twice in the movement path and then returns to the communication position. Then, communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is performed. However, it is not limited to this. In the first retry step, after the contact block 120 is moved toward the protruding position and the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a second speed, communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 can be performed directly without moving the IC card 200 back and forth along the length direction of the IC card 200 at least twice in the movement path.

[0072] Furthermore, the above embodiment may also include a second retry step. In this second retry step, when communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 fails in the first retry step, the contact block 120 is moved toward a retracted position by the contact block driving unit. Then, the contact block 120 is moved toward a protruding position so that the contact 121 contacts the terminal portion 2b of the IC card 200 at a third speed that is greater than the first speed and different from the second speed. Then, communication between the card reader 100 and the IC card 200 is performed.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the card reader 100 has a magnetic head 130, but it is not limited to this, and the magnetic head 130 may be omitted depending on the situation.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the card reader 100 has a card moving mechanism 140, but it is not limited to this. Depending on the situation, the card moving mechanism 140 may also be omitted.

[0075] It should be understood that within the scope of this invention, the various parts of the embodiments can be freely combined, or the various parts of the embodiments can be appropriately modified or omitted.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a card reader, the card reader comprising: The card insertion slot allows an IC card with terminals to be inserted in a predetermined direction; a movement path allows the IC card inserted into the card reader from the card insertion slot to move; a contact block has contacts and is movable between a protruding position that protrudes toward the movement path and contacts the terminals of the IC card located at a communication position within the movement path, and a retracted position that retracts from the movement path and separates the contacts from the terminals of the IC card located at the communication position. and a contact block driving unit that drives the contact block, characterized in that it includes: In the normal communication step, when the IC card is in the communication position, the contact block driving unit moves the contact block toward the protruding position, causing the contact to contact the terminal portion of the IC card at a first speed, and then communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed; and In the first retry step, when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails in the normal communication step, the contact block is moved toward the retracted position by the contact block driving unit, and then the contact block is moved toward the protruding position so that the contact contacts the terminal portion of the IC card at a second speed greater than the first speed. Then, communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed.

2. The control method for a card reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes a second retry step. In this second retry step, when communication between the card reader and the IC card fails in the first retry step, the contact block is moved toward the retraction position by the contact block driving unit. Then, the contact block is moved toward the protruding position so that the contact contacts the terminal portion of the IC card at a third speed greater than the first speed. Then, communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed.

3. The control method for a card reader as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The third speed is the same as the second speed.

4. The control method for a card reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The card reader also has a card moving mechanism. In the first retry step, after the contact block is moved toward the protruding position and the contact contacts the terminal of the IC card at the second speed, while keeping the contact in contact with the terminal of the IC card, the IC card is moved back and forth at least twice in the movement path along the preset direction or in a direction orthogonal to the preset direction using the card moving mechanism, and then returns to the communication position. Then, communication between the card reader and the IC card is performed.

5. The control method for a card reader as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The card moving mechanism includes a transport roller and a pad roller. The conveying roller and pad roller move the IC card by abutting against the IC card in the movement path from both sides of the movement path.

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