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:
Aug. 18, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 23, 2006
Zhong-min Liu, Doylestown, PA (US);
Zhong-Min Liu, Doylestown, PA (US);
Accu-Sort Systems, Inc., Telford, PA (US);
Abstract
A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame and a generally planar conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A first antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates a first gain pattern carrying radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass, wherein the first gain pattern defines an electric field having magnitude and direction and receives responses to the radio frequency signals from radio identification tags on the items. A second antenna is proximate the first antenna and the path of travel so that the second antenna radiates a second gain pattern carrying radio frequency signals into the first area, wherein the second gain pattern defines an electric field having magnitude and direction. At least one radio frequency receiver receives signals from the first antenna corresponding to the responses received by the first antenna from the respective radio frequency identification tags and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses. A processor receives the first signal from the at least one receiver and is programmed to associate a first signal with a first item if the processor receives the first signal from the at least one receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a predetermined second area that includes at least part of the first area. The gain pattern of the first antenna and the gain pattern of the second antenna are defined, and the second antenna is disposed with respect to the first antenna, so that the direction of the electric field of the first gain pattern opposes the direction of the electric field of the second gain pattern in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor in the first area and in a direction generally parallel to the path of travel in the first area.