Reconfigurable scanner and RFID system using the scanner
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A reconfigurable scanner for scanning for ID tags containing scannable antennas oriented in multiple directions relative to the scanner, without need for physical movement of the scanner, the reconfigurable scanner comprising:
- a scanning element broadcasting a signal in a selected direction, the scanning element having a plurality of variable conductive elements;
control means for electrically controlling and changing the selected direction in which the scanning element broadcasts the signal by powering and unpowering the plurality of variable conductive elements; and
transceiver means for generating an electromagnetic wave and receiving a responsive electromagnetic wave signal from a sensed ID tag within an effective range of the scanner, whereby unpowered variable conductive elements do not cause any interference with the scanning signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scanner has plasma loop or plasma window antennas for selectively scanning for ID tags along distinct radials of the scanner. Scanner elements are made electromagnetically invisible to adjacent elements by removing power or lowering plasma densities so that the scanner elements do not interfere with its own operation. Activatable ID tags and a shipping container suitable for scanning with electromagnetic energy are also disclosed.
35 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable scanner for scanning for ID tags containing scannable antennas oriented in multiple directions relative to the scanner, without need for physical movement of the scanner, the reconfigurable scanner comprising:
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a scanning element broadcasting a signal in a selected direction, the scanning element having a plurality of variable conductive elements; control means for electrically controlling and changing the selected direction in which the scanning element broadcasts the signal by powering and unpowering the plurality of variable conductive elements; and transceiver means for generating an electromagnetic wave and receiving a responsive electromagnetic wave signal from a sensed ID tag within an effective range of the scanner, whereby unpowered variable conductive elements do not cause any interference with the scanning signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A scanner system comprising:
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a plurality of electromagnetically scannable ID tags; and a reconfigurable scanner having a scanning element with a plurality of variable conductive elements switchable between electromagnetically active and electromagnetically invisible, control means for switching the variable conductive elements between electromagnetically active and electromagnetically invisible, and a transceiver means for generating and receiving an electromagnetic scanning signal in a direction determined by the control means, the scanning signal interacting with the scannable ID tags located in the direction of the scanning signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A scanner system for detecting the contents of a shipping container, the system comprising:
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a plurality of slots formed in the shipping container for permitting a selected bandwidth of electromagnetic wave to penetrate the shipping container; at least one electromagnetically scannable ID tag associated with the contents of the shipping container; and a reconfigurable scanner having a scanning element with a plurality of variable conductive elements switchable between electromagnetically active and electromagnetically invisible, control means for switching the variable conductive elements between electromagnetically active and electromagnetically invisible, and a transceiver means for generating and receiving an electromagnetic scanning signal, the scanning signal having a frequency within the selected bandwidth for penetrating the shipping container to detect the at least one ID tag. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A reconfigurable scanner for scanning for ID tags containing scannable antennas oriented in multiple directions relative to the scanner, without need for physical movement of the scanner, the reconfigurable scanner comprising:
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a scanning element broadcasting a signal in a selected direction, the scanning element having a plurality of variable conductive elements; a switch that electrically controls and changes the selected direction in which the scanning element broadcasts the signal by powering and unpowering the plurality of variable conductive elements; and a transceiver that generates an electromagnetic wave and receives a responsive electromagnetic wave signal from a sensed ID tag within an effective range of the scanner, whereby unpowered variable conductive elements do not cause any interference with the scanning element. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A steerable antenna for directing the sensitivity of a scanner that scans for ID tags, said steerable antenna comprising:
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an omnidirectional antenna having a first axis, an annular shield having a longitudinal axis parallel to said first axis, said annular shield positioned a selected distance from said first axis, said annular shield having a plurality of elements, each one of said plurality of elements including a plasma element that is variably conductive between a conducting state and a non-conducting state, said annular shield allowing passage of a signal in a selected radial direction relative to said first axis; and a switch configured to control each one of said plurality of elements between said conducting state and said non-conducting state. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A pulsed scanner for scanning for ID tags containing scannable antennas, said pulsed scanner comprising:
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a scanning element responsive to a signal having a selected bearing, said scanning element having a plurality of variable conductive elements; a switch configured to electrically control and change a direction to which said scanning element is responsive by powering and unpowering selected ones of said plurality of variable conductive elements, each one of said plurality of variable conductive elements including a plasma element; and a transceiver connected to said scanning element, said transceiver configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal and receive a responsive electromagnetic wave signal, said responsive electromagnetic wave signal received by one of said plurality of variable conductive elements when said plasma element is in an afterglow state. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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45. A pulsed scanner for scanning for ID tags containing scannable antennas, said pulsed scanner comprising:
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a scanning element receiving a signal from a selected direction, said scanning element having a plurality of variable conductive elements; a switch that electrically controls and changes a direction to which said scanning element is responsive by powering and unpowering selected ones of said plurality of variable conductive elements, each one of said plurality of variable conductive elements including a plasma element, each said plasma element being powered by a pulse, said pulse being an ac bipolar pulse; and a transceiver connected to said scanning element, said transceiver configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal and receive a responsive electromagnetic wave signal. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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Specification