Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid) Device Programing System and Method

• US 20070296554A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Ford, John, Marcus, Christopher, Grimes, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/791,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20070296554A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.51
• 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 19/08 using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/00 Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion G06K1/00; pattern recognition G06F18/00; arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding G06V10/00; character recognition, recognising digital ink or document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) device programming system and method may be used to provide pre-programmed RFID devices, for example, as a roll of RFID devices that may be later applied to articles or items. The programming system may include a plurality of RFID probes configured to apply programming signals to the RFID devices and a RFID programmer connected to the probes and configured to generate the programming signals. The programming system may also include a web positioning mechanism configured to position a web including the RFID devices such that the group of RFID devices is positioned in within a programming range of the probes. A controller may be configured to control the web positioning mechanism such that sequential groups of the RFID devices are programmed.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) device programming system comprising:

a plurality of RFID probes configured to apply programming signals to a group of RFID devices;

a RFID programmer coupled to said probes and configured to generate said programming signals for said RFID devices;

a web positioning mechanism configured to position a web including said RFID devices such that said group of said RFID devices is positioned within a programming range of said probes; and

a controller configured to control said web positioning mechanism such that sequential groups of said RFID devices are programmed.

2. The RFID device programming system of claim 1 wherein said RFID programmer is configured to determine if said RFID devices are defective, and further comprising at least one marking device positioned opposite said probes and configured to mark defective RFID devices.

3. The RFID device programming system of claim 2 further comprising a removal device configured to remove said defective RFID devices.

4. The RFID device programming system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor configured to sense a position of said RFID devices and to provide a position signal to controller.

5. The RFID device programming system of claim 1 further comprising a printer positioned relative to said web positioning mechanism and configured to print on said RFID devices.

6. The RFID device programming system of claim 1 wherein said RFID devices include labels.

7. The RFID device programming system of claim 1 wherein said web positioning mechanism includes rollers configured to guide said web between said probes and said marking device.

8. A method of programming RFID devices, said method comprising:

providing a web supporting RFID devices;

advancing said web until a group of said RFID devices is positioned adjacent a plurality of RFID probes; and

applying programming signals to said RFID devices in said group when said group of RFID devices is positioned over said plurality of RFID probes.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

determining if any of said RFID devices are defective; and

if any of said RFID devices are determined to be defective, marking said defective RFID devices.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising removing said defective RFID devices.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said RFID devices include RFID labels removably adhered to said web.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein programming signals include at least a unique Electronic Product Codes (EPC) for each of said RFID devices.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising printing on said RFID devices.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising generating a report including statistics associate with said roll of programmed RFID labels.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein said web supporting said RFID devices is provided as a roll of non-programmed RFID devices.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said web is advanced repeatedly until said programming signals have been applied to all of said RFID devices on said roll of non-programmed RFID devices.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein advancing said web includes unwinding said roll of non-programmed RFID devices and winding a roll of programmed RFID devices.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising rewinding said roll of programmed RFID devices.

19. A method of producing a roll of programmed RFID devices, said method comprising:

providing a roll of RFID devices;

unwinding said roll of RFID devices;

applying programming signals to said RFID devices as said roll of RFID devices unwinds; and

re-winding a roll of programmed RFID devices.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said programming signals are applied simultaneously to groups of said RFID devices as said roll of RFID devices unwinds.