Intelligent station using multiple RF antennae and inventory control system and method incorporating same
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inventory control system and method that tracks inventories of items with RFID tags, includes a reader unit and an intelligent station that tracks RFID tags to determine item information of items to be inventoried. The reader unit transmits and receives RF signals. The intelligent station includes a first RF antenna connected to the reader unit by a first transmission cable through a first switch, and one or more additional RF antennae connected to the reader unit by the same first transmission cable through additional switches. An inventory control processing unit receives item information from the intelligent stations to update inventory information regarding the items to be inventoried.
119 Citations
108 Claims
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1-96. -96. (canceled)
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97. An RFID reader, comprising:
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a) a controller;
b) a transmitter for generating a transmitted RF signal operatively connected to said controller, said transmitter having an output;
c) a receiver for receiving a received RF signal operatively coupled to said controller, said receiver having an input;
d) a coupler operatively connected to said output of said transmitter and said input of said receiver;
e) at least one antenna for alternately radiating said transmitted RF signal and receiving said received RF signal operatively connected to said coupler;
f) means for sensing a loading condition of said at least one antenna and producing an output indicative of said loading condition; and
g) means for selectively altering tuning of said at least one antenna operatively connected thereto and responsive to said output of said means for sensing. - View Dependent Claims (98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108)
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Specification