Abstract: A system and method for tracking and communicating time and attendance data for workers at a remote worksite is disclosed. A portable time and attendance device is configured to receive and store worker time attendance data and transmit the data to a remote computer via a wireless network, such as a wireless cellular communications network. In order to conserve battery power, a main unit of the device periodically queries an electronic time and attendance clock of the device according to a pre-established schedule to determine if new worker time and attendance data has been received. If so, according to the pre-established schedule, the new worker time and attendance data is transmitted to the remote computer via the wireless network. Otherwise, certain functions and components of the device remain in a low battery usage sleep mode.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and communicating time and attendance data for workers at a remote worksite is disclosed. A portable time and attendance device is configured to receive and store worker time attendance data and transmit the data to a remote computer via a wireless network, such as a wireless cellular communications network. In order to conserve battery power, a main unit of the device periodically queries an electronic time and attendance clock of the device according to a pre-established schedule to determine if new worker time and attendance data has been received. If so, according to the pre-established schedule, the new worker time and attendance data is transmitted to the remote computer via the wireless network. Otherwise, certain functions and components of the device remain in a low battery usage sleep mode.

Abstract: A laminating roller assembly comprises a frame, a movable support supported by the frame, a laminating roller and a lift mechanism. The laminating roller is attached to the movable support. The lift mechanism is attached to the frame and is configured to move the movable support and the attached laminating roller relative to the frame. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to a credential substrate laminator and a method of laminating a credential substrate using a credential substrate laminator.

Abstract: A laminating roller assembly comprises a frame, a movable support supported by the frame, a laminating roller and a lift mechanism. The laminating roller is attached to the movable support. The lift mechanism is attached to the frame and is configured to move the movable support and the attached laminating roller relative to the frame. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to a credential substrate laminator and a method of laminating a credential substrate using a credential substrate laminator.

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 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 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, 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 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A data encoder module includes a card feeder and an encoding component. The card feeder is adapted to receive a card from an out-feed component of a transport mechanism and move the card within an encoding plane. The encoding plane is oriented such that the card is free to move toward the out-feed component a distance that is greater than a distance separating the out-feed component and the card feeder without contacting the out-feed component. The encoding component is adapted to encode data to the card.

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: 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.

Abstract: A reflective type light sensitive sensor assembly is used for sensing the position of marks on a surface moving past the sensor. A typical showing is in relation to sensing marks on a ribbon used during printing operations, or lamination operations. The sensor assembly includes a LED light source that has a central axis, and a light sensitive transistor or sensor mounted in a single housing, with the housing oriented so that the axis of the light from the LED is inclined at an acute angle relative to the surface of the ribbon. The axis is at an angle other than perpendicular or near perpendicular to the surface. The marks used for identification are light diffusing marks, such as white marks or strips that will provide adequate reflection of light back to the light sensitive transistor or sensor forming part of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A printer for printing onto a substrate includes a substrate feed mechanism configured to secure the substrate during printing and a print mechanism configured to print on the substrate. A transceiver is configured to transfer power through a non-physical link to a radio frequency (RF) circuit carried on a printer supply to thereby power the RF circuit. The transceiver also responsively receives printer supply data through a non-physical link from the RF circuit.