Patents by Inventor Karl Torchalski
Karl Torchalski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9415611Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, such as a printer, that includes a media modification component, such as a printhead, and an opposing member, such as a platen. The opposing member opposes the media modification component and is configured to manipulate media for modification by the media modification component. An RFID interrogator including an electromagnetic coupler, such as an antenna, can be associated with the opposing member, for example, by disposing the electromagnetic coupler within a bore defined by the opposing member. In some embodiments, the interrogator and the media modification component can be in communication with a control system that can be configured to correlate a media modification operation of the media modification component with either or both of a signal emitted by or received by the electromagnetic coupler.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Tsirline, Steven R. Kovanko, Tom Zwier, Karl Torchalski
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Patent number: 9391675Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: ZIH CORP.Inventors: Yevgeniy Borisov, Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20150242667Abstract: A RFID system and an associated antenna-coupler are provided. The system may be for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The system may include a transponder conveyance, a transceiver, and an antenna-coupler. The transponder conveyance is adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder operating region. The transceiver is configured to generate one or more electrical signals. The antenna-coupler has first and second microstrips in a cross-like arrangement relative to each other. Each of the first and second microstrips is configured to transmit one or more electro-magnetic fields concentrated in a near-field region of the antenna-coupler based on the one or more electrical signals for communicating with the targeted transponder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Mao Tian, Robert Gawelczyk, Steven Kovanko, Boris Y. Tsirline, Anthony Brown, Tom Zwier
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Patent number: 9108434Abstract: A near-field antenna based on a coplanar waveguide is provided. The antenna is configured to communicate with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The antenna may include a first ground plane, a second ground plane, a dielectric substrate, and a conductive strip. The first ground plane and the second ground plane extend along the dielectric substrate and the conductive strip extends between the first ground plane and the second ground plane such that first ground plane and the conductive strip define a first slot extending between the first ground plane and the conductive strip and the second ground plane define a second slot extending between the second conductive strip and the conductive strip. The first ground plane, the second ground plane, and the conductive strip are substantially coplanar. In other embodiments, a novel assembly of a ribbon guide and a near-field antenna is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Karl Torchalski
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Publication number: 20150178817Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed for enhancement of fan experience based on location data. In one embodiment, a method is provided including receiving blink data from a tag, calculating, using a processor, tag location data, wherein the tag location data is based on the blink data, correlating tag location data to merchant location data, and transmitting merchant information to an application device associated with the tag based on the tag location data and on the merchant location data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Michael Fein, Anthony R. Brown, John Huffman, Robert Grom, Karl Torchalski, James J. O'Hagan
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Publication number: 20150161426Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20150149250Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided herein for ascertaining supply and demand analytics and outputting event. An example method comprises receiving blink data comprising at least a tag unique identifier from a tag, calculating, using a processor, tag location data, wherein the tag location data is based on the blink data, and correlating the tag location data to provider location data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Michael Fein, Anthony R. Brown, John Huffman, Robert Grom, Karl Torchalski, James J. O'Hagan
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Publication number: 20150136852Abstract: An encoding module and related systems and components are provided. The encoding module includes a plurality of encoding elements arranged in an array of columns and rows and one or more switching elements configured to selectively connect the encoding elements to a reader. The connection of the encoding elements may be based on the location of a targeted transponder disposed among multiple adjacent transponders to ensure the selective communication with the targeted transponder only. The module is configured for various types and locations transponders to be used within a system, such as a printer-encoder. Each encoding element may include a loaded conductive strip comprising a loop shape portion and a shield that corresponds to the loop shape portion. In another embodiment, an access control system having an encoding module with the plurality of couplers and an access card having a plurality of transponders corresponding to the couplers is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Boris T. Tsirline, Robert S. Gawelczyk, Steven R. Kovanko, Anthony Brown, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski, Michael Fein, Christopher Aiello
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Publication number: 20140378050Abstract: A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski
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Patent number: 8878652Abstract: An encoding module and related systems and components are provided. The encoding module includes a plurality of encoding elements arranged in an array of columns and rows and one or more switching elements configured to selectively connect the encoding elements to a reader. The connection of the encoding elements may be based on the location of a targeted transponder disposed among multiple adjacent transponders to ensure the selective communication with the targeted transponder only. The module is configured for various types and locations transponders to be used within a system, such as a printer-encoder. Each encoding element may include a loaded conductive strip comprising a loop shape portion and a shield that corresponds to the loop shape portion. In another embodiment, an access control system having an encoding module with the plurality of couplers and an access card having a plurality of transponders corresponding to the couplers is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Robert S. Gawelczyk, Steven R. Kovanko, Anthony Brown, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski, Michael Fein, Christopher Aiello
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Patent number: 8870478Abstract: Media rolls, support structures for the media rolls, and media processing systems are provided. A media roll may include an identification transponder having retrievable information regarding the media units and associated media unit transponders wound around a core of the media roll. A support structure may include a spindle for supporting a media roll and include an identification coupler for communicating with the identification transponder. In addition to the spindle having the identification coupler, the media processing systems may include a second coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrieved from the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or more encoding and/or printing settings of the systems.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Karl Torchalski, Martin Andreas Karl Schwan, Steven Kovanko, Anthony Brown, Chris Aiello, Robert Gawelczyk, Tom Zwier, William Shuff
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Patent number: 8791874Abstract: A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski
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Publication number: 20140132399Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: ZIH CORP.Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20140071020Abstract: A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski
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Patent number: 8596532Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electromagnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20130300543Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Yevgeniy Borisov, Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 8565677Abstract: A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski
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Patent number: 8544740Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20130040564Abstract: A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: ZIH CORP.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski
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Patent number: 8358246Abstract: A stripline antenna-coupler for a RFID system is provided. The coupler is configured to communicate with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler may include at least two conductive strips, at least one terminating load, a dielectric material, a first ground plane, and a second ground plane. Each of the conductive strips extends between the first and second ground planes and the dielectric material from an input end connected to a transceiver to a loaded end connected to the terminating load. The conductive strips may be configured to propagate electromagnetic fields concentrated in a near field region of the conductive strips in a direction generally perpendicular to the conductive strips to couple with a targeted transponder. The coupler may include an enclosure for directing the electromagnetic fields. The conductive strip may have a tapered or non-linear profile such as a modified bow-tie profile.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Karl Torchalski, Martin Andreas Karl Schwan