Rfid digital print/encode

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for printing and encoding RFID products may be disclosed. The method, system, and apparatus can include a printer which can read and program an RFID device contained in a label, tag, or any other desired product, and also print onto the product without damaging the RFID device. The method, system, and apparatus can further include a quality control system. In some exemplary embodiments, the products can be arranged into sheets or rolls, and multiple products can be printed or encoded at the same time or substantially simultaneously. In some exemplary embodiments, reader and antenna configurations can allow the encoding to occur in line, so that printing, encoding, variable data imaging, and finishing can all be completed in one continuous process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A print encode device comprising:
 a print press;   at least one RFID reader and at least one RFID encoder; and   a quality control system;
 wherein the print encode device can read and encode an RFID device and can print onto a product label or tag without damaging or otherwise affecting undesirably the RFID device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , wherein encoding and printing occurs substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         3 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , wherein the print press is selected from the group including flexographic, offset, gravure, xerographic digital process, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , wherein the print press can accept input information from Document Format (PDF) or Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML). 
     
     
         5 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , wherein the print press contains multiple RFID readers and RFID encoders. 
     
     
         6 . The print encode device of  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of RFID devices are arranged in sheet or roll form so that multiple tag or labels can be printed or encoded as part of a continuous process. 
     
     
         7 . The print encode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one RFID reader is located on the print press before the printer and the at least one RFID encoder is located on the print press after the printer. 
     
     
         8 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , further comprising an infrared light or an interfering carrier signal for electrical screening or shielding. 
     
     
         9 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , wherein the quality control system includes one or more RFID readers and/or RFID encoders. 
     
     
         10 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , wherein the quality control system includes one or more optical readers or scanners. 
     
     
         11 . The print encode device of  claim 1 , wherein the quality control system includes a die cutter. 
     
     
         12 . A process for printing and encoding RFID products, using a print encode device of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a sheet or roll having a plurality of RFID devices;   pre-reading each of the RFID devices;   obtaining Electronic Product Codes;   printing variable data and a barcode onto the sheet or roll;   reading a barcode with the print encode device provided during the step of printing;   encoding all the RFID devices in the sheet or roll;   finishing the sheet or roll to form individual labels or tags;   checking the RFID devices to verify that they are encoded with information relating to the barcode.   
     
     
         13 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the pre-reading the RFID products includes a further step of associating RFID requirements with printer image requirements. 
     
     
         14 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the step of obtaining Electronic Product Codes includes communicating with an outside database to obtain appropriate Electronic Product Codes. 
     
     
         15 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the step of printing variable data and a barcode onto the sheet or roll links the printed material and RFID data requirements. 
     
     
         16 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein encoding is done inside the press feed track of a print press of the print encode device. 
     
     
         17 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the RFID products in the sheet are encoded at the same time. 
     
     
         18 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the step of finishing includes cutting holes or perforations. 
     
     
         19 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the step of finishing includes separating the RFID products into individual tags or labels. 
     
     
         20 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein a quality control system performs checking the RFID devices to verify that they are encoded with correct information. 
     
     
         21 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the encoding is partial encoding. 
     
     
         22 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 21 , wherein the RFID devices have already been programmed with a portion of the Electronic Product Codes that are common to all of a group of products to be related to the RFID devices in the sheet or roll. 
     
     
         23 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the encoding is done in line with the printing. 
     
     
         24 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the encoding is done off of the printing line. 
     
     
         25 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , wherein the printed material is distinct from the information being encoded on the RFID device. 
     
     
         26 . The process for printing and encoding RFID devices of  claim 12 , further including the step of sending the RFID products back to the printer/encoder for correction after the step of checking.