Device and method for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MELZER MASCHENBAU
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders, such as RFID chips in labels or documents, often require precise positioning to avoid simultaneous writing of adjacent transponders, leading to inefficiencies and potential interference, and there is a need for a more time- and cost-effective writing process.
A device and method involving a substrate track with a first drive device for transport and a second drive device to control the speed of a transponder section through a writing device, allowing transponders to be moved at reduced or stopped speeds during writing, while maintaining continuous transport of the substrate outside the writing area, using compensating mechanisms to adjust for speed differences.
This approach enables efficient, time-saving, and cost-effective writing of transponders by ensuring adequate writing time without interrupting the overall transport process, preventing simultaneous writing of adjacent transponders, and maintaining workflow continuity.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a device for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders, comprising a substrate track on which the transponders to be written are arranged, a first drive device for driving the substrate track in a first transport direction, a writing device, wherein the writing device comprises at least one first writing head arranged stationary in the writing device for electromagnetically writing to the transponders, and a feeding device for feeding the substrate track to the writing device.
[0002] It is common practice to use labels for object identification that can be read wirelessly via an integrated RFID transponder. Personalized documents such as passports or similar items can also be equipped with an RFID transponder, allowing access to digitally stored personal data. When manufacturing such transponders, the RFID transponders described above can be integrated into the transponder by lamination or bonding to a substrate, with at least one read test of the RFID transponder being performed after lamination or bonding. Alternatively, it is also known to program the labels or documents with the integrated RFID transponders during the manufacturing process, i.e., only after lamination or bonding.However, especially during the writing process, it is necessary to position the RFID transponder under the write head for a sufficiently long time to prevent the unintentional simultaneous writing of adjacent RFID transponders if the RFID moves relative to the write head during the writing process.
[0003] EP 1 889 202 A1 discloses a device and a method for reading and / or writing data from and / or to one or more RFID chips arranged in smart labels within a smart label manufacturing device, wherein, to avoid crosstalk during writing to the RFID chips, adjacent write heads are used which write at different frequencies. This reduces interference between adjacent write heads and the antennas used therein.
[0004] WO 2021 / 018665 A1 discloses a device for personalizing RFID chips from adhesive labels, comprising an endless conveyor belt on which the adhesive labels with the RFID chips to be written are located. The conveyor belt is driven by a drive device, wherein the conveyor belt is fed via a feeder to a personalization station in a first transport direction at a defined transport speed. The personalization station comprises several write heads, wherein, to ensure compliance with the time required for the writing process, the write heads move synchronously with the RFID chips arranged on the conveyor belt.
[0005] US 2018 / 0341243 A1 discloses a device for personalizing labels, each containing an RFID chip. The device includes a conveyor belt for the labels, which is driven by a drive device in a transport direction at a defined transport speed past a personalization station. The personalization station includes a second conveyor belt on which an antenna is mounted. The antenna moves synchronously with the labels in the transport direction, ensuring that the antenna remains near the RFID chips embedded in the labels for a longer period of time to perform the writing operation.
[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a device for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders, which enables the writing of the transponders to be particularly time-saving and efficient.
[0007] Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a method for writing to transponders which can be carried out in the most time- and cost-saving way possible.
[0008] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by a device for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders according to claim 1 and a method for writing to transponders according to claim 10.
[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders is provided, comprising a substrate track on which the transponders to be written are arranged and a first drive device for driving the substrate track in a first transport direction, wherein the first drive device drives the substrate track at a first transport speed in the first transport direction. The device further comprises a writing device, wherein the writing device includes at least one first write head arranged stationary in the writing device for electromagnetically writing to the transponders and a feed device for feeding the substrate track to the writing device.The device according to the invention for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders is characterized in that the feed device comprises a second drive device which moves or stops at least one transponder section of the substrate track, in which at least one transponder to be written is arranged, through the writing device at a second transport speed. Advantageously, this makes it possible to move the transponders to be written through the writing device at a reduced transport speed or even to stop them, so that the time required for writing RFID transponders integrated into the labels or documents is met. Advantageously, the transponder section of the substrate track is located in the area of the first write head, so that the transponders remain near the first write head for an extended period of time.
[0010] Preferably, the second transport speed differs from the first transport speed, while the first drive device continues to drive the substrate track at the first transport speed. More preferably, the second transport speed is between zero speed and a speed lower than the first transport speed. Advantageously, the transponder section of the substrate track located in the writing device can be moved at a reduced speed or even stopped during the writing process to optimize the writing process. In particular, the time required for writing is maintained, and simultaneous writing of adjacent transponders is prevented. Accordingly, the second transport speed is advantageously located between zero speed and a speed lower than the first transport speed.Furthermore, it is advantageous that the entire substrate track does not need to be stopped or slowed down for writing to the RFID transponders, so that the stations upstream and downstream of the writing device are always traversed by the substrate track at the first transport speed without any time delay or interruption.
[0011] Advantageously, the second drive device moves the transponder section of the substrate track after the writing process at a third transport speed, the third transport speed being greater than the first transport speed. This advantageously compensates for the time delay of the transponder section during the writing process compared to the sections of the substrate track that were moved by the first drive device at the first transport speed during the writing process.
[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the feeding device comprises a compensating device that compensates for a difference between the first and second transport speeds. This advantageously ensures that the substrate path is reliably guided along its entire length in its direction of movement. The compensating device advantageously comprises a carriage that slides freely parallel to the first transport direction. The carriage expediently includes a first deflection element, wherein the substrate path is guided around the first deflection element into a first guide section for guiding the substrate path into the writing device. Particularly preferably, the substrate path is deflected by 180° around the first deflection element, so that the substrate path moves in the first guide section in a direction opposite to the first transport direction.
[0013] Preferably, the slide includes a second deflection element opposite the first, wherein the substrate path is guided out of the feed device around the second deflection element. Preferably, the substrate path is folded over by 180° around the second deflection element. The first and second deflection elements are each particularly preferably designed as deflection rollers. Advantageously, the substrate path is not affected by friction with the deflection elements. The line connecting the deflection axes or axes of rotation of the deflection elements advantageously runs parallel to the first transport direction.
[0014] The carriage is preferably mounted on a guide rail extending longitudinally along the first transport direction. Advantageously, a transverse displacement of the carriage is initiated by the force exerted by the substrate track on the deflection elements in or against the first transport direction. Advantageously, the carriage is thus moved automatically in or against the first transport direction by appropriate control of the second drive device, without the need for a further drive device, thereby also automatically compensating for length differences due to the deviation of the second transport speed from the first transport speed.
[0015] Advantageously, the carriage is moved at a speed that corresponds to the difference between the first transport speed, set by the first drive device, and the second or third transport speed, set by the second drive device. Accordingly, the carriage does not move if the first and second drive devices move the substrate track synchronously at the first transport speed. If the second drive device moves the substrate track at the second transport speed, which is lower than the first speed, the carriage moves in the direction of the first transport. If the second drive device moves the substrate track at the third transport speed, which is higher than the first transport speed, the carriage moves against the direction of the first transport.
[0016] The writing device preferably comprises two or more writing heads. The writing heads are preferably arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the substrate track. Advantageously, several transponders arranged one behind the other on the substrate track can be written to simultaneously. In a first preferred embodiment, the writing heads are spaced apart from each other at a distance corresponding to the distance between the adjacent transponders to be written. If the transponders to be written are very close together, the writing heads are spaced two or more times apart from each other. In an advantageous further development, the writing heads are alternatively or additionally arranged side by side transversely to the longitudinal extent of the substrate track.This allows even more transponders to be written to simultaneously in the writing device during the writing phase.
[0017] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders, in particular using a device as described above, is provided, comprising in a first method step driving a substrate track on which the transponders to be written are arranged at a first transport speed, wherein the substrate track is moved by a writing device at a first transport speed, and in a second method step reducing the transport speed at which a transponder section of the substrate track is moved by the writing device to a second transport speed, wherein the second transport speed is between zero speed and a speed below the first transport speed.In a third process step, a first transponder in the writing device is written by a first write head located near the transponder to be written. In a fourth process step, the transponder section of the substrate track is driven at a third transport speed, which is higher than the first transport speed. In a fifth process step, the transport speed is reduced to the first or second transport speed. The process is characterized by the fact that a first section of the substrate track, which is located upstream of the writing device, is driven at the first transport speed while the first transponder is being written. Advantageously, stations upstream of the writing device are not restricted in their workflow by the reduction of the transport speed in the transponder section, and no delays occur.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the method, a second section of the substrate track, located downstream of the writing device, is driven at the first transport speed during the writing of the transponder. Advantageously, stations downstream of the writing device are not restricted in their workflow by the reduction of the transport speed in the transponder section.
[0019] Further advantages, developments and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the dependent claims.
[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and a preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a device for writing to transponders in a side view.
[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a device 1 for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders 3 in a side view. The device 1 comprises a substrate 2 on which the transponders 3 to be written are arranged. The transponders 3 are integrated into smart labels, i.e., they are arranged on a film and designed as passive RFID transponders, which are also suitable for integration into a chip card.
[0022] The device 1 further comprises a first drive device 4, which is provided for driving the substrate track 2 in a first transport direction T1. The first drive device 4 comprises a first drive roller 5 and a second drive roller 6, between which the substrate track 2 is clamped. Advantageously, the substrate track 2 is guided between the two drive rollers 5, 6 in a slip-proof manner, so that the substrate track 2 can be moved in a controlled manner at a first transport speed v1 in the first transport direction T1.
[0023] The device 1 further comprises a writing device 7, which includes a first writing head 8 and a second writing head 9. The substrate path 2 is guided past the first writing head 8 and the second writing head 9 in such a way that the transponders 3 to be written are arranged above the first writing head 8 and the second writing head 9. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the transponders 3 are arranged below the writing heads 8 and 9.
[0024] The first write head 8 and the second write head 9 are fixedly arranged on a retaining rail 10 extending longitudinally along the first transport direction T1, the position of the first write head 8 and the second write head 9 being variably adjustable along the retaining rail 10. Furthermore, the first write head 8 and the second write head 9 can also be rotated so that they are positioned above the substrate track 2. During operation, the write heads 8, 9 remain in a predefined position. The distance between the first write head 8 and the second write head 9 advantageously corresponds approximately to the distance between two adjacent transponders 3 on the substrate track 2.
[0025] A feeding device 11 is provided for feeding the substrate web 2 to the writing device 7. The feeding device 11 includes a compensating device 12, the function of which will be explained in more detail below. The compensating device 12 comprises a carriage 13, the carriage 13 being freely movable along a guide rail 14. The carriage 13 comprises a first deflection roller 15 and a second deflection roller 16, which are arranged at a fixed distance from and opposite each other.
[0026] The substrate track 2 has a first section 2a, which is guided in the first transport direction T1 towards the carriage 13. This first section 2a is then transferred by turning around the first deflection roller 15 into a first guide section 2b, whereby the substrate track 2 is moved by 180° against the first transport direction T1 in the first guide section 2b due to the turning. The feed device 11 further comprises a third deflection roller 17, which deflects the substrate track 2 upwards by 90° and transfers it into a second guide section 2c.
[0027] The feed device 11 further comprises a fourth deflection roller 18, which deflects the substrate track 2 by 90° to the left in the first transport direction T1 and transfers it into a transponder section 2d, which is guided by the writing devices 7. The substrate track 2 and the transponders 3 attached to it are moved in the first transport direction T1. The feed device 11 further comprises a second drive device 19, comprising a first drive roller 20 and a second drive roller 21 between which the substrate track 2 is clamped. Analogous to the first drive device 4, the substrate track 2 is also guided here in a slip-proof manner between the two drive rollers 20, 21, so that the substrate track 2 is driven at least in the transponder section 2d at a second transport speed v2 in the first transport direction T1.
[0028] The substrate track 2 is deflected downwards by 90° around the first drive roller 20 and transferred into a third guide section 2e. Finally, the feed device 11 includes a fifth deflection roller 22, around which the substrate track is deflected 90° to the right into a fourth guide section 2f. In the fourth guide section 2f, the substrate track 2 is moved against the first transport direction T1 at the second transport speed v2 specified by the second drive device 19. The substrate track 2 is then transferred by 180° around the second deflection roller 16 of the carriage 13 into a second section 2g and thus exited the feed device 11 for further transport of the described transponders 3. The first section 2a is located upstream of the writing device 7, and the second section 2g is located downstream of the writing device 7.
[0029] Device 1 functions as follows: Initially, the substrate track 2 is driven synchronously at the first transport speed v1 by both the first drive device 4 and the second drive device 19. When a transponder 3 to be written to approaches the first write head 8 and is to be written to, the second drive device 19 reduces the rotational speed of the drive rollers 20, 21, so that the transponder 3 is now guided past the first write head 8 at a reduced transport speed v2.
[0030] Particularly preferably, the second transport speed v2 is zero, i.e., the substrate path is stopped in the transponder section 2d to perform the writing operation in the writing device 7.
[0031] In the present embodiment, the transponders 3 located in the first guide section 2b, the second guide section 2c, the transponder section 2d, the third guide section 2e, and the fourth guide section 2f are thus decelerated to the second transport speed v2 or even stopped. The first drive device 4, on the other hand, continues to move the second section 2g of the substrate track 2 in the first transport direction T1 at the first transport speed v1. Therefore, the first drive device 4 now exerts a force on the second deflection roller 16 of the carriage 13, which thus moves to the left in the first transport direction T1 along the guide rail 14. Since the first deflection roller 15 is rigidly coupled to the second deflection roller 16 via the carriage 13, the first deflection roller 15 is also displaced to the left in the first transport direction T1.
[0032] Once the writing process is complete, the second drive unit 19 drives the substrate track 2 at a third transport speed v3, which is higher than the first transport speed v1. This exerts a force on the first deflection roller 15, causing the carriage 13 to move to the right, in the opposite direction to the first transport direction T1, at the difference in speed between the third transport speed v3 and the first transport speed v1. When the carriage 13 has returned to its starting position, the second drive unit 19 drives the substrate track 2 again at the first transport speed v1 until the next transponder 3 to be written reaches the first write head 8 or the second write head 9, at which point the process described above can be repeated.
[0033] The sled 13 moves with a balancing velocity v a= |v1 - v2| during the writing process or with the reset speed v r = |v1 - v3| after the writing process. In general, it is intended that the carriage 13 moves at the differential speed between the first transport speed v1, determined by the first drive device 4, and the second transport speed v2 or third transport speed v3, determined by the second drive device 19. Advantageously, this prevents sagging of the substrate track 2 due to the length differences, while the substrate track outside the writing device and the feeder is always moved at the first transport speed. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] EP 1 889 202 A1
[0003] WO 2021 / 018665 A1
[0004] US 2018 / 0341243 A1
[0005]
Claims
[1] Device (1) for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders, comprising a substrate track (2) on which the transponders (3) to be described are arranged, a first drive device (4) for driving the substrate track (2) in a first transport direction (T1), wherein the first drive device (4) drives the substrate track (2) with a first transport speed (v1) in the first transport direction (T1), a writing device (7), wherein the writing device (7) comprises at least one first writing head (8) arranged stationary in the writing device (7) for electromagnetically writing to the transponders (3), a feed device (11) for feeding the substrate web (2) to the writing device (7), characterized by, that the feed device (11) comprises a second drive device (19) which moves or stops at least one transponder section (2d) of the substrate track (2) in which at least one transponder (3) is arranged, at a second transport speed (v2) during a writing operation by the writing device (7). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the second transport speed (v2) differs from the first transport speed (v1), while the first drive device (4) continues to drive a first section (2a) of the substrate path (2) upstream of the writing device (7) at the first transport speed (v1). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the second transport speed (v2) lies between the zero speed and a speed less than the first transport speed (v1). [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second drive device moves the transponder section (2d) of the substrate track (2) after the writing process at a third transport speed (v3), wherein the third transport speed (v3) is greater than the first transport speed (v1). [5] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the feed device (10) includes a compensating device (12) which compensates for a difference between the first transport speed (v1) and the second transport speed (v2). [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized by , that the compensating device (12) comprises a slide (13) that can be moved freely parallel to the first transport direction (T1). [7] Device according to claim 6, characterized by, that the carriage (13) comprises a first deflection element (15), wherein the substrate track (2) is transferred around the first deflection element (15) into a first guide section (2b) for guiding the substrate track (2) into the writing device (7). [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized by , that the slide (13) comprises a second deflection element (16) opposite the first deflection element (15), wherein the substrate path (2) is guided out of the feed device (11) around the second deflection element (16). [9] Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the carriage (13) is slidably mounted on a guide rail (14) extending longitudinally along the first transport direction (T1). [10] Method for writing to electromagnetically writable transponders (3), in particular using a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising Driving a substrate track (2) on which the transponders (3) to be written are arranged at a first transport speed (v1), wherein a transponder section (2d) of the substrate track (2) in which at least one transponder to be written is arranged is moved by a writing device (7) at the first transport speed (v1), Reducing the transport speed at which the transponder section (2d) of the substrate track (2) is moved through the writing device (7) to a second transport speed (v2), wherein the second transport speed (v2) is between a speed below the first transport speed (v1) and zero speed, Writing to a first transponder (3) in the writing device (7) by a first writing head (8) arranged near the transponder (3) to be written to, Driving the transponder section (2d) of the substrate track (2) with a third transport speed (v3) which is greater than the first transport speed (v1), Reduction of the transport speed to the first transport speed (v1) or second transport speed (v2), characterized by , that a first section (2a) of the substrate track (2), which is located upstream of the writing device (7), is driven at the first transport speed (v1) during the writing of the first transponder (3).