Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective film for application to a card member and forming identification cards having protective films. The method of applying protection to a card member includes providing a protective film. The protective film includes a protective overlay and an ink-receptive material. The ink-receptive material includes an ink-receptive coating on a backing layer. The ink-receptive coating is bonded to the protective overlay. The method also includes removing the backing layer from the ink-receptive coating and laminating the ink-receptive coating to a surface of a card member.

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 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: The present invention is directed toward an identification card personalization device used to create identification cards. The identification card personalization device includes a network adapter that is connectable to a network and either a print mechanism for printing onto a card, a laminating mechanism for laminating a printed card, or both printing and laminating mechanisms. In one aspect of the invention, the identification card personalization device includes a web server for serving data over the network. In another aspect of the invention, the identification card personalization device includes a web client for subscribing to data on the network.

Abstract: A card singularization gate for use in an identification card printer includes a roller support, a guide roller, and a card stop. The roller support is positioned between a card feeder and the card transport mechanism. The guide roller is supported by the roller support for rotation about an axis that is substantially parallel to a card feed plane and transverse to a card path. The guide roller includes a card engaging side adjacent the card feed plane where non-abrasive contact of a first surface of the lead card is made during the card feed operation. The card stop is positioned adjacent a side of the guide roller that is opposite the card engaging side. During card feed operations, the lead card is allowed passage to the card transport mechanism along the card engaging side of the guide roller while cards that are stacked upon the lead card are blocked by the card stop.

Abstract: A card cartridge includes a housing having a pair of opposing side walls, a top, a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, and a base. The housing includes an interior cavity that is sized to accommodate a stack of cards, a card access, and a card output slot. The card access allows a card transport mechanism to engage a lead card contained in the housing and feed the lead card through the card output slot.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for forming identification cards. The methods and systems incorporate a patch laminate transport for transporting a patch laminate along a patch laminate path and a card transport for transporting a card substrate along a card path. The patch laminate path and card path are substantially perpendicular to each other and intersect at an intersecting junction. A middle portion of the patch laminate is aligned with the intersecting junction. An intersecting edge of the card substrate is driven into the middle portion. A lamination mechanism laminates a first laminate portion to a first face and a second laminate portion to a second face of the card substrate.

Abstract: A card manufacturing device includes a web of laminate material, a first set of feed rollers, and a aligning roller. The first set of feed rollers is configured to feed the web along a laminate feed path. The feed rollers each include an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the laminate feed path. The aligning roller is configured to receive the web from the first set of feed rollers. The aligning roller includes a shaft having a skewed axis of rotation that is non-parallel to the axes of rotation of the first set of feed rollers, and a main roller that is supported on the shaft for rotation about the skewed axis. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the aligning roller includes a plurality of lugs that extend from the surface of the main roller to thereby form a paddlewheel.

Abstract: An identification card manufacturing system that includes first and second identification card manufacturing device modules and a unification mounting. The first identification card manufacturing device module includes a first card transport mechanism and an output, through which the card transport mechanism is configured to discharge individual cards. The second identification card manufacturing device module includes a second card transport mechanism and an input, at which the second card transport mechanism is configured to receive cards. The unification mounting positions the output of the first device module in card handoff alignment with the input of the second device module.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention relating to an identification card printer include a method of calibrating a ribbon sensor for detecting transition portions between adjoining panels of a ribbon and a method of calibrating tension in a ribbon. Identification card printers in accordance with embodiments of the invention include a sensor positioned downstream of a printhead relative to a feeding direction of a ribbon; support for a printhead that is moveable between print and withdrawn positions; a swing frame supporting a first roll of a ribbon for rotation about an axis about which the swing frame pivots; an adjustable card guide in line with a print path; and a card bender including a pinch roller assembly having first and second rollers, axes of rotation of which are aligned in a plane that is non-perpendicular to a card path.

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: 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: 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 heat shield for use in a laminator having a laminating roller includes a movable shield member. The heat shield has a retracted position in which a laminating side of the laminating roller is exposed. Additionally, the heat shield has a shielding position in which the shield member covers the laminating side of the laminating roller.

Abstract: An identification card printer or laminator system includes a card transport mechanism configured to transport a card along a path, a printer or lamination mechanism configured to print or laminate the card, a print or lamination consumable supply, and a controller. The printer or lamination consumable supply includes a tag circuit that contains supply data including a tag security code. The controller is configured for communication with the tag circuit and is further configured to allow operation of the printer or laminator system with the consumable supply when the tag security code is valid, and to prevent operation of the printer or laminator system with the consumable supply when the tag security code is invalid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective film for application to a card member and forming identification cards having protective films. The method of applying protection to a card member includes providing a protective film. The protective film includes a protective overlay and an ink-receptive material. The ink-receptive material includes an ink-receptive coating on a backing layer. The ink-receptive coating is bonded to the protective overlay. The method also includes removing the backing layer from the ink-receptive coating and laminating the ink-receptive coating to a surface of a card member.

Abstract: In a method of producing an identification card, an identification card having identification (ID) information is scanned to thereby generate ID data that represents the ID information. Next, the ID information is retrieved from the ID data. Finally, an identification card print job defining an image that includes the retrieved ID information arranged in accordance with a template is formed.

Abstract: A method of verifying the processing of a card includes a step of processing a card. Next, a check is made to verify whether the card was completely or incompletely processed. Finally, verification results are generated that indicate whether the card was completely or incompletely processed. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an identification card manufacturing system that is configured to carry out the method described above.

Abstract: A printer for identification cards as a supply of a plurality of individual intermediate transfer sheets that have a separable layer on which printing can take place. The sheets are passed across a printhead for printing images on the layer, and then an identification card from a suitable supply is positioned to overlie the printed intermediate transfer sheet. The intermediate transfer sheet and the identification card are then passed through a laminator where the layer carrying the printing is laminated to a surface of the card. The card and the laminated intermediate transfer sheet are then passed through a separator that will peel away a backing sheet for the layer carrying the printing, and the printed image will remain in place on the card.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an identification card printer that can be used with a card cartridge that protects a stack of cards stored therein from environmental contamination and establishes a card transport plane, from which other components of the identification card printer can be aligned, independent of the card cartridge. The identification card printer includes a cartridge receiver adapted to receive the card cartridge and a card transport mechanism. The card transport mechanism includes a pair of feed rollers, portions of which extend to the cartridge receiver and define the card transport plane.