Printer encoder adapted for positioning aboard a mobile unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9849694-B2
Application number	US-96349810-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 8, 2010
Priority date	Dec 13, 2005
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

A printer/encoder system is provided for mounting to a mobile unit, such as a forklift-type vehicle. The printer/encoder system is adapted for printing and encoding one or more media units that may be stored in a media supply assembly of the printer/encoder system. The printer/encoder system may be mounted to the mobile unit using a mobile unit mounting assembly having a shock resistance system for protecting at least portions of the printer/encoder system from mechanical shocks or vibrations that are commonly associated with mobile unit movement. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly structured to encode a transponder, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, on a media unit. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly having a modular design.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. An antenna assembly comprising:
an antenna conductor including at least one of a half-wavelength transmission line coupler, a microstrip coupler, a coplanar transmission line coupler, or a bow-tie antenna coupler;
an input port; and
a terminating load, wherein the antenna assembly is configured to:
wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energy to read information from, write information to, or both read and write information to one or more radio frequency transponders in one or more media units;
be detachably coupled to an encoder electronics assembly; and
be removable from an antenna housing without the encoder electronics assembly being mechanically detached from the antenna housing.

2. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna assembly is further configured to be detachably coupled to a mobile unit.

3. The antenna assembly of claim 1 further comprising an antenna casing structured to concentrate the electromagnetic energy on a first media unit and prevent electromagnetic coupling with other media units.

4. The antenna assembly of claim 3 , wherein the antenna casing comprises:
a first casing surface comprised of an electromagnetic energy blocking material; and
an interrogation window in the first casing surface configured to allow the electromagnetic energy to pass therethrough.

5. The antenna assembly of claim 4 , wherein the interrogation window is comprised of a second casing surface formed of a material that permits electromagnetic energy to pass therethrough.

6. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna assembly is located proximate the loading area of a forklift.

7. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna assembly is configured to be detachably coupled to the encoder electronics assembly using a cable.

8. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna conductor includes a bow tie conductor.

9. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna assembly is further configured to be detachably coupled to a second encoder electronics assembly, the second encoder electronics assembly being different from the encoder electronics assembly in one or more of type, size and structure.

Assignees

• Brown Anthony
• Tsirline Boris Y
• Schwan Martin
• Torchalski Karl
• Zwier Tom
• Donato Daniel F
• Zih Corp

Inventors

• Brown Anthony
• Tsirline Boris Y
• Schwan Martin
• Torchalski Karl
• Zwier Tom
• Donato Daniel F

Classifications

• B41J3/44 Primary

  Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions · CPC title