Stand-alone proxy RFID read/write unit for print label encoding

A proxy RFID read/write unit for use in a local area network (LAN) including a server and a network printer coupled together through a network bus, comprising:

• a network interface adapted to be operatively coupled to the server for receiving and sending message packets to and from said server;
• an RFID interrogator adapted to read data from and write data to at least one RFID transponder disposed within an interrogating range of said RFID interrogator;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said network interface and said RFID interrogator, said processor having associated memory containing stored instructions executed by said processor, said stored instructions causing said processor to perform the following functions in association with said network interface and said RFID interrogator:
• detecting a message packet directed to said network printer containing a command to print a bar code label;
• recovering information from at least one data field of said message packet;
• and
• writing said information to an RFID transponder.