Abstract:
A card handling and recycling device, including a card receiving unit which can accept a card inserted into the device and optionally withdraw the card out of the device, a magnetic card reading and writing unit, a movable integrated circuit card reading and writing unit, and a card transporting unit for selectively moving the card within the card handling device along a card transporting passageway. The card receiving unit, magnetic card reading and writing unit, integrated circuit card reading and writing unit, and card transporting unit are aligned along the card transporting passageway. Recycling of cards is accomplished by pivoting the integrated circuit card handling unit so that a transported card will be deflected by a guide plate into a recycling storage area.

Description:
[0001]    This application is based on an application number 2002-057148 filed in Japan, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an improved card handling device for magnetic cards with one or more magnetic strips as well as integrated circuit bearing smart cards, hereinafter referred to as an integrated circuit card, or IC card, and a card recycling device. The present invention handles IC cards of either contact or non-contact access technologies.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    A card handling device for magnetic cards and integrated circuit bearing cards is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open patent application No. 10-49725 and includes a card slot, magnetic card handling device, an IC card handling device, and a card storing device for both magnetic and IC cards. The guide of the magnetic card handling device pivots about an axis to allow the magnetic card to be drawn by gravity into a recycling unit.  
           [0006]    In the prior art, a magnetic card handling device pivots a predetermined angle on the rotating shaft used as a drive in the card transporting device. The prior art discloses a compact structure, including both the card handling device and the card recycling device in one body.  
           [0007]    However, this structure is complex making assembly and maintenance difficult because the rotating shaft for the transporting device is shared as the pivot axis of the magnetic handling device. The magnetic card occurs in two varieties denoted JIS-1 type (JIS-X-6302-1) and JIS-2 type (JIS-6302-2). The JIS-1 type has a magnetic strip on the reverse side of the card, while the JIS-2 type has a magnetic strip on the obverse side, or front face, of the card.  
           [0008]    The magnetic heads for reading and writing are located facing the magnetic strips and may physically contact the magnetic strips. The magnetic heads are moveable in operation. The magnetic heads are located opposite from each other, grasping the card between the heads, and providing support for the grasped card to keep it from dropping.  
           [0009]    If one of the heads moves, the card is released. If the magnetic heads touch each other without an intervening card present, the magnetic heads may be damaged. Some card handling devices are small in size allowing their use, for example, in ticket vending machines.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is directed to a card handling and recycling device.  
           [0011]    The card handling and recycling device, includes a card receiving unit which can accept a card inserted from an external of the device and optionally return the card to an external of the device, a magnetic card reading and writing unit, a movable integrated circuit card reading and writing unit, a card recycling unit, and a card transporting unit for moving the card selectively within the card handling device along a card transporting passageway.  
           [0012]    The card receiving unit, magnetic card reading and writing unit, integrated circuit card reading and writing unit, and card recycling unit are aligned along the card transporting passageway. The integrated circuit card handling unit pivots, block the card transporting passageway, and allowing a card traveling along the card transporting passageway to be diverted into a storage area for recycling the card.  
           [0013]    The term card herein applies individually to a card with one or more magnetic strips, an IC card, a smart card, or other card which may be written to and read from using either contact or non-contact means. The phrase card handling comprehends card transporting as described herein, and includes reading and writing. Thus, a card handling and recycling device, or more simply card handling device, includes all aspects of the invention as herein described.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The exact nature of this invention will be readily apparent from consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the card handling and recycling device of the embodiment;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card handling and recycling device the embodiment showing the internal configuration of components;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the card handling and recycling device of the embodiment;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the card handling and recycling device of the embodiment showing the device operated in the recycling mode; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a card handling and recycling device. The term card herein applies individually to a card with one or more magnetic strips, an IC card, a smart card, or other card or carrier which may be written to and read from using either contact or non-contact means.  
         [0020]    Referring to the view of FIG. 1, the card handling device  1  includes a card receiving unit  10  with a rectangular slot  11 , a magnetic card handling unit  20 , an IC card handling unit  40 , and a card transporting unit  59 . The card handling device  1  has a frame  6  which includes side frame members  2  and  3 , with cross frame members  4  and  5  mounted between side frame members  2  and  3 .  
         [0021]    Referring to the view of FIG. 3, the card receiving unit  10 , the magnetic card handling unit  20 , and the IC card handling unit  40  are suitably aligned along a card transporting passageway  7 .  
         [0022]    Referring to the view of FIG. 2, the magnetic card handling unit  20  is explained. The magnetic card handling device  20  includes a first magnetic head  21  which in this embodiment uses JIS-1 type cards and a second magnetic head  22  which uses JIS-2 type cards. Alternatively, the first magnetic head  21  and second magnetic head  22  maybe of either type, JIS-1 or JIS2, or they may both be the same type. In the case where only one magnetic head is present in an embodiment, the magnetic head may be of either type.  
         [0023]    The first magnetic head  21  can read and write a magnetic strip on a magnetic card, and is fixedly carried near the middle of a lower leaf spring  23 . One end of the lower leaf spring  23  is fixed at a bracket (not shown) and the other end can slide on the bracket. The lower leaf spring  23  is located below the transporting passageway  7  and is aligned so that the sliding end of the leaf spring slides along the direction as the passageway to maintain alignment of the magnetic head  21  with a magnetic card in the transporting passageway  7 . The first magnetic head  21  is mounted so that, when a magnetic card is not presently located for reading or writing by at the magnetic head, the sensing portion of the first magnetic head extends upward slightly above the path traversed by the bottom edge of a magnetic card which is located for reading and writing by the first magnetic head.  
         [0024]    The second magnetic head  22  can read and write a magnetic strip on a magnetic card, and is fixedly carried near the middle of an upper leaf spring  24 . One end of the upper leaf spring  24  is fixed at a bracket (not shown) and the other end can slide on the bracket. The upper leaf spring  24  is located above the transporting passageway  7  and is aligned so that the sliding end of the leaf spring slides along the direction as the passageway to maintain alignment of the magnetic head  22  with a magnetic card in the transporting passageway  7 . The second magnetic head  22  is mounted so that, when a magnetic card is not presently located for reading or writing by at the magnetic head, the sensing portion of the second magnetic head extends downward slightly below the path traversed by the upper edge of a magnetic card which is located for reading and writing by the second magnetic head.  
         [0025]    The first magnetic head  21  and the second magnetic head  22  are located opposite to each other, and slightly displaced along the card transporting passageway  7  so that magnetic head  21  may contact magnetic head  22  without damage. The magnetic card handling unit  20  may contain either or both of magnetic head  21  or magnetic head  22 , so that magnetic cards of all types may be used.  
         [0026]    The first transporting unit  25  is located along the card transporting passageway  7  between the card receiving unit  10  and either or both of magnetic head  21  or magnetic head  22 . The first transporting unit  25  includes a first driving roller  26  which is located below the card transporting passageway  7  and a first pressing roller  27  which is located above the transporting passageway  7 . The first driving roller  26  includes a first rotating shaft  28  which is supported near each end oppositely by side frame members  2  and  3 . Upon first rotating shaft  28  are mounted rollers  29   a  and  29   b  which are fixed near opposite ends of first rotating shaft  28 .  
         [0027]    Rollers  29   a  and  29   b  each comprise a cylindrical body covered by a ring as an outer surface. The cylindrical body is composed of a harder substance like resin or metal, while the ring around the cylindrical body is composed of a softer material such as rubber. Because magnetic cards and IC cards are the same length and width but may have different thicknesses, the rubber on the rings can be changed to accommodate a desired card thickness. First pressing roller  27  provides resilient support so that cards of different thicknesses may be handled.  
         [0028]    The first pressing roller  27  includes a shaft  31  which is fixed in a removable supporting box  30  and rollers  32   a  and  32   b  which are attached and rotate at the end of shaft  31 . The composition of rollers  32   a  and  32   b  is the same as that of rollers  29   a  and  29   b . Roller  32   a  is located above roller  29   a , separated from roller  29   a  by less than the thickness of the anticipated card so that the card may be suitably grasped between rollers  29   a  and  32   a . Similarly, roller  32   b  is located above roller  29   b , separated from roller  29   b  by less than the thickness of an anticipated card so that the card may be suitably grasped between rollers  29   b  and  32   b.    
         [0029]    First driving roller  26  and first pressing roller  27  are located oppositely on either side of the card transporting passageway  7 . The first pressing roller  27  has contact with the first driving roller  26 , but the card is not damaged since the rubber ring is easily deformable.  
         [0030]    Referring to the view of FIG. 3, the IC card handling device is explained. The IC card handling device  40  includes a card guiding unit  41  and an IC card reading and writing unit  42 . The IC card reading and writing unit  42  can handle either contact or non-contact IC card types. The card guiding unit  41  comprises a channel-like shape, bounded by a pair of plates  44  and  45  which pivot on-the third rotating shaft  43  and are fixed at the side wall of baseboard  46 . This channel extends along the card transporting passageway  7 . The baseboard  46  is located slightly below the card transporting passageway  7 . The end of rod  48  pivots on pin  47  which is fixed at plate  44 .  
         [0031]    The other end of rod  48  can pivot on shaft  51  of crank  50  which is fixed to the output shaft of motor  49  with gears. The moving unit  52  of the card guiding unit  41  includes pin  47 , rod  48 , motor  49  with gear, crank  50  and shaft  51 . The moving unit  52  moves the card handling unit  40  away from alignment with the card transporting passageway  7 . The motivating force for moving unit  52  may be either a linear motor, a pneumatic cylinder, or a solenoid. The IC card handling unit  40  may be moved parallel to the card transporting passageway  7 .  
         [0032]    A communication unit  53 , comprising a thin antenna, for non-contact IC cards is fixed at moving plate  54  located above baseboard  46 . The contactor  55  for contact type IC cards, is fixed at moving plate  54  above baseboard  46 . The moving plate  54  can move along the card transporting passageway  7  a predetermined distance toward the side of the magnetic card handling unit  20 . The moving plate  54  is pressed against the side of the magnetic card handling unit  20  by a spring (not shown) and is limited by a stopper (not shown) at the horizontal section of the guiding groove  56 .  
         [0033]    Referring to the view of FIG. 3, projection  57  is fixed at the end of the moving plate  54  which is opposite the magnetic card handling unit  20  and extends orthogonally into the card transporting passageway  7 . The slanting surface  57   b  and opposite side  57   a  of projection  57  can move across the card transporting passageway  7 .  
         [0034]    Referring to the view of FIG. 3, the second transporting unit  60  is located between the magnetic card handling unit  20  and the IC card handling unit  40 . The second transporting unit  60  includes a second driving roller  61  which is located below the card transporting passageway  7  and a second pressing roller  62  which is located above the card transporting passageway  7 . The second driving roller  61  includes rollers  64   a  and  64   b  mounted on a second rotating shaft  63 . The rollers  64   a  and  64   b  are similar to the rollers  29   a  and  29   b.    
         [0035]    The second rotating shaft  63  is supported on each end by side frame members  2  and  3  allowing rotation of the rotating shaft  63 . Second pressing roller  62  includes rollers  66   a  and  66   b  which rotate on shaft  65 . Rollers  66   a  and  66   b  are similar to rollers  32   a  and  32   b . Shaft  65  is attached to the removable supporting box  30 . Guiding board  67  is located above and below the card transporting passageway  7  between the card receiving unit  10  and the second transporting unit  60 .  
         [0036]    The guiding plate  69  is fixed at the under section of plates  44  and  45  which are located below the card transporting passageway  7 . Bend section  69   a  is shaped continuously with guiding plate  69 , a portion of the guiding plate, on the side away from the magnetic card handling unit, is bent downward. Thus, the guiding plate  69  has two sections, the unbended section of guiding plate  69  and the bended section  69   a , which relatively planar surfaces yet which are not aligned in the same plane with each other. Referring to the view of FIG. 4, when the integrated circuit card handling unit  40  pivots at the third rotating shaft  43 , the plane of the guiding plate  69  crosses the plane of the card transporting passageway  7  at an acute angle described by the initial and final positions of the integrated circuit handling unit  40  while pivoting. The plane of the downward bended section  69   a  crosses the plane of the transporting passageway at an angle which is larger than the acute angle at which the plane of the unbended section of the guiding plate  69  crosses the plane of the transporting passageway  7 .  
         [0037]    The recycling storage area  39  is located directly below the IC card handling unit  40 . With this arrangement, the length of the card handling device  1  is shorter in length but taller in height. The third transporting unit  70  is located on the IC card handling unit  40  on the side opposite to the magnetic card handling unit  20 .  
         [0038]    The structure of the third transporting unit  70  is the same as that of the first transporting unit  25  and the second transporting unit  60 . The third transporting unit  70  includes the third driving roller  71  which is located below the card transporting passageway  7 . The third pressing roller  72  is located directly above the third driving roller and above the card transporting passageway  7 .  
         [0039]    The third driving roller  71  is rollers  74   a  and  74   b  which are fixed at the third rotting shaft  43 . The third rotating shaft  43  is supported near each end by side frame members  2  and  3 . The third pressing roller  72  includes rollers  76   a  and  76   b  which rotate on shaft  75 . Rollers  76   a  and  76   b  are made of the same structure as rollers  32   a  and  32   b . Shaft  75  is supported by side frame members  2  and  3 .  
         [0040]    The distance between the first transporting unit  25  and the second transporting device  60  is such that the card may be supported by both units. The distance between the second transporting unit  60  and the third transporting unit  70  is such that a card may be supported by the second driving roller  61  and second pressing roller  62 , shortly after it passes through the third driving roller  71  and third pressing roller  72 .  
         [0041]    When a new card is dispensed to the rectangular card slot  11 , a card dispensing device is mounted at the right side of the third transporting unit  70 . If new cards are not dispensed, the third transporting unit  70  is not included in the card handling device  1 , and only shaft  43  is included. The transporting unit  59  includes the first transporting unit  25  and the second transporting unit  60 . If new cards are dispensed, the transporting unit  59  includes the third transporting unit  70 . The function of the transporting unit  59  is to transport the card to a predetermined direction. The transporting unit  59  may be changed to a different type of moving elements such as a drive belt or other suitable technology.  
         [0042]    Referring to the view of FIGS. 1 and 2, the driving unit  80  of the first transporting unit  25 , the second transporting unit  60 , and the third transporting unit  70  is explained. The timing pulley  83  is fixed on an output shaft  82  of motor  81  with a gear which is located below the card transporting passageway  7  between the second transporting unit  60  and the IC card handling unit  40 .  
         [0043]    Timing belt  86  functionally connects timing pulley  83  and timing pulley  84  which is mounted on the second rotating shaft  63 . Timing belt  88  functionally connects timing pulley  84  and timing pulley  87  which is mounted on the second rotating shaft  28 . The timing belt  90  functionally connects timing pulley  83  and timing pulley  89  which is mounted on the third rotating shaft  43 . The first driving roller  26 , the second driving roller  61 , and the third driving roller  71  all rotate synchronously and at the same speed because the timing pulleys  83 ,  84 ,  87 , and  89  are the same diameter. The driving unit  80  may be changed to another type which rotates the transporting unit  59  at the same speed.  
         [0044]    The shutter unit  91  includes plate  92  which is located between the card receiving unit  10  and the first transporting unit  25  and solenoid  93  which moves plate  92 . When the card handling device  1  is active, plate  92  is located outside of the card transporting passageway  7 . After a card is inserted into the card receiving unit  10 , the second sensor  95 , which is located between the first transporting unit  25  and the second transporting unit  60  gets a non-detection situation, plate  92  protrudes into the card transporting passageway  7 .  
         [0045]    When the second sensor  95  detects the card again, plate  92  is moved and goes out of the card transporting passageway  7 . The first sensor  96  and second sensor  95  are photo-electrical type in the embodiment, but may be another type with similar functionality.  
         [0046]    Next, the operation of the card handling device  1  is explained. First, the handling of a magnetic card is explained. When the card handling device  1  is active, and a card isn&#39;t inserted, plate  92  is located outside the card transporting passageway  7 . When a card C is inserted into the rectangular card slot  11  and is moved into the card transporting passageway  7 , it is detected by the first sensor  96 . Upon detection, motor  81  starts and rotates the first transporting unit  25 , the second transporting unit  60 , and the third transporting unit  70 , operated through the driving unit  80 .  
         [0047]    Referring to the view of FIG. 3, when the card handling device  1  is first activated, the first driving roller  26 , the second driving roller  61 , and the third driving roller  71  are rotated in the clockwise direction. Card C is held between the first driving roller  26  and the first pressing roller  27  and thereby transported towards the right when the driving rollers  26 ,  61 , and  71  are rotated in the clockwise direction. In this moving process, card C moves between the first magnetic head  21  and the second magnetic head  22  and moves between the second driving roller  61  and the second pressing roller  62 . The first magnetic head  21  reads the data on the JIS-1 type. The second magnetic head  22  reads the data on the JIS-2 type.  
         [0048]    Card C is further transported to the right by the second transporting unit  60 . The end of card C arrives in the IC card reading and writing unit  42 . When the first sensor  96  ceases detecting card C, plate  92  is moved into the card transporting passageway  7  by solenoid  93 , and theft is prevented.  
         [0049]    The leading end of card C makes contact with the end face  57   a  of projection  57 , and moving plate  54  is moved towards the right by card C. When the trailing end of card C passes through the second sensor  95 , the second sensor  95  becomes non-detecting of card C. Motor  81  is stopped based on the end of the detection condition. In this situation, the moving plate  54  moves to the standby position by card C (shown in solid line of FIG. 3). The trailing end of card C is held by the second driving roller  61  and the second pressing roller  62 . In this standby situation of card C, a main device handles a predetermined operation, and afterwards it outputs a returning signal.  
         [0050]    Motor  81  is reversed based on the returning signal, and the first driving roller  26 , the second driving roller  61 , and the third driving roller  71  rotate in the counter clockwise direction through driving unit  80 . Therefore, card C is transported in the direction of the rectangular card slot  11  by the second transporting unit  60 . On the way, card C moves between the first magnetic head  21  and the second magnetic head  22  and is securely transported by the first transporting unit  25  to the opening of the rectangular card slot  11  in the card receiving unit.  
         [0051]    In this process, either or both of the first magnetic head  21  or the second magnetic head  22  may write onto magnetic card C. When the first sensor  96  detects the end of card C, solenoid  93  is excited, and plate  92  is moved to the outside of the card transporting passageway  7 . Also, card C is transported towards the rectangular card slot  11 . Card C is drawn out from card slot  11 , and when the first sensor  96  indicates a non-detection condition, the motor  81  is stopped.  
         [0052]    Next, the handling of an integrated circuit card, or IC card, is explained. Integrated circuit card C is inserted into the rectangular card slot  11  and is transported towards the integrated circuit card handling unit along the card transporting passageway  7  by the first transporting unit  25  and the second transporting unit  60 . Therefore, moving plate  54  is kept at the standby position. In this situation, a contactor of the non-contact type integrated circuit card connects with contactor  55 . When the contact type IC card is used, data is recorded using the communication unit  53 .  
         [0053]    The integrated circuit card is handled for reading, writing, or both. When the card access is completed, the returning signal is asserted. Motor  81  is then reversed, and the first driving unit  26 , the second driving roller  61 , and the third driving roller  71  all rotate in the counter-clockwise direction through driving unit  80 . Therefore, the card C is transported towards the rectangular card slot  11  by the second transporting unit  60  and the first transporting unit  25 .  
         [0054]    Next, recycling of the card C is explained. The process is started after the card C reaches the standby position. When the recycling signal is received by the control unit, the motor  81  is reversed. Card C is then transported towards card slot  11  by second transporting unit  60  and first transporting unit  25 . When first sensor  96  detects the presence of card C, motor  81  is stopped.  
         [0055]    Next, motor  49  rotates which causes the card guide  41  to pivot in the clockwise direction on third rotating shaft  43  as shown in FIG. 3 through output shaft  51  together rotation of crank  50 , rod  48  and pin  47 , causing the card guide  41  to rise as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0056]    The completed upward motion of card guide  41  is then detected by a sensor on plate  45  (not shown), and the sensor outputs a detecting signal. Motor  49  is stopped based on the detecting signal. Therefore, plane of the guiding plate  69  crosses the plane of the card transporting passageway  7 .  
         [0057]    Afterwards motor  81  rotates, and card C is transported towards the right as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore card C is guided by guiding plate  68  and slants to the right and falls down into recycling section  39  in the outside of the second transporting device  60 . In this situation, card C is forcibly diverted downwards because the cross angle of the bend section  69   a  is larger. The card naturally falls however the transporting section is short. A storing device of cards is located at the recycling storage area  39  (not shown).  
         [0058]    The control unit waits a predetermined amount of time based on the time required for card C to fall into the recycling storage area  39 , afterwards motor  81  is stopped. Next, motor  49  rotates, output shaft  51  moves downwards together the rotation of crank  50 . On the other hand, IC card handling device  40  rotates in the counter clockwise direction and becomes level as shown in FIG. 3 and is detected by a sensor (not shown), and motor  49  is stopped.  
         [0059]    Next, dispensing a new magnetic card is explained. A new card is transported from a card storing section (not shown) which is located to the side of the third transporting unit  70  adjacent to the integrated card handling unit, on a line opposite from the magnetic card handling unit. The new card is transported towards card slot  11  by the third transporting unit  70 .  
         [0060]    As the new card is traveling along the card transporting passageway, the end of the new card pushes the slanting surface  57 B. The moving plate  54  moves along transporting passageway  7  afterwards it is guided by a slanting section of guiding groove  56  and is pushed away from transporting passageway  7 . Thus, the projection  57  is away from transporting passageway  7 , and the new card passes through under projection  56 . Afterwards, the card passes through the second transporting device  60  and the first transporting device  25  to be dispensed from card slot  11 . When first sensor  96  indicates the card is not detected, the motor  81  is stopped, and dispensing of the new card finishes. In the process, the new card is recorded by either of or both the first magnetic head  21  and second magnetic head  22 .  
         [0061]    Next, dispensing a new integrated circuit card is explained. A new integrated circuit card is transported towards card slot  11  by the third transporting device  70 , the second transporting device  60 , and the first transporting device  25 . When the first sensor  96  detects the presence of the new integrated circuit card, motor  81  is stopped and then starts again. As has been previously described, the new integrated circuit card pushes the projection  57  and is kept at the standby position and for recording data, afterwards it is dispensed towards card slot  11 .  
         [0062]    In an alternative embodiment, the order of the magnetic card handling unit  20  and the integrated circuit handling unit  40  may be interchanged so that the magnetic card handling unit pivots to block the card transport passageway  7  to similarly divert a card from the transport unit into the recycling storage area  39 .  
         [0063]    An external control unit receives the signals from the sensors and operates the solenoid, the driving unit  80 , and the motors  49  and  81 .