Communicating with stackable objects using an antenna array
First Claim
1. A slot antenna array that is excited by a communication signal to determine the number of stacked objects, comprising:
- a conductive section having a top end and a bottom end; and
said conductive section having a plurality of slots substantially the same length and filled with a non-conductive material; and
said plurality of slots are individually excited with the communication signal to determine the number of the stacked objects.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a transmission device that is coupled to an antenna array on a transportation device to wirelessly communicate with stacked objects and or devices containing wireless communication devices during their transport and/or storage. The transportation device contains a moveable member that may be lowered or raised to move and/or store stacked objects. The transmission device is placed on the moveable member and is coupled to an antenna array on the moveable member to selectively communicate with the stacked objects individually. The transmission device also uses an antenna array or proximity sensors to determine the height and/or number of stacked objects on the moveable member and to determine if a wireless communication device on a stacked object is operational.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A slot antenna array that is excited by a communication signal to determine the number of stacked objects, comprising:
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a conductive section having a top end and a bottom end; and
said conductive section having a plurality of slots substantially the same length and filled with a non-conductive material; and
said plurality of slots are individually excited with the communication signal to determine the number of the stacked objects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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12. An interrogation reader and antenna system adapted to individually communicate with stacked objects, comprising:
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an antenna array having a plurality of antennas;
a switch; and
a communication electronics that provides energy to said switch;
said switch coupled to said antenna array to selectively excite one or more of said antennas in said antenna array corresponding to select ones of said plurality of slots.
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33. A cargo transportation communication system adapted to transport one or more objects having wireless communication devices, comprising:
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a moveable arm adapted to carry one or more wireless communication devices;
an interrogation reader attached to said movable arm;
an antenna array attached to said moveable arm and aligned in the same direction as the objects; and
said interrogation reader coupled to said antenna array to form one or more antennas to communicate with said objects. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40)
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39. A forklift adapted to carry one or more stacked pallets containing wireless communication devices, comprising:
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a body;
at least one moveable arm that moves with respect to said body and is attached to said body to carry the pallets;
a interrogation reader attached to one of said at least moveable one arm; and
an antenna array attached to said one of said at least one moveable arm;
said interrogation reader coupled to said antenna array to form one or more antennas to communicate with the stacked pallets.
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41. A method of communicating with stacked objects containing wireless communication devices, comprising the steps of:
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activating a switch to provide a coupling to at least antenna in an antenna array;
exciting said at least antenna with energy; and
radiating the energy from said at least antenna to the stacked objects. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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47. A method of communicating with stacked objects containing a wireless communication device, comprising the steps of:
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sensing the height of the stacked objects using a proximity sensor; and
exciting a number of antennas in an antenna array arranged in relation to the height of the stacked objects to communicate to the wireless communication devices on the stacked objects.
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52. A method of determining the height of stacked objects containing wireless communication devices, comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a first slot in a plurality of slots aligned in a vertical direction;
(b) radiating energy from said selected slot to the wireless communication device;
(c) receiving a signal from the wireless communication device in response to the radiated energy; and
(d) selecting the next slot in said plurality of slots and repeat steps (b)-(c) for each said next slot until all slots in said plurality of slots are selected.
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Specification