Non-linear power control of a thermal print head in a plastic card printer
Printing multi-color images on non-vinyl plastic identification documents in identification document printing systems. A non-linear pixel density adjustment curve is used to adjust the pixel density data of a multi-color image to be printed which adjusts the power applied to the thermal print head. The use of a non-linear pixel density adjustment curve to adjust the pixel density data improves the quality of the resulting multi-color printed image, reduces mass transfer of the dye donor layer, and reduces breaking of the carrier film of the print ribbon.
1 . A method of printing a multi-color image on a non-vinyl plastic identification card, having an integrated circuit chip, in a print station of an identification card printing system, comprising:
generating modified pixel density data by adjusting pixel density data that is associated with print data corresponding to the multi-color image using a non-linear pixel density adjustment curve; and
printing the multi-color image on the non-vinyl plastic identification card using a multicolor print ribbon and a thermal print head of the print station by controlling the thermal print head using the modified pixel density data.
2 . The method of claim 1 , comprising printing the multi-color image directly onto the non-vinyl plastic identification card using the multicolor print ribbon and the thermal print head.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-linear pixel density adjustment curve comprises a parametric curve.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the parametric curve comprises a quadratic curve.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl plastic identification card has dimensions of about 85.60 mm by about 53.98 mm with rounded corners with a radius of about 3.18 mm.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multi-color image comprises a background graphical image.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to or after printing the multi-color image, at least one of the following:
encoding data on a magnetic stripe on the non-vinyl plastic identification card;
programming data on the integrated circuit chip on the non-vinyl plastic identification card;
printing data on the non-vinyl plastic identification card;
using a laser to mark data on the non-vinyl plastic identification card.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification card printing system comprises a desktop card printing system.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification card printing system comprises a central issuance card processing system.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising programming the integrated circuit chip.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl plastic identification card comprises a financial card.
12 . A non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system, comprising:
a card input configured to input a non-vinyl plastic identification card having an integrated circuit chip;
a print station having a multicolor print ribbon and a thermal print head;
a card transport mechanism configured to transport the non-vinyl plastic identification card from the card input to the print station;
a printer controller connected to and controlling operation of the thermal print head, the printer controller is programmed to include a non-linear pixel density adjustment curve to adjust pixel density data of a multi-color image to be printed onto the non-vinyl plastic identification card.
13 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system of claim 12 , wherein the non-linear pixel density adjustment curve comprises a parametric curve.
14 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system of claim 13 , wherein the parametric curve comprises a quadratic curve.
15 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system of claim 12 , wherein the card transport mechanism is reversible.
16 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system claim 12 , wherein the card transport mechanism is configured to transport the non-vinyl plastic identification card having dimensions of about 85.60 mm by about 53.98 mm with rounded corners with a radius of about 3.18 mm.
17 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system of claim 12 , wherein the multi-color image comprises a background graphical image.
18 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system of claim 12 , further comprising at least one of the following:
an encoder that is configured to encode data on a magnetic stripe on the non-vinyl plastic identification card;
a chip programmer that is configured to program data on the integrated circuit chip on the non-vinyl plastic identification card;
an additional printer that is configured to print data on the non-vinyl plastic identification card;
a laser that is configured to mark data on the non-vinyl plastic identification card.
19 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system of claim 12 , wherein the non-vinyl plastic identification card comprises a financial card.
20 . The non-vinyl plastic identification card printing system of claim 12 , further comprising a chip programmer that is configured to program data on the integrated circuit chip on the non-vinyl plastic identification card.