Device for optical reading and radiofrequency encoding adaptable at the output of an identification labels printer

• US 7,320,432 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ask S.A. (Paragon Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Ask S.A. (Paragon Group Limited)
• Inventors: Sureaud, Jean, Sabbah, Elias, Brandin, Guillaume
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Savusdiphol; Paultep
• Application Number:
  US11/490,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 235/440, 235/462.43
• US Class Current: 235/462.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• 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

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (10) featuring an optical reader (12) for printed codes capable of transforming the information of a code printed on an object such as a label into digital data, the object being equipped with a radiofrequency system featuring an antenna (27) and a chip (28) connected together. According to a main characteristic of the invention, the device features a radiofrequency dialog unit (15) designed to encode the chip (28) with digital data read from the printed code and to compare the digital data encoded in the chip with information from the printed code.

Claims

1. A system comprising

a label equipped with a radiofrequency system comprising an antenna and a chip connected together,

in combination with a device comprising

an optical reader for printed codes capable of transforming information from a code printed on said label into digital data,

a radiofrequency dialogue unit designed to encode the chip with digital data read from the printed code and to compare the digital data encoded in the chip with the information in the printed code,

wherein the device includes a rear face adapted and designed to press against an identification label printer and an opening through which the label passes as soon as it comes out from the printer,

wherein said optical reader includes an optical part designed to read the code and a logical part designed to decode the information read and to transform it into digital data,

with the proviso that said device can encode the chip of the label with information read from the code of the same label without any interaction with the identification label printer being required.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said optical part further comprises a lighting device designed to illuminate the printed code and a device for detecting light reflected by the code.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor capable of processing the digital data from the logical part and a radiofrequency interface included in said radiofrequency dialog unit and designed to transmit the information processed by said microprocessor to the chip of the label via an antenna.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said antenna and said optical part are installed on either side of the opening.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said antenna comprises two turn groups, a first turn group being located in a base plane of the device and a second turn group being located in a front face of the device so that the two turn groups are located on two planes forming an angle between 45 and 135°

.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising systems for attachment to the printer.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein a working frequency is in the order of 13.56 MHz.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein a working frequency is in the Ultra High Frequency range and thus greater than 868 MHz.