Sheet media system having radio-frequency identification transponder

Abstract

A sheet media system comprising an apparatus for utilizing sheet media; and a radio-frequency identification transceiver associated with said apparatus for communicating with a transponder associated with sheet media utilized by said apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sheet media system comprising: 
 an apparatus for utilizing sheet media; and    a radio-frequency identification transceiver associated with said apparatus for communicating with a transponder associated with sheet media utilized by said apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is a printer for printing images on sheet media contained in packaging and wherein said transponder is associated with said packaging.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said apparatus includes a base for receiving sheet media contained in packaging, and wherein said transceiver is located relative to said base, such that when packaging containing said sheet media is received by said base, said transponder associated with said packaging is in proximity to said transceiver.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said packaging includes a resealable, removable cartridge containing sheet media, and wherein said apparatus includes a mechanism for opening and resealing said cartridge, so that said cartridge can be removed and replaced in said apparatus when less than all of the sheet media are removed from said cartridge.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said transponder stores relevant digital data that is communicable to said transceiver and some of which can be used to control the sheet media utilization process of said apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said transponder includes digital read/write memory and wherein said memory store digital data representing one or more of the following; 
 media size, initial number of media sheets, media type, media lot number, media manufacturing history, media parameters, media expiration date.  
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said transponder includes digital read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following; 
 unique transponder ID number, messages for customers, sales or service personnel, upgrade software for sheet media utilization apparatus.  
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said transponder includes a digital read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following; 
 packaging manufacturing history, packaging recycling data, packaging error codes.  
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said transponder includes a digital read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following; 
 number of sheets remaining; any measured system parameter, any information relating to recycling of media packaging, any information relating to system failures, codes to facilitate auditing of media, packaging, customer, media system.  
 
     
     
         10 . A sheet media system comprising: 
 printer apparatus for printing images on sheet media; and    a radio-frequency identification transceiver associated with said printer apparatus for communicating with a transponder associated with sheet media utilized by said apparatus.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said printer apparatus prints images on sheet media contained in packaging and wherein said transponder is associated with said packaging.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said printer apparatus includes a base for receiving sheet media contained in packaging, and wherein said transceiver is located relative to said base, such that when packaging containing said sheet media is received by said base, said transponder associated with said packaging is in proximity to said transceiver.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said packaging includes a resealable, removable cartridge containing printable sheet media, and wherein said apparatus includes a mechanism for opening and resealing said cartridge, so that said cartridge can be removed and replaced in said apparatus when less than all of the sheet media are removed from said cartridge.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said transponder stores relevant digital data that is communicable to said transceiver and some of which can be used to control the sheet media printing process of said printer apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said transponder includes digital read/write memory and wherein said memory store digital data representing one or more of the following, media size, initial number of media sheets, media type, media lot number, media manufacturing history, media parameters, media expiration date.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said transponder includes digital read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following, unique transponder ID number, messages for customers, sales or service personnel, upgrade software for sheet media utilization apparatus.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said transponder includes read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following, packaging manufacturing history, packaging recycling data, packaging error codes.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said transponder includes a read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following, number of sheets remaining, any measured system parameter, any information relating to recycling of media packaging, any information relating to system failures, codes to facilitate auditing of media, packaging, customer, media system.  
     
     
         19 . A sheet media system comprising: 
 a printer apparatus for printing images on sheet media, said printer apparatus having a source of digital images, a supply for receiving printable sheet media, and an image printer for printing a representation of a digital image from said source on a printable sheet media from said supply; and    a radio-frequency identification transceiver associated with said printer apparatus for communicating with a transponder associated with said printable sheet media placed in said supply.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said printer apparatus prints images on sheet media contained in packaging and wherein said transponder is associated with said packaging.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said supply receives sheet media contained in packaging, and wherein said transceiver is located relative to said supply, such that when packaging containing said sheet media is received by said supply, said transponder associated with said packaging is in proximity to said transceiver.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said packaging includes a resealable, removable cartridge containing printable sheet media, and wherein said printer apparatus includes a mechanism for opening and resealing said cartridge, so that said cartridge can be removed and replaced in said apparatus when less than all of the sheet media are removed from said cartridge.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said transponder stores relevant digital data that is communicable to said transceiver and some of which can be used to control the sheet media printing process of said printer apparatus.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said transponder includes digital read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following, media size, initial number of media sheets, media type, media lot number, media manufacturing history, media parameters, media expiration date.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said transponder includes digital read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following, unique transponder ID number, messages for customers, sales or service personnel, upgrade software for sheet media utilization apparatus.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said transponder includes read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following, packaging manufacturing history, packaging recycling data, packaging error codes.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said transponder includes a read/write memory and wherein said memory stores digital data representing one or more of the following, numbers of sheets remaining, any measured system parameter, any information relating to recycling of media packaging, any information relating to system failures, codes to facilitate auditing of media, packaging, customer, media system.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said sheet media is heat processible photosensitive media and wherein said printer apparatus includes a processor for heat processing said media.