阅读说明：本技术 卡片搬运装置 (Card carrying device ) 是由 冲藤春树 于 2020-03-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种卡片搬运装置,能够在驱动卡片翻转单元时可靠地调节旋转位置。该卡片发行装置(1)是搬运卡片的卡片搬运装置。卡片翻转单元(60)包括暂时保持卡片(2)的卡片保持部(62),使卡片保持部(62)内的卡片(2)对应于多个位置旋转。步进电动机(61)驱动卡片翻转单元(60)。旋转位置检测传感器组(70)检测卡片翻转单元(60)处于多个位置中的哪一个位置。控制部(10)在驱动卡片翻转单元(60)时,判别步进电动机(61)是否是励磁状态,在不是励磁状态且旋转位置检测传感器组(70)的传感器均断开的情况下,将步进电动机(61)驱动到任一传感器从断开到接通的位置,从该传感器接通的位置驱动到目标位置。(The invention provides a card conveying device, which can reliably adjust the rotation position when a card overturning unit is driven. The card issuing device (1) is a card conveying device for conveying cards. The card reversing unit (60) includes a card holding section (62) that temporarily holds the card (2), and rotates the card (2) in the card holding section (62) in accordance with a plurality of positions. A stepping motor (61) drives a card reversing unit (60). A rotational position detection sensor group (70) detects which of a plurality of positions the card reversing unit (60) is in. When the card reversing unit (60) is driven, the control unit (10) determines whether the stepping motor (61) is in an excited state, and drives the stepping motor (61) to any position where any one of the sensors is switched from off to on and from the position where the sensor is switched to a target position when the stepping motor (61) is not in the excited state and the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group (70) are all switched off.)

1. A card conveyance device for conveying a card, comprising:

a card reversing unit including a card holding portion that temporarily holds the card, the card reversing unit rotating the card in the card holding portion in correspondence to a plurality of positions;

a stepping motor for driving the card reversing unit;

a rotational position detection sensor group that detects which one of the plurality of positions the card reversing unit is in; and

a control section that controls the stepping motor in correspondence with a signal of a sensor of the rotational position detection sensor group,

the control unit turns off the excitation of the stepping motor when the card reversing unit is not driven, detects the position of the card reversing unit by the rotation position detection sensor group when the card reversing unit is driven, determines whether the stepping motor is in an excited state, and drives the stepping motor to any position where the sensor is turned off to be turned on and further drives the stepping motor to a target position from the position where the sensor is turned on when the stepping motor is not in the excited state and the sensors of the rotation position detection sensor group are all turned off.

2. The card handling device of claim 1,

when the rotating position detection sensor group is not in the excited state and any one of the sensors starts to be turned on, the control unit drives the stepping motor to a position where the sensor is turned off, then to a position where the sensor is turned on, and further drives the stepping motor to the target position from the position where the sensor is turned on.

3. The card handling device of claim 1 or 2,

further comprising a conveyance position detection sensor group for detecting the position of the card in the card holding section and in the card conveyance path,

the control unit performs position detection by the conveyance position detection sensor group before position detection by the rotation position detection sensor group is performed by the card reversing unit,

in a case where the card is detected by the conveyance position detection sensor group at a part of the card holding portion, the card is conveyed in a direction of being drawn into the card holding portion and held in the card holding portion,

when the card is not detected in the card holding portion by the conveyance position detection sensor group, the card is conveyed in a direction away from the card reversing unit.

4. The card handling device of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the rotational position detection sensor group detects a position of a position detection arm provided in the card reversing unit.

Technical Field

The invention particularly relates to a card conveying device for conveying cards.

Background

Conventionally, there is a card carrying device such as a card issuing device that issues a card-shaped recording medium (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "card").

For example, patent document 1 describes a compact card issuing apparatus including: a card stacking unit having a card storage section for storing cards before issuance in a stacked manner and a card feeding mechanism for feeding out a card at the lowermost layer in the card storage section; a card reader unit that reads and/or records data recorded on a card; a printing unit for printing the card; and a card turning unit that turns over the front and back sides of the card.

In such a card issuing device, when the card reversing unit is not driven, energy saving control is performed to cut off excitation of the driving motor. In this case, when the motor is not in an excited state when a failure or the like occurs, the card reversing unit is pressed by the card, or the like, and the rotational position of the card reversing unit may be shifted.

Disclosure of Invention

Here, in the card issuing device of patent document 1, if the card reversing unit is directly rotated in a state where the rotational position is shifted, a problem may occur in the subsequent process.

Therefore, there is a need for a device capable of reliably adjusting the rotational position when driving the card reversing unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a card conveyance device capable of reliably adjusting a rotational position when a card reversing unit is driven, and eliminating the above-described technical problems.

The invention provides a card conveying device, which conveys cards and is characterized by comprising: a card reversing unit including a card holding portion that temporarily holds the card, the card reversing unit rotating the card in the card holding portion in correspondence to a plurality of positions; a stepping motor for driving the card reversing unit; a rotational position detection sensor group that detects which one of the plurality of positions the card reversing unit is in; and a control unit that controls the stepping motor in response to a signal from the sensor of the rotational position detection sensor group, wherein the control unit cuts off excitation of the stepping motor when the card reversing unit is not driven, detects the position of the card reversing unit by the rotational position detection sensor group when the card reversing unit is driven, determines whether the stepping motor is in an excited state, drives the stepping motor to any position where the sensor is turned off to on when the card reversing unit is not in the excited state and the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group are all turned off, and drives the stepping motor to a target position from the position where the sensor is turned on.

With this configuration, the rotational position can be reliably adjusted when the card reversing unit is driven.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit drives the stepping motor to a position at which the sensor is turned off, then to a position at which the sensor is turned on, and further drives the stepping motor to the target position from the position at which the sensor is turned on, when the sensor is not in the excited state and any one of the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group starts to be turned on.

With this configuration, even when the card reversing unit is at the position detected by the sensor but is displaced, the rotational position can be reliably adjusted.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the card transport apparatus further includes a transport position detection sensor group that detects a position of the card in the card holding portion and in the card transport path, the control unit detects a position of the card by the transport position detection sensor group before the rotational position detection sensor group detects a position of the card reversing unit, the transport position detection sensor group transports the card in a direction of being drawn into the card holding portion and holds the card in the card holding portion when the transport position detection sensor group detects the card in a part of the card holding portion, and the transport position detection sensor group transports the card in a direction of being away from the card reversing unit when the transport position detection sensor group does not detect the card in the card holding portion.

With this configuration, even when the card is present so as to straddle the card reversing unit and the conveyance path, the card reversing unit can be rotated normally.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the rotational position detection sensor group detects a position of a position detection arm provided in the card reversing unit.

With this configuration, the degree of freedom of the sensors in which the rotational position detection sensor group is arranged can be increased.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a card conveyance device that determines whether or not a stepping motor is in an excited state when a rotary card reversing unit is driven to rotate, and drives the stepping motor to any position where any one of sensors is turned from off to on when the stepping motor is not in the excited state and the sensors are all off, and further drives the stepping motor to a target position from the position where the sensor is turned on, thereby making it possible to reliably adjust the rotational position when the card reversing unit is driven.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a card issuance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a generally side cross-sectional view of the card issuance device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of sensor arrangement, conveyance, and rotation of the card-inverting unit shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the card conveyance rotation control process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram of conveyance position adjustment by the conveyance position detection sensor group in the card conveyance rotation control process shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram of rotational position adjustment by the rotational position detection sensor group in the card conveyance rotation control process shown in fig. 4.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … card issuance device; 2 … card; 3 … consumable products; 4. 6 … conveyance path; 4a … card issuance insertion slot; 5 … card recycling warehouse; 5a … first card recycling bin; 5b … second card recycling bin; 10 … control section; 20 … card supply unit; 21 … card feed-out mechanism; 30 … print unit; a 32 … thermal head; 40 … card reader unit; 41 … card communication unit; 42 … magnetic head; 43 … IC contact block; 50 … card handling unit; 60 … card flipping unit; 61 … stepping motor; 62 … card holding portion; 63 … position detection arm; 70 … rotary position detection sensor group; 80 … carry position detection sensor group; 71. 72, 73, 74, 75, 81, 82, 83 … sensors.

Detailed Description

< embodiment >

[ Structure of the card issuing apparatus 1 ]

The structure of the card issuance apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 3.

First, a control structure of the card issuing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1. The card issuance apparatus 1 is an example of the card conveyance apparatus of the present embodiment. The card issuance apparatus 1 is, for example, an apparatus for issuing a new card 2. The card issuing apparatus 1 is used by being mounted on a higher-level device such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) having a card issuing function, a terminal of a Kiosk, a ticket issuing system of a transportation department, a point card issuing system of a convenience store or the like, a membership card issuing system of a retail store, a card issuing payment system of a game Machine, and an entrance/exit management system (hereinafter, simply referred to as "ATM or the like").

Specifically, the card issuing device 1 has a function of a print issuing printer that prints and issues necessary information on the card 2 in response to an instruction from a host device.

The card 2 corresponding to the card issuance apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a contactless IC card, a contact IC card, a magnetic card including a magnetic stripe, or the like. The card 2 is made of, for example, rectangular vinyl chloride having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. When the card 2 is a magnetic card, for example, a magnetic stripe in which magnetic data is recorded is formed. When the card 2 is a non-contact type IC card or a contact type IC card, for example, an IC chip is incorporated therein. Here, both the IC chip and the magnetic stripe may be provided on the card 2. In addition, when the card 2 is a non-contact type IC card, a R/W (Read/Write) antenna for short-range wireless may be incorporated therein.

The card 2 may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36mm, a paper card having a predetermined thickness, or the like.

The consumable 3 corresponding to the card issuance apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, an ink ribbon. The ink ribbon is, for example, a sublimation type or thermal transfer type ink ribbon for printing (printing) on the card 2 in color or black and white. An RFID tag (hereinafter, referred to as "wireless tag") of the same communication method (ISO14443) as the non-contact IC card may be attached to the consumable part 3 to manage the consumption information.

The configuration of the card issuing apparatus 1 will be described in more detail.

The card issuance apparatus 1 mainly includes a control unit 10, a card supply unit 20, a printing unit 30, a card reader unit 40, a card conveyance unit 50, a card reversing unit 60, a stepping motor 61, a rotational position detection sensor group 70, and a conveyance position detection sensor group 80.

The control unit 10 controls the entire card issuance apparatus 1. The control Unit 10 is a control arithmetic Unit including, for example, a CPU (central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and the like. The control unit 10 includes a recording medium such as a nonvolatile ROM (Read Only Memory) and a volatile RAM (Random Access Memory).

In the present embodiment, the recording medium stores a control program of the control unit 10, temporary data, history data of processing performed by the control unit 10 before, communication data with a host device, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 can cut off the excitation of the stepping motor 61 to save energy when the card reversing unit 60 is not driven. On the other hand, when the card reversing unit 60 is driven, the control unit 10 detects the position of the card reversing unit 60 by the rotation position detection sensor group 70. The control unit 10 determines whether or not the stepping motor 61 is in the excited state, and when the stepping motor 61 is not in the excited state and the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 are all off, drives the stepping motor 61 between the off and on positions of any of the sensors, and further drives the stepping motor to the target position from the on position of the sensor.

When the stepping motor 61 is not in the excited state and any one of the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 starts to be turned on, the control unit 10 temporarily drives the stepping motor 61 to a position where the sensor is turned off. After that, the control unit 10 drives the sensor to the sensor on position, and further drives the sensor from the sensor on position to the target position.

In addition, the control unit 10 detects the position by the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 before the position detection of the card reversing unit 60 by the rotation position detection sensor group 70.

In addition, when the card 2 is detected by the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 in a part of the card holding portion 62 (fig. 2), the control portion 10 conveys the card 2 in the direction of being drawn into the card holding portion 62 and holds it in the card holding portion 62. This direction is the inner side as described below.

On the other hand, when the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 does not detect the card 2 in the card holding portion 62, the control portion 10 conveys the card 2 in a direction away from the card reversing unit 60. This direction is the near side.

The card supply unit 20 accommodates a new card 2 before issuance. The card supply unit 20 can discharge the accommodated card 2 along the internal conveyance path 4 (fig. 2) under the control of the control unit 10.

The printing unit 30 prints on the new card 2. The printing unit 30 is, for example, a sublimation type or thermal transfer type printer, and is capable of printing images and characters of photographic quality.

The printing unit 30 includes a thermal head 32.

The thermal head 32 is a heater array or the like for sublimating ink contained in the ink ribbon and fixing it onto the card 2.

The card reader unit 40 reads data recorded in the card 2 and/or stores data into the card 2.

The card reader unit 40 includes a card communication unit 41, a magnetic head 42, and an IC contact block 43.

When the card 2 is a non-contact IC card, the card communication unit 41 performs short-range wireless communication. Therefore, the card communication section 41 includes a corresponding driver IC, antenna, and the like as a receiving circuit. The card communication unit 41 communicates with the IC chip in the card 2 via the antenna, and reads and/or writes the IC information recorded in the IC chip.

The magnetic head 42 reads and/or writes magnetic information recorded in the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card, i.e., the card 2.

When the card 2 is a contact type IC card, the IC contact block 43 transmits and receives data to and from an IC chip incorporated in the card 2 via contact springs that contact IC contacts provided on the front surface. Thereby, the IC information recorded in the IC chip is read and/or written.

The card conveyance unit 50 conveys the card 2 among the card supply unit 20, the printing unit 30, the card reader unit, and the card reversing unit 60 in the conveyance path 4 (fig. 2) provided inside.

The card reversing unit 60 is a mechanism for reversing the front and back sides of the card 2. By turning over the card 2 by the card turning-over unit 60, both sides of the card 2 can be easily printed.

The stepping motor 61 is a motor for driving the card reversing unit 60. By driving the stepping motor 61, mainly the card holding portion 62 (fig. 2) is rotated. In the present embodiment, the stepping motor 61 is in an excited state when power is supplied, and is hard to rotate even if force is applied from the outside. In contrast, the stepping motor 61 can be set to the energy saving mode in which the power supply is cut off by the control from the control unit 10. In this case, since the stepping motor 61 is not in the excited state, when the housing is opened and the card 2 or the like is inserted and removed, the stepping motor 61 may be rotated by an external force.

The rotational position detection sensor group 70 is a plurality of sensors for detecting which of a plurality of positions (predetermined positions) the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60 is located. As the sensor, an optical sensor such as an infrared ray, a capacitance sensor, a switch mechanism, or the like can be used. The structure of the sensor will be described later.

The conveyance position detection sensor group 80 is a plurality of sensors for detecting the position of the card 2 in the card holding portion 62 and in the card conveyance path. An optical sensor such as an infrared ray, a capacitance sensor, a switching mechanism, or the like can be used. The structure of the sensor will be described later.

Next, an external configuration of the card issuance apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 2.

In fig. 2, the X direction is the front-rear direction of the card issuance apparatus 1, the Z direction is the up-down direction of the card issuance apparatus 1, and the Y direction is the left-right direction of the card issuance apparatus 1 orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The X1 direction side in the front-rear direction is the eye front side of the card issuance apparatus 1, and the X2 direction side opposite thereto is the rear side of the card issuance apparatus 1.

The card issuing device 1 is mounted on a host device such that the front end side of the card issuing device 1 is disposed on the front side of an ATM or the like.

More specifically, the card supply unit 20 includes: a card storage section for stacking and storing the cards 2 before issuance; and a card feeding mechanism 21, the card feeding mechanism 21 feeds out the lowest card 2 in the card storage part. The card feeding mechanism 21 is disposed below the card storage portion, and feeds the card 2 toward the front side while engaging with the lowermost card 2 in the card storage portion.

The consumable 3 is accommodated in the printing unit 30. A thermal head 32 is held at a lower portion of the printing unit 30. The thermal head 32 draws out and heats the ink ribbon of the contained consumable 3, and transfers and prints the ink of the ink ribbon onto the card 2. The thermal head 32 can contact the card 2 from the upper side via an ink ribbon. Further, the printing unit 30 includes a head elevating mechanism that elevates the thermal head 32 and an ink ribbon feeding mechanism.

The card reader unit 40 is provided with a card issuance insertion port 4a, and a magnetic head 42, an IC contact block 43 (not shown), and a card communication unit 41 are provided to the conveyance path 4 formed inside the card issuance apparatus 1. The card communication unit 41 is disposed below the conveyance path 4. The magnetic head 42 is disposed to face the conveyance path 4 from the upper side and/or the lower side.

The card conveyance unit 50 conveys the card 2 through the conveyance path 4 formed inside. The card conveying unit 50 includes a driving roller constituting a part of the card reader unit 40, and a driving roller and a platen roller constituting a part of the printing unit 30, and conveys the card 2 in the front-rear direction. The drive roller and the platen roller are connected to a common motor via a power transmission mechanism.

The card-flipping unit 60 includes: a card holding portion 62, the card holding portion 62 temporarily storing the card 2 therein; a card drawing and feeding mechanism that draws the card 2 into the card holding portion 62 and feeds the card 2 out of the card holding portion 62; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the card holding portion 62 in the left-right direction as an axial direction of rotation. The support shaft is disposed so that the axial direction of the support shaft coincides with the left-right direction. Further, the support shaft supports the central portion of the card holding portion 62 having a substantially cylindrical shape when the support shaft is viewed from the left-right direction. The card holding portion 62 is rotatably supported by the support shaft.

A first card collection box 5a is disposed below the card reader unit 40. A second card collection magazine 5b is disposed below the card supply unit 20. Hereinafter, the first card collection box 5a and the second card collection box 5b are collectively referred to simply as the card collection box 5.

In the present embodiment, when the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60 rotates, the conveyance path of the card 2 is switched between a first conveyance path for conveying the card 2 between the card holding portion 62 and the card reader unit 40, a second conveyance path for conveying the card 2 from the card holding portion 62 toward the first card collection box 5a, a third conveyance path for conveying the card 2 from the card holding portion 62 toward the second card collection box 5b, and a fourth conveyance path for conveying the card 2 from the lower side of the card issuance apparatus 1 to the outside.

Next, details of the rotational position of the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60, the conveyance of the card 2, and the arrangement of the sensors will be described with reference to fig. 3.

In the present embodiment, the card reversing unit 60 can change the angle of the card 2 held therein by rotating the card holding portion 62. A position detection arm 63 is rotatably provided in the card holding portion 62, and the position detection arm 63 detects a rotational position by the rotational position detection sensor group 70. The sensors 71 to 75 of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 detect any one of a plurality of positions and output (turn on) signals in accordance with the position of the position detection arm 63. The control section 10 drives the card holding section 62 to a predetermined position corresponding to these signals by the stepping motor 61.

Here, the card holding portion 62 can also be rotated at a halfway position (off) at which none of the sensors 71 to 75 of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 outputs a signal. The halfway position is a rotational position deviated from a predetermined position.

The conveying position detection sensor group 80 includes a sensor 81 in front of the drive roller of the card conveying unit 50 on the near side in the conveying path 4 formed in the card reader unit 40. That is, the sensor 81 is a sensor provided outside the card reversing unit 60 of the conveyance path 4.

On the other hand, a conveyance path 6 for conveying the card 2 is also formed inside the card holding portion 62. Sensors 82 and 83 are provided in the conveyance path 6. That is, the sensors 82 and 83 are sensors in the card-inverting unit 60.

These sensors 81-83 detect that the card 2 is in its position and output a signal. For example, when the card length of the card 2 is 85.4(mm), the value of the distance from the sensor 81 to the sensor 82 of 45.1(mm), and the value of the distance from the sensor 82 to the sensor 83 of 81(mm) is used as the distance between these sensors.

Further, the configuration may be such that only one of the sensors 82 and 83 is included.

Specific examples of the plurality of positions (predetermined positions) will be described with reference to (a) to (e) of fig. 3.

Fig. 3 (a) shows the position of the card holding portion 62 at the initial position of conveying the card 2 from the first conveying path to the card holding portion 62.

Fig. 3 (b) shows the rotational position of the card holding portion 62 at the front discharge position where the card 2 is conveyed to the second conveyance path on the near side. The rotational position is detected by the position detection arm 63 and the sensors 71 and 72.

Fig. 3 (c) shows the rotational position of the card holding portion 62 at the rear discharge position where the card 2 is conveyed to the third conveyance path on the rear side. The rotational position is detected by the position detection arm 63 and the sensor 74.

Fig. 3 (d) shows the rotational position of the card holding portion 62 at the lower discharge position where the card 2 is conveyed to the fourth conveyance path on the lower side. The rotational position is detected by the position detection arm 63 and the sensor 73.

Fig. 3 (e) shows the rotational position of the card holding portion 62 at the reversing position where the card 2 is reversed and conveyed from the card holding portion 62 to the first conveyance path. The rotational position is detected by the position detection arm 63 and the sensors 74 and 75.

[ card conveyance rotation control processing ]

Next, a process executed by the card issuance apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 4.

The card issuance apparatus 1 may stop due to a failure or the like while the card 2 is being conveyed, and then, when the card is repaired, the card reversing unit 60 may need to be rotated. At this time, when the power supply is stopped, the excitation of the stepping motor 61 is cut off, and the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60 is pressed by the card 2, or the like, and the rotational position may be displaced. In this state, the control unit 10 performs conveyance of the card 2 and rotation control of the card reversing unit 60. In this process, the control unit 10 drives the card reversing unit 60 to rotate the card holding unit 62 to a target rotation position (hereinafter referred to as "target position") in accordance with a command from a host device, a procedure of a control program of a recording medium, and the like.

The card transport rotation control processing of the present embodiment is mainly such that the control unit 10 cooperates with each unit and executes a control program stored in a built-in recording medium using hardware resources.

The details of the card conveyance rotation control process will be described below for each step with reference to the flowchart of fig. 4.

(step S101)

First, the control unit 10 performs a conveyance position detection process.

The control unit 10 acquires history data of the processing executed before from a built-in recording medium or a higher-level device.

The control unit 10 acquires signals from the sensors 81 to 83 of the conveying position detection sensor group 80.

(step S102)

Next, the control unit 10 determines the possibility that the card 2 is present at the halfway conveyance position. The control unit 10 checks whether or not the card 2 may be present so as to straddle the card holding unit 62 of the card reversing unit 60 and the conveyance path 4 in the previous processing, that is, whether or not there is a possibility that the card may stay at the halfway conveyance position, based on history data acquired from a storage medium or a higher-level device. If the card 2 is likely to be present at the halfway position, the control unit 10 determines yes. Otherwise, that is, when the card 2 or the like is not present in the card holding unit 62 or on the conveyance path 4, the control unit 10 determines no.

If yes, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S103.

If not, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S106.

(step S103)

When there is a possibility that the card 2 is at the halfway conveyance position, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is actually a card 2 in the halfway of the card holding unit 62. In the conveying position detection sensor group 80, the control unit 10 determines yes when one of the sensors 82 and 83 is on, the sensor 81 and the sensor 82 are on, or the like.

The relationship between the halfway conveyance position and the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 will be described with reference to fig. 5.

Fig. 5 (a) shows an example of a conveyance position during which only the sensor 82 is on.

Fig. 5 (b) shows an example of the conveyance position during the turn-on of the sensors 81 and 82.

Fig. 5 (c) shows an example of the conveyance position during which only the sensor 83 is on.

Otherwise, the control unit 10 determines no, that is, the card 2 is not present in the middle of the card holding unit 62.

If yes, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S104.

If not, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S105.

(step S104)

When a card is present in the middle of the card holding portion 62, the control portion 10 performs the drawing and conveying process.

The controller 10 conveys the card 2 so that the card 2 is completely taken into the card reversing unit 60 from the halfway conveyance position before rotating the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60. Therefore, the controller 10 drives the card drawing-in/feeding-out mechanism of the card holding portion 62 in a direction (back side) in which the card 2 is drawn into the card holding portion 62.

As described with reference to a specific example of fig. 5 (d), the control unit 10 moves the card 2 to a position where both the sensor 82 and the sensor 83 in the card holding unit 62 are turned on. Thereby, the control section 10 holds the card 2 in the card holding section 62. This makes it possible to reliably perform the position alignment (conveyance position adjustment) of the conveyance position of the card 2.

(step S105)

When there is no card in the middle of the card holding portion 62, the control portion 10 performs the discharge conveyance process.

The control unit 10 feeds the card 2 to the near side from the halfway conveyance position before rotating the card holding unit 62 of the card reversing unit 60, and retracts the card to the conveyance path 4 completely. Therefore, the control section 10 drives the card drawing-in and feeding-out mechanism of the card holding section 62 in a direction (near side) in which the card 2 is fed out from the card holding section 62 of the card reversing unit 60.

As described with reference to a specific example in fig. 5 (e), the control unit 10 moves the card 2 to a position where only the sensor 81 in the conveyance path 4 is turned on. This makes it possible to reliably perform the position alignment (conveyance position adjustment) of the conveyance position of the card 2. In order to reliably retract the card 2, the card may be moved to a position where the sensor 81 is turned off.

(step S106)

Here, the control unit 10 performs the rotational position detection process.

The control section 10 detects the position of the card holding section 62 of the card reversing unit 60 by the rotation position detection sensor group 70. The control unit 10 obtains signals from the sensors 71 to 75 of the rotational position detection sensor group 70.

(step S107)

Next, it is determined whether the control unit 10 can determine the rotational position. When any one of the sensors 71 to 75 of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 is turned on, the control unit 10 determines yes that the rotational position of the card holding unit 62 can be determined to be any one of a plurality of positions (predetermined positions).

When all the sensors 71 to 75 are off, the control unit 10 determines no, that is, at the halfway position, and cannot determine the rotational position.

Fig. 6 (a) shows an example of the halfway position.

If not, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S108.

If yes, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S109.

(step S108)

When the rotational position cannot be determined, the control unit 10 performs the sensor on position rotation process.

The control unit 10 drives the stepping motor 61 until any one of the sensors 71 to 75 of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 is turned from off to on, and determines that the sensor is at the rotational position.

Fig. 6 (b) shows an example of driving from the halfway position in fig. 6 (a) to the position where the sensor 71 is turned on.

(step S109)

Here, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the rotational position is the target position. The control unit 10 determines the current rotational position based on signals from the sensors 71 to 75 of the rotational position detection sensor group 70, and determines yes when the rotational position is the target position. Otherwise, the control unit 10 determines no.

If yes, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S110.

If not, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S112.

(step S110)

When the rotational position is the target position, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the stepping motor 61 is in the excited state. The control unit 10 confirms the excitation state of the stepping motor 61. In the normal mode or the like, when the stepping motor 61 is in the excited state, the control unit 10 determines yes. In the energy saving mode or the like, when the stepping motor 61 is not in the excited state, the control unit 10 determines no.

In the case of yes, the control unit 10 ends the card conveyance rotation control process. This is because a deviation of the rotational position hardly occurs in the excited state.

If not, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S111.

(step S111)

When the state is not the excited state, the control unit 10 performs the off position rotational position adjustment process.

Even in the state where the rotational position of the card reversing unit 60 is at the target position, in the case where it is not in the excited state, it is necessary to perform rotational position alignment (adjustment) of the card reversing unit 60. This is to cope with the case where a rotational position is shifted at a position between the sensors 71 to 75.

Fig. 6 (c) shows an example of the rotational position shift.

The control unit 10 drives the stepping motor 61 to an off position at which no signal is detected by any of the sensors 71 to 75 for detecting a position in the rotational position detection sensor group 70.

Fig. 6 (d) shows an example of driving to a position where the sensor 71 is turned off.

After that, the control unit 10 drives the stepping motor 61 to the position where the sensor is turned on.

In the case of the example of fig. 6 (d), when the sensor 71 is driven to the on position, the same state as that of fig. 6 (b) is obtained.

(step S112)

Here, the control unit 10 performs target position rotation processing.

The control section 10 drives the stepping motor 61 until the rotation position of the card reversing unit 60 is at the target position.

Through the above steps, the card conveyance rotation control process according to the embodiment of the present invention is ended.

[ Main Effect of the present embodiment ]

With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

The conventional card issuing apparatus described in patent document 1 includes a card reversing unit 60 that can reverse the front and back sides of a card and switch the card conveyance path. This makes it possible to provide a double-sided printing function and to reduce the size in the front-rear direction.

Here, even in a state where the sensor determines that the card reversing unit 60 is at the target rotational position, there is a possibility that a shift in the rotational position of the card reversing unit 60 may occur. In this way, if the rotational position of the card reversing unit 60 is shifted, a problem may occur in the subsequent process, for example, the transfer of the card to another unit may not be performed normally. In addition, the inside of the apparatus may be damaged, and the card may be deformed.

Therefore, an apparatus capable of reliably adjusting the rotational position when the card reversing unit 60 is driven is desired.

In contrast, a card issuance apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a card issuance apparatus for carrying a card, including: a card reversing unit 60 including a card holding portion 62 that temporarily holds the card 2, and configured to rotate the card 2 in the card holding portion 62 in correspondence with a plurality of positions; a stepping motor 61 for driving the card reversing unit 60; a rotational position detection sensor group 70 that detects which one of a plurality of positions the card reversing unit 60 is in; and a control unit 10 for controlling the stepping motor 61 in accordance with signals from the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group 70, wherein the control unit 10 cuts off excitation of the stepping motor 61 when the card reversing unit 60 is not driven, detects the position of the card reversing unit 60 by the rotational position detection sensor group 70 when the card reversing unit 60 is driven, determines whether or not the stepping motor 61 is in an excited state, and drives the stepping motor 61 to any position where the sensors are turned off to be turned on when the card reversing unit 60 is not driven and the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 are all turned off, and further drives the stepping motor to a target position from the position where the sensors are turned on.

With this configuration, even when there is a possibility that the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60 is displaced from the rotational position detected by the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group 70, the excitation state of the stepping motor 61 can be confirmed, and when the excitation state is cut off, the rotational direction position alignment of the card holding portion 62 is performed. This enables the rotational position of the card holding portion 62 to be reliably adjusted when the card reversing unit 60 is driven. Thus, even in a state where the card reversing unit 60 is at the halfway position, the card holding portion 62 can be reliably rotated to the target position while preventing damage to the inside of the apparatus and deformation of the card 2. Further, even when the control such as the energy saving mode is performed by cutting off the excitation of the stepping motor 61, the positional accuracy of the card reversing unit 60 can be ensured.

In the card issuance apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the rotation position detection sensor group 70 starts to be turned on without being excited, the control unit 10 drives the stepping motor 61 to the sensor off position, then to the sensor on position, and further to the target position from the sensor on position.

With this configuration, even if the card reversing unit 60 is detected by the sensor to be at the predetermined position, the rotational position can be reliably adjusted if the card reversing unit is displaced. This can suppress damage inside the apparatus, deformation of the card 2, and the like.

In the conventional card issuing device, when the card reversing unit 60 is rotated in a state where the card is present so as to straddle the card reversing unit 60 and the conveyance path for reasons such as power interruption during card conveyance when the card reversing unit 60 is rotated, the card interferes with the conveyance path or the inside of the device, and the card reversing unit 60 cannot be normally rotated. In this case, the inside of the apparatus may be damaged, and the card may be deformed.

In contrast, the card issuance apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 that detects the position of the card 2 in the card holding portion 62 and in the card conveyance path, and the control unit 10 performs the position detection by the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 before the position detection by the card reversing unit 60 is performed by the rotational position detection sensor group 70, and when the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 detects the card 2 in a part of the card holding portion 62, conveys the card 2 in the direction of being drawn into the card holding portion 62 and holds the card 2 in the card holding portion 62, and when the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 does not detect the card 2 in the card holding portion 62, conveys the card 2 in the direction of being away from the card reversing unit 60.

With this configuration, when the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60 is rotated, if the card 2 may be present so as to straddle the card reversing unit 60 and the conveyance path 4, the card 2 is completely taken into the card reversing unit 60, or the card 2 is sent out from the card reversing unit 60 and completely retracted into the conveyance path 4, and thereafter, the card reversing unit 60 is rotated. Thus, even in a state where the card is present so as to straddle the card reversing unit 60 and the conveyance path 4, the card holding portion 62 of the card reversing unit 60 can be normally rotated.

The card issuance apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the rotational position detection sensor group 70 detects the position of the position detection arm 63 provided in the card reversing unit 60.

With this configuration, the degree of freedom of arranging the sensors of the rotational position detection sensor group 70 can be improved. Further, depending on the rotational position, for example, as shown in fig. 5 (b) or 5 (e), signals from a plurality of sensors can be acquired, and more accurate position alignment can be performed.

[ other embodiments ]

In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the current rotational position of the card reversing unit 6 is detected by a sensor and then driven.

However, even at a halfway position that cannot be detected by the sensor, the same control can be performed by referring to the history data, data from a higher-level device, and the like, and comparing the state of the processing, the internal state due to the variables of the recording medium, the management state, and the like.

With this configuration, the waiting time for the alignment can be reduced, and a more flexible configuration can be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance control by the conveyance position detection sensor group 80 and the subsequent rotation control by the rotation position detection sensor group 70 are described.

However, either process may be performed or the processes may be performed in the reverse order. This structure can be applied to a more flexible structure.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration using the card issuance apparatus 1 is described as an example of the card conveyance apparatus.

However, the present invention can also be applied to other devices including a card reversing unit, for example, a card reader without a printing function, a card conveyance exclusive device, and the like.

It is to be understood that the configurations and operations of the above-described embodiments are examples, and may be appropriately changed and executed without departing from the scope of the present invention.