Thermotransfer Printer Comprising a Single Sheet Feeder

Abstract

The present invention concerns a thermotransfer printer for printing print media having RFID labels, comprising a thermotransfer printing unit, and a single sheet intake means. The invention is further characterised by an RFID reading unit for reading items of information from the RFID labels, wherein the RFID reading unit is so connected to the thermotransfer printing unit ( 70 ) that the thermotransfer printing unit ( 70 ) is controllable in dependence on the items of information read out of the respective RFID label.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a thermotransfer printer comprising the steps of:
 providing a thermotransfer printing unit containing a print head, a single sheet intake means and a RFID reading unit;   reading items of information out of RFID devices within RFID labels with the RFID reading unit; and   controlling the thermotransfer printing unit in dependence on items of information read out of a respective RFID label.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of directing the printing head to lift off a RFID label when the RFID label is inferred to be at the printing head by the RFID reading unit after the step of controlling the thermotransfer printing unit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID reading unit is connected to the thermotransfer printing unit such that the printing unit is controllable in dependence on items of information read out of the respective RFID labels. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of inferring the position of the RFID devices in RFID labels by measuring one of signal intensity, transit time, or time delay by the RFID reading unit after the step of reading the items of information out of the RFID devices within the RFID labels. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of passing the RFID labels through a tunnel guide into the thermotransfer printer before the step of reading the items of information out of the RFID devices within the RFID labels. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID reading unit continuously emits signals calling on the RFID labels to send back information. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a pressure roller is disposed beneath the printing head. 
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling a thermotransfer printer comprising the steps of:
 providing a thermotransfer unit containing a printing head, a RFID reading unit, a single sheet intake means, a drive roller, and a counterpressure backing roller;   providing a print medium with RFID labels wherein each RFID label has a RFID device;   passing the print medium conveyed by the single sheet intake means through a tunnel guide into the thermotransfer printer;   passing the print medium between the drive roller and the counterpressure backing roller and passing the print medium to the print head wherein the print head applies pressure to the print medium and applies items of information to the print medium; and   lifting the printing head off the print medium as soon as the RFID label in the print medium reaches the printing head.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a pressure roller is disposed below the printing head. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a control unit commands the printing head to execute a given printing application. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the printing application is stored within each RFID label. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the counterpressure roller is fixed to a holder arm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the reading unit is beneath the tunnel guide.