Patent ID: 8395482

Claim:
An RFID system configured to manipulate RFID tags, comprising: an RFID receiver system configured to detect information from RFID tags within a receive coverage area; and a plurality of exciters defining a plurality of interrogation spaces within the receive coverage area of the RFID receiver system; wherein the RFID receiver system is configured to transmit a control signal that identifies one of the plurality of exciters and includes information indicative of an RFID tag interrogation signal; wherein the plurality of exciters are configured to receive the control signal; wherein the exciter identified in the control signal is configured to illuminate an interrogation space with the RFID tag interrogation signal; the RFID receiver system is configured to transmit a status signal at a first RF frequency that identifies one of the plurality of exciters; the exciter is configured to extract at least the identity of the exciter identified by the status signal; and the exciter is configured to generate a response signal and transmits the response signal at a second RF frequency.