RFID Technologies CC

The Problem - How can you measure range using low cost transponders

Before the arrival of RFID-radar, readers have been able to read the identity of multiple transponders in a zone at one time, but they have not been able to locate where in the zone the transponders actually are physically.

As the performance of readers and transponders improve, operating ranges increase giving one reader the ability to monitor larger areas meaning location information in addition to the identity information becomes very important.

RFID-radar works with very low cost transponders and relatively cheap reader systems.

Trolley Scan's new RFID-radar kit with High gain patch antennas

The invention

This is a world first base technology, allowing companies involved in its development the ability to deliver very advanced low cost RFID systems for many years.

Potential applications

Warehouse

Locating parcels and bins of goods in 3D space. Tracking the progress of goods automatically from goods receiving to storage. Radar can be fitted even to a fork lift truck so that it can image and locate objects in the immediate vicinity of the apparatus.

Military

Where is my tank? - Where is my platoon? - Where is my patrol hiding in the long grass? - Where did I leave the landmine?

Monitoring security patrols

Using the track feature of the RFID-Radar to monitor that guards do perform their patrols correctly. Monitoring can be done via computer monitor program covering large area.

Asset movement

Real time tracking of assets in a building/office, tracking both the laptops, computers, etc and the people if needed.

Schools

Monitoring the location, attendance and safe passage of pupils in the classroom and on the public transport - from when they leave home in the morning to returning in the evening

Conferences

Monitoring the traffic of delegates past the sponsors' booths at conferences

Cattle

Tracking individual animals in a herd, and also detecting if any of the herd stray beyond fences (theft)

Trolleys

Tracking trolleys in a parking lot at an airport or supermarket to monitor if any trolley is being removed from the premises

Old Age homes

Watching residents of an old age home to detect if any stray beyond the boundaries of the property.

Nursery school

Watching children in a playground to check that none stray near dangerous equipment or leave the premises

Shopping centres

Monitoring for lost or seperated children in a crowded shopping centre - Where is my child?

Parking lots

Providing a monitoring service to report where your car is parked in a public garage.

Museums and galleries

Monitoring many artworks from a single location to ensure they are not moved

Hospitals

Monitoring the movement of patients, staff and equipment in a hospital environment to speed up locating the person/object in an emergency

Courier

Reporting the location of parcels for distribution on a warehouse floor.

Loyalty cards at retail stores and banking outlets

Notifying management of the arrival of important clients.

Luggage

Finding missing luggage at airports. Tracking luggage and passengers through the airport to ensure all arrive at the aircraft on time.

Monitoring commuters in Underground transit systems

Tracking the progress of commuters electronically in conjunction with the CCTV systems in use at present

Barcode replacement

Trolley Scan have in the past been known for developing advanced retail systems for the checkout of goods from a supermarket - both through the Branders and the Waverider system. Their protocols allowed the same numbering system to be used as was in use with the existing EAN/UCC barcode numbering system. Now Trolley Scan have advanced the technology far beyond the restrictions of the barcode in that we can now report location information as well as all the features in the earlier RFID systems for retail.

Golf ball

Where are the golfers?.

Technology advancement

Will one still be able to find a market for an RFID reader system in the future that does not also give location?. Can you still market an XT computer after the arrival of the Pentium?