Zebra Technologies Corporation

Amit Asthana

Mark William Duron

Rehan K Jaffri

Eric Trongone

Alpaslan Demir

Steven D Sieckowski

Christopher P Klicpera

Michael J Koch

Theodore Samuel Hebron

Joseph J DiVirgilio

Joseph F DiGregorio

Peter Sie Jeng Heng

Jeffrey G Kukkola

Techniques for improving energy efficiency of a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) reader are described herein. A power control algorithm controlling a power amplifier of the RFID reader adjusts a bias setting of the power amplifier at different time periods during operation of the RFID reader. Particularly, in aspects, the power control algorithm biases the power amplifier at a first bias setting during a first time period when the RFID reader transmits a modulated continuous waveform conveying information to RFID tags in an environment, and biases the power amplifier at a second, different bias setting during a second time period when the RFID reader transmits an unmodulated continuous waveform. By adjusting to the second bias setting, the power control algorithm improves energy/power efficiency of the RFID reader during the second time period, thereby extending the single-charge lifetime of the RFID reader when implemented as a battery powered unit.

Adaptive biasing procedure to increase PA efficiency in RFID readers

The disclosure is a scanning device comprising a scanning assembly including a scanning engine and a scan window; a bezel including a first opening, a second opening, and a bezel body extending between the first and second openings and having an inner surface and outer surface; an antenna assembly including a transceiver and at least one antenna element; and a housing including a handle portion, a head portion, and a trigger portion. The scanning engine is coupled to the scan window and the scan window at least partially covers the first opening. The antenna element is arranged around at least a portion of a surface of the bezel body. The head portion is configured to include the bezel, at least a portion of the antenna assembly, and at least a portion of the scanning assembly, and the trigger portion which couples to the scanning engine.

Antenna arrangement for RFID-integrated scanning device

Radio frequency (RF) reflectors for radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are disclosed. An example RF reflector includes a four-sided housing having an open end, an end, two sides, a top, and an open bottom. The RF reflector is configured to not be electrically coupled to an RFID tag reader. The open end is configured to admit RF signals emitted by the RFID tag reader into the RF reflector, and has a dimension greater than a quarter wavelength of the RF signals. The end, the two sides, and the top include a material that at least partially reflects the RF signals, and the end, the two sides, and the top are electrically connected. Another example RF reflector includes a five-sided housing having two ends, two sides, a top, and an open bottom. One of the ends includes an opening to admit RF signals into the RF reflector.

Radio frequency reflectors for radio frequency identification systems

In an embodiment, the present invention is a barcode and RFID tag reader that includes a head portion housing an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly configured to capture images of an environment appearing with a FOV extending through a window; a base portion housing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the head portion and the base portion. Preferably, the RFID tag reader assembly includes a chassis having a face directed towards the FOV and an antenna assembly at least partially contoured around the face of the chassis where the antenna assembly includes: a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half being substantially symmetrical about a line of symmetry; and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.

Devices, systems, and methods associated with RFID tag reader assemblies for use in barcode readers

An RFID echo cancellation assembly includes: a circulator defining a transmission path from a transmit module to an antenna module, and a reception path from the antenna module to a receive module; a combiner on the reception path between the circulator and the receive module; a variable reflector for applying a cancellation signal to the combiner; a controller for setting an operational parameter at the variable reflector according to an attribute of a transmitted signal from the transmit module; and a coupler defining a segment of the transmission path between the transmit module and the circulator, and a cancellation path between the variable reflector and the combiner. The coupler couples a portion of the transmitted signal to the variable reflector, whereupon the variable reflector generates the cancellation signal based on the operational parameter, for transmission to the combiner via the cancellation signal path.

Method, system and apparatus for radio-frequency echo cancellation

A scanning device is disclosed for enabling radio frequency identification (RFID) sessions based on imager based object detection. The scanning device includes an optical imaging assembly having an optical field of view (FOV) and an effective reading range for capturing image(s) corresponding to product code(s). The scanning device includes an RFID reader having an RFID antenna configured to emit a radiation pattern extending over at least the optical FOV and the effective reading range of the optical image assembly for reading RFID tag(s). During a scanning session, initiated when a product enters the effective reading range and optical FOV, or the radiation pattern, a processor activates the optical imaging assembly, activates the RFID reader, and terminates the scanning session upon the occurrence of either: the optical imaging assembly scanning a product code associated with the product, or the RFID reader reading an RFID tag associated with the product.

Growing community of inventors

Germantown, MD, United States of America

Amit Asthana