Encoding module, associated encoding element, connector, printer-encoder and access control system

• US 10,325,194 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2017
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Tsirline, Boris Y., Gawelczyk, Robert S., Kovanko, Steven R., Brown, Anthony, Tian, Mao, Torchalski, Karl, Fein, Michael K., Aiello, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US15/462,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20170193345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/18 by transferring data from one type of record carrier on to another type of record carrier, e.g. from magnetic tape to punched card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0009 with sequential access selection of a record carrier from the card-file, e.g. relative movement between selecting device and card-file
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0025 the arrangement consisting of a wireless interrogation device in combination with a device for optically marking the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07722 the record carrier being multilayered, e.g. laminated sheets flat articles in general, see B32B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/065 Microstrip dipole antennas patch antenna H01Q9/0407

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.

Claims

1. A system configured to provide selective communication between a reader and a targeted transponder disposed among multiple adjacent transponders moving along a feed path, the system comprising:

a printhead configured to generate indicia on a media unit along a print line as the media unit moves along the feed path, the media unit being a first type;

a plurality of encoding elements arranged in an array;

a reader configured to, with a leading edge of the media unit positioned at the print line, attempt to communicate with different ones of the encoding elements; and

a processor configured to;

identify candidates from the encoding elements based on successful communication attempts of the reader; and

select, based on distances between respective ones of the candidates and the print line, a first one of the candidates that is closest to the print line for encoding the first type of media unit.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the array includes a plurality of columns extending parallel with the feed path and a plurality of rows extending perpendicular to the feed path.

3. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the reader is configured to attempt to communicate with the different ones of the encoding elements at different power levels.

4. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to use the first one of the candidates to encode subsequent ones of the multiple adjacent transponders.

5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine, based on likelihoods of success associated with respective ones of the encoding elements, a subset of the encoding elements for the attempting to communicate with the different ones of the encoding elements.

6. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine, based on likelihoods of success associated with respective ones of the encoding elements, a sequence of encoding elements for the attempting to communicate with the different ones of the encoding elements.

7. A method for providing selective communication between a reader and a targeted transponder disposed among multiple adjacent transponders moving along a feed path, the method comprising:

moving a media unit along a feed path to position a leading edge of the media unit at a print line associated with a printhead, wherein the media unit is a first type;

with the leading edge of the media unit positioned at the print line, attempting to communicate with different ones of a plurality of encoding elements using a reader;

identifying candidates from the encoding elements based on successful communication attempts of the reader; and

selecting, based on distances between respective ones of the candidates and the print line, a first one of the candidates that is closest to the print line for encoding the first type of media unit.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the encoding elements are arranged in an array including a plurality of columns extending parallel with the feed path and a plurality of rows extending perpendicular to the feed path.

9. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein attempting to communicate with the different ones of the plurality of encoding elements comprises using different power levels.

10. A method as defined in claim 7, further comprising using the first one of the candidates to encode subsequent ones of the multiple adjacent transponders.

11. A method as defined in claim 7, further comprising determining, based on likelihoods of success associated with respective ones of the encoding elements, a subset of the encoding elements for the attempting to communicate with the different ones of the encoding elements.

12. A method as defined in claim 7, further comprising determining, based on likelihoods of success associated with respective ones of the encoding elements, a sequence of encoding elements for the attempting to communicate with the different ones of the encoding elements.

13. A machine readable memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

move a media unit along a feed path to position a leading edge of the media unit at a print line associated with a printhead, wherein the media unit is a first type;

with the leading edge of the media unit positioned at the print line, attempt to communicate with different ones of a plurality of encoding elements using a reader;

identify candidates from the encoding elements based on successful communication attempts of the reader; and

select, based on distances between respective ones of the candidates and the print line, a first one of the candidates that is closest to the print line for encoding the first type of media unit.

14. A machine readable memory as defined in claim 13, wherein the encoding elements are arranged in an array including a plurality of columns extending parallel with the feed path and a plurality of rows extending perpendicular to the feed path.

15. A machine readable memory as defined in claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to attempt to communicate with the different ones of the plurality of encoding elements comprises using different power levels.

16. A machine readable memory as defined in claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to determine, based on likelihoods of success associated with respective ones of the encoding elements, a subset of the encoding elements for the attempting to communicate with the different ones of the encoding elements.

17. A machine readable memory as defined in claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to determine, based on likelihoods of success associated with respective ones of the encoding elements, a sequence of encoding elements for the attempting to communicate with the different ones of the encoding elements.