Reconfigurable and replaceable RFID antenna network

• US 20060125638A1
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker US Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Marino, Ronald A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,319,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.700
• 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 7/10178 including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field comparable booster antennas integrated on the record carrier itself G06K19/07794
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil

Abstract

An RFID reader system for tracking and locating RFID tags is described, along with an antenna suitable for use in this system, and an antenna configuration apparatus for use in this system. The system offers an antenna configuration that is cost-effective and easily reconfigurable, in which antennas with integral tuning components can be moved or replaced with antennas of a similar or different format. An end user is therefore able to easily reconfigure his or her platform in the field, in order to account for different products or different product orientations. Specific orientations of the reader antennae will furthermore increase system functionality by permitting multiple tag locations on the product.

Claims

1. A signaling unit for use by an RFID reader or writer, comprising:

a foundation;

an antenna on the foundation; and

an attaching device for removably attaching the signaling unit to a piece that is communicatively connected to the RFID reader or writer,

wherein the foundation includes a printed circuit board, a wire structure, or a hybrid of the printed circuit board and the wire structure.

2. The signaling unit of claim 1:

wherein the signaling device has connect and disconnect functionality that is activated by pushing, pressing, or pulling the signaling unit.

3. The signaling unit of claim 1, wherein the signaling unit has a second attaching device for removably attaching the signaling unit in a different orientation relative to the piece.

4. An antenna configuration apparatus, for connecting a plurality of signaling units to at least one RFID reader or writer, comprising:

a plurality of pieces that are communicatively connected to the at least one RFID reader or writer; and

a base for supporting the plurality of pieces,

wherein each of the plurality of pieces is dimensioned for removably attaching to at least one of the plurality of signaling units.

5. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least two of the plurality of pieces are dimensioned and arranged to allow removable attachment with respective signaling units having different orientations with respect to each other.

6. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 5, wherein the different orientations are at angles to each other.

7. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 4, further comprising the plurality of signaling units,

wherein the plurality of signaling units include a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit having substantially different arrangements from each other.

8. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the arrangements are different at least in that the first signaling unit only has an attaching device located at a shorter side of the first signaling unit, but the second signaling unit only has an attaching device located at a longer side of the second signaling unit.

9. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the arrangements are different at least in that the first signaling unit is configured for operating at a different frequency from the second signaling unit.

10. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of pieces is dimensioned and arranged to allow attachment with one of the signaling units at a right angle to the base.

11. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one other of the plurality of pieces is dimensioned and arranged to allow attachment with one of the signaling units at an angle from the base that is substantially different from a right angle.

12. The antenna configuration apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of pieces is dimensioned for permanently attaching to at least one of the plurality of signaling units.

13. A system for tracking and locating RFID tags, comprising:

a reader unit;

a switch matrix including single pole multiple throw switches;

a plurality of reconfigurable and replaceable antennae; and

a controller for communicating with the reader and for controlling a state of the switch matrix.

14. The system of claim 13,

wherein the reconfigurable and replaceable antennae are located at multiple points within a shelf or multiple shelves,

wherein the RFID tags are attached to items located on the shelf or multiple shelves, and

wherein the reader unit uses the reconfigurable and replaceable antennae to communicate with the RFID tags.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein at least two of the reconfigurable and replaceable antennae are removably attached to a single antenna configuration apparatus.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising at least two antenna configuration apparatus, each of which is removably attached to at least two of the reconfigurable and replaceable antennae.