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  • 专利说明
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    • 专利摘要:
    In one embodiment, the present invention is a bar code (barcode) and RFID tag reader comprising a main body containing an image processing assembly, the image processing assembly adapted to capture images of an environment appearing with a FOV extending through a window; a base portion containing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the main portion and the base portion. Preferably, the RFID tag reader assembly includes a frame having a side facing the field of view and an antenna assembly that wraps at least partially around the side of the frame, the antenna assembly comprising: a monopole flexible antenna comprising a first monopole antenna element having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half being substantially symmetrical about a line of symmetry; and a dipole flexible antenna element extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    公开号:BE1027275B1
    申请号:E20205387
    申请日:2020-05-29
    公开日:2021-08-20
    发明作者:Joseph F Digregorio；Amit Asthana；Peter Sie Jeng Heng；Joseph J Divirgilio；Eric Trongone；Theodore S Hebron
    申请人:Zebra Tech；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS ASSOCIATED WITH RFID TAG READER ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN BARCODE (BARCODE) READERS
    FIELD OF THE INVENTION At least some of the embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of RFID tag reader assemblies, and more particularly to RFID tag reader assemblies for use in barcode (barcode) readers commonly used used in locations such as retail stores.
    BACKGROUND Today, in locations such as retail stores, it is common to attach labels containing barcodes (barcodes) and/or radio frequency (RE) identification (RFID) tags (collectively referred to as 'article identifiers') to articles to help monitor and identify these items in the normal course of business. One particular place where these labels and tags are relied upon is at the checkout counter where users (e.g., a cashier or a customer in the case of a self-checkout facility) present items, along with the item identifiers, to a barcode ( barcode) reader and/or an RFID tag reader to indicate to a point of sale (POS) checkout station that they wish to purchase these items.
    With regard to reading barcodes (barcodes), having visual references such as a barcode (barcode) reader window, directional lights, and a visible barcode (barcode), makes it easy for a user to correctly read the barcode (barcode) label. orientation for the correct recording of data. However, capturing data associated with RFID tags can be more difficult as the position of the RFID tags is often not clear to users, as is the field of radiated RF energy.
    As such, there is a need for continued improvements in cost-effective designs of RFID reader assemblies, and in particular, RFID reader assemblies for use with barcode (barcode) readers, which help more consistently capture RFID tag data when RFID tags come within a predetermined scanning area.
    SUMMARY According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bar code (barcode) and radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reader comprising a main body containing an image processing assembly, the image processing assembly being adapted to capture images of an environment appearing having a field of view (FOV) extending through a window, a base portion containing an RFID tag reader assembly, and an intermediate portion extending between the main portion and the base portion, the RFID tag reader assembly including a frame having one side facing the field of view and an antenna assembly that wraps at least partially around the side of the frame, the antenna assembly comprising a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element positioned proximate an upper portion of the side of the the frame and a second monopole antenna element positioned near a n lower portion of the side of the frame, and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bar code (barcode) and radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reader comprising a main body containing an image processing assembly, the image processing assembly being adapted to capture images of an environment appearing having a field of view (FOV) extending through a window, a base portion containing an RFID tag reader assembly, and an intermediate portion extending between the main portion and the base portion, the RFID tag reader assembly including a frame having one side facing the field of view and an antenna assembly that wraps at least partially around the side of the frame, and wherein the antenna assembly comprises a monopole flexible antenna comprising a first monopole antenna element having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half are substantially symmetrical about a line of symmetry, and a d monopole flexible antenna element extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    Optionally or additionally, the main portion may be substantially symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane, wherein the dipole flexible antenna may comprise a first dipole antenna element and a second dipole antenna element, and wherein the first dipole antenna element and the second dipole antenna element may include a respective feed point positioned proximate the central longitudinal plane.
    Optionally or additionally, the respective feed point of the first dipole antenna element may be positioned on a first side of the central longitudinal plane and the respective feed point of the second dipole antenna element can be positioned on a second side of the central longitudinal plane.
    Optionally or additionally, the respective feed point of the first dipole antenna element and the respective feed point of the second dipole antenna element may be positioned within 15 mm of the central longitudinal plane.
    Optionally or additionally, the first monopole antenna element may have a first half and a second half, the first half being substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline of the first monopole antenna element, the dipole flexible antenna may comprise a first dipole antenna element. element and a second dipole antenna element, wherein the first dipole antenna element may extend at least partially over at least a portion of the first half, and wherein the second dipole antenna element may extend at least partially over at least a portion of the second half.
    Optionally or additionally, the first monopole antenna element may further comprise a flap member, the flap member being folded over a central portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    Optionally or additionally, the first monopole antenna element may have a substantially winged shape.
    Optionally or additionally, the first dipole antenna element may comprise a first conductive trace having a respective feed point on one end and a respective open circuit on an opposite end, the first conductive trace further comprising a first conductive trace width and a first conductive trace length. that is at least three times greater than the first conductive track width.
    Optionally or additionally, the main portion may be substantially symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane, wherein the second dipole antenna element may comprise a second conductive trace having a respective feed point at one end and a respective open circuit at an opposite end, the second conductive track may further have a second conductive track width and a second conductive track length that is at least three times greater than the second conductive track width, and wherein the first conductive track and the second conductive track may be positioned substantially symmetrically about the central longitudinal plane.
    Optionally or additionally, the second monopole antenna element may be configured to act as a ground reference.
    Optionally or additionally, the frame of the RFID tag reader assembly may be positioned within the base portion above a horizontal printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the horizontal PCB may be connected to the monopole flexible antenna and the dipole flexible antenna via a respective cable.
    Optionally or additionally, the antenna assembly may not include a rigid printed circuit board.
    Optionally or additionally, the monopole flexible antenna may be configured to radiate vertically polarized RF radiation, and the dipole flexible antenna may be configured to radiate horizontally polarized RF radiation.
    Optionally or additionally, the RFID tag reader assembly may be configured to operate within a predetermined radio frequency range, wherein the dipole flexible antenna comprises an electrical circuit having a plurality of conductive traces, and wherein a length of the electrical circuit is less than or equal to equal to half-wavelength of any wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range.
    Optionally or additionally, the length of the electrical circuit may be less than or equal to three-eighths of each wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range.
    Optionally or additionally, the length of the electrical circuit may be less than half-wavelength of any wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range, and the electrical circuit may include at least one matching component adapted to cause the dipole flexible antenna to resonate within the predetermined radio frequency range. . Accordingly, at least some embodiments of the present invention are directed to cost-effective designs of RFID reader assemblies.
    In one embodiment, the present invention is a barcode (barcode) and RFID tag reader comprising: a main body containing an image processing assembly, the image processing assembly being adapted to capture images of an environment appearing with a field of view (FOV) passing through a window extends; a base portion containing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the main portion and the base portion, the RFID tag reader assembly comprising a frame having a side facing the FOV and an antenna assembly at least partially encircling the side of the frame, and wherein the antenna assembly comprises: a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element positioned near an upper portion of the side of the frame and a second monopole antenna element positioned near a lower portion of the side of the frame; and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    In another embodiment, the present invention is a bar code (barcode) and radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reader comprising: a main body containing an image processing assembly, the image processing assembly being adapted to capture images of an environment appearing with a field of view (FOV) extending through a window; a base portion containing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the main portion and the base portion, the RFID tag reader assembly comprising a frame having a side facing the FOV and an antenna assembly at least partially encircling the side of the frame, and wherein the antenna assembly comprises: a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element having a first half and a second half, the first half and second half being substantially symmetrical about a line of symmetry; and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT VIEWS
    OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally equivalent elements throughout the various views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated into and form part of the description, and serve to illustrate embodiments of concepts incorporating the claimed invention. include, further illustrate, and explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments.
    FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary barcode (barcode)/RFID tag reader device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
    FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic plan view of an exemplary image processing assembly of the barcode (barcode)/RFID tag reader device of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 3 illustrates a partially exploded view of the barcode (barcode)/RFID tag reader device of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary RFID tag reader assembly of the barcode (barcode)/RIFD tag reader device of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the RFID tag reader assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.
    FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the RFID tag reader assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.
    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and not necessarily to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
    The apparatus and method components are represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention so that the description is not overshadowed by details apparent to those skilled in the art. benefit from the description herein.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a perspective view of an exemplary barcode/RFID tag reader 100 illustrated in accordance with various embodiments described herein. The reader 100 includes a main portion 102, a base portion 104, and an intermediate portion 106 extending between the main portion 102 and the base portion 104. The main portion 102 includes an image processing assembly 108 positioned behind a window 110. The image processing assembly 108 may include an image sensor ( for example, image processor 118 of FIG. 2) which may include a plurality of photosensitive elements. The photosensitive elements may be arranged in a pattern and may form a substantially planar surface. For example, the photosensitive elements may be arranged in a grid or a series of rows forming a 2D surface. In operative form, the image sensor of the image processing assembly 108 is configured to capture images of an environment appearing within a field of view (FOV) 112 of the image processing assembly 108. For an image processing assembly having a 2D image processing sensor, the FOV 112 usually extends along an image processing axis 114 which, in some embodiments, extends from a central point of and is normal to the substantially planar surface of the image sensor. As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2, the image processing assembly 108 may include a first image sensor, such as image processor 118, adapted to operate with a first lens assembly 120 to capture images over a first FOV 122 .
    The image processor 118 is positioned on a printed circuit board (PCB) 124 which may operate as a direct and/or indirect support for any and/or all components of the image processing assembly 108. The image processing assembly 108 may further include a second image sensor, such as image processor 126, which is arranged to cooperate with a second lens assembly 128 to capture images over a second FOV 130.
    The first and second image processors may be configured,
    together with their respective lens assemblies, to capture images over varying fields of view where, for example, the first FOV 122 may be a relatively narrower FOV configured to provide readable image data from a far working distance (FWD) ranging between FWD1 and FWD2, and the second FOV 130 may be a relatively wide FOV configured to provide readable image data of a close working distance (NWD) ranging between NWD1 and NWD2. Additionally, the image processing assembly 108 may further include a directing assembly 132 consisting of a directing light source 134 and a directing light lens 136, both arranged to cooperate to provide a directing pattern on a work plane indicative of a location associated with the fields of view.
    The image processing assembly 108 may also further include an illumination assembly including an illumination light source 138 and an illumination light lens 140. The illumination light source 138 and the illumination light lens 140 are arranged to cooperate to provide light to a target (e.g., a barcode) such that the sufficiently illuminated for image-capturing purposes.
    The first image processor 118, second image processor 126, directing light source 134, and illumination light source 138 can be controlled by a controller 142 communicatively coupled to each of these components.
    The image processing assembly 108 may further include a memory, for example, to store the readable image data.
    Returning to FIG. 1, the reader 100 also includes an RFID tag reader assembly 116 housed in a base portion 104. As will be described in more detail later herein, the RFID tag reader assembly 116 includes a plurality of antenna elements arranged and arranged to transmit RF energy. rays over a predetermined area extending into what may be referred to as a product scan area. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the product scan area will be understood as referring to an area where an article can be positioned for presentation to the barcode and/or the RFID tag reader. Ordinarily speaking, this area will be in front of the reader 100 and relatively close to (and likely overlapping) the FOV of the image processing assembly 108 and its work area.
    In at least some preferred embodiments, the base portion 104 is arranged to rest on a substantially flat surface (e.g., on a countertop/workstation desk) with the intermediate portion 106 (removable in some embodiments) coupled to a rear portion of the base portion 104 In some embodiments, the intermediate portion 106 is coupled to the base portion 104 in a docking region 107 such that the intermediate portion 106 can pivot about the docking region 107, causing it to be at different angles relative to the base portion 104 and/or the surface on which the reader is placed. 100 rest can be positioned.
    Reader 100 further includes starter 109. In some embodiments, starter 109 may activate the image processing assembly 108 and the RFID tag reader 116 together for a reading session. In other embodiments, starter 109 may be configured to activate, at least initially, one of the image processing assembly 108 or the RFID tag reader 116 where, for example, an upper portion of starter 109 activates the image processing assembly 108 and a lower portion of starter 109 activates the RFID tag reader 116, or vice versa. It will be appreciated, however, that activation of the image processing assembly 108 and/or the RFID tag reader 116 need not be effected solely by starter 109, and that reader 109 may also operate in a 'hands-free' mode where activation of the image processing assembly 108 and/or the RFID tag reader 116 may be by detecting nearby products, field of view, effective reading range, etc. of reader 100. Thus, with the image processing assembly 108 and RFID tag reader 116, reader 100 is operable to display in 1D and/or or 2D barcode reading and RFID tag reading and transfer, and is further operational to provide a flexible no-hands or hand-held design. Reader 100 can accommodate both counter top and handheld use.
    In various embodiments, activation of the image processing assembly 108, for example by trigger 109, may prompt the image processing assembly 108 to capture image data or information. Such image data or information may include, for example, product codes (e.g., barcodes or QR codes) associated with corresponding articles. In other embodiments, the data or information may include feature information or data.
    Similarly, activating the RFID tag reader 116, e.g. via trigger 109, may prompt the RFID tag reader 116 to record data or other such information. For example, such tag data or other information may be encoded on one or more RFID tags associated with one or more corresponding articles.
    The data or information captured from the optical image processing assembly 108 and/or the RFID tag reader 116 may be transferred to point of sale (POS) stations, servers, or other processing devices for a variety of purposes including, for example, product purchasing, data storage, inventory purposes , etc. wherein reader 100 includes a cable interface for transmission of such data or information. In various embodiments, the scanning device may support multiple data transfer interfaces, including, for example, USB, Standard RS-232, IBM 468X/469X, Simple Serial Interface (SSI), or other data transfer interface standards.
    Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein, is a partially cutaway view of the reader 100 with the top cover 144 of the base portion 104 removed. Housed within the base portion 104 is the RFID tag reader assembly 116 which is positioned above a horizontally oriented printed circuit board (PCB) 146 extending along a portion of the lower portion of the base portion 104. The PCB 146 may include circuitry as required to drive the RFID tag reader assembly 116 and to at least partially process signals received by the RFID tag reader assembly 116. As illustrated, it is connected to additional reader 100 components via a ribbon cable 148 extending below and/or in the intermediate portion 106 of the reader 100.
    As shown in FIGs. 4-6, the RFID tag reader assembly 116 includes a frame 150, and an antenna assembly consisting of a monopole flexible antenna 152 and a dipole flexible antenna 154. Both the monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154 are positioned (in this case, they can be said to wrap around one side 156 of the frame 150. As can be seen from FIG. 3, when the RFID tag reader assembly 116 is mounted in the reader 100, the side 156 of the frame 150 generally faces the FOV of the image processing assembly 108. This configuration can be achieved by (1) tilting the side 156 backwards tilt relative to a vertical axis that would be normal to a surface on which the reader 100 is arranged to rest, (ii) tilt the image processing axis 114 downwardly relative to a horizontal axis that would be parallel to a surface on which the reader 100 is arranged to rest, (ii) or a combination of (1) and (11).
    Best seen in FIG. 4, the monopole flexible antenna 152 has a first monopole antenna element 158 and a second monopole antenna element 160. In at least some embodiments, the first monopole antenna element 158 is a radiator and positioned near the upper portion of the side 156 of the frame 150, and the second monopole antenna element 158 is a ground reference and positioned near a lower portion of the side 156 of the frame 150. In embodiments where the first monopole antenna element 158 exhibits some degree of symmetry, it may be logically distributed in two halves (in this case in a first half 162 and a second half 164) with respect to the line of symmetry or with respect to the central longitudinal plane as further described herein. The presently illustrated design of the first monopole antenna element 158 can be said to be wing-shaped since it includes wing-shaped elements extending to each side from a central region 166. To enable it to function as a radiator, the first monopole antenna element 158 may be made of a conductive material, such as, for example, aluminum. In addition, the first monopole antenna element 158 is preferably thin enough to allow for some degree of elasticity that permits non-plastic deformation.
    In some embodiments, the first monopole antenna element 158 includes a flap 168 which is folded over at least some portion of the remainder of the first monopole antenna element. The valve 168 can be folded over and can then no longer be located in the same curved plane, comprising parts 162 and 164, in which the rest of the antenna is located. Such an implementation allows the first monopole antenna element 158 to have a relatively larger conductive area without the valve member 168 taking up additional space within the plane defined by the rest of the first monopole antenna element. In the illustrated example, the valve 168 is formed by a portion of the first monopole antenna element 158 folded along the top region and positioned over a portion of the central region 166. In at least some preferred embodiments, the valve 168 is separated from the region of the first monopole antenna element 158 over which it is folded over by a dielectric substrate, e.g. dielectric foam pad 170.
    In addition to the first monopole antenna element 158, the monopole flexible antenna 152 also includes the second monopole antenna element 160. In the embodiment where the first monopole antenna element 158 is arranged to be the radiator, the second monopole antenna element 160 configured to be a ground reference. The second monopole antenna element 160 may be constructed in a manner similar or similar to the first monopole antenna element 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the second monopole antenna element 160 is formed by an extended track positioned near the lower portion of the frame 150.
    In order to maintain a suitable physical relationship between the first monopole antenna element 158 and the second monopole antenna element 160, woven tape 172 is provided therebetween. Such bands may be formed of any suitable dielectric material that permits positioning of the antenna elements thereon and provides a flexible substrate that can wrap around side 156 of frame 150.
    In addition to the monopole flexible antenna 152, the antenna assembly also includes a dipole flexible antenna 154. The dipole flexible antenna 152 consists of a first dipole antenna element 174 and a second dipole antenna element 176, each of which is configured to be a radiator. As shown, the first dipole antenna element 174 and the second dipole antenna element 176 are preferably positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to each other and may be constructed in a manner similar to the elements of the flexible antenna 152. That is, the first dipole antenna element 174 and the second dipole antenna element 176 may be made of any conductive material, such as aluminum, for example, which is preferably thin enough to allow some degree of elasticity to allow non-plastic deformation. Additionally, to maintain a proper physical relationship between the first dipole antenna element 174 and the second dipole antenna element 176, woven tape 178 is provided therebetween. Such bands may be formed of any suitable dielectric material that permits positioning of the antenna elements thereon and provides a flexible substrate that can wrap around side 156 of frame 150.
    In at least some embodiments, when the monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154 are installed in their respective positions relative to the frame 150 and the side 156 of the frame 150, the dipole flexible antenna 154 extends at least partially over at least a portion of the monopole flexible antenna 152. In the illustrated embodiment, the overlapping (best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6) occurs over the central region 166 of the first monopole antenna element 158 where a respective portion of the first dipole antenna element 174 and the second dipole antenna element 176 overlap part of said region. To maintain symmetry and a preferred electrical relationship between the monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154, the first dipole antenna element 174 is arranged to extend at least partially over at least a portion of the first half 162 and the second dipole. antenna element 174 is arranged to extend at least partially over at least a portion of the second half 164. To prevent shorting and to provide isolation between the monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154 in the overlapping region, a dielectric substrate, such as, for example, dielectric foam pad 180 positioned therebetween.
    In some cases (as illustrated)
    the foam pad 170 and the foam pad 180 are a unitary substrate.
    The monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154 are each electrically powered through respective cables 182, 184 which are attached at one end to the rigid PCB 146 and at the other end attach directly or indirectly to the radiating elements of the monopole flexible antenna. 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154. In at least some preferred embodiments, the respective electrical feed points for each of the monopole flexible antenna 152 elements and the dipole flexible antenna 154 are located near a central longitudinal plane of the reader 100. In some embodiments, the central longitudinal plane are defined as the plane 186 relative to which the main portion 102 exhibits considerable symmetry.
    While in some embodiments the respective electrical feed points of the monopole flexible antenna 152 elements and the dipole flexible antenna 154 are positioned on opposite sides of the central longitudinal plane, in other embodiments these feed points may be positioned on the same side of the central longitudinal plane.
    Still, in other embodiments, it is possible to have feed points that differ in their location relative to the central longitudinal plane.
    In other words,
    while one of the monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154 may have their antenna elements powered through connections on the same side of the central longitudinal plane, the other monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154 may have their antenna elements powered via connections on opposite sides of the central longitudinal plane.
    To achieve the electromagnetic performance desired in some embodiments, certain physical restrictions may be implemented relative to the antenna arrangements. For example, in some embodiments, the first dipole antenna element 174 may be implemented as a conductive track having a width and a length where the length is at least three times greater than the width of said track. It will be understood that references to a track length and a track width will be apparent to those skilled in the art. However, in at least some cases the track length can be interpreted as the electrical distance from one end of the track to the other end of the track, and the track width can be interpreted as a width of the track at any point along the track length. Accordingly, in the example of the first antenna element 174, the track length would be measured from the feed point of the track to the opposite end of the track located toward the rear of the dipole flexible antenna 154 . Likewise, the second dipole antenna element 176 may also be implemented as a conductive track having a width and a length where the length is at least three times greater than the width of said track.
    While in some implementations the track length may be expressed relative to the track width, in some embodiments the track length may be based on the expected operating radio frequency range of the RFID tag reader assembly 116. Thus, in some embodiments, the total length of the conductive track may be of the first dipole antenna element 174 and the conductive trace of the second dipole antenna element 176 are configured to have a length less than or equal to the half-wavelength of each wavelength within the predetermined operating radio frequency range of the RFID tag reader assembly 116. In some embodiments, the total length is less than or equal to one-third of each wavelength within the predetermined operative radio frequency range of the RFID tag reader assembly. In some embodiments, the total length is less than or equal to three-eighths of each wavelength within the predetermined operative radio frequency range of the RFID tag reader assembly 116. In some embodiments, to achieve appropriate resonance of the tracks at the predetermined radio frequency range, matching components 179 (e.g. resistor(s), coil(s), capacitor(s), etc.) are implemented. These matching components 179 may be implemented on one or both of the monopole flexible antenna 152 and the dipole flexible antenna 154, and may be positioned between respective tracks of each antenna. So, for example, when working in the RFID frequency range at 928 MHz, the wavelength is about 323 mm. Thus, when operating in this frequency range, the dipole flexible antenna 154 may be configured to have an overall length of less than or equal to about 161 mm (i.e., less than or equal to half the wavelength), less than or equal to to about 121 mm (ie, less than or equal to three-eighths of the wavelength), less than or equal to about 107 mm (ie, less than or equal to one-third of the wavelength), or any other desired length. It will be understood that the length measurement mentioned above may include any adjustment components.
    To enable enhanced functionality and to enable the RFID tag reader assembly 116 to read RFID tags oriented in a variety of directions/orientations relative to reader 100, it is preferred to use the monopole flexible antenna 152 and causing the dipole flexible antenna 154 to radiate differently polarized RF energy. For example, while the monopole flexible antenna may be configured to radiate vertically polarized RF radiation, the dipole flexible antenna may be configured to radiate horizontally polarized RF. In other examples, these polarization configurations may be switches. In still other examples, other forms of polarizations (e.g., linear, circular, horizontal, vertical, left-handed circular, right-handed circular, theta, and phi) may be used.
    It will be appreciated that the above embodiments can be of particular advantage as they can reduce the complexity of the RFID tag reader assembly, leading to reduced costs and/or improved reliability. This can be achieved in part by avoiding the use of rigid PCBs in the construction of the RFID tag reader assembly 116, relying instead on flexible substrates and antenna elements.
    In the foregoing description, specific embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Therefore, the description and figures are to be understood as illustrative rather than limiting, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention of the present specification. Additionally, the described embodiments/examples/implements are not to be interpreted as mutually exclusive, and are instead to be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissible in any way. In other words, any feature disclosed in any of the above embodiments/examples/implements can be incorporated into any of the other above-mentioned embodiments/examples/implements.
    The benefits, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit or solution to occur or become apparent should not be construed as critical, mandatory, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any changes made during the course of this application and any equivalents of those claims as published. For clarity and concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, but it will be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. It will be appreciated that the embodiments shown have the same or similar components except where they are described as being different.
    In addition, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used throughout this document only to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying an actual relationship or sequence between such entities or actions. imply. The terms “include”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “contains”, “containing” or any variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that any process, process, article, or assembly that a list includes, has, contains not only contains those elements, but may also contain other elements not explicitly mentioned or inherent in such process, method, article, or assembly. An element preceded by “includes. a”, “has…a”, “contains…a” does not exclude, without limitation, the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, item or arrangement that includes, has or contains the element. The term “one” is defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. The terms "substantially", "essential", "near", "approximately" or any other version thereof are defined as close to what is understood by those skilled in the art, and in a non-limiting embodiment the term is defined as being within 10% , in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "linked" is defined herein as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not described.
    It will be appreciated that some embodiments may include one or more generic or specialized processors (or "processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware). directing the one or more processors to, in combination with certain non-processor circuitry, implement some, most or all of the functions of the method and/or arrangement described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be implemented by a state machine that does not contain stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of particular functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
    In addition, an embodiment may be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium with computer-readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), and a flash memory. Furthermore, notwithstanding potentially significant efforts and many design choices motivated by, for example, time available, current technology and economic considerations, it is expected that, when guided by the concepts and principles described herein, those skilled in the art will readily be able to understand such software instructions and - generate programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
    The summary of the description is provided to give the reader a quick impression of the nature of the technical description. It is filed with the understanding that it shall not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, it can be seen from the foregoing "detailed description" that various features are grouped together in different embodiments to streamline the description. This manner of description should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require features beyond those expressly stated in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, there is inventive matter in less than all the features of a single described embodiment. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the "detailed description", each claim standing alone as subject matter separately claimed. The mere fact that certain measures are defined in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A multitude of variants will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All variants are understood to fall within the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (23)
    [1]
    A bar code (barcode) and radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reader comprising: a main body containing an image processing assembly, the image processing assembly being adapted to capture images of an environment appearing with a field of view (FOV) passing through a window extends; a base portion containing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the main portion and the base portion, the RFID tag reader assembly comprising a frame having a side facing the field of view and an antenna assembly that wraps at least partially around the side of the frame, and wherein the antenna assembly comprises: a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element positioned proximate an upper portion of the side of the frame and a second monopole antenna element positioned proximate a lower portion of the side of the frame; and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    [2]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 1, wherein the main portion is substantially symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane, wherein the dipole flexible antenna comprises a first dipole antenna element and a second dipole antenna element, and wherein each of the first dipole antenna element and the second dipole antenna element comprises a respective feed point positioned near the central longitudinal plane.
    [3]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 2, wherein the respective feed point of the first dipole antenna element is positioned on a first side of the central longitudinal plane and the respective feed point of the second dipole antenna element is positioned on a second side of the central longitudinal plane is positioned.
    [4]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the respective feed point of the first dipole antenna element and the respective feed point of the second dipole antenna element is positioned within 15 mm of the central longitudinal plane.
    [5]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of any preceding claim, wherein: the first monopole antenna element has a first half and a second half, the first half being substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline of the first monopole antenna element ; the dipole flexible antenna comprises a first dipole antenna element and a second dipole antenna element; the first dipole antenna element extends at least partially over at least a portion of the first half; and the second dipole antenna element extends at least partially over at least a portion of the second half.
    [6]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 5, wherein the first monopole antenna element further comprises a flap member, the flap member being folded over a central portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    [7]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first monopole antenna element has a substantially winged shape.
    [8]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of any one of the preceding claims 2-7, wherein the first dipole antenna element comprises a first conductive trace having a respective feed point on one end and a respective open circuit on an opposite end, the first conductive track further has a first conductive track width and a first conductive track length that is at least three times greater than the first conductive track width.
    [9]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 8, wherein the main portion is substantially symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane, the second dipole antenna element comprises a second conductive trace having a respective feed point at one end and a respective open circuit at the an opposite wt end, the second conductive track further having a second conductive track width and a second conductive track length at least three times greater than the second conductive track width, and wherein the first conductive track and the second conductive track are substantially symmetrical about the central longitudinal are positioned flat.
    [10]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of any preceding claim, wherein the second monopole antenna element is configured to act as a ground reference.
    [11]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of any preceding claim, wherein the frame of the RFID tag reader assembly is positioned within the base portion above a horizontal printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the horizontal PCB is connected to the monopole flexible antenna and the dipole flexible antenna via a respective cable.
    [12]
    A barcode and RFID tag reader according to any preceding claim, wherein the antenna assembly does not comprise a rigid printed circuit board.
    [13]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of any preceding claim, wherein the monopole flexible antenna is configured to radiate vertically polarized RF radiation, and wherein the dipole flexible antenna is configured to radiate horizontally polarized RF radiation.
    [14]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of any preceding claim, wherein the RFID tag reader assembly is configured to operate within a predetermined radio frequency range, the dipole flexible antenna comprising an electrical circuit having a plurality of conductive traces, and wherein a length of the electrical circuit is less than or equal to half-wavelength of any wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range.
    [15]
    The bar code and RFID tag reader of claim 14, wherein the length of the electrical circuit is less than or equal to three-eighths of each wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range.
    [16]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 14, wherein the length of the electrical circuit is less than the half-wavelength of each wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range, and wherein the electrical circuit comprises at least one adaptive component adapted to make the dipole flexible. antenna to resonate within the predetermined radio frequency range.
    [17]
    A bar code and radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reader comprising: a main body containing an image processing assembly, the image processing assembly configured to capture images of an environment appearing with a field of view (FOV) extending through a window; a base portion containing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the main portion and the base portion, the RFID tag reader assembly comprising a frame having a side facing the FOV and an antenna assembly at least partially encircling the side of the frame, and wherein the antenna assembly includes:
    a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half being substantially symmetrical about a line of symmetry; and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    [18]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 17, wherein the flexible dipole antenna comprises a first dipole antenna element and a second dipole antenna element, the first dipole antenna element extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first half and wherein the second dipole antenna element extends at least partially over at least a portion of the second half.
    [19]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first monopole antenna element further comprises a flap member, the flap member being folded over a central portion of the first monopole antenna element.
    [20]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the first monopole antenna element has a substantially winged shape.
    [21]
    A barcode and RFID tag reader according to any one of the preceding claims 17-20, wherein the antenna assembly does not comprise a rigid printed circuit board.
    [22]
    The barcode and RFID tag reader of any one of the preceding claims 17-21, wherein the RFID tag reader assembly is configured to operate within a predetermined radio frequency range, the dipole flexible antenna comprising an electrical circuit comprising a plurality of conductive tracks, and wherein a length of the electrical circuit is less than or equal to half-wavelength of any wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range.
    [23]
    A bar code and RFID tag reader according to any one of the preceding claims 17-22, wherein the length of the electrical circuit is less than or equal to three-eighths of each wavelength within the predetermined radio frequency range.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US10790572B1|2020-09-29|
    AU2020282281A1|2021-10-07|
    DE112020002560T5|2022-03-10|
    FR3096810A1|2020-12-04|
    GB202116829D0|2022-01-05|
    CN113892213A|2022-01-04|
    WO2020242716A1|2020-12-03|
    GB2598072A|2022-02-16|
    BE1027275A1|2020-12-08|
    AU2020282281B2|2021-11-18|
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    法律状态:
    2021-09-30| FG| Patent granted|Effective date: 20210820 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US16/425,509|US10790572B1|2019-05-29|2019-05-29|Devices, systems, and methods associated with RFID tag reader assemblies for use in barcode readers|
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