Portable printer with RFID read/write capability

Abstract

A portable printer includes a number of input devices mounted in the printer housing including a barcode scanner, keypad, communication interface in a receive mode and an RFID read/write module in a read mode. The portable printer also includes a number of output devices including a printing system, the communication interface in a transmit mode and the RFID read/write module in a write mode for writing to an external RFID chip. A processor selects received data from one or more of the input devices, manipulates the data and/or combines it with other data for an output device wherein the data selected for one output device may be different then the data selected for another output device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to a portable printer with RFID read/write capabilities and more particularly to such a portable printer capable of receiving data via a plurality of input devices mounted in the portable housing and capable of printing selected data, writing selected data to an external RFID chip and/or uploading selected data to a host.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips have been embedded in tags, labels and the like to track inventory. The data contained in the chip is typically read by a stationary RFID read module as the inventory with the RFID chip is carried past the stationary read module on a conveyor belt or the like. Similarly, stationary RFID write modules are typically used to write data into the RFID chip.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,927 shows a stationary printer with an integrated transponder for writing data into a transponder chip embedded in a label and for printing data on the same label. The printer is connected to a computer via a conductor to received the data to be printed on the label together with data to be written into the chip in the label. In another embodiment, a serial number encoded into the RFID chip in the label is read by the transponder so that the serial number can be printed on the same label. Because this printer is a stationary unit, hardwired to a computer, its use is very limited. It can only print data received from the computer or read from the chip embedded in the label itself. Moreover, this printer is limited to reading from and writing to RFID chips that pass through the printer housing as opposed to RFID chips that are external to the printer.

[0006] Although portable barcode printers with an integrated barcode scanner and capable of communication with a host by a radio frequency transceiver are known, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,624. These printers are not capable of reading data from or writing data to a RFID chip.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, the disadvantages of prior printers as discussed above have been overcome. The printer of the present invention is portable, capable of receiving data via a plurality of input devices mounted in the portable printer and capable of printing selected data on a label, tag or the like; writing selected data to an external RFID chip; and/or uploading selected data to a host.

[0008] More particularly, the portable printer of the present invention includes a portable housing and a plurality of input devices mounted in the housing for receiving inputs to the printer. The input devices include a communication interface for receiving data; a plurality of keys actuable by a user and a RFID read/write module in a read mode operable to read data from an external RFID chip. A plurality of data output devices are also mounted in the portable housing. The output devices include a printing system having a printhead and a drive mechanism to drive a web of record members past the printhead for printing data on a record member. The communication interface in a transmit mode and the RFID read/write module in a write mode for writing data to an external RFID chip are also output devices mounted in the portable housing. A processor is mounted in the housing and operable to select data from one or more of the plurality of input devices for printing and coupling the selected print data to the printing system. The processor is also operable to select data from one or more of the plurality of output devices for writing and coupling the selected write data to the RFID read/write module for writing to an external RFID chip.

[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication interface of the portable printer includes a radio transceiver and/or one or more communication ports. Further, the portable printer may include a barcode scanner as another input device. The barcode scanner may be mounted in the portable housing or coupled to the portable printer via the communication interface.

[0010] The portable printer of the present invention is extremely flexible and allows a user to easily accomplish barcode and RFID tracking, data collection, printing and RFID writing with one portable device. Moreover, the portable printer of the present invention allows a user to carry out new tracking functions that have heretofore not been possible as discussed in detail below.

[0011] These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable printer of the present invention utilized to track items to be carried in a container having a RFID chip mounted thereon; and

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the portable printer of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The portable printer 10 of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a portable housing 12. A battery 14 is mounted in a handle 16 of the housing 12 to provide power to the portable printer 10. The portable printer 10 includes a printing system 18 with a printhead such as a thermal printhead 20 or the like. The printing system 18 also includes a motor 22 that drives a web of record members 24, such as labels, tags, etc. via one or more rollers (not shown) past the printhead 20 in order to print data thereon. The data printed by the printhead 20 includes a barcode and/or alpha-numeric information.

[0015] The portable printer 10 includes a number of input devices mounted in the housing 12. One such input device is a barcode scanner 26 that is actuable to scan a barcode 28 to provide scanned barcode data to the printer 10. The input devices also include a communication interface 30. In a preferred embodiment, the communication interface 30 includes a radio frequency transceiver 32 and/or one or more communication ports 34 such as a RS 232 port, a serial port, a parallel port, etc. The communication interface 30 allows the portable printer 10 to communicate with a host device to receive data therefrom or to transmit transaction data thereto. The communication interface 30 allows the portable printer 10 to communicate with the host in real time. Alternatively, the portable printer 10 may be operated off-line such that the data received from a host is stored in a look-up table or the like in a memory of the printer for later use. Similarly, data can be entered via one or more of the input devices, stored in a memory of the printer and later transmitted with a batch of data records to a host via a communication port 34. In another embodiment of the printer 10, the barcode scanner 26 is not mounted in the housing 12 but is coupled thereto via the communication interface 30 via either RF communications or via a cable coupled to a communication port 34.

[0016] A RFID read/write module 36 is mounted in the housing 12 of the portable printer 10. Although the RFID read/write module 36 is capable of reading and/or writing to a RFID chip embedded in a record member that is driven by the motor 22 internal to the housing 12, in a preferred embodiment, the RFID read/write module 36 reads data and/or writes data to an RFID chip that is external to the portable printer 10 as will be apparent from the applications discussed below. When operating in the read mode, the RFID read/write module forms one of the data input devices for the portable printer 10. In a write mode, the RFID read/write module 36 forms one of the output devices along with the printing system 18 and the communication interface 30 when transmitting or sending data out from the printer 10

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the portable printer 10 includes a plurality of keys 38 including a keypad 40 and a trigger key 42. The keypad 40 may be utilized to enter alpha-numeric data to the portable printer 10. Alternatively, the keypad 40 may have only a limited number of keys that are actuable in accordance with information depicted on a display 44 for selecting a number of operations of the printer, for example, feeding a web of record members through the printer 10, displaying status information, etc. The trigger key 42 may be actuable by a user in various modes of the portable printer 10 to actuate the barcode scanner 26, the printing system 18 and/or the RFID read/write module 36. Alternatively, one or more of these devices can be actuated automatically by a controller 46 of the barcode printer 10 in accordance with a stored application program. In addition to displaying status information or data entered via the keyboard, the display 44 may also be controlled to provide prompts to the user to actuate the trigger key and/or other keys so as to control various operations of the portable printer 10.

[0018] The portable printer 10 includes a microprocessor 48 and a memory 50. The memory 50 includes non-volatile memory such as flash memory 52 and/or a ROM 54 such as the EEPROM. The memory 50 also includes a RAM 56 for storing and manipulating data. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor 48 controls the operations of the portable printer 10 in accordance with an application program that is stored in the flash memory 52. The microprocessor 48 may operate directly in accordance with the application program. Alternatively, the microprocessor 48 can operate indirectly in accordance with the application program as interpreted by an interpreter program stored in the memory 54 or another area of the flash memory 52.

[0019] The microprocessor 48 is operable to select an input device 28, 32, 34, 38 and 36 to receive data therefrom and to manipulate the receive data and/or combine it with data received from a different input source 26, 32, 34, 38 or 36 in accordance with a stored application program. The microprocessor couples the selected, combined and/or manipulated data to the printing system 18 for printing on a record member. The microprocessor may select the same or different data to be written to an external RFID chip. The microprocessor couples the data selected for writing to the RFID read/write module 36 wherein the data is written in encoded form to the external RFID chip. Similarly, the microprocessor 48 can select the same or different data for storage in a transaction record in the RAM 56 and for uploading via the communication interface 30 to a host. The processor 48 is operable to select data to be coupled to the printing system 18 independently of the data that the processor 48 selects to be coupled to the RFID read/write module 36 to provide greater flexibility than has heretofore been possible.

[0020] The portable printer 10 of the present invention can be used for a number of applications. For example, the portable printer 10 may used to track items 60, 61, 62, etc. that are packed or carried in a container 64 having a RFID chip 66 mounted thereon. In accordance with this application, the portable printer 10 may be operated by the microprocessor 48 to first display a message on the display 44 prompting the user to enter a product code. In response to this displayed message the user would actuate the trigger to operate the barcode scanner 26 to scan a barcode 28 on an item 60 to be placed into the container 64. Alternatively, the user could enter the product code via the keypad 40. Once the scanned or keyed in product code information is received by the portable printer 10, the microprocessor 48 sends a message via the RF transceiver 32 to a host computer or the like to obtain other data associated with the product code that was scanned or keyed in. The information received from the host via the radio transceiver 32 may include, for example, price, supplier code, date information etc. Upon receiving the additional product information from the host, the microprocessor 48 controls the RFID read/write module 36 to read data encoded in the RFID chip 66 mounted on the container 64. The information included in the RFID chip may be a container ID for example. Upon receiving the information read from the RFID chip 66, the microprocessor 48 assembles a transaction record that includes the container ID read from the RFID chip 66, the product ID scanned by the barcode scanner 26 or keyed via the keypad 40 along with the price and other product information received from the host. The transaction record is stored in the RAM 56. The microprocessor 48 selects data, for example the scanned or keyed in product ID, along with the price and product description received from the host via the RF transceiver 32 for printing and couples the selected data to the printing system 18 to print the data on a label 24. The label then may be affixed to the item 60. Next, the microprocessor 48 selects received data, for example the product code of item 60, to be written to the external RFID chip 66. The microprocessor 48 couples the selected data to the RFID read/write module 36 to write selected data to the RFID chip 66. The barcode printer 10 can similarly process each of the additional items put into the container 64 such as the item 61 and the item 62. As the items are processed by the portable printer 10, labels are printed for each of the items and the RFID chip 66 is updated to add the product code for each item 61, 62. The portable printer 10 can upload an individual transaction record to the host via the RF transceiver 32 as each item is processed by the printer 10. Alternatively, the printer 10 can store a number of transaction records each associated with an individual product and at a later time upload to the host all of the transaction records in association with the container 64 identification read from the chip 66 via the transceiver 32 or communication port 34. Similarly, the printer 10 can print a packing label for the container 64 listing all of the items contained therein and the associated information. Because the data printed on the label 24, the data written to the RFID chip 66 and the data uploaded to the host computer are used for different purposes, the printer 10 can select different data from the different data input devices to be coupled to the respective printing system RFID read/write module and communication interface 30 as is desired.

[0021] In another application, the portable printer 10 can be used by a retail clerk to process the sale of clothes or other items. In this application, when an item is sold, the portable printer 10 is operated such that the microprocessor 48 controls the scanner 26 to scan a barcode on a tag affixed to the clothing. Upon receipt of the scanned barcode, the microprocessor 48 retrieves from a host computer via the communication interface 30 or from a user via the keys 40, a markdown price, for example. In response to the receipt of the markdown price, the microprocessor 48 couples the price data to the printing system 18 to print a markdown price label which is affixed to the tag. The printer 10 then selects and couples the current date of the sale and the markdown price to the RFID read/write module 36 to cause the module 36 to write the data to an RFID chip contained in a woven label that is sewn to the clothing. The microprocessor 48 also stores a record of the transaction for uploading to the host computer. Later if the clothing is returned, the RFID chip embedded in the woven label tag can be read by the portable printer 10 to determine the date of the sale, the price, etc. The portable printer 10 then couples a code indicating that this is a returned item to the RFID read/write module 36 to write the code to the RFID tag affixed to the clothing. In this manner, returned clothing may be tracked for inventory and/or additional price markdowns if desired.

[0022] A further application can prevent theft from a retailer where an individual tries to return to a store an item that was never purchased. In this application, the portable printer 10 is used at a checkout station to scan a barcode on a tag or label carried on an item that is being purchased. The item identification from the scanned barcode is sent by the microprocessor 48 via a communication port to a host. Once the item is paid for, the printer 10 receives a transaction complete message from the host. Upon receipt of the transaction complete message, the microprocessor 48 controls the read/write module to write a code to an RFID chip carried on the product designating that the product was purchased and/or the date of the sale. If an item is returned for cash, the printer 10 can read the RFID tag to determine if the item was actually purchased, i.e. paid for. Moreover, a stationary RFID reader can be placed near the exit to a store to read the RFID tag on items as they pass by. If a RFID chip is read without the code indicating that the item was paid for, an alarm can sound.

[0023] Because the printer 10 can be operated in an off-line or stand alone mode, if the host or communication network goes down, the printer 10 can read information from an RFID tag via the RFID read/write module 36. The read data can be displayed by the microprocessor 48 on the display 44 and/or printed. The read data can then be used by the microprocessor to lookup information associated with the read data that is stored in the RAM 56 which may be a battery-backed RAM or in the flash memory 56. The read data and stored data can then be combined by the microprocessor 48 for printing by the printing system 18.

[0024] These are just a few examples illustrating the flexibility of the portable printer 10 of the present invention. Many more are possible. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described hereinabove.

Claims

1. A portable printer comprising: a portable housing; a plurality of input devices mounted in the housing for receiving data including a barcode scanner, a plurality of keys actuable by a user to provide inputs, a communication interface receiving data downloaded to the portable printer, and a RFID read/write module in a read mode; a plurality of output devices mounted in the housing, including a printing system having a printhead and a drive mechanism to drive a web of record members past the printhead for printing data thereon, the communication interface sending data out from the portable printer and the RFID read/write module in a write mode; a processor mounted in the housing, the processor being operable to select data from a plurality of input sources for printing and coupling the selected print data to the printing system and the processor being operable to independently select data from one or more of the input devices for writing and coupling the selected write data to the RFID module for writing.

2. A portable printer as recited in claim 1 including a memory for storing an application program according to which the processor operates, the application program determining the data selected for printing and the data selected for writing by the RFID module.

3. A portable printer as recited in claim 3 wherein at least one of the keys is actuable by a user to enter data to the portable printer.

4. A portable printer as recited in claim 3 wherein at least one of the keys is actuable by a user to provide an input to the barcode printer to initiate an operation of the portable printer.

5. A portable printer as recited in claim 3 including a display mounted on the portable housing.

6. A portable printer as recited in claim 5 wherein the processor controls the display to prompt a user to actuate a key to initiate an operation of the portable printer.

7. A portable printer as recited in claim 1 including a memory for storing data received from a plurality of the input devices in association with a transaction in a transaction record; the processor sending the transaction record to a host via the communication interface.

8. A portable printer as recited in claim 7 wherein the portable printer communicates with the host in real time.

9. A portable printer as recited in claim 7 wherein the memory stores a plurality of transaction records and the processor sends a plurality of the stored transaction records to a host together via the communication interface.

10. A portable printer as recited in claim 1 wherein the communication interface includes a radio frequency transceiver.

11. A portable printer as recited in claim 1 wherein the communication interface includes a RS232 port.

12. A portable printer as recited in claim 1 wherein the communication interface includes a parallel port.

13. A portable printer as recited in claim 1 wherein the communication interface includes a serial port.

14. A portable printer comprising: a portable housing; a radio transceiver for receiving and transmitting data mounted in the housing; a barcode scanner mounted in the housing for providing scanned barcode data; a printing system mounted in the housing, the printer including a printhead and drive mechanism to drive a web of record members past the printhead for printing data on the record members; a RFID read/write module mounted in the housing, the RFID module in accordance with a read operation providing data read from an external RFID chip and the RFID module in accordance with a write operation writing data to an external RFID chip; a plurality of keys mounted on the housing to provide user inputs to the barcode printer; a memory for storing an application program; a processor operable in accordance with an application program to take data input from one or more of the radio transceiver, keys, barcode scanner and RFID module and to selectively couple data to the printing system for printing, the RFID module for writing to an external RFID chip and/or the transceiver for transmitting the data.

15. A portable printer as recited in claim 14 including a display mounted on the portable housing.

16. A portable printer as recited in claim 15 wherein the processor controls the display to prompt a user to actuate a key to initiate an operation of the portable printer.

17. A portable printer as recited in claim 14 wherein at least one of the keys is operable by a user to provide an input to the barcode printer to initiate an operation of the portable printer.

18. A portable printer as recited in claim 1 wherein the processor controls the transceiver to provide real time communications between a host and the portable printer.

19. A portable printer as recited in claim 14 including at least one communication port for receiving a cable to couple the portable printer to a peripheral device to receive data therefrom and/or to send data thereto.

20. A portable printer comprising: a portable housing; a plurality of input devices mounted in the housing for receiving inputs including a communication interface for receiving data; a plurality of keys actuable by a user; and a RFID read/write module in a read mode for reading data from an external RFID chip; a plurality of data output devices mounted in the housing including a printing system having a printhead and a drive mechanism to drive a web of record members past the printhead for printing data on the record members, the communication interface for transmitting data and the RFID read/write module in a write mode for writing data to an external RFID chip; a processor mounted in the housing and operable to select data from one or more of the plurality of input devices for printing and 15 coupling the selected print data to the printing system and the processor operable to select data from one or more of the plurality of input devices for writing and coupling the selected write data to the RFID read/write module for writing to an external RFID chip.

21. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 wherein the communication interface includes a radio transceiver.

22. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 wherein the communication interface includes a communication port.

23. A portable printer as recited in claim 22 wherein the communication port is a serial port.

24. A portable printer as recited in claim 22 wherein the communication port is a parallel port.

25. A portable printer as recited in claim 22 wherein the communication port is a RS232 port.

26. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 wherein the communication interface includes a radio transceiver and a communication port.

27. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 wherein at least one of the keys is actuable by a user to enter data to be printed or written.

28. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 wherein the plurality of keys are actuable by a user to select a plurality of operations of the portable printer.

29. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 wherein at least one of the keys is actuable by a user to initiate an operation of the portable printer.

30. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 including a memory for storing an application program according to which the processor operates, the application program determining the data selected for printing and the data selected for writing by the RFID module.

31. A portable printer as recited in claim 20 including a memory for storing information representing the data received, printed and/or written in association with a transaction in a transaction record.

32. A portable printer as recited in claim 31 wherein said memory stores a plurality of transaction records.

33. A portable printer comprising: a portable housing; a plurality of input devices mounted in the portable housing including a RFID read/write module in a read mode; a plurality of output devices mounted in the portable housing including a read/write module in a write mode, a display and a printhead for printing; a memory storing an application program; and a processor for processing input data in accordance with the application program, the processor selectively coupling processed data to one or more of the output devices.

34. A portable printer as recited in claim 33 wherein said processing includes combining data read via the RFID module with stored data for printing.

35. A portable printer as recited in claim 33 wherein said processing includes converting data read via the RFID module to human readable information for display and/or printing.

36. A portable data tracking device comprising: a portable housing with a handle; a barcode scanner mounted in the housing; a communication interface mounted in the housing to allow communications between the device and a host; a RFID read/write module mounted in the housing for reading from and writing to an external RFID chip; a display mounted in the housing; a memory mounted in the housing storing an application program; and a processor mounted in the housing for processing data received by the barcode scanner, communication interface and/or RFID read/write module and providing output data to the communication interface RFID read/write module and/or display in accordance with the stored application program.

37. A portable data tracking device as recited in claim 36 including a printing system with a printhead and a motor for driving a web of record members past the printhead, the processor providing output data to the printing system for printing.

38. A portable data tracking device as recited in claim 36 including a keypad to which the processor is responsive.