Real-time image processing and print control in card personalization equipment

Abstract

A system and method in which at least one expected printing parameter of a printing mechanism of a card personalization system is modified in real time to a new printing parameter just prior to printing of a card, thereby adapting the printing parameters on a card-by-card basis. The modification of the expected printing parameter can be made after the card is input from a card input of the card personalization system. The printing parameters used by the printing mechanism when printing on each card can be modified in real time, thereby enabling improved printing to be performed on each card.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 565,299, filed March 14, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This technical disclosure relates to processing personalized identity documents, such as personalized cards and passport pages, and modifying the printing agency's expected printing parameters based on the specific circumstances of the printing to be performed on each card / passport page. Background Technology

[0004] When printing multicolor images on personalized cards, the printing process (i.e., the image printed on each card) may differ. Currently, the same printing parameters are used when printing each image on each card. To optimize printing on each card, it may be desirable for printing facilities to be able to use different printing parameters for each image on each card. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A system and method are described in which at least one expected printing parameter of the printing mechanism of a card personalization system is modified in real time to a new printing parameter to adapt the printing parameter to the card just before the personalized card is printed. The modification of the expected printing parameter to the new printing parameter can be performed after the card is input from the card input section of the card personalization system. The ability to modify the printing parameters used by the printing mechanism to print images on each card in real time improves the printing performed on each card and the resulting print aesthetics.

[0006] The anticipated printing parameters, which can be modified to new printing parameters, can be based on and included within image data of the image to be printed. For example, the image data may specify the use of particular printing parameters, but these anticipated printing parameters can be modified to new printing parameters that improve the aesthetics of the printed image. In another embodiment, the modified anticipated printing parameters can be based on the operation of the printing mechanism and can be the programming / default settings of the printing mechanism. For example, when printing each card, the printing mechanism can be programmed and controlled to operate in a manner such as operating at a anticipated card transport speed, performing pre-curing (pinning) or not performing pre-curing, performing curing or not performing curing, pre-processing the card or not pre-processing, and / or using other printing parameters. However, the system can determine that optimal aesthetics of the printed image on a particular card will be achieved through different card transport speeds and / or other printing parameters. Therefore, the card transport speed (or other printing parameters) of the printing mechanism can be modified to a new card transport speed to print sequentially on the next card. The modification can be temporary, in which case the printing mechanism automatically reverts to the original printing parameters after printing is complete; or the modification can be permanent, remaining unchanged until another card is printed.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for printing an image on a card in a card personalization system having a printing mechanism includes: inputting the card from a card input section onto a card path in the card personalization system. After the card has been input onto the card path, image data of the image to be printed on the card is processed in the card personalization system to modify the expected printing parameters associated with the image data to new printing parameters. Then, using the new printing parameters, at least a portion of the image is printed on the card using the printing mechanism. Due to the use of the new printing parameters, the resulting printed image has improved aesthetics.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method for printing an image on a card in a card personalization system having a printing mechanism includes: sequentially printing a first image on a first card and printing a second image on a second card in the printing mechanism. Printing the first image on the first card includes using a first set of printing parameters generated after the first card is input from a card input section into the card path of the card personalization system, wherein the first set of printing parameters includes at least one new first printing parameter generated based on expected first image data of the first image. Furthermore, printing the second image on the second card includes using a second set of printing parameters generated after the second card is input from a card input section into the card path of the card personalization system, wherein the second set of printing parameters includes at least one new second printing parameter generated based on expected second image data of the second image. Moreover, since new printing parameters are generated according to expected printing parameters, the second set of printing parameters differs from the first set of printing parameters, thereby adapting the printing of the first image on the first card to the first card and adapting the printing of the second image on the second card to the second card.

[0009] In another embodiment, modifying the intended printing parameters to the new printing parameters can be performed before the card is input from the card input section of the card personalization system. For example, the data processing causing the modification can be performed at a location physically separate from or far from the card personalization system, such as in a cloud-based data processing system or a remote server, where the processed data is provided to the card personalization system before the card is fed from the card input section. Alternatively, the data processing causing the modification can be performed on the card personalization system, but before the card is input. In another embodiment, the data processing causing the modification can be performed before the card is input, but (in the case of remote data processing) the processed data is not provided to the card personalization system until after the card is input.

[0010] In an embodiment, a method for printing an image on a card in a card personalization system having a printing mechanism may include: sequentially printing a first image on a first card and a second image on a second card in the printing mechanism. Printing the first image on the first card may include using a first set of printing parameters, which includes at least one new first printing parameter generated based on expected first printing parameters. Furthermore, printing the second image on the second card may include using a second set of printing parameters, which includes at least one new second printing parameter generated based on expected second printing parameters. The second set of printing parameters differs from the first set of printing parameters. In an embodiment, at least one new first printing parameter may be generated after the first card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system, and at least one new second printing parameter may be generated after the second card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the first set of printing parameters may be generated before the first card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system, and the second set of printing parameters may be generated before the second card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system. In another embodiment, both the first and second sets of printing parameters may be generated at a location physically separate from the card personalization system. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1A This is an example view of the front of the card.

[0012] Figure 1B This is an example view of the back of the card.

[0013] Figure 2 A method for printing an image on a card according to one embodiment is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 Another method for printing an image on a card according to another embodiment is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 Another method for printing an image on a card according to another embodiment is shown.

[0016] Figure 5 An example of a card personalization system that can implement the methods described herein is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0017] A card personalization system and a printing method utilizing such a system are described. The system and method described herein improve printing performance on each card by adapting at least one expected printing parameter to the printing parameters used by the printing mechanism of the card personalization system to print the corresponding image on each card.

[0018] In embodiments, the card described herein may be a plastic card. The card (or personalized identification card) described herein includes, but is not limited to, debit cards (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, etc.), access cards, driver's licenses, national identity cards, work permits, and other identification cards. In embodiments, the card may be an ID-1 type card as defined by ISO / IEC 7810. However, other card formats may also be used, such as an ID-2 type card as defined by ISO / IEC 7810. For the sake of simplicity in describing the concepts herein, identification cards may be described hereinafter as and / or defined by the claims as cards. However, the concepts described in this patent application may also be applied to passport pages, such as plastic pages. Passport pages may be the front or back cover of the passport, or they may be internal pages of the passport (e.g., pages referred to as data pages). In embodiments, the passport may be in ID-3 format as defined by ISO / IEC 7810.

[0019] Unless otherwise stated, the term "card" or "identity card" as used throughout the specification and claims refers to a card whose substrate can be formed entirely of a material such as plastic, or of a combination of materials such as plastic and non-plastic materials. In one embodiment, the card may have dimensions conforming to ISO / IEC 7810, approximately 85.60 mm × approximately 53.98 mm (approximately 3 3 / 8 inches × approximately 2 1 / 8 inches), and rounded corners with a radius of approximately 2.88 to 3.48 mm (approximately 1 / 8 inch). As will be understood by those skilled in the art in the art of identity cards, cards are typically formed from multiple individual layers that constitute the majority of the card body or card substrate. Similarly, the term "passport page" refers to a passport page whose passport can be formed entirely of a material such as plastic, or of a combination of materials such as plastic and non-plastic materials. An example of a passport page is a data page in a passport that contains the personal data of the intended passport holder. A passport page may be a single layer or may consist of multiple layers.

[0020] In the case of a plastic card, the plastic card (or passport page) or the layers of the card or passport may be formed of a plastic material, examples of which include, but are not limited to: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and its derivatives, polycarbonate, polyester, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate-1,4-cyclohexanediol (PETG), and TESLIN. ® Polylactic acid (PLA), combinations thereof, and other plastics. Examples of materials for non-plastic cards include paper and wood. In some embodiments, the card may be made from these or other combinations of plastic and non-plastic materials.

[0021] Unless otherwise stated, the term "personalized" (or similar term) as used throughout this specification and claims is intended to cover operations performed on the card, including both operations that personalize the card and operations that do not personalize the card. An example of a personalization operation that personalizes the card is printing the cardholder's image or name on the card. An example of a personalization operation that does not personalize the card is printing a graphic of a non-cardholder on the card. In the personalized card industry, the term "personalized" is generally used to refer to a card that has undergone both personalization and non-personalization processing.

[0022] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example of card 10 is shown. In this example, card 10 is shown to include a front or first surface 12 ( Figure 1A ) and the back, rear or second surface 14 opposite to the front 12 ( Figure 1B Card 10 may have various forms of printing on only one side (referred to as single-sided printing), such as printing on the front 12 or the back 14, or it may have printing on both sides (referred to as double-sided printing), such as printing on each of the front 12 and the back 14.

[0023] The front panel 12 can have a variety of possible layouts. For example, the front panel 12 can include a horizontal card layout, a vertical card layout, and other known layout configurations and orientations. Figure 1A In the example shown, the front side 12 may include various printed cardholder data, such as a multi-color printed portrait image 16, the cardholder's name 18, and account information (e.g., account number, expiration date). The front side 12 may also include a multi-color printed background image, which typically covers most or all of the area of ​​the front side 12 (except above the integrated circuit chip). The front side 12 may also include other printed data, such as printed information 20 of the entity issuing the card 10, such as the company name and / or logo of the issuing bank (e.g., STATE BANK), and / or printed information 22 of the card brand name (e.g., VISA). ® MASTERCARD ® DISCOVER ® (etc.). The front side 12 may also include a contact or contactless integrated circuit chip 24, which can store various data associated with the card 10, such as the cardholder's account number and / or name.

[0024] Reference Figure 1B The back side 14 can have a variety of possible layouts, which may be similar to or dissimilar to the front side 12. For example, the back side 14 may include a horizontal card layout, a vertical card layout, and other known layout configurations and orientations. Figure 1B In the example shown, the back side 14 may include a magnetic stripe 26 storing various data associated with the card 10, such as account number or cardholder name; a signature pad 28 providing a place for the cardholder to sign; and a hologram. The magnetic stripe 26, signature pad 28, and hologram are common elements found on many cards. The back side 14 may also include printed personal data that is unique to or specifically assigned to the cardholder. For example, the account number 30 assigned to the cardholder, the cardholder name, and the card expiry date 32 may be printed on the back side 14. Other personal cardholder data may also be printed on the back side 14, such as an image of the cardholder's face. Non-personal data, such as the name of the issuing bank, contact information for the issuing bank, etc., may also be printed on the back side 14. The back side 14 may include a multi-color printed background image that covers most or all of the back side 14, except above the magnetic stripe 26 or signature pad 28.

[0025] The printing method described herein can be applied to any printing on the front 12 or back 14, wherein one or more printing parameters used by the printing mechanism to perform the printing may need to be modified on a card-by-card basis. Printing can be multicolor, monochrome, or grayscale. Printing can be a multicolor background image; a multicolor, monochrome, or grayscale portrait image; personal data printed in multicolor, monochrome, or grayscale; and other printing performed by the printing mechanism. Printing may also include processing associated with the actual printed image on the card, such as curing the applied ink (fully cured or pre-cured (i.e., partially cured)), or conditioning the card surface prior to printing, such as via plasma treatment.

[0026] The printing described herein can be ink-on-demand (DOD) printing using ink, radiation-curable ink thermal printing from a printing ribbon, dye thermal printing from a printing ribbon, or any other type of printing in a printing facility that applies dye or ink to a card. Printing includes not only the act of applying ink / dye to the card surface, but also post-printing processes, such as curing the applied ink using radiation energy, or pre-treating the card surface, such as plasma treatment.

[0027] Figure 2 Method 40 for printing an image on a card is shown. Printing is performed in a card personalization system with a printing mechanism (an example of which will be described below). Figure 5(As described in the text). In this method, in step 42, a card is input from a card input section onto the card path of the card personalization system. In one embodiment, the card input section may be an input hopper. In another embodiment, the card input section may be an input slot through which a single card may be manually or automatically fed for processing. The card path is a path within at least a portion of the card personalization system along which the card is transported.

[0028] After the card is entered into the card path and is located in the card personalization system, in step 44, image data of the image to be printed on the card is processed to generate processed image data. In one embodiment, the image data processing is performed within the card personalization system or at a location outside the card personalization system but close to it, such as in a computing system communicating with the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the image data processing is performed at a location far from the card personalization system, such as in the cloud or in a control system remotely communicating with the card personalization system. In one embodiment, the image data to be printed on the card may be processed during or after programming the integrated circuit chip on the card in the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the image data may be processed during or after magnetically encoding the magnetic stripe on the card in the card personalization system. In one embodiment, the processed image data may include multiple color planes, as further described below.

[0029] In step 46, based on the processed image data obtained in step 44, at least one expected printing parameter is modified to generate new printing parameters. Modifying at least one expected printing parameter to generate new printing parameters includes modifying at least one expected performance setting of the printing mechanism to a new performance setting that will be implemented by the printing mechanism to perform printing. Modifying the expected printing parameters to new printing parameters means that the image printed using the new printing parameters differs in some way from the expected printed image when printed using the expected printing parameters. For example, the image printed using the new printing parameters has improved aesthetics compared to the same image printed using the expected printing parameters.

[0030] The intended printing parameters to be modified to new printing parameters can be any printing parameters, such as, but not limited to, printing parameters used to improve the aesthetics of the printed image. Examples of intended printing parameters that can be modified to new printing parameters on a card-by-card basis include, but are not limited to: modifying or adjusting the intended proportion of ink used to print different features on the card (e.g., for text and images to be printed, the intended amount of black ink used to print text can be modified / adjusted relative to the intended amount of ink used to print the image specified in the image data); adjusting the total amount of ink applied to the card from the intended amount (e.g., the intended amount of ink can be associated with the card, or with the image or text to be printed on the card, and can be adjusted based on analysis of the image data or text data); modifying the intended resolution of the image; modifying the intended droplet size of the ink applied to the card during image printing. Small; the speed at which the image is printed in the printing mechanism; the temperature of the card surface, the temperature of the thermal printhead, and / or the temperature of the ink during printing; the delay time between printing the image and curing the ink or dye used to print the image; the curing speed; whether to pre-cure (i.e., partially cure) radiation-curable inks; whether to perform variable pre-cure by modifying the amount of radiation during partial curing, or not to pre-cure; the amount of radiation energy applied to the ink during curing; the location on the card to which radiation is applied for curing; whether to plasma treat the card before printing; modifying the location of plasma treatment on the card; modifying the energy / intensity of the plasma treatment; and other parameters.

[0031] Then, in step 48, at least a portion of the image is printed on the card in the printing mechanism using at least one new printing parameter. For example, in step 48, the image may be printed at a faster or slower speed compared to the initial expected speed; for radiation-curable inks, the expected delay time between printing the image and curing the ink or dye used to print the image may be modified to a new delay time (e.g., the delay time may be modified compared to the delay time used on the immediately preceding card); pre-curing may be achieved if pre-curing was not achieved on the previous card; and so on. The printing in step 48 may be DOD printing or thermal printing from a printing ribbon. The printed image may be a multicolor image, a monochrome image, or a grayscale image. The printed image may be a background image or a portrait image.

[0032] Once printing is complete and any further processing on the card is finished, the card is output to the card output unit in step 50. The card output unit can be configured to hold multiple cards that have been processed in the card personalization system. In this configuration, the card output unit is commonly referred to as a card output hopper. The construction and operation of card output hoppers are well known in the art. In another embodiment, the card output unit may be an output slot.

[0033] Figure 3 Another method 60 for printing images on cards is shown. Method 60 is best suited for card personalization systems where a first card and a second card can coexist within the system after being fed from the card input section, and the first and second cards are printed sequentially with different sets of printing parameters (i.e., one after another, without printing other cards in between). For example, an example of a card personalization system that can implement method 60 (and method 40) could be a high-volume batch production card processing system (sometimes called a central card issuing system). However, a card personalization system can also be configured as a desktop card processing system, which is typically designed for relatively small-scale, small-batch personalization of single cards, such as tens or a few hundred cards per hour (typically called a desktop processing unit).

[0034] In step 62, the first and second cards are input into the card personalization system, for example, from an input hopper or input slot. Although the first and second cards are described as being printed sequentially, they may be fed into the card personalization system either sequentially or out of order.

[0035] In step 64, if the first card and the second card are located in the card personalization system, the first image data of the first image to be printed on the first card and the second image data of the second image to be printed on the second card are processed to generate first processed image data and second processed image data. In one embodiment, the processing of the first and second image data is performed within the card personalization system, or at a location outside the card personalization system but close to it, such as in a computing system communicating with the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the image data processing is performed at a location far from the card personalization system, such as in the cloud or in a control system that remotely communicates with the card personalization system. In one embodiment, the first and second image data can be processed during or after programming the integrated circuit chips on the first and second cards in the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the first and second image data can be processed during or after magnetic encoding of the magnetic stripes on the first and second cards in the card personalization system.

[0036] In step 66, a first set of printing parameters is generated based on the first image data of the first image to be printed on the first card. This first set of printing parameters includes at least one new first printing parameter that is different from the expected first printing parameters. Similarly, a second set of printing parameters is generated based on the second image data of the second image to be printed on the second card. This second set of printing parameters includes at least one new second printing parameter that is different from the expected second printing parameters. The first and second sets of printing parameters may be generated based on the first and second processed image data obtained in step 64, respectively. The new printing parameters may be any of the aforementioned printing parameters, or they may be other new printing parameters modified according to the expected printing parameters. Because the first set of printing parameters differs from the second set of printing parameters, the printing parameters used to print the first image on the first card are different from the printing parameters used to print the second image on the second card.

[0037] Then, in step 68, the first image and the second image are sequentially printed on the first card and the second card using the first set of printing parameters and the second set of printing parameters. For example, in step 68, the originally intended image parameters for printing the first image are modified to new printing parameters, and the first image is printed using the new printing parameters. For example, the printing parameters may relate to the speed used to perform the printing, and the second image may initially be expected to be printed on the second card at the same printing speed as the first card, but a new printing speed is generated for the second card, such that the printing speed of the second card is faster or slower than the speed used to print the first image on the first card; in the case of radiation-curable inks, the delay time between printing the first image and curing the ink or dye used to print the first image may be adjusted relative to the delay time used to print the second image on the second card; the ink on the first card may be pre-cured, while the ink on the second card may not be pre-cured; and so on. The printing in step 68 may be DOD printing or thermal printing from a printing ribbon. The first printed image and the second printed image may be multicolor images, monochrome images, or grayscale images. The first printed image and the second printed image may be background images, portrait images, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Figure 3 The result of method 60 is that, using different printing parameters of the printing mechanism, the first image and the second image are printed sequentially on the first card and the second card, wherein the printing parameters are determined and modified in real time while the first card and the second card are being fed into the card input section and are in the card personalization system.

[0039] Figure 4Another method 70 for printing an image on a card is shown. Method 70 is best suited for card personalization systems that process one card at a time within the card personalization system. For example, a desktop card processing system is an example of a card personalization system that can implement method 70. However, method 70 can also be used in other card personalization systems, such as those where the first and second cards can coexist within the card personalization system after being fed from the card input section.

[0040] In step 72, a first card is input from the card input section onto the card path of the card personalization system. In one embodiment, the card input section may be an input hopper. In another embodiment, the card input section may be an input slot through which a single card may be manually or automatically fed for processing. The card path is a path within at least a portion of the card personalization system along which the card is transported.

[0041] After the first card is input into the card path and located in the card personalization system, in step 74, the first image data of the image to be printed on the first card is processed to generate processed image data. In one embodiment, the image data processing is performed within the card personalization system, or at a location outside the card personalization system but close to it, such as in a computing system communicating with the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the image data processing is performed at a location far from the card personalization system, such as in the cloud or in a control system remotely communicating with the card personalization system. In one embodiment, the image data processing can be performed during or after programming the integrated circuit chip on the first card in the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the image data processing can be performed during or after magnetic encoding of the magnetic stripe on the first card in the card personalization system.

[0042] In step 76, based on the first image data of the first image to be printed on the first card, a first set of printing parameters is generated. This first set of printing parameters includes at least one new first printing parameter obtained by modifying the expected first printing parameters. The first set of printing parameters may be generated based on the first processed image data obtained in step 74. The printing parameters may be those described above or other printing parameters.

[0043] Next, in step 78, a first image is printed on the first card using the first set of printing parameters. The printing in step 78 can be DOD printing or thermal printing from a printing ribbon. The first printed image can be a multicolor image, a monochrome image, or a grayscale image. The first printed image can be a background image, a portrait image, or a combination thereof.

[0044] Once printing is complete and any further processing on the first card is finished, the first card is output to the card output section in step 80. The card output section can be configured to accommodate multiple cards that have been processed in the card personalization system. In this configuration, the card output section is commonly referred to as a card output hopper. The construction and operation of card output hoppers are well known in the art. In another embodiment, the card output section may be an output slot.

[0045] Next, in step 82, the second card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system. The card input section can be an input hopper or an input slot, through which a single card can be manually or automatically fed for processing. In an embodiment, the second card can be input after printing is completed in step 78 but before the first card is output in step 80.

[0046] After the second card is input into the card path and is located in the card personalization system, in step 84, the second image data of the image to be printed on the second card is processed to generate processed image data. In one embodiment, the image data processing is performed within the card personalization system, or at a location outside the card personalization system but close to it, such as in a computing system communicating with the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the image data processing is performed at a location far from the card personalization system, such as in the cloud or in a control system remotely communicating with the card personalization system. In one embodiment, the image data processing can be performed during or after programming the integrated circuit chip on the second card in the card personalization system. In another embodiment, the image data processing can be performed during or after magnetic encoding of the magnetic stripe on the second card in the card personalization system.

[0047] In step 86, a second set of printing parameters is generated based on the second image data of the second image to be printed on the second card. This second set of printing parameters includes at least one new second printing parameter obtained by modifying the expected second printing parameters. The second set of printing parameters may be generated based on the second processed image data obtained in step 84. The printing parameters may be the printing parameters described above or other printing parameters. Because a first new printing parameter and a second new printing parameter are generated, the second set of printing parameters differs from the first set of printing parameters, and thus the printing parameters used to print the first image on the first card differ from the printing parameters used to print the second image on the second card.

[0048] Next, in step 88, a second image is printed on the second card using the second set of printing parameters. The second printed image can be a multicolor image, a monochrome image, or a grayscale image. The second printed image can be a background image, a portrait image, or a combination thereof.

[0049] Once printing is complete and any further processing on the second card is finished, the second card is output to a card output section in step 90, which may be a card output hopper or an output slot.

[0050] In any of the embodiments described herein, modifying the intended printing parameters to the new printing parameters can be performed before the card is input from the card input section. For example, the data processing causing the modification can be performed at a location physically separate from or remote from the card personalization system, such as in a cloud-based data processing system or a remote server, where the processed data is provided to the card personalization system before the card is fed from the card input section. Alternatively, the data processing causing the modification can be performed on the card personalization system, but before the card is input. In another embodiment, the data processing causing the modification can be performed before the card is input, but (in the case of remote data processing) the processed data is not provided to the card personalization system until after the card is input. In yet another embodiment, the data processing causing the modification can be performed before the card is input, but (in the case of remote data processing) the processed data is not provided to the card personalization system until after the card is input. In yet another embodiment, the data processing causing the intended modification can be performed before the card is input, but any changes made to the card personalization system (whether mechanical changes and / or control software changes) to achieve the new printing parameters do not actually occur until after the card is input, or can occur after a previous card has been printed and before the card is about to be input.

[0051] See Figure 5An example of a card personalization system 100 is depicted. In this example, the components of system 100 are depicted as a high-volume batch production card processing system, with a card input section 102 and a card output section 104 at opposite ends. A card printing mechanism 106 is arranged between the input section 102 and the output section 104, and cards are conveyed by a suitable conveying mechanism along a generally straight card conveying path X. Cards can be conveyed along the conveying path X in the forward direction (i.e., toward the output section 104) and optionally in the opposite direction (towards the input section 102). In this example, the printing mechanism 106 is located between the input section 102 and the output section 104. Figure 5 Alternative positions of the output unit 104 are depicted (shown as dashed lines), such as being located at the same end as the input unit 102, or the input unit 102 and the output unit 104 may have other relative positional relationships. Such alternative positional relationships of the input unit 102 and / or the output unit 104 are suitable when the components of the system 100 are arranged as a desktop card processing system.

[0052] The card input unit 102 can be configured to accommodate multiple cards (or passports) to be processed and mechanically feed them one by one into the card transport path X of the system 100 using a suitable card feeder known in the art. In one embodiment, the card input unit 102 can be an input hopper. In another embodiment, the card input unit 102 can be an input slot through which a single card can be manually or automatically fed for processing. The card output unit 104 can be configured to accommodate multiple cards after processing in the system 100. In this configuration, the card output unit 104 is generally referred to as a card output hopper. The construction and operation of output hoppers are well known in the art. In another embodiment, the card output unit 104 can be an output slot.

[0053] Card printing mechanism 106 is configured to apply printing to a portion or the entire surface of a card. Possible printing methods include, but are not limited to: ink-on-demand (DOD) printing using ink, wherein the ink can be cured by ultraviolet radiation and applied to the surface from one or more DOD printheads; direct thermal transfer printing of cards, wherein dyes or other coloring materials or other materials are applied to the surface via thermal printheads from one or more printing ribbons; or re-transfer printing, wherein an image is first printed onto an intermediate material and then transferred to the surface. Examples of DOD printers are described in US. 10,576,769, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of thermal transfer printers are described in US. 10,889,129, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of re-transfer printers are described in US. 9904876, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] System 100 also includes a controller 108, which controls the operation of the card input unit 102, the card output unit 104, the printing mechanism 106, and other components of system 100 (if any), as well as the transfer of cards within system 100. The controller 108 is any configuration of the hardware and / or software controlling the operation of system 100 (including components 102, 104, and 106). Specifically, the controller 108 can process image data to be printed on the card, determine new printing parameters for each image based on expected printing parameters, control the printing process by controlling the operation of the printing mechanism 106 to implement the new printing parameters, control the transfer of cards throughout system 100, and perform any other control operations required for the operation of system 100. The controller 108 can be located anywhere, as long as it can connect to the various components of system 100 and control the operation of the various components of system 100 as well as the overall operation of system 100.

[0055] Continue to refer to Figure 5 System 100 may optionally include additional components. For example, system 100 may optionally include a chip test / programmer 110 and / or a magnetic stripe encoder 112. The chip test / programmer 110 is configured to perform contact or non-contact tests on the integrated circuit chip on each card to test the chip's functionality and to program the chip. Testing the chip's functionality may include reading data from the chip and / or writing data to the chip. In one embodiment, the chip test / programmer 110 may be configured to program chips on multiple cards simultaneously. The construction and operation of chip test / programmers in card processing systems are well known in the art. The magnetic stripe read / write encoder 112 is configured to read data from the magnetic stripe on each card and / or encode data on the magnetic stripe on each card (if the card includes a magnetic stripe). The construction and operation of magnetic stripe read / write test devices in card processing systems are well known in the art.

[0056] Figure 5The system 100 may also include optional additional card processing mechanisms 114. One or more mechanisms 114 may be located between the card printing mechanism 106 and the chip programmer 110, and / or one or more mechanisms 114 may be located between the printing mechanism 106 and the output section 104. The mechanism 114 may be a card processing mechanism known in the art for performing card processing operations known in the art. For example, the card processing mechanism 114 may be configured to perform one or more of the following operations: embossing; gravure printing; lamination; laser marking using a laser; applying a topcoat; a quality control station configured to check the quality of personalization / processing applied to the card; a radiation curing station for applying radiation to cure radiation-curable ink; a security processing station configured to apply security features, such as holographic foil patches, to the card; and other card processing operations.

[0057] As described above, when the card is within the card personalization system, based on real-time processing of the image data of the image to be printed on the card, at least one expected printing parameter of the printing mechanism is modified in real-time to at least one new printing parameter. This at least one new printing parameter relates to the performance of the printing mechanism and how the printing mechanism will perform image printing on the card.

[0058] Below are some examples of specific but non-limiting printing parameters that can be modified on a card-by-card basis based on the image to be printed. The following examples assume that the printing facility uses DOD printing performed by one or more DOD printheads, and that the printing is multicolor printing, for example, using CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) inks.

[0059] Example 1 – Counting the number of ink droplets on one or more color planes.

[0060] In this example, the image data of the image to be printed is processed, for example, through raster image processing, to generate color planes for each color (C, M, Y, and K) to be printed. The number of ink droplets required for each color plane is counted. This yields the density of each color plane. The number of ink droplets per color plane is a better indicator of the need for pre-curing (i.e., partial curing) of the ink. For example, yellow and black inks may require pre-curing. Therefore, for a card, image processing can determine, based on the number of ink droplets in the color planes, that pre-curing of one or more color planes is required, and thus set the printing mechanism to perform pre-curing (either for each color plane or after printing the entire image). For the next card in the sequence, image processing can determine, based on the number of ink droplets in the color planes, that pre-curing is not required, and thus modify the printing parameters of the printing mechanism to not perform pre-curing.

[0061] Example 2 – Ink load per row and / or per column.

[0062] In this example, the image data of the image to be printed is processed to analyze the ink load or ink density of each row (or from left to right; or from right to left) and / or each column (or from top to bottom; or from bottom to top) of the image. By analyzing the ink distribution by row and by column, gradations and / or transitions in the ink can be indicated. These gradations and / or transitions can then be used to determine which variable settings need to be modified to produce optimal image quality on the card.

[0063] Example 3 – Ink Histogram.

[0064] Histograms can be used to analyze image density and distribution. A histogram with a single broad peak indicates a smooth image; in this case, a larger wettout may be beneficial for a smoother result, and pre-curing will not be used. A histogram with two or more peaks indicates an image with some transitions and variations. This may indicate that pre-curing is required. Histograms for each ink panel can also be used to obtain more information. Therefore, for a card, histogram analysis of the image data of the image to be printed can indicate the presence of a single broad peak, and the printing parameters can be modified so that pre-curing is not used when printing that image on that card. For the next card in the sequence, histogram analysis of the image data of the image to be printed can indicate the presence of two or more peaks, and the printing parameters can be modified so that pre-curing is indeed performed when printing that image on the next card.

[0065] Example 4 – Any combination of Example 1, Example 2, and Example 3 can be used.

[0066] Example 5 – Local Image Analysis.

[0067] In addition to analyzing the entire image, or as a supplement to such analysis, local areas of the image to be printed can also be analyzed. For example, a portion of the image to be printed (e.g., 1 / 2, 1 / 4, 3 / 4, or any fraction thereof) can be analyzed, such as counting ink droplets and determining ink load in that local area as described above. The smaller the area, the more information about the image distribution can be discerned.

[0068] In this embodiment, text, barcodes, and other non-graphical data in the image to be printed may affect how and whether printing parameters are modified. For example, barcodes and small fonts may require different settings than larger fonts or serif fonts where greater coverage is desired. In another example, white ink in DOD printing may also produce different results due to droplet size.

[0069] The examples disclosed in this application should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description; and all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A method for printing an image on a card in a card personalization system having a printing mechanism, comprising: The card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system; After the card is input into the card path, the image data of the image to be printed on the card is processed, and the expected printing parameters are modified to new printing parameters based on the processing. as well as At least a portion of the image is printed on the card using the new printing parameters in the printing mechanism.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The image data is processed during or after the programming of the chip on the card in the card personalization system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The image data is processed during or after the magnetic stripe on the card is magnetically encoded in the card personalization system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The printing is either on-demand inkjet printing or thermal printing from a printing ribbon.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The printed portion of the image is a multicolor image.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The image is a background image.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The card is at least partially formed of polyvinyl chloride.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein, Processing the image data includes generating multiple color planes.

9. A method for printing an image on a card in a card personalization system having a printing mechanism, comprising: In the printing mechanism, a first image is printed on a first card and a second image is printed on a second card in sequence; Printing the first image on the first card includes using a first set of printing parameters, which are generated after the first card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system. The first set of printing parameters includes at least one new first printing parameter generated based on the expected first printing parameters. Specifically, printing the second image on the second card includes using a second set of printing parameters, which are generated after the second card is input from the card input mechanism into the card personalization system, and the second set of printing parameters includes at least one new second printing parameter generated based on expected second printing parameters; and The second set of printing parameters is different from the first set of printing parameters.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one new first printing parameter is generated during or after programming the chip on the first card, and the at least one new second printing parameter is generated during or after programming the chip on the second card.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one new first printing parameter is generated during or after the magnetic encoding of the magnetic stripe on the first card, and the at least one new second printing parameter is generated during or after the magnetic encoding of the magnetic stripe on the second card.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The printing mechanism is configured to perform on-demand inkjet printing or thermal printing from a printing ribbon.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first image and the second image are each multicolor images.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first image and the second image are each background images.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first card and the second card are each at least partially formed of polyvinyl chloride.

16. The method of claim 13, comprising: The first image data of the first image is processed to generate multiple first color planes, and the second image data of the second image is processed to generate multiple second color planes.

17. The method of claim 9, comprising: Print the first person's data on the first card and print the second person's data on the second card, wherein the first person's data is different from the second person's data.

18. A method for printing an image on a card in a card personalization system having a printing mechanism, comprising: In the printing mechanism, a first image is printed on a first card and a second image is printed on a second card in sequence; Printing the first image on the first card includes using a first set of printing parameters, which includes at least one new first printing parameter generated based on the expected first printing parameters; Specifically, printing the second image on the second card includes using a second set of printing parameters, the second set of printing parameters including at least one new second printing parameter generated based on expected second printing parameters; and The second set of printing parameters is different from the first set of printing parameters.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising: After the first card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system, the at least one new first printing parameter is generated; And after the second card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system, the at least one new second printing parameter is generated.

20. The method of claim 18, comprising: Before the first card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system, the first set of printing parameters is generated; The second set of printing parameters is generated before the second card is input from the card input section into the card path of the card personalization system.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising: The first set of printing parameters and the second set of printing parameters are generated at a location physically separated from the card personalization system.

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