RFID system

• US 9,047,581 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2014
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Nordin, Ronald A., Bolouri-Saransar, Masud
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US14/460,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20140374479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 291 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07771 the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10168 the powering being adversely affected by environmental influences, e.g. unwanted energy loss in the interrogation signal due to metallic or capacitive objects in the proximity of the interrogation device or in the proximity of the interrogated record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10356 using a plurality of antennas, e.g. configurations including means to resolve interference between the plurality of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

The present invention provides an automated system for asset tracking and management and utilizes near field Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology. RFID tags are attached to the assets, and RFID antennas (and corresponding readers) are strategically located in close proximity to read the tags. As applied to a rack or cabinet, near-field antennas are mounted along one of the mounting posts at each rack unit location such that when a piece of equipment (rack mounted or rail mounted) is installed at a particular rack unit space, the tag will be read and registered in an RFID management system. A magnetic field shaping arrangement ensures that crosstalk between adjacent rack positions is prevented. Ferrite elements are used to control the magnetic field.

Claims

1. A system for tracking equipment that is installed on a rack, the system comprising:

a near field RFID tag installed in a mounting portion of the equipment that is to be tracked;

an antenna array installed on the rack in predetermined relation to the near field RFID tag for emitting a magnetic field; and

a magnetic field shaping arrangement for controlling the magnetic field issued by said antenna array, said magnetic field shaping arrangement including a ferrite element installed on said near field RFID tag and a ferrite member installed in a vicinity of said antenna array distal from said near field RFID tag,

wherein said magnetic field shaping arrangement shapes said magnetic field in response to a distance between said antenna array and said near field RFID tag, and further in response to a distance between adjacent ones of equipment installed on said rack, and

wherein said near field RFID tag is installed in a safe operating region, said safe operating region being determined in response to said magnetic field.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein there is further provided a fastener for attaching the equipment to the rack, said fastener affixing said near field RFID tag to the mounting portion of the equipment that is to be protected.