Registers – Coded record sensors – Feed mechanisms
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2001-01-09
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Feed mechanisms
C235S486000, C271S145000, C271S149000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170752
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a plastic card transport apparatus and to a plastic card inspection system including such plastic card transport apparatus. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a plastic card transport apparatus and plastic card inspection system in which plastic cards are supported by one edge as they are transported from a card input location to a card inspection location for inspection and then to a card output location at which the inspected plastic card is discharged from the plastic card transport apparatus. The card output location is selected from a plurality of card output locations on the basis of the inspection results.
Plastic cards are increasingly used as a means of personal identification and in commerce. By way of examples, many organizations issue plastic identification cards to their members to indicate membership in the organization. Credit cards and automatic teller machine cards likewise are often plastic cards. The front face of such a plastic card often has writing and a logo on it, and frequently also a hologram. The rear face frequently has a magnetic strip and a signature panel and may also have a bar code. Such plastic cards generally conform with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard CR80.
The manufacture of such plastic cards is generally automated. However, inspection of each card is necessary to assure that the card complies with the ISO CR80 Standard and has a clean front surface with proper writing, a proper logo and a proper hologram and a clean back surface with a proper magnetic strip, signature panel, and bar code area. Such plastic cards are widely used, and so are manufactured in large numbers. At present, automated inspection of each card is seldom used because it requires expensive, complex equipment and because of difficulty in transporting the plastic cards through the inspection system. Automated inspection equipment is becoming more economical and easier to use. Nevertheless, automated inspection of plastic cards is still not widely done because of difficulty in transporting the cards through the inspection system. If the plastic cards are transported from the card input location, past the card inspection location and to a card output location by supporting the cards on one of their faces, there is a danger of damaging the card surface. Consequently, such plastic cards are most often inspected manually at present. However, manual inspection is slow and too often inaccurate. Not only is it subjective, but it becomes repetitive and boring for the inspectors, who might have their attention drawn away by nearby distractions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a plastic card transport apparatus in which the plastic cards are supported on one edge while being transported from one card operation location to another card operation location. The present invention is also a plastic card inspection system, including plastic card transport apparatus for transporting plastic cards from a card input location, to a card inspection location for inspection, and then to a card output location selected from a plurality of card output locations on the basis of the inspection results.
In accordance with the present invention a plastic card transport apparatus includes a plurality of lower support wheel members which are positioned with their circumferential surfaces aligned to define a card transport path. A plurality of card operation locations are positioned along the card transport path. The lower support wheel members support each plastic card by a lower edge of the card as the plastic card is transported along the card transport path from a first one of the card operation locations to a second one of the card operation locations. An upper retaining means is positioned above the lower support wheel members to engage an upper edge of the plastic card. The upper retaining means cooperates with the lower support wheel members to retain the plastic card supported on the lower support wheel members as the plastic card is transported along the card transport path. A drive source continuously drives selected ones of the lower support wheel members to move the plastic card along the card transport path between card operation locations. A controller responds to a control signal by driving a selected one of the lower support wheel members adjacent a first one of the card operation locations to move the plastic card along the card transport path from that first one of the card operation locations to an adjacent one of the continuously driven lower support wheel members, and so the plastic card is transported to a second one of the card operation locations. A signal source provides the control signal as needed. Preferably, a lower guide extends along a portion of the card transport path and cooperates with the lower support wheel members to retain the lower edge of the plastic card on the lower support wheel members. Preferably, also, the upper retaining member is a plurality of upper wheel members.
The plastic card inspection system includes a plurality of lower support wheel members, upper retaining means, and a drive source as in the plastic card transport apparatus. In the plastic card inspection system, the card operation locations include a card input location, a card inspection location, a first card output location, and a second card output location. A plastic card input supply provides plastic cards to the card input location. First and second card receivers receive plastic cards from the first and second card output locations. A card inspection device inspects the plastic cards at the card inspection location and provides an inspection signal indicative of the results of the inspection. A card input means adjacent the card input location responds to the inspection signal by inputting a plastic card from the card input location to an adjacent one of the continuously driven lower support wheel members so that the inputted plastic card is transported to the card inspection location for inspection. A first control means responsive to each inspection signal drives a first selected one of the lower support wheel members, adjacent the card inspection location, to move the inspected plastic card along the card transport path from the card inspection location to an adjacent one of the continuously driven lower support wheel members, moving the inspected plastic card along the card transport path to the first card output location. A first card discharging means, adjacent the first card output location, responds to the inspected plastic card being transported to the first card output location following an inspection signal indicative of a first inspection result by discharging the inspected plastic card from the card transport path to the first card receiver. A second control means responds to an inspection signal indicative of a second inspection result by driving a second selected one of the lower support wheel members, adjacent the first card output location, to move the inspected plastic card along the card transport path from the first card output location to an adjacent one of the continuously driven lower support wheel members, moving the inspected plastic card along the card transport path to the second output location. A second card discharging means, adjacent the second card output location, responds to the inspected card being transported to the second card output location following an inspection signal indicative of the second inspection result by discharging the inspected plastic card from the card transport path to the second card receiver.
When the card inspection simply determines whether each plastic card has met certain criteria or not, the first and second card receivers separate cards that have passed the inspection and cards that have failed the inspection. If the inspection is to separate cards into more than two groups in response to inspection signals indicative of more than two types of inspection results, then the card transport app
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Frech Karl D.
Lee Diane I.
NBS Technologies, Inc.
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