Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-band near-field antenna for an RFID encoder includes a substrate; an internal coil antenna defined within the substrate; an annular ground plane defined on a first surface of the substrate; a second ground plane defined on an opposing second surface of the substrate, wherein the annular ground plane and the second ground plane form a Faraday cage for the internal coil antenna; and a second antenna disposed on the opposing second surface within the annulus defined by the annular ground plane.

Abstract: A printing ink for use within multiple ambient temperatures which comprises a mixture of two or more inks having different viscosities at a given temperature. Thus, one or more lower viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity in the range of about 300 cps to about 900 cps is mixed with one or more higher viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity range of about 1100 cps to about 1800 cps to provide a multi-viscosity ink mixture useful over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for communicating with an RFID tag is provided that includes: a capacitive encoder adapted for placement in proximity of the RFID tag and operable to transmit a first operating signal to the RFID tag for communicating with the RFID tag; wherein the capacitive encoder is further operable to transmit to the RFID tag a second operating signal adapted to excite the RFID tag such that RF radiations from the RFID tag to adjacent RFID tags are nullified.

Abstract: An RFID label with embedded tag is passed through an RFID antenna in a printer system, where the RFID antenna allows a roll of such labels to pass in close proximity to the antenna and still allow each individual RFID tag to be read and/or programmed. The RFID antenna module is formed with a transmission line coupled to an RF phase splitter, where in one embodiment, the transmission line is formed from two parallel conductive strips.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for obtaining an image of an RFID tag comprising a transponder and a tag antenna is provided, the system comprising: a plurality of inductors, each inductor being associated with a capacitor to form a resonant tank circuit, wherein each resonant tank circuit has a first resonant frequency in the presence of metal and a second resonant frequency in the absence of metal; a signal processor configured to determine a resonant frequency for each resonant tank circuit in the presence of the tag antenna; and a processor configured to compare the resonant frequency of each resonant tank circuit to the first and second resonant frequency to determine an image of the tag antenna.

Abstract: An RFID verifier includes a transmit signal strength indicator (TSSI) and a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI). Using the TSSI, the RFID verifier may determine the amount of power an interrogated RFID tag is illuminated with. Similarly, using the RSSI, the RFID verifier may determine the amount of power returned to the RFID verifier by the RFID tag. By comparing the returned power to the amount used to illuminate the interrogated tag, the RFID verifier may provide an indicia of quality for the interrogated RFID tag.

Abstract: An RFID encoder is used in conjunction with a barcode print and apply system. The RFID encoder utilizes information obtained from a data stream from a host computer, from a corresponding barcode label, or other source to program an RFID label. The programmed label can then be applied with an integrated applicator or an external applicator. The RFID encoder can also verify that an RFID tag or label has been properly encoded and has the same content as the corresponding barcode label. The RFID can further verify that the barcode has been properly printed. If both barcode and RFID tag contain the correct data, both types of labels are attached to a package, enabling the package to be read optically and with radio frequency signals.

Abstract: An RFID print system includes an RFID printer and reader, a host computer that transmits a data stream containing instructions or commands to the RFID printer for encoding an RFID tag, and a data manager that receives EPC data or other data from the encoded tag. The data manager transmits the data to the host computer, which can then compare what was encoded to what was intended to be encoded. The host computer can then transmit signals to other devices in the system for appropriate action, such as when the encoded tag is defective.

Abstract: An RFID label with embedded tag is passed through an RFID antenna in a printer system, where the RFID antenna allows a roll of such labels to pass in close proximity to the antenna and still allow each individual RFID tag to be read and/or programmed. The RFID antenna has a rectangular RF field spreader in contact with a triangular divergent RF conductor with an RF source point at the point. Ground planes are located on either side of the antenna. In another embodiment, the printer system extracts or parses bar code commands from a data stream and passes the commands to both a printer and an RFID reader to print the image and program the tag with the bar code information.

Abstract: A printer system for modifying the printer's output includes a program for the printer which is not compatible with the printer with a managing program for modifying the program. A substitution table substitutes a portion of the program that is not compatible and, a processor in the printer receives the substitution table and modifies the program. The system uses a method of printing with the non-compatible program by providing a program not compatible with the printer and then creating a character substitution table with characters compatible with the printer. The character substitution table is stored in the printer and the stored characters are adapted to the printer with the non-compatible program.

Abstract: An RFID label with embedded tag is passed through an RFID antenna in a printer system, where the RFID antenna allows a roll of such labels to pass in close proximity to the antenna and still allow each individual RFID tag to be read and/or programmed. The RFID antenna module is formed with a transmission line coupled to an RF phase splitter, where in one embodiment, the transmission line is formed from two parallel conductive strips.

Abstract: A printer and a process for correlating printed subject matter with subject matter that is meant to be printed by a printer with a printing mechanism or print engine such as a thermal printer including a print head, a platen, a media upon which labels are printed and a printer controller for imparting print data to the print head. An imager sends printed data as imaged to a read after print (RAP) controller for comparing the data received from the imager to data imparted to the print head or other printing mechanism. A tap, taps the data imparted from the print head and correlates it with the imaged data to determine the media speed, the image alignment, label analysis, weighing of blemishes, the gaps printed on a label, and other criteria.

Abstract: An RFID label with embedded tag is passed through an RFID antenna in a printer system, where the RFID antenna allows a roll of such labels to pass in close proximity to the antenna and still allow each individual RFID tag to be read and/or programmed. The RFID antenna is formed with two parallel microstrip transmission lines coupled to an RF phase splitter there between.

Abstract: An RFID label with embedded tag is passed through an RFID antenna in a printer system, where the RFID antenna allows a roll of such labels to pass in close proximity to the antenna and still allow each individual RFID tag to be read and/or programmed. The RFID antenna module is formed with a transmission line coupled to an RF phase splitter, where in one embodiment, the transmission line is formed from two parallel conductive strips.

Abstract: An ink density closed loop control system for an ink ribbon of an impact printer having a reservoir roller formed of an ink absorbent material with at least one or more channels within the reservoir roller fluidly connected to a pump and ink supply. A transfer roller can contact the reservoir roller for imparting ink to the ink ribbon. A sensor senses the relative amount of ink on the print ribbon and an electrical drive responsive to the sensor drives the pump for a flow of ink to the one or more channels. The sensor can sense ink on different segments of the ribbon and, with two or more channels in the reservoir roller can distribute ink to two or more segments of the reservoir roller depending upon the ink sensed at a particular segment of the ribbon. A further enhancement of this invention provides a multi-viscosity ink to compensate for changes in ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: A printer and a process for correlating printed subject matter with subject matter that is meant to be printed by a printer with a printing mechanism or print engine such as a thermal printer including a print head, a platen, a media upon which labels are printed and a printer controller for imparting print data to the print head. An imager sends printed data as imaged to a read after print (RAP) controller for comparing the data received from the imager to data imparted to the print head or other printing mechanism. A tap, taps the data imparted from the print head and correlates it with the imaged data to determine the media speed, the image alignment, label analysis, weighing of blemishes, the gaps printed on a label, and other criteria.

Abstract: A thermal printer utilizing a platen on which media can move over a print head in association with print ribbon from a supply spool driven by motors connected to a print ribbon supply and take-up with a program to provide current settings and engine control to the ribbon. The printer further has a ribbon support, a program, and a processor connected to a drive for causing the drive to move the support in response to ribbon width. The printer has a control panel, a file system with current settings connected to the file system, and further includes engine control software for controlling the printer functions including print head pressure, print head temperature, and a ribbon support based upon the width of the print ribbon.

Abstract: An impact printer with a hammerbank having print hammers retained by a permanent magnet for impacting a print ribbon, and a mechanical driver for moving the hammerbank across print media. First and second coils for each hammer are wrapped around first and second pole pieces, one of which is asymmetrical to the other pole piece. One of the pole pieces can have a generally elongated longitudinal form with the coil wound around the longitudinal form and the other can have a generally arcuate form, with the coil wrapped on a portion between the ends thereof. The coil wrapped around the arcuately formed pole piece is thicker than the coil wrapped around the longitudinal pole piece. The result is to provide pole pieces and coils for an impact printer having differing spatial relationships that can be staggered, or formed asymmetrically for more compact coil and pole piece placement to improve printer efficiency.

Abstract: An impact line printer comprising a print ribbon wound on a pair of spools for traversal in two directions across a plurality of print hammers having tips for impacting the print ribbon to print on a media. A permanent magnet having two pole pieces having pole piece ends in adjacent relationship to the print hammers retains the print hammers until a coil in associated relationship with each pole piece releases the magnetic retention of the hammers. A magnetically permeable extension is longitudinally adjacent each hammer which acts as a magnetic shunt to permit more rapid printing rates and higher impacts. The extensions conduct and shunt magnetic flux from the hammers through the longitudinally adjacent extensions.

Abstract: An ink density closed loop control system for an ink ribbon of an impact printer having a reservoir roller formed of an ink absorbent material with at least one or more channels within the reservoir roller fluidly connected to a pump and ink supply. A transfer roller can contact the reservoir roller for imparting ink to the ink ribbon. A sensor senses the relative amount of ink on the print ribbon and an electrical drive responsive to the sensor drives the pump for a flow of ink to the one or more channels. The sensor can sense ink on different segments of the ribbon and, with two or more channels in the reservoir roller can distribute ink to two or more segments of the reservoir roller depending upon the ink sensed at a particular segment of the ribbon. A further enhancement of this invention provides a multi-viscosity ink to compensate for changes in ambient temperature conditions.