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Rfid system and associated antenna-couplerRfid system and associated antenna-coupler description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080074269, Rfid system and associated antenna-coupler. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/826,489 filed Sep. 21, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention generally relates to systems configured to print indicia on a surface of a smart media and communicate data to and from an associated transponder of the smart media and, in particularly, to spatially selective antenna-couplers of such systems capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of adjacent transponders. [0004]2. Description of Related Art [0005]Printers are used to print text, graphics, and other indicia on a variety of media, including media having data storage devices such as magnetic strips, memory components, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, barcodes, optical devices, and the like. For purposes of the present invention and appended claims the term "information card" shall refer to a printable media that is adapted to convey and/or contain information. A credit card is an exemplary information card that conveys information in the form of printed indicia and contains information that is stored as data on a magnetic strip. This data is retrieved simply by swiping the card's magnetic strip in front of a reader as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. [0006]Smart cards are information cards having a memory for storing data and a device for accessing the memory. Contactless smart cards use an antenna or other similar devices to communicate wirelessly with a reader. Other types of smart cards communicate with a reader based on direct electrical contact between conductors or "contacts" defined on the card (e.g., copper or gold plated contacts) and similar conductors disposed on the reader. [0007]The printed information conveyed by an information card is typically created during printing operations that are distinct from the encoding operations used to write data to the information card's memory. For example, a blank information card may be fed through a printer to print text, graphics, barcodes, etc., to either side or both sides of the information card. Data is conventionally written to the card memory before or after such printing operations. In this regard, the same printer can be used for printing various cards, regardless of the type of encoding to be performed. Similarly, a single electronic communication device or reader can be used to encode various cards, regardless of the type of printing to be performed. However, separate operations for printing and encoding can increase the time and expense necessary to manufacture information cards. Further, care must be taken to ensure that the printed and electronically encoded information for each card correspond to one another. Said differently, if the cards are taken out of order between the printing and encoding operations, such cards may inadvertently receive printed information that was intended for a first card type and electronic data that was intended for a different card type. In addition, different printing and encoding devices typically require separate electrical connections to one or more host computers that generally control such devices through multiple communication ports. [0008]Separate printing and encoding operations are typically controlled by a host computer using separate software for controlling each of the different operations. For example, if a change in the printing operation is to be effected, an operator typically accesses a first software program on the host computer. To make a change to the encoding operation, the operator instead accesses a second software program on the computer. This can complicate the operator's role, possibly increasing the time required for making changes or verifying an operation and also increasing the risk of operator error. [0009]Thus, there exists a need for a printer/encoder that addresses the deficiencies noted above and achieves multiple other benefits as will be described in greater detail below. SUMMARY [0010]The present invention may address some of the deficiencies discussed above by providing a system that may be configured to print and encode media, such as cards with associated transponders. More specifically, the system may include a transceiver and a near field antenna-coupler for communicating with the associated transponders. [0011]For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The system may include a transponder conveyance, a transceiver, and an antenna-coupler. The transponder conveyance is adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder operating region. The transceiver is configured to generate one or more electrical signals. The antenna-coupler has first and second microstrips in a cross-like arrangement relative to each other. Each of the first and second microstrips is configured to transmit one or more electromagnetic fields concentrated in a near-field region of the antenna-coupler based on the one or more electrical signals for communicating with the targeted transponder. [0012]The antenna-coupler may further include a first port in communication with both of the first and second microstrips such that both of the first and second microstrips receive the one or more electrical signals concurrently. Or the system may further include a switch for sending the one or more electrical signals from the transceiver to either one of the first and second microstrips. In other words, the switch may be used to activate only one of the microstrips such that only one is transmitting the electromagnetic fields or both microstrips may be activated such that both are transmitting electromagnetic fields. [0013]According to an embodiment, the first and second microstrips are spaced apart and separated by the at least one substrate. In another embodiment, the first and second microstrips are substantially co-planer and the first microstrip further includes a first section, a second section, and a bridge. The first section extends from a first end of the first microstrip to approximately the second microstrip. The second section extends from approximately the second microstrip to a second end of the first microstrip. And the first and second sections are linked through the bridge that extends around the second microstrip such that the first and second microstrips do not intersect. [0014]The antenna-coupler may further include a first resistive load for terminating the first microstrip and a second resistive load for terminating the second microstrip. The first microstrip defines a characteristic impedance which may be less than the first resistive load. Similarly, the second microstrip defines a characteristic impedance which may be less than the second resistive load. [0015]Each of the first and second microstrips has a tapered profile. For example, the tapered profile may be a modified bow-tie. Each of the first and second microstrips defines a length. According to an embodiment, the length is substantially equal to a multiple of one half a wavelength of an operational frequency of the antenna-coupler. The operational frequency of the antenna-coupler may be selected from a range of frequencies from 300 MHz to 3 GHz or from a range of frequencies from 860 MHz to 960 GHz. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) [0016]Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: [0017]FIG. 1 is a section view schematically illustrating a printer according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary media card that can be processed with a printing and reading/writing operation of the printer of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a printer having a reject tray according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0020]FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a printer according to another embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Rfid system and associated antenna-coupler... Full patent description for Rfid system and associated antenna-coupler Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Rfid system and associated antenna-coupler patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Rfid system and associated antenna-coupler or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and system for standing wave detection for radio frequency identification marker readers Next Patent Application: Radio frequency transponders having three-dimensional antennas Industry Class: Communications: electrical ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Rfid system and associated antenna-coupler patent info. 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