Modular RFID antenna system

• US 20020041233A1
• Filed: 08/08/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech S.r.l. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Escort Memory Systems (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Nicholson, Mark R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,445,297 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2485 Simultaneous detection of multiple EAS tags
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

A modular radio frequency identification device (RFID) antenna system including a plurality of modular RFID antenna segments that can be connected in multiple configurations to allow multi-directional RF communication with at least one RF tag that passes through the field of the antenna system from different directions and at different orientations and a configuration system to design, order, configure, test and operate the modular RFID antenna system.

Claims

1. A modular RFID antenna system, comprising;

a plurality of modular antenna segments, each of said plurality of antenna segments adapted to transmit and receive at least one RF signal from at least one RF tag,

said antenna segments being removably connectable to form a plurality of antenna system configurations, at least a first of said plurality of antenna system configurations providing a first antenna field, said first antenna field providing substantially multi-directional RF transmission and receipt of said RF signal.

2. The modular antenna system of claim 1, wherein said antenna system includes configuration means, said configuration means including design means for designing at least a first one of said plurality of antenna system configurations, design validation means to validate said design of said first antenna system configuration, and configuration means for providing at least one assembly drawing and the control parameters for said first antenna system configuration, said configuration means including control means for controlling the operation of said first antenna system configuration after assembly.

3. The modular antenna system of claim 2, wherein said configuration means further includes test means for testing said assembled first antenna system configuration.

4. The modular antenna system of claim 2, wherein said configuration means includes memory means for storing at least a plurality of different said antenna segments, said plurality of antenna system configurations, and control parameters for said plurality of antenna system configurations.

5. A configuration system for a modular RFID antenna system, said antenna system including a plurality of antenna segments assembled to form an antenna system configuration, comprising;

design means for designing said antenna system configuration, said design means including means for selecting said plurality of antenna segments;

design validation means to validate said design of said antenna system configuration; and

configuration means for providing at least one assembly drawing for said antenna system configuration and the control parameters for said RFID antenna system, said configuration means including test means for testing said RFID antenna system, control means for controlling the operation of said RFID antenna system, and memory means for storing at least the control parameters for said control of said antenna system.

6. A modular RFID antenna system, comprising;

a plurality of modular antenna segments, each of said plurality of antenna segments adapted to transmit and receive at least one RF signal from at least one RF tag,

said antenna segments being removably connectable to form a plurality of antenna system configurations, at least a first of said plurality of antenna system configurations providing a first antenna field, said first antenna field providing substantially multi-directional RF transmission and receipt of said RF signal; and

configuration means, said configuration means including design means for designing at least a first one of said plurality of antenna system configurations, design validation means to validate said design of said first antenna system configuration, and configuration means for providing at least one assembly drawing and the control parameters for said first antenna system configuration, said configuration means including control means for controlling the operation of said first antenna system configuration after assembly.

7. The modular antenna system of claim 6, wherein said configuration means further includes test means for testing said assembled first antenna system configuration.

8. The modular antenna system of claim 7, wherein said configuration means includes memory means for storing at least a plurality of different said antenna segments, said plurality of antenna system configurations, and control parameters for said plurality of antenna system configurations.