In one embodiment, a wireless tag reading device includes a plurality of antennas for wireless tag communication, a number-of-times acquisition unit, a strength acquisition unit, and a direction specifying unit.

Each antenna is arranged along a passage through which a wireless tag passes. The number-of-times acquisition unit acquires a number of times of reading of data of the wireless tag read by each of the antennas for each unit time for each of the antennas. The strength acquisition unit acquires a received signal strength indicator when the data of the wireless tag is read by each of the antennas for each unit time for each of the antennas. The direction specifying unit specifies a moving direction of the wireless tag passing through the passage based on the number of times of reading and the received signal strength indicator for each of the antennas that are acquired for each unit time.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for dynamic portal modulation. A method of dynamic radio frequency identification (RFID) modulation comprises identifying in a structure a plurality of different assets to be loaded or unloaded; wherein each asset of the plurality of different assets is of a known identification and includes a passive RFID tag, and all passive RFID tags of the plurality of different assets are not the same. The method also comprises identifying a selected structural opening of a plurality of structural openings to be utilized with unloading or loading of the plurality of different assets, wherein each structural opening of the plurality of structural openings is equipped with an RFID portal including a reader, and each RFID portal includes at least power, sensitivity, mode and off settings; and individually, dynamically tuning the power, sensitivity and mode settings of the RFID portal of the selected structural opening based on the known identification of the plurality of assets and RFID tags utilized in the selected structural opening such that the reader of the RFID portal of the selected structural opening reads every RFID tag of the plurality of different assets to avoid missed reads.

A system for reading RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket includes a chamber sized and configured to receive a shopping cart or basket. The chamber includes a portal sized and configured to accommodate a shopping cart or basket, along with an associated closure that is movable between open and closed conditions. At least one antenna coupled to an RFID reader is associated with an interior of the chamber and oriented to send signals to and receive signals from RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket within the chamber. The chamber and the closure are configured to prevent signals sent to and from RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket within the chamber from exiting the chamber. A transport mechanism may be provided to automatically move the shopping cart or basket through the chamber.

The present disclosure provides for radio frequency identification in self-checkout via a first product pathway; a single Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) antenna, having a first scanning zone aligned with the first product pathway; wherein the first product pathway is configured to: position a first set of objects within the first scanning zone at a first position relative to the single RFID antenna at a first time; and position the first set of object within the first scanning zone at a second position relative to the single RFID, different than the first position, at a second time; and wherein the single RFID antenna is configured to: receive, at the first time, a first set of identifier signals associated with at least some of the first set of objects; and receive, at the second time, a second set of identifier signals associated with at least some of the first set of objects.

An RFID-enabled storage container and systems and methods for assembly and use thereof. The RFID-enabled storage container may include adjustable shelving with built-in antennas, such that the shelving may be customized as may be needed. The system may include a storage container, an inventory management system, and one or more point of use terminals. The storage container may identify and check inventory stored thereon, and provide such information to the inventory management system. The storage container may notify the inventory management system when a product is no longer detected within its inventory, and the inventory management system may monitor the one or more point of use terminals to determine if the undetected product has been used at one of the point of use terminals. The inventory management system may also predict inventory needs as well as maintain age and other data for inventory and provide feedback via an illumination indication.

A system and method for managing the contents of a medical storage container such as a tray that has a required inventory of medical articles. A Faraday cage enclosure is used to isolate, scan, and inventory the container. The container and each of the medical articles in the container have a respective RFID tag. A processor is programmed to retrieve the inventory list for the container based on its tag and compare the actual contents of the container according to their tags to the inventory list. Missing items and extra items are noted.

The growing research interest in passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-based devices and sensors in a diverse group of applications calls for flexibility in reader antenna performance. A low-cost, easy-to-fabricate, and pattern reconfigurable UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID reader antenna in the RFID ISM band (902-928 MHz in the US) may offer a 54 MHz bandwidth (890 944 MHz) and 8.9 dBi maximum gain. The reconfigurable antenna can radiate four electronically switchable radiation beams in the azimuth plane. The antenna may be LHCP (Left Hand Circularly Polarized) with axial ratio (AR) in the ranging from 0.45 dB to 7 dB in the RFID ISM band.

An antenna control apparatus according to an embodiment includes a communication interface configured to receive identification information indicating whether each of a plurality of antennas received transmission information from a wireless tag. A storage unit stores a count for each of the plurality of antennas. A controller determines, for each of the plurality of antennas, whether the antenna received transmission information from a wireless tag based on a first received identification information. When at least one, but not all, of the plurality of antennas is determined to have not received transmission information from a wireless tag based on the first received identification information, the storage unit increments the count for each such antenna. When the count for one of the plurality of antennas is determined to exceed the predetermined value, the controller outputs a notification signal indicating that the one of the plurality of antennas has a malfunction.

For locking industrial safety guarding, a sensor includes an inductive coil that generates a second sensing field about a second sensing field axis at a second frequency that detects advancement of a locking bolt. The sensor further includes at least two radio frequency identifier (RFID) coils that generate a first sensing field at a first frequency that detects an RFID tag. A second RFID coil of the at least two RFID coils has a second polarity reversed from a first polarity a first RFID coil of the at least two RFID coils and reduces the first sensing field at the second sensing field axis.

A system for reading at least one wireless resonant sensor includes a signal parameter measuring device, a reader housing, a computing device electrically connected to the signal parameter measuring device, and a plurality of reader antennas disposed within the reader housing and electrically connected to the signal parameter measuring device, wherein the plurality of reader antennas comprises a first reader antenna for signal output and a second reader antenna for signal input. The signal parameter measuring device is configured to sweep frequencies over a range of frequencies to acquire signal parameters for the wireless resonant sensor. The computing device is configured to determine changes in resonant frequency of the wireless resonator sensor based on the signal parameters. The reader housing may be sized and shaped for placement against a surface of a vessel in which a chemical or biological process is occurring.