Printer or laminator supply

• US 20040136768A1
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
• Original Assignee: Fargo Electronics Inc. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Dunham, Matthew K., Klinefelter, Gary M., Upin, Jeffrey D., Lenz, Gary A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,832,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/663
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/009 Detecting type of paper, e.g. by automatic reading of a code that is printed on a paper package or on a paper roll or by sensing the grade of translucency of the paper
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/12 specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like , e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 17/36 Alarms, indicators, or feed-disabling devices responsible to material breakage or exhaustion
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 35/36 Alarms, indicators, or feed disabling devices responsive to ink ribbon breakage or exhaustion
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/06 for separation from bottom of pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/31 Supports for sheets fully removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/1914 Cards, e.g. telephone, credit and identity cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring

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.

Claims

1. An identification card printer or laminator system for printing on or laminating a card, the system comprising:

a card transport mechanism configured to transport a card along a path;

a print or lamination mechanism configured to print or laminate the card;

a print or lamination consumable supply including a tag circuit containing supply data including a tag security code; and

a controller configured for communication with the tag circuit, the controller 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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the tag security code to a second security code to determine whether the tag security code is valid or invalid.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second security code is contained in memory that is accessible by the controller and is detached from the print or lamination consumable supply.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to read memory of a key card containing the second security code.

5. The system of claim 1, including a communication link between the controller and the tag circuit.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the communication link is a physical link.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the communication link is bi-directional.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the communication link includes a transceiver.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the transceiver includes an antenna.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the antenna is configured to provide power to the tag circuit.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the transceiver is configured to send data to the tag circuit of the consumable supply.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the data sent to the tagged circuit of the supply relates to incremental usage of the supply.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication link includes an optical link.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes a physical dimension of the supply.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes printer or laminator settings for the supply.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes a make of the supply.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes a supplier of the supply.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes a date code.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes a lot code.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes a quantity of supply remaining.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply data includes a supply interlock.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumable supply comprises a ribbon.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumable supply comprises an ink cartridge for an ink jet printhead.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumable supply comprises lamination material.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumable supply comprises an intermediate transfer film.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumable supply comprises hologram film material.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumable supply comprises cleaning tape.

29. A method of controlling an identification card printer or laminator comprising:

a) providing a print or lamination consumable supply including a tag circuit containing supply data including a tag security code;

b) reading the tag security code;

c) comparing the tag security code to a corresponding second security code to determine whether the tag security code is valid or invalid; and

d) disabling operation of the printer or laminator when the tag security code is invalid.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the comparing step c) includes reading the second security code from a memory that is detached from the print or lamination consumable supply.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the memory is contained on a key card.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the reading step b) includes wirelessly transmitting the tag security code.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the consumable supply comprises a ribbon.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein the consumable supply comprises an ink cartridge for an ink jet printhead.

35. The system of claim 29, wherein the consumable supply comprises lamination material.

36. The system of claim 29, wherein the consumable supply comprises an intermediate transfer film.

37. The system of claim 29, wherein the consumable supply comprises hologram film material.

38. The system of claim 29, wherein the consumable supply comprises cleaning tape.