Abstract: The card includes first support, second support, and imaging layer intermediate the first and second supports. The second support is sealed to the first support. And, the imaging layer includes photosensitive microcapsules that are activated by cylithographic photography to produce an identification card image. Additionally, the identification card includes one or more of the following: (a) an anti-static coating that is applied to the second support on the side opposite the imaging side; (b) magnetic recording media on the second support on the side opposite the imaging side; (c) electronics incorporated into the second support that enables contact or contactless radio frequency access control; (d) a pressure sensitive adhesive or a thermo set adhesive to bond the second support to the imaging layer; (e) an adhesive that is coated onto the second support or the imaging layer prior to sealing the second support to the first support, etc.

Abstract: The card printing system of the present invention includes a cartridge sub-assembly and a printer sub-assembly. The cartridge sub-assembly encloses a stack of horizontally positioned cards that have each been plied with photosensitive microcapsules. The printer sub-assembly interfaced with the cartridge sub-assembly to obtain a card from the stack. The printer sub-assembly then forms a latent image upon the photosensitive microcapsules upon the obtained card and develops that image by applying a mechanical pressure to the photosensitive microcapsules with a developer array. The develop array is a block containing a number spring-loaded developer balls.

Abstract: The card printing system of the present invention includes a cartridge sub-assembly and a printer sub-assembly. The cartridge sub-assembly encloses a stack of horizontally positioned cards that have each been plied with photosensitive microcapsules. The printer sub-assembly interfaced with the cartridge sub-assembly to obtain a card from the stack. The printer sub-assembly then forms a latent image upon the photosensitive microcapsules upon the obtained card and develops that image by applying a mechanical pressure to the photosensitive microcapsules with a developer array. The develop array is a block containing a number spring-loaded developer balls.

Abstract: A card printing and encoder apparatus for printing information on a card to provide identification of a person, and includes two encoding stations, one to encode a smart card chip embedded in the card, and the other station to encode a magnetic strip on the card. Card support and drive rollers support the card, and the card is bent out of its plane to contact the smart card encoding station contacts. A magnetic head for encoding a magnetic strip is held under a resilient force against an opposite side of the card from the smart card encoding station. The loading of the print head against a rotatable print platen is controlled in synchronism with card drive and support rollers so that the card drive and support rollers release and the card is driven only by the rotatable print platen during the printing operation.

Abstract: A card straightener is used for cooling a card that has been processed using heat, such as in a printing or lamination process. The card straightener includes a plate member that has a heat sink in heat conducting relation. The plate member is positioned to receive a card from the heated process. The card is passed over the plate and is urged against the plate so that the card is cooled while held flat while it becomes rigid, so it remains planar after cooling.

Abstract: A mounting slider bracket for a card printer thermal printhead is supported between a spring and the printhead, and can be adjusted laterally relative to the printhead to shift the center of force that loads the printhead against the ribbon and a card that is being printed. The ability to change the location of the application of force on the printhead permits centering the force when a card of different width is fed from a supply through the printhead. Uniform printing will occur on cards regardless of the width, when properly adjusted by the operator.

Abstract: A card feeder for a card printer provides a stack of cards at an input end of the printer. The cards are supported on a pair of rollers that are driven at differential speeds and through one-way clutches so that a card being fed from the stack will pass through an outlet opening and can be accelerated by further drives. The outlet opening is controlled as to size by a slidable gate that permits changing the thickness of the opening to permit use of different thickness cards in the hopper. The feeder includes cleaning rollers that are formed as a module that can be inserted and replaced, and also an encoding station where the card can be encoded such as for a magnetic strip, or for non contact radio frequency or other smart card chips contained on the card being processed prior to the printing operation.

Abstract: A printer for printing information on images on a substrate such as an identification card in multiple colors has an intermediate transfer film or web on which a reverse image is printed. The printer has a lamination station where the image is transferred to a substrate, such as an identification card. The intermediate transfer film or web is moved back and forth, the intermediate transfer film or web has slack occurring in it between the printing station and the lamination station. The slack is taken up with spring loaded rollers to permit operation of the printer head and the lamination station at the same time. Additionally, the printer is made into modules that are movable for easy access to interior components and to expose film or web paths that permits installing both the print film or web and the intermediate transfer film or web without threading it through enclosed openings.

Abstract: Information is printed onto an identification card using an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer includes a tray which moves the card in a first direction and a print head which moves relative to the card in a second direction. An ink receiving surface may be deposited onto the card prior to ink jet printing. A magnetic recording head is optionally included in the printer whereby information may be magnetically recorded onto the card.

Abstract: Information is printed onto an identification card using an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer includes a tray which moves the card in a first direction and a print head which moves relative to the card in a second direction. An ink receiving surface may be deposited onto the card prior to ink jet printing. A magnetic recording head is optionally included in the printer whereby information may be magnetically recorded onto the card.

Abstract: An identification card processor receives cards from a hopper, and passes them through a graphic imager for printing, and either prior to printing or subsequently the cards are positioned on an index table that permits moving the cards about an axis to different positions for further operations. The further operations take place at locations set off from the plane of movement of the cards in the graphics imager to conserve space. The indexing table is capable of being indexed to any desired rotational position in a full 360.degree. of movement, and for moving a card under positive drive to and from the index table.