RFID conveyor system
First Claim
1. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
- a frame;
a conveyor that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
a first antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass in the path of travel;
a second antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the second antenna receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items, wherein each first response includes information that identifies a class protocol of the radio frequency identification tag from which said first response is received;
a third antenna disposed proximate the path of travel downstream from the first antenna and the second antenna so that the third antenna radiates second radio frequency signals into a second area through which the items pass in the path of travel;
a fourth antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the fourth antenna receives second responses to the second radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items;
at least one radio frequency transmitter that drives the first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the third antenna to emit the second radio frequency signals into the second area;
at least one radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the second antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the information, and receives signals from the fourth antenna corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses; and
a processor that receives the first output signals and controls the at least one transmitter to drive the third antenna responsively to the first output signals.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A first antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass. A second antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the second antenna receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags. The information identifies a class protocol. A third antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel downstream from the first antenna and the second antenna. A fourth antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the fourth antenna receives second responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags. A transmitter drives the first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the third antenna to emit second radio frequency signals into a second area. A radio frequency receiver receives signals from the second antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the information. The receiver receives signals from the fourth antenna corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses. A processor receives the first output signals and controls the transmitter to drive the third antenna responsively to the first output signals.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
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a frame;
a conveyor that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
a first antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass in the path of travel;
a second antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the second antenna receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items, wherein each first response includes information that identifies a class protocol of the radio frequency identification tag from which said first response is received;
a third antenna disposed proximate the path of travel downstream from the first antenna and the second antenna so that the third antenna radiates second radio frequency signals into a second area through which the items pass in the path of travel;
a fourth antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the fourth antenna receives second responses to the second radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items;
at least one radio frequency transmitter that drives the first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the third antenna to emit the second radio frequency signals into the second area;
at least one radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the second antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the information, and receives signals from the fourth antenna corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses; and
a processor that receives the first output signals and controls the at least one transmitter to drive the third antenna responsively to the first output signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
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a frame;
a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
at least one first antenna disposed proximate the belt so that the at least one first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt, wherein each first response includes first information that identifies a class protocol of the radio frequency identification tag from which said first response is received;
a plurality of second antennas disposed proximate the belt so that the second antennas radiate second radio frequency signals into a second area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass;
a plurality of third antennas disposed proximate the belt so that the third antennas receive second responses to the second radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt;
at least one radio frequency transmitter that drives the at least one first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the second antennas to emit the second radio frequency signals into the second area;
at least one radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the at least one first antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the first information, and receives signals from the third antennas corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses; and
a processor that receives the first output signals and controls the at least one transmitter to drive respective said second antennas in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other responsively to the first output signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
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a frame;
a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
at least one first antenna disposed proximate the belt so that the at least one first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt, wherein each first response includes first information that identifies a class protocol of the radio frequency identification tag from which said first response is received;
a plurality of second antennas disposed proximate the belt so that the second antennas radiate respective second radio frequency signals into a second area that is downstream from the first area with respect to the path of travel and that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and receive second responses to the second radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt, wherein each second response includes second information that identifies the radio frequency identification tag from which said second response is received;
at least one radio frequency transmitter that drives the at least one first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the second antennas to emit the second radio frequency signals into the second area;
at least one radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the at least one first antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the first information, and receives signals from the second antennas corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses and including the second information; and
a processor that is programmed to receive the first output signals and control the at least one transmitter to drive respective said second antennas in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other, wherein the predetermined sequence defines a plurality of class protocols for the second radio frequency signals, associate said second information included in a said second output signal with a first said item if the processor receives the second output signal from the at least one receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a third area that includes at least part of the second area, and when the first item is within the third area, eliminate from the predetermined sequence a first said class protocol of the plurality of class protocols if the first class protocol is not included in the first output signals corresponding to first responses from at least one radio frequency identification tag on the first item.
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Specification