Abstract: An in-transit identification system for an overhead conveyor that transports items equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags uses a guide track arrangement and an antenna frame movably connected thereto. An RFID antenna is mounted to the frame and a bidirectional translation mechanism moves the frame relative to the guide track arrangement along a first direction parallel to a transport path of the conveyor and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A controller controls the translation mechanism to move the frame along the second direction to locate the antenna in the transport path adjacent to a first item being transported, along the first direction to maintain the antenna adjacent to said first item while an RFID tag of said first item is interrogated by the antenna and again along the second direction to withdraw the antenna from the transport path after interrogation of the RFID tag.

Abstract: An in-transit identification system for an overhead conveyor that transports items equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags uses a guide track arrangement and an antenna frame movably connected thereto. An RFID antenna is mounted to the frame and a bidirectional translation mechanism moves the frame relative to the guide track arrangement along a first direction parallel to a transport path of the conveyor and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A controller controls the translation mechanism to move the frame along the second direction to locate the antenna in the transport path adjacent to a first item being transported, along the first direction to maintain the antenna adjacent to said first item while an RFID tag of said first item is interrogated by the antenna and again along the second direction to withdraw the antenna from the transport path after interrogation of the RFID tag.