Rfid near-field antenna and associated systems

A printer-encoder for printing and encoding a series of media units wherein at least one media unit includes at least one transponder, the printer encoder comprising:

• a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units;
• a conveyance system configured to transport a series of media units including the at least one transponder to the printhead and a transponder encoding area along a feed path in a feed direction;
• a reader configured to process one or more communication signals;
• and
• an antenna configured to direct the communication signals to and from the reader and communicate with the at least one transponder in the transponder encoding area and includes at least a first ground plane, a second ground plane, a dielectric substrate, and a conductive strip, wherein the first ground plane and the second ground plane extend along the dielectric substrate and the conductive strip extends between the first ground plane and the second ground plane such that first ground plane and the conductive strip define a first slot extending between the first ground plane and the conductive strip and the second ground plane define a second slot extending between the second conductive strip and the conductive strip and wherein the first ground plane, the second ground plane, and the conductive strip are substantially coplanar.

A printer-encoder for printing and encoding at least one media unit that includes a transponder, the printer encoder comprising:

• a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units;
• a platen roller;
• a ribbon guide configured to direct a portion of a thermal ribbon between the printhead and the platen roller and the printhead is configured to provide heat and press against the portion of the thermal ribbon again the platen roller such that indicia is formed on the least one media unit positioned between the platen roller and the printhead;
• and wherein the ribbon guide defines a recessed portion;
• and
• an antenna positioned within the recessed portion and configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave for communicating with the transponder of the at least one media unit.

A method comprising:

• providing an antenna that includes at least a first ground plane, a second ground plane, a dielectric substrate, and a conductive strip, wherein the first ground plane and the second ground plane extend along the dielectric substrate and the conductive strip extends between the first ground plane and the second ground plane such that first ground plane and the conductive strip define a first slot extending between the first ground plane and the conductive strip and the second ground plane define a second slot extending between the second conductive strip and the conductive strip and wherein the first ground plane, the second ground plane, and the conductive strip are substantially coplanar;
• transporting a targeted transponder out of the plurality of transponders along the feed path into the transponder encoding area;
• and
• sending one or more electrical signals to the antenna such that the conductive strip and the first and second slots emit an electromagnetic wave the transponder encoding area for communicating with the targeted transponder in the transponder encoding area.