RFID monitoring system
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID):
- monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags in ultra-low temperatures, the system comprising;
an RFID reader;
a plurality of antennas each for transmitting and receiving RF signals to communicate with the RFID tags; and
a plurality of electronic switches each interposed between the RFID reader and each of the plurality of antennas, wherein each respective electronic switch is selectively operable to connect a respective antenna to the RFID reader and transmit RF signals from the respective antenna to the RFID tags, andwherein each respective switch is controlled to intermittently connect the antenna to the RF reader to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the respective antenna,wherein intermittently connecting the antenna further regulates the operation of the RFID tags, thereby further regulating power build up within an Application Specific Integrated Circuit of the RFID tags therein, thereby limiting the speed of induced operation of the RFID tags to enable the system to operate at ultra-low temperatures, below −
40°
C.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A radio frequency identification (RFID) monitoring system (12) for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags, and in particular for monitoring a plurality of vials incorporating such tags and stored at a low temperature, (eg.−80° C.) within a storage unit (10), for example a freezer. The RFID system (12) comprises an RFID reader (28) and at least one antenna (34a-34i) for transmitting and receiving RF signals to communicate with the RFID tags. The system (12) further includes an electronic switch (38), preferably a FET switch, interposed between the RFID reader and the at least one antenna (34a-34i) to connect a particular antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID reader (28) and transmit RF signals from the antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID tags. The switch (38) is controlled to intermittently connect the antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID reader (28) to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the antenna (34a-34i). The system enables an RFID tag to operate at low temperatures. Preferably the switch (38) and antenna (34a-34i) are integrated together, and in particular integrated into a shelf (22) of the storage unit (10).
34 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID):
- monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags in ultra-low temperatures, the system comprising;
an RFID reader;
a plurality of antennas each for transmitting and receiving RF signals to communicate with the RFID tags; anda plurality of electronic switches each interposed between the RFID reader and each of the plurality of antennas, wherein each respective electronic switch is selectively operable to connect a respective antenna to the RFID reader and transmit RF signals from the respective antenna to the RFID tags, and wherein each respective switch is controlled to intermittently connect the antenna to the RF reader to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the respective antenna, wherein intermittently connecting the antenna further regulates the operation of the RFID tags, thereby further regulating power build up within an Application Specific Integrated Circuit of the RFID tags therein, thereby limiting the speed of induced operation of the RFID tags to enable the system to operate at ultra-low temperatures, below −
40°
C. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18)
- monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags in ultra-low temperatures, the system comprising;
-
10. A storage unit for storing a plurality of articles each contacting a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, said storage unit comprising:
- an RFID reader;
a plurality of electronic switches each interposed between the RFID reader and each of the plurality of antennas, wherein each respective electronic switch is selectively operable to connect a respective antenna to the RFID reader and transmit RF signals from the respective antenna to the RFID tags, and wherein each respective switch is controlled to intermittently connect the antenna to the RF reader to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the respective antenna, wherein intermittently connecting the antenna further regulates the operation of the RFID tags, thereby further regulating power build up within an Application Specific Integrated Circuit of the RFID tags therein, thereby limiting the speed of induced operation of the RFID tags to enable the system to operate at ultra-low temperatures, below −
40°
C. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- an RFID reader;
-
19. A shelf for use in a storage unit, said shelf comprising:
- a shelf body upon which articles with RFID tags may be located and said shelf body integrating therewith;
an RFID reader;
a plurality of antennas each for transmitting and receiving RF signals to communicate with the RFID tags in ultra-low temperatures;
a plurality of electronic switches each interposed between the RFID reader and each of the plurality of antennas, wherein each respective electronic switch is selectively operable to connect a respective antenna to the RFID reader and transmit RF signals from the respective antenna to the RFID tags, and wherein each respective switch is controlled to intermittently connect the respective antenna to the RF reader to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the antenna, wherein intermittently connecting the antenna further regulates the operation of the RFID tags, thereby further regulating power build up within an Application Specific Integrated Circuit of the RFID tags therein, thereby limiting the speed of induced operation of the RFID tags to enable the system to operate at ultra-low temperatures, below −
40°
C. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
- a shelf body upon which articles with RFID tags may be located and said shelf body integrating therewith;
-
22. A method of monitoring a plurality of RFID tags using an RFID reader and a plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader by a respective plurality of electronic switches, the method comprising operating the RFID reader to generate an RF signal for communicating with the RFID tags in ultra-low temperatures, and selectively operating a respective switch to connect a respective antenna to the RFID reader and transmit RF signals from the antenna to the RFID tags, wherein each switch is operated to intermittently connect the respective antenna to the RF reader to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the respective antenna, wherein intermittently connecting the antenna further regulates the operation of the RFID tags, thereby further regulating power build up within an Application Specific Integrated Circuit of the RFID tags therein, thereby limiting the speed of induced operation of the RFID tags to enable the system to operate at ultra-low temperatures, below −
- 40°
C.
- 40°
Specification