EP2021982A1

EP2021982A1 - Apparatus and method for successively transporting a plurality of gsm chip cards

Info

Publication number: EP2021982A1
Application number: EP07728482A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Dobler; Alexander GÖDECKE; Thomas Valta
Original assignee: Muehlbauer GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Muehlbauer GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2006-04-28
Filing date: 2007-04-25
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Also published as: WO2007125063A1; DE102006019785B4; DE102006019785A1; US20100028107A1; TWI332929B; CN101443793B; TW200800769A; CN101443793A

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for successively transporting a plurality of cards, particularly GSM chip cards, arranged in a series between at least one supply track (12) and a first tray element (22, 24), which can be moved perpendicular to the orientation of the supply track (12), using at least one transfer station (30, 31) within a card handling apparatus (11), where the transfer station (30, 31) has at least two transport elements (49, 50), which can each be rotated about an axis (47, 48) running perpendicular to the plane of the supply track (12) and the first tray element (22, 24), for receiving and depositing individual cards (13), the transport elements (49, 50) being able to move to and fro along the orientation of the first tray element (22, 24) and of a second tray element (21, 23) which can be moved in the direction of the first tray element (22, 24).

Description

Apparatus and method for sequentially transporting a plurality of GSM smart cards

description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, in particular GSM chip cards, between at least one feed track and a first depositing element movable perpendicular to the alignment of the feed track by means of at least one transfer station within a card processing device according to the The preambles of claims 1 and 7.

Devices for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, such as chip cards, between at least one feed track and a first tray element which can be moved perpendicularly to the orientation of the feed track by means of a transfer station are known within card processing devices which serve primarily for coding a large number of cards , For this purpose, within a card processing device 1, as shown in FIG. 1 according to the prior art, cards 3 are transported on a feed track 2 continuously from left to right along the arrow direction 4 and onto a plurality of rows of processing paths 5a - 5d with numerous coding stations 6 distributed to encode the smart cards 3.

The cards are individually fed on a movable storage element 8a, which can be moved back and forth on a transport rail 7a, as it is reproduced by the reference numeral 9a, the individual processing tracks 5a - 5d at their end faces. Likewise, the already coded cards are routed from the processing tracks back to the feed track 2 via a transport rail 7b by means of a further storage element 8b, which is designed as a transport carriage.

In order to distribute the cards 3 applied to the feed path 2 to the processing paths 5a-5d arranged parallel to the feed path, a transfer of the card 3 moving in direction 4 to the transport carriage 8a moving in the direction 9a is performed by means of a transfer station 10a.

For this purpose, the arriving on the feed track 2 cards 3 are so isolated that they are individually transferred to the transport carriage, which then moves with this single card to the selected processing path 5a - 5d. The processing path takes over the card in a manner not shown here and assigns it to a coding station 6.

In the case of such a method sequence, there is inevitably a time interval within which the transport carriage on its return to the transfer station 10a without a card to be transported does not allow any further processing step of the processing system. Likewise, an inevitable transfer break within the transfer station is required by the fact that the card from the feed path 2 on the transport carriage 8a or from the transport carriage 8b must be made on the feed path 2, and that after the transport carriage has returned to the transfer station in the empty state. This results in a necessarily limiting throughput of the entire processing system, even if a plurality of processing tracks for simultaneous coding of the cards is arranged.

The transfer stations 10a, 10b are arranged laterally to the processing tracks 5a-5d, within which the card is coded. Consequently, the required time span of the transport carriage 8a for starting the outermost machining path 5a is greater than for starting the machining path 5d. This results in high waiting times within a work cycle within which the transfer station must wait for the returning carriage for its further placement with a map.

Accordingly, the present invention has the object, an apparatus and a method for successively transporting a plurality of arranged in a row cards between at least one feed path and a perpendicular to the orientation of the Feed path movable first storage element by means of at least one transfer station to provide, in which / a rapid delivery of the coming on the feed path cards to individual processing paths and a quick discharge from the processing tracks back to the feed path is possible.

This object is achieved on the device side by the features of claim 1 and procedural side by the features of claim 7.

An essential point of the invention is that in a device for successive transport of a plurality of arranged in a row cards, in particular GSM smart cards, between at least one feed path and a perpendicular to the alignment of the feed track movable first storage element by means of at least one transfer station within a card processing device, the transfer station has at least two each rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the feed path and the first storage element axis rotatable transport elements for receiving and storing individual cards. The transport elements can be moved back and forth along the alignment of the first storage element and a second storage element which can be moved in the direction of the first storage element. A rotation of the transport elements takes place during this reciprocation by 90 °, so that automatically rotation of the originally aligned along the direction of movement of the feed path card in the direction perpendicular thereto traversing direction of the support elements during transport of the card from the feed path to one of Storage elements takes place.

Since the first and the second storage element are arranged on both sides of the transfer station, and not only on one side, the arrangement of a total of two transport elements within a module of the transfer station, an alternate storage of the coming of the feed path cards on the first and the second storage element occur. This leads to a rational and time-saving transfer of the cards from the feed path to the individual storage elements, which are then moved on transport rails to bring the cards to the individual processing paths with the coding stations contained therein.

Ideally, such a distribution of the cards within the transfer station on a total of two storage elements, a control of the transfer station is carried out such that a card is deposited on one of the storage elements of the one transport element, while the other transport element in this time another card from the feed path, which of course can represent any other type of feeding units, for example, for stacking card feeding, receives. In this way, a steady supply of the cards to the movable storage elements and, of course, the other hand, a continuous recording of other storage elements and feeding to the feed path at the outputs of the processing tracks is ensured. Thus, the time during which one of the storage elements travels from an already approached processing path back to the transfer station can be utilized by the transfer station loading the further storage element in this moment.

The first and the second storage element are ideally movable on opposite sides of the transfer station starting in opposite directions on a common plane.

The arranged in the transfer station module is moved back and forth within the transfer station to the individual movable storage elements, which are in their starting position, with its transport element, which are arranged within the module to arrive. During this reciprocating motion, which is carried out by means of a toothed belt drive, which is arranged in the transfer station, takes place simultaneously, the 90 ° rotation of the

Transport elements, which are ideally arranged to each other also pivoted by 90 ° instead. For this purpose, both transport elements via a gear mechanism on a connection with a stationarily arranged in the transfer station gear rail.

Of course, all alternative transmission mechanisms, such as by means of a belt or the like, can be used to ensure a 90 ° rotation of the transport elements. However, the use of a gear mechanism ensures a precise and accurate positioning of the transport elements and thus of the chip cards with respect to the storage elements and placement positions on the feed path.

The transport elements are preferably height-displaceable in order to receive the cards guided underneath the module from the feed track and then to deposit them on the storage element which can be moved perpendicular thereto. According to a method for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, the cards are alternately picked up by means of at least the two transport elements, then rotated by 90 ° about a respective axis perpendicular to the plane of the delivery path and the first storage element and then deposited alternately , This can take place in a time-shifted manner such that a card is currently being recorded while the other card is being stored.

During their rotational movement, the transport elements are preferably moved back and forth along the alignment of the first storage element and a second storage element that can be moved in the direction of the first storage element.

Preferably, the feed path during the rotational movements of the transport elements and during their reciprocating movement is cyclically moved by one card position in the direction of the transfer station, so that a further card can be removed from the feed path.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Advantages and advantages can be found in the following description in conjunction with the drawings.

Hereby show:

1 is a schematic plan view of a smart card processing system with a device for transport according to the prior art, as already described;

2 is a schematic plan view of a chip card processing system with a device according to the invention for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a transfer station for

Use in the device according to the invention;

4 shows a schematic simplified plan view of a section of the device according to the invention, and

Fig. 5 is a schematic simplified plan view representation of a detail of the device according to the invention according to another embodiment of the invention.

In Fig. 2, a card processing system or card processing device 1 1 is shown in a schematic plan view. In this card processing apparatus 11, as viewed in a top view, a feed path 12 is shifted cyclically from left to right. The feed path 12 includes a plurality of rows of cards 13, which are moved along the direction of arrow 12a through the feed path 12.

In a processing unit 14, an assignment and feeding of the cards 13 to individual processing paths 15-18, which have a plurality of coding units 19 arranged in rows to encode the cards, takes place. For this purpose, the machining paths according to the invention are arranged on the left and right sides, viewed in the feed direction 12a of the feed track 12, from the feed track 12.

The cards pass through the processing paths from one to the other end side of the machining paths, as indicated by the arrow 20. Subsequently, a recording of the coded cards from the processing tracks and a tray on the feed path 12 takes place.

The feeding of the cards 13 from the feed track 12 to the individual processing tracks 15-18 is by means of movable storage elements 21, 22, which are moved as a map slide on each rail 26, 27, instead. This is illustrated by the arrow according to the reference numeral 25.

Likewise, a return of the already coded cards 13 from the processing tracks 15-18 to further movable storage elements 23, 24, which as a map slide on the Rails 28, 29 can be moved instead. This is again illustrated by double arrows with the reference numeral 25.

A transfer of the cards 13 from the feed path to the storage elements 21, 22 and from the storage elements 23, 24 on the feed path 12 back takes place within transfer stations 30, 31 on the other hand on their opposite sides 30a, 30b on the one hand and 31 a, 31 b have a connection to the running in the opposite direction rails 26, 27 and 28, 29.

The cards 13 are distributed in the transfer stations 30, 31 by means of a module shown in more detail in Fig. 3 on two and not only on a card slide. A card is deposited on one of the carriages via this module while another card still on the feed path is picked up from the feed path at that time. Such positive control results in a considerable reduction in the time required for the transfer of the cards to the carriages and rails movable perpendicular to the feed track 12.

An exemplary realization of the time-optimized transfer of the cards within the transfer station will now be reproduced with reference to FIG. 3, in which a partial representation of a transfer station is shown in a perspective drawing.

A module 32 is also reciprocated by means of a gear belt 33, which can reciprocate along the double arrow 33a by means of a motor 34 and a pulley 35. The gear belt is stationarily disposed within the transfer station, whereas the module 32 is slidably disposed in the direction of the double arrow 33a.

An equally stationary gear rail 36 allows gears 37, 38, which, like the entire gear mechanism 37 - 46 are connected to the module, to be rotated while the module is reciprocated.

The gears 37, 38 act via associated axes 39, 40 and other gears 41, 42 on gears 43, 44, which in turn are connected by means of axes 45 and 46 to the module. Thus, by a rotation of the gears 37, 38 and thus the gears 43, 44, a rotation of the axes 45, 46, to which transport elements 49, 50 are fixed causes. This is illustrated by means of the arrows 51, 52.

If a card 13 arriving on the feed path 12 in the feed direction 12a is then picked up by the first transport element 49, then movement of the module 32 takes place in the image plane to the left, during which a simultaneous rotational movement 51, 52 of the axes of both transport elements takes place. The first transport element 49 thus performs a 90 ° rotation with the card 13 adhering to it and deposits it after the movement of the module 32 to the left as a card 13a onto a first storage element, not shown here in detail. The first storage element then travels along the double arrow 25 on a rail, not shown here, to feed the card 13a a selected processing path, which is also not shown here.

At the same time, a rotation 52 of the second transport member 50 takes place during its leftward movement, so that it is aligned along the card direction of the cards 13 disposed on the feed path 12 at the moment it comes to rest above the feed path. Now, a recording of another card takes place, which is then after a return linear movement of the module 32 and a simultaneously taking place rotational movement of the second transport element 50 and at the same time the first transport element 49 as a card 13b on a first storage element, which is not shown here , is filed.

Such positive control is made possible by the fact that the motor 34 controls the running direction of the module 32.

The cards 13 are transported on the supply track 12 (not shown here) under the module. The suction gripper-like transport elements 49, 50 can thus access the cards 13 and pick them up or place them on the feed path.

The card transport on the feed track 12 takes place in a clocked manner, ie the feed track 12 is advanced by one card in order to be picked up by one of the transport elements or gripping elements. Now the module is moved back and the transport element changes thereby, its orientation by a 90 "rotation At the same time there is a change in the orientation of the further transport element to place a card.

While the first transporting member 49 is disposed above the tray member to deposit a card, the second transporting member 50 has again rotated to a card receiving position along the orientation of the feeding track 12 to receive a card therefrom. During this turning process, a further transport of the feed path takes place by exactly one card position.

The speed of transfer of the cards is controlled, inter alia, by the gear mechanism and its connection to the gear bar and the speed of the toothed belt.

An increase in throughput due to the simultaneous recording and storage of two cards is thus advantageous for the card processing system. Thus, it is no longer necessary to schedule a waiting time within the transfer station to await the return of the transport carriage for receiving another card.

In Fig. 4, the card processing system is reproduced in a simplified schematic representation with not shown feed track in their operation. The individual processing paths 15, 16, 17 and 18 are approached via the first storage element 21 and the second storage element 22 and the rails 26, 27 along the direction of arrow 25.

The processing at right angles to the alignment of the rails 26, 27 processing tracks 15 - 18 are also approached at their other ends not shown here after a successful personalization process of the cards of other storage elements and underlying rails, and then to another transfer station for the transfer the cards on the feed track 12 back by means of another module to approach. In this case, the cards are picked up alternately by the transport elements by further transport elements and fed to a transport device, such as the feed track. From there, the cards either go to a magazine or go to another processing station. In Fig. 5 is a simplified schematic representation in plan view, the card processing system in the end, in which the cards from the rails 26, 27 are transmitted back to two secondary feed tracks 2, 2a reproduced. The individual processing paths 15, 16, 17 and 18 are slidably approached by the first storage element 21 and the second storage element 22 on the rails 26, 27 along the direction of arrow 25.

This embodiment shown in this Fig. 5 differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 in that the first and the second transport element 49, 50 are further spaced from each other. This is not shown in FIG. 5. As a result of the further spacing of the two transport elements, it is possible to equip not only one feed track, but two feed webs 2, 2a running parallel to one another with the cards 13 coming from the depositing elements 21, 22, without this resulting in a loss of time in comparison with that in FIG Fig. 4 and 3 reproduced embodiment occurs.

Due to the placement in the output area of the card processing system of two parallel webs 2, 2a, it is possible that takes place in a common laser field 48 by means of a laser 47 alternately the time-consuming laser processing of the surfaces of the cards 13. This results in a reduction of the laser processing time and thus a higher throughput of the entire system. Alternatively, of course, two laser processing systems, namely one for the web 2 and one for the web 2a, be arranged to simultaneously perform the laser processing on the cards.

The device according to the invention advantageously has a synchronous transfer of the cards and, with reference to the transfer station, symmetrical coding station arrangement. This results in a transfer process which can be practiced much more quickly and consequently a faster personalization process.

All of the features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as being subject to the invention if they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 card processing system

2, 2a feed tracks

3 cards

4 feed path movement direction

5a - 5d card processing tracks

6 coding stations

7a, 7b rails

8a, 8b movable storage element

9a, 9b shift direction of the storage elements

10a, 10b transfer stations

1 1 card processing system

12 feed track

12a feed path movement direction

13 cards

13a, 13b cards

14 card processing station

15, 16, 17, 18 card processing tracks

19 coding stations

20 machining direction

21, 22, 23, 24 movable storage elements

25 travel direction

26, 27, 28, 29 rails

30, 31 transfer stations

30a, 30b, 31a, 31b sides of the transfer stations

32 module

33 gear belt

33a Travel direction of the gear belt

34 engine

35 pulley

36 gear rail

37 - 46 gear mechanism

47 lasers Laser field, 50 first and second transport element, 52 directions of rotation

Claims

Apparatus and method for sequentially transporting a plurality of GSM smart card claims

1. A device for successively transporting a plurality of arranged in at least one row cards, in particular GSM smart cards, between at least one feed track (12) and a perpendicular to the alignment of the feed track (12) movable first storage element (22, 24) by means of at least a transfer station (30, 31) within a card processing device (11), characterized in that the transfer station (30, 31) at least two each about a perpendicular to the plane of the feed path (12) and the first storage element (22, 24) extending axis ( 47, 48) rotatable transport elements (49, 50) for receiving and storing individual cards (13), wherein the transport elements (49, 50) along the orientation of the first storage element (22, 24) and in the direction of the first storage element (22 , 24) movable second storage element (21, 23) are reciprocable.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second storage element (22, 24, 21, 23) on opposite sides (30a, 31a; 30b, 31b) of the transfer station (30, 31) starting in opposite te directions on a common plane movable (25).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transfer station (30, 31) in the direction of the movable storage elements (21 - 24) reciprocable module (32) includes, in which the two transport elements (49, 50 ) are arranged. - U -

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the transfer station (30, 31) has a toothed belt drive (33) for carrying out the reciprocating movement of the module (32).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the two transport elements (49, 50) via a gear mechanism (37 - 46) with a in the transfer station (30, 31) stationarily arranged gear rail (36) for carrying out their rotational movements ( 51, 52) are connected.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport elements (49, 50) are vertically displaceable.

7. A method for successively transporting a plurality of arranged in a row cards (13), in particular GSM smart cards, between at least one feed track (12) and a perpendicular to the orientation of the feed track (12) movable first storage element (22, 24) by means of at least a transfer station (30, 31) within a card processing device (11), characterized in that the cards (13) by means of at least two transport elements (49, 50) alternately received, each one perpendicular to the plane of the feed path (12) and the first storage element (22, 24) extending axis (47, 48) rotated by 90 ° (51, 52) and alternately be stored.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the transport elements (49, 50) during their rotational movement (51, 52) along the direction of the first storage element (22, 24) and in the direction of the first storage element (22, 24 ) movable second storage element (21, 23) back and forth (33 a) are.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first transport element (49) receives a card (13; 13a, 13b) from the feed plane (12) or one of the movable storage elements (23, 24), while the second transport element (50) another card (13; 13a, 13b) on one of the movable storage elements (21, 22) or the feed track (12) deposits.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the first transport element (49) by 90 ° relative to the second transport element (50) is rotated (51, 52).

11. The method according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that the feed track (12) during the rotational movements (51, 52) of the transport elements (49,

50) is cyclically moved by one card position further in the direction (12a) of the transfer station (30, 31).