Card processing system with adaptable card transport delay
First Claim
1. A card processing system, comprising:
- a first card processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a plastic card, the first card processing mechanism includes a first mechanical card transport mechanism that is configured to transport plastic cards along a first card travel path through the first card processing mechanism;
a second card processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a plastic card, the second card processing mechanism is located downstream of the first card processing mechanism and includes a second mechanical card transport mechanism that is configured to transport plastic cards along a second card travel path through the second card processing mechanism; and
first and second card buffers disposed between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism, each of the first and second card buffers includes a mechanical card transport mechanism that is configured to transport a plastic card along a card travel path, the mechanical card transport mechanism of the first card buffer is independently logically controlled from the mechanical card transport mechanism of the second card buffer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A card processing system, comprising:
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a first card processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a plastic card, the first card processing mechanism includes a first mechanical card transport mechanism that is configured to transport plastic cards along a first card travel path through the first card processing mechanism; a second card processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a plastic card, the second card processing mechanism is located downstream of the first card processing mechanism and includes a second mechanical card transport mechanism that is configured to transport plastic cards along a second card travel path through the second card processing mechanism; and first and second card buffers disposed between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism, each of the first and second card buffers includes a mechanical card transport mechanism that is configured to transport a plastic card along a card travel path, the mechanical card transport mechanism of the first card buffer is independently logically controlled from the mechanical card transport mechanism of the second card buffer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A card processing system, comprising:
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a drop-on-demand printer that prints with ultra-violet (UV) curable ink, the drop-on-demand printer includes a mechanical card transport mechanism that transports plastic cards along a card travel path through the drop-on-demand printer; a UV curing station that contains a UV lamp, the UV curing station is located downstream of the drop-on-demand printer and includes a mechanical card transport mechanism that transports plastic cards along a card travel path through the UV curing station; at least one card buffer disposed between the drop-on-demand printer and the UV curing station, the at least one card buffer includes a mechanical card transport mechanism that transports a plastic card along a card travel path, the card travel path of the at least one card buffer is colinear with the card travel path through the drop-on-demand printer and colinear with the card travel path through the UV curing station, the at least one card buffer is configured to contain a single plastic card at any moment in time during operation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification