Patents by Inventor Gary M. Klinefelter
Gary M. Klinefelter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20040146329Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Gary M. Klinefelter
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Publication number: 20040136768Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Matthew K. Dunham, Jeffrey D. Upin, Gary A. Lenz
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Patent number: 6758616Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Martin A. Pribula, James R. Meier, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez, Gary M. Klinefelter, Leonid S. Gershenovich, Gary A. Lenz, Jeffrey D. Upin
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Publication number: 20040114981Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: James M. Meier, Chadwick M. Johnson, Gary P. Countryman, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez, Gary M. Klinefelter, Ryan G. Park, Matthew K. Dunham, Jeffrey D. Upin, Gary A. Lenz, Leon Gershenovich, Thomas C. Platner
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Publication number: 20040109715Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: James M. Meier, Chadwick M. Johnson, Gary P. Countryman, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez, Gary M. Klinefelter, Ryan G. Park, Matthew K. Dunham, Jeffrey D. Upin, Gary A. Lenz, Martin A. Pribula, Thomas C. Platner, Leon Gershenovich, Jon J. Ibs
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Publication number: 20040101340Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Karl A. Karst
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Patent number: 6729719Abstract: In a method of forming an identification card printer a sheet feed printer is provided having a printhead and a sheet feed mechanism that is driven by a sheet feed drive to feed paper sheets to the printhead for printing. Next, the sheet feed mechanism is replaced with a card transport mechanism that is used to feed cards from a card supply to the printhead for printing. The card transport mechanism is then linked to the sheet feed drive through a feed drive link. Finally, a master controller for controlling the operation of the card transport mechanism is installed. Additional aspects of the present invention relate to an identification card printer formed in accordance with the above-described method.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Martin A. Pribula, Leonid S. Gershenovich, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez
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Patent number: 6702282Abstract: A roller support includes a body member, a bushing member, and a step member. The body member includes a first guide roller receiver that is adapted to receive an end of a first guide roller. The bushing member extends from a surface of the body member and has a central bore that extends through the body member. The step member is positioned adjacent the bushing member and extends from the surface of the body member in the direction of the bushing member.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Martin A. Pribula, Gary M. Klinefelter
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Patent number: 6694884Abstract: A card supply for use with an identification card printing system includes a card hopper and a supply circuit. The card hopper contains a stack of cards. The supply circuit is mounted to the card hopper that includes a memory containing supply information relating to parameters of the card supply.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Jeffrey D. Upin, Gary A. Lenz, Martin A. Pribula, James R. Meier
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Patent number: 6685312Abstract: An ink jet card printer is disclosed that includes an ink jet printhead and a transport mechanism. The ink jet printhead is adapted to print on portions of a surface of a card that are presented in a print position along a print path. The transport mechanism includes at least one cantilevering mechanism that is positioned to a side of the print position along the print path. The cantilevering mechanism is adapted to unobstructively present the surface of the card to the printhead in the print position.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Kathleen Phillips, Martin A. Pribula, Jeffrey D. Upin, Gary A. Lenz
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Publication number: 20030216826Abstract: Identification card manufacturing security restricts use of an identification card manufacturing system with only authorized supplies. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a supply-specific security code (SSSC) and supply-specific data are stored in memory of the supply. The SSSC is translated using the supply-specific data. Finally, the supply is authorized for use with the identification card manufacturing system only when the translated SSSC is found to be valid. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an identification card manufacturing system is configured to operate only with supplies having corresponding customer-specific security codes (CSSC). A supply CSSC and supply-specific data are retrieved from memory of the supply. Additionally, a system CSSC and system-specific data are retrieved from memory of the identification card manufacturing system. The supply CSSC and the system CSSC are translated using the supply-specific data and the system-specific data, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Thomas C. Platner, Joseph F. Schuler, Leon S. Gershenovich, David W. Kaiser, Gary R. Holland
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Patent number: 6650430Abstract: A printer is provided with a smart card encoding device that is externally accessible. The smart card is a key with an integrated circuit including a memory that will retain a discrete password and other digital information. The password on the smart card key must be compared to a password stored in the printer memory before printing operations will be permitted. The digital information in the smart card key memory can include marks or graphics that would indicate that the cards being printed by the printer are secured cards and authorized cards. The information will be printed from the smart card key memory only when the passwords match so that the discrete information on the smart card key can be used for driving the printer for printing this information. The printer is made into a high security printer by permitting the overriding of the password only upon the generating of identical numbers from separated algorithms, one in the printer memory and one at a secure location.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Francis, Matthew K. Dunham, Gary M. Klinefelter, Jon J. Ibs
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Publication number: 20030197771Abstract: In a method of forming an identification card printer a sheet feed printer is provided having a printhead and a sheet feed mechanism that is driven by a sheet feed drive to feed paper sheets to the printhead for printing. Next, the sheet feed mechanism is replaced with a card transport mechanism that is used to feed cards from a card supply to the printhead for printing. The card transport mechanism is then linked to the sheet feed drive through a feed drive link. Finally, a master controller for controlling the operation of the card transport mechanism is installed. Additional aspects of the present invention relate to an identification card printer formed in accordance with the above-described method.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Martin A. Pribula, Leonid S. Gershenovich, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez
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Publication number: 20030197770Abstract: A conventional ink jet printer is modified to print identification cards by removing the paper feed assembly from the printer and substituting a card feeder. The card feeder has a frame that supports card feed rollers, and also supports the existing printer paper drive roller shaft. The paper feed drive shaft from the printer is used to drive the feed rollers for the card feeder. The initiation feeding a card is in response to the same mechanical input from the printer as was used to initiate feeding a sheet of paper for printing. The card feeder assembly does not add any motors or operating mechanisms to the printer, thereby maintaining a low cost by using a high production paper printer modified to accept identification cards.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Martin A. Pribula, Leonid S. Gershenovich, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez
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Publication number: 20030179413Abstract: In a method of processing a primary print job corresponding to a primary image using an identification card manufacturing system, a watermarked image is generated that includes a combination of the primary image and a watermark image. The watermark image includes embedded data. Next, the watermarked image is printed on a card substrate. Also provided is an identification card manufacturing system that is adapted to implement the above-described method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Gary A. Lenz, Gary M. Klinefelter
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Publication number: 20030152409Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Martin A. Pribula, James R. Meier, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez, Anthony L. Lokken, Gary A. Lenz, Jeffrey D. Upin, Gary M. Klinefelter
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Publication number: 20030123915Abstract: A ribbon for a thermal printer has a series of frames of different colors in a sequence that are correlated to the position of cards to be printed. The ribbon has indexing marks for each frame and also indicators for each repeating sequence of frames. The index marks are arranged in a line across the ribbon and the marks can be coded to individually indicate the color or other characteristic of the frame associated with the line of index mark. This information is received by a controller to control various printer functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Gary A. Lenz
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Patent number: 6532032Abstract: The present invention provides a method of performing a burn cycle in a thermal printer that reduces printhead switching while increasing printing speed and extending printhead life. In the method, data is loaded into a shift register of a thermal printhead to designate resistive elements that are to be enabled and disabled during the burn cycle. Next, the data is latched into a burn register of the printhead and a power supply of the printhead is activated thereby energizing the enabled resistive elements. New data is then loaded into the shift register. After a short burn period has expired, the new data is latched into the burn register. The steps of loading and latching new data are repeated a predetermined number of times, after which the power supply is deactivated to complete the burn cycle.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Matthew K. Dunham, Robert E. Francis, Jon Ibs, Gary M. Klinefelter
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Publication number: 20030024422Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Martin A. Pribula, James R. Meier, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez, Gary M. Klinefelter, Leonid S. Gershenovich, Gary A. Lenz, Jeffrey D. Upin
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Publication number: 20030000637Abstract: A laminator for laminating sheets of lamina onto substrates such as cards uses a web of lamina material that preferably has a bondable and printable layer on the reverse side and can then be printed with information and laminated onto a blank card. The web also preferably has a series of spaced transverse lines of reduced strength so the web can be separated into individual sheets of lamina by creating a tension in the web across the transverse line of reduced strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Kevin R. Campion, I. Tony Haugen, Gary M. Klinefelter, Jeffrey D. Upin