Radio frequency identification labels and systems and methods for making the same

• US 20060170436A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Berson
• Original Assignee: William Berson
• Inventors: Berson, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,619,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/754.30
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2829 Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3025 Wireless interface with the DUT
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/304 of printed or hybrid circuits G01R31/305 - G01R31/315 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for generating customized labels having electronic circuitry such as RFID circuitry. A printing system generates the label by selectively transfer printing elements (e.g., electronic circuitry, physical components, etc.) and donor layers (e.g., conductive materials, non-conductive materials, etc.) from a ribbon to a receiver (e.g., an item that receives the indicia). In addition, the printing system can program and test the label or indicia thereof, thereby providing the ability to customize each label according to predetermined criteria and to ensure that each label functions properly.

Claims

1-101. -101. (canceled)

102. A method for testing a label or indicia thereof, said method comprising:

receiving a label;

using a probe to monitor at least one portion of the label; and

determining whether the monitored portion meets predetermined criteria.

103. The method defined in claim 102, further comprising:

using the probe to monitor the operation of the label; and

determining whether the operation of the label meets predetermined criteria.

104. The method defined in claim 102, further comprising:

using the probe to monitor the operation of at least one indicium residing on the label; and

determining whether the operation of the at least one indicium meets predetermined criteria.

105. The method defined in claim 104, wherein the at least one indicium is an element, a tangible element, a printed element, a programmable element, radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry, a battery, or a conductor.

106. The method defined in claim 102, wherein said monitoring comprising applying signals to the label to test the operation of the label.

107. A method for testing elements used for producing a label, comprising:

coupling a probe to an element to test the operation of the element; and

monitoring the element to determine whether it operates according to predetermined criteria.

108. The method defined in claim 107, wherein monitoring comprises:

transmitting signals to the element via the probe; and

receiving signals from the element.

109. The method defined in claim 107, wherein the monitoring is performed after the element is transfer printed to a receiver.

110. The method defined in claim 107, wherein the monitoring is performed before the element is transfer printed to a receiver.

111. The method defined in claim 107 wherein the element is microprocessor circuitry.

112. The method defined in claim 107, wherein the element is radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry.

113. A method for programming elements that are used for producing a label in a printing system, said method comprising:

coupling a probe to a programmable element; and

using the probe to transmit signals that program the programmable element.

114. The method defined in claim 113, wherein the printing system transfer prints the programmable element to a receiver before the programmable element is programmed.

115. The method defined in claim 113, wherein the printing system transfer prints the programmable element after the programmable element is programmed.

116. The method defined in claim 113, wherein the printing system transfer prints the programmable element while the programmable element is being programmed.

117. The method defined in claim 113, wherein the programmable element is microprocessor circuitry.

118. The method defined in claim 113, wherein the programmable element is radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry.

119. The method defined in claim 113, wherein the transmitted signals instruct the programmable element to store predetermined data.

120. A method for programming and testing the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry used in producing a label on demand in a printing system, said method comprising:

temporarily coupling a probe to the RFID circuitry;

applying signals, using the probe, to the RFID circuitry; and

programming the RFID circuitry with the applied signals.

121. The method defined in claim 120, wherein the RFID circuitry emits programmed data via a radio signal in response to an activation signal, the method further comprising:

transmitting an activation signal to said RFID circuitry to cause the RFID circuitry to emit its programmed data; and

monitoring the radio signal to verify whether said RFID circuitry has been programmed successfully.

122. The method defined in claim 120, further comprising:

monitoring a radio signal, which comprises programmed data, being emitted by said RFID circuitry to verify whether said RFID circuitry has been programmed successfully.

123. A system for testing a label or indicia thereof, the system comprising:

control circuitry; and

a probe coupled to and controlled by the control circuitry to monitor at least one portion of the label, wherein the control circuitry determines whether the monitored portion meets predetermined criteria.

124. The system defined in claim 123, wherein the control circuitry is operative to:

use the probe to monitor the operation of the label; and

determine whether the operation of the label meets predetermined criteria.

125. The system defined in claim 123, wherein the control circuitry is operative to:

use the probe to monitor the operation of at least one indicium residing on the label; and

determine whether the operation of the at least one indicium meets predetermined criteria.

126. The system defined in claim 125, wherein the at least one indicium is an element, a tangible element, a printed element, a programmable element, radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry, a battery, or a conductor.

127. The system defined in claim 123, wherein the control circuitry is operative to:

cause the probe to apply signals to the label to test the operation of the label.

128. A system for testing elements used for producing a label, comprising:

control circuitry;

a probe coupled to the control circuitry and operative to test the operation of the element, wherein the control circuitry determines whether it operates according to predetermined criteria.

129. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the control circuitry is operative to:

cause the probe to transmit signals to the element; and

use the probe to receive signals from the element.

130. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the control circuitry is operative to monitor the element after it has been transfer printed to a receiver.

131. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the control circuitry is operative to monitor the element before it is transfer printed to a receiver.

132. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the element is microprocessor circuitry.

133. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the element is radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry.

134. A printing system for programming elements that are used for producing a label, said system comprising:

control circuitry;

a probe coupled to and controlled by the control circuitry, the probe is selectively coupled to a programmable element, wherein the control circuitry is operative to use the probe to transmit signals that program the programmable element when the probe is coupled to the programmable element.

135. The system defined in claim 134, wherein the control circuitry is operative to program the programmable element before the printing system transfer prints the programmable element to a receiver.

136. The system defined in claim 134, wherein the control circuitry is operative to program the programmable element after the printing system transfer prints the programmable element to a receiver.

137. The system defined in claim 134, wherein the control circuitry is operative to program the programmable element while the printing system transfer prints the programmable element to a receiver.

138. The system defined in claim 134, wherein the programmable element is microprocessor circuitry.

139. The system defined in claim 134, wherein the programmable element is radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry.

140. The system defined in claim 134, wherein the transmitted signals instruct the programmable element to store predetermined data.

141. A printing system for programming and testing the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry used in producing a label on demand, the system comprising:

control circuitry; and

a probe coupled to the control circuitry, the probe operative under the control of the control circuitry to;

apply signals to the RFID circuitry; and

programming the RFID circuitry with the applied signals.

142. The system defined in claim 141, wherein the RFID circuitry emits programmed data via a radio signal in response to an activation signal, the probe is operative to:

transmit an activation signal to the RFID circuitry to cause the RFID circuitry to emit its programmed data; and

monitor the radio signal to verify whether the RFID circuitry has been programmed successfully.

143. The system defined in claim 141, wherein the probe is operative to:

monitor a radio signal, which comprises programmed data, being emitted by the RFID circuitry to verify whether the RFID circuitry has been programmed successfully.

144-240. -240. (canceled)