Abstract:
A card mechanism used in an array with other card mechanisms. Each card mechanism handles plastic cards that are to be personalized and provided to end users. The plastic cards can be cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver&#39;s licenses, and other plastic cards that are personalized. The card mechanism(s) can supply cards to be personalized in one or more other card mechanisms and/or in a card personalization machine used with the card mechanism(s) in which case the card mechanism(s) is configured as a card input hopper, collect cards that have been personalized in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card output hopper, and/or perform one or more personalization operations on the cards in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card personalization mechanism.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The technical disclosure herein relates to a card mechanism that can be used in an array with other card mechanisms for handling plastic cards that are to be personalized and provided to end users. The plastic cards can be cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver&#39;s licenses, and other plastic cards that are personalized. The card mechanism(s) can supply cards to be personalized, collect cards that have been personalized, and/or perform one or more personalization operations on the cards. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The use of multiple card input hoppers in a card personalization machine is known. For example, the CD800 Card Printer available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minn. uses a six-compartment multi-hopper. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A card mechanism used in an array with other card mechanisms is described. Each card mechanism handles plastic cards that are to be personalized and provided to end users. The plastic cards can be cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver&#39;s licenses, and other plastic cards that are personalized. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the card mechanism(s) can optionally be modular to allow the card mechanisms in the array to be removed and replaced with similar or different card mechanisms, or to allow the number of card mechanisms used in the array to be scaled up or down. 
         [0005]    The card mechanism(s) can supply cards to be personalized in one or more other card mechanisms and/or in a card personalization machine used with the card mechanism(s) in which case the card mechanism(s) is configured as a card input hopper, collect cards that have been personalized in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card output hopper, and/or perform one or more personalization operations on the cards in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card personalization mechanism. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, for example where the card mechanism(s) is configured as a card input hopper, each card mechanism can include an integral, built-in mechanical card picker or card discharge mechanism that is actuated by a single external card handling or actuating mechanism to discharge a card from the card mechanism. As a result, when a card mechanism is removed from the array, the mechanical card picker or card discharge mechanism is removed with the card mechanism. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, for example where a plurality of the card mechanism are arranged into an array of rows and columns, the external card handling or actuating mechanism can be configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the card mechanisms as well as move linearly in the direction of the pivot axis in order to access each card mechanism of the array. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, for example where a plurality of the card mechanism are arranged into an array of rows and columns, each card mechanism is removable and replaceable with a different card mechanism including ones having different functions. For example, the array of card mechanisms can include all card mechanisms configured as card input hoppers, card input hoppers and one or more card mechanisms configured to perform one or more card personalization operations, or all card mechanisms configured to perform one or more card personalization operations. In one embodiment, there can be three card input hoppers and three card output hoppers. 
         [0009]    In still another embodiment, for example where the card mechanism(s) is configured as a card input hopper or as a card output hopper, a removable security feature can be provided to lock the card mechanism to prevent access to the cards held therein for secure transportation. The removable security feature can take any form for locking the card mechanism. For example, a security tie or zip tie can be removably secured to the card mechanism that locks the card mechanism and prevents operation of the mechanical card picker until the security tie is removed. The removable security may also be a mechanical pad lock or the like. The security feature can have a security identifier on it that uniquely identifies the security feature and accordingly uniquely identifies the card mechanism to which the security feature is secured, and that permits tracking of the card mechanism the security feature is secured to. The security identifier can be any identifier that uniquely identifies the security feature. Examples of security identifiers include, but are not limited to, a unique serial number, a unique 1 dimensional or 2 dimensional bar code, or the like. 
         [0010]    In still another embodiment, for example where the card mechanism(s) is configured as a card input hopper or as a card output hopper, the card mechanism can include a memory chip thereon. The memory chip stores data useful for tracking the card mechanism including, but not limited to, one or more security keys and the contents of the card mechanism such as the number of cards. The data on the memory chip can be used for validation or authentication of the card mechanism as well as the contents, such as plastic cards, in the card mechanism. The memory chip can employ public key infrastructure (PKI) security and can store a public and/or private key. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment described herein, a card mechanism array can include a plurality of card mechanisms arranged into an array having a plurality of rows and columns. The card mechanisms include at least one card hopper that is configured to contain a plurality of cards in a stack and at least one card personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a card personalization operation on a card. Each card mechanism has an access end and a closed end opposite the access end, with the access end configured to permit a card to exit and/or enter the respective card mechanism through the access end and the closed end configured to prevent a card from exiting or entering the respective card mechanism through the closed end. In addition, the access ends face in a common direction. This permits a single card handling mechanism to access each of the card mechanisms. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment described herein, a card hopper array can include a plurality of card feed hoppers arranged into an array having at least one row. Each card feed hopper is configured to contain a plurality of cards in a stack and is configured to discharge the cards individually one-by-one through an access end. The access ends face in a common direction, and each card feed hopper has a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the card feed hoppers in the array are arranged at an angle to one another so that the longitudinal axes will intersect one another on the access end sides of the plurality of card feed hoppers. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment described herein, a card hopper system can include a plurality of card hoppers arranged into an array having at least one row. Each card hopper is configured to contain a plurality of cards in a stack. Each card hopper has an access end through which cards can be individually discharged one-by-one from or inserted one-by-one into the respective card hopper. In addition, the access ends face in a common direction, and each card hopper has a longitudinal axis. A movable card handling mechanism is positioned adjacent to the access ends that is configured to access each individual card hopper via the respective access end. The movable card handling mechanism is pivotable about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes, and the movable card handling mechanism is also movable linearly in the direction of the pivot axis. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment described herein, a desktop card printer can include a housing with a card input and a card output, a print mechanism within the housing that can perform a printing operation on a card, and either the card mechanism array connected to the housing, the card hopper array connected to the housing, or the card hopper system connected to the housing. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment described herein, a card feed hopper can include a housing that is configured to contain a plurality of cards in a stack, with the housing including a longitudinal axis that extends from a first end to a second end. A slot is formed in the housing at the first end that is configured to allow cards to be discharged individually one-by-one from the housing. In addition, the card feed hopper includes a card pick mechanism that is engageable with a single card within the housing to discharge a card through the slot. The card pick mechanism has a first position adjacent to the first end and a second position spaced from the first end. The card pick mechanism is actuatable from the first position to the second position, and the card pick mechanism is configured so that as the card pick mechanism is actuated toward the second position the card pick mechanism discharges a card through the slot. 
         [0016]    As used herein, processing, unless otherwise defined in the claims, is intended to encompass performing a processing operation on a card that can involve personalization or not involve personalization. For example, applying a transparent protective laminate, perhaps even including a hologram or other non-personalized security feature, is an example of a card processing operation that does not involve personalization. Applying a name, address, photograph, account number, employee number, signature, programming a chip, reading data from and/or writing data to a magnetic stripe, or the like are examples of processing operations that involve personalization. Therefore, personalization is intended to encompass performing a processing operation on a substrate that involves personalization. The term processing therefore encompasses both personalization and non-personalization operations performed on a card, while the term personalization encompasses personalization operations performed on a card. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the card mechanisms can be removable from the array which facilitates secure storage of card mechanisms that are configured and used as card input or output hoppers, as well as provides the ability to upgrade and modify the array with different card mechanisms and/or to allow the number of card mechanisms used in the array to be scaled up or down. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a plurality of card mechanisms described herein arranged into an array and a card handling mechanism in a first position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top view similar to  FIG. 1  but with the card handling mechanism pivoted to a second position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the array of card mechanisms described herein with the card handling mechanism in a lowermost position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the card mechanisms with certain portions made transparent to allow viewing of internal structure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the card mechanism of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view illustrating interaction between the card mechanism and the card handling mechanism with certain portions made transparent to allow viewing of internal structure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the card mechanism and the card handling mechanism illustrating interaction between the card mechanism and the card handling mechanism. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective of the card mechanism and the card handling mechanism showing a card being discharged from the card mechanism. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the array of card mechanisms described herein together with a card personalization system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a card mechanism array  10  is illustrated. The array  10  can include a plurality of card mechanisms  12   a,    12   b,    12   c  (referred to generally using numeral  12 ) arranged into at least one horizontal row  14 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are three of the card mechanisms  12  in a horizontal row. However, the row  14  can include two or more than three of the mechanisms  12 . In addition, referring to  FIG. 3 , additional ones of the card mechanisms  12  can be arranged in at least a second horizontal row  16  disposed vertically above the row  14 . The second row  16  can include the same number of card mechanisms  12  as the row  14 , with the card mechanisms  12  in the second row  16  being horizontally and vertically aligned with the card mechanisms  12  in the row  14 . The result is that in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , there are two horizontal rows and three vertical columns, with each horizontal row including three of the card mechanisms and each vertical column including two of the card mechanisms. However, the number of rows and columns can vary, and the number of card mechanisms in the rows and columns need not be the same. In addition, the array  10  can include third, fourth, etc. horizontal rows disposed vertically above the rows  14 ,  16  with each additional horizontal row including one or more of the card mechanisms  12 . 
         [0028]    The card mechanism(s)  12  can optionally be modular to allow the individual card mechanisms  12  in the array  10  to be removed and replaced with similar or different card mechanisms  12 , or to allow the number of card mechanisms  12  used in the array  10  to be scaled up or down. 
         [0029]    The card mechanisms in the rows and columns are accessed by a movable card handling mechanism  20 . The card handling mechanism  20  is pivotable about a pivot axis PA which in the illustrated example can be vertical. The card handling mechanism  20  is also movable linearly in the direction of the pivot axis PA (or vertically up and down in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 ) as indicated by the double-headed arrow. The card handling mechanism  20  comprises a carriage  22  that is slidably supported on rods  24  for sliding movement along the length of the rods  24 . The rods  24  are fixed on a support structure  26  that is pivotally mounted to pivot about the pivot axis PA. As best seen in  FIGS. 1-2 , a drive motor  28  is mounted on the support structure  26 , with the motor  28  being in driving engagement with the carriage  22  to move the carriage  22  along the pivot axis PA. A motor, for example a stepper motor, can be in suitable driving engagement with the card handling mechanism  20  to pivot the mechanism  20  about the pivot axis PA. 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , each card mechanism  12  has an access end  40  and a closed end  42  opposite the access end, with the access end  40  configured to permit a card to exit and/or enter the respective card mechanism  12  through the access end  40 . The closed end  42  is configured to prevent a card from exiting or entering the respective card mechanism  12  through the closed end  42 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the access ends  40  each face in a common direction toward the card handling mechanism  20  or toward the pivot axis PA. This permits the single card handling mechanism  20  to access the access end  40  of each of the card mechanisms  12 . 
         [0031]    In addition, each card mechanism  12  has a longitudinal axis LA indicated by dashed lines in  FIGS. 1-2 . In each horizontal row  14 ,  16 , the card mechanisms  12  are oriented such that the longitudinal axes LA are disposed at an angle a to one another so that the axes LA intersect one another on the access end  40  sides of the card mechanisms  12 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axes LA in each horizontal row  14 ,  16  are illustrated as intersecting one another at the pivot axis PA. The angles a between the longitudinal axes LA of the card mechanisms  12  in each horizontal row can be the same. In other embodiments, the angles a may differ from one another, both within a horizontal row and/or differ between the vertical levels. As a result, with the arrangement in  FIGS. 1-3 , the pivot axis PA is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes LA. 
         [0032]    The array  10 , including the card mechanisms  12  and the card handling mechanism  20 , can be used by themselves to handle and process cards. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the array  10  can be used with a card personalization system  50 . The array  10  can be mounted adjacent to or on the card personalization system  50  to feed cards into and/or accept cards from the card personalization system  50 . The card personalization system  50  can be any system suitable for personalizing and/or otherwise processing cards. In one embodiment, the system  50  would include at least a housing with a card input and a card output, and a print mechanism within the housing that can perform a printing operation on a card. The system  50  can also be an embosser, laminator, printer, chip programming unit, a magnetic stripe reading and/or writing unit, or a unit having various combinations of these processing capabilities. In some embodiments, an interface plate can be used to couple the array  10  to the system  50 . 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the system  50  can be designed for relatively small scale, individual card personalization and processing where typically a single document to be personalized is input into a processing machine, which typically includes one or two personalization/processing capabilities, such as printing and laminating. These processing machines are often termed desktop processing machines because they have a relatively small footprint intended to permit the processing machine to reside on a desktop. Many examples of desktop processing machines are known, such as the SD or CD family of desktop card printers available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minn. Other examples of desktop processing machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,434,728 and 7,398,972, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9  illustrates the array  10  mounted together with a card personalization system  50  in the form of a desktop processing machine. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the card mechanisms  12  are arrayed as described in  FIGS. 1-3  into a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns. The card handling mechanism  20  is not visible in  FIG. 9  since it is enclosed within a housing  52 . The card mechanisms  12  are partially contained with the housing  52 , and the housing  52  abuts against, and is optionally fixed to, the front end of the card personalization system  50 . 
         [0035]    Returning to  FIGS. 1-3 , when the array  10  is used as a standalone system, the card handling mechanism  20  can also include a controller, including a microprocessor, disposed thereon or otherwise associated therewith that controls operation of the movable card handling mechanism  20 . When the array  10  is used with the card personalization system  50 , operation of the card handling mechanism  20  can be controlled via a suitable controller of the system  50 . 
         [0036]    Details of the card mechanisms  12  will now be described with various references to  FIGS. 4-8 . The card mechanisms  12  are configured to: store a plurality of cards waiting to be processed (in which case the card mechanisms  12  can also be referred to as card storage or card feed or card input hoppers); store a plurality of cards after the cards have processed (in which case the card mechanisms  12  can also be referred to as card storage or card output hoppers); process one or more cards that are input into the card mechanism  12  and after processing discharge the processed card; and any combinations thereof. So one or more, or all, of the card mechanisms  12  in the array  10  can be card feed hoppers. One or more, or all, of the card mechanisms  12  in the array  10  can be card output hoppers. One or more, or all, of the card mechanisms  12  in the array  10  can be configured to process cards that are input into and from the card mechanisms  12 . In one specific non-limiting embodiment, there can be three card feed hoppers and three card output hoppers. In one embodiment, a card feed hopper that is empty after having discharged all of its cards can then be utilized as a card output hopper that stores processed cards. 
         [0037]    To help explain the inventive concepts, the card mechanisms  12  will each be described as being card feed hoppers in one non-limiting example. In such a case, the card mechanisms  12  are substantially identical in construction to one another. However, the construction of some of the card mechanisms may vary depending upon their intended functions. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 and 7 , when configured as card feed hoppers, each of the mechanisms  12  includes a housing  60  that is configured to contain a plurality of cards in a stack (not shown) therein. The housing  60  is designed with security features to prevent unauthorized access to cards within the housing  60  prior to use, for example during transportation of the housing  60 . 
         [0039]    The housing  60  defines the access end  40  and the closed end  42 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the housing  60  is generally rectangular in construction and includes a box-like outer shell  62  with front and back walls  62   a,    62   b,  side walls  62   c,    62   d,  and a top wall  62   e.  The outer shell  62  is open at its bottom. A slot  64  is formed in the front wall  62   a  of the outer shell  62  that allows cards to be discharged individually one-by-one from the housing  60 . 
         [0040]    The housing  60  further includes a box-like inner shell  66  over which the outer shell  62  is arranged. The inner shell  66  receives the stack of cards with the cards laid flat on top of one another. The inner shell  66  includes a substantially closed bottom, a front wall that faces the front wall  62   a,  a back wall that faces the back wall  62   b,  a side wall that faces the side wall  62   c , and a side wall that faces the side wall  62   d.  The inner shell  66  is open at its top, with the open top being closed by the top wall  62   e.  The front wall of the inner shell  66  also includes a slot  68  that is aligned with the slot  64  in the front wall  62   a  to allow discharge of individual cards. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , within the inner shell  66  is a card biasing mechanism  70  that is configured to engage the top of the card stack and bias the cards in the stack downward toward the bottom of the housing  60 . The card biasing mechanism  70  can have any configuration suitable for applying a downward biasing force to the card stack. In the illustrated example, the card biasing mechanism  70  comprises a plurality of links  72  connected together in an accordion-like fashion with portions of the links supported by slots  74 ,  76 ,  78  in the opposing side walls of the inner shell  66 , and a bottom plate  80  connected to the base of the links  72  and engageable with the top of the card stack. In operation, the plate  80  is movable upwardly a distance limited by the slots  78  when cards are arranged in a stack. A biasing element, for example a spring (not shown), biases the plate  80  downward. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in the illustrated embodiment, the inner shell  66  is formed by a first, front shell piece  66   a  and a second, rear shell piece  66   b.  The shell piece  66   b  is pivotally connected to the shell piece  66   a  at a pivot  67 . In the position shown in  FIG. 4 , the shell piece  66   b  is at a closed position at which it closes the rear side of the shell piece  66   a  preventing removal or insertion of cards into the housing  60 . When the outer shell  62  is removed, the shell piece  66   b  can be pivoted about the pivot  67  to an open position (not shown) where the shell piece  66   b  no longer closes the rear side of the shell piece  66   a  to allow removal or insertion of cards. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , the mechanism  12  includes a card pick mechanism  90  at the base thereof that is engageable with a single card within the housing  60  to pick the bottom card from the stack and discharge the card through the slots  64 ,  68 . In addition, operation of the card pick mechanism  90  is actuated externally by the card handling mechanism  20 . The card pick mechanism  90  can have any configuration for achieving these functions. In addition, the card pick mechanism  90  is integrated with the mechanism  12  so that if the mechanism  12  is removed from the array  10 , the card pick mechanism  90  goes with the mechanism  12 . 
         [0044]    In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8 , the card pick mechanism  90  is a forward-reverse mechanism with a first part  92  that is actuatable in a first direction toward the closed end  42 . As the first part  92  is moving toward the closed end  42 , a second part  94  is simultaneously actuated by the first part  9  to move in the opposite direction toward the access end  42 . The first part  92  includes opposing racks  96   a,    96   b  each with gear teeth that drive pinions  98  as the first part  92  moves in the first direction. The pinions  98  are engaged with a toothed rack  100  that is fixed to a bottom of the second part  94 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the second part  94  further includes a plate  102  having an angled shoulder  104  formed at the rear thereof that forms the mechanism to pick and push a card from the housing  60 . 
         [0045]    In operation, the first part  92  of the card pick mechanism  90  has a first position (seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) adjacent to the access end  40 , and the first part  92  can be actuated rearwardly toward a second position (shown in  FIG. 7 ) spaced from the access end  40 . A biasing mechanism  106 , such as a spring (seen in  FIG. 5 ), engages with a pin  108  on the first part  92  to bias the first part  92  to the first position. As the first part  92  is actuated from the first position toward the second position, the second part  94  is actuated forwardly. When the second part  94  moves forwardly, the shoulder  104  engages the bottom card of the stack and pushes the card forwardly. As the second part  94  continues to move forwardly, the leading edge of the card is pushed through the slots  64 ,  68 . The card can then be engaged by a drive mechanism  110  (seen in  FIG. 7 ), such as drive rollers, on the carriage  22  to finish pulling the card from the mechanism  12 . Once the card is sufficiently driven from the mechanism  12 , the biasing mechanism  106  then returns the first part  92  and the second part  94  to their initial home positions. 
         [0046]    As indicated above, the card pick mechanism  90  is actuated externally by the card handling mechanism  20 . In particular, as best seen in  FIGS. 6-8 , the carriage  22  can include an actuating rack  120 . The rack  120  includes teeth that are engaged with a drive pinion  122  that can be driven in forward and reverse directions. The rack  120  can be driven by the pinion  122  toward and away from the mechanism  12 . As the rack  120  is driven toward the mechanism  12 , the front end of the rack engages with a receiving element  124  of the first part  92  to drive the first part  92  rearwardly to discharge a card from the mechanism  12 . After a card has been discharged, the rack  120  is then driven in the opposite direction by the pinion  122  to allow the first part  92  to return to its home position and initiate a new card pick cycle. 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, an exception slot  150  (best seen in  FIG. 9 ) can be formed through the closed end  42  of one or more of the card mechanisms  12 , formed in the housing  52 , or formed elsewhere on the card personalization system  50 . The exception slot  150  permits individual cards to be fed one-by-one into the card personalization system. When the exception slot  150  is formed in one of the card mechanisms  12 , the exception slot  150  can extend through the back wall  62   b  of the housing  60  to permit an individual card (or exception card) to be fed into the card mechanism  12  for subsequent processing. The exception card can then be fed by the card pick mechanism  90  from the card mechanism  12  (or from the exception slot in the housing  52  or other location) into the card personalization system  50  or into another one of the card mechanisms  12  for processing. 
         [0048]    As indicated above, the housing  60  is provided with security features to prevent unauthorized access to cards within the housing  60  prior to use, for example during transportation of the housing  60 . The security features discussed below can be used individually, together or in any combination. Referring first to  FIGS. 4-6 , a removable security tie  130  (or other removable security feature such as a mechanical pad lock) can be removably secured to the housing  60  that prevents opening of the rear shell piece  66   b  and prevents movement of the card pick mechanism  90  until the removable security tie  130  is removed. A pair of flanges  132   a ,  132   b  are formed on the shell piece  66   b  that project below the bottom edge of the outer shell  62  as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . Each flange  132   a - b  includes a hole through which the tie  130  can extend. In addition, the first part  92  of the card pick mechanism  90  includes a pair of flanges  134   a,    134   b  that project downwardly therefrom, and the front shell piece  66   a  includes a pair of flanges  136   a,    136   b  that project downwardly therefrom. The flanges  134   a - b  and  136   a - b  each includes a hole through which the tie  130  can extend. As seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , the tie  130  extends through the flanges  132   a - b,    134   a - b,    136   a - b  which prevents opening of the rear shell piece  66   b  and also prevents movement of the first part  92  of the card pick mechanism  90 . Just prior to use and installation of the mechanism  12 , the tie  130  can be severed using a suitable cutting device such as a scissors and then removed. 
         [0049]    The security tie  130  or other security feature can have a security identifier on it that uniquely identifies the security feature and accordingly uniquely identifies the card mechanism  12  to which the security tie  130  is secured, and that permits tracking of the card mechanism  12  the security tie is secured to. The security identifier can be any identifier that uniquely identifies the security tie  130 . Examples of security identifiers include, but are not limited to, a unique serial number, a unique 1 dimensional or 2 dimensional bar code, or the like. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , another security feature is that the housing  60  can have a memory chip  140  (also referred to as an RFID chip) and/or a crypto chip/processor on the housing  60 . The chip  140  can store data that is used for validating or authenticating the housing  60  and/or the contents (in this case cards) of the housing  60 . Data that can be stored includes, but is not limited to, a unique identifier that uniquely identifies the housing  60 , the number of cards in the housing, the type of cards in the housing  60 , security keys, and the like. The crypto chip/processor can process data from the chip  140 . The chip  140  can employ public key infrastructure (PKI) in the validation or authentication process. 
         [0051]    Although the card mechanisms  12  have been described above as being card hoppers, in particular card feed hoppers, the card mechanisms  12  can be configured to perform other functions. For example, one or more of the card mechanisms  12  can be configured as card output hoppers. In addition, one or more of the card mechanisms  12  can be configured to perform one or more specific processing operations on a card that is introduced into the card mechanism  12 . For example, the card mechanism  12  can be configured to program and/or validate a chip on a card, program and/or validate a magnetic stripe on a card, apply a laminate to a surface of a card, emboss or indent characters on a card, print on a card, perform a verification process on a card, and other processing operations. 
         [0052]    The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.