Card Issuing Optical Sensor Layout for Dust-Free Barcode Reading

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card issuing devices face issues with reduced optical performance and increased size when incorporating a bar code reader due to dust accumulation and the need for a reversal mechanism when the bar code is printed on the card's lower side.

Innovation Solution

A card issuing device with an optical sensor located on the lower side of the card conveyance passage and a dust adhesion prevention mechanism, such as a turning mechanism or shutter mechanism, to prevent dust from adhering to the sensor when not in use, thereby maintaining optical performance and avoiding size increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the optical sensor is arranged on the lower side with the reading face directed upward to read bar codes on the rear face of cards, then the bar code reading function is achieved, but dust accumulates on the reading face and optical performance is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebar code reading capabilityVSAvoidoptical sensor performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor is made rotatable about a horizontal axis, allowing its reading face to be dynamically oriented upward during card processing and downward during non-use periods. This dynamic repositioning prevents dust accumulation while maintaining reading capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a reversal mechanism is provided to reverse the card face to upper side for bar code reading, then the optical sensor can read the bar code from upper side, but the size of the card issuing device is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebar code reading capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reversing the card to read it from the upper side, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the card in its original orientation and rotating the optical sensor to face upward. This eliminates the need for a separate reversal mechanism and reduces device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical sensor is made rotatable about a horizontal axis, allowing its reading face to be dynamically oriented upward during card processing and downward during non-use periods. This dynamic repositioning prevents dust accumulation while maintaining reading capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the optical sensor reading face is directed downward to prevent dust accumulation, then dust adhesion is prevented, but the bar code on the rear face of the card cannot be read

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical sensor performanceVSAvoidbar code reading capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor is made rotatable about a horizontal axis, allowing its reading face to be dynamically oriented upward during card processing and downward during non-use periods. This dynamic repositioning prevents dust accumulation while maintaining reading capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively prevents dust accumulation on the optical sensor, maintaining its performance and avoiding size expansion, allowing for efficient reading of bar codes on the rear face of cards without increasing the device's dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor which is located on a lower side with respect to the card conveyance passage and reads a code indicated on a rear face of the card

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12612282B2Card issuing device

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 NIDEC INSTR CORP

AI summary

A card issuing device for using with a plurality of cards includes a card storage part which accommodates the plurality of cards, a card send-out mechanism which sends out a card among the plurality of cards from the card storage part, a card conveyance mechanism which conveys the card sent out by the card send-out mechanism toward a card discharge port along a card conveyance passage connected with the card discharge port, an optical sensor which is located on a lower side with respect to the card conveyance passage and reads a code indicated on a rear face of the card, and a dust adhesion prevention mechanism which prevents dust from adhering to a reading face of the optical sensor when the optical sensor is not used.