Merchandise marking with programmable transponders

• US 20050247399A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Markem-Imaje Corporation (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Markem Corporation (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Benjamin, David, Oakes, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,180,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/238
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07716 the record carrier comprising means for customization, e.g. being arranged for personalization in batch
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07718 the record carrier being manufactured in a continuous process, e.g. using endless rolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/244 Tag manufacturing, e.g. continuous manufacturing processes

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a programmable transponder to a target includes an applicator disposed adjacent to a tagging zone into which the target is conveyed and a feed-system for transporting a label to the applicator, each of the labels having a programmable transponder. A radiation source is disposed to illuminate a programming zone into which the label is transported. This radiation source communicates tag-information to the transponder. The communication of tag-information can occur either before or after the transponder is applied to the target.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a programmable transponder to a target, said apparatus comprising:

an applicator disposed adjacent to a tagging zone into which said target is conveyed;

a feed-system for transporting a label to said applicator, each of said labels having a programmable transponder; and

a source of radiation for communicating tag-information to said transponder, said source being disposed to illuminate a programming zone into which said label is transported.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transponder-interface in communication with said source for causing said source to provide said tag information to said transponder.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor belt disposed to convey said target through said tagging zone.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said transponders comprises an RFID tag.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said radiation source comprises an antenna.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a printer disposed adjacent to a printing zone into which said target is conveyed, said printer being configured to print visible-information on said target, said visible-information corresponding to at least a portion of said tag-information.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor belt having a downstream direction, said conveyor belt being disposed:

to convey said target to said tagging zone, where said label is applied to said target; and

to convey said target from said tagging zone to said programming zone.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tagging zone and said programming zone are spatially separated from each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said source is disposed to illuminate said label after said label has been applied to said target.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor belt configured to transport said label through said programming zone.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed-system is configured to transport said label through said programming zone.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Faraday cage enclosing said source, and wherein said feed-system is configured to pass said label through said Faraday cage.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printer having a print zone into which said target is transported, said print zone having a portion that overlaps said tagging zone.

14. A method for applying a programmable transponder to a target, the method comprising:

transporting a label to an applicator disposed adjacent to a tagging zone into which said target is conveyed, said label having a programmable transponder;

transporting said label to a programming zone;

communicating tag-information to said transponder when said transponder is in said programming zone; and

affixing said label to said target when said target s in said tagging zone.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein transporting said label to a programming zone comprises transporting said target to said programming zone, said label being affixed to said target.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein step of affixing said label to said target is performed prior to said step of transporting said label to said programming zone.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein transporting said label to said programming zone comprises transporting a strip of labels through said programming zone, said label being affixed to said strip.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of transporting said label to said programming zone is performed prior to said step of affixing said label to said target.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising marking said target with visible information, said visible information being consistent with said tag information.

20. An apparatus for automatically applying an RFID tags to units of merchandise, said apparatus comprising:

a label-supply for supplying said RFID tags;

a conveyor belt for transporting said unit through a tagging zone;

an applicator for applying an RFID tag to a unit of merchandise when said unit is within said tagging zone;

a feed-system for providing RFID tags to said applicator; and

a transponder-interface for communicating tag information to said RFID tag when said RFID tag is in a programming zone.

21. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said conveyor belt is disposed to transport said unit through said programming zone.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said feed-system is configured to transport said RFID tag through said programming zone.