RFID Systems Using Distributed Exciter Network

Abstract

RFID systems are disclosed that include at least one RFID receiver system and a distributed exciter architecture. Exciters can be connected via wired and/or wireless connections to the RFID receiver system, which can control activation of the exciters to detect the presence of RFID tags within interrogation spaces defined by the exciter topology. One embodiment includes an RFID receiver system configured to detect information from RFID tags within a receive coverage area, and a plurality of exciters defining a plurality of interrogation spaces within the receive coverage area of the receiver system. The receiver system is configured to transmit a control signal that identifies one of the exciters and includes information indicative of an RFID tag interrogation signal, the exciters are configured to receive the control signal, and the exciter identified in the control signal is configured to illuminate an interrogation space with the RFID tag interrogation signal.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An RFID system configured to manipulate RFID tags, comprising:
 an RFID receiver system configured to read RFID tag information from activated RFID tags within a receive coverage area; and   a plurality of exciters defining a plurality of interrogation spaces within the receive coverage area of the RFID receiver system, where at least one of the plurality of exciters is able to activate an RFID tag within the plurality of interrogation spaces and the plurality of interrogation spaces are contained within the receive coverage area of the RFID receiver system;   wherein the RFID receiver system is configured to transmit a control signal that identifies one of the plurality of exciters and includes information indicative of an RFID tag interrogation signal;   wherein the plurality of exciters are configured to receive the control signal;   wherein the exciter identified in the control signal is configured to illuminate an interrogation space with the RFID tag interrogation signal and activate an RFID tag within the interrogation space; and   wherein the RFID receiver system is configured to read RFID tag information from an RFID tag activated by an RFID tag interrogation signal generated by one of the plurality of exciters.