MODULAR PRINT ENGINES AND MODULAR PRINT ENGINE COMPONENTS

摘要

Modular print engines and print engine components that are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards. The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers. In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation. Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.

主权项

1. A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising:
a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper that is in communication with the card input; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on a card; and a removable option module disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the removable option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card.