Abstract:
An embossed card pack production system (10) having a microprocessor based computer (12) for controlling an embosser (20) for embossing characters on a credit card (30) and magnetically encoding information on a magnetic stripe (35) of the card (30), a card labeler (60) for placing releasable informational labels on the embossed cards (30), a forms reader (38) for reading printed code information from a card carrier form (26), a card inserter (24) connected with the card embosser (20) for mounting cards (30) having card information matching with the coded carrier information to corresponding carrier forms (26), a carrier form folder (86), an envelope stuffer (34) for placing the folded carrier into envelopes and a postage metering machine (18) connected to the envelope stuffer (34).
Abstract:
Methods of operating embossed card package production system (10) by verifying by reading and comparing information obtained by reading embossed (32) and magnetically encoded information (35) and coded information (27) on a carrier (26A, 26B) stored card and carrier information in a forms data memory (44) and a card data memory (40) to make new cards appropriately prepared and are correctly matched to the carriers (26A, 26B). Incorrect cards (30) are sent to a reject location (90) to prevent formation of incorrect packages. Only cards (30) which are determined to be correctly prepared have activation labels (21) applied which also serve to distinguish them from incorrectly prepared cards (30) and inventory reports are automatically kept of rejected carriers, rejected cards and the number of labels as well as the number of correct carriers produced which are printed on the very type of carrier to which the accounting information relates with a carrier printer (48). Multiple types of bar codes (22) are identified and decoded automatically.
Abstract:
A credit card counter (40) with a self-adjusting card loading apparatus (42) having a card elevator plate (46) for elevating a rack of cards (14) to a position with the top edges (19) aligned with a sensor location (26) for optimal sensing. A spring (56) biases a pivot plate (52) to rotate in a direction to move the card elevator (46) until the top edges (18) abut a card guide member (50) aligned with the sensor location (26) which is located above the cards (14A) and out of path of debris carried by the rack of cards (14). The connection to the elevator plate (46) is by means of a pivot axle (72) and the sides of a slot (44A) in a base plate (44) have a snug fit with the sides of the elevator plate (46), so that relative movement is substantially translational. The elevator plate (44) is lowered sufficiently to allow the edges (18) under the guide member (50) and then permitted to rise to the correct position depending upon the height of the cards (14A).
Abstract:
A card package production system (10) with interchangeable inserters (24A, 24B) and carrier folders (86A, 86B) to enable use of forms (26A, 26B) of different types verifies the cards (30) if they are properly produced and rejects them if they are not prior to the attachment to a carrier. The embossed characters and encoding read from the card are compared with the stored card data to verify accuracy and are compared to coding on the carrier form (26A, 26B) to determine if there is a match. A code on the carrier is also compared to stored carrier data and to the cards provided for insertion and are rejected without cards if incorrectly prepared.
Abstract:
Card carrying mailing forms (10, 80) with a planar resilient body of paper (12, 82) having fold lines (14, 16 and 84, 86) equally dividing the body (12, 82) into a leading end section (18, 88), a middle section (20, 90) and a lagging end section (22, 92). In one embodiment of the carrier form (10) ears (66) are opened by bending the planar body (12) to receive cards held within a pair of corner pockets (38, 40) by a flap (50) cut from the middle section (20) of the body (12) which also is moved to an operative position by bending the body (12). In another embodiment of the carrier form (80), pockets (98, 100) are made from rectilinear cuts to enable opening of the pockets (98, 100) by means of a roller and the cards (30) are held in the pockets by folding the lagging end section (88) over the middle section (90) adjacent the edge (102) of the card (30).
Abstract:
A card counter (10) prints card inventory information locally and communicates with a remote computer (43) for permanent storage and retrieval of inventory information. A microprocessor controller detects a counting error in response to the actual count failing to match a preset count, failing to match a precount information machine read from a machine readable precount label (130) attached to the cards (18), in the event of a phase error from a pair of parallel scanning card sensor circuits (58, 59) or if the final counts of the two card sensor circuits (58, 59) do not match. In the event of detection of a counting error, an error indication is provided and entry of the count into an accumulator memory is inhibited. The preset number is entered into memory by selectively entering an actual count into the preset memory. A pair of separate accumulators are provided for concurrently accumulating totals of two different groups of cards (18). The card sensor circuits (58, 59) are digitally filtered by the microprocessor (44) which also automatically performs self diagnostics to reduce countin errors due to malfunction. Malfunction of a scan drive motor (61) is reduced through provision of a slip clutch (Figs. 10A and 10B). Alphanumeric display units are both electrically connected to the control circuit (Fig. 2) and releasibly, mechanically attached to a printed circuit board (112) of said control circuit (Fig. 2) by means of a multiline electrical connector (120) attached to the edge of the printed circuit board (112).