Patent Application
20100253588
In some settings, it may be desirable to place a portal stand at or near a doorway, with one or more Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and/or Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) antennas and associated components mounted to such a portal stand. Such a portal stand may be placed at, near, or within an open doorway (e.g., one without any doors), a doorway having doors, or in a variety of other locations. Merely illustrative examples of settings in which such doorways may be located include department stores (e.g., at the main entry/exit and/or loading dock(s), among other places), grocery stores (e.g., at the main entry/exit and/or loading dock(s), among other places), warehouses (e.g., at the main entry/exit and/or loading dock(s) and/or locations between storage rooms, etc.), etc. Of course, such portal stands may be positioned at a variety of other locations, including but not limited to locations that are not at, near, or within a doorway. Various suitable locations for positioning a portal stand as described herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. While a variety of stands have been made and used for RFID and/or EAS equipment, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor has made or used an invention as described herein.
It is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.
The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
As shown in
In the present example, top cover (14), bottom cover (16), and rear cover (18) are made of metal, though any other suitable material(s) may be used, including but not limited to plastic or wood, etc. Also in the present example, top cover (14), bottom cover (16), and rear cover (18) are formed using a stamping process, though any other suitable techniques may be used, including but not limited to molding, etc. It should also be understood that top cover (14), bottom cover (16), and rear cover (18) need not be formed of the same material(s) or using the same techniques. Top cover (14), bottom cover (16), and rear cover (18) are all secured to side members (12) in the present example, such as by screws, bolts, adhesives, clips, etc. One or more gaskets (not shown) may also be provided between two or more of such joined components, if desired. Other suitable relationships between top cover (14), bottom cover (16), rear cover (18), and side members (12), including but not limited to ways in which such components may be coupled to or relative to each other, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
Front cover (20) of the present example is formed of a flexible plastic. Of course, any other suitable material may be used, including combinations thereof. Furthermore, front cover (20) may be rigid in some examples, and need not necessarily be rigid or flexible. Front cover (20) of the present example may also be opaque, translucent, or transparent, as will be described in greater detail below.
As shown in
In the present example, a plurality of platforms (40) are coupled with rails (30). While three platforms (40) are shown in
In the present example, RFID and/or EAS components within portal stand (10) are in communication with one or more computer systems via wires that pass through openings (19). Such computer systems may include one or more computers located in the same facility in which portal stand (10) is located. In addition or in the alternative, such computer systems may include one or more computers that are remote from the facility in which portal stand (10) is located. Such remote communication may be carried out using one or more private networks, one or more public networks, combinations of public and private networks, or in any other suitable fashion. RFID and/or EAS components within portal stand (10) may also receive power via wires that pass through openings (19). In some other versions, RFID and/or EAS components within portal stand (10) are in wireless communication with one or more computer systems, such that openings (19) are not necessarily required. Similarly, RFID and/or EAS components within portal stand (10) may be powered by a battery, solar panel, and/or some other local source, such that the components do not need to receive power via wires that pass through openings (19). In some versions, components within portal stand (10) (e.g., an RFID reader, etc.) are powered by one or more Ethernet cables using Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. Thus, such components may use Ethernet cables for communication of data, commands, etc., and power. To further enhance the use of PoE in portal stand (10), a PoE splitter may be included within portal stand (10). Other suitable ways in which components within portal stand (10) may communicate with other systems, as well as in which components within portal stand (10) may receive power, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
As yet another merely illustrative variation, one or more computers may be located within portal stand (10). For instance, some versions of portal stand (10) may include a feature (e.g., platform fixture, etc.) for mounting a conventional laptop computer (not shown) in portal stand (10). Such a laptop computer may be coupled with RFID and/or EAS components that are also within portal stand (10). In particular, RFID and/or EAS components may be communicatively coupled with such a laptop computer via one or more wires and/or wirelessly. Such a laptop computer may include software that is configured to drive or operate RFID and/or EAS components in portal stand (10). In addition or in the alternative, such a laptop computer may include software that is configured to process data obtained from RFID and/or EAS components in portal stand (10). Various suitable ways in which a laptop computer or other type of computer may communicate with RFID and/or EAS components in portal stand (10) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that such a laptop computer may be in communication with one or more remote computer systems, via wire and/or wirelessly. It should also be understood that a conventional desktop computer or other type of computer may be located in portal stand, in addition to or in lieu of a laptop computer.
In some versions, portal stand (10) also includes an alarm or buzzer (not shown) and one or more light indicators (not shown). At least some of such features may be provided on, above, or near top cover (14); or in any other suitable location(s). Such an alarm and/or light may be selectively activated under a variety of conditions. For instance, an alarm and/or light may be activated when a certain RFID or EAS signal is received (e.g., indicating that a person is attempting to steal an item, indicating that an item has not been properly accounted for before passing through the portal at which portal stand (10) is located, etc.). In addition or in the alternative, such an alarm and/or light may be selectively activated based on whether an RFID or EAS reader has properly read tags on items at the portal. For instance, a red light may be illuminated by default, to indicate the need to stop or pause at portal stand (10) in order for tags to be read by RFID or EAS components. A green light may then be illuminated to indicate that tags have been satisfactorily read. As another merely illustrative example, one or more lights associated with portal stand (10) may be non-illuminated by default; and may illuminate when a reading of an RFID or EAS tag indicates that a tagged item has not been properly accounted for. As noted above, one or more alarms, buzzers, lights, etc., of portal stand (10) may be powered using PoE. Alternatively, such components may be powered in any other suitable fashion. Various other suitable ways in which an alarm, buzzer, light, etc. may be incorporated into portal stand (10) and used will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
As noted above, front cover (20) may be formed of a flexible plastic. By way of example only, front cover (20) may comprise a sheet of plastic that is resiliently biased to assume a substantially flat configuration. Alternatively, front cover (20) may be preformed such that it rigidly assumes (or is biased to assume) a curved configuration. Front cover (20) is engaged with side members (12) in the present example. In particular, a slot (22) is formed in each side member (12), and front cover (20) is inserted in such slots (22). Each slot (22) runs the entire length of its corresponding side member (12), though slots (22) may have any other suitable length. Each slot (22) is also non-perpendicularly angled with respect to the flat side face of its corresponding side member (12), though slots (22) may have any other suitable orientation. It should also be understood that front cover (20) may engage with side members (12) in a variety of other ways using a variety of other structures or techniques, in addition to or in lieu of insertion in slots (22). As another merely illustrative example, front cover (20) may alternatively be coupled with bottom cover (16), and/or top cover (14) in any suitable fashion.
In one merely illustrative example of front cover (20) being coupled with side members (12), a portal stand (10) may be initially provided with the above described components coupled together with the exception of top cover (14) and front cover (20). In this merely illustrative example, front cover (20) is a sheet of plastic that is resiliently biased to assume a substantially flat configuration. In particular, when in a substantially flat configuration, front cover (20) of this example has a width that is greater than the distance defined between the flat side faces of side members (12). Front cover (20) is then bent to a sufficient degree to permit front cover (20) to be inserted in slots (22). The lower edge of front cover (20) in such a bent configuration is then fed in through the tops of side members (12), at slots (22), and then front cover (20) is slid down slots (22). When front cover (20) has been sufficiently fed down slots (22) (e.g., such that the lower edge of front cover (20) contacts or comes in close proximity to bottom cover (16)), top cover (14) may then be secured to side members (12). Front cover (20) is thereby secured between side members (12) and between top cover (14) and bottom cover (16). With portal stand (10) fully assembled, front cover (20) presents a bowed-out configuration, as best seen in
As another merely illustrative example, front cover (20) is not slid through slots (22) from the top down. For instance, front cover (20) may be initially positioned in front of side members (12), at substantially the same vertical position of side members (12). One side edge of front cover (20) may then be inserted in a corresponding slot (22), then front cover (20) may be bent to permit the other side edge of front cover (20) to be inserted into the other slot (22). Such lateral installation of front cover (20) may even be performed with top cover (14) already secured to side members (12) in some versions. Alternatively, front cover (20) may be incorporated into portal stand (10) in a variety of other ways.
In some versions, front cover (20) and/or rear cover (18) may be used to present various types of information, including but not limited to advertisements. For instance, advertisements or other types of information may be printed directly on front cover (20) (e.g., on the front face of front cover (20) and/or on the rear face of front cover (20)). Such advertisements may relate to a variety of types of subject matter, including subject matter that is not at all related to portal stand (10) (e.g., advertisements for clothing, department stores, food, etc.). To the extent that each face of front cover (20) has information printed on it, front cover (20) may be removed from portal stand (10), flipped around to present the opposite face, then reinserted in portal stand (10) to show the information on the opposite face. In some other versions, front cover (20) is substantially transparent, and slots (22) provide sufficient clearance to allow a piece of paper/cardboard/plastic/metal/etc. having information printed thereon to be slid into slots (22) along with front cover (20) (e.g., behind front cover (20)). It should also be understood that one or more lights (200) may be provided within portal stand (10), such as to provide backlighting of front cover (20) and any information that is printed thereon or viewed therethrough. As yet another merely illustrative example, where front cover (20) may be translucent, and a projector (210) may be provided within portal stand (10) to provide rear projection of information (e.g., text, photographs, video, etc.) onto front cover (20), with such rear projected information being visible from the front of front cover (20). Such a projector (210) may be coupled with a remote computer, allowing the projected information to be changed without having to disassemble any components of portal stand (10). Still other ways in which various types of information may be provided on and/or through front cover (20) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
Portal stand (10) may be mounted in a variety of ways. By way of example only, bottom cover (16) may be bolted (e.g., using concrete anchors, etc.), clipped/clamped, or otherwise secured to a floor. As another merely illustrative example, rear cover (18), side member(s) (12), and/or platform (40) may be bolted or clipped/clamped to a wall or door frame; or otherwise secured to a wall or door frame. As yet another merely illustrative example, portal stand (10) may simply rest on a floor (e.g., with bottom cover (16) contacting the floor, with one or more feet between bottom cover (16) and the floor, etc.). Still other ways in which portal stand (10) may be mounted will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of claims that may be presented, and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/166,289, filed Apr. 3, 2009, entitled “Portal Stand for RFID Antenna,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61166289 | Apr 2009 | US |
