APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING IC CARD SHEET AND THE

METHOD THEREOF

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet, and more particularly, to an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet which can improve the quality of an IC card by manufacturing the IC card in such a way as to locate the IC card sheet vertically and supply it on a punching unit to punch it. The present invention also relates to a method for punching the IC card sheet using the above apparatus.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, an IC card used for a credit card or an ID card substitutes a conventional magnetic stripe card since it is excellent in terms of information storing capacity, security, reliability, and so on. Such IC card is classified into a contact IC card for inputting and outputting information through its contact electrode between a card reader terminal and the electrode, a contactless IC card having an antenna therein for inputting and outputting information in radio frequencies by generating induced current to the antenna of the IC card when it approaches the card reader terminal, and a combicard, also called "dual-interface card", having all functions of both of the contact IC card and the contactless type IC card.

[4] Such IC card is generally manufactured in the steps of manufacturing a sheet on which a number of IC cards are formed by sandwiching and thermal compressing a number of plastic foils with an IC chip and an antenna, and punching the sheet using a punching apparatus. The present invention relates to an apparatus for punching the IC card sheet having the IC cards thereon.

[5] FIG. 1 shows a conventional punching apparatus for manufacturing the IC card by punching the IC card sheet.

[6] Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional IC card sheet punching apparatus 200 is manufactured in the steps of putting an IC card sheet 100 on a sheet conveying board 210 horizontally, driving a roller 200 by roller driving means 222 to place the IC card sheet 100 under a punching unit 230, and punching the IC card sheet by the punching unit 230 according to operation of a press 232.

[7] Furthermore, in the conventional IC card sheet punching apparatus, the IC card sheet is supplied in a state where it is set on a standard line 212 to prevent a separation of the IC card sheet in a right or left direction when the IC card sheet is supplied to the punching apparatus. Moreover, the conventional IC card sheet punching apparatus may

include a guide (not shown) near the standard line 212 to prevent a distortion of the IC card sheet when it is conveyed by the driving of the roller 220.

[8] In such conventional IC card sheet punching apparatus, since the IC card sheet is supplied to the punching unit in a state where it is placed horizontally, one side or both sides of the IC card sheet are in contact with the sheet conveying board 210 or the roller 220, and thereby, scratches may be caused on the surface of the IC card sheet. As a result, the scratches deteriorate the outward appearance and quality of the final IC card product. Additionally, since a mold must be manufactured according to the size of the IC card sheet, only the IC card sheet having a size suitable for the mold can be punched. In addition, since the IC card sheet is manufactured by thermally compressing a number of the plastic sheets at high temperature, it may be easily distorted by heat. If the distorted IC card sheet is punched as it is, the final IC card product is deteriorated in quality, and causes additional production expenses due to frequent errors. The quality of the final IC card product is considered very important since the IC card is more expensive in a material cost, and a manufacturing cost than the magnetic stripe card.

[9] Therefore, to solve the above problems of the conventional IC card sheet punching apparatus, an apparatus and a method for punching an IC card sheet, in which the IC card sheet is vertically supplied to the apparatus and horizontally punched, are invented.

[10]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Solution

[11] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet, which supplies and punches the IC card sheet vertically, thereby preventing scratches generated on the surface of the IC card sheet.

[12] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for punching an

IC card sheet, which can convey the IC card sheet in horizontal and vertical directions, thereby punching IC card sheets of various sizes without exchanging a mold of a punching unit.

[13] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet, which can punch the IC card sheet after correcting distortion when the IC card sheet is deviated in the horizontal or vertical direction or distorted to an extent of a horizontal angle (θ).

[14] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet, which can supply the IC card sheet vertically and regulate a punching location of each IC card.

[15] To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet including: a clamp 1 engaging with a sheet fixing member 11 for clamping the IC card sheet, connected with a horizontally movable member 12 by a rotary shaft 13, and adjusting a horizontal angle (θ) according to a rotation of a cam 14 disposed on the horizontally movable member; a vertically movable unit 2 having a horizontally movable shaft 21 connected to the horizontally movable member 12 and horizontally driving means 22 for driving the clamp 1 horizontally; a fixed unit 3 having a vertically movable shaft 32 connected to the vertically movable unit 2 and vertically driving means 34 for driving the vertically movable unit 2 vertically, and located on a work table 8; and a punching unit 6 fixed on the work table 8, having a punch blade 61 and opposed to a fixed device 62, wherein the IC card sheet is vertically placed on the punching unit 6 and punched between the punch blade 61 and the fixed device 62 by an operation of a press 63.

[16] The apparatus for punching an IC card sheet further includes photographing means

5 located inside the fixed device 62 for photographing a punched portion of the IC card sheet.

[17] Furthermore, the apparatus for punching an IC card sheet further includes a sheet guide 4 for guiding the IC card sheet when the IC card sheet 100 is supplied, and a card discharge unit 7 for discharging IC cards punched inside the fixed device 62 mounted on the work table 8.

[18] In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for punching an IC card sheet including the steps of: vertically clamping the IC card sheet by a clamp; moving the clamp in order to place the IC card sheet between a punching unit and a fixed device, and punching the IC card sheet.

[19] Moreover, the method for punching an IC card sheet further includes the steps of photographing the punched portion of the IC card and transferring the photographed image data to a control device before the step of punching the IC card sheet; comparing the photographed image data with previously set horizontal position, vertical position and horizontal angle of the IC card, and obtaining the compared value; and correcting the position of the clamp according to the compared value.

[20]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional apparatus for punching an IC card sheet.

[22] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[23] FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus for punching an IC card sheet according to

the present invention.

[24] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a punching unit of the apparatus for punching an IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[25] FIG. 5 is a conceptual view showing an operation state of a clamp for adjusting a horizontal angle of the apparatus for punching an IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[26] FIG. 6 is a conceptual view showing an image photographed by photographing means for adjusting a horizontal angle of the apparatus for punching an IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[27]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[29] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus for punching an IC card sheet according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus for punching an IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[30] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus for punching the IC card sheet according to the present invention includes a clamp 1 for fixing an IC card sheet vertically. The clamp 1 engages with a sheet fixing member 11 and clamps the IC card sheet. Furthermore, the clamp 1 is connected with a horizontally movable member 12 by a rotary shaft 13. The horizontally movable member 12 is connected to a horizontally movable shaft 21, and so, performs a horizontal movement in order to move the clamp 1 horizontally. The horizontally movable shaft 21 has a screw thread formed thereon, and the horizontally movable member 12 has a screw groove (not shown) for inserting the screw thread of the horizontally movable shaft 21 thereinto. Horizontally driving means 22 uses a device, for example, a motor, and is connected to an end of the horizontally movable shaft 21, whereby the horizontally movable shaft 21 is rotated by an operation of the horizontally driving means 22. Thereby, the horizontally movable member 12 is moved horizontally. To promote the horizontal movement, the apparatus for punching the IC card sheet may include a horizontal guide rail 23 for guiding the horizontal movement of the horizontally movable member 12.

[31] The horizontally movable shaft 21 and the horizontally driving means 22 connected with the horizontally movable member 12 are mounted on a vertically movable unit 2. The vertical movable unit 2 is mounted on a fixed unit 3 fixed on a work table 8. The vertically movable unit has a screw groove (not shown) formed on the center thereof for inserting a vertically movable shaft 32 having a screw thread. To promote the vertical movement of the vertically movable unit 2, the apparatus for punching the IC

card sheet may include a vertical guide rail 33 mounted on the fixed unit. The vertically movable shaft 32 has vertically driving means 34 disposed at an end thereof. The vertically driving means 34 uses a device, for example, a motor, whereby the vertically movable shaft 21 is rotated by operation of the vertically driving means 22. Thereby, the vertically movable member 12 is moved vertically.

[32] The horizontally movable member 12 has a cam 14 disposed on a side thereof. The cam 14 is rotated by cam driving means 15. Preferably, the cam 14 is in the form of an oval, and in contact with a side of the upper end of the clamp 1. Therefore, when the cam 14 is rotated, the clamp 1 is rotated along the rotary shaft 13 and inclined to a certain direction as much as a horizontal angle (θ). The horizontal angle (θ) in the present invention means an angle between an X-axis and the horizontally movable member 12, when a direction (horizontal direction) that IC cards are supplied is an X- axis direction and a movement direction of the vertically movable unit 2 is a Y-axis direction in rectangular coordinates.

[33] In the present invention, when the horizontally movable member 12 moves the clamp 1 horizontally in a state where the upper portion of the IC card sheet 100 is fixed on the clamp 1, the present invention may includes a sheet guide 4 mounted at a portion of the work table 8 where the IC card sheet 100 is supplied in order to insert the IC card sheet 100 into the punching unit without vibration of the lower portion of the IC card sheet 100. When a direction (horizontal direction) that IC cards are supplied is an X-axis direction and a movement direction of the vertically movable unit 2 is a Y-axis direction in rectangular coordinates, the sheet guide 4 is moved in a Z- axis direction, whereby the IC card sheet 100 is supplied smoothly. The sheet guide 4 can be supported by a fixed sheet guide 41.

[34] The supplied IC card sheet 100 is placed between a fixed device 62 mounted on the work table and the punching unit 6. The IC card sheet 100 is located at a correct position so that the IC card is punched at a position of a punch blade 61 which has the same size as the IC card, and then the punch blade 61 punches the IC card sheet 100 when the press 63 is operated.

[35] At this time, to precisely regulate the position of the IC card, the photographing means 5 such as a CCD camera fixed on a photographing means fixing member 51 is mounted inside the fixed device 62 in order to photograph the IC card. A photographed image data is transferred to a control device (not shown), and compared with a position of the IC card which is previously stored in the control device. As a result of the comparison, the IC card sheet 100 is moved in the X-axis, Y-axis and horizontal angle (θ) according to a difference between the photographed image data and the previously stored data so as to correct the position thereof. The control device includes a memory and processing means in which software is stored for carrying out the comparison,

input means for previously inputting a position specification of the IC card, and display means for confirming the compared images. The control device may be used in such a way as to be connected with a personal computer.

[36] The punched IC card is discharged to a card collector (not shown) through a card discharge unit 7. The card discharge unit 7 includes a conveyer belt 71 and belt driving means (not shown) for conveying the final IC card product.

[37] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the punching unit 6 of the apparatus for punching the IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[38] Referring to FIG. 4, the punching unit 6 is opposed to the fixed device 62. When the IC card sheet 100 is supplied between the punching unit 6 and the fixed device 62 and the punch blade 61 protrudes by the operation of the press 63, the IC card sheet 100 is punched, whereby the final IC card product is manufactured. The work table located between the punching unit 6 and the fixed device 62 has a discharge hole 81 for discharging the remaining IC card sheet after all IC cards of the IC card sheet are punched.

[39] FIG. 5 is a conceptual view showing an operation state of the clamp 1 for correcting the horizontal angle (θ) in the apparatus for punching the IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[40] In FIG. 5 (a), the upper end of a side of the clamp 1 is in contact with the cam 14 mounted on a side of the horizontally movable member 12. In FIG. 5(b), the clamp 1 is rotated on the rotary shaft 13 according to the rotation of the cam 14 so as to be inclined to an extent of the horizontal angle (θ). However, if the IC card sheet 100 is distorted in a direction of the horizontal angle (θ) by the above, the IC card sheet 100 is punched to correct the distortion, whereby the final IC card product is improved in quality.

[41] FIG. 6 shows an image of a part of the IC card photographed by the photographing means 5 to correct the horizontal angle in the apparatus for punching the IC card sheet according to the present invention.

[42] FIG. 6 shows an image photographing an electrode surface of an IC chip exposed to the outside of a contact card or a combicard. In FIG. 6, a dotted line indicates a standard position which is previously inputted, and a solid line indicates an actually photographed image. In FIG. 6(a), the IC card to be punched has an error as much as the horizontal angle (θ) and Δx in a lateral direction from the previously set position. First, to correct the horizontal angle (θ), the cam 14 is operated to correct the position of the IC card as much as the error of the value of θ. FIG. 6(b) shows an image after the correction as much as the horizontal angle. Next, the clamp 1 is horizontally moved as much as the error of the lateral direction (Δx) to correct the error of the lateral direction. FIG. 6(c) shows an image after the correction.

[43] In FIG. 6, the position of the IC card sheet is corrected by photographing the electrode surface of the IC card, but may be corrected by photographing other portions of the IC card, for example, a printed portion of the outside of the IC card such as a portion where a photograph of an ID card is attached.

[44] A process for punching the IC card sheet using the apparatus for punching the IC card sheet will be described as follows.

[45] The IC card sheet is clamped by the clamp 1, and supplied to the punching unit 6 in a state where the IC card sheet stands vertically. Next, the horizontally movable member 12 and the vertically movable unit 2 connected to the clamp 1 are operated so that the IC card sheet is placed between the punching unit 6 and the fixed device 62. The press 63 is operated to protrude the punch blade 61, and the punch blade 61 punches the IC card sheet 100. The punched IC card is discharged through the card discharge unit 7. According to the apparatus for punching the IC card sheet of the present invention, since the IC card sheet 100 is punched in the state where it stands vertically, if it is supplied horizontally, the present invention can prevent scratches generated on the IC card sheet 100, and easily discharge the punched IC card since the IC card drops down by gravity.

[46] As described above, the present invention photographs a portion of the IC card using the photographing means 5, compares the photographed image with the previously input image and corrects the error between the two images in the directions of X-axis, Y-axis and horizontal angle (θ) in order to precisely arrange the punched IC card. Therefore, the photographing means 5 is mounted inside the fixed device 62, photographs the IC card and transfers the photographed image data to the control device. The control device compares the previously input data with the photographed image data, and then, controls the operation of the vertically movable unit 2, the horizontally movable member 12 and the cam 14.

[47] The present invention can punch the IC card sheet without regard to the size of the

IC card sheet since the IC card sheet is movably punched. For example, in FIG. 2, the IC cards of the number of 7x3 are formed on one sheet. In a case of the conventional punching apparatus for punching the sheet on which the IC cards of the number of 7x3 are formed, to punch a sheet on which IC cards of the number of 6x4 are formed, a mold of the punching unit must be exchanged with another one. However, the punching apparatus according to the present invention can punch the IC card sheet without exchange of the mold and without regard to the size of the sheet.