US20030063001A1 - Method and apparatus for associating on demand certain selected media and value-adding elements - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for associating on demand certain selected media and value-adding elements Download PDFInfo
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- US20030063001A1 US20030063001A1 US10/001,365 US136501A US2003063001A1 US 20030063001 A1 US20030063001 A1 US 20030063001A1 US 136501 A US136501 A US 136501A US 2003063001 A1 US2003063001 A1 US 2003063001A1
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- media
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- transponder
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- samples
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H37/00—Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating devices for performing specified auxiliary operations
- B65H37/002—Web delivery apparatus, the web serving as support for articles, material or another web
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
- B41J3/4075—Tape printers; Label printers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/44—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
- G06K17/0022—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device
- G06K17/0025—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device the arrangement consisting of a wireless interrogation device in combination with a device for optically marking the record carrier
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07716—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier comprising means for customization, e.g. being arranged for personalization in batch
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07718—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being manufactured in a continuous process, e.g. using endless rolls
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
- G06K19/07758—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
- G06K19/0776—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
- G06K19/07773—Antenna details
- G06K19/07777—Antenna details the antenna being of the inductive type
- G06K19/07779—Antenna details the antenna being of the inductive type the inductive antenna being a coil
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
- G06K19/07773—Antenna details
- G06K19/07777—Antenna details the antenna being of the inductive type
- G06K19/07779—Antenna details the antenna being of the inductive type the inductive antenna being a coil
- G06K19/07783—Antenna details the antenna being of the inductive type the inductive antenna being a coil the coil being planar
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
- G06K19/07773—Antenna details
- G06K19/07786—Antenna details the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
- B65C2009/0003—Use of RFID labels
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
- B65C9/40—Controls; Safety devices
- B65C2009/402—Controls; Safety devices for detecting properties or defects of labels
- B65C2009/404—Controls; Safety devices for detecting properties or defects of labels prior to labelling
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
- B65C9/08—Label feeding
- B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
- B65C9/1803—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
- B65C9/08—Label feeding
- B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
- B65C9/1865—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
- B65H2701/194—Web supporting regularly spaced adhesive articles, e.g. labels, rubber articles, labels or stamps
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
- Y10T156/1702—For plural parts or plural areas of single part
- Y10T156/1705—Lamina transferred to base from adhered flexible web or sheet type carrier
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
- Record Information Processing For Printing (AREA)
Abstract
A media printer such as, for example, a thermal transfer media printer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer selectively programs RFID transponders, and then embeds them into conventional on-demand printed media between the adhesive layer and the release liner. Selective configuration of each printed media sample by addition of value-adding elements may be performed independently for each media sample, under software control during processing of each media sample format print control program. An add-on mechanism is disclosed that can be operatively attached to a conventional media printer. This allows value-adding elements such as RFID transponder labels to be selectively applied at precise locations on the printed surface of on-demand printed media in connection with existing printers.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/969,114 that was filed on Oct. 1, 2001.
- The present invention concerns, in a general sense, a method and apparatus by which, both selectively and on-demand, individual labels, tickets, tags, cards, and the like (hereinafter collectively and in individual units referred to as “media”, or individually as “media samples”) having selected characteristics may be custom configured by causing one or more value-adding elements that have chosen characteristics to be associated with said media. More particularly, the invention is directed to method and apparatus for selectively incorporating a value-adding element such as, for example, a radio frequency identification (hereinafter called RFID) transponder with individual media samples on a programmed, on-demand basis.
- Other types of value-adding elements that could be incorporated into media samples include, for example, shipping documents; parts to be inventoried, stored or shipped; promotional devices such as coupons, tokens, currency or other objects having a value to the recipient; integrated circuits on labels with leads to be connected to printed antennas; and attached or embedded attached objects that have associated information on the printed media relating to their identification or use.
- A thermal transfer printer is typically used to print individual media samples. Referring to FIG. 1, a side view of a standard thermal
transfer printer mechanism 10 is illustrated. A label carrier 12 (also generally referred to as a release liner) carries adhesive-backed, (typically unprinted)diecut labels 14 through the mechanism. Typically, the top surface of each label is printed with a pattern of ink dots from athermal transfer ribbon 16 melted onto the label surface as the ribbon and label pass under a computer-controlledthermal printhead 18. - An elastomer-coated
platen roller 20 typically is driven by a stepping motor (not shown) to provide both the movement force for the ribbon and label by means of a friction drive action on thelabel carrier 12, as well as acting as the receiver for the required pressure of the printhead on the ribbon-label sandwich. This pressure assists in transferring the molten ink dots underprinthead 18 from thethermal transfer ribbon 16 onto thediecut label 14 surface. - The
thermal transfer ribbon 16 is unwound from aprinter ribbon supply 22, and is guided under thethermal printhead 18 byidler rollers 24. After the ink is melted from theribbon 16 onto the printeddiecut label 26, the spent ribbon is wound on a printer ribbon take-up spindle 28. - Typically, a
media exit 30 is located immediately after theprinthead 18. The now-printeddiecut label 26 is often dispensed on itslabel carrier 12. If a user desires that the printed diecut labels be automatically stripped from label carrier, then anoptional peeler bar 32 is utilized. As thelabel carrier 12 passes over the sharp radius ofpeeler bar 32, the adhesive bond is broken, thereby releasing the printeddiecut label 26 from itslabel carrier 12. The peeled, printeddiecut label 26 is dispensed atmedia exit 30. Theexcess label carrier 12 is both tensioned for peeling and rewound using optional label carrier take-up mechanism 34. - As will be described in detail hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention involves selectively and on demand associating, in the environment of a thermal or thermal transfer printer, an RFIC transponder with a label, e.g., to create a “smart” label. Although “chipless” RFID transponders exist and may be utilized as one example of a value-added element with certain aspects of this invention, the most common form of an RFID transponder used in smart labels comprises an antenna and an RFID integrated circuit. Such RFID transponders include both DC powered active transponders and batteryless passive transponders, and are available in a variety of form factors. Commonly used
passive inlay transponders 36 shown in FIG. 2 have a substantially thin, flat shape. For automatic insertion into labels, theinlay transponders 36 typically are prepared with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing, and are delivered individually diecut and mounted with a uniform spacing on an inlay carrier. - Inlay transponders have been used as layers of identification tags and labels to carry encoded data, stored in a non-volatile memory area data, that may be read wirelessly at a distance. For example, a camera having a radio-frequency identification transponder that can be accessed for writing and reading at a distance is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,119.
- The
antenna 38 for aninlay transponder 36 is in the form of a conductive trace deposited on anon-conductive support 40, and has the shape of a flat coil or the like.Antenna leads 42 are also deposited, with non-conductive layers interposed as necessary. The RFID integratedcircuit 44 of theinlay transponder 36 includes a non-volatile memory, such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory); a subsystem for power generation from the RF field generated by the reader; RF communications capability; and internal control functions. The RFID integratedcircuit 44 is mounted on thenonconductive support 40 and operatively connected through the antenna leads 42. The inlays are typically packaged singulated or on a Z-form orroll inlay carrier 46 as shown in FIG. 2. - It is known how to utilize on-press equipment for insertion of transponders into media to form “smart labels,” and then to print information on a surface of the smart labels. See, for example, an application white paper entitled “RFID Technology & Smart Labels,” dated Sep. 14, 1999, P/N 11315L Rev. 1 of Zebra Technologies Corporation. See also, for example, a document entitled “A White Paper On The Development Of AIM Industry Standards For 13.56 MHz RFID Smart Labels And RFID Printer/Encoders” by Clive P. Hohberger, PhD, that is dated May 24, 2000. Both of these documents are incorporated by reference into this application as if fully set forth herein.
- It also is known how to utilize label applicator equipment to attach pressure-sensitive labels to business forms. Such equipment has been commercially available on the U.S. market from several companies for more than one year prior to the filing of this application.
- Zebra Technologies Corporation is a leading manufacture of a number of printer related products, including a number of on-demand thermal transfer printers that incorporate a number of the aspects of the technology that is disclosed in the two above-referenced white papers. An example of such a “smart label” printer commercially available for more than a year prior to the filing of this application includes Zebra model number R-140.
- Such products are satisfactory for their intended uses. However, further improvements are desired. Certain features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows.
- The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a side, schematic view of a standard thermal transfer label printer mechanism;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a plurality of passive inlay-type RFID transponders as delivered with an adhesive backing on an inlay carrier;
- FIG. 3 is a side, schematic view of a thermal transfer printer that incorporates a number of aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this application;
- FIG. 4 is a front, sectional view of a portion of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 3 detailing a tamping applicator mechanism;
- FIG. 5 is a front, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 3, wherein a transponder dispensing mechanism is disposed in a fully retracted initial position;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic, block diagram of some of the key electronic subsystems and components of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 7 is a program flow-chart that illustrates certain key program steps that are executed by the processor unit shown in FIG. 6 for each print job that is performed by the thermal transfer label printer shown in FIGS.3-6;
- FIG. 8 is a front, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 3, wherein the transponder dispensing mechanism shown in FIG. 5 is disposed in an extended position so that an RFID transponder is positioned in a desired position and orientation with respect to a delaminated diecut label printed by the thermal transfer printer;
- FIG. 9 is a front, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 5, wherein the tamping applicator mechanism detailed in FIG. 4 is utilized to permanently affix a programmed RFID transponder to a media sample that is to be printed by the thermal transfer printer mechanism and wherein a linear actuator is used to retract the dispensing mechanism to peel the inlay carrier from the back of the programmed transponder thereby exposing its adhesive layer;
- FIG. 10 is a side, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 3, wherein a diecut label/programmed transponder sandwich is formed and relaminated to the diecut label carrier;
- FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of a thermal transfer printer mechanism, similar to that disclosed in FIG. 3, that incorporates a number of aspects of a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this application, and that allows adhesive-backed value-adding devices such as RFID transponders to be affixed to stiff media that does not include its own adhesive layer;
- FIG. 12 is a side schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 11, wherein an adhesive-backed, programmed RFID transponder is disposed in a dispensing position with respect to the value-adding mechanism;
- FIG. 13 is a side schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 11, wherein an adhesive-backed, programmed RFID transponder is affixed to a stiff media; and
- FIG. 14 is a side schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 11, wherein the stiff media, upon which an adhesive-backed, programmed RFID transponder is affixed, is advanced to a dispensing position;
- FIG. 15 is a flow-chart that illustrates certain key program steps that are executed by the processor unit shown in FIG. 6 for each print job that is performed by the thermal transfer printer shown in FIGS.11-14;
- FIGS. 16A though16D are schematic views of two types of RFID integrated circuit labels and their attachment to two corresponding types of printed antennae in order to form actual RFID transponders in a process using an exemplary variation of the thermal transfer printer shown in FIGS. 11-15;
- FIGS. 17A and 17B are schematic views of the front and reverse sides postcard set media that is on-demand printed and to which various value-added elements are added in a production process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 18 is a representation of the four value-added elements which are added in certain combinations to the postcard set media of FIG. 17 by the exemplary production process that is shown in FIG. 19;
- FIG. 19 is an overhead schematic view of an exemplary production process incorporating forms of two exemplary embodiments invention embodiments that is used for selectively and on-demand configuring the postcard media of FIG. 17 by addition of one or more value-added elements of FIG. 18;
- FIGS.20-23 are side, schematic views of a thermal transfer printer mechanism that incorporates a number of aspects of the present invention disclosed in this application, and that an RFID transponder to be selectively and on demand, under program control, RFID transponder encoded, and attached to an adhesive backed previously printed diecut label; and
- FIG. 24 is a side, schematic view of a thermal transfer printer mechanism, similar to FIGS.20-23, that allows an RFID transponder to be selectively and on demand, under program control, RFID transponder encoded, and attached to a linerless media.
- While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there are shown in the drawings a number of presently preferred embodiments that are discussed in greater detail hereafter. It should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section of this application (“Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments”) relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and should not be found to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.
- Referring to FIG. 3, a side, schematic view of a
thermal transfer printer 48 that incorporates a number of aspects of the present invention disclosed in this application is shown. In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3, thethermal transfer printer 48 comprises a standard thermal transfer printer mechanism that includes all of the components illustrated in FIG. 1.Printer 48 also includes a value-addingmechanism 50 comprising the identified objects 54-70 that cause a value-adding device such as, for example, a programmedRFID transponder 52 to be affixed to a media sample after it is printed as discussed in greater detail hereinafter. - It should be understood that value-adding
mechanism 50 can be manufactured and sold apart from the thermaltransfer printing mechanism 10 to allow existing thermal transfer printers to be retrofitted and, therefore, operate in accordance with a number of aspects of the invention disclosed in this application. It also should be understood that, while the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in connection with thermal transfer printing, the present invention is applicable to other printing technologies. - Referring back to FIG. 3, the
thermal transfer printer 48 allows an adhesive-backed, preprogrammedRFID transponder 52 to be selectively bonded to a printed diecut media sample (such as, for example, a printed diecut label 26) by the value-addingmechanism 50 under program control as discussed in greater detail hereinafter. The finished printed diecut label/programmed transponder sandwich (26/52) is presented atmedia exit 30 with thelabel carrier 12 optionally stripped. - Immediately after printing, the printed
diecut label 26 is released from itslabel carrier 12 by passing over the sharp radius of thepeeler bar 32. The delaminating process performed bypeeler bar 32 exposes the adhesive on the bottom (unprinted) surface of the printeddiecut label 26. - The printed
diecut label 26 then continues in a straight line as it passes over a smooth, perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 of a tampingapplicator mechanism 56. Acentrifugal fan 58extracts air 60 to create a slight vacuum in theplenum 62. This causes a slight upward force to be maintained on the printeddiecut label 26 that keeps it disposed against the smooth perforatedvacuum guide plate 54. The magnitude of the vacuum force is at such a level that does not impede the forward motion of the printeddiecut label 26.Plenum 60 is extensible along a central axis that is generally perpendicular to the path of movement of the label. - The
delaminated label carrier 12 passes around abuffer loop roller 64 used to control the flow of thelabel carrier 12 around a transponder dispensing mechanism 66 (FIG. 6). Thebuffer loop roller 64 is free to float up and down, taking up and returningexcess label carrier 12 at different times in the process. - In an exemplary embodiment, one function of the
dispensing mechanism 66 is to position an adhesive-backedRFID transponder 52 underneath and in operative relation to the printeddiecut label 26.RFID transponder 52 is transported on theinlay carrier 46 as shown. The tamping applicator mechanism 56 (FIG. 3) then extends theplenum 60 downwardly through the use offlexible bellows 70 so that the rigid, perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 lightly tamps the printed side of printeddiecut label 26. This causes the exposed adhesive surface of the printeddiecut label 26 to be adhered to the top surface of theRFID transponder 52. - The label-transponder sandwich (26/52) is now advanced forwardly, and is passed through a nip 72 that is formed by
upper nip roller 74 and lower niproller 76. The nip compression both bonds the adhesive of the printeddiecut label 26 to theRFID transponder 52, and relaminates label-transponder sandwich (26/52) to thelabel carrier 12. The formed diecut label-transponder-label carrier sandwich (26/52/12) then exits the value-addingmechanism 50. As is well known, thelabel carrier 12 may be optionally stripped from the diecut label/transponder sandwich (26/52) by the use of anexit peeler bar 78 and optional label carrier take-upmechanism 34. - Typically, only the lower nip
roller 72 is driven, this roller being driven at the same surface speed as theplaten roller 20. This allows, for example, printed diecut labels 26 that are longer than the gap betweenplaten roller 20 and nip 72 to be accommodated inprinter 48 without deforming the printeddiecut label 26. - FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the tamping
applicator mechanism 56 shown in FIG. 3. A sealedcase 80 and sealedflexible bellows 70 form aclosed plenum 62 that contains a partial vacuum to be applied to the printed media as it passes through thethermal transfer printer 48. The atmospheric pressure on the underside of the printeddiecut label 26 thus causes the label to be temporarily adhered to the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54. - The vacuum in
plenum 62 is generated by acentrifugal fan 58 expellingair 60 sucked in through theholes 82 in the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54, passing throughinternal vents blower inlet 88. The flexible bellows 70, attached both via adrive bracket 104 to the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 and abaseplate 90, allows the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 to move up and down while maintaining a sealed vacuum inplenum 62. - Baseplate90 forms a part of the housing of the
thermal transfer printer 48 and on which is mountedcase 80. The tampingapplicator mechanism 56 is mounted on acase bracket 92, and includes a two-part solenoid with fixedsolenoid coil 94 attached to acase bracket 92, andsolenoid plunger 68 that is attached to thegas spring plunger 97 viacoupler 100. The body ofgas spring 98 slides freely within alinear bearing 102 that is affixed to theperforated vacuum guideplate 54 indirectly throughdrive bracket 104 as shown. Areturn spring 106 between themovable coupler 100 and the fixedbaseplate 90 provides a force to return thesolenoid plunger 68 andiron disc 96 to their rest position when thesolenoid coil 94 is deenergized. - One function of the
gas spring 98 is to transfer a constant force to thevacuum guide plate 54 independently of the degree of plenum extension. Thegas spring 98, acting together withreturn spring 106 and the driven mass, also provides viscous damping of the motion of the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54, decoupling it from the snap action of thesolenoid plunger 68 when thesolenoid coil 94 is energized, pulling downiron disc 96. A gas damper or other viscous damper may alternatively be used in place ofgas spring 98 to perform the same function. - Alternative design concepts are available for the tamping applicator mechanism if a compressed air source is available. The partial vacuum in
plenum 62 may be generated by passing compressed air through a venturi. The tamping actuator may be an air cylinder, with a controlled airflow in said air cylinder replacing the function of thegas spring 98 in extending downward the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54. Alternatively, tamping may be performed through use of an air blast through the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 onto the label in an alternatetamping applicator mechanism 56 with annon-extensible plenum 62. - Referring to FIG. 5, a sectional, schematic view of the
thermal transfer printer 48 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated, wherein dispensingmechanism 66 is disposed in a fully retracted initial position. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5,printer 48 includes utilizes anRF signal 108 that is emitted bytransponder programmer antenna 110 to program the memory in RFID integratedcircuit 44. In the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 5, the now-programmedRFID transponder 52 is positioned directly under thetransponder programmer antenna 110. - The
dispensing mechanism 66 comprises, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, among other things,transponder carrier rollers rigid guide plate 114, and alinear actuator 116.Linear actuator 116 extends and retracts therigid guide plate 114 so that the now-programmedRFID transponder 52 is placed under thediecut label 26 in the desired insertion position. - To position the programmed
transponder 52 properly under printeddiecut label 26, arolamite drive mechanism 118, that is turned byrolamite stepping motor 120, is synchronized with the motion oflinear actuator 116 to adjust the movement oftransponder inlay carrier 46. This motion is also synchronized with the motion of a transpondersupply roll spindle 122 and an inlay carrier take-upspindle 124 of inlay carrier take-upspool 132. Thesupply roll drive 126 supplies both a computer-controlled unwind resistance and a braking function ontransponder supply roll 128. The take-up roll drive 130, acting on the inlay carrier take-upspindle 124, maintains appropriate tension oninlay carrier 46 to prevent web slippage in therolamite drive mechanism 118 that provides peeling tension for stripping theinlay carrier 46 from the programmedRFID transponder 52 at inlaycarrier peeler bar 134. - A
transponder position sensor 136 detects when atransponder 52 is appropriately placed under thetransponder programmer antenna 110. Thetransponder position sensor 136 is part of the control electronics shown in FIG. 6, and is used to control the motion of theinlay carrier 46. - FIG. 6 is a schematic, block diagram of principal electronic components of the
thermal transfer printer 48 that is shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention,printer 48 includes aprocessor unit 138 with devices attached to a processor bus 140. Theprocessor unit 138 executes a set of program instructions that are received from a user via printer I/O port 142 and that are stored inmemory 144. As shown in FIG. 6,processor unit 138 is operatively electrically coupled through processor bus 140 to, among other things,platen roller drive 146 which drivesplaten roller 20;thermal printhead 18;transponder programmer 148 which is in turn connected totransponder programmer antenna 110;transponder position sensor 136;linear actuator 116;supply roll drive 126;rolamite stepping motor 120 which operaterolamite drive mechanism 118; inlay carrier take-up roll drive 130; and tampingsolenoid 94. - FIG. 7 is a flow-chart that illustrates program steps that are executed by the
processor unit 138 shown in FIG. 6 for each print job performed by thethermal transfer printer 48. Programming languages that are suitable for use in programming print jobs in connection with the present invention disclosed in this application include, for example, ZPL II® that is the universal language for printers that are manufactured by Zebra Technologies Corporation. - Processor138 (FIG. 6) first retrieves the parameters of a print job that a user desires to have done on an on-demand or selective basis from
memory 144 inprocess 150. For example, a user may store a set of instructions in thememory 144 that will causeprinter 48 to print a batch of 100 diecut labels, wherein every other diecut label is to be a “smart label” provided with a programmedRFID transponder 52. It should be understood that all “on-demand” printing jobs are intended to be covered in connection with the present invention to the extent that such printing jobs include (in the presently discussed preferred execution of the invention) at least one smart label. - Referring back to FIG. 7, in
program step 152, processor unit 138 (FIG. 6) determines whether or not adiecut label 14 that is to be printed is to have a programmedRFID transponder 52 attached to it. If not, then the printeddiecut label 26 is formed inprocess 154. If the entire print job is determined to be completed inprogram step 156, then the program sequence is ended. If the print job is not done, then inprocess 158 both anew diecut label 14 is properly positioned underprinthead 18 for the next printing cycle, and the label format is indexed. Then theprocessor unit 138 executes instructions to loop toprogram step 152. - If
processor unit 138 determines inprogram step 152 that an RFID transponder is to be attached to adiecut label 14 that is to be printed, then anRFID transponder 52 is programmed inprocess 160, and then is verified as being operable and correctly programmed inprocess 162. If the programmedRFID transponder 52 is correctly verified, then thediecut label 14 is printed inprocess 163 to form printeddiecut label 26, and then the programmedRFID transponder 52 is attached to the printeddiecut label 26 inprocess 164 by operation of the value-addingmechanism 50. Theprocessor unit 138 then executesprogram step 156 to see if the print job is performed as above. If the print job is not performed, then the media and label format are indexed inprocess 158, and theprocessor unit 138 then loops toprogram step 152. - Transponder programming and verification typically occurs prior to printing the media, so that a smart media with a
defective transponder 52 can be identified by printing “void” on it, for example, rather than the normal label format as, for example, discussed above. Theprinter 48 then typically ejects the defective smart label, and automatically repeats the process until a fully functional smart label with a properly encoded transponder and the correct label format is produced. This ensures that the integrity of the batch of labels that a user desires to manufacture in connection with a particular on-demand print job is accurately made. To wit, if inverification process 162 theprocessor unit 138 determines that the programmedRFID transponder 52 is not operable, then it may be disposed of directly. Alternatively, a suitable indicia such as, for example, “VOID” is printed inprocess 163 on thediecut label 26, and theinoperable RFID transponder 52 is attached to the “VOID” printed label inprocess 164 in order to expel the properly-identifieddefective transponder 52 from theprinter 48. Theprocessor unit 138 loops inprocesses new RFID transponder 52, printing anappropriate diecut label 26 and attaching them together inprocess 164 continues until a correctly printeddiecut label 26 with an embedded, verified, programmedRFID transponder 52 is completed. Then the program continues by testing if the print job is complete inprogram step 156. - FIGS.8-10 illustrate one example of a process for attaching a programmed
RFID transponder 52, or any other suitable value-adding element, to printed diecut label 26 (step 164 in FIG. 7). The processor unit 138 (FIG. 6) causes thelinear actuator 116 to extend and causes thesupply roll drive 126 to unwind thetransponder supply spool 128, whilerolamite stepping motor 120 and take-up roll drive 130 also unwind an approximately equal amount ofinlay carrier 46. This continues until a new,unprogrammed RFID transponder 166 is positioned properly withintransponder position sensor 136. - In FIG. 9, the processor unit138 (FIG. 6) now activates the tamping
applicator mechanism 56. By applying an electric current tosolenoid coil 94, the magnetic force oniron disc 96 actuatessolenoid plunger 68, which, acting throughcoupler 104, andgas spring plunger 97, thus compressesgas spring 98. A nearly constant tamping force independent of extension is transmitted by the body ofgas spring 98 ontodrive bracket 104 that extends the flexible bellows 70 and thusplenum 62. This causes the rigid perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 to press the adhesive side of printeddiecut label 26 against the programmedtransponder 52, using therigid guide plate 114 as an anvil. This adheres the programmedRFID transponder 52 to the printeddiecut label 26. - Once tamping takes place as, for example, described above, the
processing unit 138 now causes thelinear actuator 116 to retract, while keeping thesupply roll drive 126 braked so that the newunprogrammed RFID transponder 166 remains fixed undertransponder position sensor 136. Theprocessor unit 138 activatesrolamite stepping motor 120 in coordination with the motion of thelinear actuator 116, so thatrolamite stepping motor 120 acts throughrolamite drive mechanism 118 to takes up and maintains tension on theexcess inlay carrier 46. Tension on the rolamite drive mechanism is maintained by energizing the take-up roll drive 130, which also causes theexcess inlay carrier 46 to wind onto the take-uproll spindle 124. - The retracting motion of the
linear actuator 116 on theguide plate 114 together with the tension oninlay carrier 46, aids in peeling theinlay carrier 46 at the inlaycarrier peeler bar 134 from the adhesive layer on the bottom ofprogrammed RFID transponder 52, which is now adhered to the printeddiecut label 26. This peeling process continues until theguide plate 114 plate is completely retracted to the position shown in FIG. 5. The new,unprogrammed RFID transponder 166 is now properly positioned under transponder programmedantenna 110 for immediate programming. - Now that the programmed
RFID transponder 52 has been bonded to the printeddiecut label 26, theprocessor unit 138 deactivates tampingapplicator mechanism 56, which retracts under the force ofreturn spring 106. - In FIG. 10, the diecut label/transponder smart label sandwich (26/52) is advanced by the
platen roller 20, slides across the smoothperforated vacuum plate 54 until the next,unprinted diecut label 14 is positioned underprinthead 18 for the next printing cycle. Driving of the sandwich (26/52) continues by the driven niproller 76, and relamination with thelabel carrier 12 occurs innip 72. The production of the printed and programmed RFID smart labels with embedded programmedRFID transponder 52 is now finished, and the laminated smart label (26/52/12) is delivered atlabel exit 30. As shown,label carrier 12 may also be optionally peeled away from the printed smart label (26/52) in a manner similar to that described in FIG. 1. - Alternatively, the
label carrier 12 delaminated at 32 (FIG. 3) may be removed from the system by, for example, utilization of a take-up mechanism that is similar to 34. In this example, a second supply roll oflabel carrier 12 may be used for relamination of the label sandwich (26/25/12) at nip 72, and thebuffer loop roller 64 eliminated. - FIGS.11-15 illustrate an exemplary modification of the thermal transfer printer 48 (as shown FIG. 3) that is designed for use with tickets, tags, plastics cards, and other stiff media that does not contain an adhesive layer. This ticket and
tag printer 168 comprises thermaltransfer printing mechanism 10; tampingapplicator mechanism 56; dispensingmechanism 66 andcutter mechanism 170. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-15 also is useful for applying a self-adhesive transponder to a surface of a printed self-adhesive label - Note that the items that are illustrated in the FIG. 3-10 embodiment but are not specifically shown in FIGS. 11-13 may be present in an actual product that incorporates all or some of the inventions disclosed in the totality of FIGS. 3-14. However, since said unshown components do not have a role in the further exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, they are, therefore, are not shown in FIGS. 11-14 for purposes of simplicity.
- Referring to FIG. 11, the programmed
RFID transponder 52 is itself formed as atransponder label 172 by adhering adiecut transponder facestock 174 to the top surface of the adhesive-backed, programmedRFID transponder 52 oninlay carrier 46. Asstiff media 176 often is supplied in continuous form, it may be optionally cut to length after printing. Anoptional cutter 170, includingcutter blades 178, is shown in FIG. 11 between the niprollers media exit 30. The electrically-operatedcutter mechanism 170 is additionally connected through the processor bus 140 (FIG. 6) to processor unit 138 (FIG. 6) as part of thermal transfer ticket andtag printer 138. - In FIG. 12, the tamping
applicator mechanism 56 is extended in a manner similar to the description for FIG. 9. The processing unit 138 (FIG. 6) energizes thesolenoid coil 94 of the tampingapplicator mechanism 56, which extends the flexible bellows 70 and presses the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 against thetransponder label 172. In a manner similar to FIG. 9, a guide plate (not shown) of thedispensing mechanism 66 then is retracted, peeling theinlay carrier 46 away from thetransponder label 172 at inlay carrier peeler bar 134 (see FIG. 9), thereby leaving the lower adhesive surface oftransponder label 172 exposed. - In FIG. 13, when
solenoid coil 94 is deenergized, the tampingapplicator mechanism 56 is then fully retracted byspring 106, withtransponder label 172 remaining held against the perforatedvacuum guide plate 54 by the vacuum force generated bycentrifugal fan 58. The exposed lower adhesive surface of thetransponder label 172 is now positioned above the path ofstiff media 176. - The stiff media176 (which can be a ticket, tag, plastic card, laminated label stock, or the like) is now printed and dispensed forward by platen
roller 20 to the point where thetransponder label 170 is to be placed on it. See FIG. 14. When the printedstiff media 176 is in the correct position, tampingapplicator mechanism 56 presses thetransponder label 172 onto the printedstiff media 176. Note that the during the tamping process, the guide plate of dispensingmechanism 66 may be optionally extended under the printedstiff media 176 so thatrigid guide plate 114 acts as an anvil for the tampingapplicator mechanism 56. - In FIG. 14, the transponder label/printed stiff media sandwich (172/176) now continues forward through the nip
rollers transponder label 172 is permanently bonded to the printedstiff media 176 by the compression provided by niprollers stiff media 176 are used in forming the transponder/media sandwich (172/176), the sandwich is ejected throughmedia exit 30. - In the case of continuous
stiff media 176, the stiff media trailing the transponder media sandwich (172/176) may be optionally cut to length using thecutter mechanism 170. This is accomplished under control of the print job software, as shown in FIG. 15, by, for example,processor unit 138 activating electrically-controlledcutter blades 178. In that case, the cutoff length of smart ticket or tag exits at 30, and remaining thestiff media 16 is retracted byplaten roller 20 to its position it under theprinthead 18 for the start of the next printing cycle. - FIG. 15 is a flow-chart that illustrates program steps that are executed by the
processor unit 138 shown in FIG. 6 for each print job performed by thethermal transfer printer 48. Note that many of the program steps and processes in FIG. 15 are the same as or similar to those in the flow chart of FIG. 7. Theprocessor unit 138 first retrieves the parameters of a print job that a user desires to have performed on an on-demand basis frommemory 144 inprocess step 150. For example, a user may store a set of instructions in the memory 144 (FIG. 6) that will cause ticket andtag printer 168 to print a batch of 21 tickets from a roll of continuousstiff media 176, wherein only the first ticket is to be a “smart ticket” provided with a programmedRFID transponder label 172. It should be understood that all “on-demand” printing jobs are intended to be covered in connection with the present invention to the extent that such printing jobs include (in the described preferred execution of the invention) at least one smart ticket or tag. - Referring to FIG. 15, processor unit138 (FIG. 6) determines in
program step 180 whether or not a stiff media sample that is to be printed is to have a programmedRFID transponder label 172 attached to it. If not, then the printed ticket is just formed inprocess 181. Inprogram step 182, it is determined if the media sample is to be cut. When discrete media such as plastic cards are used, then inprocess 183 the finished media sample is simply ejected at themedia exit 30, and a new media sample is positioned under theprinthead 18 for the next printing cycle. - When printed continuous stiff media is to be cut, then in
process 184 the continuousstiff media 176 is positioned to the cut-off point betweencutter blades 178 ofcutter mechanism 170. Theprocessor unit 138 the activates the electrically-operatedcutter mechanism 170 to cut off the printed ticket, tag, smart ticket or smart tag for the stiff media supply and deliver it atmedia exit 30. The continuous stiff media is then backfed using theplaten roller 20 to the start of print position underprinthead 18 for the next print cycle. - If the entire print job is determined to be completed in
step 156, then the program sequence is ended. If the print job is not done, then the media print format is indexed instep 185, and then theprocessor unit 138 loops toprogram step 180. - If
processor unit 138 determines inprogram step 180 that an RFID transponder is to be attached to the next ticket or tag that is to be printed, then anRFID transponder label 172 is programmed inprocess 160, and then is verified as being operable and correctly programmed inprocess 162. If the programmedRFID transponder label 172 is correctly verified, then the ticket or tag is printed inprocess 181, and then the programmed RFID transponder label is attached to the printed media sample by operation of the value-addingmechanism 50 inprocess 186. Theprocessor unit 138 then executesprogram step 182 to see if the media is to be cut, taking the appropriate action as described above; thenprogram step 156 to print job is done, also as described above. - Transponder programming and verification typically occurs prior to printing the media, so that a smart media with a
defective transponder label 170 can be identified by printing “void” on it instep 187 rather than thenormal media format 181. The ticket ortag printer 168 then typically ejects the defective smart ticket or tag atmedia exit 30, and automatically repeatsprocesses - Additionally, a variation of the embodiment shown in FIGS.11-15 may be used to actually form transponders by printing an conductive antenna on the media sample and then attaching labels comprised of RFID integrated circuits with electrical contacts to that antenna (for example the Motorola BiStatix™ “interposer”; and those made by Marconi using an Intermec Intellitag® 900 MHz or 2.45 GHz RFID integrated circuit).
- For example, in FIG. 16A a
BiStatix label 190 based on Motorola BiStatix™ integratedcircuit 191 is formed on transparentnonconductive label stock 192 by first forming two conductive mountingpads 193 and bonding them to two antenna contacts on Motorola BiStatix™ integratedcircuit 191. These BiStatix labels 190 in roll form are used astransponder supply roll 128 in ticket andtag printer 168. During the printing process, by proper choice ofthermal transfer ribbon 16 andnonconductive media 194, two printed conductivecarbon antenna panels 195 can be formed on the ticket or tag. The value-addingmechanism 50 can be used to attach the conductive mountingpads 193 of eachBiStatix label 190 to the two printed conductivecarbon antenna panels 195 to form a complete RFID transponder, as shown in FIG. 16B. By proper placement of thetransponder programmer antenna 110, the electrostatic-coupled RFID transponder so formed then may be programmed. - More conventional magnetically- or electromagnetically-coupled transponders also may be formed this way. In FIG. 16C, a 2.45 GHz
RFID Intellitag label 196 based on an Intermec Intellitag® integratedcircuit 197 is formed on transparentnonconductive label stock 192 by with twometal contacts 198 bonded to the two antenna contacts on an Intermec Intellitag® integratedcircuit 197. A rolls of theseIntellitag labels 196 is used astransponder supply roll 128 in ticket andtag printer 168. During the printing process, by proper choice ofthermal transfer ribbon 16 andnonconductive media 194, a 2.45 GHz conductive silver ink foldeddipole antenna 199 can be formed. The value-addingmechanism 50 can be used to attach the twometal contacts 198 of theIntellitag label 196 to the ends of the conductive silver ink foldeddipole antenna panels 199 to form a complete RFID transponder, as shown in FIG. 16D. By proper placement of thetransponder programmer antenna 110, the electromagnetically-coupled transponder so formed then may be programmed. - The present invention provides a number of distinct advantages, either individually and/or collectively. Such advantages include, for example, the following.
- 1. The ability to selectively add an RFID transponder to a conventional on-demand printed media sample under program control, thereby converting a conventional label into a “smart” RFID enhanced media sample;
- 2. The ability to selectively create an RFID transponder using a printed antenna and applied RFID integrated circuit on a conventional on-demand printed media sample under program control, thereby converting a conventional label into a “smart” RFID enhanced media sample;
- 3. The ability to provide a single label, ticket tag or plastic card printer that can produce, on-demand, either conventional or “smart” RFID media using the same conventional label, ticket, tag stock or cards; and
- 4. The elimination of the need for pre-converted RFID smart media, thereby removing the attendant cost of these items being specially produced by a label converter and inventoried by the user.
- Additional advantages of the present invention include the following.
- 5. The impact of the “lumpy” transponder on print quality in producing a smart media sample is eliminated because printing of the media is done before the RFID transponder is embedded in or adhered onto the final media sample;
- 6. The ability to design an add-on option to a conventional label, ticket, tag or plastic card printer to enhance it to produce smart labels, tickets, tags or plastic cards on an as-needed basis;
- 7. The ability to cause a single printer to produce either conventional or smart media using conventional media supplies as a basis (as the smart media can be produced only when needed using the on-demand basis label format software control);
- 8. The removal of the need for a label converter to provide special rolls of smart labels for on-demand printers, with the attendant extra costs of making and inventorying special smart label stock.
- 9. The removal of the need for the user to have a separate thermal transfer printer to produce smart labels;
- 10. The elimination of user dependence on smart label converters, thereby allowing the user to use their existing converter;
- 11. The allowance of designs that permit all printers in a product line to do, on an on-demand, programmed-controlled basis, both conventional labels, tickets, tags and cards, and also smart labels, tickets, tags and cards; and
- 12. The reduction of the cost overhead and complexity barriers of adding smart label capability to an existing conventional labeling process. Still further advantages and benefits follow.
- As described above in the list of advantages, the invention makes possible a truly on demand, custom configuration of any selected one, or all, of the media to have an RFID transponder of a particular type or capability, programmed with particular data, and preprinted or post-printed or otherwise processed. This implies that end users do not have to install a variety of printers or other systems in order to take care of the requirements of various customers or applications. Since entire rolls of unprinted smart labels (each possibly having a different material, adhesive, label form factor or type of transponder) do not have to be stocked, the cost savings are significant. The capital and maintenance costs of single purpose lines or machines is avoided. Since the entire process is under computer program control, errors which inevitably result in manual changeover from plain labels to RFID labels, for example, is eliminated. One machine or system can now handle all needs.
- In a more general sense, the present invention concerns a method of configuring on demand a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media. The method comprises feeding a series of media which may be alike or different, and, on demand, selectively applying, inserting, or otherwise associating with certain media but not with other media in the series one or more discrete, value-adding elements. In the described preferred embodiment the elements are RFID transponders, however, as will be described, other value-adding elements may be associated with the selected media.
- A third embodiment illustrating the more general nature of the on-demand configuration process for media is the application shown in FIGS.17-19. With the advent of “mass customization” marketing, and the developments in prospect-specific data resources available today, it is possible to narrowly target a very specific group of prospects, about which much is known concerning their identification, attributes, predilections, purchasing habits and other personal characteristics. The present invention gives total flexibility in appealing to particular purchasing interests and other characteristics of a particular set of prospects or past customers.
- In this illustrative hypothetical application, Travel Card Company wishes to send custom configured promotional media to a selected customer base. Its customers consist of three classes: Green, Gold and Platinum card members. Green Members are occasional travelers, mostly for vacations, and comprise the lowest category of card usage. Gold Members use the card frequently, primarily for business, but often take vacations abroad, and represent a smaller population with much higher usage than Green Members, and as a class represent most of the travel dollars spent with Travel Card Company. Platinum Members are a much smaller class, with an average annual card usage five times that of Gold Members, mostly spent on international travel, using first class airfare and luxury hotels and restaurants; they often mix business and pleasure travel, and they often travel with spouses or “significant others.” They are highly desirable customers for the luxury class travel and merchandise companies.
- The promotional media is here a custom postcard set200 as shown in postcard set
front 202 and postcard setreverse side 204 in FIGS. 17A and 17B, comprised of customer addressed postcard with detachable return postcard. The postcard setfront side 202 is intended to be on-demand printed with customer-specific mailing address 206 and selected promotional travel offerings incorporating value-adding elements. Thereverse side 204 of postcard set 200 is entirely preprinted with fixed information: The postcard setreverse side 204 of the customer addressed post card is printed withpictorial information 208 about luxury cruise A andpictorial information 210 about luxury cruise B; the postcard setreverse side 204 of customer return post card is printed with Travel CardCompany return address 212 andbusiness reply postage 214. Post card set 200 is intended to be machine folded and sealed so that thecustomer address 206 andbusiness postage franking 216 is visible on initial mailing. - The postcard set
front side 202 of is on-demand printed with customer specific information and promotional offers, including certain value-adding elements from FIG. 18 that are placed inareas customer address 206. The postcard setfront side 202 of return postcard has luxurycruise A description 222 with associatedinformation request area 224; also luxurycruise B description 226 with associatedinformation request area 228. In addition, for Gold and Platinum Members, there are special on-demand printed promotional areas that are not printed unless special offers are being made; this includespromotional area 230 with customer-markable response areas reserved area 238. - In FIG. 18, four value-adding
elements 240 through 246 are shown. Repositionable 2-classcruise upgrade coupon 240 intended to be offered to Green Members only; repositionable 3-classcruise upgrade coupon 242 is intended to be offered only to Gold and Platinum Members; the appropriate coupon is to be placed on customer address postcard in cruiseupgrade offer area 218. Permanently attachedRFID transponder label 244 is to be placed in Platinum Member promotionalreserved area 238 on postcard set reverse side 204 (see FIG. 17B) of all mailings to Platinum Members. It carries in the transponder memory the Platinum Member-specific address, travel history andcard usage information 248. It is preprinted with an offer of free global Internet E-mail service by an Internet Service Provider associated with Travel Card Company which also advertises on-line only luxury merchandise. When a Platinum Member accepts the free E-mail offer, the return postcard is given to the Internet Service Provider and the information stored in the memory of theRFID transponder label 244 is read wirelessly and used to automatically set up the Platinum Member's global E-mail account. In case of transponder failure, the key customer information, namely name and card number, are also on-demand printed in customer name andcard number field 250. - Repositionable
free flight coupon 246 contains an offer from Urban Legends Helicopter Service for a free helicopter flight form the main airport to a downtown heliport in New York City, Chicago, Paris or Tokyo. It is intended to be offered only to those Gold and Platinum Members which also stay more than a total of fifteen nights each year in the luxury downtown hotels in any or all of those four cities. When appropriate for use with a given card member, it is placed inspecial offer area 220 on customer address postcard. - In accordance with certain aspects of the production process to be described in detail below, an on-demand printed postcard set is produced for each Green, Gold or Platinum Member with selected value-adding elements from FIG. 18 to be placed as described above depending on the member's card color and travel history. When received by each member, if so interested, the member takes specific actions with respect to the repositioning any value-added coupons present and marking the
customer response areas 232 and 234 (if present) to accept or reject the associated promotional offers. The interested member then mails the postage-paid return card to Travel Services Company to implement the requested promotional offers. - Returning to FIG. 17, if the member is interested in receiving the information about luxury cruise A, then the offered value-adding coupon (either240 or 242) in cruise
upgrade offer area 218 is removed and placed ininformation request area 224. Similarly, information about luxury cruise B may be requested by removing said repositionable cruise upgrade coupon fromoffer area 218 and placing it ininformation request area 228. Should a Platinum Member decide to accepted the free global E-mail service offered by the preprint onRFID transponder label 244, he checks the “Yes” box in custom-printed response area 232 (printed only whenRFID transponder label 244 is also attached in reserved are 238). Should the selected Gold and Platinum Members receiving the special freeflight offer coupon 248 from Urban Legend Helicopters decide to accept it, said member removes the coupon fromspecial area 220 and places it inspecial area 238, and checks the box in custom printed area 236 for the city in which the member would like the free flight. - FIG. 19 is a top schematic view of one example of a three-stage production process embodying exemplary aspects of the invention in three different forms that may be used to prepare the finished postcard sets. A supply of
postcard stock 300 which is preprinted on the reverse side of each postcard set 200 withfields Postcard stock 300 passes throughpostcard printer 302, which contains a variation of thesecond invention embodiment 168 using externally preprogrammed transponder labels. Thispostcard printer 302 is driven throughconnection 304 tofactory controller 306, which in turn is connected throughlocal area network 308 tomain computer 310 which includesprocessing program 312 andcard member database 314. Certain file information from each entry incard member database 314 is selected by processingprogram 312 and is transferred overlocal area network 308 tofactory controller 306 for use byfactory control program 316 to direct the production operations in the preparation of each corresponding postcard set 200. - Typically, the member files in card
member data base 314 are in sequential order with respect to card number, but random by membership color as this may change during the life of a card member account. For each Platinum Member file encountered,transponder label printer 318, which contains the first invention embodiment described above, is directed byfactory controller 306 overconnection 320 to prepare anRFID transponder label 244. Usingdiecut label supply 322 and self-adhesiveRFID transponder supply 324, thetransponder label printer 318 produces a sequentialtransponder label strip 326 of programmed RFID transponder labels 244, each of which has been preprinted with the Platinum Member's name and card number, and embeds an RFID transponder encoded with relevant card member information fromdatabase 314. This sequentialtransponder label strip 326 of RFID transponder labels 244 is used as the RFID transponder label supply forpostcard printer 302. - The
Stage 1 production operation is performed bypostcard printer 302, and includes all the on-demand printing operations. Aspostcard printer 302 is directed to initiate preparation of apostcard set 200 for each card member, the required card member information is transferred to it overconnection 304. If information for a Green or Gold Member is found, then just the appropriate on-demand printedcustomer mailing address 206 on the front side of card, and luxury A andB cruise information front side 202 of return mail card (see FIG. 17). If a Gold or Platinum Member is found to qualify for the free flight coupon, then offer customer-markable response area 232 is also printed. For all Platinum Members fields 206, 222, and 226 are printed the same as for a Gold Member, and the customer-markable response area 234 to special lifetime E-mail offer is also printed. It is first verified that the correspondingRFID transponder label 244 is in position for placement; then saidRFID transponder label 244 is placed in reservedfield 238. A schematic example of first Green Member postcard set 328 and first Platinum Member postcard set 330 as outputs ofStage 1 production are shown in FIG. 19. - In
Stage 2 of the production process, additional value-adding processes incorporating the invention are used to complete the custom configuration of the postcard set media by the addition of one or more of selected value-added elements shown in FIG. 18. First additional value-addingprocess 332 selectively adds 2-classcruise upgrade coupon 240 fromfirst coupon supply 334 to postcard set 200 when so directed byproduction controller 306 overconnection 336. Second additional value-addingprocess 338 selectively adds 3-classcruise upgrade coupon 242 fromsecond coupon supply 340 to postcard set 200 when so directed byproduction controller 306 overconnection 342. Third additional value-addingprocess 344 selectively addsfree flight coupon 246 fromthird coupon supply 346 to postcard set 200 when so directed byproduction controller 306 overconnection 348. - Exemplary output from the
Stage 2 are shown as custom configuredpostcard media free flight coupon 246 using third additional value-addingprocess 344; 3-classcruise upgrade coupon 242 added by second additional value-addingprocess 338; andRFID transponder label 244 as configured by the first invention embodiment intransponder label printer 320 and placed by second invention embodiment inpostcard printer 302. First Gold Member postcard set 352 was custom configured with only 3-classcruise upgrade coupon 242 added in second additional value-addingprocess 338. Second Green Member postcard set 354 was configured for a Green Member receiving only 3-classcruise upgrade coupon 240 added in first additional value-addingprocess 332. Second Gold member postcard set 356 is custom configured withcruise upgrade coupon 242 from second additional value-addedprocess 338 andfree flight coupon 246 from third additional value-addingprocess 344. - In Stage3 of the production process of FIG. 19, sheeter-folder-
sealer process 358 is used to prepare the custom configured postcard media for mailing, under control ofproduction controller 306 usingconnection 360. The continuous postcard media is cut part into individual postcard sets 200, folded and sealed to expose the front of the customer address postcard setfront side 202. An example of Stage 3 output, namely a finished postcard set 362 is shown being ejected from sheeter-folder-sealer 358 on to the stack of completed custom-configuredpostcard media 364. - A number of alternatives of the FIGS.17-19 method and system are contemplated by the present invention. For example, in one
variant coupons transponder 244. What is unique in this variant is that the element which is peeled off and transferred to another part of the media (which could also be to another separate media) is or has embodied therein a memory containing useful information which can be accessed wirelessly by the organizer of the promotion or another involved party. - Alternatively, rather than an RFID transponder of the type having a memory, a chipless RFID transponder may be substituted. For example, rather than a transponder such as shown at244, in
space 238 on card set 200 a resonant series of conductive lines may be printed on the card. Or a variety of other chipless RFID technologies may be employed. Integrated circuit labels, of a type similar to those shown in FIG. 16, may also be used with printed antennae to form RFID transponders in situ. - In accordance with exemplary aspects of the present invention, as described in FIGS.17-19, on demand a mailer is being sent which has the following attributes:
- 1) various personalized on demand printings on the media directed to appeal to known interests of the target prospect;
- 2) various targeted coupons or other value-adding elements placed on demand on the media;
- 3) RFID transponders containing target specific data which will be used in after processing the card when returned;
- 4) on demand printing on the transponders which is tied to the target and the stored information;
- 5) plural value-adding elements which not only relate to the target prospect, but to each other as well, to form a coordinated, prospect-specific appeal;
- 6) an action response item (the transferred coupons) prompting the prospect to take action which is not just a generic “YES I WANT TO BUY” token, but a response item which is personalized for the particular prospect.
- In short, the card may have as many as half dozen or more on demand printings or value-adding elements which are coordinated to develop a powerful personalized and integrated sales appeal.
- In yet another execution of certain exemplary aspects of the principles of the invention, a
transponder 52 may be programmed with instructions which control subsequent processes such as the application of another value-adding element on the same media. For example, in a variant of the FIGS. 17-19 embodiment wherein the value-addingprocesses controller 306,RFID transponder label 244 could be programmed with instructions which would be read as part of the value-adding processes to determine the type, content, or other characteristic of a value-adding element to be added to the media containing thetransponder label 244. Alternatively, for example, address data stored in thelabel 244 could be read at a postage metering station to determine the correct postage. - Thus, the embodiment of FIGS.17-19 illustrates certain exemplary features of the present invention as a method of configuring on demand a series of labels, tickets, tags, plastic cards, postcards or other media by selectively applying, inserting, or otherwise associating with certain media—but not with other media—in the series one or more discrete, value-adding elements. And, preferably, in a coordinated integration therewith, the application of one or more printings on the media and/or the value-adding elements to provide further flexibility in the presentation of information to end users and other.
- Referring to FIG. 20, one embodiment of a
transponder applicator mechanism 300 is illustrated that selectively and on demand, under program control, encodes an RFID transponder, and attaches the same to an adhesive backed previously printeddiecut label 26. Thetransponder applicator mechanism 300 may be integrated with existing thermaltransfer printing mechanism 10, or it may be attached to a thermal printer as an optional accessory. - In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 20, the printed
diecut label 26 is removed from itslabel carrier 12 by the action ofpeeler bar 32 and label carrier take-upmechanism 34. During its forward motion that is driven byplaten roller 20, the printed surface of the printeddiecut label 26 maintains a substantially straight path towardsmedia exit 30 along a perforatedvacuum guide plate 302. Thelight vacuum force 304, that is generated by acentrifugal blower 306 that expelsair 308 from aclosed plenum 310, controls the path of, but does not impede the motion of,diecut label 26. - When formation and encoding of a smart label is desired, then, prior to printing the
diecut label 26, anRFID transponder 312 is in a position underantenna 314.Antenna 314 encodes theRFID transponder 312, and verifies the same usingradio signal 316 in the manner described in this application. In the illustrated embodiment, the transponders are adhesive backed, and are supplied diecut from aninlay carrier 318 byinlay supply mechanism 320. - Referring to FIG. 21, when the leading edge of the
next diecut label 14 is in position under theprinthead 18, the motion of theplaten roller 20 and label carrier take-upmechanism 34 stops. Also, forward motion of the printeddiecut label 26 continues now to be driven by thesiliconized drive roller 322, which is typically operationally coupled to the drive ofplaten roller 20, but runs at a slightly faster surface speed. It presses lightly against the adhesive side of printeddiecut label 26 and against spring loaded niproller 324. - Assuming that correct encoding and verification has taken place, when the printed
diecut label 26 is at the correct position in its forward travel, the encodedRFID transponder 312 is now moved in forward by the action of inlay carrier take-upmechanism 326 oninlay carrier 318. As thetransponder 312 reaches the top of its path overroller 328, thelinear actuator 330 now advancessmall roller 328, which presses the leading edge of encodedtransponder 312 against the adhesive side of printeddiecut 26. - Both the
inlay carrier 318 and the printeddiecut label 26 are now driven forward at the same surface speed, so that the encodedRFID transponder 312 is peeled from theinlay carrier 318 as it passes over thesmall roller 328, as shown in FIG. 22. Once the a encodedRFID transponder 312 is completely peeled from theinlay carrier 318, then thelinear actuator 330 retracts, and the nextunencoded transponder 332 in now in position underantenna 314 for use in the next smart label dispensing cycle. - Referring to FIG. 23, forward motion continues until the peeled printed diecut label and encoded RFID transponder sandwich (26/312) in delivered at
media exit 30. The pressure of the nip formed bysiliconized drive roller 322 acting on the sandwich against spring loaded niproller 324 permanently bonds the peeled printed diecut label—encoded RFID transponder sandwich (26/312). - Transponders which fail to verify may be either (1) attached to “void” printed labels as described above, (2) recaptured while still on the
inlay carrier 318 by the inlay carrier take-upmechanism 326, or (3) dispensed internally into a waste bin. The latter 2 methods avoid wasting a label to eliminate a bad transponder. - A still further embodiment for continuous linerless media using active adhesives (i.e., where there is no diecut label carrier12) is shown in FIG. 24. Here,
platen roller 20 and driveroller 322 are both siliconized to prevent adherence of the label and transponder adhesive to these rollers. The continuouslinerless label stock 350 is printed and an encodeRFID transponder 312 attached in a manner similar to the above embodiment. However, once a completed label is dispensed tomedia exit 30, as shown, then an optional electrically activatedcutter assembly 352 is used to shear the finishedlinerless label 354 with or without attached encodedRFID transponder 312. The continuouslinerless label stock 350 is then retracted to its initial printing position underprinthead 18. - When an inactivated adhesive is used (such as an Appleton Actifuse liner material), then an optional retractable activating
mechanism 356 may be used to activate the adhesive along the length of the finishedlinerless label 354 retracted for the length of the excess media, which must be dispensed to bring the finishedlinerless label 354 to the cut off point. Otherwise, the embodiment functions as with standard linerless material as described above. - From the foregoing, it will also be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims when the claims are properly interpreted.
Claims (172)
1. A media printer, comprising in combination:
means for moving a plurality of media samples from a supply of media samples;
means for printing information on at least selected ones of said media samples; and
means for attaching a value-adding device to only selected ones, but not all, of said media samples.
2. The media printer of claim 1 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification transponders.
3. The media printer of claim 2 further comprising means for determining whether said radio frequency identification transponders are defective or misprogrammed.
4. The media printer of claim 3 further comprising means for causing a failure indicia to be printed on a surface of each one of said media samples to which a defective or misprogrammed radio frequency identification transponder is attached.
5. The media printer of claim 1 wherein a plurality of value-adding devices are attached to at least one of said plurality of media samples.
6. The media printer of claim 1 wherein said media samples are selected from a group consisting of labels, tickets, tags, and cards.
7. A media printer, comprising in combination:
a media supply and a media exit;
a generally continuous web that operably interconnects said media supply and said media exit so that a plurality of media samples are moved from said media supply to said media exit during operation;
a printhead that is mounted in operative relation to said generally continuous web to print information on selected portions of a first surface of each one of said media samples; and
an applicator mechanism that is mounted in operative relation to said generally continuous web to attach a value-adding device to a second surface of selected ones of said media samples after information has been printed on the first surface of said selected ones of said media samples by said printhead.
8. The media printer of claim 7 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification integrated circuits adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media samples to form radio frequency identification transponders.
9. The media printer of claim 7 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification transponders.
10. The media printer of claim 9 further comprising a verification mechanism that is operably disposed with respect to said generally continuous web to verify the operability of at least some of said radio frequency identification transponders.
11. The media printer of claim 10 wherein said verification mechanism causes failure indicia to be printed on the first surface of each one of said media samples to which an inoperable radio frequency identification transponder is attached.
12. The media printer of claim 7 wherein a value-adding device is attached to less than all of said plurality of said media samples.
13. The media printer of claim 7 wherein said media samples are selected from a group consisting of labels, tickets, tags, and cards.
14. A method for manufacturing a printed media, comprising the steps of:
moving a plurality of media samples from a media supply to a media exit;
printing information on selected media samples; and
attaching a value-adding device to said selected ones of said media samples after information has been printed on the first surface of said selected ones of said media samples.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification integrated circuits adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media samples to form radio frequency identification transponders.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification transponders.
17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of verifying that at least some of said radio frequency identification transponders are operable.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of causing failure indicia to be printed on the first surface of each one of said media samples to which an inoperable, or misprogrammed radio frequency identification transponder is attached.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein a value-adding device is attached to less than all of said plurality of said media samples.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein said media samples are selected from a group consisting of labels, tickets, tags, and cards.
21. A device for use in connection with a thermal transfer printer that includes first web means for moving a plurality of media samples from a supply of media samples as well as a printhead that prints information on a first surface of said plurality of media samples, said device comprising:
a second web means for temporarily removing the plurality of media samples from said first web means; and
means for attaching a value-adding device to a second surface of selected ones of said media samples after information has been printed on the first surface of said selected ones of said media samples.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification integrated circuits adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media samples to form radio frequency identification transponders.
23. The device of claim 21 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification transponders.
24. The device of claim 23 further comprising means for verifying that at least some of said radio frequency identification transponders are operable.
25. The device of claim 24 further comprising means for causing a failure indicia to be printed on the first surface of each one of said media samples to which an inoperable radio frequency identification transponder is attached.
26. The device of claim 21 wherein a value-adding device is attached to less than all of said plurality of media samples.
27. The device of claim 21 wherein said media samples are selected from a group consisting of labels, tickets, tags, and cards.
28. A device for use in connection with a thermal transfer printer that includes a first web that allows a plurality of media samples to be moved from a supply of media samples as well as a printhead that prints information on a first surface of said plurality of media samples, said device comprising:
a second web that temporarily removes the plurality of media samples from said first web; and
an attachment mechanism that attaches a value-adding device to a second surface of selected ones of said media samples after information has been printed on the first surface of said selected ones of said media samples.
29. The device of claim 28 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification integrated circuits adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media samples to form radio frequency identification transponders.
30. The device of claim 28 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification transponders.
31. The device of claim 30 further comprising means for verifying that at least some of said radio frequency identification transponders are operable.
32. The device of claim 31 further comprising means for causing a failure indicia to be printed on the first surface of each one of said media samples to which an inoperable radio frequency identification transponder is attached.
33. The device of claim 28 wherein a value-adding device is attached to less than all of said plurality of media samples.
34. The device of claim 28 wherein said media samples are selected from a group consisting of labels, tickets, tags, and cards.
35. A method, comprising the steps of:
providing a series of media samples which have a non-existent or predetermined capability of responding wirelessly to a wireless interrogation signal or electromagnetic field; and
introducing a capability, or modifying an existing predetermined capability, of only selected ones, but not all, said series of media samples of responding to a wireless interrogation signal or electromagnetic field.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein said value-adding devices comprise radio frequency identification integrated circuits adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media samples to form radio frequency identification transponders.
37. The method of claim 35 wherein said introducing or modifying step comprises inserting, applying, forming or otherwise associating an RFID transponder with only said selected ones of said series of media samples.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein said RFID transponder is selected from a group consisting of a chipless transponder, a passive transponder, and an active transponder.
39. The method of claim 36 wherein said media samples are selected from a group consisting of labels, tickets, tags, and cards.
40. The method of claim 35 including introducing or modifying an electrical characteristic of only said selected ones of said series of media samples.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein said selected ones of said series of media samples have a preformed characteristic impedance, and wherein said introducing or modifying step comprises altering said preformed characteristic impedance.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein said preformed characteristic impedance becomes a resonant structure by attachment of a value-adding device to form a passive transponder.
43. The method of claim 41 wherein said preformed characteristic impedance becomes a resonant structure by attachment of a value-adding device to form a chipless transponder.
44. The method of claim 41 wherein said preformed characteristic impedance becomes a resonant structure by attachment of a value-adding device to form an active transponder.
45. The method of claim 35 wherein said introducing or modifying step comprises forming or changing a resonant structure on the selected media.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein said forming or changing step comprises depositing or altering a pattern of electrically conductive lines or patterns on the media.
47. A method of configuring on demand a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media, comprising:
moving a series of like or unlike media; and
on demand, selectively applying, inserting, or otherwise associating with selected ones of said series of like or unlike media, a discrete, value-adding element.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein said value-adding element comprises an RFID transponder or other wireless transponder.
49. The method of claim 48 wherein said element is a radio frequency identification integrated circuit adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media to form a radio frequency identification transponder.
50. The method of claim 48 further comprising the step of communicating with said transponder before said associating step.
51. The method of claim 50 wherein said RFID transponder is programmed with process control instructions.
52. The method of claim 50 wherein said step of communicating includes the steps of testing, (i) identifying, or discerning a characteristic of the transponder, and (ii) reading information stored in said transponder or writing information into said transponder.
53. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of processing said media before said associating.
54. The method of claim 53 wherein said step of processing includes printing on said media.
55. The method of claim 54 wherein said step of printing exhibits a result of said communication with said transponder.
56. The method of claim 55 wherein said printing indicates a defect or another characteristic or attribute of said transponder.
57. The method of claim 55 wherein said printing exhibits information read from or stored in said transponder.
58. The method of claim 47 including processing said media after said associating.
59. The method of claim 58 wherein said processing includes printing on said media.
60. The method of claim 59 wherein said step of printing comprises direct thermal printing, laser printing, ink jet printing or thermal transfer printing.
61. The method of claim 47 wherein said value-adding element has an adhesive on a surface and is laminated on a carrier, and wherein said step of associating includes removing said carrier to expose said adhesive surface.
63. The method of claim 61 wherein said value-adding element is pressed against said media after said step of removing to cause adherence therebetween.
63. The method of claim 62 wherein said value-adding element is tamped against said media pressing.
64. The method of claim 63 wherein said tamping comprises:
providing a fast-acting solenoid;
providing a gas spring that is driven by said solenoid; and
utilizing a pressure-applying mechanism that is coupled to said gas spring and that defines a surface to press together said media and said element, said gas spring damping the fast action of said solenoid.
65. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of placing said media on a carrier after said value-adding element is associated, creating a carrier-element-media laminate.
66. The method of claim 65 wherein said carrier is the same carrier employed to carry said media before said associating step.
67. The method of claim 65 further comprising the step of passing said carrier-element-media laminate through pinch rollers.
68. The method of claim 65 further comprising the step of affixing said carrier-element-media laminate to an object, or removing the carrier and affixing the resulting element-media laminate to an object.
69. The method of claim 47 wherein said media is moved in a first direction, and wherein said value-adding element is moved into position for application in a second direction that is different from said first direction.
70. The method of claim 69 wherein said second direction is transverse to said first direction.
71. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of applying multiple value-adding elements to a single discrete media.
72. The method of claim 71 wherein at least one of said multiple value-adding elements is an RFID transponder or other wireless transponder.
73. The method of claim 72 wherein at least one of said elements is a radio frequency identification integrated circuit adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media to form a radio frequency identification transponder.
74. The method of claim 71 wherein each of said multiple value-adding elements comprises an RFID transponder or other wireless transponder.
75. The method of claim 71 further comprising the step of selectively printing said single discrete media.
76. The method of claim 71 wherein said multiple value-adding elements are applied in sequence.
77. The method of claim 71 wherein said multiple value-adding elements are applied successively at a single station or at multiple stations.
78. The method of claim 47 wherein said moving and said otherwise associating steps are performed under computer program control.
79. The method of claim 47 wherein said media are intermittently moved, and are stopped during said applying step.
80. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of moving said value-adding elements into a position on a dispensing device which is retracted after a value-adding element is applied to a media.
81. The method of claim 47 wherein said value-adding element comprises a promotional device or peel-off label.
82. The method of claim 47 wherein said media includes printed information on a surface thereof.
83. The method of claim 82 wherein said printed information indicates whether said value-adding element is defective, inoperative, or has another characteristic or attribute.
84. The method of claim 82 wherein said printed information indicates whether the media or element has failed a test.
85. The article of claim 84 wherein said printed information includes test results or a date or time stamp.
86. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of printing said media after the step of associating a value-adding element with the selected media.
87. The method of claim 47 wherein said step of associating is performed under computer program control.
88. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of associating a plurality of value-adding elements with a single selected media.
89. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of associating value-adding elements with different characteristics or data with selected different media.
90. The method of claim 47 wherein said media are moved on an adhesive-backed carrier, and wherein said step of associating includes delaminating said carrier from a selected media, and attaching a selected value-adding element to the exposed adhesive surface of said media.
91. The method of claim 78 wherein said steps of associating includes supporting a peeled media with vacuum, bringing said selected value-adding element into position adjacent the supported media, and pressing the media and element together.
92. The method of claim 91 wherein said selected value-adding element is tamped into position.
93. The method of claim 91 wherein the selected media and said selected value-adding element are relaminated after being pressed together.
94. The method of claim 90 wherein said selected media is relaminated after said selected value-adding element is attached.
95. The method of claim 47 wherein said like or unlike media have different characteristics.
96. The method of claim 47 wherein said associated value-adding elements have different characteristics.
97. The method of claim 47 wherein, under computer program control and on demand, individual media having selected characteristics are custom configured by causing one or more value-adding elements having chosen characteristics to be associated with said individual media.
98. The method of claim 97 wherein said individual media is further customized on demand by processing said individual media under said computer program control.
99. The method of claim 98 wherein said processing step includes printing on said individual media.
100. The method of claim 99 wherein said step of printing on said individual media is related to a value-added element associated with each one of said individual media.
101. The method of claim 97 wherein said individual media is further customized on demand by processing of the selected value-adding element.
102. The method of claim 101 wherein said element is an RFID transponder, and wherein said processing of said element includes programming or reprogramming the transponder.
103. The method of claim 47 wherein said selected element is adhesive backed and carried on a carrier, and wherein said associating step includes the steps of delaminating a selected element from its carrier, supporting said delaminated element with vacuum, bringing said selected element into position adjacent a media sample, and tamping said media sample and element together.
104. The method of claim 103 wherein said pressing is performed by tamping.
105. The method of claim 104 wherein said tamping comprises:
providing a fast-acting solenoid;
providing a gas spring that is driven by said solenoid; and
utilizing a pressure-applying mechanism that is coupled to said gas spring and that defines a surface to press together said media and said element, said gas spring damping the fast action of said solenoid.
106. The method of claim 104 wherein the selected media and said selected value-adding element are laminated after being pressed together.
107. A method of manufacturing a plurality of adhesive-backed labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media that is laminated on a carrier, comprising the steps of:
moving a series of media samples;
delaminating at least selected ones of said media samples from said carrier leaving, in each instance, an exposed adhesive media back surface; and
applying a discrete, value-adding element to said back surface of the selected media, whereby only the selected ones, but not all, of said media samples in said series are caused to have said value-adding element.
108. The method of claim 107 wherein said element is a radio frequency identification integrated circuit adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media to form a radio frequency identification transponder.
109. The method of claim 107 wherein said value-adding element is an RFID transponder or other wireless transponder.
110. The method of claim 109 wherein said RFID transponder is programmed with process control instructions.
111. The method of claim 110 wherein said instructions control a process of applying a second value-adding element to the media to which said value-adding element is applied.
112. The method of claim 109 including the step of communicating with said transponder before said applying step.
113. The method of claim 112 wherein said communicating includes testing, identifying, or discerning a characteristic of the transponder, or reading information stored in the transponder, or writing information into the transponder.
114. The method of claim 107 including processing said media before said applying.
115. The method of claim 114 wherein said processing includes printing on said media.
116. The method of claim 107 wherein said element has a non-adhesive front surface and an adhesive back surface, and wherein said front surface of said element is applied to back surface of said media.
117. The method of claim 116 wherein said element and said media are pressed together after applying to improve the adherence thereto.
118. The method of claim 117 wherein said pressing comprises tamping.
119. The method of claim 107 including placing said media on a carrier after said element is applied, creating a carrier-element-media laminate.
120. The method of claim 119 wherein the final carrier is the same as or different from the initial carrier.
121. The method of claim 119 including passing said carrier-element-media laminate through pinch rollers.
122. The method of claim 107 wherein an element is applied under computer program control selectively only to certain of said media and not to others.
123. The method of claim 107 wherein said carrier is intermittently fed, and is paused or stopped during said applying step.
124. The method of claim 107 including moving said element into position for said applying step on a dispensing device which is retracted after an element is applied to a media.
125. The method of claim 107 wherein said media are fed in a first direction, and wherein said elements are fed into said position in a direction transverse to said first direction.
126. An article of manufacture comprising a web, cassette, or other carrier carrying a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media, said carrier being characterized by selected ones, but not all, of said media having associated therewith at least one value-adding element.
127. An article of claim 126 wherein said element is a radio frequency identification integrated circuit adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media to form a radio frequency identification transponder.
128. The article of claim 126 wherein said element comprises an RFID transponder or other wireless transponder.
129. The article of claim 128 wherein said media having an associated value-adding element exhibits visible indicia which indicates whether the transponder is defective, inoperative, misprogrammed, or has another characteristic or attribute.
130. The article of claim 128 wherein said media having an associated element exhibits information read from or stored in said transponder.
131. The article of claim 126 wherein said value-adding element comprises a second media.
132. The article of claim 131 wherein the second media is a promotional device.
133. The article of claim 126 wherein said media having an associated value-adding element exhibits text or other indicia indicating whether the media or element has failed a test.
134. The article of claim 133 wherein said indicia exhibits test results or a date or time stamp.
135. The article of claim 126 wherein the carrier carries a plurality of media having different characteristics.
136. The article of claim 135 wherein the different characteristics include size, material composition, type, stock, or other specifications.
137. The article of claim 126 wherein the carrier carries a plurality of elements having different characteristics.
138. The article of claim 126 wherein the carrier supports selected media having plural elements.
139. The article of claim 126 wherein the carrier supports selected media having selectively different preprocessing or postprocessing.
140. The article of claim 126 wherein the carrier carries selected media adapted to be applied in groups.
141. An on-demand printer for printing information on a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media, comprising:
a media feeder; and
means for associating a discrete value-adding element with certain media, but not with other media, in a series of said media.
142. The printer of claim 141 wherein said element is a radio frequency identification integrated circuit adopted to make contact with an antenna structure on said media to form a radio frequency identification transponder.
143. The printer of claim 141 wherein said value-adding element is an RFID transponder or other wireless or other wireless transponder.
144. The printer of claim 143 further comprising means for communicating with said transponder.
145. The printer of claim 144 wherein said communicating step comprises (i) testing, identifying, or discerning a characteristic of the transponder, (ii) reading information stored in the transponder, or (iii) writing information into the transponder.
146. The printer of claim 141 further comprising means for processing said media before said value-adding element is associated with said selected media.
147. The printer of claim 146 wherein said means for processing includes a printing apparatus.
148. The printer of claim 147 wherein said value-adding element is an RFID transponder or other wireless or other wireless transponder, and wherein said printer or printer accessory includes means for communicating with said transponder.
149. The printer of claim 148 wherein said printing apparatus is responsive to said means for communicating and prints a result of said communicating with said transponder.
150. The printer of claim 148 wherein said printing apparatus is responsive to said means for communicating and prints an indication of a defect or another characteristic or attribute of said transponder.
151. The printer of claim 148 wherein said printing apparatus is responsive to said means for communicating and prints information based on data read from or stored in said transponder.
152. The printer of claim 142 wherein said means for associating is controlled by a computer program.
153. Apparatus for associating a selected element with a selected label, ticket, tag, card or other media, at least one of which element and media is adhesive-backed and carried on a carrier, comprising:
means for delaminating said one element or media from its carrier;
means for supporting said delaminated element or media;
means for bringing said supported element or media into a position contiguous with the other of said element or media; and
means for pressing said element and media together to cause adherence.
154. The apparatus of 153 wherein said means for pressing comprises a tamper.
155. The apparatus of claim 154 wherein said tamper comprises:
a fast-acting solenoid;
a gas spring that is driven by said solenoid; and
a pressure-applying mechanism that is coupled to said gas spring and that defines a surface to press together said media and said element, said gas spring damping the fast action of said solenoid.
156. The apparatus of 136 wherein said means for supporting utilizes a vacuum, wherein said tamper is reciprocable, and wherein said tamper includes a bellows through which the vacuum is delivered to said supported element or media.
157. The apparatus of 136 wherein said supported media is adhesive backed, and wherein said apparatus includes means for relaminating said supported media.
158. The apparatus of 153 wherein said value-adding element is an RFID transponder, and wherein said apparatus includes means for programming or reprogramming the transponder.
159. The apparatus of 153 wherein said means for bringing includes means for reciprocating said selected element into said contiguity and then withdrawing to leave the element.
160. For use in adhering a label, ticket, tag, card or other media to a value-adding element, one of which media and element have an exposed adhesive surface, a reciprocable tamping applicator mechanism comprising:
a fast-acting solenoid;
a gas spring that is driven by said solenoid; and
a pressure-applying mechanism that is coupled to said gas spring and that defines a surface that presses together the media and the element, said gas spring damping the fast action of said solenoid.
161. The mechanism of claim 160 including a return spring that returns said pressure-applying mechanism after a stroke by said solenoid.
162. The mechanism of claim 161 further comprising a plenum containing said solenoid and said gas spring, as well as a bellows that is disposed between said plenum and said pressure-applying mechanism.
163. The mechanism of claim 162 wherein said surface is perforated, and wherein said mechanism includes means coupled to said plenum for developing a vacuum in said plenum.
164. A promotional label, ticket, tag, card or other media having thereon or associated therewith:
one or more RFID transponders programmed with predetermined data representing information about, or of expected interest to, a particular prospect or class of prospects for a given product, service, or appeal; and
one or more printings containing information about, or of expected interest to, said particular prospect or class or prospects,
the printed and programmed information being coordinated and integrated to evoke a predetermined response from said class of prospects.
165. The media of claim 164 including a plurality of RFID transponders.
166. The media of claim 165 wherein at least one of said one or more RFID transponders is programmed with process control instructions.
167. The media of claim 166 wherein said instructions control a process of associating a second value-adding element with the media with which said value-adding element is associated.
168. The media of claim 164 including a peelable or repostionable RFID transponder.
169. The media of claim 164 including a plurality of separately applied value-adding elements.
170. The media of claim 164 including a chipless RFID transponder.
171. The media of claim 170 wherein said RFID transponder is programmed with process control instructions.
172. The media of claim 171 wherein said instructions control a process of associating a second value-adding element with the media with which said value-adding element is associated.
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1564752A (en) | 2005-01-12 |
MXPA04003062A (en) | 2005-05-16 |
EP1444099A4 (en) | 2005-02-16 |
US20030062119A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
CA2460638A1 (en) | 2003-04-10 |
EP1444099A2 (en) | 2004-08-11 |
US20030061947A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
US6857714B2 (en) | 2005-02-22 |
RU2004113308A (en) | 2005-10-27 |
US20030062131A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
WO2003029005A2 (en) | 2003-04-10 |
KR20040041645A (en) | 2004-05-17 |
US6942403B2 (en) | 2005-09-13 |
JP2005525945A (en) | 2005-09-02 |
ZA200402515B (en) | 2005-03-30 |
US20050002720A1 (en) | 2005-01-06 |
US20030063139A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
BR0213052A (en) | 2005-07-19 |
US7112001B2 (en) | 2006-09-26 |
WO2003029005A3 (en) | 2003-10-16 |
US20050025553A1 (en) | 2005-02-03 |
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