Transponder`s position or location determining method for use in e.g. radio frequency identification system, involves determining mapping signals, and assigning inductive coupling to antenna device by distance or orientation of transponder

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The patent describes a method and system for determining the position, orientation, and/or movement of a transponder (such as those in RFID systems) through inductive coupling. By varying the magnetic field produced by an antenna and analyzing the signals resulting from the interaction between the antenna and the transponder, it is possible to determine how far away or in what orientation the transponder is relative to the antenna. The invention also details specific ways to measure these signals—either at the transponder, at the reader, or using multiple antenna arrangements for multi-dimensional location and orientation detection.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Asset tracking in warehouses or logistics centers using RFID tags to locate items in real-time.
• Animal identification and precise tracking, such as livestock monitoring or tracking wildlife underground.
• Inventory management systems that require not only identification but also exact location of tagged items.
• Access control and security systems that need to confirm both presence and precise location of an RFID-enabled badge or tag.
• Medical equipment tracking in hospitals—ensuring devices are not only present but correctly located and oriented for use or charging.
• Detection and localization of embedded objects in industrial processes, for example, identifying and locating RFID-tagged components in assembly lines.
• Smart retail environments for shelf management and customer tracking with location-aware RFID tags.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables precise near-field localization, not just presence detection, overcoming the limitations of traditional RFID systems.
• Works with standard, industry-common RFID transponders without requiring special modifications.
• Can measure both position and orientation in one or more spatial dimensions, supporting multi-antenna configurations.
• Improves system flexibility—suitable for both stationary and moving objects and adaptable to a wide range of environments.
• Enhances accuracy compared to binary-location RFID or barcode systems, with applications in high-density or harsh environments.
• Supports use of passive transponders, which are small and require no battery, for applications where size and long-term deployment are critical.
• Can be implemented as a software upgrade or integrated into existing systems, allowing for easy adoption and scalability.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The method involves producing alternating magnetic field by a transmitter/receiver such as reader (100), and by a control signal of an antenna device (102). Mapping signals are determined in the reader, where the signals represent a measure of an inductive coupling between the antenna device and the reader and a transponder (110). The inductive coupling is assigned to the antenna device by a distance or orientation of the transponder. Field strength of the alternating magnetic field is varied by the control signal. An independent claim is also included for a computer program with a program code for performing a method of determining a position or location of a transponder by an inductive coupling in a radio system.