Generic apparatus to provide RFID reading functionality to computing device with no built in RFID reader

• US 8,924,257 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2012
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zone 24x7
• Original Assignee: Zone 24x7
• Inventors: Fernando, Llavanya, Jallow, Schayne, Gamwarige, Sankalpa, Karunathilaka, Ushan, Weerakkody, Dilan, de Zoysa, Dinuth
• Primary Examiner(s): Danneman, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/604,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20130311314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/01 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10386 the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/352 Contactless payments by cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader

Abstract

A generic RFID reader is provided that can function across a large range of computing devices including mobile computing devices, without customization or with minimal customization.

Claims

1. A Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) reader apparatus for adding RFID functionality to a range of computing devices from multiple different manufacturers that lack RFID reading capability, including mobile computing devices, comprising:

an electronics assembly comprising means for establishing communication between the said electronics assembly and the computing device that lacks RFID reading capability;

RFID front-end circuitry coupled to said electronics assembly;

an antenna assembly coupled to said RFID front-end circuitry;

a grip comprising a trigger coupled to said electronics assembly; and

adjustable mounting means for mechanically connecting the computing device and said RFID reader apparatus.

2. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader apparatus is powered by at least one of:

one or more dedicated rechargeable batteries;

the computing device attached to the RFID reader apparatus;

an external power adapter;

a docking station which receives the RFID reader apparatus.

3. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 2, wherein the RFID reader apparatus is powered by at least the one or more dedicated rechargeable batteries, further comprising a dedicated docking station configured to power said RFID reader apparatus and charge said rechargeable batteries.

4. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 3, wherein the docking station provides at least one of following wired communication methods for maintaining communication between the RFID reader apparatus and a non-mobile computing device while the said RFID reader apparatus is docked on said docking station:

USB device, USB Host, RS323, Ethernet.

5. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for establishing communication between said RFID reader apparatus and computing device comprises a wired connector comprising connections for one or more of the following wired communication methods:

USB device, USB host, RS232, SPI, and GPIO.

6. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for establishing wireless communication comprises Bluetooth communication circuitry.

7. The RFID reader assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronics assembly comprises a printed circuit board, wherein various modes of communication including wired and wireless communication are provided for by said printed circuit board, and wherein the printed circuit board is populated to provide for only a selected subset of the various different modes of communication.

8. The RFID reader apparatus in claim 1, wherein the RFID reader apparatus is configured to provide a standalone method of operation, the stand-alone mode of operation comprising:

coupling a computing device and the RFID reader;

using the computing device, configuring the RFID reader for stand-alone operation;

de-coupling the computing device and the RED reader;

using the RFID reader in standalone mode to read RFID information;

re-coupling the computing device to the RFID reader; and

transferring the RFID information to the computing device.

9. The RFID reader apparatus in claim 1, wherein the RFID reader apparatus is configured to operate while the computing device is not physically mounted on said mount, wherein connectivity with the computing device is maintained.

10. The RFID reader apparatus in claim 9 wherein connectivity with the computing device is maintained via Bluetooth.

11. The RFID reader apparatus in claim 9 wherein connectivity with the computing device is maintained via a USB cable.

12. The RFID reader apparatus in claim 1 comprising dedicated UI controls comprising an input/output section, the input/output section comprising a display, one or more indicator lights, one or more input switches and a buzzer.

13. The RFID reader apparatus in claim 1 comprising a trigger latch, configured for reading tags continuously without pressing the trigger button per read, or without keeping the trigger button pressed throughout the reading period, wherein the trigger latch comprises one of a mechanical latch trigger and a firmware based trigger latch.

14. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means comprises a mechanical grip comprising a ratchet mechanism and a plurality of rubberized jaws.

15. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 14, comprising a release for releasing the ratchet mechanism.

16. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means comprises a plurality of suction pads.

17. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 16, comprising a release for releasing suction of the suction pads.

18. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means comprises hook-and-loop fastener material.

19. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means comprises an electro-adhesion bed activated by an electric assembly.

20. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means is ferromagnetic so as attract one or more magnetic strips affixed to a mobile computing device or vice versa.

21. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means comprises a custom made device holder configured to hold a particular mobile computing device of non-standard configuration.

22. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means comprises a rotatable holder configured for adjusting an angle of a front plane of the mobile computing device.

23. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting means is configured such that a mobile computing device may be fixed in multiple ones of the following positions relative to the RFID reader:

vertical, horizontal and slanted.

24. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, comprising a safety strap coupled to the RFID reader to prevent damage in case of accidental separation of the mobile computing device from the RFID reader.

25. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly comprises firmware for controlling operation of the RFID reader, wherein the firmware of the RFID reader is configured for reading location RFID tags and combining the read in location information along with data from the reading of one or more other RFID tags.

26. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly comprises a programmable power supply for charging the mobile computing device.

27. A stand-alone method of operating an RFID reader configured as an RFID sled, RFID extension or RFID peripheral, the stand-alone mode of operation comprising:

coupling a computing device and the RFID reader, wherein the computing device lacks RFID reading capability;

using the computing device, configuring the RFID reader for stand-alone operation;

de-coupling the computing device and the RFID reader;

using the RFID reader in stand-alone mode to read RFID information;

re-coupling the computing device to the RFID reader; and

transferring the RFID information to the computing device.

28. A system in which an RFID reader is used as a table-top RFID reader for point-of-sale applications, comprising:

an RFID reader;

a docking station for receiving the RFID reader and supplying power to the RFID reader; and

a POS register;

wherein the docking station is coupled with the POS register via at least one of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

29. An RFID reader comprising controller firmware configured for reading location information from location RFID tags and combining the read-in location information along with data from the reading of one or more other RFID tags.