Zih Corporation

Tom Zwier

Karl Torchalski

Boris Y Tsirline

Anthony R Brown

Steven R Kovanko

Robert S Gawelczyk

Daniel F Donato

Martin Andreas Karl Schwan

William Shuff

Chris Aiello

Mao Tian

Martin A Schwan

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

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

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

Media processing system and associated spindle

Growing community of inventors

Lake Zurich, IL, United States of America

Tom Zwier