Method and apparatus for identifying bulk goods, preferably roll-like bulk goods

• US 20010038333A1
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Published: 11/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lauri Sydanheimo, Mikko Keskilammi
• Original Assignee: Lauri Sydanheimo, Mikko Keskilammi
• Inventors: Keskilammi, Mikko, Sydanheimo, Lauri
• Granted Patent: US 6,819,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the identification of bulk goods, in which method a radiation midpoint (3) of a directed radiation beam (5) in a radio frequency reader antenna (1) is moving and it perpendicularly identifies an object, and that a radio frequency identification device (12) arranged in the bulk goods to be identified uses an intelligent algorithm to direct the radiation beam (5) of its antennas (13) towards the radio frequency reader antenna (1). The method enables reliable identification of bulk goods in a dark, dusty and misty environment and from any direction.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for the identification of bulk goods, the apparatus comprising a radio frequency reader (1), a radiation midpoint (3) of a directed radiation beam (5) in which is arranged to move and to perpendicularly identify an object, and a radio frequency identification device (12) in the bulk goods arranged to use an intelligent algorithm to direct the radiation beam (5) of its antennas (13) towards the radio frequency reader antenna (1).

Claims

1. A method for the identification of bulk goods, preferably the identification of roll-like bulk goods, in which method a radio frequency reader antenna (1) is used to identify a radio frequency identification device (12, 22) arranged in the bulk goods, characterized in that a radiation midpoint (3) of a directed radiation beam (5) of the radio frequency reader antenna (1) is moving, that said midpoint (3) is used for perpendicular identification of an object to be identified, and that the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) arranged in the bulk goods uses an intelligent algorithm to direct the radiation beam (5) of its radiating antenna elements (13, 23) towards the radio frequency reader antenna (1).

2. A method as claimed in

claim 1

, characterized in that the intelligent algorithm of the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) is used to identify the direction from which the transmission of the radio frequency reader (1) is coming, and the intelligent algorithm is used to transmit a new transmission back in said direction.

3. A method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the feed of the radio frequency reader antenna (1) is changed to shift the radiation midpoint (3) on the axis of the radio frequency reader antenna (1).

4. A method as claimed in any one of

claims 1

to

3

, characterized in that the direction of the radiation beam (5) is changed with respect to the axis of the radio frequency reader antenna (1).

5. A method as claimed in any one of

claims 1

to

4

, characterized in that amplifying antenna arrays or the like system is used for creating the radiation beam (5).

6. An apparatus for the identification of bulk goods, preferably roll-like bulk goods, the apparatus comprising a radio frequency reader (1) and a radio frequency identification device (12, 22) arranged in the bulk goods, characterized in that a radiation midpoint (3) of a directed radiation beam (5) of the radio frequency reader antenna is arranged to move, that said radiation midpoint (3) is arranged to perpendicularly identify an object to be identified, and that the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) arranged in the bulk goods is arranged to use an intelligent algorithm to direct the radiation beam (5) of its radiating antenna elements (13, 23) towards the radio frequency reader antenna (1).

7. An apparatus as claimed in

claim 6

, characterized in that the distance between the radio frequency reader (1) and the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) in the object to be identified remains as short as possible.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claims 6 and 7, characterized in that at least one radiating antenna element (13, 23) is arranged in the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) in the object to be identified.

9. An apparatus as claimed in

claim 8

, characterized in that the radiating antenna elements (13, 23) of the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) in the object to be identified are arranged around the cylinder axis of the roll-like bulk goods.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of

claims 6

to

9

, characterized in that the angle of the radiation beam (5) of the radio frequency reader antenna (1) with respect to the antenna (1) is arranged fixed or variable.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of

claims 6

to

9

, characterized in that the antenna (1) or the antenna array (2) of the radio frequency reader is arranged omnidirectional, directional or amplifying.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of

claims 6

to

9

, characterized in that the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) is arranged passive or active.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of

claims 6

to

9

, characterized in that the radiating antenna element (13, 23) of the radio frequency identification device (12, 22) is arranged omnidirectional, directional or amplifying.