Patent ID: 11954553
Assignee: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Field: Telecommunications (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC G  H | IPC G  H

Claim 14:
15. A method of reading a radio-frequency identification tag proximate a barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a radio-frequency identification antenna assembly within a housing of the barcode reader, the antenna assembly including a first antenna, a second antenna, and a third antenna;
scanning for the radio-frequency identification tag with the first antenna, the first antenna emitting a radiation pattern in a first direction;
scanning for the radio-frequency identification tag with the second antenna, the second antenna emitting a radiation pattern in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction;
scanning for the radio-frequency identification tag with the third antenna, the third antenna emitting a radiation pattern in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions;
providing a radio-frequency identification radio within the housing of the barcode reader and in communication with the first, second, and third antennas; and
positioning and orienting the radio-frequency identification radio to act as a reflector for the first, second, and/or third antennas to reflect radio-frequency energy from the first, second, and third antennas towards a product scanning region of the barcode reader,
wherein:
the radiation pattern of the first antenna has a first polarization;
the radiation pattern of the second antenna has a second polarization, different than the first polarization; and
the radiation pattern of the third antenna has a third polarization, different that the first polarization and the second polarization.