News
CardSmart Files for Printer Protocol Device Patent
MORRISTOWN,
New Jersey, February 2, 2001 – CardSmart Technologies announced today that it has filed
for a patent that allows off-the-shelf software to communicate with
printers used to image and encode plastic smart cards. The protocol
conversion device adds the missing logical chip encoding functionality
to smart card printers that have only a physical connection for interfacing
to smart cards. The CardSmart protocol
device functions as a “man in the middle”, and enables the printer to
both print the card and encode the card’s microprocessor chip in one
convenient pass.
According to
Bryan Blair co-creator of the new device, “ by applying characteristics
specific to a certain types of printers, the device can be modified
to work with practically any printer on the market.” The device, once
it is properly programmed, is an important element in any solution where
an end user will manage the issuance of personalized proprietary smart
cards. The ease in which the device operates as an interface between
a PC and card printer makes “on-demand” card fulfillment a relatively
simple process with only minimal training necessary. Blair adds, ”This
new device is a critical component for an in-house card fulfillment
center and has proven itself in many installations for various CardSmart
clients.”
Reynolds and Reynolds located in Dayton Ohio uses CardSmart protocol conversion devices and supporting technology in their state-of-the-art card creation center. Steven Himes, Director for Automotive CRM Solutions credits the “CardSmart solution for significant cost and control efficiencies in a heavy production environment.”
