JP2007190778A - Card printer - Google Patents

Abstract

A card capable of printing on both sides of a card medium in a short time without complicating the configuration of the apparatus and the control system even when a print head whose printing direction is limited to one direction is used. Provide a printer.
A control unit 71 of a card printer 1 prints on the surface of a card 2 carried in from a card carry-in / out port 11 in a normal rotation state in which a print head 25 is positioned above the card transport path 12. . Then, the control unit 71 transports the card 2 to the rear end of the printing unit 20 and temporarily stops it. Then, the control unit 71 rotates the printing unit 20 by 180 degrees with the rotation mechanism 27 so that the printing head 25 is in a reverse state positioned below the card transport path 12. Subsequently, the control unit 71 conveys the stopped card 2 in the reverse direction, conveys it to the printing unit 20, performs printing on the back surface of the card 2, and discharges the card 2 from the card loading / unloading port 11.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a card printer that performs printing on both sides of a card medium having a printing surface on both sides, such as a magnetic card, a contact type IC card, and a non-contact type IC card.

  1 to 3 are side views showing a schematic configuration of a conventional card printer. As a card printer that can print on a card medium that is conveyed in one direction and cannot print on a card medium that is conveyed in the opposite direction. Conventionally, there are three configurations, and print processing is performed as follows.

  First, the card printer 101 having one print head 103 on one side of the transport path is first transported when the card 2 is inserted from the loading / unloading port 102 as shown in FIG. The card 2 is conveyed by the mechanism 104, printing is performed on the surface of the card 2 by the print head 103, and the card 2 is once discharged from the loading / unloading port 102. The operator reinserts the inverted card 2 from the loading / unloading port 102. As shown in FIG. 1B, the card printer 101 transports the card 2 by the transport mechanism 104, prints on the back surface of the inserted card 2, and discharges the card from the loading / unloading port 102.

  Second, a card printer 111 having a front surface print head 113 and a back surface print head 114 on each side of the transport path is first configured as shown in FIG. When inserted, the card 2 is transported by the transport mechanism 115, and printing is performed on the surface of the card 2 by the front surface print head 113. Subsequently, the card printer 111 transports the card 2 to the rear side of the back surface print head 114 by the transport mechanism 115 and stops it. Then, the card 2 is conveyed in the reverse direction, and printing is performed on the back surface of the card 2 by the back surface print head 114, and the card 2 is discharged from the loading / unloading port 112.

Thirdly, the card printer 121 having a card reversing mechanism 125 (see, for example, Patent Document 1) first inserts the card 2 from the loading / unloading port 122 as shown in FIG. The card 2 is transported by the transport mechanism 124, and printing is performed on the surface of the card 2 by the print head 123. When the printing is completed, the card 2 is transported to the card reversing mechanism 125, and the card reversing mechanism 125 reverses the card 2. The card is conveyed to the front of the print head 123 (on the side of the loading / unloading port 122). Subsequently, the card printer 121 transports the card 2 by the transport mechanism 124, prints on the back surface of the card 2 by the print head 123, transports the card 2 in the reverse direction, and discharges it from the loading / unloading port 122.
JP 2003-252487 A

  The conventional card printer shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can perform printing on the front and back of the card in any configuration. However, in the conventional card printer, it takes a lot of time to print on the front and back of the card, and the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated, resulting in an increase in the size of the apparatus and an increase in apparatus cost. was there.

  That is, in the card printer 101 shown in FIG. 1, the operator of the apparatus has to invert the card 2, the operator's work is complicated, and printing is performed one side at a time. In addition, there is a problem that printing time becomes long.

  Further, in the card printer 111 shown in FIG. 2, the two print heads 113 and 114 must be controlled by one control system, the control circuit and the printing process are complicated, and the cost of the apparatus main body is high. There was a problem of becoming. As a result, there is a problem that the size of the apparatus main body increases.

  Further, in the card printer 121 shown in FIG. 3, since the printing direction of the print head 123 is limited to one direction, after the surface of the card 2 is printed and the card is reversed by the card reversing mechanism 125, After the card 2 is moved to a position in front of the print direction of the print head, printing is performed on the back surface of the card 2 again, and there is a problem that the conveyance distance and printing time of the card 2 are increased.

  Therefore, the present invention can perform printing on both sides of a card medium in a short time without complicating the configuration of the apparatus and the control system even when a print head whose printing direction is limited to one direction is used. An object of the present invention is to provide a card printer.

  The present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the above problems.

(1) In a card printer comprising: a card medium conveyance path for conveying a card medium carried in from a card medium carry-in port; and a print head for performing printing on the card medium conveyed through the card medium conveyance path.
A platen roller provided facing the print head and the print head are integrally formed, and a printing unit capable of rotating 180 degrees symmetrically with respect to the card medium conveyance path;
Rotating means for rotating the printing means by 180 degrees;
After printing on one surface of the card medium by the print head, the card medium is transported rearward of the print head, the printing means is rotated 180 degrees by the rotating means, and then the card medium is reversed. Control means for discharging the card medium to the outside after being conveyed in the direction and printed on the other surface of the card medium by the print head;
It is provided with.

  In this configuration, the platen roller and the print head are integrally configured in the printing unit, and the platen roller and the print head are arranged in a point-symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the card medium conveyance path and can be rotated 180 degrees. It is. Further, the control means conveys the card medium behind the print head after printing on one side of the card medium carried in from the card medium carry-in port, and rotates the printing means by 180 degrees by the rotation means. Then, the card medium is conveyed in the reverse direction, printed on the other surface of the card medium by the print head, and then discharged to the outside. Therefore, the card printer can perform printing on both sides of the card medium while making a round trip through the card medium conveyance path. Therefore, printing on both sides of the card medium can be performed with the shortest conveyance distance. Can be performed in a short time. Also, since only one print head is provided, the print head control system can be simplified.

(2) a first sensor that is disposed behind the print head in the card medium conveyance path and detects the card medium;
The rotating means rotates the printing means by 180 degrees when the first sensor detects the trailing edge of the card medium printed on one surface.

  In this configuration, when the first sensor arranged behind the print head in the card medium conveyance path detects the rear end of the card medium printed on one surface, the rotating means rotates the printing means by 180 degrees. Therefore, the printing means can be rotated after the card medium is reliably conveyed rearward of the print head, the card can be prevented from being damaged, and printing can be reliably performed on both sides of the card medium.

(3) a second sensor that is disposed in front of the print head in the card medium conveyance path and detects the card medium;
The rotating means rotates the printing means by 180 degrees when the second sensor detects the rear end of the card medium printed on the other surface.

  In this configuration, when the second sensor arranged in front of the print head in the card medium conveyance path detects the rear end of the card medium printed on the other surface, the rotating means rotates the printing means by 180 degrees. . Therefore, the printing means can be rotated after the card medium has been reliably conveyed forward of the print head, preventing the card from being damaged, etc., and immediately printing on the next card medium. Can do.

(4) A third sensor for detecting the card medium is provided behind the card medium carry-in port of the card medium conveyance path,
The control means conveys the card medium to the print head when the third sensor detects the front end of the card medium carried in from the card medium carry-in port.

  In this configuration, when the third sensor arranged behind the card medium carry-in port detects the front end of the card medium carried in from the card medium carry-in port, the carrying means carries the card medium to the print head. Therefore, the card printer can start printing promptly when the card medium is carried into the card medium carry-in port.

(5) comprising storage means for storing an image of a specific surface of the card medium;
The third sensor is an image sensor that reads one side of a card medium,
When the image on one surface of the card medium read by the third sensor is different from the image on the specific surface stored in the storage means, the control means discharges the card medium from the carry-in entrance. Features.

  In this configuration, since the third sensor is an image sensor, it is possible not only to detect the front end of the card medium conveyed to the entrance of the card medium conveyance path but also to read an image on one side of the card medium. Accordingly, when the image on one side of the card medium conveyed to the entrance of the card medium conveyance path is different from the image on the specific surface, the card medium is reversed before printing on the card medium. The card medium can be immediately discharged from the carry-in port, and printing on the card medium can be prevented from being reversed.

  In the card printer of the present invention, the printing means in which the print head and the platen roller are integrally configured rotate 180 degrees symmetrically with respect to the card medium transport path, so that the card medium reciprocates once in the card medium transport path. In between, it is possible to print on both sides. For this reason, compared with the conventional card printer, the conveyance distance and printing time of the card medium can be minimized. Further, since only one print head is provided, the configuration of the apparatus and the control system are not complicated, and a card printer having a simple configuration can be provided.

  FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the card printer. The card printer 1 is a device that prints information on both sides, that is, the front and back sides of a card 2 that is a card medium that can be printed on both sides. Here, the card 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is a card capable of printing on both sides, such as a magnetic card, a contact IC card, and a non-contact IC card. In the card printer 1, the card 2 reciprocates in the card transport path 12. However, in the following description, the front side of the card 2 transport direction (traveling direction) is always referred to as the front end of the card 2, and the card 2 transport direction ( The rear side of the traveling direction) is referred to as the rear end of the card 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the card printer 1 is a card loading / unloading port 11 for inserting / discharging the card 2 and a conveyance path for the card 2 inserted (loaded) from the card loading / unloading port 11. A card transport path 12 is provided. In the card printer 1, a print head 25 that performs printing on the card 2 and a platen roller 26 that is a driving roller installed facing the print head 25 are integrated with the frame 21 in the middle of the card conveyance path 12. A printing unit 20 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4B, the printing unit 20 can rotate 180 degrees symmetrically with respect to the card transport path 12. In other words, the printing unit 20 is configured so that the print head 25 and the platen roller 26 are arranged in a point-symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the card transport path 12 and can be rotated by 180 degrees. It is rotated.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4A, a state in which the print head 25 is positioned above the card transport path 12 is referred to as a normal rotation state. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a state in which the print head 25 is positioned below the card transport path 12 is referred to as an inverted state. Further, the print head 25 is limited to one printing direction.

  The card printer 1 includes a pair of rollers 13 and 14 for transporting the card 2 forward of the printing unit 20 in the card transport path 12, that is, toward the card loading / unloading port 11, and insertion or ejection of the card 2 at the card loading / unloading port 11. , A front sensor 16 which is an optical sensor for detecting passage of the rear end of the card 2, and a motor 17 for driving the roller pairs 13 and 14.

  Further, the card printer 1 passes the pair of rollers 32 and 33 for conveying the card 2 and the rear end of the card 2 to the rear of the printing unit 20 in the card conveyance path 12, that is, on the side opposite to the card loading / unloading port 11. A rear sensor 34 that is an optical sensor for detection and a motor 35 that drives the roller pairs 32 and 33 are provided.

  Here, in FIG. 4, a carry-in / discharge sensor 15 that is a third sensor arranged behind the card carry-in / out port 11, a front sensor 16 that is a second sensor arranged in front of the printing unit 20, and printing As the rear sensor 34, which is the first sensor arranged behind the unit 20, an optical passing sensor is shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an optical reflection sensor can also be used. is there. Further, as the carry-in / out sensor 15, an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS can be used instead of the optical sensor. When an image sensor is used as the carry-in / discharge sensor 15, the image of the card 2 can also be read. Therefore, in addition to detecting the insertion or discharge of the card 2, the front and back of the card 2 can be determined.

  In the roller pair 13, the roller pair 14, the platen roller 26, the roller pair 32, and the roller pair 33, each interval between two adjacent rollers is configured to be shorter than the total length Lc of the card 2.

  Further, the distance L1 between the detection position of the carry-in / discharge sensor 15 installed in the card carrying path 12 and the card carry-in / out port 11 is configured to be shorter than the total length Lc in the card 2 carrying direction. Thereby, a control unit 71 (not shown) of the card printer 1 described later can detect that the card 2 is inserted from the card carry-in / out port 11 by detecting the front end of the card 2 by the carry-in / out sensor 15. Further, when the control unit 71 (not shown) of the card printer 1 detects the rear end of the card 2 by the carry-in / discharge sensor 15, the control unit 71 (not shown) may make the front end of the card 2 protrude from the card carry-in / out port 11. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the distance L2 between the print position of the print head 25 in the forward rotation state and the detection position of the front sensor 16 installed in the card transport path 12 is, for example, the card 2 Is configured to be equal to the length Lh from the print start position on the front end side to the rear end of the card 2. Thereby, the control unit 71 (not shown) of the card printer 1 can perform printing from the print start position on the surface of the card 2 by detecting the rear end of the card 2 by the front sensor 16.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, the distance L3 between the print position of the print head 25 in the reverse state and the detection position of the rear sensor 34 installed behind the print head 25 in the card transport path 12. Is configured to be equal to the length Lr from the printing start position on the front end side on the back surface of the card 2 to the rear end of the card 2 as an example. Thus, the control unit 71 (not shown) of the card printer 1 can perform printing from the print start position on the back surface of the card 2 by detecting the rear end of the card 2 by the rear sensor 34.

  In addition, by setting the distance L2 as an arbitrary value and detecting the front end of the card 2 conveyed from the card loading / unloading port 11 to the printing unit 20 by the front sensor 16, counting the pulses output by the front sensor 16, The transport amount (transport distance) of the card 2 may be obtained. In this case, when the transport amount (transport distance) of the card 2 reaches a preset value, the print head 25 is set to start printing on the surface of the card 2, thereby printing from the print start position on the surface of the card 2. It can be performed.

  Similarly, when the distance L3 is set to an arbitrary value and the front end of the card 2 conveyed from the roller pair 33 toward the printing unit 20 is detected by the rear sensor 34, the rear sensor 34 outputs. You may make it obtain | require the conveyance amount (carrying distance) of the card | curd 2 by counting a pulse. In this case, when the transport amount (transport distance) of the card 2 reaches a preset value, the print head 25 is set to start printing on the back surface of the card 2, thereby printing from the print start position on the back surface of the card 2. It can be performed.

  FIG. 5 is a side view of a card printer in which a part of the configuration of the card printer shown in FIG. 4 is changed. Here, when the platen roller 26 is a driven roller that is not driven by a motor, it is necessary to make the distance between the roller pair 14 and the roller pair 32 shorter than the total length Lc in the conveying direction of the card 2 as shown in FIG. . When the distance L2 and the length Lh and the distance L3 and the length Lr are configured to be equal as described above, the positional relationship between the roller pair 14 and the front sensor 16 with respect to the card transport path 12, and the card transport It is necessary to exchange the positional relationship between the roller pair 32 and the rear sensor 34 with respect to the path 12.

  Next, detailed configurations of the printing unit 20 and the rotation mechanism 27 will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the configuration of the printing unit and the rotation mechanism. FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the printing unit and the rotation mechanism. As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 21 is composed of a frame 21a and a frame 21b arranged to face each other. The frame 21a and the frame 21b support the print head 25 and the platen roller 26 from both sides. The frame 21a and the frame 21b are formed in a circular shape, and a rotation shaft 41a is provided in the center of the frame 21a so as to extend on the opposite side of the print head 25. A rotating shaft 41b extending horizontally and disposed horizontally is provided. Further, a main body frame 51a is vertically installed facing the frame 21a, and a main body frame 51b is vertically installed facing the frame 21b. In addition, a hole 51a1 for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 41a is formed in the main body frame 51a, and a hole 51b1 for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 41b is formed in the main body frame 51b.

  In the frame 21a and the frame 21b, holes 21a1 and 21b1 for rotatably supporting the platen roller 26 are formed below the center thereof. Further, in the frames 21a and 21b, elongated holes 21a2 and 21b2 for pivotally supporting the print head 25 so as to be movable in the vertical direction are formed above the center.

  A cable 25k for the print head 25 and a cable guide 42 for wiring a solenoid 44a and a solenoid 44b described later are joined to the outer periphery of the frame 21a and the frame 21b (upper ends of the frame 21a and the frame 21b in FIG. 6). Has been. The cable 25k may be attached to the cable guide 42 with a margin or a curled cable so that there is no problem even if the print head 25 moves in the vertical direction.

  Springs 43 a and 43 b are attached between the cable guide 42 and the print head 25. Further, a shaft 25aj is provided on one side surface 25a of the print head 25, and a shaft 25bj is provided on the other side surface 25b. The shaft 25aj extends in the horizontal direction from one side surface 25a of the print head 25 through the long hole 21a2, and the shaft 25bj extends in the horizontal direction from the other side surface 25b of the print head 25 through the long hole 21b2.

  A solenoid 44a is attached to the frame 21a, and a solenoid 44b is attached to the frame 21b. A plunger 45a extending from the solenoid 44a toward the center of the frame 21a contacts the shaft 25aj, and a plunger 45b extending from the solenoid 44b toward the center of the frame 21b contacts the shaft 25bj.

  When the solenoid 44a and solenoid 44b are operated when printing on the card 2, the shaft 45aj is pushed in the direction of the platen roller 26 by the plunger 45a, and the shaft 25bj is pushed in the direction of the platen roller 26 by the plunger 45b. The card 2 is held between the print head 25 and the platen roller 26. Further, when the operation of the solenoid 44a and the solenoid 44b is stopped when the printing on the card 2 is finished, the plunger 45a is drawn into the solenoid 44a and the plunger 45b is drawn into the solenoid 44b. The head 25 is pulled in the direction opposite to the platen roller 26, and the print head 25 is separated from the platen roller 26.

  When the platen roller 26 is used as a driving roller for conveying the card 2, a thin motor 28 is provided on the frame 21b, and a spur gear 29 attached to the motor 28 is connected to the shaft 26bj of the platen roller 26. The spur gear 30 attached may be configured so that the power of the motor 28 is transmitted. As a result, the platen roller 26 can be rotated by the motor 28 and used as a drive roller for conveying the card 2.

  A spur gear 61 is attached to the end of the rotating shaft 41a. A rotatable spur gear 62 and a motor 64 are attached to the main body frame 51a, and a spur gear 63 is attached to the shaft of the motor 64. The rotation mechanism 27 is configured by the spur gear 61, the spur gear 62, the spur gear 63, and the motor 64, and the printing unit 20 is rotated 180 degrees by the rotation mechanism 27 as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a C-shaped long hole 51b2 is formed in the main body frame 51b with the hole 51b1 as the center. The cable guide 42 extends in a horizontal direction from the long hole 51b2 and is bent at a right angle in the middle. The cable 25k extends along the cable guide 42 so as not to hinder the printing unit 20 from rotating. Wired.

  Further, in the vicinity of two points 50a and 50b where the vertical line passing through the hole 51b1 and the long hole 51b2 intersect, that is, at both ends of the long hole 51b2, there are forward rotation stoppers 53 and 54 and an optical forward rotation detection sensor. 55 and an optical inversion detection sensor 56 are provided.

  When the printing unit 20 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 27, the cable guide 42 comes into contact with the normal rotation stopper 53 and stops, and the normal rotation state is set. The forward rotation detection sensor 55 is provided to confirm that the printing unit 20 has stopped in the forward rotation state, and detects the presence or absence of the cable guide 42. On the other hand, when the printing unit 20 is rotated in the opposite direction by the rotation mechanism 27, the cable guide 42 comes into contact with the reversing stopper 54 and stops, and the printing unit 20 is reversed. The reverse detection sensor 56 is provided to confirm that the printing unit 20 has stopped in the reverse state, and detects the presence or absence of the cable guide 42.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system of the card printer. As shown in FIG. 8, a control unit 71 composed of a CPU controls each unit of the card printer 1. That is, the control unit 71 detects a signal output from any of the carry-in / discharge sensor 15, the front sensor 16, the rear sensor 34, the normal rotation detection sensor 55, and the reverse detection sensor 56. Further, in response to this signal, the control unit 71 outputs a signal to the drive circuit 72 to control operations of the motor 17, the motor 28, the motor 35, the motor 64 of the rotating mechanism 27, the solenoid 44a, and the solenoid 44b. . Further, the control unit 71 stores information in the memory 74 and reads information from the memory 74. In addition, the control unit 71 reads information from the memory 74 in accordance with signals output from the sensors, and outputs signals to the printing circuit 73 to control the operation of the print head 25.

  Next, the operation of the card printer 1 will be described based on a flowchart. 9 and 10 are flowcharts for explaining processing in which the card printer performs printing on both sides of the card. Here, in the following description, a case where an image sensor is used as the carry-in / discharge sensor 15 will be described. The control unit 71 stores an image of the surface of the card 2 read by the carry-in / discharge sensor 15 in advance in a memory 74 that is a storage unit. Further, the card printer 1 is set to print on the front surface of the card 2 in the forward rotation state and to print on the back surface of the card 2 in the reverse state.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 71 of the card printer 1 stands by until the card 2 is inserted from the card loading / unloading port 11, and the card 2 is inserted from the card loading / unloading port 11. When detected by the discharge sensor 15 (s1), it is confirmed from the signal output by the forward rotation detection sensor 55 whether the printing unit 20 is stopped in the forward rotation state (s2). When the printing unit 20 is not stopped in the normal rotation state, the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to drive the motor 64 so that the printing unit 20 is in the normal rotation state (s3). When the forward rotation sensor detects that the printing unit 20 is in the forward rotation state and outputs a signal (s4), a control signal is output to the drive circuit 72 to stop driving the motor 64 (s5).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 71 has confirmed in step s2 that the printing unit 20 has stopped in the normal rotation state based on the signal output from the normal rotation detection sensor 55, the control unit 71 includes the drive circuit 72. Is output to stop the driving of the motor 64 (s5). Then, the control unit 71 drives the roller pair 13 and 14 by the motor 17 to convey the card 2 from the card conveyance path 12 to the printing unit 20 (s6). At this time, the carry-in / discharge sensor 15 reads an image on one side of the card 2. The control unit 71 compares the image read by the carry-in / discharge sensor 15 with the image of the surface of the card 2 read from the memory 74 (s7). When the two images are different, the control unit 71 determines that the card 2 is erroneously inserted from the card loading / unloading port 11 with the back side up, and outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to output the roller pair 13. 14 controls the motor 17 so that the card 2 is discharged from the card loading / unloading port 11. When the controller 71 detects the passage of the rear end of the card 2 by the carry-in / discharge sensor 15 and determines that the card 2 has been discharged, the controller 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to operate the motor 17. Stop (s8). Then, the process of step s1 is performed.

  On the other hand, when the two images compared in step s7 match, the control unit 71 determines that the card 2 is correctly inserted from the card loading / unloading port 11 with the front side facing up, and the roller pairs 13 and 14 are used as they are. Thus, the card 2 is conveyed to the printing unit 20 (s9).

  When the front sensor 16 detects the rear end of the card 2 (s10), the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to stop the motor 17 and operate the solenoid 44a and solenoid 44b to move the plunger. The print head 25 is moved in the direction of the platen roller 26 by the 45a / plunger 45b, and the card 2 is held between the print head 25 and the platen roller 26 (s11).

  Subsequently, the control unit 71 reads information to be printed on the surface of the card 2 from the memory 74, outputs a control signal to the printing circuit 73, and sends the information to be printed on the surface of the card 2 to the print head 25. Printing is performed (s12). When all the information to be printed on the surface of the card 2 is printed (s13), the printing circuit 73 stops the printing operation of the print head 25 (s14).

  When the control unit 71 detects the passage of the rear end of the card 2 by the rear sensor 34 (s15), the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to stop the operation of the solenoids 44a and 44b, and the plunger 45a is moved to the solenoid. The plunger 45b is drawn into the solenoid 44b by being drawn into 44a. At this time, the print head 25 is pulled in the direction opposite to the platen roller 26 by the springs 43a and 43b, and the print head 25 is separated from the platen roller 26. Further, the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72, stops the motor 35 and stops the conveyance of the card 2, and operates the motor 64 to rotate the printing unit 20 by 180 degrees (s16). .

  When the reverse detection sensor 56 outputs a signal (s17), the control unit 71 determines that the printing unit 20 has stopped in the reverse state (s17), outputs a signal to the drive circuit 72, and stops driving the motor 64. (S18).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72, drives the roller pairs 32 and 33 by the motor 35, and conveys the card 2 to the printing unit 20 (s19). ).

  When the rear sensor 34 detects the rear end of the card 2 (s20), the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to stop the motor 35 and operate the solenoid 44a and solenoid 44b to move the plunger. The print head 25 is moved in the direction of the platen roller 26 by the 45a / plunger 45b, and the card 2 is held between the print head 25 and the platen roller 26 (s21). Subsequently, the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 and drives the motor 17 and the motor 35 to convey the card 2 toward the card loading / unloading port 11. The control unit 71 reads information to be printed on the back surface of the card 2 from the memory 74, outputs a control signal to the printing circuit 73, and prints information to be printed on the back surface of the card 2 on the print head 25. (S22). When all the information to be printed on the back surface of the card 2 is printed (s23), the printing circuit 73 stops the printing operation of the print head 25 (s24).

  When the front sensor 16 detects the passage of the rear end of the card 2 (s25), the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to stop the operation of the solenoids 44a and 44b, and the plunger 45a is moved to the solenoid. The plunger 45b is drawn into the solenoid 44b by being drawn into 44a. At this time, the print head 25 is pulled in the direction opposite to the platen roller 26 by the springs 43a and 43b, and the print head 25 is separated from the platen roller 26. In addition, the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 to stop the motor 35 and drive the motor 64 to rotate the printing unit 20 by 180 degrees so as to be in the normal rotation state (s26).

  When the control unit 71 confirms that the printing unit 20 is stopped in the normal rotation state based on the signal output from the normal rotation detection sensor 55 (s27), the control unit 71 outputs a signal to the drive circuit 72 and stops the motor 64. (S28).

  Further, when the carry-in / discharge sensor 15 detects the passage of the rear end of the card 2 (s29), the control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 72 and stops the motor 17 (s30). At this time, the front end of the card 2 protrudes from the card loading / unloading port 11. Since the card 2 protrudes from the card loading / unloading port 11 of the card printer 1, the operator can easily pull out the card 2.

  As described above, when printing is performed on both sides of a card with a card printer, a series of processing operations are performed without an intermediate operator performing an operation. In addition, since the card can be printed on both sides of the card during one round trip of the card conveyance path, the card conveyance distance can be minimized, and the double-sided printing process can be executed in a short time.

  In the above description, the card printer 1 has been described as having the card loading / unloading port 11 for loading the card 2 and discharging the card 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations are possible. Also good. FIG. 11 is a side view showing another schematic configuration of the card printer. For example, like a card printer 1K shown in FIG. 11A, a card carry-in port 4 for inserting a card 2 and a card discharge port 5 for discharging a card are provided, and the card 2 carried in from the card carry-in port is arranged. The card conveying path 12 to be conveyed and the conveying path 6 of the card 2 to be discharged to the card discharge port 5 may intersect with each other in front of the printing unit, and the switching path 7 may be used to switch the conveying path. is there. As shown in FIG. 11A, a card supply device 8 that stocks a plurality of cards 2 and sequentially supplies the cards 2 to the card carry-in port can be provided at the card carry-in port 4. . With such a configuration, the card printer 1K can perform processing efficiently even when printing on both sides of the plurality of cards 2 is necessary.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, the card printer 1H can be configured such that the printing unit 20 is provided immediately after the card loading / unloading port 11. As a result, the card transport path can be significantly shortened, so that the printing time from the insertion of the card into the card printer to the ejection of the card printed on both sides can be further shortened.

It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the conventional card printer. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the conventional card printer. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the conventional card printer. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of a card printer. FIG. 5 is a side view of a card printer in which a partial configuration of the card printer shown in FIG. 4 is changed. It is a front view which shows the structure of a printing part and a rotation mechanism. It is a side view which shows the structure of a printing part and a rotation mechanism. It is a block diagram of the control system of a card printer. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in which a card printer prints on both surfaces of a card | curd. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in which a card printer prints on both surfaces of a card | curd. It is a side view which shows another schematic structure of a card printer.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1K, 1H-card printer 2-card 11-card loading / unloading port 12-card conveying path 13, 14, 32, 33-roller pair 15-loading / discharging sensor 16-front sensor 17, 28, 35, 64-motor 20-printing unit 21, 21a, 21b-frame 25k-cable 25-printing head 26-platen roller 27-rotating mechanism 34-rear sensor 42-cable guide 43a-spring 44a, 44b-solenoid 45a, 45b-plunger 51a, 51b -Body frame 53-Forward rotation stopper 54-Reverse rotation stopper 55-Forward rotation detection sensor 56-Reverse rotation detection sensor 29, 30, 61, 62, 63-Spur gear 71-Control unit 72-Drive circuit 73-Printing circuit 74-Memory

Claims (5)

In a card printer comprising: a card medium conveyance path that conveys a card medium carried from a card medium carry-in port; and a print head that performs printing on the card medium conveyed through the card medium conveyance path.
A platen roller provided facing the print head and the print head are integrally formed, and a printing unit capable of rotating 180 degrees symmetrically with respect to the card medium conveyance path;
Rotating means for rotating the printing means by 180 degrees;
After printing on one surface of the card medium by the print head, the card medium is transported rearward of the print head, the printing means is rotated 180 degrees by the rotating means, and then the card medium is reversed. Control means for discharging the card medium to the outside after being conveyed in the direction and printed on the other surface of the card medium by the print head;
Card printer with. A first sensor that is disposed behind the print head in the card medium conveyance path and detects the card medium;
2. The card printer according to claim 1, wherein the rotating unit rotates the printing unit by 180 degrees when the first sensor detects a rear end of the card medium printed on one surface. A second sensor that is disposed in front of the print head in the card medium conveyance path and detects the card medium;
3. The card printer according to claim 1, wherein the rotating unit rotates the printing unit by 180 degrees when the second sensor detects a rear end of the card medium printed on the other surface. A third sensor for detecting the card medium behind the card medium carry-in port of the card medium conveyance path;
4. The card printer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit conveys the card medium to the print head when the third sensor detects a front end of the card medium carried in from the card medium carry-in port. 5. . Storage means for storing an image of a specific surface of the card medium,
The third sensor is an image sensor that reads one side of a card medium,
The said control means discharges the said card | curd medium from the said entrance, when the image of one side of the card | curd medium which the said 3rd sensor read differs from the image of the specific surface which the said memory | storage means memorize | stores. 5. The card printer according to 4.

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