Abstract:
Devices and methods for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, in particular GSM chip cards, between at least one feed path and a first tray element which can be displaced perpendicular to the orientation of the feed path, by means of at least one transfer station within a card processing device, wherein the transfer station comprises at least two transport elements for picking up and depositing individual cards, said transport elements being able to be rotated about a respective axle running perpendicular to the plane of the feed path and of the first tray element, wherein the transport elements can be moved back and forth along the orientation of the first tray element and a second tray element which can be displaced in the direction of the first tray element.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a device and method for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, in particular GSM chip cards, between at least one feed path and a first tray element which can be displaced perpendicular to the orientation of the feed path, by means of at least one transfer station within a card processing device, according to the preambles of claims  1  and  7 . 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Devices for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, such as chip cards, between at least one feed path and a first tray element which can be displaced perpendicular to the orientation of the feed path, by means of a transfer station, are known within card processing devices which are used primarily for encoding a large number of cards. To this end, cards  3  are continuously transported on a feed path  2  in the arrow direction  4  from left to right within a card processing device  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1  according to the prior art, and are distributed between several rows of processing paths  5   a - 5   d  comprising numerous encoding stations  6  for encoding the chip cards  3 . 
         [0003]    The cards are fed individually to the individual processing paths  5   a - 5   d , on a displaceable tray element  8   a  which can be displaced back and forth on a transport rail  7   a,  as shown by reference  9   a.    
         [0004]    In the same way, the encoded cards are passed back from the processing paths to the feed path  2  in the direction  9   b  via a transport rail  7   b  by means of a further tray element  8   b,  which is designed as a transport carriage. 
         [0005]    In order to distribute the cards  3  placed on the feed path  2  between the processing paths  5 - 5   d  arranged parallel to the feed path, the card  3  moving in the direction  4  is transferred by means of a transfer station  10   a  onto the transport carriage  8   a  moving in the direction  9   a.    
         [0006]    To this end, the cards  3  arriving on the feed path  2  are separated in such a way that they can be transferred individually onto the transport carriage, which then moves with this individual card towards the desired processing path  5   a - 5   d.  The processing path receives the card in a manner not shown in any greater detail here and assigns it to an encoding space  6 . 
         [0007]    In such a procedure, there is necessarily a pause during which the transport carriage permits no further operating step of the processing system as it returns to the transfer station  10   a  without any card to be transported. Likewise, a transfer pause within the transfer station is necessary for the card to be transferred from the feed path  2  to the transport carriage  8   a  or from the transport carriage  8   b  to the feed path  2 , namely once the transport carriage has returned empty to the transfer station. This results in a limited throughput of the processing system as a whole, even if a large number of processing paths are provided for simultaneously encoding the cards. 
         [0008]    The transfer stations  10   a ,  10   b  are arranged to the side of the processing paths  5   a - 5   d  within which the card is encoded. Accordingly, the time taken by the transport carriage  8   a  to reach the outermost processing path  5   a  is greater than the time taken to reach the processing path  5   d.  This results in long waiting times within each operating cycle, during which the transfer station has to wait on the returning carriage in order to further load it with a card. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row between at least one feed path and a first tray element which can be displaced perpendicular to the orientation of the feed path, by means of at least one transfer station, in which the cards arriving on the feed path can be rapidly fed to individual processing paths and rapid transfer back from the processing paths to the feed path is possible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This object is achieved in terms of the device by the features of claim  1  and in terms of the method by the features of claim  7 . 
         [0011]    One essential point of the invention consists in that, in a device for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, in particular GSM chip cards, between at least one feed path and a first tray element which can be displaced perpendicular to the orientation of the feed path, by means of at least one transfer station within a card processing device, the transfer station comprises at least two transport elements for picking up and depositing individual cards, said transport elements being able to be rotated about a respective axle running perpendicular to the plane of the feed path and of the first tray element. The transport elements can be moved back and forth along the orientation of the first tray element and a second tray element which can be displaced in the direction of the first tray element. During this back-and-forth movement, the transport elements are rotated through 90° so that the card which is originally oriented in the movement direction of the feed path is automatically rotated into the displacement direction of the tray elements which is perpendicular thereto during transport of the card from the feed path to one of the tray elements. 
         [0012]    Since the first and second tray elements are arranged on both sides of the transfer station, and not just on one side, the cards coming from the feed path can be alternately deposited on the first and second tray element due to the arrangement of a total of two transport elements within a module of the transfer station. This leads to a rational and time-saving transfer of the cards from the feed path to the individual tray elements, which are then displaced on transport rails so as to bring the cards to the individual processing paths with the encoding stations contained therein. 
         [0013]    Ideally, such a distribution of the cards within the transfer station between a total of two tray elements means that the transfer station is controlled in such a way that a card is being deposited on one of the tray elements by one transport element while the other transport element during this time is picking up a further card from the feed path, which of course can be any type of feed unit, for example for feeding in stacks of cards. This ensures that the cards are continually supplied to the displaceable tray elements and of course also that further tray elements are continually being picked up and supplied to the feed path at the exits of the processing paths. The time during which one of the tray elements is moving from a processing path back to the transfer station can thus be used to equip the transfer station with the further tray element. 
         [0014]    The first and second tray elements can ideally be displaced in opposite directions on a common plane starting from opposite sides of the transfer station. 
         [0015]    The module arranged in the transfer station is moved back and forth within the transfer station in order to reach the individual displaceable tray elements, which are in their starting position, with its transport elements, which are arranged within the module. During this back-and-forth movement, which is carried out by means of a toothed belt drive arranged in the transfer station, the 90° rotation of the transport elements takes place at the same time, which transport elements are ideally also arranged such that they are pivoted through 90° with respect to one another. To this end, the two transport elements are connected via a gearwheel mechanism to a gearwheel rail arranged in a stationary manner in the transfer station. 
         [0016]    Of course, all the alternative transmission mechanisms, such as by means of a belt or the like, can also be used in order to perform a 90° rotation of the transport elements. However, the use of a gearwheel mechanism ensures precise and accurate positioning of the transport elements and thus of the chip cards with respect to the tray elements and placement positions on the feed path. 
         [0017]    The transport elements are preferably height-adjustable, in order to pick up the cards fed through below the module from the feed path and then to deposit them on the tray element which can be displaced perpendicular thereto. 
         [0018]    In a method for successively transporting a plurality of cards arranged in a row, the cards are alternately picked up by at least two transport elements, then rotated through 90° about a respective axle running perpendicular to the plane of the feed path and of the first tray element, and alternately deposited. This can take place with a time offset in such a way that one card is being picked up just as the other card is being deposited. 
         [0019]    The transport elements, during their rotational movement, are preferably moved back and forth along the orientation of the first tray element and of a second tray element which can be displaced in the direction of the first tray element. 
         [0020]    The feed path, during the rotational movements of the transport elements and during their back-and-forth movement, is preferably moved further in the direction of the transfer station in steps of one card position, so that a further card can be removed from the feed path. 
         [0021]    Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0022]    Advantages and expedient features can be found in the following description in conjunction with the drawings. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic plan view of a chip card processing system with a transport device according to the prior art, as already described; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows 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 one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of part of the transfer station for use in the device according to the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic simplified diagram in plan view of part of the device according to the invention, and 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic simplified diagram in plan view of part of the device according to the invention, according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram in plan view of a card processing system or card processing device  11 . In this card processing device  11 , a feed path  12  is displaced in steps from left to right as seen in the plan view shown in the drawing. The feed path  12  contains a plurality of cards  13  arranged in a row, which are further moved by the feed path  12  in the arrow direction  12   a.    
         [0029]    In a processing unit  14 , the cards  13  are allocated and fed to individual processing paths  15 - 18  which have a plurality of encoding stations  19  arranged in rows for encoding the cards. To this end, according to the invention the processing paths are arranged to the left and to the right of the feed path  12 , as seen in the feed direction  12   a  of the feed path  12 . 
         [0030]    The cards pass through the processing paths from one end side of the processing paths to the other, as indicated by the arrow  20 . The encoded cards are then picked up from the processing paths and deposited on the feed path  12 . 
         [0031]    The feeding of the cards  13  from the feed path  12  to the individual processing paths  15 - 18  takes place by means of displaceable tray elements  21 ,  22 , which as card carriages are displaced on a respective rail  26 ,  27 . This is illustrated by the arrow shown as reference  25 . 
         [0032]    The cards  13  that have already been encoded are also returned from the processing paths  15 - 18  on further displaceable tray elements  23 ,  24  which as card carriages can be displaced on the rails  28 ,  29 . This is once again shown by the double arrows bearing reference  25 . 
         [0033]    The cards  13  are transferred from the feed path to the tray elements  21 ,  22  and from the tray elements  23 ,  24  back to the feed path  12  within transfer stations  30 ,  31  which at their opposite sides  30   a,    30   b  on the one hand and  31   a,    31   b  on the other hand have a connection to the rails  26 ,  27  and  28 ,  29  running in opposite directions. 
         [0034]    In the transfer stations  30 ,  31 , the cards  13  are distributed between two card carriages instead of just one by means of a module (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Via this module, one card is deposited on one of the carriages while a further card still located on the feed path is picked up from the feed path during this time. Such forced control results in a considerable reduction in the time taken to transfer the cards onto the carriages and rails which can be displaced perpendicular to the feed path  12 . 
         [0035]    An example of the time-optimized transfer of the cards within the transfer station will now be demonstrated with reference to  FIG. 3 , which shows part of a transfer station in perspective view. 
         [0036]    A module  32  is moved back and forth by means of a gearwheel belt  33  which can also move back and forth in the direction of the double arrow  33   a  by means of a motor  34  and a deflection roller  35 . The gearwheel belt is arranged in a stationary manner within the transfer station, whereas the module  32  is arranged such that it can be displaced in the direction of the double arrow  33   a.    
         [0037]    A gearwheel rail  36  which is also arranged in a stationary manner makes it possible for gearwheels  37 ,  38  to be rotated while the module is moved back and forth, said gearwheels and the gearwheel mechanism  37 - 46  as a whole being connected to the module. 
         [0038]    The gearwheels  37 ,  38  act via axles  39 ,  40  connected thereto and further gearwheels  41 ,  42  on gearwheels  43 ,  44  which in turn are connected by means of axles  45  and  46  to the module. 
         [0039]    Rotation of the gearwheels  37 ,  38  and thus of the gearwheels  43 ,  44  thus brings about rotation of the axles  45 ,  46 , to which transport elements  49 ,  50  are attached. This is illustrated by the arrows  51 ,  52 . 
         [0040]    When a card  13  arriving on the feed path  12  in the feed direction  12   a  is picked up by the first transport element  49 , a movement of the module  32  to the left as seen in the image plane then takes place, during which there is a simultaneous rotational movement  51 ,  52  of the axles of the two transport elements. The first transport element  49  thus carries out a 90° rotation with the card  13  adhering thereto, and after the movement of the module  32  to the left deposits it as card  13   a  onto a first tray element (not shown here). The first tray element then moves in the direction of the double arrow  25  on a rail (not shown here) in order to feed the card  13   a  to a selected processing path (also not shown here). 
         [0041]    At the same time, a rotation  52  of the second transport element  50  takes place during its movement to the left, so that it is oriented in the card direction of the cards  13  arranged on the feed path  12  at the time it comes to rest above the feed path. A further card is then picked up which, after a return linear movement of the module  32  and a simultaneous rotational movement of the second transport element  50  and of the first transport element  49 , is deposited as card  13   b  on a first tray element (not shown here). 
         [0042]    Such forced control is made possible by the fact that the motor  34  controls the running direction of the module  32 . 
         [0043]    The cards  13  are transported through below the module on the feed path  12  (not shown in any detail here). The transport elements  49 ,  50 , which have exert a suction grip, can thus access the cards  13  and pick them up or deposit them on the feed path. 
         [0044]    The transporting of the cards on the feed path  12  takes place in a step-by-step manner, i.e. the feed path  12  is moved forward by the distance of one card in order for it to be picked up by one of the transport elements or gripper elements. The module is then moved back and the transport element changes its orientation by virtue of a 90° rotation. At the same time, the orientation of the further transport element is changed in order to deposit a card. 
         [0045]    While the first transport element  49  is arranged above the tray element in order to deposit a card, the second transport element  50  has again rotated into a card pick-up position along the orientation of the feed path  12  in order to pick up a card from the latter. During this rotational movement, the feed path is further transported by precisely one card position. 
         [0046]    The rate of transfer of the cards is controlled inter alia by the gearwheel mechanism and its connection to the gearwheel rail and also the speed of the toothed belt. 
         [0047]    The throughput of the card processing system can advantageously be increased by simultaneously picking up and depositing two cards. It is thus no longer necessary to schedule a waiting time within the transfer station in order to await the return of the transport carriage to pick up a further card. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  shows a simplified schematic diagram of the functioning of the card processing system with the feed path (not shown). The individual processing paths  15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18  are approached in the arrow direction  25  by the first tray element  21  and the second tray element  22  and the rails  26 ,  27 . 
         [0049]    The processing paths  15 - 18  running at right angles to the orientation of the rails  26 ,  27  are also approached at their other ends (not shown here) by further tray elements and rails arranged there beneath, after a card personalization process, in order then to arrive at a further transfer station for transferring the cards back to the feed path  12  by means of a further module. Here, the cards are alternately picked up from the tray elements by further transport elements and fed to a transport device, such as the feed path. From there, the cards pass either into a magazine or to another processing station. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows a simplified schematic diagram in plan view of the card processing system in the end region in which the cards are transferred back from the rails  26 ,  27  to two continuing feed paths  2 ,  2   a.  The individual processing paths  15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18  are approached in a sliding manner in the arrow direction  25  by the first tray element  21  and the second tray element  22  on the rails  26 ,  27 . 
         [0051]    This embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  differs from the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in that the first and second transport elements  49 ,  50  are spaced further apart from one another. This is not shown in  FIG. 5 . On account of the two transport elements being spaced further apart, it is possible to load not just one feed path but rather two feed paths  2 ,  2   a  running parallel to one another alternately with the cards  13  arriving from the tray elements  21 ,  22 , without this giving rise to any loss of time in comparison to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 3 . 
         [0052]    By virtue of the loading of two parallel paths  2 ,  2   a  in the discharge area of the card processing system, it is possible for the time-intensive laser machining of the surfaces of the cards  13  to take place alternately in a common laser field  48  by means of one laser  47 . This results in a reduction in the laser machining time and thus in a higher throughput of the system as a whole. Alternatively, two laser machining systems could of course be provided, namely one for the path  2  and one for the path  2   a,  in order to carry out the laser machining on the cards simultaneously. 
         [0053]    The device according to the invention advantageously has a synchronous transfer of the cards and also advantageously a symmetrical encoding space arrangement with respect to the transfer station. This results in a much faster transfer process and consequently in a rapid personalization process. 
         [0054]    All the features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as essential to the invention in so far as they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art. 
       LIST OF REFERENCES 
       [0000]    
       
           1  card processing system 
           2 ,  2   a  feed paths 
           3  cards 
           4  feed path movement direction 
           5   a - 5   d  card processing paths 
           6  encoding station 
           7   a,    7   b  rails 
           8   a,    8   b  displaceable tray element 
           9   a,    9   b  displacement direction of the tray elements 
           10   a ,  10   b  transfer stations 
           11  card processing system 
           12  feed path 
           12   a  feed path movement direction 
           13  cards 
           13   a,    13   b  cards 
           14  card processing station 
           15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18  card processing paths 
           19  encoding stations 
           20  processing direction 
           21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  displaceable tray elements 
           25  movement direction 
           26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29  rails 
           30 ,  31  transfer stations 
           30   a,    30   b,    31   a,    31   b  sides of the transfer stations 
           32  module 
           33  gearwheel belt 
           33   a  movement direction of the gearwheel belt 
           34  motor 
           35  deflection roller 
           36  gearwheel rail 
           37 - 46  gearwheel mechanism 
           47  laser 
           48  laser field 
           49 ,  50  first and second transport element 
           51 ,  52  directions of rotation