Systems and methods for RFID-enabled dispenser

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A system for a radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled dispenser comprising:
a plurality of conductive layers forming a waveguide; a dispensing container placed within the waveguide, the dispensing container having a first opening for dispensing items located therein; a plunger capable of acting through a second opening in the dispensing container for moving the items to be dispensed through the first opening; a traveler for moving items within the dispensing container towards the first opening, the traveler movable in response to force exerted by a forcing element; a collector coupled to the waveguide; an interrogator configured to transmit an incident signal to the collector, creating an electromagnetic field within the waveguide, the electromagnetic field being affected by one or more influences; a processor configured to receive information from the interrogator; and one or more RFID field sensors placed inside the waveguide at intervals along the axial direction of the waveguide, each RFID field sensor having an identification and capable of responding to the electromagnetic field by transmitting, via the collector, reflected signals to the interrogator, the reflected signals containing information that identifies the responding RFID field sensors, wherein the interrogator is configured to receive the reflected signals, measure one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and send the RSSI measurements and the corresponding identification of the responding RFID field sensors as inputs to the processor and the processor is configured to use the inputs to make at least one determination about the one or more influences.