Abstract: An identification card printer for printing an image on an identification card, is provided which includes a print mechanism adapted to deposit material on to the card. A network adapter is configured to couple to a network. A print drive module controls the print mechanism in response to a drive module input. A client/server module is coupled to the network adapter and functions as a client on the network to responsively provide data to the drive module input. The client/server module can further function as a server on the network to serve data to the network.

Abstract: A printer includes a print ribbon, a transfer ribbon, a printhead, and a first sensor. The transfer ribbon includes a series of panels each separated from adjacent panels by a transition portion. A section of the transfer ribbon is supported between a supply roll and a take-up roll and has a feeding direction that is toward the take-up roll. The printhead is configured to transfer print material from the print ribbon to the section of transfer ribbon. The first sensor is positioned downstream of the printhead relative to the feeding direction of the section of transfer ribbon and includes an output signal that is indicative of a position of one of the transition portions relative to the printhead.

Abstract: In a method of issuing a credential, a request for issuance of the credential is received. Next, a unique identification for the requested credential is assigned and data elements corresponding to the credential are provided. A credential production data collection is built in accordance with a credential production template. The credential production data collection includes the unique identification and production job data. Production commands are then provided to a credential production device based on the credential production data collection and the credential is produced using the credential production device in response to the production commands.

Abstract: An identification card printer includes a card input, a card transport, a printhead, and a card output. The card transport is configured to feed a card from the card input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the card. The card can then be discharged through the card output.

Abstract: A ribbon sensor includes a first and second emitter and a receiver. The first emitter is configured to transmit a yellow light signal and the second emitter is configured to transmit a blue light signal. The receiver is configured to produce an output signal in response to the transmission of the yellow and blue light signals through a panel of a print ribbon, wherein the output signal is indicative of a color of the panel. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to a printer that includes the above-described sensor and a method of using the sensor to identify colored ribbon panels.

Abstract: A credential product is provided. The credential product includes a credential substrate, a translucent layer and an imageable layer. The imageable layer is positioned between the credential substrate and the translucent layer. At least a portion of the imageable layer is configured to form an image upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The image is visible through the credential substrate and is considered an imaged watermark.

Abstract: A credential production system and methods for securely processing a credential substrate and tracking quantities of consumable material using a credentials production system and secured consumable supplies. The system includes a consumable supply and a memory that contains a state identifier that defines a state of the supply. A supply manager is configured to access the memory and set the state identifier to one of a production disabled state and a production enabled state. The system also includes a credential production device that is configured to receive the state of the supply. The credential production device is authorized to process a credential substrate using the consumable supply when the state identifier is set to the production enabled state, and the credential production device is prevented form processing the credential substrate using the supply when the state identifier is set to the production disabled state.

Abstract: A credential production system includes at least one credential production device, at least one computing device in communication with the at least one credential production device and a central administrator device configured to enable an authentication feature on the at least one credential production device. The at least one computing device is configured to access the at least one credential production device for providing processing instructions for processing a credential substrate. The at least one computing device is authenticated by the at least one credential production device prior to providing the processing instructions to the at least one credential production device.

Abstract: A credential production system includes a credential production device and a computing device in communication with the credential production device. The computing device receives a credential production event from the credential production device. The computing device applies a pre-defined set of rules to the credential production event to determine if the credential production event violates any of the pre-defined set of rules. The computing device performs an action if the credential production event violates at least one of the pre-defined set of rules.

Abstract: A printer includes a substrate input, a substrate transport, a printhead, a removable ribbon cartridge, a ribbon cartridge receiver, and a substrate output. The substrate transport is configured to feed a substrate from the substrate input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the substrate. The ribbon cartridge is received in the ribbon cartridge receiver and contains a supply of print ribbon that extends between supply and take-up spools and over the printhead. The substrate can then be discharged through the substrate output.

Abstract: In a method of monitoring a group of credential processing devices, credential substrates are processed using the credential processing devices of the group. Next, event outputs are received. Each event output relates to an occurrence of a process event during the processing of the substrate by one of the devices. Finally, a relative condition score is calculated for a subject device of the group based on the event outputs corresponding to the subject device and the event outputs corresponding to the other devices in the group. The relative condition score of the subject device is a measure of a condition of the subject device relative to the conditions of the other devices in the group. Also disclosed is a system configured to perform the above-described method.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, a supply of ribbon, and a supply circuit. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure and a take-up spool enclosure. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The supply of ribbon extends from the supply spool to the take-up spool. The supply circuit includes a memory containing supply information relating to the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A method and system for securely processing a credential substrate using a credentials production system and secured consumable supply. The consumable supply is selectively in one of a plurality of states including a production disabled state and a production enabled state. The state of the consumable supply is changed from the production disabled state to the production enabled state. The state in the consumable supply is verified as being in the production enabled state prior to processing the credential substrate using the consumable supply.

Abstract: In a method of ordering a consumable supply produced by a card manufacturing device of an identification card manufacturing system, a request to order the consumable supply is received from a user. Next, supply information relating to the supply is retrieved and the supply information is provided to a first web address. Finally, a second web address, which is different from the first web address and is associated with the supply, is retrieved through the first web address based upon the supply information. A diagnostic report includes a list of current settings including current default settings that match default settings for the device. The current default settings also include modified settings that are different from the default settings for the device, wherein the modified settings are highlighted to thereby visibly distinguish them from the current default settings.

Abstract: In a method of forming an ink-receptive card substrate, an ink-receptive material is provided. The ink-receptive material includes a backing layer and an ink-receptive coating on a surface of the backing layer. Next, a card member is provided. Finally, the ink-receptive material is laminated to a surface of the card member with the ink-receptive coating facing the surface of the card member. This results in the bonding of the ink-receptive coating to the surface of the card member. Additional embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices that are configured to perform the above-identified method.

Abstract: In a method of forming an ink-receptive card substrate, an ink-receptive material is provided. The ink-receptive material includes a backing layer and an ink-receptive coating on a surface of the backing layer. Next, a card member is provided. Finally, the ink-receptive material is laminated to a surface of the card member with the ink-receptive coating facing the surface of the card member. This results in the bonding of the ink-receptive coating to the surface of the card member. Additional embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices that are configured to perform the above-identified method.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, and a supply of ribbon. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure, a take-up spool enclosure, a pair of ribbon guides, and a gap between the ribbon guides and the supply and take-up spool enclosures. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure, and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The ribbon extends from the supply spool, over the ribbon guides and the gap, and to the take-up spool. Another aspect of the ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a cleaner roller. The cartridge housing includes front and rear walls. The cleaner roller is rotatably supported between the front and rear walls.

Abstract: In a method for preventing unauthorized credential substrate processing in a credential production system that includes first and second credential production components, a first security code is generated using a random code and a first security key with the first credential production component. The first security code is communicated from the first credential production component to the second credential production component. The validity of the first security key is then checked using the first security code, the random code and a second security key with the second credential component. Finally, processing of the credential substrate by the credential production system is prevented when the first security key is not valid.

Abstract: A card cleaner roller assembly for use in an identification card printer includes first and second cleaner pinch rollers, first and second tape rollers, first and second brackets, and a biasing mechanism. The first and second cleaner controllers are adapted to receive a transported card therebetween. The first and second tape rollers support a cleaning tape loop that is sandwiched between the second cleaner roller and the first tape roller. The cleaning tape loop includes a debris-collecting exterior surface that engages the second cleaner roller. The first bracket supports the first and second cleaner rollers and the first tape roller. The second bracket supports the second tape roller. The first and second brackets are assembled in sliding arrangement with each other and include a roller release position and an operating position. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first and second brackets in the operating position.

Abstract: A swing arm assembly includes a swing frame, a laminating roller, and a motor. The swing frame is rotatably mountable to a frame of a card laminator for pivotal movement relative to the frame between open and closed positions. The laminating roller is movably mounted to the swing frame. The motor is mounted to the swing frame and is configured to drive a roller actuator to move the laminating roller relative to the swing frame between a laminating position and a recessed position.