Method and apparatus for detecting an RFID tag signal
First Claim
1. An antenna array for detecting a coded radio frequency identification tag signal generated by a tag during passage of the tag through a detection volume, the antenna array comprising:
- first and second antennas disposed at different positions around a periphery of the detection volume; and
,circuit means, having inputs connected to receive respective output signals from the first and second antennas, for providing an output signal that includes respective output signals of said first and second antennas and a sum of the output signals of said first and second antennas.
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Abstract
An antenna array for detecting a coded radio frequency identification (RFID) tag signal generated by a tag during passage of the tag through a detection volume, or portal. The array comprises at least first and second antennas disposed at different positions around the periphery of the detection volume, and circuitry, having inputs connected to receive the respective output signals from the first and second antennas and an output connected to a signal receiver for decoding the detected signal. The circuitry provides an output signal including the respective output signals of the first and second antennas, and the sum of the output signals of the first and second antennas. Preferably, the output signal of the circuitry additionally includes the inverse of the output signal of the second antenna, and the sum of the output signal of the first antenna and the inverse of the output signal of the second antenna.
142 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An antenna array for detecting a coded radio frequency identification tag signal generated by a tag during passage of the tag through a detection volume, the antenna array comprising:
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first and second antennas disposed at different positions around a periphery of the detection volume; and
,circuit means, having inputs connected to receive respective output signals from the first and second antennas, for providing an output signal that includes respective output signals of said first and second antennas and a sum of the output signals of said first and second antennas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of detecting a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag signal generated by a tag, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a detection volume through which the tag is to be passed; positioning a plurality of antennas around a periphery of the detection volume; receiving output signals from the plurality of antennas; summing at least one pair of output signals from the plurality of antennas; and providing a multiplexed output that includes at least one antenna output signal and at least one antenna pair summed signal to a signal receiver for detecting the RFID tag signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification