Multi-antenna RFID printer

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) printer device for electronically encoding and validating RFID labels, the RFID printer device comprising: a thermal printhead; a platen roller; the first RFID antenna is configured at the upstream of the thermal printing head and the paper pressing roller; a second RFID antenna, which is configured at the downstream of the first RFID antenna; a memory device having executable instructions stored therein; and one or more processors, the one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory, the one or more processors, in response to the executable instructions, being configured to: transmit data via the first RFID antenna, wherein the data is encoded as one or more RFID tags associated with the respective one or more RFID tags during the first RFID communication window; and receiving and transmitting data via the second RFID antenna to validate the encoded data during the second RFID communication window.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to printing and encoding radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and particularly to a printer apparatus for optimizing RFID label printing speed during RFID encoding and verification operations. Background Art

[0002] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags can be used in a variety of applications such as asset tracking, inventory management, toll collection, cargo and supply chain logistics, vehicle tracking, loss prevention and access control operations, to name a few. RFID tags can be embedded in RFID labels that can be encoded and printed using an RFID printer.

[0003] Applicants have recognized the technical challenges and difficulties associated with traditional RFID printing and encoding by RFID printers. Summary of the invention

[0004] Various embodiments described herein relate to components, devices, and systems for electronically encoding and authenticating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an RFID printer device is provided. In some embodiments, the RFID printer device includes: a thermal print head; a platen roller; a first RFID antenna, which is configured upstream of the thermal print head and the platen roller; a second RFID antenna, which is configured downstream of the first RFID antenna; a memory device, which has executable instructions stored therein; and one or more processors, which are communicatively coupled to the memory. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are configured in response to the executable instructions to: send data via the first RFID antenna, wherein the data is encoded as one or more RFID tags associated with corresponding one or more RFID tags during a first RFID communication window; and receive and send data via the second RFID antenna to verify the encoded data during a second RFID communication window.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first RFID antenna is configured with only RFID encoding function in the dual antenna operation during the first RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the first RFID antenna includes a first communication range for establishing the first RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the duration of the first RFID communication window is based on the first communication range. In some embodiments, the RFID encoding speed using the first RFID antenna is based on the duration of the first RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the second RFID antenna includes a second communication range for establishing the second RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the duration of the second RFID communication window is based on the second communication range. In some embodiments, the RFID verification speed using the second RFID antenna is based on the duration of the second RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are further configured to determine the use of two RFID antennas based on the reduction of the printing speed reduction by performing RFID encoding and RFID verification respectively. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are further configured to determine the use of two RFID antennas based on one or more operating parameters. In some embodiments, the one or more operating parameters include one or more of the following items: RFID encoding time, RFID read time, maximum print speed, RFID communication window size, RFID communication window margin, or ramp up / down.

[0007] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving a print request by one or more processors of an RFID printer; determining one or more operating parameters based on the print request by the one or more processors; determining two RFID antennas for performing RFID encoding and verification by the one or more processors based on the one or more operating parameters; instructing the RFID printer to use the first RFID antenna to perform RFID encoding and print at an RFID encoding speed during a first communication window by the one or more processors; and instructing the RFID printer to use the second RFID antenna to perform RFID verification and print at an RFID verification speed during a second RFID communication window by the one or more processors.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method further includes: instructing the RFID printer, by the one or more processors, to print at a maximum speed before the first RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the method further includes: instructing the RFID printer, by the one or more processors, to print at a maximum speed after completing the RFID encoding and before the second RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the method further includes: instructing the RFID printer, by the one or more processors, to print at a maximum speed until the RFID label is completed after completing the RFID verification. In some embodiments, the method further includes: reducing the printing speed of the RFID printer from the maximum printing speed to the RFID encoding speed during the first communication window. In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending data via the first RFID antenna to perform the RFID encoding during the first RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the method further includes: reducing the printing speed of the RFID printer from the maximum printing speed to the RFID verification speed during the second communication window. In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving and sending data via the second RFID antenna to perform the RFID verification during the second RFID communication window.

[0009] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media include instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a print request; determine one or more operating parameters based on the print request; determine two radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas for performing RFID encoding and verification based on the one or more operating parameters; instruct an RFID printer to perform RFID encoding using a first RFID antenna during a first communication window and print at an RFID encoding speed; and instruct the RFID printer to perform RFID verification using a second RFID antenna during a second RFID communication window and print at an RFID verification speed.

[0010] The above exemplary invention content and other exemplary objects and / or advantages of the present disclosure and the manner of achieving these objects and / or advantages are further explained in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The description of the exemplary embodiments may be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, the elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale unless otherwise described. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements unless otherwise described. Embodiments incorporating the teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings presented herein, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 An exemplary radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for use in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0013] Figure 2 An exemplary printing speed of an RFID printer for printing RFID labels is shown;

[0014] Figure 3 shows a comparison of printing speeds for RFID encoding and verification using a single RFID antenna and using two RFID antennas according to some embodiments discussed herein;

[0015] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An exemplary RFID printer device according to some embodiments discussed herein is shown; and

[0016] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A flow chart is shown of an exemplary method for managing RFID printer operations according to some embodiments discussed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure. In fact, these disclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure satisfies applicable legal requirements. Throughout the content, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements.

[0018] As used herein, terms such as "front," "rear," "top," and the like are used for illustrative purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative positions of certain components or portions of components. Additionally, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" indicate that the referenced element or associated description is accurate within an applicable engineering tolerance.

[0019] As used herein, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner commonly used in the patent context. It should be understood that the use of broad terms such as "comprising," "including," and "having" provides support for narrower terms such as "consisting of," "consisting essentially of," and "consisting essentially of."

[0020] The phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment).

[0021] The word “example” or “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0022] If the specification states that a component or feature "may", "can", "could", "should", "will", "preferably", "likely", "usually", "optionally", "for example", "often", or "might" (or other such language) be included or have a property, the specific component or feature is not required to be included or have that property. Such components or features may optionally be included in some embodiments, or may be excluded.

[0023] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the technical challenges and difficulties faced by current radio frequency identification (RFID) printers, and provide various technical advances and improvements. An RFID label may include a portion of a print medium that includes a corresponding RFID tag embedded therein, which can be encoded when the RFID label is printed (e.g., by an RFID printer). The RFID label can be printed, encoded, and verified simultaneously by the RFID printer. However, such simultaneous operations may reduce the printing speed of the RFID printer. For example, printing an RFID label during data encoding of the RFID tag of the RFID label may be slower than printing at the highest printing speed when encoding is not performed. Therefore, the overall printing speed is reduced to accommodate the encoding of the RFID tag. In addition, verification of the encoded label may further reduce the printing speed to accommodate the verification time.

[0024] According to various examples of the present disclosure, methods and systems for improving RFID printing speed are disclosed. Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an RFID printer device, which includes a pair of RFID antennas, wherein the first RFID antenna can be dedicated to the RFID encoding function and the second RFID antenna can be dedicated to the RFID verification function. The RFID encoding function may include writing data to the RFID tag. The RFID verification function may include: reading data from the RFID tag; comparing the read data with the data written to the RFID tag to determine whether the read data is the same as the written data; and rewriting the data to the RFID if the read data is different from the written data. By separating the processes of RFID encoding and RFID verification, so that one RFID antenna is used to perform encoding and the other RFID antenna is used to perform verification, each encoding and verification task can be completed at a faster printing speed, which in turn can maximize the overall printing throughput. Therefore, RFID printing and encoding can be performed at a faster speed than traditional implementations.

[0025] See now Figure 1 , which depicts an exemplary RFID label that can be used according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The RFID label 100 includes a print and programming area 106, which is disposed between a print only area 104 and a print only area 108. The print and programming area 106 may include a portion of the RFID label 100 that can be printed by an RFID printer and contains an RFID tag 102. The print only area 104 and the print only area 108 include a portion of the RFID label 100 that can be printed by an RFID printer but does not contain any RFID tag. That is, each individual RFID label (such as RFID label 100) is associated with a single RFID tag. The RFID tag 102 may include an electronic inlay embedded within the print and programming area 106. The print and programming area 106 can be identified by the RFID printer to determine when it can begin encoding and verifying the RFID tag 102, such as during an RFID communication window.

[0026] See also Figure 2 , a physical representation of an exemplary RFID label is depicted in conjunction with an exemplary printing speed diagram of an RFID label. Figure 2 The print speed graph depicted in FIG. 200 may depict the print speed of the RFID printer when printing the entire length of the RFID label 202 . Figure 2 The printing speeds depicted in FIG. 1 may be associated with an RFID printer that uses a single RFID antenna to perform encoding and verification processes in a single RFID communication window during RFID label printing. Figure 2As depicted, the RFID printer may print at various speeds, during which the RFID label 202 passes through various components of the RFID printer for printing, encoding, and verification.

[0027] Figure 2 RFID printer printing is depicted during printing to a first print-only zone (e.g., print-only zone 104) (approximately 0 mm to 40 mm for both RFID encoding-only printing 208 and RFID encoding and verification printing 210) of an RFID label 202 at a maximum print speed set by the RFID printer (e.g., 8 inches per second (ips)). When the RFID antenna is within range of the RFID tag 204 in the print and programming zone (e.g., print and programming zone 106) of approximately 41 mm to 55 mm, an RFID communication window 212 may be established between the RFID antenna and an RFID integrated chip (IC) 206. Encoding may be performed during the RFID communication window 212 by sending data from the RFID antenna to the RFID IC 206.

[0028] The duration required to encode an RFID tag may be greater than the time required to print the RFID label 202. Therefore, during the RFID communication window 212, the printing speed of the RFID printer may be reduced to below the maximum printing speed to allow RFID tag encoding to be performed in either the RFID encoding-only printing 208 or the RFID encoding and verification printing 210. During the RFID communication window 212 for the RFID encoding-only printing 208, the RFID printer may print at a printing speed that allows sufficient time for RFID encoding, wherein data may be sent from the RFID antenna to the RFID IC 206. However, during the RFID communication window 212 for the RFID encoding and verification printing 210, the RFID printer may print at a printing speed that allows sufficient time to perform both RFID encoding and verification (e.g., wherein data may be read from the RFID IC 206 and, if the read data does not match the encoded data, the data may be rewritten to the RFID IC 206 via the RFI antenna). To ensure that the entire encoding and verification can be completed within the distance of the RFID communication window 212 (eg, approximately 41 mm to 55 mm), the printing speed may need to be further reduced compared to the RFID code printing 208 alone.

[0029] In both RFID encoding only printing 208 and RFID encoding and verification printing 210, a single antenna channel in the RFID communication window 212 is used to perform either RFID encoding or RFID encoding and verification. Therefore, relying on a single RFID antenna to perform multiple operations (encoding and verification) creates a bottleneck at the RFID communication window 212, which requires a significant reduction in printing speed. At the end of the RFID communication window 212 and the end of encoding data to the RFID IC 206 (e.g., approximately 56 mm), the printing speed of the RFID printer is increased back to the maximum printing speed to complete printing to the second print-only area (e.g., print-only area 108) of the RFID label 202 until the end of the label.

[0030] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and systems for optimizing the printing speed of an RFID printer by separating RFID encoding and RFID verification by RFID antenna and separate RFID communication windows. Therefore, both RFID encoding and RFID verification operations are not limited to a single antenna channel including a fixed RFID communication window. In some embodiments, the RFID printer may include a pair of RFID antennas, one of which is configured to perform RFID encoding and the other is configured to perform RFID verification. The first RFID antenna may be configured at a first position within the RFID printer to perform encoding of the RFID tag, and the second RFID antenna may be configured at a second position within the RFID printer to perform verification of the encoded RFID tag. Specifically, the specific placement of the RFID antenna may allow RFID verification to be performed downstream of RFID encoding, thereby allowing two antenna channels. With two antenna channels, additional RFID communication windows may be provided to perform RFID decoding separately from RFID decoding, and thus allow faster printing speeds. In some embodiments, the total time spent on performing both RFID encoding and RFID verification of each label may be reduced, and may be substantially similar to the time spent on performing only RFID encoding. In some alternative embodiments, the next RFID label may also be encoded while verifying the current RFID label, because two RFID antennas may be activated simultaneously.

[0031] Figure 3 A comparison of the printing speed of RFID encoding and verification using a single RFID antenna and using two RFID antennas is depicted. The RFID encoding and verification print 210 (from a first RFID printer using a single RFID antenna) Figure 2) is compared to an RFID encoding and verification print 302 of a second RFID printer using two RFID antennas (e.g., to encode and verify an RFID tag, respectively). Both RFID printers (RFID encoding and verification print 210 and RFID encoding and verification print 302) can print at a maximum print speed (e.g., 8 ips) during printing to a first print-only region (e.g., print-only region 104) of approximately 0 mm to 40 mm of the RFID label 202. Figure 3 As depicted, the printing speeds of both the RFID encoding and verification printing 210 and the RFID encoding and verification printing 302 are reduced during the first RFID communication window 304. The RFID encoding and verification printing 210 performs encoding and verification of the RFID IC 206 during the first RFID communication window 304, while the RFID encoding and verification printing 302 performs only encoding of the RFID IC 206 during the first RFID communication window 304. However, since encoding is performed only in the RFID encoding and verification printing 302 during the first RFID communication window 304, the reduction in the printing speed of the RFID encoding and verification printing 302 is less than the reduction in the printing speed of the RFID encoding and verification printing 210.

[0032] At the end of the first RFID communication window 304 for RFID encoding and verification printing 210, the printing speed of the RFID printer is increased back to the maximum printing speed to complete printing to the second print-only area. Conversely, in RFID encoding and verification printing 302, the printing speed of the RFID printer is increased back to the maximum printing speed at the end of the first RFID communication window 304 to continue printing the RFID label until the second RFID communication window 306. During the second RFID communication window 306, the printing speed is reduced in the RFID encoding and verification printing 302 in which verification of the RFID IC 206 is performed. At the end of the second RFID communication window 306 for RFID encoding and verification printing 302, the printing speed of the RFID printer is increased back to the maximum printing speed to complete printing.

[0033] Although the speed is reduced at two instances of each RFID label for RFID encoding and verification printing 302 instead of a single instance in RFID encoding and verification printing 210, the overall throughput and the total time spent per label for RFID encoding and verification printing 302 are improved relative to RFID encoding and verification printing 210. The additional RFID communication window can allow encoding and decoding to be performed along different downstream locations compared to performing both encoding and decoding in a single RFID communication window, thereby allowing the RFID printer to print RFID labels 202 at a faster rate without a significant reduction in speed. Therefore, the total time for RFID encoding and verification printing 302 can be closer to that of RFID encoding printing 208 alone.

[0034] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An exemplary RFID printer device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. The RFID printer 400 includes an RFID label medium 402, a thermal print head 404, a platen roller 406, a rear RFID antenna 408, and a front RFID antenna 410. The RFID label medium 402 may include a print medium, such as a roll of paper and / or plastic material, including portions of an RFID tag embedded therein, which portions may be encoded when the RFID label medium 402 is printed. During operation of the RFID printer 400, the RFID label medium 402 may be fed between the thermal print head 404 and the platen roller 406.

[0035] The thermal print head 404 may include a plurality of resistor elements that can be selectively energized to print data onto the RFID label medium 402. The resistor elements may receive energy from a power source in response to stored or programmed digital information associated with text, barcodes, pictures, or graphic images. When the RFID label medium 402 passes between the thermal print head 404 and the platen roller 406, heat from each energized element may be applied to the ink medium to transfer the ink or dye to the RFID label medium 402. The platen roller 406 may include a rigid shaft, typically metal, and an elastomeric layer wrapped around the shaft. The platen roller 406 may be driven by a motor that extracts the print medium from the RFID label medium 402 as the thermal print head 404 prints on the RFID label medium 402.

[0036] The rear RFID antenna 408 may be configured to send data to and receive data from one or more RFID tags associated with the corresponding one or more RFID tags from the RFID label medium 402. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the rear RFID antenna 408 may be configured to provide only RFID encoding functions (e.g., only write data) in dual antenna operation, or to provide RFID encoding verification functions (e.g., write and verify data) in single antenna operation. Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the rear RFID antenna 408 is located upstream or in front of the platen roller 406 and the thermal print head 404. The rear RFID antenna 408 may include a communication range that can be used by the RFID printer 400 to establish a first RFID communication window (e.g., 304) during printing of the RFID label to perform encoding on the RFID tag associated with the RFID label. In some embodiments, the communication range of the rear RFID antenna 408 can determine the duration of the first RFID communication window to accommodate the RFID encoding time (in the dual antenna function) or the RFID encoding time and the RFID verification time (in the single antenna function). Therefore, the duration of the first RFID communication window can determine the RFID encoding speed for the dual antenna function, or the RFID encoding speed and RFID verification speed for the single antenna function during the first RFID communication window via the rear RFID antenna 408. The communication range of the rear RFID antenna 408 can also be limited so that only the target RFID tag can be encoded in the first RFID communication window without inadvertently encoding the adjacent RFID tags on the RFID label medium 402.

[0037] The front RFID antenna 410 may be configured to send data to and receive data from one or more RFID tags associated with the corresponding one or more RFID labels from the RFID label medium 402. In some embodiments, the front RFID antenna 410 may be configured to verify data encoded into (e.g., via the rear RFID antenna 408) the one or more RFID tags associated with the corresponding one or more RFID labels in dual antenna operation. Verifying the data in dual antenna operation may include using the front RFID antenna 410 to read the data and, if necessary, rewriting the data to the one or more RFID tags. In single antenna operation, the front RFID antenna 410 may not be used because the rear RFID antenna 408 may be used to perform both encoding and verification.

[0038] As depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the front RFID antenna 410 is located downstream or after the platen roller 406, the thermal print head 404, and the rear RFID antenna 408, so that RFID verification can be performed on the RFID label medium after the RFID label medium 402 passes through and is encoded by the rear RFID antenna 408. The front RFID antenna 410 may include a communication range that can be used by the RFID printer 400 to establish a second RFID communication window (e.g., 306) during printing of the RFID label to perform verification on the RFID tag associated with the RFID label. In some embodiments, the communication range of the front RFID antenna 410 can determine the duration of the second RFID communication window to accommodate the RFID verification time in the dual antenna function. Therefore, the duration of the second RFID communication window can determine the RFID verification speed used to perform RFID verification during the second RFID communication window via the front RFID antenna 410. The communication range of the front RFID antenna 410 can also be limited so that only the target RFID tag can be verified in the second RFID communication window without inadvertently verifying the adjacent RFID tags on the RFID label medium 402.

[0039] As disclosed herein, the specific placement of the rear RFID antenna 408 and the front RFID antenna 410 within the RFID printer 400 is provided as an example only and is not limiting to the disclosed embodiments. In some embodiments, the rear RFID antenna 408 and the front RFID antenna 410 may also be configured to be a given distance from each other so that the communication signals from each antenna do not interfere with each other. In some embodiments, the disclosed configuration of the rear RFID antenna 408 and the front RFID antenna 410 within the RFID printer 400 may allow the RFID tag of the next RFID label to be encoded while verifying the RFID tag of the current label based on the label size / position, because both the rear RFID antenna 408 and the front RFID antenna 410 may be activated simultaneously and independently of each other.

[0040] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the RFID printer 400 includes: a memory device having executable instructions stored therein; and a processor that controls at least a thermal print head 404, a platen roller 406, a rear RFID antenna 408, and a front RFID antenna 410 in response to the executable instructions to print an RFID label, encode data into an RFID tag associated with the RFID label, and verify the data encoded into the RFID tag. In some embodiments, the executable instructions and the processor may include printer firmware executed by a programmable processor. The programmable processor may be implemented as, for example, various devices, including one or more microprocessors accompanied by a digital signal processor; one or more processors without an accompanying digital signal processor; one or more coprocessors; one or more multi-core processors; one or more controllers; processing circuits; one or more computers; and various other processing elements (including integrated circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs, or specific combinations thereof). In some embodiments, the programmable processor may include one or more processors.

[0041] In some embodiments, the printer firmware may cause the programmable processor to determine whether to use a single RFID antenna or two RFID antennas for RFID encoding and verification based on one or more factors. That is, for certain operating conditions, the printing speed may not be affected by the performance of RFID encoding and verification, and therefore, a single RFID antenna may be used to perform encoding and verification on one or more RFID tags on one or more RFID labels. The determination to use a single RFID antenna or two RFID antennas may be determined based on one or more operating parameters, such as RFID encoding time, RFID read time, maximum print speed, RFID communication window size, RFID communication window margin, or ramp up / down.

[0042] The RFID encoding time may include the time required to encode into the RFID tag. The more data to be encoded into the RFID tag, the longer the RFID encoding time. Therefore, an increase in the encoding time may correspond to a reduction in the printing speed (e.g., RFID encoding speed) required to allow more time to perform RFID encoding. In addition, the printing speed required to allow RFID verification (e.g., RFID verification speed) may depend on the RFID verification time, which may be the sum of the RFID reading time and the RFID encoding time (in the case where data needs to be rewritten to the RFID tag). The RFID reading time may include the time required to read data from the RFID tag. The more data to be read from the RFID tag, the longer the RFID reading time. Therefore, an increase in the reading time may correspond to a reduction in the printing speed (e.g., RFID reading speed) required to allow reading of the data. An increase in the RFID encoding time or the RFID reading time may correspond to a reduction in the RFID verification speed.

[0043] The maximum print speed may include the maximum operating print speed of the RFID printer. The faster the maximum print speed, the more likely it is that the maximum print speed will need to be reduced during RFID encoding and verification operations. Reducing the print speed from the maximum print speed allows more time to encode / verify the RFID tag.

[0044] The RFID communication window size may include the size of the RFID communication window. A wider RFID communication window may allow more time to encode / verify the RFID tag and eliminate the need to reduce the printing speed. However, a small RFID communication window size may require reducing the printing speed to allow enough time to encode / verify the RFID tag.

[0045] The RFID communication window margin may include the length of the medium (eg, RFID tag medium 402) required for a given RFID read / write speed or the distance before / after the RFID communication window. The RFID communication window margin is used to ensure the correct speed before performing encoding / verification.

[0046] Ramp up / ramp down may include the length or distance of the media required to ramp up or down between the stop print speed and the maximum print speed.

[0047] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the printer firmware may cause the programmable processor of the RFID printer to execute an initialization procedure to configure the operation of at least the thermal print head 404, the platen roller 406, the rear RFID antenna 408, and the front RFID antenna 410 to perform printing, RFID encoding, and RFID verification based on one or more operating parameters. The initialization process may include determining and comparing the RFID encoding time and the RFID verification time with the maximum printing speed. Based on the size of the data (to be encoded) and the maximum printing speed, the processor may choose to use (i) two RFID antennas to perform RFID encoding and RFID verification based on whether the reduction in printing speed can be reduced, provided that the encoding and verification are performed separately using two RFID antennas, or (ii) a single RFID antenna to perform both RFID encoding and RFID verification when the reduction in printing speed is not reduced or the printing speed is not increased, provided that the encoding and verification are performed separately using two RFID antennas. For example, a combination of one or more of the maximum printing speed, the RFID encoding speed, the RFID reading speed, or the RFID communication window size may be determined to compare the reduction in printing speed of the RFID encoding and verification operations using only one antenna with the reduction in printing speed of the RFID encoding and verification operations using two RFID antennas. In some embodiments, a combination of a lower top print speed, a higher RFID encoding speed, a higher RFID reading speed, or a larger RFID communication window size may reduce the reduction in print speed and eliminate the necessity to use two RFID antennas.

[0048] See now Figure 5A and Figure 5B , provides an exemplary flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for managing RFID printer operations according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that each block in the flow chart and the combination of blocks in the flow chart can be implemented by various components (such as hardware, firmware, circuits and / or other devices associated with the execution of software including one or more computer program instructions). For example, Figure 5A and Figure 5B One or more steps / operations in the procedures described in the flowchart may be embodied by computer program instructions, which may be stored in a non-transitory memory of a device using an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by a processor component of the device. For example, these computer program instructions may instruct the processor component to function in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the functions specified in the flowchart block.

[0049] As described above and as will be understood based on the present disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure may include various components, including complete hardware or any combination of software and hardware. In addition, the embodiment may take the form of a computer program product on at least one non-transient computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program product has computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. Similarly, the embodiment may take the form of a computer program code stored on at least one non-transient computer-readable storage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized, including a non-transient hard disk, a CD-ROM, a flash memory, an optical storage device, or a magnetic storage device.

[0050] See now Figure 5A , shows an exemplary method 500A for managing the operation of an RFID printer according to some exemplary embodiments described herein. In step 502, a programmable processor (e.g., of an RFID printer) receives a print request. The print request may include instructions to print one or more RFID labels through RFID encoding verification. The RFID encoding verification may include: writing data to one or more RFID tags associated with the corresponding one or more RFID labels; verifying the data written to the one or more RFID tags by reading data from the one or more RFID labels; and rewriting the data to the RFID tag if the data read from the RFID tag is different from the data written. The data written to the RFID tag may include a unique identifier and descriptive information, such as characteristics of an item to which the RFID tag may be attached.

[0051] In some embodiments, after step 502, the exemplary method proceeds to step 504, in which the programmable processor determines one or more operating parameters based on the print request. The one or more operating parameters can be used to control various components of the RFID printer to meet the print request. In some embodiments, the one or more operating parameters include at least one of the following: RFID encoding time, RFID read time, maximum print speed, RFID communication window size, RFID communication window margin, or ramp up / down.

[0052] In some embodiments, after step 504, the exemplary method proceeds to step 506, in which the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to print at a maximum print speed. For example, the RFID printer may print at a maximum print speed during printing to a print-only area of ​​the RFID label.

[0053] In some embodiments, after step 506, the exemplary method proceeds to step 508, where the programmable processor determines whether a first RFID communication window has begun. The RFID printer may be allowed to continue printing RFID labels at a maximum print speed until the first RFID communication window begins. The first RFID communication window may include a period of time during which the RFID antenna is able to access or establish communication with an RFID IC associated with the RFID label being printed.

[0054] In some embodiments, after step 508, if the first RFID communication window has begun, the exemplary method proceeds to step 510, in which the programmable processor determines whether to use two RFID antennas to perform RFID code verification. Whether to use two RFID antennas to perform RFID code verification can be determined based on one or more operating parameters. If the processor determines that the print speed reduction is improved (e.g., less reduction) by dividing the performance of the RFID code verification into two RFID communication windows (e.g., RFID encoding performed in the first RFID communication window and RFID verification performed in the second RFID communication window), two RFID antennas can be used. However, if two RFID antennas are used to perform RFID code verification in separate RFID communication windows, the processor may determine to use a single RFID antenna if the print speed reduction is not reduced or the print speed is not improved.

[0055] In some embodiments, after step 510, if two RFID antennas are not used, the exemplary method proceeds to step 512, in which the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to perform RFID encoding verification using a single RFID antenna and print at an RFID encoding and verification speed. During the first RFID communication window, the printing speed of the RFID printer can be reduced from a maximum printing speed to an RFID encoding and verification speed, during which both RFID encoding and verification are performed on the RFID tag using a single RFID antenna (e.g., the rear RFID antenna 408). The programmable processor can send and receive data via a single antenna to perform RFID encoding verification during the first RFID communication window. The first RFID communication window may include a time period sufficient to perform RFID encoding verification for the RFID tag at the RFID encoding and verification speed. The RFID encoding and verification speed may be based on the sum of the RFID encoding time and the RFID verification time. The RFID verification time may include both the RFID read time (to read data from the RFID tag) and the RFID encoding time (if data needs to be rewritten to the RFID tag).

[0056] In some embodiments, after step 510, if two RFID antennas are used, the exemplary method proceeds to step 520, in which the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to execute a two RFID antenna workflow, which will refer to Figure 5B A more detailed description is given in the description of .

[0057] In some embodiments, after step 512, the exemplary method proceeds to step 514, in which the programmable processor determines whether the RFID code verification has been completed. The RFID printer may continue to perform RFID code verification and printing at the RFID encoding and verification speed until the RFID code verification is completed. Completion of the RFID code verification may also coincide with the end of the first RFID communication window.

[0058] In some embodiments, after step 514, if the RFID code verification is complete, the exemplary method proceeds to step 516 where the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to resume printing the RFID label at the highest speed until completion.

[0059] In some embodiments, after step 516, the exemplary method proceeds to step 518, in which the programmable processor determines whether there are additional RFID labels in the print request. If there are additional RFID labels in the print request, the exemplary method returns to step 506, in which the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to continue printing the next RFID label. Otherwise, if there are no additional RFID labels in the print request, the RFID printer may end operations associated with the print request.

[0060] See now Figure 5B, shows an exemplary method 500B for performing a dual antenna workflow according to some exemplary embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, after step 510 in exemplary method 500A, in step 522, the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to perform RFID encoding using the first RFID antenna during a first communication window and print at an RFID encoding speed. In exemplary method 500B, the first RFID communication window may include a time period during which the first RFID antenna (e.g., the rear RFID antenna 408) is able to access an RFID IC associated with an RFID tag being printed or establish communication with the RFID IC. During the first RFID communication window, the printing speed of the RFID printer may be reduced from a maximum printing speed to an RFID encoding speed, during which RFID encoding is performed on the RFID tag using the first RFID antenna. The programmable processor may send data via the first RFID antenna to perform RFID encoding during the first RFID communication window. According to method 500B, the first RFID communication window may include a time period sufficient to perform RFID encoding on the RFID tag at the RFID encoding speed. The RFID encoding speed may be based on the RFID encoding time.

[0061] In some embodiments, after step 522, the exemplary method proceeds to step 524, in which the programmable processor determines whether the RFID encoding is complete. The RFID printer may continue to perform RFID encoding and printing at the RFID encoding speed until the RFID encoding is complete. Completion of the RFID encoding may also coincide with the end of the first RFID communication window.

[0062] In some embodiments, after step 524, if RFID encoding is complete, the exemplary method proceeds to step 526 where the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to resume printing at the highest speed.

[0063] In some embodiments, after step 526, the exemplary method proceeds to step 528, where the programmable processor determines whether a second RFID communication window has begun. The RFID printer may be allowed to continue printing RFID labels at a maximum print speed until the second RFID communication window begins. The second RFID communication window may include a period of time during which the second RFID antenna (e.g., the front RFID antenna 410) is able to access or establish communication with an RFID IC associated with the RFID label being printed.

[0064] In some embodiments, after step 528, the exemplary method proceeds to step 530, in which the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to perform RFID verification using the second RFID antenna and print at the RFID verification speed. During the second RFID communication window, the printing speed of the RFID printer can be reduced from the highest printing speed to the RFID verification speed, during which the RFID tag is performed RFID verification using the second RFID antenna. The programmable processor can receive and send (if necessary, such as for rewriting) data via the second RFID antenna to perform RFID verification during the second RFID communication window. The second RFID communication window may include a time period sufficient to perform verification of the RFID tag at the RFID verification speed. The RFID verification speed may be based on the RFID verification time. The RFID verification time may include both the RFID read time (to read data from the RFID tag) and the RFID encoding time (if data needs to be rewritten to the RFID tag).

[0065] In some embodiments, after step 530, the exemplary method proceeds to step 532, in which the programmable processor determines whether the RFID verification has been completed. The RFID printer may continue to perform RFID verification and printing at the RFID verification speed until the RFID verification is completed. Completion of the RFID verification may also coincide with the end of the second RFID communication window.

[0066] In some embodiments, after step 532, if RFID verification has been completed, the exemplary method proceeds to step 534 where the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to resume printing the RFID label at the highest speed until completion.

[0067] In some embodiments, after step 534, if RFID verification is complete, the exemplary method proceeds to step 536, in which the programmable processor determines whether there are additional RFID labels in the print request. If there are additional RFID labels in the print request, the exemplary method returns to step 504 of method 500A, in which the programmable processor instructs the RFID printer to continue printing the next RFID label. Otherwise, if there are no additional RFID labels in the print request, the RFID printer may end operations associated with the print request.

[0068] It should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) printer device, the RFID printer device is used to electronically encode and verify RFID labels, the RFID printer device comprising: Thermal print head; Paper pressing roller; a first RFID antenna, the first RFID antenna being disposed upstream of the thermal print head and the platen roller; a second RFID antenna, the second RFID antenna being disposed downstream of the first RFID antenna; a memory device having executable instructions stored therein; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being communicatively coupled to the memory, the one or more processors being configured in response to the executable instructions to: transmitting data via the first RFID antenna, wherein the data is encoded into one or more RFID tags associated with corresponding one or more RFID labels during a first RFID communication window; as well as Data is received and transmitted via the second RFID antenna to verify the encoded data during a second RFID communication window.

2. The RFID printer device of claim 1, wherein the first RFID antenna is configured with an RFID encoding-only function in a dual-antenna operation during the first RFID communication window.

3. The RFID printer device of claim 1, wherein an RFID encoding speed using the first RFID antenna is based on a duration of the first RFID communication window, wherein the duration of the first RFID communication window is based on a first communication range associated with the first RFID antenna.

4. The RFID printer device of claim 1, wherein a speed of RFID authentication using the second RFID antenna is based on a duration of the second RFID communication window, wherein the duration of the second RFID communication window is based on a second communication range associated with the second RFID antenna.

5. The RFID printer device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine usage of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna based on one or more of: RFID encoding time, RFID read time, maximum print speed, RFID communication window size, RFID communication window margin, or ramp up / ramp down.

6. A method for electronically encoding and authenticating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising: Receiving a print request by one or more processors of the RFID printer; determining, by the one or more processors, one or more operating parameters based on the print request; determining, by the one or more processors based on the one or more operating parameters, two RFID antennas for performing RFID encoding and authentication; instructing, by the one or more processors, the RFID printer to perform RFID encoding using a first RFID antenna and to print at an RFID encoding speed during a first communication window; as well as The RFID printer is instructed, by the one or more processors, to perform RFID authentication using a second RFID antenna during a second RFID communication window and to print at an RFID authentication speed.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: reducing a printing speed of the RFID printer from a maximum printing speed to the RFID encoding speed during the first communication window; as well as Data is transmitted via the first RFID antenna to perform the RFID encoding during the first RFID communication window.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: reducing a printing speed of the RFID printer from a maximum printing speed to the RFID verification speed during the second communication window; as well as Data is received and transmitted via the second RFID antenna to perform the RFID authentication during the second RFID communication window.

9. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receiving a print request; determining one or more operating parameters based on the print request; determining two radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas for performing RFID encoding and authentication based on the one or more operating parameters; instructing the RFID printer to perform RFID encoding using the first RFID antenna and to print at an RFID encoding speed during the first communication window; as well as The RFID printer is instructed to perform RFID authentication using a second RFID antenna during a second RFID communication window and to print at an RFID authentication speed.

10. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 9, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to instruct the RFID printer to print at a maximum speed after completing the RFID encoding and before the second RFID communication window.

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