Patent Publication Number: US-2009237221-A1

Title: Label programmer, system, and method of initializing RF-enabled labels

Description:
BACKGROUND  
     Data storage devices are employed in computer, audio, and video fields for storing large volumes of information for subsequent retrieval and use. Data storage devices include data storage tape cartridges, hard disk drives, micro disk drives, business card drives, and removable memory storage devices in general. The data storage devices are useful for storing data and for backing up data systems used by businesses and government entities. For example, businesses routinely back up important information such as human resource data, employment data, compliance audits, and safety/inspection data. Government sources collect and store vast amounts of data related to tax payer identification numbers, income withholding statements, and audit information. Congress has provided additional motivation for many publicly traded companies to ensure the safe retention of data and records related to government required audits and reviews after passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745 (2002)). 
     Collecting and storing data has now become a routine good-business practice. The data is often saved to one or more data storage devices that is/are typically shipped or transferred to an offsite repository for safe/secure storage. The backup data storage devices are periodically retrieved from the offsite repository for review. The transit of data storage devices between various facilities introduces a possible risk of loss or theft of the devices and the data stored that is stored on the devices. 
     The issue of physical data security and provenance is a growing concern for users of data storage devices. Thus, manufacturers and users both are interested in systems and/or processes for keeping track of in-transit/in-storage data storage devices. Improvements to the tracing of data storage devices used to store data are desired by a wide segment of both the public and private business sectors. 
     SUMMARY  
     One aspect provides a label programming system configured to initialize a radiofrequency (RF)-enabled label for attachment to a data storage device. The label programming system includes a platform, an RF read/write assembly disposed on a first side of the platform, and an optical reader assembly in electrical communication with the RF read/write assembly. The optical reader assembly is disposed on a second side of the platform opposite the first side. The optical reader assembly is configured to optically read information from the RF-enabled label and communicate the information to the RF read/write assembly that is configured to write the information to a chip of the RF-enabled label. 
     Another aspect provides a label programming system configured to initialize a label for attachment to a data storage device. The system includes a platform, an RF read/write assembly disposed on a first side of the platform, and an optical reader assembly in electrical communication with the RF read/write assembly. The platform includes a first shield and a second shield spaced from the first shield by a gap. The optical reader assembly is disposed on a second side of the platform opposite the first side. The optical reader assembly is configured to optically read information from an RF-enabled label presented in the gap and communicate the information to the RF read/write assembly that is configured to write the information to a chip of the RF-enabled label. 
     Another aspect provides a method of initializing a label for attachment to a data storage device. The method includes providing an array of radiofrequency (RF)-enabled labels. The method additionally includes optically reading information from one row or one column of the array of RF-enabled labels, and shielding all but the one row or column of the RF-enabled labels that was optically read. The method ultimately includes radiofrequency writing the optically read information to a chip in each RF-enabled label in the row or column of the RF-enabled labels that was not shielded. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a label programming system configured to initialize a radio frequency (RF)-enabled label for attachment to a data storage device according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a label programmer of the label programming system shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a housing maintaining RF read/write assemblies according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a platform of the label programmer shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the platform shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the label programmer shown in  FIG. 2  employed to initialize an array of RF-enabled labels according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of one of the RF-enabled labels shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a startup screen of a user interface of the label programming system according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of an initialization screen of the user interface; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a barcode scanning screen of the user interface; and 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a verification screen of the user interface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise. 
     Embodiments provide a label programming system that is configured to initialize a radiofrequency (RF)-enabled label for attachment to a data storage device. Embodiments of the system offer a turn-key solution for entities to trace and track the movement of data storage devices within and between physical locations. 
     Embodiments provide a label programming system configured to scan a barcode of a label that is attachable to a data storage device and convert and write the scanned information onto a chip of an RF-enabled inlay embedded within the label. Embodiments provide a label programming system enabled to verify/read RFID-enabled tags and ensure that the information written to the chip matches the barcode printed on the label prior to attaching the label to the data storage device. In one embodiment, the label programming system includes ultra high frequency (UHF) read/write components suited to UHF initialize RF-enabled labels. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a label programming system  20  according to one embodiment. The label programming system  20  (system  20 ) includes an interface  22  coupled to a label programmer  24  by an electrical cable  26 . In one embodiment, the interface  22  includes a controller  28  coupled to the label programmer  24  by the cable  26  and a graphical user interface (GUI)  30  configured to enable a user to interact with the label programmer  24  when initializing labels for attachment to data storage devices. The controller  28  includes computers and like devices configured to operate software that is user-operable via the GUI  30  (e.g., a monitor). In another embodiment, the controller  28  is internal to the programmer  24 . In one embodiment, the label programmer  24  includes an output port  32  to which the cable  26  connects, a power port  34  communicating with a power cable  36 , and an on/off switch  38 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the label programmer  24 . In one embodiment, the label programmer  24  includes a housing  40  maintaining one or more RF read/write assemblies  42  (See  FIG. 3 ), a platform  44  coupled to housing  40 , a work surface  46  or support  46  disposed over the platform  44 , guides  48   a,    48   b  disposed along opposing lateral sides of the support  46 , and an optical reader assembly  50  coupled to the guides  48   a,    48   b.    
     In one embodiment, optical reader assembly  50  includes a pair of bases  52   a,    52   b  each coupled to a respective one of the guides  48   a,    48   b,  a U-arm  54  (e.g., an arch  54 ) coupled to the bases  52   a,    52   b,  and a pair of optical scanners  56   a,    56   b  secured to the arch  54 . The arch  54  is elevated above the work surface  46  and is configured to enable a sheet of RF-enabled labels to traverse beneath the optical scanners  56   a,    56   b.  In one embodiment, the optical scanners  56   a,    56   b  are in electrical communication with the RF read/write assembly  42  via electrical cables  58 , and the programmer  24  communicates with the controller  28  to individually initialize each label of the sheet of RF-enabled labels. Suitable optical scanners include one of the MS-series of scanners available from MICROSCAN, Renton, Wash. Other suitable optical scanners are also acceptable. 
     In one embodiment, an optional belt system  59  is provided to direct a sheet of RF-enable labels across the work surface  46 . The belt system includes gears  61  and a belt  63  engaged over the gears  61 . The belt is configured to ride over the platform  44  and move a sheet of labels along the work surface  46 . Other means for moving a sheet of labels are also acceptable, including manually indexing the sheet or a pinch roller system suited to move the sheet carrying the labels. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the housing  40  and the RF read/write assembly  42  maintained within the housing  40 . The view of  FIG. 3  shows the label programmer  24  with the platform  44  and the support  46  ( FIG. 2 ) removed such that the RF read/write assembly  42  is visible. In one embodiment, the housing  40  forms a container defined by a bottom  60 , opposing lateral sides  62 ,  64 , and opposing ends  66 ,  68 . The RF read/write assembly  42  and the belt system  59  are disposed within the housing  40 . The belt system  59  includes a motor  65  adapted to drive the gears  61  and the belt  63 . 
     The RF read/write assembly  42  includes a first reader/writer  70  electrically coupled to an RF multiplexer  80  having cables  74 ,  84  extending to RF antennas  72 ,  82 , respectively. In one embodiment, the cables  74 ,  84  include ferrite cores  75 ,  85 , respectively, disposed around the coaxial cables. The ferrite shielded cores  75 ,  85  of cables  74 ,  84  are configured to isolate the antennas  72 ,  82  from electrical disturbances from the reader  70  and other electronics, thus improving the reliability of the label programmer  24 . In addition, the ferrite shielded cores  75 ,  85  of cables  74 ,  84  also isolate antennas  72 ,  82  from each other, thus reducing misreads. A signal converter  90  is disposed within the housing  40  and provides a universal serial bus port adapter. 
     In one embodiment, the RF reader/writer  70  includes SkyeTek SkyeModule M9 ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID reader available from SkyeTek, Westminster, Colo. In one embodiment, the RF antennas  72 ,  82  include ultra high frequency RF antennas identified as SIRIT part number H1483-351 antennas having an area of about 0.5 inch by 3 inches. Other suitable antennas include “miniature” patch antennas with impedance matching elements, zigzag monopole or dipole antennas, coiled monopole or dipole antennas, a Fractus FR05-S1-R-0-105 antenna, an Antenova 1020B5812-01 antenna, or a Tyco Electronics series 1513165 antenna, and other antennas having an operating frequency near 900 MHz. 
     Label programmer  24  also includes a power supply, a motor controller for the belt system  59  motor, interface cables, and USB, power jacks, and a belt position sensor suitably wired in a manner that those with skill in the art will understand. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a portion of label programmer  24  including the platform  44  placed on the housing  40  over the belt system  59 . In one embodiment, the platform  44  includes a first shield  100  spaced from a second shield  102  by a gap G. The platform  44  is placed atop the housing  40 , and the antennas  72 ,  82  are aligned within the gap G under the shields  100 ,  102  in line-of-sight of the optical scanners  56   a,    56   b.    
     In one embodiment, the first shield  100  includes a panel  110  that defines a leading end  112  and a trailing end  114  and includes a metal foil  116  extending between the leading end  112  and the trailing end  114 . In one embodiment, the second shield  102  includes a panel  120  defining a leading end  122  opposite a trailing end  124  and a metal foil  126  extending between leading end  122  and trailing end  124 . In one embodiment, the trailing ends  114 ,  124  each include an optional insulator  118 ,  128  disposed over the respective metal foils  116 ,  126  to minimize the possibility of electrical contact between a user and metallic (i.e., conductive) portions the trailing ends  114 ,  124 . Suitable panels  110 ,  120  include plastic panels about 0.125 inches thick, although other panels of other thicknesses are also acceptable. 
     The antennas  72 ,  82  aligned in the gap G are positioned in a line-of-sight of the optical scanners  56   a,    56   b.  In this manner, one or more RF-enabled tags traversing the gap G are aligned with the optical scanners  56   a,    56   b  and the antennas  72 ,  82 , such that the RF reader/writer  70  is enabled to read/write only to those tags that are in line with the optical scanners  56   a,    56   b.  Moving a series of tags over the gap G results in one row of tags being positioned between the antennas  72 ,  82  and the RF reader/writer  70 . In one embodiment, the work surface  46  ( FIG. 2 ) includes a smooth plastic plate having an area of about 9×12 inches that facilitates the unfettered movement of the tags across the gap G. This one row of tags is suited for initialization in which information optically read by scanners  56  off of the tags in the gap G is coupled to the RF reader/writer  70 , which electronically writes the information to a chip in each tag. 
     In one embodiment, the gap G between the first shield  100  and the second shield  102  is adjustably maintained by an optional divider  104  coupled between the shields  100 ,  102 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the platform  44 . In one embodiment, the metal foil  116  extends between the leading end  112  and the trailing end  114  of the panel  110 , and the metal foil  126  extends between the leading end  122  and the trailing end  124  of the panel  120 . In general, the leading ends  112 ,  122  are spaced apart by the adjustable gap G dimension. 
     It is desirable that the platform  44  be configured to prevent RF read/writing to tags that are not within the line-of-sight of the antennas  72 ,  82  ( FIG. 4 ). In one embodiment, the platform  44  is sized to be at least 1 inch longer than the sheet to which the tags are attached. In another embodiment, the platform  44  is wrapped by the metal foil  116 ,  126  to prevent undesirable antenna transmission to tags other than the targeted tags. For example, in one embodiment the metal foil  116  wraps around the trailing end  114  and extends up to the leading end  112  in a manner that is configured to enable the shield  100  to prevent the antennas  72 ,  82  from undesirably writing to or otherwise affecting labels placed on the platform  44  that are not presented in the gap G. In another embodiment, as illustrated, the metal foil  116  wraps around both the leading end  112  and the trailing end  114  and is secured to a back of the panel  110 . The shield  102  is configured in a manner similar to the shield  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the divider  104  includes a first tab  130  and a flange  132  extending from the first tab  130 , and a second tab  140  and a second flange  142  extending from the tab  140 . The first flange  132  is coupled to the second flange  142  such that the divider  104  defines the gap distance G between the first shield  100  and the second shield  102 . In one embodiment, the first flange  132  is slideably coupled to the second flange  142  such that the divider  104  is adjustable to enable adjustment of the gap G. 
     In one embodiment, the divider  104  is conductive and serves to further isolate the two sides  100 ,  102  of platform  44 . For example, one embodiment provides the first tab  130  electrically coupled to the metal foil  116  of the first shield  100  by a conductor  134 , and the second tab  140  electrically coupled to the metal foil  126  of the second shield  102  by a conductor  144 . The conductors  134 ,  144  electrically couple to the shields  100 ,  102  to minimize the radiation of undesirable fields to the antennas  72 ,  82 . The conductors  134 ,  144  include electrically conducting adhesive tape, although other forms of electrically coupling the metal foil  116 ,  126  to the divider  104  are also acceptable. 
     In alternative embodiments each of the first and second shields  100 ,  102  include a ferrite plate, or each of the first and second shields includes a carbon-filled foam plate. Other forms of shields  100 ,  102  configured to selectively impede the radiofrequency transmission between the antennas  72 ,  82  and labels that are not present in the gap G are also acceptable. 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the label programmer  24  employed to initialize (or print) electronic information to an array  160  of RF-enabled labels  162 . The array  160  of RF-enabled labels  162  includes multiple rows and multiple columns of labels  162  disposed on a carrier  164  that is indexed under scanners  56   a,    56   b.  The carrier  164  is suitably indexed by the belt system  59  to pass one row of two columns of the labels  162  over the gap G for initialization. The scanners  56  optically read information from the rows of the labels  162 , electronically communicate the information to the RF readers/writer  70  ( FIG. 3 ), and the RF readers/writer  70  electronically programs chips in the labels  162  by transmitting the information through antennas  72 ,  82 . 
       FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the RF-enabled label  162 . In one embodiment, the RF-enabled label  162  includes an inlay  170  and a printed superstrate  172  disposed on the inlay  170 . The inlay  170  maintains a label antenna  174  that is electrically coupled with a chip  176 . 
     In one embodiment, the label antenna  174  is an ultra high frequency (UHF) antenna that is integrated within the chip  176  and the inlay  170 . Other forms of the label antenna  174  are also acceptable. In general, the label antenna  174  is configured to electromagnetically interact with the RF reader/writer  70  ( FIG. 3 ) in receiving/sending data. With this in mind, in one embodiment the label antenna  174  is a UHF-compatible EPC GEN 2 Class 1 RF antenna operable between 860-960 MHz and is configured to communicate information stored on the chip  176  to a transceiver module (not shown) in the mobile reader  24  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In one embodiment, the chip  176  is a memory chip capable of recording and/or storing device information, such as a format of data stored on a storage device and a VOLSER number associated with the device. In one embodiment, the memory of the chip  176  stores the data that is visually present on the printed superstrate  172  in addition to other information such as whether the label  162  is affixed to a container of devices, or whether the label  162  is affixed to a data storage device, or other tracking related information. 
     In one embodiment, the VOLSER number is a unique value that is specific to each data storage device it is associated with. In this specification, unique means an item exists as the only one such item. Thus, in one embodiment the VOLSER number specific to each data storage device identifies one and only one such data storage device, and there are no other data storage devices having that VOLSER number. This is in contrast to retail inventories having product labels, where any one label is employed to identify multiple items, such as any one of three dozen long sleeved shirts, or any one of seven cases of wine, and the sale or transaction of a shirt or one or more bottles of wine updates the number of shirts or bottles of wine still in inventory. 
     The chip  176  is preferably an electronic RFID chip including memory, where the memory has at least the capacity to be written with device information. In one embodiment, the chip  176  is an electronic memory chip capable of retaining stored data even in a power “off” condition, and is, for example, an RFID chip with memory available from, for example, NXP, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In another embodiment, the chip  176  is an Alien RF-enabled chip available from Alien Technology, Morgan Hill, Calif. Those with skill in the art of memory chips will recognize that other memory formats and sizes for the chip  176  are also acceptable. 
     The superstrate  172  includes a first optical field  178  and a barcode field  180 . In one embodiment, at least one of the information field  178  and the barcode field  180  includes multiple bits of data encoded to include alphanumeric identifiers encoded in ASCII and configured to identify a data storage device to which the label  162  is attachable, container information indicating the label  162  is attached to a data storage device or affixed to a container of data storage devices, and other information useful in tracking data storage devices. 
     The chip  176  is programmed to have a specific content and format for the information stored in memory. In one embodiment, the chip  176  electronically stores all of the data printed on the superstrate  172  including the fields described above and additional tracking data not visually evident on the superstrate  172 . Many chips have a check value used to check data transmission accuracy. Some chips  176  have password protection. Chips  176  used in other applications have hardware encryption. 
     The VOLSER number can be user-defined or assigned by a manufacturer according to specifications provided by a customer. In general, the VOLSER number includes a character within the 80 bit field to mark the end of the VOLSER number, which enables the reading and interpretation of variable length and/or unique VOLSER numbers. In one embodiment, the bit pattern of the VOLSER number is not encrypted when reading or writing the VOLSER number to enable easy decoding by an outside source, such as a customer or client. In other embodiments, the VOLSER number is encrypted in software before sending to the label (for example, by inverting the bits, or by a more complex encryption such as a variation of Data Encryption Standard (DES) or Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)) to prevent decoding by an outside source, or encoded to save space in the memory of the chip  82 . 
     In one embodiment, a check value is computed, transmitted, and stored with the data sent to the label. A check value is a small, fixed number of bits that can be employed to detect errors after transmission or storage of data. For example, in one embodiment the check value is computed and appended before transmission or storage, and verified afterwards by a recipient to confirm that no changes occurred on transmission of the data. Advantages of check values are that they are easily implemented, they can be analyzed mathematically, and are useful in detecting common errors caused by noise in transmission channels. (For example, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) such as CRC 8 ATM, or CRC 16, or CRC 32 IEEE 802.3.) 
     In other embodiments, a parity check or other function may be employed to generate the check value for the data. A parity check usually refers to a check value that is the exclusive-or of the data being checked. 
     The label programming system  20  including the label programmer  24  that is employed to read the information from the fields  178 ,  180  of the superstrate  172  and communicate the optically read information to the RF read/write assembly  42  that writes the information to the chip  176  as described below in  FIGS. 7-10 . 
       FIGS. 7-10  are front views of screen images accessible through the GUI  30  ( FIG. 1 ) used by an operator of the system  20 . Each of  FIGS. 7-10  makes additional reference to  FIG. 1 , which illustrate the controller  28  employing software viewable on the interface  22  and useful in initializing the RF-enabled labels  162  (as described above). 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a start-up screen  200  including a new sheet button  202 , a mode selector  204 , a customer information field  206 , a settings button  208 , a field  210  for presenting information read by scanner  56   a,  and a field  212  for presenting information read from scanner  56   b.  In one embodiment, the new sheet button  202  is activated to erase any previous information stored when initializing a previous array of RF-enabled labels, which is recommended when beginning a new label initialization process. The mode selector  204  includes a scan/write option to enable the user to scan the labels  162  printed with the barcode  180  and convert that identifying information into RF codes while simultaneously writing the information to the chip  176 . The customer information field  206  includes the customer&#39;s RFID identification number that is desirably written to the labels  162 . The customer information field  206  includes 20-64 characters of writable information. The scanners  56  are provided with adjustment sliders configured to adjust the start and stop positions of the scanners  56 . The settings button  208  provides a check box, that when checked, brings up settings to positionally align the barcode scanners  56   a,    56   b.  In this manner, the user of the system  20  is enabled to adjust the scanners  56  to correspond with various sizes and shapes of the label array  160 . 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of a screen  220 . The left and right settings fields  222  include sliders  224  that may be moved with a mouse coupled to the interface  22  to adjust the scanners  56 . In one embodiment, the settings  222  include a left scanner COM and a right scanner COM that provide COM ports. In one embodiment, a USB links the label programmer  24  to the interface  22  and the selection of the COM ports is automatic. 
     In one embodiment, the user types in the expected first number (a start number) and a last number (an expected end number) in each column of the labels  162  in the array  160 . This is a useful option if the scanning process is expected to be interrupted, and/or if the operator is handling multiple arrays  160  of labels  162 . 
     In one embodiment, the fields  210 ,  212  ( FIG. 7 ) list the current barcode  180  for the label  162  that is being scanned near a top portion of the field and lists information for the last label  162  detected in each column of the array  160 . In one embodiment, the column background areas turn green and a sensor beeps each time a label  162  is detected in its respective column. The label identification number appears (e.g., as text) in the respective column of the screen  220 . Each column also includes a list count of the number of labels  162  detected. Labels  162  are counted only once even if they pass under the scanners  56  more than one. 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a screen  230  implemented by the software of the system  20 . In one embodiment, a separate field  232  is provided adjacent to the scanner fields  210 ,  212  and provides a number that identifies the step of the label initialization process. For example, in one embodiment the field  230  includes the number zero to indicate that no label is being detected. The number 1 in the field  232  indicates that the programmer  24  is decoding the barcode  180  with the scanner  56 . In this instance, the background turns green on each column that decodes the barcode. The number 2 in the field  232  indicates the programmer  24  is detecting the RFID tag portion of each label  162 . The number 3 in the field  232  indicates that the programmer  24  is attempting to write information to the chip  176 . The number 4 in the field  232  indicates that the programmer  24  is attempting to write a “kill password” to the chip  176 . The “kill password” is provided to prevent an accidental or malicious overwriting of the chip  176  that will alter its identification number. A kill password is useful in that retail stores intentionally “kill” RFID tags as a security measure once the item bearing the tag has been purchased. The number 5 in the field  232  indicates that the initialization process employed by the programmer  24  is complete. In one embodiment, the initialization process occurs in a matter of seconds and is often so quick that the user generally is visually unable to observe the field  232  changing from the number 0 to 5. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of a screen  240  employed by the software of the system  20 . The screen  240  provides a scan/RFID verify option  242  that enables the user to insure that both the printed barcode  180  information (on superstrate  172  in  FIG. 6B ) and the initialized RFID information written to the chip  176  matches. In one embodiment, after the chip  176  is written, the user clicks on the “scan/RFID verify” button  242  and then passes the array  160  of labels  162  below the scanners  56  a second time. The system  20  outputs a “VER” confirmation  244  in the fields  210 ,  212 . The “VER” confirmation  244  is shown by the software whenever the written RFID number matches the printed barcode  180 . In this manner, the user is enabled to ensure that the printed barcode in field  180  matches with the initialized RFID identification number stored on chip  176 . 
     In one embodiment, the system  20  includes an auto verify feature that verifies initialization of initialized labels without having the operator initiate a second pass of the labels through the programmer. Other embodiments provide for one-pass label initialization and verification of label initialization. One exemplary flow chart includes:
         A. The user:
           1. inserts a sheet of labels on the programmer between the tabs in the belt.   2. indicates to the label programmer that it should program the tags.   
           B. The label programmer:
           1. advances and reads a first label.   2. writes the first label&#39;s RFID chip.   3. reads the first label&#39;s RFID chip.   4. reports the first label&#39;s VOLSER number   5. reads a second label.   6. writes the second label&#39;s RFID chip.   7. reads the second label&#39;s RFID chip.   8. reports the second label&#39;s VOLSER number.   9. repeats step B. 1 through B. 8 for labels 3 through 20.   10. reads label 20&#39;s RFID chip.   11. report the 20&#39;th labels VOLSER number.   12. reads label 19&#39;s RFID chip.   13. advance backward to label 18   14. repeats steps 10 through 13 for labels 18 through 1.   
           C. The user
           15. verifies that the labels were written properly.   16. removes the sheet of labels from the programmer.   
               

     Embodiments provide a label programming system configured to scan a barcode of a label that is attachable to a data storage device and convert and UHF write the scanned information onto a chip of an RF-enabled inlay embedded within the label. Other embodiments provide a label programming system enabled to verify RFID-enabled tags by verifying that the information written to the chip matches the barcode printed on the label prior to attaching the label to the data storage device. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments of a label programmer, a label programming system, and method of initializing radiofrequency (RF)-enabled labels for attachment to a data storage device as discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.