Patents by Inventor Robert Sainati
Robert Sainati has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20090207027Abstract: This disclosure describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a three-dimensional (3D) loop antenna. The 3D loop antenna includes a first conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the first conductive portion substantially lie in a first plane. The 3D loop antenna includes a second conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the second conductive portion substantially lie in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. An RFID circuit electrically connected to the loop antenna excites a current through the first and second conductive portions in a current loop that lies in a third plane that is not substantially parallel to the first and second planes. In some instances the third plane may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati, William C. Egbert, David K. Misemer
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Publication number: 20090207026Abstract: This disclosure describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a three-dimensional (3D) loop antenna. The 3D loop antenna includes a first conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the first conductive portion substantially lie in a first plane. The 3D loop antenna includes a second conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the second conductive portion substantially lie in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. An RFID circuit electrically connected to the loop antenna excites a current through the first and second conductive portions in a current loop that lies in a third plane that is not substantially parallel to the first and second planes. In some instances the third plane may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati, William C. Egbert, David K. Misemer
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Publication number: 20090096696Abstract: In general, the disclosure describes an RFID tag designed such that the tag is both covert and not easily blocked from the interrogation signal by the hand or other body part of a person. In particular, the RFID tag is designed to have a long, narrow aspect that allows placement of the tag in locations on or in a book that are inconspicuous to the casual observer while extending beyond a hand of a person holding the book by the spine on or near a geometry centerline. The RFID tag includes a dipole segment and a loop segment coupled to the dipole segment. The loop segment of the modified dipole antenna provides the antenna with larger signal strength than conventional dipole antennas. Moreover, the conductive loop segment also provides improved impedance matching capabilities to allow the modified dipole antenna to match the impedance of an integrated circuit (IC) chip of the RFID tag.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Terrence H. Joyce, JR., Swagatat R. Banerjee, William C. Egbert, Katherine A. Brown, Jaewon Kim, William A. Mittelstadt, Robert A. Sainati
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Publication number: 20090085750Abstract: The invention is directed to an extended radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. The extended RFID tag includes an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag having a dipole antenna attached to a first surface of a substrate. The extended RFID tag further includes an antenna extension attached to the UHF RFID tag and overlapping at least a portion of the dipole antenna for electromagnetically coupling the antenna extension and the dipole antenna in operation. The extended RFID tag further includes an insulator positioned between the dipole antenna and the antenna extension to electrically isolate the dipole antenna from the antenna extension.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michele A. Waldner, David P. Erickson, James P. McGee, Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati
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Patent number: 7511601Abstract: Various systems and methods of handling items such as files are disclosed, including systems and methods for polling RFID-tagged items while they are stored in storage areas.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Peter M. Eisenberg, David P. Erickson, Edward D. Goff, Mitchell B. Grunes, Gene J. Hickok, Janet T. Keller, William J. Kelliher, Jr., Jon A. Kirschhoffer, John M. Kruse, Diane E. Morel, Scott D. Pearson, Chester Piotrowski, Edmund J. Ring, Robert A. Sainati, Michele A. Waldner
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Publication number: 20080258875Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple embodiments of a signage having radio-frequency responsive features, methods of making and using the signage, and the performance characteristics of the signage. These embodiments include a cutout, aperture, or opening in an electrically conductive sign into which or adjacent to which is placed an RFID tag or chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Ronald D. Jesme, Robert A. Sainati, Swagata R. Banerjee
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Publication number: 20080218354Abstract: Non-networked radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and methods are described that use RFID tags to exchange information between non-networked RFID readers. The RFID tags may store information about conditions the RFID-tagged items have encountered while being processed. RFID readers may dynamically update the information stored on the RFID tags as the RFID-tagged items are processed at nodes. An RFID tag may include a processor that dynamically determines process control instructions based on the information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Robert D. Lorentz, Ronald D. Jesme, Robert A. Sainati, James P. McGee, Michael E. Hamerly, Subhalakshmi M. Ananthanarayanan
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Patent number: 7411500Abstract: Methods of monitoring items and/or materials from a manufacturing process. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of monitoring items and/or materials from a manufacturing process using a plurality of RFID tagged containers, and a plurality of stations associated with different portions of the manufacturing process, where each station includes an RFID reader.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Barry W. Kostyk, Robert D. Lorentz, Robert A. Sainati, James P. McGee, Subhalakshmi M. Ananthanarayanan, John W. Van Bogart, Ronald D. Jesme
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Publication number: 20070057789Abstract: Methods of monitoring items and/or materials from a manufacturing process. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of monitoring items and/or materials from a manufacturing process using a plurality of RFID tagged containers, and a plurality of stations associated with different portions of the manufacturing process, where each station includes an RFID reader.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Michael Hamerly, Barry Kostyk, Robert Lorentz, Robert Sainati
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Patent number: 7088299Abstract: The invention provides a multi-band antenna structure for use in a wireless communication system. The antenna structure includes integrated inductive elements and capacitive elements that function as a tuned circuit to allow the antenna structure to operate in multiple frequency ranges. In particular, the capacitive elements electromagnetically couple to the inductive elements. The capacitive elements provide the inductive elements with parallel capacitance at a given set of frequencies, thereby providing the antenna structure with frequency selectivity. At a particular frequency range, the inductive elements act as short circuits, thereby lengthening the radiating elements, which radiate energy at the particular frequency. At another frequency range, the inductive components act as open circuits, virtually shortening the radiating elements in order to radiate the higher frequencies. In this manner, the multi-band antenna structure operates within multiple frequency ranges.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: DSP Group Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Siegler, Robert Sainati
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Publication number: 20060071774Abstract: An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Katherine Brown, Catherine Behun, Kaileen Chen, David Erickson, Ronald Jesme, Orlin Knudson, Robert Lorentz, James McGee, Robert Sainati, Lucien Solefack, Justin Tungjunyatham, Christopher Yungers, Michael Hamerly, Scott Pearson
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Publication number: 20050190072Abstract: An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2004Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Katherine Brown, Catherine Behun, Kaileen Chen, David Erickson, Ronald Jesme, Orlin Knudson, Robert Lorentz, James McGee, Robert Sainati, Lucien Solefack, Justin Tungjunyatham, Christopher Yungers
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Publication number: 20050116869Abstract: The invention provides a multi-band antenna structure for use in a wireless communication system. The antenna structure includes integrated inductive elements and capacitive elements that function as a tuned circuit to allow the antenna structure to operate in multiple frequency ranges. In particular, the capacitive elements electromagnetically couple to the inductive elements. The capacitive elements provide the inductive elements with parallel capacitance at a given set of frequencies, thereby providing the antenna structure with frequency selectivity. At a particular frequency range, the inductive elements act as short circuits, thereby lengthening the radiating elements, which radiate energy at the particular frequency. At another frequency range, the inductive components act as open circuits, virtually shortening the radiating elements in order to radiate the higher frequencies. In this manner, the multi-band antenna structure operates within multiple frequency ranges.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Michael Siegler, Robert Sainati
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Publication number: 20040036655Abstract: The invention provides a multi-layer antenna structure for use in a wireless communication system. The antenna may be integrated within a multi-layer circuit structure such as a multi-layer printed circuit board. The multi-layer antenna structure may include, for example, a radiating component and a conductive strip feed-line that electromagnetically couples to the radiating component to directly feed the radiating component. The conductive strip feed-line may be fabricated to form a balun. The conductive strip feed-line may, for example, form a quarter-wavelength open circuit in order to realize the balun. The balun may perform signal transformations, e.g., unbalanced to balanced, as well as impedance transformations. The radiating component and the conductive strip feed-line forming the balun may be formed on different layers of a multi-layer circuit structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Robert Sainati, Michael J Siegler
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Patent number: 6646554Abstract: A combination tag is disclosed, including a magnetically-responsive element and a radio frequency-responsive element. In one embodiment, the magnetically-responsive element also functions as an antenna for the radio frequency-responsive element.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Edward D. Goff, Gerald L. Karel, Chester Piotrowski, Robert A. Sainati, Ching-Long Tsai
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Patent number: 6600418Abstract: An object tracking and management system and method using radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tags is disclosed. Objects to be moved between locations are outfitted with RFID tags having information relating to the identities of the objects. The locations are also marked by RFID tags containing information on the locations. A transport vehicle for moving the objects is equipped with an RFID interrogator capable of detecting signals from the RFID tags. An onboard processor provides the operator of the vehicle with instructions on the movement of objects. The processor also determines the identities of the objects and locations from the detected signals and provides the operator with feedback as to the identity of an object being moved, the location of the vehicle and any error in carrying out the instructions. Numerous variations of the basic system and method using RFID tags are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2000Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert C. Francis, James P. McGee, Robert A. Sainati, Richard L. Sheehan, Jr., Sai-Kit K. Tong
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Patent number: 6529139Abstract: Enclosed antenna for use in toy remote control assemblies. In one aspect the antenna is a flexible antenna which can be flexed to fit within housings of remote control devices and toys (e.g., toy vehicles). The flexible antenna may include an electrically conductive layer coupled to a flexible substrate, wherein the electrically conductive layer is in the shape of an antenna pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1997Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Catherine H. Behun, Kaileen Chen, Janelle D. Hildebrandt, Robert A. Sainati, Gregory D. Allen
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Publication number: 20020196126Abstract: Various systems and methods of handling items such as files are disclosed, including systems and methods for polling RFID-tagged items while they are stored in storage areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Peter M. Eisenberg, David P. Erickson, Edward D. Goff, Mitchell B. Grunes, Gene J. Hickok, Janet T. Keller, William J. Kelliher, Jon A. Kirschhoffer, John M. Kruse, Diane E. Morel, Scott D. Pearson, Chester Piotrowski, Edmund J. Ring, Robert A. Sainati, Michele A. Waldner
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Publication number: 20020180588Abstract: Various systems and methods of handling items such as files are disclosed, including systems and methods for polling RFID-tagged items while they are stored in storage areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: David P. Erickson, William J. Kelliher, Robert A. Sainati, Michele A. Waldner
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Publication number: 20020070862Abstract: An object tracking and management system and method using radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tags is disclosed. Objects to be moved between locations are outfitted with RFID tags having information relating to the identities of the objects. The locations are also marked by RFID tags containing information on the locations. A transport vehicle for moving the objects is equipped with an RFID interrogator capable of detecting signals from the RFID tags. An onboard processor provides the operator of the vehicle with instructions on the movement of objects. The processor also determines the identities of the objects and locations from the detected signals and provides the operator with feedback as to the identity of an object being moved, the location of the vehicle and any error in carrying out the instructions. Numerous variations of the basic system and method using RFID tags are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Robert C. Francis, James P. McGee, Robert A. Sainati, Richard L. Sheehan, Sai-Kit K. Tong