Patent ID: 7696875
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising: a first antenna; an antenna interface coupled to the first antenna; a transceiver coupled to the antenna interface, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate a communication signal to communicate with at least one RFID tag; a docking interface coupled to the antenna interface, wherein the docking interface is configured to detachably interface the reader with a docking station, the docking station including a contact member coupled to at least one additional antenna; and a housing that contains the transceiver, the antenna interface, and the docking interface, wherein the docking interface is accessible at an external surface of the housing; wherein the antenna interface is configured to couple the communication signal to the first antenna when the reader is detached from the docking station, to enable the first antenna to transmit the communication signal; and wherein the antenna interface is configured to couple the communication signal to the contact member when the docking interface is interfaced with the docking station, to enable the at least one additional antenna to transmit the communication signal.