Modular RFID Imaging Device Option

• US 20090274504A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Nieland, Carl, Powers, Evan J., Ritter, Steve Eugene, Rowland, Tim, Steely, Forrest, Kallop, Rick, Marowski, Raymond Michael, Barnett, Albert Tyler, Underwood, Mark Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,313,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/76
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/50 Mechanisms producing characters by printing and also producing a record by other means , e.g. printer combined with RFID writer

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.

Claims

1. A device for providing RFID functionality to an image forming device, comprising:

a removable RFID module defining a first paper path configured to communicate with a second paper path defined in the image forming device;

an RFID reader/programmer positioned within said module in electrical communication with the image forming device; and

an RFID antenna positioned within said module in electrical communication with said RFID reader/programmer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said module is in the form of a media input device.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical communication port, in electrical communication between said RFID reader/programmer and the image forming device.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a media input device defining a third paper path, wherein said third paper path communicates with said first paper path.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said module includes a media input device comprising a pick mechanism.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller positioned within said module in electrical communication with said RFID reader/programmer and the image forming device.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in the following operations:

receiving a print job;

determining if said print job includes RFID data;

providing media to said first paper path defined in said removable RFID module when RFID data is included in said print job;

programming said media;

providing said media to said second paper path defined in the image forming device; and

forming an image on said media.

8. A system for providing RFID functionality, comprising:

an image forming device including a controller defining a first paper path; and

a removable RFID module defining a second paper path in communication with said first paper path, said module comprising;

an RFID reader/programmer positioned within said module in electrical communication with said controller, and

an RFID antenna positioned within said module in electrical communication with said RFID reader/programmer.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said module is in the form of a media input device.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising an electrical communication port, in electrical communication between said RFID reader/programmer and said controller.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a microcontroller positioned within said module in communication with said RFID reader/programmer and said controller.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in the following operations:

receiving a print job;

determining if said print job includes RFID data;

providing media to said second paper path defined in said removable RFID module when RFID data is included in said print job;

programming said media;

providing said media to said first paper path defined in the image forming device; and

forming an image on said media.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said controller includes said storage medium.

14. A method of controlling an image forming device including removable RFID functionality, comprising:

receiving a print job;

determining if said print job includes RFID data;

sending RFID data to a removable RFID module when said RFID data is included in said print job;

providing media to a first paper path defined in said RFID module when said RFID data is included in said print job;

programming said media;

providing said media to a second paper path defined in an image forming device; and

forming an image on said media.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said print job is received by a controller in said image forming device.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing said RFID data to an RFID reader/programmer in said RFID module to program said media.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said RFID data is provided to a microcontroller in said RFID module.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said media is provided to said RFID module from a media input device having a third paper path in communication with said first paper path.

19. An article, comprising a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in the following operations:

receiving a print job;

determining if said print job includes RFID data;

providing media to a first paper path defined in a removable RFID module when RFID data is included in said print job;

programming said media;

providing said media to a second paper path defined in an image forming device; and

forming an image on said media.

20. The article of claim 19, wherein said print job is received by a controller in an image forming device.

21. The article of claim 19, wherein said instructions that when executed by said machine result in the following additional operations:

providing said RFID data to a microcontroller included in said RFID module when said RFID data is included in said print job.

22. The article of claim 19, wherein said instructions that when executed by said machine result in the following additional operations:

providing said RFID data to an RFID reader/programmer in said module to program said media.

23. The article of claim 19, wherein said print job is received by said RFID module.

24. The article of claim 19, wherein said instructions that when executed by said machine result in the following additional operations:

wherein said media is provided to said RFID module from a media input device including a third paper path in communication with said first paper path.