JPH0739000Y2 - Card reader - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to a card reading device for reading a mark formed on a card by an optical reading means such as an optical sensor.

(Prior Art) In order to effectively use a limited number of one-touch buttons in a facsimile machine, a telephone, etc., it has been considered to register a plurality of call destination information in one one-touch button. Specifically, by adding ID information to each of the callee information registered in the one-touch button and specifying the ID information prior to the operation of the one-touch button, the callee corresponding to the ID information It is considered to selectively use information. Further, it has been considered to use a card in which the ID information is recorded beforehand corresponding to the user for inputting such ID information.

By the way, a card reader for reading the ID information recorded on such a card is realized as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example. Incidentally, FIG. 6 shows A- in FIG.
FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, this card reading device 50 has a plurality of light emitting elements 51a provided on an upper part 50a of the housing having a U-shaped cross section, and a plurality of light receiving elements 51a are provided on the lower part 50b of the housing so as to face each other. It is configured by providing the element 51b. The light emitting element 51a and the light receiving element 51b form a transmission type optical sensor 51 as an optical reading means.
Then, when the card 53 in which the information is recorded by the hole 52 is set at the predetermined position of the slit 50c of the housing, the optical sensor 51 detects the position of the hole 52 of the card 53 to the card 53. Read the recorded information.
Note that 54a and 54b are lead wires of the light emitting element 51a and the light receiving element 51b.

However, in the card reading device 50 as described above, the card 53 must be set at a predetermined position, but this must be done manually by the operator, which is troublesome and troublesome, and the card 53 can be set at a predetermined position. It is difficult to set accurately at the position, and it is set at a position deviated from the predetermined position. Further, even if the card 53 is accurately set at a predetermined position, the setting position of the card 53 is displaced due to vibration or the like.

Therefore, it is conceivable to form a guide so as to guide the card 53 to a predetermined position of the card reading device 50, but it is necessary to accurately assemble parts with high dimensional accuracy without any trouble, and the work is cumbersome and optimal. It was difficult to assemble the guides in proper condition.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the conventionally conceived card reading device, since the setting position of the card is set manually, the position where the card is set is displaced from the predetermined position. Even if it is set or is set at a predetermined position, it will be displaced due to vibration or the like.

If the set position of the card is deviated in this way, there arises a problem that the information obtained by reading the card by an optical reading means such as an optical sensor is different from the original information recorded on the card. As a result, for example, in the case of the above-described facsimile device or telephone, the callee information of the callee different from the desired callee becomes valid, and an incorrect call is made to the other party. Therefore, it is difficult to realize the above-mentioned facsimile device and telephone.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the card can be easily set at a predetermined position, and the set card is not displaced even by vibration or the like, and the information recorded on the card can be read accurately. An object is to provide a card reading device.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problem) The present invention holds an optical reading means such as an optical sensor and inserts a card insertion opening for inserting and removing a card and the card insertion opening. In addition, a pair of holding members, such as spring members, each having two protrusions are provided in a housing having guide holes such as slits for guiding the card to the reading position of the optical reading unit. Are arranged so as to face each other and to exert an elastic force that causes the two protrusions to project toward the center of the guide hole in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the card. Further, the pair of holding members,
By connecting a connecting member such as a connecting portion between the two protrusions of each of them, they are connected to each other,
Further, the connection member is fixed to the case by fixing it to the case. Then, one of the two protrusions of each of the pair of holding members is provided with the guide hole in the direction orthogonal to the card insertion direction from the reading unit toward the card insertion opening. It is provided with an engaging surface that is inclined along a direction approaching the center and that engages with a notch formed in the card.

(Operation) By taking such means, the card inserted when setting the card is guided by the guide hole and guided to the reading position of the optical reading means. As a result, the operator can set the card at a predetermined position without worrying about the position at which the card is set. Further, since the set card is sandwiched and fixed by the pair of holding members provided with the guide hole sandwiched between them, the card set position does not deviate from the predetermined position even if vibration or the like occurs. At this time, a total of four protrusions, each of which has a pair of holding members, respectively, come into contact with the card and are supported at four points, so that there is a rattling that rotates about the support points. (Rattling such that the card is inclined with respect to the card insertion direction) is unlikely to occur, and the card is more reliably positioned. Further, of the four protrusions in total, two protrusions that engage with the notches of the card approach the center of the guide hole in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the card toward the card insertion opening. Since the holding member is inclined along the direction, the holding member is expanded outward by pulling the card, and the engagement with the notch of the card is easily released.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, a card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 are views showing the structure of the card reading apparatus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a top view, and FIG. 3 is a second view.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 4, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, 10 is the card reader, and 1 is its housing. The housing 1 has a card reading device main body 11 having the same structure as the conventional card reading device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
(The part indicated by the chain line) is retained and the guide
12 are formed. Guide 12 is the card reader body
Slit 12 as a guide hole with the slit 50c of 11 extended and the width of the card 20 to be inserted is almost the same.
a is provided. Also, the guide 12 has two through holes 1
2b and 12c are provided, and a spring member 13 as a holding member is attached thereto.

The spring member 13 includes spring portions 13a and 13b for guiding the inserted card to a correct position, spring portions 13c and 13d as holding members for fixing the inserted card 20, and a spring portion 13a.
Main spring member 1 to guide 12
It is composed of a connecting portion 13e which serves as a fixing portion for fixing 3. Spring part
Each of 13a to 13d has a V-shape, and one end thereof is fixed to the connecting portion 13e with the convex portion facing inward. In addition,
Here, the spring parts 10a to 10d and the connecting part 13e are integrally formed to form the spring member 13. Further, if both ends of the connecting portion 13e of the spring member 13 are extended as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 4, this extended portion is used as a mounting member for a device such as a facsimile device to which the card reading device 10 is applied. Can be used.

With the card reader 10 configured as described above, the card 20 is guided by the guide 12 when the card 20 is inserted.
When the card 20 is pushed in from the opening, the position of the card 20 is regulated by the guide 12, and the card 20 is surely guided to the reading position of the card reading device main body 11. In addition, when inserting the card 20, the guide 12
The slit 12a of the guide 12 has a large opening area at its opening so that the card can be easily inserted therein.

When the card 20 is completely inserted to the reading position, the card 20
The notches 21a, 21b provided in the springs 13c, 13d of the spring member 13
To fit each. At this time, the spring member 13 is set so as to press the card 20 with a gentle force.
Fix 20. As a result, the card 20 does not shift due to vibration due to shaking of the device. Also, the spring portions 13a, 13
By contacting each convex portion of b with the card 20,
Card 20 is supported by a total of four points.

On the other hand, when the card 20 is pulled to remove the card 20 in the set state, the spring portion 13c and the notch 21a come into contact with each other, and the spring portion 13d and the notch 21b come into contact with each other. Here, the spring portions 13c, 13d are formed in a V shape, and since the protrusions are directed inward, the spring portions 13c, 13d contact the notches 21a, 21b on the inner side in the drawing direction of the card 20 when viewed from the opening of the guide 20. The surface is
The inclined surface faces the center of the guide 20 in a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction of the card 20 as it goes toward the opening of the guide 20. Therefore, as described above, the spring portion 13
When the card 20 is further pulled while the notch 21a is in contact with the c and the notch 21b is in contact with the spring 13d, the spring 13
The c and 13d are pushed outward by the card 20. Thereby, the engagement between the protrusion of the spring portion 13c and the notch 21a and the engagement between the protrusion of the spring portion 13d and the notch 21b are released,
The card 20 can be moved. Thus, when removing the card 20 that has been set, use a slightly strong force
You can pull out 20.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the guide 12 having the slit 12a for guiding the card 20 to the reading position of the card reading device body 11 is formed integrally with the card reading device body 11, the operator can The card 20 can be easily and reliably set at the reading position of the card reading device main body 11 simply by pushing in the card 20 from the insertion hole (opening of the slit 12a of the guide 12). In addition, the card 20 inserted in the guide 12
Since the spring member 13 is provided so as to press the card with a gentle force, the inserted card 20 is less likely to be displaced by the pressing force of the spring member. Further, since the card 20 is supported at four points, the card 20 is prevented from tilting with respect to the insertion direction.

Therefore, when and after setting the card 20, the card 20
Since the set position of is not displaced from the reading position of the card reading device main body 11, it is possible to reliably read the information recorded on the card 20. As a result, by applying the present card reading device, it is possible to realize the facsimile machine and the telephone set of the form described in the [Prior Art] section. Moreover, according to this embodiment, the card 20 in the set state can be easily taken out by pulling with a slightly strong force.
Further, since no special mechanism for ejecting the card 20 is required, the structure is not complicated.

Furthermore, when the card 20 is completely inserted, the spring portions 13c and 13d are fitted into the cutouts 21a and 21b formed in the card 20, respectively. The spring portions 13a and 13d are fitted into the cutouts 21a and 21b, respectively. When doing, some vibration is generated, and this vibration is transmitted to the operator via the card 20. The operator can know that the card 20 is securely set by the feel of this vibration.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, although the spring member is used as the holding member in the above-described embodiment, the card may be inserted into and removed from the guide, and the opening of the slit of the guide may be covered. Further, the shape of the guide is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and only the both end portions of the card may be carried or held. Further, in the above embodiment, information is recorded by forming a hole in the card and the information is read by the transmission type optical sensor. However, the amount of light reflected on the card is different from that on the surface of the card ( Black dots, etc.) may be formed and read by a reflection type optical sensor. Further, although the card has a notch, it does not have to be provided. other than this,
Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, an optical reading means such as an optical sensor is held, and a card insertion opening for inserting and removing a card and the card inserted through the card insertion opening are read by the optical reading means. In a case in which guide holes such as slits are formed to guide the reading position, a pair of holding members such as spring members each having two protrusions face each other across the guide holes, and The two projecting portions are arranged in a state in which an elastic force that causes the projecting portions to project toward the center of the guide hole in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the card is applied. Further, the pair of holding members,
By connecting a connecting member such as a connecting portion between the two protrusions of each of them, they are connected to each other,
Further, the connection member is fixed to the case by fixing it to the case. In each of one of the two protrusions of each of the pair of holding members, the center of the guide hole in the direction orthogonal to the card insertion direction from the reading means toward the card insertion opening. Since it is provided with an engaging surface that is inclined along the direction approaching to the card and that engages with the notch formed in the card, it is possible to easily set the card in a predetermined position, and even by vibration or the like. The card reading device can accurately read the information recorded on the card without the position of the set card being displaced. Further, since the guide is formed integrally with the housing that holds the optical reading means, it is not necessary to assemble it.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 4 are views showing the structure of a card reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a top view, and FIG. 3 is A of FIG. -A sectional view taken along arrow A, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along arrow B-B of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are views for explaining a conventional technique. 10 …… Card reader, 11 …… Card reader, 12
…… Guide, 13 …… Spring member, 20 …… Card, 52 …… Hole (mark).

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A card reading device for reading a mark formed on a card by an optical reading means, which holds the optical reading means, and a card insertion opening for inserting and removing the card and the card insertion opening. A housing having guide holes for guiding the inserted card to the reading position of the optical reading means, and two protrusions respectively, which face each other with the guide hole interposed therebetween, and which have the two protruding portions. A pair of holding members arranged in a state in which an elastic force that causes the protrusions to project toward the center of the guide hole in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the card, respectively, and fixed to the housing, 2 of each holding member
One of two protrusions that each of the pair of holding members has, and a connecting member that is connected to each of the pair of holding members between the two protrusions to connect the pair of holding members. Are formed on the card by being inclined along a direction approaching the center of the guide hole in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the card from the optical reading unit toward the card insertion opening. A card reader having an engagement surface that engages with a notch.