Abstract:
A novel apparatus and method for the immediate issuance of personalized identification cards during client interviews. The invention relates to the creation of personalized cards and recording of personal information on a realtime basis while a client is being interviewed by a card issuing authority. More particularly, the invention electronically records and permanently prints client personal information on cards using a computer and printing system in a single client contact. The invention immediately issues only a single permanent card, eliminating the need and expense of a delay in issuing a permanent card or in issuing two cards; a first temporary card and a second permanent card. The invention also eliminates the need for more expensive personalizing equipment.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention pertains to an apparatus and process for the economical issuance of secure personalized plastic cards. More particularly, this invention pertains to the immediate issuance of personalized wallet-size plastic cards printed at remote sites in conjunction with a large central computer record keeping system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In today&#39;s high tech society, it has become commonplace and necessary for organizations to issue individual identification cards to participants or members. These cards, usually made of plastic, are widely issued by financial institutions, government organizations, and organizations having membership requirements. A typical person in the United States has approximately 6-12 plastic cards in his possession at any given time. Many government organizations with tight budgets are investing millions of dollars to issue personalized cards to their constituents. 
     The cards themselves are usually made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) but are sometimes made from polyester. Many of the cards are fancifully designed and colored with pictures and logos. Most of these cards are personalized for the customer in some manner at great cost. 
     Any method for personalizing cards is generally more expensive than methods providing less personal information on the card. Methods for personalizing cards at a central location incur the additional cost of delivering the card to the client or customer. Many times this delivery to each individual client or customer is by first class mail. However, known methods for personalizing cards locally are generally the most expensive methods for personalizing. 
     For example, government organizations involved in welfare distribution to welfare recipients usually personalize cards at a high cost. The government organizations first issue temporary cards to welfare recipients during the first office visit. Later the recipients receive permanent personal cards by First Class mail. These cards are printed at a central location. 
     A system which personalizes cards at an organization&#39;s central location in high volume is available from either the Datacard or Oakwood company. These systems require a significant capital investment—exceeding $100,000. Central processing systems add cost to the issuing organization such as, labor costs, capital outlay for the high-end equipment, card costs of approximately 40¢ per card, postage, envelopes, and card carriers for envelopes. If an issuing authority centrally personalizing cards issues four to five thousand cards per day, the issuing authority&#39;s costs, are approximately 75¢ per card. If the issuing authority is centrally personalizing cards and issuing only fifty to one hundred cards per day, the cost per card rises to approximately $1.00 per card or more. Perhaps more importantly, the added cost of issuing two cards for each client is enormous. The consumer is initially issued a temporary card and must wait for the arrival of the second card, the permanent personalized card. 
     There are essentially four levels of personal information placed on personalized cards available on the market. The four levels of personalization will be described from those providing the least personal information on the card to those providing the most personal information on the card. The first level of personalization is achieved through the use of the standard vault card or instant issue card. There is no personal information on level one cards. The only personalization achieved with level one is that the card number (or account number) is related in a computer program to a particular person and the person&#39;s Personal Identification Number (PIN). Vault cards are industry standard cards that are kept locked by the issuing authority in a vault. The cards are generally pre-embossed either with raised lettering or flat graphics, and pre-encoded on a magnetic strip. The pre-embossing and pre-encoding is generally completed to the International Standards Organization (ISO) specifications. The vault cards or instant issue cards may be issued with or without magnetic strip coded with the card number. 
     The next level of personalization, second level, is achieved by issuing a vault card (or instant issue card) and personalizing the card with handwritten material. Level two personalized vault cards are generally not issued with magnetic strips. In fact, some of these cards are blank cards without any embossing. The cards are locally personalized by employees of the card issuing authority. The personalizing is done by handwriting on small areas of the card which have a paper or other writing surface. Level two provides low cost, low security cards. 
     The next level of personalization, or third level, is achieved by embossing personal information on the card either through raised lettering or flat lettering. This embossing may be done at a central location with a high volume embossing machine or at a local location with a smaller low volume embossing machine. 
     The first level of personalization, fourth level, provides the greatest amount of personal information on the card by combining the magnetic encoding of personal information on the card in addition to the embossing of personal information on the card. 
     The cost to personalize cards is high. For example, the cost of a manual embosser (or hand press) which provides raised lettering and no encoding is approximately $2,000. An automated embosser with keyboard entry performing only raised lettering costs approximately $5,000 to $7,000. An automated embosser and magnetic encoder combination costs approximately $10,000 to $12,000. An embosser and encoder combination that is fully integrated with a personal computer costs approximately $15,000 to $17,000 (excluding software development). The cost of a flat graphic embosser which includes the ability to digitize pictures is approximately $35,000 per unit. Once such embosser is manufactured by Datacard Corporation and is called the Ultragrafix™ U-800. The other personalizing devices described are available from several vendors including Datacard, Magtek and Oakwood corporations. 
     Consumers prefer to have their names on all plastic cards that they hold. Having their name on the card avoids confusion within a household if members of the household accidently exchange cards. In addition, if a card with an owner&#39;s name on it is lost, the owner can be more easily located and the card returned. 
     The magnetic strip on the back of most plastic cards can hold only a limited amount of information. The magnetic tracks meeting the ISO standard consist of three tracks that can hold approximately 40 characters per track. Most magnetic card readers available on the market read one or two tracks, generally the first and second track or the second and third track. This limited amount of character space on the magnetic strip restricts a card issuing authority&#39;s ability to place individual client information on the plastic card. 
     Placing personal information on cards will help satisfy clients. Many cards on the market today have a small signature panel where the client may sign his name to help eliminate fraudulent use of his card. Since many issued cards lack identifying information that is personalized to the client, swapping of cards and security on cards is difficult. Fraudulent use of cards is a costly societal problem. The addition of personal information on cards will help reduce fraudulent use of cards. 
     What is needed is an economical system for personalizing cards. 
     What is needed is a system that produces cards while the client is being interviewed by the card issuing authority. 
     What is needed is a system that can personalize cards at local sites. 
     What is needed is a system that quickly personalizes cards while the consumer waits. 
     What is needed is a new method of placing information on cards. 
     What is needed is a system that can place a great deal of personal information on a card prior to issuance. 
     What is needed is a system that limits the fraudulent use of cards. 
     What is needed is a system that will place information on industry standard financial transaction cards (ISO standard PVC cards). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Only a limited amount of information can be embossed on cards using raised lettering. Raised letter embossing requires a great deal of space on a card. Further, raised lettering embossing weakens a plastic card. Therefore, only a limited amount of information can be embossed before the integrity of the card  108  becomes unacceptable. 
     This invention is an economical secure system for the personalizing of plastic cards. Specifically, the present invention is a system that allows for the personalizing of plastic cards at remote sites while maintaining a data base that corresponds client personal information with unique card numbers. This is a particularly useful invention for card issuing organizations which maintain a central data base of client information that corresponds each client with unique card number. More specifically, card issuing organizations which have multiple remote sites which interview clients will achieve the greatest economic benefit from this invention. The card personalizer eliminates the need for issuing two cards, a temporary card and a permanent card. With the card personalizer, a permanent card may be personalized and issued during a client interview. The immediate issuing of a permanent personalized card creates a large cost savings to issuing organizations. 
     The card personalizer system consists of three essential components: a computer for data entry and driving a printing system, a printing system, and a modified plastic card. The computer allows entry of unique card identification numbers and client personal information. This information is then correlated and stored. The second function performed by the computer is the driving of a printing system that is capable of printing on portions of plastic cards which have been specially prepared for printing. Industry standard plastic cards that have been modified by the addition of a prepared writing surface are used in the preferred embodiment. 
     In its simplest embodiment the invention requires a personal computer, a plotter and an industry standard card (ISO) with a unique card identification number. To use the invention an operator simply inputs a unique card identification number, several fields of client personal information and prompts the computer to print the client personal information a prepared writing surface on the plastic card. 
     The system is easy to use and is very economical. A simple personal computer and plotter are located at numerous remote sites and each is connected to a central data processor that stores client records. 
     A novel combination of computer, printing system and card provides economical permanent personalizing of cards. The printing system combines ink, ink delivery system and a prepared card writing surface to efficiently produce personalized cards. 
     The invention increases the security available to limit the fraudulent use of plastic cards. This is accomplished through greater use of client personal information, security text, and tamper proof text. The invention allows organizations to quickly and efficiently personalize cards at remote sites during a client interview. The invention allows the organization to maintain a central records while issuing cards from remote sites. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an economical system for the personalizing of cards. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an economical system where cards may be personalized at numerous local sites. 
     It is an object of this invention to issue personalized cards remotely while maintaining a central record system. 
     It is an object of this invention to have a simple system for personalizing cards. 
     It is an object of this invention to issue personalized cards to clients during an initial interview. 
     It is an object of this invention to personalize a client&#39;s card while the client waits for the card. 
     It is an object of this invention to increase security measures available for cards. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon review of the description of a preferred embodiment and the appended drawings and claims. 
     The present invention is designed to address these needs. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a card personalizer system in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 a  is a depiction of the front of a sample plastic card with logo, raised lettering and a printed portion. 
     FIG. 2 b  is a depiction of the front of a sample plastic card with a logo and a printed portion. 
     FIG. 2 c  is a depiction of the back of a sample plastic card with a magnetic stripe and a signature panel. 
     FIG. 2 d  is a depiction of the front of a sample card which has one prepared writing surface located on the lower portion of the card. 
     FIG. 2 e  is a depiction of the front of a sample card which has two prepared writing surfaces. 
     FIG. 3 is a representation of a plotting device. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a representation of the plotting arm. 
     FIG. 4 b  is a representation of the plotting arm holding a printing pen. 
     FIG. 5 is a representation of a sample pen. 
     FIG. 6 is a high level, functional flowchart of the system&#39;s overall operation. 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  combine to form a detailed flowchart of the personal computer application program when a host computer is utilized. 
     FIGS. 8 a - 8   d  are sample user entry screens for the personal computer software of FIGS. 6,  7   a  and  7   b.   
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the card personalizer system  100 . The preferred embodiment has four major components, a host data processor  102 , a personal computer  104 , a printer  106 , and the card  108  itself. The printer  106  includes a card feeder/holder  110 . 
     In the preferred embodiment a host data processor  102  provides the large storage capacity and data processing necessary to maintain the many records of the individual clients. A host data processor  102  is typically, a mainframe-type processor such as an IBM, Tandem, or Digital Equipment Corporation computer with sizable storage space, i.e., megabytes or gigabytes. The host data processor  102  is capable of receiving queries from the personal computer  104  and responding to queries from the personal computer  104  almost instantaneously. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, the function of the host data processor  102  and personal computer  104  are performed by one computer that may be located either in the vicinity of the printer  106  or remotely. If the single computer is located remotely from the printer  106 , it must be capable of communicating with the printer  106  at sufficient speed to enable a quick card  108  printing time. 
     The host data processor  102  is preferably located remotely from the personal computer  104  with communications with the personal computer  104  via modem, (not shown), leased line, or other long distance communication method. In this manner, the host data processor  102  is capable of supporting multiple remote card personalizer stations having PC  104  and printer  106  combinations located at remote sites. The preferred connection between the host data processor  102  and PC  104  is a network type connection over a leased line. It is obvious to one skilled in the art that the host data processor  102  and PC  104  may be electronically connected in a variety of ways. 
     In the preferred embodiment, an IBM or compatible personal computer  104  with a CRT screen and keyboard is utilized. Any of a variety of small computers may be utilized with the invention, for example, Macintosh computers, IBM computers and portable PCs. The personal computer  104  must have a serial or parallel port from which is capable of driving a printing system or printer  106  and a port that enables it to communicate with the host data processor  102 . 
     The personal computer  104  must have sufficient memory and processing capability in order to execute the software for the system, allow user entry of data, and temporarily store the entered data. 
     In alternative embodiments, the personal computer  104  may be a “dumb terminal” being primarily operated by the host data processor  102 . In this alternative embodiment, the dumb terminal simply acts as an user interface and communication point for the host data processor  102 . 
     The printing system  106  of the invention may take a variety of forms such as a dot matrix printer, a bubble jet printer, a laser printer, or a plotter. The printing system  106  of the preferred embodiment includes a Roland Digital Corporation model RP-11 plotter . The printing system  106  must be capable of accepting commands from the personal computer  104 . In addition, the printing system  106  must be capable of accepting a plastic card  108  and printing on a plastic card  108  without damaging the card  108 . 
     Many conventional printers are not normally built with the clearance necessary to accept plastic cards that are thicker than normal paper. Commonly plastic cards can range in thickness, however, those used for electronic transactions must be 0.76 mm. In addition, plastic cards that have been embossed with raised lettering  124  have the additional thickness of the raised lettering. ISO standard raised lettering  124  cannot exceed 0.51 mm. Therefore, a printing system  106  suitable for the invention should allow a clearance of approximately (0.76 mm for thickness+0.51 mm for raised lettering 124+0.04 mm of play) 1.31 mm or more in order to operate. Also, plastic cards are less flexible than paper. The rollers and other paper feed mechanisms of many printers require flexible material such as paper to operate properly. Plastic cards will not work in these types of feed mechanisms. 
     Since the plastic cards are designed to operate in environments ranging from −35° C. and +50° C., printing systems  106  that have rollers or printing parts that operate at higher temperatures are also not suitable for the invention. 
     Conventional plotters are the most economical and suitable types of printing systems  106  for the current invention. The plotters tend to be inexpensive and provide the necessary height clearance to allow 0.76 mm of card  108  thickness and 0.51 mm of raised lettering. However, all conventional plotters do not have the necessary clearance. A plotter  148  must be chosen that will allow the plotter pen  172  to clear any raised lettering  124  on the card  108 . 
     The printing systems  106  must also have a card feeder or cardholder  106  in order to operate properly. The feeder or holder preferably handles the standard ISO type plastic cards  108 . A dot matrix printer with a special cardfeeder can print client information on cards  108 . To assist feed mechanisms, carriers that hold the card  108  may be used. These carriers may be made of paper or cardboard. 
     A variety of cards can be used with this invention. It is preferred that plastic cards  108  made out of polyvinyl chloride or polyester are used with the system. However, metal or other plastics may be used to form the card  108 . The preferred cards  108  are standard vault cards  108  with a magnetic stripe  140  of information on the back along with a signature panel, and a raised alphanumeric  124  account number shown on the front. In addition to these standard features, the card  108  has a prepared writing surface  112  on the front to accept information printed by the printing system  106 . This prepared writing surface  112  may be either foil, silk screen, paper, vinyl or matted finished plastic. 
     The cards  108  can be automatically or hand fed into the card feeder/holder  110  prior to ink printing by the print system. 
     FIG. 2 a  shows the front of a sample plastic card  108  for use in the card personalizer system  100 . The card  108  is preferably made of polyvinyl chloride and is approximately 85.6 mm in width by 53.98 mm in height. In the upper portion of the card  108  an organization&#39;s logo  120  may be shown. This logo  120  is placed on the card  108  by coloring the plastic. In a position approximately below the horizontal center line of the card  108  are located raised alphanumeric  124  characters that signify the unique identification of this card  108 . It is preferred that the raised alphanumeric  124  characters are located on that portion of the card  108  that is specified by the ISO specifications. Just beneath the raised alphanumeric  124  characters is located a prepared writing surface  112  with a security text  128  background. 
     In the preferred embodiment the prepared writing surface  112  is a printed foil that is hotstamped to the plastic card  108 . Hotstamping is commonly used in the industry to adhere material to the plastic card  108 . Hotstamping avoids the use of any adhesive and makes tampering with the foil difficult. In this sample, the security text  128  in the foil of the prepared writing surface  112  is a repetition of the letters EBT. Any of a number of letters or designs may be used in the security text  128  of the prepared writing surface  112 . For example, a trademark may be used or a series of wavy lines. 
     Printed on this prepared writing surface  112  by the process described in this invention, is a persons name “James C. Morrison”  132 . The name is printed in dark black lettering contrasting sharply with the foil of the prepared writing surface  112  and security text  128  in the foil of the prepared writing surface  112 . It is preferred that the security text  128  in the foil surface be a light color such as orange or green and black ink be used in the printing of the text  132 . 
     If a silk screen process is used to create the prepared writing surface, then the security text  128  should also be silk screened onto the card  108 . Hotstamped foil is preferred over silk screening because it is possible to chemically remove a silkscreened writing surface. Silk screening is a known process in the plastic card industry. 
     On the lower portion of the card  108 , below the prepared writing surface, the sample card  108  has an additional logo  136 . In addition, beneath the foil of the prepared writing surface  112  and imprinted within the plastic is tamper proof text (not shown). The tamper proof text is preferably a design using the word “void” numerous times. The tamper proof text only appears if the prepared writing surface  112  is removed such as by attempted erasure of the text  132  on the prepared writing surface  112 . 
     FIG. 2 b  is another front of a sample plastic card  108 . This particular sample does not have the raised lettering  124  or any other embossed unique card identification shown. This sample similar to the sample in FIG. 2 a  also has logos  120 ,  136  and a prepared writing surface  112  in the bottom half of the front of the plastic card  108 . 
     Printed in the prepared writing surface  112  of FIG. 2 b  by the process of this invention are the following fields: person&#39;s name, person&#39;s personal identification number, county of residence and card expiration date. In this example there are four fields of information printed on the prepared writing surface  112 . The number of fields of information, the size of the print, the type of fields, and the type of information may be varied. 
     FIG. 2 c  is a sample of the back of a plastic card  108 . On the back of the plastic card  108  a magnetic stripe  140  and a signature panel are shown. In the preferred embodiment, the magnetic stripe  140  contains the unique card identification number within one of its magnetic tracks. The signature panel located in the upper half of the back of the plastic card  108  may be made of hotstamped foil, hotstamped paper, or silkscreen ink base. In the preferred embodiment the signature panel is made of the same specially prepared writing surface  112  as the front portion of the plastic card  108 . The signature panel may also have tamper proof text imprinted on the plastic beneath the surface of the signature panel. 
     FIG. 2 d  shows a sample of the front of the plastic card  108  that has the lower two thirds of the front covered by the prepared writing surface  112 . This example of the front of a plastic card  108  leaves the upper two thirds of the card  108  available for a unique card identification to be embossed and a logo  120 ,  136 . For many applications of this invention, the size and location of the prepared writing surface  112  in FIG. 2 d  is preferred. The writing surface  112  in FIG. 2 d  provides sufficient space for approximately 6 to 8 thirty character fields with type ranging in size from 6 point to 14 point. 
     The security text  128  that forms part of the prepared writing surface  112  in FIG. 2 d  has an ink coverage of approximately fifteen percent of the prepared writing surface  112 . It is preferred if the ink coverage of the security text  128  is approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the prepared writing surface  112 . This range of ink coverage provides a sufficient security text  128  background and allows for the printed text  132  to adequately contrast upon the prepared writing surface  112 . The security text  128  helps eliminate the fraudulent replacement of the prepared writing surface  112  with other material. 
     FIG. 2 e  shows an example of the front of a plastic card  108  that has two separate prepared writing surfaces. One of the writing surfaces is located approximately in the center of the card  108  and the second prepared writing surface  112  is located at the bottom edge of the card  108  and across the width of the card  108 . It is generally preferred that the prepared writing surface  112  does not cover or reach the sides of the plastic card  108 . 
     The prepared writing surfaces  112  shown in FIG. 2 e  overlay more than one third of the front of the plastic card  108 . In this embodiment, the unique card identification number may be embossed on the plastic card  108  between the upper and lower prepared writing surfaces. It is preferred that the prepared writing surfaces do not overlay raised or flat graphic embossing (not shown). The security text  128  of the prepared writing surface  112  shown in FIG. 2 e  has an ink coverage of approximately twenty percent. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic of the preferred printer  106  system for the invention, a plotting device  148 . The plotting device  148  in FIG. 3 has a plotting arm, a pen holder  156 , a cardholder  110 , and temporary pen storage device  164 , which includes gaskets. 
     The plotting device  148  of FIG. 3 is capable of mounting a pen  172  located in the temporary storage device  164  and moving the pen  172  within the plotting surface. The plotting arm  152  is capable of moving the pen  172  in the x and y directions and in the z direction. 
     There are two different types of plotting machines that are generally available. The first type of plotting machine is capable of moving the pen  172  only in the x direction and must move the paper in order to provide relative motion between the pen  172  and the paper in the y direction. Hewlet Packard™ produces plotters that move the paper in order to achieve relative motion in the y direction. The second type of plotter  148  has a plotting arm  152  capable of moving in both the x and y direction and does not move the paper. 
     The preferred type of plotter  148  for this invention is the plotter  148  that does not move the paper. It is preferred that the plastic card  108  remain in a stationary position while the printing system  106  applies ink to the prepared writing surface  112 . In order to economically build the card personalizer, it is preferred that a conventional plotter  148  be used in the printing system  106 . The preferred plotter  148  is a conventional plotter  148  manufactured by Roland Digital Corporation, Model RP-11. 
     The plotting device  148  must allow sufficient clearance between pen  172  and card  108  for the pen  172  to avoid collision with any raised alphanumeric  124  characters on the card  108 . It is preferred that the prepared writing surface  112  be located at the appropriate height in the z axis to allow adequate pressure for the plotter pen  172  to effectively write on the surface  112 . 
     When the plotter pen  172  is not in use it can be placed in the temporary storage area by movement of the plotting arm  152 . The temporary storage area holds the pen  172  by using the lip  176  on the adaptor. The temporary storage area is capable of holding more than one pen  172  and protecting the tip  180  of the pen  172  from damage. The temporary storage area has gaskets  168  in its lower portion that can keep the pen tips  180  from drying. To accomplish this, the plotting arm  152  must place the pen  172  in the temporary storage so that the lower portion of the pen  172  or pen adaptor  184  form a seal with the gasket  168 . The inside portion of the gasket  188  protects the tip  180 , while the outer portion of the gasket  192  helps create a seal. Once a proper seal is formed, the pen  172  may be left in the gasket  168  for several hours without incurring any damage or negative side effects. If the pen  172  will be constantly in use, there is no need for the temporary storage and the pen  172  may remain on the plotting arm  152  at all times. 
     Also shown in FIG. 3 is the preferred embodiment for the cardholder  110 . The cardholder  110  is preferably made of material that is nonabsorbent, and a material stronger than the plastic of the cards  108 . Although the cardholder  110  can be made from paper or cardboard this composition will greatly reduce the durability and performance of the cardholder  110 . It is best if a laminated material, PVC, or formica is used for the cardholder  110 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the cardholder  110  replaces the magnetic paper holder that is found in a standard conventional plotter. The cardholder  110  is a sheet approximately 9-½ inches by 12-½ inches and has a thickness of approximately 0.03 inches. It is preferred that the cardholder  110  be at least the same thickness as the card  108 . Two indentations  200 ,  196  are located in the center of the cardholder  110  sheet. One indentation  200  is the size of the card  108  and the second is a finger hole  196 . The finger hole  196  is preferably twice the size of the end of a human finger or a semicircle of approximately 0.75 inch radius. The finger hole  196  allows for the easy removal of the plastic card  108  from the card indentation  200  after printing. 
     This card indentation  200  must fit the card  108  snugly so as to avoid any movement of the card  108  during the printing process. Any movement of the card  108  during the printing process will negatively effect the quality of the printing. 
     The cardholder  110  is also equipped with a writing portion  204  for automatically priming the pen  172 . The writing portion  204  of the preferred embodiment is disposable paper and is located in the vicinity of the card indentation  200 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the cardholder  110  may be made of plastic that is raised around the border of the area in which the card  108  is to be held. In this manner, the card  108  would be surrounded by a raised plastic ridge. In this embodiment, the finger hole  196  may be carved out of the plastic surface. 
     Alternatively, four corners may be formed from plastic material to hold the four corners of the plastic card  108 . Using this method, it is possible to eliminate the finger hole  196  and allow the user to remove the card  108  with his fingertip from any of the four sides. A card holding method similar to that used in a manual credit card charging machine (a “zip-zap” machine) may also be used. 
     For a dot matrix or similar printing system  106 , a card feeder capable of handling at least 1.31 mm of thickness, 53.98 mm in height and 85.6 mm in width should be used. It is preferred that the card feeder be of the flat rolling variety since most cards  108  are not flexible enough to pass around rollers. The preferred dot matrix card feeder is one that operates in conjunction with a card carrier. The card carrier is a paper or cardboard sheet that is larger than the card  108  and is capable of holding the card  108 . The preferred card carrier is 8-½×11 inches and carries the card  108  in the center by holding the card  108  with four corner flaps. Envelope size card carriers are well known in the industry. 
     With the use of a card carrier, the card feeder is designed for a “full page” feed through the printing device. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that there are many variations of the cardholder  110  that will work in the printing system  106 . 
     FIG. 4 a  shows the plotter arm  152  alone and FIG. 4 b  shows the plotter arm  152  holding a pen  172 . An adaptor  184  with a lip  176  is used in order to allow the plotting arm  152  to pick up and hold the pen  172 . The plotting arm  152  moves the pen  172  in the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) direction as well as up and down in height (the z direction). 
     The card&#39;s prepared writing surface  112  must be at the appropriate height for the plotting arm  152  to lower the pen  172  and apply sufficient pressure to write on the prepared writing surface  112 . The card  108  shown here is in the center of the plotter  148  and is being held in place by the cardholder  110 . The card  108  may be located anywhere that is within reach of the plotter arm. 
     The adaptor  184  is different for each plotting system. A disposable pen  172  that fits within a plotter&#39;s adaptor  184  or a refillable pen  172  that is appropriate for the particular plotter  148  must be used. The adaptor  184  is held by the plotter arm fork  156  grasping beneath the adaptor lip  176 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a sample disposable pen  172  with a plotter adaptor  184  attached. The plotter adaptor  184  is located towards the tip  180  of the disposable pen  172 . The upper portion of the pen  172  or pen housing, that extends beyond the adaptor  184  is not required for the invention. As long as the ink holding area  212  on the inside of the pen  172  is sealed no additional pen housing  208  is necessary. The preferred pen housing  208  is made of polypropylene and the pen adaptor  184  is made from similar material. The pen adaptor  184  is a sleeve-like component fitting snugly over the lower portion of the pen housing  208 . The adaptor  184  has a lip  176  that holds the pen  172  in the plotter arm fork  156 . 
     The lower part of the pen housing  208  or the adaptor  184  is used to create the seal against the gaskets  168  of the temporary storage. The adaptor  184  or pen housing  208  must be properly shaped to seal against the gasket. 
     In order for the printing on the card  108  to adhere on a permanent basis, the appropriate combination of prepared writing surface  112  material, ink, ink delivery system, tip  180 , and pen  172  pressure should be used. In the preferred embodiment the prepared writing surface  112  is made of hotstamped foil, a Roland Digital Corporation plotter  148  is used, and a Sharpie™ brand extra fine point disposable pen  172  is used. The Sharpie™ pen (35,000 series) is manufactured by Sanford Corporation, 2711 Washington Boulevard, Bellwood, Ill. 60104. The Sharpie™ ultra fine and fine pen may also be utilized. The Sharpie™ pens are permanent markers with a shelf life of over 3 years and appropriately 1,000 feet of write length. Disposable pens are preferred since they are easy to use and are economical for users of the system. 
     The ink that is used in the system must be a permanent ink which is quick drying and highly water-resistant. The ink needs to dry quickly in order to prevent a client from smudging the ink shortly after printing. Further, the combination of paper and ink must remain smudge resistent. It is preferred that high intensity black ink is utilized, however, any color of ink that is sufficiently dark to create a high contrast with the prepared writing surface  112  can be utilized. The ink should be waterproof and adhere appropriately to the prepared writing surface  112  material. The ink must also be non-beading and be applied smoothly with a consistent delivery of ink by the ink delivery system and tip  180  to the prepared writing surface  112 . Inks using Glycol Ethers as solvents are preferred since they are alcohol resistent. 
     Various pen tips  180  may be used with the plotting system. For example, ball point, fiber, stainless steel, tungsten, and mechanical pen tips may be used. Each of the pen tips has certain advantages and disadvantages. The ball point pen tip does not always roll evenly and does not deliver ink consistently. The fiber tip pen has a tendency to dry and clog with permanent liquid ink. The fiber tip pen is also subject to damage from abrasions. 
     The preferred pen tip  180  is one that is made from extruded plastic with stored ink in cotton or other absorbent materials. The preferred pen  172 , the Sharpie™ pen, has this type of tip  180 . The extruded plastic tip  180  is resistant to abrasion and has a long life. 
     The pressure that is applied by the plotting arm  152  onto the prepared writing surface  112  is critical with certain types of pen tips. For example, with a ball point pen tip or a mechanical pen tip, strong pressure is necessary to give uniform ink flow. With other types of pen tips such as the Sharpie™ pen tip  180 , the amount of pressure supplied by the plotting arm  152  onto the prepared writing surface  112  is not as critical. 
     In addition, a pen&#39;s  172  ink delivery system from the ink storage area to the end of the tip  180  on the pen  172 , must be able to consistently deliver permanent waterproof ink. Any ink, ink delivery system, and tip that clogs or quickly dries out will not function well with the plotting system. 
     The preferred pen  172  holds ink in the pen housing  208  in a cellophane-type tube  212  filled with absorbent cotton-like material. A denser absorbent material approximately 1 inch in length provides a path from the ink pool in the cellophane tube to the writing surface  112 . The ink travels from the absorbent cotton-like material to the denser absorbent and the writing surface  112  in a capillary fashion. The cellophane tube is connected to extruded plastic forming the tip  180 . The denser material is protected by a covering of extruded plastic near the end of the tip  180 . The preferred pen  172  resists clogging. 
     Regardless of the type of pen used, because the pen  172  may remain unused for long periods of time, a pen priming procedure is necessary to ensure consistent printing. It is preferred that an automatic pen priming procedure be used whenever the pen  172  has remained unused for more than five minutes. This automatic procedure simply instructs the plotter  148  to use the pen  172  on a separate writing surface  204 , such as a piece of paper, in order to wet the tip  180  and prime the pen  172 . A portion of the cardholder  110  is equipped with an appropriate writing surface  112  for the automatic pen priming. Sample text or symbols may be used. If a pen  172  has been out of service for more than thirty minutes, it is recommended that a manual priming procedure be used. The operator of the plotter  148  must remove the pen  172  and manually prime the pen  172  by using it on a piece of paper until the tip  180  consistently delivers ink. Upon completion of the manual procedure the pen  172  may be returned to the plotting arm  152 . 
     The ink delivery system of the preferred embodiment is a capillary-type system. The ink storage of the preferred pen  172  is in an absorbent material which exudes the ink when pressure is applied. 
     It is preferred that the end of the tip  180  of the pen  172  be relatively small within the “fine” to “ultra fine” point designation. The ideal size is “extra fine” point or approximately a 0.4 mm line width. This size pen tip  180  writes legibly and small enough to allow room for sufficient personal information within the prepared writing surface  112 . 
     FIG. 6 is a high level flow chart that shows the basic steps that are necessary for the card personalizer system  100  to operate. The first step in using the system is the initialization of the computer application&#39;s program  216  that allows operator interface and runs the printing system  106 . Once the program has been initialized, it must allow entry of the unique card identification. For most embodiments this will simply be an entry screen for a card number  220 . Following entry of the card number  220  the user will be prompted to enter information that will be printed on the card  224 . This information will generally be personal information related to the individual client. 
     Following the initialization and data entry, the printer  106  must be prepared  228  for printing on the card. This preparation will generally include initialization of the printing system  106  by the computer application&#39;s program and the manual feed or automatic feed of the card  108 . Once the printer  106  has been prepared, the system may proceed to print information on the card  232 . Depending on the type of printing system  106  that is utilized, the card  108  may either be fed through the printing system  106  or may remain in a stationary position. 
     After the system has printed the information on the prepared writing surface  112  of the card  108 , the operator must verify that the text  236  does appear on the card  108  and that is correctly printed. If the text  132  does not appear or there are errors in the printing, the system may either attempt to reprint the information on the same card  108  or print a new card  108  for the same client. In addition, the system is now ready to return  240  to earlier step and receive data for another new client. 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  together form a software flow chart for a card personalizer application program running on a personal computer  104  system in conjunction with a host data processor  102 . The first step in the software flow chart is to start the PC application  244  and initialize any variables in the application. The next step is to initialize the pen timer  248  so that the subroutines related to the pen  172  can determine that the pen  172  may have been idle for a long period of time. 
     At this point in the process, the personal computer  104  must check to see that the host data processor  102  is available  252 . If communication with the host data processor  102  is not successful, then the status of the host data processor  102  and communications connection with the host data processor  102  must be checked  256 . 
     If the host data processor  102  is available, then the application program accesses the stored client profiles  260  at the host. Now the program is ready to accept an update or input of a unique card number  264 . The program will prompt the operator to enter the card number with an update input card number entry screen  336  (discussed later). The entry of the card number is made by the operator using a keyboard. 
     Following entry of the card number  264 , the program processes the card number through a check digit routine  268 . If the card number is acceptable, the program continues. If the card number  264  is not acceptable, the program returns the user to the update or input card number entry screen. 
     Following entry of the card number, the operator is prompted by another screen on his display (CRT) to update or input client personal information for fields one, two and/or three  272 . Following entry of the data, the program validates the data entry to ensure that it is acceptable  276 . When the host computer  102  is utilized with the system, various card number confirmations and data validation  276  are possible. The host can ensure that only authorized card numbers are entered into the system. The data validation may be performed by the PC  104 , host  102 , or both  104 ,  102 . If the data is not acceptable, the operator is prompted to correct the data. Following entry of the data the operator is queried as to whether he has completed his data entry and is ready to print  280 . If the operator is not ready to print he is returned for further data entry  272 . 
     If the operator is ready to print, the software determines if the pen  172  has been resting for thirty minutes or longer  284 . If the pen  172  has been sitting for more than thirty minutes the user is prompted to manually start the ink flowing from the pen  288 . The user does this by removing the pen  172  from the plotter  148  and using the pen  172  on a sheet of paper until it writes properly. If the pen  172  has not been sitting idle for more than thirty minutes, the program determines whether the pen  172  has been sitting idle for more than five minutes  292 . If the pen  172  has been sitting for more than five minutes, the pen  172  is automatically primed by the machine  296  using the pen  172  to print on a separate small piece of paper  204 . The plotter  148  may use sample text or greater than (&lt;) and less than (&gt;) signs on the small piece of paper  204  to prime the pen  172 . Following the manual  288  or automatic  296  pen priming, the pen timer is reset to zero  300 . 
     The system software now prompts the user to insert or feed a plastic card  304  into the print system  106 . In the preferred embodiment, the operator is prompted to place a card  108  in the card indentation  200  of the cardholder  110  in the center of the plotter  148 . The plotter  148  is then initialized by the software  308  to ensure that the x and y coordinates of the plotting arm  152  are correct and that the plotting arm  152  has a pen  172  mounted. Now the system is ready to print. 
     The software provides the plotter  148  with pen  172  movement instructions  312 . When the pen  172  movement instructions and the printing are completed, the plotter  148  places the pen  172  in the temporary storage area  164  sealing  316  the pen tip  180  against the gasket  168 . The software then queries the operator as to whether the card  108  has been printed correctly  320 . 
     If the card  108  has not been printed correctly, the operator is asked whether he wishes to reprint on the same card  324  or begin anew with a new plastic card. If the card  108  has no printing due to an error by the plotter: the operator may wish to reprint on the same card  108 . If this is the case, the software will return to the pen priming subroutines  292 . 
     If the card  108  is rendered unusable, the software will return the operator to the point where he may enter a new card  108  and new card number  264 . If the card  108  has been printed correctly and is acceptable, the card  108  may now be issued to the client  328  and the software will return to the main menu  332  awaiting further key entries by the operator. 
     In alternative embodiments where no host data processing system is used, the steps of determining whether the host is available and checking the status of the host data processor  102  may be eliminated. No confirmations or data validations will be received by the host. 
     In an alternative embodiment where the host data processor  102  and personal computer  104  do not communicate during each client interview for card  108  issuance, the card number and client information may be sent to the host data processor  102  on a regularly scheduled basis (i.e., daily) in a batch fashion. Using batch transmissions to the host data processor  102  eliminates the ability to confirm card numbers and validate client personal data. However, batch transmissions will decrease the costs of communicating between the personal computer  104  and host data processing system. 
     In another alternative embodiment, all the computer and software functions may be performed at the host data processing site and the host data processor  102  may communicate directly with the printing system  106 . This embodiment requires close coordination between the operator of the printing system  106  at the local site and the operator of the host data processor  102  at the central site. This coordination may be accomplished by a telephone conversation between the remotely located operator and the operator at the host data processing site. 
     The storage and recording functions of the data processor  102  may also be performed by personal computer  104 . In this embodiment, accessing client profile confirming card numbers and validating data will all be performed by a single computer. 
     FIGS. 8 a  through  8   d  are sample operator entry screens  336  for the personal computer  104  software. In particular, the screens  336  are samples of operator entry screens  336  for an IBM-compatible computer running the card personalizer software application in a windows environment. Similar operator/user screens may be used on a Macintosh® system. 
     FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b  show the sequence of operator entry screens  336  for entering a new client and issuing a new card  108 . The initial screen requires entering the client&#39;s first and last name, an expiration date, an issuing date, and other client personal data in the information block  360 . This particular software application program assigns the client a unique number to identify that client. Following entry of the new client information, the operator may select the “new card issue” button  340  with his mouse or cursor. 
     Upon selection of “new card issue”  340  a dialog box  344  appears layered over the operator entry screen  336 . In the dialog box  344  the operator may select to issue the card  108  with or without the personalized printing  132 . The operator must enter the unique vault card number  348  in the field entitled “vault card number”  348 . Then the operator may either select “O.K.”  352 , which will allow the application&#39;s program to process the dialog box  344  and print the card  108 , or may select to “cancel”  356  out of the dialog box  344  and return to the operator entry screen  336 . If the card  108  prints acceptably, the client is given his card  108  and the client interview is terminated. If the card  108  does not print properly, the operator may return to the “new card issue” dialog box  344  and reprint the card  108  or issue another new card  108 . 
     Some examples of possible client personal data that may be used in text fields on the operator entry screens  336  are name, card number, social security number, membership number, case number, address, expiration date, date of enrollment, date of membership, issue date of card, date of birth, sex, height, weight, physical features, dependents, medical coverage, medical conditions, issuing location, emergency contacts, etc. 
     FIGS. 8 c  and  8   d  show a series of screens  336  for replacing a client&#39;s lost, stolen or damaged card  108 . FIGS. 8 c  and  8   a  may be identical or nearly identical operator entry screens  336 . In FIG. 8 c  the client (or customer) is an existing card carrying client and the fields of information  360  are already filled. These fields  360  may be changed or augmented as necessary during the client interview session. Upon confirming that the fields are correctly filled in, the operator selects the “replace card” icon  364  from the lower part of the screen. 
     The “replace card” dialogue box  366  shown in  8   d  will then be overlayed on the operator entry screen  336 . The “replace card” dialogue box  366  requires the operator to enter a new card number in the appropriate field. Using the “replace card” dialogue box  366  the operator may select to print the personal information on the card  108  or issue the card  108  without the printed personal information. When the dialogue box  366  text fields have been filled the operator may either select “O.K.”  352  for printing or “cancel”  356 . If “O.K.”  352  is selected, the software application primes the pen  172 , initializes the plotter, and prints the card  108 . If the operator selects “cancel”  356 , the dialog box  344  is removed by the application program and the operator is returned to the original operator entry screen  336 . 
     The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.