Printer with integrated RFID data collector

• US 7,931,205 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Clive G., Entingh, Timothy J., Brown, Michael R., Roberts, Richard E., Blanchard, Raymond A. Jr., Davis, Regina A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANFORD, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US12/025,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20090194588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/462.01, 235/492
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4075 Tape printers; Label printers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0003 Use of RFID labels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41875 characterised by quality surveillance of production
• 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 19/07718 the record carrier being manufactured in a continuous process, e.g. using endless rolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 5/00 Methods or arrangements for verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier; Column detection devices
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A RFID printer for printing and determining the quality of RFID record members having transponders is provided. The RFID printer may be used to print RFID record members utilizing a continuous moving web. In particular, a RFID printer includes an integrated RFID data collector such that identifying RFID transponder information may be recorded and associated with a barcode for inventory tracking purposes. An association file created by the RFID printer may be transferred to a manufacturer or retailer brand owner. The association file may be deleted from the RFID printer upon acknowledgment of receipt of the transmitted association file to the manufacturer or retail brand owner. The RFID printer provides methods for determining quality of RFID printed record members.

Claims

1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) printer, comprising:

a barcode scanner;

a RFID reader;

a communication interface;

an antenna configured to emit a RFID field and coupled to and cooperating with the RFID reader to read from at least one RFID transponder included in a record member;

a printing system having a print head and a drive mechanism to drive a web of RFID record members past the print head for printing data thereon;

a memory; and

a processor, the processor coupled to the memory, the printing system, the barcode scanner, the antenna, and to the RFID reader and operable to read and print on the RFID record members as the web continues in motion, the processor configured to perform the steps of;

reading the at least one RFID transponder to collect an identification number from the RFID transponder;

linking the identification number of the RFID transponder with a barcode;

creating an association file, the association file including a listing of identification numbers of RFID transponders and associated barcodes;

storing the association file in the memory;

printing on the record members having at least one RFID transponder, the barcode linked to the collected transponder identification number;

receiving an instruction to transmit the association file;

transmitting the association file;

counting the number of printed record members;

determining if the counted number of printed record members exceeds a stored predetermined number before receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file and if the counted number of printed record members exceeds the stored predetermined number, halting printing until receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file;

receiving another instruction to delete the association file from memory; and

deleting the association file.

2. The RFID printer as recited in claim 1, wherein the barcode is a Universal Product Code (UPC).

3. The RFID printer as recited in claim 1, further comprising top and bottom feed rollers having matching grooves in a location where the RFID transponder passes.

5. The RFID printer as recited in claim 1, wherein the antenna is located upstream of the print head.

6. The RFID printer as recited in claim 1, wherein the printing on the record member containing the RFID transponder occurs on both sides of the record member.

7. The RFID printer as recited in claim 1, wherein a total number of record numbers allowed to be printed before receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file comprises approximately 20,000 record members.

8. The RFID printer as recited in claim 1, wherein the antenna is housed in a metal box.

9. The RFID printer as recited in claim 8, wherein the metal box comprises an aluminum metal box.

4. The RFID printer as recited in clam 1, further comprising a knife assembly to produce a square cut when cutting RFID record members.

10. A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for reading a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) transponder included in a record member advancing on a continuous moving web, the steps comprising:

reading a RFID transponder to collect an identification number of the RFID transponder;

linking the identification number of the RFID transponder with a barcode;

creating an association file, the association file including a listing of identification numbers of RFID transponders and associated barcodes;

storing the association file in memory;

printing on the record member having the read RFID transponder, the barcode linked to the collected transponder identification number;

receiving an instruction to transmit the association file;

transmitting the association file;

counting the number of printed record members;

determining if the counted number of printed record members exceeds a stored predetermine number before receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file and if the counted number of printed record members exceeds the stored predetermined number, halting printing until receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file;

receiving another instruction to delete the association file from memory; and

deleting the association file.

11. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 10, wherein total number of record numbers allowed to be printed before receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file comprises approximately 20,000 record members.

12. A method of printing Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) record members, the method comprising:

reading a RFID transponder to collect an identification number of the RFID transponder, the RFID transponder included in a record member;

linking the identification number of the RFID transponder with a barcode;

creating an association file, the association file including a listing of identification numbers of RFID transponders and associated barcodes;

storing the association file in a memory;

printing on the record member having the read RFID transponder, the barcode linked to the collected transponder identification number;

receiving an instruction to transmit the association file;

transmitting the association file;

counting the number of printed record members;

determining if the counted number of printed record members exceeds a stored predetermine number before receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file and if the counted number of printed record members exceeds the stored predetermined number, halting printing until receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file;

receiving another instruction to delete the association file from the memory; and

deleting the association file.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein total number of record numbers allowed to be printed before receipt of the instruction to transmit the association file comprises approximately 20,000 record members.