US6173901B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for making an encoded card
Assignee: Travel Tags Inc
•
Filing: 1999-07-21
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Granted: 2001-01-16
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Expires: 2019-07-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention includes a method for rapidly producing encoded, ink-jet printed cards. The method includes providing an encodable and printable card and providing an electronic database with stored data. The method also includes encoding and printing the card by concurrently transferring electronically data from the database to an encoder and to a printer. The data printed on the card is verified for accuracy with a verification mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Duncan McCannel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for rapidly producing encoded, ink-jet printed cards, comprising: providing an encodable card; providing an electronic database with stored data; concurrently transmitting data for ink-jet printing indicia on the card to a printer and for encoding the card to an encoding assembly; encoding the card by electronically transferring data from the database to the encodable card; and ink-jet printing the card with indicia transmitted by the data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for rapidly producing encoded, ink-jet printed cards, comprising: providing an encodable card; providing an electronic database with stored data; concurrently transmitting data for ink-jet printing indicia on the card to a printer and for encoding the card to an encoding assembly; encoding the card by electronically transferring data from the database to the encodable card; and ink-jet printing the card with indicia transmitted by the data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 and further including providing a conveying mechanism for moving the encodable card between ink-jet printing and encoding the card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 and further including providing an encoder for encoding the card.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the rate for producing the encoded, ink-jet printed cards is about 30,000 cards per hour.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising verifying accuracy of indicia printed on the card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising verifying accuracy of encoded media on the card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the conveying mechanism includes at least one moving belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the conveying mechanism further comprises a non-jointed table.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the conveying mechanism further comprises a card transfer assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 and further including verifying the accuracy of printed indicia and encoded media on the card.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for rapidly producing encoded, printed cards, comprising: an encoder; an ink-jet printer; a file for electronically storing encodable, printable data; and a mechanism for electronically transmitting the encodable, printable data substantially simultaneously from the file to the encoder and to the ink-jet printer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for rapidly producing encoded, printed cards, comprising: an encoder; an ink-jet printer; a file for electronically storing encodable, printable data; and a mechanism for electronically transmitting the encodable, printable data substantially simultaneously from the file to the encoder and to the ink-jet printer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and further including a mechanism for conveying the cards between the ink-jet printer and the encoder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mechanism for conveying the cards is at least one belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mechanism for conveying the cards comprises two or more belts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mechanism for printing the cards is an ink jet printer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising a mechanism for verifying accuracy of encoded media on the card.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising a mechanism for verifying accuracy of indicia printed on the card.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for rapidly encoding and printing an encodable card, comprising: providing an encodable, printable card; providing an electronic database with stored data; and encoding and printing the card by electronically transferring data from the database substantially simultaneously to a printer and to an encoder.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for rapidly encoding and printing an encodable card, comprising: providing an encodable, printable card; providing an electronic database with stored data; and encoding and printing the card by electronically transferring data from the database substantially simultaneously to a printer and to an encoder.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for rapidly producing encoded cards, comprising: an encoder; and a mechanism for rapidly transferring the encodable data from the mechanism for electronically storing the data to the encoder.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for rapidly producing encoded cards, comprising: an encoder; and a mechanism for rapidly transferring the encodable data from the mechanism for electronically storing the data to the encoder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 19 and further comprising a mechanism for conveying the card.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
39 words
A device for conveying encodable, printable cards, comprising: a non-jointed table; at least one belt of substantially uniform height and surface topography portioned on the table; and a transfer mechanism for transferring the cards from storage to the belt.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
39 words
A device for conveying encodable, printable cards, comprising: a non-jointed table; at least one belt of substantially uniform height and surface topography portioned on the table; and a transfer mechanism for transferring the cards from storage to the belt.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 21 comprising two or more belts.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 21 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises one or more vacuum pumps for transfer by application of a vacuum to the cards.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 21 wherein the transfer mechanism is a stream feed.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
43 words
A system for transferring information used to ink jet print and encode a card, comprising: a database comprising stored data; and a mechanism for concurrently transmitting data for ink jet printing to an ink jet printer and data for encoding to an encoder.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
43 words
A system for transferring information used to ink jet print and encode a card, comprising: a database comprising stored data; and a mechanism for concurrently transmitting data for ink jet printing to an ink jet printer and data for encoding to an encoder.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 25 and further comprising a comparator for comparing information ink jet printed to information in the database.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 25 and further comprising a comparator for comparing information encoded to information in the database.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 25 and further comprising a comparator that compares information ink jet printed to information in the database and that compares information encoded to information in the database substantially concurrently.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
20 words
A device, comprising: a main body comprising styrene or polyvinyl chloride with ink jet printed indicia and an encodable region.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
20 words
A device, comprising: a main body comprising styrene or polyvinyl chloride with ink jet printed indicia and an encodable region.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the main body comprises a card portion and a card holder portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the main body is asymetrical.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the main body is a card.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-16 | 2004-07-17 | 2005-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-16 | 2008-07-17 | 2009-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-16 | 2012-07-17 | 2013-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |