Method and apparatus for preparing media
First Claim
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1. An apparatus to prepare media, comprising:
- a media path;
a reader to read location information from a location indicator, the location information indicating a location along the media of a circuit carried by the media;
a first media tool positioned along the media path and selectively actuatable to perform an action on at least a portion of the media moving along the media path, a media position detector positioned to detect a position of the media with respect to the first media tool as the media moves along the media path;
at least a first actuator mechanically coupled to selectively retract the first media tool with respect to the media path; and
a controller coupled to receive position information from the media position detector and location information from the reader, the controller configured to compare the position information and the location information and to provide signals to the first actuator to increase a distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of the circuit carried by the media is proximate the first media tool and to decrease the distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of circuit carried by the media is distal the first media tool.
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Abstract
Work tools such as a printhead, platen, and/or cutting head are spaced normally with respect to a media path based on a location of one or more objects carried by the media, and the position of the media with respect to the work tool. Additionally or alternatively the work tools are selectively operated based on a location of one or more objects carried by the media, and the position of the media with respect to the work tool. The approaches are suitable for the manufacture and use of RFID tags and labels.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. An apparatus to prepare media, comprising:
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a media path;
a reader to read location information from a location indicator, the location information indicating a location along the media of a circuit carried by the media;
a first media tool positioned along the media path and selectively actuatable to perform an action on at least a portion of the media moving along the media path, a media position detector positioned to detect a position of the media with respect to the first media tool as the media moves along the media path;
at least a first actuator mechanically coupled to selectively retract the first media tool with respect to the media path; and
a controller coupled to receive position information from the media position detector and location information from the reader, the controller configured to compare the position information and the location information and to provide signals to the first actuator to increase a distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of the circuit carried by the media is proximate the first media tool and to decrease the distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of circuit carried by the media is distal the first media tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A media preparation apparatus, comprising:
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a media path;
a reader to read location information identifying at least one location of an object carried by a media;
a media position detector positioned along the media path to detect a position of the media as the media moves along the media path;
a first media tool positioned along the media path and selectively actuatable to perform an action on at least a portion of the media moving along the media path, a distance between the first media tool and the media path being selectively adjustable between at least a first distance where the first media tool is proximate the media path and a second distance where the first media tool is distal from the media path with respect to the first distance; and
a controller coupled to receive position information from the media position detector and location information from the reader, the controller configured to control the distance of the first media tool with respect to the media path based at least in part on the position information and the location information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A media, comprising:
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a substrate;
a number of radio frequency identification circuits carried by the substrate; and
at least one location indicator indicating a position of at least one of the radio frequency identification circuits on to the media. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of preparing a media, comprising:
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reading location information from a location indicator carried by the media, the location indicator identifying at least one location of a circuit along the media;
determining a position of the media along a media path with respect to at least a first media tool as the media moves along the media path;
comparing the position of the media along the media path and the location information;
increasing a distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of the circuit carried by the media is proximate the first media tool; and
decreasing the distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of circuit carried by the media is distal the first media tool. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of preparing a media, comprising:
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reading location information identifying at least one location of an object carried by the media;
determining a position of the media along a media path;
determining when to adjust a distance between a first media tool and the media path based at least in part of the location information and the position of the media along the media path; and
adjusting the distance between the first media tool and the media path based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. An apparatus to prepare a media, comprising:
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means for reading location information from a location indicator, the location indicator identifying at least one location along the media of a circuit carried by the media;
means for determining a position of the media along a media path with respect to at least a first media tool as the media moves along the media path;
means for comparing the position of the media along the media path and the location information; and
positioning means for increasing a distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of the circuit carried by the media is proximate the first media tool and decreasing the distance between the first media tool and the media path when the location of circuit carried by the media is distal the first media tool. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A media preparation apparatus, comprising:
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a media path;
a reader to read location information identifying at least one location of an object carried by a media;
a media position detector positioned along the media path to detect a position of the media as the media moves along the media path;
a first media tool positioned along the media path and selectively actuatable to perform an action on at least a portion of the media moving along the media path; and
a controller coupled to receive position information from the media position detector and location information from the reader, the controller configured to selectively actuate the first media tool to perform the action on the portion of the media based at least in part on the position information and the location information. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
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Specification