RFID tracking method and system

• US 6,724,308 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech S.r.l. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Escort Memory Systems (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Nicholson, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/927,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20020130778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572--57, 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/10.1, 340/5.92, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0776 the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10178 including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field comparable booster antennas integrated on the record carrier itself G06K19/07794
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags

Abstract

A method for using multi-functional RFID tag assemblies, passive repeater systems and modular antenna systems. One embodiment comprises a method for communicating with an RFID tag by providing a passive loop modular antenna system, moving the RFID tag through a field related to the modular antenna system and transmitting energy through the antenna to communicate with the RFID tag. In a further embodiment, the RFID tag includes a passive loop in proximity with the RFID tag to improve the signals received and transmitted by the tag. In another embodiment, the RFID tag is removeably attached to a product container having a product therein and adapted to be removed from the container and re-attached to the product or a second container.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with an RFID tag, comprising the steps of:

providing a passive loop modular antenna system, said modular antenna system comprising a plurality of modular antenna segments adapted to transmit at least a first RF signal to said RFID tag and receive at least a second RF signal from said RFID tag, said antenna segments being removeably connectable to form a plurality of antenna system configurations, at least a first of said plurality of antenna system configurations providing an antenna field, said antenna field providing substantially multi-directional RF transmission of said first RF signal and receipt of said second RF signal;

moving said RFID tag through said antenna field;

transmitting said first RF signal from said modular antenna system while said RFID tag is moved through said antenna field; and

receiving said second RF signal from said RFID tag.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said RFID tag is disposed on a product container.

3. The method of claim 2, including the step of providing configuration means, said configuration means including at least design means for designing at least a first one of said plurality of antenna system configurations, design validation means to validate said design of said first antenna system configuration, and configuration means for providing at least one assembly drawing and the control parameters for said first antenna system configuration.

4. A method for communicating with at least one RFID tag, comprising the steps of:

providing a RFID reader adapted to provide a magnetic flux field;

providing at least one RFID tag, said RFID tag being disposed on at least a first product container;

providing at least one passive repeater member, said passive repeater member including at least a first substantially continuous passive loop, said first passive loop being adapted and positionable with respect to said RFID reader and said RFID tag to couple said RFID reader and said RFID tag, said passive repeater member being adapted and positionable with respect to said RFID reader and said RFID tag to redirect said magnetic flux field;

providing said magnetic flux field; and

moving said first product container through said magnetic flux field.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said passive repeater member extends the range of said magnetic flux field.

6. The method of claim 4, said passive repeater member is disposed within a plurality of product containers.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said passive repeater member is disposed proximate transport means.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said RFID tag is removeably attached to said first product container, said RFID tag being further adapted to be removed from said first product container and re-attached to at least a second product container.

9. The method of claim 4, including the step of providing a second passive repeater member, said second passive repeater member including a second passive loop, said second passive loop being adapted and positionable with respect to said first passive loop, said RFID reader and said RFID tag to couple said RFID reader and said a RFID tag.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second passive loops are in substantially different planes.

11. A method of tracking an article disposed in a product container, comprising the steps of:

providing at least a first product container having a plurality of container surfaces, said first product container having at least a first article contained therein;

providing a RFID tag assembly having at least one RFID tag, said RFID tag being disposed on at least a first surface of said plurality of first product container surfaces, said RFID tag assembly including a first substrate having first and second surfaces, and at least a first passive loop disposed on at least said first surface of said substrate, said first passive loop being adapted to receive at least a first RF signal and transmit at least a second RF signal in response to said first RF signal, said substrate and first passive loop being disposed on said first container surface proximate said RFID tag, said first passive loop being coupled to said RFID tag;

providing at least a first RFID antenna system adapted to provide a first antenna field, said first RFID antenna system being adapted to transmit at least said first RF signal to said RFID tag and receive at least said second RF signal from said RFID tag;

moving said product container through said first antenna field;

transmitting said first RF signal from said antenna system while said RFID tag is moved through said antenna field; and

receiving said second RF signal from said RFID tag.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said tag assembly includes at least a second passive loop disposed on at least a second surface of said plurality of first product container surfaces, said second passive loop being in communication with said first passive loop.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said antenna system comprises a modular antenna system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said modular antenna system includes a plurality of modular antenna segments adapted to transmit said first RF signal and receive said second RF signal.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said antenna system includes at least one passive repeater member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said passive repeater member includes at least one substantially continuous passive loop, said passive repeater member passive loop being adapted to redirect said first and second RF signals.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said RFID tag assembly includes a second substrate having first and second surfaces, said second substrate first surface being secured to said first surface of said plurality of first product container surfaces, said second substrate second surface being removeably secured to said first substrate second surface, wherein said RFID tag can be removed from said first product container and re-attached to at least said first article.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first article comprises a product.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said first article comprises a second product container.

20. The method of claim 17, including the steps of:

a) providing a second antenna system adapted to provide a second antenna field, said antenna system being adapted to transmit at least a third RF signal and receive a fourth RF signal,

b) removing said RFID tag from said first product container,

c) re-attaching said RFID tag to said first article,

d) moving said first article through said second antenna field,

e) transmitting said third RF signal to said RFID tag, and

f) receiving said fourth RF signal from said RFID tag.