Self-contained RFID-enabled drawer module

摘要

A self-contained RFID-enabling drawer module includes a probe antenna to introduce a robust EM field into a container within a Faraday cage to activate RFID tags within the container, regardless of the container's resonant frequency. A receiving antenna and reader read the data of the activated RFID tags, and a processor and communications module transmit the RFID tag data to a remote processor. The RFID-enabling module is self-contained in that it needs only power and a data connection with which to operate. Where an Ethernet is used, power is obtained by PoE. The RFID-enabling module may be used to retrofit existing medication drawers of a medication cabinet or may be used during the construction of a new cabinet. The RFID-enabling system includes auto tuning of the antenna to dynamically compensate for loading changes on the EM field. Assembly and testing costs are reduced and serviceability of the system is increased.

主权项

1. An RF (“radio frequency”)-enabling module system for establishing an RF field within a container having a predetermined size in which items are placed, the RF-enabling module system comprising:
a Faraday cage formed around the container, the Faraday cage having electrically-conductive walls; a base mounted in a selected location in relation to the container in which items are placed, the container having a container size and the base having a base size selected to be compatible with the container size so that the base and components thereof may interact with items placed within the container; a tunable probe antenna located on the base at a position that is within the Faraday cage and configured to establish a robust activating RF field within the container at a predetermined frequency range that is different from a resonant frequency of the container, wherein the robust activating RF field covers all items placed in the container; wherein the position of the probe antenna in relation to the electrically-conductive walls of the Faraday cage is selected so that reflected energy of the predetermined frequency range within the Faraday cage is in phase at the probe position to thereby optimize power transfer at the predetermined frequency range into the Faraday cage; a receiving antenna located on the base at a position that is within the Faraday cage and configured to receive data signals produced within the container in response to the robust activating RF field; a reader unit located on the base configured to receive the data signals from the receiving antenna, and process the data signals; and a communications unit located on the base configured to receive the processed data signals from the reader unit and communicate the processed data signals to a remote location; wherein the probe antenna is configured to automatically retune itself to establish the robust activating RF field within the container to accommodate more or fewer items in the container.