Abstract:
A credit card imprinter authorization terminal (20) including an imprinter device (24), keyboard (26), a display (28), a credit card reader (30), and a printer (32) all contained on a single housing structure (22). The credit card authorization terminal (20) includes a microprocessor (36) and its associated memory (38) for controlling operation of the credit card authorization terminal. The printer (32) provides an automatic printout of credit card transaction related information providing an audit trail for future reference.
Abstract:
An embossing module for an automatic embossing machine utilize a pair of opposed embossing element carrying wheels (16, 18) driven by oscillating bail arms (36, 38) which directly engage the embossing punch and die elements (24). An electromechanical interrupter (300) mechanically decouples motion of the bail arm (36, 38) from the embossing elements (24) in the event of a failure. In order to avoid interference between a common mounting hub and a card positioned between the embossing wheels (16, 18), the printewheels are driven by separate motors (12, 14) utilizing separate position encoders and common servo command circuits, thereby allowing a reduction in size of embossing wheels (16, 18).
Abstract:
A system for forming an image on the outer surface of a plastic card (24) and for correlating image data with corresponding alphanumeric data, comprises a data acquisition subsystem (shown in Fig. 1), an embosser/encoder (shown in Fig. 2), an exposure station (72) for scanning an electrophotographic medium (66) in accordance with digital image data generated by the data acquisition system, and a toning station (74) for toning the electrophotographic medium (66) to produce a toner image. The embosser/encoder forms identifying information corresponding to the alphanumeric data on the card and provides the embossed/encoded card (24) to an image transfer station (90). At the image transfer station (90), the toner image on the electrophotographic medium (66) is transferred to a portion of the card (24) through heat and pressure. A protective layer (162) is placed over the fused toner image.
Abstract:
A printer apparatus for printing on plastic cards (48) including a resistive printer apparatus (20). The resistive printer apparatus (20) being capable of being used with magnetic encoder units (34) and embosser units (32).
Abstract:
An input hopper (40) for receiving a stack of cards (44) and for individually feeding the cards to a transport path (59). The input hopper (40) includes an input hopper receptacle (42). A pick mechanism (60) is disposed proximate an end of the input hopper receptacle (42) for picking a card from the stack of cards (44) by use of a suction cup assembly (62). A transfer mechanism (70) is included for transferring the picked card to a card transfer path (59).
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for preventing smudging of indicia (12) printed on a surface of a piece of paper (10) by selective application of an amount of coating material (40) to lubricate the contact with surfaces abrading the printed indicia (12) or to provide physical separation from abrading surfaces, and thus prevent smearing. The coating material is preferably a Teflon micropowder (40) that is applied by dispensing controlled amounts through a plurality of apertures (42) adjacent the surface of a piece of paper (10) on which indicia (12) have just been printed by a non-impact printer such as a laser printer (14).
Abstract:
A smart card (20) including a microcomputer (40). The microcomputer (40) being programmed with a smart card control program (50) and a data dictionary (52) defining the data to be stored in the microcomputer.
Abstract:
An apparatus for embossing sheet material (32) by applying pressure to punch and die members (26, 28) positioned on both sides of the sheet material using force developed by one or more solenoids (40, 104) to force the punch and die members together to apply an imprinting force. In order to reduce the impact force, noise and wear on the mechanical parts, the solenoid may be energized in two separate steps, the first to move the punch and die members into contact with the surface of the card and the second to apply the embossing force to the punch and die members. Both rotary (104) and linear (40) solenoids may be used with differing coupling linkages (108, 110, 120, 122, 140, 142) in various embodiments of the embossing mechanism.
Abstract:
An apparatus for feeding cards from a storage magazine to an automatic embossing system including an input hopper (12) and card picking mechanism (46) for engaging a card after it is stripped from a supply stack in the input hopper. The card is positioned by a transfer mechanism to receive embossed data from rotating embossing wheels. An output hopper (14) receives good cards and rejected cards are deposited into a reject box.
Abstract:
A laser machining system with x, y and z-axis beam manipulating mechanisms to perform welding, cutting and localized heat treating operations on a workpiece (70) with the operation of the system for each operation and the changeover between operations being under the control of an automatic control system. A computer numerical control (CNC) (300) system provides control of the laser functions and movement of the laser beam using a sampled-data following error servo system.