Rfid uhf stripline antenna-coupler

Abstract

A system having a multi-coupler array is provided. Each coupler is configured to communicate with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The couplers may each include one or more conductive strips, at least one terminating load, a dielectric material, a first ground plane, and a second ground plane. Each of the conductive strips can extend between the first and second ground planes and the dielectric material from an input end connected to a transceiver to a loaded end connected to the terminating load. The conductive strips may be configured to propagate electromagnetic fields concentrated in a near field region of the conductive strips in a direction generally perpendicular to the conductive strips to couple with a targeted transponder. The coupler may include an enclosure for directing the electromagnetic fields. The conductive strip may have a tapered or non-linear profile such as a modified bow-tie profile.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A coupler array for an RFID enabled system having a media conveyance system configured to transport media units that each include at least one transponder along a feed path in a feed direction, the coupler array comprising:
 a plurality of couplers for transmitting signals to one or more transponders in the feed path, wherein the plurality of couplers includes a first coupler located at a first position relative to the feed path and a second coupler located at a second position relative to the feed path, the first position is at a different location than the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The coupler array of  claim 1  further comprising at least a third coupler at a third position relative to the feed path, the third position is at a different location than the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The coupler array of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler has a first orientation and the second coupler has a second orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The coupler array of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first orientation and the second orientation is parallel to the feed direction of the feed path. 
     
     
         5 . The coupler array of  claim 4 , wherein the first orientation is rotated at a 45° angel relative to the second orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The coupler array of  claim 4 , wherein the first orientation is rotated at a 90° angel relative to the second orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The coupler array of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first orientation and the second orientation is at an angle between 0° and 90° relative to the feed direction of the feed path. 
     
     
         8 . The coupler array of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of couplers includes at least one stripline coupler. 
     
     
         9 . The coupler array of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of couplers includes at least one microstrip coupler 
     
     
         10 . The coupler array of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of couplers is selectively activated to communicate with a targeted transponder. 
     
     
         11 . The coupler array of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler is configured to communicate with a first transponder in a first media unit of the media units and the second coupler is configured to communicate with a second transponder in a second media unit of the media units, the first transponder and second transponder having different orientations relative to the feed direction of the feed path. 
     
     
         12 . The coupler array of  claim 1 , wherein at least one coupler is selectively activated based on an orientation of a targeted transponder. 
     
     
         13 . The coupler array of  claim 1 , wherein at least one coupler of the plurality of couplers is activated to communicate with a targeted transponder having a similar orientation to the feed path as the coupler. 
     
     
         14 . A printer comprising:
 a media conveyance system configured to transport media units that each include at least one transponder along a feed path in a feed direction; and   a coupler array comprising:
 a plurality of couplers for transmitting signals to the transponders in the feed path, wherein the plurality of couplers includes a first coupler located at a first position relative to the feed path and a second coupler located at a second position relative to the feed path, the first position is different than the second position. 
   
     
     
         15 . The printer of  claim 14  further comprising a third coupler at a third position relative to the feed path that is different than the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         16 . The printer of  claim 14 , wherein the first coupler has a first orientation and the second coupler has a second orientation, and at least one of the first orientation and the second orientation is parallel to the feed direction of the feed path. 
     
     
         17 . The printer of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of couplers is selectively activated to communicate with a targeted transponder. 
     
     
         18 . The printer of  claim 14 , wherein the first coupler is configured to communicate with a first transponder in a first media unit of the media units and the second coupler is configured to communicate with a second transponder in a second media unit of the media units, the first transponder and second transponder having different orientations relative to the feed direction of the feed path. 
     
     
         19 . The printer of  claim 14 , wherein at least one coupler is selectively activated based on an orientation of a targeted transponder. 
     
     
         20 . The printer of  claim 14  further comprising a printhead configured to print indicia onto the media units.