PORTABLE LAP COUNTER AND SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard) for use in athletic events, the bollard comprising:
- a vertical element for supporting an internal RFID tuner component above a surface on which the bollard is placed during use;
a base element located at the bottom of the vertical element for providing stability to the vertical element when the bollard is placed on the surface; and
an internal RFID tuner component comprising a plurality of components all of which are located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the plurality of components including;
a power system for providing power to the powered components of the internal RFID tuner component;
a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an athletic event in which the bollard is participating;
a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within the RFID communication range of the bollard; and
a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communication to and from the bollard.
1 Assignment
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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) for use in athletic events, the bollard comprising:
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a vertical element for supporting an internal RFID tuner component above a surface on which the bollard is placed during use; a base element located at the bottom of the vertical element for providing stability to the vertical element when the bollard is placed on the surface; and an internal RFID tuner component comprising a plurality of components all of which are located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the plurality of components including; a power system for providing power to the powered components of the internal RFID tuner component; a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an athletic event in which the bollard is participating; a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within the RFID communication range of the bollard; and a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communication to and from the bollard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader for use in athletic events, the bollard comprising:
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a vertical element for supporting at least a portion of a RFID tuner component above a surface on which the RFID tag reader is placed during use; a base element located at the bottom of the vertical element for providing stability to the vertical element when the RFID tag reader is placed on the surface; and a RFID tuner component comprising a plurality of components, at least some of which are partially or fully supported by the vertical element for reading an RFID tag, the plurality of components including; a power system for providing power to the powered components of the RFID tuner component; a processor for directing the functions of the RFID tag reader with regard to an athletic event in which the bollard is participating; a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within the RFID communication range of the RFID tag reader; and a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communication to and from the RFID tag reader. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard) for use in athletic events, the bollard comprising:
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a vertical element for supporting an internal RFID tuner component above a surface on which the bollard is placed during use; a base element located at the bottom of the vertical element for providing stability to the vertical element when the bollard is placed on the surface; and an internal RFID tuner component comprising a plurality of components all of which are located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the plurality of components including; a power system for providing power to the powered components of the internal RFID tuner component; a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an athletic event in which the bollard is participating; a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within the RFID communication range of the bollard; and a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communication to and from the bollard, wherein the bollard is configured with an anti-collision protocol allowing the bollard to read a plurality of tags falling simultaneously within the reading area of the bollard.
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Specification