Desk plastic card printer with removable mounted smart card cassette

Abstract

A desktop plastic card printer is configured to allow installation of a smart card cassette within an interior space of the printer housing through an opening in the printer housing, such as an opening in a sidewall. Both mechanical and electrical installation of the smart card cassette is through the opening. This enables the desktop plastic card printer to be quickly and easily retrofitted with the functionality of electronically reading data from and / or electronically programming data to the integrated circuit chip of a plastic card. The retrofitting can be performed without the use of any mechanical tools and without having to remove the entire or a substantial portion of the printer housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technical disclosure relates to a desktop plastic card printer, and to a removable smart card holder installed in the desktop plastic card printer to read data from an integrated circuit chip on the plastic card and / or electrically program data to the integrated circuit chip on the plastic card. Background Technology

[0002] The use of desktop plastic card printers to process plastic cards is known. Traditional desktop plastic card printers typically include at least one printing mechanism for performing printing operations on plastic cards. Plastic cards incorporating integrated circuit chips are increasingly being issued, allowing data to be read electronically from and / or programmed electronically into the integrated circuit chip.

[0003] Some desktop plastic card printers, in addition to printing, are manufactured with the ability to electronically read data from and / or program data into integrated circuit chips. In other cases, desktop plastic card printers are modified to include mechanisms that allow the printer to electronically read data from and / or program data into the integrated circuit chips of the plastic cards. However, retrofitting an existing desktop plastic card printer with integrated circuit chip reading and / or programming capabilities is time-consuming and requires removing the printer casing and tools to complete the modification. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A desktop plastic card printer and method are described, wherein the desktop plastic card printer can be quickly and easily retrofitted to have the function of electronically reading data from the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card and / or electronically programming data into the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card. Retrofitting can be done without using any mechanical tools and without having to remove the entire or most of the printer casing.

[0005] The desktop plastic card printer is configured to allow the installation (mechanical and electrical installation) of a smart card cartridge into the internal space of the printer housing through openings in the printer housing (e.g., openings in the side wall). Both mechanically installing or assembling the smart card cartridge into the desktop plastic card printer and electrically installing or connecting the smart card cartridge to the desktop plastic card printer are done through these openings. The smart card cartridge may be the first smart card cartridge installed in the desktop plastic card printer, or it may replace a smart card cartridge that has been removed from the desktop plastic card printer (e.g., removed through an opening in the printer housing).

[0006] The smart card holder described herein is a device configured to electronically read data from and / or electronically program data into the integrated circuit chip of a plastic card. The smart card holder can be configured to perform contact reading of data from and / or contact programming of data into the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card, contactless reading of data from and / or contactless programming of data into the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card, or both contact and contactless reading and / or programming of data. Unless otherwise indicated, the term "programming" in contact or contactless programming mechanisms is intended to encompass both the actual programming of data into the integrated circuit chip and the reading of data from the integrated circuit chip.

[0007] Plastic cards include, but are not limited to, financial cards (such as credit cards, debit cards, etc.), driver's licenses, national identity cards, business identity cards, gift cards, and other plastic cards with integrated circuit chips. Plastic cards with integrated circuit chips can also be called smart cards. In some embodiments, in addition to the integrated circuit chip, the plastic card may also have a magnetic stripe; in this case, the desktop plastic card printer may also include a magnetic stripe reader / writer station known in the art.

[0008] In one embodiment, a method of retrofitting a desktop plastic card printer to include smart card (or integrated circuit chip) functionality includes: installing a smart card cartridge within the interior of the desktop plastic card printer without removing the entire or most of the printer housing. For example, a panel covers an opening in the housing that provides access to the interior space of the housing. The panel can be actuated from a closed position covering the opening to an open position where the opening is not covered by the panel. The panel forms part of the housing and can be located on any wall of the housing (e.g., a side wall of the housing). After the panel is actuated to the open position, the smart card cartridge is mechanically installed into the interior space of the housing through the opening, wherein the smart card cartridge is configured to electronically read data from the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card and / or electronically program data into the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card.

[0009] Furthermore, the smart card holder is electrically connected to at least one smart card electrical connection of the desktop plastic card printer, which is accessible through an opening. After the smart card holder is installed, the panel can be returned to the closed position to cover the opening in the wall.

[0010] In another embodiment, the desktop plastic card printer includes a printer housing with walls having panels configured to cover an opening in the wall providing access to an internal space of the printer housing. The panels are actuated between a closed position where the panels cover the opening and an open position where the opening is not covered by the panels. The internal space includes a smart card holder mount configured to removably receive a smart card holder configured to electronically read data from and / or electronically program data to an integrated circuit chip of a plastic card, and the smart card holder mount is adjacent to the opening, whereby the smart card holder can be mechanically mounted onto and removed from the smart card holder mount through the opening. Furthermore, at least one smart card electrical connection is accessible through the opening, wherein at least one smart card electrical connection is electrically connected to the smart card holder.

[0011] The printer housing of a desktop plastic card printer may have a front end, a rear end opposite to the front end, a first side wall, a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, a top, and a bottom. A card input hopper may be mounted on the printer housing, configured to hold a plurality of plastic cards to be processed, which are fed one by one from the card input hopper for processing by the desktop plastic card printer. Furthermore, the desktop plastic card printer may include a card output section from which the processed plastic cards are output after being processed by the desktop plastic card printer. Additionally, a plastic card printing mechanism may be disposed within the printer housing, configured to print on the plastic cards supplied from the card input hopper. The printing mechanism may be any type of printing mechanism suitable for performing printing on plastic cards, including but not limited to thermal transfer printing mechanisms, re-transfer printing mechanisms, on-demand drip printing mechanisms, etc. A panel may form part of any of the walls (such as the first side wall, in which an opening is also formed).

[0012] In another embodiment, a removable smart card holder installed within a desktop plastic card printer is described. The smart card holder may include a base defining a plastic card receiving area configured to receive a plastic card during electronic reading of data from and / or electronic programming of data into the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card. A contact or contactless integrated circuit chip programming mechanism is mounted on the base adjacent to the plastic card receiving area. A first and second guide rail on the base are configured to engage with rails formed on the desktop plastic card printer to removably install the smart card holder within the desktop plastic card printer. A latching retaining mechanism on the base is configured to latch into the desktop plastic card printer. Furthermore, at least one electrical connection is located on the base and configured to electrically connect the smart card holder to at least one smart card electrical connection of the desktop plastic card printer. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of the desktop plastic card printer described in this article.

[0014] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A side view of the opening for mounting the smart card cartridge in a desktop plastic card printer.

[0015] Figure 3 The image depicts a smart card holder and smart card pass-through board removed from a desktop plastic card printer.

[0016] Figure 4A and Figure 4B These are a perspective view and a side view of the opening in the outer shell.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the installed through board and the smart card box ready for installation.

[0018] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a 3D view of the smart card holder installed on the printer chassis.

[0019] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a perspective view showing how to secure the printer base to the back of the smart card holder.

[0020] Figure 8 This is an exploded 3D view of the smart card box.

[0021] Figure 9 This is another 3D view of the smart card box.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a 3D view of the rear of the smart card base.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a 3D view of the latch locking mechanism on the smart card base.

[0024] Figure 12A and Figure 12B An additional embodiment of a panel that can cover an opening in the housing is shown.

[0025] Figure 13 An example is shown where the panel and opening are located on top of the printer. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following describes a desktop plastic card printer 10 and a method for quickly and easily retrofitting the desktop plastic card printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as printer 10) with a smart card cartridge 12, enabling the printer 10 to electronically read data from the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card and / or electronically program data into the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card. The retrofit can be achieved without using any mechanical tools and without removing all or most of the components of the printer housing. The smart card cartridge 12 can be installed (mechanically and electrically) within the internal space of the printer housing through an opening in the printer housing. Mechanical installation or mechanical fitting of the smart card cartridge 12 to the printer 10 and electrical installation or electrical connection of the smart card cartridge 12 to the printer 10 are performed through the opening.

[0027] The printer 10 described herein is designed for relatively small-scale, individual plastic card processing. In desktop plastic card printers, individual plastic cards are typically input into the system, processed, and then output. These types of printers are often referred to as desktop printers because they have a relatively small footprint to allow the printer to be placed on a desktop and are designed to personalize plastic cards in a relatively small volume, such as measuring tens or hundreds per hour. Many examples of desktop printers are known, such as SD or CD series desktop card printers, such as the CD 800 card printer available from Entrust Corporation in Shakopee, Minnesota. Other examples of desktop card printers are disclosed in U.S. Patents 7,434,728 and 7,398,972, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0028] The smart card holder 12 described herein is an apparatus configured to electronically read data from and / or electronically program data to the integrated circuit chip of a plastic card. The smart card holder 12 can be configured to perform contact reading of data from and / or contact programming of data to the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card, contactless reading of data from and / or contactless programming of data to the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card, or both contact and contactless reading and / or programming of data. Apparatus for performing contactless and / or contact programming of integrated circuit chips on plastic cards is well known in the art. For example, an example of a mechanism for contactless programming of integrated circuit chips is the programming apparatus used on the CD800 card printer, available from Entrust Corporation in Shakopee, Minnesota.

[0029] Plastic cards include, but are not limited to, financial cards (such as credit cards, debit cards, etc.), driver's licenses, national identity cards, business identity cards, gift cards, and other plastic cards with integrated circuit chips. Plastic cards with integrated circuit chips can also be called smart cards. In some embodiments, in addition to the integrated circuit chip, the plastic card may also have a magnetic stripe; in this case, the desktop plastic card printer may also include a magnetic stripe reader / writer station known in the art. Plastic cards may be made entirely of plastic, or mostly of plastic.

[0030] refer to Figure 1-2 The printer 10 includes a printer housing 14 having a front end 16, a rear end 18 opposite to the front end 16, a first sidewall 20, a second sidewall (not shown) opposite to the first sidewall, a top 22, and a bottom 24. The printer 10 also includes a card input hopper 26 configured to hold a plurality of plastic cards to be processed, and the plastic cards are fed one by one through the card input hopper 26 for processing by the printer 10. For example, the input hopper 26 may be mounted on the printer housing 14, such as at the front end 16, but other locations are also possible. The printer 10 also includes a card output section 28 from which the processed plastic cards are output after being processed by the printer 10. The output section 28 may be located at any location on the printer housing 14 suitable for performing the function of the output section 28. For example, Figure 1-2 The output section 28 is shown located at the front end 16, but other locations are also possible. The output section 28 can be configured to hold the output buckets or slots of multiple processed cards.

[0031] The interior of printer 10 may include numerous mechanisms for disposing of and processing plastic cards during processing within printer 10. For example, see reference... Figure 2 The printer 10 may include a plastic card printing mechanism 30, a card redirection or flipping mechanism 32, and an optional magnetic stripe reading / writing mechanism 34, each of which is schematically depicted in... Figure 2 The card printing mechanism 30 is configured to print on a plastic card supplied from the input tray 26. The printing mechanism 30 can be configured to perform any type of printing known in the art, including but not limited to point-to-card thermal printing, re-transfer printing, on-demand printing, etc. The card redirection mechanism 32 is configured to redirect the card, guide the card into and out of the smart card holder 12, and flip the card 180 degrees for double-sided printing. Card redirection mechanisms are known in the art. An optional magnetic stripe read / write mechanism 34 is configured to read data from the magnetic stripe on the card and / or write data to the magnetic stripe on the card. Magnetic stripe read / write mechanisms are known in the art.

[0032] Cards can be conveyed in printer 10 via one or more suitable mechanical card conveying mechanisms (not shown). Mechanical card conveying mechanisms (one or more) for conveying cards in desktop card printers of the type described herein are well known in the art. Examples of usable mechanical card conveying mechanisms are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, conveyor rollers, conveyor belts (with and / or without labels), vacuum conveying mechanisms, conveyor boxes, etc., and combinations thereof. Conveying mechanisms for plastic cards are well known in the art. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the types of card conveying mechanisms (one or more) that can be used, as well as the construction and operation of such card conveying mechanisms.

[0033] Printer 10 is configured such that a portion of housing 14 can be moved from a closed position or actuated to an open position to expose an opening that provides access to the internal space of printer 10 where smart card cartridge 12 is installed. Once smart card cartridge 12 is installed, the housing portion can be moved back to the closed position to cover the opening. This portion of housing 14 can be located anywhere within printer 10 where it is desired to removably mount smart card cartridge 12. The housing portion can be detached from housing 14 in the open position (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1-3 Alternatively, the outer casing portion may remain attached to the outer casing 14 in the open position (see...). Figure 12A -B).

[0034] refer to Figure 1-3 The housing 14 is shown to include a removable panel 40. Figure 1 The removable panel 40 may be located on the first sidewall 20 or any other wall. In one embodiment, the panel 40 can be removed without the use of mechanical tools. The panel 40 forms part of the total area of ​​the first sidewall 20. The panel 40 has a closed position (e.g., Figure 1 As shown), in the closed position, the panel 40 covers the opening 42 in the first sidewall 20. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The opening 42 provides access to the internal space 44 of the printer 10, in which the cartridge 12 can be removably installed. Figure 2 The panel is shown in the open position, thus exposing the opening 42 and the box 12 installed in the interior space 44. Figure 3 The panel in the open position is also shown, thus exposing the opening 42 and the box 12 removed from the interior space 44. Figure 3An optional smart card pass-through plate 46, which can be removed from the internal space 44, is also depicted (described in further detail below). In this embodiment, the panel 40 can be completely removed from the printer housing 14, such that the panel 40 is no longer attached to the housing 14 in the open position. When the installation or removal of the cartridge 12 is complete, the panel 40 can be reattached to cover the opening 42 again.

[0035] In other embodiments, panel 40 may remain attached to housing 14 in the open position. For example, Figure 12A and Figure 12B This shows panel 40 along one edge of panel 40 (e.g., Figure 12A The side edge of panel 40 in the middle or Figure 12B In some embodiments, the lower edge of the panel 40 is pivotally attached to the housing 14. In these embodiments, the panel 40 remains attached to the housing 14 when it is moved or swung to the open position to expose the opening 42, and when the installation or removal of the housing 12 is completed, the panel 40 can swing back to the closed position to cover the opening 42.

[0036] Figure 13 An embodiment of mounting and removing the cartridge via an opening 42 located on the top of the printer 10 is shown. In this embodiment, the panel 40 and the opening 42 it covers are located on the top wall of the housing 14. When in the open position, the panel 40 can be removed from the housing 14 (similar to...). Figure 1-3 The panel in the middle), or the panel 40 can remain attached to the housing 14 in the open position (similar to the panel in the middle). Figure 12A -Panel in B).

[0037] The cartridge 12 can be detachably and mechanically mounted in the printer 10 without the use of any mechanical tools. Furthermore, the electrical connection between the cartridge 12 and the printer 10 can be achieved via the opening 42 without the use of any mechanical tools. If a smart card pass-through plate 46 is used, the smart card pass-through plate 46 can also be installed and removed via the opening 42 without the use of any mechanical tools to connect or disconnect (one or more) mechanical fasteners. In some embodiments, the plate 46 can be removed with the aid of mechanical tools such as a screwdriver or pliers to pry it from its mounting position.

[0038] refer to Figure 2-5 When the panel is in the open position, a portion of the internal circuit board 50 of the printer 10 is visible through the opening 42. The circuit board 50 is located within the housing 14, and the portion of the circuit board 50 that overlaps with the opening 42 includes at least one smart card electrical connection portion 52. The smart card electrical connection portion 52 is directly visible within the opening 42 and allows for electrical connection between the cartridge 12 and the printer 10.

[0039] Return to Figure 3If a through board 46 is used, the through board 46 provides an alternative way to achieve electrical connection with the box 12. Board 46 includes at least one electrical connection port 54 (e.g., a USB port). Figure 3 In the example shown, board 46 has two electrical connection ports 54. When board 46 is mounted, ports(one or more) 54 are aligned with port openings 56 in the sidewall to allow external access to ports(one or more) 54.

[0040] Depending on the type of integrated circuit chip on the card, the smart card reader on box 12 can be configured as a contactless reader or a contact reader. The construction and operation of contactless and contact readers, as well as readers configured to perform both contactless and contact reading, are known in the art.

[0041] In one embodiment, power and data can be supplied to cartridge 12 via a single-wire connection between cartridge 12 and electrical connection 52. In this "single-wire" embodiment, printer 10 communicates directly with the reader of cartridge 12 (i.e., power, control of reader functions, and data flow through printer 10). In an embodiment that may be referred to as a "loosely linked smart card," the end user of printer 10 controls the smart card reader and communicates data directly with it. The "loosely linked smart card" embodiment is advantageous for end users of printer 10 who have a smart card system (e.g., hospitals with employee smart card chip badges). In the "loosely linked smart card" embodiment, printer 10 only controls the transfer of cards to and from the reader of cartridge 12. The "single-wire" and "loosely linked smart card" embodiments use a different connection than the reader of cartridge 12. In both embodiments, the card registration sensor (e.g., a photoelectric sensor) of the reader is electrically connected to circuit board 50. Additionally, when the reader is a contact chip reader, another cable connects the contact chip reader to the circuit board 50. In another embodiment, all the connections required for both the "single-line" and "loosely connected smart card" embodiments can be provided on the smart card sub-board connected to the circuit board 50 when the cartridge 12 is inserted into the printer 10.

[0042] Therefore, in the "single-line" embodiment, when the box 12 includes a contact / contactless reader, the data and power supply for the reader, the registration photoelectric sensor, and the cable for the contact reader can all be connected to the circuit board 50. And when the box 12 only includes a contactless reader, the data and power supply for the reader and the registration photoelectric sensor can be connected to the circuit board 50. In the "loosely connected smart card" embodiment, when the box 12 includes a contact / contactless reader, the data and control for the reader can be connected to the board 46, while the registration photoelectric sensor and the cable for the contact reader are connected to the circuit board 50. And when the box 12 only includes a contactless reader, the data and control for the reader can be connected to the board 46, while the registration photoelectric sensor is connected to the circuit board 50.

[0043] The housing 12 can be removably mounted in the internal space 44 in any suitable manner that provides stable fixation to the housing 12 while allowing it to perform its chip read / programming functions. Reference Figure 3-5 and Figure 7A An example of a mounting bracket (which may be referred to as a smart card holder mount) for cartridge 12 is shown. Printer 10 includes a fixed, static printer base 60 located within an internal space 44. The base 60 defines a first track 62 (in... Figure 4A (best shown in the middle) and the second orbital 64 (in Figure 4A (Best shown in the diagram). Tracks 62 and 64 are parallel to each other, and are slightly axially displaced such that track 62 is closer to the rear end 18 than track 64, and track 62 is higher than track 64 in the vertical direction of the printer 10. Tracks 62 and 64 are also perpendicular to the direction in which the card enters and exists in the cartridge 12. The base frame 60 also includes an end wall 66, which includes a groove 68 formed therein.

[0044] Box 12 includes a box base 70, which interacts with tracks 62, 64 and slot 68 to help secure box 12 in place. For example, refer to Figure 6. Figure 7B , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The base frame 70 includes a first guide rail 72 and a second guide rail 74 (e.g., in the form of slots), which are configured to engage with rails 62 and 64 respectively. Figure 7B(Best shown in the diagram). The first guide rail 72 and the second guide rail 74 are located on a first side of the base 70, opposite the side where the card is located during reading / programming, and the first guide rail 72 is vertically positioned above the second guide rail 74. In the illustrated example, the first guide rail 72 and the second guide rail 74 are defined on a spaced-apart first support 76 and second support 78, with a first guide rail portion of each of the guide rails 72, 74 formed on the support 76 and a second guide rail portion of each of the guide rails 72, 74 formed on the support 78. Therefore, the guide rails 72, 74 are disconnected in a direction parallel to the rails 62, 64. The guide rail 74 is closed by the end wall 80 of the base 70, as shown in the diagram. Figure 10 and Figure 11 As best shown. The end wall 80 serves as a stop against the rail 64 to define the fully installed position of the housing 12. Furthermore, as... Figure 10 As best shown, the second support 78 includes a tab 82 protruding from it. Figure 7B As shown, when the box 12 is installed, the tab 82 extends into the groove 68 to help secure the box 12 and prevent vertical movement.

[0045] The cartridge 12 (or printer 10) may also include a releasable retaining mechanism that is automatically actuated when the cartridge 12 is inserted to releasably lock the cartridge 12 into place, and can be manually actuated to release the retaining mechanism and allow manual removal of the cartridge 12. The releasable retaining mechanism can have any configuration. For example, refer to... Figure 7A and Figure 11 The releasable retaining mechanism may be a snap-fit ​​retaining mechanism 90 on the base frame 70, which is configured to snap-fit ​​into the base frame 60. Mechanism 90 includes a resilient rod 92, which may be integrally formed with the base frame 70 and can be manually deflected (e.g., vertically upwards) and then automatically returned to its original position. Figure 11 The position is shown in the diagram. The lever 92 includes a finger grip portion 94 that protrudes a distance from the base 70, allowing the user to actuate the lever 92. The lever 92 also includes a protrusion 96 on its bottom surface. The protrusion 96 includes a beveled surface 98 and an opposing vertical locking surface 100. In operation, when the cartridge 12 is inserted into the printer 10 and approaches its fully installed position, the beveled surface 98 engages with a portion 102 of the base 60. The portion 102 deflects the lever 92 upwards until the protrusion 96 passes over the portion 102, at which point the lever 92 returns downwards due to the biasing force acting upon it, and the locking surface 100 of the protrusion 96 snaps into engagement behind the inner surface of the portion 102. To remove the cartridge 12, the user lifts the lever 92 upwards until the protrusion 96 passes over the portion 102, at which point the cartridge 12 slides out from the base 60 and the internal space 44.

[0046] refer to Figure 8and Figure 9 Box 12 illustrates an example of a smart card reader assembly mounted on a chassis 70. In this example, the reader assembly is configured for both contactless and contact reading / programming. Specifically, the chassis 70 includes a reader mount 110 thereon. The reader mount 110 includes a first side (card receiving side) 112 and a second side 114. Card receivers 116a, 116b are mounted on the first side 112 and define a plastic card receiving area configured to receive a plastic card 118 during electronic reading of data from and / or electronic programming of data to the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card 118. A contact chip programming mechanism 120 is mounted on the card receivers 116a, 116b and receives the end of the card 118 containing the chip 122 required for contact programming. In addition, a contactless chip programming mechanism 124 is mounted on the second side 114 of the reader mount 110 to perform contactless programming on cards with contactless integrated circuit chips. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The configuration shown facilitates the mounting of different types of chip programming mechanisms 124 onto the reader mount 110. The second side 114 of the mount 110 provides a flat, open space, thereby allowing the mounting of programming mechanisms 124 of different types and configurations, which can be removably attached to the second side 114 via suitable mounting mechanisms such as double-sided tape or hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0047] The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting in all respects. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for modifying a desktop plastic card printer to include smart card functionality, the method comprising: The panel on the wall of the desktop plastic card printer housing is actuated from a closed position covering an opening in the wall to an open position, thereby exposing the opening and providing access to the interior space of the housing; After the panel is actuated to the open position The smart card holder is mechanically installed into the interior space of the housing through the opening, and the smart card holder is configured to electronically read data from the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card and / or electronically program data into the integrated circuit chip of the plastic card. The smart card holder is electrically connected to at least one smart card electrical connection portion of the desktop plastic card printer, the smart card electrical connection portion being accessible through the opening; and The smart card pass-through plate is installed into the housing through the opening, and at least one smart card electrical connection portion is on the smart card pass-through plate.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising electrically connecting the smart card holder to the at least one smart card electrical connection portion before mechanically installing the smart card holder to the housing, after mechanically installing the smart card holder to the housing, or while mechanically installing the smart card holder to the housing.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Without using mechanical tools, the panel is actuated from the closed position to the open position through the opening, and the smart card holder is mechanically installed into the interior space of the housing.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The panel is either detached from the housing in the open position or attached to the housing in the open position.

5. A desktop plastic card printer, comprising: A printer housing having a wall with a panel configured to cover an opening in the wall, the opening providing access to an interior space of the printer housing, the panel being actuable between a closed position in which the panel covers the opening and an open position in which the opening is not covered by the panel; The internal space includes a smart card holder mount configured to removably receive a smart card holder, the smart card holder being configured to electronically read data from an integrated circuit chip of a plastic card and / or electronically program data into an integrated circuit chip of a plastic card, and the smart card holder mount is adjacent to the opening, thereby allowing the smart card holder to be mechanically mounted to and mechanically removed from the smart card holder mount through the opening; At least one smart card electrical connection portion, which is accessible through the opening, and which is electrically connected to the smart card holder; The mounting location in the printer housing is for removably mounting a smart card pass-through plate, the mounting location being adjacent to and accessible through the opening, and the at least one smart card electrical connection portion being on the smart card pass-through plate.

6. The desktop plastic card printer according to claim 5, wherein, The wall is the side wall of the printer housing.

7. The desktop plastic card printer according to claim 5, further comprising a smart card holder mounted on the smart card holder mounting member in the internal space and electrically connected to the at least one smart card electrical connection portion.

8. The desktop plastic card printer according to claim 5 further includes a plastic card printing mechanism and a card redirection mechanism within the printer housing.

9. The desktop plastic card printer according to claim 5, wherein, The panel is either detached from the housing in the open position or attached to the housing in the open position.

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