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Methods of operation of an RFID tag assembly for use in a timed event

DC
  • US 10,095,973 B2
  • Filed: 12/05/2016
  • Issued: 10/09/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly in a timed sporting event using an RFID tag reader and timing system for determining a lapse time of a participant carrying the tag assembly, the tag assembly having a wavelength of a predetermined operating frequency of a radio frequency energy comprising:

  • in the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly positioned in proximity to an operating surface of a body composed of a radio frequency absorbing material, the tag assembly receiving the radio frequency energy at the predetermined operating frequency as transmitted by a remotely positioned antenna of a base station transceiver and having a substrate having a first planar surface and an opposing second planar surface, a passive RFID chip, a two sided planar antenna and a spacer, the receiving including receiving by the two sided planar antenna having a first side oriented away from the operating surface of the body and having a second side opposing the first side and oriented towards the operating surface of the body, the receiving at the second side being through a spacer having a thickness of between about 0.125 inches and about 0.5 inches that is mounted to the second surface of the substrate and being composed of non-conducting that is also non-absorbing material of a substantial amount of radio frequency energy at the predetermined operating frequency;

    placing the RFID tag assembly in a position relative to the operating surface of the body that the second side of the two sided planar antenna is a minimum spaced apart distance;

    receiving at the first side of the two sided planar antenna a first portion of the radio frequency energy as direct energy as transmitted from the antenna of the base station transceiver;

    receiving at the second side of the two-sided planar antenna a second portion of the radio frequency energy as indirect energy as transmitted from the antenna of the base station transceiver, the receiving of the second portion being responsive to the absorbing of the substantial amount of radio frequency energy by the absorbing material of the second side, said second portion of the radio frequency energy being received at the predetermined operating frequency; and

    processing the received first and second portions of the radio frequency energy by the RFID semiconductor chip.

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