Printer and System for Detecting Void RFID Transponders Supported in a Printing Media and Communicating the Same

A printer for printing on a media supporting a series of RFID transponders in coordination with a downstream device, said printer comprising:

• a print head configured to print on the media;
• at least one transceiver configured to communicate with the RFID transponders on the media;
• a media supply system configured to advance the media past the print head and the transceiver;
• and
• a printer controller system for controlling printing by the print head and advancement of the media supply system, said printer comprising:
• a void detection system configured to communicate with the transceiver for detecting a void one of the RFID transponders supported by the media;
• a printing system configured to process and communicate a formatted image to the print head for printing the formatted image on the media in proximity to one of the RFID transponders supported by the media;
• and
• a void communication system configured to communicate at least one external signal indicating detection of the void RFID transponder to the downstream device said printer controller including a controller board that communicates via an external communication pathway.

A method of printing on a media supporting a series of RFID transponders and communicating detection of void RFID transponders to one or more downstream devices, said method comprising:

• processing and communicating, using a printer system, a formatted image to a print head for printing the formatted image on the media in proximity to one of the RFID transponders supported by the media;
• communicating with a transceiver to detect a void one of the RFID transponders supported by the media;
• and
• communicating via an external communication pathway at least one external signal indicating detection of the void RFID transponder to the downstream device.