Antenna for Combined RFID Optical Imager

• US 20080180215A1
• Filed: 01/25/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novanta Corporation (Novanta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jadak Technologies, Inc. (Novanta Inc.)
• Inventors: Mott, Peter Earl
• Granted Patent: US 7,631,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

An antenna for use in connection with a combined RFID reader and optical imager. A printer circuit board having a wire loop positioned thereon and a hole formed therethrough is positioned in combination with an optical imager so that the imaging element of the optical imager may capture images through the hole. In addition, illuminating elements, such as LEDs may be provided on the printed circuit board to provide external or additional illumination of target objects. By positioning the antenna and optical imager in such a manner, the space required to implement optical imaging and RFID capabilities is improved and optical imaging and RFID interrogation may be more easily directed at a single object. In addition, extra illumination may be easily provided for improved imaging.

Claims

1. An antenna for a combined RFID reader and optical imager, comprising:

a substrate having a hole formed through an intermediate portion thereof;

at least one wire loop positioned on said substrate.

2. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising an illumination source positioned on said substrate.

3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein said plurality of wire coils surround said hole.

4. The antenna of claim 3, wherein said substrate is mounted on a second substrate.

5. The antenna of claim 4, wherein said second substrate comprises a printed circuit board including an optical imager and an RFID unit positioned thereon.

6. The antenna of claim 5, wherein said RFID unit is interconnected to said RFID antenna.

7. The antenna of claim 6, wherein said optical imager is interconnected to said illumination source.

8. A combined RFID reading and optical imaging system, comprising

a microcontroller positioned on a substrate;

an optical imager positioned on said substrate and interconnected to said microcontroller;

an RFID unit positioned on said substrate and interconnected to said microcontroller;

an antenna positioned on said substrate and interconnected to said RFID unit, said antenna having a having a hole formed through an intermediate portion thereof; and

wherein said optical imager is positioned to capture images through said hole.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising an illumination source positioned on said antenna.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said illumination source is interconnected to said optical imager.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said illumination source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said illumination source comprises at least one bank of light emitting diodes.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said imager includes a second, on-board illumination source.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein said antenna comprises at least one wire loop.

15. A method of providing RFID reading and optical imaging from a single module comprising an antenna having a hole formed therethrough, an optical imager, and an RFID unit, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning an object in proximity to said module;

capturing an image of said object through said hole in said antenna using said optical imager; and

interrogating said object using said RFID unit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said module further comprises an illumination source positioned on said antenna.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of illuminating said object prior to the step of capturing an image of said object.