Metal housing with integral antenna for RFID reader/writer

• US 7,411,507 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2005
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Soundcraft Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Soundcraft Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Casden, Martin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUGG, GEORGE A
• Application Number:
  US11/179,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.7
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/27 Spiral antennas

Abstract

Enhanced physical protection against vandalism for RFID reader/writer units is provided by a relatively thick metal front or housing which also functions as the antenna element of the reader/writer. The metal front is cut or slotted to define a radio frequency antenna integral with the metal front or housing for improved physical protection and good unshielded antenna function.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification tag reader including radio frequency transmitter and receiver circuits, said circuits having at least one radio frequency output, said tag reader having a front, a metal plate covering said front and one side of said metal plate being exterior to said tag reader, said metal plate being cut to define one or more antenna loops integral with said plate and having points thereon electrically connected to said at least one radio frequency output for radiating radio frequency energy by said antenna loops, said metal plate also providing an exterior front cover of an enclosure for said circuits.

2. The reader of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises wall structure partially enclosing said tag reader.

3. The reader of claims 1 wherein said metal plate is relatively thick for resisting damage by vandalism when installed in a public location.

4. The reader of claim 1 wherein said antenna is defined by a single cut in said metal plate.

5. The reader of claim 1 wherein said antenna is a spiral antenna.

6. The reader of claim 1 wherein said antenna is a single turn antenna.

7. The reader of claim 1 wherein said metal plate is part of a reader housing for said circuits.

8. The reader of claim 7 wherein said reader housing has a housing front and housing walls forming a single piece metal housing.

9. The reader of claim 1 wherein said metal plate is at least partially covered with an electrically insulating material.

10. A radio frequency identification tag reader having radio frequency circuits with at least one radio frequency output and a reader housing, said housing including a housing front and a plurality of housing walls, said housing front and said housing walls forming a one piece housing, an exterior metal plate of said housing being cut to define one or more antenna loops integral with said housing and having points thereon electrically connected to said at least one radio frequency output of said circuits for radiating radio frequency energy by said antenna loops.