JP2008117415A - Information receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent data corruption when inserting and removing a removable medium at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: When a medium is inserted to the medium reader-writer 40 of a DSC reception service machine, the controller 43 of the medium reader-writer 40 detects it and outputs hot line control signals to a medium drive circuit 44 while detecting the medium. Also, the controller 43 detects an access period (from access start to access end) of accessing the medium by firmware from command communication with an OS and outputs drive control signals indicating the access period to the medium drive circuit 44. The medium drive circuit 44 electrically connects the power supply terminal and/or signal terminal of the medium only when the AND condition of the hot line control signals and the drive control signals is established. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information receiving apparatus, and more particularly to an information receiving apparatus that is installed in a storefront, a store, or the like and reads information such as images recorded in the medium from a medium brought by a user.

  Conventionally, data (image data and supplementary information necessary for ordering) from media (smart media, xD picture card, compact flash, SD card, memory stick, ATA PC card, floppy disk, etc.) used for digital still cameras (DSC) There is a DSC reception service machine that reads data) and receives orders such as prints.

  In this type of DSC reception service machine, it is an important requirement that the media and the data in the media are not physically, electrically, and data damaged.

1) About data corruption of recorded data in media For example, install a DSC store reception application software on Windows, which is a general operation system (OS), and connect a general media reader / writer as a peripheral device However, when configuring a DSC reception service machine, the file access date is automatically updated for OS management even if only the operation of reading the recorded data (image file) in the medium from the application software is performed. In particular, file information is updated (that is, data write operation) for the file system in the medium. A general media reader / writer is used as a peripheral device, and a write operation is performed in the background even if only reading operation of data in the media is performed.

  If the media is inserted or removed during this write operation, the data write operation is performed while the media is electrically unstable. Therefore, an illegal write operation is performed on the media, and the file system in the media is Information may be damaged and data may not be read correctly.

  In general, in order to improve the performance of the OS, the write data is temporarily cached in the internal memory according to the load status of the central processing unit (CPU) under the OS management for the write operation, and is actually executed at an appropriate timing. An operation called “delayed writing” is performed to write to the memory in the medium. Although there are cases where delayed writing can be suppressed depending on the setting and type of the OS, the actual situation is that it cannot be reliably controlled.

  This “delayed writing” is when the application software performs high-load processing such as image processing by multi-thread processing. For example, the actual writing operation may be performed after several tens of seconds have elapsed from the writing operation. . This delayed writing also occurs during the write operation for updating the file access date in the case of the read operation. Since this operation cannot be controlled from the application software, for example, when the media is replaced, the file update information of the previous media is written after the next media is inserted, and the file system information in the media of the next media has a considerable probability. Will be damaged.

  A major problem of the DSC service accepting machine is to reliably prevent data corruption caused by a combination of these OS-dependent write processing and media insertion / extraction operations.

  Conventionally, the following attempts have been made as measures for preventing a write operation (including delayed writing).

  As a first countermeasure, a command for flushing the cache is issued at the time of data reading to suppress delayed writing, and a write operation for updating the access date is performed almost simultaneously with the read access.

  As a second countermeasure, a graphic user interface (GUI) is notified during the operation so that the medium itself is write-protected, and the medium itself is read-only (read only (RO)). Specifically, in the case of smart media, a write protect sticker (conductive aluminum foil sticker) is put on the designated place, and in the case of an SD card or memory stick, the write protect switch is set to ON. .

2) Electrical data recording data corruption Chattering due to transient instability at the time of contact between the media and connector during media insertion is superimposed on the signal circuit of the media reader / writer to induce illegal write operations. May occur in rare cases, corrupting the file system information in the media and making it impossible to read data correctly.

  Conventionally, the following attempts have been made to prevent data corruption during media insertion / extraction.

  As a third countermeasure, there is a method of dealing with a media connector. The media connector itself devise a contact sequence, that is, the terminal position of the media connector is devised so as to contact in order of ground terminal → power supply terminal → write signal (write-inhibited state) terminal → each signal terminal at the time of insertion. At the time of removal, contact is released in the reverse sequence, thereby preventing an illegal writing operation due to chattering.

  As a fourth countermeasure, there is a method of controlling the power supply to the power supply terminal and the signal terminal of the media connector using the media detection signal of the media connector. This is because when a medium is inserted into the media slot, the medium is detected by the media detection switch, power is supplied to the medium after setting a certain time constant. The power supply to the media is cut off.

  As a fifth countermeasure, there is a method in which a lid is provided in the media insertion portion, and power supply to the media connector is controlled by opening and closing the lid.

  As a sixth countermeasure, a lid of an automatic opening / closing mechanism is provided in the media insertion portion, and the opening / closing of the lid and power supply to the media connector are controlled by application software.

  However, the first to sixth measures described above have the following problems.

  In the case of the first countermeasure, even if delayed writing can be suppressed, the actual writing operation cannot be suppressed. Therefore, it is impossible to completely prevent the data in the media from being damaged due to an operation error or an OS malfunction.

  In the case of the second countermeasure, the operation to write-protect the media itself is directly related to human operations, so some settings may be forgotten or there may be no write-protect mechanism such as compact flash. Is complete.

  In the case of the third countermeasure, there is a problem that a precise mechanism is required to mechanically realize this sequence in a slight contact range with the medium, resulting in an expensive media connector.

  In the case of the fourth countermeasure, chattering particularly when the power supply is cut off at the time of removal cannot be completely prevented and lack of certainty.

  In the case of the fifth measure, in normal operation, the power supply sequence is reliably observed, but it is difficult to understand the relationship between the lid and the media power supply. If the user inadvertently opens and closes the media while accessing the media, There is a possibility of machine malfunction. Also, if power supply control of the entire medium is performed with a single lid using a reader that supports various types of media, all the media slots cannot be used because the lid is damaged.

  In the case of the sixth measure, the power supply sequence is reliably observed, but since an automatic opening / closing mechanism for the lid of the media insertion unit is required, the cost is increased and the lid cannot be removed by closing the lid after the media is inserted. There is a psychological pressure on the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information receiving apparatus that can realize prevention of data corruption at the time of media insertion / extraction at low cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an information receiving apparatus that is installed in a storefront or in a store and reads information recorded in the medium from a medium brought by an arbitrary user. A storage means for storing application software for receiving information, and a central processing unit for performing processing for reading information recorded in the medium based on the operation system and application software for receiving information stored in the storage means A main unit such as a personal computer having a processing device; an operation unit connected to the main unit for performing an operation of reading information on the medium; and a medium connected to the main unit and to which the medium is attached / detached A reader / writer that communicates commands with the main unit and that is attached A media reader / writer having a controller for reading and writing data, and a media drive circuit that supplies power to the signal terminal and inputs / outputs signals to / from the signal terminal. Based on a command from the main body, it is determined whether or not the medium is being accessed. Only when it is determined that the medium is being accessed, the media drive circuit is connected to electrically connect the power supply terminal and / or signal terminal of the medium. It is characterized by control.

  That is, the controller can detect a period during which the main unit accesses the medium through command communication with the main unit (including command communication such as access start, end, power supply, etc.), and the medium only during this access. Is controlling the media drive circuit so that they are electrically connected. Therefore, since the medium is electrically disconnected before or after the start of access to the medium, chattering does not occur when the medium is attached or detached.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the controller is configured to electrically connect a power supply terminal and / or a signal terminal of the media based on a media detection signal indicating that a media is mounted on the media reader / writer. It is characterized by controlling the media drive circuit. The media detection signal can be obtained from a terminal connected to a media detection terminal provided in the media slot or a switch for detecting the mounting of the media.

  The operation unit includes a display unit and a touch panel provided on a screen of the display unit, and the application software for receiving information is information necessary for receiving information from the touch panel. A function to display an operation screen for inputting the image on the display means and to display a warning display on the display means for warning that the medium attached to the media reader / writer is not removed while the medium is being accessed. The main body is realized.

  In other words, an operation screen is displayed on the display means by application software for information reception, and an appropriate input is performed on the touch panel of the operation screen, so that an interface with the user is taken and the reception device is easy to understand. In addition, by notifying the user of the state of the media reader / writer, the media is prevented from being removed while accessing the media.

  According to the present invention, the media drive circuit is controlled so that the medium is electrically connected only during the access to the medium, and the medium is electrically disconnected before or after the start of the access to the medium. Occurrence of chattering when a medium is attached or detached can be suppressed, and data corruption can be prevented. Note that chattering can be prevented from occurring when a medium is attached or detached by performing power supply control to the medium based on a media detection signal indicating that the medium is loaded in the media reader / writer.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an information receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information receiving apparatus (DSC receiving service machine) according to the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the DSC reception service machine 10 is installed in a store or in a store, reads information (image data) recorded in the medium from the DSC media brought by the user, and based on the image data. The main body 20 such as a personal computer (PC), a liquid crystal display 30 with a touch panel as a peripheral device connected to the main body 20, a media reader / writer 40, and a receipt printer 50 are provided. It consists of and. In addition, a printer 60 is connected to the DSC acceptance service machine 10. The printer 60 can be installed at a location different from the installation location of the DSC acceptance service machine 10 by being connected by a local area network (LAN) or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the main body unit 20.

  As shown in the figure, the main unit 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21 that mainly controls the operation of each component, a main memory 22 that stores a control program for the device, and serves as a work area when the program is executed. A hard disk device 23 storing an operating system (OS) such as Windows, device drivers for peripheral devices connected to the main unit 20, various application software including DSC reception service software, and user images, etc. A ROM drive 24, a display memory 25 for temporarily storing display data, an interface for peripheral devices (display I / F, touch panel I / F, USB (Universal Serial Bus), etc.) 27, modem 27, and the above It is comprised from the bus | bath 28 which connects each component.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a software configuration in the main unit 20.

  The main unit 20 can efficiently construct various systems by using various interface groups (including driver software) under OS management and incorporating application software such as DSC reception service software. In the case of the DSC reception service machine 10, DSC reception service software is incorporated in the main unit 20 as application software.

  As shown in FIG. 3, this DSC reception service software communicates with the OS via the application I / F software, and the OS is a peripheral device (liquid crystal display 30 with a touch panel (display, touch panel), media reader / writer 40, A series of DSC reception is realized by controlling the receipt printer 50, the printer 60, and various devices on the network) via each driver software.

  The DSC reception service software causes the user to operate the touch panel according to the operation screen by displaying the operation screen on the liquid crystal display 30 with a touch panel as will be described later, and also displays the operation screen according to the user's operation. Data is input from a peripheral device (for example, the media reader / writer 40) while sequentially switching, and the internal processing (for example, image processing) corresponding to the operation is executed and the data is output to the peripheral device (for example, the printer 60). By doing so, the DSC print service is executed.

  The media reader / writer 40 is a reader unit for reading data from media, and supports various removable media such as smart media, xD picture cards, compact flash, SD cards, memory sticks, ATA PC cards, floppy disks and the like. Yes.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the media reader / writer 40.

  As shown in the figure, the media reader / writer 40 includes a connection connector 41, an interface (I / F) circuit 42, a controller 43 controlled by small-scale control software called firmware, a media drive circuit 44, A media slot 45 and an access lamp 46 are included.

  The controller 43 (firmware) communicates with the media reader driver software in the main unit 20 and performs function control such as data reading while being closely related to the hardware of the media reader / writer 40.

  The controller 43 is connected to the main unit 20 via the connection connector 41 and the I / F circuit 42. In this embodiment, a USB I / F generally used in a PC is adopted as the I / F with the main body unit 20.

  The media reader / writer 40 is controlled by firmware installed in the controller 43. This firmware is written in a flash memory in the controller (or outside), and the control method can be changed and bugs can be dealt with by rewriting the firmware by the firmware uploader function.

  The controller (firmware) 43 can perform command communication with the main body unit 20 to read and write data in the media inserted into the media slot 45. In this example, the media slot is represented by one for simplification, but the actual DSC reception service machine 10 is provided with a plurality of media slots in order to support various media.

  The media drive circuit 44 drives the media loaded in the media slot 45 according to the control signal of the controller 43, accesses (writes / reads) the media, and displays the status of the media with the access lamp 46.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the DSC acceptance operation and processing in the DSC acceptance service machine 10.

[Step S10]
When the DSC acceptance service machine 10 is activated, a service selection screen is displayed as an initial screen on the liquid crystal display 30 with a touch panel. When the “digital camera print” button is touched on the service selection screen, the process proceeds to step S12.

[Step S12]
When a button for selecting a print size is displayed and the desired button is touched, the print size is determined, and the process proceeds to step S14.

[Step S14]
An operation screen for setting media in the media reader / writer 40 is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 5, media that can be set in the media reader / writer are smart media and compact flash. In addition, a “read” button is displayed on the operation screen, and the following notes are displayed.
・ Be sure to set the media and press the “Read” button.
・ After pressing the “Read” button, do not remove the media until instructed to do so.
・ Incorrect handling may damage the media.

  When the “read” button is touched after setting the media in the media reader / writer 40, a thumbnail image is read from the media, and the process proceeds to step S16.

[Step S16]
A thumbnail screen of 8 frames is displayed based on the thumbnail image of each frame read from the media. When the “previous photo” or “next photo” button is touched on this operation screen, the thumbnail screen of the other eight frames in the media is displayed.

  In addition, by touching the “+” and “−” buttons provided for each thumbnail image, the number of prints for each frame can be set. One sheet can be designated. When the “next” button is touched, the process proceeds to step S18.

[Step S18]
A screen for confirming the order details is displayed. Here, the print size, the number of prints, and the usage fee are displayed. After confirming the order contents, when the “order” button is touched, the process proceeds to step S20.

[Step S20]
A screen indicating that the image data of the frame ordered for printing from the media is being read is displayed, and a warning message “Please do not remove the media” is also displayed. When the reading process ends, the process proceeds to step S22.

  Note that the receipt slip is printed out from the receipt printer 50 during the reading process. On this reception slip, the reception date and time, the reception machine ID, the reception number, the service type, the print size, the number of prints, etc. are printed.

[Step S22]
When this operation screen is displayed, the media can be taken out. If the “OK” button is touched after the medium is removed, the screen returns to the service selection screen in step S10.

  Thereafter, the user passes the receipt slip to the store clerk and receives an order copy of the DP bag from the store clerk. After the print photo is finished, the print photo can be received by presenting an order copy and paying the usage fee.

[Supports hot-swapping]
Next, a description will be given of hot-line insertion / removal for preventing illegal signals that are transiently generated due to chattering during media insertion / removal.

  The hot wire insertion / removal means that the power to the medium is stopped at the time of inserting / removing the medium so that there is no electrical connection to the media terminal.

  In this embodiment, the media reader / writer 40 can control power supply to the media slot 45 by a drive control command from the OS (driver software) in order to reliably and inexpensively implement. Thus, power supply control is performed by a combination of the firmware and the media drive circuit 44. This is realized by combining with the GUI control of the DSC reception service software of the DSC reception service machine 10.

  Specifically, the controller 43 of the media reader / writer 40 can input a media detection signal from the media slot 45 as shown in FIG.

  Here, the case of smart media will be described as an example of the media detection signal.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a terminal portion 48 including a plurality of terminal pads (1st to 22nd pads) is provided on one surface of the smart media 47. Reference numeral 49 denotes a position where a write protect seal is pasted.

  The media connector in the media slot 45 in which the smart media 47 is mounted has a terminal portion that contacts each pad of the terminal portion 48 and the position 49 where the protect seal is pasted. The media reader / writer 40 includes: Power can be supplied to the smart media 47 through the media drive circuit 44 and the terminal portion of the media connector, and data in the media can be read and written.

  The controller 43 of the media reader / writer 40 then detects the media detection signal from the terminal of the media connector that can contact the 11th pad of the smart media 47 (a signal that is at the L level when it is in contact with the 11th pad). ) To detect whether or not a medium is attached to the media connector. Note that a detection switch that mechanically or optically detects the presence or absence of a medium may be provided in the media connector, and the controller 43 may detect the presence or absence of the medium based on the detection output of the detection switch. .

  The controller 43 outputs a live line control signal (H level signal) to the media drive circuit 44 while the media is detected by the media detection signal.

  Further, the controller 43 detects an access period (access start to access end) from the firmware through command communication with the OS, and sends a drive control signal (H level signal) indicating the access period to the media drive circuit 44. Output.

  FIG. 7 is a main circuit diagram of the media drive circuit 44. The media drive circuit 44 is provided with a NAND circuit 44A to which the live line control signal and the drive control signal are input, and a drive circuit (input / output / bidirectional) 3-state buffer circuit 44B connected to the medium. ing.

  The 3-state buffer circuit 44B is controlled to be in a high impedance state when the output signal (power supply control signal) of the NAND circuit 44A is not in an active state (power supply control signal is active low). (In the case of the smart media 47 shown in FIG. 6, at least the 6th to 9th pads (Data0 to Data3) and the 13th to 16th pads (Data4 to Data7)) are electrically disconnected from the media reader / writer 40.

  Similarly, supply of power (Vcc) to a power supply terminal to the medium (12 and 22 pads in the case of the smart media 47 shown in FIG. 6) is also a large capacity 3-state buffer circuit or switch circuit, for example. Can be controlled through.

  With the above hot-swap support, the media terminal can be disconnected from the media reader / writer 40 except for the period when the media is loaded and the media is being accessed, and chattering when inserting / removing the media into / from the media slot can be performed. It can be prevented (that is, data destruction in the medium can be prevented).

  In the case of the DSC reception operation and processing procedure shown in FIG. 5, when a “read” button is touched after setting the media in the media reader / writer in step S14, a process for reading a thumbnail image from the media. Therefore, the data terminal of the medium is electrically connected at this time. Thereafter, when the image data reading process in step S20 is completed and the process proceeds to step S22, the medium is electrically disconnected.

  The access lamp 46 of the media reader / writer 40 uses, for example, a two-color LED of green and orange. When the power is not supplied to the media, the light is turned off and when the power is supplied to the media. By turning on the green LED and turning on the orange LED during access, the state of the media reader / writer 40 can be notified to the user. In addition, by displaying on the GUI that “Please do not remove the media while the access lamp is lit”, it is possible to reliably notify the user of the media insertion / removal timing.

  Further, in step S14 shown in FIG. 5, when a medium is detected, reading may be automatically started. In this case, the “read” button can be omitted, and it is easier to use and A highly reliable GUI can be realized.

[Read-only support (RO support)]
The media reader / writer 40 of the DSC reception service machine 10 performs a write operation for updating the access date with respect to the file in the medium by the OS management mechanism even for the read operation to the medium. In order to solve the problem, it is configured as a read-only machine.

  That is, by making the media reader / writer 40 firmware RO compatible, the media reader / writer 40 is made a read-only machine.

  Specifically, the following two treatments are performed.

  1) The media reader / writer 40 (firmware) notifies the main unit 20 (OS) that the media loaded in the media reader / writer 40 is a read-only (RO) media.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an RO compatible media data read sequence.

  As shown in the figure, when a medium is inserted into a media slot, the media reader / writer 40 (firmware) notifies the OS that the inserted medium is an RO medium. This RO media notification can be realized in the exchange of command communication with the OS at an appropriate timing such as when the OS is started or when the media is inserted. Note that the RO medium is notified regardless of whether the medium itself is write-protected or not even in the case of a medium that does not have the write-protect function.

  After that, when the operator touches the “read” button on the operation screen and makes a data read request (see step S14 in FIG. 5), the OS is notified of the data read request. When the OS accepts the data read request, it reads data from the media via the media reader / writer 40. However, since the OS accepts that the media is in the RO state in advance, the write operation for updating the access date is performed. The write operation is not performed. In addition, by notifying the application software that performs the write operation that the medium is RO media, the data write operation can be prohibited with respect to the media.

  2) When a write command is issued from the OS, the OS notifies the OS that the medium is RO media (RO error), and the firmware does not perform a write operation on the media. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent writing to the medium even in the event of an unexpected writing operation of the OS.

  Further, when a write command is issued from the OS, the write operation may be received as a dummy instead of notifying the RO error as described above, and the write operation may not actually be executed on the medium.

  In the above-described embodiment, the media is RO-compliant by notifying that the media is RO media. However, the media reader / writer may be RO-compatible by notifying that the media is an RO device. Good.

  On the other hand, the media write signal may be hard wired so as not to be activated in hardware.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a pull-up power supply is connected to the line a via the switch 72 so that the output line a of the write protect detection unit 70 is always at the H level. As a result, the inverter 74 always outputs a write protect signal (Acdy Blow) WP regardless of whether or not the RO media is detected by the write protect detector 70.

  Note that a media reader / writer having a write protect function has a write protect detection unit for detecting whether or not the media is write protected. By using this, it is possible to easily support RO. Can do. Further, the switch 72 is controlled to be in an ON state when RO is supported, and to be in an OFF state when a writing service described later is provided.

  In the case of a medium provided with a write permission terminal, the media drive circuit may be configured to always output a signal for deactivating the write permission to the write permission terminal. In the case of the smart media 47 shown in FIG. 6, an H level signal (inactive signal) is always output to the fifth pad (write permission terminal) of the terminal portion 48.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a media data read sequence corresponding to RO and hot-swap.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when a medium is inserted into a media slot, the media reader / writer 40 (firmware) notifies the OS that the inserted medium is an RO medium as described with reference to FIG. .

  Thereafter, when the operator touches the “read” button on the operation screen, power is supplied to the medium, and then the OS is notified that there is a data read request. When the OS accepts the data read request, it reads data from the media via the media reader / writer 40. However, since the OS accepts that the media is in the RO state in advance, the write operation for updating the access date is performed. No write operation is performed.

  When the reading of data from the medium is completed, the power supply to the medium is stopped and the medium can be taken out.

  The DSC reception service device 10 of this embodiment reads image data from the user's media for the print service. However, if this DSC reception service device 10 is connected to a CD-R writer. A CD-R writing service for writing the read image data to the CD-R can be realized, and if connected to a network center via a network, the image data can be uploaded to the network center to store images, etc. Various services can be realized.

  In addition, by incorporating writing service software into the DSC acceptance service machine 10, it is possible to provide a reception machine that also serves as a media writing service. For example, the image data read by the DSC reception service device 10 is stored, and when the user deletes the image data by mistake, the stored image data is written to the medium in response to a request from the user. Write service can be performed.

  In this case, the DSC reception service device 10 switches the media reader / writer 40 to the RO mode (in the case of the media reception service) or the RW mode (in the case of the media writing service) according to the service. Switching between the RO mode and the RW mode can be performed by switching between the firmware for the RO mode and the firmware for the RW mode using a media reader operation setting command from the application software. If the hardware is RO-compatible, control is performed such that the switch 72 shown in FIG. 9 is turned on in the RO mode and the switch 72 is turned off in the RW mode.

  In this embodiment, image data has been described as an example of information handled by the accepting machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any information can be applied as long as the information is read from the media brought by the user.

Schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information reception device (DSC reception service machine) according to the present invention The block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the main-body part (PC) of a DSC reception service machine Schematic diagram of the software configuration in the main unit Block diagram showing a configuration example of a media reader / writer of a DSC reception service machine Flowchart showing the flow of DSC reception operation and processing in the DSC reception service machine Plan view showing terminal structure of smart media Main part circuit diagram of media driver circuit of media reader / writer Diagram showing RO compatible media data read sequence The figure which shows an example of the circuit which outputs the write-protect signal in a media reader / writer Diagram showing media data read sequence for RO and hot-swap

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... DSC reception service machine, 20 ... Main part (PC), 21 ... Central processing unit (CPU), 22 ... Main memory, 23 ... Hard disk drive, 26 ... Interface for peripheral devices, 30 ... Liquid crystal display with a touch panel, 40 ... Media reader / writer, 43 ... Controller, 44 ... Media drive circuit, 44A ... Nand circuit, 44B ... 3-state buffer circuit, 45 ... Media slot, 46 ... Access lamp, 47 ... Smart media

Claims (3)

In an information reception device that is installed in a store or in a store and reads information recorded in the media from a media brought by any user,
Storage means for storing operation system and application software for receiving information, and processing for reading information recorded in the medium based on the operation system and information reception application software stored in the storage means A main unit such as a personal computer having a central processing unit for performing
An operation means connected to the main body for performing an operation of reading information on the media;
A media reader / writer that is connected to the main body and to / from which the medium is attached / detached, performs a command communication with the main body, and reads / writes the loaded media, and a power source for the media A media reader / writer having a media drive circuit that supplies power to the terminals and inputs / outputs signals to / from the signal terminals,
The controller determines whether or not the medium is being accessed based on a command from the main body, and the power supply terminal and / or the signal terminal of the medium are electrically connected only when it is determined that the medium is being accessed. An information receiving apparatus that controls a media drive circuit.   The controller controls the media drive circuit to electrically connect a power supply terminal and / or a signal terminal of the media based on a media detection signal indicating that the media is loaded in the media reader / writer. The information receiving apparatus according to claim 1.   The operation means includes a display means and a touch panel provided on a screen of the display means, and the application software for receiving information is an operation screen for inputting information necessary for receiving information from the touch panel. Is displayed on the display means, and the main body unit has a function of causing the display means to display a warning display that warns the user not to remove the media while accessing the media loaded in the media reader / writer. The information receiving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

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