Abstract: An antenna for use in a conveyor system in which items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed are moved on a conveyor along a path of travel, includes a ground plane, a substrate having a bottom surface received adjacent the ground plane, at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate, a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and a front static conductive strip disposed along a front edge of the cover. The antenna is disposed beneath the conveyor and a front edge of the antenna is transverse to the path of travel. The front static conductive strip is electrically connected to the ground plane such that an electrostatic discharge event adjacent the front static conductive strip is discharged to the ground plane.

Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame and a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A first antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the conveyor and through which the items pass and receives responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags. A second antenna is proximate the first antenna and the path of travel so that the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals into the first area. At least one radio frequency receiver receives signals from the first antenna corresponding to the responses received by the antennas from the respective radio frequency identification tags and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radio frequency identification tag reader system, that comprises a radio frequency identification tag reader that outputs a drive signal at a predetermined frequency at which a radio frequency tag operates, an antenna that receives the drive signal and radiates an electromagnetic field in response to the drive signal, a tuning circuit disposed between the reader and the antenna so that the drive signal passes through the tuning circuit, wherein the tuning circuit has at least one component that defines a selectable, variable electrical characteristic that selects a resonant frequency of the antenna, a sensor circuit in communication with the antenna so that the sensor circuit detects a response by the antenna to the drive signal and outputs a sensor signal that corresponds to power of an electromagnetic field radiated by the antenna in response to the drive signal, and a processor in communication with the tuning circuit so that the processor controls the selectable component,

Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, a first antenna, a second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, a barcode reader, and a processor. The processor associates information included in a response from a radio frequency identification tag with a first item if the processor receives the information from the receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a first area that includes at least part of a second area into which the first antenna radiates radio frequency signals. The processor associates barcode label information from the barcode reader with the first item if the barcode label information is received during a period in which the first item is within a predetermined area on the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame having a generally planar top surface, a generally planar belt that is disposed moveably on the frame above the top surface and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. At least one antenna is disposed on the frame so that the antenna extends above the generally planar top surface between the generally planar top surface and the belt, the at least one antenna being oriented with respect to the belt so that the at least one antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and receives responses to the radio frequency signals from radio frequency identification tags on the items.

Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, a first antenna, a second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, a processor, and radiation absorbing material disposed between the first and second antennas and the path of travel, so that the absorbing material shields a portion of the radiation that would otherwise radiate into an area through which the items pass.

Abstract: An antenna for use in a conveyor system in which items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed are moved on a conveyor along a path of travel, includes a ground plane, a substrate having a bottom surface received adjacent the ground plane, at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate, a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and a front static conductive strip disposed along a front edge of the cover. The antenna is disposed beneath the conveyor and a front edge of the antenna is transverse to the path of travel. The front static conductive strip is electrically connected to the ground plane such that an electrostatic discharge event adjacent the front static conductive strip is discharged to the ground plane.