WO2006009524A1 - Printer or other media processor with on-demand selective media converter and variable peeler - Google Patents
Printer or other media processor with on-demand selective media converter and variable peeler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006009524A1 WO2006009524A1 PCT/US2003/029218 US0329218W WO2006009524A1 WO 2006009524 A1 WO2006009524 A1 WO 2006009524A1 US 0329218 W US0329218 W US 0329218W WO 2006009524 A1 WO2006009524 A1 WO 2006009524A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- peel
- web
- transponder
- peeler
- media
- Prior art date
Links
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Classifications
-
- 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
- B65C9/1869—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred directly from the backing strip onto the article
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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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- G—PHYSICS
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- 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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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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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- 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
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- 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
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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
- 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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- 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
-
- 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
- B65C2009/0087—Details of handling backing sheets
- B65C2009/0093—Devices switching between a peelable and a non peelable position
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- Y10T156/11—Methods of delaminating, per se; i.e., separating at bonding face
- Y10T156/1105—Delaminating process responsive to feed or shape at delamination
-
- 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
- Y10T156/1707—Discrete spaced laminae on adhered carrier
- Y10T156/171—Means serially presenting discrete base articles or separate portions of a single article
-
- 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
- Y10T156/19—Delaminating means
- Y10T156/1906—Delaminating means responsive to feed or shape at delamination
Definitions
- the present invention concerns, in one aspect, 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 one or more value-adding elements such as, for example, radio frequency identification (hereinafter called RFID) transponders with selected individual media samples on an on-demand basis.
- RFID radio frequency identification
- 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 objects that have associated information on the printed media relating to their identification or use.
- a particularly suitable environment for the converting apparatus and method of this invention is a printer of the type commonly used to print bar codes, text and graphics.
- Such printers typically are offered as tabletop or portable devices or as part of label print and apply systems, and are used in factories, warehouses, shipping centers and a wide variety of other applications.
- Another favored environment is in card printers of the type used to create identification or security badges and the like.
- printer is the only equipment available, and the user wishes to generate a conventional (non-smart) bar code label, for example, he must take the printer off line, uninstall the smart labels, install standard (non-smart) labels, set up the printer and print the standard label. To then generate a smart label, the process must be reversed. An operation that called for mixed smart and standard labels or other media would obviously be difficult to execute in a single printer, or require duplication of equipments and supplies to support the use of both standard (non-smart) labels and smart labels in the same environment.
- the transponder (including antenna and typically, but not always, an integrated circuit) is mounted on a carrier to create an "inlay". Next a series of such inlays are mounted on a liner and wound on a roll for storage. Media, such as label stock, is mounted on a liner. To create smart labels, rolls of the label stock are brought together with rolls of transponder inlays. The label stock and liner is separated, the transponder inlays are inserted serially and the label stock and liner are rejoined to capture the inlays. The smart labels are then die cut and otherwise finished.
- the multiple processing steps, (such as inlay insertion into the labelstock and liner), including the high scrap rate in certain of such processing steps, are among the chief reasons for the high cost of smart labels today.
- 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
- the top surface of each label is printed with a pattern of ink dots from a thermal transfer ribbon 16 melted onto the label surface as the ribbon and label pass under a computer-controlled thermal 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 the label 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 under printhead 18 from the thermal transfer ribbon 16 onto the diecut label 14 surface.
- the thermal transfer ribbon 16 is unwound from a printer ribbon supply 22, and is guided under the thermal printhead 18 by idler rollers 24. After the ink is melted ribbon take-up spindle 28.
- a media exit 30 is located immediately after the printhead 18.
- the now-printed diecut label 26 is often dispensed on its label carrier 12. If a user desires that the printed diecut labels be automatically stripped from label carrier, then an optional peeler bar 32 is utilized. As the label carrier 12 passes over the sharp radius of peeler bar 32, the adhesive bond is broken, thereby releasing the printed diecut label 26 from its label carrier 12. The peeled, printed diecut label 26 is dispensed at media exit 30. The excess label carrier 12 is both tensioned for peeling and rewound using optional label carrier take-up mechanism 34.
- an exemplary embodiment of the present invention involves selectively and on demand associating, in the environment of a thermal or thermal transfer or other type of printer, an RFID transponder with a label, e.g., to create a "smart" label.
- a label e.g., to create a "smart" label.
- 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.
- 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 Figure 2 have a substantially thin, flat shape.
- the inlay transponders 36 are typically, but not always 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.
- a camera having a radio-frequency identification transponder that can be accessed for writing and reading at a distance is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,173,119.
- the antenna 38 for an inlay transponder 36 is in the form of a conductive trace deposited on a non-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 RFDD integrated circuit 44 of the inlay transponder 36 includes a non- volatile memory, such power generation from the RF field generated by the reader; RP communications capability; and internal control functions.
- the RFID integrated circuit 44 is mounted on the non- conductive support 40 and operatively connected through the antenna leads 42.
- the inlays are typically packaged singulated or on a Z-form or roll inlay carrier 46 as shown in Figure 2.
- 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.
- Figure 1 is a side, schematic view of a standard thermal transfer label printer mechanism; transponders as delivered with an adhesive backing on an inlay carrier;
- Figure 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;
- Figure 4 is a front, sectional view of a portion of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 3 detailing a tamping applicator mechanism
- Figure 5 is a front, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 3, wherein a transponder dispensing mechanism is disposed in a fully retracted initial position;
- Figure 6 is a schematic, block diagram of some of the key electronic subsystems and components of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 3;
- Figure 7 is a program flow-chart that illustrates certain key program steps that are executed by the processor unit shown in Figure 6 for each print job that is performed by the thermal transfer label printer shown in Figures 3-6;
- Figure 8 is a front, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 3, wherein the transponder dispensing mechanism shown in Figure 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;
- Figure 9 is a front, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 5, wherein the tamping applicator mechanism detailed in Figure 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;
- Figure 10 is a side, sectional, schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 3, wherein a diecut label/programmed transponder sandwich is formed and relaminated to the diecut label carrier;
- Figure 11 is a side schematic view of a thermal transfer printer mechanism, similar to that disclosed in Figure 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;
- Figure 11 wherein an adhesive-backed, programmed RFID transponder is disposed in a dispensing position with respect to the value-adding mechanism;
- Figure 13 is a side schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 11, wherein an adhesive-backed, programmed RFID transponder is affixed to a stiff media;
- Figure 14 is a side schematic view of the thermal transfer printer shown in Figure 11, wherein the stiff media, upon which an adhesive-backed, programmed RFID transponder is affixed, is advanced to a dispensing position;
- Figure 15 is a flow-chart that illustrates certain key program steps that are executed by the processor unit shown in Figure 6 for each print job that is performed by the thermal transfer printer shown in Figures 11-14;
- Figures 16A though 16D 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 Figures 11-15;
- Figures 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
- Figure 18 is a representation of the four value-added elements which are added in certain combinations to the postcard set media of Figure 17 by the exemplary production process that is shown in Figure 19;
- Figure 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 Figure 17 by addition of one or more value-added elements of Figure 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;
- Figure 24 is a side, schematic view of a thermal transfer printer mechanism, similar to Figures 20-23, that allows an RFID transponder to be selectively and media;
- Figure 25 is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 26 is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 26A is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 27 is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 27 A is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 27B is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 28 is a detailed schematic illustration of a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figures 29A-29F is a pictorial sequential view of operation of the apparatus of Figure 28;
- Figure 30A is a pictorial illustration showing a length of the web when the peeler is in four sequential positions
- Figure 30B is a graph showing the number of steps taken by the peeler motor and the take-up reel motor, respectively, during the sequential operation of the peeler shown in Figures 29A-20B;
- Figure 31 is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 32 is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
- the present invention overcomes many of the difficulties and shortcomings of the prior art described in the Background of the Invention.
- the user now has the ability to generate selectively, on demand, an RFID smart media from a stock of standard media. He can print on the created smart media after the transponder has been coupled to the media, thus overcoming the prior art problem of transponder damage resulting from printing over the transponder.
- the transponder can be verified before and after attachment to the media to assure operability in the final media.
- the associated printer can print in monochrome or color bar codes, graphics, and visually readable text which may include information duplicating or overlapping information encoded in the transponder associated with the particular media.
- each media sample can be customized with information stored in various formats and with various content depending on its ultimate use.
- a media sample that is to be scanned with a bar code scanner, read with an RPID reader and human-read visually can be created to store and present information in all three modes.
- a media sample can be generated which does not contain an RFID transponder.
- the production of a variety of such media samples will typically be in networks under computer software control, but could be manual or have a manual override.
- thermal transfer printer 48 that incorporates a number of aspects of the present invention disclosed in this application is shown.
- the thermal transfer printer 48 comprises a standard thermal transfer printer mechanism that includes all of the components illustrated in Figure 1.
- Printer 48 also includes a value-adding mechanism 50 comprising the identified objects 54-70 that cause a value-adding device such as, for example, a programmed RFID transponder 52 to be affixed to a media sample after it is printed as discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
- a value-adding device such as, for example, a programmed RFID transponder 52 to be affixed to a media sample after it is printed as discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
- value-adding mechanism 50 (sometimes termed herein a "dispenser” or “applicator” or the like) can be manufactured and sold apart 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 ink jet, laser, and other printing technologies.
- the thermal transfer printer 48 allows an adhesive-backed, preprogrammed RFID transponder 52 to be on demand selectively bonded to a printed diecut media sample (such as, for example, a printed diecut label 26) by the value-adding mechanism 50 under program control as discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
- a printed diecut media sample such as, for example, a printed diecut label 26
- the finished printed diecut label/programmed transponder sandwich (26/52) is presented at media exit 30 with the label carrier 12 optionally stripped.
- the printed diecut label 26 is released from its label carrier 12 by passing over the sharp radius of the peeler bar 32.
- the delaminating process performed by peeler bar 32 exposes the adhesive on the bottom (unprinted) surface of the printed diecut label 26.
- the printed diecut label 26 then continues in a straight line as it passes over a smooth, perforated vacuum guide plate 54 of a tamping applicator mechanism 56.
- a centrifugal fan 58 extracts air 60 to create a slight vacuum in the plenum 62. This causes a slight upward force to be maintained on the printed diecut label 26 that keeps it disposed against the smooth perforated vacuum guide plate 54.
- the magnitude of the vacuum force is at such a level that does not impede the forward motion of the printed diecut 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 a buffer loop roller 64 used to control the flow of the label carrier 12 around a transponder dispensing mechanism 66 ( Figure 6).
- the buffer loop roller 64 is free to float up and down, taking up and returning excess label carrier 12 at different times in the process.
- one function of the dispensing mechanism 66 is to position an adhesive-backed RFID transponder 52 underneath and in operative relation to the printed diecut label 26.
- RFID transponder 52 is transported on the inlay carrier 46 as shown.
- the tamping applicator mechanism 56 ( Figure 3) then extends the plenum 60 downwardly through the use of flexible bellows 70 so that the rigid, perforated vacuum guide plate 54 lightly tamps the printed side of printed diecut label 26.
- 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 nip roller 76.
- the nip compression both bonds the adhesive of the printed diecut label 26 to the RFID transponder 52, and relaminates label-transponder sandwich (26/52) to the label carrier 12.
- the formed diecut label-transponder-label carrier sandwich (26/52/12) then exits the value-adding mechanism 50.
- the label carrier 12 may be optionally stripped from the diecut label/transponder sandwich (26/52) by the use of an exit peeler bar 78 and optional label carrier take-up mechanism 34.
- nip roller 72 is driven, this roller being driven at the same surface speed as the platen roller 20. This allows, for example, printed diecut labels 26 that are longer than the gap between platen roller 20 and nip 72 to be accommodated in printer 48 without deforming the printed diecut label 26.
- Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the tamping applicator mechanism 56 shown in Figure 3.
- a sealed case 80 and sealed flexible bellows 70 form a closed plenum 62 that contains a partial vacuum to be applied to the printed media as it passes through the thermal transfer printer 48.
- the atmospheric pressure on the underside of the printed diecut label 26 thus causes the label to be temporarily adhered to the perforated vacuum guide plate 54.
- the vacuum in plenum 62 is generated by a centrifugal fan 58 expelling air 60 sucked in through the holes 82 in the perforated vacuum guide plate 54, passing through internal vents 84 and 86 into blower inlet 88.
- the flexible bellows 70 attached both via a drive bracket 104 to the perforated vacuum guide plate 54 and a baseplate 90, allows the perforated vacuum guide plate 54 to move up and down while maintaining a sealed vacuum in plenum 62.
- Baseplate 90 forms a part of the housing of the thermal transfer printer 48 and on which is mounted case 80.
- the tamping applicator mechanism 56 is mounted on a case bracket 92, and includes a two-part solenoid with fixed solenoid coil 94 attached to a case bracket 92, and solenoid plunger 68 that is attached to the gas spring plunger 97 via coupler 100.
- the body of gas spring 98 slides freely within a linear bearing 102 that is affixed to the perforated vacuum guideplate 54 indirectly through drive bracket 104 as shown.
- a return spring 106 between the movable coupler 100 and the fixed baseplate 90 provides a force to return the solenoid plunger 68 and iron disc 96 to their rest position when the solenoid coil 94 is de-energized.
- vacuum guide plate 54 independently of the degree of plenum extension.
- the gas spring 98 acting together with return spring 106 and the driven mass, also provides viscous damping of the motion of the perforated vacuum guide plate 54, decoupling it from the snap action of the solenoid plunger 68 when the solenoid coil 94 is energized, pulling down iron disc 96.
- a gas damper or other viscous damper may alternatively be used in place of gas spring 98 to perform the same function.
- 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 the gas spring 98 in extending downward the perforated vacuum guide plate 54.
- tamping may be performed through use of an air blast through the perforated vacuum guide plate 54 onto the label in an alternate tamping applicator mechanism 56 with an non-extensible plenum 62.
- printer 48 includes utilizes an RF signal 108 that is emitted by transponder programmer antenna 110 to program the memory in RFID integrated circuit 44.
- the now-programmed RFID transponder 52 is positioned directly under the transponder programmer antenna 110.
- the dispensing mechanism 66 comprises, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, among other things, transponder carrier rollers 112, 113, 115 a rigid guide plate 114, and a linear actuator 116.
- Linear actuator 116 extends and retracts the rigid guide plate 114 so that the now-programmed RFID transponder 52 is placed under the diecut label 26 in the desired insertion position.
- a rolamite drive mechanism 118 that is turned by rolamite stepping motor 120, is synchronized with the motion of linear actuator 116 to adjust the movement of transponder inlay carrier 46.
- This motion is also synchronized with the motion of a transponder supply roll spindle 122 and an inlay carrier take-up spindle 124 of inlay carrier take-up spool 132.
- the supply roll drive 126 supplies both a computer-controlled unwind resistance and a braking function on transponder supply roll 128.
- the take-up roll drive 130 acting on the web slippage in the rolamite drive mechanism 118 that provides peeling tension for stripping the inlay carrier 46 from the programmed RFID transponder 52 at inlay carrier peeler bar 134.
- a transponder position sensor 136 detects when a transponder 52 is appropriately placed under the transponder programmer antenna 110.
- the transponder position sensor 136 is part of the control electronics shown in Figure 6, and is used to control the motion of the inlay carrier 46.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic, block diagram of principal electronic components of the thermal transfer printer 48 that is shown in Figure 3 having the capability of selective on demand application of a value-adding element to a media sample in accordance with the invention.
- printer 48 includes a processor unit 138 with devices attached to a processor bus 140.
- the processor unit 138 executes a set of program instructions that are received from a user via printer I/O port 142 and that are stored in memory 144.
- processor unit 138 is operatively electrically coupled through processor bus 140 to, among other things, platen roller drive 146 which drives platen roller 20; thermal printhead 18; transponder programmer 148 which is in turn connected to transponder programmer antenna 110; transponder position sensor 136; linear actuator 116; supply roll drive 126; rolamite stepping motor 120 which operate rolamite drive mechanism 118; inlay carrier take-up roll drive 130; and tamping solenoid 94.
- Figure 7 is a flow-chart that illustrates program steps that are executed by the processor unit 138 shown in Figure 6 for each print job performed by the thermal 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.
- Processor 138 ( Figure 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 in process 150. For example, a user may store a set of instructions in the memory 144 that will cause printer 48 to print a batch of 100 diecut labels, wherein every other diecut label is to be a "smart label" provided with a programmed RFED 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.
- Figure 6 determines whether or not a diecut label 14 that is to be printed is to have a programmed RFID transponder 52 attached to it. If not, then the printed diecut label 26 is formed in process 154. If the entire print job is determined to be completed in program step 156, then the program sequence is ended. If the print job is not done, then in process 158 both a new diecut label 14 is properly positioned under printhead 18 for the next printing cycle, and the label format is indexed. Then the processor unit 138 executes instructions to loop to program step 152.
- processor unit 138 determines in program step 152 that an RFID transponder is to be attached to a diecut label 14 that is to be printed, then an RFID transponder 52 is programmed in process 160, and then is verified as being operable and correctly programmed in process 162. If the programmed RFID transponder 52 is correctly verified, then the diecut label 14 is printed in process 163 to form printed diecut label 26, and then the programmed RFID transponder 52 is attached to the printed diecut label 26 in process 164 by operation of the value-adding mechanism 50. The processor unit 138 then executes program 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 in process 158, and the processor unit 138 then loops to program 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.
- the printer 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.
- the processor unit 138 determines that the programmed RFID transponder 52 is not operable, then it may be disposed of directly.
- a suitable indicia such as, for example, "VOID” is printed in process 163 on the diecut label 26, and the inoperable RFE) transponder 52 is attached to the "VOID" printed label in process 164 in order to expel the properly-identified defective transponder 52 from the printer 48.
- the processor unit 138 loops in processes 160 and 162, etc., to program and verify a new RFDD transponder 52, printing an appropriate diecut label 26 and attaching them together in process 164 continues until a correctly printed diecut label 26 with an embedded, verified, programmed RFID transponder 52 is completed.
- Figures 8-10 illustrate one example of a process for selectively and on demand attaching a programmed RFID transponder 52, or any other suitable value-adding element, to printed diecut label 26 (step 164 in Figure 7) or other media sample.
- the processor unit 138 ( Figure 6) causes the linear actuator 116 to extend and causes the supply roll drive 126 to unwind the transponder supply spool 128, while rolamite stepping motor 120 and take-up roll drive 130 also unwind an approximately equal amount of inlay carrier 46. This continues until a new, unprogrammed RFID transponder 166 is positioned properly within transponder position sensor 136.
- the processing unit 138 now causes the linear actuator 116 to retract, while keeping the supply roll drive 126 braked so that the new unprogrammed RFID transponder 166 remains fixed under transponder position sensor 136.
- the processor unit 138 activates rolamite stepping motor 120 in coordination with the motion of the linear actuator 116, so that rolamite stepping motor 120 acts through rolamite drive mechanism 118 to takes up and maintains tension on the excess inlay carrier 46.
- Tension on the rolamite drive mechanism is maintained by energizing the take-up roll drive 130, which also causes the excess inlay carrier 46 to wind onto the take-up roll spindle 124.
- the diecut label/transponder smart label sandwich (26/52) is advanced by the platen roller 20, slides across the smooth perforated vacuum plate 54 until the next, unprinted diecut label 14 is positioned under printhead 18 for the next printing cycle.
- Driving of the sandwich (26/52) continues by the driven nip roller 76, and relamination with the label carrier 12 occurs in nip 72.
- the production of the printed and programmed RFID smart labels with embedded programmed RFID transponder 52 is now finished, and the laminated smart label (26/52/12) is delivered at label exit 30.
- label carrier 12 may also be optionally peeled away from the printed smart label (26/52) in a manner similar to that described in Figure 1.
- the label carrier 12 delaminated at 32 may be removed from the system by, for example, utilization of a take-up mechanism that is similar to 34.
- a second supply roll of label carrier 12 may be used for relamination of the label sandwich (26/25/12) at nip 72, and the buffer loop roller 64 eliminated.
- FIGs 11-15 illustrate an exemplary modification of the thermal transfer printer 48 (as shown Figure 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 thermal transfer printing mechanism 10; tamping applicator mechanism 56; dispensing mechanism 66 and cutter mechanism 170.
- the embodiment shown in Figures 11- 15 also is useful for applying a self-adhesive transponder to a surface of a printed self- adhesive label
- the programmed RFID transponder 52 is itself formed as a transponder label 172 by adhering a diecut transponder facestock 174 to the top surface of the adhesive-backed, programmed RFID transponder 52 on inlay carrier 46.
- stiff media 176 often is supplied in continuous form, it may be optionally cut to length after printing.
- An optional cutter 170, including cutter blades 178, is shown in Figure 11 between additionally connected through the processor bus 140 ( Figure 6) to processor unit 138 ( Figure 6) as part of thermal transfer ticket and tag printer 138.
- the tamping applicator mechanism 56 is extended in a manner similar to the description for Figure 9.
- the processing unit 138 ( Figure 6) energizes the solenoid coil 94 of the tamping applicator mechanism 56, which extends the flexible bellows 70 and presses the perforated vacuum guide plate 54 against the transponder label 172.
- a guide plate (not shown) of the dispensing mechanism 66 then is retracted, peeling the inlay carrier 46 away from the transponder label 172 at inlay carrier peeler bar 134 (see Figure 9), thereby leaving the lower adhesive surface of transponder label 172 exposed.
- the stiff media 176 (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 the transponder label 170 is to be placed on it. See Figure 14.
- tamping applicator mechanism 56 presses the transponder label 172 onto the printed stiff media 176.
- the guide plate of dispensing mechanism 66 may be optionally extended under the printed stiff media 176 so that rigid guide plate 114 acts as an anvil for the tamping applicator mechanism 56.
- the transponder label/printed stiff media sandwich (172/176) now continues forward through the nip rollers 74 and 76, where the transponder label 172 is permanently bonded to the printed stiff media 176 by the compression provided by nip rollers 74 and 76. Then, if discrete stiff media 176 are used in forming the transponder/media sandwich (172/176), the sandwich is ejected through media exit 30.
- the stiff media trailing the transponder media sandwich (172/176) may be optionally cut to length using the cutter mechanism 170. This is accomplished under control of the print job software, as shown in Figure 15, by, for example, processor unit 138 activating electrically-controlled cutter blades 178. In that case, the cutoff length of smart ticket or tag exits at 30, and remaining the stiff of the next printing cycle.
- Figure 15 is a flow-chart that illustrates program steps that are executed by the processor unit 138 shown in Figure 6 for each print job performed by the thermal transfer printer 48. Note that many of the program steps and processes in Figure 15 for selective on demand printing and application of a value-adding element are the same as or similar to those in the flow chart of Figure 7.
- the processor unit 138 first retrieves the parameters of a print job that a user desires to have performed on an on-demand basis from memory 144 in process step 150.
- a user may store a set of instructions in the memory 144 ( Figure 6) that will cause ticket and tag printer 168 to print a batch of 21 tickets from a roll of continuous stiff media 176, wherein only the first ticket is to be a "smart ticket” provided with a programmed RFID transponder label 172.
- 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.
- processor unit 138 determines in program step 180 whether or not a stiff media sample that is to be printed is to have a programmed RFID transponder label 172 attached to it. If not, then the printed ticket is just formed in process 181. In program step 182, it is determined if the media sample is to be cut. When discrete media such as plastic cards are used, then in process 183 the finished media sample is simply ejected at the media exit 30, and a new media sample is positioned under the printhead 18 for the next printing cycle.
- step 156 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 in step 185, and then the processor unit 138 loops to program step 180.
- processor unit 138 determines in program step 180 that an RFID transponder is to be attached to the next ticket or tag that is to be printed, then an RFID transponder label 172 is programmed in process 160, and then is verified as being operable correctly verified, then the ticket or tag is printed in process 181, and then the programmed RFID transponder label is attached to the printed media sample by operation of the value- adding mechanism 50 in process 186.
- the processor unit 138 then executes program step 182 to see if the media is to be cut, taking the appropriate action as described above; then program 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 in step 187 rather than the normal media format 181.
- the ticket or tag printer 168 then typically ejects the defective smart ticket or tag at media exit 30, and automatically repeats processes 160 and 162, etc., until a fully-functional smart ticket or tag with a properly encoded transponder and the correct printed media format is produced, in a manner similar to that as described in Figure 7.
- a variation of the embodiment shown in Figures 11-15 may be used to actually form transponders by printing a 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 BiStatixTM "interposer”; and those made by Marconi using an hitermec hitellitag® 900 MHz or 2.45 GHz RFID integrated circuit).
- RFID integrated circuits for example the Motorola BiStatixTM "interposer”; and those made by Marconi using an hitermec hitellitag® 900 MHz or 2.45 GHz RFID integrated circuit.
- a BiStatix label 190 based on Motorola BiStatixTM integrated circuit 191 is formed on transparent nonconductive label stock 192 by first forming two conductive mounting pads 193 and bonding them to two antenna contacts on Motorola BiStatixTM integrated circuit 191.
- These BiStatix labels 190 in roll form are used as transponder supply roll 128 in ticket and tag printer 168.
- two printed conductive carbon antenna panels 195 can be formed on the ticket or tag.
- the value-adding mechanism 50 can be used to attach the conductive mounting pads 193 of each BiStatix label 190 to the two printed conductive carbon antenna panels 195 to form a complete RFID transponder, as shown in Figure 16B. By proper placement of the transponder programmer antenna 110, the electrostatic-coupled RFID transponder so formed then may be programmed.
- FIG. 16C a 2.45 GHz RFID Mellitag label 196 based on an hitermec Mellitag® integrated circuit 197 is formed on transparent nonconductive label stock 192 by with two metal contacts 198 bonded to the two antenna 196 is used as transponder supply roll 128 in ticket and tag printer 168.
- a 2.45 GHz conductive silver ink folded dipole antenna 199 can be formed.
- the value-adding mechanism 50 can be used to attach the two metal contacts 198 of the Intellitag label 196 to the ends of the conductive silver ink folded dipole antenna panels 199 to form a complete RFDD transponder, as shown in Figure 16D.
- the transponder programmer antenna 110 By proper placement of the transponder 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.
- a number of such advantages include, for example, the following.
- the invention makes possible a truly on demand, custom configuration of any selected one, or all, of the media to have an RFDD transponder of a particular type or capability, programmed with particular data, and preprinted or post-printed or otherwise processed.
- 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
- the present invention concerns a method of configuring on demand a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media.
- the method selectively applying, inserting, or otherwise associating with certain media but not with other media in the series one or more discrete, value-adding elements.
- the elements are RPID 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 Figures 17-19.
- the present invention gives total flexibility in appealing to particular purchasing interests and other characteristics of a particular set of prospects or past customers.
- 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 set 200 as shown in postcard set front 202 and postcard set reverse side 204 in Figures 17A and 17B, comprised of customer addressed postcard with detachable return postcard.
- the postcard set front side 202 is intended to be on-demand printed with customer-specific mailing address 206 and selected promotional travel offerings incorporating value-adding elements.
- the reverse side 204 of postcard set 200 is entirely preprinted with fixed information:
- the postcard set reverse side 204 of the customer addressed post card is printed with pictorial information 208 about luxury cruise A and pictorial information 210 about luxury cruise B;
- the postcard set reverse side 204 of customer return post card is printed with Travel Card Company return address sealed so that the customer address 206 and business 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 Figure 18 that are placed in areas 218 and 220 depending on the promotional offer being made to the specific customer identified in customer address 206.
- the postcard set front side 202 of return postcard has luxury cruise A description 222 with associated information request area 224; also luxury cruise B description 226 with associated information request area 228.
- special on-demand printed promotional areas that are not printed unless special offers are being made; this includes promotional area 230 with customer-markable response areas 232 and 234, associated information request area 236, and a reserved area 238.
- Repositionable 2-class cruise upgrade coupon 240 intended to be offered to Green Members only
- repositionable 3-class cruise 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 cruise upgrade offer area 218.
- Permanently attached RFID transponder label 244 is to be placed in Platinum Member promotional reserved area 238 on postcard set reverse side 204 (see Figure 17B) of all mailings to Platinum Members. It carries in the transponder memory the Platinum Member-specific address, travel history and card 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.
- the return postcard is given to the Internet Service Provider and the information stored in the memory of the RFID transponder label 244 is read wirelessly and used to automatically set up the Platinum Member's global E-mail account.
- the key customer information namely name and card number, are also on-demand printed in customer name and card 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.
- an on-demand printed postcard set is produced for each Green, Gold or Platinum Member with selected value-adding elements from Figure 18 to be placed as described above depending on the member's card color and travel history.
- the member 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.
- the offered value-adding coupon (either 240 or 242) in cruise upgrade offer area 218 is removed and placed in information request area 224.
- information about luxury cruise B may be requested by removing said repositionable cruise upgrade coupon from offer area 218 and placing it in information request area 228.
- a Platinum Member decide to accepted the free global E-mail service offered by the preprint on RFID transponder label 244, he checks the "Yes" box in custom-printed response area 232 (printed only when RFID transponder label 244 is also attached in reserved are 238).
- Figure 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 with fields 208, 210, 212, 214 and 214 (see Figure 17), and possibly preprinted only on the front side with business postage franking 216 (all though forms of this may also be on-demand printed).
- Postcard stock 300 passes through postcard printer 302, which contains a variation of the second invention embodiment 168 using externally preprogrammed transponder labels.
- This postcard printer 302 is driven through connection 304 to factory controller 306, which in turn is connected through local area network 308 to main computer 310 which includes processing program 312 and card member database 314. Certain file information from each entry in card area network 308 to factory controller 306 for use by factory control program 316 to direct the production operations in the preparation of each corresponding postcard set 200.
- transponder label printer 318 which contains the first invention embodiment described above, is directed by factory controller 306 over connection 320 to prepare an RFID transponder label 244.
- the transponder label printer 318 produces a sequential transponder 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 from database 314.
- This sequential transponder label strip 326 of RFID transponder labels 244 is used as the RFID transponder label supply for postcard printer 302
- the Stage 1 production operation is performed by postcard printer 302, and includes all the on-demand printing operations.
- postcard printer 302 is directed to initiate preparation of a postcard set 200 for each card member, the required card member information is transferred to it over connection 304. If information for a Green or Gold Member is found, then just the appropriate on-demand printed customer mailing address 206 on the front side of card, and luxury A and B cruise information 222 and 226, respectively, are printed on the postcard set front side 202 of return mail card (see Figure 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.
- 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 Figure 18.
- First additional value-adding process 332 selectively adds 2-class cruise upgrade coupon 240 306 over connection 336.
- Second additional value-adding process 338 selectively adds 3- class cruise upgrade coupon 242 from second coupon supply 340 to postcard set 200 when so directed by production controller 306 over connection 342.
- Third additional value-adding process 344 selectively adds free flight coupon 246 from third coupon supply 346 to postcard set 200 when so directed by production controller 306 over connection 348.
- Exemplary output from the Stage 2 are shown as custom configured postcard media 350, 352, 354 and 356.
- Second Platinum Member postcard set 350 was custom configured with free flight coupon 246 using third additional value-adding process 344; 3-class cruise upgrade coupon 242 added by second additional value-adding process 338; and RFID transponder label 244 as configured by the first invention embodiment in transponder label printer 320 and placed by second invention embodiment in postcard printer 302.
- First Gold Member postcard set 352 was custom configured with only 3-class cruise upgrade coupon 242 added in second additional value-adding process 338.
- Second Green Member postcard set 354 was configured for a Green Member receiving only 3-class cruise upgrade coupon 240 added in first additional value-adding process 332.
- Second Gold member postcard set 356 is custom configured with cruise upgrade coupon 242 from second additional value-added process 338 and free flight coupon 246 from third additional value- adding process 344.
- sheeter-folder-sealer process 358 is used to prepare the custom configured postcard media for mailing, under control of production controller 306 using connection 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 set front 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-configured postcard media 364.
- coupons 240, 242, and/or 246 also have RFID transponders.
- the transponders in these value-adding elements may be programmed with the same data as described above with respect to transponder 244.
- 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. memory, a chipless RFID transponder may be substituted.
- a resonant series of conductive lines may be printed on the card.
- a variety of other chipless RFID technologies may be employed.
- Integrated circuit labels, of a type similar to those shown in Figure 16, may also be used with printed antennae to form RFID transponders in situ.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 the transponder label 244.
- FIG. 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.
- transponder applicator mechanism 300 that selectively and on demand, under program control, encodes, reads and/or validates an RFID transponder, and attaches the same to an adhesive backed previously printed diecut label 26.
- the transponder applicator mechanism 300 may be integrated with existing thermal transfer printing mechanism 10, or it may be attached to a thermal printer or other type of printer as an optional module, or may be configured as a stand-alone media converter.
- the printed diecut label 26 is removed from its label carrier 12 by the action of peeler bar 32 and label carrier take-up mechanism 34.
- the printed surface of the printed diecut label 26 maintains a substantially straight path towards media exit 30 along a perforated vacuum guide plate 302.
- the light vacuum force 304 that is generated by a centrifugal blower 306 that expels air 308 from a closed plenum 310, controls the path of, but does not impede the motion of, diecut label 26.
- an RFID transponder 312 is in a position under RFID encoder 314.
- Encoder 314 encodes the RFID transponder 312, and verifies the same using radio signal 316 in the manner described in this application, hi the illustrated embodiment, the transponders are adhesive backed, and are supplied diecut from an inlay carrier 318 by inlay supply mechanism 320.
- Both the inlay carrier 318 and the printed diecut label 26 are now driven forward at the same surface speed, so that the encoded RFID transponder 312 is peeled from the inlay carrier 318 as it passes over the small roller 328, as shown in Figure 22.
- the linear actuator 330 retracts, and the next unencoded transponder 332 in now in position under encoder 314 for use in the next smart label dispensing cycle.
- 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-up mechanism 326, or (3) dispensed internally into a waste bin. The latter 2 methods avoid wasting a label to eliminate a bad transponder.
- FIG. 24 A still further embodiment for continuous linerless media using active adhesives (i.e., where there is no diecut label carrier 12) is shown in Figure 24.
- platen roller 20 and drive roller 322 are both siliconized to prevent adherence of the label and transponder adhesive to these rollers.
- the continuous linerless label stock 350 is printed and an encode RFID transponder 312 attached in a manner similar to the above embodiment.
- an optional electrically activated cutter assembly 352 is used to shear the finished linerless label 354 with or without attached encoded RFID transponder 312.
- the continuous linerless label stock 350 is then retracted to its initial printing position under printhead 18.
- an inactivated adhesive such as an Appleton Actifuse (trademark) liner material
- an optional retractable activating mechanism 356 may be used to activate the adhesive along the length of the finished linerless label 354 retracted for 354 to the cut off point. Otherwise, the embodiment functions as with standard linerless material as described above.
- Figures 25 - 29 illustrate schematically a number of versions of another printer embodiment with an "in-line" converting system for on demand application of selected transponders or other value-adding elements to predetermined individual media samples.
- FIG. 25 - 29 embodiments, and the Figures 2 - 24 embodiments described earlier, illustrate that the present invention finds utility in a printer, printer module, stand-alone media converter, or other media processors, hi each embodiment an on demand converting system has an applicator receiving a series of media samples and a series of value- adding elements.
- the applicator responds to a set of instructions which direct the applicator, sample by sample, to selectively apply or not apply a value-adding element to each media sample in the series of media samples.
- An element conveyance is adapted to convey value-adding elements to the applicator where a selected value-adding element is applied to a selected media sample
- the applicator receives media samples which have been separated from a liner and includes a vacuum conveyor arranged to convey media samples in the same direction as the element conveyance moves the value-adding elements to the applicator, or orthogonal thereto.
- the Figure 25 illustrates a system in which media samples 400 on a liner 401 are moved to a print station occupied by a print device 402 by a conveyance system including platen roller 403, guide roller 406 and a take-up spool 408.
- the platen roller 403 is driven by motor 410.
- a motor 412 maintains tension on the liner 401 by applying torque to take-up spool 408.
- the illustrated print device 402 may be of the thermal transfer type, requiring a thermal transfer ribbon 405 that is collected after use on a ribbon take-up spool 407, as is conventional.
- the media samples 400 may use a thermally-sensitive (thermochromic) printing surface for direct thermal printing without requiring a thermal transfer ribbon 405 and its attendant mechanism.
- a peeler separates the media samples 400 from the liner 401 where they are captured by a vacuum conveyor 411.
- the illustrated vacuum conveyor 411 comprises a vacuum chamber 414 across which is moved a perforated endless belt 416.
- the belt 416 is driven around rollers 413, 415, 417 by a motor 423.
- an air jet 421 or other assist method may be converted in applicator 398 which performs a selective, on-demand application of an RFID transponder or other value-adding element to predetermined media samples 400.
- a series of value-adding elements 418 on a liner 420 stored on a reel 432 are conveyed bidirectionally by a motor 424 coupled to a drive roller 426.
- the value-adding elements 418 are peeled from supporting liner 420 by a novel bi-functional peeler 436 (described below).
- a control and connectivity system 438 which may comprise a programmed or programmable computer or microprocessor system, controls the converting operation.
- control and connectivity system 438 may be viewed as a variant or expansion of the Figure 6 system described above for managing the selective on demand control of the printing operation (if the media processor includes a print device) and the selective on demand application of one or more like or different value-adding element(s) to a selected one of a number of media sample types.
- the components of the control and connectivity system 438 are conventional.
- the processor unit 138 may be coupled through a communication interface to a local area network, such as an Ethernet network, intranet, or other suitable network.
- the communication interface may be connected to the Internet though any of a variety of wired or wireless links.
- a suitable control and connectivity system is the ZebraLinkTM system provided commercially by Zebra Technologies Corporation, the assignee of the present application.
- the ZebraLinkTM system provides to a user selective on demand control of a printer (adaptable for other media processors) from anywhere in the world through the Internet.
- printer settings can be configured and tasks can be developed and sent to any selected media processor connected to the Internet.
- processors can be monitored and auto alerts sent if an error or problem is detected.
- Input-output communication is provided through a variety of input-output devices and peripherals.
- the ZebraLinkTM system has a Web ViewTM feature that facilitates management of printers (and other media processors through adaptation) by providing real ⁇ time graphical configuration, control, and monitoring capabilities through a standard Web browser interface such as Microsoft Internet ExplorerTM.
- the system provides complete graphical interface system, and operates under any TCP/IP Ethernet network system, such as a corporate LAN or the Internet.
- the now-printed media sample 400 is peeled, as described, and passed to the vacuum conveyor 411 where it is carried to the applicator 398.
- controller 438 sends motor command signals which cause the liner 420 to move a predetermined distance across peeler 436 effective to peel the next value-adding element 418 from its supporting liner 420 and apply it to the exposed adhesive surface on media sample 400 to be converted.
- the value-adding element is an RFID transponder, it is first interrogated by a reader 419 to verify that it is not defective and/or takes action to ensure that it is accurately encoded with appropriate data.
- the applicator 398 is caused to be quiescent, and the printed media sample is conveyed by vacuum conveyor 411 to an exit station.
- a number of the media samples 400 have been converted, carrying value-adding elements 418, and others have not.
- the user has complete flexibility in storing information on a media sample 400 in the form of printed codes (such conventional bar codes), or human-recognizable text or graphics, or in a wireless storage medium such as an RFID transponder capable of storing large amounts of remotely accessible data.
- the printing is accomplished responsive to control instructions before the value-adding elements is applied to prevent damage to the element if, for example, the value-adding element is an RFID transponder.
- a second print device shown schematically at 440, may be employed to print on the media-sample-element sandwich after its assembly by applicator 438. This may be in addition to or as an alternative to first printing device 402.
- the Figure 25 embodiment thus illustrates an on demand printer with converting capability, having a print device receiving a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or which direct the print device regarding what and where to print on selected media samples.
- a converting system having an applicator receives the series of media samples from the print device and a series of value-adding elements. The applicator responds to a set of application instructions which direct the applicator to apply a value-adding element such as an RFID transponder to selected media samples.
- Figure 26 illustrates in highly schematic form an embodiment of an aspect of the invention which is essentially the same as the Figure 25 embodiment with one difference.
- a plurality of different value-adding elements 442, 444, 446 are available on liner 448 and can be selectively applied to a predetermined media sample 400 as dictated by commands developed in control and connectivity system 438.
- the motor 424 driving drive roller 426 is bidirectional, permitting the liner 448 to be precisely moved under computer program control a predetermined distance to a position wherein the value-adding element called for is peeled and applied to a predetermined media sample which has been moved into position adjacent the peeler 436.
- This aspect of the invention may be favorably implemented in situations where it is known in advance the order in which the value-adding elements 442, 444, 446 will be called for.
- the peeler 436 receives a command from the control and connectivity system 438 to rotate to a position such as shown in Figure 26A wherein peeler 436 presents a rounded surface 437 and the peel edge 448 is not operative to peel the value-adding elements off the liner 448.
- the peeler 436 is thus transformable on demand from a device which is capable of separating value-adding elements from a supporting liner to a device which is incapable of performing such function.
- value-adding elements 442, 444, 446 can be driven past the peeler 436 and then brought back across the peeler, depending upon the commands issued from the control and connectivity system 438.
- the control and connectivity system 438 is responsive to a sensing system 450 which is capable of identifying the type of value-adding element registered with the system 450.
- the control and connectivity system 438 is capable of storing in memory the location of each value-adding element on the liner 448, and is thus able to move a value-adding element of the type called for to the peeler 436 from either side of the peeler.
- Further sensors may be employed to detect when a value-adding element of a particular type is in an exact position to be applied to a predetermined media sample 400. As noted above, in applications where a sequence of adding elements can be prepared to have the desired repeating sequence of value-adding elements.
- the teachings of the Figure 26 embodiment may be employed in a system, for example, wherein the value-adding elements are transponders of different types - for example, transponders having different storage capacity, sensitivity, communication protocols, or operating frequency.
- a single media sample could have applied thereto multiple transponders - for example a transponder with an operating frequency at 13.56 MHz to meet a common standard used in Japan, and a second transponder with an operating frequency at 869.4 MHz to meet a standard employed in Europe. If such a media sample (a shipping label, for example) were applied to cartons to be shipped to Europe and Japan, the same label could be used for both destinations.
- the novel peeler arrangement has another use. See the Figure 27 system which is like the Figure 25 system except for the operational mode of the peeler 436.
- the value-adding element is an RFID transponder, it's functionality or operativeness is verified by reader 419.
- the control and connectivity system 438 signals the motor 439 to rotate peeler 436 to an inoperative position, such as shown in Figure 26A.
- the controller pauses the drive of the web of media samples 400 and vacuum conveyer 411 and moves the defective transponder (see 418), through appropriate signals to motor 424, past the peeler 436 for subsequent collection on take-up spool 440.
- motor 424 rotates it back to the operative peeling position and application of the transponder to the media sample continues as in the description of the Figure 25 embodiment above.
- FIG. 27A media samples 470 and 472 on liner 473 represent a plurality of media samples of different types or having different attributes.
- the different media samples may be - for example, one may be a label and another a ticket or tag or coupon. With this aspect of the invention a variety of diverse media samples may be mixed on the same supply web.
- a printer located at an airline check-in counter could be configured to supply, from one piece of equipment, a custom printed boarding pass or ticket, a custom printed baggage tag with a peel-off coupon or other sticker, and a smart baggage tag for use with laptop computers or other special baggage to be more comprehensively tracked.
- the plurality of different media samples can be selectively made available to applicator 398 as determined by commands developed in control and connectivity system 438 driving a drive roller 475 via motor 469.
- Drive roller 475 is here shown as a platen roller for a thermal printhead 476 .
- a peeler 474 which may be similar to peeler 436 described above, may be rotated by a motor 477 under the control of control and connectivity system 438.
- the motor 469 driving drive roller 475 is bidirectional, permitting the liner 473 to be precisely moved under computer program control a predetermined distance to a position wherein the media sample 470 or 472 called for is peeled and delivered to vacuum conveyor 411.
- the peeler motor 477 receives a command from the control and connectivity system 438 to rotate the peeler 474 to a position such as shown in Figure 27B wherein the peel edge 478 of the 474 peeler is inoperative and a rounded surface 479 is presented.
- the rounded surface 479 is not effective to peel media samples from the liner 473 and will pass media samples to the other side of the peeler, as shown.
- the peeler 474 is thus transformable on demand from a device which is capable of separating media samples from a supporting liner to a device which is incapable of performing such function.
- media samples 470, 472 can be driven past the peeler 474 and then brought back across the peeler, depending upon the commands issued from the control and connectivity system 438.
- the control and connectivity system 438 is responsive to a sensing system 480 which is capable of identifying the type of media sample registered with the system 480.
- the control and connectivity system 438 is capable of storing in memory the location of each media sample on the liner 473, and is thus able to move a media sample of the type called for to the peeler 474 from either side of the peeler.
- FIG 28 shows a more detailed illustration of one embodiment of the present invention particularly illustrating the components that handle peeling and removal of value added elements, such as the RFID transponders, as will be described with respect to Figures 29A-29F.
- FIGs 29A-29F show the sequence in time of several self-adhesive RFID transponders 500A, 500B, and 500C (sometimes termed “inlays” or “inlets”) as they are transported from a supply 497 on a web 502 past a peeler 504, or if defective, onto a take-up reel 506.
- the RFID transponder 500A may be found defective once interrogated by RF communication components, including encoder antenna 507 (Fig. 28).
- the invention makes possible selection of a transponder, or other value adding elements, as described at length above, from anywhere on the web, and passing by other transponders or other value adding elements at will to access a transponder of choice.
- the web may contain a variety of transponders of different types, one or more of which may be applied to a particular media sample in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As described above, the web may be moved to access and apply a particular transponder, then later backed up to access one or more of the previously passed transponders.
- Selection of a desired transponder may be achieved through the use of sensors proximate the web, which sense a particular attribute of each transponder as it passes, or by causing the control computer or microprocessor to "memorize" the location of each transponder and use the data stored in memory to retrieve a desired transponder.
- the contents of the transponder memories may be read by an RFID transceiver and the retrieved information used to select or pass transponders on the web.
- a peeler motor 499 rotates the peeler 504 clockwise from the 102 degree position to the zero degree position 514, as shown in Fig. 29B.
- the peeler 504 is rotated by stepper motor 499, and the drive roller 501 simultaneously is rotated in a complex bidirectional motion (illustrated and described in detail below) by a stepper motor 495 so that the web 502 remains substantially fixed relative to the surface of the peeler 504.
- the web 502 is advanced from its supply reel 497.
- the peeler 504 has advanced to the zero degree position 514 shown in Figure 29B, the peeler is "locked” in place against a fixed stop 503. It can be locked either mechanically or under motor control.
- the web 502 is then advanced under powered rotation of the drive roller 501 a distance equal to one transponder length plus the intervening inter- jxansponder spacing. It is important to understand that the diameter of the peeler 504 is sufficiently large so that the web 502 with the mounted RFID transponders 500A-500C will slide over the surface 516 of the peeler 504 when the peeler 504 is locked in its zero degree position 514 and the drive roller 501 is rotated without any tendency for the RFID transponder to delaminate from the web 502.
- Figure 29C shows the process partially completed with the defective RFID transponder 500A "half on and half off of the surface of the peeler 504.
- the completed process is shown in Figure 29D; additional rotation of the drive roller 501 has pulled the web 502 the balance of the length of a transducer (plus the inter-transducer spacing) over the surface 516 of the peeler 504 so that the defective RFID transponder 500A just clears the peel-point 510 of the peeler 504.
- the peel-point 510 contacts the web 502 at a position between the defective RFID transponder 500A and the adjacent untested RFID transponder 500B.
- the defective RFID transponder 500A is now clear of the peel point 510 and is in a position to be eventually wound on the take-up reel 506.
- the peeler 504 is then rotated counterclockwise back to the 102 degree position under motor control. Simultaneously, the drive roller 501 is similarly rotated to cause the web to travel in the reverse direction. Again note that the complex rotational movements of the drive roller 501 will be described in greater detail below.
- the web 502 and the RFID transponders 5OOA-5OOC remain substantially fixed relative to the surface 516 of the peeler 504 during this backward defective RFID transponder 500A is positioned adjacent the flat portion of the peeler 504 while the adjacent untested RFID transponder 500B is positioned in the "peel position," similar to the position of the transponder 500A shown in Figure 29A.
- Transponder 500B is then programmed and/or verified using encoding antenna 507. If it is found to be fully functional and therefore can be used, it then must be peeled, as shown in Figure 29F.
- the drive roller 501 is rotated under microprocessor control in the clockwise direction to advance the web 502. Because the peeler 504 is in the locked peeling position, advancement of the web 502 under powered rotation of the drive roller 501 causes the web 502 to slide relative to the surface 516 of the peeler 504.
- the defective RFID transponder 500A is eventually stored on the take-up reel 506. hi this way, any and all defective RFID transponders may be saved on the take-up reel 506 for return, reprocessing, or disposal.
- the complex rotation pattern of the drive roller 501 relative to the rotation pattern of the peeler 504 mentioned above will now be described in detail.
- the complex interrelated rotation patterns of the drive roller 501 and peeler 504 overcomes a number of significant problems: 1) if transponders are prematurely drawn over the peel-point 510, they will be partially peeled; and 2) the web may experience forward "creep," which causes a progressively greater misalignment of the transponders with the peel point 510.
- Fig. 30A a pictorial view is shown with the peeler shown in four sequential positions, namely, a 102 degree position, a 90 degree position, a 70 degree position, and a 58 degree position. Also shown is the position of the web 502 that would span the distance between the peeler 504 and tangential contact with the drive roller 501 when the peeler 504 is in each of these four positions.
- the tangent angle 541 relative to the zero degree line 515 defines the point of contact.
- a first web line 526 is shown in the 102 degree position
- a second web line 528 is shown in the 90 degree position
- a third degree position Of course, only a single web line would be present on a functional device at any particular time.
- a distance 534 from the peel-point 510 on the peeler 504 to a tangent point 540 on the drive roller 501 does not remain constant.
- the distance meaning the length of the web between the peel-point 510 and the tangent point 540, is about 205 millimeters.
- the distance is about 209 millimeters, and in the 70 degree position, the distance is about 200 millimeters.
- each of the motors 495, 499 must be independently controlled by providing the correct number of microprocessor controlled stepper motor signals to the stepper motors 499 and 495. Because the stepper motors 499 and 495 that drive the peeler 504 and the drive roller 501, respectively, are preferably stepper motors, the number of steps that each motor takes during the above-described sequence can be shown.
- FIG. 30B a graph of the stepper motor steps for the peeler motor 499 and the drive roller motor 495 is shown.
- the "x” axis represents the angular position of the peeler 504 beginning at about the 102 degree position 512 ( Figure 29A) and rotating clockwise to the zero degree position 514 ( Figure 29B).
- the "y” axis represents the number of stepper motor "half-steps” supplied to the motors 499 and 495.
- the top graph 550 plots the angle of the peeler 504 with respect to the number of half steps provided to its stepper motor 499. Note that the peeler motor drive graph 550 is essentially linear.
- the bottom graph 552 plots the angle of the drive roller 501 relative to the horizontal zero degree reference 514 in Figure 29A with respect to the number of half steps provided to its stepper motor 495 as a function of the angular position of the peeler 504. Note that the motion of the drive roller 501 is not linear, as shown in graph 552.
- the drive roller 501 initially rotates backward (counterclockwise) to dispense web 502 in order to maintain a constant position of the transponder 500A relative to the peel point 510.
- Such backward steps of the drive roller motor 495 correlates with line length 526 is 205 millimeters, and when in the peeler is in the 90 degree position, the web line length 528 is 209 millimeters.
- the drive roller 501 must "back up" to provide the extra 4 millimeters of slack in the web.
- the present invention is not limited to saving defective or misprogrammed transponders, but is useful in any application where it is desired to selectively pass or peel a transponder.
- the drive roller 501 When the peeler 504 is rotated sufficiently so that the transponder 500A (in the described example) will not be delaminated by sliding over the peel-point 510, the drive roller 501 then accelerates the web 502 advance so that the time the peeler 504 reaches its zero degree position 514, the web 502 has been advanced to the position shown in Figure 29D.
- This variant thus eliminates the separate step described above wherein the drive roller 501 advances the web 502 by an interval equal to one transponder length plus the inter-transponder spacing. By eliminating that separate step, the time required to perform the overall process is shortened.
- the illustrated system may be usefully employed, for example, by an organization such as TicketmasterTM to generate a series of media samples of different types — specifically different ticket components: 1) a header having general information; and 2) a number of individual tickets to separate events related in a series.
- the header could be "dumb," but the individual pass tickets could have RFID transponders which would admit the holder to a particular show and perhaps even through a particular entrance or gate.
- the user could produce tickets with different print content and form, using different media samples and containing differently encoded value-adding elements (transponders in this case) on certain samples and not on others.
- FIG. 27A and 27B Another of the countless applications for a system such as illustrated in Figures 27A and 27B is on a loading dock where one media processing system according to the present invention could be used to create standard bar code labels for application to individual cartons being assembled, and a smart label for application to an entire pallet of cartons.
- Figure 31 illustrates an execution of the principles of the invention which is similar to the Figure 25 and Figure 27 embodiments, however, rather than the media liner 401 being collected on take-up spool 408, it is guided by guide rollers 452, 454, 456 to nip roller 458 and nip roller 460 driven by motor 462.
- the Figure 31 embodiment is useful in environments wherein the finished media sample is not applied immediately to an object, but rather is to be stored for later use. Passing the media samples 400 with attached value-adding elements 418 relaminates the media samples onto the liner 401.
- Figure 32 is another version of the Figure 25 embodiment wherein the final sandwich 468 of media sample and attached value-adding element(s) is automatically applied to objects 466 moved past the output station of the system.
- Figure 32 shows in highly schematic fashion and by way of example a pneumatically-driven, electrically-driven or hydraulically-driven tamper 464 which, under control of the control and connectivity system 438, tamps the sandwich 468 to adhere its tacky adhesive-backed surface onto a free surface of the objects 466.
- a system which performs a media processing function "on demand” is one which is capable of processing media samples one at a time with complete or extensive individual sample customization, as opposed to a batch process system intended to make long runs with little more individual
- On-demand media processing devices may be configured to deliver the customized media samples at their point of use, as opposed to batch processors which create the processed media samples for later use or application at a secondary location.
- On-demand systems may be controlled as a computer peripheral device by a host computer, or controlled within a computer network, or alternatively may be self- contained stand-alone devices possessing full internal processing and control capability.
- Many on-demand systems may permit or require operator interaction to input data or issue commands to perform one or more operations which may include: 1) to locally define or adjust media sample content or format; and/or 2) to call for a data download from a local or remote host computer to define or adjust media sample content or format; and/or 3) to initiate a subsequent action to be applied to one or more of the media samples produced or to be produced.
- An on demand media processor is configured to receive (or develop internally with or without manual input) and execute instructions which are effective, at a minimum, to cause the applicator to apply or not apply a value-adding element to a particular media sample. In certain applications, such instructions may determine where on a media sample a value-adding element is to be placed. If the media processor and associated feed system has the features of the Figures 25 or 27 system or the Figures 17 - 19 system, the on demand instructions may also indicate how many value-adding elements to apply to a media sample 400 and where on the media sample they are to be applied.
- the on demand instruction set will also indicate what type of value-adding element(s) is to be applied and it is (or they are) to be applied on a media sample.
- a system as described with reference to Figure 27 may process on demand instructions as to whether to apply or not to pass for storage a defective RFID transponder or other value-adding element.
- on demand instructions may include print control and content instructions, including: 1) print content; 2) print format (non-variable parts of which could be stored internally in memory, for example, and called up on demand); 3) printer configuration commands; 4) graphics-specific commands; 5) code-specific instructions (if enabled for bar specific commands (if RFID transponder(s) are to be applied);
- the present invention contemplates selective on demand control of media processing manually or through manual override of computer-controlled systems.
- Manual commands may be entered by keyboard, voice, mouse, tablet or other input-output means on the product or remotely located and accessible by wire or wirelessly.
- a serial port may be provided for entry of commands from a handheld device, laptop computer or other source.
- value-adding elements have been described as an RFID transponder, coupon, token or the like, a variety of other types of value-adding elements may be selectively and on demand applied to a selected media sample.
- a class of value-adding elements may be used to provide a unique identification for a media sample (in lieu, for example, of a printed serial number), or as an anti-counterfeiting measure. Such a unique property could be provided by having a unique insert or attachment using technologies such as holography, encoded magnetic strips, microprinting, colored threads.
- a media sample could be color coded without the need for a color printer by simply applying to a value-adding element a selected media sample having a predetermined color. Or the chosen color could be determined by the location of the value- adding element on the media sample, for example.
- Media has been described as labels, tickets, tags or cards, but could be any media, including sheet fed paper, continuous and fan- fold paper, plastic media, and so forth.
- the computer system or processing function could be local with the printer or other media processor or could be part of some computer system used for other purposes (e.g. a general purpose business computer/mainframe, a web server, a desktop PC, a computer system embedded in a consumer product, etc.).
- the present invention offers previously unavailable flexibilities in media sample choice, type and number of value-adding elements to be applied to a selected media sample, and the usual panoply of printer options.
- the invention thus envisions unique end product media samples which avail synergies between the various functions involved. For example the ability to color code a media sample without the need for a color print device could be accomplished, in addition to the methods described above, by printing a pointer the applicator, a value-adding element in the form of an array of different colors would be applied to the media sample adjacent to the pointer. If the designated color was to be red, for example, and red was a color in the center of the array, the print device would print the pointer where it would be adjacent the red color in the media sample end product.
- the print device could pre-print (or post print depending upon its location) information related to data stored in an RFID transponder so as, for example, to give a human-readable or machine-readable indication of the information stored in the RFID transponder.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/479,780 US20060081333A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 | 2003-09-15 | Printer or other media processor with on-demand selective media converter and variable peeler |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/406,469 | 2003-04-03 | ||
US10/406,469 US6969134B2 (en) | 2001-10-01 | 2003-04-03 | Printer or other media processor with on-demand selective media converter |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006009524A1 true WO2006009524A1 (en) | 2006-01-26 |
Family
ID=35785520
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2003/029218 WO2006009524A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 | 2003-09-15 | Printer or other media processor with on-demand selective media converter and variable peeler |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6969134B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003304717A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006009524A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
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US6969134B2 (en) | 2005-11-29 |
US20030227528A1 (en) | 2003-12-11 |
US20060081333A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 |
AU2003304717A1 (en) | 2006-01-31 |
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