Abstract: An RFID system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The RFID system may include a transponder conveyance system adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder encoding area along a feeding direction and an antenna having a resonant inductor and a ferrite material, wherein the ferrite material at least partially covers the resonant inductor and defines an exposed portion of the resonant inductor. In one antenna-transponder alignment, the exposed portion extends substantially parallel to the feeding direction.

Abstract: 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 electromagnetic 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.

Abstract: Computer software which includes code configured to create a printer label format based on a printed label that has been scanned. The code is configured to scan a label by either using a plurality of different types of scanners, or by using a single piece of hardware which can perform a plurality of different types of scans. Then, the scanned label is used to generate a label format. The label format created from the scanned label is thereafter useable to print labels similar in format to the label which was scanned. Preferably, barcodes are recognized as barcodes, and not just as graphics. Preferably, a user is prompted, via a visual display, to confirm that the scanned objects have been correctly characterized and the user can change any of the characterizations made by the software. The user can link any object to a variable field, and can add embedded printer-specific non-printing control codes to the label format.

Abstract: 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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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.

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: 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 re-communicate 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: 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.

Abstract: Computer software which includes code configured to create a printer label format based on a printed label that has been scanned. The code is configured to scan a label by either using a plurality of different types of scanners, or by using a single piece of hardware which can perform a plurality of different types of scans. Then, the scanned label is used to generate a label format. The label format created from the scanned label is thereafter useable to print labels similar in format to the label which was scanned. Preferably, barcodes are recognized as barcodes, and not just as graphics. Preferably, a user is prompted, via a visual display, to confirm that the scanned objects have been correctly characterized and the user can change any of the characterizations made by the software. The user can link any object to a variable field, and can add embedded printer-specific non-printing control codes to the label format.

Abstract: Computer software which is configured to create a printer label format based on a printed label that has been scanned. The software provides that an existing label is scanned, and then the software converts the scan into a label format through optical character recognition (OCR). The software is configured such that text on the label is recognized as text, graphics are recognized as graphics, etc. and anything on the label which is not specifically recognized by the software is characterized as being a graphic. Preferably, barcodes are recognized as barcodes, and not just as graphics. Subsequently, a user is prompted, via a visual display, to confirm that the scanned objects have been correctly characterized and the user can change any of the characterizations made by the software. The user can link any object to a variable field, and can add embedded printer-specific non-printing control codes to the label format.

Abstract: Computer software which is configured to create a printer label format based on a printed label that has been scanned. Specifically, the software provides that an existing label is scanned, and then the software converts the scan into a label format through optical character recognition (OCR). The software is configured such that text on the label is recognized as text, graphics are recognized as graphics, etc. And anything on the label which is not specifically recognized by the software is characterized as being a graphic. Preferably, barcodes are recognized as barcodes, and not just as graphics. Subsequently, a user is prompted, via a visual display, to confirm that the scanned objects have been correctly characterized and the user can change any of the characterizations made by the software. Additionally, the user can link any object to a variable field, and can add embedded printer-specific non-printing control codes to the label format.

Abstract: The present invention provides media sensors for sensing the position of a media in a printer, such as a thermal demand printer. A repositionable media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of label media which utilizes a visible light source projected onto the label media to accurately indicate the position of the media sensor to the operator relative to the label media and facilitate any required adjustment thereof. A printed label sensor is provided for use with a thermal demand printer and includes a light emitter and light detector pair wherein a single light pipe for receiving a sensing beam from the emitter and reflecting the sensing beam at a predetermined angle towards the detector is provided. Preferably, the light pipe is mounted in a peel bar and no electronics are required outside the electronic housing of the printer.