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Title:
SIGNAL ADAPTERS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/147848
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
In some examples, a signal adapter may include an induction coil, a tank circuit, and a coupler. The induction coil may be configured to receive a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal from a transponder in response to placement of the transponder within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil. Receipt of the RFID signal may result in generation of a short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the RFID signal. The coupler may be electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The coupler may be configured to convert the short-field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit may generate a far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal based on the short-field modulated load.

Inventors:
KRUGLICK EZEKIEL (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2017/017071
Publication Date:
August 16, 2018
Filing Date:
February 08, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEV LLC (US)
International Classes:
G06K19/06; H04B1/59; H04B5/00; H04B5/02; H04L29/02; H04W88/04
Domestic Patent References:
WO2008086568A12008-07-24
WO2001067413A12001-09-13
WO2011092289A12011-08-04
Foreign References:
US20090009291A12009-01-08
EP2355368B12013-03-27
US20130178158A12013-07-11
US20140155059A12014-06-05
US20150022323A12015-01-22
US20140001258A12014-01-02
US20080103939A12008-05-01
US20150311960A12015-10-29
US20140229246A12014-08-14
US20120206096A12012-08-16
US20130289367A12013-10-31
US20100081385A12010-04-01
US20130331027A12013-12-12
US20050087599A12005-04-28
US20050024198A12005-02-03
US20110032253A12011-02-10
US7876276B12011-01-25
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ISRAELSEN, R., Burns et al. (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A signal adapter, comprising:

an induction coil that is configured to receive a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal from a transponder in response to placement of the transponder within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil, wherein receipt of the RFID signal results in generation of a short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the RFID signal;

a tank circuit; and

a coupler that is electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit, wherein the coupler is configured to convert the short-field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit generates a far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal based on the short-field modulated load.

2. The signal adapter of claim 1, further comprising a far-field antenna that is electrically coupled to the tank circuit, wherein the far-field antenna is configured to transmit the far-field modulated RF signal to a remote station. 3. The signal adapter of claim 2, wherein the far-field antenna is further configured to receive a far-field power signal from the remote station and to supply a system power signal based on the far-field power signal to one or more or a combination of the tank circuit, the induction coil, the coupler, and the far-field antenna. 4. The signal adapter of claim 3, further comprising a logic chip that is electrically coupled to the far-field antenna and configured to control transmission of the far-field modulated RF signal by the far-field antenna based at least partially on receipt of the far-field power signal. 5. The signal adapter of claim 3, wherein the far-field antenna is configured to transmit the far-field modulated RF signal in a particular response time following the receipt of the far-field power signal.

6. The signal adapter of claim 5, wherein the particular response time is about 100 milliseconds.

7. The signal adapter of claim 1, wherein the coupler includes a heterodyne device, a diode, an induction bridge, a circuit mixer, or a phase locked loop device.

8. The signal adapter of claim 1, wherein the coupler is configured to convert a short-field frequency of the short-field modulated load to a far-field frequency of the far- field modulated RF signal of the tank circuit.

9. The signal adapter of claim 8, wherein the short-field frequency is about 860 megahertz (MHz) and the far-field frequency is about 100 MHz.

10. The signal adapter of claim 1, wherein the short-field emission distance is about 70 centimeters (cm).

11. The signal adapter of claim 1, wherein:

the RFID signal includes a first RFID signal, the transponder includes a first transponder, the short-field modulated load includes a first short-field modulated load, and the far-field modulated RF signal includes a first far-field modulated RF signal;

the induction coil is configured to receive a second RFID signal from a second transponder;

the receipt of the second RFID signal generates a second short-field modulated load on the induction coil that is based on the received RFID signal and the second RFID signal; and

the coupler is configured to convert the second short-field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that the resonant signal of the tank circuit generates a second far-field modulated RF signal based on the second short-field modulated load. 12. The signal adapter of claim 11, further comprising a processor that is configured to generate a data signal that is based on the second far-field modulated RF signal, wherein the data signal indicates an order in which the transponder and the second transponder are placed within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil.

13. A container, compri sing :

the signal adapter of claim 1;

a structure; and

a volume at least partially defined by the structure,

wherein:

the volume is configured to receive an object on which the transponder is mounted or integrated, and

the signal adapter of claim 1 is integrated into a portion of the structure.

14. A system, comprising:

one or more transponders that are configured to generate at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) signal;

a remote station; and

a signal adapter that includes:

an induction coil on which a short-field modulated load is generated in response to placement of the one or more transponders within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil and in response to the at least one RFID signal generated by the one or more transponders;

a tank circuit;

a coupler that is electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit, wherein the coupler is configured to convert the short- field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit generates a far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal that is based on the short-field modulated load;

a far-field antenna that is electrically coupled to the tank circuit, wherein the far-field antenna is configured to transmit the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station; and

a logic chip that is configured to control transmission, by the far-field antenna, of the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the remote station is configured to transmit a far-field power signal to the far-field antenna; and a system power signal based on the far-field power signal supplies power to one or more or a combination of the logic chip, the far-field antenna, the tank circuit, and the induction coil. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the short-field emission distance is about

70 centimeters (cm).

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the coupler is configured to convert a short- field frequency of the short-field modulated load to a far-field frequency of the far-field modulated RF signal of the resonant signal of the tank circuit.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the coupler includes a heterodyne device, a diode, an induction bridge, a circuit mixer, or a phase locked loop device. 19. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a container on which the signal adapter is mounted or integrated; and

one or more objects on which the one or more transponders are mounted or integrated,

wherein container defines a volume configured for receipt of the one or more objects.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the container includes a beverage cooler;

the one or more objects include vessels configured for storage of a beverage; and the one or more transponders are mounted to or integrated in the vessels.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the container includes a shopping cart or a shopping basket;

the one or more objects include products or grocery items for sale in a market; and the remote station is located in a market in which the shopping cart is implemented.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the signal adapter is integrated into a banner mount that is coupled to the shopping cart or the shopping basket.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or more transponders are mounted to or integrated in security tags of the products or the grocery items.

24. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a structure that includes a shopping cart on which the signal adapter is mounted or integrated; and

one or more shopping carts and/or one or more shopping baskets on which the one or more transponders are mounted or integrated.

25. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a shelf unit on which the signal adapter is mounted or integrated; and

one or more objects on which the one or more transponders are mounted or integrated,

wherein:

the one or more objects include products or grocery items for sale in a market;

the shelf unit is configured to store the products or grocery items; and the remote station is located in the market in which the shelf unit is implemented.

26. A method, comprising:

receiving a first radio frequency identification (RFID) signal from a first transponder, the first RFID signal being received in response to placement of the first transponder within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil;

generating a first short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the first RFID signal;

converting the first short-field modulated load to a first far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal that includes a first modulation that represents the first short-field modulated load;

receiving a second RFID signal from a second transponder, the second RFID signal being received in response to placement of the second transponder within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil;

generating a second short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the first RFID signal and the second RFID signal; and converting the second short-field modulated load to a second far-field modulated RF signal that includes a second modulation that represents the second short-field modulated load,

wherein the first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal are configured such that a sequence in which the first transponder and the second transponder are placed within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil is determinable based on the first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

transmitting, by a far-field antenna, the first far-field modulated RF signal to a remote station; and

subsequently transmitting, by the far-field antenna, the second far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

identifying presence of the first transponder within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil based on the first short-field modulated load;

generating a first data signal that includes first transponder identification information;

transmitting the first data signal to a remote station;

identifying presence of the first transponder and the second transponder within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil based on the second short-field modulated load;

generating a second data signal that includes the first transponder identification information and second transponder identification information; and

transmitting the second data signal to a remote station.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising receiving, from a remote station, a far-field power signal, wherein the converting the first short-field modulated load to the first far-field modulated RF signal and the converting the second short-field modulated load to the second far-field modulated RF signal is performed in response to the receiving the far-field power signal.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the first transponder is secured relative to a first object;

the second transponder is secured relative to a second object; and

the induction coil is positioned in a container that includes a volume adapted to receive the first object and the second object.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein:

the first obj ect includes a first product;

the second object includes a second product; and

the container includes a shopping cart.

32. A method to track inventory, the method comprising:

receiving a first radio frequency identification (RFID) signal by an induction coil; generating a first short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the first RFID signal;

determining a first inventory of transponders that are located within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil;

receiving a second RFID signal by the induction coil;

generating a second short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the second RFID signal; and

determining a second inventory of transponders that are located within the short- field emission distance of the induction coil.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

converting the first short-field modulated load to a first far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal that includes a modulation that represents the first short-field modulated load;

converting the second short-field modulated load to a second far-field modulated RF signal that includes a modulation that represents the second short-field modulated load; transmitting the first far-field modulated RF signal to a remote station, wherein the first far-field modulated RF signal indicates the first inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil; and transmitting the second far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station, wherein the second far-field modulated RF signal indicates the second inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising receiving a first far-field power signal from the remote station, wherein transmitting the first far-field modulated RF signal is performed in response to receipt of the first far-field power signal.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein converting the first short-field modulated load to a first far-field modulated RF signal includes modifying a short-field frequency of the short-field modulated load to a far-field frequency of the first far-field modulated RF signal.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the first inventory of transponders and the second inventory of transponders indicate one or more objects on which one or more transponders are mounted.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the first short-field modulated load results from placement of a transponder that generates at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) signal within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil.

38. A method, comprising:

receiving a first far-field modulated RF signal from a signal adapter;

determining a first inventory of transponders that are located within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil of the signal adapter based on the first far-field modulated RF signal;

receiving a second far-field modulated RF signal from the signal adapter; and determining a second inventory of transponders that are located with the short-field emission distance of the induction coil of the signal adapter based on the second far-field modulated RF signal.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the signal adapter includes a first signal adapter and the induction coil includes a first induction coil, the method further comprising: receiving a third far-field modulated RF signal from a second signal adapter; determining a third inventory of transponders that are located within a short-field emission distance of a second induction coil of the second signal adapter based on the third far-field modulated RF signal;

receiving a fourth far-field modulated RF signal from the second signal adapter; and

determining a fourth inventory of transponders that are located within the short- field emission distance of the second induction coil of the second signal adapter based on the fourth far-field modulated RF signal. 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

transmitting a first far-field power signal to a far-field antenna of the signal adapter, the first far-field power signal configured to supply a system power signal to the signal adapter;

for a particular response time following transmission of the first far-field power signals, configuring a remote station antenna for receipt of the first far-field modulated RF signal from the signal adapter;

transmitting a second far-field power signal to the far-field antenna of the signal adapter; and

for the particular response time following transmission of the second far-field power signals, configuring the remote station antenna for receipt of the second far-field modulated RF signal from the signal adapter.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the first inventory of transponders and second inventory of transponders identifies one or more objects to which the first inventory of transponders and second inventory of transponders are mounted and a sequence in which the one or more objects are placed within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil.

42. A kit, comprising:

a mount device that is configured to attach to a container; and

a signal adapter sized to be at least partially integrated in or at least partially attached to the mount device, wherein the signal adapter includes:

an induction coil on which a short-field modulated load is generated in response to placement of a transponder that generates a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil and in response to at least one RFID signal generated by the transponder; a tank circuit;

a coupler that is electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit, wherein the coupler is configured to convert the short- field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit generates a far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal that is based on the short-field modulated load;

a far-field antenna that is electrically coupled to the tank circuit, wherein the far-field antenna is configured to transmit the far-field modulated RF signal to a remote station; and

a logic chip that is configured to control transmission, by the far-field antenna, of the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station. 43. The kit of claim 42, further comprising a plurality of transponders that are each configured to be mounted to or integrated with an object and to generate at least one RFID signal.

44. The kit of claim 42, further comprising the remote station that is configured to receive the far-field modulated RF signal and to transmit a far-field power signal to the far-field antenna of the signal adapter.

45. The kit of claim 42, wherein:

the container includes a shopping cart or a shopping basket;

the mount device includes a banner mount that is configured to be attached to the shopping cart or the shopping basket; and

the far-field antenna is substantially disposed within the banner mount.

Description:
SIGNAL ADAPTERS

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems may be separated into a short-field RFID system and far-field RFID system. The short-field RFID system may operate within about one wavelength and may be inexpensive. A short-field RFID signal may be caused by coupling of the magnetic field captured by a coil. The short-field RFID system may be effective at a length to about 35 centimeters. The far-field RFID systems may be read at greater distances up to tens to hundreds of meters. The far-field RFID systems may be more expensive than the short-field RFID systems and the signal of the far-field RFID systems may be a more traditional electromagnetic radio frequency (RF) signal, which may be captured by an antenna. For reasons of cost and simplicity, some retail RFID tags may operate with short-field RFID systems. However, operation with the short-field RFID systems may limit the range in which these RFID tags may be effectively used.

SUMMARY

Techniques described herein generally relate to signal adapters.

In some examples, a signal adapter may include an induction coil, a tank circuit, and a coupler. The induction coil may be configured to receive a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal from a transponder in response to placement of the transponder within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil. Receipt of the RFID signal may result in generation of a short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the RFID signal. The coupler may be electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The coupler may be configured to convert the short-field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit may generate a far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal based on the short- field modulated load.

In some examples, a system may include one or more transponders, a remote station, and a signal adapter. The one or more transponders may be configured to generate at least one RFID signal. The signal adapter may include an induction coil, a tank circuit, a coupler, a far-field antenna, and a logic chip. A short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil in response to placement of the one or more transponders within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil and in response to the at least one RFID signal generated by the one or more transponders. The coupler may be electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The coupler may be configured to convert the short-field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit may generate a far-field modulated RF signal that may be based on the short-field modulated load. The far-field antenna may be electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The far-field antenna may be configured to transmit the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station. The logic chip may be configured to control transmission, by the far-field antenna, of the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station.

In some examples, a method may include receiving a first RFID signal from a first transponder. The first RFID signal may be received in response to placement of the first transponder within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil. The method may include generating a first short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the first RFID signal. The method may include converting the first short-field modulated load to a first far-field modulated RF signal that may include a first modulation that may represent the first short-field modulated load. The method may include receiving a second RFID signal from a second transponder. The second RFID signal may be received in response to placement of the second transponder within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil. The method may include generating a second short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the first RFID signal and the second RFID signal. The method may include converting the second short-field modulated load to a second far-field modulated RF signal that includes a second modulation that represents the second short- field modulated load. The first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal may be configured such that a sequence in which the first transponder and the second transponder are placed within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil may be determinable based on the first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal.

In some examples, a method to track inventory that may include receiving a first RFID signal by an induction coil. The method may include generating a first short -field modulated load on the induction coil based on the first RFID signal. The method may include determining a first inventory of transponders that are located within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil. The method may include receiving a second RFID signal by the induction coil. The method may include generating a second short-field modulated load on the induction coil based on the second RFID signal. The method may include determining a second inventory of transponders that are located within the short- field emission distance of the induction coil.

In some examples, a method may include receiving a first far-field modulated RF signal from a signal adapter. The method may include determining a first inventory of transponders that are located within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil of the signal adapter based on the first far-field modulated RF signal. The method may include receiving a second far-field modulated RF signal from the signal adapter. The method may include determining a second inventory of transponders that are located with the short-field emission distance of the induction coil of the signal adapter based on the second far-field modulated RF signal.

In some examples, a kit may include a mount device and a signal adapter. The mount device may be configured to attach to a container. The signal adapter may be sized to be at least partially integrated in or at least partially attached to the mount device. The signal adapter may include an induction coil, a tank circuit, a coupler, a far-field antenna, and a logic chip. A short-field modulated load may be generated in the induction coil in response to placement of a transponder that generates an RFID signal within a short -field emission distance of the induction coil and in response to at least one RFID signal generated by the transponder. The coupler may be electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The coupler may be configured to convert the short- field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit may generate a far-field modulated RF signal that may be based on the short- field modulated load. The far-field antenna may be electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The far-field antenna may be configured to transmit the far-field modulated RF signal to a remote station. The logic chip may be configured to control transmission, by the far-field antenna, of the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process to track inventory;

FIG. 3 illustrates another example process to track inventory;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment of a signal adapter of the system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example environment in which the signal adapter of FIG. 4 may be implemented;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method to track inventory;

FIGs. 7 A and 7B illustrate a flow diagram of another example method to track inventory;

FIGs. 8A and 8B illustrate a flow diagram of another example method to track inventory;

FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate a flow diagram of another example method to track inventory; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device that is arranged to track inventory,

all arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to methods, apparatus, systems, devices, and computer program products related to signal adapters.

For example, checkout-lane level product analysis may allow a system or entity (such as a retailer) to gather some purchase data. Many physical store retailers may desire a system that may be configured to track inventory. For example, some retailers may desire a system to track basket loads and a sequence in which products are placed in the basket load, which may be used for analysis and analytics and for real time recommendations and promotions, for instance. Long range reading may be suitable to enable the retailers to track inventory. However, far-field RFID systems may be more expensive and more complex than short-field RFID systems. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure, may include a signal adapter that may include a far-field antenna and short-field induction coil. The signal adapter may take advantage of the peculiarities of the differences between far-field RFID systems and short-field RFID systems. The signal adapter may be configured to read short-field RFID systems and transmit to far-field systems. Accordingly, the signal adapter may read a short-field transponder at a cart-level and transmit information included therein to a far-field system.

Briefly stated, in some examples, a system may include one or more transponders, a remote station, and a signal adapter. The one or more transponders may be configured to generate at least one RFID signal. The signal adapter may include an induction coil, a tank circuit, a coupler, a far-field antenna, and a logic chip. A short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil in response to placement of the one or more transponders within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil and in response to the at least one RFID signal generated by the one or more transponders. The coupler may be electrically coupled to the induction coil and electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The coupler may be configured to convert the short-field modulated load for application to the tank circuit such that a resonant signal of the tank circuit may generate a far-field modulated RF signal that may be based on the short-field modulated load. The far-field antenna may be electrically coupled to the tank circuit. The far-field antenna may be configured to transmit the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station. The logic chip may be configured to control transmission, by the far-field antenna, of the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 in accordance with at least one embodiment described in this disclosure. In the system 100, information or some portion thereof included in a short-field signal 128 may be communicated from a transponder 118 to a remote station 104 via a signal adapter 102. The signal adapter 102 may be configured to convert or adapt the short-field signal 128 to a far-field signal 122, which may be transmitted to the remote station 104. The system 100 may accordingly enable transmission of the far-field signal 122 over a far-field distance 140 with use of relatively low-cost and/or simple technologies associated with the short-field signal 128. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the system 100 may include at least one of the signal adapter 102, the remote station 104, a structure 120, an object 116, and the transponder 118. The transponder 118 may be mounted to or integrated in the object 116. The signal adapter 102 may be mounted to or integrated in the structure 120. The signal adapter 102 may include an induction coil 114, a coupler 112, a tank circuit 110, and far-field antenna 106 operatively coupled together.

The transponder 118 may include any device configured to transmit the short-field signal 128. The transponder 118 may be configured to generate the short-field signal 128 through utilization of a magnetic field. Some examples of the transponder 118 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. Accordingly, the short-field signal 128 may include at least one RFID signal.

The RFID tag may include a passive RFID tag or an active RFID tag. An active RFID tag may include a power source located on the transponder 118. The power source located on the transponder 118 may be configured to provide power to transmit the short- field signal 128. Additionally or alternatively, the power source located on the transponder 118 may include a power system to provide power to transmit the short-field signal 128. A passive RFID tag may not include an internal power source and may draw power to transmit the short-field signal 128 from an interrogation signal 101 that may be transmitted from the induction coil 114.

The short-field signal 128 may be generated based on the magnetic field, which may degrade as distance from the transponder 118 increases. Thus, the short-field signal 128 may include a particular read range. The particular read range may include a distance within which the short-field signal 128 may be effectively read or sensed. In some embodiments, the particular read range may be increased by inclusion of a transponder antenna in the transponder 118. The transponder antenna may also be coupled to the transponder 118 and/or may include another antenna coupled to (or included in) the signal adapter. For example, the inclusion of the transponder antenna may double or approximately double the particular read range. Some examples of the particular read range may be about thirty-five centimeters (cm) and about seventy cm.

The short-field signal 128 may include a particular frequency. For example, the frequency of the short-field signal 128 may be between about 860 megahertz (MHz) and about 870 MHz, between about 900 MHz and about 930 MHz, between about 950 MHz and about 960 MHz, or another suitable frequency. In some embodiments, the frequency of the short-field signal 128 may be based at least in part on a jurisdiction in which the system 100 may be implemented or designed to be implemented. For instance, the frequency of the short-field signal 128 may be between about 860 MHz and about 870 MHz in embodiments in which the system 100 is designed for and/or implemented in the European Union. The frequency of the short-field signal 128 may be between about 900 MHz and about 930 MHz in embodiments in which the system 100 is designed for and/or implemented in the United States of America. The frequency of the short-field signal 128 may be between about 950 MHz and about 960 MHz in embodiments in which the system 100 is designed for and/or implemented in Japan.

The induction coil 114 may be configured to receive the short-field signal 128 in response to placement of the transponder 118 and/or the object 116 within a short-field emission distance 126 of the induction coil 114.

Thus, in embodiments in which the transponder 118 is implemented as a passive RFID tag, the passive RFID tag may derive power from the interrogation signal 101 (or other signal) emitted from the induction coil 114 and/or from some other interrogation component(s) included in or coupled to the signal adapter 102. In embodiments in which the transponder 118 is implemented as an active RFID tag with its own power source, the active RFID tag may transmit (independently or in response to the interrogation signal 101 from the signal adapter 102), the short-field signal 128 within the short-field emission distance 126.

The short-field emission distance 126 may include a particular distance within which the short-field signal 128 may be read. In some embodiments, the short-field emission distance 126 may substantially correspond to the particular read range of the short-field signal 128 generated by the transponder 118. An example of the short-field emission distance 126 may be a distance of within about seventy cm. In some embodiments, the short-field emission distance 126 may be within about thirty-five cm.

Receipt of the short-field signal 128 by the induction coil 114 may affect one or more operating characteristics of the induction coil 114. For example, the receipt of the short-field signal 128 by the induction coil 114 may result in generation of a short-field modulated load on the induction coil 114. The short-field modulated load may be based on the short-field signal 128. In embodiments in which the short-field signal 128 includes the at least one RFID signal, the receipt of the short-field signal 128 by the induction coil 114 may result in the short-field modulated load that may be representative of an identification information in the at least one RFID signal. For example, the transponder 118 may generate the short-field signal 128 that may include a first RFID signal that may be uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the object 116.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the transponder 118 may be configured to generate the short-field signal 128. The short-field signal 128 generated by the transponder 118 may include the first RFID signal, which may be uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the object 116 and/or with an object type that represents a class or type of the object 116.

Placement of the transponder 118 and/or the object 116 within the short-field signal 128 may result in a first short-field modulated load on the induction coil 114 that may be representative of the first RFID signal that may be uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the object 116 or type of object.

The coupler 112 may be electrically coupled to the induction coil 114. The coupler 112 may be electrically coupled to the tank circuit 110. The coupler 112 may be configured to convert the short-field modulated load for application to the tank circuit 110. For example, the tank circuit 110 may include one or more capacitive elements, one or more inductive elements, and one or more resistive elements. The resonance signal of the tank circuit 110 may be based on a capacitance of the one or more capacitive elements; inductance of the one or more inductive element; a resistance of the one or more resistive element; an impedance related to the resistance, the capacitance, and the inductance; or some combination thereof.

The coupler 112 may be configured such that the short-field modulated load may be included in or represented in the impedance of the tank circuit 110. The resonance signal of the tank circuit 110 may accordingly be affected such that the resonance signal of the tank circuit 110 may be representative of the short-field modulated load.

The resonance signal of the tank circuit 110 may generate a far-field modulated radio frequency (RF) signal. The far-field modulated RF signal may include one or more characteristics that may be based on the application of the short-field modulated load to the tank circuit 110 by the coupler 112. For example, the far-field modulated RF signal may include a modulation that is representative of the short-field modulated load. As discussed above, the short-field modulated load may be representative of the short-field signal 128 and/or the identification information that may be included in the short-field signal 128. Accordingly, the modulation of the far-field modulated RF signal may include or may be representative of the short-field signal 128 and/or the identification information that may be included in the short-field signal 128. In some embodiments, the induction coil 114 may oscillate at a different frequency than the tank circuit 110. In these and other embodiments, the coupler 112 may be configured to convert or adapt a short-field frequency of the induction coil 114 and/or the short-field modulated load to a far-field frequency of the far-field modulated RF signal of the resonance signal of the tank circuit 110. Additionally or alternatively, the coupler 112 may be configured to convert the short-field frequency of the induction coil 114 and/or the short-field modulated load to a representation in the far-field frequency of the far-field modulated RF signal of the resonance signal of the tank circuit 110. In some embodiments, the coupler 112 may include a heterodyne device or another device that may mix, modify, or convert the short-field frequency to the far-field frequency. For example, the coupler 112 may include a diode, an induction bridge, a bridge, a circulator, a circuit mixer, a phase locked loop device, or another suitable device.

In the embodiment of the system 100 of Fig. 1, the short-field frequency may correspond to a frequency of the short-field signal 128. For instance, the short-field frequency may be between about 860 MHz and about 870 MHz, between about 900 MHz and about 930 MHz, between about 950 MHz and about 960 MHz, or another suitable frequency. The far-field frequency may correspond to a frequency of the far-field signal 122. In some embodiments, the far-field frequency of the far-field signal 122 may be about 100 MHz or another suitable frequency.

The far-field antenna 106 may be configured to transmit the far-field signal 122 from the signal adapter 102 to the remote station 104. The far-field antenna 106 may include any device that is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals. In some embodiments, the far-field antenna 106 may be electrically coupled to the tank circuit 110. Electrical coupling between the far-field antenna 106 and the tank circuit 110 may enable application of the far-field modulated RF signal to the far-field antenna 106. Accordingly, in these and other embodiments, the far-field signal 122 may include the far-field modulated RF signal of the tank circuit 110. Thus, when the far-field antenna 106 transmits the far-field signal 122, the far-field signal 122 may include the far-field modulated RF signal of the tank circuit 110. The far-field antenna 106 may be configured to transmit the far-field signal 122 that may include the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station 104.

Additionally or alternatively, the far-field signal 122 may include other information. The other information may be related to the far-field modulated RF signal. For instance, in some embodiments, the far-field signal 122 may include a time indication. Additionally, in some embodiments, the far-field signal 122 may include a data signal. The data signal may include a transponder identification information, which may be derived from the far-field modulated RF signal.

The far-field signal 122 may be transmitted over the far-field distance 140. The far- field distance 140 may include a distance in which the far-field signal 122 may be effectively received. The far-field distance 140 may depend at least in part on a size of the far-field antenna 106. For example, as the size of the far-field antenna 106 increase, the far- field distance 140 may increase. In some embodiments of the system 100, the far-field antenna 106 may include an area of about 0.1 square meters (m2). In these and other embodiments, the far-field distance 140 may be about tens of meters (e.g., between about ten meters and about thirty meters).

In some embodiments, the signal adapter 102 may not include a battery or another power source that includes sufficient power to transmit the far-field signal 122. In these and some other embodiments, the far-field antenna 106 may be configured to receive a far- field power signal 124. The far-field power signal 124 may be transmitted by the remote station 104 or a component thereof to the far-field antenna 106. The far-field power signal 124 may be configured to supply power to the signal adapter 102. For instance, the far-field antenna 106 may receive the far-field power signal 124. The far-field power signal 124 may be supplied as a system power signal to the tank circuit 110, the induction coil 114, the coupler 112, the far-field antenna 106, one or more other components of the signal adapter 102, or some combination thereof.

In some embodiments, transmission of the far-field power signal 124 may prompt or otherwise initiate transmission of the far-field signal 122. For example, the far-field antenna 106 may be configured to transmit the far-field signal 122 within a particular response time following the receipt of the far-field power signal 124. In some embodiments, the particular response time may be about 100 milliseconds (ms). For example, the far-field antenna 106 may receive the far-field power signal 124 at particular receipt time. Within the particular response time, the far-field signal 122 may be generated and/or transmitted to the remote station 104. Additionally, the remote station 104 or some component thereof may communicate the far-field power signal 124. The remote station 104 may then reconfigure one or more components thereof to receive the far-field signal 122. The one or more components may be reconfigured for the particular response time.

In other embodiments, the signal adapter 102 may include a battery or another power source. In these and other embodiments, the battery or the other power source may supply system power to the tank circuit 110, the induction coil 114, the coupler 112, the far-field antenna 106, one or more other components of the signal adapter 102, or some combination thereof.

In the embodiment in which the signal adapter 102 may include a battery or another power source, the remote station 104 or a component thereof may transmit a polling signal 103 to the to the far-field antenna 106. Transmission of the polling signal 103 may prompt or otherwise initiate transmission of the far-field signal 122. For example, the far-field antenna 106 may be configured to transmit the far-field signal 122 within a particular response time following the receipt of the polling signal 103.

In some embodiments including the polling signal 103, the remote station 104 may be configured to transmit the polling signal 103 at a particular interval. For instance, the remote station 104 may be configured to transmit the polling signal 103 every twenty seconds or another suitable time to the far-field antenna 106. The far-field signal 122 may be transmitted to the remote station antenna 134 in response to the polling signal 103 received at the particular interval by the far-field antenna 106.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the signal adapter 102 may include a logic chip 108. The logic chip 108 may include any semiconductor device that is configured to control operation or portions of the operation of the signal adapter 102. The logic chip 108 may include one or more logical gates, which may be combined to produce combinational logic. Additionally or alternatively, the logic chip 108 may include one or more microprocessors that may be configured to control operation or portions of the operation of the signal adapter 102. The logic chip 108 may be electrically coupled to the far-field antenna 106. The logic chip 108 may be configured to control transmission, by the far-field antenna 106, of the far-field signal 122 that may include the far-field modulated RF signal to the remote station 104. Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 receives the far-field power signal 124, the logic chip 108 may be configured to control transmission of the far-field signal 122 by the far-field antenna 106 based at least partially on receipt of the far-field power signal 124. The logic chip 108 may be electrically coupled to the tank circuit 110. The logic chip 108 may regulate an amount of power transferred between the tank circuit 110 and the far-field antenna 106.

Additionally or alternatively, the signal adapter 102 may include a processor 130 and memory 132. The processor 130 may include any suitable special-purpose or general- purpose computer, computing entity, or processing device including various computer hardware or software modules and may be configured to execute instructions stored on any applicable tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage media. For example, the processor 130 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or to execute program instructions and/or to process data.

The processor 130 may be configured to generate the data signal that may be included in the far-field signal 122. The data signal may be based on the far-field modulated RF signal. For example, as described above, the far-field modulated RF signal may include a modulation that may be representative of the short-filed modulated load on the induction coil 114. The processor 130 may derive from the modulation that the transponder 118 is placed within the short-field emission distance 126. The data signal may indicate that the transponder 118 and/or the object 116 is placed within the short-field emission distance 126. The data signal may include a time indication that indicates when the transponder 118 and/or the object 116 is placed within the short-field emission distance 126 or a time in which the far-field modulated RF signal is sampled from the tank circuit. The processor 130 may be electrically coupled to the tank circuit 110. The processor 130 may regulate the amount of power that is transferred between the tank circuit 110 and the far-field antenna 106.

The memory 132 may include computer-readable storage media having computer- executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such computer-readable storage media may include any available media that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, such as the processor 130. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media may include tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storage media including random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), compact disk ROM (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory devices (e.g., solid state memory devices), or any other storage medium which may be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general- purpose or special-purpose computer. Combinations of the above may also be included within the scope of computer-readable storage media. Computer-executable instructions may include, for example, instructions and data configured to cause the processor 130 to perform or control performance of a certain operation or group of operations. The data signal and/or data to be transmitted via the data signal may be stored at least temporarily in the memory 132. In embodiments in which the far-field signal 122 includes the data signal, the far-field antenna 106 may access the data signal and/or the data to be transmitted via the data signal from the memory 132. The far-field antenna 106 may then transmit the far-field signal 122 that includes the data signal to the remote station.

Additionally, the processor 130 may be electrically coupled to the far-field antenna 106. The processor 130 may be configured to control transmission, by the far-field antenna 106, of the far-field signal 122 that may include the far-field modulated RF signal and/or the data signal to the remote station 104. Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 receives the far-field power signal 124, the processor 130 may be configured to control transmission of the far-field signal 122 by the far-field antenna 106 based at least partially on receipt of the far-field power signal 124.

The remote station 104 may include a device or system that is configured to receive the far-field signal 122 from the signal adapter 102. In some embodiments, the remote station 104 may include a remote station antenna 134, a remote station processor 136, and remote station memory 138.

The remote station antenna 134 may include any device that is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals. The remote station antenna 134 may be electrically coupled to the remote station processor 136. The remote station antenna 134 may be configured to receive the far-field signal 122 and communicate the far-field signal 122 or some information included in the far-field signal 122 to the remote station processor 136.

The remote station processor 136 may include any type of processor described elsewhere in this present disclosure. The remote station processor 136 may be configured to process the information in the far-field signal 122. The remote station processor 136 may be configured to determine whether the object 116 and/or the transponder 118 is within the short-field emission distance 126 of the induction coil 114. In addition, the remote station processor 136 may determine or record a time in which the transponder 118 is within the short-field emission distance 126 of the induction coil 114. For example, the far-field modulated RF signal may include a modulation that may be representative of the short- filed modulated load on the induction coil 114. The remote station processor 136 may derive from the modulation that the transponder 118 is placed within the short-field emission distance 126. The time may be based on receipt of the far-field signal 122 or may be included in the far-field signal 122. In another example, the far-field signal 122 may include the data signal that may include the transponder identification information of the transponder 118. The remote station processor 136 may read and/or record the transponder identification information.

The remote station processor 136 may communicate the information derived from the far-field signal 122 to the remote station memory 138. The information may be stored at least temporarily in the remote station memory 138.

In some embodiments, the remote station antenna 134 may be configured to transmit the far-field power signal 124. Following transmission of the far-field power signal 124, the remote station antenna 134 may be reconfigured to receive the far-field signal 122. For example, the remote station antenna 134 may be reconfigured to receive the far-field signal 122 for the particular response time. In these and other embodiments, the remote station processor 136 may be configured to control transmission of the far-field power signal 124 and/or reconfiguration of the remote station antenna 134.

The system 100 may be implemented in one or more environments. For example, in a first environment, the structure 120 may include a container. The signal adapter 102 may be mounted or integrated onto the container. The container may define a volume configured for receipt of the object 116. Placement of the object 116 into the volume defined by the container may place the object 116 within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. In the first environment, the remote station 104 may be located at the far-field distance 140 from the structure 120. The remote station 104 and/or the signal adapter 102 may ascertain whether and/or when the object 116 is placed in the container.

In a first example of the first environment, the container may include a beverage cooler. The beverage cooler may be implemented at a convenience store or in a warehouse facility, for instance. The object 116 may include a vessel (e.g., a bottle, a can, a cup, a pouch, etc.) configured for storage of a beverage. The remote station 104 and/or the signal adapter 102 may be configured to monitor whether the vessel is placed in the beverage cooler, when the vessel is placed in the beverage cooler, when the vessel is removed from the beverage cooler, or some combination thereof.

In a second example of the first environment, the container may include a shopping cart or a shopping basket. The shopping cart or the shopping basket may be implemented in a market. The object 116 may include a product or a grocery item that may be for sale in the market. The transponder 118 may be included in a tag such as a security tag that may be mounted to or integrated in the product or the grocery item. The signal adapter 102 may be integrated into a banner mount that is coupled to the shopping cart or the shopping basket. The remote station 104 may be located in or around the market in which the shopping cart or the shopping basket is implemented. The remote station 104 and/or the signal adapter 102 may be configured to monitor whether and/or when the product or the grocery items is placed in the shopping cart or shopping basket.

In a second environment, the structure 120 may include a shelf unit. The signal adapter 102 may be mounted or integrated into or onto the shelf unit. The shelf unit may include a surface configured for placement of the object 116. Placement of the object 116 on the surface of the shelf unit or on one or more objects (e.g., 116) on the surface may place the object 116 within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. In the second environment, the remote station 104 and/or the signal adapter 102 may monitor whether the object 116 is on the surface, when the object 116 is placed on the surface, when the object 116 is removed, or some combination thereof.

In an example of the second environment, the object 116 may include a product or a grocery item, which may be for sale in a market. The shelf unit may be configured to store the product or the grocery item. The remote station 104 may be located in the market in which the shelf unit is implemented. The remote station 104 and/or the signal adapter 102 may monitor whether the product or the grocery item is on the surface of the shelf unit, when the product or the grocery item is placed on the surface, when the product or the grocery item is removed, or some combination thereof.

The first environment and the second environment are not separate in all embodiments. For example, a market may implement a first example of the signal adapter 102 in the shopping cart and a second example of another signal adapter 102 in the shelf unit. The remote station 104 and/or the second example of the signal adapter 102 may be configured to monitor when the object 116 is placed on the shelf unit and when the object 116 is removed from the shelf unit. The remote station 104 and/or the first example of the signal adapter 102 may be configured to monitor when the object 116 is placed in the shopping cart, when the object 116 is placed in the shopping cart, and into which shopping cart the object 116 is placed.

In some embodiments, one or more components of the system 100 may be included in a kit. The kit may be configured to be retro-fitted to an environment. For example, the structure 120 and the object 116 may exist in the environment. The kit may include a mount device and the signal adapter 102. The mount device may be configured to attach to the structure 120 such as a container. The signal adapter 102 may be sized to be at least partially integrated in or at least partially attached to the mount device. The kit may include the transponder 118 or multiple examples of the transponder 118 that are each configured to be mounted to or integrated with the object 116. Additionally or alternatively, the kit may include the remote station 104. In an example kit, the structure 120 may include a shopping cart, a shopping basket, or a container, for instance. The mount device may include a banner mount that is configured to be attached to the shopping cart or to the shopping basket. The far-field antenna may be substantially disposed within the banner mount.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the system 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may apply to a system that may include one or more examples of the object 116, one or more examples of the transponder 118, one or more examples of the structure 120, one or more examples of the signal adapter 102, one or more examples of the remote station, one or more examples of other components, or any combination thereof.

Moreover, the separation of various components in the embodiments described in the present disclosure is not meant to indicate that the separation occurs in all embodiments. It may be understood with the benefit of this disclosure that the described components may be integrated together in a single component or separated into multiple components.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process 200 to track inventory. The process 200 may be implemented in the system 100 of FIG. 1. The remote station 104, the structure 120, and the signal adapter 102 of FIG. 1 are included in FIG. 2. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the object 116 of FIG. 1 is a first object 116A. The system 100 of FIG. 2 may also include a second object 116B, which may be substantially similar to the object 116 as described in FIG. 1. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the transponder 118 of FIG. 1 is a first transponder 118A. The system 100 of FIG. 2 may also include a second transponder 118B, which may be substantially similar to the transponder 118 as described in FIG. 1. Additionally, in FIG. 2, the short-field signal 128 of FIG. 1 is a first short-field signal 128A. The system 100 of FIG. 2 may also include a second short-field signal 128B. The second short-field signal 128B may be substantially similar to the short-field signal 128 as described in FIG. 1.

The first object 116A may include a first product that may be included in the inventory. The second object 116B may include a second product that may be included in the inventory. The first short-field signal 128A may be generated by the first transponder 118A. The first short-field signal 128A may include a first RFID signal which may be uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the first object 116A. For example, the first RFID signal may include and/or may convey a numeric identifier and/or other information that is uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the first object 116A. The second short-field signal 128B may be generated by the second transponder 118B. The second short-field signal 128B may include a second RFID signal that may be uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the second object 116B. For example, the second RFID signal may include and/or may convey a numeric identifier and/or other information that is uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the second object 116B.

The first object 116A and/or the first transponder 118A may be placed within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. For example, the first object 116A may be placed in a volume defined by the structure 120 such as a shopping cart, a shopping basket, or another container. Additionally or alternatively, the first object 116A may be placed on the structure 120 such as surface of a shelf unit. In response, a first short- field modulated load may be generated. The first short-field modulated load may be representative of the first short-field signal 128 A and the first RFID signal included therein.

The first short-field modulated load may be converted to a first far-field modulated

RF signal. The first far-field modulated RF signal may indicate a first inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. For instance, the first inventory of transponders may include the first transponder 118 A. In some embodiments, the first far-field modulated RF signal may exist on the signal adapter 102. In other embodiments, a processor may be configured to generate a first data signal that may include the first inventory of transponders. The first data signal may further include a first transponder identification information of the first transponder 118A.

In some embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 does not include a battery or another power source, the remote station 104 may be configured to communicate a first far- field power signal 202 to the signal adapter 102. Following transmission of the first far- field power signal 202, the remote station 104 may reconfigure one or more components of the remote station 104 to receive a first far-field signal 204 from the signal adapter 102. For example, the remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components for the particular response time following the transmission of the first far-field power signal 202.

In response to the first far-field power signal 202, the signal adapter 102 may transmit the first far-field signal 204 to the remote station 104. The first far-field signal 204 may include the first far-field modulated RF signal and/or the first data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the first inventory of transponders from the first far-field signal 204. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 at the time of the transmission of the first far-field signal 204.

Subsequently, the second object 116B and/or the second transponder 118B may be placed within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. For example, the second object 116B may be placed in the volume defined by the structure 120 or placed on the structure 120. In response, a second short-field modulated load may be generated. The second short-field modulated load may be representative of the second short-field signal 128B and the second RFID signal included therein.

The second short-field modulated load may be converted to a second far-field modulated RF signal. The second far-field modulated RF signal may indicate a second inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. For instance, the second inventory of transponders may include the first transponder 118 A and the second transponder 118B. In some embodiments, the second far-field modulated RF signal may exist on the signal adapter 102. In other embodiments, the processor 130 may be configured to generate a second data signal that may include the second inventory of transponders. The second data signal may further include the first transponder identification information of the first transponder 118A and a second transponder identification information of the second transponder 118B.

In some embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 does not include a battery or another power source, the remote station 104 may be configured to communicate a second far-field power signal 208 to the signal adapter 102. Following transmission of the second far-field power signal 208, the remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components of the remote station 104 to receive a second far-field signal 210 from the signal adapter 102. For example, the remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components for the particular response time following the transmission of the second far- field power signal 208.

In response to the second far-field power signal 208, the signal adapter 102 may transmit the second far-field signal 210 to the remote station 104. The second far-field signal 210 may include the second far-field modulated RF signal and/or the second data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the second inventory of transponders from the second far-field signal 210. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A and the second transponder 118B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A and the second transponder 118B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 at the time of the transmission of the second far-field signal 210.

Based on the first inventory of transponders and the second inventory of transponders, the remote station 104 may determine whether the first object 116A and the second object 116B are located within the short-field emission distance 126. Additionally, based on the first inventory of transponders and the second inventory of transponders, the remote station 104 may determine that the first obj ect 116A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 prior to a time in which the second object 116B is placed within the short-field emission distance 126.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the signal adapter 102 may include a battery or another power source. In these and other embodiments, the remote station 104 may be configured to communicate a first polling signal 203 to the signal adapter 102. Following transmission of the first polling signal 203, the remote station 104 may reconfigure one or more components of the remote station 104 to receive a first far- field signal 204 from the signal adapter 102. For example, the remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components for the particular response time following the transmission of the first polling signal 203.

In response to the first polling signal 203, the signal adapter 102 may transmit the first far-field signal 204 to the remote station 104. The first far-field signal 204 may include the first far-field modulated RF signal and/or the first data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the first inventory of transponders from the first far-field signal 204. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 at the time of the transmission of the first far-field signal 204.

Subsequently, the second object 116B and/or the second transponder 118B may be placed within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. The second short-field modulated load may be converted to the second far-field modulated RF signal.

The remote station 104 may be configured to communicate a second polling signal 209 to the signal adapter 102. Following transmission of the second polling signal 209, the remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components of the remote station 104 to receive the second far-field signal 210 from the signal adapter 102.

In response to the second polling signal 209, the signal adapter 102 may transmit the second far-field signal 210 to the remote station 104. The second far-field signal 210 may include the second far-field modulated RF signal and/or the second data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the second inventory of transponders from the second far-field signal 210. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A and the second transponder 118B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A and the second transponder 118B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 at the time of the transmission of the second far-field signal 210.

Based on the first inventory of transponders and the second inventory of transponders, the remote station 104 may determine whether the first object 116A and the second object 116B are located within the short-field emission distance 126. Additionally, based on the first inventory of transponders and the second inventory of transponders, the remote station 104 may determine that the first object 116A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 prior to a time in which the second object 116B is placed within the short-field emission distance 126.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 includes the first object 116A and the second object

116B. In other embodiments, additional objects that are similar to or different from the first object 116A and the second object 116B may be included. One or more of the additional objects may include transponders that are mounted on or integrated into the additional objects.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example process 300 to track inventory. The process 300 of FIG. 3 may include the process 200 described with reference to FIG. 2. In addition, the process 300 enables a third object 302A and a fourth object 302B to be tracked by another (a second) signal adapter 304, which may be included in another (a second) structure 310.

The remote station 104, the structure 120, and the signal adapter 102 of FIGs. 1 and 2 are included in FIG. 3. Additionally, FIG. 3 includes the first object 116A, the second object 116B, the first transponder 118 A, the second transponder 118B, the first short-field signal 128 A, and the second short-field signal 128B.

In addition, a third transponder 306 A may be mounted or integrated on the third object 302 A. A fourth transponder 306B may be mounted or integrated on the fourth object 302B. The third object 302 A may include a third product that may be included in the inventory. The fourth object 302B may include a fourth product that may be included in the inventory. A third short-field signal 308 A may be generated by the third transponder 306A. The third short-field signal 308A may include a third RFID signal which may be uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the third object 302A. For example, the third RFID signal may include and/or may convey a numeric identifier and/or other information that is uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the third object 302A. The fourth short-field signal 308B may be generated by the fourth transponder 306B. The fourth short-field signal 308B may include a fourth RFID signal that may be uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the fourth object 302B. For example, the fourth RFID signal may include and/or may convey a numeric identifier and/or other information that is uniquely or substantially uniquely associated with the fourth object 302B.

The first object 116A and the third object 302A may be placed within the short- field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304, respectively. For example, the first obj ect 116 A may be placed in a first volume defined by the structure 120 such as a first shopping cart, a first shopping basket, or another first container. The third object 302A may be placed in a second volume defined by the second structure 310 such as a second shopping cart, a second shopping basket, or another second container.

In response, a first short-field modulated load may be generated on the signal adapter 102 and a third short-field modulated load may be generated on the second signal adapter 304. The first short-field modulated load may be representative of the first short- field signal 128 A and the first RFID signal included therein. The third short-field modulated load may be representative of the third short-field signal 308 A and the third RFID signal included therein.

The first short-field modulated load may be converted to a first far-field modulated RF signal. The first far-field modulated RF signal may indicate a first inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. For instance, the first inventory of transponders may include the first transponder 118 A. In some embodiments, the first far-field modulated RF signal may exist on the signal adapter 102. In other embodiments, a processor may be configured to generate a first data signal that may include the first inventory of transponders. The first data signal may further include a first transponder identification information of the first transponder 118A. The third short-field modulated load may be converted to a third far-field modulated RF signal. The third far-field modulated RF signal may indicate a third inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304. For instance, the third inventory of transponders may include the third transponder 306 A. In some embodiments, the third far-field modulated RF signal may exist on the second signal adapter 304. In other embodiments, a processor of the second signal adapter 304 may be configured to generate a third data signal that may include the third inventory of transponders. The third data signal may further include a third transponder identification information of the third transponder 306A.

The remote station 104 may be configured to communicate a first signal 312 to the signal adapter 102 and to the second signal adapter 304. In embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304 may not include a battery or another power source, the first signal 312 may include a first far-field power signal (e.g., 202 of FIG. 2). In embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304 include a battery or another power source, the first signal 312 may include a first polling signal (e.g., 203 of FIG. 2).

Following transmission of the first signal 312, the remote station 104 may reconfigure one or more components of the remote station 104 to receive a first far-field signal 314 from the signal adapter 102 and a third far-field signal 316 from the second signal adapter 304. The remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components for the particular response time following the transmission of the first signal 312.

In response to the first signal 312, the signal adapter 102 may transmit the first far- field signal 314 to the remote station 104. The first far-field signal 314 may include the first far-field modulated RF signal and/or the first data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the first inventory of transponders from the first far-field signal 314. In addition, the remote station 104 may determine that the first far-field signal 314 is transmitted by the signal adapter 102. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 at the time of the transmission of the first far-field signal 314. Additionally still, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 as opposed to the second signal adapter 304. In addition, in response to the first signal 312, the second signal adapter 304 may transmit the third far-field signal 316 to the remote station 104. The third far-field signal 316 may include the third far-field modulated RF signal and/or the third data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the third inventory of transponders from the third far- field signal 316. In addition, the remote station 104 may determine that the third far-field signal 316 is transmitted by the second signal adapter 304. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the third transponder 306A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the third transponder 306A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304 at the time of the transmission of the third far-field signal 316. Additionally still, the remote station 104 may determine that the third transponder 306A is located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304 as opposed to the signal adapter 102.

Subsequently, the second object 116B and the fourth object 302B may be placed within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304, respectively. For example, the second object 116B may be placed in the first volume defined by the structure 120 or placed on the structure 120. Similarly, the fourth object 302B may be placed in the second volume defined by the second structure 310 or placed on the second structure 310.

A second short-field modulated load may be generated in the signal adapter 102.

The second short-field modulated load may be representative of the second short-field signal 128B and the second RFID signal included therein. The second short-field modulated load may be converted to a second far-field modulated RF signal. The second far-field modulated RF signal may indicate a second inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. For instance, the second inventory of transponders may include the first transponder 118A and the second transponder 118B. In some embodiments, the second far-field modulated RF signal may exist on the signal adapter 102. In other embodiments, the processor may be configured to generate a second data signal that may include the second inventory of transponders. The second data signal may further include the first transponder identification information of the first transponder 118A and a second transponder identification information of the second transponder 118B.

A fourth short-field modulated load may be generated in the second signal adapter 304. The fourth short-field modulated load may be representative of the fourth short-field signal 308B and the fourth RFID signal included therein. The fourth short-field modulated load may be converted to a fourth far-field modulated RF signal. The fourth far-field modulated RF signal may indicate a fourth inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304. For instance, the fourth inventory of transponders may include the third transponder 306 A and the fourth transponder 306B. In some embodiments, the fourth far-field modulated RF signal may exist on the second signal adapter 304. In other embodiments, the processor may be configured to generate a fourth data signal that may include the fourth inventory of transponders. The fourth data signal may further include the third transponder identification information of the third transponder 306 A and a fourth transponder identification information of the fourth transponder 306B.

The remote station 104 may be configured to communicate a second signal 318 to the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304. In embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304 may not include a battery or another power source, the second signal 318 may include a second far-field power signal (e.g., 208 of FIG. 2). In embodiments in which the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304 include a battery or another power source, the second signal 318 may include a second polling signal (e.g., 209 of FIG. 2).

Following transmission of the second signal 318, the remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components of the remote station 104 to receive a second far- field signal 320 from the signal adapter 102 and a fourth far-field signal 322 from the second signal adapter 304. For example, the remote station 104 may reconfigure the one or more components for the particular response time following the transmission of the second signal 318.

In response to the second signal 318, the signal adapter 102 may transmit the second far-field signal 320 to the remote station 104. The second far-field signal 320 may include the second far-field modulated RF signal and/or the second data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the second inventory of transponders from the second far-field signal 320. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A and the second transponder 118B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the first transponder 118A and the second transponder 118B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 at the time of the transmission of the second far-field signal 320. In response to the second signal 318, the second signal adapter 304 may transmit the fourth far-field signal 322 to the remote station 104. The fourth far-field signal 322 may include the fourth far-field modulated RF signal and/or the fourth data signal. The remote station 104 may determine the fourth inventory of transponders from the fourth far-field signal 322. Accordingly, the remote station 104 may determine that the third transponder 306A and the fourth transponder 306B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304. Additionally, the remote station 104 may determine that the third transponder 306 A and the fourth transponder 306B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304 at the time of the transmission of the fourth far-field signal 322.

Based on the first inventory of transponders, the second inventory of transponders, the third inventory of transponders, and the fourth inventory of transponders, the remote station 104 may determine whether the first object 116A and the second object 116B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the signal adapter 102 and whether the third object 302A and the fourth object 302B are located within the short-field emission distance 126 of the second signal adapter 304. Additionally, based on the first inventory of transponders, the second inventory of transponders, the third inventory of transponders, and the fourth inventory of transponders, the remote station 104 may determine that the first object 116A and the third object 302A are placed within the short-field emission distance 126 prior to a time in which the second object 116B and the fourth object 302B is placed within the short-field emission distance 126.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes the first object 116 A, the second object 116B, the third object 302 A, and the fourth object 302B. In other embodiments, additional objects that are similar to or different from the first object 116 A, the second object 116B, the third object 302 A, and the fourth object 302B may be included. Additionally or alternatively, the embodiment of FIG. 3 includes the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304. In other embodiments, one or more additional signal adapters that are similar to the signal adapter 102 and the second signal adapter 304 may be included.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment of the signal adapter 102 of FIGs. 1-3. In the signal adapter 102 of FIG. 4, some additional details of an example of the tank circuit 110 are provided. For example, the tank circuit 110 of FIG. 4 may include an inductive element 404 and a capacitive element 406. The inductive element 404 may be electrically coupled to the coupler 112, the induction coil 114, and the capacitive element 406. Additionally, the inductive element 404 may be electrically coupled to a resistive element 402 that is electrically coupled between the far-field antenna 106 and the tank circuit 110.

The induction coil 114 may have a first terminal electrically coupled between the inductive element 404 and the capacitive element 406 and may have a second terminal electrically coupled between the inductive element 404 and the resistive element 402 via the coupler 112. Accordingly, a short-field coupled load on the induction coil 114 may be included in an impedance on the tank circuit 110.

In some embodiments, the signal adapter 102 may include stabilizer circuitry 408 and/or a power consumption load 410. The stabilizer circuitry 408 may be configured to stabilize signals on the tank circuit 110. The stabilizer circuitry 408 may include a diode. An anode of the diode may be electrically coupled between the inductive element 404 and the capacitive element 406. A cathode of the diode may be electrically coupled to the power consumption load 410.

The power consumption load 410 may be configured to consume power stored on the tank circuit 110 and/or on other portions of the signal adapter 102. The power consumption load 410 may include a resistor and a capacitor in parallel. Additionally or alternatively, the power consumption load 410 may include the processor 130, the logic chip 108, the memory 132, other loads that consume power stored on the tank circuit 110, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example environment 500 in which the signal adapter 102 may be implemented. FIG. 5 includes a view of a shopping cart 502 that includes a banner mount 504 that is mounted to the shopping cart 502. FIG. 5 further includes a transparent view of the banner mount 504 that is shown apart from the shopping cart 502. The signal adapter 102 may be integrated in the banner mount 504. In the signal adapter 102 of FIG. 5, the far- field antenna 106 may include dimensions that fill or substantially fill the majority of the banner mount 504. One or more of the other components (e.g., 110, 112, 114, etc.) may be positioned in a central portion of the banner mount 504. In one embodiment, the far-field antenna may be located on an outside side of the shopping cart and the short-field coil may be located on an inside side of the shopping cart when the banner mount 504 is installed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 600 to track inventory, arranged in accordance with at least some one embodiment described herein. The method 600 may be performed, for example, in the system 100 and/or in other systems and configurations. For example, the remote station 104 described elsewhere in the present disclosure may be configured to perform the method 600. The method 600 may begin at block 602 (Transmit A First Far-Field Power Signal) in which a first far-field power signal may be transmitted. The first far-field power signal may be transmitted to a far-field antenna of a signal adapter such as the far-field antenna 106 of the signal adapter 102 of FIG. 1. The first far-field power signal may be configured to supply a system power signal to the signal adapter.

At block 604 (Configure A Remote Station Antenna For Receipt Of The First Far- Field Modulated RF Signal), a remote station antenna may be configured for receipt of the first far-field modulated RF signal. The remote station antenna may be configured for receipt of the first far-field modulated RF signal from the signal adapter. The remote station antenna may be configured for receipt of the first far-field modulated RF signal for a particular response time following transmission of the first far-field power signals.

At block 606 (Receive A First Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), a first far-field modulated RF signal may be received. The first far-filed modulated RF signal may be received from the signal adapter. At block 608, (Determine A First Inventory Of Transponders), a first inventory of transponders may be determined. The first inventory of transponders may be determined based on the first far-filed modulated RF signal. The first inventory of transponder may include one or more transponders that are located within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil of the signal adapter. At block 610 (Transmit A Second Far-Field Power Signal), a second far-field power signal may be transmitted to the far-field antenna of the signal adapter.

At block 612 (Configure The Remote Station Antenna For Receipt Of The Second Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), the remote station antenna may be configured for receipt of the second far-field modulated RF signal. The remote station antenna may be configured for receipt of the second far-field modulated RF signal from the signal adapter. The remote station antenna may be configured for receipt of the second far-field modulated RF signal for the particular response time following transmission of the second far-field power signals.

At block 614 (Receive A second Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), a second far-field modulated RF signal may be received. The second far-field modulated RF signal may be received from the signal adapter. At block 616 (Determine A Second Inventory Of Transponders), a second inventory of transponders may be determined. The second inventory of transponders may be based on the second far-field modulated RF signal. The second inventory of transponders may indicate one or more of the transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil of the signal adapter. In some embodiments, the first inventory of transponders and/or the second inventory of transponders may identify the one or more objects to which the first inventory of transponders and second inventory of transponders are mounted. Additionally or alternatively, in these and other embodiments, the first inventory of transponders and/or second inventory of transponders may identify a sequence in which the one or more objects are placed within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil.

In some embodiments, the signal adapter may include a first signal adapter and the induction coil may include a first induction coil. In these and other embodiments, in the method 600, a third far-field modulated RF signal may be received from a second signal adapter. A third inventory of transponders that are located within a short-field emission distance of a second induction coil of the second signal adapter may be determined based on the third far-field modulated RF signal. A fourth far-field modulated RF signal may be received. The fourth far-field modulated RF signal may be received from the second signal adapter. Additionally, in these and other embodiments, in the method 600, a fourth inventory of transponders may be determined. The fourth inventory of transponders may be based on the fourth far-field modulated RF signal. The fourth inventory of transponders may indicate one or more of the transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance of the second induction coil of the second signal adapter.

For this and other procedures and methods disclosed herein, the functions or operations performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined operations are only provided as examples, and some of the operations may be optional, combined into fewer operations, supplemented with other operations, or expanded into additional operations without detracting from the disclosed embodiments.

For example, in some embodiments of the method 600, the blocks 602 and/or the block 610 may be omitted. In these and other embodiments, instead of transmission of the first far-field power signal and/or the second far-field power signal, a first polling signal and/or a second polling signal may be transmitted. An example of an embodiment in which the first polling signal and/or a second polling signal may be transmitted may include embodiments in which one or more signal adapters include batteries or power sources.

FIGs. 7A and 7B illustrate a flow diagram of another example method 700 to track inventory, arranged in accordance with at least some one embodiment described herein. The method 700 may be performed, for example, in the system 100 and/or in other systems and configurations. For example, the signal adapter 102 described elsewhere in the present disclosure may be configured to perform the method 700.

With reference to FIG. 7A, the method 700 may begin at block 702 (Receive A First Far-Field Power Signal) in which a first far-field power signal may be received. The first far-field power signal may be received from the remote station. In some embodiments of the method 700, instead of the block 702 in which the first far-field power signal may be received, a first polling signal may be received.

At block 704 (Receive A First RFID Signal), a first RFID signal may be received. The first RFID signal may be received by an induction coil. At block 706 (Generate A First Short-Field Modulated Load), a first short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil. The first short-field modulated load may be generated based on the first RFID signal. The first short-field modulated load may result from placement of a transponder that generates at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) signal within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil.

At block 708 (Determine A First Inventory Of Transponders), a first inventory of transponders may be determined. The first inventory of transponders may indicate one or more transponders and/or one or more objects on which one or more transponders are mounted that are located within a short-field emission distance of the induction coil. At block 710 (Receive A Second RFID Signal), a second RFID signal may be received. The second RFID signal may be received by the induction coil.

With reference to FIG. 7B, at block 712 (Generate A Second Short-Field Modulated Load), a second short-field modulated load may be generated. The second short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil based on the second RFID signal. At block 714 (Determine A Second Inventory Of Transponders), a second inventory of transponders may be determined. The second inventory of transponders may indicate one or more of transponders and/or one or more of objects on which the one or more transponders are mounted that are located within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil.

At block 716 (Convert The First Short-Field Modulated Load To A First Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), the first short-field modulated load may be converted to a first far- field modulated RF signal. The first far-field modulated RF signal may include a modulation that represents the first short-field modulated load. In some embodiments, conversion of the first short-field modulated load to a first far-field modulated RF signal may include modifying a short-field frequency of the short-field modulated load to a far- field frequency of the first far-field modulated RF signal.

At block 718 (Transmit The First Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), the first far-field modulated RF signal may be transmitted. The first far-field modulated RF signal may be transmitted to a remote station. The first far-field modulated RF signal may include the first inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil. In some embodiments, transmission of the first far-field modulated RF signal may be performed in response to receipt of the first far-field power signal. In some embodiments, transmission of the first far-field modulated RF signal may be performed in response to receipt of the first polling signal.

At block 720 (Transmit The Second Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), the second far-field modulated RF signal may be transmitted. For example, the second far-field modulated RF signal may be transmitted to the remote station. The second far -field modulated RF signal may indicate the second inventory of transponders that are located within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil. In some embodiments, transmission of the second far-field modulated RF signal may be performed in response to receipt of the first far-field power signal, a first polling signal, a second far-field power signal, or a second polling signal, for instance.

FIGs. 8A and 8B illustrate a flow diagram of another example method 800 to track inventory, arranged in accordance with at least some one embodiment described herein. The method 800 may be performed, for example, in the system 100 and/or in other systems and configurations. For example, the signal adapter 102 described elsewhere in the present disclosure may be configured to perform the method 800.

With reference to FIG. 8A, the method 800 may begin at block 802 (Receive A Far- Field Power Signal), in which a far-field power signal may be received. The far-filed power signal may be received from a remote station. In some embodiments of the method 800, instead of the block 802 in which the far-field power signal may be received, a polling signal may be received.

At block 804 (Receive A First RFID Signal), a RFID signal may be received from a first transponder. The first RFID signal may be received in response to placement of the first transponder within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil. At block 806 (Generate A First Short-Field Modulated Load), a first short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil based on the first RFID signal. At block 808 (Convert The First Short-Field Modulated Load To A First Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), the first short-field modulated load may be converted to a first far- field modulated RF signal. The first far-field modulated RF signal may include a first modulation that represents the first short-field modulated load. At block 810 (Transmit The First Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), the first far-field modulated RF signal may be transmitted. The first far-field modulated RF signal may be transmitted to a remote station. The first far-field modulated RF signal may be transmitted by a far-field antenna.

Referring to FIG. 8B, at block 812 (Receive A Second RFID Signal), a second RFID signal may be received. The second RFID signal may be received from a second transponder. The second RFID signal may be received in response to placement of the second transponder within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil. At block 814 (Generate A Second Short-Field Modulated Load), a second short-field modulated load may be generated. The second short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil. The second short-field modulated load may be generated based on the first RFID signal and the second RFID signal.

At block 816 (Convert The Second Short-Field Modulated Load To A Second Far- Field Modulated RF Signal), the second short-field modulated load may be converted to a second far-field modulated RF signal. The second far-field modulated RF signal may include a second modulation that represents the second short-field modulated load. At block 818 (Subsequently Transmit The Second Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), a second far- field modulated RF signal may be subsequently transmitted. The second far-field modulated RF signal may be subsequently transmitted to the remote station. The second far-field modulated RF signal may be subsequently transmitted by the far-field antenna.

In the method 800, the first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal may be configured such that a sequence in which the first transponder and the second transponder are placed within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil may be determinable based on the first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal.

In some embodiments the converting the first short-field modulated load to the first far-field modulated RF signal and/or the converting the second short-field modulated load to the second far-field modulated RF signal may be performed in response to the receiving the far-field power signal or the polling signal.

In some embodiments, the first transponder may be secured relative to a first object, the second transponder may be secured relative to a second object; and the induction coil may be positioned in a container that may include a volume adapted to receive the first object and/or the second object. For example, the first object may include a first product, the second object may include a second product, and the container may include a shopping cart.

FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate a flow diagram of another example method 900 to track inventory, arranged in accordance with at least some one embodiment described herein. The method 900 may be performed, for example, in the system 100 and/or in other systems and configurations. For example, the signal adapter 102 described elsewhere in the present disclosure may be configured to perform the method 900.

With reference to FIG. 9A, the method 900 may begin at block 902 (Receive A Far-

Field Power Signal), in which a far-field power signal may be received. The far-field power signal may be received from a remote station. In some embodiments of the method 900, instead of the block 902 in which the far-field power signal may be received, a polling signal may be received.

At block 904 (Receive A First RFID Signal), a first RFID signal may be received.

The first RFID signal may be received from a first transponder. The first RFID signal may be received in response to placement of the first transponder within a short-field emission distance of an induction coil.

At block 906 (Generate A First Short-Field Modulated Load), a first short-field modulated load may be generated. The first short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil. The first short-field modulated load may be generated based on the first RFID signal. At block 908 (Convert The First Short-Field Modulated Load To A First Far-Field Modulated RF Signal), the first short-field modulated load may be converted to a first far-field modulated RF signal. The first far-field modulated RF signal may include a first modulation that represents the first short-field modulated load.

At block 910 (Receive A Second RFID Signal), a second RFID signal may be received. The second RFID signal may be received from a second transponder. The second RFID signal may be received in response to placement of the second transponder within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil. At block 912 (Generate A Second Short-Field Modulated Load), a second short-field modulated load may be generated. The second short-field modulated load may be generated on the induction coil. The second short-field modulated load may be generated based on the second RFID signal.

At block 914 (Convert The Second Short-Field Modulated Load To A Second Far- Field Modulated RF Signal), the second short-field modulated load may be converted to a second far-field modulated RF signal. The second far-field modulated RF signal may include a second modulation that represents the second short-field modulated load. The first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal may be configured such that a sequence in which the first transponder and the second transponder are placed within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil may be determinable based on the first far-field modulated RF signal and the second far-field modulated RF signal.

At block 916 (Generate A First Data Signal), a first data signal may be generated. The first data signal may include the first transponder identification information. At block 918, (Transmit The First Data Signal), the first data signal may be transmitted. The first data signal may be transmitted to a remote station. At block 920 (Identify Presence Of The First Transponder), presence of the first transponder and the second transponder may be identified within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil based on the second short-field modulated load.

At block 922 (Generate A Second Data Signal), a second data signal may be generated. The second data signal may include the first transponder identification information and second transponder identification information. At block 924 (Transmit The Second Data Signal), the second data signal may be transmitted. The second data signal may be transmitted to a remote station. At block 926 (Identify Presence Of The Second Transponder), presence of the second transponder may be identified. The presence of the second transponder may be identified within the short-field emission distance of the induction coil. The presence of the second transponder may be identified based on the second short-field modulated load.

In some embodiments the converting the first short-field modulated load to the first far-field modulated RF signal and/or the converting the second short-field modulated load to the second far-field modulated RF signal may be performed in response to the receiving the far-field power signal or the polling signal. In some embodiments, the first transponder may be secured relative to a first object, the second transponder may be secured relative to a second object; and the induction coil may be positioned in a container that may include a volume adapted to receive the first object and/or the second object. For example, the first object may include a first product, the second object may include a second product, and the container may include a shopping cart.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device 1000 that is arranged to track inventory, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. The computing device 1000 may be used in some embodiments to implement some of the operations of the remote station 104, the structure 120 having the signal adapter 102, the various signal adapters and/or remote stations described above, and/or any other device that is capable to provide the features and operations described herein. In a basic configuration 1002, the computing device 1000 typically includes one or more processors 1004 and a system memory 1006. The processor 136 may be used to implement the remote processor 136 and the system memory 1006 (and/or other memory or storage device described with respect to the computing device 1000) may be used to implement the remote station memory 138, where the computing device 1000 is present at the remote station 104. The processor 136 may be used to implement the processor 130 and the system memory 1006 (and/or other memory or storage device described with respect to the computing device 1000) may be used to implement the memory 132, where the computing device 1000 is present at the structure 120. A memory bus 1008 may be used for communicating between the processor 1004 and the system memory 1006.

Depending on the desired configuration, the processor 1004 may be of any type including, but not limited to, a microprocessor (μΡ), a microcontroller (μθ), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof. The processor 1004 may include one or more levels of caching, such as a level one cache 1010 and a level two cache 1012, a processor core 1014, and registers 1016. The processor core 1014 may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), a digital signal processing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof. An example memory controller 1018 may also be used with the processor 1004, or in some implementations the memory controller 1018 may be an internal part of the processor 1004.

Depending on the desired configuration, the system memory 1006 may be of any type including, but not limited to, volatile memory (such as RAM), non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or any combination thereof. The system memory 1006 may include an operating system 1020, one or more applications 1022, and program data 1024, which may be present in at the remote station 104 and/or at the structure 120, depending on which location (or both) the computing device 1000 is located. The application 1022 may include an inventory tracking algorithm 1026 that is arranged to determine one or more objects and/or transponders placed within a particular distance such as a short-field emission distance of a signal adapter or component thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the inventory tracking algorithm 1026 may be configured to determine a sequence in which one or more objects and/or transponders are placed with the particular distance. The program data 1024 may include inventory data 1028 representative of one or more far-field signals, one or more short-field modulated loads, and other data that may be useful for inventory tracking using a signal adapter as is described herein. In some embodiments, the application 1022 may be arranged to operate with the program data 1024 on the operating system 1020 such that inventory may be tracked based on the inventory data 1028 representative of one or more far-field signals and/or one or more short-field modulated loads. The processor 1004 and/or the system memory 1006 may be provided on the device with the physical interface or on a remote device to which the device with the physical interface is communicatively coupled. Alternately or additionally, the processor 1004 may be included in one or more of the signal adapter 102 and/or the remote station 104 of FIG. 1. The processor 1004 may include, for example, the remote station processor 136 or the processor 130 of FIG. 1. The remote station processor 136 and/or the processor 130 of one embodiment may be implemented at least in part by the application 1022 in cooperation with the program data 1024, the processor 1004, and/or other elements of the computing device 1000.

The computing device 1000 may have additional features or functionality, and additional interfaces to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 1002 and any required devices and interfaces. For example, a bus/interface controller 1030 may be used to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 1002 and one or more data storage devices 1032 via a storage interface bus 1034. The data storage devices 1032 may be removable storage devices 1036, non-removable storage devices 1038, or a combination thereof. Examples of removable storage and non-removable storage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible disk drives and hard-disk drives (HDDs), optical disk drives such as compact disk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, solid state drives (SSDs), and tape drives to name a few. Example computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.

The system memory 1006, the removable storage devices 1036, and the non- removable storage devices 1038 are examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which may be used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by the computing device 1000. Any such computer storage media may be part of the computing device 1000.

The computing device 1000 may also include an interface bus 1040 for facilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., output devices 1042, peripheral interfaces 1044, and communication devices 1046) to the basic configuration 1002 via the bus/interface controller 1030. The output devices 1042 include a graphics processing unit 1048 and an audio processing unit 1050, which may be configured to communicate to various external devices such as a display or speakers via one or more A/V ports 1052. The peripheral interfaces 1044 include a serial interface controller 1054 or a parallel interface controller 1056, which may be configured to communicate with external devices such as input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc.), sensors, or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.) via one or more I/O ports 1058. The communication devices 1046 include a network controller 1060, which may be arranged to facilitate communications with one or more other computing devices 1062 over a network communication link via one or more communication ports 1064.

The network communication link may be one example of a communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A "modulated data signal" may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), and other wireless media. The term "computer-readable media" as used herein may include both storage media and communication media.

The computing device 1000 may be implemented as a portion of a small -form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, a wireless web-watch device, a personal headset device, an application-specific device, or a hybrid device that include any of the above functions. The computing device 1000 may also be implemented as a personal computer including both laptop computer and non-laptop computer configurations.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described herein, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described herein, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B ."

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

For any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible sub ranges and combinations of sub ranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. All language such as "up to," "at least," and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into sub ranges as discussed above. Finally, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

From the foregoing, various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting.