RFID reader having antenna with directional attenuation panels for determining RFID tag location

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 7323996
APP PUB NO 20070030150A1
SERIAL NO

11196116

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

An antenna structure capable of determining the direction of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag includes a wide-angle antenna disposed within an attenuator that has regions of low attenuation. The attenuator may include a metal plate with holes. In this case, the antenna only detects RFID tags that are aligned with a hole, and hence the direction of the RFID tag is detected. Multiple holes of different sizes can be provided. In this case, if the RFID tag is moving, the direction and speed of movement can be determined from the duration of received RFID signals. For example, a long period of RFID tag signal reception indicates that the tag passed in front of a large hole in the attenuator. The present invention is particularly well suited for use with conveyor belts and in applications where RFID tags move along known paths.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONNEW ORCHARD ROAD ARMONK NY 10504

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Mullins, Philip Kendal Richmond, TX 3 110

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation