Identification card printer
AssigneeFargo Electronics, Inc.
InventorsRobert P. Cummins, Darren W. Haas, Erick Hagstrom, Matthew K. Dunham, Bradley A. Paulson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Information is printed onto an identification card using an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer includes a tray which moves the card in a first direction and a print head which moves relative to the card in a second direction. An ink receiving surface may be deposited onto the card prior to ink jet printing. A magnetic recording head is optionally included in the printer whereby information may be magnetically recorded onto the card.
Claims35
A method of printing an identification card, comprising:
- obtaining the identification card substrate which includes a surface;
- preparing a coating mixture;
- coating the surface of the identification card with the coating mixture to form an ink jet receiving surface;
- placing the identification card into a tray driven by a stepper motor in an ink jet printer;
- and
- applying an image to the ink jet receiving surface of the identification card using an acqueous ink jet ink applied by the ink jet printer.
An apparatus for printing an identification card substrate, comprising:
- an identification card loader comprising a tray driven by a stepper motor including a substantially flat portion for holding the identification card substrate therein and for moving the identification card in a card direction through an ink jet printer body along a predetermined path;
- an ink jet print head positioned along the predetermined path to deposit an ink jet ink onto a surface of the identification card, the ink jet print head moving in a direction which has a component perpendicular to the card direction whereby movement of the card and movement of the print head will allow the print head to cover substantially the entire surface of the card;
- and
- a controller in the ink jet printer body coupled to the identification card loader and the ink jet print head for controlling movement of the identification card along the predetermined path and controlling operation of the ink jet print head as the identification card moves therepast.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.