Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100201488 | DISPLAYING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) READ RANGE OF AN RFID READER BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM FIXED RFID BEACON TAGS - The present disclosure describes a system, methods and apparatus for displaying read range of a nomadic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader based on feedback from fixed RFID beacon tags. For instance, the nomadic RFID reader can transmit an interrogation signal within a space that includes a plurality of fixed RFID beacon tags at known locations, and can receive response signals from a group of the fixed RFID beacon tags. Based on known locations of the group of fixed RFID beacon tags, a read range of the RFID reader can be determined. The read range is defined by the group of the fixed RFID beacon tags. The read range of the nomadic RFID reader can then be displayed on a display along with other information about the fixed RFID beacon tags and/or RFID item tags that are within the read range of the nomadic RFID reader. | 08-12-2010 |
20110025462 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SAVING POWER IN A DISTRIBUTED RFID SYSTEM - Systems and methods for saving power in a distributed RFID system are provided. One RFID reader includes a RFID radio, a data communication radio, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a current list of RFID tags responding to a current interrogation signal and a previous list of RFID tags responding to a previous interrogation signal to determine if there has been a change in RFID tags responding to the interrogation signals. The controller is also configured to command the data communication radio to transmit a signal to an external computing device if there has been the change in RFID tags, the signal indicative of the change, or not transmit the signal if there has not been a change. An RFID system includes a central computing device, multiple RFID tags, and multiple RFID readers similar to the above RFID reader. | 02-03-2011 |
20110050421 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING DIRECTION OF MOTION OF A RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAG - The present disclosure describes a system, methods and apparatus for determining a direction of motion of an RFID tag. An RFID reader is provided that includes an antenna that is tilted at a tilt angle with respect to a detection path. Response signals from the RFID tag are received at the antenna at different times, and an RSSI sample of each response signal is measured. Based on the RSSI samples, an RSSI/time data point is generated for each of the RSSI samples. Each RSSI/time data point defines a measured RSSI value for a particular RSSI sample versus a time that particular RSSI sample was measured. Based on the plurality of RSSI/time data points, the direction of motion of the RFID tag can be determined. | 03-03-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110084841 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING RANGE INFORMATION OF A NODE IN A WIRELESS SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for determining a range within a wireless communication system is provided herein. The range information can then be used to locate a node (e.g., an asset tag). During operation, the minimum transmission power of a source transceiver (e.g., an RFID reader) that enables a tag to be detected will be used to indicate distance. Changes in transmit power will be used to indicate relative changes in distance to a particular node. The reader will be configured to always operate at a transmission power that will result in a certain percentage (e.g., 50%) detection rate for a target transceiver (e.g., an RFID asset tag). As the reader moves closer to the tag, the minimum detection power will decrease; as it moves farther from the tag, the minimum detection power will increase. This information is displayed to give a general change in range information between the RFID reader and the asset tag (e.g., increasing range or decreasing range). An individual will be able to easily locate the asset tag by using the displayed information. | 04-14-2011 |
20110317601 | DIGITAL SIGNAGE WITH ON-DEMAND POWER WAKE UP - A technique for on-demand power wake up for digital signage includes providing | 12-29-2011 |
20140197928 | SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF LOCATING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAGS ASSOCIATED WITH ITEMS IN A CONTROLLED AREA - A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reading system having a phased antenna array accurately locates RFID tags in a controlled area, by steering an interrogating beam over the controlled area to interrogate the tags and generate return modulated RF signals. A primary receiver steers a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle that is fixed during each tag interrogation. A primary demodulator demodulates and reconstructs the received return modulated signals. A secondary receiver, independently of the primary receiver, steers a secondary receive beam at a plurality of secondary steering angles. A secondary correlator/demodulator demodulates the combined return modulated signals, and utilizes the reconstructed signal reconstructed by the primary demodulator at each of the secondary steering angles. Both the primary and the secondary receivers cooperate to accurately locate the same tag. | 07-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120119883 | RFID READER DEVICE HAVING A READ-ONLY MODE, AND RELATED OPERATING METHODS - A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader device is presented. The method begins by operating the RFID reader device in a read-only mode, during which the RFID reader device does not generate tag interrogation signals. The method continues by receiving a tag response signal generated from an RFID tag being interrogated by an interrogator device that is distinct and separate from the RFID reader device. The tag response signal is received by the RFID reader device while it is operating in the read-only mode. The method continues by determining a location of the RFID tag, wherein the location is determined based at least in part on information associated with the received tag response signal. | 05-17-2012 |
20140111311 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING AN RFID READER - A method and apparatus for operating an RFID scanner is provided herein. During operation, an RFID scanner will utilize beamforming techniques to appropriately beamform an interrogation signal. A first beamforming scheme will be used for a first task (e.g., EAS, inventory management, point-of-sale mode scanning of a first area, . . . , etc.) and a second beamforming scheme will be used for a second task. | 04-24-2014 |
20140159872 | ARRANGEMENT FOR AND METHOD OF OPTIMIZING THE MONITORING OF A CONTROLLED AREA WITH A RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAG READER HAVING A PHASED ANTENNA ARRAY - A controlled area containing items associated with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is monitored with an RFID tag reader having a phased antenna array for generating a multitude of beams to interrogate the tags in the controlled area, and with a controller for collecting data from the interrogated tags, for automatically configuring the beams based on the collected data, and for processing the configured beams to optimize the monitoring of the controlled area. | 06-12-2014 |
20140167918 | SELF-OPTIMIZING METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENTLY DEPLOYING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAG READERS IN A CONTROLLED AREA CONTAINING RFID-TAGGED ITEMS TO BE MONITORED - Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers are integrated with individual RFID tags to form integrated RFID units that are initially deployed to cover a controlled area with radio frequency (RF) coverage. A controller determines whether the RF coverage optimally covers the controlled area by controlling at least one of the integrated RFID units in the initial deployment to read the RFID tag integrated with at least another of the integrated RFID units. An interface reports when the RF coverage does not optimally cover the controlled area, and responsively guides a redeployment of at least one of initially deployed integrated RFID units to a subsequent deployment in which the RF coverage provided by the integrated RFID units optimally covers the controlled area. | 06-19-2014 |