Card Detection Using Movable Operating Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card processing apparatuses struggle to detect the insertion or non-insertion of cards with transparent or skeleton cards, and accurately determine their position, especially when the cards are inserted incorrectly or lack an opaque information storage part, leading to errors in reading and writing processes.
Innovation Solution
A card processing apparatus with a conveying mechanism and multiple detectors (first, second, and third card detectors) that use movable operating members and sensors to detect card presence and position, allowing for accurate insertion detection and position determination regardless of the card's transparency or presence of an opaque part, without hindering card conveyance or processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical sensors are arranged on the path of the information storage part to detect card insertion and position, then transparent or skeleton cards without opaque information storage parts cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
A movable operating member is introduced as an intermediary between the card and the optical sensor. The operating member is displaced by contact with the card, and this displacement is detected by the optical sensor. This allows detection of transparent cards without requiring the cards themselves to interact directly with the sensor, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable detection and compatibility with transparent materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct optical detection of the card with a mechanical coupling system. Instead of using optical sensors to directly detect the card's presence or position, a movable operating member converts the card's presence into mechanical displacement, which is then detected optically. This substitution allows the system to detect transparent cards through mechanical interaction rather than direct optical interaction.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical sensors are used to detect card position accurately, then the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two parts: a movable operating member that physically interacts with the card to indicate its presence and position, and a stationary optical sensor that detects the displacement of the operating member. This segmentation reduces the need for multiple complex sensors while maintaining detection precision through the mechanical amplification of the card's presence by the operating member.
3Reliability
If card detection is performed using the information storage part path, then cards inserted incorrectly or without opaque parts cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The movable operating member serves as a mediator that detects any card presence regardless of its orientation or transparency. By positioning the operating member to contact the card's edge or surface rather than requiring detection through the information storage part, the system becomes tolerant to incorrect insertion while maintaining detection accuracy through the mechanical displacement signal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures reliable detection and processing of cards with transparent or skeleton designs, preventing errors in card handling and enhancing operational efficiency by accurately determining card insertion and position, even when cards are inserted incorrectly.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for detecting a movement of the operating member from the standby position to the shifted position
Data Source
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AI summary
A card processing apparatus surely detects the insertion/non-insertion of a card and the position of the inserted card in the apparatus regardless of existence/non-existence of an opaque part and/or the position of the opaque part in the card. A first card detector is disposed at a first position in the conveying path, a second card detector is disposed at a second position in the conveying path apart from the first card detector backward, and a third card detector is disposed at a third position in the conveying path apart from the second card detector backward. A conveying mechanism is controlled by detection signals outputted from the first to third card detectors. Each of the first to third card detectors includes an operating member movable from a standby position to a shifted position due to contact with a card during conveyance, and a sensor detecting a displacement of the operating member. In response to which one of the detection signals notifies that the detection/non-detection of a card, the insertion or non-insertion of a card and the position of the inserted card are judged.