Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2C~ 9
NAGNETIC ENCODING DEVICE FO~ CARDS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a magnetic encoding
apparatus for encoding and reading information on a
magnetic stripe of a plastic card such as a credit card,
an automatic teller machine card, or other sheet
material such as fare tickets or passbooks. Nagnetic
stripe encoding is typically performed along with other
card processing operations such as embossing for
graphics applications.
Magnetic encoded stripes are widely used on credit
cards and other cards. Mechanisms for recording
information onto the magnetic stripes are well known in
the field. Such a mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Patent
No. 4,518,853 to Gabel et al. The Gabel et al. patent
discloses an encoding apparatus for transporting a card
from one end of an encoding apparatus and out the other
end, but is not well suited for receiving and delivering
a card from the same end and is relatively large and
expensive.
Reading apparatus which are compact and low cost are
also well known in the field. Such an apparatus is
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,476,507 to Koike et al.
The Koike patent uses a plurality of roller pairs and
as30ciated drive belts which limit head mounting
locations. The Koike patent also uses a fixed lower
guide, decreasing the card positioning reliability.
Mechanisms for encoding or reading information and
receiving and delivering a card from the same end are
also known in the field. Such a device is the Sanak
Model MCT375-3A0130 from Sankyo Manufacturing. The
Sankyo encoding device uses three rollers which are not
spaced about the same center line and requires constant
j 35 card velocity (encode by velocity) for accurate encoding
and does not allow for encoding by position. The drive
belts and roller mounting of the device limit the
positioning and number of encoding heads.
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SRD Neuron Model NTM2903-3R-0101 is an encoding
apparatus receiving and delivering cards from the same
end. The SRD encoder includes three rollers and two
drive belts. The encoder includes angled rollers which
will bias the card sideways. This will greatly increase
wear on the rollers as the rollers are constantly
slipping on the card. The encoding apparatus includes a
fixed head which is used for encoding by velocity and
has no direct tie to the position of the card, thereby
increasing chances of encoding error.
A Sanwa Model CRA-2000B is an encoding apparatus
receiving and delivering cards from the same end. The
encoding apparatus uses three rollers and two drive
belts and encodes by velocity. The Sanwa encoding
apparatus does not include resilient side members
biasing the card, allowing the card to move sideways
along the card transport path increasing the probability
of misalignment and encoding errors.
It is important that the card is correctly aligned
2 0 80 that contact is maintained between the magnetic
stripe and the encoding head in the correct position.
Prior alignment methods have not adequately addressed
the problem of properly aligning and biasing the card
during contact with the encoding head. Multiple pairs
of drive rollers found in prior devices will also engage
the card during encoding and reading leading to
increased errors.
The prior encoding apparatus have not adequately
solved the problem of having a small encoding device
which receives and delivers cards from the same end, is
low cost and reliable, allows many configurations for
mounting encoding heads, and encodes accurately. Prior
devices have included a number of the rollers and drive
belts for advancing the card. The small rollers have
axles extending across the transport path limiting the
mounting positions for encoding heads, thereby limiting
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fle~ibility in adapting to different magnetic stripe
requirements.
It is evident that a small, reliable, and accurate
encoding apparatus is required which is durable and low
cost. The present invention solves these and other
problems associated with mechanisms for encoding
magnetic stripes.
SUNMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an encoding
apparatus for encoding or reading information on a
magnetic stripe on a plastic card. More particularly,
the present invention receives and delivers cards from a
same end for returning to a user, such as in an
automatic teller machine. According to the present
invention, cards are manually inserted into a slot
defining a first end of a card transport path. The card
i8 inserted until engaged by card driving means. Card
driving means comprise a drive roller opposing an idler
roller. The card is positioned so that the magnetic
stripe on the card passes an encoding head mounted along
the card transport path. Side support members maintain
even pressure again~t the edge of the card so that the
card is properly positioned at all times. Encoding
means coupled to the idler roller will encode only when
the idler roller is rotated so that encoding by position
is achieved. The encoding means writes or reads along
the card magnetic stripe as the card is pinched between
the idler roller and drive roller.
When the card has passed completely beyond the
encoding head, the card engages a stop at a second end
of the card transport path. The direction of the drive
roller is then reversed so that the card may be read as
the card is fed back out through the slot. If upon
reading of the magnetic stripe, a problem or error is
detected, the card can be re-fed by changing the feed
2Q31 Cl~
direction of the drive roller and the card can be re-
encoded or reread.
The drive roller is driven by a small motor having a
motor shaft engaging the periphery of the roller. A
5 single drive roller is advantageous for minimizing the
number of parts and allowing greater head mounting
configuration. The drive roller is a relatively large
rubber roller which provides both driving contact and
resilience for maintaining contact against the card so
lO that no additional springs are required. The encoding
means is in communication with the idler roller so that
encoding by position is achieved. In this manner, if
the card slows, encoding is still accurately placed on
the card. Multiple densities of encoded information may
15 be accurately placed on the magnetic stripe of the card
by sizing the diameter of the idler roller in
conformance with the resolution of a relatively low cost
encoding apparatus. It will be appreciated that
encoding by velocity would also be provided for with
20 this device.
According to the present invention, a drive roller
shaft does not extend entirely across the card transport
path and the drive shaft of th0 motor engages the
periphery of the drive roller a distance from the card
25 transport path, so that greater head mounting diversity
q is allowed. Alternatively, the drive roller may be
mounted directly to the drive shaft of the motor. In
this manner encoding heads and mounting springs may be
mounted opposing one another for reading stripes on
30 opposite sides of the card or more than one head may be
mounted on a side for reading two or more magnetic
stripes on a side of the card.
A photocell may be used for detecting the leading
edge of the card so that encoding begins at the proper
-~ 35 position. If a photocell is not used, the idler roller
does not contact the drive roller but contacts the card
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upon insertion into the encoding apparatus. Encoding
begins when the idler roller engages the card. ;
The side support members are resiliently biased
against an edge of the card upon insertion into the card
transport path. Side members are mounted along one edge
of the transport path about the encoding position so
that as the edge of the card passes an edge of the first
side support member, the card engages the second side
support member before the card may misalign. As the
card continues along the transport path, the card is
supported to a greater extent by the second side support
member so that the card continues to be properly
aligned. This is advantageous over a rigid support
wherein no flexure is allowed for card irregularities.
Likewise, the dual support system closely mounted
together provides greater alignment than a single
support wherein the card ~ecomes supported only at a
single point as the card approaches the end of the
support . -,
These and various other advantages and features of
novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out
with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and
forming a part hereof. However, for a better
understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the
objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to
the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to
the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is
illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
In the drawings wherein like reference numerals and
letters indicate corresponding elements throughout the
several views:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of a magnetic encoding apparatus according to
the principles of the present invention;
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FIG. 2 is a top view of the encoding apparatus shown
in FIG. 1 with part of the frame and motox removed;
FIG. 3A is a side view of the card feeding means of
the encoding apparatus shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 3~ is a side view of an alternate em~odiment of
the card feeding means according to the principles of
the present invention;
FIG. 4 îs a side view of the encoding apparatus
shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the frame removed;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the card transport path of
the encoding apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with a card
inserted at the entrance of the card transport path and
held by a side member;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the card transport path
shown in FIG. 5 with the card in an intermediate
position held by two side members; -
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an encoding density
control circuit; and
FIG. 8 is a ~eries of waveforms illustrating the
signals which appear in the circuit shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRE~ERRED ENBODIMENT
In FIG. 1 is shown a perspective view of an encoding
apparatu~ 20. The encoding apparatus 20 defines a card
transport path wherein cards are received, then encoded
or read and returned through the same opening. The
encoding apparatus 20 includes encoder 22 supported by a
frame 24 defining the base of the card transport path.
A card is inserted into a card ~lot formed by the frame
24, a top member 46 and a first side support member 42.
Upon insertion, a card is engaged by feeding means 26
and advanced for encoding or reading and fed back out
through the slot formed by the top member 46 and the
frame 24.
The feeding means 26 comprise a motor 30 having a
shaft 32 protruding therefrom. The shaft 32 engages the
~, drive roller 28 about its periphery. The drive roller
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28 comprises a rubber roller, in a preferred embodiment
the drive roller 28 has a diameter of about 3.75 cm. In
this manner, the shaft 32 can engaqe the drive roller 28
without slippage and with a minimum of wear. The single
drive roller 28 provides for greater freedom in encoding
head positioning and provides for a plurality of
encoding heads to be mounted. The motor shaft 32 `
engaging the periphery of the drive roller 28 eliminates
roller axles extending across the card transport path,
thereby limiting encoding head configuration. The drive
roller 28 also allows axle 29 for the drive roller 28 to
be away from the card transport path so that neither the
motor 30 nor the axle 29 of the drive roller 28
interfere with encoding head mounting.
As shown in FIG. 2, the card transport path extends
along the frame 24 from the inlet slot at top member 46
and extends along the framework to an end stop 48. The
single large drive roller 28 provides for mounting of an
encoding head 36 and spring 38 next to the drive roller
28. A photocell 40 opposite the encoding head 36
detects the presence of a card for encoding positioning.
However, as will be explained hereinafter, the photocell
40 may be removed and the encodin~ head 36 and spring 38
may be moved for encoding on either side of the drive
roller 28.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the drive roller 28 has
an idler roller 34 mounted below the drive roller 28.
The drive roller 28 and the idler roller 34 may or may
not be in contact with one another. When the card 50 is
inserted, the idler roller 34 forces the card 50 into
contact with the drive roller 28 for advancing the card
' 50.
It an alternate embodiment, the drive roller 28 is
mounted directly to the motor shaft 32, as shown in FIG.
35 3B.
; It can be appreciated that as the card 50 is
advanced by the drive roller 28, the idler roller 34 is
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rotated by the card 50. As shown in FIG. 4, this
becomes important as the encoder 22 is directly coupled
to the idler roller 34. The encoder 22 only encodes
when the card is advancing so that the idler roller 34
rotates, providing for encoding by position. Even if
the drive roller 28 slips with respect to the card 50,
the idler roller 34 rotates only if the card 50 is
advanced so that encoding is still accurately placed. .
It can be appreciated that because the encoder 22 is
linked to the idler roller 34, the photocell 40 is not
required, as detection of the presence of the card 50
can be done by the idler roller 34 rotating with the
movement of the card 50. In this case the idler roller
34 does not contact the drive roller 28.
As shown in FIG. 4, the encoding head 36 may be
mounted above or below the card transport path for
encoding on a stripe of the card 50. The encoding head
36 may be mounted on either side of the card transport
path depending on the configuration of the stripes on
the card 50. It can also be appreciated that with the
configuration of the encoding apparatus 20, the encoding
heads 36 may be mounted on both sides of the card
transport path for encoding on opposing stripes on the
card 50 if an encoding head 36 is required on only one
~ide of the card 50, an opposing roller 37 may be added
to maintain contact with the card. The freedom in
encoding head 36 mounting enables the encoding apparatus
20 to be easily changed to accommodate a variety of
stripe configurations on the card 50. It can be
appreciated that the drive roller 28 contacts the card
50 at a single location along the card transport path
and allows for reversibility of the drive roller 28 for
delivering the card 50 in either direction along the
card transport path.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the top member 46
limits the thickness of the card 50 that can be inserted
into the card transport path. The top member 46 extends
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only a portion of the way across the card transport path
60 that embossed letters are not inserted under the top
member 46. This insures that the card 50 will be
inserted into the slot in the correct position.
As sh~wn in FIGS. 5 and 6, the card transport path
is defined at one side by first and second side members
42 and 44. As shown in FIG. 1, the first side member 42
provides support against an edge of the card 50 and also
holds the edge of the card 50 downward flat against the ~~
frame 24 for insuring proper alignment of the card 50
against the edge of the frame 24. As can be seen in
FIG. 5, upon insertion of the card 50, the first side
member 42 is pushed back away from the card transport
path as shown in FIG. 5. In this manner, the first side
member 42 provides even pressure on the side of the card
5~ so that the card 50 is properly positioned for
encoding. The pressure is placed e~ually along the
entire side of the card 50 and is not at a single point
80 that the card 50 does not pivot out of alignment.
Upon advancement of the card 50, the card is supported
somawhat less by the first side member 42. However,
before the side support of the first side member 42 is
lessened to a great degree which may allow misalignment
of the card 50, the card 50 engages the second side
1 25 member 44 and is supported by both side members 42 and
i 44.
As shown in FIG. 6, as the card 50 is further
advanced, the card 50 remains supported by both side
members 42 and 44 at each corner of the card 50, thereby
maintaining contact against the frame 24. As the card
50 is further advanced along the path, the edge becomes
supported by the second side member 44 in the same
manner that the card 50 is supported by the first side
member 42. The card 50 engages the end stop 48 and is
returned for exiting along the card transport path by
the driYe roller 28 and supported by side members 42 and
~ 44. This arrangement provides substantial support along
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the edge of the card 50 and allows for card
irregularities. This support and flexure is not
provided in encoding apparatuses in which the sides are
defined only by a frame and not by resilient side
members. A single side member does not provide adequate
support as a card deflects the support at the member end
and there is not a second support member to align the
card.
In the preferred embodiment, the end stop 48 is a
resilient member used to return the card 50 to the drive
roller 28. In an alternate embodiment, the end stop 48
may be a rigid member which does not allow the card 50
to leave contact with the drive roller 28. In yet
another embodiment, the end stop 48 may be removed to
allow the card 50 to pass out the opposite end at the
card transport path.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show how two widely used in~ormation
densities are accurately recorded onto the magnetic
stripe of the card 50. The circuitry 51 converts a
phase A waveform 52 and phase B waveform 54 from the
encoder 22 into a pulse train 58 which is used as a card
position reference for recording information onto the
card 50. For example, in the low density waveform 62, a
"1" consists of a first portion with a length equal to 5
pulses of pulse train 58 and a second portion with a
length equal to 6 pulses of pulse train 58. High
density 60 and low density 62 waveforms are then used to
control the encoding head 36 which records the
information onto the card 50. By proper sizing of the
idler roller 34 in cooperation with the pulse train 58
from the circuitry 51, both densities 60,62 will be
accurate to within 1%. In an alternate embodiment
wherein encoding is by velocity, the pulse train 58 is
used as a feedback reference with which to control the
speed of the drive roller 28 resulting in a relatively
constant velocity of the card 50. The waveform to
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control the head 36 is at a constant frequency matched
to the intended velocit~ of the card 50.
It is to be understood, however, that even though
numerous characteristics and advantages of the present
invention have been set forth in the foregoing
description, together with details of the structure and
function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,
especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of
parts within the principles of the invention to the full
extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the
terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
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