Portable lap counter and system
First Claim
1. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard) for use in athletic events, the bollard comprising:
- a vertical element for supporting an internal RFID tuner component above a surface on which the bollard is placed during use;
a base element located at the bottom of the vertical element for providing stability to the vertical element when the bollard is placed on the surface; and
an internal RFID tuner component comprising a plurality of components all of which are located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the plurality of components including;
a power system for providing power to the powered components of the internal RFID tuner component;
a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an athletic event in which the bollard is participating;
a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within the RFID communication range of the bollard; and
a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communication to and from the bollard.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A highly portable, vertically-standing RFID tag reader, referred to as a “bollard,” is presented. The bollard includes a vertical element supporting an internal RFID tuner component above the surface on which the bollard rests. Additionally, each bollard includes a base element that provides vertical stability to the vertical element and a plurality of internal components. The internal components include the following: a power system, a processor, a tuner component, and a wireless interface. The power system provides power to the powered components of the bollard. The processor directs and/or executes the functions of the bollard with regard to an event in which the bollard is configured to participate. The tuner component is configured to read RFID tags that come within RFID communication range of the bollard. The wireless interface component is configured to provide wireless communications between the bollard and an operator console.
39 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard) for use in athletic events, the bollard comprising:
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a vertical element for supporting an internal RFID tuner component above a surface on which the bollard is placed during use; a base element located at the bottom of the vertical element for providing stability to the vertical element when the bollard is placed on the surface; and an internal RFID tuner component comprising a plurality of components all of which are located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the plurality of components including; a power system for providing power to the powered components of the internal RFID tuner component; a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an athletic event in which the bollard is participating; a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within the RFID communication range of the bollard; and a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communication to and from the bollard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A highly portable vertically-standing RFID tag reader (bollard) for use in athletic events, the bollard comprising:
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a vertical element for supporting an internal RFID tuner component above a surface on which the bollard is placed during use; a base element located at the bottom of the vertical element for providing stability to the vertical element when the bollard is placed on the surface; and an internal RFID tuner component comprising a plurality of components all of which are located within the bollard for reading an RFID tag, the plurality of components including; a power system for providing power to the powered components of the internal RFID tuner component; a processor for directing the functions of the bollard with regard to an athletic event in which the bollard is participating; a tuner component configured to read RFID tags that come within the RFID communication range of the bollard; and a wireless interface component configured to provide wireless communication to and from the bollard, wherein the bollard is configured with an anti-collision protocol allowing the bollard to read a plurality of tags falling simultaneously within the reading area of the bollard.
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Specification