Label Printer RFID Roll Rotation for Blind-Zone Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing label printers face recognition blind zones due to insufficient induced current from a small projected area of the RFID tag onto the RFID reader antenna, leading to failed RFID tag information reading.
Innovation Solution
A label printer with a controller that detects unreadable RFID tags and rotates the label roll paper unit to align the RFID tag with the RFID reader, ensuring sufficient induced current for successful reading, and includes a conveying assembly to manage paper-out and paper-return operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the RFID tag is placed parallel to and facing the RFID reader antenna, then the magnetic field coupling is maximized, but the projected area may be too small causing the RFID reader to be in a recognition blind zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the label roll paper unit rotatable during the reading process. When the RFID reader initially fails to read the tag (indicating a blind zone issue), the system automatically rotates the label roll paper unit to change the relative orientation between the RFID tag and reader antenna, thereby dynamically adjusting the projected area to escape the recognition blind zone and achieve successful reading.
2Reliability
If the projected area of the RFID tag onto the RFID reader antenna is small, then the magnetic flux change through the coil is insufficient, but increasing the projected area requires manual alignment which reduces automation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically detect and resolve its own reading issues. When the RFID reader fails to read the tag, the system autonomously rotates the label roll paper unit without requiring external manual intervention, thereby self-correcting the alignment problem and ensuring sufficient magnetic flux change for reliable reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the RFID reading status. When the reading fails (feedback signal indicates blind zone condition), the system triggers rotation of the label roll paper unit, and continues rotating until successful reading is achieved, thereby using feedback to automatically adjust the projected area and ensure sufficient induced current.
3Reliability
If manual alignment is required to avoid the recognition blind zone, then reading success rate improves, but operational complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the conveying assembly serve multiple functions: it not only conveys the continuous paper during normal printing operations but also rotates the label roll paper unit to avoid RFID recognition blind zones. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms, thereby improving reading success rate without significantly increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively avoids recognition blind zones, improving RFID tag reading success rates and user experience by automatically aligning the RFID tag with the reader without requiring manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a current flowing through the RFID reader antenna changes, so that a magnetic field with varying strengths over time is generated. The changing magnetic field leads to changes in magnetic flux through a coil on the RFID tag, causing the coil to produce an induced current
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a label printer and a control method thereof. The label printer includes a paper cartridge configured to hold a label roll paper unit including a tube core and a continuous paper, wherein the tube core is provided with an RFID tag; an RFID reader configured to read information stored on the RFID tag; and a controller configured to detect whether the RFID reader reads the stored information of the RFID tag when the label roll paper unit is in an initial position, and if the RFID reader is unable to read the stored information of the RFID tag, the controller controls the label roll paper unit to rotate and drive the RFID tag to rotate, and controls the RFID reader to continuously read the RFID tag during rotating until the RFID reader is able to read the stored information.