Impinj, Inc.
Portal monitoring with steered-beam RFID systems

Abstract:

Portals and other chokepoints can be monitored with RFID reader systems. A portion of an RFID reader system capable of generating multiple beams can be mounted between two adjacent chokepoints such that some beams are associated with one chokepoint while other beams are associated with the other chokepoint. When replies from an item are received, the item can be associated with a chokepoint based on parameters or characteristics associated with the replies and/or the beam(s) on which the replies are received. If the detected item is moving, its movement direction through the chokepoint and/or its movement speed may also be determined.