Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).

Abstract: A method and device enables improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes generating a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal at the reader device (step 505). An amplitude modulation (AM) noise component of the CW carrier signal is then detected (step 510). The AM noise component is inverted to an inverted noise signal (step 515), and the inverted noise signal is summed with the CW carrier signal to provide an AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 520). The AM noise cancelled carrier signal is then transmitted from an antenna of the reader device (step 525), and the backscatter signal is received at the reader device in response to transmission of the AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 530).

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for characterizing an attached antenna to an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. One exemplary embodiment is related to a method comprising outputting a low amplitude modulation (“AM”) index radio frequency (“RF”) waveform, the waveform simulating tag data timing and bandwidth, removing a direct current (“DC”) component from the waveform to create a chopped portion of the waveform, applying at least one vector analyzer technique on the chopped portion of the waveform, characterizing at least one antenna impedance vector of the waveform.

Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).

Abstract: A method and device enables improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes generating a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal at the reader device (step 505). An amplitude modulation (AM) noise component of the CW carrier signal is then detected (step 510). The AM noise component is inverted to an inverted noise signal (step 515), and the inverted noise signal is summed with the CW carrier signal to provide an AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 520). The AM noise cancelled carrier signal is then transmitted from an antenna of the reader device (step 525), and the backscatter signal is received at the reader device in response to transmission of the AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 530).

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for characterizing an attached antenna to an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. One exemplary embodiment is related to a method comprising outputting a low amplitude modulation (“AM”) index radio frequency (“RF”) waveform, the waveform simulating tag data timing and bandwidth, removing a direct current (“DC”) component from the waveform to create a chopped portion of the waveform, applying at least one vector analyzer technique on the chopped portion of the waveform, characterizing at least one antenna impedance vector of the waveform.

Abstract: A thermal management system and method to control temperature in an RFID reader is described herein. In particular, by inserting variable periods of inactivity (or latency) at the beginning or at the end of each read cycle, proportional to an instantaneous temperature value of the RFID reader, over-heating and damage of RFID reader electronics is prevented. The RFID reader includes a thermal sensor and determines when the high power RF electronics is enabled. If the RFID reader is in an over-heated condition, it can be turned OFF and during this period any requests received on an interface to the RFID reader to perform a read of tag(s) are not processed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of RFID readers are configured to interrogate tags. Furthermore, the readers are configured to communicate with one another by transferring a token, represented by a signal. Possession of the token enables the reader to access a RF communications medium. Readers can be arranged in a ring configuration, and interconnected via wired links. A secondary token may circulate in the ring in addition to the primary token, to ensure redundancy in the system. A reader waits for a predetermined time interval before accessing the RF communications medium.

Abstract: Described are a method and a system for measuring radio frequency (“RF”) power utilizing a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) sensor tag embedded in an antenna. The method includes receiving at a communication device, a RF power level measurement from a sensor, adjusting an RF power level of the communication device based on the received power level measurement, wherein the sensor is external to the communication device. The system includes a sensor producing an RF power level measurement, and a communication device transmitting an RF signal and connected to the sensor, the communication device receiving the power level measurement from the sensor and adjusting a power level of the RF signal transmitted by the communication device based on the received RF power level measurement.

Abstract: Described are a method, a device, and a system managing power usage. The method includes operating a communication device in a first state, transmitting a forward signal to at least one target, switching from the first state to a second state, and receiving a reverse signal from the at least one target while operating in the second state. The device, operating in at least a first state and a second state, includes a control circuit switching the device from the first state to the second state, an amplifier operating at a current level coordinated with one of the first state and the second state, and an antenna transmitting a forward signal to at least one target while the device operates in the first state and receiving a reverse signal from the at least one target while the device operates in the second state.

Abstract: A thermal management system and method to control temperature in an RFID reader is described herein. In particular, by inserting variable periods of inactivity (or latency) at the beginning or at the end of each read cycle, proportional to an instantaneous temperature value of the RFID reader, over-heating and damage of RFID reader electronics is prevented. The RFID reader includes a thermal sensor and determines when the high power RF electronics is enabled. If the RFID reader is in an over-heated condition, it can be turned OFF and during this period any requests received on an interface to the RFID reader to perform a read of tag(s) are not processed.

Abstract: A method of managing power consumption of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided. The method includes receiving rules that describe event conditions, performing background scanning, determining whether an event has occurred based on data gathered during background scanning, and updating scanning settings of the reader if an event has occurred.

Abstract: A method of managing power consumption of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided. The method includes determining a location of a mobile RFID reader, retrieving scanning characteristics for location, updating scanning settings of the mobile RFID reader.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for displaying content of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The device includes an RFID reader, an interface module, and a laser projection display (LPD). The RFID reader sends instructions to and receives data from an RFID tag. The interface module converts the received data into a format for display. The LPD displays information relating to the data received from the RFID tag. The LPD may display the information directly on an item to which the RFID tag is affixed, or it may display the information on a screen diffuser. The information that is displayed may be numerical data stored in the RFID tag, an iconographic representation of an item to which the RFID tag is affixed, a full resolution image of the item to which the RFID tag is affixed, or the like.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of RFID readers are configured to interrogate tags. Furthermore, the readers are configured to communicate with one another by transferring a token, represented by a signal. Possession of the token enables the reader to access a RF communications medium. Readers can be arranged in a ring configuration, and interconnected via wired links. A secondary token may circulate in the ring in addition to the primary token, to ensure redundancy in the system. A reader waits for a predetermined time interval before accessing the RF communications medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for locating a mobile terminal in an RFID environment. The apparatus comprises a communicator coupled to the mobile terminal for instructing the terminal to enter a LOCATE mode, an RFID transceiver in the terminal that interrogates RFID tags while in the LOCATE mode to obtain information therefrom correlatable with their known positions, and a processor coupled to the RFID transceiver for determining the terminal location based at least in part on such information. Location determination may take place either in the terminal or a local network server or both. The tags may be either fixed position infrastructure tags or item tags that have been mapped in the local server or the terminal. Once the terminal location is determined, the terminal and/or server may announce and/or broadcast the terminal location.

Abstract: A multi-resolution object location system and method for locating objects is provided. The multi-resolution system and method uses a long-range object locator together with a more precise RFID locator to efficiently and accurately determine the location of objects that include an RFID tag. The long-range object locator has a relatively longer range and can cover a relatively large area to determine the general location of the object within the large area. The RFID locator has a relatively shorter range, but is able to locate the object more precisely. The object location system uses the long-range locator to first determine the general location of the object, and then the RFID locator is used to determine a more accurate location of the object. Thus, the multi-resolution object location system is able to provide both a long range location of objects over a large area and a precise location of objects.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for locating objects using RFID tags. The system and method uses an RFID reader and a distance calculator to efficiently and accurately determine the location of objects that include an RFID tag. The RFID reader transmits a plurality of signals to the RFID tag, with the plurality of signals having different fundamental frequencies. In response, the RFID tag backscatter modulates the plurality of transmitted signals to create a plurality of backscatter modulated signals. The RFID reader receives and demodulates the plurality of backscatter modulated signals. The distance calculator determines the phase of the plurality of backscatter modulated signals and determines a rate of change of the phase in the backscatter modulated signals with respect to the rate of change in the fundamental frequency of the transmitted signals and uses this information to calculate the distance to the RFID tag.