Abstract: A portable communication device uses a first electrostatic antenna element and a second electrostatic antenna element and circuitry which is coupled to the first antenna element and to the second antenna element and which derives operating power from an electrostatic field in the vicinity of the first and second antenna elements. The electrostatic field may be provided by an array of exciter elements containing both horizontal and vertical exciter elements so that at some point as a communication device is moved across the exciter antenna array, the device will have sufficient power coupled to it to power up and become operational.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes stored information. The tag includes an antenna element (28) and a common electrode (26), the common electrode being coupled to ground (70). The antenna element electrostatically receives an exciter signal (30) from a proximately-located exciter (12). Upon receiving the exciter signal, the tag becomes energized, thereby causing it to generate a read signal (32) based on the stored information. The antenna element then electrostatically sends the read signal to a proximately-located reader (14), which detects the stored information. Both energy and data are capacitively coupled by virtue of the unbalanced nature of the network, thus resulting in decreased coupled impedance.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag exciter/reader (10) is arranged for operation in association with an article transport device (100). The radio frequency identification tag exciter/reader (10) includes a canopy assembly (12) into which an exciter antenna (22) and a reader antenna (24) are positioned. A base station (26) is further provided and is coupled to the exciter antenna (22) and the reader antenna (24). The base station (26) provides an excitation signal (36) and receives a read signal (38). The base station further communicates with a system element (34). A hand held radio frequency identification tag exciter/reader (900) includes a hand holdable housing (912) including an exciter antenna (922) and a reader antenna (924). The housing is coupled to a portable base station (926). The base station (926) provides an excitation signal (936) and receives a read signal (938). The base station further communicates with a system element (934) via radio signals (932, 933).