Radio frequency identification tag identification system

Abstract

A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed has a conveyor that conveys items through a path of travel, and an antenna disposed proximate the path of travel. Circuitry in communication with the antenna may associate RFID tag data with a package on the conveyor based on a difference signal from elements in the antenna.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
 a conveyor that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;   an antenna disposed with respect to the path of travel so that the antenna radiates radio frequency signals into an area through which the items pass; and   circuitry in electrical connection with the antenna so that the circuitry drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals into the area,   wherein the circuitry is selectable between at least two operative states,   wherein, in a first said operative state, the circuitry drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals in a first radiation pattern,   wherein, in a second said operative state, the circuitry drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals in a second radiation pattern that is different from the first radiation pattern, and   wherein said first and second radiation patterns are respective volumes within which the radio frequency identification tags receive and emit responses to the radio frequency signals.   
     
     
         2 . The conveyor system as in  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises a radio frequency transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The conveyor system as in  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry comprises a feed network disposed operatively between the radio frequency transmitter and the antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The conveyor system as in  claim 3 , wherein the circuitry comprises a switch within the feed network that is controllable between two states that define respective different lengths of the feed network to thereby define the first operative state and the second operative state. 
     
     
         5 . The conveyor system as in  claim 4 , wherein the antenna is a patch array antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The conveyor system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first radiation pattern has a length in the path of travel at the area that is greater than a length of the second radiation pattern in the path of travel at the area. 
     
     
         7 . The conveyor system as in  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is in communication with the conveyor so that the circuitry identifies the items on the conveyor, including a distance between adjacent said items, and wherein the circuitry selects an operative state of the at least two operative states in response to the distance. 
     
     
         8 . The conveyor system as in  claim 7 , wherein the distance is in a direction of the path of travel. 
     
     
         9 . The conveyor system as in  claim 8 , wherein the circuitry comprises:
 a sensor disposed proximate the path of travel so that the sensor detects presence of items in the path of travel,   a radio frequency transmitter in electrical communication with the antenna so that the radio frequency transmitter drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals into the area, and   a computer that receives a signal from the sensor, determines the distance, and controls the radio frequency transmitter in response to the distance.   
     
     
         10 . The conveyor system as in  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is in communication with the conveyor so that the circuitry identifies a speed of the conveyor, and wherein the circuitry selects an operative state of the at least two operative states in response to the speed. 
     
     
         11 . The conveyor system as in  claim 10 , wherein the speed is in a direction of the path of travel. 
     
     
         12 . The conveyor system as in  claim 11 , wherein the circuitry comprises:
 a tachometer in communication with the conveyor,   a radio frequency transmitter in electrical communication with the antenna so that the radio frequency transmitter drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals into the area, and   a computer that receives a signal from the tachometer, determines the speed, and controls the radio frequency transmitter in response to the speed.   
     
     
         13 . A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
 a conveyor that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;   an antenna disposed with respect to the path of travel so that the antenna radiates radio frequency signals into an area through which the items pass; and   circuitry in electrical connection with the antenna so that the circuitry drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals into the area, wherein the circuitry is in communication with the conveyor so that the circuitry identifies the items on the conveyor, including a distance between adjacent said items, and identifies a speed of the conveyor,   wherein the circuitry is selectable between at least two operative states in response to at least one of the distance and the speed,   wherein, in a first said operative state, the circuitry drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals in a first radiation pattern,   wherein, in a second said operative state, the circuitry drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals in a second radiation pattern that is different from the first radiation pattern, and   wherein said first and second radiation patterns are respective volumes within which the radio frequency identification tags receive and emit responses to the radio frequency signals.   
     
     
         14 . The conveyor system as in  claim 13 , wherein the first radiation pattern has a length in the path of travel at the area that is greater than a length of the second radiation pattern in the path of travel at the area. 
     
     
         15 . The conveyor system as in  claim 14 , wherein the circuitry selects the first operative state when the distance is below a first predetermined threshold or when the speed is below a second predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         16 . The conveyor system as in  claim 14 , wherein the circuitry comprises:
 a first sensor disposed proximate the path of travel so that the sensor detects presence of items in the path of travel and a second sensor disposed in communication with the conveyor so that the second sensor detects speed of the conveyor,   a radio frequency transmitter in electrical communication with the antenna so that the radio frequency transmitter drives the antenna to emit the radio frequency signals into the area, and   a computer that receives a signal from the first sensor and a signal from the second sensor, determines the distance and the speed, and controls the radio frequency transmitter in response to at least one of the distance and the speed.   
     
     
         17 . The conveyor system as in  claim 16 , wherein the circuitry comprises a feed network disposed operatively between the radio frequency transmitter and the antenna. 
     
     
         18 . The conveyor system as in  claim 17 , wherein the circuitry comprises a switch within the feed network that is controllable between two states that define respective different lengths of the feed network to thereby define the first operative state and the second operative state.