PRINTER ENCODER ADAPTED FOR POSITIONING ABOARD A MOBILE UNIT

• US 20110074553A1
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: ZIH Corp. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Brown, Anthony, Schwan, Martin, Donato, Daniel F., Torchalski, Karl, Zwier, Tom, Tsirline, Boris Y.
• Granted Patent: US 9,849,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions

Abstract

A printer/encoder system is provided for mounting to a mobile unit, such as a forklift-type vehicle. The printer/encoder system is adapted for printing and encoding one or more media units that may be stored in a media supply assembly of the printer/encoder system. The printer/encoder system may be mounted to the mobile unit using a mobile unit mounting assembly having a shock resistance system for protecting at least portions of the printer/encoder system from mechanical shocks or vibrations that are commonly associated with mobile unit movement. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly structured to encode a transponder, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, on a media unit. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly having a modular design.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A system configured to print and encode one or more media units, comprising:

a printing component configured to print visual indicia;

a first antenna assembly comprising an first antenna conductor, an input port and a terminating load; and

an encoder electronics assembly configured to drive the antenna assembly, wherein;

the first antenna assembly is detachable from the encoder electronics assembly, and

the encoder electronics assembly is configured to drive a second antenna assembly, the second antenna assembly having a second antenna conductor that is different than the first antenna conductor.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein both the encoder electronics assembly and the first antenna assembly are independently detachable from the system.

26. The system of claim 24 further comprising a media supply assembly, wherein at least one of the encoder electronics assembly and the first antenna assembly is detachable from the media supply assembly.

27. The system of claim 24 further comprising a bracket assembly, wherein at least one of the encoder electronics assembly and the first antenna assembly is detachable from the bracket assembly.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the first antenna conductor includes a bow tie conductor.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the second antenna conductor includes a coplanar transmission line coupler.

30. The system of claim 24 further comprising a cable that detachably couples the first antenna assembly and the encoder electronics assembly.

31. The system of claim 24 further comprising a mobile unit mounting system structured to mount the system to a mobile unit, wherein the mobile unit mounting system comprises a shock resistance system structured to protect at least a portion of the system from at least one of shocks and vibrations.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the shock resistance system is structured to protect at least the printing component and the first antenna assembly from at least one of shocks and vibrations.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the mobile unit mounting system further comprises a second mounting assembly structured to mount a media supply assembly to the mobile unit.

34. The system claim 24 further comprising a durable shell at least partially surrounding the encoder assembly, the durable shell comprising at least one access panel configured to allow access to the encoder assembly.

35. An antenna assembly comprising:

an antenna conductor;

an input port; and

a terminating load, wherein the antenna assembly is configured to;

transmit electromagnetic energy to read information from, write information to, or both read and write information to one or more radio frequency transponders in one or more media units, and

be detachably coupled to an encoder electronics assembly.

36. The antenna assembly of claim 35, wherein the antenna assembly is further configured to be detachably coupled to a mobile unit.

37. The antenna assembly of claim 35 further comprising an antenna casing structured to concentrate the electromagnetic energy on a first media unit and prevent electromagnetic coupling with other media units.

38. The antenna assembly of claim 37, wherein the antenna casing comprises:

a first casing surface comprised of an electromagnetic energy blocking material; and

an interrogation window in the first casing surface configured to allow the electromagnetic energy to pass therethrough.

39. The antenna assembly of claim 38, wherein the interrogation window is comprised of a second casing surface formed of a material that permits electromagnetic energy to pass therethrough.

40. The antenna assembly of claim 35, wherein the antenna assembly is located apart from the encoder electronics assembly.

41. The antenna assembly of claim 40, wherein the antenna assembly is located proximate the loading area of a forklift.

42. The antenna assembly of claim 35, wherein the antenna assembly is configured to be detachably coupled to an encoder electronics assembly using a cable.

43. The antenna assembly of claim 35, wherein the antenna conductor includes a bow tie conductor.