GB2240646A

GB2240646A - Handling passbooks and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2240646A
Application number: GB9100066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masashi Inoue; Nobuo Fujimoto
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 1990-01-12
Filing date: 1991-01-03
Publication date: 1991-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-03
Also published as: JPH03208684A; KR910014858A; DE4042297C2; GB9100066D0; GB2240646B; DE4042297A1; KR930011099B1

Abstract

Apparatus for handling passbooks comprises a conveyor device (6) for conveying a passbook or the like (3) carrying a magnetic stripe (15 or 16) to a predetermined position, a magnetic head (4) for read/write of the magnetic stripe, a device (7, 8) for moving the magnetic head (4) in a direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance of the passbook, and a controller which moves the magnetic head (4) so as to perform read/write of the magnetic stripe if the stripe is horizontal (Fig 2A), and rotates the magnetic head (4) and positions it in the correct position to read the stripe as the passbook is advanced by the conveyor device (6) if the stripe is vertical (Fig 2B). <IMAGE>

Description

:2 7d Al 0 E -41 CS 1 "APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF HANDLING PASSBOOKS AND

THE LIKEn The present invention relates to apparatus for and method of handling a passbook or the like.

Conventionally, a bookkeeping machine or an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) has been known as an apparatus of handling a passbook or the like (herein after simply referred to as a passbook handling apparatus) in which a passbook or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as a passbook) is fetched through a conveyance entrance, contents of a magnetic stripe applied on the passbook is read by means of a magnetic head, and an account number and the like information are transmitted to a host apparatus such as a center. print data registered in the host apparatus in correspondence to the account number is returned to the passbook handling apparatus and the print data is printed on the passbook; and thereafter the passbook is conveyed to the conveyance entrance so as to be returned to the user (for example, see a medium feed mechanism described in JP-A-61-206680).

In the above passbook handl.ing apparatus, various types of apparatus construction are respectively designed in accordance with forms on layouts of magnetic stripe of passbooks to be handled. Accordingly, for a 1 passbook applied with a vertical magnetic stripe, a passbook handling apparatus dedicated to handling only that passbook is installed and for a passbook applied with a horizontal magnetic stripe, a passbook handling apparatus dedicated to handling only that passbook is installed. In other words, a banking organ prepares in effect passbooks of one type applied with magnetic stripes of one form and uses a handling apparatus adapted for the one type of passbooks; and another banking organ prepares passbooks of anothertype applied with magnetic stripes of another form and uses a handling apparatus adapted for that another type of passbooks. Consequently, a passbook applied with a horizontal stripe can not be handled with an apparatus for vertical stripe and a passbook having a vertical stripe can not be handled with an apparatus for horizontal stripe. Thus, in the past, various kinds of passbooks can not be handled-with a single apparatus and therefore a plurality of kinds of passbook handling apparatus have been developed and manufactured. Accordingly, a number of kinds of apparatus are manufactured separately for individual banking organs, giving rise to a main cause of raising costs. 25 Further, when banking organs are affiliated to a single shop which in turn is required to'handle different kinds of passbooks or when handling apparatus usable in common to individual banking organs need to be 1 installed, a plurality of apparatus conformable to individual passbooks must be provided and an increase in cost can not be avoided, either.

Further, in another prior art passbook handling apparatus as described in JP-A-62-256272, a magnetic head is rotatably supported in order that read/write of two orthogonal magnetic stripes, vertical and horizontal magnetic stripes, applied to a passbook can be ensured.

However, the latter prior art merely discloses that read/write of the horizontal magnetic stripe is initially carried out and subsequently the magnetic head is rotated to permit read/write of the vertical stripe, and it fails to disclose handling or a passbook applied with only a horizontal magnetic stripe or handling of a passbook applied with only a vertical magnetic stripe; especially, it in no way discloses how either the horizontal magnetic stripe or the vertical magnetic stripe can be determined and instructed to the apparatus. Accordingly. the latter prior art passbook handling apparatus faces a problem that it can not support a passbook applied with any one of the horizontal and vertical magnetic stripes.

Even when unidirectional magnetic stripes are concerned, the position of the magnetic stripe is sometimes different for individual banking'organs. Passbooks having different magnetic stripe positions must be conveyed over different intervals so as to be positioned at the magnetic head position and therefore they can not be handled by means of a single apparatus.

The present invention intends to solve the aforementioned prior art problems and has for its object to provide a passbook handling apparatus and a method therefor which can permit a single apparatus to handle various kinds of passbooks applied with different forms of magnetic stripes, and therefor can improve produc- tivity of passbook handling apparatus and promote cost reduction.

To accomplish the above object, a passbook handling apparatus according to the invention comprises conveyor means for conveying a passbook or the like is applied with a magnetic stripe to a predetermined position, a magnetic head for read/write of the magnetic stripe, move means for moving the magnetic head in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveyance of the passbook, and control means, for controlling responsive to a command from a host apparatus, an operation of at least one of the conveyor means and move means so as to perform read/write of the magnetic stripe.

The move means includes rotation means for rotating the magnetic head through substantially 90 degrees, and the control means, when it re'sponds to a command issued from the host apparatus and indicating that the magnetic stripe is orthogonal to the conveyance 1 1 direction of the passbook, operates the move means which in turn moves the magnetic head in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the passbook so as to perform read/write of the magnetic stripe.

When responding to a command issued from the host apparatus and indicating that the magnetic stripe is parallel to the conveyance direction of the passbookr the control means operates the rotation means which in turn rotates the magnetic head through substantially 90 and the conveyor means which in turn conveys the passbook in a predetermined direction, so as to perform read/write of the magnetic stripe.

In this way, the handling apparatus receives, under the command of the host apparatus, information as to whether the magnetic stripe is vertical or horizontal and selectively sets the rotation and horizontal movement of the magnetic head. More specifically, when the handling apparatus receives from the host apparatus a passbook form command indicating that the magnetic stripe is lateral to the conveyance direction-of the passbook, the magnetic head move means is operated so that while the magnetic head being moved to a desired position, contents of the magnetic stripe (for example, account number) is read or written; but when a passbook form command is received indicating that the magnetic stripe is verticalr the magnetic head rotation means is operated and thereafter the magnetic head now rotated is moved to the magnetic stripe position by means of the 1 move means so that contents of the magnetic stripe may be read or written in synchronism with the conveyance operation of the passbook. This permits a single apparatus to support a passbook applied with any one of the horizontal and vertical magnetic stripes.

In the case of a passbook applied with a plurality of unidirectional magnetic stripes, when the stripes are horizontal, the conveyance operation is carried out each time that each stripe is read in order that the plurality of magnetic stripes can be read/ written sequentially and when the stripes are vertical, the passbook is conveyed in the reverse direction each time that each stripe has been read in order that the plurality of magnetic stripes can be read/written sequentially.

The present invention will now be described in greater -detail by way.of examples with refetence to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the connection of a passbook handling apparatus with a host apparatus.

Fig. 2A is a top view of the passbook handling apparatus and useful to explain read/write operation for a horizontal magnetic stripe. Fig. 2B is a top view of the passbook handling apparatus and useful to explain read/write operation for a vertical magnetic stripe. 25 Figs. 3A and 3B are front and side views of an example of a magnetic head rotation/move mechanism shown - 7 1 in Figs. 2A and 2B.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing operation of the passbook handling apparatus based on a command from the host apparatus.

Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are diagrams showing various types of passbooks applied with various forms of magnetic stripes.

Fig. 1 shows the connection between a passbook handling apparatus and a host apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 designates the host apparatus such as a banking center, 2 a controller for controlling the whole of the passbook handling apparatus, 3 a passbook inserted through a righthand inlet port, 4 a magnetic head for read/write of a magnetic stripe applied on the passbook, 5 a print head for printing information on the passbook at a predetermined position, 6 conveyance rollers and 17 a platen for carrying the paper of the passbook 3 and receiving pressure of the print head.

General operation of the passbook handling apparatus constructed as above will now be described.

When the user inserts a passbook 3 through the inlet port on the right side in the drawing, the passbook 3 is conveyed to the position of the magnetic 8 - head 4, so that the magnetic head 4 subsequently reads contents of a magnetic stripe applied on the passbook. The read-out contents (for example, account number) is transferred to the controller 2 from which it is - transmitted to the host apparatus 1 such as the center. The host apparatus 1 retrieves information concerning the user of that account number from a data base and returns information to be recorded on the passbook 3 (print data) to the controller 2 of the passbook handling apparatus.

The controller 2 operates the conveyance rollers 6 to further convey the passbook 3 to the left and at the same time, transfers a print command and the information to be printed to the print head 5. The print head 5 confirms that the passbook 3 reaches the predetermined position and thereafter prints the commanded information and informs the controller 2 of completion of printing. The controller 2 then operates the conveyance rollers 6 so that the passbook 3 may be conveyed to the right and delivered to the user through the inlet port.

Figs.2A and 2B show, in top view form, the essential part of the passbook handling apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Principally, the passbook 3 has or is applied with any one of horizontal magnetic stripe 15 and vertical magnetic stripe 16. Fig. 2A ' diagrammatically shows read/write of a passbook applied with a horizontal magnetic stripe and Fig. 2B 1 1 diagrammatically shows read/write of a passbook applied with a vertical magnetic stripe.

Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, reference character 7 designates a guide shaft for horizontal movement of the magnetic head 4, 8 a carrier for holding the magnetic head 4, a directions of movement of the magnetic head 4 (inclusive of the carrier 8) on the guide shaft 7, b conveyance directions of the passbook 3 and c rotation directions of the magnetic head 4 (inclusive of the carrier 8) when it rotates.

The magnetic head 4 is rotatably mounted, whereby the magnetic head 4 is permitted to read/write any of the vertical and horizontal magnetic stripes.

In the top views shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the upper and lower edges correspond to the right and left sides of the illustration in Fig. 1, respectively. Accordingly, the print head 5 and platen 17 shown in Fig. 1 are to be located at a lower blank in Figs. 2A and 2B and are not illustrated therein. 20 The magnetic head 4 is carried on a structure which allows the magnetic head 4 to move in the directions of arrow a and to rotate in the directions of arrow c. The carrier 8 holding the magnetic head 4 is guided on the guide shaft 7 in the directions of arrow 25 a. The magnetic head rotation/movemechanism according to the invention is constructed as exemplified in a front view of Fig. 3A and a side view of Fig. 3B.

The passbook 3 is conveyed by the conveyance rollers 6 to the position for read/write of the magnetic stripe. Then, if the magnetic stripe applied to the passbook is a horizontal one 15, the magnetic head 4 is moved horizontally on the guide shaft 7 to read/write the horizontal magnetic stripe. Contrary to this, if the magnetic stripe applied to the passbook 3 is a vertical one 16, the magnetic head 4 is rotated through 90' in the direction of arrow c by means of an electromagnetic device 9 and gears 10 and 11 as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B and thereafter moved on the guide shaft 7 to the position of the magnetic stripe 16. The passbook 3 is then moved by the conveyance rollers 6 to permit the magnetic head to read/write the vertical magnetic stripe.

As shown in the front view of Fig. 3A. the carrier 8 holding the magnetic head 4 is movably mounted on the guide shaft 7. As shown in the side view of Fig. 3B, on the other hand, a part of the carrier 8 is mounted with a small-diameter gear 11 which is' in mesh with a large- diameter gear 10. The electromagnetic device (clutch) 9 is mounted to the large-diameter gear 10 concentrically therewith. When supplied with current, this electromagnetic device 9 is rotated based on the principle of electromagnetic brake until a disk 12 is stopped by a stopper and when current supply is interrupted, the device 9 is released to cause the disk 12 to return to its original position. The gear 10 1 fixed to the disk 12 is rotated at the same speed as the disk to rotate the gear 11 in mesh with the gear 10 at a higher speed. The rotation of the gear 11 causes the part of carrier 8 and the magnetic head 4 to rotate through 90.

The operation of passbook handling apparatus for read/write of the magnetic stripe will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 4.

Firstly, the operation of passbook handling apparatus based on a command issued from the host apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flow chart of Fig. 4.

Information indicative of the type of a magnetic stripe of a passbook 3 to be handled is designated by the host apparatus 1. More particularlyr in the host apparatus 1, the information indicative of the type of the magnetic stripe to be used in the passbook handling apparatus is set (step 101). Then, after completion of confirmation of the fact that the power supply of the passbook handling apparatus is turned on, the inputted magnetic stripe type information is transmitted to the controller 2 of the passbook handling apparatus (step 102). Only the above operation belongs to the host apparatus 1. Subsequently, in the passbook handling apparatus, it is decided on the basis of received data whether the magnetic stripe is horizontal or vertical (step 103), and the position of the magnetic head 4 of the passbook handling apparatus f and constants of a circuit for read/write of the magnetic stripe are set by means of the controller 2 (steps 104 and 105).

More specifically, in the case of the commanded magnetic stripe being horizontal, the rotation of the magnetic head is unneeded and the circuit constants reflecting information such as magnetic stripe head position and length in compliance with the commanded magnetic stripe are set in a control circuit of the magnetic head 4. In the case of the commanded magnetic stripe being vertical, the rotation operation is needed and the magnetic head 4 is rotated through 900 to align with the passbook conveyance direction. This permits read/write handling of the passbook magnetic stripe commanded by the host apparatus.

Thus, only a single passbook handing apparatus is prepared and the type of a magnetic stripe is commanded from the host apparatus 1 to the passbook handling apparatus, whereby the passbook handling apparatus is permitted to perform any of operations for read/write of the horizontal and vertical magnetic stripes. Consequently, in contrast to the existing apparatus, there is no need of providing a separate apparatus for read/write of the horizontal magnetic stripe and a separate apparatus for read/write of the vertical magnetic stripe.

In the flow chart of Fig. 4, the type of magnetic stripe is set upon turnon of the power supply, i Z 1 1 but in an alternative, the host apparatus 1 may command in such a way that operation for read/write of a horizontal magnetic stripe is initially set and subsequently switched to operation for read/write of a 5 vertical magnetic stripe.

Returning to Fig. 2A. the operation for read/write of a horizontal magnetic stripe 15 will now be described.

When the handling apparatus receives from the host apparatus 1 information to the effect that the passbook 3 has a horizontal magnetic stripe 15, conveyance of the passbook 3 is stopped under the command of the controller 2 when the position of the magnetic stripe 15 reaches to the position for read/ write operation. The carrier 8 holding the magnetic head 4 is moved on the guide shaft 7, causing the magnetic head to read contents of the magnetic stripe 15; otherwise to write information under the command of the host apparatus 1. After completion of the read/write operation, the magnetic head 4 is again moved on the guide shaft 7 to return to the lefthand position.

Referring now to Fig. 2B, the operation for read/write of a vertical magnetic stripe 16 will be described.

Upon reception from the host apparatus 1 of information to the effect that the passbook 3 has a vertical magnetic stripe 16, conveyance operation by the rollers 6 is stopped under the command of the controller 1 i 1 2 when the head position of the magnetic stripe 16 reaches the position for read/write operation. Then, the magnetic head 4 along with the carrier 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow c to behave as a magnetic head for vertical read/write operation and moved on the guide shaft 7 so to be positioned at the head position of the magnetic stripe 16. The magnetic head 4 then starts to read in synchronism with movement of passbook 3 by the rollers 6 in the direction of arrow b. Otherwise the magnetic head operates to write under the command of the host apparatus 1. After completion of the read/write operation, the magnetic head 4 is again moved on the guide shaft 7 to return to the left position. Then, excepting the case where sequential insertion of a succeeding passbook 3 applied with a vertical magnetic stripe 16 is determined, the magnetic head 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow c to return to its original position.

The passbook 3 shown in Fig. 2A is applied with the single horizontal magnetic stripe 15 and the passbook shown in Fig. 2B is applied with the single vertical magnetic stripe 16, but a single passbook may sometimes be applied with a plurality of unidirectional magnetic stripes. In such a case, read/write operation is carried out in a manner to be described below.

Firstly, in the case of a passbook applied with a plurality of horizontal magnetic stripes 15 in parallel, the first magnetic stripe 15 is stopped at the Z c 1 read position and the magnetic head 4 is moved on the guide shaft 7 in the direction of arrow a (right) to read the first magnetic stripe, as shown in Fig. 2A. Subsequently, the passbook is conveyed and stopped so that the second magnetic stripe 15 may be positioned at the read position and thereafter the magnetic head 4 is moved on the guide shaft 7 in the direction of arrow a (left) to start reading from the head portion. The above operation is sequentially repeated for the succeeding magnetic stripes by the number thereof, thus completing read operation of all the magnetic stripes 15.

In the case of a passbook applied with a plurality of vertical magnetic stripes 16 in parallelr the passbook is conveyed until the head portion of the first magnetic stripe 16 reaches the read position and the magnetic head 4 is rotated through 900 and moved on the guide shaft 7 in the direction of arrow a (right) so as to be stopped at the position of the magnetic stripe 16, as shown in Fig. 2B. Subsequently, while the passbook 3 being conveyed downwards in the drawing by operating the rollers 6, the magnetic head 4 is operated to read the magnetic stripe. Similarly, in order to read the second magnetic stripe 16, the magnetic head 4 is moved on the guide shaft 7 in the direction of arrow A (right) so as to be stopped at the headportion and subsequently, while the passbook 3 being conveyed downwards by operating the rollers 6, the magnetic head 4 is operated to read the magnetic stripe. In this manner, the magnetic head 4 is moved intermittently on the guide shaft 7 and the passbook 3 is conveyed to complete read operation.

Pigs. SA to SC show various formats of passbook.

Passbooks used in banking facilities, especially, a passbook used in the post office is applied with a magnetic stripe 20 in parallel with the binding (indicated by dotted line) of the passbook, as shown in Fig. SA. Numerical numbers printed on the passbook are however vertical to the binding and the passbook is treated as a longitudinally elongated passbook. A passbook used in a bank A is also applied with a magnetic stripe 21 in parallel with the binding as shown in Fig. 5B, with numerical numbers printed also in parallel with the binding and the passbook is treated as a laterally elongated passbook. In contrast therewith, a passbook used in another bank B is applied with magnetic stripes 22 and 23 which are orthogonal to the binding as shown in Fig 5C. In this case, numerical numbers to be printed on the passbook are positioned in parallel to the binding. In addition to the above, various formats of passbook are available in which the magnetic stripes are directed differently and combined with printed numerical numbers differently. For the passbooks shown in Figs. SA and 5C, the host apparatus commands the vertical magnetic stripe and for the 1 17 - 1 passbook shown in Fig. 5B, the horizontal magnetic stripe.

In the passbooks shown in Figs. SA, 5B and SC, the conveyance direction is the same as indicated by arrow, but the handling apparatus may be so designed as to cause the passbook to be conveyed in a direction orthogonal to the arrow direction. In the case of the conveyance in the orthogonal direction, the host apparatus commands the horizontal magnetic stripe in connection with the passbooks shown in Figs. SA and 5C and the vertical magnetic stripe for the passbook shown in Fig. 5B.

On the magnetic stripe applied to the passbook, an account number is typicality recorded but other information may sometimes be recorded. The magnetic stripe is applied at a position which is spaced apart from the edge of the passbook by a predetermined distance. It has hitherto been practice to apply a single magnetic stripe to individual passbooks but in the future, because of an increase in the amount of information to be recorded, there is a possibility that two or more magnetic stripes may be applied to a single passbook. It is therefore conceivable to apply a plurality of vertical magnetic stripes alone or a plurality of horizontal magnetic stripes alone to a single passbook, and the present invention'may also be applicable to this type of passbook.

1 In another embodiment of the invention to this effect, there are provided a plurality of sets each having the magnetic head 4 of rotatable structure as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B and the guide shaft 7 in combination. With this construction, one magnetic head 4 is operable to read/write a horizontal magnetic stripe and another magnetic head 4 is operable to read/write a vertical magnetic stripe. In a modified embodiment, a plurality of unidirectional magnetic stripes are applied to a passbook. In this modification, a plurality of magnetic heads may be spaced apart from each other by a pitch equal to that between adjacent magnetic stripes. thereby ensuring that the individual magnetic stripes can be read/written simultaneously to permit high speed processing.

Further, even with the unidirectional magnetic stripe, the layout thereof is sometimes different for individual banking organs and in such a caser the moving amount of the passbook or the moving amount of the magnetic head can be changed in accordance with layout information commanded from the host apparatus.

In the future, because of affiliation of banking organs, an increase in the amount of information to be recorded on the magnetic stripe or an increase in the number of types of services offered by various service centers, there is a possibility that a single passbook may obviously be applied with a plurality of unidirectional magnetic stripes or may be applied with a 1.

plurality of horizontal magnetic stripes and a plurality of vertical magnetic stripes in combination. The present invention may be applied to such a case very effectively.

- 20

Claims

CLAIMS: An apparatus for handling passbooks including: conveyor means for

conveying a passbook or the like applied with a magnetic stripe to a predetermined position; a magnetic head for read/write of said magnetic stripe; move means for moving said magnetic head in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveyance of the passbook; and control means for controlling, responsive to a command from a host apparatus, an operation of at least one of said conveyor means and move means so as to perform read/write of said magnetic stripe.
2. A passbook handling apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said move means includes rotation means for rotating said magnetic head through substantially 90 degrees.
3. A passbook handling apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said control means, when it responds to a command issued from said host apparatus and indicating that the magnetic stripe is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of said passbookr operates said move means which in turn moves said magnetic head in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of said passbook so as to perform read/write of the magnetic stripe.
4. A passbook handling apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said control means, when it responds to a command issued from said host apparatus and indicating that the magnetic stripe is parallel to the conveyance direction of said passbook, operates said rotation means which in turn rotates said magnetic head through substantially 900 and said conveyor means which in turn conveys said passbook in a predetermined direction, so as to perform read/write of the magnetic stripe.
5. A method of handling passbooks with a passbook handling apparatus connected to a host apparatus and having conveyor means for conveying a passbook or the like applied with a magnetic stripe to a predetermined position, a magnetic head for read/write of said magnetic stripe, and move means for moving said magnetic head in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveyance of the passbook, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting layout information of the magnetic stripe set in said host apparatus to said passbook handling apparatus; deciding the layout information of the magnetic stripe transmitted from said host apparatus; and operating at least one of said conveyor means and move means in accordance with results of said decision so as to perform read/write of said magnetic strir)e.
6. A passbook handling method according to Claim 5, wherein said decision step is to decide whether said layout information is information indicating that said magnetic stripe is orthogonal to a conveyance direction of said passbook or information indicating that said magnetic stripe is parallel to the conveyance direction.
7. A passbook handling method according to Claim 6, wherein when said layout information is determined to be the information indicating that said magnetic stripe is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of said pass book, said move means is operated to move said magnetic head in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of said passbook, so as to perform read/write of said magnetic stripe.
8. A passbook handling method according to Claim 5, wherein said magnetic head is rotatable and when said layout information is determined to be the information indicating that said magnetic stripe is parallel to the conveyance direction of said passbook, said magnetic head is rotated through substantially 90 degrees and said conveyor means is operated to convey said passbook, so as to perform read/write of said magnetic stripe.
9. Apparatus for handling passbooks constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office. State House. 66171 High Holborn. London WC 1 R 47P. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwmfelinfach. Cross Keys, Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray. Kent.

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