Identification and location of RF tagged articles
First Claim
1. A method of identification and location of articles provided with RFID tags located in a plurality of interrogation zones with a reader, comprising:
- selecting location and coordinates of a first interrogation zone of said plurality of interrogation zones by said reader;
selecting dimensions of said first interrogation zone;
dividing said first interrogation zone into a plurality of tag interrogation zones;
transmitting tag activation signals from a plurality of transmission antennas from a selected groups of said antennas and a number of antennas in each group of said groups of said antennas to tags located in a selected tag interrogation zone;
selecting a sequence of continuing activation of said tags in said selected tag interrogation zones;
selecting a start point of scanning of said selected tag interrogation zone by said reader;
calculating signal parameters for activation of said tags for each tag interrogation zone in said tag interrogation zones by each group of antennas of said groups of antennas depending on location of said selected tan interrogation zone, activation signal power and width of said tag activation signals required to activate said tans in each one of said plurality of tag interrogation zones;
calculating time required for scanning said each one of said tag interrogation zones by said reader;
creating signals for activating selected RFID tags in accordance with calculated signal parameters for said tag interrogation zone and each one of said antennas;
transmitting sequence of activation signals by transmitting separate signal by each one of said antennas and said each group of antennas for activating said selected RFID tags in said tag interrogation zone;
calculating time lapse between beginning of signal transmission for activating said selected RFID tags from a first group of said antennas and a selected present time coinciding with an end of signal transmission from a last antenna of said group of antennas assigned for activation of said selected REID tars;
comparing said time lapse with time of scanning in said tag interrogation zone;
shifting to another selected tau interrogation zone location when said time lapse is more tan said time of scanning of said tag interrogation zone;
receiving said activation signals for said selected RFID tags in said tag interrogation zone;
processing said activation signals for activating said selected RFID tags in said tag interrogation zone and making a selected tag to be activated;
transmitting a signal information from a transponder of an activated tag, receiving said signal information including tag information by said reader;
processing said signal information by said reader and reading said tag information;
creating a tag data consisting of tag coordinates, an electronic code, description of product whereon said tag is provided, and tag information data;
entering said tag information data in a RFID reader memory;
repeating above steps until scanning of each said tag interrogation zone has been completely accomplished;
organizing, storing and monitoring tag data including coordinates, electronic codes, description of articles bearing said tags, graphic view of said articles, security and service information data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The RFID system is for automatic recognition of one or all of a plurality of objects or articles located in an interrogation zone and having RFID tags mounted thereon. The tags have transponders carrying RFID information codes are sequentially and individually scanned with interrogation signals and activated to emit the information codes signals readable with a reader. The interrogation signals are based on the reader antennas and the configurations and locations of the tags. Signals returned from the transponders of the tags are processed to determine their electronic product code and location. The operation is repeated until the recognition and location of all tags in the entire interrogation zone are completed.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of identification and location of articles provided with RFID tags located in a plurality of interrogation zones with a reader, comprising:
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selecting location and coordinates of a first interrogation zone of said plurality of interrogation zones by said reader; selecting dimensions of said first interrogation zone; dividing said first interrogation zone into a plurality of tag interrogation zones; transmitting tag activation signals from a plurality of transmission antennas from a selected groups of said antennas and a number of antennas in each group of said groups of said antennas to tags located in a selected tag interrogation zone; selecting a sequence of continuing activation of said tags in said selected tag interrogation zones; selecting a start point of scanning of said selected tag interrogation zone by said reader; calculating signal parameters for activation of said tags for each tag interrogation zone in said tag interrogation zones by each group of antennas of said groups of antennas depending on location of said selected tan interrogation zone, activation signal power and width of said tag activation signals required to activate said tans in each one of said plurality of tag interrogation zones; calculating time required for scanning said each one of said tag interrogation zones by said reader; creating signals for activating selected RFID tags in accordance with calculated signal parameters for said tag interrogation zone and each one of said antennas; transmitting sequence of activation signals by transmitting separate signal by each one of said antennas and said each group of antennas for activating said selected RFID tags in said tag interrogation zone; calculating time lapse between beginning of signal transmission for activating said selected RFID tags from a first group of said antennas and a selected present time coinciding with an end of signal transmission from a last antenna of said group of antennas assigned for activation of said selected REID tars; comparing said time lapse with time of scanning in said tag interrogation zone;
shifting to another selected tau interrogation zone location when said time lapse is more tan said time of scanning of said tag interrogation zone;receiving said activation signals for said selected RFID tags in said tag interrogation zone; processing said activation signals for activating said selected RFID tags in said tag interrogation zone and making a selected tag to be activated; transmitting a signal information from a transponder of an activated tag, receiving said signal information including tag information by said reader; processing said signal information by said reader and reading said tag information; creating a tag data consisting of tag coordinates, an electronic code, description of product whereon said tag is provided, and tag information data; entering said tag information data in a RFID reader memory; repeating above steps until scanning of each said tag interrogation zone has been completely accomplished; organizing, storing and monitoring tag data including coordinates, electronic codes, description of articles bearing said tags, graphic view of said articles, security and service information data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for identification and location of a plurality of RFID tags with a reader, comprising:
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a plurality of antennas; signaling means for defining activation signals operative for activating selected RFID tags, said signal means including selection means operative for selecting location and coordinates of an interrogation zone and establishing a start point of scanning of said interrogation zone by said reader, first calculating means operative for calculating parameters of activation signals for actuating said selected RFID tags for each of said interrogation zone, second calculating means being operative for determining length of dine of said scanning of said interrogation zone by said reader, said first calculating means being operative for activating said selected RFID tags in said interrogation zone and to determine activation of a present tag being interrogated, said second calculating means being operative for processing and reading information signals in response signals for reading tag information for said reader, data generation means operative in response to said response signals for creating tag data including tag coordinates, electronic code of said tags, and description and related information of product bearing said tags, recording means operative for entering said tag data into memory of said reader, monitoring means operative for organizing, storing and monitoring said tag data, and power supply means operative for providing said selected RFID tag with power supply, comparison means operative for comparing time lapse from a beginning of sending said activation signals to a predetermined present time with time of said scanning, and being operative for shifting interrogation zone location to another tag zone when said time lapse is more than time of scanning of said tag interrogation zone. repetition means operative for repeating above steps until scanning of the entirety of said interrogation zone by said reader. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification