MXPA97007342A - Radio frecuen identification reader - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stationary radio frequency (RF) reader unit, which comprises: an RF reader, which includes an RF antenna, a stationary, compact, reader body portion, this compact body portion of the reader contains the electronic read / write parts and an interface controller, in which the compact, stationary reader body portion is adapted to be mounted on standard wall mountings of an identification reader, and an adjustable head rotatably, mounted to the reader body portion, compact, stationary, so that the RF reader unit is comprised of a single integrated structure, this rotatably adjustable head contains within it the RF antenna and is adapted to direct this antenna RF to a plurality of different directions, without moving the reader body portion, stationary, compact, in which this head, rotatably adjustable, it is further adapted to be fixed in a selected position, so that the RF antenna remains focused in the desired direction

Description

RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION READER Technical Field The present invention relates, generally, to identification readers and, more particularly, to radiofrequency (RF) readers. Prior Art RF readers are commonly used in industrial plants to identify and investigate the products that are manufactured. Traditionally, a label or identifier of the RF contains pertinent data that belong to and identify the product. As the RF identifier passes close to the RF reader, a directional antenna emits RF signals in the 134 KHz range towards the RF identifier. The RF signals emitted induce an alternating current (AC) in the RF identifier. This alternating current is used to "energize" the RF identifier, thereby making it possible for it to transmit response signals from this RF identifier back to the RF reader. The response signals typically contain the pertinent data, mentioned above, which pertain and identify the labeled product. Commonly, RF readers are placed in standard mounts built in the manufacturing facility. These standard mounts are located throughout the manufacturing facility, where surveillance devices may be necessary. Often, assemblies require that the RF reader be placed in very narrow locations. Thus, conventional RF readers are separated into two distinct portions, a unidirectional antenna portion and the electronic read / write portion. The two different portions of the RF reader are connected to each other, for example, by a cable or other extended electrical connector. Such wire or other extended electrical connectors agglomerate in the manufacturing environment, produce a source of energy loss and are a source of electrical noise. In addition to the noise generated by the cable or other extended electrical connectors, the noise is also generated by the power supply of the reader. The noise generated can make it difficult to clearly receive the response signals transmitted by the labeled products. In addition to the problems associated with cables or other extended electrical connectors, in many cases, due to the placement of standard mounts, numerous unidirectional antennas must be placed near the path of the product to be inspected. That is, because the antenna portion is attached to the standard mounts, the unidirectional antenna can not always be focused directly into the path of the labeled product. Thus, in order to ensure that the RF identifier or tag in the product is incident with the RF signals emitted from the antenna, several antennas are placed in numerous respective standard mounts close to the path of the labeled product. As a result, the cost of such an RF surveillance system is increased and the amount of valuable manufacturing space required for such a system also increases. Also, many conventional RF reader units contain numerous switches and buttons to program and adjust the operating parameters of the RF reader unit. These buttons and switches also limit the possibilities of the mounting positions of the RF reader. Additionally, the buttons and switches also increase the size of the RF reader unit and limit the extent to which the size of the electronic read / write parts can be reduced. Consequently, the need has arisen for a reading unit which can be placed in a narrow location, can be arranged in standard assemblies, which does not suffer from energy losses or electrical noise due to cables or other types of extended electrical connections, between the antenna portion and the electronic read / write portion, which does not generate noise which interfere with the response signals from the tagged product, which is capable of being focused towards the path of a labeled product without requiring numerous additional reader units of RF and that does not require numerous buttons and switches to program and adjust the operating parameters of this RF reader unit. Exposure of the Invention Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a * RF reader unit that can be placed in a narrow location, which can be deposited on standard assemblies, that does not suffer from power loss or electrical noise due to a cable or other type of extended electrical connection between the antenna portion and the electronic reading / writing portion, which does not generate noise which interferes with the response signals of the labeled product, which is able to be focused towards the path of a labeled product, without refer to numerous additional RF reader units, and that do not require numerous buttons and switches to program and adjust the operating parameters of the RF reader unit. The above object has been achieved by a compact RF reader, having an adjustable antenna rotatably mounted to the body portion, to form a single integrated unit. The present invention also includes the construction of the electronic parts of the system to program and adjust the operating parameters of the RF reading unit, thus eliminating the need for numerous buttons and external switches. In one embodiment of the present invention, a body portion, which contains electronic read / write parts, and a head assembly, which contains an antenna, are integrated into a single compact structure. The head assembly, which contains the antenna, can be rotatably joined to the body portion with an O-ring, to provide a liquid-tight seal between the head and body portions. The entire RF reading unit is also liquid tight, thus making the present invention very suitable for use in severe climates, such as, for example, in manufacturing facilities. Also, the present invention is configured with mounting holes that correspond to the standard assemblies formed in the manufacturing facilities. The present invention also includes an opening for receiving an interface cable in the RF reader. The opening is surrounded by a bushing nut, so that the connection between the RF reader and the interface cable is liquid-tight. Additionally, the present invention includes a switching power supply, which is synchronized with the transmitted frequency of the antenna to eliminate noise that may interfere with the transmitted response signals of the labeled product. In the present embodiment, the RF reader unit is adapted to be connected to a multi-manifold manifold, so that a plurality of RF reader units can be controlled using a simple control system. Also, the present invention includes a non-volatile memory, for storing the configuration parameters of the RF reader unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and to a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an RF reader, having a head, rotatably adjustable, mounted to a body portion, according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the RF reader of Figure 1, with its rotatably adjustable head portion, extracted from its body portion, to expose the liquid-tight, O-ring assembly there, contained therein, according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the RF reader of Figure 1, with the halves, upper and lower, of the body portion separated to expose a package placed between the two halves, according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a top view of the RF reader of Figure 1, with the top half and the head portion, rotatably adjustable, removed therefrom, to expose the inner screw terminals, located in the bottom half of the body portion, according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the antenna circuit system and the electronic read / write circuit system, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 6 is a more detailed diagram of the synchronous interruption power supply, of Figure 5, showing the various components of the synchronous interruption power supply, according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic view of multiple RF readers joined by means of respective interface cables to a wire collector, according to the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they do not attempt to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention attempts to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims. Referring now to Figure 1, a perspective view of the RF reader 10 of the present invention is shown. As shown in Figure 1, the RF reader 10 has a body portion 12, formed of two halves, the upper half 14 and the lower half 16, and a head portion 18. The body portion 12 contains electronic parts. read / write, while the head portion 18 contains an antenna. The RF reader 10 also contains a bushing nut 28 to provide a liquid tight seal between. an interface cable, not shown, and an opening, not shown, in the body portion 12, for receiving the interface cable. In the present embodiment, the head portion 18 is attached to the body portion 12, with the use of the screws 20, 22, 24 and 26. Although the screws 20, 22, 24 and 26 are used in the present embodiment, The present invention is also very suitable with the use of numerous other types of joining devices or methods. The head portion 18 is rotatably mounted to the body portion 12 in the present embodiment. That is, when the screws 20, 22, 24 and 26 are loosened, the head portion 18 can be rotated in 90 degree increments, to focus the antenna in a desired direction. After the head portion 18 has been rotatably adjusted in the desired position, the screws 20, 22, 24 and 26 are tightened to keep the head portion 18, rotationally adjustable, firmly in its desired fixed position. In addition to directing the antenna outwards, the present invention is also very suitable for transmitting and receiving signals through the upper part of the head portion 18, rotatably adjustable. In doing so, the present invention also increases the possible areas with respect to the body portion 12, which can be covered by the antenna. Therefore, the antenna of the present invention is capable of being directed in almost any direction, regardless of the position in which the RF reader is mounted. Two screws, 30 and 32, are used to retain the upper half 18 and the lower half 20 of the RF reader 10 together. By unscrewing the screws 30 and 32, the upper half 18 can be easily detached from the lower half 20, thus providing easy access to the interior of the body portion 12. In the present embodiment, the RF reader 10 is completely liquid-tight. That is, the upper and lower halves, 14 and 16, have a liquid-tight seal between them. Similarly, the rotatably adjustable head portion 18 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner to the body portion 12. Thus, the RF reader 10 of the present invention is impervious to liquids, such as oil, water , cutting fluids, and the like. Therefore, the present invention is very suitable for use in severe climates, such as, for example, in manufacturing facilities. The RF reader 10 also includes an indication light 37. In the present embodiment, the indicator light 37 is used to indicate the activity status and the current configuration parameters of the RF reader unit. Also, the RF reader 10 includes attachment holes, 34 and 36, for attaching this reader to standard assemblies. As a result, the present invention is very suitable for use in conventional manufacturing facilities, which have standard assemblies built. Referring next to Figure 2, there is shown a perspective view of the RF reader 10, with a rotary adjustable head portion 18, extracted from the body portion 12 to expose the ring at 0 40. The antenna inside of the rotatably adjustable head 18, is connected to the body portion 12 by means of a circular access hole 38. The O-ring, arranged around the access hole 38, is formed of a material which, when compressed by attaching the head 18 rotatably to the body portion 12, prevents liquid from entering the hole 38. A short, internal electrical connector 42 is disposed within the access hole 38 for electrically connecting the antenna circuitry within the the rotatably adjustable head 18 to the electronic read / write circuitry system, within the body portion 12. Using the O-ring assembly 40, the liquid tight seal is maintained, regardless of the to rotationally adjustable head orientation 18, with respect to the body portion 12. Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a perspective view of an RF reader 10 with the upper and lower halves, 14 and 16, separated to expose the package 44. As with the O-ring assembly 40 of Figure 2, the package 44 is formed of a material which, when compressed by attaching the upper half to the lower half 16, prevents the liquid from passing between the two halves, 14 and 16, and the interior of the RF reader 10. Therefore, as a result of the bushing nut 28, the gasket 44 and the O-ring assembly 40 of FIG. 2, the RF reader 10 is completely liquid-tight. Referring now to Figure 4, a top view of the RF reader 10 is shown, with the upper half 14 and the head portion 18, rotatably adjustable, removed therefrom to expose the terminals 46a-46e of the inner screw . As shown in Figure 4, an interface cable 48 is guided through the liquid-tight bushing nut 38 and into the body portion 12 of the RF reader. Individual wires within the interface cable 48 are attached to the respective screw terminals 46a-46e. The screw terminals 46a-46d are electrically connected to the electronic read / write parts of the RF reader 10. By the use of the screw terminals, the present invention eliminates the need to weld or use other complicated joining methods, to form the electrical connections between the interface cable 48 and the electronic read / write parts. Thus, the present invention is favorable for the user, for allowing ease of installation and repair on the site.

Referring now to Figure 5, a schematic diagram 50 of the antenna circuitry 52 and the electronic read / write circuitry are shown. In the present embodiment, the circuit system 50 of the antenna is comprised of an antenna coil 54, a transmitter 56 of the antenna and a receiver 58 of the antenna. Thus, the RF reader communicates with an RF identifier by means of the RF antenna 54. When transmitting to the RF identifier, the antenna control 56 is employed. Similarly, when response signals are received from the RF identifier, the antenna receiver 58 is used 58. In the present embodiment, the RF antenna 54 is formed of coiled wire ferrite, which "safely" retains or mounts within a rotatably adjustable head assembly 18, according to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, the reader circuitry 60 is comprised of a synchronous interruption power supply 62, a transmit modulator 64, a receiver demodulator 66, an interface controller 68, input controllers 70 and output controllers 72. The modulator 64 is electrically coupled to the antenna transmitter 56. The demodulator 66 is coupled to the antenna receiver 58. Thus, in the present embodiment, in response to the data coming within the input controllers 70, the interface controller 68 activates the modulator 64 to produce an interrogation signal. This interrogation signal is transferred through the antenna transmitter 56 to the antenna coil 54. The interrogation is then transmitted to the RF identifier. When response signals are received, they are guided through the antenna receiver 58 d to the demodulator 66, to the interface controller 68 and out through the output controllers. In the present invention, because the antenna circuitry 52 and the electronic read / write circuitry 60 are integrated into a simple, compact structure, extended electrical connections between the antenna circuitry 52 and the antenna circuit 52 are required. circuitry 60 electronic read / write. As a result, the present invention does not suffer from a significant loss of energy or electrical noise during the transfer of signals between the antenna circuitry 52 and the electronic read / write circuitry 60, as in the reading units. of conventional RF of two pieces. Referring now to Figure 6, a more detailed schematic diagram of synchronous power supply 62 is shown. As shown in Figure 6, the synchronous power supply 62 consists of a reverse-polarity and over-voltage protection circuit 74, which protects the electronic circuitry from read / write against the incorrect wiring of the voltage input. , and protects electronic parts 60 from reading / writing transient high voltages. The input voltage is passed from the reverse polarity and over-voltage protection circuit 74 through an EMI filter 76, which maintains the internally generated voltage subtractions of being conducted back out of the signal wire. of the Input Voltage. A circuit 78 of the power supply switch, such as, for example, an SGS-Thomson switch regulator L4972A, which contains a pulse transistor 80, a pulse width modulator 82, and a voltage sensor 84, produces a voltage regulated output, which is filtered by the filter 86 and functions as the internal voltage for the electronic read / write parts 60. Specifically, the voltage sensor 84 of the power supply switch circuit 78 samples the output voltage, or "internal voltage", to determine whether this internal voltage is greater or less than a desired value. The voltage sensor 84 controls the pulse width modulator 82, which, in turn, varies the duty cycle of the switch pulse. This switch pulse turns on and off in one pass through the transistor pnp 80, which measures the amount of energy transferred to the filter 86. In the present embodiment, the antenna transmitter 56 generates an interrogation signal, which is transmitted from the RF antenna 54 at a frequency of approximately 134 KHz. Response signals from the RF identifier are received at a frequency of approximately 33.5 KHz. Thus, random voltage or noise crests, generated by a power supply of a conventional RF reader, may obscure or mask the response signals. However, in the present embodiment, a synchronized signal is supplied to the interruption power supply circuit 78 by the modulator 64 of Figure 5. This synchronized signal causes any passing interrupting current to occur coincident with the interrogation frequency. Because the transient currents occur at a precise frequency, as opposed to the randomly varying frequency, the transient currents can be filtered by a filter with fixed components and a fixed slot frequency. Additionally, because the frequency is synchronized with the transmission frequency of the RF antenna 54 of Figure 1, there are no inter-modulation products. Thus, the present invention eliminates or substantially reduces the byproducts of random inter-modulation and noise found in RF reading units. Referring now to Figure 7, a schematic view of multiple RF readers, 88, 90 and 92, by means of respective interface cables, 94, 96 and 98, is shown to a wire collector 100. By the use of A wire collector 100 eliminates the need to separately wiring each of the multiple RF readers, 88, 90 and 92, to a central controller. Instead of having multiple individual connections, the wire collector 100 provides a single connection from the central controller to numerous RF reader units, thus saving wire, connectors, space and labor from the installation. Thus, the present invention is very suitable for use in manufacturing facilities, where numerous RF readers can be arranged in several locations. Instead of having numerous wire connections, a single collector line can facilitate the numerous RF readers when placed inside the manufacturing facility. Similarly, instead of having a separate central controller for each RF reader or for selected groups of RF readers, the present invention allows numerous, remotely located RF readers to be controlled with the use of a single central controller.

The electronic read / write parts of the present invention also include a construction menu and a non-volatile memory for storing the configuration parameters of the RF reader unit. Having a construction menu programmed into, for example, the interface controller 68 of Figure 5, the present invention allows a user, at a central station of the controller, to select and carry out the operation configuration parameters of the unit. RF reader. Thus, the RF reader of the present invention does not require the numerous buttons and programming switches found in conventional RF readers. As a result, the size of the present invention can be reduced to an extent not possible with conventional RF readers. Additionally, containing a non-volatile memory, the configuration parameters of the RF reading unit remain stored in the electronic read / write parts, even if the power is lost. In this way, the present invention provides a reading unit which has both the head portion containing the antenna and the body portion containing the electronic read / write parts, integrated in a single, compact structure. The compact size of the present invention allows the RF reader to be placed in narrow locations, which are small for conventional RF reading units. The present invention is also adapted to the adjustment in standard assemblies. However, the rotationally adjustable head portion of the present invention allows the antenna contained therein to be focused in almost any direction, regardless of the position in which the RF reader is mounted. As a result, the present invention eliminates the requirement of numerous additional RF reading units to obtain the desired coverage of the antenna. Also, by having the head portion, which contains the antenna, and the body, which contains the electronic read / write parts, integrated into a single compact structure, the present invention does not require a cable or other type of extended electrical connection, between the antenna portion and the portion of the electronic read / write parts. Thus, the present invention does not suffer from energy losses or electrical noise, due to the electrical connections extended between the antenna portion and the portion of electronic read / write parts. By the use of a synchronized switch power supply, the present invention does not generate noise that interferes with the response signals of the labeled product. Likewise, by having a construction menu and a non-volatile memory, the present invention does not require numerous buttons and switches to program, adjust and store the operating parameters of the RF reading unit. The above descriptions of the specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They do not attempt to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms described and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The modalities were chosen and described in order to better explain the principles of the invention and their practical application, thus making it possible for other experts in the field to better utilize the invention and the various modalities with various modifications, as appropriate for a particular use. considered. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A stationary radio frequency (RF) reader unit, which comprises: an RF reader, which includes an RF antenna; a stationary, compact, reader body portion, this compact body portion of the reader contains the electronic read / write parts and an interface controller, in which the compact, stationary reader body portion is adapted to be mounted on standard wall mounts of an identification reader; and a rotatably adjustable head, mounted to the compact, stationary reader body portion, so that the RF reading unit is comprised of a single integrated structure, this rotatably adjustable head contains within it the RF antenna and is It adapts to direct this RF antenna towards a plurality of different directions, without moving the stationary, compact reader body portion, in which this head, rotatably adjustable, is further adapted to be fixed in a selected position, so that the RF antenna stay focused in the desired direction. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 1, wherein the stationary RF reader further includes a supply of switching power, disposed within the compact portion of the reader body and electrically coupled to the electronic reading parts / writing and the interface controller. 3. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 2, wherein the switching power supply is synchronized with the transmission frequency of the RF antenna. 4. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 1, wherein the RF antenna is further comprised of ferrite wound with wire. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 4, wherein the ferrite RF antenna wound with wire is enclosed within the head assembly, rotatably adjustable. 6. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 1, in which this stationary RF reading unit is liquid-tight. 7. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 1, wherein the RF reader further includes a 0-ring seal between the rotatably adjustable head and the compact, stationary body portion of the reader so that the connection between the head, rotatably adjustable, and the compact body portion of the reader is liquid-tight. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 1, wherein the compact body portion of the reader includes an aperture for receiving an interface cable within the stationary, compact, body portion of the reader. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 8, wherein the stationary RF reader further includes a cap nut, which surrounds the aperture, for receiving the interface cable, so that the connection between the body portion Compact reader and the interface cable is liquid tight. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 8, wherein the compact body portion of the reader further contains screw terminals, for electrically connecting the interface cable to the electronic read / write parts and to the interface controller . 11. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 1, wherein the interface controller further includes a construction menu system for selecting the product characteristics of the RF reader unit. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 1, wherein the interface reader is adapted to be connected to a multiple drop collector, so that a plurality of RF reader units can be controlled using a single system of control. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 1, wherein the interface controller further includes a non-volatile memory for storing configuration parameters of the RF reader unit. 14. A stationary and compact RF reader unit, integrated in a single package structure, which comprises: an RF reader, which includes an RF antenna; a stationary body portion of the reader, this stationary body portion of the reader contains the electronic read / write parts and an interface controller, the stationary reader body portion further includes an opening for receiving an interface cable within the stationary body portion of the reader, this stationary body portion of the reader further contains screw terminals for electrically connecting the interface cable to the electronic read / write parts and the interface controller, in which the stationary body portion of the reader is adapted to be mounted on the standard wall mounts of the identification reader; a bushing nut, which surrounds the opening, for receiving the interface cable, so that the connection between the stationary body portion of the reader and the interface cable is liquid-tight; a head, rotatably adjustable, mounted to the stationary body portion of the reader, this head, rotatably adjustable, contains the RF antenna and is adapted to direct this RF antenna towards a plurality of different directions, without moving the body portion stationary of the reader, in which this head, rotatably adjustable, is further adapted to be fixed in a selected position, so that the RF antenna remains focused in the desired direction; an O-ring seal, arranged between the head, rotatably adjustable, and the stationary body portion of the reader, so that the connection between this head, rotatably adjustable, and the stationary body portion of the reader, is watertight liquid; and a switching power supply, electrically disposed within the stationary body portion of the reader and coupled to the electronic read / write parts and to the interface controller. 15. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 14, wherein the switching power supply is synchronized with the transmission frequency of the RF antenna. 16. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 14, wherein the antenna is further comprised of ferrite wound with wire. 17. The stationary RF reading unit according to claim 16, wherein the ferrite RF antenna wound with wire is securely enclosed within the rotatably adjustable head assembly. 18. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 14, wherein the interface controller further includes a construction menu system for selecting the product characteristics of the RF reader unit. 19. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 14, wherein the stationary RF reader is adapted to be connected to a multiple drop collector, so that a plurality of RF reading units can be controlled with the use of a single control system. The stationary RF reader unit according to claim 14, wherein the interface controller further includes a non-volatile memory, for storing the configuration parameters of the RF reader unit.