Systems, methods, and associated rfid antennas for processing a plurality of transponders

Abstract

An RFID system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The RFID system may include a transponder conveyance system adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder encoding area along a feeding direction and an antenna having a resonant inductor and a ferrite material, wherein the ferrite material at least partially covers the resonant inductor and defines an exposed portion of the resonant inductor. In one antenna-transponder alignment, the exposed portion extends substantially parallel to the feeding direction.

1 . An RFID system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders, the RFID system comprising:
 a transponder conveyance system configured to transport a targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder encoding area along a feed path in a feed direction; and   an antenna comprising a resonant inductor and a shielding element, wherein the shielding element partially encloses the resonant inductor thereby defining an exposed portion of the resonant inductor and wherein the exposed portion of the resonant inductor further comprises a coupling portion for coupling with the targeted transponder and the coupling portion extends lengthwise in the feed direction for providing lateral movement through the transponder encoding area of the targeted transponder relative to the coupling portion.   
   
   
       2 . The RFID system of  claim 1  further comprising a transceiver configured to generate one or more electrical signals and, wherein the antenna is configured to generate a magnetic flux in an encoding area for communicating with the at least one targeted transponder based on the one or more electrical signals. 
   
   
       3 . The RFID system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one targeted transponder is attached to a media unit and the RFID system further includes a printhead for printing indicia on the media unit. 
   
   
       4 . The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the printing of indicia occurs within the transponder encoding area. 
   
   
       5 . The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the resonant inductor includes a spiral coil on a printed circuit board and, wherein the spiral coil generally defines a first plane. 
   
   
       6 . The RFID system of  claim 5 , wherein the targeted transponder generally defines a second plane and, wherein the second plane is generally orthogonal to the first plane. 
   
   
       7 . The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the targeted transponder generally defines a second plane and, wherein the second plane is generally parallel to the first plane. 
   
   
       8 . The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the shielding element comprises a ferrite material. 
   
   
       9 . A system for communicating with a targeted transponder disposed between an upstream transponder and a downstream transponder, wherein the upstream transponder, the targeted transponder, and the downstream transponder are movable along a feed path through a communication area and each of the targeted transponder, upstream transponder, and downstream transponder define a length in a feed direction, the system comprising
 an antenna configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the antenna defines a length extending in the feed direction that is approximately equal to or less than the length of each of the targeted transponder, the upstream transponder, and the downstream transponder;   a transponder conveyance system configured to transport the downstream transponder, the targeted transponder, and the upstream transponder along a feed path to an interrogation position in which the targeted transponder and the antenna are substantially aligned lengthwise and wherein, in the interrogation position, at least a portion of the targeted transponder collects magnetic flux of the magnetic field capable of activating the targeted transponder and neither the upstream transponder nor the downstream transponder collects magnetic flux of the magnetic filed capable of activation.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the antenna includes a resonant inductor and a shielding element that at least partially encloses the resonant inductor thereby defining an exposed portion of the resonant inductor and an enclosed portion of the resonant inductor, and wherein the exposed portion of the resonant inductor extends substantially parallel to the feed path. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the resonant inductor includes a spiral coil on a printed circuit board and wherein the spiral coil generally defines a first plane and the targeted transponder defines a second plane that is generally orthogonal to the first plane. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the resonant inductor includes a spiral coil on a printed circuit board and wherein the spiral coil generally defines a first plane and the targeted transponder defines a second plane that is generally parallel to the first plane. 
   
   
       13 . A printer-encoder for printing and encoding a series of transponders, the printer-encoder comprising:
 a housing;   a transponder conveyance system configured to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders from a supply source along a feed path to a media exit of the housing, wherein each transponder defines at least a first transponder activation flux within the housing and a second transponder activation flux outside the housing;   a transceiver configured to generate one or more electrical signals;   an antenna in communication with the transceiver and configured to transmit a magnetic flux, wherein the magnetic flux is greater than or equal to the first transponder activation flux in a transponder encoding area within the housing for communicating with a targeted transponder in the transponder encoding area and is less than the second transponder activation flux outside the housing;   a printhead approximate to the media exit of the housing and the antenna, and wherein each transponder is attached to a media unit and the printhead is configured to print indicia on the media unit.   
   
   
       14 . The printer-encoder of  claim 13 , wherein the transponder conveyance system includes a platen roller adjacent the media exit and the antenna. 
   
   
       15 . The printer-encoder of  claim 13 , wherein the transponder encoding area is less than a length of a media unit from the media exit. 
   
   
       16 . The printer-encoder of  claim 13 , wherein the printing of indicia on the media unit occurs within the transponder encoding area. 
   
   
       17 . The printer-encoder of  claim 13 , wherein the antenna includes a resonant inductor and a shielding element that partially encloses the resonant inductor thereby defining an exposed portion of the resonant inductor and an enclosed portion of the resonant inductor and wherein the exposed portion of the resonant inductor extends substantially parallel to and along the feed path. 
   
   
       18 . The printer-encoder of  claim 17 , wherein the resonant inductor includes a spiral coil fabricated on a printed circuit board and the shielding element includes a ferrite material. 
   
   
       19 . The printer-encoder of  claim 18 , wherein the spiral coil defines a first plane and the targeted transponder defines a second plane that is generally orthogonal to the first plane. 
   
   
       20 . The printer-encoder of  claim 17 , wherein the spiral coil defines a first plane and the targeted transponder defines a second plane that is generally parallel to the first plane. 
   
   
       21 . A method comprising:
 providing an antenna having a resonant inductor and a shielding element that partially encloses the resonant inductor thereby defining an exposed portion of the resonant inductor and an enclosed portion of the resonant inductor, and wherein the exposed portion of the resonant inductor extends substantially lengthwise to a feed path;   transporting a targeted transponder out of the plurality of transponders along the feed path into an encoding area; and   sending one or more electrical signals to the antenna such that the exposed portion of the resonant inductor emits a magnetic flux into the encoding area for communicating with the targeted transponder.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising printing indicia onto a media unit, wherein the targeted transponder is attached to the media unit. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising providing a transceiver in communication with the antenna and configured to generate the one or more electrical signals.