Reader and method for wheel-based RFID devices

A reader system for a wheel-based, electric field-actuated transponder device of the type having a transmitter for transmitting data from a vehicle to an external receiver, the reader system comprising:

• a support pad for operatively supporting and positioning the vehicle in at least one read location on an upper pad surface;
• at least one antenna device on the support pad located to operatively align with the vehicle wheel-mounted transponder device with the vehicle on the support pad in the one read location;
• at least one transmitter device and receiver device coupled to the antenna device for generating an upwardly directed electric field to actuate the transponder device and receive a responsive signal back from the transponder device;
• and
• wherein the one antenna device comprises:
• a base layer;
• a conductive antenna member positioned on the base layer;
• and a cover layer over the antenna member.

A reader system for a wheel-based, electric field-actuated transponder device of the type having a transmitter for transmitting data from a vehicle to an external receiver, the reader system comprising:

• a support pad for operatively supporting and positioning the vehicle in at least one read location on an upper pad surface;
• at least one antenna device on the support pad located to operatively align with the vehicle wheel-mounted transponder device with the vehicle on the support pad in the one read location;
• at least one transmitter device and receiver device coupled to the antenna device for generating an upwardly directed electric field to actuate the transponder device and receive a responsive signal back from the transponder device;
• wherein the antenna device comprises at least one dipole antenna embedded within and covered by the support pad;
• and
• wherein further comprising a reflective member situated beneath the one dipole antenna for operatively directing energy upward from the one dipole antenna.

A reader system for a wheel-based, electric field-actuated transponder device of the type having a transmitter for transmitting data from a vehicle to an external receiver, the reader system comprising:

• a support pad for operatively supporting and positioning the vehicle in at least one read location on an upper pad surface;
• at least one antenna device on the support pad located to operatively align with the vehicle wheel-mounted transponder device with the vehicle on the support pad in the one read location;
• at least one transmitter device and receiver device coupled to the antenna device for generating an upwardly directed electric field to actuate the transponder device and receive a responsive signal back from the transponder device;
• and
• wherein further comprising a reflective member situated beneath the antenna device for directing energy upward from the antenna device.

A reader system for a wheel-based, electric field-actuated transponder device of the type having a transmitter for transmitting data from a vehicle to an external receiver, the reader system comprising:

• a support pad for operatively supporting and positioning the vehicle in at least one read location on an upper pad surface;
• at least one antenna device on the support pad located to operatively align with the vehicle wheel-mounted transponder device with the vehicle on the support pad in the one read location;
• at least one transmitter device and receiver device coupled to the antenna device for generating an upwardly directed electric field to actuate the transponder device and receive a responsive signal back from the transponder device;
• wherein the antenna device is aligned to operatively underlie the vehicle wheel-mounted transponder device with the vehicle on the support pad in the one read location;
• and
• wherein the antenna device comprises a layered assembly having a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 inches.