Intermec IP Corporation

Broadcom Corporation

Intermec, Inc.

Broadcom Corpotation

Gary Neal Spiess

Hunter Martin Leland

Ronald L Mahany

Arvin D Danielson

Guy J West

Keith K Cargin, Jr

Ronald E Luse

Charles D Gollnick

Robert G Geers

Marvin L Sojka

Richard C Arensdorf

John G Pavek

Amos D Young

James D Cnossen

Mary L Detweiler

Robert Charles Meier

Pavel Nikitin

John Howland Sherman

Lynn Carl Hingst

Steven V Schatz

Maury J Anderson

Thaddeus Ternes

Rene D Martinez

John Jorgenson

Pavel V Nikitin

In one aspect where a load or a subset of one or more tags is in motion relative to an RFID reader system, the RFID system obtains tag readings and derives tag scalar or vector motional data e.g. tag velocity, tag acceleration, and/or rate of change of tag acceleration which can be compared to known tag motional information to distinguish true tags of interest from false positives which are unavoidably also within the field of the reader system. An antenna system may also make readings during distinctive movement patterns of true tags, such as vertical or arcuate movement and utilize computed tag motional data based on the tag readings to distinguish true tags from false positives. Two components of the RFID system may communicate information on identified tags, and/or interact (e.g. by silencing tags), so as to cooperate in identifying true positive tags.

Utilization of motion and spatial identification in RFID systems

A RFID reader RFID reader may include an antenna that outputs signals and receive signals reflected from an object moving relative to the antenna, and circuitry configured to receive the reflected signals from the antenna. The reflected signals may determine that the motion has occurred relative to the antenna or be cancelled using a signal generated based on the reflected signals.

RFID motion triggering

A system and method of using motion or spatial identification technology with a mobile RFID reader to detect whether an RFID tag is part of a forklift load or other ambulatory space such as a shopping cart receptacle, includes determining whether a tag is within a defined space and/or whether a tag is in motion relative to a mobile RFID reader. The system and method determines whether a particular RFID tag is part of a forklift load/space, has been added to or removed, is an extraneous tag, etc.

Utilization of motion and spatial identification in mobile RFID interrogator

An RFID system is used to detect whether an RFID tag is part of the load of a forklift or other transport device. In one aspect where the load is in motion relative to an RFID reader system, the RFID system obtains tag readings and derives tag vector motion information which can be compared to the known motion of the load to distinguish tags that are part of the load from false positives which are unavoidably also within the field of the reader system. A forklift antenna system may also make readings from load pickup to load deposit in a truck trailer, and utilize computed tag vector motion information to distinguish tags that are part of the load from false positives. The tag vector information my relate to tag velocity, tag acceleration, and/or rate of change of tag acceleration. The two components of the RFID system may communicate information on identified tags, and/or interact (e.g. by silencing tags), so as to cooperate in identifying true positive tags in the load. A portal or reader system location along the path of the forklift can be activated prior to arrival of the load to eliminate certain false positives from requiring evaluation while the forklift load is moving through the field region of such reader system. Vertical motion of the load can be utilized as a way of discriminating between true positive tags in the load and false positives.

A system and method of using motion or spatial identification technology with a mobile RFID reader to detect whether an RFID tag is part of a forklift load or other ambulatory space includes determining if a tag is within a defined space or if a tag is in motion relative to a mobile RFID reader. The system and method determines whether a particular RFID tag is part of a forklift load/space, has been added to or removed, is an extraneous tag, etc.

Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which, in turn, communicate with one or more host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller and an adapter which has a simulcast and sequential mode provide selective interface between host computers and base transceivers. A scheme for routing data through the communication system is also disclosed wherein the intermediate base stations are organized into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically. Additionally, redundant network and communication protocol is disclosed wherein the network utilizes a polling communication protocol which, under heavy loaded conditions, requires that a roaming terminal wishing to initiate communication must first determine that the channel is truly clear by listing for an entire interpoll gap time. In a further embodiment, a criterion used by the roaming terminals for attaching to a given base station reduces conflicts in the overlapping RF regions of adjacent base stations.

Communication network terminal with sleep capability

Network supporting roaming, sleeping terminals

A data collection network supporting roaming terminals which may enter and exit a sleep mode to conserve power. A plurality of base stations each periodically transmit pending message indications to those roaming data collection terminals within range. Instead of requiring the transceiver within each terminal to always be active, the receiver is activated in synchrony with the transmissions of pending message indications from at least one of the base stations. Otherwise, the terminal may deactivate the transceiver (i.e., place it in a sleep state). The terminal may also sleep through pluralities of transmissions of pending message indications, and, thereafter, awake in synchrony to receive subsequent pending message indications. To minimize noise, the terminal may operate using a lower frequency system clock when not collecting data. When collecting data, especially where processing time proves critical, the system clock frequency is increased.

Low-power messaging in a network supporting roaming terminals

Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which communicate with one or two host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller provides selective interface means to be employed between the host computers and the base transceivers whereby low data rate base transceivers may be utilized with the network controller while spread spectrum or high data rate networked base transceivers may be also utilized. The network controller may allow selection of interface means for three of its ports from its front panel with use of three input keys. The network controller is entirely external to the host computer or computers, and can couple to a variety of commonly encountered host ports. Most preferable one- or two-network controller ports can each be software configured to match any needed host port, so that the host computer(s) need not be adapted to a radio network protocol accommodating the multiple base transceiver units.

System for coupling a multiplicity of RF data collection terminals with host computer means

Growing community of inventors

Libson, IA, United States of America

Gary Neal Spiess