Patent Abstract:
A value medium dispensing unit having a read/write device for operatively communicating with a user device capable of recording value information includes a housing having an opening on a vertical side, and a read/write device operatively mounted within the opening having a receptor surface that extends at a slanted angle to the vertical side. The receptor surface has a size to enable contact with a user device such as a smart card when it is at least partially inserted within the opening whereby an operative receptor surface is partially recessed within the housing and positioned to facilitate a user interface.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a read-write device for interfacing with a smart card, and more particularly, to the structure and positioning of such a read-write device on a housing that can dispense items of value. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Various forms of kiosks, money exchanging devices, ticket dispensers, etc., have been commonly used to facilitate the electronic transfer of funds associated with a value medium dispensing device which can dispense a predetermined medium corresponding to a received value information. Such an exchanging device which discriminates value information that has been memorized, for example, on a smart card (non-contact type IC card) through a communicating device and dispenses a value medium corresponds to the discriminated value. In this regard, the term “value information” is a generic term which can be referred to as money, point system, etc. “Value medium” is a generic term which can be a source of barter or exchange and converted into money, tokens, goods, etc. 
   Such exchanging devices which will dispense a value medium based on value information is known in the art. Examples of exchanging devices can be found, for example, in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 9-180022. An exchange device can include a banknote slot, a coin slot, a dispensing unit which dispenses the value medium corresponding to the value information, and a receiving slot for receiving the dispensed value medium. When transactions are completed by using a smart card, usually the smart card includes an IC memory which will memorize and store the value information and is capable of communicating that information in a secured manner without contact. Generally, the smart card can be placed at a particular location and can be polled to broadcast the contents of the smart card and can be further refreshed to update or subtract value information stored in the smart card. 
   Frequently problems can occur in electronically interfacing with a smart card. For example, an embedded antenna within the smart card can communicate by an electromagnetic wave, and if a magnetic material is placed near the antenna, the effect of the electromagnetic waves can be reduced or absorbed. While it is frequently desired to utilize a metal case for security purposes for storing the value medium, if an antenna is normally attached to such an exterior metal case housing, communication with the smart card may be interfered with. 
   An example of a location of an antenna on a dais is shown, for example, in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 11-353427. Increasing the setup area, however, reduces the effective height of the exchanging device and the capability of storing value medium. 
   This, there is a desire in the prior art to improve the structure and location of a read/write device that will electronically interface, for example, with a user smart card and the manner in which it is located and utilized on a value medium exchanging device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A value medium dispensing unit having a read/write device for operatively communicating with a user device capable of recording value information such as a smart card is provided. The dispensing unit can have a vertical front relative to a support surface with an opening on the vertical side, and a composite read/write device can be operatively mounted within this opening to present a receptor surface that will extend at a slanted angle to the vertical side. The receptor surface is of a size to optimally contact with the user device when the user device is at least partially inserted within the opening, whereby the operative receptor surface is partially recessed without unduly limiting the internal space of the value medium dispensing unit and can be optimally positioned to facilitate a user interface. Thus, the slanted angle can be preferably positioned to accommodate a natural positioning and holding of, for example, a smart card on the receptor surface. 
   The read/write device can be easily replaced or updated and has a composite configuration of a receptor surface faceplate that may include information such as indicia indicating particular monetary values. The receptor surface faceplate is positioned over a spacer having at least one or more recesses to receive one or more antenna units that can be mounted within the recesses to interface with the user device such as a smart card. A support member can locate the antenna units within the spacer so that an oblong rectangular surface is partially extended outside the vertical plane of the housing with a recessed area to further accommodate the positioning of, for example, a smart card on the receptor surface. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a kiosk such as a value medium dispensing unit incorporating the read-write device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partially elevated view disclosing the composite read/write device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the read/write device and support bracket of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the read/write device operatively positioned in a recessed opening of the value medium dispensing unit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
   This embodiment is an example of a read/write unit which is built into an exchanging device (a token dispensing device). However, this present invention can be used as a read/write unit which is built into a vending machine, etc. In  FIG. 1 , token dispensing device  10  has a box-like configuration that includes body  11 , and a front cover  12  which closes the opening of the body  11 . A processing unit for value information such as a CPU system and a dispensing unit for a value medium are located in body  11  as known in this industry. The front cover  12  can be opened so that the built-in units can be checked, maintained or value mediums can be supplied by an attendant. Front cover  12  is perpendicular to the support surface, and read/write unit  13  is located at an upper middle section, and a receiving slot  20  for dispensing the value medium is located at a lower left section of the body  11 . 
   Smart card SC can be contacted at (or approximate) a predetermined section of an upper receptor surface of read/write unit  13  by a user. Accordingly, smart card SC can communicate with an antenna and a predetermined electronic process can be executed. In the process, when a valid value information is received, a dispensing unit for the value medium is activated, and the appropriate value mediums based on the valid value information polled are dispensed to receiving slot  20 . 
   Next, a possible structure of read/write unit  13  is explained. Read/write unit  13  includes a unit case  14 , and antenna boards  15 A,  15 B,  15 C, and  15 D for communication with a user device such as a smart card. 
   Unit case  14  shown in  FIG. 3  includes a back plate  16  which is oblong in shape, a spacer  17  which has an indent upward fork shape, and a front plate  18  which is also oblong. These elements can be made from a nonmagnet resin such as molded plastic. 
   The distances between each fork-claw  17 A,  17 B,  17 C,  17 D,  17 E of spacer  17  are slightly bigger than the width of antenna bases  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D and the thickness are slightly thicker than the antenna base to form a plurality of recesses. Also, spacer  17  is sandwiched between back plate  16  and front plate  18 , and they can be unified by an adhesive material. 
   Therefore, unit case  14  is a composite landscape positioned oblong plate and is made up of antenna holes  21 A,  21 B,  21 C,  21 D which are rectangular-like in shape and include insert openings  19 A,  19 B,  19 C,  19 D. The unit case  14  can be made up of integral molded parts of resin. 
   Antenna bases  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D are inserted correspondingly into antenna holes  21 A,  21 B,  21 C,  21 D through insert openings  19 A,  19 B,  19 C,  19 D to have contact with these bottoms. Antennas  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D and communicating circuits are mounted on each antenna base  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D. Meanwhile, only antennas  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D which have adequate receiving strength should be inserted into antenna holes  21 A,  21 B,  21 C,  21 D. 
   Forked supporter  25  has concave sections  24 A,  24 B,  24 C,  24 D corresponding to the fork-claws  17 A,  17 B,  17 C,  17 D,  17 E and is inserted into antenna holes  21 A,  21 B,  21 C,  21 D through insert openings  19 A,  19 B,  19 C,  19 D. Supporter  25  has salients  23 A,  23 B corresponding to antenna hole  21 A, salients  23 C,  23 D corresponding to antenna hole  21 B, salients  23 E,  23 F corresponding to antenna hole  21 G, salients  23 G,  23 H corresponding to antenna hole  21 D. 
   Accordingly, these tops of salients are struck to each antenna base  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D and are pushed to notches  26 A,  26 B by a hook  27 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , which can be made up of leaf springs. The lower sections of hook  27  are fixed at an after-mentioned perpendicular section  35 . Supporter  25  could be eliminated; however, communicating errors may occur because the locations of antenna bases  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D could be changed by vibration. 
   Lead wire  29 A of antenna base  15 A is located in groove  28 A between salients  23 A and  23 B, lead wire  29 B of antenna base  15 B is located in groove  28 B between salients  23 C and  23 D, lead wire  29 C of antenna base  15 C is located in groove  28 C between salients  23 E and  23 F, and lead wire  29 D of antenna base  15 D is located in groove  28 D between salients  23 G and  23 H. The amount of monetary denomination which can be stored on the smart card is located as indicia on the surface receptor plate  18  corresponding to each inserted antenna. 
   1000 YEN corresponding to antenna  22 A, 2000 YEN corresponding to antenna  22 B, 5000 YEN corresponding to antenna  22 C and 10000 YEN corresponding to antenna  22 D are signed as shown in  FIG. 3 . When smart card SC gets close to the selected monetary sign, the selected antenna communicates a predetermined value information to smart card SC. The value information can be freely selected. Also, when the information of money is only one currency amount, then only one antenna is necessary. 
   Also, an antenna and additionally some amount of money button can be located on the housing  10 , and the value information corresponding to a selected money button can be communicated. Unit case  14  can be changed to a non-resin material which does not absorb the electromagnetic waves. 
   Next, an attaching structure for unit case  14  to front cover  12  is explained with reference to  FIG. 4 . Opening  31  is landscape oblong shape and is located at the upper middle section of front cover  12 . Auxiliary cover  32  is made of iron and is concave in cross-section and is welded at its rear around opening  31  of front cover  12 . In other words, auxiliary cover  32  is a part of front cover  12 , because it is unified to front cover  12 . 
   Auxiliary cover  32  includes a first downward slanting section  33 , a second downward slanting section  34 , a perpendicular section  35  and an upward slanting section  36 . Downward slanting section  33  continues from the upper edge of opening  31  and extends towards the interior of exchanging device  10  and downward. Upward slanting section  36  extends towards the front cover  12  and downward. The slanting angle of second downward slanting section  34  to front cover  12  is larger than downward slanting section  33 . Unit attaching opening  37  is a landscape oblong slit and is located at the second downward slanting section  34 . The slanting angle of unit case  14  to front cover  12  is rather small, because the slanting angle of second downward slanting section  34  slants to a larger degree than first downward slanting section  33 . Therefore, with the protruding amount of the lower section of unit case  14 , the area of unit case  14  is larger and the protruding amount of unit case  14  into the body  11  is decreased. In other words, antennas  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D are located at a predetermined position; however, the protruding amount is rather smaller. As a result, the storing amount of the value mediums within the body is not reduced. 
   Also, perpendicular section  35  can be changed to an upward slanting section  36  which continues to downward second slanting section  34 . In this structure, the protruding amount of the attaching section of unit case  14  increases; however, the storing amount of the value medium is slightly reduced. Therefore, when there is perpendicular  35 , downward slanting section  34  is included to substantially continue to upward slanting section  36 . 
   Upper section  16 A of rear plate  16  of unit case  14  is inserted into unit attaching opening  37 . The upper end of front plate  18  has contact with the second downward slanting section  34 . In this situation, unit case  14  is fixed at a bracket  38  by one or more fasteners  39 . Bracket  38  is crank-like in shape and is welded at perpendicular section  35 . 
   In this situation, insert openings  19 A,  19 B,  19 C, and  19 D face towards unit attaching opening  37 . Also, supporter  25  can be inserted into antenna holes  21 A,  21 B,  21 C,  21 D through unit attaching opening  37  from the inside of body  11 . Therefore, unit attaching opening  37  is very thin (left and right direction as shown in  FIG. 4 ). For security purposes, the ability to destroy the front cover  12  would be difficult from unit attaching opening  37 . 
   Unit case  14  protrudes downward in front of exchanging device  10  to form second downward slanting section  34  and the lower section slightly protrudes toward the front rather than front cover  12 . Unit case  14  is fixed at pillar  41  which is fixed at the middle of upward slanting section  36  and is parallel to upward slanting section  36  at a predetermined distance. 
   The distance between antennas  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D and upward slanting section  36  does not provide an effect which would reduce transmission efficiency of an electromagnetic wave. Therefore, the communication between antennas  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D and smart card SC does not receive an adverse effect. If the unit case  14  has enough individual strength, pillar  41  can be eliminated. 
   When unit attaching opening  37  is located inside exchanging device  10  by auxiliary cover  32  as shown in the embodiment, the locating space slightly increases because the protruding amount of unit case  14  from front cover  12  is smaller. Also, the protruding amount of unit case  14  is smaller. Potential inadvertent contact with a customer does not occur by contact with such a protruding section. 
   Next, an operation which uses the smart card SC is explained. Smart card SC is held by the first finger and the second finger of the user. The smart card SC is positioned to contact with a predetermined money indication, for example, 1000 Yen. 
   By this proximity, the processing circuit accesses the value information which is memorized in the IC of smart card SC. Also, 1000 YEN is reduced from the initial value information and the balance is memorized in the IC. When the process is finished, the processing circuit generates a signal to finish the process to the customer by a sound or a light effect. 
   When smart card SC has contact with receptor surface of the unit case  14 , unit case  14  slants downward toward the customer. Therefore, smart card SC can be contacted with a natural holding situation by a hand of the user. Also, the fifth finger of the user does not have contact with the front cover  12 , because unit case  14  protrudes from front cover  12 . As a result, smart card SC can be easily contacted with unit case  14  in a natural manner. 
   If antenna bases  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D become broken, front cover  12  will be opened, and afterward, hook  27  is taken off, and supporter  25  is pulled out so that the old antenna base can be changed to a new antenna base. Afterward, supporter  25  is reinserted, and hook  27  is hooked. Therefore, the antenna base can be easily changed. Meanwhile, in this present invention, if auxiliary cover  32  is taken off, unit case  14  can further protrude toward the front from unit case  14  which slants downward. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6