Patent ID: 8228195
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: G06K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of affixing a radio frequency identification (RFID) label to an item comprising: at a pre-programming station, partially pre-programming a supply of RFID labels each comprising a plurality of programmable bits, the labels removably affixed to a web of material wound on a supply roll, the pre-programming station being in communication with an integrated programmer/label applicator apparatus, the pre-programming station being different from the integrated programmer/label applicator apparatus, wherein the step of partially pre-programming the labels comprises: programming a first portion of said programmable bits with data that is common to each of a plurality of items to receive a label; detecting defective labels by reading the pre-programmed labels to determine if at least the first portion of programmable bits were properly programmed; identifying the location of a defective label relative to its position on the web and the pre-programming station; and sending a signal to the integrated RFID programmer/label applicator apparatus indicating the position of the defective label on the web; and drawing the pre-programmed RFID labels from the pre-programming station into the integrated RFID programmer/label applicator apparatus from the continuous roll supply, the integrated RFID programmer/label applicator determining whether a signal was received from the pre-programming station indicating that a pre-programmed label at a specified location on the web was defective; and when the signal did not indicate that the label was defective, the integrated RFID programmer/label apparatus performing the steps of: programming item-specific data into a second portion of the programmable bits of the label to provide an item-specific label; removing said item-specific label from the web; and applying said item-specific label to an associated item.