Abstract:
A radio frequency identification transponder apparatus includes a transceiver. A control logic device is coupled to the transceiver. A transponder programming device is coupled to the control logic device and operable to store information, whereby the information stored is determined by the presence or absence of a printing material adjacent the transponder programming device. A conventional printing device may program the transponder programming apparatus and print transponder labels by positioning printing material adjacent the transponder programming device.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present disclosure relates generally to transponders, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for programming a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder.  
         [0002]     Transponders such as, for example, RFID transponders, may be used to track objects. RFID transponders are wireless electronic tags which broadcast preprogrammed data stored in a non-volatile memory. The RFID transponder is typically programmed to identify an object and then coupled to that object such that an RFID transceiver can receive the broadcast from the RFID transponder in order to identify the object. The programming of the RFID transponder raises a number of issues.  
         [0003]     Conventionally, RFID transponders includes an electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) which may be programmed by an RFID transceiver using radio waves. However, sometimes it is desirable to include a label on the RFID transponder which allows human-readable information to be printed on the RFID transponder in order to provide a single object tag which may be coupled to an object and read by both machines and humans.  
         [0004]     In order to create these RFID transponder labels, an RFID transponder label printer is typically provided. The RFID transponder is included in a label which may be printed on. The RFID transponder label printer includes an RFID transceiver such that the RFID transponder label printer may be used to print the object information on the label while programming the RFID transponder with information corresponding to the object.  
         [0005]     However, this method for programming a transponder requires that a user have the RFID transponder label printer, as a conventional printer does not include the RFID transceiver necessary to program the RFID transponder. This results in increased costs to the user, as the user must purchase a relatively expensive RFID transponder label printer to create RFID transponder labels.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide for programming a transponder absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     According to one embodiment, a transponder apparatus includes a transceiver, a control logic device coupled to the transceiver, and a transponder programming device coupled to the control logic device and operable to store information, whereby the information stored is determined by the presence or absence of printing material adjacent the transponder programming device. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a transponder apparatus.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2   a  is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for programming a transponder.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2   b  is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of the transponder apparatus of  FIG. 1  coupled to a substrate.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2   c  is an perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the transponder apparatus of  FIG. 1  coupled to a substrate with a printing medium coupled to the substrate to provide a transponder label.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2   d  is an cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the transponder label of  FIG. 2   c  with a conventional printer programming the transponder apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 2   e  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the transponder label of  FIG. 2   c  programmed with a printing material positioned adjacent the transponder apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 2   f  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the transponder apparatus of  FIG. 1  programmed with a printing material positioned adjacent the transponder apparatus.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2   g  is an perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the transponder label of  FIG. 2  coupled to an object.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2   h  is a schematic view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a transponder apparatus programmed with a printing material positioned adjacent the transponder apparatus.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a transponder apparatus.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a transponder apparatus. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a transponder apparatus  100  is illustrated. The transponder apparatus  100  includes a transponder  102  including a conventional transceiver  104 , a conventional antenna  106 , a conventional power rectifier  108 , a conventional control logic device  110 , and a transponder programming device  112 , each coupled to the transponder  102  and to each other as described in further detail below.  
         [0020]     The conventional transceiver  104  is a device known in the art which is capable of sending and receiving signals. The transceiver  104  is operably coupled to the antenna  106  such that the transceiver  104  may send signals to and receive signals from the antenna  106 . The transceiver  104  is operably coupled to the control logic device  110  such that the transceiver  104  may send signals to and receive signals from the control logic device  110 . The transceiver  104  is operably coupled to the power rectifier  108  such that the transceiver  104  may receive power from the power rectifier  108 .  
         [0021]     The conventional antenna  106  is a device known in the art which is capable of radiating and receiving radio signals. The antenna  106  is operably coupled to the transceiver  104  such that the antenna  106  may send signals to and receive signals from the transceiver  104 . The antenna  106  is operably coupled to the power rectifier  108  such that the antenna  106  may send signals to the power rectifier  108 .  
         [0022]     The conventional power rectifier  108  is a device known in the art which is capable of receiving a signal from the antenna  106  and converting the energy from that signal into power which may then be sent to components of the transponder  102 . The power rectifier  108  is operably coupled to the transceiver  104  such that the power rectifier  108  may send power to the transceiver  104 . The power rectifier  108  is operably coupled to the antenna  106  such that the power rectifier  108  may receive signals from the antenna  106 . The power rectifier  108  is operably coupled to the control logic device  110  such that the power rectifier  108  may send power to the control logic device  110 . The power rectifier  108  is operably coupled to the transponder programming device  112  such that the power rectifier  108  may send power to the transponder programming device  112 .  
         [0023]     The conventional control logic device  110  is a device known in the art which is capable of controlling components of the transponder  102 . The control logic device  110  is operably coupled to the transceiver  104  such that the control logic device  110  may send signals to and receive signals from the transceiver  104 . The control logic device  110  is operably coupled to the power rectifier  108  such that the control logic device  110  may receive power from the power rectifier  108 . The control logic device  110  is operably coupled to the transponder programming device  112  such that the control logic device  110  may send signals to and receive signals from the transponder programming device  112 .  
         [0024]     The transponder programming device  112  is operably coupled to the power rectifier  108  such that the transponder programming device  112  may receive power from the power rectifier  108 . The transponder programming device  112  is operably coupled to the control logic device  110  such that the transponder programming device  112  may send signals to and receive signals from the control logic device  110 . In an embodiment, the transponder programming device  112  includes an array of one or more transponder programming cells  114 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, the transponder programming device  112  may include as few as one transponder programming cell  114  or as many transponder programming cells  114  as are needed depending on the amount of information the transponder programming device  112  is being designed to hold. In an embodiment, the transponder programming device  112  includes a photo-sensitive device and the transponder programming cells  114  include photo-sensitive cells such as, for example, photo-transistors, photo-diodes, solar cells, combinations thereof, and/or a variety of other photo-sensitive cells known in the art. In an embodiment, the transponder programming device  112  includes an electromagnetic-sensitive device and the transponder programming cells  114  include electromagnetic-sensitive cells such as, for example, Hall Effect transistors and/or a variety of other electromagnetic-sensitive cells known in the art. In an embodiment, the transponder programming device  112  includes a chemical-sensitive device and the transponder programming cells  114  include chemical-sensitive cells. In an embodiment, the transponder programming device  112  includes a plurality of conductive cells  114  such as, for example, transistors, copper pads, and/or a variety of other conductive cells known in the art.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a,    2   b,  and  2   c,  a method  200  for programming a transponder is illustrated. The method  200  begins at step  202  where the transponder apparatus  100 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , is provided. The method  200  then proceeds to step  204  where the transponder apparatus  100  is coupled to a substrate and a printing medium. In an embodiment, the transponder apparatus  100  is coupled to a substrate  204   a  having a front surface  204   aa  and a rear surface  204   ab  located opposite the front surface  204   aa.  In an embodiment, the front surface  204   aa  and/or the rear surface  204   ab  of the substrate  204   a  may include an adhesive known in the art. A printing medium  204   b  is provided having a front surface  204   ba  and a rear surface  204   bb  located opposite the front surface  204   ba.  In an embodiment, the rear surface  204   bb  of the printing medium  204   b  may include an adhesive known in the art. The printing medium  204   b  is coupled to the substrate  204   a  such that the rear surface  204   bb  of the printing medium  204   b  is located adjacent the front surface  204   aa  of the substrate  204   a  and the printing medium  204   b  is located adjacent the transponder apparatus  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2   c,  providing an transponder label  204   c.  In an embodiment, the printing medium  204   b  is at least partially translucent such that light may be detected by the transponder programming device  112  through the printing medium  204   b.  In an embodiment, the substrate  204   a  and the printing medium  204   b  provide a conventional sticker or label with the transponder apparatus  100  embedded. However, in an embodiment, the transponder apparatus  100  may be embedded in a variety of other mediums such as, for example, plastic, to provide the transponder apparatus  100  in, for example, a card, a key fob, a container, or a variety of other objects which are desired to be tracked. While the printing medium  204   b  has been illustrated as a separate material located adjacent the transponder programming device  100 , in an embodiment, the printing medium may be the transponder programming device  112  itself.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a,    2   b,    2   c,    2   d,    2   e,    2   f,    2   g,  and  2   h,  the method  200  then proceeds to step  206  where the transponder  102  is programmed by positioning printing material adjacent the transponder programming device  112 . A conventional printing device  206   a  is provided which includes a printing member  206   ab  containing a printing material. In an embodiment, the printing material may be any substance capable of blocking light from passing through a translucent material on which the printing material is applied such as, for example, a conventional ink, a conventional toner, any conventional masking material, and/or a variety of other printing materials known in the art. The transponder label  204  is positioned in the printing device  206   a  and moved in a direction A past the printing member  206   ab  such that printing material from the printing member  206   ab  may be positioned on the front surface  204   ba  of the printing medium  204   b,  as illustrated in  FIG. 2   d.  The printing material is positioned on the printing medium  204   b  such that it includes a transponder programming section  206   b  located adjacent the transponder programming device  112  and a human-readable section  206   c  located adjacent the transponder programming section  206   b,  as illustrated in  FIG. 2   e.  In an embodiment, the transponder programming section  206   b  defines a plurality of portions  206   ba  of the transponder programming section  206   b  in which there is no printing material. In an embodiment, the printing material may extend through the printing medium  204   b  from the front surface  204   ba  to the rear surface  204   bb  such that the printing material engages the transponder programming device  112  and the transponder programming cells  114 . While the transponder programming cells  114  have been illustrated as a substantially rectangular array, a variety of different arrangements of the transponder programming cells  114  are envisioned such as, for example, arrangements which may be programmed by standard bar codes or dot codes, the programming which will be described in more detail below according to different embodiments.  
         [0027]     The method  200  then proceeds to step  208  where the transponder apparatus  100  is coupled to an object. An object  208   a  is provided, and the transponder label  204   c  is coupled to the object  208   a  by, for example, using an adhesive located on the rear surface  204   ab  of the substrate  204   a.  The method  200  then proceeds to step  210  where the object  208   a  is identified with the transponder apparatus  100 . A conventional reader transceiver (not shown) sends a signal which is received by the antenna  106  on transponder  102 . That signal is sent by the antenna  106  to the power rectifier  108  and to the transceiver  104 . The power rectifier  108  converts the signal into energy to power the different components of the transponder  102 . The transceiver  104  receives the signal and sends it to the control logic device  110 . The control logic device  110  then reads the transponder programming device  112 , which has been programmed by the positioning of the printing material on the printing medium  204   b  in step  206  and will be explained in more detail below according to a variety of embodiments, and sends that information to the transceiver  104 . The transceiver  104  then sends a signal including the information on the transponder programming device  112  to the reader transceiver using the antenna  106 .  
         [0028]     In an embodiment, the transponder programming cells  114  are photo-sensitive cells, and the transponder programming section  206   b  along with the portions  206   ba  of the transponder programming section  206   b  in which there is no printing material selectively block light from reaching some of the photo-sensitive transponder programming cells  114 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2   f,  such that the photo-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  contain the identifying information for the object  208   a  based on which photo-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  can detect light. The human-readable section  206   c  provided on the transponder label  204   c  in step  206  of the method  200  also includes identifying information corresponding to the object  208   a.  Thus, a method and apparatus are provided which allow a transponder to be labeled and programmed using a conventional printing device. In an embodiment, the use of photo-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  may provide additional security in the case in which the object  208   a  and the transponder label  204   c  are placed inside of an opaque container, as no light will reach any of the photo-sensitive transponder programming cells  114 , preventing the information on the transponder  102  from being read.  
         [0029]     In an embodiment, the transponder programming cells  114  are electromagnetic-sensitive cells, and the printing material provided in the printing member  206   ab  is a conventional magnetic ink, a conventional magnetic toner, or a variety of other conventional magnetic printing materials known in the art. The transponder programming section  206   b  will be detected by the electromagnetic-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  while the portions  206   ba  of the transponder programming section  206   b  in which there is no printing material will not be detected by the electromagnetic-sensitive transponder programming cells  114 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2   f,  such that the electromagnetic-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  contain the identifying information for the object  208   a  based on which electromagnetic-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  can detect the printing material. The human-readable section  206   c  provided on the transponder label  204   c  in step  206  of the method  200  also includes identifying information corresponding to the object  208   a.  Thus, a method and apparatus are provided which allow a transponder to be labeled and programmed using a conventional printing device using a magnetic printing material. In an embodiment, the use of electromagnetic-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  allows the transponder  102  to be read in a situation where there is no light on the transponder programming device  112 .  
         [0030]     In an embodiment, the transponder programming cells  114  are chemical-sensitive cells, and the printing material provided in the printing member  206   ab  is a printing material which may be detected by the chemical-sensitive cells. The transponder programming section  206   b  will be detected by the chemical-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  while the portions  206   ba  of the transponder programming section  206   b  in which there is no printing material will not be detected by the chemical-sensitive transponder programming cells  114 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2   f,  such that the chemical-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  contain the identifying information for the object  208   a  based on which chemical-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  can detect the printing material. The human-readable section  206   c  provided on the transponder label  204   c  in step  206  of the method  200  also includes identifying information corresponding to the object  208   a.  Thus, a method and apparatus are provided which allow a transponder to be labeled and programmed using a conventional printing device using a printing material which may be detected by the chemical-sensitive cells. In an embodiment, the use of chemical-sensitive transponder programming cells  114  allows the transponder  102  to be read in a situation where there is no light on the transponder programming device  112 .  
         [0031]     In an embodiment, the transponder programming cells  114  are conductive cells, and the printing material provided in the printing member  206   ab  is a conventional conductive ink, a conventional conductive toner, and/or a variety of other conductive printing materials known in the art. The transponder programming section  206   b  will provide a connection between different conductive transponder programming cells  114 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2   h,  such that the conductive transponder programming cells  114  contain the identifying information for the object  208   a  based on which conductive transponder programming cells  114  are connected together by the printing material. The human-readable section  206   c  provided on the transponder label  204   c  in step  206  of the method  200  also includes identifying information corresponding to the object  208   a.  Thus, a method and apparatus are provided which allow a transponder to be labeled and programmed using a conventional printing device using a conductive printing material. In an embodiment, the use of conductive transponder programming cells  114  allows the transponder  102  to be read in a situation where there is no light on the transponder programming device  112 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in an alternative embodiment, a transponder apparatus  300  is illustrated which is substantially similar in design and operation to the transponder apparatus  100 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2   a,    2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e ,  2   f ,  2   g , and  2   h , with the provision of a conventional power supply  302  in place of the power rectifier  108 . The conventional power supply  302  may be, for example, a battery, a solar cell operable to convert solar energy to electrical energy, and/or a variety of other power supplies known in the art. The power supply  302  is operably coupled to the transceiver  104  such that the power supply  302  may send power to the transceiver  104 . The power supply  302  is operably coupled to the control logic device  110  such that the power supply  302  may send power to the control logic device  110 . The power supply  302  is operably coupled to the transponder programming device  112  such that the power supply  302  may send power to the transponder programming device  112 . In an embodiment, the power supply  302  allows the transponder  102  to be read by a reader transceiver from a greater distance than the transponder programming device  100 .  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   b ,  2   c , and  4 , in an alternative embodiment, a sheet of transponder apparatus  400  is substantially similar in design and operation to the transponder apparatus  100  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e ,  2   f ,  2   g , and  2   h , with the provision of a plurality of transponder programming labels  204   c  included in a sheet. In an embodiment, the sheet of transponder apparatus  400  includes perforations  402  separating adjacent transponder programming labels  204   c.  The sheet of transponder apparatus  400  allows a conventional printing device to print and program a plurality of transponders for a plurality of different objects on a single sheet using the method  200  described above.  
         [0034]     Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.