Abstract: A credential manufacturing device includes a card supply positioned adjacent to a main card input and configured to hold a plurality of plastic card substrates, a card transport, a card processing device, an auxiliary input and a card rotator. The card transport is configured to feed individual card substrates from the card supply through the main card input and along a processing path. The card processing device is either a print head or a laminating roller and is in line with the processing path. The auxiliary input is displaced from the main card input and the processing path, and positioned in line with an auxiliary input path, which is transverse to the processing path. The auxiliary input is configured to receive individual card substrates for travel along the auxiliary input path.

Abstract: In a method of authorizing a supply for use with a printing system, a supply is provided having a memory containing a first and second codes and supply-specific data, which uniquely identifies the supply. The first code, the second code and the supply-specific data are retrieved from the memory of the supply. The first and second codes are translated using the supply-specific data. The translated first code is compared to a third code and the translated second code is compared to a fourth code. Use of the supply with the printing system is authorized when the translated first code corresponds to the third code and the translated second code corresponds to the fourth code. Use of the supply with the printing system is prevented when either the translated first code does not correspond to the third code, or the translated second code does not correspond to the fourth code.

Abstract: A credential manufacturing device includes a card supply positioned adjacent to a main card input and configured to hold a plurality of plastic card substrates, a card transport, a card processing device, an auxiliary input and a card rotator. The card transport is configured to feed individual card substrates from the card supply through the main card input and along a processing path. The card processing device is either a print head or a laminating roller and is in line with the processing path. The auxiliary input is displaced from the main card input and the processing path, and positioned in line with an auxiliary input path, which is transverse to the processing path. The auxiliary input is configured to receive individual card substrates for travel along the auxiliary input path.

Abstract: In a method of authorizing a supply for use with a printing system, a supply is provided having a memory containing a first and second codes and supply-specific data, which uniquely identifies the supply. The first code, the second code and the supply-specific data are retrieved from the memory of the supply. The first and second codes are translated using the supply-specific data. The translated first code is compared to a third code and the translated second code is compared to a fourth code. Use of the supply with the printing system is authorized when the translated first code corresponds to the third code and the translated second code corresponds to the fourth code. Use of the supply with the printing system is prevented when either the translated first code does not correspond to the third code, or the translated second code does not correspond to the fourth code.

Abstract: 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.

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: 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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.