Abstract: An RFID reader configures each of a plurality of antennas operating in the RFID reader to operate in one of a first state and a second state, configures each of the plurality of antennas to operate in a first session and a second session and to operate in opposite states in the first session and the second session, and configures adjacent antennas or adjacent groups of antennas to operate in opposite states in the first session and the second session. During operation, each of the plurality of antennas is configured to read an RFID tag within a range of the antenna when a state of the RFID tag for the session in which the antenna is configured to operate matches the state in which the antenna is configured to operate and to switch the state of the RFID tag to the opposite state for each session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a co-located Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device and ultrasonic device includes an RFID reader loop antenna element oriented parallel to a reflector panel. An ultrasonic emitter is disposed through an aperture in the reflector panel with a horn that extends through the loop element. The horn can serve as a mounting structure for the antenna element. A diameter of the aperture is less than one-quarter wavelength of an operating frequency of the RFID reader loop antenna element. The aperture is located in the reflector panel near a minimum E-field area of the RFID reader loop antenna element.

Abstract: An antenna method and apparatus for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader includes an RFID reader, a plurality of radio ports of the RFID reader, and a plurality of linearly polarized antenna elements coupled to the radio ports, wherein the RFID reader directs the radio ports to sequentially communicatively connect only one antenna element at a time to the RFID reader such that only one antenna element is operable to transmit/receive at any instant in time. The antenna elements are mounted in an alternating vertically polarized and horizontally polarized configuration.

Abstract: A system and method to prevent merchandise from being left at a checkout counter includes a first step of entering a checkout area with a group of items having identification tags. A next step includes reading the tags of the items in the group. A next step includes associating the tagged items as a group. A next step includes detecting whether any tagged item is separated from the group. A next step includes generating an alert if any tagged item is separated from the group.

Abstract: A reconfigurable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) antenna assembly utilizing a common reflector core includes a plurality of antennas, wherein each antenna consists of: a first replaceable antenna element, at least one first replaceable standoff, and a reflector panel, which is configured for a lowest operable frequency of the antenna assembly. The reflector panels of all the plurality of antenna elements are connected together to form a common reflector core housing within the antenna elements disposed outside of the housing. The first replaceable antenna element, the first replaceable standoffs, and the common reflector core are configured for a first operating frequency of the antenna assembly. The first replaceable antenna elements and first replaceable standoffs are replaceable on the common reflector core with second replaceable antenna elements and second replaceable standoffs operable at a second frequency.

Abstract: An antenna method and apparatus for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader includes an RFID reader, a plurality of radio ports of the RFID reader, and a plurality of linearly polarized antenna elements coupled to the radio ports, wherein the RFID reader directs the radio ports to sequentially communicatively connect only one antenna element at a time to the RFID reader such that only one antenna element is operable to transmit/receive at any instant in time. The antenna elements are mounted in an alternating vertically polarized and horizontally polarized configuration.

Abstract: A system and method system for synchronizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers includes a plurality of RFID readers disposed within an environment. Each RFID reader includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector. A master controller also includes a master infrared emitter and is operable to emit a master infrared flash from the master infrared emitter for synchronizing the plurality of RFID readers. Any of the RFID readers, upon detecting an infrared flash with their associated infrared detector, is operable to synchronize their dwell timing with the detected infrared flash and emit their own infrared flash from their associated infrared emitter, so as to propagate infrared flashes to all the RFID readers within the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a co-located Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device and ultrasonic device includes an RFID reader loop antenna element oriented parallel to a reflector panel. An ultrasonic emitter is disposed through an aperture in the reflector panel with a horn that extends through the loop element. The horn can serve as a mounting structure for the antenna element. A diameter of the aperture is less than one-quarter wavelength of an operating frequency of the RFID reader loop antenna element. The aperture is located in the reflector panel near a minimum E-field area of the RFID reader loop antenna element.

Abstract: A reconfigurable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) antenna assembly utilizing a common reflector core includes a plurality of antennas, wherein each antenna consists of: a first replaceable antenna element, at least one first replaceable standoff, and a reflector panel, which is configured for a lowest operable frequency of the antenna assembly. The reflector panels of all the plurality of antenna elements are connected together to form a common reflector core housing within the antenna elements disposed outside of the housing. The first replaceable antenna element, the first replaceable standoffs, and the common reflector core are configured for a first operating frequency of the antenna assembly. The first replaceable antenna elements and first replaceable standoffs are replaceable on the common reflector core with second replaceable antenna elements and second replaceable standoffs operable at a second frequency.

Abstract: A system and method system for synchronizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers includes a plurality of RFID readers disposed within an environment. Each RFID reader includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector. A master controller also includes a master infrared emitter and is operable to emit a master infrared flash from the master infrared emitter for synchronizing the plurality of RFID readers. Any of the RFID readers, upon detecting an infrared flash with their associated infrared detector, is operable to synchronize their dwell timing with the detected infrared flash and emit their own infrared flash from their associated infrared emitter, so as to propagate infrared flashes to all the RFID readers within the environment.

Abstract: An RFID reader configures each of a plurality of antennas operating in the RFID reader to operate in one of a first state and a second state, configures each of the plurality of antennas to operate in a first session and a second session and to operate in opposite states in the first session and the second session, and configures adjacent antennas or adjacent groups of antennas to operate in opposite states in the first session and the second session. During operation, each of the plurality of antennas is configured to read an RFID tag within a range of the antenna when a state of the RFID tag for the session in which the antenna is configured to operate matches the state in which the antenna is configured to operate and to switch the state of the RFID tag to the opposite state for each session.

Abstract: A system and method to prevent merchandise from being left at a checkout counter includes a first step of entering a checkout area with a group of items having identification tags. A next step includes reading the tags of the items in the group. A next step includes associating the tagged items as a group. A next step includes detecting whether any tagged item is separated from the group. A next step includes generating an alert if any tagged item is separated from the group.

Abstract: A portable data tag method, device and system for identifying a location of a data tag. The method comprises reading the data tag by a portable data tag reader device; determining, by a processor in operative communication with the reader device, a location of the portable data tag reader device; determining, by the processor, a read zone of the portable data tag reader device, relative to the location of the portable data tag reader device; and determining, by the processor, the location of the data tag using the location of the portable data tag reader device and the read zone of the portable data tag reader device.

Abstract: An antenna method and arrangement of co-located antennas for wireless communication, includes at least one first antenna having a reflector panel and at least one second antenna utilizing a ground plane, wherein the reflector panel and the ground plane are the same element of the arrangement. The first antenna can be a loop element parallel to the reflector panel and the second antenna can be a monopole element perpendicular to the reflector panel/ground plane.

Abstract: An antenna method and arrangement of co-located antennas for wireless communication, includes at least one first antenna having a reflector panel and at least one second antenna utilizing a ground plane, wherein the reflector panel and the ground plane are the same element of the arrangement. The first antenna can be a loop element parallel to the reflector panel and the second antenna can be a monopole element perpendicular to the reflector panel/ground plane.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rotating-polarization reflector-backed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) loop antenna apparatus and method. The loop antenna apparatus and method provides high gain (i.e., maximizing read distances at lowest power), directionality (i.e., ability to focus on specific areas), orientation insensitivity (i.e., ability to read RFID tags in any direction or orientation) while occupying minimal volume in overhead configurations. In an exemplary embodiment, the loop antenna apparatus includes a reflector and a loop element with the reflector configured to reflect downward RF energy from the loop element. Antenna polarization is controlled by a feed location on the loop element and antenna pattern is controlled by the reflector. Thus, orientation insensitivity may be achieved without changing the antenna pattern by rotating the feed location and not the reflector.