Patent ID: 6688519
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An assembly for printing and encoding proximity cards comprising:a printer for printing cards, said printer having a print station, a reservoir for storing a plurality of cards and a transport mechanism for transporting one of said cards from said reservoir to said print station; at least one proximity card initially positioned in said reservoir, said proximity card having an embedded circuit; a housing having a region for positioning an antenna proximate to said transport mechanism and a controller for generating a signal for encoding or detecting said proximity device, said housing defining a first encoding and detecting station proximate to said transport mechanism and a second encoding and detecting station remote from said transport mechanism; means for controlling operation of said transferring mechanism to position said proximity card at said first encoding and detecting station prior to encoding said proximity card; and means for transferring encoding signals to said antenna for encoding and detecting said proximity card at said first encoding and detecting station or a second proximity device at said second encoding and detecting station; a computer for executing program instructions associated with said controlling means and said transferring means; first bus means for coupling said computer to said printer; second bus means for coupling said computer to said controller; a database, associated with said computer, for maintaining printable and encoding information; and an application program interface (API) for importing functions operable on said printable and encoding information in said database from third party application programs.