JP7183774B2 - IC media automatic issuing system and fixture - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic issuing device for IC media having various shapes different from those of IC cards.

In recent years, non-contact IC technology with built-in non-volatile memory and wireless communication chips has been widely used, and resin cards are widely used as non-contact IC cards as highly secure cards that are difficult to forge or alter. It is used.

Since the contactless IC card can manage multiple types of data with a single card, it can be used as electronic money, prepaid cards for public transportation, employee ID cards, student ID cards, and ID cards for access control. It can be applied to cards that have both.

Also, some IC chips in non-contact IC cards are driven by receiving power from radio waves emitted from the reader, and since the card does not have a battery or other power source, The structure of the card has been simplified, and the situation where the battery is dead and the card cannot be used does not occur, making it highly convenient.

Data is written to the contactless IC chip, managed independently within the chip, and individual access rights can be set, enabling secure interoperability between multiple services.

The data to be written includes individual information such as an ID as well as information required depending on the application.

In addition, the IC chip communicates with the reading device via an antenna, and the short-range communication technology is internationally standardized as ISO/IEC 18092, which communicates with radio waves of 13.56 MHz and a distance of about 10 cm. Two-way communication of 100 to 400 kbps is possible in very short distances.

As a result, the data contained in the IC (integrated circuit) chip can be exchanged simply by bringing the IC card or IC tag close to the reader.

The data for issuance consists of primary issuance data, which sets the usage, writes necessary information, and sets the key, and secondary issuance data, which writes individual information such as ID on the primary issued card. A large number of cards are issued in a short time by the card issuing device.

In general, card issuance devices include magnetic issuance that writes magnetic information on the magnetic tape of the card, primary issuance that writes settings such as encryption and decryption on the IC chip and necessary information, laser engraving, Equipped with functions to print membership numbers, etc., laminate to prevent the printing from disappearing, embossing to engrave credit numbers and names, tapping to put stickers on the embossments, and secondary issuing functions to write individual information such as IDs. The cards are collectively processed while being transported within the issuing device.

A card issuing device is generally used as a card-shaped non-contact IC medium issuing device. There are IC media called irregular shapes such as IC strap shape and IC wristband shape, but in the current card issuing device, the installation position of the roller etc. and the conveyance gap are matched to the shape and thickness of the card. , only card-shaped products can be transported, and it is not suitable for issuing IC media called irregular-shaped media.

For example, there is an IC coin as one of IC media having a shape different from that of an IC card, and an issuing device for the IC coin has been proposed. However, since the IC coin is disk-shaped, it has no method, and conversely, it is easy to handle, and there is no problem with transportation. However, the IC coin issuing device cannot be applied to issuing IC media of different shapes such as an IC strap shape and an IC wristband shape.

Therefore, such odd-shaped IC media are issued by manually holding the IC media one by one in the secondary issuing unit of the non-contact IC card issuing device and executing the write command manually. It takes time and effort.

In addition, because it is done manually one by one, writing errors may occur due to deviation from the writable range of the reader/writer during initialization of the IC chip. There are problems such as printing failure due to misalignment and unstable quality.

As a technique most similar to the technique for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-300001 discloses a jig for conveying irregular-shaped IC tags that enables the issuance of irregular-shaped IC media. This jig enables non-contact data writing while automatically transporting data in the secondary issuing unit of the non-contact IC card issuing device. does not make it possible.

JP 2005-276127 A

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic IC medium issuing apparatus capable of automatically executing data writing and printing processing to an irregularly shaped IC medium having a shape different from that of an IC card. .

As a means for solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a fixture that enables the IC medium to be transported in a fixed state;
a conveying means for conveying a plurality of fixtures along a conveying path;
a carrying-in means for carrying the fixture to which the IC medium mounted on the mounting table is fixed into the conveying path from the outside of the conveying path;
a reader/writer that initializes the IC medium, formats it, and writes necessary information;
a laser printing device that performs laser printing processing on an IC medium;
an unloading means for unloading the fixture to which the processed IC medium is fixed outside the transport path;
An IC medium automatic issuing system comprising at least a conveying means, a reader/writer, and a controller for controlling the operation of a laser printer.

A first aspect of the present invention is to perform processing such as initialization of IC media and laser printing processing for IC media having a shape such as a coin shape, which is a thin cylinder, a thin square prism, a thin pentagonal prism, a star shape, or other shapes. can be automatically implemented.
Unlike the IC card, the IC medium has various external shapes as described above, and thus the handling method becomes a problem for automation. In the present invention, the problem is solved by adopting a fixture that allows the IC medium to be transported in a fixed state, thereby making it possible to handle the IC medium.

A second aspect is a fixture for an IC medium that enables the IC medium to be transported in a fixed state,
a mounting table for mounting an IC medium;
a plurality of fixing pins for fixing the IC medium by coming into contact with the IC medium on the mounting table;
and a fixing hole for allowing the fixing pin to stand on the mounting table.

A third aspect is the fixture for an IC medium according to the second aspect, wherein the fixing holes are arranged in a matrix on the surface of the mounting table.

The automatic issuing system for IC media according to the present invention includes a fixture that allows IC media of various shapes to be placed and transported in a fixed state. Therefore, the fixture is transported by transport means, transported to the position where the IC medium reader/writer and laser printer are installed, and processes such as initialization of the IC medium and issuing processes such as laser printing are performed. , can be performed automatically without human intervention. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as issuance errors (data writing errors, etc.) in the reader/writer and misalignment of printing in the laser printer, which are caused by manual work.

In addition, according to the IC medium fixture of the present invention, the IC medium is stabilized by the placing table on which the IC medium is placed and the end portion of the IC medium abutting on the placing table at a plurality of points. can be fixed. Only a coin-type IC medium cannot be fixed, and there is a possibility that the IC medium will rotate while the fixture is being transported. However, in this case, the direction of laser printing may be any direction, so rotation does not pose a problem. In other shapes, it is possible to fix the IC medium in a fixed direction, so that the IC medium can always be fixed in a fixed position by erecting and fixing the fixing pin in a preselected fixing hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an IC medium issuing system of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between an IC medium and a fixture in the IC medium issuing system of the present invention;

<IC media issuing system>
A system for issuing an IC medium having a shape different from that of an IC card according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The IC medium issuing system 100 of the present invention includes a fixture 4 that allows the IC medium 5 to be transported in a fixed state, transport means (not shown) that transports the plurality of fixtures 4 along the transport path 3, loading means 6 for loading the fixture 4 to which the IC medium 5 placed on the mounting table is fixed into the transport path 3 from the outside of the transport path 3; A reader/writer 1 that writes necessary information, a laser printer 2 that performs laser printing on an IC medium 5, and a fixture 4 that fixes the IC medium 5 after these processes are installed outside the transport path 3. and a controller 8 for controlling at least the operations of the conveying means, the reader/writer 1 and the laser printer 2 .

(IC media)
The shape of the IC medium 5 is not particularly limited. In addition to a thin columnar coin shape (coin shape), the shape may be a thin quadrangular prism, a thin pentagonal prism, a star shape, or any other shape. An IC chip and an antenna for communication electrically connected thereto may be provided inside or on the surface of a structure made of resin, ceramic, glass, etc., which forms such an arbitrary shape. As the IC chip, an IC chip or an IC module for a normal contactless IC tag having at least an arithmetic processing function, a communication function, a memory function and the like can be used.

(Conveyance path)
The transport path 3 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a circular or looped transport path as illustrated in FIG. 2, or a straight transport path. The transport path 3 may also serve as part of the transport means. For example, the circular or oval conveying path 3 shown in FIG. , the structure may be such that a conveying means capable of moving the space after being lifted and placing it at a predetermined position is arranged.

(conveying means)
The conveying means is not particularly limited. The transport path 3 itself may be a belt conveyor, or a robot hand capable of transporting the fixture 4 along the transport path 3 may be used. Alternatively, it may be conveying means comprising a driving/conveying mechanism using a linear motor capable of conveying the fixture 4 along the conveying path 3 .

In addition, a mechanism such as a robot arm capable of gripping an object to be conveyed such as the fixture 4 is supported by a moving mechanism capable of moving rails provided along the conveying path 3. It can be. The rail may be provided at the same height as the transport path 3, or may be provided below, or may be provided above. 1 and 2, illustration of conveying means is omitted.

(Carry-in means)
The carrying-in means 6 is not particularly limited as long as it can carry the fixture 4 to which the IC medium 5 is transportably fixed into the transport path 3 from the outside of the transport path 3 .
For example, as with the transport path 3, a belt conveyor may be used, or a robot hand may be used. Conveying means comprising a driving/conveying mechanism using a linear motor may be used.
In addition, the conveying means in the conveying path 3 and the carrying-in means 6 do not need to be the same conveying means, and may be different.

(reader/writer)
The reader/writer 1 is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the IC medium 5 and write and read data. Conventionally used non-contact IC tag reader/writers can be suitably used.

(Laser printer)
The laser printer 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform laser printing on the surface of the IC medium. A conventionally used laser printer can be suitably used. Any printing mechanism may be used as the laser printing device 2 as long as it can print on the surface of the IC medium 5 . For example, it may be a mechanism in which the surface material of the IC medium 5 is removed by irradiation with a laser beam to produce a difference in brightness, or a layer for printing is formed on the surface of the IC medium 5 in advance. Alternatively, it may be a mechanism in which a difference in brightness or color is generated by irradiation with a laser beam.

(Delivery Means)
The carrying-out means 7 is not particularly limited as long as it can carry out the fixture 4 to which the IC medium 5 is fixed so as to be transportable, to the outside of the transport path 3 .
For example, as with the transport path 3, a belt conveyor may be used, or a robot hand may be used. Conveying means comprising a driving/conveying mechanism using a linear motor may be used.
It should be noted that the conveying means in the conveying path 3 and the carry-out means 7 do not need to be the same conveying means, and may be different.

(Control device)
A computer device can be preferably used as the control device 8 . As the computer device, a personal computer installed with a program for controlling the automatic issuing system 100 of the IC medium of the present invention, or a sequence control device such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) can be used. A control device based on not only sequence control but also feedback control may be used.

In addition, in the IC medium automatic issuing system 100 of the present invention, a plurality of reader/writers 1 and laser printers 2 may be provided along the transport path 3 . Although it is a minimum requirement to have one unit for each, an automatic issuing system that can process efficiently by matching the throughput of the reader/writer 1 and the throughput of the laser printer 2. is possible.

<Fixture>
The fixture of the present invention will be explained using FIG.
The fixture 4 of the present invention is a fixture for an IC medium that allows the IC medium 5 to be transported in a fixed state.

The fixture 4 of the present invention comprises a mounting table 12 on which the IC medium 5 is placed, a plurality of fixing pins 10 for fixing the IC medium 5 by coming into contact with the IC medium 5 on the mounting table 12, and the fixing pins 10. and a fixing hole 11 that allows the device to stand on the mounting table 12 .

The fixing holes 11 may be arranged in a matrix on the surface of the mounting table 12, or the fixing holes 11 may be provided at positions corresponding to IC media 5 of various sizes assumed in advance. Also good. Even in the case of arranging them in a matrix, the pitch of the fixing holes 11 to be formed can be determined in advance in consideration of the type of IC medium 5 assumed.

In addition, the plurality of fixing pins 10 standing in the fixing holes 11 arranged in a matrix or at arbitrary positions may be individually provided with vertical means for the fixing pins 10 . For example, a permanent magnet may be used as part of the fixing pin 10, and when a DC current is applied to a solenoid coil or an electromagnet provided below the fixing hole 11, the fixing pin 10 protrudes from the fixing hole 11 and stands upright. A mechanism may be provided in which the fixing pin 10 is accommodated in the fixing hole 11 when the current is cut off. Also, the current ON/OFF of the solenoid coils and electromagnets provided below the individual fixing holes 11 may be manually operated by switches individually provided therein, or may be automatically controlled by the IC medium. A mechanism for operating the fixing pin 10 corresponding to the outer shape of 5 may be provided. For example, an image of the shape projected onto the mounting table 12 is obtained from an image of the IC medium 5 placed on the mounting table 12 captured by an imaging camera from above, and from that image, which fixing pin 10 is erected. It is only necessary to determine whether the positional relationship is fixed in a fixed position.

<How to issue IC media>
An IC medium issuing method using the IC medium automatic issuing system 100 of the present invention will be described.
The IC medium 5 issuing method of the present invention comprises the steps described below.

STEP 0: In accordance with the shape of the IC medium 5 to be processed, determine in which fixing hole 11 of the fixture 4 the fixing pin 10 can be erected to fix the IC medium 5 in a certain direction, and fix the fixing pin accordingly. 10 is placed upright in the fixing hole 11.
STEP 1: The IC medium 5 is placed on the fixture 4 in a fixed direction and fixed. Also, depending on the arrangement of the standing fixing pins 10, the IC medium 5 may be slid on the mounting table 12 so as to be brought into contact with a plurality of fixing pins 10 to be fixed in a stable position. . This work may be done manually, or may be carried out using transport means such as a robot arm. Means for sliding the IC medium 5 on the mounting table 12 may be manual, or may be a robot arm or other dedicated mechanical means.
STEP 2: Next, the fixture 4 on which the IC medium 5 is mounted is loaded into the transport path 3 via the loading means 6 using the transport means. A robot arm can be preferably used as the transport means. A robot arm can be preferably used as the carrying-in means 6, but a conveying means such as a belt conveyor may be used.
STEP 3: Next, the fixture 4 loaded with the IC medium 5 is sequentially transported along the transport path 3 to the position where the reader/writer 1 is arranged by the transport means. A belt conveyor or a robot arm can be used as a transport means along the transport path 3 . The pitch along the transport path 3 along which the fixtures 4 are sequentially transported by the transport means may be set to a pitch that allows transport to a position where communication with the reader/writer 1 can be reliably performed. The fixtures 4 can be sent sequentially at that pitch. If the conveying means is a circular or elliptical belt conveyor as shown in FIG. 1, the chip may intermittently move and stop the belt conveyor.
STEP 4: Next, when the fixture 4 is transported to the position of the reader/writer 1, the reader/writer 1 performs issuing processing. The content of the issuing process includes, for example, initialization of the IC chip of the IC medium 5, formatting of the storage area, writing of necessary information, and the like.
STEP 5: Next, the conveying means sequentially conveys the fixture 4 toward the laser printer 2 .
STEP 6 : Next, when the fixture 4 is transported to the position of the laser printer 2 , the laser printer 2 prints necessary information on the surface of the irregular-shaped IC tag 5 fixed to the fixture 4 . At this time, since the orientation of the IC medium 5 fixed to the fixture 4 is always fixed, printing is always performed at the same position on the IC medium 5 in the same direction.
STEP 7: Next, the fixture 4 to which the laser-printed IC medium 5 is fixed is sequentially conveyed toward the position of the discharge means 7 by the conveying means.
STEP 8 : Next, when the fixture 4 is transported to the position of the carry-out means 7 , the transport means carries the fixture 4 to the carry-out means 7 . A robot arm can be suitably used as the transport means, but it is not necessary to be limited to this.
STEP 9 : Next, the IC medium 5 is taken out from the fixture 4 carried out by the carry-out means 7 . As for the means for taking out, it is possible to use a human hand or a robot arm to take out.

As described above, by using the automatic IC medium issuing system 100 of the present invention, the IC medium 5 is loaded into the fixture 4 and fixed at a stable position, and then the carrying-in means 6 is operated without human intervention. The IC medium 5 is carried into the transport path 3 via the transport path 3, subjected to issuing processing and laser printing, and transported from the transport path 3 to the transporting means 7. Ultimately, by taking out the odd-shaped IC tag 5 from the fixture 4, a series of IC medium 5 issuing processes can be automatically performed.

Moreover, although the automatic issuing system 100 of the present invention can be implemented by using the fixture 4 of the present invention, it is not necessary to limit the form of the fixture 4 of the present invention. The fixture 4 of the present invention is a fixture that fixes the IC medium 5 in a stable position by bringing it into contact with a plurality of fixing pins 10, but it is not necessary to be limited to such a mechanism. Any mechanism may be used as long as the fixture 4 is always fixed in a fixed position and orientation on the mounting table 12 .

For example, a mounting table having a recess having the same outer shape as the IC medium 5 to be processed may be used. In the case of a star shape, a mounting table having a star-shaped concave portion may be prepared, and in the case of a coin type, a mounting table having a coin-shaped concave portion may be prepared.

Further, as the mounting table 12, fixed pins arranged in a matrix and capable of vertical movement are provided. It is also possible to provide a function equivalent to that of a recess formed in accordance with the shape of the IC medium 5 . In this case, the IC medium 5 placed on the mounting table 12 is imaged by a camera, image information projected onto the mounting table 12 of the IC medium 5 is acquired, and the IC medium to be processed by the control device 8 is obtained in advance. 5, it is possible to decide which fixing pin to lower and which fixing pin to raise based on the outer shape information.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 reader/writer 2 laser printer 3 conveying path 4 fixture 5 IC medium 6 carrying-in means 7 carrying-out means 8 controller 9: Connection wiring 10: Fixing pin 11: Fixing hole (for fixing pin) 12: Mounting table 100: Automatic issuing system (for IC medium)

Claims (3)

a fixture that allows the IC medium to be transported in a fixed state;
a conveying means for conveying a plurality of fixtures along a conveying path;
a carrying-in means for carrying the fixture to which the IC medium mounted on the mounting table is fixed into the conveying path from the outside of the conveying path;
a reader/writer that initializes the IC medium, formats it, and writes necessary information;
a laser printing device that performs laser printing processing on an IC medium;
an unloading means for unloading the fixture to which the processed IC medium is fixed outside the transport path;
An automatic IC medium issuing system comprising at least a conveying means, a reader/writer, and a controller for controlling the operation of a laser printer. A fixture for an IC medium that enables the IC medium to be transported in a fixed state,
a mounting table for mounting an IC medium;
a plurality of fixing pins for fixing the IC medium by coming into contact with the IC medium on the mounting table;
A fixture for an IC medium, comprising a fixing hole that allows a fixing pin to stand on a mounting table. 3. The fixture for an IC medium according to claim 2, wherein said fixing holes are arranged in a matrix on the surface of said mounting table.

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