US 4,675,746 A · System for forming picture, alphanumeric and micrographic images on the surface of a plastic card

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 shown in FIG. 1, an encoder shown in FIG. 2, 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 encoder forms identifying information corresponding to the alphanumeric data on the card and provides the 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.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of applying an array of macrographic and micrographic characters to a surface comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a digital image from the array of data wherein the macrographic data is represented by a plurality of pixels to define a varying grey scale image and the micrographic data includes alphanumeric characters in one pixel;
(b) modifying the digital image by replacing at least one pixel in the digital image with micrographic data pixels;
and
(c) applying the digital image in visible form to the surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for forming picture, alphanumeric and micrographic images on the surface of a plastic card

Life of this patent

System for forming picture, alphanumeric and micrographic images on the surface of a plastic card

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12