Entrust Datacard Corporation

Datacard Corporation

Entrust Corporation

Timothy J Flitsch

Thomas J Wagener

Richard C Nubson

Jon Wawra

Cory D Wooldridge

Brian Beech

Robert L Skubic

Milo B Squires

David A Adkins

Ronald L Sattler

James M Jordan

Card processing mechanisms and methods whereby after a card has been processed on one surface thereof at a card processing station such as, but not limited to, a card printing mechanism, the card can be recirculated back upstream of the card processing station along a return card travel path that is separate from the primary card travel path through the card processing station where the card can then be reintroduced back into the primary card travel path and transported through the card processing station a second time. As the card is being returned along the return card travel path, the card can be flipped over so that when the card is transported back through the card processing station, the opposite surface of the card can be processed.

Card printing mechanism with card return path

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.

Card processing system with adaptable card transport delay

A card processing system that includes a card transport mechanism having at least first and second separate card transports that separately transport first and second cards in the card processing system. Each of the first and second card transports can be actuated between a common card pick-up location and common card discharge position. At least one card processing mechanism that can perform a card processing operation is located between the common card pick-up location and the common card discharge location, with each of the first and second card transports transporting respective cards to the card processing mechanism to perform the card processing operation and transporting the cards from the card processing mechanism after processing.

Dual card transport in a card processing system

Processes and systems are described that can produce images including both three dimensional holographic images and two dimensional variable data, which can provide personalized security features in a document. A photosensitive film can be pressed against a first reflective optical device. A laser beam can be directed through a selected first area of the photosensitive film onto the first reflective optical device to produce a three dimensional holographic image in the photosensitive film. A previously masked second area of the photosensitive film can be pressed against a second reflective optical device. The laser beam can project an image constructed by a spatial light modulator and can be directed through the second area of the photosensitive film onto the second reflective optical device to produce a two dimensional image in the second area. During the process, the web tension of the photosensitive film is controlled.

Producing images of security features

Systems and methods for utilizing a trimming device to trim an edge of a plastic card having round corners, are provided. The plastic card has an overlay laminated on a major surface of the plastic card. The periphery of the overlay overhangs the edge of the plastic card. The trimming device trims the overhanging part of the laminated overlay by moving the trimming device along the edge of the personalized document in a direction generally parallel to the major surface of the plastic card.

Card overlay trimmer

Methods and devices are described for securely destroying used ribbon from a document personalization machine in order to render any information retained on the used ribbon as unreadable. In one embodiment, the method includes tapering the used ribbon into a used ribbon strand by feeding the used ribbon through a tapering mechanism. The method also includes heating the used ribbon strand to fuse the used ribbon strand into a used ribbon string thereby rendering any data retained on the used ribbon unreadable.

Method and device for used ribbon destruction

A cleaning mechanism for cleaning one or both side surfaces of a plastic card substrate prior to a processing operation occurring on the cleaned side surface. The cleaning mechanism is designed so that two cleaning rollers, one cleaning roller on a first cleaning station and one cleaning roller on a second cleaning station, are simultaneously cleaned by a single cleaning tape assembly.

Card cleaning mechanism

An apparatus and method for multi-color printing on plastic cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, and the like. The printing apparatus includes a rotatably driven cylinder having a smooth, high friction outer surface, and a plurality of color print stations spaced circumferentially about the cylinder. A receptor web supply roll is mounted adjacent to the cylinder and supplies an uninterrupted length of a receptor web to the outer surface of the cylinder. The receptor web is frictionally engaged with the outer surface of the cylinder such that the web rotates therewith when the cylinder is rotated. A stepper motor and gearing assembly is connected to the cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and therefore the receptor web that is disposed on the outer surface thereof, to position the receptor web relative to the color print stations. The stepper motor and gearing assembly allow precise positioning of the cylinder and the receptor web relative to each print head, to ensure precise print registration.

Multicolor thermal printing apparatus

The present invention provides a transport mechanism, and method, for transporting plastic cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, and the like, past a printing apparatus within a printer. The transport mechanism includes a lifting and rotating station for displacing the card from a first level to a second level, as well as rotating the card. The second level is located above the top of the printing apparatus. A card translating station is disposed at the second level, generally above the printing apparatus, and has a receiving end disposed adjacent the lifting and rotating station for receiving the card therefrom, as well as an output end. The translating station includes means for moving the card from the receiving end to the output end thereof along a direction that is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lifting and rotating station. A card lowering station is disposed adjacent the output end of the translating station, on the other side of the printing apparatus, for receiving the card from the output end and displacing the card from the second level to a third level that is generally equal to the first level.

Growing community of inventors

Shakopee, MN, United States of America

Timothy J Flitsch