Zih Corporation

Zebra Technologies Corporation

Zih Corp., a Delaware Corporation with Its Principal Office in Hamilton, Bermuda

Boris Y Tsirline

Karl Torchalski

Robert S Gawelczyk

Mao Tian

Clive Paul Hohberger

Anthony R Brown

Steven R Kovanko

Daniel F Donato

Tom Zwier

Martin Andreas Karl Schwan

Michael K Fein

Christopher Aiello

William Shuff

Chris Aiello

Martin A Schwan

Carolyn M Ricci

H Mcleod Iii Willamson

H Mcleod Iii Williamson

An encoding module and related systems and components are provided. The encoding module includes a plurality of encoding elements arranged in an array of columns and rows and one or more switching elements configured to selectively connect the encoding elements to a reader. The connection of the encoding elements may be based on the location of a targeted transponder disposed among multiple adjacent transponders to ensure the selective communication with the targeted transponder only. The module is configured for various types and locations transponders to be used within a system, such as a printer-encoder. Each encoding element may include a loaded conductive strip comprising a loop shape portion and a shield that corresponds to the loop shape portion. In another embodiment, an access control system having an encoding module with the plurality of couplers and an access card having a plurality of transponders corresponding to the couplers is provided.

Encoding module, associated encoding element, connector, printer-encoder and access control system

An RFID system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The RFID system may include a transponder conveyance system adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder encoding area along a feeding direction and an antenna having a resonant inductor and a ferrite material, wherein the ferrite material at least partially covers the resonant inductor and defines an exposed portion of the resonant inductor. In one antenna-transponder alignment, the exposed portion extends substantially parallel to the feeding direction.

Systems, methods and associated RFID antennas for processing a plurality of transponders

A RFID system and an associated antenna-coupler are provided. The system may be for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The system may include a transponder conveyance, a transceiver, and an antenna-coupler. The transponder conveyance is adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder operating region. The transceiver is configured to generate one or more electrical signals. The antenna-coupler has first and second microstrips in a cross-like arrangement relative to each other. Each of the first and second microstrips is configured to transmit one or more electro-magnetic fields concentrated in a near-field region of the antenna-coupler based on the one or more electrical signals for communicating with the targeted transponder.

RFID system and associated antenna-coupler

An example media processing device includes a coupler configured to transmit wireless signals to an encoding area, the coupler to transmit the wireless signals via a plurality of radiating elements; a controller to control which set of the radiating elements is to transmit the wireless signals; and a processor to adapt the coupler to a transponder configuration by: encoding a first transponder of the transponder configuration using the first set of the radiating elements to transmit the wireless signals; executing a first encoding evaluation on the encoded first transponder; encoding a second transponder of the transponder configuration using the second set of the radiating elements to transmit the wireless signals; executing a second encoding evaluation on the encoded second transponder; and selecting, based on the first and second encoding evaluations, the first set or the second set as a preferred radiating set for the transponder configuration.

Near field coupling devices and associated systems and methods

A printer/encoder system is provided for mounting to a mobile unit, such as a forklift-type vehicle. The printer/encoder system is adapted for printing and encoding one or more media units that may be stored in a media supply assembly of the printer/encoder system. The printer/encoder system may be mounted to the mobile unit using a mobile unit mounting assembly having a shock resistance system for protecting at least portions of the printer/encoder system from mechanical shocks or vibrations that are commonly associated with mobile unit movement. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly structured to encode a transponder, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, on a media unit. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly having a modular design.

Printer encoder adapted for positioning aboard a mobile unit

A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.

Spatially selective UHF near field microstrip coupler device and RFID systems using device

A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.

Media rolls, support structures for the media rolls, and media processing systems are provided. A media roll may include an identification transponder having retrievable information regarding the media units and associated media unit transponders wound around a core of the media roll. A support structure may include a spindle for supporting a media roll and include an identification coupler for communicating with the identification transponder. In addition to the spindle having the identification coupler, the media processing systems may include a second coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrieved from the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or more encoding and/or printing settings of the systems.

System for processing media units and an associated media roll

Provided is an apparatus, such as a printer, that includes a media modification component, such as a printhead, and an opposing member, such as a platen. The opposing member opposes the media modification component and is configured to manipulate media for modification by the media modification component. An RFID interrogator including an electromagnetic coupler, such as an antenna, can be associated with the opposing member, for example, by disposing the electromagnetic coupler within a bore defined by the opposing member. In some embodiments, the interrogator and the media modification component can be in communication with a control system that can be configured to correlate a media modification operation of the media modification component with either or both of a signal emitted by or received by the electromagnetic coupler.

Platen incorporating an RFID coupling device

A near-field antenna based on a coplanar waveguide is provided. The antenna is configured to communicate with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The antenna may include a first ground plane, a second ground plane, a dielectric substrate, and a conductive strip. The first ground plane and the second ground plane extend along the dielectric substrate and the conductive strip extends between the first ground plane and the second ground plane such that first ground plane and the conductive strip define a first slot extending between the first ground plane and the conductive strip and the second ground plane define a second slot extending between the second conductive strip and the conductive strip. The first ground plane, the second ground plane, and the conductive strip are substantially coplanar. In other embodiments, a novel assembly of a ribbon guide and a near-field antenna is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Glenview, IL, United States of America

Boris Y Tsirline