Systems and methods of distributed printing for use with automated robotic sorting

    公开(公告)号:US11338330B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-24

    申请号:US16726158

    申请日:2019-12-23

    发明人: Mark Roth

    摘要: A system of distributed printing for use with automated robotic sorting has at least one work cell including a robotic sorting station, and a plurality of locations that receive sorted items from the robotic sorting station, with each of the plurality of locations having a separate printer. Each printer is configured to print labels related to items received by the respective location, wherein the printers in the work cell are configured in a network that receives data relating to the labels to be printed in the respective locations. Also included is a method of using the system and operating the automated robotic sorting station to place items in the plurality of locations, and sending data to the work cell relating to the labels to be printed in the respective plurality of locations by the separate printers and in association with the items received by the respective plurality of locations.

    Vibratory feeder systems for RFID elements

    公开(公告)号:US10685273B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-06-16

    申请号:US15288212

    申请日:2016-10-07

    发明人: Ian Forster

    摘要: Systems and methods for processing RFID element or chip components allow for the use of relatively common and inexpensive vibratory feeder handling equipment that require a much lower capital cost than systems incorporating technology such as flip chipping or direct punching down approaches. Instead, vibratory feeders provide feed handling equipment for the RFID element or chip components, which are subsequently fed and combined with RFID antennas in forming RFID devices such as RFID tags. The RFID chips are formed on or of non-silicon substrates such as printed parts. These substrates are relatively flexible, of materials such as polymeric sheets or other plastics. A stream of the RFID components is presented at a transfer station to an ordered series of RFID antennas, with the RFID components and antennas being combined in forming RFID devices.

    RFID devices configured for direct interaction

    公开(公告)号:US10657334B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-05-19

    申请号:US14107560

    申请日:2013-12-16

    发明人: Ian James Forster

    IPC分类号: G06K7/10 G06K19/073 H03K17/96

    摘要: An RFID tag is provided with an RFID chip and an antenna and interactive switch electrically coupled to the RFID chip. When a user physically interacts with the switch (such as by pressing the switch with a finger), the antenna transmits an input signal to an RFID reader of an RFID-based control system. The RFID reader, in turn, transmits a control signal to an electronic device for controlling the device. The RFID tag may be incorporated into any of a number of devices, such as a keyboard or article of clothing, and can function to operate a variety of electronic devices, including audio-visual devices and gaming systems.

    Detection of seal integrity on products using RFID

    公开(公告)号:US10565411B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-02-18

    申请号:US16225787

    申请日:2018-12-19

    发明人: Ian J. Forster

    摘要: A system and method for determining and communicating the status of a sealable container. The system comprises a seal status detection component that is positioned adjacent to or on a lid comprising a deflectable component. The lid engages the sealable container to form a seal. The seal status detection component moves between a first state of operation where there is a gap between the seal status detection component and the deflectable component of the lid, and a second state of operation where the seal status detection component is adjacent to or in contact with the deflectable component of the lid. The seal status detection component has a first frequency response to interrogation by a reader when the seal is intact, and a second frequency response when the seal is broken.

    Method of assembly of articles and intermediate created thereby

    公开(公告)号:US10546224B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-01-28

    申请号:US14089907

    申请日:2013-11-26

    发明人: Ian James Forster

    IPC分类号: G06K19/077

    摘要: An assembly method for first and second articles is disclosed. A first substrate with a plurality of first articles and a second substrate with a plurality of second articles are selected. The articles on the flexible substrate webs with different pitches are assembled together by displacing portions between the first articles of one web out of plane to move the first articles on that web to the same shorter pitch as the second articles on the other web, aligning the two webs to register corresponding first and second articles on the two webs, and assembling the corresponding articles together. The assembly may be used for example in the making of RFID tags, labels and inlays.