Method and apparatus for a deployable radio-frequency identification portal system
An apparatus for interrogating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags within an enclosure. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an RFID module, a first assembly comprising a processor, a second assembly comprising an RFID radiator operatively coupled to the RFID module, and a connection element coupled to the first assembly and second assembly such that the second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly between a first configuration and second configuration. The processor may be configured to interrogate RFID tags via the RFID module and RFID radiator when the second assembly is in the second configuration, and not interrogate RFID tags when the second assembly is in the first configuration. In addition, both the first assembly and the second assembly may comprise attachment components configured to removably couple its respective assembly to one or more surfaces of an enclosure.
1. An apparatus for monitoring one or more radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags within an interrogation zone, the apparatus comprising:
a control assembly that comprises at least one processor;
a first wing assembly that is connected to a first side of the control assembly, about a first connection element, such that the first wing assembly is movable relative to the control assembly, wherein the first wing assembly comprises a first radiator configured to radiate RFID tags; and
a second wing assembly that is connected to a second side of the control assembly, about a second connection element, such that the second wing assembly is movable relative to the control assembly, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, and wherein the second wing assembly comprises a second radiator configured to radiate RFID tags with a radio-frequency (RF) signal;
wherein the control assembly, the first wing assembly, and the second wing assembly are configured to transition between
an undeployed configuration in which the control assembly is substantially parallel to both the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly, and
a deployed configuration in which the control assembly is substantially orthogonal to both the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the first connection element and the second connection element comprise a hinge.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the hinge is a dual hinge.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the first connection element and the second connection element comprise a wire.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first radiator is communicatively connected to the at least one processor via the wire of the first connection element, and wherein the second radiator is communicatively connected to the at least one processor via the wire of the second connection element.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein each of the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly comprise a low-profile housing comprising:
a face substrate through which RF signals propagate; and
a backplane;
wherein an end portion of the respective wire passes through a side surface between the face substrate and the backplane into a space between the face substrate and backplane and remains parallel to the face substrate and the backplane throughout the space.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the backplane comprises an attachment component configured to mount the low-profile housing to an external surface, such that the face substrate and the backplane are parallel to the external surface.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the attachment component comprises a magnet.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the attachment component comprises a screw.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly in one or both of the undeployed configuration and the deployed configuration.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly comprises a fabric body.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control assembly comprises an interrogator that is electrically coupled to the first radiator of the first wing assembly and the second radiator of the second wing assembly, and wherein the interrogator is configured to generate an RF signal that is radiated by the first radiator and the second radiator.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control assembly comprises an interrogator that is electrically coupled to the first radiator of the first wing assembly and the second radiator of the second wing assembly, wherein the interrogator is configured to simultaneously generate an RF signal that is radiated by the first radiator and a second RF signal that is radiated by the second radiator, and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are different.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly comprises an interrogator that is communicatively connected to the at least one processor of the control assembly, wherein the interrogator of the first wing assembly is configured to, based on a communication from the at least one processor, generate an RF signal that is radiated by the first radiator, and wherein the interrogator of the second wing assembly is configured to, based on a communication from the at least one processor, generate an RF signal that is radiated by the second radiator.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising one or more slave wing assemblies, wherein each of the one or more slave wing assemblies is directly connected to one of the first wing assembly or the second wing assembly, and wherein each of the one or more slave wing assemblies comprises a radiator configured to radiate the RF signal generated by the interrogator of the one of the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly to which it is directly connected.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising one or more slave wing assemblies, wherein each of the one or more slave wing assemblies is directly connected to one of the first wing assembly or the second wing assembly, and is not directly connected to the control assembly, and wherein each of the one or more slave wing assemblies comprises a radiator.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor of the control assembly is configured to:
control the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly to radiate RF signals to interrogate RFID tags;
receive results of interrogation responses from the interrogation of RFID tags; and
increase a strength of the RF signals to improve interrogation responses.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor of the control assembly is further configured to lower the strength of the RF signals to a level that provides acceptable interrogation responses and reduces power consumption of the apparatus.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to control an external antenna to wirelessly transmit the results of interrogation responses to an external system.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor of the control assembly is configured to control the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly to radiate RF signals to interrogate RFID tags in response to a trigger.