Automatic mode detection and conversion system for printers and tag interrogators

• US 6,597,465 B1
• Filed: 04/27/1998
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Jarchow, Jaye A., Wiklof, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ghee; Ashanti
• Application Number:
  US09/067,339
• Time in Patent Office: 1,912 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.15,462.01 358/1.12,1.15
• US Class Current: 358/1.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1805 Receiving printer configuration commands
• 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 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer

Abstract

An apparatus, such as a printer or reader receives a data stream from a memory, such as from an RF or photonic memory, and compares portions of the data stream to a table of data. If a portion of the data matches an entry in the table, a corresponding entry in the table causes the apparatus to be automatically configured. Alternatively, an apparatus receives a data stream to be written, such as in a bar code symbol or tag memory. The apparatus analyzes portions of the data, comparing portions of the data to a reference table. If the apparatus identifies a match, the apparatus adjusts the writing of such data. For example, the printer writes a portion of the incoming data stream to both fields in a bar code symbol and in a portion of the memory in an adjacent RF readable tag.

Claims

1. A system for producing an information storage device having a substrate, comprising:

a print engine for printing marks on the substrate;

a transmitter that transmits an information signal for storage in the information storage device;

a memory having a reference table stored therein; and

a controller coupled to the print engine and the transmitter, wherein the controller compares at least a portion of the information signal to the reference table, and if the portion of the information signal matches an entry in the reference table, then the controller adjusts operation of the print engine or the transmitter, and wherein the controller determines whether the information storage device is a read-only information storage device, and disables the transmitter from transmitting the information signal.

2. A system for producing an information storage device having a substrate, comprising:

a print engine for printing marks on the substrate;

a transmitter that transmits an information signal for storage in the information storage device;

a memory having a reference table stored therein;

a receiver that receives a carrier signal from the information storage device; and

a controller coupled to the print engine and the transmitter, wherein the controller compares at least a portion of the information signal to the reference table, and if the portion of the information signal matches an entry in the reference table, then the controller adjusts operation of the print engine or the transmitter, and wherein the controller identifies a transmit time for the transmitter if the carrier signal matches an entry in the reference table.

3. A system for producing an information storage device having a substrate, comprising:

a print engine for printing marks on the substrate;

a transmitter that transmits an information signal for storage in the information storage device;

a memory having a reference table stored therein; and

a controller coupled to the print engine and the transmitter, wherein the controller compares at least a portion of the information signal to the reference table, and if the portion of the information signal matches an entry in the reference table, then the controller adjusts operation of the print engine or the transmitter, and wherein the controller retrieves a key from the reference table if a portion of the information signal matches an entry in the reference table, and decrypts another portion of the information signal using the key.

4. A system for producing an information storage device having a substrate, comprising:

a print engine for printing marks on the substrate;

a transmitter that transmits an information signal for storage in the information storage device wherein the transmitter is a photonic transmitter;

a memory having a reference table stored therein; and

a controller coupled to the print engine and the transmitter, wherein the controller compares at least a portion of the information signal to the reference table, and if the portion of the information signal matches an entry in the reference table, then the controller adjusts operation of the print engine or the transmitter, and the information storage device includes a photonic memory.

5. A method of retrieving data from a data storing device having a memory, a detector and an emitter, the method comprising:

accessing an information signal stored in the memory of the data storing device;

wherein determining includes determining whether the information storing device is a read-only information storing device, and disabling the transmitter from transmitting the information signal;

determining if a portion of the accessed information signal matches to a reference table; and

configuring an apparatus if the portion of the accessed information signal matches to an entry in the reference table.

6. A method of retrieving data from a data storing device having a memory, a detector and an emitter, the method comprising:

accessing an information signal stored in the memory of the data storing device;

determining if a portion of the accessed information signal matches to a reference table;

receiving a carrier signal from the information storing device;

identifying a transmit time if the carrier signal matches an entry in the reference table; and

configuring an apparatus if the portion of the accessed information signal matches to an entry in the reference table.

7. A method of retrieving data from a data storing device having a memory, a detector and an emitter, the method comprising:

accessing an information signal stored in the memory of the data storing device;

determining if a portion of the accessed information signal matches to a reference table;

retrieving a key from the reference table if a portion of the accessed information signal matches an entry in the reference table;

decrypting another portion of the accessed information signal using the key; and

configuring an apparatus if the portion of the accessed information signal matches to an entry in the reference table.

8. A method of storing data in a data storing device having a memory, a detector and an emitter, the method comprising:

receiving an information signal;

comparing at least a first portion of the information signal to a reference table;

storing at least a second portion of the information signal in the memory; and

if the portion of the information signal matches an entry in the reference table, then adjusting the storing of the second portion of the information signal in the memory wherein adjusting the storing of the second portion of the information signal includes copying the second portion of the information signal, and printing a machine-readable symbol having encoded therein the second portion of the information signal.

9. A method of storing data in a data storing device having a memory, a detector and an emitter, the method comprising:

receiving an information signal wherein receiving an information signal includes receiving the first portion of the information signal from data encoded in the machine-readable symbol indicating that the data storing device includes encrypted information;

comparing at least a first portion of the information signal to a reference table;

storing at least a second portion of the information signal in the memory; and

if the portion of the information signal matches an entry in the reference table, then adjusting the storing of the second portion of the information signal in the memory wherein adjusting the storing of the second portion of the information signal includes encrypting the second portion of the information signal.

10. A system for producing an information storage device having a substrate, comprising:

a housing;

a print engine received by the housing and configured to print marks on the substrate;

a wireless memory transmitter received by the housing wherein the transmitter is a photonic transmitter and is configured to transmit an information signal for storage in the information storage device; and

at least one controller and a memory received by the housing and coupled to the print engine and the transmitter, wherein the controller is programmed to control the print engine to print a bar code symbol on the substrate, and is programmed to control the transmitter to transmit the information signal to the information storage device for storage therein, and the information storage device includes a photonic memory.

11. A printer system for use with wireless memory tags, comprising:

a housing;

a print engine received by the housing and configured to print machine-readable symbols;

a wireless tag data receiver received by the housing and configured to wirelessly receive an information signal from a wireless memory tag wherein the wireless tag data receiver is a photonic receiver; and

at least one controller received by the housing and coupled to the print engine and the wireless tag data receiver, wherein the controller is programmed to control the print engine to print a machine-readable symbol on the wireless memory tag, and is programmed to receive the information signal from the wireless memory tag.

12. A printer for use with memory tags, comprising:

a print engine configured to print machine-readable symbols;

a tag data receiver configured to receive an information signal from a memory tag wherein the tag data receiver is a photonic receiver; and

at least one controller coupled to the print engine and the tag data receiver, wherein the controller is programmed to control the print engine to print a machine-readable symbol on a memory tag, and is programmed to receive the information signal from the memory tag.