Abstract: A method for identifying and marking malfunctioning RFID tags on a RFID media sheet using an imaging device having a printer system and a RFID reader programmer. The method detects an unprogrammed RFID tag on the RFID media sheet, performs a write test on the detected RFID tag; determines whether the write test is successful; when the write test is unsuccessful, sends the RFID media sheet to the print engine and prints a bad tag identifier on one of the RFID media sheet and the detected RFID tag; when the write test has been successful, performs a read test on the detected RFID tag and determines whether the read test is successful, when the read test is unsuccessful, sends the RFID media sheet to the print engine and prints the bad tag identifier on one of the RFID media sheet and the detected RFID tag.

Abstract: A method for identifying and marking malfunctioning RFID tags on a RFID media sheet using an imaging device having a printer system and a RFID reader programmer. The method detects an unprogrammed RFID tag on the RFID media sheet, performs a write test on the detected RFID tag; determines whether the write test is successful; when the write test is unsuccessful, sends the RFID media sheet to the print engine and prints a bad tag identifier on one of the RFID media sheet and the detected RFID tag; when the write test has been successful, performs a read test on the detected RFID tag and determines whether the read test is successful, when the read test is unsuccessful, sends the RFID media sheet to the print engine and prints the bad tag identifier on one of the RFID media sheet and the detected RFID tag.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations using low power, including control circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the control circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit. The apparatus is configured in a normal mode of operation and an off mode of operation in which the apparatus is powered down, and wherein in the off mode of operation energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the control circuitry for performing one or more operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for shipping a device containing a circuit, including a bag sized for holding the device; and an antenna connected to the bag, the antenna having a first end for coupling to the circuit of the device when the device is in the bag so as to allow for radio frequency (RF) communication with the device while the device is in the bag. Separation of the device from the bag causes the antenna to be disconnected from the circuit of the device.

Abstract: A method of operating an imaging device having a failed or failing media-full sensor determines whether or not a controller can trust the output signal received from the media-full sensor. A reduced power or intensity level is used to test the media-full sensor and, in particular, the light source to counter the dimming of the light source that occurs due to aging and electrical noise in the system. When the output signal of a photoreceptor is at or below a threshold value, the photo-receptor is considered to have not detected the light beam from the light source and the light beam is deemed not to have been detected even though the photo-receptor may be providing a lower level output signal. Thus, an output signal of the photo-receptor is not trusted and an indication that a media storage area is not full is provided and an imaging operation is carried out.

Abstract: A method of operating an imaging device having a failed or failing media-full sensor determines whether or not a controller can trust the output signal received from the media-full sensor. A reduced power or intensity level is used to test the media-full sensor and, in particular, the light source to counter the dimming of the light source that occurs due to aging and electrical noise in the system. When the output signal of a photoreceptor is at or below a threshold value, the photo-receptor is considered to have not detected the light beam from the light source and the light beam is deemed not to have been detected even though the photo-receptor may be providing a lower level output signal. Thus, an output signal of the photo-receptor is not trusted and an indication that a media storage area is not full is provided and an imaging operation is carried out.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations using low power, including control circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the control circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit. The apparatus is configured in a normal mode of operation and an off mode of operation in which the apparatus is powered down, and wherein in the off mode of operation energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the control circuitry for performing one or more operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for shipping a device containing a circuit, including a bag sized for holding the device; and an antenna connected to the bag, the antenna having a first end for coupling to the circuit of the device when the device is in the bag so as to allow for radio frequency (RF) communication with the device while the device is in the bag. Separation of the device from the bag causes the antenna to be disconnected from the circuit of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for marking media are provided. The method may include preparing an image for printing on print media, the image including an indication of a first and a second event. The method may further include printing a first portion of the image on the print media, evaluating data and electing to print a second portion of the image wherein the second portion includes the indication of either of the first or second event.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for incorporating radio frequency identification (RFID) technology into a printing device that may provide an assortment of functional performance capabilities. This may include the ability to scan media information such as text and/or images along with RFID identifier information and process, copy and/or forward such text media and/or identifier information to a remote location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and/or apparatus for determining whether to select media for printing. This may be accomplished by identifying a media signature present in the media and identifying a data stream signature that may be printed on the media. A comparison may then be made as between the data stream signature and the media signature. Based upon the comparison media may then be selected for printing.

Abstract: A device, method, system and article for controlling an image forming device including removable RFID functionality. A print job may be received and a determination may be made as to whether the print job includes RFID data. The RFID data may be sent to a removable RFID module when RFID data is included in the print job. Media may then be provided to a first paper path defined in the removable RFID module when RFID data is included in the print job and provided to a second paper path defined in the image forming device. An image may then be formed on the media.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a printing system or method for evaluating the programming of an identifier, such as an RFID tag. The method may be implemented in a printing device which is capable of programming an identifier and reading data from the identifier and comparing such information to evaluate the programming operation.

Abstract: Techniques that enable printing of multi-frequency RFID label schemes are provided. This may include a device for enabling printing of multi-frequency RFID label schemes, a method for printing multi-frequency RFID label schemes, as well as an article having one or more storage mediums having instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in a process for printing a multi-frequency RFID label scheme.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having RFID tags associated with wearable components of a system to track the usage and wear levels of the wearable components. The RFID tags can be antennas formed from conductive material impregnated in the wear components such that the RFID tags are worn with the wearing of the wear components. The RFID tags may also be RFID chip tags having memory for storing information, a portion of which is updated in real time. The presence or absence of the impregnated antenna RFID tags or the updated information stored in the chip tags may be used to track usage and wear level of the wear components.

Abstract: A printing system (250) includes a printing subsystem (255) in the form of a printer assembly (14). The printing subsystem (255) includes a printer housing (257) in which a print engine (259) resides and (261) for storing data indicating the expected orientation of labels on a sheet of RFID label media (18). The contents of memory (261) can be obtained from an end user application (270) which may supply the position data to the printing subsystem (255) in a print data stream. Pre-programmed position data is read from a radio frequency memory storage device (88) on print media (18) having one or more devices (88) embedded thereon. The expected orientation data is compared to actual orientation data in order to determine if an image to be printed on a label (20) should be registered by rotation and/or flipping of the image and/or media.

Abstract: Techniques that enable printing of multi-frequency RFID label schemes are provided. This may include a device for enabling printing of multi-frequency RFID label schemes, a method for printing multi-frequency RFID label schemes, as well as an article having one or more storage mediums having instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in a process for printing a multi-frequency RFID label scheme.

Abstract: Print media (28) having a plurality of radio frequency data storage devices (88) passes through a print media pathway (110) of a printer assembly (14). The devices (88) can be programmed using groups (142, 144) of antennas which are arranged about the print media pathway (110) such the simultaneous programming of multiple devices (88) can be achieved. A data programming device (94) consisting of multiple reader/programmers (94a, 94b, 94c) can be utilized in combination with one or more RF multiplexers (152, 154) to reduce the time necessary to program the devices (88) separately.

Abstract: A device, method, system and article for controlling an image forming device including removable RFID functionality. A print job may be received and a determination may be made as to whether the print job includes RFID data. The RFID data may be sent to a removable RFID module when RFID data is included in the print job. Media may then be provided to a first paper path defined in the removable RFID module when RFID data is included in the print job and provided to a second paper path defined in the image forming device. An image may then be formed on the media.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for incorporating radio frequency identification (RFID) technology into a printing device that may provide an assortment of functional performance capabilities. This may include the ability to scan media information such as text and/or images along with RFID identifier information and process, copy and/or forward such text media and/or identifier information to a remote location.