An access card issuance system comprising an access card issuance device located at a facility of an organization and a web server is disclosed. The access card issuance system provides a web interface in response to a request from a mobile device, and receives user information identifying a user of the mobile device. The system is also configured to validate the identity of an authorized individual associated with the facility identified by a user of the mobile device, and issue an access card to the user of the mobile device. The access card has indicia printed thereon identifying at least a portion of the user information, and programmable information encoded onto the access card providing access rights to the facility. The system further transmits, to the authorized individual, a message associated with issuance of the access card.
Methods and systems for remote, asynchronous key entry and extraction are provided. A credential device can store a first key thereon, and can store an encrypted key component. A hardware security module manages a key template including a plurality of key components. The hardware security module manages a complementary key to the first key. The key component on the credential device can be encrypted with the first key for storage on the credential device and decrypted by the complementary key at the hardware security module. Alternately, the key component can be encrypted with the complementary key and provided to the credential device for decryption at a secure system via the first key. Accordingly, a key custodian may supply or extract a key component at a hardware security module remotely and at a time convenient to that key custodian.
An impresser mechanism that is configured to create impressions on plastic cards. The impresser mechanism includes an anvil that is configured to resiliently support the plastic card while the impression is formed on the plastic card by a die. By resiliently supporting the plastic card while the impression is created, the resulting impression on the plastic card is substantially evened out.
B29C 59/02 - Surface shaping, e.g. embossingApparatus therefor by mechanical means, e.g. pressing
B29C 59/00 - Surface shaping, e.g. embossingApparatus therefor
B29D 7/00 - Producing flat articles, e.g. films or sheets
B42D 25/22 - Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security featuresManufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose for use in combination with accessories specially adapted for information-bearing cards
B42D 25/30 - Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B41J 13/00 - Devices or arrangements specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
B41J 13/10 - Sheet holders, retainers, or stationary guides
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
B41M 1/30 - Printing on other surfaces than ordinary paper on organic plastics, horn, or like materials
Techniques are described herein that mitigate warpage during laser marking on a plastic security document. A method of laser marking a feature onto a plastic card includes electronically dividing an image of the feature into a plurality of sections. The method includes laser marking a first one of the sections on the document and laser marking a second one of the sections on the document. The first section is not contiguous with the second section.
A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.
A ribbon supply cartridge for use in a card personalization machine. The ribbon supply cartridge is manually adjustable by a user before installation into the card personalization machine from a first, collapsed (or pre-use) configuration to a second, extended or open (or use) configuration. When the ribbon supply cartridge is adjusted from the first configuration to the second configuration, a distance between the supply and take-up is increased. The first, collapsed configuration may be useful for packaging or shipping the ribbon supply cartridge whereby the collapsed configuration reduces the size of the packaging or shipping box containing the ribbon supply cartridge. When the ribbon supply cartridge is to be used, the user can manually adjust the ribbon supply cartridge to the open configuration and then install the ribbon supply cartridge in the card personalization machine.
B41J 33/16 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with drive applied to spool or spool spindle
B41J 33/22 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with drive applied to spool or spool spindle by gears or pulleys
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
A plastic card printer that is provided with a printhead guard that is movable between a covering position, where the printhead guard covers one or more sensitive portions of a printhead of the plastic card printer, and a non-covering position, where the printhead guard does not cover the one or more sensitive portions of the printhead thereby allowing the printhead to perform a printing function on a plastic card. The printhead guard can be at the covering position when the printhead is at a non-printing position, for example during servicing of the card printer, to protect the one or more sensitive elements when the printhead is at the non-printing position, and the printhead guard can be at the non-covering position when the printhead is at a printing position where the printhead is ready to perform printing.
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
B41J 13/10 - Sheet holders, retainers, or stationary guides
B41J 25/00 - Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
9.
DROP-ON-DEMAND INK DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN CARD PROCESSING SYSTEMS
DOD ink delivery systems and methods are described herein that are used in DOD card printing systems of card processing systems for supplying ink for DOD printing on plastic cards of the type that bear personalized data unique to the intended cardholder and/or which bear other card information. The DOD ink delivery system is configured to recirculate the ink, or have a second pressure damper container that provides damping to eliminate large and abrupt spikes in ink pressure which can disturb the meniscus of the ink in each nozzle of the print head generated by a vacuum system, or simultaneously operate a supply pump at a lower flow rate than a return pump during an autofill/autodrain procedure on the ink delivery system.
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
Techniques are described for obscuring residual images on print ribbons that have been used to print on plastic cards in order to prevent access to sensitive or personalized data appearing in the residual images. An image is printed on a retransfer film using the print ribbon, thereby creating a residual image of the printed image on the print ribbon. The retransfer film is then used to obscure some or all of the residual image on the print ribbon by transferring ink from the section of the print ribbon containing the residual image onto the retransfer film. In some embodiments, obscuring the residual image on the print ribbon occurs before the printed image on the retransfer film is transferred to the plastic card.
B41M 5/00 - Duplicating or marking methodsSheet materials for use therein
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
11.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRINTING VIBRANT GREY COLORS ON PLASTIC CARDS
Methods and systems are disclosed for printing vibrant grey color(s) on plastic cards. The following features, which can be used individually or in any combination thereof, can be implemented to achieve the vibrant grey color(s): 1) use of CMYK pigment inks to achieve CMYK printing; 2) a pixel extraction process and/or a print trapping process; 3) two separate print commands including a CMY (or CMYK) + blending print command and a K + blending print command; and 4) proper card set-up.
Maintenance routines that can be used to maintain the operability of one or more DOD print heads in a card processing system. The maintenance routines can include, but are not limited to: a cover routine where a cover or cap is selectively and automatically located over the print head(s) to protect the print head(s); a shake pulse routine that energizes the nozzles of the print head(s) without causing an ejection of ink; a spit routine where the nozzles of the print head(s) are energized to eject one or more drops of ink; and a purge routine where the nozzles are not electrically energized but the pressure holding the ink in the nozzles of the print head(s) is reversed to push ink out of the nozzles.
B41J 2/165 - Prevention of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
B41M 3/00 - Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
An access card issuance system comprising an access card issuance device located at a facility of an organization and a web server is disclosed. The access card issuance system provides a web interface in response to a request from a mobile device, and receives user information identifying a user of the mobile device. The system is also configured to validate the identity of an authorized individual associated with the facility identified by a user of the mobile device, and issue an access card to the user of the mobile device. The access card has indicia printed thereon identifying at least a portion of the user information, and programmable information encoded onto the access card providing access rights to the facility. The system further transmits, to the authorized individual, a message associated with issuance of the access card.
An access card issuance system comprising an access card issuance device located at a facility of an organization and a web server is disclosed. The access card issuance system provides a web interface in response to a request from a mobile device, and receives user information identifying a user of the mobile device. The system is also configured to validate the identity of an authorized individual associated with the facility identified by a user of the mobile device, and issue an access card to the user of the mobile device. The access card has indicia printed thereon identifying at least a portion of the user information, and programmable information encoded onto the access card providing access rights to the facility. The system further transmits, to the authorized individual, a message associated with issuance of the access card.
A remote user interface (RUI) for a personalization document printer of an instant issuance system is provided. The RUI includes a printer functionality component and a server functionality component. The server functionality component is configured to allow, for example a user to control user authentication to use the printer, control print queues of the printer, control print workflows of the printer, control RUI configuration, control remote access to printer user functions and a print preview displaying an image of the customized personalization document with image data and personalization account data, control storage and rendering of data to be placed on a customized personalization document, lock and unlock access to supplies and/or personalization documents in the personalization document printer, access administrative functions, and provide quality assurance functions.
A card/carrier combination sorter system is described that is configured for use with a card/carrier combination production system. The sorter system includes an input that is in communication with an output of the production system so as to receive a plurality of card/carrier combinations one-by-one from the production system. The sorter system is configured to sort the plurality of card/carrier combinations into one or more bins of the sorter system. In some embodiments, a card/carrier combination is not diverted and is instead output through an output of the sorter system to an inserter system for insertion into an envelope and subsequent mailing.
A system and method for remote monitoring and management of an instant issuance system is provided. The embodiments provide secure communication between different entities within the instant issuance system. Security can be established via mutual authentication between the communicating entities of the instant issuance system prior and/or concurrent with a communication taking place.
G06Q 20/34 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
A secure end-to-end smart card personalization system and method of operation are disclosed. A personalization system generates a customized dataset including personalization data for installation onto a smart card by performing a personalization process using a virtual smart card formatted according to the operating system of the smart card. The personalization system encrypts at least a portion of the customized dataset using an encryption key that is unique to a card issuance device that is separate from the personalization system, the encryption key being different from any encryption key used to secure the customized dataset when stored on the smart card. The personalization system transmits the customized dataset to the card issuance device for personalization of the smart card.
An ink bottle is mounted in a DOD printer with the ink bottle acting as an ink supply reservoir that supplies ink to a DOD print head. A unique cap is provided that is configured to be affixed to an end of the ink bottle via threads or the like. The cap can be provided with one or more mechanical keying features used to limit mounting of the cap and the bottle assembly to a correct receiver in the DOD printer. The cap can also be provided with a valve controlled ink passage that allows ink to flow out of the bottle through the cap and a valve controlled vent passage that allows air to enter the bottle through the cap.
A card processing system includes a drop-on-demand card printing system that has at least one drop-on-demand print head with a nozzle plate. An automated cleaning mechanism is provided in the drop-on-demand card printing system that is configured to clean the nozzle plate without the cleaning mechanism physically contacting the nozzle plate. Since the nozzle plate is not physically contacted by the cleaning mechanism, damage to the nozzle plate during cleaning is avoided thereby avoiding degrading the resulting print quality of the print head.
B41J 13/12 - Sheet holders, retainers, or stationary guides specially adapted for cards, envelopes, or the like
G06K 19/077 - Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
Improving the adhesion of a laminate on a plastic card where the laminate overlays a print receptor layer. The size of the laminate is made larger than the print receptor layer so that at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the laminate extends beyond the perimeter edge of the print receptor layer so that the portion of the perimeter edge is adhered or otherwise bonded directly to the surface of the plastic identification document substrate or to other material of or on the plastic identification document substrate other than the print receptor layer. This increases the difficulty in picking the edges of the laminate loose and peeling the laminate from the print receptor layer and from the plastic identification document substrate.
A printing process that reduces the amount of flash that occurs when printing to a surface of a plastic card. The printing can occur by a retransfer printing process. The printing process includes generating an image canvas that has rounded corners instead of the conventional right angle corners. The use of rounded corners on the image canvas reduces the amount of printing in the image canvas at the corners compared to an image canvas that has right angle corners, thereby reducing the amount of printing that is present that could form flash at the corners of the card surface.
A cryptographic object management system is provided that includes physically separated first and second object management sites. The first and second object management sites each respectively include HSMs, a HSM server connected to each of the HSMs, and a persistent layer connected to the HSM server. The HSM servers respectively manage operation of each of the HSMs. The HSM server of the first object management site includes an object manager module that manages and controls the cryptographic object management system. The persistent layers respectively store cryptographic objects for use by the HSMs. Each of the HSMs respectively performs crypto-processing on one or more of the cryptographic objects.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
Systems and methods for performing retransfer printing on substrates such as plastic card-shaped substrates. Printing is first performed in at least first and second separate transfer areas on the retransfer film. The retransfer film is then advanced to a retransfer station where the printed transfer areas are transferred to the substrate in a sequence that differs from the sequence in which the printed transfer areas were printed.
B41M 3/00 - Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
B41M 5/382 - Contact transfer or sublimation processes
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
A card processing system that includes a card transport mechanism having at least first and second separate card transports that separately transport first and second cards in the card processing system. Each of the first and second card transports can be actuated between a common card pick-up location and common card discharge position. At least one card processing mechanism that can perform a card processing operation is located between the common card pick-up location and the common card discharge location, with each of the first and second card transports transporting respective cards to the card processing mechanism to perform the card processing operation and transporting the cards from the card processing mechanism after processing.
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
26.
CARD PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH ADAPTABLE CARD TRANSPORT DELAY
Systems and methods where a delay time between a first card processing mechanism, such as a drop-on-demand printer that prints with UV curable ink, and a second card processing mechanism, such as a UV curing station, can be altered to adjust the travel time of the card from the first card processing mechanism to the second card processing mechanism. First and second card buffers can be provided between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism. Each of the first and second card buffers is independently logically controlled to permit independent control of the transport time of a card through each card buffer. Alternatively, a single card buffer or more than two card buffers can be provided between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism.
B41J 2/38 - Preheating, i.e. heating to a temperature insufficient to cause printing
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
27.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRINTING A MULTI-MEDIA DOCUMENT FROM AN IMAGE FILE
System and methods for printing a multi-media document from an image file are provided. The method includes a printing device receiving a data holding image file. A processor of the printing device parses and extracts document data for printing the multi - media document from the data holding image file. The processor processes the document data to receive instruction data for one or more printing operation components of the printing device. The method also includes sending the instruction data to one or more printer operation components of the printing device. Also, the method includes each of the one or more printer operation components performing a printer operation onto a multi-media document.
A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.
B41J 5/40 - Character or syllable selection controlled by recorded information characterised by form of recorded information by magnetic or electrostatic records, e.g. cards, sheets
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
B41J 13/12 - Sheet holders, retainers, or stationary guides specially adapted for cards, envelopes, or the like
B41J 13/00 - Devices or arrangements specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
Card processing mechanisms and methods whereby after a card has been processed on one surface thereof at a card processing station such as, but not limited to, a card printing mechanism, the card can be recirculated back upstream of the card processing station along a return card travel path that is separate from the primary card travel path through the card processing station where the card can then be reintroduced back into the primary card travel path and transported through the card processing station a second time. As the card is being returned along the return card travel path, the card can be flipped over so that when the card is transported back through the card processing station, the opposite surface of the card can be processed.
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
G06K 19/10 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards
B41J 3/60 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing on both faces of the printing material
B41J 13/12 - Sheet holders, retainers, or stationary guides specially adapted for cards, envelopes, or the like
G06K 13/07 - Transporting of cards between stations
G06K 13/077 - Transporting of cards between stations with intermittent movementBraking or stopping movement
30.
PLASTIC CARD PRINTING WITH THERMALLY TRANSFERRABLE ADHESIVE
A plastic card is printed on by transferring an adhesive to a surface of the plastic card from a thermal transfer ribbon using a thermal printhead. A donor material is then applied over the transferred adhesive to adhere the donor material to the card surface with portions of the card surface not containing the transferred adhesive not being covered by the donor material. The techniques described herein permit the addition of high value features, such as three dimensional features, matte finishes, metallic or metallic appearing features, optical structures, and the like, to the surfaces of plastic cards. In addition, the techniques described herein can be integrated into existing card processing systems, such as central issuance card processing systems, that use thermal printing technology.
B41J 2/32 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
B41M 3/00 - Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
31.
CARD PRINTING USING THERMAL TRANSFER PRINT RIBBON WITH RADIATION CURABLE INK
A thermal transfer print ribbon having radiation curable ink thereon is used to print on a surface of a plastic card. The use of radiation curable thermal transfer printing to print on the card surface increases the durability of the printing compared to regular (i.e. non-radiation cured) thermal transfer printing once the radiation curable ink is cured. As a result, a protective laminate or coating need not be applied to the card surface to protect the printing.
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
B41J 2/44 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
B41J 13/12 - Sheet holders, retainers, or stationary guides specially adapted for cards, envelopes, or the like
A system and method for establishing a secure identity for a printing device at the time of manufacturing is provided. The method includes obtaining a first private key for use with a first operation of the printing device and obtaining a second private key for use with a second operation of the printing device. The method also includes loading the first private key into a secure memory portion of the printing device during manufacturing of the printing device, and loading the second private key into the secure memory portion of the printing device during manufacturing of the printing device.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
33.
CONTAMINANT CONTROL PROCESS IN A RETRANSFER CARD PRINTER
A retransfer printing process that prevents dust and other contaminants from becoming statically or otherwise attached to the transfer layer of the retransfer film and/or to the print ribbon used to print on the retransfer film. In the described process, some or all of the unused retransfer film is rewound back onto the retransfer film supply and/or some or all of the unused print ribbon is rewound onto the print ribbon supply, for example until the next print job is submitted.
Modular print engines and print engine components that are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards. The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers. In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation. Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.
Retransfer printing methods and systems are described where a variable stripping process is utilized while stripping all or a portion of the retransfer film (also known as intermediate transfer media) from the surface of a substrate. The variable stripping process includes stripping the retransfer film from different sections of the substrate surface while applying different tensions to the retransfer film and/or at different transport speeds of the retransfer film and the substrate.
B41M 5/40 - Thermography characterised by the base, intermediate or covering layersHeat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layersThermography combined with layers or compositions suitable for other methods of image registrationSpecial originals for reproduction by thermography
Methods and systems of actively cooling a card while the card is within a card processing machine are described. One or more cooling stations are provided within the card processing machine to actively cool the card prior to performing a processing operation, during a processing operation, and/or after a processing operation on the card in order to reduce a temperature of the surface of the card.
Systems and methods where multi-color graphics on a substrate are printed at a first resolution, and single color data is printed at a second, higher resolution using the same print head. The multi-color graphics can be a printed photograph of a person, a printed logo, or any printed feature that is printed using multiple colors. The single color data can be printed alphanumeric text such as a person's name, address, account number or any other data that is printed using a single color.
B41F 17/14 - Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles or material, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length
B41J 35/14 - Vibrator mechanismsDriving gear therefor adjustable, e.g. for case shift for multicolour workVibrator mechanismsDriving gear therefor adjustable, e.g. for case shift for ensuring maximum life of ink ribbonVibrator mechanismsDriving gear therefor adjustable, e.g. for case shift for rendering ink ribbon inoperative
B41J 3/28 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes
An object processing machine for processing a plurality of objects, the machine comprising: a plurality of processing modules, each processing module having a modular structure co-operable with the modular structure of another processing module to form a modular assembly constituting the object processing machine; each processing module being operable to perform a corresponding processing operation on an object and being provided with at least one transfer unit located at a respective port of the processing module; each transfer unit being arranged to transfer an object to or from the corresponding processing module and/or to or from a transfer unit of another processing module of the modular assembly; the transfer units being arranged to co-operate with one another and/or with another processing unit such that objects can be guided from an input of the machine to an output of the machine via a plurality of different transport pathways through the machine, wherein the transport pathway taken by a said object being processed corresponds to the pre-determined processing operations to be performed on the said object. A method of processing a plurality of objects using such a machine is also described.
B65H 5/26 - Duplicate, alternate, selective, or coacting feeds
B65H 29/60 - Article switches or diverters diverting the stream into alternative paths
G06K 19/077 - Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
B65H 7/00 - Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
A sensor system for counting cards includes an optical sensor assembly configured to detect edges of cards in a card stack. The optical sensor assembly includes at least an optical sensor, and a light element coupled with the optical sensor. The light element is configured to reflect light from a card stack toward the optical sensor. A remote light element is spaced from the optical sensor assembly. The remote light element is configured to direct light toward the card stack.
A sensor system for counting cards includes an optical sensor assembly configured to detect edges of cards in a card stack. The optical sensor assembly includes at least an optical sensor, and a light element coupled with the optical sensor. The light element is configured to reflect light from a card stack toward the optical sensor. A remote light element is spaced from the optical sensor assembly. The remote light element is configured to direct light toward the card stack.
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
A card mechanism used in an array with other card mechanisms. Each card mechanism handles plastic cards that are to be personalized and provided to end users. The plastic cards can be cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other plastic cards that are personalized. The card mechanism(s) can supply cards to be personalized in one or more other card mechanisms and/or in a card personalization machine used with the card mechanism(s) in which case the card mechanism(s) is configured as a card input hopper, collect cards that have been personalized in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card output hopper, and/or perform one or more personalization operations on the cards in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card personalization mechanism.
A method and system for programming a smart card using multiple programming protocols in a single card programming station. The card can include at least two programmable chips, with each chip being programmed using a different programming protocol. Alternatively, the card can include a single programmable chip, and the chip is programmed using at least two programming protocols. The card can also include at least two programmable chips, with each chip being programmed using at least two programming protocols.
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
43.
LABEL MODULE FOR PRINTING CUSTOM CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT LABELS
A label printer mechanism that is configured to produce and affix custom printed customer engagement labels to personalized plastic cards and other substrates. The custom printed customer engagement labels can be used for a number of purposes including, but not limited to, instructions to the intended recipients of personalized plastic cards for activation of the personalized plastic cards, marketing of products and/or services to the recipients, and combinations of activation and marketing.
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B41J 15/04 - Supporting, feeding, or guiding devicesMountings for web rolls or spindles
44.
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS WITH RADIATION CURABLE MATERIAL AND RELATED METHODS
Systems and methods wherein one or more processing operations on an identification document occur after a radiation curable material is applied to a surface of the identification document but before the radiation curable material is fully cured. The one or more processing operations can occur before any curing of the radiation curable material takes place. Alternatively, the one or more processing operations can occur after the radiation curable material has been partially cured, and before the radiation curable material is fully or completely cured.
A ribbon supply includes a supply spool and a ribbon material wound onto the supply spool. A tack down bond prevents unwinding of the ribbon material from the supply spool. A leader film extends from the tack down bond, with the leader film having a length that is sufficient to allow installation of the ribbon supply and connection of the leader film to a take-up spool without detaching the tack down bond.
Card processing mechanisms and methods whereby after a card has been processed on one surface thereof at a card processing station such as, but not limited to, a card printing mechanism, the card can be recirculated back upstream of the card processing station along a return card travel path that is separate from the primary card travel path through the card processing station where the card can then be reintroduced back into the primary card travel path and transported through the card processing station a second time. As the card is being returned along the return card travel path, the card can be flipped over so that when the card is transported back through the card processing station, the opposite surface of the card can be processed.
B41M 3/00 - Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
B41J 3/60 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing on both faces of the printing material
A technique is described by which a warped security feature is created on a substrate using a hybrid vector/bitmap process. The print element follows a series of curved vector lines during printing to form the security feature, instead of the straight line-by-line process used with a bitmap image. The method of producing the warped security feature, the warped security feature, and the substrate containing the warped security feature are considered to be unique and inventive.
B42D 25/21 - Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security featuresManufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose for multiple purposes
A security document and method of manufacturing the security document are disclosed. The security document includes a substrate including a laser reactive material and data. The security document also includes an optically variable tactile security feature formed in the laser reactive material, the optically variable tactile security feature including a non-tactile portion and a tactile portion. When viewed at a first viewing angle, the optically variable tactile security feature appears to be a first color, and at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the optically variable tactile security feature appears to be a second color.
B42D 25/21 - Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security featuresManufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose for multiple purposes
A mounting of a ribbon supply on a re-useable cartridge is described where the mounting is designed so that the supply friction, supply and control of the ribbon supply are substantially independent of the cartridge. When the supply rolls are initially mounted on the cartridge, the supply rolls are frictionally engaged with the cartridge to reduce the tendency for the supply rolls to rotate or move prior to being loaded into the printer, which would loosen the ribbon material by unwinding, thereby reducing slack in the ribbon material. When the cartridge is loaded into a card personalization machine, features on the card personalization machine automatically reduce the frictional engagement between the supply rolls and the cartridge, permitting the supply rolls to rotate substantially freely relative to the cartridge so that the supply friction, supply and control are substantially independent of the cartridge.
Techniques are described for printing on front and back surfaces of security document substrates in a manner that conserves use of print ribbon, thereby extending the life of the print ribbon. In general, the printer controller knows the content, as well as locations and colors, of what has been printed on the front or first surface of the security document substrate. The printer control also knows the content, as well as locations and colors, of what is to be printed on the back or second surface of the security document substrate. When the back surface of the substrate is to be printed, the printer controller determines, for a particular color, whether any of the printing on the back surface would overlap with the printing on the front surface. For locations where there would be no overlap, the printer can reuse the section of print ribbon that was used to print on the front surface to print on the back surface.
A system and method for remote monitoring and management of an instant issuance system is provided. The embodiments provide secure communication between different entities within the instant issuance system. Security can be established via mutual authentication between the communicating entities of the instant issuance system prior and/or concurrent with a communication taking place.
Techniques are described herein for reducing bowing effects on a substrate while the substrate is being transported, for example in an elevator mechanism, from a first travel path to a second travel path, where the first travel path is offset from the second travel path so that the first travel path is not collinear with the second travel path. The substrate can be any substrate that is bowed and for which one wishes to eliminate or reduce the bow. One specific substrate that can benefit from the techniques described herein are personalized documents such as plastic cards including but not limited to financial (e.g. credit and debit) cards, drivers' licenses, national identification cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, employee badges, and other plastic cards which bear personalized data unique to the card holder and/or which bear other card or document information.
Methods and systems are described that can be used to produce an electronic image of a surface of a security document, such as a surface of a card or a page of a passport, that is being processed in a security document printer. A camera within the printer is used to capture a plurality of electronic image segments of the surface of the security document while the document is within the printer. Conventional image stitching techniques can then be used to stitch the electronic image segments together to create the electronic image of the surface of the security document. Alternatively, the image segments can be analyzed without image stitching the image segments together.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
Systems, mechanisms, and methods are described that relate to the production of a custom printed insert(s) that can be custom printed prior to insertion of the custom printed insert(s) into an envelope along with a personalized card/carrier combination for mailing to the intended holder of the personalized card. The inserts are custom printed using an insert printer that is located in the inserter mechanism that is used to insert the insert(s) and the card/carrier combination into an envelope for mailing to an end user of the card. The inserter mechanism can have an “off-line” configuration, i.e. configured as a stand-alone mechanism, or configured for “in-line” use, i.e. used together with other mechanisms.
Modular print engines and print engine components that are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards. The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers. In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation. Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B41J 3/32 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing in Braille or with keyboards specially adapted for use by blind or disabled persons
A substrate de-bowing mechanism, system and method are described. The mechanism can include a substrate support, one or more stationary contact members, and one or more dynamic or movable contact members that are adapted to contact the substrate and bend the substrate in a desired direction to reduce or eliminate bowing of the substrate. The mechanism is controlled by a CPU or other controller that can adjust the de-bow parameters of the de-bowing mechanism based on input settings that can be dynamic and/or static settings. The mechanism can be used to de-bow a variety of substrates including plastic cards, passports, and passport pages.
A topcoat layer that has a defined surface structure on an outer surface thereof once the topcoat layer is laminated to a substrate. The surface structure of the topcoat layer provides a matte surface finish to the underlying substrate. Any attempt to alter the substrate or the topcoat layer will result in disruption or destruction of the surface structure of the topcoat layer making such tampering evident. Replication of the surface structure of the topcoat layer by a counterfeiter is also difficult without the appropriate equipment.
B05D 7/24 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
An image to be printed on a surface of a substrate that forms, or will be used in, a personalized security document is generated. The image to be printed is then sliced, divided, separated, etc. into a plurality of separate image portions. Each of the separate image portions is then printed onto the substrate. Together, the separate printed image portions form the desired image on the substrate. Each image portion contains only a portion of any confidential or personal information. Each separate image portion is printed using separate sections of a single print ribbon. Since each image portion is printed using a different section of the print ribbon, each ribbon section contains only a portion of any confidential or personal information. This makes it difficult for someone to obtain the confidential or personal information from just a brief or casual glance at the used print ribbon.
A technique is described for determining pixel dropout in a printhead that has a plurality of print elements arrayed along an axis. In the technique, a dataset of integrated intensity values, in the printing direction on a substrate, of a captured image is generated and used to determine if pixel dropout has or may have occurred.
B41J 2/32 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 2/355 - Control circuits for heating-element selection
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
16 - Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials
17 - Rubber and plastic; packing and insulating materials
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
38 - Telecommunications services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
Goods & Services
(1) Electro photographic toners; Machinery, namely, equipment for embossing, milling, encoding, embedding and laminating financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, secure credentials, loyalty cards, transportation cards and passports; laser marking machines; printers for commercial and industrial use; embossing machines; machines for inserting cards and other objects and forms into customer transmittal forms and envelopes; machinery for stacking, feeding, and sorting paper and cards; all of the foregoing for use in the production of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, secure credentials, loyalty cards, transportation cards and passports; Central card issuance systems for financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards and secure credentials comprising primarily one or more of the following: printers, indent printers, encoders, laser marking machines, laminators, topcoat applicators, topping foil applicators, optical character readers, optical scanners, cameras, card readers, chip readers and writers, magnetic strip verifiers, chip verifiers, microprocessor controllers, controllers for multiple function embossing, encoding and printing systems, feeders, stackers, label applicators, roller cleaning tapes, and computer hardware and computer firmware for controlling such systems; passport issuance systems comprising primarily one or more of the following, printers, encoders, electronic laser marking machines, laminators, feeders, optical character readers, optical scanners, cameras, card readers, chip readers and writers, chip verifiers, microprocessor controllers, controllers for multiple function embossing, encoding and printing systems, and computer hardware and computer firmware for controlling such systems; desktop printers, embossers, and combination printers and embossers for printing, embossing, encoding, topping and laminating financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards and secure credentials; software for secure issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; software for managing the production process for financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; software for capturing electronic signatures; software for managing databases of identity capture processes and related personal information and for the issuance and post-issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports. computer software for designing, customizing and personalizing financial cards, identification cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports, and delivery forms and carriers; computer software for electronic digitization of graphics and images, namely facial images, artwork, logos, secure printing, microtext; computer peripherals for implementing security features in financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports, namely scanners and card readers; computer software programs and downloadable software for security, encryption, digital signatures, authentication and secure socket layer (SSL) certificate management across operating environments, multiple platforms and net protocols, websites and mobile devices; computer software programs and downloadable software for real-time monitoring of network, fraud detection management, fraud detection analytics and reporting, providing real time data feeds of fraud intelligence; computer software programs and downloadable software for searching and managing digital certificates from multiple digital Certificate Authorities and providing information to track their location, expiration, purpose or status; Adhesive labels; print ribbons; topping foil ribbons; indent ribbons; thermal printer transfer ribbons; roller cleaning tapes; Laminates, namely, clear and holographic polyester topcoats and overlays for plastic cards and passports. (1) Technical support services, namely, technical consultation, advice and troubleshooting in planning, migration, installation and implementation of software and equipment for the production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; on- and off-site repair and maintenance of equipment for production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; Providing online computer bulletin and message boards relating to electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud news, information and data, electronic or online fraud detection rules and electronic or online fraud detection data; Training services in the field of information security for computer hardware and software, networks and mobile electronic devices; Training services in the field of information security for physical financial cards, identity cards, smart cards and digital authentication platforms; Training services in the field of production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; providing a website featuring information in the fields of financial and personal identity information security, cybersecurity, and production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; providing a website featuring non-downloadable videos in the fields of financial and personal identity information security, cybersecurity, and production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; Graphic design of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports for others; hardware and software customization, installation and support; technical support services, namely, troubleshooting in the nature of diagnosing computer hardware and software problems; providing on-line non-downloadable software for public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate management enabling the use of digital signatures; providing on-line non-downloadable software for searching and management of internet security digital certificates from digital certificate authority providers and providing information to track their location, expiration, purpose or status, digital receipts, certificate validation, encryption and permissions management services; computer software installation, integration and deployment services in the field of information security; Consulting services in the field of Internet and information security, namely, digital signatures, digital receipts, certificate validation, encryption and permissions management services; Internet security services, namely, public key infrastructure ('PKI') verification and authentication; Internet security services, namely, digital certificate issuance and verification; authentication service in the nature of authentication of digital identities, namely digital signatures, receipts and certificates; authorization services in the nature of authorizing users of and applications to network resources; providing information to persons and organizations regarding electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, and electronic or online fraud news, information and data via communications networks; providing information regarding electronic or online fraud detection rules and electronic or online fraud detection data via communications networks; providing information by means of online web links to other web sites for obtaining information regarding electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, and electronic or online fraud news, information and data; providing interactive databases in the field of electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud news, information and data, electronic or online fraud detection rules and electronic or online fraud detection data.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
16 - Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials
17 - Rubber and plastic; packing and insulating materials
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
38 - Telecommunications services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
Goods & Services
(1) Electro photographic toners; Machinery, namely, equipment for embossing, milling, encoding, embedding and laminating financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, secure credentials, loyalty cards, transportation cards and passports; laser marking machines; printers for commercial and industrial use; embossing machines; machines for inserting cards and other objects and forms into customer transmittal forms and envelopes; machinery for stacking, feeding, and sorting paper and cards; all of the foregoing for use in the production of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, secure credentials, loyalty cards, transportation cards and passports; Central card issuance systems for financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards and secure credentials comprising primarily one or more of the following: printers, indent printers, encoders, laser marking machines, laminators, topcoat applicators, topping foil applicators, optical character readers, optical scanners, cameras, card readers, chip readers and writers, magnetic strip verifiers, chip verifiers, microprocessor controllers, controllers for multiple function embossing, encoding and printing systems, feeders, stackers, label applicators, roller cleaning tapes, and computer hardware and computer firmware for controlling such systems; passport issuance systems comprising primarily one or more of the following, printers, encoders, electronic laser marking machines, laminators, feeders, optical character readers, optical scanners, cameras, card readers, chip readers and writers, chip verifiers, microprocessor controllers, controllers for multiple function embossing, encoding and printing systems, and computer hardware and computer firmware for controlling such systems; desktop printers, embossers, and combination printers and embossers for printing, embossing, encoding, topping and laminating financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards and secure credentials; software for secure issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; software for managing the production process for financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; software for capturing electronic signatures; software for managing databases of identity capture processes and related personal information and for the issuance and post-issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports. computer software for designing, customizing and personalizing financial cards, identification cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports, and delivery forms and carriers; computer software for electronic digitization of graphics and images, namely facial images, artwork, logos, secure printing, microtext; computer peripherals for implementing security features in financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports, namely scanners and card readers; computer software programs and downloadable software for security, encryption, digital signatures, authentication and secure socket layer (SSL) certificate management across operating environments, multiple platforms and net protocols, websites and mobile devices; computer software programs and downloadable software for real-time monitoring of network, fraud detection management, fraud detection analytics and reporting, providing real time data feeds of fraud intelligence; computer software programs and downloadable software for searching and managing digital certificates from multiple digital Certificate Authorities and providing information to track their location, expiration, purpose or status; Adhesive labels; print ribbons; topping foil ribbons; indent ribbons; thermal printer transfer ribbons; roller cleaning tapes; Laminates, namely, clear and holographic polyester topcoats and overlays for plastic cards and passports. (1) Technical support services, namely, technical consultation, advice and troubleshooting in planning, migration, installation and implementation of software and equipment for the production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; on- and off-site repair and maintenance of equipment for production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; Providing online computer bulletin and message boards relating to electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud news, information and data, electronic or online fraud detection rules and electronic or online fraud detection data; Training services in the field of information security for computer hardware and software, networks and mobile electronic devices; Training services in the field of information security for physical financial cards, identity cards, smart cards and digital authentication platforms; Training services in the field of production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; providing a website featuring information in the fields of financial and personal identity information security, cybersecurity, and production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; providing a website featuring non-downloadable videos in the fields of financial and personal identity information security, cybersecurity, and production and issuance of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports; Graphic design of financial cards, identity cards, smart cards, loyalty cards, transportation cards, secure credentials and passports for others; hardware and software customization, installation and support; technical support services, namely, troubleshooting in the nature of diagnosing computer hardware and software problems; providing on-line non-downloadable software for public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate management enabling the use of digital signatures; providing on-line non-downloadable software for searching and management of internet security digital certificates from digital certificate authority providers and providing information to track their location, expiration, purpose or status, digital receipts, certificate validation, encryption and permissions management services; computer software installation, integration and deployment services in the field of information security; Consulting services in the field of Internet and information security, namely, digital signatures, digital receipts, certificate validation, encryption and permissions management services; Internet security services, namely, public key infrastructure ('PKI') verification and authentication; Internet security services, namely, digital certificate issuance and verification; authentication service in the nature of authentication of digital identities, namely digital signatures, receipts and certificates; authorization services in the nature of authorizing users of and applications to network resources; providing information to persons and organizations regarding electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, and electronic or online fraud news, information and data via communications networks; providing information regarding electronic or online fraud detection rules and electronic or online fraud detection data via communications networks; providing information by means of online web links to other web sites for obtaining information regarding electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, and electronic or online fraud news, information and data; providing interactive databases in the field of electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud behavior patterns, methods of combating electronic or online fraud, electronic or online fraud news, information and data, electronic or online fraud detection rules and electronic or online fraud detection data.
62.
CARD PRODUCTION SYSTEM INSERTER WITH INSERT PRINTER
Systems, mechanisms, and methods are described that relate to the production of a custom printed insert(s) that can be custom printed prior to insertion of the custom printed insert(s) into an envelope along with a personalized card/carrier combination for mailing to the intended holder of the personalized card. The inserts are custom printed using an insert printer that is located in the inserter mechanism that is used to insert the insert(s) and the card/carrier combination into an envelope for mailing to an end user of the card. The inserter mechanism can have an "off-line" configuration, i.e. configured as a stand-alone mechanism, or configured for "in-line" use, i.e. used together with other mechanisms.
Techniques are described for the production of tactile dots, tactile dot groups, and tactile identifier marks on substrates that are tactilely recognizable by visually impaired individuals. Each tactile dot can be formed individually in the substrate, for example by separately embossing each tactile dot using a single punch and die pair. By using a single punch and die pair, the size, complexity and cost of the tactile dot embossing mechanism can be reduced, and the spacing between the tactile dots can be varied.
A technique is described that eliminates silvering on personalized plastic cards protected by a topcoat. A layer of polymeric material is applied to the card substrate and the printed personalization, such that the polymeric layer is disposed between the topcoat and the card substrate. The polymeric layer provides a number of benefits, including eliminating silvering by improving topcoat adhesion, improving abrasion resistance of the topcoat, enhancing plasticizer resistance, and permitting a lowering of topcoat lamination temperatures while maintaining durability.
A technique is described for determining pixel dropout in a printhead that has a plurality of print elements arrayed along an axis. In the technique, a dataset of integrated intensity values, in the printing direction on a substrate, of a captured image is generated and used to determine if pixel dropout has or may have occurred.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
B41J 2/47 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using the combination of scanning and modulation of light
A substrate de-bowing mechanism, system and method are described. The mechanism can include a substrate support, one or more stationary contact members, and one or more dynamic or movable contact members that are adapted to contact the substrate and bend the substrate in a desired direction to reduce or eliminate bowing of the substrate. The mechanism is controlled by a CPU or other controller that can adjust the de-bow parameters of the de-bowing mechanism based on input settings that can be dynamic and/or static settings. The mechanism can be used to de-bow a variety of substrates including plastic cards, passports, and passport pages.
Systems and methods for utilizing a trimming device to trim an edge of a plastic card having round corners, are provided. The plastic card has an overlay laminated on a major surface of the plastic card. The periphery of the overlay overhangs the edge of the plastic card. The trimming device trims the overhanging part of the laminated overlay by moving the trimming device along the edge of the personalized document in a direction generally parallel to the major surface of the plastic card.
B26D 1/58 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which travels with the work, i.e. flying cutter and is mounted on a movable arm or the like
B42D 25/00 - Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security featuresManufacture thereof
68.
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME
An identification document includes a first surface, at least a portion of the first surface being made of foamable synthetic material, and a tactile relief marking having a bubble structure formed in the foamable synthetic material. A method is used for producing at least one tactile relief marking on an identification document by an irradiation source. The identification document includes a surface having foamable synthetic material that has a property of increasing its volume by foaming upon application of energy. The method includes selectively irradiating the foamable synthetic material with energy to cause the foamable synthetic material to foam, thereby forming a tactile relief marking.
A heated indenter is provided for indenting a personalized document to create a security impression thereon. The personalized document includes but is not limited to, identification cards, driver's licenses, credit and debit cards, and the like. The security impression can provide a visible or tactile security feature that can be recognized by one with little or no training. The security impression causes a laminate layer of the document to tear or disfigure when attempting to remove the laminate layer from a substrate of the document.
Systems and methods for verifying character(s) on a personalized document, and electronically verifying a magnetic stripe and a smartcard chip of the personalized document, are provided. A quality assurance station is located downstream of personalization stations of a document personalization system. The quality assurance station can provide automated, in-line verification and quality assurance for personalized documents. The quality assurance station integrates a vision verification sub-station, a magnetic stripe sub-station, and a smartcard sub-station.
G06K 17/00 - Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups , e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
G06K 7/08 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by means detecting the change of an electrostatic or magnetic field, e.g. by detecting change of capacitance between electrodes
Embodiments of systems and methods for directly reading and verifying characters on a personalized document, are provided. A surface of the personalized document is illuminated independently or simultaneously by first and second light sources. The first light source has a ring shape, surrounds the personalized document in 360 degree, and transmits a grazing incident light to illuminate the surface of the personalized document. An incident light from the second light source is reflected by a beam splitter and illuminates the surface of the personalized document in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. Light reflected from the surface of the personalized document in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface thereof is collected by a camera.
G06K 9/18 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints using printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks, e.g. the character being composed of individual strokes of different shape, each representing a different code value
G06K 9/46 - Extraction of features or characteristics of the image
Processes and systems are described that can produce images including both three dimensional holographic images and two dimensional variable data, which can provide personalized security features in a document. A photosensitive film can be pressed against a first reflective optical device. A laser beam can be directed through a selected first area of the photosensitive film onto the first reflective optical device to produce a three dimensional holographic image in the photosensitive film. A previously masked second area of the photosensitive film can be pressed against a second reflective optical device. The laser beam can project an image constructed by a spatial light modulator and can be directed through the second area of the photosensitive film onto the second reflective optical device to produce a two dimensional image in the second area. During the process, the web tension of the photosensitive film is controlled.
A light control film is described that is formed with at least one security feature therein. The security feature is not visible when the film is viewed at an incorrect angle. The security feature only becomes visible when the film is viewed at the correct viewing angle or range of viewing angles. A plurality of security features can be formed in the film at substantially the same location(s), but at different angles, so that each security feature only becomes visible when the film is viewed at the correct respective viewing angle or range of viewing angles. The light control film can be integrated into any type of document where resistance to counterfeiting and fraudulent alteration are important, such as plastic identification or credit cards, or passports.
A booklet processing mechanism is described that includes a spine guidance system that is configured to hold the area adjacent to the spine of an opened, multiple sheet booklet against a backing plate during processing on a page of the booklet, for example by a laser or during vision verification. The spine guidance system is configured so that it resides closely adjacent to the spine of the booklet, below the field of lasing by the laser or other processing operation, so that it does not interfere with the processing operation.
A booklet processing mechanism is described that includes a booklet guide and clamp system that is configured to act as the guide during entry and exit of the booklet into and from the mechanism, as well as clamp and hold the booklet in its proper position during a processing operation, for example by a laser or during vision verification. The booklet guide and clamp system is moveable between a first position for guiding an upper, free edge of an opened booklet and a second position where the upper, free edge is clamped against a backing plate. At the second, clamping position, the mechanism is out of the way so that it does not interfere with the processing operation. Because the guiding and clamping functions are combined into one mechanism, only one actuator and one sensor are needed for the guiding and clamping functions.
A security feature is formed in a window region in which an ablatable foil element is disposed. The security feature can be a portrait image of the intended holder of the identification document or any other personal data of the intended holder. The security feature is added to the foil element at the time of personalization of the document using a laser to ablate (i.e. remove) metal from the foil. The resulting security feature can be transparent. In addition, a variable data security feature is provided that extends across the boundary between the window region and the remainder of the card body.
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Providing on-line non-downloadable software for public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate management enabling the use of digital signatures, digital receipts, certificate validation, encryption and permissions management services.
A method for personalizing a presentation instrument for an account holder while the account holder is present is described. The method includes transmitting to a server computer a request to personalize a presentation instrument for an account holder who has a financial account with a financial institution. The request includes the account holder's name and background information indicating a background to be placed onto the presentation instrument. The method further includes receiving, at the server computer from the financial institution, presentation instrument data to be included on the presentation instrument. The presentation instrument data comprises an account number and an expiration date. Further, the method includes transmitting from the server computer through a financial institution network, personalization information usable by a printer to place printed personalization information onto a blank presentation instrument, and to electronically store account information onto the blank presentation instrument while the account holder is present.
A method for personalizing a presentation instrument for an account holder while the account holder is present is described. The method includes transmitting to a server computer a request to personalize a presentation instrument for an account holder who has a financial account with a financial institution. The request includes the account holder's name and background information indicating a background to be placed onto the presentation instrument. The method further includes receiving, at the server computer from the financial institution, presentation instrument data to be included on the presentation instrument. The presentation instrument data comprises an account number and an expiration date. Further, the method includes transmitting from the server computer through a financial institution network, personalization information usable by a printer to place printed personalization information onto a blank presentation instrument, and to electronically store account information onto the blank presentation instrument while the account holder is present.
G06K 19/02 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
G06Q 40/00 - FinanceInsuranceTax strategiesProcessing of corporate or income taxes
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Computer software for identity management and authentication of personal identification information , namely, managing the processes involved with data and identity capture, data management and integrated workflow functions required for the business processes of acquisition, issuance and post-issuance of digital identities, credentials, cards, tokens and programmable devices.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Computer software for identity management and authentication of personal identification information , namely, managing the processes involved with data and identity capture, data management and integrated workflow functions required for the business processes of acquisition, issuance and post-issuance of digital identities, credentials, cards, tokens and programmable devices.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Computer hardware namely fingerprint scanners, integrated circuit cards containing electronic memory, tokens; security management software modules that provide privacy, access control, integrity, digital signature and authentication services for data communications across operating environments, multiple platforms and network protocols, namely, software for the creation, support and deletion of electronic identities, security management functions and alarms; software that provides a public key directory service and software that provides full or file-level encryption and digital signature over personal computer, workstation, local area network and mainframe environments and computer run-time software applications namely, e-forms, e-mail, remote access, messaging servers, web browsers.
