Patent US6714121B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6714121B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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RFID material tracking method and apparatus
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
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Filing: 1999-08-09
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Granted: 2004-03-30
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Expires: 2019-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for tracking items automatically is described. A passive RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag is used with a material tracking system capable of real-time pinpoint location and identification of thousands of items in production and storage areas. Passive RFID tags are attached to the item to be tracked, remote sensing antennas are placed at each remote location to be monitored, interrogators with several antenna inputs are connected to the sensing antennas to multiplex the antenna signals, and a host computer communicates with the interrogators to determine item locations to an exacting measure.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott E. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10009; G06K7/10316; G06K7/10336; G06K17/00; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2451; G08B13/2462
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 79
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An identification system, comprising: a plurality of identification tags each attachable to an item to be identified; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of identification tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and an interrogator having drive electronics and detection circuitry, the interrogator operatively attached to the sensing antennas to excite a single sensing antenna at a time, each sensing antenna polling its respective identification tag location to obtain information from an identification tag at the respective identification tag location through the sensing antenna when the sensing antenna is within a predetermined range of the identification tag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An identification system, comprising: a plurality of identification tags each attachable to an item to be identified; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of identification tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and an interrogator having drive electronics and detection circuitry, the interrogator operatively attached to the sensing antennas to excite a single sensing antenna at a time, each sensing antenna polling its respective identification tag location to obtain information from an identification tag at the respective identification tag location through the sensing antenna when the sensing antenna is within a predetermined range of the identification tag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The identification system of claim 1 , wherein the identification tag is a radio frequency identification tag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The identification system of claim 2 , wherein the identification tag is a passive radio frequency identification tag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The identification system of claim 1 , wherein the identification tag is an active tag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The identification system of claim 1 , wherein the identification tag is a read only tag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The identification system of claim 1 , wherein the identification tag is a read/write tag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The identification system of claim 1 , wherein each sensing antenna is connected to the interrogator by a connection line comprising a cable, the cable having at each end a connection jack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The identification system of claim 7 , wherein the cable is a flat telephone cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The identification system of claim 7 , wherein the connection jack is a telephone connection jack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The identification system of claim 1 , wherein each sensing antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote to the interrogator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
159 words
An identification system, comprising: a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; an interrogator having drive electronics and detection circuitry, the interrogator operatively attached to the sensing antennas to excite a single sensing antenna at a time, each sensing antenna polling a respective identification tag at its identification tag location when the tag is within a predetermined range of the sensing antenna, to obtain information from the identification tag through the sensing antenna, the sensing antenna separate from the identification tag; and a plurality of telephone cable connection lines connecting the sensing antennas to the interrogator, each of the connection lines terminating in a line connection jack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
159 words
An identification system, comprising: a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; an interrogator having drive electronics and detection circuitry, the interrogator operatively attached to the sensing antennas to excite a single sensing antenna at a time, each sensing antenna polling a respective identification tag at its identification tag location when the tag is within a predetermined range of the sensing antenna, to obtain information from the identification tag through the sensing antenna, the sensing antenna separate from the identification tag; and a plurality of telephone cable connection lines connecting the sensing antennas to the interrogator, each of the connection lines terminating in a line connection jack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The identification system of claim 11 , wherein each sensing antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote to the interrogator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
184 words
An RFID material tracking system, comprising: an identification system comprising: a plurality of RFID tags attachable to items to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having detection circuitry, drive electronics, and a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to one of the plurality of sensing antennas, wherein each sensing antenna obtains information from a tagged item when the tagged item is at the identification tag location of the sensing antenna within a predetermined range of the interrogator; and a control system to control the driving of the sensing antennas such that only a single sensing antenna is driven at any one time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
184 words
An RFID material tracking system, comprising: an identification system comprising: a plurality of RFID tags attachable to items to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having detection circuitry, drive electronics, and a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to one of the plurality of sensing antennas, wherein each sensing antenna obtains information from a tagged item when the tagged item is at the identification tag location of the sensing antenna within a predetermined range of the interrogator; and a control system to control the driving of the sensing antennas such that only a single sensing antenna is driven at any one time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The RFID system of claim 13 , wherein the control system is a logic control system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 13 , wherein the control system is integrated into the interrogator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 13 , wherein the control system is external to the interrogator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 13 , wherein the control system comprises: a computer operatively connected to each interrogator, the computer receiving tag location information from each interrogator to log tag location data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 13 , wherein the control system comprises: an auxiliary processor board operatively connected to the interrogator to control operation of the interrogator, and to receive and store tag information from each interrogator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more nesting stations have a plurality of connection jacks to operatively connect the interrogator to the antennas via the jacks and a connection line to the interrogator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 13 , and further comprising: a plurality of cable connection lines connecting the sensing antennas to the interrogator, each of the connection lines terminating in a connection jack.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 13 , wherein each sensing antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote from its associated interrogator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
155 words
A material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of RFID tags attachable to items to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having detection circuitry, drive electronics, and a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to one of the plurality of sensing antennas, wherein each sensing antenna obtains information from a tagged item when the tagged item is passed at the identification tag location of the sensing antenna within a predetermined range of the interrogator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
155 words
A material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of RFID tags attachable to items to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having detection circuitry, drive electronics, and a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to one of the plurality of sensing antennas, wherein each sensing antenna obtains information from a tagged item when the tagged item is passed at the identification tag location of the sensing antenna within a predetermined range of the interrogator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The material tracking system of claim 22 , wherein each sensing antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote from its associated interrogator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
151 words
A material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of RFID tags attachable to items to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and an interrogator having detection circuitry, drive electronics, and a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to one of the plurality of sensing antennas, wherein each sensing antenna obtains information from a tagged item when the tagged item is passed at the identification tag location of the sensing antenna within a predetermined range of the interrogator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
151 words
A material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of RFID tags attachable to items to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide an identification tag location for each of the sensing antennas, the plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; and an interrogator having detection circuitry, drive electronics, and a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to one of the plurality of sensing antennas, wherein each sensing antenna obtains information from a tagged item when the tagged item is passed at the identification tag location of the sensing antenna within a predetermined range of the interrogator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
The material tracking system of claim 24 , and further comprising: a multiplexor operatively connected to each of the plurality of antenna inputs and to the drive electronics and to the detection circuitry; and a processor operatively connected to the multiplexor to select one of the plurality of antennas to drive at any given time.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The material tracking system of claim 25 , wherein the multiplexor and the processor are integrated with the interrogator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The material tracking system of claim 25 , wherein the processor is external to the interrogator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The material tracking system of claim 24 , and further comprising: a plurality of cable connection lines connecting the sensing antennas to the interrogator, each of the connection lines terminating in a connection jack.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The material tracking system of claim 24 , wherein each sensing antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote from the interrogator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
141 words
An RFID material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of RFID tags, each tag attachable to an item to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each antenna placeable within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide at least a temporary holding location for the item to be tracked at a location to be monitored, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of sensing antennas connected to an interrogator; and a computer operatively connected to each of the interrogators and receiving tag location information therefrom to log tag location data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
141 words
An RFID material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of RFID tags, each tag attachable to an item to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of RFID tags, each antenna placeable within or upon one or more nesting stations that provide at least a temporary holding location for the item to be tracked at a location to be monitored, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having a plurality of antenna inputs, each of the plurality of sensing antennas connected to an interrogator; and a computer operatively connected to each of the interrogators and receiving tag location information therefrom to log tag location data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 30 , and further comprising a plurality of connection lines connecting the plurality of interrogators and the plurality of sensing antennas.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 30 , wherein the connection lines are telephone cable.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 32 , wherein the telephone connection lines are terminated at each end with a telephone connection jack.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The RFID material tracking system of claim 30 , wherein each sensing antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote from its associated interrogator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
170 words
An identification system for tracking the location of a plurality of objects which may be at multiple locations, the identification system comprising: a plurality of identification tags, each identification tag having a unique identification, and each identification tag attachable to an object; a control module; a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator placeable at a location at which objects are desired to be located, each interrogator operatively connected to a control module which initiates operations of the interrogator, and receives information gathered by the interrogator; wherein each interrogator comprises drive electronics, detection circuitry, and an antenna for obtaining information from an identification tag when the interrogator and the identification tag are within a predetermined physical distance of one another, the antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects having an attached identification tag and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
170 words
An identification system for tracking the location of a plurality of objects which may be at multiple locations, the identification system comprising: a plurality of identification tags, each identification tag having a unique identification, and each identification tag attachable to an object; a control module; a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator placeable at a location at which objects are desired to be located, each interrogator operatively connected to a control module which initiates operations of the interrogator, and receives information gathered by the interrogator; wherein each interrogator comprises drive electronics, detection circuitry, and an antenna for obtaining information from an identification tag when the interrogator and the identification tag are within a predetermined physical distance of one another, the antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects having an attached identification tag and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
166 words
An identification system for tracking the location of a plurality of objects which may be at multiple locations, the identification system comprising: a plurality of identification tags, each identification tag having a unique identification, and each identification tag attachable to an object; a control module; an interrogator placeable at a location at which objects are desired to be located, the interrogator operatively connected to a control module which initiates operations of the interrogator, and receives information gathered by the interrogator; wherein the interrogator comprises drive electronics, detection circuitry, and an antenna for obtaining information from an identification tag when the interrogator and the identification tag are within a predetermined physical distance of one another, the antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects having an attached identification tag and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
166 words
An identification system for tracking the location of a plurality of objects which may be at multiple locations, the identification system comprising: a plurality of identification tags, each identification tag having a unique identification, and each identification tag attachable to an object; a control module; an interrogator placeable at a location at which objects are desired to be located, the interrogator operatively connected to a control module which initiates operations of the interrogator, and receives information gathered by the interrogator; wherein the interrogator comprises drive electronics, detection circuitry, and an antenna for obtaining information from an identification tag when the interrogator and the identification tag are within a predetermined physical distance of one another, the antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects having an attached identification tag and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
68 words
An interrogator for an RFID tracking system, comprising: detection circuitry; drive electronics; and a plurality of antenna inputs each connectable to an antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
68 words
An interrogator for an RFID tracking system, comprising: detection circuitry; drive electronics; and a plurality of antenna inputs each connectable to an antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interrogator of claim 37 , and further comprising: a processor; and a multiplexor, the multiplexor operatively connected to the processor, the processor controlling the multiplexor selection of a single antenna input to drive at any given time.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The interrogator of claim 37 , wherein each antenna to which the interrogator is coupled by one of the antenna inputs and its coupled capacitor are remote from the drive electronics.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
119 words
An interrogator, comprising: a plurality of antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations for holding one or more objects, each antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; a drive electronics circuit for driving each of the plurality of antennas; a processor; a multiplexor operatively connected to each of the plurality of antennas, multiplexor selector input connected to the processor, the processor selecting the specific antenna to drive at any given time; and a detection circuit operatively connected to the plurality of antennas, the detection circuit detecting a voltage in the driven antenna.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
119 words
An interrogator, comprising: a plurality of antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations for holding one or more objects, each antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; a drive electronics circuit for driving each of the plurality of antennas; a processor; a multiplexor operatively connected to each of the plurality of antennas, multiplexor selector input connected to the processor, the processor selecting the specific antenna to drive at any given time; and a detection circuit operatively connected to the plurality of antennas, the detection circuit detecting a voltage in the driven antenna.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interrogator of claim 40 , wherein each antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote from the drive electronics.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
114 words
An interrogator for an RFID tracking system, comprising: a detection circuit; drive electronics; a multiplexor; a plurality of antenna inputs, each antenna input operatively connected to the multiplexor and to the drive electronics, each antenna input connectable to an antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other; and a microprocessor operatively connected to the multiplexor, the microprocessor controlling the operation of the multiplexor to select one of the antenna inputs to energize with the drive electronics.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
114 words
An interrogator for an RFID tracking system, comprising: a detection circuit; drive electronics; a multiplexor; a plurality of antenna inputs, each antenna input operatively connected to the multiplexor and to the drive electronics, each antenna input connectable to an antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more objects and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, the antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit are in close proximity to each other; and a microprocessor operatively connected to the multiplexor, the microprocessor controlling the operation of the multiplexor to select one of the antenna inputs to energize with the drive electronics.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The interrogator of claim 42 , wherein each antenna to which the interrogator is coupled by one of the antenna inputs and its coupled capacitor are remote from the drive electronics.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of tracking the location of lots having RF identification tags attached thereto, the method comprising: activating a sensing antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more lots having RF identification tag attached thereto using an interrogator by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna; determining if there is a sensed voltage at the sensing antenna from an identification tag, the sensing antenna separate from the identification tag; obtaining tag data from the identification tag; and transferring the obtained information from the interrogator to a computer.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of tracking the location of lots having RF identification tags attached thereto, the method comprising: activating a sensing antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding one or more lots having RF identification tag attached thereto using an interrogator by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna; determining if there is a sensed voltage at the sensing antenna from an identification tag, the sensing antenna separate from the identification tag; obtaining tag data from the identification tag; and transferring the obtained information from the interrogator to a computer.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 44 , and further comprising: determining whether a tag is present at the tracking location.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 45 , and further comprising: turning the carrier off and re-activating the sensing antenna if it is determined that a tag is not present.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 44 , and further comprising: polling the next tag location if it is determined that a tag is not present at the current location.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
95 words
A machine readable medium comprising machine readable instructions for causing a computer to perform a method comprising: activating an antenna of an interrogator by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding a part having a passive identification tag attached thereto and configured as a coil antenna; determining if there is a voltage at the antenna; and obtaining data from the passive identification tag attached separate from the antenna to the part in the range of the interrogator.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
95 words
A machine readable medium comprising machine readable instructions for causing a computer to perform a method comprising: activating an antenna of an interrogator by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding a part having a passive identification tag attached thereto and configured as a coil antenna; determining if there is a voltage at the antenna; and obtaining data from the passive identification tag attached separate from the antenna to the part in the range of the interrogator.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
174 words
A machine readable medium comprising machine readable instructions for causing a computer to perform a method comprising: activating one of a plurality of antennas to poll a specific tag location by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the one antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding an item having an identification tag attached thereto configured as a coil antenna; determining whether a voltage due to an excited tag is present at the active antenna; reading tag information from any tag at the specific tag location, the tag separate from the plurality of antennas; deactivating the active antenna; activating another of the plurality of antennas to poll a different specific tag location; determining whether a voltage due to a second excited tag is present at the newly active antenna; reading tag information from any tag at the different specific tag location, the tag separate from the plurality of antennas; and repeating deactivating through reading until each of the plurality of antennas has been active.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
174 words
A machine readable medium comprising machine readable instructions for causing a computer to perform a method comprising: activating one of a plurality of antennas to poll a specific tag location by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the one antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station for holding an item having an identification tag attached thereto configured as a coil antenna; determining whether a voltage due to an excited tag is present at the active antenna; reading tag information from any tag at the specific tag location, the tag separate from the plurality of antennas; deactivating the active antenna; activating another of the plurality of antennas to poll a different specific tag location; determining whether a voltage due to a second excited tag is present at the newly active antenna; reading tag information from any tag at the different specific tag location, the tag separate from the plurality of antennas; and repeating deactivating through reading until each of the plurality of antennas has been active.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
107 words
The machine readable medium of claim 49 , wherein the method further comprises: waiting a predetermined time to detect a voltage in the active antenna if no voltage is present in the active antenna; reading tag data from the tag associated with the active antenna if there is a voltage; turning the active antenna off if after the predetermined time there is no voltage present in the active antenna; turning the antenna back on to repower the tag at the tag location; and repeating the determining through the reading until a voltage is detected in the active antenna or until a certain second predetermined time has elapsed.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
178 words
A material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of passive radio frequency identification tags attachable to lots to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of passive radio frequency identification tags, each antenna placeable within or upon a nesting station that provides at least a temporary holding location for a lot to be tracked at a location to be monitored, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having a plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to a multiplexor, and drive electronics and detection circuitry operatively connected to the multiplexor, each of the plurality of sensing antennas connected to an interrogator through its multiplexor; and a computer operatively connected to each of the interrogator multiplexors to sequentially activate each of the sensing antennas to poll its specific location, the processor receiving tag location information from the detection circuitry to log tag location data.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
178 words
A material tracking system, comprising: a plurality of passive radio frequency identification tags attachable to lots to be tracked; a plurality of sensing antennas separate from the plurality of passive radio frequency identification tags, each antenna placeable within or upon a nesting station that provides at least a temporary holding location for a lot to be tracked at a location to be monitored, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; a plurality of interrogators, each interrogator having a plurality of antenna inputs operatively connected to a multiplexor, and drive electronics and detection circuitry operatively connected to the multiplexor, each of the plurality of sensing antennas connected to an interrogator through its multiplexor; and a computer operatively connected to each of the interrogator multiplexors to sequentially activate each of the sensing antennas to poll its specific location, the processor receiving tag location information from the detection circuitry to log tag location data.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
21 words
The material tracking system of claim 51 , wherein each antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote from its associated interrogator.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
139 words
An inventory system, comprising: a plurality of sensing antennas positioned at a plurality of lot locations, each sensing antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station that provides a lot location for the specific sensing antenna and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; an interrogator operatively connected to each of the plurality of sensing antennas through a multiplexor, the interrogator comprising drive electronics, a detector circuit, and a processor, the processor operatively connected to the multiplexor to selectively drive one of the antennas at a time, the detector circuit detecting information of any identification tag at the lot location of the specific driven antenna, the identification tag separate from the plurality of sensing antennas.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
139 words
An inventory system, comprising: a plurality of sensing antennas positioned at a plurality of lot locations, each sensing antenna embedded within or upon a nesting station that provides a lot location for the specific sensing antenna and configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other; an interrogator operatively connected to each of the plurality of sensing antennas through a multiplexor, the interrogator comprising drive electronics, a detector circuit, and a processor, the processor operatively connected to the multiplexor to selectively drive one of the antennas at a time, the detector circuit detecting information of any identification tag at the lot location of the specific driven antenna, the identification tag separate from the plurality of sensing antennas.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
18 words
The inventory system of claim 53 , wherein each antenna and its coupled capacitor remote from the interrogator.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
132 words
A lot tracking system, comprising: a control module; a plurality of interrogators each having a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations, each sensing antenna positioned at a polling location within a nesting station, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other, each of the plurality of sensing antennas operatively connected to its respective interrogator through a multiplexor, a common detector circuit operatively connected to the multiplexor to detect information from the active sensing antenna, the control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of interrogators to control the sequential activation of each of the plurality of sensing antennas.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
132 words
A lot tracking system, comprising: a control module; a plurality of interrogators each having a plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations, each sensing antenna positioned at a polling location within a nesting station, each sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna coupled to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, each sensing antenna and its capacitor that forms a tank circuit in close proximity to each other, each of the plurality of sensing antennas operatively connected to its respective interrogator through a multiplexor, a common detector circuit operatively connected to the multiplexor to detect information from the active sensing antenna, the control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of interrogators to control the sequential activation of each of the plurality of sensing antennas.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lot tracking system of claim 55 , wherein each antenna and its coupled capacitor are remote from its associated interrogator.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of polling a plurality of polling locations having identification tags thereat, the method comprising: driving each of a plurality of sensing antennas one at a time with a common drive circuit to drive a tank circuit having a capacitor for each sensing antenna coupled to and in close proximity to the antenna, the plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations and separate from the identification tags; polling a polling location within a nesting station with its specific sensing antenna; detecting returned information for the specific polling location with a common detection circuit; and translating the detected information to tag information.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of polling a plurality of polling locations having identification tags thereat, the method comprising: driving each of a plurality of sensing antennas one at a time with a common drive circuit to drive a tank circuit having a capacitor for each sensing antenna coupled to and in close proximity to the antenna, the plurality of sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations and separate from the identification tags; polling a polling location within a nesting station with its specific sensing antenna; detecting returned information for the specific polling location with a common detection circuit; and translating the detected information to tag information.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 57 , and further comprising: storing the tag information in a database.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 57 , wherein driving each of the plurality of sensing antennas one at a time comprises: multiplexing the plurality of antennas with a multiplexor operatively controlled by a control module.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of polling a plurality of polling locations, comprising: activating one of a plurality of multiplexed sensing antennas to excite a passive identification tag at the antenna location by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna, the plurality of multiplexed sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations and separate from the passive identification tag; detecting the voltage induced in the active sensing antenna with a common detection circuit; translating detected voltage into identification tag information; and sequentially activating each of the plurality of sensing antennas one at a time to poll each antenna location.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of polling a plurality of polling locations, comprising: activating one of a plurality of multiplexed sensing antennas to excite a passive identification tag at the antenna location by driving a tank circuit having a capacitor coupled to and in close proximity to the sensing antenna configured as a coil antenna, the plurality of multiplexed sensing antennas embedded within or upon one or more nesting stations and separate from the passive identification tag; detecting the voltage induced in the active sensing antenna with a common detection circuit; translating detected voltage into identification tag information; and sequentially activating each of the plurality of sensing antennas one at a time to poll each antenna location.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-30 | 2007-09-29 | 2008-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-30 | 2011-09-29 | 2012-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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