Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-06-05
Nguyen, Thinh (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Combined
C347S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241332
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ink jet printers. More specifically, the invention relates to an ink jet printer for printing onto identification cards.
Identification cards are widely used to carry information relating to the card holder, for example. The use of such identification cards is becoming more and more widespread and they are used for many purposes, such as driver licenses, identification badges, etc. In the past, identification cards have been manufactured using a labor intensive process in which an individual's data was manually stamped or imprinted onto a card. Additionally, in some cases an instant photograph was taken of the subject and adhered or laminated to a card. However, with the advent of computers, manufacturing of identification cards has become increasingly automated. An individual's data may be obtained from a computer database and formatted by the computer. The formatted information is then provided to a special printer for printing onto the identification card. Subsequently, the identification card may be laminated to protect the printed information.
This prior art automated identification card printing technique has worked well for large scale operations which can justify the expense of an expensive identification card printer. Such printers may include, for example, a dye sublimation type printer. For example, the Persona® identification card printer available from Fargo Electronics, Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minn. is an example of one type of dye sublimation identification card printer. Further, for longer wear and security, the printed card may be subsequently laminated.
However, as computer systems have become less expensive, the expense of identification card printers has prevented the use of identification cards from finding even more widespread use, particularly in small operations or in implementations having a limited budget. In such situations, if identification cards are required, an expensive identification card printer must be obtained which is more suitable for large scale operations. If this is not possible, a simple, rudimentary prior art identification card impression device must be obtained. Such a device is very limited in its versatility. Alternatively, the identification card must be written out by hand on cardboard, for example, and placed into a plastic sleeve.
None of these solutions are particularly attractive and have left the small user with only limited identification card printing options. Furthermore, it would also be desirable for large scale users to utilize less expensive identification card printers thereby increasing their cost savings as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes an ink jet printer for printing onto an identification card. One aspect of the invention provides a method of printing which includes obtaining an identification card, coating a surface of the identification card with an ink receiving surface, placing the coated identification card into an ink jet printer and printing onto the coated surface of the identification card using the ink jet printer. The ink jet printer may be connected to a computer and may receive information from the computer which is used in printing onto the identification card.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the printer includes a tray or a hopper which loads cards into the printer. A magnetic recording head may also be provided whereby magnetic information is recorded onto a magnetic strip carried on the identification card. In another aspect of the invention, the printer includes smart card encoding circuitry whereby an identification card with electronic circuitry carried thereon is encoded using the same ink jet printer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3889472 (1975-06-01), Guillaud
patent: 3960072 (1976-06-01), Ahlgren et al.
patent: 4068028 (1978-01-01), Samonides
patent: 4146900 (1979-03-01), Arnold
patent: 4393386 (1983-07-01), Di Giulio
patent: 4534313 (1985-08-01), Louvel
patent: 4604631 (1986-08-01), Jinnai et al.
patent: 4680596 (1987-07-01), Logan
patent: 4685702 (1987-08-01), Kazuharu
patent: 4686540 (1987-08-01), Leslie et al.
patent: 4716346 (1987-12-01), Matsuo
patent: 4734868 (1988-03-01), DeLacy
patent: 4781985 (1988-11-01), Desjarlais
patent: 5161233 (1992-11-01), Matsuo et al.
patent: 5277501 (1994-01-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5466319 (1995-11-01), Zager et al.
patent: 5478157 (1995-12-01), Kohno et al.
patent: 5516218 (1996-05-01), Amano et al.
patent: 5646388 (1997-07-01), D'Entremont et al.
patent: 5882127 (1999-03-01), Amano
patent: 25 35 699 A1 (1977-03-01), None
patent: 2 120 821 (1983-12-01), None
patent: 04307273 (1992-10-01), None
patent: WO 95/09084 (1995-04-01), None
Cummins Robert P.
Dunham Matthew K.
Haas Darren W.
Hagstrom Erick
Paulson Bradley A.
Fargo Electronics Inc.
Nguyen Thinh
Westman Champlin & Kelly P.A.
LandOfFree
Identification card printer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Identification card printer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Identification card printer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2446524