Intermec IP Corporation

Intermec, Inc.

Other

Intermec Technology, Inc.

Pixie Ann Austin

Christopher A Wiklof

Duane M Fox

Cathy L Aragon

Edward M Millet

David S Nierescher

Arvin D Danielson

Jay M Miazga

John Howland Sherman

Joseph R Wade

John H Sherman, Jr

Melanie Zerbe Pate

H Sprague Ackley

Michael John Brady

Dah-Weih Duan

William G Kelly

Steven B Winter

Kevin Girard Conwell

Howard H Nojiri

Patrick Helton

Steven C Hugh

David N Bledsoe

Jaye A Jarchow

Mike T Brooks

Patricia Brady, Legal Representative

Dzung A Dang

Mats Cremon

Allen Crowe

Christopher Wiklof

A mobile system having a portable fingerprint collecting system for generating a digitized image of a fingerprint collected from a subject, a database system configured to store a database containing a plurality of fingerprint templates cross-referenced with identification information, the database system configured to compare the digitized fingerprint images generated by the portable fingerprint collecting device with the fingerprint templates stored in the database to provide identification information for the fingerprint, and a communication system providing real time communication of the digitized fingerprint image and identification information between the portable fingerprint collecting system and the database system.

Multi-technology information capture system and method

Buildings such as residences and commercial locations may have a data marker such as a barcode and/or RF device. A data marker may store/carry data indicative of an address. This allows verification of a physical address of a location and/or a name of an owner, business(es), residents, and/or employees at that location. A service provider may utilize the data marker during the provision of services. For example, when a package is to be delivered, the data marker may be scanned/interrogated for address verification and then the item may be delivered. This speeds up the tracking and delivery of goods and services. It also reduces or eliminates human error during delivery as every residence and business has an address.

Method to verify or track a physical address while providing a service

Method and apparatus for reprogramming a programmable product, such as, a printer, a wireless communication device, or a portable computer. A software programmable product that includes memory for storing product operation information and a method for configuring the software programmable products is provided. Software is configurable by data stored on an RFID tag. Data stored on the RFID is transferred reprogramming circuitry of the production which sets the configurable operating parameters. This configures the products features and options as desired by the specific user without requiring an external programming device or destructive entering into the packages or internals of the product. An RFID located in an electronic product, within or upon its packaging, or on an accessory may be loaded with reprogramming data such as media configuration data or usage data. The RFID reader may be located on a kiosk.

Arrangement for automatic setting of programmable devices and materials therefor

Linerless label stock is fed to a printer that prints on the front face of the label stock and then to a media cutter . The cutter cuts the strip into discrete labels, which are fed to a tag application station . A strip of electronic tags is fed through an encoder that detects defective tags and then to a tag cutter that cuts the strip into discrete tags. Defective tags exiting the cutter are diverted away from the tag application station. Non-defective tags are conveyed to the tag application station where they are secured to the back face of labels.

RF tag application system

A device such as a printer, includes non-volatile memory storing a communications kernel. Upon startup, a microprocessor executes the communication kernel to prompt a host to download a setup kernel to the device. The microprocessor may verify the downloading using a check sum calculation. The microprocessor may execute the setup kernel to determine the operational characteristics on the device. For example, the microprocessor may interrogate the hardware elements of the device to determine a set of hardware characteristics. The microprocessor may also interrogate the device to determine a set of user selectable setup options and may further interrogate the device or a nonresident register for ownership and access attributes for selected modules and software. The microprocessor may link a number of resident and non-resident library modules, selected based on the operational characteristics. The library modules are dynamically linkable to reconfigure the software as operational characteristics change. The invention employs a dual kernel system, including a minimal communications kernel and a setup kernel to customize the device.

Apparatus and method to configure a device, such as a printer, over a network

An on-demand subsurface printed label. Indicia is reverse printed on the back of a clear plastic label film. Resulting label is suitable for harsh environments without requiring pre-printing or use of an extra protective outer layer.

On-demand thermal transfer printer/laminator for sub-surface printed labels

A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only &frac13; of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density. In still another embodiment of the printhead control system, the resistance of each printing element is checked and, if found to be unacceptably high, corresponding printing elements of other print lines are used for printing.

Printhead having multiple print lines, and method and apparatus for using same

A thermal printer is provided which is adapted for printing information onto multiple types of print media, including both a conventional print media and a linerless print media. The thermal printer comprises a mechanism that transports the print media through a print region of the printer, which comprises a thermal print head and a rotatable platen disposed such that the print media is transported therebetween. A coating is provided on selected portions of the transporting mechanism and the platen. The coating comprises an epoxy resin mixed with a powder to provide a textured surface. The powder of the coating further comprises at least one of titanium dioxide, silica, and calcium sulfate. The coating has a film thickness ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mils. The textured surface provides sufficient friction and non-stick characteristics to permit the printer to effectively transport both conventional print media and linerless print media.

Multi-media thermal printer

A memory device comprises a substrate, an antenna on a first surface of the substrate, a microelectronic structure coupled to the antenna, a selectively deformable intermediate layer covering the first surface, the antenna and the microelectronic structure and conforming thereto, and an adhesive layer covering the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer may be deformable for selectively positioning the antenna with respect to the adhesive, and positioning the antenna with respect to an item to which the memory device is secured. The intermediate layer may be compressed, creating a relatively low profile for printing on the memory device. The intermediate layer may be an elastomerically compressible material, such as foam, or may be a selectively pressurizable and deformable envelope. A substantially planar surface of the intermediate layer provides a smooth surface for further manufacturing steps such as forming a protective film layer, a conductive ground layer, or for depositing adhesive and die cutting the RF tag onto a release liner. A face sheet may be positioned on the second surface of the substrate to provide a smooth surface for printing. Alternatively, the intermediate layer may provide a substantially planar surface for the face sheet. The ground layer may be formed from a spent transfer ribbon. A second ground layer and a dielectric layer may form a capacitor.

Wireless memory device

This is a cutter assembly for linerless strip media having an uncovered adhesive backing. There is a cutter for transverse movement across the media and a backing bar with at least two cutting edges. The backing bar can be rotated to place one of the cutting edges in contact with the cutter. A cleaning station cleans the previously used cutting edge as the bar is rotated. Rotating and fixed cutters can be used. The cutter is replaceable and can be supplied in combination with as associated media for which it is designed. The cutter may partially cut the media to make it separate without fouling the cutter with adhesive. A self-healing 'solid' roller is also disclosed.

Strip cutter for adhesive-backed media

A printer for printing on an outer layer of a print medium on a print medium roll. The printer includes a base and a cover, which are pivotally coupled in a 'clamshell' configuration for movement between a closed position in which the printhead is located in a printing position proximate the path of the media and an open position that is spaced from the printing position. The printer may use thermal or inkjet printing. The printer is used without a mechanical paper drive mechanism. The printer monitors movement of an outer wrap of the print medium as the print medium roll rotates in response to a user pulling print medium from the print medium roll. In one embodiment, the printer detects movement of the print medium with a metering roller and an optical rotation sensor. In another embodiment, the printer monitors movement of the print medium by detecting movement of index marks on the print medium. From the monitored movement of the print medium, the printer identifies a portion of the print medium aligned to the printhead and selects image portions to print in the identified portion. The printer then activates the printhead to print the selected image portions in the corresponding identified portion. A bias spring, together with movable mounting of the printhead, allows the printhead to remain engaged with the print medium as the radius of the print medium roll decreases as the print medium is dispensed.

Clam shell printer

A clamshell printer having a base and a cover pivotally mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position, wherein the open position provides unhindered access to a media path and a print head in the printer. The printer may include a platen formed integrally therein or a platen rollingly supported in the printer. A media supply, such as a continuous sheet of linerless thermal media in the form of a roll may be quickly and efficiently drop-loaded into the printer, with no threading of the media required. Unhindered access to the print head is also provided. The printer may or may not include a drive mechanism for advancing the media through the printer. The print head is controlled by a microprocessor mounted to a circuit board in the printer. The circuit board may be spring-biased to urge the print head toward a printing position, which is located at an effective printing distance from the media and the platen. A window may be formed in the printer for observing the media supply.

Printer with an integrally formed spring for biasing the printhead

A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only 1/3 of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density. In still another embodiment of the printhead control system, the resistance of each printing element is checked and, if found to be unacceptably high, corresponding printing elements of other print lines are used for printing.

Printhead having multiple print lines, and method and apparatus for

An apparatus for use in a thermal printer for printing information onto a paper substrate material is provided. The apparatus enables the thermal printer to compensate for the variable payout force of the paper substrate material. The apparatus comprises a platen in contact with the paper substrate material at a print region of the thermal printer. A motor and a roller mechanically coupled to the motor are used to transport the paper substrate material through the print region. A rotational rate detector comprises a light source, a disk having alternating radially disposed regions of different light conductivity, and a photodetector adjacent to the disk. The disk is at least partially illuminated by light provided by the light source and the photodetector to provide an electrical signal corresponding to detected periodic changes of the light illuminated onto the disk during rotation of the disk in cooperation with the platen. A central processor is adapted to receive the electrical signal and provide a driving signal to the motor. The driving signal compensates for the variable payout force by altering a corresponding transport rate of the paper substrate material in accordance with the detected rotational rate of the disk, an event model stored in a RAM, and/or a harmonic model stored in the RAM.

Growing community of inventors

Marysville, WA, United States of America

Pixie Ann Austin