Patent ID: 7724140
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: G01S,G06K,H01Q

Abstract:
1. An apparatus configured to be placed within a space defined by a plurality of reflecting surfaces and to communicate with an RFID (RadioFrequency Identification) tag through a radio wave, said apparatus comprising: at least one antenna configured to transmit a radio wave beam having a first directivity in a first direction and a second directivity which is lower than the first directivity in directions other than the first direction when the apparatus is placed within the space; and a scanning controller configured to cause the at least one antenna to change an advancing direction of the radio wave beam within a scanning plane when the apparatus is placed within the space, wherein the scanning plane intersects with one of the reflecting surfaces having higher reflectivity than the other reflecting surfaces at an angle falling within a range from 45 degrees to 90 degrees.