Card personalization ribbon security

Abstract

A security technique helps to prevent access to personal data left on a ribbon consumable used in a printing station of a card or passport personalization system. After printing, the portion of the ribbon carrying the negative image of the personal data is wound onto a take-up spool and then fused to one or more additional layers of the ribbon wound onto the take-up spool. The fusing can be achieved using radiation, e.g., from a light source or from a heat radiation source, applied at least to the portion of the ribbon carrying the negative image and possibly also to the additional layer(s). The fusing of the layers of the ribbon on the take-up spool prevents unwinding of the used ribbon to read the personal data in the negative image.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 571209, filed March 28, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This technical disclosure relates to security technologies for preventing access to personal data left on ribbon consumables used in card personalization systems. Background Technology

[0004] When personal data is printed / generated on cards, passports, or other personalized documents using printing ribbons or other ribbon materials in a card personalization system, some personal data (such as names and account numbers) is left as a negative image on the used ribbon. For example, in the case of printing ribbons, a negative image may be left on the portion of the used printing ribbon where ink has transferred from the ribbon to the card. This negative image (which could be an account number, cardholder name, card verification code (CVV), etc.) poses a potential security risk because data can be stolen from the used ribbon. Various techniques for preventing access to personal data in used ribbons in card personalization systems are known in the art. Examples include the techniques described in U.S. Patents 9,248,680, 10,744,806, and 11,613,132. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Security techniques are described to help prevent access to personal data left on ribbon supplies used in the printing station of a card personalization system. The techniques described herein can also be used in the printing station of a passport personalization system, which personalizes pages of a passport, such as the data page.

[0006] These security technologies can be used with any type of ribbon consumable used in card personalization systems, where material is transferred from the ribbon onto the card to generate personal data, leaving a negative image on the ribbon at the location where the material was transferred. Examples of ribbon consumables include, but are not limited to, printing ribbons, embossed ribbons, top foils, or retransfer ribbons. Transferring material onto the card can be referred to as printing. The print on the card and the corresponding negative image left on the ribbon can be any type of personal data added to the card, including but not limited to account number, cardholder name, card verification code (CVV), cardholder image, cardholder address, and other personal data.

[0007] As described in more detail below, the negative image portion of the card-personalized ribbon carrying personal data is wound onto a take-up roll and then fused to one or more additional layers of the ribbon wound onto the take-up roll. Fusion can also be referred to as layer blocking. In one embodiment, fusion can be achieved using radiation, such as from a light source or thermal radiation, applied at least to the negative image portion of the ribbon and possibly also to the additional layers(s). The fusion of the layers of the ribbon on the take-up roll prevents the unfolding of the used ribbon to read the personal data in the negative image. If someone attempts to unfold the used ribbon after fusion, the used ribbon will be destroyed, making it difficult or even impossible to read the personal data in the negative image.

[0008] Fusion can occur at any point during or after the use of the ribbon. In one embodiment, fusion can occur when the ribbon is completely used and all used ribbon has been wound onto the take-up reel. In this embodiment, the fusion process occurs once on the completely used ribbon. In another embodiment, fusion can occur on the partially used ribbon while it is being used. In this embodiment, multiple fusion processes can occur at different points during the use of the ribbon. In one embodiment, fusion occurs within the printing station where the take-up reel is mounted without removing it from the printing station. In another embodiment, fusion occurs outside the printing station by removing the take-up reel and then applying radiation to the ribbon.

[0009] In one embodiment, a card personalization ribbon security method includes: printing personal data on the surface of a card using a card personalization ribbon supplied from a feed roll at a printing station of a card personalization system, thereby creating a negative image of the personal data on a used portion of the card personalization ribbon. Subsequently, the used portion of the card personalization ribbon carrying the negative image of the personal data is wound onto a take-up roll. Within the printing station, the used portion of the card personalization ribbon carrying the negative image of the personal data is fused to another portion of the card personalization ribbon on the take-up roll.

[0010] In another embodiment, the printing station of the card personalization system includes a feed roll containing unused card personalization tape and a take-up roll for retrieving the card personalization tape after use. A thermal printhead is capable of engaging the card personalization tape to print personal data on the surface of the card, thereby producing a negative image of the personal data on the used portion of the card personalization tape. Additionally, a fusion element is mounted adjacent to the take-up roll. The fusion element is positioned and configured to apply radiation to the used portion of the card personalization tape when it is on the take-up roll. The applied radiation is sufficient to fuse the used portion of the card personalization tape carrying the negative image of the personal data to another portion of the card personalization tape on the take-up roll. In this embodiment, the applied radiation may be sufficient to fuse all layers of the used tape on the take-up roll (including the portion carrying the negative image) to each other.

[0011] In another embodiment, ribbon consumables (such as ribbons used in card personalization systems) may include a configuration in which a portion of the ribbon (such as its back coating or its transferable material, or both) comprises an initiator and (multiple) polymerizable monomers. When exposed to light radiation (such as ultraviolet light) from the fusion element, the initiator causes (multiple) polymerizable monomers to react and / or crosslink. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a printing station in a card personalization system that implements the security methods described herein.

[0013] Figure 2 Depicting what can be Figure 1 The cross-section of the personalized ribbon used in the printing station for cards.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of the take-up coil, showing alternative positions of the fusion element relative to the take-up coil.

[0015] Figure 4 It shows that it can be used Figure 1 An example of a card personalization system at a printing station.

[0016] Figure 5 It shows that it can be used Figure 1 Another example of a card personalization system at the printing station.

[0017] Figure 6 The ribbon security method described herein is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0018] As used herein, the term “step” should be interpreted as including a single step or multiple sub-steps constituting that step, unless the applicant otherwise indicates.

[0019] For convenience, these techniques will be described herein with respect to card personalization systems. However, the concepts described herein can also be used in systems for personalizing passports (passport personalization systems). The term "personalization" (etc.) as used throughout this specification and claims is intended to cover operations performed on pages of a card (or passport) that result in the application of the intended cardholder's personal data or other sensitive data that needs to be protected against unauthorized access to the card by transferring material from a ribbon. Examples of personalization operations for card personalization include printing account number, cardholder's name, card verification code (CVV), cardholder's image, cardholder's address, and other personal data on the card.

[0020] In this embodiment, the card can be a plastic card or a non-plastic card. The cards (or personalized identification cards) described herein include, but are not limited to, debit cards (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, etc.), access cards, driver's licenses, national identification cards, business identification cards, and other identification cards. In this embodiment, the card can be an ID-1 card as defined by ISO / IEC 7810. However, other card formats (such as ID-2 as defined by ISO / IEC 7810) are also possible. In the case of a passport, personal data can also be applied to passport pages (such as plastic pages). Passport pages can be the front or back cover of the passport or internal pages of the passport (e.g., pages referred to as data pages). In this embodiment, the passport can be in ID-3 format as defined by ISO / IEC 7810.

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated, the term "card" or "identification card" refers to a card whose substrate can be formed entirely of a material such as plastic or a combination of materials such as plastic and non-plastic materials. In one embodiment, the card size can be designed to conform to the ISO / IEC 7810 standard, wherein the dimensions are approximately 85.60 mm by approximately 53.98 mm (approximately...). Inches x Approximately (inches), and the radius of the rounded corners is approximately 2.88 to 3.48 mm (approximately...) (inches). As those skilled in the art of identification cards will understand, cards are typically formed from multiple individual layers that make up the majority of the card body or card substrate. Similarly, the term "page" in passports refers to a passport page that can be formed entirely from a material such as plastic or from 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 can be a single layer or composed of multiple layers. In the case of plastic cards, examples of plastic materials that can form the card (or passport page) or the various layers of the card or passport can be from, but are not limited to, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate-1,4-cyclohexanediol (PETG), and TESLIN. ® Its combination with other plastics.

[0022] Now for reference Figure 1This diagram shows a portion of a printing station 10 in a card personalization system. The printing station 10 includes a feed roll 12 that supplies unused card personalization ribbon 14 and a take-up roll 16 that retrieves used ribbon. The ribbon 14 is guided through a thermal printhead 18, which transfers transferable material from the ribbon 14 to the surface of a card 20. A support roller 22 is positioned opposite the printhead 18 and supports the card 20 during printing. As indicated by the arrows, the printhead 18 can move toward and away from the fixed support roller 22. Alternatively, the printhead 18 can be fixed, and the support roller 22 can be movable toward and away from the printhead 18.

[0023] As described in U.S. Patents 9,248,680, 10,744,806, and 11,613,132, when personal data is printed on card 20, a transferable material is transferred from ribbon 14 to the card surface to produce a negative image of the personal data on ribbon 14. Unauthorized access to the negative image in the ribbon is a security risk, and measures are needed to control access to the used ribbon. U.S. Patents 9,248,680, 10,744,806, and 11,613,132 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0024] Return to Figure 1 At least one fusion element 24 is mounted adjacent to the take-up roll 16. The fusion element 24 is configured to fuse one or more layers of the used ribbon 14 wound on the take-up roll 16 together on the take-up roll 16. For example, the fusion element 24 is positioned and configured to apply radiation 26 to one or more layers of the used ribbon 14, including applying radiation to the used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying or containing a negative image of personal data. The applied radiation is sufficient to fuse the used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image of personal data to another portion of the ribbon 14 on the take-up roll 16. In the example shown, the fusion occurs within the print station 10 where the take-up roll 16 is mounted in place (i.e., without removing the take-up roll 16 from the print station 10).

[0025] In one embodiment, the fusion element 24 may be one or more light sources capable of emitting radiation suitable for achieving fusion. For example, one or more light sources may emit high-intensity visible light or UV radiation. One or more light sources may be one or more light-emitting diodes. When the ribbon 14 includes an initiator and (multiple) polymerizable monomers, it is suitable to use radiation from the light source, wherein the initiator is activated by the radiation emitted by the light source to react and / or crosslink the (multiple) polymerizable monomers, thereby fusing one or more layers of the ribbon 14 (including the used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying or containing a negative image of personal data) together.

[0026] In another embodiment, the radiation may be thermal radiation, and the fusion element 24 may be one or more heat sources that generate heat directed onto the ribbon 14. This heat is sufficient to produce a temperature-induced change in the ribbon 14, thereby fusing together one or more layers of the ribbon 14 used (including the used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying or containing a negative image of personal data).

[0027] Figure 1 An example position is depicted where the fusion element 24 is located on the farthest side of the take-up roll 16 from the feed roll 12. This position of the fusion element 24 places the thermal printhead 18 and the take-up roll 16 between the feed roll 12 and the fusion element 24, and reduces the chance that radiation from the fusion element 24 will reach unused portions of the ribbon 14 located on the feed roll 12 or between the feed roll 12 and the thermal printhead 18. Figure 1 Also depicted (in dashed lines) are possible alternative positions of the fusion element 24 located above the take-up roll 16 and guiding the radiation downwards to the tape 14 on the take-up roll 16, or located below the take-up roll 16 and guiding the radiation upwards to the tape 14 on the take-up roll 16. Figure 3 Additional possible locations for the fusion element(s) 24 are shown. For example, the fusion element 24 (shown in dashed lines) can be located at the end of the take-up roll 16 and direct radiation to the end of the ribbon 14 on the take-up roll 16. In embodiments, for example, locations located at... Figure 1 and Figure 3 Two or more fusion elements 24 at any two or more indicated locations.

[0028] refer to Figure 2 The image depicts a cross-sectional view of an example ribbon 14. In this example, the ribbon 14 includes a substrate 30, a back coating 32 disposed on one surface of the substrate 30, and a transferable material 34 disposed on the opposite surface of the substrate 30. The substrate 30 acts as a support for both the back coating 32 and the transferable material 34. The back coating 32 is configured to prevent the ribbon 14 from adhering to itself when it is wound into a roll. A portion of the transferable material 34 is configured to be transferred to the surface of the card by heat applied by the thermal printhead 18 (shown in dashed lines). The transferable material 34 can be a pigment, dye, abrasive material, or other thermally transferable material used in card personalization ribbons. In the case described above where fusion is caused by radiation emitted from a light source, an initiator and polymerizable monomer(s) can be added to the back coating 32, the transferable material 34, or both the back coating 32 and the transferable material 34. When light radiation from the fusion element 24 contacts a portion of the used ribbon 14, the initiator causes the polymerizable monomers to react and / or crosslink, thereby fusing the layers of the used ribbon 14 on the take-up roll 16 (including the portion of the used ribbon carrying the negative image of personal data) together.

[0029] When using one or more light sources to fuse ribbon 14, ribbon 14 or portions thereof may be formed of or include any and multiple materials suitable for achieving the light-induced fusion described herein. For example, in the case of UV light fusion, curing may be achieved using UV radical curing or UV cationic curing, each of which may include an initiator and a polymerizable monomer.

[0030] The color band 14 or a portion thereof may be provided with one or more photoradical initiators and / or one or more photocationic initiators. The photoradical initiator generates free radicals upon illumination. In the case of UV light, examples of UV radical photopolymerization initiators include, but are not limited to, diethoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylprop-1-one, benzyl dimethyl ketal, 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)one, 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone, 2-methyl-2-morpholino(4-thiomethylphenyl)propane-1-one, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)butanone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-acetophenone, isopropylthioxanone, 4-isopropylthioxanone, 2,4-diethylthioxanone, 2,4-dichlorothioxanone, and 1-chloro-4-propoxythioxanone. In examples, acetophenone, benzophenone, and phosphine oxide may be used.

[0031] Free radical polymerizable monomers possess olefinic unsaturated bonds capable of addition polymerization. Examples of addition-polymerizable olefinic unsaturated monomers include, but are not limited to, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, and esters of aliphatic polyol monomers and unsaturated carboxylic acids. Specific examples of esters of aliphatic polyol monomers and unsaturated carboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, acrylates such as ethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-butanediol diacrylate and tetramethylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylethane triacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, 1,4-cyclohexane diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerythritol diacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol diacrylate and dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate.

[0032] Photocation initiators generate cations through light irradiation. UV cationic photopolymerization initiators are onium salts, such as, but not limited to, diazonium salts, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, iodine salts, sulfonium salts, selenium salts, and arsenic salts. Examples of usable photoionization initiators include aryl sulfonium salts, such as triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate and triphenylphosphonium hexafluoroantimonate.

[0033] Cationic monomers undergo addition polymerization via acid-generated free radicals. Examples of cationic monomers include, but are not limited to, epoxides, vinyl ethers, and oxetane compounds. Examples of epoxides include, but are not limited to, aromatic epoxides, alicyclic epoxides, and aliphatic epoxides. In one embodiment, aromatic epoxides and alicyclic epoxides may be used. Examples of vinyl ether compounds include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol divinyl ether, diethylene glycol divinyl ether, triethylene glycol dienyl ether, propylene glycol divinyl ether, dipropylene glycol dienyl ether, butanediethylene glycol divinyl ester, hexanediethylene glycol divinyl ether, and cyclohexanedimethyl divinyl ester. In an embodiment, oxetane compounds having one to four oxetane rings in their structure may be used.

[0034] Return to Figure 1 The fusion described herein can occur when the used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image of personal data is moving relative to the fusion element 24. For example, when the used ribbon 14, including the used portion carrying the negative image, is wound onto the take-up roll 16, the fusion element 24 can apply radiation to the used portion carrying the negative image and to adjacent portions of the ribbon. In another embodiment, the used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image of personal data may be stationary when radiation is applied to it by the fusion element 24.

[0035] The fusion process described herein can occur at any point during or after the use of the ribbon 14. For example, in one embodiment, fusion can occur when the ribbon 14 is completely used and all used ribbon 14 is wound onto the take-up reel 16 and the ribbon 14 is no longer attached to the feed reel 12. In this embodiment, the fusion process occurs once on the completely used ribbon 14.

[0036] In another embodiment, fusion can occur on a partially used portion of the ribbon 14 while it is being used and the ribbon 14 (potentially including some unused portions) is still attached to the feed roll 12. In this embodiment, multiple fusion processes of the fusion element 24 can occur at different points in time during the use of the ribbon 14. Additionally, after one fusion process, an additional length of the ribbon 14 is wound onto the take-up roll 16, after which another fusion process is performed by the fusion element 24. For example, after printing personal data on a first card and fusion of the used portion of the ribbon carrying the negative image of the personal data, personal data is printed on the surface of a second card using the ribbon 14, thereby creating a negative image of the personal data on a second used portion of the ribbon 14. Subsequently, the second used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image of the personal data is wound onto the take-up roll 16, and the second used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image of the personal data is fused to another portion of the ribbon 14 on the take-up roll 16. The process of printing and producing a negative image, then winding it onto a take-up reel and fusing the used portion of the ribbon to the used ribbon can be repeated multiple times along the length of ribbon 14. In another embodiment, periodic fusing can be achieved. For example, printing station 10 can be controlled such that fusing occurs after printing a predetermined number of cards, or after a predetermined time period, or after the ribbon has wound a predetermined number of turns around take-up reel 16. In an embodiment, fusing can occur once every one turn of take-up reel.

[0037] During fusion, the used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image of personal data can be covered and fused to the bottom layer of the ribbon 14 on the take-up roll 16. The used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image of personal data can also be located below and fused to the covered portion of the ribbon 14 on the take-up roll 16. The used portion of the ribbon 14 carrying the negative image can be fused to two or more bottom layers of the ribbon 14 and / or fused to two or more cover layers of the ribbon 14.

[0038] Figure 4 An example of a card personalization system 40, which may include the printing station 10 described herein, is schematically depicted. In this example, the components of system 40 are depicted as a mass production card processing system having a card input section 42 and a card output section 44 located at opposite ends, with the printing station 10 arranged between the input section 40 and the output section 44, and cards being conveyed along a generally linear card conveying path X via a suitable conveying mechanism. Cards may be conveyed along the conveying path X in a forward direction (i.e., toward the output section 44) and optionally in a reverse direction (towards the input section 42). In this example, the printing station 10 is located between the input section 42 and the output section 44.

[0039] Card input unit 42 can be configured to receive a plurality of cards (or passports) awaiting processing and mechanically feed the cards one by one into the card transport path X of system 40 using a suitable card feeder known in the art. In one embodiment, card input unit 42 may be an input feeder. In another embodiment, card input unit 42 may be an input slot through which individual cards are fed manually or automatically for processing. Card output unit 44 can be configured to receive a plurality of cards that have been processed in system 40. In this configuration, card output unit 44 is generally referred to as a card output feeder. The construction and operation of output feeders are well known in the art. In another embodiment, card output unit 44 may be an output slot.

[0040] System 40 also includes a controller 46 that controls the operation of card input unit 42, card output unit 44, printing station 10, other components of system 40 (if any), and the transfer of cards(s) within system 40. Controller 46 is any hardware and / or software arrangement that controls the operation of system 40, including components 10, 42, and 44.

[0041] Continue to refer to Figure 4 System 40 may optionally include additional components. For example, system 40 may optionally include a chip test / programmer 48 and / or a magnetic stripe encoder 50. The chip test / programmer 48 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 48 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 50 is configured to read data from the magnetic stripe on each card and / or encode data on the magnetic stripe of 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.

[0042] Figure 4The system may also include optional additional card processing mechanisms. Any additional mechanism may be located between the print station 10 and the chip programmer 48, and / or between the print station 10 and the output section 44, and / or at other locations. The additional mechanism may be a card processing mechanism known in the art for performing card processing operations known in the art. For example, the additional card processing mechanism may be configured to perform one or more of the following: embossing; gravure printing; lamination; laser marking using a laser; applying a top coating; a quality control station configured to inspect the quality of personalization / processing applied to the cards; a radiation curing station for applying radiation to cure radiation-curable inks; a security station configured to apply security features such as holographic foil patches to the cards; and other card processing operations.

[0043] Figure 5 Another example of a card personalization system 60, which may include the print station 10 described herein, is schematically depicted. In this example, the components of system 60 are depicted as arranged as a desktop card personalization system (often referred to as a desktop processor), which is typically designed for small-batch individual card personalization at a relatively small scale (e.g., tens or hundreds per hour). Figure 5 In, with Figure 4 Elements that are functionally identical or similar in the figures are referred to using the same reference numerals.

[0044] System 60 includes a card input section 42 and a card output section 44 at the same end, although the card input section 42 and the card output section 44 may have other relative positions known in desktop card personalizers. Printing station 10 is arranged downstream of the input section 40 and the output section 44, and cards are conveyed via a suitable conveying mechanism along a generally linear card conveying path X in both the forward direction (i.e., toward printing station 10) and the reverse direction (towards output section 44) along the conveying path X. System 60 also includes a chip test / programmer 48 and / or a magnetic stripe encoder 50. If double-sided or double-sided printing is desired, system 60 may also include a card flipper 62 configured to flip the card 180 degrees so that the previously face-down surface is now face-up, and the card can be conveyed back into printing station 10 for printing on the now-face-up surface.

[0045] Cards can be conveyed through the printing station and card personalization system using any suitable mechanical card conveying mechanism(s) known in the art. Examples of usable card conveying mechanisms are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, conveyor rollers, conveyor belts (with and / or without tabs), vacuum conveying mechanisms, conveyor carriages, and combinations thereof. Card conveying mechanisms are well known in the art. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the types of usable card conveying mechanisms(s) and the structure and operation of such card conveying mechanisms.

[0046] Now for reference Figure 6 as well as Figure 1 A ribbon security method 70 is described. In method 70, in step 72, a card personalization ribbon 14 is fed from a feed roll 12 to a thermal printhead 18 to position a new, fresh, or unused portion of the ribbon 14 below the printhead 18 in preparation for printing on a card 20. Simultaneously (or slightly before or after), the card 20 is conveyed into position below the printhead 18. Once the ribbon 14 and card 20 are in place, in step 74, while the ribbon 14 and card 20 are conveyed together below the printhead 18, personal data is printed on the card 20 by transferring transferable material from the ribbon 14 using the printhead 18. The printing of the personal data produces a negative image of the personal data on the ribbon 14.

[0047] After printing is completed on the card surface, at step 76, the used ribbon 14 carrying the negative image is wound onto the take-up reel 16. The winding in step 76 can occur immediately before printing on any additional cards, or it can occur after printing one or more additional cards and the used portion of the ribbon finally reaches the take-up reel 16. Once the used portion of the ribbon is on the take-up reel 16, at step 78, the used portion of the ribbon 14 is fused to another portion of the ribbon 14. As described above, fusion occurs by activating the fusion element 24 and directing radiation from the fusion element 24 onto the ribbon on the take-up reel (including directing it onto the used portion of the ribbon 14). As described above, the fusion in step 78 can occur after the entire ribbon 14 has been used and completely wound onto the take-up reel 16, or it can occur on the partially used ribbon 14, where the ribbon 14 is still connected to the feed reel 12 and a portion of the ribbon 14 is still to be used. At some point after step 78 is completed, another used portion of the ribbon, produced by printing on another card, can be fused to another portion of the ribbon. Alternatively, if the entire ribbon was used at step 78, the now-fused take-up roll can be removed and disposed of.

[0048] The examples disclosed in this application should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description; and is intended to cover all variations falling within the meaning and equivalents of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for securing personalized color ribbons on cards, comprising: In the printing station of the card personalization system, card personalization ribbon supplied from the feed roll is used to print the first person's data on the surface of the first card, thereby generating a negative image of the first person's data on the first used portion of the card personalization ribbon. The first used portion of the personalized color ribbon carrying the negative image of the first personal data is then wound onto the take-up roll; Within the printing station, the first used portion of the card personalization ribbon carrying the negative image of the first personal data is fused to another portion of the card personalization ribbon on the receiving roll.

2. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, The fusion process includes applying radiation to the first used portion of the card's personalized ribbon that carries the negative image of the first personal data.

3. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 2, wherein, The radiation is applied from a light source.

4. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 2, wherein, The radiation includes thermal radiation.

5. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 2, wherein, The fusion occurs when the first used portion of the card's personalized ribbon carrying the negative image of the first personal data is moving relative to the source of the radiation.

6. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, The fusion occurs when the card's personalized ribbon is attached to the feed roll.

7. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, After the fusion, the additional length of the card-personalized ribbon is wound onto the take-up roll.

8. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, The fusion occurs periodically.

9. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, The first used portion of the card personalization ribbon, carrying the negative image of the first personal data, covers the other portion of the card personalization ribbon on the receiving roll.

10. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, The first used portion of the card personalization ribbon carrying the negative image of the first personal data is located below the other portion of the card personalization ribbon on the receiving roll.

11. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, After the fusion: The card personalization ribbon is used to print a second person's data on the surface of a second card, thereby creating a negative image of the second person's data on a second used portion of the card personalization ribbon. The second used portion of the card-personalized ribbon carrying the negative image of the second personal data is then wound onto the take-up roll; Within the printing station, the second used portion of the card personalization ribbon carrying the negative image of the second personal data is fused to another portion of the card personalization ribbon on the receiving roll.

12. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, The personalized card ribbons include printed ribbons, embossed ribbons, top foils, or re-transfer ribbons.

13. The card personalization ribbon security method according to claim 1, wherein, The personalized color ribbon for the card includes an initiator and a polymerizable monomer.

14. A printing station for a card personalization system, the printing station comprising: Supply rolls, including unused card-personalizing ribbons; Collect the card's personalized ribbon after use; A thermal printhead is capable of engaging with the card personalization ribbon to print personal data on the surface of the card, thereby producing a negative image of the personal data on the used portion of the card personalization ribbon. A fusion element, mounted adjacent to the take-up roll, is positioned and configured to apply radiation to the used portion of the card personalization ribbon when it is on the take-up roll, the radiation being sufficient to fuse the used portion of the card personalization ribbon carrying the negative image of the personal data to another portion of the card personalization ribbon on the take-up roll.

15. The printing station according to claim 14, wherein, The fusion element includes at least one light source.

16. The printing station according to claim 14, wherein, The fusion element includes a heat radiation source.

17. The printing station according to claim 14, wherein, The fusion element is positioned such that the thermal printhead and the take-up roll are positioned between the feed roll and the fusion element.

18. The printing station according to claim 14, wherein, The personalized card ribbons include printed ribbons, embossed ribbons, top foils, or re-transfer ribbons.

19. The printing station according to claim 14, wherein, The personalized color ribbon for the card includes an initiator and a polymerizable monomer.

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