Concealed RFID reader

• US 8,215,552 B1
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gravtech LLC
• Original Assignee: R&R Packaging, Inc.
• Inventors: Rambadt, John
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, SEUNG H
• Application Number:
  US12/661,886
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 235/435, 235/439, 340/572.4
• US Class Current: 235/435
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications

Abstract

A housing for concealing a RFID system is provided including one or more radio frequency antennas, one or more RFID readers, and a central frame. The central frame is attached and concealed within body of a store mannequin providing an exterior shell that is aesthetically pleasing and that can be dressed in store merchandise, thus advertising the store goods and protecting the structure from damage.

Claims

1. A housing containing a radio frequency identification (RFID) system having a radio frequency antenna and an RFID reader, said housing comprising:

an exterior shell resembling a human form, said exterior shell comprising a human torso;

an interior frame extending along the longitudinal axis of said housing, said frame comprising

at least one bracket to secure said frame to said exterior shell, said at least one bracket comprising a first leg in telescoping relation with a second leg; and

at least one mount securing the RFID antenna to said frame, said at least one mount having a planar face adapted to secure the radio frequency antenna to said frame.

2. The frame of claim 1, said at least one mount comprising a first mount having a planar face oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing and a second mount having a planar face oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

3. The frame of claim 1, said at least one mount comprising a mount having a planar face oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

4. The frame of claim 1, said at least one mount comprising a mount having a planar face oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the housing has at least one port providing remote data transmission access and remote electrical supply access.

6. The frame of claim 1, further having at least two antenna mounts adapted to attach radio frequency antennas of different sizes to said frame.

7. The frame of claim 1, further having at least two mounts adapted to attach RFID antennas to said frame.

8. A housing containing a radio frequency identification (RFID) system having a radio frequency antenna, said housing comprising:

an exterior shell resembling a human form, said exterior shell comprising a human torso;

a frame extending along the longitudinal axis of said housing, said frame having at least one bracket to secure said frame to said exterior shell and at least one mount securing the radio frequency antenna to said frame, said at least one mount having a planar face adapted to attach the radio frequency antenna to said frame.

9. The frame of claim 8, said at least one bracket comprising a first leg in telescoping relation with a second leg.

10. The frame of claim 8, said at least one mount comprising a first mount having a planar face oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing and a second mount having a planar face oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

11. The frame of claim 8, said at least one mount comprising a mount having a planar face oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

12. The frame of claim 8, said at least one mount comprising a mount having a planar face oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

13. The housing of claim 8, wherein the housing has at least one port providing remote data transmission access and remote electrical supply access.

14. The frame of claim 8, further having at least two antenna mounts adapted to attach radio frequency antennas of different sizes to said frame.

15. The frame of claim 8, further having at least two mounts adapted to attach RFID antennas to said frame.

16. A housing having an exterior shell resembling a human form and containing a radio frequency identification (RFID) system having a radio frequency antenna, said housing comprising:

a frame extending along the longitudinal axis of said housing, said frame having at least one mount securing the radio frequency antenna to said frame, said at least one mount having a planar face adapted to attach the radio frequency antenna to said frame; and

at least one bracket to secure said frame to the exterior shell, said at least one bracket comprising a first leg in telescoping relation with a second leg.

17. The frame of claim 16, said at least one mount comprising a first mount having a planar face oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing and a second mount having a planar face oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

18. The frame of claim 16, said at least one mount comprising a mount having a planar face oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing

19. The frame of claim 16, said at least one mount comprising a mount having a planar face oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said housing.