# US 10,484,761 B2 · Method and apparatus for a deployable radio-frequency identification portal system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,484,761 B2 - Document ID: US10484761B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/639,939 - Filed: 2017-06-30 - Published: 2017-10-26 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-29 - Assignees: Quake Global, Inc. - Applicants: Quake Global, Inc. - Inventors: Kiely Per Faroe; Christopher Lee Fennig; Gordon Douglas Fraser; Patrick J. Sweeney, II; David Vetter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10484761B2 ## CPC - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - H04Q 2209/47: using RFID associated with sensors - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) ## Abstract An apparatus for interrogating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags within an enclosure. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an RFID module, a first assembly comprising a processor, a second assembly comprising an RFID radiator operatively coupled to the RFID module, and a connection element coupled to the first assembly and second assembly such that the second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly between a first configuration and second configuration. The processor may be configured to interrogate RFID tags via the RFID module and RFID radiator when the second assembly is in the second configuration, and not interrogate RFID tags when the second assembly is in the first configuration. In addition, both the first assembly and the second assembly may comprise attachment components configured to removably couple its respective assembly to one or more surfaces of an enclosure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for monitoring one or more radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags within an enclosure, the apparatus comprising: a first assembly comprising at least one processor; at least one second assembly comprising an RFID radiator operatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor of the first assembly is configured to interrogate the one or more RFID tags within the enclosure via the RFID radiator of the at least one second assembly; and a connection element coupled to the first assembly and the at least one second assembly; wherein the at least one second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly about the connection element between an undeployed, closed configuration, in which the first assembly and the at least one second assembly are substantially parallel to each other, and a deployed, open configuration, in which the first assembly and the at least one second assembly are separated from each other except through the connection element; and wherein the first assembly comprises a first attachment component configured to removably couple the first assembly, in the deployed, open configuration, to at least one surface of the enclosure that is separate from the apparatus, and wherein the at least one second assembly comprises a second attachment component configured to removably couple the at least one second assembly, in the deployed, open configuration, to at least one surface of the enclosure that is separate from the apparatus, such that the first assembly and the at least one second assembly are held in the deployed, open configuration by at least the coupling of their respective attachment components to the respective surfaces of the enclosure, so as to monitor the one or more RFID tags within an internal space of the enclosure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection element comprises a hinge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hinge is a dual hinge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection element comprises a wire. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the RFID radiator is communicatively connected to the at least one processor via the wire of the connection element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one second assembly comprises: a backplane configured to, when the second assembly is removably coupled to at least one external surface, be adjacent to that at least one external surface; and a face substrate opposite the backplane; wherein a portion of the wire of the connection element is disposed between the backplane and the face substrate, is parallel to the backplane and the face substrate, and electrically connects to the RFID radiator between the backplane and the face substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a coupler to secure the first assembly and the at least one second assembly in the undeployed, closed configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first attachment component and the second attachment component comprise a magnet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the magnet comprises a rare earth magnet with a countersunk hole, and wherein the magnet is fixed to the respective assembly via the countersunk hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a plurality of second assemblies. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: interrogate at least one of the one or more RFID tags via the RFID radiators in two or more of the plurality of second assemblies; and receive an interrogation response from the RFID radiators in each of the two or more second assemblies; and triangulate a position of the at least one RFID tag based on the received interrogation responses. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the first assembly and the at least one second assembly in the deployed, open configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one second assembly comprises a fabric body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor interrogates the one or more RFID tags in response to a trigger. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first assembly further comprises a wireless modem, and wherein the trigger comprises reception of a command via the wireless modem. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the trigger comprises an output from a sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the sensor is a door sensor which detects when a door is opened or closed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the trigger comprises a determination that a location of the apparatus is within a defined geographical region. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first assembly further comprises a wireless modem, and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive an interrogation response from the one or more RFID tags; generate an interrogation result based on the received interrogation response; and transmit the interrogation result via the wireless modem. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first assembly comprises a battery, and wherein the connection element supplies power from the battery of the first assembly to the RFID radiator of the at least one second assembly.