The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 17, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2005
Will Phipps, Fairport, NY (US);
Alberto Rodriguez, Webster, NY (US);
Scott J. Bell, Rochester, NY (US);
Heiko Rommelmann, Penfield, NY (US);
Steven C. Hart, Webster, NY (US);
Will Phipps, Fairport, NY (US);
Alberto Rodriguez, Webster, NY (US);
Scott J. Bell, Rochester, NY (US);
Heiko Rommelmann, Penfield, NY (US);
Steven C. Hart, Webster, NY (US);
Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
An interface antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with a tag and a reader antenna associated with a reader. The interface antenna receives an electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna and causes an increase in intensity of the electromagnetic carrier signal at the location of the tag antenna, thereby increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the interface antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader external to the package. For example, the interface antenna may be attached to a label on the package. At least a portion of the interface antenna may be formed from a conductive ink applied to the label and/or the container. The object may be a module, also known as a customer replaceable unit (CRU), and the tag may be configured as a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM).