RFID Printer Continuous Web Encoding Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RFID printers require the web to be momentarily stopped for encoding RFID transponders, which reduces throughput and is inefficient, especially for batch processes, and existing antenna designs are not optimized for encoding and printing of both long and short record members.

Innovation Solution

A RFID printer system that allows continuous web movement for encoding and printing, with an improved antenna design that adjusts the RF field to enable encoding of one inlay at a time and printing on record members without no-print zones, even for shorter record members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the web is stopped to encode RFID transponders, then encoding accuracy is improved, but throughput and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding accuracyVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning and synchronization before encoding begins. The web is positioned at the correct location and the encoding process is initiated with precise timing, allowing accurate encoding without requiring the web to stop during the actual encoding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical stopping mechanism with an electromagnetic field-based encoding system. The RFID encoding is performed using electromagnetic fields that can encode transponders while the web continues to move, eliminating the need for mechanical interruption of web motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If the print head is positioned at the top of form for long record members, then printing coverage is improved, but encoding capability for different record members deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting coverageVSAvoidencoding capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the positioning and coordination between the print head and encoding antenna based on record member length. The web can move continuously while the system adapts the timing and position of printing and encoding operations to accommodate both long and short record members effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal system that can handle both long and short record members with a single configuration. The printing and encoding functions are integrated to work together on the same web position, allowing the system to adapt to different record member lengths without requiring separate positioning for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the web moves continuously for encoding, then throughput is improved, but encoding precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidencoding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor web position, motion speed, and encoding status. This feedback allows the system to adjust encoding parameters in real-time, maintaining encoding precision even while the web moves continuously at optimized speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes encoding parameters such as electromagnetic field strength, duration, and frequency based on web motion characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains reliable encoding precision while allowing continuous web movement to maximize throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution increases the throughput of RFID printing and encoding by allowing continuous web movement and optimizing the RF field for efficient encoding and printing of both long and short record members, eliminating the need for web stops and ensuring all areas of record members can be printed and encoded.

Implementation Method 1

A RFID printer system that allows continuous web movement for encoding and printing, with an improved antenna design that adjusts the RF field to enable encoding of one inlay at a time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRF field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2083378B1Encoding a RFID record member on a moving web
Publication Date: 2017.04.05 AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES LLC
  • EP2083378B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2083378B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2083378B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for encoding and printing RFID record members with a continuous moving web is provided. In particular, a printer such as a RFID printer is capable of encoding an inlay or multiple inlays within a record member while the web is continuously moving. While a record member is being encoded on a moving web, the record member may be printed upon when a leading edge of a record member reaches the print position.