Card reader and control method of card reader

Abstract

To provide a card reader and a control method of the card reader.SOLUTION: In a card reader, a control unit executes a first activation trial step of moving an IC contact block to a contactable position 7A to try activation of an IC chip after conveying a card 3 to a predetermined reference position 3A to stop the card in a state of arranging the IC contact block 7 at a retreat position. An apex part of a spring part 6c forming a V-shape contacts the center in a longitudinal direction of an external connection terminal 3b when the card is arranged at the reference position. The reference position is stored in the control unit, and the control unit controls a motor to convey the card 3 to the reference position to stop the card. The control unit continuously communicates data with the card when the activation of the IC chip succeeds in the first activation trial step, and moves the IC contact block to the retreat position to convey the card to a third predetermined position to stop the card when the activation fails.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a card reader and a method for controlling a card reader. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, IC card connector devices for processing IC cards are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The IC card connector device described in Patent Document 1 includes IC contact springs (contact electrodes) that come into contact with external connection terminals (card contacts) of an IC chip formed on one side of the IC card. This IC card connector device also includes a pair of rotating rollers that transport the IC card and a brush-like cleaning member for cleaning the external connection terminals.

[0003] In the IC card connector device described in Patent Document 1, the rotating rollers move the IC card back and forth, making it possible for a cleaning member to remove dirt and other contaminants adhering to the external connection terminals of the IC card. Therefore, even when processing an IC card with dirt and other contaminants adhering to the external connection terminals, this IC card connector device can establish electrical continuity between the external connection terminals and the IC contact springs, thereby activating the IC chip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-202466 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, the IC card connector device described in Patent Document 1 is capable of activating the IC chip even when processing an IC card with dirt or the like attached to the external connection terminal. However, this IC card connector device requires a cleaning member to remove dirt or the like attached to the external connection terminal, which increases the number of parts in the IC card connector device and makes the configuration of the IC card connector device complex.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a card reader for communicating data with a card having a built-in IC chip and an external connection terminal of the IC chip, which is capable of increasing the probability of activating the IC chip with a simple configuration even when processing a card with dirt or the like on the external connection terminal.Another object of the present invention is to provide a card reader control method for communicating data with a card having a built-in IC chip and an external connection terminal of the IC chip, which is capable of increasing the probability of activating the IC chip with a simple configuration even when processing a card with dirt or the like on the external connection terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a card reader for communicating data with a card having an IC chip built in and a plurality of external connection terminals formed on the IC chip, the card reader comprising: a card transport path along which the card is transported; a card transport mechanism for transporting the card on the card transport path; a plurality of IC contact springs for contacting each of the plurality of external connection terminals to communicate data; an IC contact block for holding the plurality of IC contact springs; a block moving mechanism for moving the IC contact block between a contactable position where the IC contact springs can contact the external connection terminals and a retracted position where the IC contact springs cannot contact the external connection terminals; and a control unit for controlling the card reader. The control unit executes a first activation attempt step in which, with the IC contact block positioned in the retracted position, the control unit transports and stops the card to a predetermined reference position, and then moves the IC contact block to a contactable position to attempt to activate the IC chip; a card moving step in which, when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the control unit transports and stops the card with the IC contact block positioned in the contactable position within a range where the IC contact spring that contacts the external connection terminal does not come off the external connection terminal; and a second activation attempt step in which, after the card moving step, the control unit stops the card within the range to which the card moved in the card moving step to attempt to activate the IC chip.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a card reader control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a card reader, the method comprising: a card transport path along which a card having an IC chip built therein and a plurality of external connection terminals of the IC chip is transported; a card transport mechanism for transporting the card along the card transport path; a plurality of IC contact springs for contacting the plurality of external connection terminals to communicate data; an IC contact block for holding the plurality of IC contact springs; and a block moving mechanism for moving the IC contact block between a contactable position where the IC contact springs can contact the external connection terminals and a retracted position where the IC contact springs cannot contact the external connection terminals, The method is characterized by the execution of a first activation attempt step in which the card is transported to a predetermined reference position with the C contact block in place and stopped, and then the IC contact block is moved to a contactable position to attempt to activate the IC chip; a card moving step in which, when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the card is transported and stopped with the IC contact block in place at the contactable position within a range where the IC contact spring that contacts the external connection terminal does not come off the external connection terminal; and a second activation attempt step in which, after the card moving step, the card is stopped within the range to which the card was moved in the card moving step to attempt to activate the IC chip.

[0009] In this aspect, in the card moving step, which is executed when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the IC contact block is placed in a contactable position where the IC contact spring can contact the external connection terminal, and the card is transported and stopped within a range where the IC contact spring contacting the external connection terminal does not come off the external connection terminal. Therefore, in this aspect, even if a cleaning member is not provided as in the IC card connector device described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to remove dirt and the like adhering to the external connection terminal by the IC contact spring. In other words, in this aspect, it is possible to remove dirt and the like adhering to the external connection terminal with a simple configuration.

[0010] Furthermore, in this aspect, in the second activation attempt step after the card moving step, the card is stopped within the range to which the card was moved in the card moving step, and activation of the IC chip is attempted. That is, in this aspect, in the second activation attempt step, activation of the IC chip is attempted by bringing the IC contact spring into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal from which dirt or the like is presumed to have been removed. Therefore, in this aspect, even when a card having dirt or the like attached to the external connection terminal is processed with a card reader, it is possible to increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip. That is, in this aspect, even when a card having dirt or the like attached to the external connection terminal is processed with a card reader, it is possible to increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip with a simple configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, in one aspect of the present invention, in a card reader for communicating data with a card that has an IC chip built in and an external connection terminal of the IC chip formed thereon, it is possible to increase the probability of activating the IC chip with a simple configuration even when processing a card that has dirt or the like attached to the external connection terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view for explaining the configuration of a card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the card shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the card reader shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the operation of the IC contact block shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for controlling the card reader when activation of the IC chip in the card reader shown in FIG. 1 fails. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for controlling the card reader when activation of the IC chip in the card reader shown in FIG. 1 fails. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining an example of a method for controlling the card reader when activation of the IC chip in the card reader shown in FIG. 1 fails. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view for explaining a method of controlling a card reader according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view for explaining a method of controlling a card reader according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Card reader configuration) Fig. 1 is a schematic side view for explaining the configuration of a card reader 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a card 3 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the card reader 2 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view for explaining the operation of the IC contact block 7 shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which the IC contact block 7 is arranged in the retracted position 7B, and Fig. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which the IC contact block 7 is arranged in the contactable position 7A.

[0015] The card reader 2 of this embodiment is a device for communicating data with a card 3, which is a contact-type IC card, and is used by being mounted on a host device such as an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine). The card 3 is a rectangular vinyl chloride card with a thickness of approximately 0.7 to 0.8 mm. The card 3 complies with international standards and JIS standards. The card 3 has an IC chip built in, and a plurality of external connection terminals 3b for the IC chip are formed on one side of the card 3 (specifically, the front side of the card 3).

[0016] In the card 3, a plurality of external connection terminals 3b are arranged adjacently in the direction of the short side (transverse direction) of the rectangular card 3, and are arranged in two rows in the direction of the long side (longitudinal direction) of the card 3. Specifically, four external connection terminals 3b are arranged adjacently in the transverse direction of the card 3, and are arranged in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the card 3. Note that the card 3 may be formed with a magnetic stripe or the like on which magnetic data is recorded. The card 3 may also have a built-in antenna for communication connected to an IC chip.

[0017] A card transport path 4 is formed inside the card reader 2, along which a card 3 inserted through the card insertion slot is transported. The card reader 2 is equipped with a card transport mechanism 5 that transports the card 3 along the card transport path 4. In other words, the card reader 2 is a card transport type card reader. The card reader 2 also includes a plurality of IC contact springs 6 that contact the plurality of external connection terminals 3b of the card 3 to communicate data, an IC contact block 7 that holds the plurality of IC contact springs 6, and a block moving mechanism 8 that moves the IC contact block 7. The card reader 2 also includes a control unit 9 that controls the card reader 2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the card 3 is transported in the X direction of Fig. 1 etc. in the card transport path 4. That is, the X direction is the transport direction of the card 3 by the card transport mechanism 5. The Z direction perpendicular to the X direction is the thickness direction of the card 3 transported in the card transport path 4, and the Y direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions is the width direction (short side width direction) of the card 3 transported in the card transport path 4. The card reader 2 is disposed, for example, so that the Z direction coincides with the vertical direction.

[0019] In the following description, the X1 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is one side in the front-to-rear direction, will be referred to as the "front" side or "near" side, and the X2 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is the other side in the front-to-rear direction, will be referred to as the "rear" side or "deep" side. Furthermore, the Z1 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is one side in the up-down direction, will be referred to as the "up" side, and the Z2 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is the opposite side, will be referred to as the "down" side. In the card reader 2, a card 3 is inserted toward the deep side and ejected toward the front side. In the card transport path 4, the card 3 is transported so that the longitudinal direction of the rectangular-shaped card 3 coincides with the front-to-rear direction.

[0020] The card transport mechanism 5 includes a motor 12 as a drive source. The card transport mechanism 5 also includes a plurality of drive rollers 13 and a plurality of pad rollers 14 arranged opposite the drive rollers 13. The drive rollers 13 are connected to the motor 12 via a predetermined power transmission mechanism. The pad rollers 14 are urged toward the drive rollers 13. The card 3 is transported while sandwiched between the drive rollers 13 and the pad rollers 14. The motor 12 is a DC motor. The motor 12 includes an encoder 15 for detecting the amount of rotation and rotation speed of the motor 12. The motor 12 and the encoder 15 are electrically connected to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 controls the motor 12 based on the detection results of the encoder 15, etc., to transport the card 3.

[0021] The IC contact block 7 is arranged so as to face the card transport path 4 from above. In the IC contact block 7, a plurality of IC contact springs 6 arranged in the left-right direction are arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction. Specifically, four IC contact springs 6 arranged in the left-right direction are arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction. The plurality of IC contact springs 6 held in the IC contact block 7 are electrically connected to the control unit 9.

[0022] The IC contact spring 6 has a held portion 6b that is held by the IC contact block 7, and a spring portion 6c that is connected to the held portion 6b and extends rearward from the held portion 6b. The held portion 6b is formed in an annular shape. The IC contact block 7 has a holding shaft 17 that is arranged on the inner periphery of the held portion 6b. The holding shaft 17 is arranged so that the axial direction of the holding shaft 17 coincides with the left-right direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the shape of the spring portion 6c is V-shaped. The vertex of the V-shaped spring portion 6c comes into contact with the external connection terminal 3b of the card 3.

[0023] The block moving mechanism 8 is composed of a solenoid 18 as a drive source and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the solenoid 18 to the IC contact block 7. The block moving mechanism 8 moves the IC contact block 7 between a contactable position 7A (see FIG. 4B) where the IC contact springs 6 can contact the external connection terminals 3b of the card 3 and a retracted position 7B where the IC contact springs 6 cannot contact the external connection terminals 3b of the card 3 (i.e., the retracted position 7B where the IC contact springs 6 are retracted upward from the card transport path 4 so as not to contact the external connection terminals 3b; see FIG. 4A). The solenoid 18 is electrically connected to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 controls the solenoid 18 to move the IC contact block 7 between the contactable position 7A and the retracted position 7B.

[0024] In this embodiment, the block moving mechanism 8 rotates the IC contact block 7 between the contactable position 7A and the retracted position 7B with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The block moving mechanism 8 also rotates the IC contact block 7 between the contactable position 7A and the retracted position 7B with the front end of the IC contact block 7 as the center of rotation. The power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the solenoid 18 to the IC contact block 7 includes, for example, a link lever that can rotate with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The block moving mechanism 8 also includes, for example, a spring member that biases the link lever in a direction that moves the IC contact block 7 toward the retracted position 7B. When the solenoid 18 is de-energized, the biasing force of the spring member positions the IC contact block 7 at the retracted position 7B. When the solenoid 18 is energized, the IC contact block 7, which is positioned at the retracted position 7B, moves to the contactable position 7A.

[0025] (Card reader control method) Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a method for controlling the card reader 2 when activation of the IC chip in the card reader 2 shown in Figure 1 fails. Figure 7 is a side view illustrating an example of a method for controlling the card reader 2 when activation of the IC chip in the card reader 2 shown in Figure 1 fails, with Figure 7A showing a state in which the card 3 is positioned at the reference position 3A, Figure 7B showing a state in which the card 3 is positioned at the first movement position 3B, Figure 7C showing a state in which the card 3 is positioned at the second movement position 3C, Figure 7D showing a state in which the card 3 is positioned at the first stop position 3D, and Figure 7E showing a state in which the card 3 is positioned at the second stop position 3E.

[0026] The card reader 2 communicates data with the card 3 with the IC contact block 7 positioned in the contactable position 7A. When communicating data between the card reader 2 and the card 3, the control unit 9 first supplies power to the IC chip built into the card 3 via the IC contact spring 6 and the external connection terminal 3b, and executes a predetermined initial response process with the IC chip. That is, when communicating data between the card reader 2 and the card 3, the control unit 9 first supplies power to the IC chip built into the card 3 to attempt to activate the IC chip.

[0027] Specifically, with the IC contact block 7 positioned in the retracted position 7B, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 to a predetermined reference position 3A, and then moves the IC contact block 7 to the contactable position 7A to attempt to activate the IC chip (first activation attempt step). When the card 3 is positioned in the reference position 3A, the apex of the V-shaped spring portion 6c contacts, for example, the center of the external connection terminal 3b in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 7A). The reference position 3A is stored in the control unit 9, and the control unit 9 controls the motor 12 to transport and stop the card 3 to the reference position 3A.

[0028] If the activation of the IC chip is successful in the first activation attempt step, the control unit 9 continues to communicate data with the card 3. On the other hand, if dirt or the like adheres to the external connection terminal 3b and the electrical connection state between the IC contact spring 6 and the external connection terminal 3b becomes unstable, activation of the IC chip may fail in the first activation attempt step. Below, an example of a method for controlling the card reader 2 when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step will be described. Hereinafter, the control of the card reader 2 when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step will be referred to as "activation retry control."

[0029] If activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the control unit 9 first moves the IC contact block 7 to the retracted position 7B, and then transports and stops the card 3 at a predetermined third stop position (step S1). The third stop position is stored in the control unit 9, and in step S1, the control unit 9 controls the motor 12 to transport and stop the card 3 to the third stop position. The initial setting for the third stop position is the reference position 3A, and in step S1, for example, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 at the reference position 3A. Note that if the card 3 is located at the third stop position at the end of the first activation attempt step, the transport of the card 3 in step S1 is omitted.

[0030] Thereafter, the control unit 9 moves the IC contact block 7 to the contactable position 7A and then attempts to activate the IC chip again (step S2). That is, the control unit 9 retries activation of the IC chip in step S2. Thereafter, the control unit 9 determines whether activation of the IC chip was successful in step S2 (step S3). If activation of the IC chip is successful in step S2 ("Yes" in step S3), the activation retry control ends, and the control unit 9 continues to communicate data with the card 3.

[0031] On the other hand, if activation of the IC chip fails in step S2 ("No" in step S3), the control unit 9 transports the card 3 back and forth with the IC contact block 7 positioned in the contactable position 7A (i.e., with the IC contact springs 6 in contact with the external connection terminals 3b) and then stops it (step S4). In step S4, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 within a range where the IC contact springs 6 in contact with the external connection terminals 3b do not come off the external connection terminals 3b. In this embodiment, in step S4, the control unit 9 transports the card 3 between a first movement position 3B (see FIG. 7B) on the front side of the reference position 3A and a second movement position 3C (see FIG. 7C) on the back side of the reference position 3A.

[0032] In this embodiment, the amount of shift L1 in the front-to-rear direction between the card 3 placed at the reference position 3A and the card 3 placed at the first movement position 3B is equal to the amount of shift L2 in the front-to-rear direction between the card 3 placed at the reference position 3A and the card 3 placed at the second movement position 3C. However, the amount of shift L1 and the amount of shift L2 may be different. When the card 3 is placed at the first movement position 3B, the apex of the spring portion 6c comes into contact with a location of the external connection terminal 3b slightly forward of the rear end (rear end). When the card 3 is placed at the second movement position 3C, the apex of the spring portion 6c comes into contact with a location of the external connection terminal 3b slightly rearward of the front end (near end).

[0033] The first movement position 3B and the second movement position 3C are stored in the control unit 9, and the control unit 9 controls the motor 12 to transport the card 3 between the first movement position 3B and the second movement position 3C and stop the card 3. Furthermore, in step S4, the control unit 9 transports the card 3 back and forth multiple times. For example, in step S4, the control unit 9 transports the card 3 back and forth three times. However, in step S4, the control unit 9 may transport the card 3 back and forth only once.

[0034] Thereafter, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 to the reference position 3A with the IC contact block 7 still positioned at the contactable position 7A (step S5). Thereafter, the control unit 9 attempts to activate the IC chip again (step S6). That is, the control unit 9 retries activation of the IC chip in step S6. Thereafter, the control unit 9 determines whether activation of the IC chip was successful in step S6 (step S7). If activation of the IC chip is successful in step S6, the activation retry control ends, and the control unit 9 continues to communicate data with the card 3. Note that if the card 3 is positioned at the reference position 3A at the end of step S4, step S5 is omitted.

[0035] The position of the card 3 that is further back than the first moving position 3B and closer to the reference position 3A is defined as the first stop position 3D (see Figure 7D), and the position of the card 3 that is further forward than the second moving position 3C and further back than the reference position 3A is defined as the second stop position 3E (see Figure 7E).If activation of the IC chip fails in step S6, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 to the first stop position 3D with the IC contact block 7 positioned at the contactable position 7A (i.e., with the IC contact spring 6 in contact with the external connection terminal 3b) (step S8).

[0036] The first stop position 3D is stored in the control unit 9, and in step S8, the control unit 9 controls the motor 12 to transport the card 3 to the first stop position 3D and stop it there. In this embodiment, the amount of misalignment L3 in the front-to-rear direction between the card 3 placed at the reference position 3A and the card 3 placed at the first stop position 3D is equal to the amount of misalignment L4 in the front-to-rear direction between the card 3 placed at the reference position 3A and the card 3 placed at the second stop position 3E. The amounts of misalignment L3 and L4 are, for example, 0.6 to 0.7 (mm). Note that the amount of misalignment L3 and the amount of misalignment L4 may be different.

[0037] Thereafter, the control unit 9 attempts to activate the IC chip again (step S9). That is, the control unit 9 retries activation of the IC chip in step S9. Thereafter, the control unit 9 determines whether activation of the IC chip was successful in step S9 (step S10). If activation of the IC chip was successful in step S9, the control unit 9 updates the third stop position to set the first stop position 3D as the third stop position (step S22). Once the update of the third stop position is completed in step S22, the activation retry control ends, and the control unit 9 continues to communicate data with the card 3.

[0038] On the other hand, if activation of the IC chip fails in step S9, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 to the reference position 3A with the IC contact block 7 positioned in the contactable position 7A (step S11). Thereafter, the control unit 9 attempts to activate the IC chip again (step S12). Thereafter, the control unit 9 determines whether activation of the IC chip was successful in step S12 (step S13). If activation of the IC chip was successful in step S12, the process proceeds to step S22. When proceeding from step S13 to step S22, the control unit 9 updates the third stop position to the reference position 3A in step S22.

[0039] On the other hand, if activation of the IC chip fails in step S12, the control unit 9 transports the card 3 to the second stop position 3E and stops it there, with the IC contact block 7 positioned in the contact position 7A (step S14). The second stop position 3E is stored in the control unit 9, and in step S14, the control unit 9 controls the motor 12 to transport the card 3 to the second stop position 3E and stops it there. Thereafter, the control unit 9 attempts to activate the IC chip again (step S15). Thereafter, the control unit 9 determines whether activation of the IC chip was successful in step S15 (step S16). If activation of the IC chip is successful in step S15, the process proceeds to step S22. When proceeding from step S16 to step S22, the control unit 9 updates the third stop position to the second stop position 3E in step S22.

[0040] On the other hand, if activation of the IC chip fails in step S15, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 to the reference position 3A with the IC contact block 7 positioned in the contactable position 7A (step S17). Thereafter, the control unit 9 attempts to activate the IC chip again (step S18). Thereafter, the control unit 9 determines whether activation of the IC chip was successful in step S18 (step S19). If activation of the IC chip was successful in step S18, the process proceeds to step S22. When proceeding from step S19 to step S22, the control unit 9 updates the third stop position to the reference position 3A in step S22.

[0041] On the other hand, if activation of the IC chip fails in step S18, the control unit 9 increments the count value indicating the number of times steps S8 to S19 have been repeated (step S20). That is, in step S20, the control unit 9 increments the count value stored in the control unit 9 by one. In the first step S20 after activation retry control has started, the count value is "1". Thereafter, the control unit 9 determines whether the count value is a predetermined reference value (step S21).

[0042] If the count value does not reach the reference value in step S21, the process returns to step S8, and the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 at the first stop position 3D with the IC contact block 7 positioned at the contact position 7A. The reference value in step S21 is an integer equal to or greater than 2. In this embodiment, the reference value is "3." That is, in step S21, it is determined whether steps S8 to S19 have been repeated three times. On the other hand, if the count value reaches the reference value in step S21, the activation retry control ends. When the activation retry control ends after steps S20 and S21, the control unit 9 performs a predetermined error process without communicating data with the card 3. The reference value in step S21 may be "2" or "4" or greater.

[0043] Step S4 in this embodiment is a card moving step in which, when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the card 3 is transported and stopped within a range in which the IC contact springs 6 contacting the external connection terminals 3b do not come off from the external connection terminals 3b, with the IC contact block 7 placed in the contactable position 7A. Steps S8 to S21 in this embodiment are second activation attempt steps in which, after the card moving step, the card 3 is stopped within the range in which the card 3 moved in the card moving step, and activation of the IC chip is attempted. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 9 executes the first activation attempt step, the card moving step, and the second activation attempt step.

[0044] In step S4, which is a card movement step, the control unit 9 transports the card 3 between the first movement position 3B and the second movement position 3C. In addition, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 with the IC contact block 7 located at the contactable position 7A. Specifically, in steps S8, S11, S14, and S17, the control unit 9 transports and stops the card 3 with the IC contact block 7 located at the contactable position 7A.

[0045] Furthermore, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 attempts to activate the IC chip a predetermined number of times while changing the stopping position of the card 3 until activation of the IC chip is successful. Specifically, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 attempts to activate the IC chip while changing the stopping position of the card 3 between the first stopping position 3D, the second stopping position 3E, and the reference position 3A until activation of the IC chip is successful. More specifically, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 repeats one cycle of activation attempts multiple times (specifically, three times) until activation of the IC chip is successful while changing the stopping position of the card 3 in the order of the first stopping position 3D, the reference position 3A, the second stopping position 3E, and the reference position 3A.

[0046] Furthermore, steps S1 to S3 in this embodiment are a third activation attempt step in which activation of the IC chip is attempted again with card 3 stopped at the third stop position, and if activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the control unit 9 executes the third activation attempt step before executing step S4, which is the card movement step. Furthermore, step S22 in this embodiment is a stop position update step in which the stop position of card 3 when activation of the IC chip is successful is set as the third stop position, and the control unit 9 executes the stop position update step if activation of the IC chip is successful in the second activation attempt step (specifically, if activation of the IC chip is successful in steps S9, S12, S15, and S18).

[0047] (Main effect of this form) As described above, in this embodiment, in step S4, which is executed when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the card 3 is transported and stopped within a range where the IC contact springs 6 contacting the external connection terminals 3b do not come off the external connection terminals 3b, with the IC contact block 7 positioned at the contactable position 7A where the IC contact springs 6 can contact the external connection terminals 3b. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the cleaning member described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is not provided, it is possible to remove dirt and the like adhering to the external connection terminals 3b by the IC contact springs 6. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to remove dirt and the like adhering to the external connection terminals 3b with a simple configuration.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in steps S8 to S21, activation of the IC chip is attempted by stopping the card 3 within the range to which the card 3 moved in step S4. That is, in this embodiment, activation of the IC chip is attempted by bringing the IC contact spring 6 into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal 3b from which dirt or the like is presumed to have been removed. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when a card 3 having dirt or the like attached to the external connection terminal 3b is processed by the card reader 2, it is possible to increase the probability of activating the IC chip. That is, in this embodiment, even when a card 3 having dirt or the like attached to the external connection terminal 3b is processed by the card reader 2, it is possible to increase the probability of activating the IC chip with a simple configuration.

[0049] In this embodiment, in steps S8, S11, S14, and S17, the card 3 is transported and stopped with the IC contact block 7 placed in the contactable position 7A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processing time in steps S8 to S21 can be shortened compared to when the IC contact block 7 is retracted to the retracted position 7B in steps S8, S11, S14, and S17, the card 3 is transported and stopped, and then the IC contact block 7 is moved to the contactable position 7A in steps S9, S12, S15, and S18 to attempt activation of the IC chip.

[0050] In this embodiment, in steps S8 to S21, activation of the IC chip is attempted a predetermined number of times while changing the stopping position of the card 3 until activation of the IC chip is successful. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to further increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip. Also, in this embodiment, activation of the IC chip is attempted even when the card 3 is stopped at the first stopping position 3D and the second stopping position 3E. The IC chip is activated by contacting the IC contact spring 6 with a portion of the external connection terminal 3b that is closer to the front than the portion of the IC contact spring 6 that contacts when the card 3 is positioned at the reference position 3A, and the IC chip is activated by contacting the IC contact spring 6 with a portion of the external connection terminal 3b that is farther from the portion of the IC contact spring 6 that contacts when the card 3 is positioned at the reference position 3A. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to further increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip.

[0051] In this embodiment, in steps S8 to S21, attempts are made to activate the IC chip while changing the stop position of the card 3 in the order of first stop position 3D, reference position 3A, second stop position 3E, and reference position 3A until activation of the IC chip is successful. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to shorten the movement time of the card 3 when changing the stop position of the card 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to further increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip, and it is also possible to shorten the processing time in steps S8 to S21.

[0052] In this embodiment, if the activation of the IC chip is successful in steps S9, S12, S15, and S18, the third stop position is updated in step S22 to the stop position of the card 3 when the activation of the IC chip is successful, so that the probability of successful activation of the IC chip can be increased in step S2.

[0053] (Example 1 of control method change) In the above-described embodiment, if activation of the IC chip fails in step S18, the activation retry control may be terminated immediately. That is, the control unit 9 may perform only one activation cycle, attempting to activate the IC chip while changing the stop position of the card 3 in the order of first stop position 3D, reference position 3A, second stop position 3E, and reference position 3A. If activation of the IC chip fails in step S18 and the activation retry control is terminated immediately, the control unit 9 performs predetermined error processing without communicating data with the card 3. In this case, steps S20 and S21 are unnecessary.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 may transport the card 3 to the second stop position 3E and stop it there in step S8, and may transport the card 3 to the first stop position 3D and stop it there in step S14. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 may repeat a single cycle of activation attempts multiple times in the second activation attempt step, in which the stop position of the card 3 is changed in the order of the first stop position 3D, the reference position 3A, and the second stop position 3E, and the activation of the IC chip is attempted. That is, in the above-described embodiment, steps S17 to S19 may be omitted. Furthermore, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 may repeat a single cycle of activation attempts multiple times in which the stop position of the card 3 is changed in the order of the second stop position 3E, the reference position 3A, and the first stop position 3D, and the activation of the IC chip is attempted.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip in the second activation attempt step while alternately changing the stopping position of the card 3 between the first stopping position 3D and the reference position 3A. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip in the second activation attempt step while alternately changing the stopping position of the card 3 between the second stopping position 3E and the reference position 3A.

[0056] (Example 2 of control method changes) Fig. 8 is a side view for explaining a method of controlling a card reader 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 8A shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at a reference position 3A, Fig. 8B shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at a fifth stop position 3F, Fig. 8C shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at a sixth stop position 3G, and Fig. 8D shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at a first stop position 3D. Fig. 9 is a side view for explaining a method of controlling a card reader 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 9A shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at a reference position 3A, Fig. 9B shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at a seventh stop position 3H, Fig. 9C shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at an eighth stop position 3J, and Fig. 9D shows a state in which a card 3 is disposed at a second stop position 3E.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the reference position 3A toward the first moving position 3B until activation of the IC chip is successful, then attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the first moving position 3B toward the second moving position 3C, and then attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the second moving position 3C toward the first moving position 3B.

[0058] In this case, for example, the position of the card 3 between the reference position 3A and the first stop position 3D is the fifth stop position 3F (see FIG. 8B), the position of the card 3 between the fifth stop position 3F and the first stop position 3D is the sixth stop position 3G (see FIG. 8C), the position of the card 3 between the reference position 3A and the second stop position 3E is the seventh stop position 3H (see FIG. 9B), and the position of the card 3 between the seventh stop position 3H and the second stop position 3E is the eighth stop position 3J. (See FIG. 9C ), in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 repeats one cycle of activation attempts multiple times, in which it attempts to activate the IC chip while changing the stop position of the card 3 in the following order: fifth stop position 3F, sixth stop position 3G, first stop position 3D, sixth stop position 3G, fifth stop position 3F, reference position 3A, seventh stop position 3H, eighth stop position 3J, second stop position 3E, eighth stop position 3J, seventh stop position 3H, and reference position 3A. Alternatively, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 performs one cycle of activation attempt only once.

[0059] The amount of misalignment L5 in the front-to-back direction between the card 3 placed at the reference position 3A and the card 3 placed at the fifth stop position 3F is equal to the amount of misalignment L6 in the front-to-back direction between the card 3 placed at the fifth stop position 3F and the card 3 placed at the sixth stop position 3G, and the amount of misalignment L7 in the front-to-back direction between the card 3 placed at the sixth stop position 3G and the card 3 placed at the first stop position 3D. Also, the amount of misalignment L8 in the front-to-back direction between the card 3 placed at the reference position 3A and the card 3 placed at the seventh stop position 3H is equal to the amount of misalignment L9 in the front-to-back direction between the card 3 placed at the seventh stop position 3H and the card 3 placed at the eighth stop position 3J, and the amount of misalignment L10 in the front-to-back direction between the card 3 placed at the eighth stop position 3J and the card 3 placed at the second stop position 3E are equal to each other. Furthermore, the amount of misalignment L5 is equal to the amount of misalignment L8. However, the amount of misalignment L5 and the amount of misalignment L8 may be different. Furthermore, the amounts of deviation L5, L6, and L7 may include a difference from the other amounts of deviation, and the amounts of deviation L8, L9, and L10 may include a difference from the other amounts of deviation.

[0060] In this modified example, it is possible to shorten the movement time of the card 3 when changing the stopping position of the card 3. Therefore, even if it is possible to further increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip, it is also possible to shorten the processing time in the second activation attempt step. Furthermore, in this modified example, activation of the IC chip is attempted by bringing the IC contact spring 6 into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal 3b that is closer to the user than the portion of the IC contact spring 6 that contacts the card 3 when the card 3 is positioned at the reference position 3A, and activation of the IC chip is attempted by bringing the IC contact spring 6 into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal 3b that is farther from the portion of the IC contact spring 6 that contacts the card 3 when the card 3 is positioned at the reference position 3A. This further increases the probability of successfully activating the IC chip.

[0061] (Control method change example 3) In the above-described second modification, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip in the second activation attempt step by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the reference position 3A toward the first movement position 3B until the activation of the IC chip is successful. That is, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip in the second activation attempt step by moving the card 3 only from the reference position 3A toward the first movement position 3B until the activation of the IC chip is successful. Specifically, the control unit 9 may repeat one cycle of attempting to activate the IC chip multiple times or only once in the second activation attempt step by changing the stopping position of the card 3 in the order of the fifth stop position 3F, the sixth stop position 3G, and the first stop position 3D. In this case, the card 3 may be transported only between the reference position 3A and the first movement position 3B in the card movement step.

[0062] Similarly, in Modification 2, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the reference position 3A toward the second movement position 3C until activation of the IC chip is successful. In this case, in the card movement step, the card 3 may be transported only between the reference position 3A and the second movement position 3C.

[0063] In Modification 2, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the reference position 3A toward the first movement position 3B until activation of the IC chip is successful, and then attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the first movement position 3B toward the reference position 3A. Similarly, in Modification 2, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the reference position 3A toward the second movement position 3C until activation of the IC chip is successful, and then attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the second movement position 3C toward the reference position 3A.

[0064] In modified example 2, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit 9 may attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the reference position 3A toward the first moving position 3B until activation of the IC chip is successful, and then attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the first moving position 3B toward the second moving position 3E, or may attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the reference position 3A toward the second moving position 3C until activation of the IC chip is successful, and then attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card 3 from the second moving position 3C toward the first moving position 3B.

[0065] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0066] In the embodiment described above, the control unit 9 may increase the current supplied to the solenoid 18 when moving the IC contact block 7 from the retracted position 7B to the contactable position 7A in step S2 compared to the current supplied to the solenoid 18 when moving the IC contact block 7 from the retracted position 7B to the contactable position 7A in the first activation attempt step. For example, the control unit 9 may supply the maximum current to the solenoid 18 in step S2. In this case, the movement speed of the IC contact block 7 increases in step S2, and the impact when the IC contact springs 6 contact the external connection terminals 3b increases. This increases the probability that dirt and other contaminants adhering to the external connection terminals 3b will be removed in step S2, thereby increasing the probability that the IC chip will be successfully activated.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 may move the IC contact block 7 arranged in the contactable position 7A to the retracted position 7B in steps S8, S11, S14, and S17, and then transport and stop the card 3 with the IC contact block 7 arranged in the retracted position 7B, and then move the IC contact block 7 arranged in the retracted position 7B to the contactable position 7A in steps S9, S12, S15, and S18. Similarly, in the above-described modified example, the control unit 9 may move the IC contact block 7 arranged in the contactable position 7A to the retracted position 7B in the second activation attempt step, and then transport and stop the card 3 with the IC contact block 7 arranged in the retracted position 7B.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 may stop the card 3 at only one of the first stop position 3D and the second stop position 3E after step S7 to attempt to activate the IC chip. Also, in the above-described embodiment, when the card 3 is placed at the reference position 3A, the apex of the spring portion 6c may be in contact with a position offset from the center of the external connection terminal 3b in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the motor 12 may be a stepping motor. In this case, the encoder 15 is not required. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the card reader 2 may be a manual card reader.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, step S22 may not be executed. Also, in the above-described embodiment, when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step, the process may proceed directly to step S4. That is, steps S1 to S3 may not be executed in the activation retry control. In this case, step S22 becomes unnecessary. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the process may proceed directly from step S4 to step S8. That is, steps S5 to S7 may not be executed in the activation retry control.

[0070] (Configuration of this technology) The present technology can be configured as follows: (1) A card reader for communicating data with a card having a built-in IC chip and a plurality of external connection terminals for the IC chip, a card transport path along which the card is transported, a card transport mechanism that transports the card on the card transport path, a plurality of IC contact springs that contact the plurality of external connection terminals respectively to communicate data, an IC contact block that holds the plurality of IC contact springs, a block moving mechanism that moves the IC contact block between a contactable position where the IC contact springs can contact the external connection terminals and a retracted position where the IC contact springs cannot contact the external connection terminals, and a control unit that controls the card reader, The control unit a first activation attempt step of transporting the card to a predetermined reference position with the IC contact block disposed at the retracted position, stopping the card, and then moving the IC contact block to the contactable position to attempt to activate the IC chip; a card moving step of transporting and stopping the card within a range where the IC contact springs contacting the external connection terminals do not come off from the external connection terminals, with the IC contact block disposed at the contactable position when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step; A card reader characterized in that, after the card moving step, a second activation attempt step is performed in which the card is stopped within the range to which the card was moved in the card moving step and an attempt is made to activate the IC chip. (2) The card reader according to (1), wherein the control unit transports and stops the card with the IC contact block positioned at the contactable position in the second activation attempt step. (3) A card reader as described in (1) or (2), characterized in that in the second activation attempt step, the control unit attempts to activate the IC chip by changing the stopping position of the card a predetermined number of times until activation of the IC chip is successful. (4) When one side of the card transport direction by the card transport mechanism is the front side, and the other side of the card transport direction by the card transport mechanism is the back side, The card reader described in (3) is characterized in that, in the card moving step, the control unit transports the card between a first moving position that is in front of the reference position and a second moving position that is behind the reference position, and when the position of the card that is behind the first moving position and in front of the reference position is set as a first stop position, and the position of the card that is in front of the second moving position and behind the reference position is set as a second stop position, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit attempts to activate the IC chip by changing the stop position of the card between the first stop position, the second stop position, and the reference position until activation of the IC chip is successful. (5) The card reader described in (4) is characterized in that in the second activation attempt step, the control unit repeats one cycle of activation attempts multiple times, attempting to activate the IC chip while changing the stopping position of the card in the order of the first stopping position, the reference position, the second stopping position, and the reference position, until activation of the IC chip is successful. (6) The card reader described in (3) is characterized in that, in the card moving step, the control unit transports the card at least between the reference position and a predetermined first moving position, and in the second activation attempt step, attempts to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the reference position toward the first moving position until activation of the IC chip is successful. (7) The card reader described in (6) is characterized in that, in the card moving step, the control unit transports the card between the first moving position, which is closer to the reference position, and the second moving position, which is farther from the reference position, and in the second activation attempt step, attempts to activate the IC chip while gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the reference position toward the first moving position until activation of the IC chip is successful, then attempts to activate the IC chip while gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the first moving position toward the second moving position, and then attempts to activate the IC chip while gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the second moving position toward the first moving position. (8) A card reader as described in any of (1) to (7), characterized in that if the control unit fails to activate the IC chip in the first activation attempt step, it executes a third activation attempt step in which it attempts to activate the IC chip again while stopping the card at a predetermined third stop position before executing the card movement step. (9) The card reader described in (8) is characterized in that, when the activation of the IC chip is successful in the second activation attempt step, the control unit executes a stop position update step in which the stop position of the card when the activation of the IC chip is successful is set as the third stop position. (10) A method for controlling a card reader, comprising: a card transport path along which a card having an IC chip built in and a plurality of external connection terminals formed on the IC chip is transported; a card transport mechanism for transporting the card along the card transport path; a plurality of IC contact springs for contacting each of the plurality of external connection terminals to communicate data; an IC contact block for holding the plurality of IC contact springs; and a block moving mechanism for moving the IC contact block between a contactable position where the IC contact springs can contact the external connection terminals and a retracted position where the IC contact springs cannot contact the external connection terminals, a first activation attempt step of transporting the card to a predetermined reference position with the IC contact block disposed at the retracted position, stopping the card, and then moving the IC contact block to the contactable position to attempt to activate the IC chip; a card moving step of transporting and stopping the card within a range where the IC contact springs contacting the external connection terminals do not come off from the external connection terminals, with the IC contact block disposed at the contactable position when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step; A card reader control method characterized in that, after the card moving step, a second activation attempt step is carried out in which the card is stopped within the range to which the card was moved in the card moving step and an attempt is made to activate the IC chip.

[0071] In this aspect, it is preferable that the control unit transports and stops the card with the IC contact block positioned at the contactable position in the second activation attempt step. With this configuration, it is possible to shorten the processing time in the second activation attempt step compared to a case in which the control unit transports and stops the card with the IC contact block positioned at the retracted position in the second activation attempt step, and then moves the IC contact block to the contactable position before attempting to activate the IC chip.

[0072] In this aspect, in the second activation attempt step, the control unit preferably attempts to activate the IC chip a predetermined number of times while changing the stopping position of the card until the activation of the IC chip is successful. This configuration makes it possible to further increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip.

[0073] In this embodiment, when one side of the card transport direction by the card transport mechanism is defined as the front side and the other side of the card transport direction by the card transport mechanism is defined as the back side, in the card movement step, the control unit transports the card between a first movement position that is closer to the reference position and a second movement position that is farther from the reference position, and when the position of the card that is farther from the first movement position and closer to the reference position is defined as the first stop position, and when the position of the card that is closer to the second movement position and farther from the reference position is defined as the second stop position, it is preferable that in the second activation attempt step, the control unit attempts to activate the IC chip by changing the stop position of the card between the first stop position, the second stop position, and the reference position until activation of the IC chip is successful.

[0074] With this configuration, it is possible to attempt to activate the IC chip by bringing the IC contact spring into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal that is closer to the user than the portion of the IC contact spring that contacts when the card is in the reference position, and it is also possible to attempt to activate the IC chip by bringing the IC contact spring into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal that is farther back than the portion of the IC contact spring that contacts when the card is in the reference position, thereby further increasing the probability of successfully activating the IC chip.

[0075] In this embodiment, the control unit preferably repeats one cycle of attempting to activate the IC chip multiple times in the second activation attempt step, changing the card's stopping position in the order of the first stopping position, the reference position, the second stopping position, and the reference position, until the IC chip is successfully activated. This configuration makes it possible to shorten the card movement time when changing the card's stopping position. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip and shorten the processing time in the second activation attempt step.

[0076] In this aspect, for example, the control unit may transport the card at least between a reference position and a predetermined first movement position in the card movement step, and may attempt to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the reference position toward the first movement position in the second activation attempt step until the activation of the IC chip is successful. In this case, it is possible to shorten the movement time of the card when changing the stopping position of the card. Therefore, even if it is possible to further increase the probability of successfully activating the IC chip, it is possible to shorten the processing time in the second activation attempt step.

[0077] In this embodiment, it is preferable that in the card moving step, the control unit transports the card between a first moving position that is closer to the reference position and a second moving position that is farther from the reference position, and in the second activation attempt step, the control unit attempts to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the reference position toward the first moving position until activation of the IC chip is successful, then attempts to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the first moving position toward the second moving position, and then attempts to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the second moving position toward the first moving position.

[0078] With this configuration, it is possible to attempt to activate the IC chip by bringing the IC contact spring into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal that is closer to the user than the portion of the IC contact spring that contacts when the card is in the reference position, and it is also possible to attempt to activate the IC chip by bringing the IC contact spring into contact with a portion of the external connection terminal that is farther back than the portion of the IC contact spring that contacts when the card is in the reference position, thereby further increasing the probability of successfully activating the IC chip.

[0079] In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit fails to activate the IC chip in the first activation attempt step, it executes a third activation attempt step in which it attempts to activate the IC chip again while stopping the card at a predetermined third stop position before executing the card movement step.

[0080] In this aspect, if the activation of the IC chip is successful in the second activation attempt step, the control unit preferably executes a stop position update step in which the stop position of the card when the activation of the IC chip is successful is set as the third stop position. With this configuration, it is possible to increase the probability of successful activation of the IC chip in the third activation attempt step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 2 card readers 3 Cards 3b External connection terminal 3A Reference position 3B 1st movement position 3C 2nd movement position 3D 1st stop position 3E 2nd stop position 4 Card transport path 5 Card transport mechanism 6 IC contact spring 7 IC contact blocks 7A Contactable position 7B Evacuation position 8 Block moving mechanism 9 Control Unit S1~S3 Third activation attempt step S4 Card Movement Steps S8~S21 Second activation attempt step S22 Stop position update step X Card transport direction X1 Front side X2 back side

Claims

1. A card reader for communicating data with a card having an IC chip built in and a plurality of external connection terminals for the IC chip, a card transport path along which the card is transported, a card transport mechanism that transports the card on the card transport path, a plurality of IC contact springs that contact the plurality of external connection terminals respectively to communicate data, an IC contact block that holds the plurality of IC contact springs, a block moving mechanism that moves the IC contact block between a contactable position where the IC contact springs can contact the external connection terminals and a retracted position where the IC contact springs cannot contact the external connection terminals, and a control unit that controls the card reader, The control unit a first activation attempt step of transporting the card to a predetermined reference position with the IC contact block disposed at the retracted position, stopping the card, and then moving the IC contact block to the contactable position to attempt to activate the IC chip; a card moving step of transporting and stopping the card within a range in which the IC contact springs contacting the external connection terminals do not come off from the external connection terminals, with the IC contact block disposed at the contactable position when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step; A card reader characterized in that, after the card moving step, a second activation attempt step is executed in which the card is stopped within the range to which the card was moved in the card moving step and activation of the IC chip is attempted.

2. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transports and stops the card with the IC contact block placed at the contactable position in the second activation attempt step.

3. A card reader as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the second activation attempt step, the control unit attempts to activate the IC chip by changing the stopping position of the card a predetermined number of times until activation of the IC chip is successful.

4. When one side of the card in the direction of transport by the card transport mechanism is defined as the front side, and the other side of the card in the direction of transport by the card transport mechanism is defined as the back side, The card reader of claim 3, characterized in that in the card moving step, the control unit transports the card between a first moving position that is in front of the reference position and a second moving position that is behind the reference position, and sets a position of the card that is behind the first moving position and in front of the reference position as a first stop position, and a position of the card that is in front of the second moving position and behind the reference position as a second stop position, and then in the second activation attempt step, attempts to activate the IC chip by changing the stop position of the card between the first stop position, the second stop position, and the reference position until activation of the IC chip is successful.

5. The card reader of claim 4, characterized in that in the second activation attempt step, the control unit repeats one cycle of activation attempts multiple times, attempting to activate the IC chip while changing the stopping position of the card in the order of the first stopping position, the reference position, the second stopping position, and the reference position, until activation of the IC chip is successful.

6. The card reader of claim 3, characterized in that, in the card movement step, the control unit transports the card at least between the reference position and a predetermined first movement position, and in the second activation attempt step, attempts to activate the IC chip by gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the reference position toward the first movement position until activation of the IC chip is successful.

7. The card reader of claim 6, wherein in the card moving step, the control unit transports the card between the first moving position, which is closer to the reference position, and the second moving position, which is farther from the reference position; and in the second activation attempt step, the control unit attempts to activate the IC chip while gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the reference position toward the first moving position until activation of the IC chip is successful, then attempts to activate the IC chip while gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the first moving position toward the second moving position, and then attempts to activate the IC chip while gradually changing the stopping position of the card from the second moving position toward the first moving position.

8. A card reader as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that if the control unit fails to activate the IC chip in the first activation attempt step, it executes a third activation attempt step in which it attempts to activate the IC chip again while stopping the card at a predetermined third stop position before executing the card movement step.

9. The card reader according to claim 8, characterized in that, when the activation of the IC chip is successful in the second activation attempt step, the control unit executes a stop position update step in which the stop position of the card when the activation of the IC chip is successful is set as the third stop position.

10. A method for controlling a card reader comprising: a card transport path along which a card having an IC chip built in and a plurality of external connection terminals formed on the IC chip is transported; a card transport mechanism for transporting the card along the card transport path; a plurality of IC contact springs for contacting the plurality of external connection terminals to communicate data; an IC contact block for holding the plurality of IC contact springs; and a block moving mechanism for moving the IC contact block between a contactable position where the IC contact springs can contact the external connection terminals and a retracted position where the IC contact springs cannot contact the external connection terminals, a first activation attempt step of transporting the card to a predetermined reference position with the IC contact block disposed at the retracted position, stopping the card, and then moving the IC contact block to the contactable position to attempt to activate the IC chip; a card moving step of transporting and stopping the card within a range in which the IC contact springs contacting the external connection terminals do not come off from the external connection terminals, with the IC contact block disposed at the contactable position when activation of the IC chip fails in the first activation attempt step; A card reader control method characterized in that, after the card moving step, a second activation attempt step is carried out in which the card is stopped within the range to which the card was moved in the card moving step and an activation attempt is made to the IC chip.

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