Abstract: A system and method of scheduling RFID tag interrogations by a plurality of RFID readers so as to mitigate the effects of interference within an RFID environment in which the readers are deployed, and to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the overall RFID system. The system includes a plurality of RFID receivers for receiving RFID tag data, a plurality of RFID tag interrogators for transmitting RF interrogation signals for interrogating RFID tags, and a controller for providing to at least one interrogator, at least one receiver, and at least one tag, a parameter associated with operational characteristics of the interrogator, the receiver, and the tag, respectively. The interrogator, the receiver, and the tag are operative, in response to receipt of the respective parameter, to modify its operational characteristics in accordance with the respective parameter, thereby avoiding interference at the receivers and the tags.

Abstract: An architecture of an RFID system that facilitates the accessing of RFID tag data within an RFID environment. The architecture includes a plurality of RFID readers, each reader being operative to transmit a first RF signal for scanning at least one RFID tag disposed within an RF coverage region associated with the reader, and to receive at least one second RF signal including tag data in response to the scanning of the tag. The architecture further includes at least one host computer operative to execute at least one client application, and at least one controller/processor communicably coupled to the plurality of readers and the at least one host computer. The controller/processor is operative to control operation of the plurality of readers, to process the tag data received by the plurality of readers, and to provide the processed tag data to the at least one host computer for use by the at least one client application executing thereon.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates the configuration and control of components of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, taking into account how the RFID system components are associated with one or more physical locations within an environment in which the RFID system is deployed. The RFID system can be controlled by obtaining a representation of the physical space. Next, at least one region of interest is specified in the representation of the physical space. An interrogation zone is then specified in the representation of the physical space, in which the interrogation zone corresponds to the data reader. Next, at least one overlap region of the interrogation zone and the region of interest is specified. Information is then stored, including the representation, and the interest region, the interrogation zone, and/or the overlap region. Operation of the data reader is controlled as a function of the stored information.

Abstract: A roof bow adapted to support a roof skin of a trailer and be affixed to spaced apart top rails of the trailer. The roof bow includes an elongated channel and a pair of end pieces affixed to opposite ends of the elongated channel by clinching. When viewed in cross section transverse to its general extent, the channel includes a substantially flat central portion and extending end portions defining support surfaces offset vertically from the central portion. The support surfaces are adapted to support the trailer sheet skin. Each end piece includes a substantially flat flange and an angled arm extending away from the flange. The angled arm adapted to be affixed to a respective one of the trailer top rails. For each of the pair of end pieces, a plurality of clinch joints affix the flange to the central portion of the channel.