Patent Description:
Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional RFID printers. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein. <CIT>, against which claim <NUM> is delimited, discloses a method for encoding a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) inlay.

The method includes causing, by a processor, a media to travel along a media path in an RFID printer. The media includes a plurality of labels. Each label of the plurality of labels comprises an RFID inlay. <CIT> discloses a method and apparatus for testing RFID tags using wireless radio frequency (RF) communication. <CIT> discloses a system and method for loading and unloading consumable supplies of a printer.

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a printer assembly that includes a media hub configured to receive a media roll and supply a media from the media roll along a media path. The media includes a plurality of labels, with each label of the plurality of labels comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) inlay. The printer assembly also includes a media guide positioned adjacent to the media path.

The media guide includes an RFID antenna. The RFID antenna is communicatively coupled to an RFID control system and configured to transmit signals to encode the RFID inlay on a first label of the plurality of labels. The media guide also includes at least one shield. The at least one shield is positioned adjacent to the RFID antenna to prevent, during an encoding of the RFID inlay on the first label of the plurality of labels, an encoding of the RFID inlay on a second label of the plurality of labels. The at least one shield is configured to be removable from the media guide, and wherein the at least one shield is configured to be attached to the media guide at more than one position.

In various embodiments, the at least one shield comprises a material capable of absorbing electromagnetic signals. In some embodiments, the material is copper. In some embodiments, the media guide comprises a material allowing the signals transmitted by the RFID antenna to pass through the media guide. In some embodiments, the material of the media guide is plastic. In some embodiments, the material of the media guide is transparent.

In some embodiments, the media guide defines a plane extending outward from a wall of a housing of a printer. In some embodiments, the media guide comprises a first shield positioned downstream from the RFID antenna and a second shield positioned upstream from the RFID antenna.

In other various embodiments, a printer assembly is disclosed. The printer assembly includes a media guide positioned adjacent to a media path. The media guide includes an RFID antenna communicatively coupled to an RFID control system and configured to transmit signals to encode an RFID inlay on a media along the media path. The media guide also includes at least one shield positioned to prevent, during an encoding of the RFID inlay, an encoding of a second RFID inlay on the media. The at least one shield is configured to be removable from the media guide, and wherein the at least one shield is configured to be attached to the media guide at more than one position. In various embodiments, the at least one shield comprises a material capable of absorbing electromagnetic signals. In some embodiments, the material is copper. In some embodiments, the media guide comprises a material allowing the signals transmitted by the RFID antenna to pass through the media guide. In some embodiments, the material of the media guide is plastic. In some embodiments, the material of the media guide is transparent.

In other various embodiments, a media guide is disclosed. The media guide is configured to be coupled to a housing of a printer. The media guide includes an RFID antenna configured to transmit signals to encode an RFID inlay. The media guide also includes at least one shield positioned adjacent to the RFID antenna.

The above summary is provided merely for purposes of providing an overview of one or more exemplary embodiments described herein so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

Terminology used in this patent is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations.

The term "comprising" means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context. Use of broader terms such as "comprises," "includes," and "having" should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as "consisting of," "consisting essentially of," and "comprised substantially of.

The phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, or may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

The term "radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay" is used herein to correspond to an RFID tag that includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna element, and a substrate. In an example embodiment, the antenna element and the IC are fabricated on the substrate. Further, the IC is communicatively coupled to the antenna element through an interconnect on the substrate. In an example embodiment, the integrated circuit in the RFID inlay may be configured to store encoded information or the encoded data. In some examples the RFID inlay may be configured to operate in various RF frequency bands such as, but not limited to, <NUM> (hereinafter High Frequency Band) or <NUM>-<NUM> (UHF band). In some example embodiments, the RFID inlay may have a dedicated power source that may enable the RFID inlay to communicate with one or more components, such as an RFID encoder and an RFID reader. Such RFID inlays are referred to as active RFID inlays. In alternative example embodiments, the RFID inlay may not have a dedicated power source. In such embodiments, the RFID inlay may have a power coupler that is capable of inducing electrical charge when the RFID inlay is brought in an RF field. The induced electrical charge is thereafter used to power the RFID inlay itself.

The word "media" is used herein to mean a printable medium, such as a page or paper, on which content, such as graphics, text, and/or visual images, may be printable. In some embodiments, the media may correspond to a continuous media that may be loaded in an RFID printer in form of a roll or a stack, or may correspond to media that may be divided into a plurality of labels through perforations defined along a width of the media. Alternatively or additionally, the media may be divided into the plurality of labels through one or more marks that are defined at a predetermined distance from each other, along the length of the media. In some example embodiments, a contiguous stretch of the media, between two consecutive marks or two consecutive perforations, corresponds to a label of the media. In an example embodiment, each label of the plurality of labels includes a corresponding RFID inlay.

Various embodiments describe an RFID printer that is capable of encoding an RFID inlay provided on a plurality of labels in a media. The RFID printer defines a media travel path along which media in the RFID printer traverses. As was described above and in some examples, the media includes a plurality of labels, and each label of the plurality of labels further includes an RFID inlay. In operation and in some examples, the RFID printer may facilitate traversal of the media along the media path so as to encode RFID inlay in at least one of the plurality of labels. In some examples, the RFID printer comprises an RFID antenna, positioned adjacent to the media path, that is configured to transmit a signal to encode the RFID inlay provided on each of the plurality of labels. Because the RFID antenna is positioned adjacent to the media path, the RFID antenna facilitates encoding the RFID inlay on the plurality of labels while the media traverses along the media path.

In various embodiments, the RFID antenna is coupled to a media guide. The media guide is positioned adjacent to the media path and is configured to guide the media along the media path and prevent the media from skewing as the media traverses along the media path. Alternatively or additionally, the RFID antenna may be positioned adjacent to a media hub, a print head engine, and/or other structures along the media path.

To encode the RFID inlay on a label of the plurality of labels while the media traverses along the media path, a media sensor generates an input signal as the media traverses along the media path. Based on the input signal, a processor in the RFID printer may be configured to determine a real-time location of the label (that includes the RFID inlay to be encoded). In some examples, after determining the real-time location of the label, the processor may instruct an RFID control system to encode the RFID inlay on the label by transmitting a signal through the RFID antenna. Because the RFID printer according to the various embodiments encodes the RFID inlay as the media traverses along the media path, there is no need to halt the traversal of the media in order to enable the RFID antenna to encode the RFID inlay.

In some examples, however, errors may arise during an encoding of an RFID inlay on a media having a small pitch. The term "pitch" describes a distance from a leading edge of an RFID inlay to a leading edge of the RFID inlay of the next adjacent label on the media. In other words, if labels of a media have a small pitch, the RFID inlays are positioned close (e.g., less than <NUM>,<NUM> (one inch), in some examples, less than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inch), and in other examples, less than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inch)) together. Media having a small pitch may be desirable for purposes of cost-savings as well as inclusion of additional labels and RFID inlays on the media.

However, an RFID antenna may not be able to accurately encode information to a given RFID inlay while the media having a small pitch traverses the media path. That is, if there is a target RFID inlay, an upstream RFID inlay, and a downstream RFID inlay, each of these multiple RFID inlays may be detected simultaneously by the RFID antenna. This may result in errors such as an encoding of multiple RFID inlays at once (e.g., each of the target RFID inlay, upstream RFID inlay, and downstream RFID inlay, resulting in portions of information missing from the encoded RFID inlays, or may result in the RFID antenna not encoding any RFID labels as multiple RFID inlays are continuously simultaneously detected as the media traverses the media path.

Various example embodiments disclosed herein are configured to comprise a media guide comprising at least one shield, such as a shield that is configured to shield an upstream or downstream RFID inlay from receiving an encoding signal. That is, the at least one shield is positioned adjacent to the RFID antenna to prevent, during an encoding of an RFID inlay on a first label of the plurality of labels, an encoding of the RFID inlay on a label upstream and on a label downstream from the first label. In this regard, the at least one shield is configured to absorb radio and/or other electromagnetic waves during an encoding process of an RFID label that would otherwise encode one or more additional RFID inlays.

<FIG> illustrate an example RFID printer <NUM>, according to the one or more embodiments described herein. The RFID printer <NUM> may include a media hub <NUM>, an RFID antenna <NUM> (described further below in conjunction with <FIG>), an RFID control system <NUM>, and a media output slot <NUM>. In some examples, the RFID printer <NUM> may include a ribbon drive assembly <NUM>, a ribbon take-up hub <NUM>, and a print head <NUM>.

In some example embodiments, the media hub is configured to receive a media roll <NUM>. In some examples, the media roll <NUM> may correspond to a roll of a media <NUM> that may have a plurality of labels <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates example labels 118a, 118b, 118c, and 118d, for example. The plurality of labels <NUM> may be defined on the media <NUM> by means of perforations <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of labels <NUM> may be defined on the media <NUM> by means of one or more marks (not shown). In some examples, the media hub <NUM> may be coupled to a first electrical drive (not shown) that actuates the media hub <NUM>. On actuation, the media hub <NUM> causes the media roll <NUM> to rotate, which further causes the media <NUM> to travel/traverse along a media path <NUM> (as shown in the shaded portion in <FIG>).

In some example embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the media hub <NUM> facilitating supply of the media <NUM> along the media path <NUM>. In alternative embodiment, the RFID printer <NUM> may further include a platen roller (an example platen roller is further described in <FIG>), in addition to the media hub <NUM>, that may be positioned along the media path <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the platen roller may be coupled to the first electrical drive, which actuates the platen roller. On actuation, the platen roller may be configured to pull the media <NUM> from the media roll <NUM> (mounted on the media hub <NUM>), causing the media <NUM> to travel along the media path <NUM>.

Additionally or alternately, the first electrical drive may be coupled to both the platen roller and the media hub <NUM> such that both the platen roller and the media hub <NUM> operate in sync. Such configuration of the RFID printer <NUM> (that includes the platen roller and the media hub <NUM>) is further described in conjunction with <FIG>.

The RFID antenna <NUM> corresponds to an antenna element that is positioned adjacent to the media path <NUM>. In some examples, the RFID antenna <NUM> is coupled to a media guide <NUM> (described further below in conjunction with <FIG>). In an example embodiment, the RFID antenna <NUM> may facilitate encoding of an RFID inlay <NUM> provided on each of the plurality of labels <NUM> (on the media <NUM>), while the media traverses along the media path <NUM>.

The RFID control system <NUM> may include suitable logic and circuitry to control the operation of at least the RFID antenna <NUM>. For example, the RFID control system <NUM> includes an RFID encoder and an RFID reader that may cause the RFID antenna <NUM> to encode and read the RFID inlay <NUM>, respectively. The structure and operation of the RFID control system <NUM> has been described in conjunction with <FIG>.

In some examples, as discussed above, the RFID control system <NUM> causes the RFID antenna <NUM> to encode the RFID inlay <NUM> on one of the labels <NUM> of the plurality of labels while the media <NUM> traverses along the media path <NUM>. Therefore, subsequent to the encoding of the RFID inlay <NUM>, the encoded RFID inlay <NUM> is outputted from the media output slot <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the media output slot <NUM> corresponds to a slot in a housing of the RFID printer <NUM>, through which the label <NUM> with an encoded RFID inlay <NUM> is outputted.

In addition to encoding the RFID inlay <NUM> provided on each of the labels <NUM>, the RFID printer <NUM>, in some example implementations, may print content on the labels <NUM>. To facilitate printing of the content on the labels <NUM>, the RFID printer <NUM> may further include the ribbon drive assembly <NUM>, the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>, and the print head <NUM>.

The ribbon drive assembly <NUM> may receive a ribbon roll <NUM> that corresponds to a roll of a ribbon <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the ribbon <NUM> may correspond to an ink media that is utilized to dispose ink onto the media <NUM> to print content on the media <NUM> (e.g., label <NUM>). In some example implementations, the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> may be coupled to a third electrical drive that may be configured to actuate the ribbon drive assembly <NUM>. On actuation, the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> rotates, which in turn causes the ribbon roll <NUM> to rotate and supply the ribbon <NUM> along a ribbon path <NUM> (as shown in the shaded in <FIG>). Along the ribbon path <NUM>, the ribbon <NUM> traverses from the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> to the print head <NUM> and further to the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the ribbon take-up hub <NUM> may correspond to an assembly that may receive used ribbon (i.e., a section of the ribbon <NUM> from which the ink has been is disposed on the media <NUM>). The ribbon take-up hub <NUM> may also be coupled to the third electrical drive that may be configured to actuate the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>. On actuation, the ribbon take-up hub <NUM> pulls the ribbon <NUM> from the ribbon roll <NUM>, causing the ribbon <NUM> to move along the ribbon path <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the third electrical drive (coupled to both the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> and the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>) enables synchronized operation of the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> and the ribbon take-up hub <NUM> such that the amount of ribbon released by the ribbon roll <NUM> is equal to the amount of ribbon received by the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>. For example, a length of the ribbon <NUM> released by the ribbon roll <NUM> is same as the length of the ribbon <NUM> received by the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>.

The print head <NUM> may correspond to a component that is configured to print the content on the media <NUM> (e.g., label <NUM>). In an example embodiment, the print head <NUM> is provided on the media path <NUM> and the ribbon path <NUM>. The print head <NUM> includes a plurality of heating elements (not shown) that are energized and pressed against the ribbon <NUM> to perform a print operation. During the print operation, the print head <NUM> concurrently applies heat on a section of the ribbon <NUM> and presses the ribbon <NUM> against the media <NUM> to transfer the ink on the media <NUM>. In some examples, after the print operation, the media <NUM> and the ribbon <NUM> traverse along the media path <NUM> and the ribbon path <NUM>, respectively, such that the printed media is outputted from the media output slot <NUM> and the used ribbon traverses to the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>.

In some example embodiments, the RFID printer <NUM> may further include an input panel <NUM> that further includes one or more buttons <NUM>. The one or more buttons may correspond to input devices through which a user of the RFID printer <NUM> may provide inputs, causing the RFID printer <NUM> to perform a predetermined operation. For example, the user of the RFID printer <NUM> may provide input through the one or more buttons <NUM> to configure settings of the RFID printer <NUM> and/or cause the RFID printer <NUM> to perform an encoding and/or printing of one or more labels. Some examples of the one or more buttons <NUM> may include, but are not limited to push buttons, soft push buttons, touch buttons, and/or the like.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate example schematics 200a and 200b of the RFID printer <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The schematics 200a and 200b of the RFID printer <NUM> illustrate that the RFID printer <NUM> may further include a platen roller <NUM>, a media sensor <NUM>, a media guide <NUM>, one or more shields <NUM>, and a control system <NUM> in some embodiments. The schematics 200a and 200b of the RFID printer <NUM> further depicts the media path <NUM>. Further, the schematics 200a and 200b illustrate that the RFID antenna <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the media path <NUM> such that the RFID antenna <NUM> is pointed towards the media <NUM> on the media path <NUM>. Further, in some examples, the RFID antenna <NUM> is positioned upstream of the media sensor <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the term "upstream" according to the one or more embodiments described herein corresponds to a direction opposite to media traversal direction along the media path <NUM> during encoding of the RFID inlay <NUM> on the labels <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the term "downstream" according to the one or more embodiments described herein corresponds to a direction same as the media traversal direction along the media path <NUM> during encoding of the RFID inlay <NUM> on the labels <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example top view of an example media guide <NUM> and <FIG> shows an example bottom view of an example media guide <NUM>. In example embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the RFID antenna <NUM> is coupled or otherwise attached to the media guide <NUM>, such as via a slot <NUM> defined by the media guide <NUM>, and communicatively coupled to the RFID control system <NUM> (e.g., via a coaxial cable <NUM>). As shown, the RFID antenna <NUM> may include a grounding element <NUM> and one or more resistors <NUM>. In this regard, an antenna connection is made from a center pin of the coaxial cable <NUM> to the antenna <NUM> through the grounding element <NUM>. In this regard, energy enters an RFID reader <NUM> through a power cable or Ethernet connection and is directed through the RFID control system <NUM> and into the center pin of the coaxial cable <NUM>. The energy is then sent through the length of the coaxial cable <NUM> and moves through the opposite center pin, through a center antenna connection located on or within the grounding element <NUM> and is then radiated out from the antenna <NUM> in the form of RF signals toward an RFID inlay in range.

The media guide <NUM> defines a plane that may be coupled or otherwise attached to the housing of the printer <NUM>. An example shape of the plane defined by the media guide <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In this regard, the media guide may attach to (at side <NUM>) and extend outward from a wall of the housing of the printer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the media guide may be configured to be detachable and removable from the housing of the printer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the media guide is adjacent to the media path <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in order to maintain the media path and prevent the media from skewing from the media path. The RFID antenna <NUM> may be coupled or otherwise attached to a top portion of the media guide <NUM> (e.g., via slot <NUM>), such that the RFID antenna <NUM> rests on top of the media guide <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, while the media traverses underneath the bottom portion of the media guide, as shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the media guide <NUM> is comprised of plastic or other non-metallic material such that the media guide <NUM> does not interfere with signals (e.g., RF and/or other electromagnetic signals) transmitted from the RFID antenna <NUM> to one or more RFID inlays during an encoding process. In some embodiments, the media guide <NUM> may be transparent such that light may pass through the media guide.

In example embodiments, one or more shields <NUM> may be coupled, fastened and/or otherwise attached to the media guide. The one or more shields <NUM> may be attached to the media guide in various ways. For example, the shields <NUM> may clip and/or snap on to the media guide, and/or stick to the media guide (e.g., to the top or bottom of the media guide, via an adhesive). In some examples, the shields <NUM> may be inserted into the media guide. In this regard, in some embodiments, the media guide may define one or more openings configured to receive the one or more shields <NUM>.

In this regard, the one or more shields <NUM> may be configured to be removable from the media guide and positioned elsewhere on the media guide. For example, the shields <NUM> may be positioned on the media guide based on the pitch of the labels of the media <NUM>. For example, for labels having a small pitch (e.g., in some examples, less than <NUM>,<NUM> (one inch), in some examples, less than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inch), and in other examples, less than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inch)), the shields <NUM> may be positioned closer to the RFID antenna (e.g., as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>).

In various embodiments, the one or more shields <NUM> are comprised of a metallic material capable of absorbing RF and/or other electromagnetic signals transmitted by the RFID antenna <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the shields are comprised of copper. In some embodiments, the shields are square or rectangularly shaped, though it is to be appreciated that the shields may be shaped in various ways. In various embodiments, the shields may comprise a thickness of <NUM> millimeters. It is to be appreciated that the thickness of the shields may vary in some embodiments. For example, a thickness of the shields may be less than or greater than <NUM> millimeters. In various embodiments, the one or more shields <NUM> comprise a length greater than or equal to a length of the antenna <NUM>. In various embodiments, the one or more shields <NUM> comprise a width at least equal to a width of the media <NUM>. For example, the one or more shields <NUM> may comprise a width at least equal to a maximum media width supported by the printer <NUM>, such that the entirety of a label of the media upstream and/or downstream from the RFID antenna <NUM> is shielded during an encoding process.

In some embodiments, two shields <NUM> may be attached to the media guide <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, and positioned on the media guide <NUM> upstream and downstream from the RFID antenna <NUM> such that a first RFID inlay <NUM> of a first label <NUM> downstream from the RFID antenna <NUM> having already undergone an encoding process by the RFID antenna <NUM> and a second RFID inlay <NUM> of a second label <NUM> upstream from the RFID antenna are prevented from being detected and/or encoded by the RFID antenna <NUM> while a third RFID inlay <NUM> of a third label <NUM> currently below the RFID antenna <NUM> is undergoing an encoding process as the media <NUM> traverses the media path <NUM>. In other words, during the encoding process, the shields <NUM> are positioned such that the shields <NUM> absorb RF and/or other electromagnetic signals emitted by the RFID antenna <NUM> that would otherwise encode one or more additional RFID inlays <NUM> and <NUM>, while still allowing the RFID inlay <NUM> below the RFID antenna <NUM> to be encoded. In this regard, the shields <NUM> diminish the RF field directly below the shields <NUM> such that the RFID labels are not detected and/or encoded until the RFID inlay traverses into the RF field directly below the RFID antenna <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a shield may be attached to the media guide <NUM> upstream from the RFID antenna at position <NUM> and a second shield may be attached to the media guide <NUM> downstream from the RFID antenna <NUM> at position <NUM>.

In another embodiment, a single shield may be attached to the media guide <NUM> and positioned on the media guide <NUM> upstream and downstream from the RFID antenna <NUM> such that a first RFID inlay <NUM> of a first label <NUM> downstream from the RFID antenna <NUM> having already undergone an encoding process by the RFID antenna <NUM> and a second RFID inlay <NUM> of a second label <NUM> upstream from the RFID antenna are prevented from being detected and/or encoded by the RFID antenna <NUM> while a third RFID inlay <NUM> of a third label <NUM> currently below the RFID antenna <NUM> is undergoing an encoding process as the media <NUM> traverses the media path <NUM>. In this regard, the single shield may comprise an opening in the middle that allows transmission of RF and/or electromagnetic signals from the RFID antenna <NUM> to pass through.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, in an example embodiment, the platen roller <NUM> is positioned downstream of the print head <NUM> along the media path <NUM>. As discussed above, the platen roller <NUM> is coupled to the first electrical drive that enables the platen roller <NUM> to rotate and pull the media <NUM> from the media roll <NUM>, and accordingly cause the media <NUM> to travel along the media path <NUM>.

The media sensor <NUM> may correspond to a sensor that is configured to detect a presence of the media <NUM> on the media path <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the media sensor <NUM> is positioned upstream of the print head <NUM> and downstream of the RFID antenna <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the media sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect the presence of the media <NUM> by determining transmissivity and/or reflectivity of the media <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the transmissivity of the media <NUM> may correspond to a measure of an intensity of a light signal that the media <NUM> allows to pass through it. In an example embodiment, the reflectivity of the media <NUM> may correspond to a measure of an intensity of light signal that gets reflected from a surface of the media <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the media sensor <NUM> includes a light transmitter <NUM> and a light receiver <NUM>. The light transmitter <NUM> may correspond to a light source, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a LASER, and/or the like. The light transmitter <NUM> may be configured to direct the light signal on the media path <NUM>.

The light receiver <NUM> may correspond to at least one of a photodetector, a photodiode, or a photo resistor. The light receiver <NUM> may generate an input signal based on an intensity of the light signal received by the light receiver <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the input signal may correspond to a voltage signal, where one or more characteristics of the voltage signal, such as the amplitude of the voltage signal and frequency of the voltage signal, are directly proportional to the intensity of the portion of the light signal received by the light receiver <NUM>.

In operation, the light transmitter <NUM> of the media sensor <NUM> may be configured to direct the light signal on the media path <NUM>. If the media <NUM> is present on the media path <NUM>, a portion of light signal may get reflected from the surface of the media <NUM>. The light receiver <NUM> may receive the portion of the light signal, and based on the intensity of the portion of the received light signal, the light receiver <NUM> generates the input signal. In some implementations, where the media <NUM> is not present on the media path <NUM>, the light receiver <NUM> may not receive the portion of the light signal (transmitted by the light transmitter), and therefore may not generate the input signal. Accordingly, based on the input signal generated by the media sensor <NUM>, the presence of the media <NUM> on the media path <NUM> may be determined.

Additionally or alternatively, the media sensor <NUM> may determine the presence of the media <NUM> on the media path <NUM> based on the transmissivity of the media <NUM>. In such an implementation, the light receiver <NUM> may receive the portion of the light signal that passes through the media <NUM>. To receive the portion of the light signal that passes through the media <NUM>, the light receiver <NUM> is spaced apart from the light transmitter <NUM> in such a manner that the media of media roll <NUM> passes through a space between the light receiver <NUM> and the light transmitter <NUM>. When the light transmitter <NUM> directs the light signal on the media <NUM>, the portion of the light signal passes through the media <NUM>, which is then received by the light receiver <NUM>. The light receiver <NUM>, thereafter, may generate the input signal in accordance with the intensity of the portion of light signal received.

In some embodiments, the media sensor <NUM> may be utilized to detect a start portion and an end portion of the label 118a of the plurality of labels <NUM> in the media <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the start portion of the label 118a may correspond to a first perforation between the label 118a and another label preceding the label 118a. In an example embodiment, the end portion of the label 118a may correspond to a second perforation between the label 118a and a yet another label succeeding the label 118a. As discussed above, the media <NUM> may include the plurality of labels <NUM> that are separated either by perforations <NUM> or by the one or more marks (not shown). Therefore, when such marks or perforations <NUM> on the media <NUM> passes over the media sensor <NUM> during traversal of the media <NUM> along the media path <NUM>, the media sensor <NUM> may detect a sudden increase/decrease in the measure of transmissivity/reflectivity of media <NUM>. Such sudden increase/decrease in the measure of the transmissivity/reflectivity of media <NUM> is reflected in the input signal generated by the media sensor <NUM>. For example, the input signal generated by the media sensor <NUM> may include peaks or valleys indicating a sudden increase or decrease in the measure of the transmissivity/reflectivity of media <NUM>. Such peaks and valleys may be utilized to determine the start portion or the end portion of the label of the plurality of labels <NUM>.

Referring to the <FIG> and <FIG>, the RFID control system <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the RFID antenna <NUM> and the control system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may include suitable logic and circuitry to control the operation of the RFID printer <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the control system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to one or more components of the RFID printer <NUM>. For example, the control system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the print head <NUM>, the media sensor <NUM>, the RFID control system <NUM>, the first electrical drive (associated with the media hub <NUM> and the platen roller <NUM>), the third electrical drive (coupled to the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> and the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>), and the second electrical drive (coupled to the RFID antenna <NUM>). The structure of the control system <NUM> is further described in conjunction with <FIG>.

In some example embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the RFID printer <NUM> that performs both the RFID inlay encoding and printing operations. In some example implementations, the RFID printer <NUM> may not perform the printing operation and may only perform the RFID inlay encoding operation. In such implementation, the RFID printer <NUM> may not include the print head <NUM>, the ribbon drive assembly <NUM>, and the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of the RFID control system <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The RFID control system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a first memory device <NUM>, a first communication interface <NUM>, an RFID encoder <NUM>, an RFID reader <NUM>, a verification unit <NUM>, and a power modification unit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be embodied as means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in <FIG> as a single controller, in an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may include a plurality of controllers and signal processing modules. The plurality of controllers may be embodied on a single electronic device or may be distributed across a plurality of electronic devices collectively configured to function as the circuitry of the RFID control system <NUM>. The plurality of controllers may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the circuitry of the RFID control system <NUM>, as described herein. In an example embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be configured to execute instructions stored in the first memory device <NUM> or otherwise accessible to the controller <NUM>. These instructions, when executed by the controller <NUM>, may cause the circuitry of the RFID control system <NUM> to perform one or more of the functionalities, as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combination thereof, the controller <NUM> may include an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the controller <NUM> is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the controller <NUM> may include specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the controller <NUM> is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the first memory device <NUM>, the instructions may specifically configure the controller <NUM> to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Thus, the controller <NUM> used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Software applications may be stored in the internal memory before they are accessed and loaded into the processors. The processors may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. The memory can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

The first memory device <NUM> may include suitable logic, circuitry, and/or interfaces that are adapted to store a set of instructions that is executable by the controller <NUM> to perform predetermined operations. Some of the commonly known memory implementations include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In an embodiment, the first memory device <NUM> may be integrated with the controller <NUM> on a single chip, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The first communication interface <NUM> may correspond to a communication interface that may facilitate transmission and reception of messages and data to and from various components of the RFID printer <NUM>. For example, the first communication interface <NUM> is communicatively coupled with the control system <NUM>. Examples of the communication interface may include, but are not limited to, an antenna, an Ethernet port, a USB port, a serial port, or any other port that can be adapted to receive and transmit data. The communication interface transmits and receives data and/or messages in accordance with the various communication protocols, such as, I2C, TCP/IP, UDP, and <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> communication protocols.

The RFID encoder <NUM> includes suitable logic, and circuitry for encoding data in the RFID inlay <NUM> included in the plurality of labels <NUM> in the media. In some example embodiments, the RFID encoder <NUM> encodes data in the RFID inlay <NUM>, according to one or more of Electronic Product code (EPC) or Department of Defense (DOD) formats. In some examples, the RFID encoder <NUM> may be configured to transmit the data (for the purpose of encoding the RFID inlay <NUM>) over one or more frequency bands such as, but not limited to, <NUM> (hereinafter "High Frequency band" or "HF") or <NUM>-<NUM> (hereinafter "UHF band"), through the antenna element <NUM>. Further, the RFID encoder <NUM> may be configured to modulate the data on an RF carrier of either HF frequency band or UHF band prior to transmitting the data for encoding the RFID inlay <NUM>. Some examples of the modulation techniques utilized by the RFID encoder <NUM> include, but are not limited to, Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM), Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), and/or the like.

In some examples, the RFID encoder <NUM> may be configured to transmit one or more commands to the RFID inlay <NUM> on the label 118a of the plurality of the labels <NUM>, causing the RFID inlay <NUM> to perform a predetermined operation in accordance with the one or more commands. For example, the RFID encoder <NUM> may transmit a command "Write" that indicates to the RFID inlay <NUM> to write the data accompanied with the command in the memory of the RFID inlay <NUM>. Similarly, the RFID encoder <NUM> may transmit other commands to the RFID inlay <NUM> such as but not limited to "Lock", "Access", "BlockWrite", and/or any other command according to the EPCglobal standards.

The RFID reader <NUM> includes suitable logic and circuitry for reading data from the RFID inlay (e.g., <NUM>). To read the data encoded in the RFID inlay <NUM>, the RFID reader <NUM> may transmit an interrogation command to the RFID inlay over the one or more frequency bands such as HF and UHF. Further, similar to the RFID encoder <NUM>, the RFID reader <NUM> may also utilize the one or more modulation techniques such as ASK and PJM to transmit the interrogation command on the one or more frequency bands. In response to the interrogation command, the RFID reader <NUM> may receive the encoded data from the RFID inlay <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the RFID reader <NUM> may utilize the antenna element <NUM> to transmit the interrogation command and receive the encoded data from the RFID inlay <NUM>.

In some examples, both the RFID reader <NUM> and the RFID encoder <NUM> may include one or more of filters, analog to digital (A/D) converters, Digital to Analog (D/A) convertors, matching circuits, amplifiers, and/or tuners that enable the RFID reader <NUM> and the RFID encoder <NUM> to transmit and receive data over the one or more frequency bands through the antenna element <NUM>.

The verification unit <NUM> includes suitable logic and circuitry that is configured to verify whether the encoding of the RFID inlay <NUM> is successful, as further described in FIGS. <NUM> and <NUM>. In some examples, to determine whether the encoding is successful, the verification unit <NUM> may determine an encode success rate. The verification unit <NUM> may be implemented using one or more hardware components, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

The power modification unit <NUM> includes suitable logic and circuitry that is configured to manage a signal transmission power of the RFID antenna <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the signal transmission power corresponds to a transmitter power output at which a signal is transmitted from the RFID antenna <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the power modification unit <NUM> may be configured to modify the signal transmission power in accordance with a plurality of power settings. In an example embodiment, a power setting may correspond to a value of the signal transmission power with which the data is transmitted from the RFID antenna <NUM>. In some examples, the power modification unit <NUM> may modify input voltage to the RFID antenna <NUM> to modify the signal transmission power. In an example embodiment, the power modification unit <NUM> may modify the signal transmission power in response to an instruction received from the control system <NUM>. The power modification unit <NUM> may be implemented using one or more hardware components, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of the control system <NUM> of the RFID printer <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The control system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a second memory device <NUM>, a second communication interface <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) device interface unit <NUM>, a calibration unit <NUM>, an encoding operation unit <NUM>, and a signal processing unit <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be embodied as means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in <FIG> as a single processor, in an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may include a plurality of processors and signal processing modules. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single electronic device or may be distributed across a plurality of electronic devices collectively configured to function as the circuitry of the control system <NUM>. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the circuitry of the control system <NUM>, as described herein. In an example embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be configured to execute instructions stored in the second memory device <NUM> or otherwise accessible to the processor <NUM>. These instructions, when executed by the processor <NUM>, may cause the circuitry of the control system <NUM> to perform one or more of the functionalities, as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor <NUM> may include an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor <NUM> is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor <NUM> may include specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor <NUM> is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the second memory device <NUM>, the instructions may specifically configure the processor <NUM> to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Thus, the processor <NUM> used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Software applications may be stored in the internal memory before they are accessed and loaded into the processors. The processors may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. The memory can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

The second memory device <NUM> may include suitable logic, circuitry, and/or interfaces that are adapted to store a set of instructions that is executable by the processor <NUM> to perform predetermined operations. Some of the commonly known memory implementations include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the second memory device <NUM> may be integrated with the processor <NUM> on a single chip, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The second communication interface <NUM> may correspond to a second communication interface <NUM> that may facilitate transmission and reception of messages and data to and from various devices. For example, the second communication interface <NUM> is communicatively coupled with a computing device (not shown). For example, through the second communication interface <NUM>, the RFID printer <NUM> may be configured to receive commands/jobs from the computing device based on which the RFID printer <NUM> may perform predetermined operation. Examples of the second communication interface <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, an antenna, an Ethernet port, a USB port, a serial port, or any other port that can be adapted to receive and transmit data. The second communication interface <NUM> transmits and receives data and/or messages in accordance with the various communication protocols, such as, I2C, TCP/IP, UDP, and <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> communication protocols.

The I/O device interface unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may be configured to communicate with the one or more components of the RFID printer <NUM>, in accordance with one or more device communication protocols such as, but not limited to, I2C communication protocol, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication protocol, Serial communication protocol, Control Area Network (CAN) communication protocol, and <NUM>-Wire® communication protocol. In an example embodiment, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may communicate with the media sensor <NUM>, the first electrical drive, the second electrical drive, the third electrical drive, associated with the media hub <NUM>, the RFID antenna <NUM>, and the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> and the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>, respectively, and the one or more buttons <NUM> provided the input panel <NUM> of the RFID printer <NUM>. For example, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may receive the input signal from the media sensor <NUM>. Further, for example, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may actuate the first electrical drive associated with the media hub <NUM> and the platen roller <NUM> to cause the media <NUM> to traverse along the media path <NUM>. Some examples of the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may include, but not limited to, a Data Acquisition (DAQ) card, an electrical drives driver circuit, and/or the like.

The encoding operation unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry for operating the RFID printer <NUM> in an encoding mode. In an example embodiment, the encoding operation unit <NUM> may be configured to cause the RFID encoder <NUM> in the RFID control system <NUM> to encode the RFID inlay <NUM> on the label 118a, through the RFID antenna <NUM>. The encoding operation unit <NUM> may be implemented using one or more hardware components, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

The signal processing unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry for analyzing the input signal received from the media sensor <NUM>. For example, the signal processing unit <NUM> may include a digital signal processor <NUM> that may be configured to identify the peaks and the valleys in the input signal. Further, the signal processing unit <NUM> may utilize one or more signal processing techniques such as, but not limited to, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), Discrete Time Fourier Transform (DTFT) to analyze the input signal. The signal processing unit <NUM> may be implemented using one or more hardware components, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

In some examples the scope of the disclosure is not limited to having a separate control system <NUM> for the RFID printer <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, various units/modules of the control system <NUM> may be implemented on the RFID control system <NUM>, forming an integrated, single apparatus, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In another alternative embodiment, various functionalities of the RFID control system <NUM> may be implemented in the control system <NUM>, forming an integrated, single apparatus, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In such an implementation, the RFID antenna <NUM> may be directly communicatively coupled to the control system <NUM>.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a special-purpose processor such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor <NUM> may be any processor, controller, or state machine. A processor <NUM> may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively or in addition, some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

In one or more example embodiments, the functions described herein may be implemented by special-purpose hardware or a combination of hardware programmed by firmware or other software. In implementations relying on firmware or other software, the functions may be performed as a result of execution of one or more instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media and/or one or more non-transitory processor <NUM>-readable media. These instructions may be embodied by one or more processor <NUM>-executable software modules that reside on the one or more non-transitory computer-readable or processor <NUM>-readable storage media. Non-transitory computer-readable or processor <NUM>-readable storage media may in this regard comprise any storage media that may be accessed by a computer or a processor <NUM>. By way of example but not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable or processor <NUM>-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, disk storage, magnetic storage devices, or the like. Disk storage, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc™, or other storage devices that store data magnetically or optically with lasers. Combinations of the above types of media are also included within the scope of the terms non-transitory computer-readable and processor <NUM>-readable media. Additionally, any combination of instructions stored on the one or more non-transitory processor <NUM>-readable or computer-readable media may be referred to herein as a computer program product.

Claim 1:
A printer assembly (200b) comprising:
a media guide (<NUM>) positioned adjacent to a media path (<NUM>), wherein the media guide (<NUM>) comprises:
a Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, antenna (<NUM>), the RFID antenna (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to an RFID control system (<NUM>) and configured to transmit signals to encode an RFID inlay (<NUM>) on a media (<NUM>) along the media path (<NUM>); and
characterized by:
at least one shield (<NUM>) positioned to prevent, during an encoding of the RFID inlay (<NUM>), an encoding of a second RFID inlay on the media (<NUM>);
wherein the at least one shield (<NUM>) is configured to be removable from the media guide (<NUM>), and wherein the at least one shield (<NUM>) is configured to be attached to the media guide (<NUM>) at more than one position.