Modular print engines and modular print engine components
First Claim
1. A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising:
- a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom;
a card input at the front end of the housing;
a card input hopper that is in communication with the card input;
a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path;
a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism;
a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism;
a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on a card; and
a removable option module disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the removable option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card;
wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module comprises;
a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a magnetic stripe of the card; and
/ora chip reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a chip of the card.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
9 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising:
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a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper that is in communication with the card input; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on a card; and a removable option module disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the removable option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card; wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module comprises; a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a magnetic stripe of the card; and
/ora chip reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a chip of the card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising:
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a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper that is in communication with the card input; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on a card; and a removable option module disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the removable option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card; wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module includes at least one of the following; a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a magnetic stripe of the card; a chip reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a chip of the card; a camera that is configured to capture an image of the card while the card is located in the card reorienting mechanism.
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12. A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising:
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a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper that is in communication with the card input; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on a card; and a removable option module disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the removable option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card; wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module comprises a camera that is configured to capture an image of the card while the card is located in the card reorienting mechanism.
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13. A desktop personalized plastic card printer system that personalizes plastic cards, comprising:
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a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper that is in communication with the card input; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on a card; and a plurality of first option modules, each first option module is configured to be individually, separately, and interchangeably one for the other removably installed in the housing along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, and each first option module is configured to perform a different processing operation on a plastic card received thereby. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising:
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a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper that is in communication with the card input; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along the first card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on a card and includes a print ribbon; and
the first card travel path is below the print engine. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification