Rfid interrogator with adjustable signal characteristics

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator housed in a portable platform that includes at least one antenna, a transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal through the antenna, and a controller in communication with the transceiver for adjusting power and direction of the transmitted RF signal. The controller can be configured to adjust the antenna orientation, and can also selectively activate and deactivate one or more antennas.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) signal from an antenna of a transceiver to a RFID device, wherein the transmitting occurs in response to a signal from a trigger;   receiving a second RF signal from the RFID device at the antenna of the transceiver, wherein the receiving occurs in response to the signal from the trigger;   adjusting transmission parameters of the first RF signal; and   adjusting a sensitivity and direction of the antenna to indicate a directional axis along which the second RF signal is received such that other RF signals transmitted along a different directional axis are not received at the transceiver.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising adjusting polarization of the antenna by changing an antenna orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising selectively activating and deactivating one or more antennas. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising processing and retrieving information from the second RF signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising presenting the information to a user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the presented information includes an indication of distance between the interrogator and an item of interest. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the presented information includes an indication having any one of an audio indication, visual indication, and physical indication. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising presenting an alert to a user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the alert includes any one of an audio indication, visual indication, and physical indication. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) signal a transceiver;   receiving a second RF signal at the transceiver;   presenting an alert to a user, wherein the alert includes any one of an audio indication, visual indication, and physical indication;   adjusting characteristics of the first RF signal, and   adjusting a sensitivity and direction of an antenna of the transceiver to indicate a directional axis along which the second RF signal is received such that other RF signals transmitted along a different directional axis are not received at the transceiver.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the characteristics include power of the first RF signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the characteristics include direction of the first RF signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting polarization of the antenna by changing an antenna orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising selectively activating and deactivating one or more antennas. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising processing and retrieving information from the second RF signal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising presenting the information to a user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the presented information includes an indication of distance between the interrogator and an item of interest. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the presented information includes an indication having any one of an audio indication, visual indication, and physical indication. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising indicating a direction for transmitting the first RF signal.