RFID device detection system and method
First Claim
1. A method of detecting RFID devices, comprising:
- producing an RF electric field about a transmission line structure by sending an AC signal along at least two transmission lines of the transmission line structure;
powering the RFID devices using the RF electric field; and
detecting the RFID devices using a reader mechanically coupled to the transmission line structure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RFID device detection system includes a proximity locator, which generates an electric field for reading an antennaless RFID device, or for reading other, antennaed RFID devices. An antennaless RFID device includes non-antenna conductive leads coupled to a chip. The proximity locator includes one or more conductors forming a transmission line structure arranged to set up a strong RF electric field in proximity to the locator. The strong RF electric field may be a short- range field that provides significant RF energy only over a relatively short distance, when compared with traditional RF fields that are set up over a relatively large distance. The short-range RF field allows coupling to antennaed and antennaless RFID devices that are near to the proximity locator. The RFID device detection system may be employed in a variety of tasks, including inventory control and theft detection.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting RFID devices, comprising:
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producing an RF electric field about a transmission line structure by sending an AC signal along at least two transmission lines of the transmission line structure;
powering the RFID devices using the RF electric field; and
detecting the RFID devices using a reader mechanically coupled to the transmission line structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of tracking objects, comprising:
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placing respective RFID devices on each of the objects; and
electrically detecting when the objects are moved away from a proximity locator that is part of an RFID device detection system;
wherein the electrically detecting includes detecting the RFID devices using short-range coupling. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification