Systems and methods for RFID-enabled information collection

US8933789B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronauties and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Patrick W. Fink · Charlotte, US
• Gregory Y. Lin · Friendswood, US
• Timothy F. Kennedy · Sugar Land, US
• Phong H. Ngo · Friendswood, US
• Diane Byerly · Seabrook, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2013
• Grant date: Jan 13, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47F1/126
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described.