Patent ID: 12227002

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples disclosed herein are directed to a tag mount for a media supply roll having a hollow cylindrical core, the tag mount including: a tag mount body including: (i) an inner wall configured to face the core, the inner wall having a retaining element to engage with the core and affix the tag mount body to the core, (ii) an outer wall opposite the inner wall, and (iii) a carrier surface, distinct from the retaining surface, the carrier surface defined on one of the inner wall and the outer wall; an antenna affixed to the carrier surface; and an integrated circuit coupled with the antenna and configured to store an attribute corresponding to the media supply roll.

Additional examples disclosed herein are directed to a system, comprising: a media supply including a core supporting a web of print media; and a tag mount body including: (i) an inner wall configured to face the core, the inner wall having a retaining element to engage with the core and affix the tag mount body to the core, (ii) an outer wall opposite the inner wall, and (iii) a carrier surface, distinct from the retaining surface, the carrier surface defined on one of the inner wall and the outer wall; an antenna affixed to the carrier surface; and an integrated circuit coupled with the antenna and configured to store an attribute corresponding to the media supply roll.

FIG.1illustrates a media supply100for a printer, such as a table-top printer (e.g., used to print labels, receipts, or the like). The media supply100includes a hollow cylindrical core104, on which is wound a web108of paper, labels mounted on a paper or polymer backing, or the like. The media supply100can be installed in a printer, e.g., by mounting the core104on opposing spindles in the printer, such that the core is supported to allow rotation of the media supply100about an axis112. The web108can be unspooled by rotation of the media supply100, e.g., driven by a nip formed in the printer by a platen roller and a print head (e.g., a thermal print head, such as an array of individually controllable thermal elements or dots).

The core104can be a tube of cardboard, paperboard, or the like. Various other materials can also be used to manufacture the core104. In general, the core104includes an inner surface116defining a cylindrical channel through the core104. The inner surface116, and therefore the channel, are substantially parallel to the axis112. The core104also includes a pair of opposing end surfaces, of which one end surface120is visible inFIG.1. The core104further includes an outer surface, on which the web108is mounted. As the web108is present inFIG.1, the outer surface is not visible.

The properties of the web108can vary across different media supplies, and some printers are compatible with media supplies having webs108with differing properties. For example, some printers can accommodate a media supply with a printable width “W” of two inches, four inches, or six inches (a wide variety of other printable widths are also contemplated). Further, some printers can accommodate a media supply100carrying thermally-sensitive media that is compatible with direct thermal printing, as well as a media supply100carrying media compatible with thermal transfer printing, in which a ribbon cartridge in the printer supplies ribbon to the above-mentioned nip along with the media from the media supply100, to transfer pigment from the ribbon to the media.

A further property that varies between media supplies100is a length or total quantity (e.g., expressed as a number of labels on the web108). In some cases, media supplies100can also be continuous (e.g., a web108consisting of continuous media such as receipt paper), or non-continuous (e.g., a web108consisting of discrete labels separated by gaps or marks). In further cases, media supplies100can impose distinct sensing requirements on the printer. For example, the printer can include one or more optical sensors in the media path between the media supply100and the above-mentioned nip. The optical sensors can be operated in one configuration when the web108includes discrete labels or other sections divided by gaps (e.g., translucent portions of a polymer web where paper or other material has been removed), and in a different configuration when the web108includes discrete labels or other sections divided by colored marks (e.g., black bars separating labels).

To make use of the media supply100, therefore, a configuration of the printer may require adjustment. Such adjustments may involve manual adjustment, e.g., by an operator of the printer. To alleviate the need to make manual adjustments, while also avoiding or reducing the need to modify manufacturing processes for media supplies100, described below are tag mount devices that can be affixed to the media supply100, and that carry an integrated circuit and a wireless antenna, e.g., in the form of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. Once affixed to the media supply100, the tag supported on the tag mount can be read, e.g., by an RFID reader in the printer, to extract properties of the media supply100. Such extraction then enables the printer to automatically update relevant configuration settings to make use of the media supply100.

Turning toFIG.2, an example tag mount200is shown in isolation. The tag mount200includes a body202having an inner wall204, and an opposite outer wall (not visible inFIG.2). The inner wall204is referred to as “inner” because it is configured to face towards the core104when the tag mount200is assembled to the media supply100. The inner wall204includes a retaining surface to engage with the core104, and affix the tag mount body202to the core104. In this example, the inner wall204includes a plurality of tabs208extending inwards, such that the tabs208are substantially parallel to the axis112when the tag mount200is assembled to the media supply100. The tabs208, and any retaining surface or set of retaining surfaces more generally, can also be referred to as retaining elements. The inner wall204includes six tabs208in this example, but in other examples the inner wall204can include a smaller or greater number of tabs208. The tabs208are wedge-shaped in this example, but can have also various other configurations. The body202is annular in the illustrated example, and includes an opening212therethrough, configured to align with the channel of the core104mentioned in connection withFIG.1. The tabs208are disposed adjacent to the opening212, to align the tabs208with the end120of the core104.

The tabs208form the retaining surface mentioned above. That is, the surfaces of each tab208are configured to engage with the core104of the media supply100to affix the body202to the core104. In particular, as shown inFIG.3, a modified core104acan be provided prior to installation of the tag mount200, e.g., by pressing a plurality of slots300into the end120of the core104. Installing the tag mount200includes pressing the tag mount into the core104, such that the tabs208press-fit into the slots300. The number and arrangement of slots300pressed into the end120of the core therefore is equal to the number and arrangement of tabs208on the inner surface204.

The retaining surfaces defined by the tabs208therefore affixes the tag body202to the core104, and the media supply100can then be installed into a printer for use. As will be apparent, the core104can be manufactured with the slots300therein, e.g., prior to application of the web108, but such a modification to the manufacturing process is not necessary. In other examples, the slots300can be pressed into the core104after the web108is applied, e.g., by an entity other than the manufacturer(s) of the media supply100. For example, depending on the hardness of the material used in the core104, the tabs208themselves may be used to form the slots300during assembly of the tag mount200to the core104. In other examples, the media supply100can be pressed onto a die configured to press the slots300into the core, prior to installation of the tag mount200.

FIG.3also illustrates an outer wall304of the tag mount body202. As seen inFIG.3, the outer wall304is a continuous surface, or a set of contiguous surfaces facing away from the core104. The tag mount200also includes a carrier surface308, which in the illustrated example is on the outer wall304. The carrier surface308, in this example, is recessed relative to the other surfaces of the outer wall304, but in other examples the carrier surface308can be a region of a single planar surface (e.g., not recessed relative to other surfaces of the outer wall304). As seen inFIG.3, the inner wall204and the outer wall304are substantially perpendicular to the axis112of the core104, when the tag mount200is assembled to the core104.

The carrier surface is distinct from the retaining surface (provided by the tabs208in this example), but can be on either the inner wall204or the outer wall304in other examples. The carrier surface308is configured to carry a wireless antenna312, such as the antenna of an RFID tag (illustrated in dashed lines to distinguish visually from the edges of the tag mount body202). The carrier surface308also carries, in this example, an integrated circuit316coupled to the antenna312and configured to store one or more attributes of the media supply100. Example attributes320are shown inFIG.3, including a type of the media (e.g., continuous vs. non-continuous), a count of discrete media sections such as labels, a print method (e.g., direct thermal vs. thermal transfer), and a printable width of the media. The attributes320can also include a unique identifier of the circuit316itself, for example. The antenna312is illustrated as an annular antenna in this example, but it will be understood that a wide variety of other antenna structures can also be employed.

As will be apparent, the antenna312and the circuit316are configured, in response to an interrogation signal from an RFID reader (e.g., deployed inside a printer), to return some or all of the data stored at the circuit316(e.g., the attributes320). The printer can therefore automatically obtain media attributes, and select configuration settings (e.g., previously stored at the printer) corresponding to those media attributes. In some examples, the printer can also write data back to the circuit316. For example, upon completing a print job, the printer can write an updated “count” value (e.g., 199 in the illustrated example) to the circuit316, such that future retrievals of the attributes320by the printer or another printer provide an accurate count of available media on the supply100.

FIG.4illustrates the tag mount200affixed to the media supply100. In particular, the tabs208are inserted into the slots300, such that the remainder of the inner wall204is flush against the end120of the core104and the web108. The antenna312and the circuit316face outwards from the core104, to facilitate read and/or write access to an RFID reader or other suitable wireless communications assembly within the printer. In other examples, the antenna312and/or the circuit316can be embedded within the tag mount body202.

FIG.5illustrates another example tag mount500, including a body504with an outer wall508including a carrier surface for carrying the antenna312. As seen inFIG.5, the outer wall508has a single continuous, planar surface, and the carrier surface is a portion of that planar surface, rather than being recessed as in the embodiment ofFIGS.2-4. The body504is annular, with an opening510therethrough configured to align with the channel of a modified core104b. The core104b, in particular, can include an outer portion512and an inner portion516with different inner diameters, as will be discussed below in greater detail.

Turning toFIG.6, the media supply100is shown in cross section, revealing that the portion512of the core104bhas a greater inner diameter “D1” than the diameter “D2” of the portion516. For example, material can be removed from the core104bin the portion512to enlarge the inner diameter of the portion512. The tag mount500includes an inner wall600, which in turn includes a sleeve604extending therefrom substantially parallel to the axis112of the core104b. The outer surface608of the sleeve is the retaining surface of the tag mount500. In particular, the outer diameter of the sleeve604(i.e., measured to the retaining surface608) is substantially equal to D1. Thus, pressing the tag mount500into the core104bpress-fits the sleeve604into the portion512of the core104b.

FIG.7illustrates the tag mount500following assembly to the core104b. In particular, the sleeve604is received entirely within the channel defined by the core104b, and the remainder of the inner wall600is flush against the end of the core104band the web108. The antenna312and the circuit316face outwards from the core104, to facilitate read and/or write access to an RFID reader as mentioned above. In other examples, the antenna312can be placed elsewhere, such as on an inner surface700of the sleeve604(i.e. the carrier surface can be on the sleeve604of the inner wall600, rather than on the outer wall508).

FIG.8illustrates a further example tag mount800having a cylindrical body802, in which an inner wall804and an outer wall808are substantially parallel to the axis112. The entirety of the inner wall804, in this example, is the retaining surface, as the body802is configured to be inserted into the portion512of the core104b, e.g., to press-fit the inner wall804against the interior of the core104b. The carrier surface is a region of the outer wall808, and carries an antenna812and integrated circuit816. As noted earlier, the antenna812need not be annular in other examples.

FIG.9illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tag mount800installed in the core104b. As shown inFIG.9, the tag mount800fits entirely within the channel defined by the core104bin this example. In other examples, however, a portion of the tag mount800can protrude from the channel when installed.FIG.10illustrates an assembled view of the tag mount800and the media supply100.

FIG.11illustrates a cross-sectional view of a further example tag mount. As shown inFIG.11, a core1104can include an indentation, e.g., an annular channel1108, cut into an inner surface1112thereof (e.g., extending continuously around the inner surface1112), adjacent to one end of the core1104. A tag mount1116can include an inner wall1120from which a sleeve1124extends, including a retaining element in the form of a ridge1128with a complementary shape to that of the channel1108. The ridge1128configures the tag mount1116to be snap-fitted into the core1104. In other examples, the sleeve1124can include a channel and the inner surface1112of the core1104can include the ridge. An antenna and chip can be supported on an outer wall1132of the tag mount1116, or on the inner wall1120.

As also shown inFIG.11, an auxiliary cap1136can be included with the tag mount1116, e.g., in a kit with the tag mount1116. The cap1136need not include an antenna or chip, but can be press-fit, snap-fit, or otherwise affixed to the core1104at the end opposite the tag mount1116, to provide a consistent cosmetic appearance at both ends of the core1104. A cap1136can also be included with any other example tag mount described herein.

FIG.12illustrates a further tag mount1200in cross section. The tag mount1200includes an outer wall1204and an inner wall1208. The retaining element of the tag mount1200is a portion of the surface of the inner wall1208, which can be affixed to a core1212by an adhesive1216, e.g., a continuous ring of adhesive surrounding the hollow channel extending through the core1212. In some examples, the inner wall1208can include a sleeve extending therefrom and carrying the adhesive on a retaining surface.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

Certain expressions may be employed herein to list combinations of elements. Examples of such expressions include: “at least one of A, B, and C”; “one or more of A, B, and C”; “at least one of A, B, or C”; “one or more of A, B, or C”. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the above expressions encompass any combination of A and/or B and/or C.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.