Patent Publication Number: US-2012038515-A1

Title: Arm-worn rfid reader

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to devices for reading radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags, and more specifically, to a device that can be worn on the arm of a user for detecting RFID tags on packages. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Storage and management of inventory is a critical function of many businesses, including the manufacturing, retail, and shipping industries. For efficiency purposes, it is desirable to communicate product information to a centralized inventory tracking system as the product is being removed or placed on shelves, rather than requiring a separate entry of product information at a central location after removal or placement of the product. 
     One conventional method for communicating product information to an inventory tracking system uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that are placed on the products and portable RFID readers that are carried by the workers handling the products. An RFID tag includes a microchip with data, an antenna, and sometimes a power source such as a battery (e.g., active RFID tag). An RFID reader also has an antenna, and the RFID reader&#39;s antenna transmits electromagnetic energy, when energized, in the form of an RF beam or radio wave to the vicinity of the RFID tags. Each RFID tag that is located within the range of the RFID reader then energizes and sends identification information or other data back to the RFID reader via RF radio signals. The data/information is then further processed, such as by another electronic device. 
     RFID tags, because they radiate their information as radio signals, may be read without having a line-of-sight arrangement between an RFID reader and a tag. However, many RFID readers focus their RF beam so that only RFID tags close to the RFID reader are detected. Therefore, in conventional RFID readers, the focused RF beam emitted from the RFID reader may only actuate RFID tags within a few inches of the RFID reader. Consequently, inventory workers have had to pass the RFID reader directly over an RFID tag on a package or item to obtain a proper reading of the product information. Even if the RFID reader is configured to be worn on the hand or arm of the worker, the worker has to separately pass his hand or arm over the RFID tag before picking up or moving the package or item. This process is inefficient and can be frustrating for a worker. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved RFID reader that addresses the shortcomings of conventional RFID readers. It is further desirable to provide an RFID reader that is easily handled and used, when handling items of packages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention according to one embodiment includes an RFID reader configured to be worn on the arm of a user and including a housing having a bottom surface for facing the arm of a user and a top surface facing away from the arm. A securement structure is configured to engage the arm of the user to secure the housing to the arm. An antenna having a directional field is mounted within the housing and is angled with respect to the bottom surface of the housing to orient the directional field. The angled antenna provides an RF field at an angle to the arm of a user to direct the RF field toward a package held by the arm to scan for an RFID tag on the package. In one possible embodiment, the directional field antenna is a helical antenna. In a further embodiment, the helical antenna may be a helical fractal antenna that is angled with respect to a plane of the bottom surface at an angle around 5 degrees. 
     In another embodiment, an RFID reader includes a housing and a helical antenna mounted in the housing. The helical antenna includes an indexing structure with multiple angular positions for orientation of the antenna. One or more key structures are positioned in the housing and configured for engaging the indexing structure at an angular position around the antenna to orient the helical antenna at a desired rotational orientation in the housing to tune the helical antenna. In one embodiment, the indexing structure includes slots formed in a ground plane of the antenna, around the periphery of the ground plane. 
     The RFID reader in another embodiment includes a housing with a bottom surface for facing the arm of a user and a top surface facing away from the arm. A securement structure engages the arm of the user to secure the housing to the arm. A grip structure is located on a portion of the top surface. The grip structure is configured for gripping a surface of a package when it is held in the arms of a user using the RFID reader. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of RFID readers according to one embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrating the scanning area as a user handles an item. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view similar to  FIG. 1  with a user carrying an item to be read by the RFID readers of Figure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an RFID reader in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of a portion of the RFID reader housing. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a housing for the RFID reader of  FIG. 3 , illustrating internal components. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the RFID reader of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic of the electronic components of an RFID reader in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the helical member of the helical antenna in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is another perspective view of a helical antenna in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the helical antenna accordance with one embodiment of the invention 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an RFID reader in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , use of one embodiment of an RFID reader  10  for identifying a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag  12  attached to an item or package  14  is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a worker or other user  16  managing the inventory of a business (e.g., filling orders, restocking shelves, etc.), moves around an area where an inventory of items and associated RFID tags are located. While one exemplary embodiment of the RFID reader of the invention, as disclosed herein, might be useful for managing an inventory of items, it will be generally understood that the invention has applicability in any environment where RFID tags are used. Therefore, the invention is not at all limited to inventory uses that are described herein to illustrate embodiments of the invention. 
     In the illustrated example of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the worker  16  may pick up a specific item or package  14 , such as a box, in order to move the item  14  to a cart, shelf, or some other location. The worker  16  wears one or more RFID readers  10  on their arms  18  so that the RFID readers  10  are in use as the worker  16  grasps the item  14 . In accordance with one aspect of the invention, each RFID reader  10  emits an RF signal in a focused area  20  extending in front of and between the worker&#39;s hands  22 . Thus, as the item  14  and the corresponding RFID tag  12  are grasped and come into the focused area  20 , the RFID readers  10  capture the identification information of the tag  12  for the specific item  14 . The captured information may be used or processed further by a portable electronic device and/or remote system, such as a central inventory management system. The captured data from the RFID tag is used to provide information regarding the item, for example, to determine the disposition of the item  14 , or otherwise track movement of items so that the inventory records remain accurate. In this regard, the worker  16  can collect identification information about an item  14  and pick up the item  14  simultaneously without needing to stop and perform a separate read operation by passing the RFID readers  10  over the RFID tag  12 . It will be understood that only one RFID reader  10  may be worn by the worker  16  in some applications within the scope of this invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the RFID reader  10  in one embodiment of the invention includes a housing  24  configured to be worn on the arm of a user. The housing  24  contains an antenna  26  and suitable processing circuitry  28  controlled by a processor circuit  30  for implementing the RFID read functionality of the reader  10 . In some embodiments of the invention, the processor  30  and processing circuitry  28  might also provide an RFID-write functionality in the RFID reader of the invention. Therefore, the term “RFID reader” is not limited to only a read functionality, but refers to devices that read or write or do both functions. 
     The housing  24 , in one possible embodiment, is in the form of a two-piece shell, which includes a top housing shell  32  and a bottom housing shell  34 .  FIG. 3A  illustrates one possible top housing shell  32  having a lower section  51  and an upper section  53  in the form of an over-mold. The lower section  51  might be formed of a suitable thermoplastic elastomer, such as Versollan OM 1225NX-1 from GLS of McHenry Ill., for example, to provide a lift assistance feature as noted below. The lower section  51  includes grip structures  56  formed into lower section, such as by being molded therein. The grip structures provide lifting assistance to a user of the invention as noted. The upper section  53  is formed of a suitable thermoplastic, such as Lexan EXL 9330 from SABIC of Pittsfield, Mass., for example. The upper section has a series of slots  65  formed therein to accommodate the grip structures  56  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and the grip structures are dimensioned in height to rise above a top surface of the upper section  53  so as to engage a box or item when the RFID reader is worn by a user who is lifting the box or item. 
     The use of a thermoplastic elastomer to form a portion of the housing, and specifically to form the lower section  51  of the top housing shell  32  that sits over the antenna, provides a distinct advantage to the invention. The size and power of the antenna may be reduced using the unique housing of the invention. Specifically, the thermoplastic elastomer forming the lower section and grip structures has a lower dielectric constant than the thermoplastic of the upper section  53 . Therefore, the combined thickness of the housing shell  32 , with part of the thickness represented by the thermoplastic elastomer, presents a lower RF weighting on the antenna. This allows for a smaller antenna and less antenna power wattage to produce the same RF field strength than would be necessary for an antenna that would be totally housed in a housing made of thermoplastic of the same total wall thickness as provided by the top housing shell  32 . Therefore, in addition to providing the desired lift or grip assistance in accordance with the invention, the multipart housing also reduces the size of the RFID reader. 
     The housing has a rear surface  36 , a rounded front surface  38 , and a pair of lateral side surfaces  40 . The front surface  38  is rounded to avoid snags against any item package  14  held by and handled by the worker  16 . The top housing shell  32  also includes a top surface  42  that includes a first portion  44  and a second portion  46  angled with respect to the first portion  44 . The first portion  44  of surface  42 , which forms a rear section of the housing, is angled so as to not present too sharp of a transition at the rear of RFID reader  10  so as to facilitate easier handling of items and avoid snaps on the RFID reader  10 . The housing  24 , and particularly bottom housing shell  34 , includes a bottom surface  48  configured to engage the arm  18  of a worker  16  when the RFID reader  10  is worn. Bottom surface  48  is generally flat to lie against an arm and bottom surface  48  defines a plane  49  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The top housing shell  32  and the bottom housing shell  34  are configured to snap together or otherwise come together to form the housing. 
     To secure the reader  10  to the arm of a user, the RFID reader includes a securement structure. The securement structure is configured to engage the arm of a user and to secure the housing  24  to the arm. In the embodiment in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , the housing includes retaining members  50 ,  52  that can be used with a securement structure such as a strap  54 . The bottom housing shell  34  including first and second retaining members  50 ,  52  that are fixed to or integral with housing  24  and is shown as extending outwardly from respective side surfaces  40 . Such retaining members  50 ,  52  might also be part of or fixed to the top shell  32  or otherwise integrated into the housing  24 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , as discussed below, a separate securement structure in the form of a frame structure is used, and is configured to engage a user&#39;s arm. The housing removably couples with the separate frame structure to secure the RFID reader housing  24  to the arm or clasps. A strap  54  is coupled to one or both of the first and second retaining members  50 ,  52  and may extend over the bottom surface  48  of the housing  24 . The straps  54  are configured to wrap around the arm  18  of a worker  16 , as most clearly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The strap  54  may be formed of suitable stretchable material, such as neoprene material and may include a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro® or clasps, to secure and tighten the strap  54  and the reader  10  onto the arm  18 . Other securement structures and strap materials might also be used. Thus, the reader  10  can be easily mounted and removed from a worker&#39;s arm  18  as necessary. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the securement structure is in the form of a frame structure  57  for holding the housing  24  of the RFID reader. Frame structure  57  is configured for removable coupling with housing  24  to secure the housing to the frame structure, and thus, to the arm of a user. Frame structure  57  includes one or more straps  55 , and may be formed of a suitable material, such as an elastic or neoprene material. Suitable fasteners  59 , such as buckles or clasps or hook/loop fasteners, might be used to secure the straps  55  together, around the arm of a user to thereby hold the frame  57  and RFID reader to the arm of a user. Frame  57  includes rounded end portions  61 ,  63 , which are tapered or rounded so as not to create a snag when the RFID reader and frame structure  57  are in use. The frame structure  57  is formed of a suitable material so as not to interfere with the RF field generate by the intent of the RFID reader. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the RFID reader incorporates a helical antenna that is angled with respect to the housing. As shown most clearly in  FIG. 5 , the bottom surface  48  of housing  24  is generally planar, and defines a plane  49 . Plane  49  defines an engagement plane for bottom surface  48 , which aligns with a surface of the worker&#39;s arm  18 . In one embodiment of the invention, the first portion  44  of the top surface  42  is angled with respect to the bottom surface  48  and plane  49  in the illustrated embodiment for use against a box or item carried by a user. The portion  44  might be angled between 0 and 90 degrees. In one embodiment, surface portion  44  might be angled at an angle of approximately 15 degrees, with respect to plane  49  to form a smooth transition down to a users arm. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when a user wears reader  10 , surface portion  44  faces rearwardly, and will be pressed to the side of an item, such as a box or package, when the user grabs the item  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Surface portion  46  overlies the antenna  26  of the reader, and thus, faces forwardly in the housing when a package is grabbed, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The angled antenna  26  directs the antenna electromagnetic field  20  forwardly and angled toward the RFID tag  12 . The portion  46  of the top surface is also angled with respect to bottom surface  48  and plane  49 . The surface portion  46  might be angled with respect to plane  49  in the range of 0-10 degrees. The angle of surface portion  46  is generally around 5 degrees, and coincides with the angle orientation of antenna  26  in accordance with one aspect of the invention. When surface  48  of the reader lies flat against the arm of a user, and top surface portion  42  is pressed against the side of an item, surface portion  46 , and antenna  26 , are angled with respect to the item. This angling provides a desired directivity to the RF field  20  of the antenna for more efficiently reading information from an RFID tag or otherwise engaging the RFID tag with the antenna field. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, to assist in gripping an item, the top surface  42  of the housing as formed by the lower and upper sections  51 ,  53  includes at least one grip structure and, in one embodiment, a plurality of grip structures  56 , which extend along the top surface  42 . For example, the, the grip structures may be positioned on surface portion  44  and along part of the surface portion  46 . The grip structures  56  are preferably formed of a tacky substance, such as rubber, or some other plastic elastomer material and are configured for gripping a surface of an item, such as a box or package, when the items is held in the arms of a user as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 . As discussed above, one suitable material for forming the grip structures  56  is a thermoplastic elastomer. When a worker grabs the item  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the grip structures  56  define a frictional gripping surface to assist the hands  22  of the worker in holding the item  14 . Therefore, the grip structures ergonomically assist the worker in grasping and moving packages, while the RFID reader is operational to read information from an RFID tag. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip structure  56  is in the form of a plurality of elongated strips  56  of material. However, grip structure  56  could take other forms as well. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, antenna  26  is an antenna that has a directional field and that is oriented to aim the directional field at an item held by a user. The antenna  26  is tilted or fixed at an angled position within the housing of the RFID reader to direct or orient the directional RF field of the antenna to a desired direction when the RFID reader is worn by a user. This angular position or orientation of the antenna  26  permits the focused RF field area  20  to more appropriately engage or scan RFID tags  12  on the item  14 . In this regard, the reader  10  can reliably scan for an RFID tag  12  on an item while the worker handles the item and the grip structures  56  ergonomically assists the worker&#39;s hands  22  in holding the item  14 . 
     The antenna  26  and its angled position or orientation are more clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . The antenna  26  includes a ground plane member  62 , such as a ground plane circuit board having a metal ground layer. The antenna element  64  extends upwardly from the ground plane member  60 . A ground end  66  of the antenna element  64  is electrically coupled to the ground plane member  62 . In one possible embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawing figures, the antenna is a helical antenna that has a directional field. Referring to  FIG. 5-7 , the helical antenna helically spirals upwardly from ground plane member  62  so that a free end  68  of the antenna element sits above the member  62 . The helical antenna element  64  is encased within a foam body  70  with the ground end  66  exposed and free to be soldered or otherwise electrically and possibly physical coupled to the ground plane member  62 . The foam body  70  protects the antenna element  64  and aligns the helical bends along the longitudinal axis  60  of the antenna element. 
     One exemplary embodiment of the invention uses a helical antenna element in the form of a helical fractal antenna. The helical fractal antenna may be a fractal antenna commercially available from Fractal Antenna Systems, Incorporated of Bedford, Mass. Such helical fractal antennas are more compact than traditional helical antennas. The ground plane member  62  and ground end  66  of antenna element  64  are coupled to the processing circuitry  28  and a suitable ground reference via a suitable RF cable  72  or a similar coupling. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , helical antenna  26  is titled or angled with respect to the plane  49  defined by the bottom surface  58  of the housing. To that end, an interior mounting surface  48  extends at a tilt angle with respect to the bottom plane  49 . The helical antenna  26 , and particularly the ground plane member or board  62 , is positioned on mounting surface  58 , which thus angles the antenna  26 . In one embodiment of the invention, the antenna might be angled or tilted at an angle ⊖ between 0-10 degrees. One suitable embodiment utilizes an antenna angled or tilted at ⊖=5 degrees with respect to the plane  49  defined by the bottom surface  48  of the housing of the RFID reader  10 . Therefore, the antenna  26  is tilted or angled with respect to the surface of a user&#39;s arm wearing the RFID reader. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , such an angled antenna provides a desired direction for RF field  20  for reading an RFID tag when a user picks up an item  14  wearing RFID reader  10  on their arm. The angled antenna of the invention orients and focuses the RF field  20  in the direction of the item held by the user and any RFID tag on the item. This increases the chances of a suitable read of the tag by the reader when the item is picked up and handled. Therefore, the invention reduces the need for separate scanning or movement of the RFID reader in the proximity of the tag as a separate step. The item is handled and the RFID tag is read or engaged all in one continuous step. As may be appreciated, this provides great efficiencies not recognized in other RFID readers. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention incorporates an indexing structure for rotationally indexing the antenna at a desired rotational orientation in the housing. Generally, antennas, such as fractal helical antennas, will be affected by the elements near the antenna such as the housing and the other components. Therefore, the antenna needs to be seated correctly within the housing. As such, the present invention provides an ability to “tune” or otherwise orient the antenna of the invention to an optimal rotational orientation within housing  24  to provide a desired direction to RF field  20  for the RFID reader. The antenna of the invention includes an indexing structure with multiple angular positions around the periphery of the antenna. At least one key structure is positioned in the housing, and is configured for engaging the indexing structure at an angular position to orient the antenna at a desired rotational orientation in the housing, and thus tune the helical antenna and direct the RF field  20 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the ground plane member  62  incorporates the indexing structure in the form of a plurality of slots  76  that are formed in the ground plane member  62 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6B , one embodiment of the helical antenna of the invention has a generally circular cross-section, as defined by the cross-sectional plane  61 . To that end, the ground plane member  62  might also be circular in shape, and include the plurality of slots  76  formed around the circular periphery of the antenna and ground plane member  62 . When using a circular helical antenna  26  to scan a certain pre-determined focus area for RFID tags, the rotational orientation of the helical antenna  26  affects the field  20 , and thus, the performance of the reader. In the illustrated embodiment, the key structure  78  may be formed in the housing  24 , such as on angled housing surface  58  to engage a particular slot of the indexing structure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , one suitable key structure includes a suitable-shaped tab or key  78 , which is configured to engage one of the slots  76 . One or more such key structures  78  may be utilized around the periphery of the antenna or the periphery of the ground plane member  62 , and around the periphery of surface  58  at specific angular locations to line up with the slots  76 . That is, multiple key structures  78  would engage multiple slots  76  simultaneously. In that way, the helical antenna  26  can be tuned to a rotational alignment that produces optimal scanning performance. Such an antenna orientation may be determined, and when the RFID reader is assembled, the helical antenna can be coupled to the mounting surface  58  by positioning one or more of the key structures  78  within appropriate slots  76  to angle the antenna, as desired in an optimal rotational orientation. Furthermore, depending upon the operation of the RFID reader, the antenna might be re-tuned by rotating the antenna and engaging different slots  76  of the indexing structure with the key structures  78 . If a more permanent mounting of the antenna is desired upon the assembly of the RFID reader, the antenna  26 , and particularly the ground plane member  62  might be more permanently fixed to housing surface  58 , such as by being secured with an adhesive after it is tuned 
     In summary, the RFID reader  10  provides an angled helical antenna  26  that is also tuned to an optimal rotational orientation within housing  24  to scan for any RFID tags  12  on an item  14  held between a worker&#39;s hands  22  and arms  16 . The housing  24  also includes a plurality of grip structures  56  to ergonomically assist the worker  16  in gripping and holding the item  14 . Thus, the reader  10  automatically scans for and detects RFID tags  12  without additional arm movements over an item  14 . The RFID reader  10  therefore improves upon conventional RFID readers and other identification information scanning devices. 
     The housing  24  defines an interior space for housing the electronics of the RFID reader, and also the antenna. The housing interior includes a space above mounting surface  58  for that antenna and an adjacent space for the processing circuitry  28 . The helical antenna  26  is coupled to the mounting surface  58 , as discussed above. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  5 A, the processing circuitry  28  is supported on a suitable circuit board  29 , which may be supported on a plurality of tabs  82 , extending upwardly from the bottom surface of the housing. To secure board  29  in place, a post  86  cooperates with a fastener  84  on opposing sides of board  29 . As may be appreciated, other securing structure methods might be utilized for securing the processing circuitry  28  and board  29  within housing  24 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , reader  10  includes suitable processing circuitry  28 , which includes a processor circuit  30 , which may include one or more processor components for controlling the operation of the RFID reader  10 . One suitable processor circuit  30  is an RFID module from ThingMagic of Cambridge, Mass. As will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the processor circuit  30  will operate according to an operating system, which is a software-implemented series of instructions. The processor may also run one or more application programs associated with RFID data collection or RFID writing. The processor circuit  30  is operably coupled with antenna  26  for the RFID operations. 
     The processing circuitry  28  also incorporates a suitable transceiver circuit  47  for coupling with antenna  26  to handle the transmit-and-receive signals for antenna  26  in accordance with the RFID reader operation. Transmit signals are transmitted by antenna  26  to an RFID tag, and the signals from the RFID tag are received by antenna  26 , and directed through the transceiver  47  to be further processed. Transceiver circuit  47  is illustrated as a single element, however, it would be readily understood that, in such transceivers, there are often separate transmit-and-receive paths for handling the RF signals. A transceiver circuit may be any appropriate circuit for providing the RFID reader operation. 
     In various applications, the RFID reader  10  might be utilized with another electronic device, such as a portable computer device  31  that is able to further process data and information captured by the RFID reader  10 . One suitable device for use with the reader  10  of the invention is a TALKMAN® wearable computer commercially available from Vocollect, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa. Portable computer device  31  may be configured to interface with a remote system  33 , such as a central inventory system. Generally, the interface is a wireless interface  35 , such as a WLAN connection. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the RFID reader  10  might be coupled with the portable computer device  31  in a wired fashion by a suitable cable  35  (See  FIG. 3 ). In such an embodiment, power is directed to processing circuitry  28  from the portable computer device to power the processing circuitry and its components, as well as antenna  26 . In addition to providing power to the RFID reader  10 , cable  35  might also be incorporated for transmitting data and other information captured by the reader back to portable computer device  31 . In accordance with one possible embodiment of the invention, reader  10  might include an ultra capacitor or super capacitor  37  that is operable to store a charge from the power that is supplied by the portable computer device  31  to handle power surges when the antenna is powered for a read or write operation. Such ultracapacitors  37  may be optional and are commercially available. They provide an additional surge power supply for the processing circuitry  28  of reader  10 . To protect the processing circuitry  28  from the RF field of antenna  26 , an RF shield element  43  might be mounted to surround and shield sensitive processing circuitry components, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, reader  10  might be coupled with a portable computer device  31  by a wireless link. For example, a suitable wireless personal area network (WPAN) interface  39 , such as a Bluetooth interface, might be utilized in RFID reader  10  for a wireless connection to portable computer device  31 . In such an embodiment, the RFID reader  10  may have its own power supply, such as a battery  41 , such as a lithium-ion battery. As will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, processing circuitry  28  may include other components not discussed herein for the proper operation of RFID reader  10 , and the present invention is not limited to a specific RFID reader circuitry or the specific operational aspects of the RFID reader methodology. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiment thereof, and while the embodiment has been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.