Datacard Corporation

Entrust Datacard Corporation

Kroy LLC

Entrust Corporation

Arthur Joseph Paulson

Mark James Sobania

Patrick C Cronin

Milo B Squires

Charles Austen Angell

Roger D McCumber

David Evert Wickstrom

Brian Clemens

Jeffrey A Davie

David Alvig

Luc Debleeckere

James A Kalthoff

Bill Myntti

Faith Jewel Rekowski

David Alan Pierson

Brett Ryan Johnson

Rajesh Kalachand Juriasingani

Alexander Kelly Zaborowski

Jennifer Dianne Astwood

Michael A Morrison

Bryan D Hoeve

Casey K Bahrabadi

Eric C Stender

Paul M Kienitz

James Alan Kalthoff

Bryan Dean Hoeve

Systems and methods that utilize a card reorienting mechanism are described. Generally, the card reorienting mechanism can transport and rotate a card without substantially contacting one of the principal surfaces of the card. The use of the card reorienting mechanism permits reorienting of the card without substantially contacting the principal surface of the card after the operation has been performed on the principal surface of the card. The card reorienting mechanism of the present disclosure can be useful where rotation of the card without contacting the principal surfaces of the card is desired moments after ink is applied to one of the principal surfaces of the card. In addition, substantially the entire principle surface is accessible for processing operations while the card is on the reorienting mechanism, such as for laser personalization or for image capture.

Card reorienting mechanism and methods utilizing same

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.

Modular print engines and modular print engine components

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.

Leader film on a ribbon supply roll

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.

Ribbon supply mounting

A desktop card processor having increased card processing capabilities without increasing the horizontal footprint of the card processor. The card processor utilizes multiple card processing levels stacked in vertically separated levels to minimize the horizontal footprint of the card processor.

Desktop card processor

Improvements relating to identification tags on consumable supply items used in identity document production equipment. The use of identification tags on the consumable supply items allows the document production equipment to recognize the consumable supply items that are loaded into each piece of equipment. The equipment can then initiate a variety of activities that are based on the loaded supply item. The activities are designed to enhance the operation of the equipment for the equipment operator and to provide added value to those customers who utilize consumable supply items that are recognized by the equipment.

Radio frequency identification tags on consumable items used in printers and related equipment

Desktop printer housing

Desktop printer

A thermal printing device having a print mechanism which includes a platen roller assembly in combination with a movable print head assembly. Further aspects of the present invention include a switch mechanism and a tape supply cartridge with switch activation/deactivation members for automatically facilitating adjustment of print parameters to match tape supply upon insertion of the cartridge.

Portable printer and cartridge therefor

Growing community of inventors

Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Arthur Joseph Paulson