Wrist mounted RFID reader and/or antenna

• US 20020044058A1
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Guillory, Winston V. Jr., Heinrich, Harley Kent
• Application Number:
  US09/929,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044058A1
• 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 7/10386 the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist

Abstract

An apparatus for scanning radio frequency identification (RFID) data from at least one RFID tag comprises a hands-free RFID reader that enables an operator to read or identify items having RFID tags without using the hands. The apparatus comprises a housing containing at least a portion of an RFID scanner. The housing can be affixed to a portion of an operator'"'"'s body, such as a hand or wrist, using a strap or other like attachment. The RFID scanner further comprises an antenna, a radio transmitter/receiver coupled to the antenna, and a processor adapted to control operation of the radio transmitter/receiver. In an embodiment of the invention, the housing contains the antenna, and the radio transmitter/receiver and processor are disposed externally of the housing. In another embodiment of the invention, the housing contains the antenna, the radio transmitter/receiver, and the processor. The housing may further contain a power source adapted to provide power for the RFID scanner. The RFID scanner may also be adapted to communicate the RFID data to an external system, such as via a wireless or infrared connection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for scanning radio frequency identification (RFID) data from at least one RFID tag, comprising:

a housing containing at least a portion of an RFID scanner; and

means for affixing the housing to a portion of an operator'"'"'s body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said RFID scanner further comprises an antenna, a radio transmitter/receiver coupled to the antenna, and a processor adapted to control operation of the radio transmitter/receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing contains said antenna, and said radio transmitter/receiver and processor are disposed externally of said housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing contains said antenna, said radio transmitter/receiver, and said processor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said housing further contains a power source adapted to provide power for said RFID scanner.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said affixing means further comprises a strap adapted to affix the housing to a wrist or hand of the operator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for communicating said RFID data to an external system.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said communicating means further comprises a wireless local area network.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said communicating means further comprises an infrared link.

10. A system for collecting radio frequency identification (RFID) data, comprising:

a housing containing at least a portion of an RFID scanner;

means for affixing the housing to a portion of an operator'"'"'s body; and

at least one RFID tag;

wherein, the RFID scanner is adapted to scan said at least one RFID tag when disposed in proximity to said housing.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said RFID scanner further comprises an antenna, a radio transmitter/receiver coupled to the antenna, and a processor adapted to control operation of the radio transmitter/receiver.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said housing contains said antenna, and said radio transmitter/receiver and processor are disposed externally of said housing.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said housing contains said antenna, said radio transmitter/receiver, and said processor.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said housing further contains a power source adapted to provide power for said RFID scanner.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said affixing means further comprises a strap adapted to affix the housing to a wrist or hand of the operator.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising means for communicating said RFID data to an external system.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said communicating means further comprises a wireless local area network.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said communicating means further comprises an infrared link.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein said RFID scanner automatically scans said at least one RFID tag without manual intervention by the operator.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein said RFID scanner scans said at least one RFID tag under command by the operator.