Interface antenna
First Claim
1. An interface antenna for increasing a distance over which a tag can communicate with a reader, wherein, when the interface antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with the tag and a reader antenna associated with the reader, the interface antenna receives an electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna and causes an increase in intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna, thereby increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interface antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with a tag and a reader antenna associated with a reader. The interface antenna receives an electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna and causes an increase in intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna, thereby increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the interface antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader external to the package. For example, the interface antenna may be attached to a label on the package. At least a portion of the interface antenna may be formed from a conductive ink applied to the label and/or the container. The object may be a module, also known as a customer replaceable unit (CRU), and the tag may be configured as a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM).
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Citations
31 Claims
- 1. An interface antenna for increasing a distance over which a tag can communicate with a reader, wherein, when the interface antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with the tag and a reader antenna associated with the reader, the interface antenna receives an electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna and causes an increase in intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna, thereby increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader.
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11. A package for an object, the object having a tag associated therewith for wirelessly communicating data with a reader external to the package, the package including:
an interface antenna for increasing a distance over which the tag can communicate with a reader, wherein, when the interface antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with the tag and a reader antenna associated with the reader, the interface antenna receives an electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna and causes an increase in intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna, thereby increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- 17. A label having an interface antenna attached thereto for increasing a distance over which a tag can communicate with a reader, wherein, when the interface antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with the tag and a reader antenna associated with the reader, the interface antenna receives an electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna and causes an increase in intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna, thereby increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader.
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19. A method for increasing a distance over which a tag can communicate with a reader, the method comprising:
positioning an interface antenna between a tag antenna associated with the tag and a reader antenna associated with the reader, wherein the interface antenna receives an electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna and causes an increase in intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna, thereby increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A module installable in a machine, the module having:
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a tag antenna associated therewith, the tag including a tag antenna coupled to an integrated circuit device having data related to the module stored therein, the tag being configured to superimpose the data from the integrated circuit device onto an electromagnetic carrier signal received by the tag antenna; and
an interface antenna associated therewith, the interface antenna being configured to increase an intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification