Antenna for combined RFID optical imager
First Claim
1. A combined RFID reading and optical imaging system, comprising:
- a microcontroller positioned on a first substrate;
an optical imager positioned on said first substrate and interconnected to said microcontroller;
an RFID unit positioned on said first substrate and interconnected to said microcontroller;
a second substrate having an antenna positioned thereon, wherein said second substrate includes a hole formed through an intermediate portion thereof and said antenna is interconnected to said RFID unit, andwherein said optical imager is positioned to capture images through said hole.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An antenna for use in connection with a combined RFID reader and optical imager. A printer circuit board having a wire loop positioned thereon and a hole formed therethrough is positioned in combination with an optical imager so that the imaging element of the optical imager may capture images through the hole. In addition, illuminating elements, such as LEDs may be provided on the printed circuit board to provide external or additional illumination of target objects. By positioning the antenna and optical imager in such a manner, the space required to implement optical imaging and RFID capabilities is improved and optical imaging and RFID interrogation may be more easily directed at a single object. In addition, extra illumination may be easily provided for improved imaging.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A combined RFID reading and optical imaging system, comprising:
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a microcontroller positioned on a first substrate; an optical imager positioned on said first substrate and interconnected to said microcontroller; an RFID unit positioned on said first substrate and interconnected to said microcontroller; a second substrate having an antenna positioned thereon, wherein said second substrate includes a hole formed through an intermediate portion thereof and said antenna is interconnected to said RFID unit, and wherein said optical imager is positioned to capture images through said hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of providing RFID reading and optical imaging from a single module comprising an antenna positioned on a substrate having a hole formed there through, an optical imager, and an RFID unit, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning an object in proximity to said module;
capturing an image of said object through said hole in said substrate using said optical imager; andinterrogating said object using said RFID unit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification