Antenna assembly for service station

• US 8,364,094 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gasngo R&D Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Petratec International Ltd.
• Inventors: Weitzhandler, Shimon, Vilnai, Yoav, Yalon, Avi
• Primary Examiner(s): Agosta, Steve D
• Application Number:
  US12/530,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20100273543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.1, 455/90.2, 455418-420, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/63.4, 455/575.9, 455/404.2, 370/310.2, 370/338, 343/700, 343/720, 141/94
• US Class Current: 455/90.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity

Abstract

Disclosed are antenna assemblies suitable for establishing wireless communication with entities that have variable or indeterminate antenna orientation, especially entities having a limited power supply, the antenna assemblies comprising two linearly polarized reception antennae (18, 20) positioned so that the orientation of the antennae define a plane. Disclosed are also service station provided with such an antenna assembly. Disclosed are also methods of establishing wireless communication in a service station between a service station controller and entities that have variable or indeterminate antenna orientation, especially entities having a limited power supply.

Claims

1. A method of establishing wireless communication in a service station, comprising:

a) providing an antenna assembly including at least two transmission antennae and at least two reception antennae, said antenna assembly comprises;

i) a first linearly polarized radio frequency antenna; and

ii) a second linearly polarized radio frequency antenna, positioned so that the orientation of said second antenna is at an angle relative to the orientation of said first antenna so as to define a plane having a front side and a back side;

said first antenna and said second antenna are configured to function as substantially independent reception antennae;

b) providing a service station controller comprising a transmitter functionally associated with said transmission antennae and a receiver functionally associated with said reception antennae;

c) providing at least one entity, each said entity comprising a vehicle identification tag reader functionally associated with a fuel-dispensing location and comprising a dedicated transceiver and an antenna, said tag reader antenna being mounted on a fuel-dispensing nozzle of said fuel-dispensing location;

wherein said service station controller and said entities are configured for mutual two-directional communication using said service station controller transmitter and receiver and said entity transceivers, and where each said entity is identifiable to said service station controller;

d) said service station controller transmitting a signal to a specific entity using at least two transmission antennae of said antenna assembly;

e) subsequently to d), said service station controller listening for a response from said specific entity using at least one reception antenna of said antenna assembly; and

f) subsequently to e), from amongst said reception antennae, selecting a single reception antenna for further communication between said service station controller and said specific entity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said vehicle identification tag reader is mounted on said fuel-dispensing nozzle of said fuel-dispensing location.

3. The method of claim 1, said antenna assembly mounted on a structure so that said back side of said plane defined by said first and second antennae substantially faces said structure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmission antennae and said reception antennae are different antennae.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmission antennae and said reception antennae are the same antennae.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmission of said signal to said specific entity is simultaneous through at least two said transmission antennae.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmission of said signal to said specific entity is serially through at least two said transmission antennae.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said single reception antenna selected is the antenna determined as having best reception of signals transmitted from said specific entity.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said single reception antenna selected is the first antenna determined as having sufficient reception of signals transmitted from said specific entity.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver of said service station controller is configured to receive signals at at least two different frequencies;

wherein said listening for a response from said specific entity includes receiving signals at at least two different frequencies of said at least two different frequencies; and

wherein said selecting a single reception antenna includes selecting a reception frequency from amongst said at least two different frequencies.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna further comprises:

iii) a radio frequency receiver functionally associated with said first antenna and said second antenna.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly said first antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly said second antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly said first antenna and said second antenna are configured for reception of substantially the same wavelengths.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly said angle between said orientation of said first antenna and said orientation of said second antenna is not less than about 45°

.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly further comprises a radio frequency reflector configured to reflect radio frequency radiation to a front side of said plane defined by said orientation of said first and second antennae.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly said first antenna and said second antenna are configured to function as transmission antennae.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said antenna assembly said first antenna is configured to function as a transmission antenna substantially independently from said second antenna.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said antenna assembly, a radio frequency transmitter is functionally associated with said first antenna and said second antenna.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly further comprises:

iv) a third linearly polarized radio frequency antenna; and

v) a fourth linearly polarized radio frequency antenna, positioned so that the orientation of said fourth antenna is at an angle relative to the orientation of said third antenna so as to define a plane having a front side and a back side;

wherein said third antenna and said fourth antenna are configured to function as transmission antennae.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said antenna assembly said third antenna is configured to function as a transmission antenna substantially independently from said fourth antenna.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said antenna assembly further comprises:

vi) a radio frequency transmitter functionally associated with said third antenna and said fourth antenna.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said antenna assembly said third antenna and said fourth antenna are configured for transmission of substantially the same wavelengths.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said antenna assembly said angle between said orientation of said third antenna and said orientation of said fourth antenna is not less than about 45°

.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein said antenna assembly said plane defined by said orientation of said third and fourth antennae is substantially parallel to or includes said plane defined by said orientation of said first and second antennae.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein said antenna assembly further comprises:

vi) a sixth linearly polarized radio frequency antenna, positioned so that the orientation of said sixth antenna is substantially not-coplanar with said plane defined by said orientation of said third and fourth antennae, said sixth antenna configured to function as a transmission antenna.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said antenna assembly further comprises:

vii) a radio frequency transmitter functionally associated with said third antenna, said fourth antenna and said sixth antenna.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said antenna assembly said third antenna and said sixth antenna are configured for transmission of substantially the same wavelengths.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein said antenna assembly further comprises:

vii) a fifth linearly polarized radio frequency antenna, positioned so that the orientation of said fifth antenna is substantially not-coplanar with said plane defined by said orientations of said first and second antennae, said fifth antenna configured to function as a reception antenna.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said antenna assembly said fifth antenna is configured to function as a reception antenna substantially independently from said first antenna and said second antenna.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said antenna assembly further comprises:

viii) a radio frequency receiver functionally associated with said first antenna, said second antenna and said fifth antenna.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said antenna assembly said first antenna and said fifth antenna are configured for reception of substantially the same wavelengths.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein said antenna assembly said fifth antenna is configured to function as a transmission antenna substantially independently from said first antenna and said second antenna.

34. A method of establishing wireless communication in a service station, comprising:

a) providing an antenna assembly including at least two transmission antennae and at least two reception antennae, said antenna assembly comprises;

i) a first linearly polarized radio frequency antenna; and

ii) a second linearly polarized radio frequency antenna, positioned so that the orientation of said second antenna is at an angle relative to the orientation of said first antenna so as to define a plane having a front side and a back side;

said first antenna and said second antenna are configured to function as substantially independent reception antennae;

b) providing a service station controller comprising a transmitter functionally associated with said transmission antennae and a receiver functionally associated with said reception antennae, said receiver of said service station controller is configured to receive signals at at least two different frequencies;

c) providing at least one entity, each said entity comprising a dedicated transceiver and an antenna wherein said service station controller and said entities are configured for mutual two-directional communication using said service station controller transmitter and receiver and said entity transceivers, and where each said entity is identifiable to said service station controller;

d) said service station controller transmitting a signal to a specific entity using at least two transmission antennae of said antenna assembly;

e) subsequently to d), said service station controller listening for a response from said specific entity using at least one reception antenna of said antenna assembly, and receiving signals at at least two different frequencies of said at least two different frequencies; and

f) subsequently to e), from amongst said reception antennae, selecting a single reception antenna for further communication between said service station controller and said specific entity, including selecting a reception frequency from amongst said at least two different frequencies.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said entity comprises a vehicle identification tag reader functionally associated with a fuel-dispensing location and comprising a dedicated transmitter and an antenna.

36. The method of claim 35, said antenna of said vehicle identification tag reader is mounted on a fuel-dispensing nozzle of said fuel-dispensing location.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said vehicle identification tag reader is mounted on said fuel-dispensing nozzle of said fuel-dispensing location.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein said entity comprises a vehicle mounted transmitter including a dedicated transmitter and an antenna.

39. The method of claim 34, said antenna assembly mounted on a structure so that said back side of said plane defined by said first and second antennae substantially faces said structure.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein said transmission antennae and said reception antennae are different antennae.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein said transmission antennae and said reception antennae are the same antennae.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein said transmission of said signal to said specific entity is simultaneous through at least two said transmission antennae.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein said transmission of said signal to said specific entity is serially through at least two said transmission antennae.

44. The method of claim 34, wherein said single reception antenna selected is the antenna determined as having best reception of signals transmitted from said specific entity.

45. The method of claim 34, wherein said single reception antenna selected is the first antenna determined as having sufficient reception of signals transmitted from said specific entity.