WO2004036512A1

WO2004036512A1 - Automatic identity certification device

Info

Publication number: WO2004036512A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheol-Ho Ju
Original assignee: Xtm Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-10-15
Filing date: 2003-10-15
Publication date: 2004-04-29
Also published as: AU2003269549A1

Abstract

An automatic identity certification device discriminates whether various identification cards such as an integrated circuit card including a smart card, an identification card, a resident registration card, a driver's license and certificates an adult by reading the data recorded on the ID card. The an automatic identity certification device includes a communication block, a card recognition block for recognizing contact of a smart card inserted through one of inlets of the selling machine, reading the information of a corresponding smart card and transmitting the read information to the main control block, a storage block for storing an identification card certification information and an adult identification information so as to sale the products, a first identification card recognition block, an identity confirmation block and a motor controller for controlling a motor to open a corresponding inlet by driving the motor under the control of the main control block.

Description

AUTOMATIC IDENTITY CERTIFICATION DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an identity certification in a self-service stand such as, a cigarette- vending machine, a liquor-vending machine, a ticketing machine of a public performance for an adult or in a vending machine and other adult certification device; and, more particularly, to an automatic identity certification device capable of discriminating the truth of an identification card such as an integrated circuit (IC) card including a smart card, -a certificate of residence, a driver's license or the like and authenticating the truth of adult being older than 19 years old on a civil law or a youth protection law by reading the data recorded on the identification card.

Description of the Prior Art

Currently, the civil law or a youth protection law protects juveniles under the full 19 years legally from buying the products that require the adult identification for a cigarette, liquor, a ticket of public performance for adult or the like.

Therefore, when the products to require the adult identification are sold, the dealer directly confirms the identification card with the naked eyes with requiring the exhibit of the identification card to the purchaser or the dealer confirms whether the purchaser is an adult or not by confirming the figure of the purchaser, the dealer sells the products when the confirm result is affirmative.

Although, the manless sale booth or the vending machine to sale the products without depending the place and the time due to the increment of the personal expenses or the development of the technology have been propagated widely, the place where the manless sale booth or the vending machine to sale the adult product is installed is very restricted due to the legal regulation (that is, the certification process necessary for the sale of the products required for the adult identification) and the technical limit of the certification technology.

Here, considering to the limit of the certification technology, it is difficult that the identification card certification device currently developed is applied to the manless sale booth or the vending machine since it certifies the identification card by reading the date of birth recorded on the identification card and it does not discriminates the forgery identification card forfeited by a low technical level. And also, since the identification card certification device is a high price and it cannot apply to the composite identification card due to only a restricted identification card, it is very difficult to certificate a newly update identification card without changing the module. That is, the identification card applied to the manless sale booth or the vending machine is very restrictive, the purchaser does not use the manless sale booth or the vending machine although he has various identification cards. Therefore, if adult identification devices with cheap and easily and widely used are applied, the products required to the adult identification are sold without depending on the place, the time and the kinds of the identification cards.

Summary of the Invention

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide solve the above-described problems of the conventional method and to provide an automatic identity certification device for discriminating whether various identification cards such as an integrated circuit (IC) card including a smart card, an identification (ID) card, a resident registration card, a driver' s license or the like and for certificating an adult by reading the data recorded on the ID card.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic identity certification device for use in a selling machine which comprises a communication means for transmitting and receiving an identity confirm information to sale products by communicating with a main control block of the selling machine; a card recognition means for recognizing contact of a smart card inserted through one of inlets of the selling machine, reading the information of a corresponding smart card and transmitting the read information to the main control block through the communication means; a storage means for storing an ' identification card certification information and an adult identification information so as to sale the products; a first identification card recognition means for recognizing a contact of a first identification card having the same size with the smart card and inserted through one of the inlets together with the card recognition means and for detecting a surface information of a corresponding identification card; an identity confirmation means for discriminating whether or not the corresponding first identification card is an original by comparing the surface information of the first identification card' with the identification card certification information and the adult identification information and for certificating the status whether a user of the first identification card is adult or not; and a motor control means for controlling a motor to open a corresponding inlet by driving the motor under the control of the main control block. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic identity certification device which further comprises a second identification card recognition means for recognizing a contact of a second identification card having a size different from that of the smart card, by detecting a surface information of a corresponding second identification card and transmitting the detected surface information to the an identity confirmation means, for discriminating whether the corresponding second identification card is true or not by comparing the surface information of the second identification card with the identification card certification information and an adult identification information and for certificating the status whether a user of the second identification card is an adult or not.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an identity certification device of a selling machine which comprises an inserting member exposed to outside and provided with at least one slots for guiding the insertion of an identification card or a card; a smart card reader unit for reading information recorded on the smart card; an identification card confirmation unit for discriminating a truth of the identification card and certifying whether a user is an adult or not by comparing an obtained surface information of the identification card with a previously stored identification certification information and the adult identification information; and an adaptor installed on a unit installation member provided for each of the smart card reader unit and the identification card confirmation unit and electrically connected thereto through each of connectors for connecting each of the units to the inserting member. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic identity certification device for discriminating whether various identification cards such ^'as an integrated circuit (IC) card including a smart card, an identification (ID) card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like and for certificating an adult by reading the data recorded on the ID card. In this time, the automatic identity certification device discriminates whether the identification card is true or not by using a forgery prevention element incorporating into each of the identification cards and the displayed data, determines whether the user is an adult or not by using the data recorded on each of the identification cards and stores the data to a storage member such as a serial EEPROM so as to utilize continuously with changing the variables and the reference data although the reference identification card is changed. Therefore, if a new identification card is issued, the automatic identity certification device can confront the newly issued identification card by reading the reference data from the serial EEPROM by using a personal computer (PC) or changing the newly updated reference data.

In order to this, the present invention utilizes a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source and a photo diode or other discriminating elements such as a photo transistor and an optical sensor as a sensor to confirm the identity certification such as a confirmation of the identification card and an adult identification by comparing the data obtained from the surface of the identification card with the reference data such as information of the identification card certification and information of adult identification stored at a storage device such as a serial EEPROM. , And also, the first and the second identification card recognition means recognize a pattern by using a magnetic sensor. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic identity certification, wherein the first and the second identification card recognition means read values reflected from a surface of the identification card by installing a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source and a photo diode or any other discriminating elements such as a photo transistor at a predetermined angle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic identity certification, wherein the first and the second identification card recognition means recognize an ultra violet (UV) pattern by using an UV sensor and a visible ray filter when an UV LED is utilized as a light source or an identity certification such as a confirmation of identification card and an adult identification by using a magnetic sensor or an infra red(IR) sensor.

The identity certification card in accordance with another aspect of the present invention is capable of utilizing as a smart card reader separately, and applying to any other identification card having a size different from that of the smart card together with a card having the same size of the smart card with at least one card insertion member so as to apply to various identification cards such as a driver's license, a resident registration card or any other integrated circuit (IC) card.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects and features of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic identity certification device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2A and 2B respectively show a perspective view and a top view illustrating the status of connecting the identification card confirmation unit and the smart card reader unit to the adaptor;

Fig. 3 depicts a detail perspective diagram of the adaptor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 4A and 4B respectively show a perspective view and a top view illustrating the smart card reader unit in detail;

Figs. 5A and 5B respectively show a perspective view and a side view illustrating a chip contact unit installed in the smart card reader unit; Fig. 6 is a side diagram showing the card fix unit in detail;

Fig. 7 shows a detailed diagram illustrating the identification card confirmation unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a perspective view for depicting a sensing device installed in the identification card confirmation unit;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an automatic identity certification device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 10A and 10B are a perspective view and a side view showing the inside structure of Fig. 9 in detail;

Fig. 11 is a block diagram representing the automatic identity certification device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 12 is an illustrative diagram showing the connection status between the automatic identity certification device and a main control block (VMC) in accordance with another preferred . embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Hereinafter, the above-described objects, features and ■ advantages will be more clear by the following description referring to the accompanying drawings. And, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail referring to the accompanying drawings.

At first, in order to help understand, the mechanical features of the automatic identity certification device installed in a vending machine in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained with reference to Figs. 1 to 10, and thereafter the detail operations are explained. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic identity certification device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a complex structure of a smart card reader and an adult identification device to use in an identification card such as an integrated circuit (IC) card, an identification (ID) card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like. The automatic identity certification device can be used in a cigarette vending machine, a liquor vending machine, a manless sale booth such as a ticketing machine ^■ of public performance for adult or an automatic vending machine or any other an adult identification device, applies to various identification cards such as an IC card including a smart card, an IC card, an ID card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like and continuously utilizes by storing the reference data such as an identification card certification data, an adult identification data or the like to use for confirming the identity certification such as a confirmation of the identification card and an adult identification although any identification card is inserted thereinto.

In the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, by installing a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source and a photo diode or any other discriminating elements such as a photo transistor, the identity confirmation such as an identity certification such as a confirmation of the identification card and an adult identification is performed by comparing with the reference data obtained by reading the surface of the identification card and stored at the serial EEPROM. And also, by using an ultra violet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) in place of the LED, the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention can recognize the UV pattern when the UV sensor and a visual ray filter are used, and can confirm the identity such as a truth of an identification card and an adult identification by using a magnetic sensor or an infra red (IR) sensor.

As shown in drawings , the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an inserting member 20 exposed to outside and provided with at least one slots (card or identification card inlet) 21 for guiding the insertion of an identification card or a card, a smart card reader unit 40 for reading information recorded on the smart card, an identification card confirmation unit 50 for discriminating the truth of the identification cards such as an IC card, an ID card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like and certifying whether a user is an adult or not and an adaptor 30 installing thereinto the smart card reader unit 40 and the identification card confirmation unit 50 and connecting to the inserting member 20.

In the structure that the smart card reader unit 40 and the identification card confirmation unit 50 are installed into the adaptor 30, there has an advantage in that, although the positions of the IC chips are changed in response to the kind of a smart card or an identification card (an IC card, an ID card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like) to be read or to be confirmed, it can be used by installing a varied unit changed according to the change.

Figs. 2A and 2B respectively show a perspective view and a top view illustrating the status of connecting the identification card confirmation unit 50 and the smart card reader unit 40 to the adaptor 30. As shown in Figs 2A and 2B, viewing Fig. 1 with removing the portion of the insertion member 20, the smart card reader unit 40 and the identification card confirmation unit 50 are installed on the adaptor 30 with overlapping from each other. At this time, the smart card reader unit 40 may be fixed so as to be removable from the adaptor 30 by using one touch type locker 41.

Here, at one side of the smart card reader unit 40, a card-fixing unit 60 is further included to fix the corresponding card when the information of the smart card is read by being completely inserted thereinto.

At first, referring to Fig. 3, which depicts a detail perspective diagram of the adaptor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adaptor 30, is more specifically described hereinafter. As shown in the drawing, at one side of the adaptor 30, a connection member is formed to fix the insertion member 20 and at the other side the unit installation member is formed so as to install the smart card reader unit 40 and the identification card confirmation unit 50. And also, a path is formed in such a way that the card is passed from the slot 21 of the insertion member 20 to the side of the unit installation member in the adaptor 30, and the card is flown through the path.

And also, in the unit installation member, a pair of male connectors 32 and 33 is respectively provided so as to electrically connect to the circuit on each of the units.

Here, the first and the second male connectors 32 and 33 are connected to a first and a second female arm connectors arm and 52 provided on a corresponding member of each of the units 40 and 50 with forming a pair of female and male. At this time, the positions of female and male of the connectors in the adaptor 30 and each of the units 40 and 50 can be changed from each other. Such connector connection can exchange a power, a driving signal, a read information or the like by electrically connecting each of the units 40 and 50 to the body of the vending machine installed thereinto an automatic identity certification device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. And then, referring to Figs. 4A and 4B, the smart card reader unit is described in detail hereinafter.

As shown in the drawings, the smart card reader unit 40 includes a chip contact unit provided with a chip contactor 46 for reading the information inputted by contacting with the IC chip of the inserted smart card, and further includes a car fixing unit 60 for fixing the card when the chip contactor 46 is contacted with the IC chip of the card with completely inserting by the smart card.

At this time, the chip contact unit and the card fixing unit 60 can be supported by using only one frame, at the front end of the frame a card guiding member 44 is formed in such a way that the card is inserted from the slot 21 of the insertion member 20 to the smart card reader unit 40, and at the rear end of the frame an inlet switch 45 is formed to sense the insertion of the card into the smart card reader unit 40.

Referring to Figs. 5A and 5B, a chip contact unit installed in the smart card reader unit 40 is described more specifically hereinafter, the chip contact unit includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) 43 and a first female connector corresponding to a first male connector 32 provided on the unit mount member of the adaptor formed at one side of the first PCB 43.

The chip contactor 46 is connected to the first PCB 43 and an end switch 47 can be further formed at the most inner side of the chip contactor 46 so as to sense the complete insertion of the card (A) into the most inner side of the chip contactor 46.

And also, at least one penetration member 431 is formed at the first PCB 43. The information of the surface of the card (A) can be read by passing a sensing device or a light from the sensing device from outside of the smart card reader unit 40 (preferably, the identification card confirmation unit 50 overlapped with the smart card reader unit 40) to the surface of the card (A) through the penetration member 431 (referring to Fig. 8 described hereinafter) .

Therefore, in the identification card confirmation unit 50 through the penetration member .431 of the smart card reader unit 40, whether the identification card (an IC card, an ID card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like) having the same size of the smart card (A) is true or not can be determined. Accordingly, the smart card (A), which can be inserted into the slot 21 of the above-described insertion member 20, can be apply to the identification card (an IC card, an ID card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like) having the same size of the smart card (A) .

Referring to Fig. 6, the card fix unit 60 is more specifically described hereinafter, the card fixing unit 60 is further included at one side of the smart card reader unit 40 in case that there is a need that the card is fixed when the chip contact unit reads the information stored at the IC chip. That is, the card-fixing unit 60 is made of a module and can be removed from the automatic identity certification device if the card-fixing unit 60 becomes unnecessary.

As can be seen from the drawings, the card-fixing unit 60 includes a motor 61 driven by receiving a predetermined signal, a transmission gear 62 connected to a rotation axis of the motor 61, a connection bar 63 connected to the transmission gear 62 for reciprocate moving in horizontal and operating the card fixing sense switch at the same time and a pivotally rotating member 64 for locking and unlocking the card (A) by pivotally rotating in vertical around the axis 644 by the horizontal movement of the connection bar 63.

The pivotally rotating member 64 is divided into an input member 641 received the horizontal movement from the connection bar 63 and an output member 642 to fix the card and can be formed is such a way that the locking of the card (A) is forcibly unlocked when a predetermined force is applied to the card (A) by connecting the input member 641 and the output member 642 with one axis 644 and providing the spring 643 between the input member 641 and the output member 642.

On the other hand, referring to Fig. 7, the identification card confirmation unit 50 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail hereinafter.

As can be seen from the drawing, the identification card confirmation unit 50 includes a second female connector 52 corresponding to a second male connector 33 of the adaptor 30 which is mounted on the front end of the unit mounting member of the adaptor 30. And also, the identification card confirmation unit 50 includes at least one sensing device unit provided at the bottom side thereof toward the smart card reader unit 40.

Referring to Fig. 8, a sensing device installed in the identification card confirmation unit 50 is described in detail hereinafter, the sensing device unit is provided on the PCB of the identification card confirmation unit 50, that is, provided on the second PCB 53, includes at least one sensing devices 54 and 55 capable of identifying the information of the surface of the identification card by using a light emitting device (LED), a photo transistor (TR) and a housing or a light, and senses the surface information of the identification card (B) or a card through the penetration member 431 formed on the first PCB 43 of the chip contact unit as described above.

As described above, the automatic identity certification device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used as a smart card reader separately as well as can be used for an identification card having a width different from that of the smart card together with an identification card having the same size of the smart cart compositely or separately by installing at least one card insertion member so as to use in various identification card such as a driver's license, an ID card or a resident registration card or the other IC card. By providing an identification insertion slot 122 separate with the smart card insertion slot 121, for example, the identification card having a wide width larger than that of the smart card can be used through the identification card insertion slot 122 together with the smart card. As described above, in the smart card insertion slot 121, the smart card as well as an identification card such as a driver's license having the same size of the smart card can be inserted thereinto. Referring to Figs. 10A and 10B, describing the inside structure of an automatic identity certification device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention hereinafter. The smart card reader unit can be installed at the topside of the automatic identity certification device and the identification card confirmation unit can be installed at the bottom side of the automatic identity certification device. In the another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the automatic identity certification device can include a roller 231 for transferring the identification card inserted into the insert portion 222 through the identification insertion slot 122 to the inside of the automatic identity certification device, an encoder 233 for measuring the transferred distance of the identification card inserted driven by the rotation of the driving gear 232 and an encoder sensor 234. And also, the automatic identity certification device further includes a charge coupled device (CCD) capable of scanning the information of date of birth recorded on- the surface of the identification card.

Now, the configuration of the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the detailed operation processes of the automatic identity certification device are described hereinafter.

As described above with reference to Figs. 1 to lo, the present invention is configured as a module, which can be installed to a self-service stand such as a cigarette- vending machine, a liquor-vending machine, a ticketing machine of a public performance for an adult or in a vending machine and other adult certification device.

Since a buzzer is installed at each of the identification card discrimination PCBs 43 and 53, when a forgery identification card is inserted into the automatic identity certification device, the vending machine does not operate with ringing an alarm sound, and a ramp (a red color or a green color) can be installed at the front end of the automatic identity certification device for receiving the identification card and for representing the operational status of the automatic identity certification device through the insertion member 20 to guide the card and to prevent a damage by a shock.

Referring to Fig. 11, there is shown the automatic identity certification device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention hereinafter, which includes a communication block 112 for transmitting and receiving an identity confirm information to sale products by communicating with a vending machine controller (VMC) of the selling machine such as a manless sale booth, an automatic vending machine and other adult identification device, a smart card recognition block 111 for recognizing the contact of a smart card inserted through one of inlets (a slot 21 as shown in Fig.l and a smart card insertion slot 121 as shown in Fig. 9) of the manless sale booth such as a vending machine and other adult certification device, reading the information of a corresponding smart card and transmitting the read information to the VMC through the communication block 112, a storage block (a serial EEPROM) 117 for storing an identification card certification information and an adult identification information so as to sale the products, a first identification card recognition block 115 for recognizing a contact of a first identification card having the same size with the smart card and inserted through one of the inlets (the slot 21 as shown in Fig. 1 and the smart card insertion slot 121 as shown in Fig. 9) together with the smart card recognition block 111 and for detecting a surface information of a corresponding identification card, a micro processor unit (MPU) 116 for discriminating the truth of the corresponding first identification card and certifying the adult identification of the user of the first identification card by comparing the surface information of the first identification card with the identification card certification information and the adult identification information stored at the storage block 117 and a motor control driver 113 for controlling a motor 114 to open a corresponding inlet (the slot 21 as shown in Fig. 1 and the smart card insertion slot 121 or the identification card insertion slot 122 as shown in Fig. 9) by driving the motor under the control of the main control block. And also, the automatic identity certification device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a second identification card recognition block 118 for recognizing a contact of a second identification card having a size different from that of the smart card through the other inlet (the identification card insertion slot 122 as shown in Fig. 9), by detecting a surface information of a corresponding second identification card and transmitting the detected surface information to the MPU 116, for discriminating whether the corresponding second identification card is true or not by comparing the surface information of the second identification card with the identification card certification information and an adult identification information stored at the storage block 117 at the MPU 116 and for certificating the status whether a user of the second identification card is an adult or not.

The identification card certification information (information to confirm whether the identification card is forgery or not) stored at the storage block (serial EEPROM) 117 and adult identification information (information of date of birth or the like) so as to sale the products are utilized as a reference data used' for identifying the identity (the truth of the identification card and the adult identification), and the automatic identity certification device can confront the newly issued identification card by reading the reference data from the serial EEPROM through the communication block 112 by using a personal computer (PC) , a notebook or the like or changing the newly updated reference data.

And also, in the first and the second identification card recognition blocks 118, by installing a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source and a photo diode or other discriminating elements (for example, a photo transistor and other optical sensor) as a sensor, the surface information of the identification card can be read. By comparing the surface information of the identification card with the identification card certification information (whether the identification card is forgery or nor) stored at the storage block 117 and the adult identification information (date of birth) to sale the products, the truth of the identification card can be determined and the adult identification can be certified. And also, in place of the LED, the UV pattern can be recognized by using an UV LED when the UV sensor and the visible ray filter are utilized, and the magnetic sensor or the infrared (IR) sensor can be used for recognizing the pattern.

The smart card reorganization block 111 is mounted on the smart card reader unit 40 of Fig. 1, the first identification card recognition block 115 is mounted on the identification card confirmation unit 50 of Fig. 1, the second identification card recognition block 118 is mounted on the identification card insertion slot 121 of Fig. 10, the motor driver 113 and the motor 114 are mounted on each of the inlets (the slot 21 of Fig. 1 and the smart card insertion slot 121 or the identification card insertion slot 122 of Fig. 9), respectively. The main controller is provided with a main controller (MPU) 116, a storage block (a serial EEPROM) 117 and a communication block 112 for performing the required process to identify the identity of the user by managing each of the units.

With reference, the connection status between the smart card recognition block 111, a main controller (MPU) 116, a motor driver 113 and a communication block 112 between a manless sale booth or a vending machine and other adult identification device or the like of the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention is shown Fig. 12. In order to help the understand, the identity confirmation process for the smart card and the identity confirmation process for any other identifications cards except for the smart card in the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described separately hereinafter.

At first, the identity confirmation process for the smart card is described in detail hereinafter.

The smart card reader unit 40 is designed in such a way that it is easily removable from the adaptor 30, the smart card reader unit 40 includes a chip contact unit provided with a chip contactor 46 being contact with the IC chip of the smart card as described above. The chip contact unit is designed in the type of slider so as to improve the reliability of the contact between the smart card and the chip contactor 46. The chip contact unit is provided with a pair of guides at both ends to prevent the card from inserting thereinto when the card is forcibly inserted with a simple operation to commit a crime by anyone. And, the chip contact unit is provided with an open structure, when a piece of paper is placed inside of the smart card reader unit "40, in such a way that the piece of the paper falls down automatically when the card is inserted thereinto. And, when the card is inserted into the smart card reader unit 40, the card-fixing unit 60 locks the card so as to prevent the card from slipping out from the smart card reader unit 40. In the card-fixing unit 60, a spring 643 is provided to slip out by a predetermined force when the card does not slip out ^' due to the failure of the motor 61. And also, in order to mount the smart card reader unit 40 on the adaptor 30, the locker 41 is provided and it is possible that the smart card reader unit 40 easily loads and unloads the on the adaptor 30 through the locker 41. Reviewing in case when the smart card is inserted into the smart card reader unit 40, firstly if the smart card is inputted through the slot 21 of the insertion member 20 (the smart card insertion slot 121 of Fig. 9), the insertion of the smart card is informed to the main control block (VMC) of the automatic vending machine by turning on the inlet switch 45 by the card guide member 44.

Subsequently, if the card is enters into the end portions of the protrusion through the both guides of the chip contact unit, the chip contact unit goes forwarded together with the smart card. At this time, if the chip contact unit and the smart card reaches the end position that allows the chip contact unit to read the data of the smart card, the end switch 47 turns on, and the insertion of the smart card is informed to the VMC through the first PCB 43 and the first female arm connector 42. In this case, the smart card recognition block 111 recognizes whether the inserted card is a smart card or not, and informs the VMC of the result.

According to this, if the VMC sends an electrical signal to rotate the motor 61 (the motor 114 of Fig. 11) in a direction to close the entrance of the smart card, the motor driver 113 of in the smart card reader unit 40 drives the motor 61 (the motor -114 of Fig. 11), the rotation member 64 of the card fixing unit 60 fixes the smart card and the connection bar 63 simultaneously operates the card fix sensing switch to inform VMC of the result through the first female arm connector 42. Then, the VMC sends the control signal to stop the rotation of the motor, and the motor driver 113 in the smart card reader unit 40 stops the operation of the motor 61 (the motor 114 of Fig. 11).

At this time, the VMC starts to the write and read operations for the smart card, it discriminates the truth of the smart card and certifies whether the user is adult or not by reading the information recorded on the smart card. If the works are finished, by rotating the motor 61 (the motor 114 of Fig. 11) in a direction to open the entrance of the smart card, the motor driver 113 in the smart card reader unit 40 drives^' the motor 61 (the motor 114 of Fig. 11) based on the signal. Accordingly, if the entrance of the smart card, the card fix-sensing switch of the connection bar 63 is turned off, the VMC recognizes it, stops the motor 61 (the motor 114 of Fig. 11), and informs the user of the finish of all operations whereby the user draws the smart card. At this time, if the smart card is drawn from the smart card r'eader unit 40, the end switch 47 turns off, the chip contact unit returns to the original position by the spring 643, and all of the operations are finished by turning off the entrance switch 45 when the card is completely drawn. Here, the information read for the smart card at the smart card recognition block 111 is informed to the VMC through the communication block '112. Therefore, the VMC discriminates the truth of the smart card and certifies whether the user is adult or not by reading the information stored at the smart card.

Now, the identity confirmation process by the other identification card except for the smart card is as follows .

The other identification card except for the smart card may have the same width of the smart card or a width different from that of the smart card; the identification card having the same width of the smart card can be inserted through the slot 21 of Fig. 1 or the smart card insertion slot 121 (the slot 21 of Fig. 1); and the identification card having a size different from that of the smart card can be inserted into the identification card insertion slot 122.

Therefore, if the identification card having the same size with the smart card is inserted through the slot 21 or the smart card insertion slot 121 (the slot 21 of Fig. 1), the insertion of the card is informed to the VMC by turning on the entrance switch 45 by the card guide member 44.

Subsequently, if the card is entered into the end portion of the protrusion through the both guides of the chip contact unit, the chip contact unit goes forward together with the identification card. At this time, if the chip contact unit and the identification card reach to the end portion to read the data, the end switch 47 turns on, and the insertion of the identification card is informed to the VMC through the second PCB 53 and the second female arm connector 52. At this time, the first identification card recognition block 115 of the second PCB 53 recognizes the insertion of the identification card through the sensing element and informs the VMC of the recognized result.

If the first identification card recognition block 115 recognizes the inserted card as the identification card (for example, a driver's license) having the same size of the smart card except for the smart card, the control block 116 discriminates whether the identification card is an original or not by comparing the surface information of the corresponding identification card sensed from the first identification card recognition block 115 with the standard data stored at the storage block 117. At this time, the sensing method utilizes the sensing elements 54 and 55 attached to the second PCB 53, for example configured by a pair of LEDs and one photo transistor as shown in Fig. 8, and the control block 116 discriminates the truth thereof by measuring the letter portion (or the pattern) recognition of the specific portion of the identification and the reflection amount of the hologram.

'Here, since the pair of the LEDs is inclined at a 45 degrees with respect to each other, when the detected value when one of the LEDs turns on and the detected value when the other LED turns on match the intrinsic parameter of the hologram of the identification card measured by the experiment, it is accepted, and since the set parameter can be changed, it can be changed by an arbitrary displacement parameter in response to the change of the environment. Here, the identity certification result (the truth of the identification card and the adult identification) at the control block 116 is informed to the VMC through the communication block 112.

In order to help the understand, the identity certification process for the identification card in the identification card confirmation unit 50 is described more specifically hereinafter.

If the driver's license having the same size of the smart card is inserted into the slot 21 (or the smart card insertion slot 121) of the inserting member 20, the card- guiding member 44 turns on the entrance switch 45, and then the power is supplied to the main controller. If the power is supplied to the main controller, the main controller (MPU) 116 is operated to make Start_I* 0 and to inform the VMC of it through the communication block (strictly speaking the VMC interface connector) 112, and reads the parameter required for operating the MPU from the storage block (a serial EEPROM) 117.

And, the light beam generated from the LED in the first identification card recognition block 115 is reflected from the surface of the driver's license, after the reflected light beam is amplified to a predetermined level by the photo diode, the amplified level is applied to the analog input port. And also, by using an ultra violet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) in place of the LED, the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention can recognize the UV pattern when the UV sensor and a visual ray filter are used, and can confirm the identity (a truth of an identification card and an adult identification) by using a magnetic sensor or an infra red (IR) sensor.

For each of the interrupts, the control block (MPU) 116 converts the sensor signal (i.e., the surface information of the identification card) applied from the analog input port into a digital and stores the digitalized signal, and compares the value with the standard data stored at the storage block (a serial EEPROM) 117. That is, in the first identification recognition block 115, the surface information (i.e., the forgery prevention information of the identification card, the resident registration number or the like) of the identification card read from the sensor (a photo diode or a photo transistor, any other optical sensor., an ultra violet sensor, a magnetic sensor, an infra red sensor or the like) is compared with the reference data (i.e., the identification card certification information (a forgery identification information) and the adult identification information (the date of birth) to sale the products).

For example, the control block 116 determines the identification card as a forgery identification card when the forgery prevention information does not exist among the surface information recognized through the first identification card recognition block 115 of the normal identification card, (not forgery identification card) or when the forgery prevention information is not identical to the identification card certification information (forgery certification information) stored at the storage block 117. And, the control block 116 regards the user of the identification card under age when the character information (resident registration number) among the surface information recognized through the first identification card recognition block 115 is "851012- *******", it recognizes the date of birth as October 12, 1985, and the control block 116 regards the user of the identification -card as an adult when the character information (resident registration number) among the surface information recognized through the first identification card recognition block 115 is "851012- *******" _f i recognizes the date of birth as October 10, 1983, by referencing the adult identification information (for example, the adult reference age of October 10, 1984 to sale the cigarette) stored at the storage block 117 based on the current time information (for example, 2003. 10. 10. 00. 00. 00) supplied from a self timer or the VMC. The adult identification information is changed based on the current time information in real time. Of course, it is possible that more accurate adult identification is allowable, when at least of day, month and year can be changed continuously, although time, minute and second are not considered.

If the comparing result is smaller than a reference value k since the sensor value read from the inserted identification card is deviated from the range of error, it determines as an abnormal and informs the user of the buzzer sound. And, after the finish of this work, the power is turned off after t2 when the driver's license is drawn.

The above-described parameters must be amended by the communication block (strictly speaking the PC interface) 112 such as a PC, a notebook or the like since the above- described parameters must be subtly adjusted in response to the user or the environment. And also, the standard data for comparing with the read sensor value can be amended or be inputted as a newly updated data through the communication block (a PC interface) 112 such as a PC, a notebook or the like.

On the other hand, if the identification card having a size larger than that of the smart card is inserted, it is required to an additional identification insertion slot 122 since the slot 21 or the smart card insertion slot 121 does not use in common.

Therefore, if the identification card having a size larger than that of the smart card is inserted, the entrance switch 45 is turned on by the card guiding member 44, and a power is supplied to the main controller. If the power is supplied to ^• the main controller, the main controller (MPU) 116 is operated to make Start_I* 0 and to inform the VMC of it through the communication block (strictly speaking the VMC interface connector) 112, and reads the parameter required for operating the MPU from the storage block (a serial EEPROM) 117. Thereafter, if the identification card further enters between the rollers 231, the roller 231 starts to rotate and the encoder 233 connected through the driving gear 232 starts to rotate. At this time, the pulse generated by the encoder sensor 234 (i.e., the second identification card recognition block 118) generates an interrupt at the main controller (MPU) 116. At this time, the light beam generated from the LED in the second identification card recognition block 118 is reflected from the surface of the driver's license, and after the photo diode received the reflected light beam and amplifies the received light beam by a predetermined level, the amplified light beam is applied to the analog input port of the main controller (MPU) 116. And also, by using an ultra violet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) in place of the LED, the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention can recognize the UV pattern when the UV sensor and a visual ray filter are used, and can confirm the identity such as a truth of an identification card and an adult identification by using a magnetic sensor or an infra red (IR) sensor.

For each of the interrupts, the control block (MPU) 116 converts the sensor signal (i.e., the surface information of the identification card) applied from the analog input port into a digital and stores the digitalized signal, and compares the _ value with the standard data stored at the storage block (a serial EEPROM) 117. At this time, the roller 231 starts to rotate and compares based on the number (n) of the encoder pulses generated until the identification card moves to the sensor surface and the number (m) of encoder pulses generated until the identification card enters from the sensor surface to the end of the identification card. If the comparing result is larger than a reference value k by counting the number of data inside of the range of errors (the positive error d+ and the negative error d-) among the data (the sensor output signal is converted into a digital and the value obtained by comparing the digital data with the standard data stored at the storage block (a serial EEPROM) 117) compared with entering into the end of the identification card, the connector pin makes 0 and it is informed to the VMC that the inserted identification card is normal. And, it is informed the user by using a specific LED or the buzzer sound that the identification card is normally recognized.

However, if the sensor value read the inserted identification card is smaller than the reference value k since it deviates from the range of errors, it is informed to the user by turning off the specific LED together by the buzzer sound with determining as an abnormal.

On the other hand, if the power is supplied thereto and the command does not inputted from each of the recognition blocks 111, 115 and 118, a PC, a notebook or the like within a predetermined time tl, the power is turned off and the operation is stopped.

As described above, the birth of date of the ID card identification card can be recognized by scanning through the charge coupled device (CCD) mounted on the identification card certification unit, the adult identification is implemented by comparing the time of the clock incorporated into the identification card certification unit with the date of birth recognized by scanning the identification card. At this time, the minority cannot operate the vending machine and only the adult can communicate with the VMC so as to operate the vending machine. Thereafter, if the identification card is drawn after the finish of the work, the power is turned off af er t2. The above-described parameters n, m d+, d-, k, tl and t2 must be amended by a PC, a notebook or the like since they must be subtly adjusted in response to the user or the environment. And also, the standard data for comparing with the read sensor value can be amended or be inputted as a newly updated data through the communication block (a PC interface) 112 such as a PC, a notebook or the like.

As described above, by using an ultra violet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) in place of the LED, the automatic identity certification device can recognize the UV pattern when the UV sensor and a visual ray filter are used, and can confirm the identity such as a truth of an identification card by using a magnetic sensor or an infra red (IR) sensor.

As described above, the automatic identity certification device in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention can discriminate whether various identification cards such as an integrated circuit (IC) card including a smart card, an identification (ID) card, a resident registration card, a driver's license or the like and can certificate an adult by reading the data recorded on the ID card.

While the present invention has been described with respect to the particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims .

Claims

claims

1. An automatic identity certification device for use in a selling machine, the automatic identity certification device, comprising: a communication means for transmitting and receiving an identity confirm information to sale products by communicating with a main control block of the selling machine; a card recognition means for recognizing contact of a smart card inserted through one of inlets of the selling machine, reading the information of a corresponding smart card and transmitting the read information to the main control block through the communication means; a storage means for storing an identification card certification information and an adult identification information so as to sale the products; a first identification card recognition means for recognizing a contact of a first identification card having the same size with the smart card and inserted through one of the inlets together with the card recognition means and for detecting a surface information of a corresponding identification card; an identity confirmation means for discriminating whether or not the corresponding first identification card is an original by comparing the surface information of the first identification card with the identification card certification information and the adult identification information and for certificating the status whether a user of the first identification card is adult or not; and a motor control means for controlling a motor to open a corresponding inlet by driving the motor under the control of the main control block.

2. The automatic identity certification device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second identification card recognition means for recognizing a contact of a second identification card having a size different from that of the smart card, by detecting a surface information of a corresponding second identification card and transmitting the detected surface information to the an identity confirmation means, for discriminating whether the corresponding second identification card is true or not by comparing the surface information of the second identification card with the identification card certification information and an adult identification information and for certificating the status whether a user of the second identification card is an adult or not.

3. The automatic identity certification device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and the second identification card recognition means read values reflected from a surface of the identification card by installing a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source and a photo diode or any other discriminating elements such as a photo transistor at a predetermined angle.

4. The automatic identity certification device of claim 3, wherein the first and the second identification card recognition means recognize an ultra violet (UV) pattern by using an UV sensor, a visible ray filter when an UV LED is utilized as a light source, and a magnetic sensor or infrared (IR) sensor are utilized as a light source.

5. The automatic identity certification device as recited in claim 3, further comprising a charge coupled device (CCD) being capable of scanning information recorded on the surface of the identification card.

6. The automatic identity certification device as recited in claim 1, wherein the identification card certification information and the adult identification information stored at the storage means so as to sale the products, utilized for identifying the identity (whether the identification card is true or not and an adult certification) of the user including an identification card forgery confirm information and information of a date of birth as a reference data, are changed and newly inputted to an external communication terminal through a communication means.

7. An identity certification device of a selling machine, comprising: an inserting member exposed to outside and provided with at least one slots for guiding the insertion of an identification card or a card; a smart card reader unit for reading information recorded on the smart card; an identification card confirmation unit for discriminating a truth of the identification card and certifying whether a user is an adult or not by comparing an obtained surface information of the identification card with a previously stored identification certification information and the adult identification information; and an adaptor installed on a unit installation member provided for each of the smart card reader unit and the identification card confirmation unit and electrically connected thereto through each of connectors for connecting each of the units to the inserting member.

8. The identity certification device as recited in claim 7, wherein the inserting member is provided with a slot for guiding the insertion of the identification card or the card, the smart card reader unit is provided with at least one penetration members for receiving the identification card or the card inserted through the slot of the inserting member and allowing a predetermined portion of the surface of the identification card or the card to be exposed to outside and the identification card confirmation unit is provided with a sensing device for sensing the surface information of the identification card or the card through the penetration member.

9. The identity certification device as recited in claim 7, wherein the smart card reader unit further includes a card fixing unit for fixing the card when a chip connector in the unit is contact with an integrated circuit (IC) chip of the inserted card.

10. The identity certification device as recited in claim 9, wherein the card fixing unit is provided with a spring for preventing the inserted card or the identification card from not extracting in such a way that the inserted card or the identification card is extracted by pulling with a predetermined force.

11. The identity certification device as recited in claim 9, the smart card reader unit is fixed in removable with a module to the adaptor by one touch type locker.