Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A printer/encoder system is provided for mounting to a mobile unit, such as a forklift-type vehicle. The printer/encoder system is adapted for printing and encoding one or more media units that may be stored in a media supply assembly of the printer/encoder system. The printer/encoder system may be mounted to the mobile unit using a mobile unit mounting assembly having a shock resistance system for protecting at least portions of the printer/encoder system from mechanical shocks or vibrations that are commonly associated with mobile unit movement. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly structured to encode a transponder, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, on a media unit. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly having a modular design.

Abstract: A near-field coupler for a RFID system is provided. The coupler is configured to selectively communicate with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler includes a conductive strip terminated by a load. The load is for matching an input impedance of the coupler to a source impedance of a transceiver. The conductive strip is based on a quarter wavelength of the center operating frequency. The conductive strip may have a substantially constant width and a length substantially equal to the quarter wavelength. Or the conductive strip may have a variable width defining a tapered profile and a length less than the quarter wavelength. The tapered profile may be an exponential profile or a Klopfenstein profile. Due to the overall size of the coupler to a typical transponder, the center of the coupler and the center of the transponder may be offset during coupling.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A stripline 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 a conductive strip, a terminating load, a dielectric material, a first ground plane, and a second ground plane. The conductive strip 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 strip may be configured to propagate electromagnetic fields concentrated in a near field region of the conductive strip in a direction generally perpendicular to the conductive strip 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, an exponential profile, or a Klopfenstein profile.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An encoder device for encoding a series of radio frequency identification tags supported by media includes a media path, at least two antennae, at least one transceiver, and a controller. Media and radio frequency identification tags are advanced along the media path. The at least two antennae are spaced from each other and each of the antennae are positioned along the media path adjacent to at least one of the radio frequency identification tags. The at least one transceiver is configured to communicate with the antennae. The controller is configured to communicate individually with each of the respective radio frequency identification tags positioned adjacent the antennae using the transceiver and the antennae.

Abstract: A printer controller system for controlling printing on media (e.g., a strip of labels) supporting a series of RFID transponders and for communicating detection of void RFID transponders to downstream devices. The printer controller system includes a void detection system for detecting void RFID transponders, a printing system for controlling printing to the media and a void communication system for communicating detection of the void RFID transponder to downstream devices. This allows the downstream device, such as a label peeler, to anticipate the void RFID transponder and deal with it accordingly. The printer controller may include a media advancement system that is configured to continue advancing the media and RFID transponders past the print head even when the RFID transponder is detected and avoid slowing the printing process. The printer controller system may be configured to submit void indicia to a print head and recommunicate a formatted image when a RFID transponder has been voided.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for determining a location of a transponder supported by a printer media. The calibration apparatus uses a transceiver to attempt to read, write or otherwise communicate with the transponder. Controller logic of the calibration apparatus uses successful and unsuccessful attempts to communicate to determine the location of the transponder. For example, the controller may be configured to move the media in increments, each of the increments associated with a successful or unsuccessful attempt to communicate with the transponder. The successful attempts, and their relative media positions, are correlated with the position of the transponder. Also, the controller may be configured to use different power levels for the transceiver and its one or more couplers to determine which power levels are required to successfully communicate with the transponder.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A near-field coupler for a RFID system is provided. The coupler is configured to selectively communicate with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler includes a conductive strip terminated by a load. The load is for matching an input impedance of the coupler to a source impedance of a transceiver. The conductive strip is based on a quarter wavelength of the center operating frequency. The conductive strip may have a substantially constant width and a length substantially equal to the quarter wavelength. Or the conductive strip may have a variable width defining a tapered profile and a length less than the quarter wavelength. The tapered profile may be an exponential profile or a Klopfenstein profile. Due to the overall size of the coupler to a typical transponder, the center of the coupler and the center of the transponder may be offset during coupling.

Abstract: A RFID coupler capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler includes a grounded terminal load, a coupling element, a connecting element, an impedance matching element, and an input terminal. The coupling element is connected with the grounded terminal load and is configured to couple with the transponder by emanating an electromagnetic field. The input terminal is connected to a transceiver for receiving communication signals. The impedance matching element is connected to the input terminal and is configured to substantially match an input impedance of the coupler to a source impedance of the transceiver. The connecting element connects the impedance matching element to the coupling element. The coupling element and the impedance matching element are substantially parallel and separated by at least one dielectric layer and at least one ground plane.