RFID READER OUTPUT CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for determining if an object is within a maximum radius for reading an RFID marker from an RFID reader, and controlling the RF output power level of the RFID reader based upon the measured SWR of the transmitted RF signal. The RFID interrogation signal is transmitted at a preset output power level. A comparison is made between the forward and reflected RF signal to determine the SWR. The transmitter output power level of the RFID reader is then adjusted as a function of the SWR such that the output power level is set high when the SWR is high, and set low when the SWR is low.

Description: RFID READER OUTPUT CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and more particularly to controlling the transmitter output power level of an RFID reader based upon the standing wave ratio (SWR) of the transmitted RF signal. Description of the Related Art RFID systems are increasingly used for a variety of applications including inventory control and monitoring. Handheld RFID readers may be used indoors as well as outdoors, and may be battery powered. In RFID systems, an RFID reader transmits an RFID interrogation signal, which is an RF signal. An RFID marker receives the transmitted RF signal and responds with a reply signal that includes identification information and other data as known in the art. The RFID reader receives the RFID marker's reply signal and recovers the relevant information contained within the signal. The RFID marker must be within a predetermined maximum radius from the RFID reader for the RFID reader to be able to detect and retrieve data from the RFID marker's reply signal. This predetermined maximum radius for a proper RFID read is termed the maximum RFID read range. If the RFID reader does not point to an object that is within the maximum RFID read range of a RFID marker, the RFID reader will continue to transmit an RFID interrogation signal that will be radiated into the environment, and, if battery powered, will continue to discharge the battery. Therefore, it is desirable to control the RF output power level of RFID readers so that when an object is not within the maximum read range for reading an RFID marker, the RF output power level will be set to a low power mode. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus and method for determining if an object is within a maximum radius for reading an RFID marker from an RFID reader based upon the measured SWR of the transmitted RF signal from the RFID reader. The output power level of the RFID reader is controlled according to the measured SWR. Objectives, advantages, and applications of the present invention will be made apparent by the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an RFID system using one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method of operation of that shown in Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1, a block diagram of RFID reader 2 is illustrated including antenna 4, dual directional coupler 6, transmitter 8, signal processor 10, receiver 12, and controller 14. Controller 14 controls transmitter 8 to transmit an RFID interrogation signal at a preselected RF output level. Transmitter 8 sends the RFID interrogation signal through dual directional coupler 6, to antenna 4 to be radiated outward. Any RFID marker 5, which receives the RFID interrogation sign, responds with a reply signal that includes identification information. The forward RF signal 16, which is the transmitted RFID interrogation signal taken from dual directional coupler 6, is fed into the signal processor 10. Dual directional coupler 6 is a known device disposed between antenna 4 and transmitter 8 that allows access to the transmitted or forward RF signal 16 and reflected RF signal 18. The reflected RF signal 18 from dual directional coupler 6 is fed into the signal processor 10, and into receiver 12. Reflected RF signal 18 is the transmitted RFID interrogation signal that is reflected from objects in the vicinity of antenna 4. Signal processor 10 takes the ratio of the forward RF signal 16 to the reflected RF signal 18 to determine the SWR. The level of SWR indicates the amount of transmitted signal that is reflected back to antenna 4. Increasing the number or size of objects in the vicinity of antenna 4 increases the level of SWR. The SWR is then sent to controller 14. Controller 14 uses the SWR to determine the proper RF output power level to select for transmitter 8. The controller 14 will select a high RF output power level for a high SWR indicating that an object is within the maximum radius from the RFID reader to properly read an RFID marker. When transmitter 8 sends the RFID interrogation signal to antenna 4 to be radiated outward, any RFID marker 5 which receives the RFID interrogation signal responds with a reply signal that includes identification information and/or other data. The reflected RF signal 18, from dual directional coupler 6, is sent to receiver 12. Receiver 12 detects signals from any RFID markers (5) that are included in reflected RF signal 18, and transfers the identification information/data to controller 14 for further processing. Receiver 12 may condition the received RFID signals for proper reading of the information/data by the controller 14. In operation, when the RFID reader 2 is pointed toward an object to read an RFID marker that is attached, connected, or in some way associated with the object, and the object is within the maximum RFID read range, the SWR will be high due to the reflected RF signal from the object, and controller 14 will set transmitter 8 to a high output level. The maximum RFID read range will vary according to the frequency of operation and power level of the specific RFID reader, and is readily determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the RF reader 2 is pointed away from objects, or if the object is beyond the maximum RFID read range, the SWR will be low and controller 14 will set transmitter 8 to a low output level. When the RFID reader 2 is being used to read RFID markers, the RFID reader 2 will be pointed toward objects, which may have RFID markers attached, and a high SWR is expected. Therefore, the output power level is set high when the RFID reader 2 is actually being used to read RFID markers. When the RFID reader 2 is not being pointed toward an object and an RFID marker 5 is not attempting to be read, or if the object is beyond the maximum RFID read range, the SWR will be low and the controller 14 will set the output power level low. When the RFID reader 2 is being used outdoors, the invention prevents high output power level RF signals to be transmitted into the environment, which can permit the use of the RFID reader 2 in areas that may have stringent RF emission standards. When used indoors, the RFID reader 2 will be set to a low output level if pointing away from objects, such as when pointed out into an expansive warehouse or toward objects that are out of RFID marker read range. Battery powered RFID readers will benefit from the inventive output power level control by only being set to high power mode when an object is within the maximum RFID read range for reading an RFID marker. Signal processor 10 and receiver 12 can be implemented in analog hardware, digital hardware, software, or in a combination of hardware and software, and may take the form of a single signal processor. In one embodiment, controller 14 can take the forward and reflected RF signals and convert them to DC voltages, which are then compared to determine the SWR, which is output to controller 14 as a DC voltage. The SWR can alternately be determined digitally, and the SWR that is sent to controller 14 would take the form of a digital word. Controller 14 preferably includes a programmable microprocessor, but can be implemented using analog and/or digital circuitry. Transmitter 8 can be a conventional RFID transmitter adapted to include output power level control from controller 14. Referring to Fig. 2, controller 14 may include memory 30 to maintain a database of RFID information and data corresponding to an inventory of objects, and/or may interface with a fixed system that includes a larger database 32 of objects and information, which is remote from RFID reader 2. Referring to Fig.3 , a method of operation of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In step 20, the initial RF output power level for transmitter 8 is selected by controller 14. The initial RF output power level can be manually selected by an operator or preset in hardware or software. If the output power level is preset to a low level, the RFID reader 2 will always initially operate in a low power mode. In step 22, the RFID interrogation signal is transmitted. In step 24, the forward and reflected RF signals are compared by the signal processor 10 to calculate the SWR. In step 26, the controller 14 selects the output power level according to the calculated SWR. The output power level control from controller 14 can be one of two levels, such as high power for high SWR, and low power for low SWR, or alternately, controller 14 can select an output power level comprising a range that is a function of the calculated SWR. It is to be understood that variations and modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be interpreted as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the forgoing disclosure.

Claims: CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling the transmit power level of an RFID reader, comprising: transmitting an RFID interrogation signal at an RFID output power level; receiving an RFID reflected signal; comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to said RFID reflected signal to determine a SWR; and, adjusting the RFID output power level as a function of the SWR, wherein the higher the SWR, the higher the power output level, and the lower the SWR, the lower the power output level. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the RFID output power level of the RFID transmitter is preset to a low power mode. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to said RFID reflected signal, said RFID interrogation signal and said RFID reflected signal are converted to DC voltage levels. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to said RFID reflected signal, said RFID interrogation signal and said RFID reflected signal are converted to digital signals. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the RFID output power level is adjustable between a low power mode and a high power mode corresponding to a relatively low SWR and a relatively high SWR, respectively. 6. An apparatus for controlling the transmit power level of an RFID reader, comprising: means for transmitting an RFID interrogation signal at an RFID output power level; means for receiving an RFID reflected signal; means for comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to said RFID reflected signal to determine a SWR; and, means for adjusting the RFID output power level as a function of the SWR, wherein the higher the SWR, the higher the power output level, and the lower the SWR, the lower the power output level. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the RFID output power level is preset to a low power mode. 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to said RFID reflected signal includes means for converting said RFID interrogation signal and said RFID reflected signal to DC voltage levels. 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to said RFID reflected signal includes means for converting said RFID interrogation signal and said RFID reflected signal to digital signals. 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the RFID output power level is adjustable between a low power mode and a high power mode corresponding to a relatively low SWR and a relatively high SWR, respectively. 11. An apparatus for controlling the transmit power level of an RFID reader, comprising: an RFID transmitter presetable to an RFID output power level for transmitting an RFID interrogation signal; a signal processor for comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to an RFID reflected signal to determine a SWR; and, a controller for adjusting the RFID output power level of said RFID transmitter as a function of the SWR, wherein the higher the SWR, the higher the power output level, and the lower the SWR, the lower the power output level. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the RFID output power level of the RFID transmitter is preset to a low power mode. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said signal processor converts said RFID interrogation signal and said RFID reflected signal to DC voltage levels prior to determining the SWR. 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said signal processor includes converts said RFID interrogation signal and said RFID reflected signal to digital signals prior to determining the SWR. 15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the RFID output power level is adjustable between a low power mode and a high power mode corresponding to a relatively low SWR and a relatively high SWR, respectively. 16. A system for reading an RFID marker using an RFID reader with a controllable RFID interrogation signal output power level, comprising: an RFID transmitter presetable to an RFID output power level for transmitting an RFID interrogation signal; a receiver for receiving a reflected RFID interrogation signal including RFID data from an RFID marker; a signal processor for comparing the ratio of said RFID interrogation signal to said RFID reflected signal to determine a SWR; a controller communicating with said RFID transmitter, said receiver, and said signal processor for adjusting the RFID output power level of said RFID transmitter as a function of the SWR, wherein the higher the SWR, the higher the RFID power output level, and the lower the SWR, the lower the RFID power output level, said controller including a memory for storing a database of information corresponding to an inventory of objects, said database storing an indication of said RFID data received by said receiver from said RFID marker. 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the RFID output power level of the RFID transmitter is preset to a low power mode. 18. The system of claim 16 wherein said database of information is located remotely from said RFID reader. 19. The system of claim 16 wherein the RFID output power level is adjustable between a low power mode and a high power mode corresponding to a relatively low SWR and a relatively high SWR, respectively.

Inventors: SHAFER G MARK, SHAFER, G., MARK
Applicants: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORP, SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G06K7
IPC codes: G06K7, G06K17, G06K19, H04B7