Dynamically reconfigurable antennas for RFID label encoders/readers

A dynamically reconfigurable antenna system for an RFID Radio Frequency Identification reader/encoder, the antenna system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna elements;
• and
• a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements, wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, and wherein the configuring mechanism comprises:
• a plurality of switches for selectively switching at least some of said antenna elements to a transmission line or to ground.

A method of operating an RFID reader/encoder, the method comprising:

• (A) providing a dynamically reconfigurable antenna system comprising:
• (a1) a plurality of antenna elements;
• and
• (a2) a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements;
• and
• (B) dynamically configuring the antenna system by selectively configuring at least some of the antenna elements prior to or during operation of the RFID reader/encoder,
• wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, and
• wherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a regular repeating pattern of conductive areas, and wherein each antenna element is connectable via a switch to ground or to a transmission line connectable to the RFID reader/encoder.

A method of operating an RFID reader/encoder, the method comprising:

• (A) providing a dynamically reconfigurable antenna system comprising:
• (a1) a plurality of antenna elements;
• and
• (a2) a configuring mechanism constructed and adapted to dynamically and selectively configure said plurality of antenna elements and
• (B) dynamically configuring the antenna system by selectively configuring at least some of the antenna elements prior to or during operation of the RFID reader/encoder,
• wherein more than one antenna element is simultaneously connected to the RFID reader/encoder, and
• wherein there are four rectangular antenna elements arranged in a cross shape on a region of a layer of an antenna substrate, and wherein the configuring mechanism comprises four switches configured to switch corresponding ones of said antenna elements between ground and a transmission line connectable to the RFID reader/encoder.