1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) labels and tags, and more particularly to RFID tags that allow more efficient operation of a printer system.
2. Related Art
Typically, products stored in cartons or boxes are identified by a label on the outside of the carton or box. Identifying information may also be printed directly onto the carton with inkjet or any other suitable printing technology. The label may have optically readable information, such as a UPC barcode. These labels allow optical readers using a laser beam to scan the information contained thereon, such as description, price, date packaged, or any other usable data. One disadvantage of optically readable labels is that the optical reader and the label must be within a specific spatial relationship to each other, such as within a line of sight or along a perpendicular scan direction, or is limited in range by the optical reader.
A more recent type of label uses RFID or Radio Frequency Identification tags to store information. RFID uses radio frequency signals to acquire data from RFID tags within range of an RFID reader. RFID transponders or tags, either active or passive, are typically used with the RFID reader to read information from the RFID tag embedded in a label. RFID tags and labels can be obtained through companies, such as Alien Technology Corporation of Morgan Hill, Calif. A typical RFID reader/writer energizes transponder circuitry in the tag by transmitting a power signal. The power signal may convey data which can be stored in a transponder memory, or the transponder circuitry may transmit a response signal containing data previously stored in its memory. If the transponder circuitry transmits a response signal, the RFID reader/writer receives the response signal and interprets the stored data. The data is then transmitted to a host computer for processing.
One advantage of RFID labels is that line of sight is no longer required to read the label. This is a significant advantage since with barcodes, anything blocking the laser beam from the barcode would prevent the barcode from being read. Using radio frequencies allows RFID labels to be read even when line of sight is present between the RFID label and the RFID reader. As the cost and size of RFID tags decrease, more and more companies and groups are favoring or requiring RFID labels on their products.
Even with a growing trend toward RFID labels, there are advantages to placing optical information on a label so that the package has both optical information and RFID, such as having the ability to read the label using more than one technology. This may be beneficial because RFID label technology is not as widespread as barcode technology, and many businesses or users may not have suitable RFID readers to read the RFID tag.
Labels having both RFID and optically readable information can be produced in a printer, such as a thermal printer, by first printing optically readable information on the label and then programming or encoding the RFID tag embedded within the label. Other types of printers may first program the label and then print the information. Still other printers may read the pre-programmed or encoded information from the RFID tag and print the information on the label as optically readable information, such as barcodes. Because there are numerous RFID tag and label manufacturers, such as Alien, it is desirable to have printers that can print optically readable information regardless of the type of RFID tag used in the printer system. However, since each RFID tag or label manufacturer may produce tags having differing compositions, characteristics, sizes, and properties, a single printer system may print tags from different manufacturers differently. For example, the print quality for one type of RFID label may be quite different than for a second type of RFID label.
Accordingly, there is a need for the ability to optimize printing RFID labels of different types.
According to one aspect of the invention, RFID tags embedded within thermal printer labels, label cores, ribbons, and print heads include pertinent pre-programmed information, to allow for automatic printer configuration for optimal printer-label performance, and for printer management control.
In one embodiment, pertinent pre-programmed information includes properties and characteristics associated with the RFID label, such as the IC vendor source, the IC vendor lot number and/or date code, the inlay performance level, the inlay antenna type, the label material, the label liner material, the label configuration, and label dimensions. The RFID printer system then reads this information and the printer is configured or acts accordingly. For example, the RF power can be set to an optimal level for a particular antenna type, or the printer can let the operator know that the roll of RFID labels cannot be printed, such as by improper loading or incompatible label type.
In another embodiment, RFID tags are embedded in a ribbon core to increase RFID printer performance. In this embodiment, pertinent pre-programmed information may include the data about the ribbon vendor, ribbon formulation, ribbon date/lot code, and ribbon size. The RFID reader can then process this information to automatically configure the printer, for example, by configuring print head settings and speed to optical levels for the ribbon.
In yet another embodiment, RFID tags are attached to a print head of an RFID printer system. Information contained or pre-programmed in the tag may include the print head vendor, model number, lot/date code, resolution, print width, warranty information, and specific properties of the print head operation. The information may be used by the printer system to configure its operation, such as setting media feeder widths and issuing warnings to the user about upcoming print head servicing or replacement.
This invention will be more fully understood in conjunction with the following detailed description taken together with the following drawings.
Use of the same or similar reference numbers in different figures indicates same or like elements.
According to one aspect of the present invention, RFID tags are pre-programmed with specific information such that the RFID printer system can read the stored information and use that information to operate the printer system more efficiently.
Referring back to
Due in part to the small areas within a printer system, labels 200 are brought in close proximity to RFID antenna 106 during interrogation, e.g., approximately 0.035 inches or less of RFID antenna 106. Thus, contrary to conventional antennas used for RFID tag interrogation having large beam widths, RFID antenna 106 must be capable of interrogating fast moving RFID tags that are in close proximity to each other and to the RFID antenna. Some suitable antennas are described in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/660,856, 10/863,055, and 10/863,317, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
According to one embodiment, RFID tag 202 is pre-programmed with information about the tag or label, such as properties, characteristics, size, and type. Because RFID tags provide data storage capability, such as in memory 210, useful information can be retained. Data stored in the tag prior to printing or pre-programmed data can include any information necessary or helpful to improve the efficiency or quality of the printing process. The pre-programmed data can include information such as, but not limited to, the RFID IC vendor source (e.g., Alien Technology, Matrics, or Philips), the RFID IC vendor lot number and/or date code, the RFID inlay performance level (e.g., RF grade level), the RFID inlay antenna type (e.g., Squiggle, M-Tag, or Dual-Dipole), the type of RFID label material (e.g., Fasson 1C pressure sensitive label), the type of RFID label liner (e.g., Fasson super-calendared kraft), the RFID label configuration (e.g., top-of-form identification used, whether die-cut, whether perforated, whether adhesive type), and the RFID label dimensions (e.g., 4″×6″, 3″×3″, or 4″×2″).
This type of information can be programmed by the manufacturer at any time prior to printing optically readable information on the RFID label. For example, the information can be stored either before or after embedding the RFID tag into the label. Conventional programming may be used to write the data into memory 210 of RFID tag 202 embedded in label 200 and is thus not discussed herein.
Once the information is programmed, it can be read by an RFID printer system, such as system 100 of
Some configurations parameters could be (but are not limited to) automatically marking (or over-striking) RFID tags/labels that do not meet certain performance criteria, automatically setting the RF power level for the particular antenna type, automatically setting print head heat settings and print speeds, and verifying that the correct media is loaded for the application program. System controller 110 sends the appropriate signals for configuration, such as to RFID reader 114, print head 108, or control panel 122.
In other embodiments, the data can be used to provide exception-handling conditions which can be fed back to the remote or local printer operator for notification that printer attention is required. Examples of such exceptions include, but are not limited to a warning that the incorrect media is loaded in the printer, and advanced warning of low media conditions.
These exceptions can be sensed through remote management software applications, which in turn transmits the warning or information, such as by email, to appropriate personnel.
Other types of information that can be pre-programmed in the RFID tags allow the quality data to be tracked in the printer. This data includes, but is not limited to tracking RFID quality, tracking RFID inlay quality, and tracking label conversion quality. Note that this information, as before, can be stored on a single or on multiple RFID tags embedded in the media roll core or within each label/tag on the roll, as appropriate for the information provided.
In another embodiment of the invention, the pre-programmed RFID tag can be embedded in a printer ribbon core. In this embodiment, information about the ribbon is read by the system to improve printer performance. As the ribbon passes within range of the RFID antenna, the RFID reader reads the stored information, such as by interrogating the tag. Information may include, e.g., the type of ribbon, the ribbon vendor name or identifier, the ribbon formulation, the ribbon date/lot code, and the ribbon size (e.g., length and width). The RFID reader can then transmit the data to system controller 110 or other device for configuration to increase printer performance. Configuration parameters may include automatically setting print head heat settings and adjusting print speeds.
The information may also be used to provide advanced warning of ribbon low status. For example, the RFID reader can determine, from reading the tag, when a new ribbon roll is loaded. Then, in conjunction with the printer internal capabilities, the amount of ribbon consumed is measured, which allows the system to determine when the ribbon is running low. The RFID tag in the ribbon core may also be written to by the printer system, such as to maintain updated information on the amount of ribbon consumed. This is beneficial if the ribbon is moved to another printer system. The new printer system can then read the information in the RFID tag in the ribbon roll to determine how much ribbon is remaining.
In further embodiments, a pre-programmed RFID tag can be attached to a print head, such as print head 108 of
For example, during printing of RFID labels, the RFID reader/encoder can track the amount of media of media run through the print head, which can be encoded or written to the RFID tag. This information can then be compared with pre-programmed information, such as by system controller 110, to determine whether an action or notification is needed. In one instance, this determination can be used to notify the operator or user that the print head needs to be replaced. When the amount of media passed is within a certain range of the suggested usage of the print head, the user may be notified that replacement will be needed soon. In another instance, the printer system compares the current date to the warranty expiration date of the print head. The operator can be sent periodical warnings, such as via the printer control panel menu or to a remote management software application, that the warranty period is about to expire or has expired.
Printer system 100 can be a standard thermal printing system, with the RFID antenna and a reader/encoder installed, for use with the present invention. Other suitable printers may be the T5000 and the SmartLine SL5000 from Printronix of Irvine, Calif.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely meant to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, the description has listed different types of pre-programmed information in an RFID tag and discussed uses for such information in an RFID printer system. However, other pre-programmed information and other uses may also improve RFID printer performance and are within the scope of the present invention. Further, the above description discusses an RFID tag containing information about and attached to an RFID label, a print ribbon, or a print head. However, the RFID tag can also contain information and be attached to other elements used in an RFID printer system. It will thus be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.