Identification card printing systems generally. include a digital camera, a computer, and an identification card printer. The digital camera is used to capture an image of a subject. The computer includes an application that compiles the image along with data that entered at the computer to form an identification, card print job. The print job can then be processed by the printer to form the identification card.

One problem associated with these systems is that they generally have a fixed location. Thus, each of the subjects of the identification cards must travel to the identification card producing system to have their image captured, data entered, and card printed. In addition to printing the card, additional processing steps may have to be taken to complete the identification card for the subject. As a result, once the image is captured and the data entered, the subject may be forced to wait for a period of time before the card is ready or pick up the card at a later time. Consequently, these systems are inefficient and inconvenient for the subjects.

There exists a need for an identification card producing system that is more efficient and convenient than those of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an identification card producing system that solves the problems of the prior art by providing roving identification card data collection that eliminates the need for a subject to travel to a dedicated identification card producing station. The identification card producing system includes a portable personal data assistant (PDA), a digital image capture device, an identification card producing application, and a printer. The digital image capture device is adapted to capture an image of the subject and transfer the image to the PDA for processing by the application. The application is stored in memory of the PDA and is executable by a microprocessor. The application is adapted to compile the image and data to form an identification card print job. The printer is adapted to receive and process the identification card print job to form the identification card.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of producing an identification card. In the method, an identification card producing application is run on a PDA. A digital image is provided to the application and data is entered. The application then forms an identification card print job that includes the image and the data, which is then communicated to a printer in accordance with a printer format. The printer then completes the method by processing the identification card print job to form an identification card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an identification card producing system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of producing an identification card using the identification card producing system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3. is a schematic diagram of a portable personal data assistant in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show incomplete and complete examples of an identification card template in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a smart pod in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an identification card printer in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Identification cards are formed by identification card printers that process print jobs generated by one or more card producing applications.

The identification cards typically include a plastic card substrate on which an image is printed that includes a photo of the subject for whom the card is being produced and data relating to the object. The data can include the subject's name, employee number, and other information. Additional non-printed data can be stored in memory of a chip that is mounted to the card or on a magnetic stripe of a card. The identification card printer can print the image onto the card substrate and store the data on the card. Additionally, some identification card printers can apply an overlaminate to the card to protect the card from the environment.

As will be described in greater detail below, the present invention provides an identification card producing system and method of using the system that allows for more efficient and convenient identification card producing operations.

In general, the present invention allows a user to more conveniently and efficiently generate an identification card print job that can be processed by a remotely located identification card printer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an identification card producing system, generally designated as 10, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of producing an identification card using the identification card producing system 10, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. System 10 generally includes a portable personal data system (PDA) 12, a digital image capture device 14, at least one card producing application 16, and an identification card printer 18.

One advantage to using PDA 12 in system 10 is that it is far simpler to operate than a traditional computer. PDA 12 generally includes memory 20 in which application 16 is stored and a microprocessor 22 that is adapted to execute application 16. PDA 12 also preferably includes a touch-sensitive display screen 24, shown in FIG. 3, which can display information to a user. Display screen 24 also operates as a data input device 26 (FIG. 1) through which applications can be selected and data entered using a stylus 28. Data input device 26 can also take on other forms such as buttons 30, a keyboard that attaches to PDA 12, or an external database, for example.

Application 16 can be displayed on display 24 as an icon 32 and is initially executed by microprocessor 22 to run the application on PDA 12, as indicated at step 34 of the method. Next, at steps 36 and 38, the image from digital image capture device 14 and data from data input device 30 are provided to the application 16 for processing. The digital image capture device 14 could be a digital camera, scanner, or a data storage device (CD-ROM, disc drive, database, etc. ) containing previously acquired images. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, digital image capture device 14 is a digital camera mounted directly to PDA 12 as shown in FIG. 3, or otherwise in direct communication with PDA 12. The data is provided to application 16 by data input device 26 by either entering the data directly to application 16 by a user or otherwise receiving the data. Alternatively, the data could be provided to application 16 from memory 20, which received the data from data input device 26.

Application 16 produces an identification card print job using the image and data, at step 40 of the method. The identification card print job is preferably in a printer format that is recognizable by identification card printer 18. The printer format can be generated in accordance with printer driver software.

In accordance with one embodiment, application 16 forms the identification card print job in accordance with a template such as template 42 shown in FIG. 4. The user can be provided with multiple templates, each of which provide a different layout for the identification card. Template 42 generally includes one or more photo and data blocks, such as photo block 44 and data blocks 46 and 48.

Images and data can be easily inserted into the corresponding block of template 42 by simply clicking on them. For example, by selecting photo block 44, the user is either allowed to capture the desired image using digital image capture device 14 or select a previously captured image stored in memory 20, or an external database, for the block. In a similar fashion, an employee number can be inserted in block 46 and a name can be inserted in block 48. In this manner, card template 42 can be completed as shown in FIG. 5 and displayed for the user. Additional data and photo blocks can be provided in template 42 as desired. For example, template 42 may include background images, security images, and data that are independent of the subject of the card, such as a company logo, company name, or other information. The completed card template 42 can then be compiled by application 16 to generate the identification card print job.

At step 50, the identification card print job is communicated to identification card printer 18 through a communication link 52, shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with a printer format. Communication link 52 can be a physical or hard communication link using conventional cabling. Alternatively, communication link 52 can be a wireless communication link using radio frequency data communication, infrared data communication, and other wireless communication techniques. PDA 12 can utilize conventional communication circuitry (not shown) or be coupled to a separate communication device that is adapted to provide this wireless communication function. The wireless communication link is the most convenient way to allow a user of PDA 12 to send print jobs to the printer 18 while roving from subject to subject.

However, both types of communication links 52 allow identification card print jobs to be generated at the location of the subject to provide more convenient and efficient identification card producing operations.

In accordance with one embodiment, communication link 52 includes an intermediary communications device 54 that is in electronic communication with PDA 12 through a first communication link 56 and in electronic communication with identification card printer 18 through a second communication link 58. The first and second communication links 56 and 58 can be physical or wireless communication links as mentioned above.

Intermediary communications device 54 can be a computer. Alternatively, intermediary communications device 54 can be a pair of network computers where one of the computers is in communication with PDA 12 through first communication link 56 and the other computer is in communication with identification card printer 18 through second communication link 58. In accordance with this embodiment, the identification card print job is communicated between the computers over the network. Intermediary communications device 54 can also be a database or server that can provide the identification card print job to identification card printer 18 through a network. One or more identification card print jobs can be provided to identification card printer through publication of the print jobs to a web page, for example.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, intermediary communications device 54 is a smart pod 60 shown in the simplified block diagram of FIG. 6. Smart pod 60 includes a microcomputer 62, a memory 64, a universal serial bus (USB) master module 66, and a USB hub module 68. In accordance with this embodiment, first and second communication links 56 and 58 are preferably USB cables, but wireless communication is also possible.

USB master 66, controlled by microcomputer 62, receives the identification card print job from PDA 12 through USB hub 68 and provides the identification card print job to printer 18 in accordance with the desired printer format. For example, smart pod 60 can poll application 16 running on PDA 12 for the identification card print job and pass commands and data to printer 18 in accordance with the printer format using a printer driver. Smart pod 60 can be software configurable to accommodate different identification card printers 18.

In the final step 70 of the method, identification card printer 18 processes the print job to form the desired identification card. FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of an identification card printer in accordance with the present invention. Identification card printer 18 generally includes and input/output (I/O) port 72, a printer controller 74, and a print mechanism 76. Printer controller 74 is adapted to receive the identification card print job through I/O port 72 and control the operations of print mechanism 76 to record the image onto a card substrate 78. Print mechanism 76 can be a thermal printhead fin combination with a thermal print ribbon, an inkjet printhead in combination with a supply of ink, or other print mechanism. Identification card printer 18 can also include additional card processing devices, as indicated at box 80, that are adapted to perform additional card processing of card 78 in accordance with the identification card print job. For example, card processing device 80 could be a data encoder, such as a magnetic stripe data encoder or a smart chip encoder, that is configured to respectively record data to a magnetic stripe on card 78 or to a chip embedded in card 78. Additionally, card processing device 80 can be a laminator that is adapted to apply an overlaminate to the surface of card 78 on which the image was printed by print mechanism 76. Using these components, identification card printer 18 processes card 78 to form the desired identification card.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.