Rfid devices for enabling reading of non-line-of-sight items

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates to radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems, including RFID tags and readers. The invention also relates to RFID apparatus and methodology that enable a plurality of items, such as items stacked on a pallet, to be read, including the innermost items in the stack, and even in the presence of RF intolerant material such as liquids and metals.

0002Automatic identification is the broad term applying to a host of technologies that are used to help machines identify items or objects such as cartons, boxes, bottles, and so on. Automatic identification is often coupled with automatic data capture. Therefore, companies wanting to identify items are able to capture information about the items, to store the captured information in a computer, and to retrieve selectively the information from the computer for a variety of useful purposes, all with minimal human labor.

0003One type of automatic identification technology is radio-frequency identification (RFID). Radio-frequency identification is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify items. There are several conventional methods of identifying items using RFID, the most common of which is to store a serial number (and other information, if desired) that identifies a product on a microchip that is attached to an antenna. The chip and the antenna together define an RFID transponder circuit. The antenna enables a remote reader that has a transceiver to communicate with the chip, and enables the chip to transmit identification information back to the reader when actuated to do so by the reader. The reader converts the radio waves returned from the RFID tag into a form that can then be utilized by a computer.

0004A conventional RFID system consists of a tag (including a chip with a antenna) and a reader (sometimes called an interrogator) with an antenna. The reader sends out electromagnetic waves that form a magnetic field when coupled with the antenna on the RFID tag. A passive RFID tag draws power from this magnetic field and uses the power to drive or activate the chip. The chip then modulates the waves that are sent back to the reader, and the reader converts the returned waves into digital information.

0005There are generally two types of RFID tags: active and passive. An active RFID tag utilizes a battery to power the chip and to transmit a signal to a reader (similar to a cell phone transmitting signals). A passive tag does not have a battery but rather is powered by the electromagnetic waves that induce a current in the antenna of the tag. A semi-passive tag uses a battery to power the chip but communicates by drawing power from electromagnetic waves from the reader.

0006Similar to a radio tuning to different frequencies, RFID tags and readers are tuned to the same frequency to communicate. RFID systems use many different frequencies, but the most common frequency ranges utilized in RFID systems are low-frequency (about 125 KHz), high-frequency (13.56 MHz), and ultra-high frequency or UHF (about 900 MHz). Microwaves, which have a frequency of about 2.45 GHz, are also used in some applications.

0007The distance at which an RFID tag can be read is known as the read range. The read range of a passive tag depends on a number of factors: the frequency of operation, the power of the reader, and interference from metal items or other RF devices. In general, low-frequency tags have a read range of about one foot; high-frequency tags have a read range of about three feet; and UHF tags have a read range of about 20 feet. Where longer read ranges are needed, an active tag with a read range of 300 feet or more can be used.

0008One of the desired applications of RFID tags is to track and inventory goods in a supply chain, particularly at high volumes such as a plurality of items stacked on a pallet on a loading dock or in a warehouse. One of the inherent difficulties in this application is ensuring that all of the RFID tags associated with all of the items in the stack are read, including the inner items of the stack that are obscured from view by the outer items of the stack. For example, if the stack of items is a five-by-five layer stacked five layers high (i.e., 125 items total), then the user would want to ensure that all 125 RFID tags are read, even those tags mounted to items located in the center of the stack.

0009The effectiveness of reading tags located in the center of a stack may be impaired by the presence of materials that are not particularly conducive to RF reading. More specifically, while all materials interact with RF waves to varying degrees, RF waves are able to travel through most non-metallic materials, so that RFID tags can be embedded in packaging or encased in protective plastic for weather-proofing and durability while still being readable. However, RF waves particularly reflect off of conductive materials such as metals and are particularly absorbed by certain other materials, such as water, fat, sugar, and protein at higher frequencies-absorptive materials that are commonly found in food items shipped in cartons. These characteristics make tracking metal products or those with high water content problematic. In addition, reading a stack of items with RFID tags, particularly items located in the center of the stack or items that may contain highly conductive or absorptive materials, is also problematic.

0010Document <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US2004135691A1"><text>US 2004135691 A1</text></patcit> discloses containers for holding goods which are provided with a relay conductive structure for relaying RFID tags signals from one side of the container to another. The conductive structure includes a first antenna on the first side of each container, a second antenna on a second side of each container and a transmission line connecting the antennas. When the containers are arranged in a stack, the relay of RFID signals past each row of containers enables the interrogation toward the rear of the stack without disassembling the stack of containers.

0011Document <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="GB2360422A"><text>GB 2360422</text></patcit> discloses a transponder device reading system which is used with a storage means, container or packaging element, in order to identify goods. The transponder device reading system consists of at least one transponder device, a transponder device reader and a radiating element. The reader includes an antenna which emits an interrogation radio signal and receives a response radio signal emitted by the transponder device(s) in response to the interrogation signal. The radiating element has a radiating portion which couples radio signals to and from the antenna of the reader and another radiating portion which couples radio signals to and from the transponder device(s). The radiating element is arranged to transfer radio signals emitted by the antenna of the reader to the transponder device(s) and vice-versa, and can be mounted in or on the container or packaging element.

0012Document <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="WO2004114241A2"><text>WO 2004114241 A2</text></patcit> discloses a storage system comprising one or more storage shelves and dividers or partitions, any ones of which may include one or more reader antennas used to track or detect the presence of objects or items tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

0013Document <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="WO2006002247A2"><text>WO 2006002247 A2</text></patcit> (which falls within the terms of Art. 54(3) EPC) discloses a pallet holding a stack of objects, with one or more of the objects coupled to a RFID tag. A RFID reader is used to read the tags in the stack via a waveguide to guide radio waves to locations in the pallet stack.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0014Thus, according to an aspect, it is a problem to read a plurality or all of the RFID tags in a stack of items.

0015This problem is solved by an RFID system having the features disclosed in claim 1 as well as the corresponding reading method defined in the independent method claim. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

0016In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, radio-frequency identification (RFID) apparatus and methodology are provided that enable the RFID tags in a stack of RFID-tagged items, such as shipping and storage containers, cartons, and boxes, including items that are RF obscured or do not have a direct line of sight to an RFID reader, to be read effectively by the reader.

0017Accordingly, an RFID system for reading a plurality of stacked items includes a plurality of RFID tags and a transmission line. Each of the RFID tags is mountable to one of the items and includes an RFID circuit that generates tag energy when activated by activation energy from a reader. The transmission line carries activation energy from the reader and tag energy from the tags. In addition, the transmission line is positionable in operative or coupling proximately to a plurality of the tags when the plurality of the tags are mounted to items and the items are stacked. Accordingly, when carrying activation energy from the reader, the transmission line couples with and thereby enables activation of the plurality of the tags. Further, when the plurality of the tags are activated and generating tag energy, the transmission line couples with and carries the tag energy from the plurality of the tags. In view of the positioning of the transmission line in coupling proximity to the plurality of RFID tags, the stack of RFID-tagged items can be read, even those items that are RF obscured and do not have a direct line of sight to the reader.

0018In an embodiment, the transmission line can be disposed on an inter-item reading device that can be positioned between adjacent rows of stacked items.

0019Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

0020<figref idref="f0001">FIG. <b>1</b></figref> illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system for reading a load of stacked RFID-tagged items according to the invention;

0021<figref idref="f0001">FIG. <b>2</b></figref> is a block diagram of an RFID tag;

0022<figref idref="f0001">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> schematically illustrates the operating principles of a system for reading a load of stacked RFID-tagged items;

0023<figref idref="f0002">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> schematically illustrates the operating principles of a system for reading a load of stacked RFID-tagged items in which at least one of the items is in the line of sight of an RFID reader;

0024<figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> illustrates another RFID tag;

0025<figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> is a cross-sectional view of the RFID tag of <figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> taken along line 6-6 thereof; thereof;

0026<figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>7</b></figref> is a fragmentary plan view of an exemplary transmission line with a pair of conductors;

0027<figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>8</b></figref> is a cross-sectional view of the transmission line of <figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>7</b></figref> taken along line 8-8 thereof;

0028<figref idref="f0004">FIG. <b>9</b></figref> is a perspective view of a system for reading a load of stacked RFID-tagged items not covered by the claims;

0029<figref idref="f0004">FIG. <b>9A</b></figref> is a perspective view of a conductive transmission line being applied to a carton not covered by the claims;

0030<figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>10</b></figref> illustrates a spatial relationship between an RFID tag and a transmission line when in coupling proximity to each other;

0031<figref idref="f0005">FIG. <b>11</b></figref> is a fragmentary plan view of a transmission line;

0032<figref idref="f0006">FIG. <b>12</b></figref> schematically illustrates the operating principles of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for reading a load of stacked RFID-tagged items in which none of the items has a line of sight with a reader;

0033<figref idref="f0006">FIG. <b>13</b></figref> is a fragmentary cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of an inter-item reading device in accordance with the present invention;

0034<figref idref="f0007">FIG. <b>14</b></figref> illustrates an inter-item reading device not covered by the claims that is able to read a plurality of RFID tags;

0035<figref idref="f0007">FIG. <b>15</b></figref> illustrates an embodiment of an inter-item reading device that is able to read a plurality of RFID tags;

0036<figref idref="f0008">FIG. <b>16</b></figref> is a schematic view of a transmission line with an amplifier and an antenna not covered by the claims;

0037<figref idref="f0008">FIG. <b>17</b></figref> is a schematic view of a transmission line with an amplifier section and an antenna not covered by the claims; and

0038<figref idref="f0008">FIG. <b>18</b></figref> is a schematic view of a transmission line with an amplifier and an antenna, not covered by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0039Referring more particularly to <figref idref="f0001">FIG. <b>1</b></figref> of the drawings, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system <b>100</b> enables the performance of a 100% read of a palletized load <b>102</b> that includes a plurality of RFID-tagged items <b>104</b> such as an object, box, carton, case, bottle, container, drum, or the like. In a number of embodiments, the system <b>100</b> may include a reader or interrogator <b>106</b> and a computer <b>108.</b> The reader <b>106</b> transmits and receives radio-frequency (RF) energy to and from the load <b>102,</b> and passes information associated with the load <b>102</b> and carried by the energy received from the load to the computer <b>108.</b> The computer <b>108</b> in turn may be connected to, for example, a network, an output device, and/or a database for further processing of the information.

0040The system <b>100</b> includes a plurality of RFID tags <b>110</b> that are respectively mounted to each of a plurality of items <b>112.</b> Each of the tags <b>110</b> includes an RFID circuit <b>114</b> that, in turn, may include a chip <b>116</b> operatively coupled to an antenna <b>118,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. <b>3</b></figref><b>.</b> When activated by activation energy E from the reader <b>106,</b> the RFID circuits <b>114</b> of the tags <b>110</b> each generates tag energy T which is then received by the reader <b>106</b> for processing. When stacked together, a number of the RFID-tagged items <b>104</b> may not be in a line of sight of the reader <b>106</b> and, therefore, are RF obscured and not able to be activated by the reader. In addition, the tags <b>110</b> of the items <b>104</b> may be spatially separated from each other. The system <b>100</b> disclosed herein enables such items <b>104</b> with tags <b>110</b> to be activated and read without being in line of sight of the reader <b>106.</b>

0041<figref idref="f0001">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> illustrates schematically the principles of the RFID system <b>100</b> in which a plurality of RFID tags <b>110</b> are respectively mounted each of to a plurality of items <b>112.</b> According to a number of embodiments, a transmission line <b>120</b> can be disposed in operative or coupling proximity to at least a number N of the tags <b>110.</b> The transmission line <b>120</b> is configured to carry activation energy E from the reader <b>106</b> and tag energy T from the tags <b>110.</b> Accordingly, when carrying activation energy E and when in coupling proximity with a tag <b>110,</b> the transmission line <b>120</b> couples with the RFID circuit <b>114</b> of the tag <b>110,</b> thereby enabling the activation of the circuit <b>114</b> and the generation of tag energy T. Similarly, when a tag <b>110</b> is activated and generating tag energy T, the transmission line <b>120</b> couples with the RFID circuit <b>114</b> of the tag <b>110</b> and carries the generated tag energy.

0042For the purposes of this description, the term "coupling proximity" is used to describe the physical relationship between the transmission line <b>120</b> and the RFID circuit <b>114.</b> Coupling proximity may be dependent upon a number of parameters, including distance, the strength of the tag and activation energy signals (i.e., signal strength) and the corresponding magnetic and/or electric field strength, the magnetic permeability and the electrical permittivity of any materials associated with the tags <b>110</b> and the transmission line <b>120,</b> the design and the orientation of the antenna <b>118,</b> and so on. In a number of embodiments, coupling proximity may indicate that the transmission line <b>120</b> is in physical contact with the tags <b>110.</b> In other embodiments, coupling proximity may indicate that the transmission line <b>120</b> and the tags are physically separated but that the other parameters sufficiently and operatively overcome the physical separation and ensure effective coupling between the transmission line <b>120</b> and the tags <b>110.</b>

0043Also for the purposes of this description, the term "line of sight" is used to describe not only a spatial relationship between a reader <b>106</b> and a tag <b>110,</b> i.e., an optical line of sight, but also an RF relationship between a reader <b>106</b> and a tag <b>110.</b> More specifically, although a tag <b>110</b> may not be in an optical line of sight with a reader <b>106,</b> a clear RF communication channel may nevertheless exist between the two such that the tag <b>110</b> may still be read by the reader <b>106.</b> For example, if the optical line of sight with a reader 106 is blocked by low-absorption material such as dry cereal products, the RF energy from the reader <b>106</b> may still pass through the low-absorption material to activate the tag <b>110,</b> with the resulting tag energy also passing back through the low-absorption material to reach the reader <b>106</b>. Accordingly, a tag <b>110</b> may not be in an optical line of sight communication with a reader <b>106</b> but may still be in an RF line of sight communication therewith. The RF line of sight communication can be affected by the distance between a reader 106 and a tag <b>110,</b> geometric effects of the tag <b>110</b> (e.g., "null" points where reception is poor), and absorptive qualities of any intervening materials.

0044Therefore, for the purposes of this description, the state of being "in a line of sight" communication is defined as the ability of a tag <b>110</b> to be read by a reader <b>106,</b> regardless of whether the tag <b>110</b> is in a true optical line of sight with the reader <b>106</b> or not, and the state of being "not in a line of sight" communication is defined as the inability of a tag <b>110</b> to be read by a reader <b>106.</b> Expanding on these definitions further, an item that is in a line of sight of a reader may also be described as an "RF-communicative" item, and an item that is not in a line of sight of a reader may also be described as an "RF-obscured" item.

0045This coupling with a plurality of tags <b>110</b> by the transmission line <b>120</b> enables the principles of the invention to be applied in a number of ways to read a stack <b>102</b> of RFID-tagged items <b>104.</b> For example, with reference to <figref idref="f0002">FIG. <b>4</b></figref><b>,</b> the stack <b>102</b> of RFID-tagged items <b>104</b> is shown with a number of the items being blocked, e.g., by an obstacle O from being in line of sight with the reader <b>106.</b> More specifically, in this embodiment ITEM 1 is an RF-communicative item and has a line of sight with the reader <b>106,</b> while ITEM 2 ... ITEM N are RF-obscured items and do not have a line of sight. Accordingly, ITEM 1 is able to receive activation energy E from the reader <b>106</b> and to radiate tag energy T for receipt by the reader <b>106,</b> while ITEM 2 ... ITEM N are not able to receive activation energy E from the reader <b>106</b> directly.

0046To activate RF-obscured items <b>104,</b> the transmission line <b>120</b> is positioned in coupling proximity with the tag <b>110</b> of an RFID-tagged item <b>104</b> having a line of sight with the reader <b>106</b>, i.e., RF-communicative ITEM 1. The transmission line <b>120</b> is also positioned in coupling proximity with the RF-obscured ITEMS 2 ... N. Accordingly, when the reader <b>106</b> transmits activation E, the RFID circuit <b>114</b> of the tag <b>110</b> mounted to the RF-communicative ITEM 1 is activated and generates tag energy T. In addition, the transmission line <b>120</b> couples with the activated RFID circuit <b>114</b> of ITEM 1 and, in turn, carries the activation energy E to and thereby couples with the RFID circuits <b>114</b> of the tags <b>110</b> of the RF-obscured ITEMS 2 ... N. In turn, the transmission line <b>120</b> carries the tag energy T from the now-activated RFID circuits <b>114</b> of the RF-obscured ITEMS 2 ... N, which tag energy T couples with the RFID circuit <b>114</b> of the RF-communicative tag <b>110</b> of ITEM 1. The tag energy T from the RFID circuits <b>114</b> of each of the ITEMS 1 ... N is then radiated back to the reader 106 by the RFID circuit <b>114</b> of ITEM 1.

0047With additional reference to <figref idref="f0003">FIGS. <b>5</b> and 6</figref>, in a number of embodiments, the tags 100 may include a substrate <b>122</b> on which the RFID circuit <b>114</b> is disposed. In some of the embodiments as particularly shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>6</b></figref>, the substrate <b>122</b> may include an adhesive layer <b>124</b> with a release liner <b>126.</b> In addition, a protective coating <b>128</b> may be applied over the RFID circuit <b>114.</b> To enhance coupling with the transmission line <b>120,</b> the RFID circuit <b>114</b> may include one or more dielectric elements <b>130</b> disposed on or over the antenna or antennas <b>118</b> of the tag. The dielectric elements <b>130</b> may include a material having a high dielectric constant to increase the coupling with the transmission line.

0048Referencing <figref idref="f0003">FIGS. <b>7</b> and <b>8</b></figref><b>,</b> in a number of embodiments, the transmission line <b>120</b> includes a pair of conductors <b>132</b> disposed on a substrate <b>134,</b> such as a piece of sheet material, e.g., paper or plastic. In some examples not covered by the claims, the substrate <b>134</b> may include an adhesive layer <b>136</b> with a release liner <b>138.</b> Accordingly, in substantially elongated examples not covered by the claims such as shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. <b>9</b></figref><b>,</b> the transmission line <b>120</b> may be configured essentially as a conductive adhesive tape that may be applied over a plurality of the tags <b>110</b> mounted to cartons <b>104,</b> thereby effectively coupling the tags together. In addition, the transmission line <b>120</b> may include a protective coating <b>140</b> applied over the conductors <b>132</b> on the substrate <b>134.</b>

0049In other examples not covered by the claims as shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. <b>9A</b></figref><b>,</b> the adhesive transmission line <b>120</b> may be configured as a roll of conductive adhesive tape <b>141</b> with a cross-sectional view substantially represented in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>8</b></figref><b>.</b> In these examples not covered by the claims, the adhesive transmission line <b>120</b> can be utilized much like conventional strapping or packing tape to seal the edges of a box or carton <b>112</b> as shown by the segments A, B, and C, and a center flap, as shown at segment D. An RFID tag <b>110</b> adhered to a side of the carton <b>112</b> within coupling proximity of at least one of the segments of adhesive transmission line <b>120</b> may then be activated by activation energy E carried by the transmission line segments. When stacked with other cartons <b>112</b> such as shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. <b>1</b></figref><b>,</b> the segments of the conductive transmission line <b>120</b> can couple with the segments of conductive transmission line <b>120</b> on an adjacent carton. Accordingly, the activation and tag energy E and T can be propagated throughout the stack <b>102</b> by adjacent and coupling segments of the transmission line <b>120.</b>

0050As shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>10</b></figref><b>,</b> when positioned in coupling proximity with the tags <b>110,</b> the conductors <b>132</b> of the transmission line <b>120</b> are spatially juxtaposed with at least the antennas <b>118</b> and, in some of the embodiments, with the dielectric elements <b>130.</b> In embodiments in which the transmission line <b>120</b> is not used with the tags <b>110,</b> the dielectric elements <b>130</b> do not affect the operation of the antennas <b>118.</b> However, when the transmission line <b>120</b> is in coupling proximity with the tag <b>110,</b> the dielectric elements <b>130</b> effectively create a high-capacitance bridge with the conductors <b>132.</b> This effect allows the conductors <b>132</b> to be spatially juxtaposed over a small area of antenna <b>118</b> (e.g., near the RFID chip <b>116</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. <b>10</b></figref><b>;</b> as opposed to the larger area of antenna <b>118</b> near outer edges of the tag <b>110</b>) while still ensuring an effective RF coupling.

0051As shown in the example in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. <b>9</b></figref> not covered by the claims<b>,</b> the adhesive tape-like transmission line <b>120</b> enables a plurality of RFID-tagged cartons <b>104</b> to be read at a 100% rate. As shown, ITEM 1 is in a line of sight with a reader <b>106,</b> while the other ITEMS <b>2</b>, <b>3,</b> and <b>4</b> are not. The flexible substrate <b>134</b> and adhesive <b>136</b> enable the transmission line <b>120</b> to be adhered to the tags <b>110</b> of the items <b>104,</b> from ITEM 1 to ITEM 4, and even bending around a corner of ITEM 1. Accordingly, the activation energy E from the reader <b>106</b> is carried by the transmission line <b>120</b> to each of the tags <b>110</b> for their activation, and, in turn, the tag energy T from each of the activated tags <b>110</b> is carried by the transmission line <b>120</b> back to the tag <b>110</b> that is in the line of sight of the reader 106, and thereby radiated back to the reader <b>106.</b>

0052In addition to coupling with the RF-communicative tag <b>110</b> for radiation of the tag energy T back to the reader <b>106</b>, the transmission line <b>120</b> includes a plurality of antenna elements <b>142</b> electrically connected to ends of the conductors <b>132,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. <b>11</b></figref><b>.</b> The transmission line <b>120</b> is able to receive activation energy E directly from the reader <b>106</b> and radiate tag energy T from the activated tags <b>100</b> back to the reader <b>106.</b>

0053Another application of the principles of the coupling transmission line <b>120</b> is shown in <figref idref="f0006">FIG. <b>12</b></figref><b>.</b> In this example, none of the items <b>104</b> has a line of sight with the reader 106. To activate the tags <b>110</b> (i.e., all are RF-obscured items), an inter-item reading device <b>144</b> can be inserted between adjacent rows of stacked items <b>104,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>. In embodiments such as shown in <figref idref="f0006">FIG. <b>13</b></figref><b>,</b> the inter-item reading device <b>144</b> includes the transmission line <b>120</b> disposed on a substrate <b>146,</b> for example, a substantially rigid or inflexible piece of sheet material, such as cardboard, pressboard, or the like. The inter-item reading device <b>144</b> includes a stack antenna <b>148</b> connected to the transmission line <b>120.</b> The stack antenna <b>148</b> is positioned on the substrate <b>146</b> so that when positioned in a stack of items <b>104,</b> the stack antenna <b>148</b> can be located at a point that is in a line of sight with the reader 106, which is shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. <b>1</b></figref> and <figref idref="f0006"><b>12</b></figref><b>.</b>

0054When the inter-item reading device <b>144</b> is inserted between adjacent rows of stacked items <b>104,</b> the transmission line <b>120</b> is in coupling proximity with at least a number of the tags 110, and the stack antenna <b>148</b> receives the activation energy E from the reader 106, which is then carried by the transmission line <b>120,</b> and the RFID circuits <b>114</b> of the coupled tags may then be activated as described above.

0055As illustrated in F<b>IG. 14</b> which shows an example not covered by the claims with the items <b>104</b> shown in phantom line for clarity, the transmission line <b>120</b> may be disposed on the substrate <b>146</b> in a predetermined configuration based on the known location of the tags <b>110</b> when disposed on a known size and shape of item <b>104.</b> Accordingly, for substantially similar stacks <b>102</b> of items <b>104,</b> the inter-item reading device <b>144</b> may be used repeatedly. This is particularly advantageous in warehouse applications in which pallets of stacked cartons are repeatedly moved through a loading dock equipped with an RFID reader system.

0056In an embodiment such as shown in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. <b>15</b></figref><b>,</b> the inter-item reading device <b>144</b> includes two amplifiers <b>150</b> for amplifying the activation energy E and the tag energy T. More specifically, the stack antenna <b>148</b> includes a receive section <b>152</b> for receiving activation energy E from a reader and a radiate section <b>154</b> for radiating tag energy T from the activated tags <b>110.</b> The transmission line <b>120</b> includes a pair of conductors <b>132</b> that are each positionable in coupling proximity with a plurality of tags <b>110.</b> One of the amplifiers 150a is disposed downstream of the receive section <b>152</b> to amplify the activation energy E prior to being carried by the conductor <b>132a</b> to the tags <b>110.</b> The other amplifier <b>150b</b> is positioned at or near the radiate section <b>154</b> to amplify the tag energy T prior to radiation.

0057As shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. <b>16</b></figref> which shows an example not covered by the claims, the transmission line <b>120</b> may include a single amplifier <b>150</b> positioned at or near the stack antenna <b>148</b> for amplifying the activation energy E to enhance coupling between the conductor <b>132</b> and the RFID circuits <b>114.</b> This amplifier may also be implemented in the transmission line <b>120</b> illustrated in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. <b>11</b></figref><b>.</b>

0058As shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. <b>17</b></figref> which shows an example not covered by the claims, the transmission line <b>120</b> may include an amplifier section <b>156</b> that includes a pair of amplifiers <b>158</b> and a pair of circulators 160. In operation, the activation energy E received by the stack antenna <b>148</b> is routed to amplifier <b>158a</b> by circulator <b>160a.</b> The amplified activation energy E is then routed to the conductor <b>132</b> by circulator <b>160b.</b> Similarly, the tag energy T carried by the conductor <b>132</b> is routed to amplifier <b>158b</b> by circulator <b>160b.</b> The amplified tag energy T is then routed to the stack antenna <b>148</b> by circulator <b>160a.</b> Accordingly, the amplifier section <b>156</b> enables two-way amplification of the activation energy E and the tag energy T.

0059As shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. <b>18</b></figref> which shows an example not covered by the claims, the transmission line 120 may include a one-port (or negative-resistance) amplifier <b>162</b> positioned at or near the stack antenna <b>148</b> for amplifying the activation energy E to enhance coupling between the conductor <b>132</b> and the RFID circuits <b>114,</b> and for amplifying the tag energy T prior to radiation by the stack antenna <b>148.</b> The one-port amplifier <b>162</b> may be formed using a diode having a response with a suitable negative resistance. Alternatively, the one-port amplifier <b>162</b> may be formed with a transistor that is biased with a suitable feedback to present a negative resistance at the point of coupling between the stack antenna <b>148</b> and the conductor <b>132.</b>

0060For the purposes of this description, the term <i>stack</i> and its derivatives refer to both a vertical stack of items <b>104</b> (i.e., one item positioned on top of another item) and a horizontal stack of items <b>104</b> (i.e., side-by-side or adjacent positioning of items in a layer). In addition, the term <i>item</i> may be any type of item that may be desired to be read, such as a box, a container, an object, a carton, a case, a bottle, a box containing a plurality of other items, and so on. Further, the transmission line <b>120</b> may be configured as, or include, any number of transmission structures, including twin line, microstrip line, coplanar waveguide, coplanar waveguide with ground, stripline, and so on.

0061Those skilled in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments of the present invention provide the foundation for numerous alternatives and modifications thereto. For example, the reader 106 and the computer <b>108</b> may be integrated as a single unit for reading and processing information associated with the load <b>102.</b> In addition, the tags <b>110</b> may be applied or integrated with items that have shapes other than the rectilinear box-like items illustrated herein. Further, the tags <b>110</b> may be printed directly on to the item <b>112.</b> Additionally, the RFID tags <b>110</b> may be disposed on, mounted to, or integrated with any type of item that is desired to be read. These other modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.