PORTABLE LAP COUNTER AND SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard), comprising:
- a vertical element supporting an internal RFID tuner component above the surface on which the bollard rests;
a base element providing stability to the vertical element; and
a plurality of components located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the components comprising;
a power system providing power to the powered components of the bollard;
a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an event in which the bollard is participating;
a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within RFID communication range of the bollard; and
a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communications between the bollard and an operator console.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A highly portable, vertically-standing RFID tag reader, referred to as a “bollard,” is presented. The bollard includes a vertical element supporting an internal RFID tuner component above the surface on which the bollard rests. Additionally, each bollard includes a base element that provides vertical stability to the vertical element and a plurality of internal components. The internal components include the following: a power system, a processor, a tuner component, and a wireless interface. The power system provides power to the powered components of the bollard. The processor directs and/or executes the functions of the bollard with regard to an event in which the bollard is configured to participate. The tuner component is configured to read RFID tags that come within RFID communication range of the bollard. The wireless interface component is configured to provide wireless communications between the bollard and an operator console.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard), comprising:
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a vertical element supporting an internal RFID tuner component above the surface on which the bollard rests; a base element providing stability to the vertical element; and a plurality of components located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the components comprising; a power system providing power to the powered components of the bollard; a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an event in which the bollard is participating; a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within RFID communication range of the bollard; and a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communications between the bollard and an operator console. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard), comprising:
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a vertical element supporting an internal RFID tuner component above the surface on which the bollard rests; a base element providing stability to the vertical element; and a plurality of components located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the components comprising; a power system providing power to the powered components of the bollard comprising a power management component, a battery, and an AC connection for connecting to an external AC power source, and wherein the power system is configured to supply power to the bollard from either the external AC power source or the battery; a processor for directing and/or executing the functions of the bollard with regard to one or more events in which the bollard is participating; a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within RFID communication range of the bollard; an environmental sensors component for determining environmental conditions affecting the bollard or its components; and a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communications between the bollard and an operator console; wherein the bollard records information of RFID tags that are read by the tuner component and that correspond to at least one event in which the bollard is participating; and wherein the bollard reports the recorded information to an operator console via the wireless interface.
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11. An event tracking system for tracking participants in an event using an RFID tag, the event tracking system comprising:
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a plurality of highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag readers (bollards) for recording the RFID tags of event participants; an operator console for managing an event and its participants according to the information recorded by the plurality of bollards; and a base station, wherein the base station is communicatively coupled to the operator console, and wherein the base station is communicatively coupled to at least some of the plurality of bollards via wireless communications. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification