Dynamically reconfigurable antennas for RFID label encoders/readers
First Claim
1. A dynamically reconfigurable antenna system for an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader/encoder, the antenna system comprising:
- a plurality of antenna elements; and
a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements, wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, andwherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a pattern of conductive areas , and wherein each antenna element is selectively and dynamically connectable via a switch to ground or to a transmission line connectable to the RFID reader/encoder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dynamically reconfigurable antenna system for an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader/encoder includes a plurality of antenna elements; and a mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements during operation thereof. The antenna elements may be arranged in a pattern of conductive areas, and each antenna element is switchably connectable to ground or to a transmission line connectable to the RFID reader/encoder. Each antenna element may be square, rectangle, circular, or diamond shaped. The antenna elements may located on an inner layer of the multi-layer printed circuit and wherein regions above the antenna elements are a dielectric layer or a slot aperture. The antenna system may be incorporated into an RFID encoder/reader.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A dynamically reconfigurable antenna system for an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader/encoder, the antenna system comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements; and a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements, wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, and wherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a pattern of conductive areas , and wherein each antenna element is selectively and dynamically connectable via a switch to ground or to a transmission line connectable to the RFID reader/encoder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A dynamically reconfigurable antenna system for an RFID Radio Frequency Identification reader/encoder, the antenna system comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements; and a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements, wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, and wherein the configuring mechanism comprises; a plurality of switches for selectively switching at least some of said antenna elements to a transmission line or to ground. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of operating an RFID reader/encoder, the method comprising:
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(A) providing a dynamically reconfigurable antenna system comprising; (a1) a plurality of antenna elements; and (a2) a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements; and (B) dynamically configuring the antenna system by selectively configuring at least some of the antenna elements prior to or during operation of the RFID reader/encoder, wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, and wherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a regular repeating pattern of conductive areas, and wherein each antenna element is connectable via a switch to ground or to a transmission line connectable to the RFID reader/encoder. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of operating an RFID reader/encoder, the method comprising:
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(A) providing a dynamically reconfigurable antenna system comprising; (a1) a plurality of antenna elements; and (a2) a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements and (B) dynamically configuring the antenna system by selectively configuring at least some of the antenna elements prior to or during operation of the RFID reader/encoder, wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, and wherein there are four rectangular antenna elements arranged in a cross shape on a region of a layer of an antenna substrate, and wherein the configuring mechanism comprises four switches configured to switch corresponding ones of said antenna elements between ground and a transmission line connectable to the RFID reader/encoder. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification