RFID tracking method and system
First Claim
1. A method for communicating with an RFID tag, comprising the steps of:
- providing a passive loop modular antenna system, said modular antenna system comprising a plurality of modular antenna segments adapted to transmit at least a first RF signal to said RFID tag and receive at least a second RF signal from said RFID tag, said antenna segments being removeably connectable to form a plurality of antenna system configurations, at least a first of said plurality of antenna system configurations providing an antenna field, said antenna field providing substantially multi-directional RF transmission of said first RF signal and receipt of said second RF signal;
moving said RFID tag through said antenna field;
transmitting said first RF signal from said modular antenna system while said RFID tag is moved through said antenna field; and
receiving said second RF signal from said RFID tag.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for using multi-functional RFID tag assemblies, passive repeater systems and modular antenna systems. One embodiment comprises a method for communicating with an RFID tag by providing a passive loop modular antenna system, moving the RFID tag through a field related to the modular antenna system and transmitting energy through the antenna to communicate with the RFID tag. In a further embodiment, the RFID tag includes a passive loop in proximity with the RFID tag to improve the signals received and transmitted by the tag. In another embodiment, the RFID tag is removeably attached to a product container having a product therein and adapted to be removed from the container and re-attached to the product or a second container.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for communicating with an RFID tag, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a passive loop modular antenna system, said modular antenna system comprising a plurality of modular antenna segments adapted to transmit at least a first RF signal to said RFID tag and receive at least a second RF signal from said RFID tag, said antenna segments being removeably connectable to form a plurality of antenna system configurations, at least a first of said plurality of antenna system configurations providing an antenna field, said antenna field providing substantially multi-directional RF transmission of said first RF signal and receipt of said second RF signal;
moving said RFID tag through said antenna field;
transmitting said first RF signal from said modular antenna system while said RFID tag is moved through said antenna field; and
receiving said second RF signal from said RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A method for communicating with at least one RFID tag, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a RFID reader adapted to provide a magnetic flux field;
providing at least one RFID tag, said RFID tag being disposed on at least a first product container;
providing at least one passive repeater member, said passive repeater member including at least a first substantially continuous passive loop, said first passive loop being adapted and positionable with respect to said RFID reader and said RFID tag to couple said RFID reader and said RFID tag, said passive repeater member being adapted and positionable with respect to said RFID reader and said RFID tag to redirect said magnetic flux field;
providing said magnetic flux field; and
moving said first product container through said magnetic flux field. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of tracking an article disposed in a product container, comprising the steps of:
-
providing at least a first product container having a plurality of container surfaces, said first product container having at least a first article contained therein;
providing a RFID tag assembly having at least one RFID tag, said RFID tag being disposed on at least a first surface of said plurality of first product container surfaces, said RFID tag assembly including a first substrate having first and second surfaces, and at least a first passive loop disposed on at least said first surface of said substrate, said first passive loop being adapted to receive at least a first RF signal and transmit at least a second RF signal in response to said first RF signal, said substrate and first passive loop being disposed on said first container surface proximate said RFID tag, said first passive loop being coupled to said RFID tag;
providing at least a first RFID antenna system adapted to provide a first antenna field, said first RFID antenna system being adapted to transmit at least said first RF signal to said RFID tag and receive at least said second RF signal from said RFID tag;
moving said product container through said first antenna field;
transmitting said first RF signal from said antenna system while said RFID tag is moved through said antenna field; and
receiving said second RF signal from said RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
a) providing a second antenna system adapted to provide a second antenna field, said antenna system being adapted to transmit at least a third RF signal and receive a fourth RF signal, b) removing said RFID tag from said first product container, c) re-attaching said RFID tag to said first article, d) moving said first article through said second antenna field, e) transmitting said third RF signal to said RFID tag, and f) receiving said fourth RF signal from said RFID tag.
-
Specification