Card Reader IC Data Transport Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card readers fail to detect incorrect orientation of cards with only an IC chip, leading to potential jamming at the rearmost position on the transport path, especially when IC cards without magnetic data are inserted.
Innovation Solution
A card reader configuration that includes a magnetic head for reading magnetic data and an IC sensor for reading/writing IC data, with a magnetic data discrimination unit determining the presence of magnetic data by the time the card reaches a predetermined position, and an IC reading controller transporting the card to the front side for IC data reading if no magnetic data is present, preventing jamming and enabling IC data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a card reader uses only magnetic head detection to determine card insertion, then magnetic card reading is reliable, but IC cards without magnetic data cannot be properly validated and may become stuck at the rearmost position
Solution Approach 1:
The card reader is equipped with both a magnetic head for magnetic data detection and an IC sensor for IC chip detection, enabling the system to handle both magnetic cards and IC-only cards. The controller selectively activates the appropriate detection method based on card type, providing universal compatibility across different card formats while maintaining reliable orientation detection for each type.
2Manufacturing precision
If the card reader transports the card to the rearmost position for complete magnetic data reading, then magnetic data reading is thorough, but IC cards without magnetic data may become stuck and cause jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of magnetic data presence during the card's transport to the rearmost position. If no magnetic data is detected by the magnetic head, the controller determines early that the card is likely an IC-only card and stops transporting it further, preventing IC cards from reaching the rearmost position where they could become stuck and cause jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors magnetic data reproduction signals during card transport. When the magnetic head fails to detect expected magnetic data patterns, the controller receives feedback indicating an IC-only card is present and adjusts the transport operation accordingly, stopping the card before it reaches the rearmost position to avoid jamming.
3Ease of operation
If the card reader stops transport early for IC cards, then jamming is prevented, but IC data reading must be performed at a different position requiring additional control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates both magnetic data discrimination and IC data reading functions into a single control unit. This unified controller manages the transport path and sensor activation, selectively performing magnetic data reading, IC data reading, or early termination based on detected card type, thereby handling multiple card formats through a single multi-functional control system.
4Loss of information
If the magnetic head reads data from the entire card length, then all magnetic data is captured, but processing time increases for IC cards that have no magnetic data
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic head performs preliminary scanning of the card during its transport to the rearmost position to detect the presence or absence of magnetic data. When no magnetic data is detected, the controller terminates the reading process early and proceeds directly to IC data reading, avoiding the time loss that would occur from attempting to read non-existent magnetic data across the entire card length.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial magnetic data reading by scanning only the portion of the card that passes under the magnetic head during normal transport, rather than attempting to read the entire card length. This partial action is sufficient to detect the presence or absence of magnetic data, allowing the system to quickly identify IC-only cards and proceed with appropriate reading operations without unnecessary time consumption.
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
Prevents cards from becoming stuck at the rearmost position on the transport path while allowing for the reading and writing of IC data from IC chips, even when cards are inserted incorrectly, and improves processing speed by determining magnetic data presence early in the card's transport.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic head that reads magnetic data on a card
Implementation Method 2
an IC sensor that reads and writes IC data from and to an IC chip on the card
Data Source
AI summary
A card reader for use with a card having an integrated circuit (IC) chip may include a magnetic head configured to read magnetic data on the card; an IC sensor configured to read and write IC data from and to the IC chip on the card; a magnetic data discrimination unit configured to determine the presence of the magnetic data on the card according to whether or not the magnetic data has been read by the magnetic head when the inserted card has been transported to a rear side from a leading end up to a predetermined position; and an IC reading controller configured to, if the magnetic data discrimination unit determines that the magnetic data is not present on the card, perform control to transport the card to a front side and control the IC sensor to read the IC data on the IC chip.