DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING DOCUMENTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for processing, in particular for personalizing, documents, such as card-shaped or book-shaped identification documents.

[0002] A wide variety of personalized documents, particularly in card or book form, are known from the state of the art. For example, book-like passport documents or individual pages thereof (e.g., the so-called "passport holder page" or paper pages), identity cards, and many types of personalized chip cards, such as bank cards, credit cards, ID cards, membership cards, access cards, etc., or personal (mostly card-shaped) labels, all belong to the group of personalized documents.

[0003] Personalization means that the document in question contains or bears document-specific information that is typically associated with a document holder. In some cases, this information can identify the holder, for example, by means of their name, passport photo, identity number, or other characteristics that are printed on, affixed to, or stored within the document, particularly in the form of data. Personalization can refer specifically to an individual person or to a particular, limited group of people, such as employees of a company.

[0004] Instead of or in addition to personalizing documents, it may be intended, depending on the application, that a number of documents are processed in the same way, for example, to provide each document with information that is the same for all documents and therefore not document-specific.

[0005] The processing of documents to provide them with document-specific and / or non-document-specific information can be carried out in particular by printing, by engraving or, especially in the case of a plastic surface, by targeted local discoloration of the surface material of the document by applying energy, in particular by using a suitable laser.

[0006] DE 10 2008 051 516 A1 discloses a coding device and a method for coding data carriers, in particular chip cards, comprising a transport device for transporting a plurality of data carriers in a first transport direction of a transport plane and a rotating device with a plurality of ring-like arranged coding stations, each having a receiving compartment for receiving a data carrier, wherein an axis of rotation of the rotating device is oriented perpendicular to the transport plane and the first transport direction. The independent claims are delimited from this document.

[0007] EP 1 435 587 A2 discloses a device for processing cards, comprising at least one track for card transport, at least one processing station located in the area of ​​the track, which has at least one moving carrier with several holding devices which serve to capture and hold a respective card during the movement phase of the carrier with processing taking place during this time and to release a respective card after processing, and with at least one first transfer device and / or second transfer device between the track and the carrier, wherein the cards can be removed from the track and transferred to the holding devices of the carrier by means of the first transfer device and can be removed from the holding devices of the carrier and transferred to the track by means of the second transfer device.

[0008] DE 10 2006 061 214 A1 discloses a device for attaching personal data to security-relevant documents.

[0009] CN 106 446 999 A discloses a smart card personalization device and a smart card production line equipped therewith. The smart card personalization device comprises a card dispensing device, a card writing device, a card receiving device, and a card reissuing device.

[0010] WO 2011 / 154628 A1 discloses a machine for printing on generally cylindrical objects with variable diameters.

[0011] German patent application DE 10 2006 031 024 A1 describes a printing device and a method for printing personalized documents. The printing device comprises a printing unit for printing a personalized document located in a printing area and a feeding unit for sequentially feeding the personalized documents into the printing area. The feeding unit has several movable carriers for receiving a personalized document to be printed and moving it into and out of the printing area. The device also includes a drive unit for moving the carriers along a feeding direction on different planes arranged perpendicular to the feeding direction.It also features a control unit for activating the drive mechanism, so that the multiple carrier units are moved alternately between a receiving position, in which a personalization document is inserted, and the printing area. This is achieved by the drive mechanism guiding the multiple carrier units past each other on the different levels as they move in the feed direction.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a device and a method that further improves the document processing process. In particular, it is desirable to achieve high operational reliability, high document throughput, and / or high print quality.

[0013] The solution to this problem is achieved according to the teaching of the independent claims. Various embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0014] A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for processing a document. The device comprises: (i) a processing unit for providing information to a document to be processed when it is within the working area of ​​the processing unit; and (ii) a traversing unit with a document carrier unit that moves along a path. The traversing unit is configured: (i) to receive a document to be processed at a transfer position of the device onto or at a document support surface of the document carrier unit;(ii) to move the captured document into the working area of ​​the processing device for processing and out of the working area of ​​the processing device after processing by means of a document carrier device, wherein the method of the document carrier device for this purpose takes place at least in one section of the path at least with respect to a direction of movement component along a certain (first) direction of movement which is orthogonal to a plane defined by three different points on the document support surface; and (iii) to rotate the document support surface about an axis of rotation aligned along the certain (first) direction of movement, such that the document can be processed within the working area of ​​the processing device in one of at least two selectable different orientations of the document relative to the processing device, depending on the angle of rotation of this rotation.

[0015] For the purposes of this invention, "configured," "set up," or variations thereof mean that the device in question is already prepared or adjustable—i.e., configurable—to perform a specific function. This configuration or setup can be achieved, for example, by adjusting parameters of a process sequence or by using hardware- or software-implemented switches or similar devices to activate or deactivate functionalities or settings. In particular, the device can have several predetermined configurations or operating modes, allowing configuration to be performed by selecting one of these configurations or operating modes.

[0016] The axis of rotation can, in particular, pass through a center of gravity or geometric center of the document support surface and / or the document support device as a whole. The specific direction of movement is to be understood as a direction vector in space and thus defines an entire class of directional arrows that are identical in direction, magnitude, and orientation.

[0017] A "processing device" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a subsystem of the device for processing a document, which is configured to provide a document with information. For this purpose, the processing device may, in particular, include a printing device, for example, an inkjet printer or a drop-on-demand (DoD) printer, a marking laser, or a programming head for writing information in the form of data to a data storage device located in the document. The processing device may also be multifunctional and, for this purpose, have several different document processing functionalities, such as inkjet printing and laser processing. In the case of printing, the information may, in particular, be applied to the document in monochrome or in color.Furthermore, the processing device may comprise a combination of at least one printing device for applying ink and at least one additional post-treatment device downstream of the respective printing device for the respective ink, in particular a light source for drying the ink and / or a source of ultraviolet light for curing UV-sensitive inks. Additionally, the processing device may be configured to apply a transparent ink or coating, in particular by means of another suitable printing device (e.g., "liquid coating"). Optionally, the document processing device may also include multiple processing devices, in particular such that they process the documents serially or in parallel.In some variants, different processing units can also perform different process steps, such as printing on the one hand and writing electronic data into a memory of the document on the other.

[0018] The information that can be added to the document during its processing by at least one processing unit may include, in particular, document-specific information, especially "personalization information" and / or non-document-specific information.

[0019] Accordingly, the "operating area" of the processing device, as defined in the invention, is a spatial area on, in, or around the processing device in which the document is provided with the information. In particular, this can be the spatial area in which (i) in the case of printing, the printing ink is applied to the document, (ii) in the case of laser treatment, the surface-altering effect of the laser occurs on the document surface, or (iii) in the case of programming, data is transferred to a data storage device present in the document, for example, by means of electrical contact, induction, or short-range electromagnetic radiation.

[0020] A "document carrier device" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a receiving device for a document to be processed, designed to transfer and support the document within the working area of ​​the processing device during the processing operation. For this purpose, the document carrier device can be configured, in particular, to (i) support the document in a tray-like manner, (ii) at least partially accommodate it in a cavity of the document carrier device, or (iii) fix it to or within the document carrier device by means of a fixing device, in each case to move it along with the document carrier device during its movement.

[0021] A "document support surface" within the meaning of the invention is, in particular, a surface on the surface of the document support device which is configured and designed to come into mechanical contact with a document to be processed when it is picked up, in order to support or guide the document as it traverses the path of the document support device. The document support surface can, in particular, be flat, at least in sections.

[0022] A "pathway" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a movement path of an object, in particular of finite length, specifically a document carrier device. The pathway can, in particular, have a closed loop shape, in which the object, starting from a node located on the pathway, returns to the node after traversing the pathway, which then encloses a non-empty area, thus connecting the node to itself by means of a closed loop defined by the pathway. A purely reciprocating movement to or from a node, for example along a linear path such as a rail or other linear guide, therefore constitutes a pathway in the above sense, but not a closed loop-shaped pathway.The trajectory can, in particular, define a movement of the object along a closed loop in one segment and a purely back-and-forth movement in another. Thus, in many cases, the trajectory can also include segments with directional components along at least one second or third direction of movement orthogonal to the defined (first) direction of movement.

[0023] In such a device according to the invention, the orientation of the document support surface, and thus of the document to be processed, can be varied relative to the processing unit. In particular, it is conceivable to provide a set of at least two discrete, different selectable orientations or even a continuously selectable orientation.

[0024] Furthermore, the device allows the processing unit to be fixed in position and / or rotationally fixed within the device, while only the document to be processed is moved using the movable document carrier to feed it to the processing unit or, after processing, to move it away from it. This effectively counteracts the risk of misalignment or even damage to the often very sensitive processing units, such as printheads, which can occur with alternative devices where the processing unit or parts thereof must be moved.

[0025] Due to the rotatability of the document support device, it is particularly possible, even with a stationary and / or rotationally fixed processing device, to process one and the same document at different points on the document without removing it from the document support device, even if not all of these points can be within the working area of ​​the processing device at the same time.

[0026] Since some conceivable document processing operations, particularly line-by-line or matrix-based processing patterns such as in inkjet printing, produce results that depend on the document's relative orientation to the processing device during the operation, the device can be particularly advantageous for increasing the counterfeit protection of the document containing the information. The results of processing at different document orientations can thus be used as a security feature.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the device are described below, which, unless expressly excluded or technically impossible, can be combined with one another as desired and are equally applicable to the method described below according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the traversing device is further configured to move the document carrier device such that, at at least one point on the trajectory, the document support surface of the document carrier device lies completely within the working area of ​​the processing device. This can be advantageously used to rotate the document by appropriately rotating the document support surface, either before the start or after the start and before the end of the processing process by the processing device, so that the document is processed with at least two different relative orientations of the document relative to the processing device, without requiring any movement of the document carrier device beyond rotation during this period.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the device is configured to process the document with the processing unit within its operating range, in order to personalize the document individually. For this purpose, the device can, in particular, store document-specific information, especially personalization data, associated with the document to be processed, in a memory or receive it from an information source via an interface and cause the processing unit to apply this document-specific information to the document during processing. In these embodiments, the device is thus particularly capable of performing personalization or other document-specific processing of the document.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the document carrier device comprises a turntable rotatable about the axis of rotation, with the document support surface, and a frame structure that surrounds the turntable at least partially and is rotationally fixed with respect to the axis of rotation. Such a design makes it possible, in particular, to decouple the movement of the document carrier device from the rotation of the document support surface, especially so that the movement of the document carrier device along its path does not require consideration of a specific rotational position or current rotation of the document support surface.

[0031] According to some of these embodiments, the rotary table is driven via a shaft that simultaneously serves as a mechanical guide for at least one section of the path of the document carrier device's movement. This allows for a particularly space-saving implementation of the device. Furthermore, undesirable obstructions or restrictions to the traverse caused by elements of a drive for the rotary table can be effectively reduced or even completely avoided. The aforementioned path can, in particular, be one that runs exclusively along the defined (first) direction of movement, which makes it possible to align the shaft with the defined (first) direction of movement and thus with the axis of rotation of the rotary table, so that no direction conversion between the shaft and the rotary table is required.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the device further comprises a collision sensor configured to monitor a spatial area between the document carrier and the processing unit and to output a specific signal when an impending or actual collision between the document supported on the document carrier and the processing unit is detected. Advantageously, upon the occurrence of the signal, control of the document carrier's movement and / or a rotation of the document carrier can be triggered such that the impending collision is avoided, or, in the case of an existing collision, it is reversed, or a momentary relative movement between the document carrier and the processing unit is interrupted. In this way, the probability of such collisions occurring can be effectively reduced, and in the event of a possible collision, the device can be prevented from occurring.Nevertheless, in the event of a collision that occurs, the extent of possible damage to the document, the document carrier device or the processing device should be minimized.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the processing device has at least one document processing element, such as a print head or a laser, for processing the document, which is stationary within the device. This has the advantage that, on the one hand, no measures need to be provided for the execution and control of the movement of this document processing element, and on the other hand, damage or misalignment can be prevented due to the elimination of such movement, which could otherwise occur due to accelerations occurring during movement, such as jerky movements when starting, stopping, changing direction, or in the form of vibrations.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the document carrier device is the only document carrier device of the apparatus, configured to receive a document at the transfer position and move it along a trajectory into the working area of ​​the processing device and subsequently out of the working area again. This allows maximum flexibility regarding the possible trajectories of the document carrier device, as it is unnecessary to consider the trajectories of other document carrier devices, particularly with regard to collision avoidance or coordination of their respective positions at the transfer position or within the working area of ​​the processing device.In particular, this facilitates processing processes in which the document carrier device stops at different locations along the path for processing the document, or the path changes direction, especially a reversal of direction.

[0035] According to some embodiments, the device further comprises a transport device configured to feed a document to be processed along a transport path to the transfer position for reception by the document carrier device, and to transport a document already processed by the processing device and dispensed by the document carrier device at the transfer position away from the transfer position. In this way, the device requires only a single transfer position, at which both the receipt of the documents by the document carrier device and the subsequent dispensing of the processed document take place.This not only offers the advantage of a particularly compact design, but also eliminates empty runs of the document carrier unit, as a document carrier unit that has just been unloaded can be immediately reloaded with another document on the spot without any intermediate movement. This also contributes to increasing the achievable throughput. Furthermore, in particular compared to the teaching of DE 10 2006 031 024 A1, the need for separate loading or unloading units in addition to the document carrier unit is eliminated, since the document carrier unit is loaded with documents directly from the transport unit, or the documents are unloaded onto it after processing.

[0036] The device design described above can, according to some embodiments, be implemented in such a way that the traversing device has a traversing unit on each side of the transport path for moving the document carrier device along its trajectory. In particular, such a solution also allows for a flexible response to irregular delays occurring during document processing by means of appropriate individual control of the individual traversing units, in order to ensure the continuous operation of the device and thus the desired high throughput.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the device is further configured to carry out the traverse movement of the document carrier unit along its path such that an intermediate stop occurs at least at the transfer position. This has the advantage that loading and unloading of the document carrier unit can take place at the transfer position while the document carrier unit is stationary, which simplifies the complexity of implementing the loading and unloading processes and can contribute to increased reliability of these processes and thus of the overall operation of the device.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the device is further configured, when the document carrier is at the transfer position, to eject a document currently carried by the document carrier and previously processed by the processing unit, and to take over another document, yet to be processed by the processing unit, before the document carrier continues its movement for another trajectory. In this way, the document carrier is both unloaded and reloaded in place at the transfer position without any intermediate empty travel of the document carrier.Thus, a further increase in the throughput of the device can be achieved, since in this way the proportion of the path of the document carrier device along which it is not loaded with a document for processing can be minimized and in particular reduced to zero.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the path of the document carrier device is defined as a closed loop-shaped path such that, during operation of the device, this path has a path segment between the transfer position and a first intermediate position that is traversed twice per path cycle, wherein this path segment is traversed by the document carrier device on the one hand during a movement from the transfer position to the first intermediate position and on the other hand, offset in time and in the opposite direction, during a movement from the first intermediate position to the transfer position.These embodiments allow the movement of the document carrier device along the twice-traversed path section to be designed, and in particular configured variably, with respect to both direction and speed of movement, so that undesirable interactions between the document carrier device and the transport device in the transfer position area can be minimized or completely avoided. In particular, this makes it easy to prevent an unwanted collision between the moving document carrier device and the transport device.For example, the movement speed of the document carrier device in the path curve section can be reduced compared to the movement speed in the rest of the path curve, especially compared to the movement speed on the return path from the processing device, and / or a perpendicular approach of the document carrier device to the transport device can be provided in order to exclude tangential movement components that could lead to damage.

[0040] In some further developments of these embodiments, the trajectory of the at least one document carrier device also features a second intermediate position located between the working area and the first intermediate position, and the device is further configured to optionally perform a rotation of the document support surface about the axis of rotation at the second intermediate position or while traversing a section of the trajectory of the document carrier device located between the first and second intermediate positions. In this way, a selected orientation of the document held on the document support surface for its subsequent processing by the processing device can be achieved even before the working area is reached, and thus, in particular, without any time delay.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the device is further configured, in particular optionally, to rotate the document support surface about the axis of rotation while the document support surface is at least partially within the working area of ​​the processing device. This can be particularly advantageous for processing the document at different points that cannot be simultaneously within the working area, or for enabling processing of different parts of the document from different processing directions, e.g., with differently oriented print patterns. One possible application where this can be advantageously used is the processing of open, book-shaped documents.The device can be configured in particular such that, in a first orientation of the document, it initially processes a first opened page of the document and, after performing a rotation of the document support surface and thus of the document located on it, processes the other currently opened page.

[0042] Preferably, according to some of these embodiments, the document support surface is configured such that the dimension of the document to be received on it is limited to a respective maximum dimension with respect to at least one extension direction running along the document support surface, and at least one such maximum dimension is less than or equal to a dimension of the effective area, so that when the document support surface is rotated within the effective area of ​​the processing device, it remains in the effective area of ​​the processing device at least with respect to the at least one extension direction.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the device is further configured to perform a subsequent rotation of the document support surface to restore its original or another predetermined orientation if, before or during the processing, the document support surface has been rotated around the axis of rotation within the processing unit's operating range. This subsequent rotation can, in particular, be in the same direction as a previous rotation or in the opposite direction. This ensures, in particular, that the document, after being unloaded from the document support unit, has the same orientation as when it was first received by the unit. This subsequent rotation is especially important when the document's orientation for processing is determined on a document-specific basis.If several documents are processed by the device in succession, this ensures that all documents have the same orientation after loading, which in particular facilitates further processing of the documents in subsequent process steps.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the device is further configured to execute the traversing movement of the document carrier unit in a clocked manner according to a system clock, wherein the path of the document carrier unit is divided into at least three path sections, and one or two consecutive path sections are traversed in each individual clock cycle of the system clock. The use of a system clock particularly facilitates the timing coordination and adherence to a temporal sequence of the various functionalities of the device used during its operation, especially the timing coordination of the traversing movement in the respective path sections with the processing of the document by the processing unit.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the path of the document carrier device is defined such that, during operation of the device, this path has a section that passes through the working area and is traversed multiple times per path cycle. During at least two of these traverses through the path section, a document held by the document carrier device is processed by the processing unit during the same path cycle, while the document carrier device remains within the working area. This allows multiple processing operations to occur per path cycle, which in particular enables more complex processing using different processing methods or the creation of overlapping processing operations, such as printing and electronic data transfer or laser processing, for each document.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the device further comprises an inspection device located upstream of the processing unit along the path of the document carrier device, for detecting the position of a document picked up by the document carrier device relative to the document carrier device and for determining and transmitting at least one position parameter characterizing this position. The processing unit is configured to perform a self-calibration based on this at least one position parameter to compensate for any alignment deviations between the document and the processing unit determined based on this at least one position parameter, in order to subsequently process the document based on this self-calibration, regardless of its relative position with respect to the document carrier device holding it.These measures serve to improve quality with regard to the correct alignment of the document during processing, particularly when applying or incorporating personalization onto or into the document. In particular, it is therefore possible to forgo specific measures for aligning the document with the processing equipment or document carrier, or to design these measures less precisely, since any necessary alignment correction can be made using the aforementioned self-calibration.

[0047] In particular, according to some embodiments based on this, the processing device may further be configured (i) to process the document by printing; and (ii) as part of self-calibration, to adapt a target print layout for printing the document by means of a transformation dependent on at least one position parameter into a position-compensated print layout to be actually printed.

[0048] According to further embodiments, the processing device can also be configured (i) to process the document by laser treatment; and (ii) as part of self-calibration, to adapt a target laser treatment layout for information to be applied to the document by laser treatment by means of a transformation dependent on at least one position parameter into an actually generated, position-compensated laser treatment layout.

[0049] According to some embodiments, the document carrier device has a fixing device for securing a document carried by the document carrier device as it traverses its path. This ensures that the document maintains its position relative to the document carrier device during its movement, even when changes in direction or other accelerations occur. Consequently, it is firmly connected to the document carrier device, allowing it to follow its path.On the other hand, this also allows the position, especially the orientation, of the document relative to the document support surface to be fixed, which in turn, in conjunction with a temporary locking of the document support surface with regard to its rotation around the axis of rotation, advantageously enables a fixed alignment of the document relative to the processing device during its processing, especially during individual processing steps, and thus quality assurance with regard to the processing of the document.

[0050] According to some advanced training materials, the document carrier device has a cavity for at least partial receipt of the document, with the document support surface being formed, at least in part, by the base surface of the cavity. Furthermore, the fixing device has a clamping mechanism configured to temporarily apply pressure to the document from at least one side during operation, pressing it against an opposing inner wall, particularly the base surface, of the cavity and thus fixing it in place. In this way, the document can be reliably transported and fixed within the document carrier device, even under the high accelerations associated with high throughput rates.

[0051] According to some variants, the clamping device can be specifically designed to provide the pressure for temporarily applying pneumatic pressure to the document for the purpose of fixing it. In some of these variants, the clamping device has a pneumatic pressure chamber configured (i) to be pressurized at the transfer position and (ii) to apply pneumatic pressure to the document for fixing it while the associated document carrier device traverses its path outside the transfer position, without an external supply of pneumatic pressure.Such an implementation has the advantage that the document can be held securely in the document carrier device, which moves along its path, without requiring pressure to be applied from outside the document carrier device, for example by means of pressure supply through pneumatic hoses.

[0052] According to some other variants, the clamping device can be coupled with a fixing device integrated into the document carrier system, which is configured to releasably lock the position of the clamping device when it is pressed onto the document under pressure. This allows for particularly short dwell times at the transfer position and thus a particularly high throughput.

[0053] According to some embodiments, the document carrier device includes an alignment device for aligning a document held by the document carrier device according to a predetermined target orientation. The alignment device may, in particular, include one or more, especially movable, centering pins configured to align the document relative to the document carrier device holding it according to the target orientation, particularly in the sense of centering. These embodiments can be used, in particular, instead of the aforementioned solution by means of self-calibration or additionally to it, for example, to achieve a rough alignment of the document before more precise self-calibration. Such alignment, in turn, serves in particular to ensure the quality of the document's processing.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the device further comprises: (i) a control device for controlling the device, and (ii) a sensor device configured to detect one or more current motion parameters of the document carrier device at one or more specific points along its trajectory and to transmit them to the control device. The control device is configured to control the device depending on these respective motion parameters. The motion parameters may relate, in particular, to a position, speed, acceleration, or direction of movement of the document carrier device, especially one that is time-dependent, or to a combination of two or more of the aforementioned motion parameters, and may serve, in particular, to monitor the error-free operation of the device.Furthermore, this sensor device, or optionally another sensor device, can be designed to monitor the loading of the document carrier device with a document and / or the subsequent unloading of the document, particularly with regard to the detection of any malfunctions.

[0055] According to some embodiments based on this principle, the trajectory is configured to vary the path of the document carrier device depending on a control signal from the control unit based on the motion parameters. In particular, the length of individual segments of the path can be varied. In one exemplary variant, such a segment can be designed, depending on the control signal based on the motion parameters, as either a straight path or a curved path of greater length. In this way, especially at a constant path speed, temporary fluctuations in the motion sequence during operation can be corrected to restore error-free operation.

[0056] According to some embodiments, the document holder has a housing containing a cavity for at least partially receiving the document. The housing has at least one recess configured to allow processing of the document by the processing device when the document is within the operating area. This allows for both particularly stable fixation of the document in the document holder and unimpeded processing, especially printing, of the document through this housing recess. Other process steps, such as laser treatments or magnetization, can also be performed on the document through this housing recess in the same way.

[0057] According to some of these embodiments, the housing has at least two adjacent recesses separated by an intermediate web. Each recess is configured to allow processing of a portion of the document exposed by the respective recess, particularly one page at a time of a book-like bound, multi-page document, by the processing device when the document is within the working area. The intermediate web serves, in particular, as a guide element for the document during pickup or ejection at the transfer position. It can also serve to hold the document down section by section and thus additionally secure it while it is in the housing cavity, especially during processing by the processing device within the working area, as well as during transport to and from the processing area.

[0058] According to some embodiments, in which the document carrier device has a housing containing a cavity for at least partial receipt of the document, the device further comprises a hold-down device configured to exert a guiding force on the document through at least one housing recess when the document carrier device is in the transfer position, in order to hold the document down at least partially while it is being received into or ejected from the housing cavity. This, in particular, prevents the document from snagging on one or more edges of the at least one housing recess, thus promoting trouble-free receipt and ejection of the document at the transfer position.

[0059] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for processing documents. The method comprises: (i) picking up a document to be processed onto a document support surface of a document support device of a document processing device, in particular a device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the picking up takes place at a transfer position of the device; (ii) moving the document support device with the document picked up by it into the working area of ​​a processing unit of the device for processing; (iii) processing the document when it is in the working area of ​​the processing unit in order to provide the document with information; and (iv) moving the document support device with the document picked up by it out of the working area after processing.The document carrier device operates at least sectionally, at least with respect to one component of the direction of movement, along a specific (first) direction of movement that is orthogonal to a plane defined by three different points on the document support surface. The document support surface is rotated by the processing device about an axis of rotation aligned along the specific (first) direction of movement before or during the processing of the document, so that, within the working area of ​​the processing device, the document can be processed in one of at least two selectable orientations relative to the processing device, depending on the angle of rotation. This method thus corresponds to the device described in the first aspect of the invention, so that the advantages, embodiments, and other features mentioned therein are also present.Further training can be applied equally to the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0060] Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures.

[0061] This shows: Fig. 1 a lateral cross-sectional view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the document carrier device with turntable and a cavity formed therein with an intermediate web spanning the cavity, wherein the bottom of the cavity forms a document support surface; Fig. 3 another perspective view of the document storage facility from Fig. 2 with a turntable rotated by 45°; Fig. 4A a schematic representation of the document carrier device of the apparatus made of Fig. 1 as well as a fixing device of the apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 4B a schematic representation of the document carrier device of the apparatus made of Fig. 1 as well as a fixing device of the apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment; Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the transfer position and its immediate surroundings in a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention with a hold-down device to assist in loading and unloading the document carrier devices, wherein the hold-down device is shown in a deactivated state; Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of the transfer position and its immediate surroundings in the embodiment from Fig. 5 , where the hold-down device is shown in an activated state. Fig. 7 a flowchart to illustrate a method for processing a document according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0062] The same reference numerals are used throughout the figures for the same or corresponding elements of the invention.

[0063] In the following detailed description, the terms "x", "y" and "z" or equivalently "X", "Y" and "Z" are used to denote the three spatial directions according to a Cartesian coordinate system and "φ" The term "z-axis" is used to describe the rotation angle of the document carrier's turntable around an axis of rotation running along or parallel to the z-axis. The z-axis is perpendicular to a plane defined by three points on the document carrier's support surface. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the document support surface is flat, so it coincides with this plane. Therefore, the z-axis is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the document being processed when the document is mounted on the support surface. Accordingly, the XY plane of the coordinate system is parallel to this plane of the document being processed.

[0064] Fig. 1 Figure 100 shows a side cross-section of a device 100 for processing a document, according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 100 has a document carrier 105 with a rotary table that is rotatable about the Z-axis in a controlled manner, which is located in the Figuren 2 and 3more precisely shown. Furthermore, the device 100 has a document processing system 110, which here, by way of example, comprises four different processing units 110a to 110d. These units are configured to process a document that is moved along a path curve into the respective working area of ​​the processing units 110a to 110d by means of the document carrier device 105. For example, the first processing unit 110a can be a color printer, and the second processing unit 110b can be a drying unit for drying ink previously printed with a color printer, such as color or...The third processing unit is an inkjet printer for printing UV ink (ink that is essentially only visible in the ultraviolet spectral range), and the fourth processing unit, 110d, is a curing unit for curing previously printed ink, such as UV ink, by irradiation with an ultraviolet light source. Other processing methods, such as applying a transparent ink or coating (e.g., "liquid coating") using a suitable printing unit followed by a curing step, engraving, especially laser engraving, or transferring electronic data to the document via appropriate transmission signals, are also possible, either instead or in combination. For the sake of clarity, the following is shown in... Fig. 1 Only the cumulative area of ​​operation of the entire document processing system 110 is shown, which, however, includes the individual areas of operation of the various processing devices.

[0065] Several or only specific processing units of the document processing system 110 can be accessed or controlled by the document carrier unit 105 sequentially or in any order, regardless of the document's processing direction or the document carrier unit 105's movement along its path. This allows for maximum flexibility regarding the possible processing of the document using the processing units. In particular, this increases the speed of processing operations where the document carrier unit 105 does not access every processing unit, but only specific, selected ones along its path.

[0066] The device 100 further comprises a transport system in the form of a conveyor system with a first transport section 115a for feeding documents yet to be processed and a second transport section 115b for removing processed documents. Loading and unloading of the document into and from the document carrier device 105 takes place at a position on the track curve located along the transport system, which is referred to here as transfer position T. The drawing in Fig. 1 The associated and partially overlapping reference numerals 120 to 140 designate different areas of the device 100 in which some of the preparatory steps for the actual document processing by the document processing system 110 take place, as briefly described below. Reference numeral 120 is located at a pneumatic system which, in conjunction with a centering device 130 for aligning or centering a document newly received by the document carrier device, serves in particular to fix or center a document in the document carrier device 105, as described below with reference to the Figuren 4A und 4B will be explained in detail.

[0067] During certain phases of document processing, movable ("active") hold-down devices 135 can also be used to temporarily fix the document to the document support device, as described below with reference to the Figuren 5 und 6 will be explained in detail.

[0068] In area 140, a visual inspection is provided, which can be carried out in particular by means of a camera and can serve to determine the position of a document taken by the document carrier device 105 relative to the document carrier device 105, in order to adjust a subsequent processing of the document by the document processing system 110 accordingly in the sense of an adjustment of the processing.

[0069] The trajectory of the document carrier device 105 is determined in particular by the in Fig. 1 The trajectory sections H1 to H7 of the trajectory of the document carrier device 105 are marked. Fig. 1 Three different planes, 145, 150, and 155, are also shown, each running orthogonally to the Z-direction. These planes will be discussed further in the context of an explanation of an exemplary method for operating the device 100, with reference to... Fig. 1 to be addressed.

[0070] In Fig. 2 The document carrier device 105 of the device 100 is made of Fig. 1 shown in greater detail. The document carrier device 105 has a turntable 105b rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 105c, which is enclosed by a rotationally fixed, frame-shaped rim structure 105a. The turntable 105b can undergo rotations controlled by a (not shown) control device of the apparatus 100 relative to the rim structure 105a by a rotation angle. φ The rotary table is designed to rotate around a Z-direction axis 105c, preferably bidirectionally. At least two different rotation angle values, and thus at least two different discrete resulting orientations of the rotary table, can be set. Ideally, the rotation angle φ The control unit can be selected from an even larger number of different possible rotation angle values ​​or even set at will. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to also control the traversing movements of the document carrier device 105.

[0071] For the purposes of the invention, "control" can be understood not only as steering but also as feedback control in the sense of control engineering. In particular, motion parameters supplied by a sensor device of the apparatus 100, which is configured to sensorially detect motion parameters of the movement of the document carrier device along its trajectory, can be used as input variables.

[0072] The turntable includes a cavity for receiving a document to be processed. The cavity's base, which is at least partially flat, serves as a document support surface for the turntable 105b or the document support device 105. The cavity can, in particular, have two adjacent sections 106a and 106b, which are designed to each hold one half of a book-shaped document, such as a blank passport, in its open position. This allows, for example, two adjacent pages of an open passport document to be processed simultaneously or sequentially, without requiring any change to the document's position within the document support device 105.

[0073] To secure the document received in the cavity, an upper housing wall of the document carrier device can be provided, as shown. This wall may have recesses through which the document stored in the document carrier device can be processed, as well as an intermediate web 106c. Further details of an exemplary housing design are described below with reference to the Figuren 4A and 4B will be explained.

[0074] For moving the document carrier device, particularly in the Z-direction, the device 100 has two traversing units 108a and 108b, which are driven via a first drive shaft 109a and a mechanical force coupling (not shown in detail) between the two traversing units. For example, the first drive shaft 109a can be a spindle shaft, i.e., a threaded shaft, whose rotary motion is transmitted as a longitudinal motion of the document carrier device 105, which can thus be moved in the Z-direction, i.e., vertically. A second drive shaft 109b serves, on the one hand, like the first drive shaft 109a, as a mechanical guide for the traversing motion of the document carrier device 105 along the Z-direction and, on the other hand, for driving the rotary motion of the turntable. This second drive shaft 109b can, in particular, be designed as a round bar without threads.It is preferably force-coupled to the rotary table via at least one gear 107 arranged directly on it, in order to drive the rotary table rotationally when required. For this purpose, the second drive shaft 109b is coupled to the rotary table 105b via at least one drive wheel, in particular gear 107. In addition, one or more bearing rollers 107a can be provided for supporting or additionally guiding the rotary table 105b. They are integrated into the edge structure 105a, are undriven, and with the grooves on their end faces, they serve as a kind of guide roller for the rotary table. This ensures even better stability during the rotary movement of the rotary table. Fig. 2 Two intersecting monitoring beams are also shown, which run in the second Z-plane and are intended to mark it here.

[0075] Fig. 3 The document carrier device 105 shows Fig. 2 again, but at a different angle of rotation φ, which here, for example, is 45°. In fig. 3 The suspension of the document carrier device by means of an H-shaped structure, which also includes the traversing units 108a, b and the shafts 109a, b, is particularly evident. This H-shaped structure as a whole is also movable in the X-direction by means of at least one additional drive, for example, by means of two drives arranged on either side of the transport track, so that the document carrier device as a whole is movable at least in the XZ plane and, in addition, the rotary table is rotatable about the axis of rotation 105c. Furthermore, embodiments are also possible in which the document carrier device can also be moved in the Y-direction. In particular, this can be achieved, as for the X-direction, by means of a corresponding movableness of the H-shaped structure as a whole.

[0076] Fig. 4A Figure 1 schematically depicts a document carrier device 105 of the device 100 and an exemplary fixing device according to a first exemplary embodiment thereof in a cross-sectional view, in which the viewing direction is perpendicular to the transport direction in the reverse Y-direction. In this embodiment, the document carrier device 105 has a housing 160 in which, among other things, the cavity 106 designed as a document slot (with its two sections 106a and 106b, as shown in Figure 1) is located. Fig. 2 shown) is located, which is designed to hold a document D to be processed.

[0077] Furthermore, the housing 160 contains at least one pressure element 165, for example designed as a pressure plate, which can be pressurized by pressure from a pressure chamber 185, also located in the housing 160, in order to be moved under pressure towards the document slot 106. This allows a document D located in the document slot 106 to be pressed against the opposite inner wall of the housing 160 (in Fig. 4A (This is the upper inner wall) pressed and thus fixed in the document carrier device 105.

[0078] The pressure chamber 185 can be filled by means of a pressurized gas, in particular air in this example, via a gas or air inlet 185a, especially at a time or position of the device 100 when the document carrier device 105 is in the transfer position T. References to air or pneumatics herein are to be understood as limited to air or compressed air. In fact, other suitable gases or gas mixtures, such as nitrogen, can also be used.

[0079] For the purpose of filling the pressure chamber with compressed air, a compressed air supply can be provided at the transfer position T of the device 100, which supplies compressed air p through a compressed air nozzle 190 and via the air inlet 185a, which is shaped to provide a temporary airtight connection, into the pressure chamber 185 when the document carrier device 105 has reached the transfer position T and has thereby placed its air inlet 185a on the compressed air nozzle 190.

[0080] The air inlet 185a also includes a check valve 185b, which is designed to seal the pressure chamber 185 airtight after it has been filled with compressed air p through the compressed air nozzle 190. In this way, the pressure chamber 185 can maintain the pressure it exerts on the pressure element 165, at least indirectly (e.g., via corresponding pneumatic elements), and thus secure the document D, even when the document carrier device 105 has left the transfer position T to complete its path and is therefore cut off from the compressed air supply at the compressed air nozzle 190.

[0081] Furthermore, the housing 160 has recesses 170a, b for the insertion of a centering element 180a, b for aligning, in particular centering, the document D in the document slot 106 before it is fixed by the pressure element 165. The centering elements 180a and 180b can, in particular, be designed as one or more centering pins that can engage through the recesses 170a and 170b, respectively, into the housing 160 of the document carrier device 105 when the latter is in the transfer position T, in order to perform the aforementioned centering by means of mechanical interaction with the document D. For this purpose, the centering elements 180a and 180b can each be driven by a linear actuator 175a and 175b, such as a linear motor or a pressure cylinder, and temporarily inserted into the housing 160.The inclined position of the actuators advantageously allows both the insertion of the centering pins and the centering itself to be accomplished by means of a single linear movement per centering element.

[0082] Finally, the housing 160 has at least one recess 170c on its upper side for personalizing the document D when it is located within the effective area 110e. In particular, the document D can be printed through this recess 170c. Other process steps can also be carried out in the same way with respect to the document D through this recess 170c, such as drying previously printed ink or contacting the document D with read / write heads for writing or reading data to or from a data storage device of the document D.

[0083] Fig. 4B Figure 1 schematically depicts a document carrier device 105 of the device 100 and an exemplary fixing device therefor according to a second exemplary embodiment in a cross-sectional view, in which the viewing direction is again perpendicular to the transport direction along which the documents D are transported by the transport device 115a, b to and from the transfer position T, in the reverse Y-direction. In this embodiment, several clamping mechanisms are provided as part of the document carrier device 105, the operation of which, however, differs from that of the fixing device. Fig. 4A differs. Otherwise, the document carrier device essentially corresponds to that of Fig. 4A , including the respective centering functionality.

[0084] Instead of a single clamping element, this second embodiment provides two (or alternatively more) clamping elements 165a and 165b, respectively, to fix the document D in the document carrier 105 by pressing it firmly against the opposite inner wall of the housing 160 of the document carrier 105. Each clamping element 165a and 165b has its own clamping mechanism, the operation of which will now be explained using the clamping mechanism for clamping element 165a as an example.

[0085] The pressure element 165a is coupled via a piston rod 195 to a fixing device 200, which is designed to press the pressure element 165a against the document D for the purpose of fixing it and to fix it in this position relative to the document carrier device 105, and to temporarily release this fixation at the transfer position T after processing the document in order to allow the processed document D to be replaced by a new document yet to be processed.

[0086] The fixing device 200 has a clamping unit 205 with a guide channel for the piston rod 195, in which the rod can be clamped by means of a clamping cartridge 210. A shaped piece 215 is slidably arranged in the clamping cartridge 210 in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod 195. Furthermore, the clamping cartridge 210 contains two clamping jaws 220a and 220b, which are mirror images of each other. In a first state, in which the clamping jaws 220a and 220b are not forced into a specific position by the shaped piece 215, they are spread apart from each other by means of a spreading spring 225 located in corresponding opposing recesses of the two clamping jaws 220a and 220b, and are thereby jammed against each other and against the piston rod 195. In this first state, the piston rod 195 is clamped and thus locked by the two clamping jaws.

[0087] In a second state, compressed air p is supplied to the clamping cartridge 210 via a compressed air supply 230, which may be designed as a compressed air hose or pipe. This compressed air acts on the fitting 215 within the clamping cartridge 210, causing it to move under pressure essentially perpendicular to the piston rod 195 in the direction of the clamping jaws 220a and 220b. The two clamping jaws 220a and 220b are shaped on their side facing the fitting 215 such that, when they come into contact with the fitting 215 and are pressurized by it, they are pressed together, thus compressing the expanding spring 225 and ultimately assuming an essentially parallel position to each other. This eliminates the tilting relative to the piston rod 195 and releases it.This allows a compression spring 235, which is also provided in the clamping unit 205 and runs essentially parallel to the piston rod 195, to act and thereby move away from the document carrier device (i.e. inwards). Fig. 4B downwards), force is exerted on a base plate 240 of the clamping unit 205. Since the piston rod 195 is also mounted on this base plate 240 with its end opposite the pressure element 165a, this force also acts on the piston rod 195 and the pressure element 165a attached to it, which is thus acted upon by document D (in Fig. 4B is pulled away downwards) and thus releases it.

[0088] If, after exchanging the document, the newly inserted document D is to be fixed in place, the base plate 240 is first moved towards document D by means of a piston 245, which may be a pneumatically or motor-driven piston, so that the clamping element 10a finally applies the pressure intended for fixing the document D. The compressed air in the clamping cartridge 210 is then released, causing the molded part 215 to return to its original position by means of a return spring (not shown). The two clamping jaws 220a and 220b are then spread apart against each other by the now active spreading spring 225 and angled against the piston rod 195, thus clamping it in place. The initial state of the fixing device 200 is thus restored.

[0089] When the path of the document carrier device 105 begins again, the document D remains fixed in the first state during its passage along the path until, upon reaching the transfer position T again, the fixing device 200 is transferred back into the second state to enable the subsequent document exchange.

[0090] This second embodiment also has the advantage that the document carrier device 105 does not need to be connected to any devices for fixing the document D, such as pneumatic hoses or electrical connections, during its passage along the path. Furthermore, this embodiment also allows for particularly fast throughput times or high cycle rates, since, unlike the embodiment according to Fig. 4A The time-consuming process of refilling a pressure chamber is eliminated. Centering or aligning each newly inserted document D in the transfer position T is performed in the same way as previously described in connection with... Fig. 4A described.

[0091] The Figuren 5 und 6 Each figure shows a detailed view of the transfer position T and its immediate surroundings in a preferred embodiment of the device 100 with the hold-down device 135 for supporting the loading and unloading of the document carrier device, wherein the hold-down device 135 is in Fig. 5 in a disabled state and in Fig. 6 shown in an activated state.

[0092] The hold-down device 135 comprises, in particular, a hold-down device 250a and an associated hold-down drive 250b. The (visible) top surface of the housing 160 of the exemplary document carrier device 105 shown at transfer position T has two large housing recesses 170c, which are separated from each other by an intermediate web 106c running between them, and which are configured such that the document D can be processed in the document carrier device 105 through them in the working area 110e.The two housing recesses 170c can be configured, in particular dimensioned and arranged, such that a book-shaped document D, such as a passport, received in the document carrier device 105, lies in the document carrier device 105 in such a way that two adjacent pages of the open book-shaped document D can be processed simultaneously or immediately one after the other, with each of the open pages being largely exposed by an associated housing recess 170c, but at the same time framed and thus fixed by the top of the housing 160 in conjunction with the intermediate bar 106c. This enables particularly efficient processing of the fixed book-shaped document D through the respective housing recess 170c. In particular, this makes (almost) full-surface passport personalization of the two adjacent open passport pages possible.For example, it is possible to print the complete personal or holder data with passport photo on the data page (holder page) or to apply it by means of laser treatment and / or to print the other passport page next to it (e.g. paper page or page three in the case of a German passport) with an additional passport photo and / or additional user data.

[0093] The hold-down device 135 is configured such that, during operation of the device 100, when the document carrier device 105 is in transfer position T, it temporarily exerts a guiding force on the document D through its housing recesses 170c in order to hold the document down, at least partially, while it is being received into or ejected from the cavity 106 of the housing 160. The hold-down device 135 comprises at least one assembly which preferably—as in the Figuren 5 und 6The assembly is shown – located on one side of the transfer position T. It comprises a hold-down device 250a equipped with guide rollers 255 for physical contact with the document D, and a hold-down drive 250b for activating and deactivating the hold-down device 250a. The guide rollers 255 can be made of silicone or plastic. During document transfer, when picking up and dispensing the document D, the guide rollers 255 ensure low friction, so that despite the large housing recesses 170c, a sufficiently short process time for the document transfer and protection of the document D during transfer can be achieved. In a variant of the hold-down device 135 – not shown – it has not just one, but at least two hold-down devices or hold-down assemblies, each with an associated hold-down drive. The hold-down devices orAssemblies can then be arranged adjacent to the transfer position T on different sides, in particular on two opposite sides, such as at least one hold-down device on the first transport section 115a and another hold-down device on the second transport section 115b.

[0094] As in Fig. 6 As shown, the hold-down device 250a is in the activated state from the in Fig. 5 In the depicted state, the document D is moved out through the housing recesses 170c, so that the guide rollers extend through the housing recesses 170c and, during the processes of picking up and dispensing the document D into and out of the document carrier device 105, contact the document D with the guide rollers and hold it down under pressure, which can occur particularly in conjunction with one or more of the aforementioned pressure elements 165 or 165a,b. This specifically counteracts the risk that the document could become caught or struck on an edge of the housing recesses 170c or in the area of ​​the second transport section 115b during picking up or dispensing.

[0095] The device 100 is further configured so that, when the recording or output process is completed, it returns the hold-down device to the deactivated state in accordance with Fig. 5 The document carrier device 105 is transferred so that it can resume its next path curve passage undisturbed by the hold-down device. The hold-down device 250a is driven by lifting cylinders. Alternatively, only one hold-down device 250a could be provided, either via the first transport section 115a for feeding documents or via the second transport section 115b for removing documents. In another variant – not shown – with hold-down devices arranged on both sides of the transfer position T, these are driven simultaneously towards and away from each other by lifting cylinders.

[0096] The operation of the hold-down device 135 can proceed in particular according to the following process scheme: 1. When a document carrier unit 105 arrives at transfer position T after traversing the path, the hold-down device is activated, causing the hold-down device 250a to move from its side over the housing recesses 170c of the document carrier unit 105. 2. The document already personalized in the document carrier unit 105 is ejected from the document carrier unit 105, and the next unpersonalized document D is inserted into the now vacated document carrier unit 105. 3. The unpersonalized document D is centered and clamped in the document carrier unit 105 (as described above). 4. The hold-down device is deactivated, so that the hold-down device 250a returns to its initial position. Fig. 5 is moved back, thereby releasing the transfer position T, allowing the newly loaded document carrier device 105 to leave the transfer position T unhindered for another traverse of the path curve.

[0097] The document carrier device 105 can also be configured in such a way that the housing top has an interchangeable plate (mask) 260 with at least one housing recess 170c, so that, depending on the type of document and / or intended personalization, the device can be easily adapted by converting the document carrier device 105 by means of mask replacement.

[0098] The Figur 7 Figure 1 shows a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method 300 corresponding to the device 100 for processing a document D. The following description of the method therefore also refers to the device 100, in particular to Fig. 1 , referenced.

[0099] The procedure 300 begins with a step 305 in which the document carrier device 105 is located at the transfer position T and the hold-down device 135 is activated, with the associated hold-down device 250a being inserted into the Fig. 6 The document carrier unit 105 is brought into the activated position shown. It is thus ready, in a further step 310, to receive a new document D at transfer position T for subsequent processing by the document processing system 110. The activated hold-down device 250a serves in particular to prevent the document D, which is to be inserted into the document slot 106 during the subsequent loading process, from snagging on the housing recesses 170c of the housing 160 of the document carrier unit 105 during the loading process. The same applies analogously to the unloading process after the first process run, if, simultaneously with or prior to loading, an already processed document is also unloaded from the document carrier unit 105 at transfer position T.

[0100] When the new document D is loaded into the document tray 106, it will be processed, depending on the embodiment of the document carrier device 105, as described above with reference to Figur 4a or Figur 4b As described in detail, in step 315 the document is centered while the fixing device 200 is loosened, allowing document D to still be aligned within the document tray 106. Subsequently, in step 320, the fixing device 200 is activated to secure document D in the document tray for subsequent passage along the path. In a further step 325, the hold-down device 135, which is no longer needed, is deactivated, with the hold-down device 250a being inserted into the Fig. 5 The position shown is taken.

[0101] Then, with step 330, the traversal of the path curve begins, whereby a first path curve section H1 is traversed by the document carrier device 105 with the document D fixed therein along the Z-direction from the transfer position T to a safety position on the first Z-level 145. The document carrier device 105 is moved accordingly by the traversing device 108a, b.

[0102] Step 335 then involves traversing a second path segment H2, with this movement occurring in both the Z and X directions towards a first intermediate position on the second Z-plane 150. During this second path segment H2, or at its end, the turntable 105b is also rotated about the axis of rotation 105c by a predetermined angle of rotation corresponding to a desired orientation of the document for processing. φ, which can be 90°, as in this example.

[0103] A third trajectory section H3 follows, extending in the negative X direction to another intermediate position on the second Z-plane 150. During this section, the document carrier 105 passes through a detection area of ​​at least one collision sensor, which checks whether a collision between document D and the document processing system 110 is imminent, particularly due to document components such as individual pages of a book-like document or damage to the document resulting from the previous processing steps. Similarly, a collision of the document carrier 105 itself with the document processing system 110 or another part of the device 100 that might occur during further trajectories could also be detected. This could be the case, for example, if the document carrier 105 or the traversing device 108a,b were misaligned or damaged.If such an imminent collision is detected, a corresponding warning signal is issued, which may in particular trigger a safety shutdown of the device 100.

[0104] In step 345, a fourth path segment H4 follows, running along the Z-direction and the negative X-direction to an inspection position on the third Z-level 155, which also represents a processing level, as it passes through the working area 110e where the actual document processing will subsequently take place. At the inspection position, however, a visual inspection of the document D loaded in document tray 106 is first carried out in step 350, particularly with regard to its orientation within the remaining tolerances. Based on the inspection results of step 350, which provide, in particular, the exact position and orientation of document D in document tray 106, the control data for the subsequent control of the document processing system 110 are prepared in step 355. For example, a print pattern intended for printing the document can be set.The print layout will be adjusted according to the position and orientation of document D in order to achieve optimal adjustment of the printed image to be generated on document D.

[0105] In the subsequent fifth path segment H5, in step 360, the document carrier device 105 is moved on the third Z-plane through the working area 106e to a further intermediate position, whereby the intended document processing is carried out in the working area 106e by the document processing system 110 based on the data prepared in step 355. Depending on the configuration of the device 100, it is also possible that the path segment H5 does not run in a straight line, but rather has a curved path within the Z-plane between various processing devices 110a to 110d, or has one or more changes of direction, such as reversal points.

[0106] After processing, the document carrier device 105 returns to the safety position in a sixth path section H6 in step 365 in the negative X-direction and negative Z-direction. During or after this, the turntable 105b undergoes a rotation by the angle of rotation - inversely proportional to the rotation that preceded it in step 335. φ or a further rotation of the same without changing direction u a further angle n·360°- φ, (n (= 1, 2, 3, ...) so that the turntable 105 is then back in its original orientation as at the starting point T of the trajectory. Preferably, the direction of rotation (forward / backward) of this further rotation is selected such that, during the rotation along the selected direction, the smaller of the two rotation angles required to reach the original orientation is traversed.

[0107] Finally, a seventh trajectory segment, H7, follows, leading back to the transfer position T in the negative Z direction. Trajectory segment H7 can therefore coincide with the first trajectory segment, H1, but it is traversed in the opposite direction. If further documents need to be processed (375 - no), the procedure branches back to step 305 for another iteration. In step 310 of this iteration, the document D already processed in the previous iteration is unloaded, and a new document is loaded into the document carrier. Otherwise (375 - yes), the procedure terminates.

[0108] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be noted that a large number of variations exist. It should also be noted that the described exemplary embodiments are merely non-limiting examples, and it is not intended to restrict the scope, applicability, or configuration of the devices and methods described herein. Rather, the preceding description will provide the person skilled in the art with guidance for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment. It is understood that various modifications to the function and arrangement of the elements described in an exemplary embodiment can be made without deviating from the subject matter defined in the appended claims. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0109] 100 Device for processing a document 105 Document carrier device with turntable 105a Edge structure, in particular frame, of the document carrier device 105b Turntable 105c Rotary axis 106 Cavity, document slot 106a Cavity, section for a first opened document page 106b Cavity, section for a second opened document page 106c Intermediate web between the two sections of the cavity 107 Drive wheel, in particular gear 107a Bearing roller 108a,b Traversing units, together traversing device 109a First shaft for driving traversing movements along the Z-direction 109b Second shaft for driving rotations of the turntable 110 Document processing system 110a First processing device, in particular color printer 110b Second processing device, in particular drying device 110c Third processing device, in particular UV inkjet printer 110th processing unit,in particular ink curing agent 110e Overall working area of ​​the document carrier system, includes the individual working areas of the processing device 100a-d 115a first transport section of a transport device for feeding documents 115b second transport section of the transport device for removing documents 120 pneumatics 130 centering device with centering elements 180a,b 135 hold-down device with hold-down 250a 140 visual control 145 first Z-level with safety position 150 second Z-level monitored by at least one collision sensor or monitoring beams of such collision sensors 155 processing level, also third Z-level 160 housing of the document carrier device 165 pressure element, in particular pressure plate 165a, b pressure elements, in particular pressure plates 170a, b housing recesses for the insertion of a centering pin 180a, 180b 170c Housing recess for document personalization D 175a,b Linear actuators for moving the centering pins 180a, b 180a, b Centering elements, in particular centering pins 185 Pressure chamber 185a Compressed air inlet of the pressure chamber 185b Check valve for sealing the compressed air inlet 185a 190 Compressed air nozzle for supplying compressed air to the pressure chamber 195 Piston rod 200 Fixing device 205 Clamping unit 210 Clamping cartridge 215 Fitting 220a, b Clamping jaws 225 Spreading spring 230 Compressed air supply, in particular compressed air hose or compressed air pipe 235 Compression spring 240 Base plate 245 Pneumatic or motorized piston 250a Hold-down device 250b Hold-down device 255 Guide rollers 260 Housing plate or mask , 300 Procedures for processing documents 305-375 Procedure steps of procedure 300 DDocument H1-H7Travel curve sections pCompressed air TTransfer position φ Rotation angle

Claims

1. Device (100) for processing a document (D), wherein the device (100) comprises: a processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) for providing a document (D) to be processed, when said document is located in an effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d), with information; and a traversing device (108a,b) having a document carrier device (105) which can be traversed along a trajectory, wherein the traversing device (108a,b) is configured: to receive a document (D) to be processed at a transfer position (T) of the device (100) on or at a document-carrying surface of the document carrier device (105); characterized in that the traversing device (108a,b) is further configured: to move the received document (D) by traversing the document carrier device (105), into the effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) for its processing and out of the effective range (110e) of the processing device after it has been processed, wherein the traversing of the document carrier device (105) for this purpose takes place at least in a section (H1) of the trajectory, at least with respect to a movement direction component along a specific movement direction (z) which runs orthogonally to a plane defined by three different points on the document-carrying surface; and to rotate the document-carrying surface about an axis of rotation (105c) aligned along the specific movement direction (z), so that the document (D) can be processed within the effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) depending on an angle of rotation (φ) of said rotation selectively in one of at least two selectable different orientations of the document (D) relative to the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the traversing device is further configured to traverse the document carrier device (105) such that, on at least one point of the trajectory, the document-carrying surface of the document carrier device (105) is completely within the effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) .

3. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) is configured to process the document (D) with the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) in its effective range (110e) in the sense of a document-specific personalization.

4. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the document carrier device (105) comprises a turntable (105b) rotatable about the axis of rotation (105c) and having the document-carrying surface, and a frame structure (105a) surrounding the turntable (105b) at least in sections and rotationally fixed with respect to the axis of rotation (105c).

5. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a collision sensor device, which is configured to monitor a spatial region located between the document carrier device (105) and the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) and to output a specific signal when an imminent or already occurred collision between the document (D) stored on the document-carrying surface and the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) is detected.

6. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a transport device (115a, b), which is set up to feed a document (D) to be processed along a transport route (115a, 115b) to the transfer position (T) for receiving the same by the document carrier device (105) and to remove a document (D) already processed by the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) and output by the document carrier device (105) at the transfer position (T) from the transfer position (T).

7. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) is further configured to perform the traversing movement of the document carrier device (105) along its trajectory such that an intermediate stop takes place at least at the transfer position (T).

8. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) is further configured: when the document carrier device (105) is at the transfer position (T), to output a document (D) currently carried by the document carrier device (105) and already previously processed by the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) and to receive in its place a further document still to be processed by the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) by the document carrier device (105) before the latter continues its movement for a renewed run through its trajectory.

9. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trajectory of the document carrier device (105) is defined as a closed loop-shaped trajectory such that during operation of the device (100) this trajectory comprises a trajectory section (H1) that is traversed twice per trajectory run between the transfer position (T) and a first intermediate position, wherein this trajectory section (H1) is traversed by the document carrier device (105) on the one hand in the scope of a movement of the document carrier device (105) away from the transfer position (T) to the first intermediate position and on the other hand offset in time thereto and in the opposite direction in the scope of a movement of the document carrier device (105) from the first intermediate position to the transfer position (T).

10. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) is further configured to perform a rotation of the document-carrying surface about the axis of rotation (105c) while the document-carrying surface is at least partially in the effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d).

11. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) is further configured to perform the traversing movement of the document carrier device (105) in a clocked manner according to a system clock, wherein the trajectory of the document carrier device (105) is divided into at least three trajectory sections (H1 to H7) and one or two successive trajectory sections are traversed per individual clock cycle of the system clock.

12. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trajectory of the document carrier device (105) is defined such that during operation of the device (100) this trajectory comprises a trajectory section (H5) which is traversed multiple times per trajectory run and which runs through the effective range (110e), wherein for at least two of these traverses through the trajectory section (H5) during a same trajectory run, a processing of a document (D) received by the document carrier device (105) takes place by the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) while the document carrier device (105) is in the effective range (110e).

13. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: an inspection device for detecting the position of a document (D) received by the document carrier device (105) with respect to the document carrier device (105) and for determining and transmitting at least one position parameter characterizing this position, the inspection device being arranged at the trajectory of the document carrier device (105) upstream of the effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d); wherein the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) is configured to perform, on the basis of this at least one position parameter, a self-calibration for compensating for any orientation deviations between the document (D) and the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) determined on the basis of the at least one position parameter, in order to subsequently process the document (D) on the basis of this self-calibration independently of its relative position with respect to the document carrier device (105) carrying it.

14. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a control device for controlling the device (100), and a sensor device which is configured to detect one or more current movement parameters of the document carrier device (105) at one or more specific points along the trajectory of the document carrier device (105) and to transmit them to the control device; wherein the control device is configured to control the device (100) depending on these respective movement parameters.

15. Method (300) for processing documents (D), the method comprising: receiving (310) a document (D) to be processed on a document-carrying surface of a document carrier device (105) of a device (100) for processing documents (D), wherein the receiving (310) takes place at a transfer position (T) of the device (100); characterized by: traversing (360) the document carrier device (105) with the document (D) received by it, into the effective range (110e) of a processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) of the device (100) for its processing; processing (360) the document (D), when said document is located in the effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d), in order to thereby provide the document (D) with information; and traversing (H5, H6) the document carrier device (105) with the document (D) received by it, out of the effective range (110e) after the document's processing; wherein the traversing (H1; H7) of the document carrier device (105) takes place at least in sections at least with respect to a movement direction component along a specific movement direction (z) which runs orthogonally to a plane defined by three different points on the document-carrying surface; and wherein the document-carrying surface is rotated, before or during the processing of the document (D) by the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d), about an axis of rotation (105c) aligned along the specific movement direction, so that the document (D) can be processed within the effective range (110e) of the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d) depending on an angle of rotation (φ) of said rotation selectively in one of at least two selectable different orientations of the document (D) relative to the processing device (110a; 110b; 110c; 110d).