SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERROGATOR MULTIPLE RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION ENABLED DOCUMENTS

• US 20080084275A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartrac Technology Fletcher, Inc. (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Neology Incorporated (OEP Technologie BV)
• Inventors: Monsalvo, Rodolfo, Liu, Jun, Azevedo, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,098,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07796 arrangements on the record carrier to allow stacking of a plurality of similar record carriers, e.g. to avoid interference between the non-contact communication of the plurality of record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• 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 7/10029 the collision being resolved in the time domain, e.g. using binary tree search or RFID responses allocated to a random time slot
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10039 interrogator driven, i.e. synchronous
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10475 arrangements to facilitate interaction with further interrogation devices, e.g. such that at least two interrogation devices may function and cooperate in a network of such devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0641 Change of the master or reference, e.g. take-over or failure of the master
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0266 Marks, test patterns or identification means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0268 for electrical inspection or testing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/142 Arrangements of planar printed circuit boards in the same plane, e.g. auxiliary printed circuit insert mounted in a main printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0909 Preformed cutting or breaking line
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09127 PCB or component having an integral separable or breakable part
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/30 Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor

Abstract

A multi-document read-write station provides the ability to read/write to a stack of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags within a small area. Specifically, the station provides the ability to read from and write to a tall stack of RFID tagged sheets with the RFID tags stacked one on top of the other. The station and capability described herein is the result of and comprises several components including a closed chamber comprising a document slot, an antenna system, and a power management system.

Claims

1. A system for communicating with a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags affixed to a plurality of documents, comprising:

a Radio Frequency (RF) radiating antenna for communicating via RF signals with the plurality of RFID tags;

a chamber comprising conductive walls, the chamber configured to maintain a high RF field strength; and

a slot within the chamber, the slot comprising no-conductive walls and an angled stop wall, the slot configured to hold the plurality of documents in a location such that the plurality of RFID tags are exposed to the high RF field strength and to create an offset between the RFID tags.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the chamber is configured to resonate at an operational frequency for the system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the radiating antenna is configured to receive RF signals from the plurality of RFID tags, and wherein the radiating antenna is configured to receive harmonic signals from the plurality of RFID tags.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a receive antenna configured to receive RF signals from the plurality of RFID tags, wherein the receive antenna is separate from the radiating antenna and positioned close to the plurality of RFID tags.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the receive antenna is configured to receive harmonic signals from the plurality of RFID tags.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of radiating antennas located at different locations within the chamber and around the slot.

7. The system of claim 1, configured to use multiple frequencies for communication with the plurality of RFID tags.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a transmit power for RF signals generated by the radiating antenna are cycled within a range.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit power for signals generated by the radiating antenna is determined based on the number of documents present in the slot.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising detuning pads positioned on the top or bottom of the slot.