System for forming an image on the surface of a plastic card

• US 4,467,335 A
• Filed: 05/07/1982
• Issued: 08/21/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Data Card Corp.
• Original Assignee: Data Card Corp.
• Inventors: Schmidt, Robert H., Gerlach, Leroy E., Fordahl, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Application Number:
  US06/376,031
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 101/DIG. 13, 346/76 L, 346/108-109, 346/134-135, 346/153.1, 346/160, 354/5, 358/301, 355/3 TR
• US Class Current: 347/135
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 15/06 Electric recording elements, e.g. electrolytic
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/1625 on a base other than paper
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/29 involving production of an electrostatic intermediate picture

Abstract

A system for forming an image on the outer surface of a plastic card and for correlating image data with corresponding alphanumeric data, comprises a data acquisition subsystem, an embosser/encoder, an exposure station for scanning an electrophotographic medium in accordance with digital image data generated by the data acquisition system, and a toning station for toning the electrophotographic medium to produce a toner image. The embosser/encoder forms identifying information corresponding to the alphanumeric data on the card and provides the embossed/encoded card to an image transfer station. At the image transfer station, the toner image on the electrophotographic medium is transferred to a portion of the card through heat and pressure. A protective layer is placed over the fused toner image.

Claims

1. A method of forming an image on a card, comprising:

(a) digitizing an image to generate a digital image signal;

(b) storing the digital image signal;

(c) reading the digital image signal;

(d) modulating a coherent light beam in accordance with the read digital image signal;

(e) scanning the modulated coherent light beam across an electrophotographic film to selectively expose the electrophotographic film;

(f) toning the electrophotographic film with a liquid toner to form a toner image on the electrophotographic film;

(g) transferring the toner image from the electrophotographic film to a predetermined portion of a card by pressing electrophotographic film and the toner image against the predetermined portion of the card while heating the electrophotographic film with a heated platen for releasing the toner image from the film and bonding it to the card; and

(h) peeling the electrophotographic film away from the card so that the toner image is removed from the film and remains on the card.

2. A method of forming an image on a card, comprising:

(a) digitizing an image to form a digital image signal;

(b) storing the digital image signal;

(c) reading the stored digital image signal;

(d) modulating a coherent light beam in accordance with the read digital image signal;

(e) charging an electrophotographic film;

(f) scanning the modulated coherent light across at least a portion of the charged electrophotographic film to selectively discharge that portion of the electrophotographic film so that a latent electrostatic image is formed thereon;

(g) toning the electrophotographic film to form a toner image;

(h) transferring the toner image to a predetermined portion of the card by pressing the toner image against the predetermined portion of the card while heating the electrophotographic film to release the toner image from the film and bond it to the card;

(i) peeling the electrophotographic film away from the card so that the toner image remains bonded to the card; and

(j) forming a protective layer over the toner image formed on the card.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pressing and heating step comprises:

pressing the toner image against the predetermined portion of the card at a pressure of from 360 to 560 psi, while heating the electrophotographic film at a temperature of from 360°

to 416°

F. for a dwell time of from 50 ms to 600 ms.

4. A system for forming an image on a card, comprising:

a roll of electrophotographic film;

corona means for applying an electrostatic charge to the surface of the electrophotographic film to sensitize the film to receive an image;

a laser light source for generating a coherent light beam;

first means for receiving a digital image signal;

an acousto-optic modulator, operatively connected to said first means and positioned in the path of the coherent light beam, for modulating the coherent light beam in accordance with the digital image signal;

second means for scanning the modulated coherent light beam across the electrophotographic film to selectively expose the electrophotographic film;

third means for forming a toner image on the electrophotographic film; and

fourth means for releasing the toner image from the film and transferring the toner image from the electrophotographic film to a predetermined portion of the card by applying heat and pressure to bond the toner image to the card and release it from the electrophotographic film.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said fourth means comprises:

a heated platen having dimensions which are substantially the same as the toner image to be transferred to the card, said heated platen movable to press the portion of the electrophotographic film carrying the toner image against the predetermined portion of the card; and

means for peeling the electrophotographic medium from the card so that the toner image remains on the card.

6. A system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said fourth means further comprises:

a card back up block positioned opposite said heated platen, for holding the card while said heated platen is moved to press a portion of the electrophotographic film carrying the toner image against the predetermined portion of the card.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said second means comprises a deflection mirror and a galvanometer connected to said deflection mirror.

8. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said light source is a laser.

9. A system for forming an image on a card, comprising:

an electrophotographic film sheet;

means for generating a coherent light beam;

first means for receiving a digital image signal;

second means, operatively connected to said first means and positioned in the path of the coherent light beam, for modulating the coherent light beam in accordance with the digital image signal;

third means for scanning the modulated coherent light beam across the electrophotographic film to selectively expose the electrophotographic film;

fourth means for forming a toner image on the electrophotographic film;

heated platen means having dimensions which are substantially the same as the toner image to be transferred to the card, said platen means movable for pressing the portion of the electrophotographic film carrying the toner image against the predetermined portion of the card and bonding the toner image to the card; and

fifth means for peeling the electrophotographic film from the card so that the toner image remains on the card.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said heated platen is a flat heated platen.

11. A system as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

means for overlaying a protective coating on the toner image carried by the card.