Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Credit or identification card systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2002-02-12
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Credit or identification card systems
C235S475000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06345760
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for issuing IC cards which has an embedded thin integrated circuit chip, i.e., IC chip. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for issuing IC cards, which is used at the fee payment in game arcades, etc., as fare payment for transport (e.g. electric trains), or at automatic vending machines of goods. The invention relates to an apparatus for issuing IC cards, which is suitably installed for dispensing the IC card automatically, which pulls out a blank IC card without data and writes data to this IC card for sale. The IC card may be encoded via communication means.
The invention also relates to a machine process for IC cards which are used for payment as described above with a suitable process for IC cards to treat the IC cards as cash. The invention further relates to a machine process for IC cards suitable to perform various payments, using IC cards on which data relating to money amounts were written. The machine write data in a blank IC card without data and subsequently issues the IC card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Until now, various apparatuses for selling cards have been developed. For example, the applicant's Japanese Utility Patent Application Number 63-60147 discloses a card-issuing-apparatus for a suitable card vending machine. This application is published as Japanese Utility Model Publication Number 7-26276 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,587). The card-issuing-apparatus has an accommodation chamber
500
for accommodating a multi layer body
300
of cards upwardly, as shown in FIG.
17
. The issuing apparatus is provided with a supporting plate
400
. This maintains the multi layer body of cards
300
from the lower position. Also, the issuing apparatus is provided with a drawing roller
50
for cards under the supporting plate
140
. Card-issuing rollers
107
and
109
are provided between the drawing roller
105
and card-issuing opening
140
. The card, which is drawn out from under the card multi layer body
300
by the drawing roller
105
, is sent to the exit
140
with the issuing rollers
107
and
109
. The apparatus further arranges a roller
108
, which is provided above the issuing roller
107
and prevents two sheets of card from issuing, and the roller
108
rotates in the reverse direction against the issuing direction.
The gap between rollers
107
and
108
is defined for passing only one sheet card which was drawn out by the drawing roller
105
. When a card is blocked between rollers
107
and
108
, the card is detected by the sensor (not shown) and the drawing roller
105
rotates in a reverse direction. If the drawing roller
105
is rotated for the reverse direction, the roller
108
for preventing two sheets of card from issuing, which is interlocked with the roller
105
, is also rotated in the reverse direction. However, since the mechanism of roller
108
is provided with the clutch structure, the start of reverse rotation of roller
108
is delayed for a while from the start of reverse rotation of drawing roller
105
. Therefore, the card, which is blocked between the rollers
107
and
108
, is returned the reverse direction against the issuing direction. In addition, the symbols
100
and
200
shown in
FIG. 17
are sideboards, which respectively comprise the card accommodation chamber
500
.
The symbol
106
is the drive shaft of drawing roller
105
. The symbol
109
is a card discharge roller. The symbol
111
is the shaft of roller
107
. The symbol
112
is the shaft of roller
108
for the reverse rotation. The symbol
113
is the shaft of discharge roller
109
. The symbol
114
is the shaft of an assistance roller
110
. The symbol
115
is an electric motor for driving. The symbol
116
is the shaft of motor
115
. The symbols
117
,
119
,
120
,
121
,
122
, and
124
are respectively pulleys. The symbol
118
and
123
are respectively belts. The symbol
370
is a protrusion of drawing roller
105
. The symbol
380
is a window, which is opened at the supporting plate
400
. The symbol
390
is a weight for the cards. The symbol
440
is an arm of a detection switch.
The above-mentioned card payment apparatus is provided only with a function, which draws one sheet at a time of several-laminated cards reliably from the bottom position.
Unexamined-Japanese-patent 10-186795 discloses an issuing apparatus for IC cards. This issuing apparatus of the IC cards comprises at least: connector means for performing data processing of an IC card inserted from the exterior; means to connect the inserted IC card to the connector means; and means for drawing externally the IC card on which data processing is performed by means of the connector means. Furthermore, the issuing apparatus of the IC cards comprises at least: means for drawing only an IC card which is positioned at the bottom most or outside of the IC cards piled; connector means for performing data processing of the drawn IC card; means for connecting the drawn IC card to the connector means, means for sending out externally the IC card which data processing was performed by means of the connector means.
The possibilities of IC card use, particularly with built in IC chip, includes the provision of micro computers with memories. For this reason increasing demand is anticipated.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which can perform the steps for data processing IC cards and issuing the IC cards, by adding a simple structure to an apparatus, which can draw cards one by one.
Another object of the invention is to offer an apparatus, which can perform IC card data processing from the exterior of apparatus, and which can issue an IC card for the exterior of apparatus.
According to the invention, an apparatus for issuing IC cards is provided comprising at least: connector means for performing data processing of an IC card inserted from the exterior; means for connecting the inserted IC card to the connector means; and means for discharging externally the IC card on which data processing is performed by the connector means.
Also, this invention provides an apparatus for issuing IC cards comprising at least: means for drawing only an IC card positioned on the most bottom or exterior of the IC cards piled up; connector means for performing data processing of the drawn IC card; means for connecting the drawn IC card to the connector means; and means for discharging externally the IC card on which data processing is performed by the connector means. Further, this invention is an apparatus for issuing IC cards comprising means for collecting an IC card which was processed or is not processed by the connector means at the inside of said apparatus. This invention is a process machine for IC cards comprising at least: shutter means for detecting an IC card from the outside of said machine and accepting the IC card into the inside thereof; connector means which performs data processing on the IC card accepted in the machine; means for connecting the accepted IC card to the connector means; and, means for sending out externally the IC card on which data processing was performed by means of the connector means.
According to the invention, a machine process for IC cards includes discharging an IC card from piled IC cards; performing data processing on IC card; connecting the discharged IC card to the connector means; moving out the IC card on which data processing was performed by means of the connector means; and, detecting the IC card from the moving-out means and issuing (sending out externally) the IC card.
Further, this invention is a process machine for IC cards comprising means for collecting the IC card which was processed or is not processed by means of the connector means at the inside of the machine.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
Eason Michael
McBeath Robert
Asahi Seiko., Ltd.
Fureman Jared J.
Lee Michael G.
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
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