Removable media spindle and antenna assembly for printer
AssigneeBrady Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsPeter G. Ross, William D. Tischer, Robert F. Behlmer, Peter G. Scharpf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer.
Claims12
A printer including:
- a housing including a receptacle;
- a printer circuit positioned in the housing, the printer circuit including an RF transceiver coupled to the receptacle through a switch;
- and
- an antenna assembly comprising a first antenna and a second antenna intersecting the second antenna at an angle substantially orthogonal to the first antenna to provide a communication link to the RF transceiver electrically coupled to the printer circuit;
- wherein the printer circuit further includes a controller for selectively coupling the RF transceiver to one of the first and second antennas to allow the printer circuit to communicate to an RFID tag on a roll of media provided on the antenna assembly, wherein the first antenna is configured to provide communications with the RF transceiver when the second antenna is in a null area, and the second antenna is configured to provide communications with the RF transceiver when the first antenna is in a null area.
An antenna assembly for use in a printer, the antenna assembly comprising:
- a first planar antenna;
- and
- a second planar antenna, the second planar antenna intersecting and being substantially orthogonal to the first planar antenna to provide communications to an RF transceiver in the printer when the first planar antenna is in a null area, wherein the first and second antennas are coupled together and sized and dimensioned to receive a roll of media for insertion into a printer, wherein when the antenna assembly is positioned in a printer, it receives a roll of media and the first antenna is configured to provide communications with the RF transceiver when the second antenna is in a null area, and the second antenna is configured to provide communications with the RF transceiver when the first antenna is in a null area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.