METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING READ RANGE OF A PORTABLE RFID READER

• US 20100060420A1
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Psion PLC (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Psion Teklogix (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: STAGG, Adrian Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,174,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10217 parameter settings controlling the transmission power of the interrogator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication

Abstract

A method and system for controlling the read range of a portable RFID reader is provided. The system includes a trigger system including a mechanical actuator manually positionable by a user and a sensor for sensing the position of the actuator. The read range of the RFID reader is changed based on the sensing result.

Claims

1. A trigger system for operating an RFID reader comprising:

a mechanical actuator movably engaged with a portable housing for the RFID reader and manually movable by a user; and

a sensor system for sensing the movement of the actuator to change the read range of the RFID reader based on the position of the actuator.

2. A trigger system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a latch system for releasably latching the actuator in a plurality of positions.

3. A trigger system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a recover system for releasing the actuator from a latched position and returning the actuator to an original position.

4. A trigger system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a feedback system for generating tactile feedback for the user when the actuator is moved.

5. A trigger system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a body slidable along a path defined by a slot on the body, a plurality of notches being formed on the body;

a spring for moving the body in an original position; and

a latch connected to the housing and being latched in one of the notches, and wherein the sensor system comprises;

a plurality of magnetic elements provided in between the notches; and

a sensing device located in the housing for sensing a magnetic field of any one of the magnetic elements.

6. A trigger system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a body slidable along a path defined by a slot, a plurality of notches being formed on the body;

a spring for moving the body in an original position; and

a latch connected to the housing and being latched in one of the notches, and wherein the sensor system comprises;

a plurality of mechanical switches, each of which is activated by the movement of the actuator.

7. A portable terminal for an RFID operation, comprising:

a housing for enclosing an RFID reader, the housing including a handle hold by a user;

a mechanical actuator movably engaged with the handle and manually movable by the user; and

a read range control system for controlling the read range of the RFID reader based on the position of the actuator.

8. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the read range control system comprises:

a sensor for sensing the position of the actuator.

9. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 7, comprising:

a recover mechanism for positioning the actuator in an original position when the user releases the actuator.

10. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the read range control system controls RF output power of the RFID reader.

11. A portable terminal for an RFID operation comprising:

an RFID reader for reading an RFID tag;

a trigger system for operating the read range of the RFID reader; and

a housing for enclosing the RFID reader and the trigger system, the housing including a handle hold by a user;

the trigger system including;

a mechanical actuator manually movable by the user holding the handle; and

a sensor system for sensing the position of the actuator to change the read range of the RFID reader based on the position of the actuator.

12. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the trigger system comprises:

a latch system for releasably latching the actuator in a plurality of positions.

13. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 12, wherein the trigger system comprises:

a recover system for releasing the actuator from a latched position and returning the actuator to an original position.

14. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the trigger system comprises:

a feedback system for generating tactile feedback for the user when the actuator is moved.

15. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises:

a body slidable along a path defined by a slot on the body, a plurality of notches being formed on the body;

a spring for moving the body in an original position; and

a latch connected to the housing and being latched in one of the notches, and wherein the sensor system comprises;

a plurality of magnetic elements provided in between the notches; and

a sensing device located in the housing for sensing a magnetic field of any one of the magnetic elements.

16. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises:

a body slidable along a path defined by a slot, a plurality of notches being formed on the body;

a spring for moving the body in an original position; and

a latch connected to the housing and being latched in one of the notches, and wherein the sensor system comprises;

a plurality of mechanical switches, each of which is activated by the movement of the actuator,

17. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

an attenuator for attenuating an RF signal based on the position of the actuator.

18. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

an amplifier for amplifying an RF signal, the amount of power supplied to the RF amplifier being changed based on the position of the actuator.

19. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

an amplifier for amplifying an RF signal, the amount of RF output power from the amplifier being changed based on the position of the actuator.

20. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

a digitally controlled attenuator for attenuation of RF output based on the position of the actuator.

21. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

a register for digitally changing the read range of the RFID reader based on the position of the actuator.

22. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 12, wherein the trigger system comprises:

a counter for counting a current latched position of the actuator from an original position of the actuator, based on the output from the sensor.

23. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

an indicator for providing to the user an indication associated with the read range of the RFID reader.

24. A portable terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the handle forms a pistol grip so that the handle is hold by the user and the actuator is operable by the user.

25. A method for an RFID operation, comprising:

sensing a position of a movable mechanical actuator, the actuator being manually locatable in a plurality of positions defined by a housing of a portable RFID reader; and

changing the read range of the RFID reader based on the position of the actuator.