Patent ID: 7501956

Claim:
A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising: a first frame having a generally planar top surface; a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the first frame above the generally planar top surface of the first frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon; at least one antenna disposed on the first frame so that the at least one antenna extends above the generally planar top surface between the generally planar top surface and the belt, the at least one antenna being oriented with respect to the belt so that the at least one antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and receives responses to the radio frequency signals from radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt; a radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the at least one antenna corresponding to the responses received by the at least one antenna from the respective radio frequency identification tags and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses; a second frame that at least partially surrounds the at least one antenna, wherein the antenna comprises a generally planar cover that is enclosed by the second frame; and a first ramp attached to the second frame upstream of the antenna with respect to the path of travel and extending between the top surface of the first frame and a top surface of the antenna so that the belt moves over a top surface of the first ramp and over the top surface of the antenna so that the belt moves away from the top surface of the first frame as the belt moves over the antenna, wherein the top surface of the first ramp is stationary with respect to the first frame and the antenna.