Wearable devices having multiple distributed radio frequency identification antennas

Abstract

To prevent a wearable device worn on a hand of a user from interfering with a shelf structure or the like.SOLUTION: A wearable device 100 provided herein comprises an RFID radio 128. When the wearable device is worn, the RFID radio and a processor are placed on one or more fingers of a hand 112 of a user, a first RFID antenna 120 is placed on an upper side of the hand of the user, and a second RFID antenna 122 is placed on a wrist of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates generally to wearable devices, and more particularly to wearable devices having radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional wearable devices, the components (e.g., electronic module, RFID radio, RFID antenna, battery) are packaged together (e.g., stacked). They may be too bulky, thick, tall, wide, or heavy to be practically worn on a finger or the back of a hand. For example, the wearable device may interfere with a shelf structure when a user handles an object on the shelf structure.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for improved wearable devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In some use cases, a wearable device is desired that includes an RFID radio with read / write capabilities and two or more directional RFID antennas oriented in different directions. One directional RFID antenna faces inward, such as toward the user or downward toward the wrist (e.g., positioned on the inside or underside of the user's wrist with a directional radiation pattern oriented to read RFID tags on packaging located on the inside of the user's hand and / or wrist). The other directional RFID antenna faces outward from the user (e.g., in various embodiments, positioned on the user's hand or on the outside of the user's wrist with a directional radiation pattern oriented for an RFID communication session directed away from the user, such as toward a car / van / truck location adjacent to the user). In the illustrated embodiment, the components of the wearable device are distributed among the user's fingers, the back of the user's hand, the top of the user's wrist, and the bottom of the user's wrist, creating a lower profile for the wearable device. This increases flexibility, distributes weight, and increases comfort. In some embodiments, the Bluetooth interconnect reduces interference with wrist and finger joint movements. Many configurations are possible. In one embodiment, one or both of the directional RFID antennas are activated based on the type and / or location of the object with which the wearable device is interfacing or will be interfacing (e.g., automatically, including based on detecting or selecting the location of the object requesting the RFID communication session, or manually via a user interface on the display of the wearable device). In one embodiment, the directional RFID antennas are incorporated into supports that are attached to the wrist and fingers where the RFID radios are located.

[0005] In one embodiment, a wearable device includes a first RFID antenna, a second RFID antenna, a processor, and a body. The processor is configured to activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on at least one of a location or a type of RFID object external to the wearable device. The RFID radio, the first RFID antenna, and the second RFID antenna are disposed at respective locations along the body.

[0006] In one embodiment, a wearable device includes a first RFID antenna, a second RFID antenna, a processor, and a body portion. The processor is configured to determine a type of object identified by the wearable device and activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on the type of object. The first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna are disposed at respective locations along the body portion.

[0007] In one embodiment, a wearable device includes a battery module, an RFID module including an RFID radio, a first RFID antenna, a second RFID antenna, an electronics module including a processor, and a body configured to activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on at least one of a location or a type of RFID object external to the wearable device. When the wearable device is worn, the battery module, the RFID module, and the electronics module are stacked and positioned on one or more fingers of a user's hand, with the first RFID antenna positioned on the top side of the user's hand and the second RFID antenna positioned on the user's wrist.

[0008] The accompanying drawings, together with the following detailed description, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, serve to further explain embodiments of the concepts comprising the claimed invention and to explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments, in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements throughout the different drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary finger- and wrist-mounted wearable devices according to features of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary finger- and wrist-mounted wearable devices according to features of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary finger- and wrist-mounted wearable device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another exemplary finger- and wrist-mounted wearable device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary hand- and wrist-mounted wearable device in accordance with features of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a further exemplary finger- and wrist-mounted wearable device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary hand- and wrist-mounted wearable device in accordance with features of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example logic circuit for implementing example methods and / or operations described herein.

[0016] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating example methods, hardware logic, or machine-readable instructions for implementing example methods and / or operations described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Apparatus and method components are designated by conventional numerals in the drawings, where appropriate. The drawings show only certain details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this description.

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to non-limiting embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0020] 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary finger- and wrist-mounted wearable device 100 in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Wearable device 100 may be configured to capture images of printed identification data, such as barcodes, indicia, etc., and / or to electromagnetically read electromagnetically stored identification data, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, near field communication (NFC) tags, etc. Wearable device 100 includes an exemplary housing 102 into which a core electronics module 104 is selectively received, and a protective cover 106 coupled (e.g., rotatably or slidably) to housing 102 to selectively secure core electronics module 104 within housing 102. As shown in FIG. 1 , housing 102 is shaped to configure wearable device 100 as a wearable device worn on one or more fingers (e.g., index finger 108 and middle finger 110) of a wearer's hand 112.

[0021] As best shown in FIG. 2 , the housing 102 is selectively mechanically and electrically coupled to a flexible structure 114 that extends downward across the top side 116 of the user's hand 112 and wraps around and is secured to the user's wrist 118. Together, the housing 102 and flexible structure 114 form a body along which components are located. A first outward-facing directional RFID antenna 120 is adapted to be positioned within the flexible structure 114 on the top side 116 of the user's hand 112, and a second inward-facing directional RFID antenna 122 is adapted to be positioned within the flexible structure 114 on or near the underside of the user's wrist 118 (e.g., near the pulse point on the user's wrist). Alternatively or additionally, in another embodiment, the outward-facing directional RFID antenna may be positioned within the flexible structure 114 on the outside of the user's wrist (e.g., on the opposite side of the wrist from the location of the RFID antenna 122). In some examples, the wearable device 100 can operate without the flexible structure 114 and the RFID antennas 120, 122, for example, when RFID functionality is not required.

[0022] The first outward-facing RFID antenna 120 is configured (e.g., directionally oriented) for an RFID communication session directed toward an RFID object located above the user's hand, such as a location-identifying RFID tag 202, 204 on a car, van 206, truck, (some particular) location, shelf 208, etc.

[0023] The second inward-facing RFID antenna 122 is configured (e.g., directionally oriented) for an RFID communication session directed toward an RFID object located beneath the user's hand, such as to read an object identifier RFID tag 210 on a package 212 that the user is holding, or is about to touch, grasp, gesture toward, or pick up, such as within or beneath the user's hand 112.

[0024] Core electronics module 104 determines which or both of RFID antennas 120 and 122 are active at a particular time based, for example, on the expected location of the next RFID object with which the wearable device is expected to interface. Activation may be automatic or manual (e.g., via trigger button 124 on housing 102 or via a user interface on display 126), including based on detecting or selecting the location of an object requesting an RFID communication session. In some examples, a user loading a truck 202 may configure the wearable device to alternately activate RFID antennas 120, 122 so that they can read RFID tag 212 on package 210 with inward-facing RFID antenna 122 and then communicate with RFID device 206 in truck 202 using outward-facing RFID antenna 220 to indicate that the package has been loaded onto truck 202. In some examples, the reading of the RFID object is confirmed before the RFID antenna is switched. For example, the RFID object is successfully read a threshold number of times (e.g., 20 times) using at least a threshold received signal strength indicator (RSSI). In some examples, motion detection is used to determine when to switch RFID antennas. For example, motion may indicate that a user is carrying a package toward a truck, triggering activation of the outward-facing RFID antenna 120. Motion may be detected based on, for example, accelerometer readings, changes in wireless signals (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.), changes in cellular signals, or changes in positioning signals (e.g., GPS) (including based on triangulation of such signals). Different types of RFID objects have different Electronic Product Code (EPC) header values ​​(e.g., starting with 123 for packages and 456 for trucks) and / or support signals in different frequency ranges.In some examples, RFID antennas 120, 122 are each adapted, tuned, or configured to communicate with all types of RFID objects of interest, in which case the activated RFID antennas 120, 122 are based on the expected RFID object locations. In some examples, RFID antennas 120, 122 are configured to communicate with respective subsets of RFID object types (e.g., configured to communicate only with RFID tags having a particular EPC header that encodes a particular object type, such as a package object type or a delivery truck object type). In this case, the activated RFID antennas 120, 122 are based on the expected RFID object types and / or object locations.

[0025] 1 and 2, an RFID radio / module 128 and a battery 130 are disposed within the housing 102. The RFID radio 128 is coupled to the RFID antennas 120, 122 via respective ultra-high frequency (UHF) cables 132, 134. In some examples, the UHF cables 132, 134 and / or the RFID antennas 120, 122 are replaceable. In some examples, the core electronics module 104, the RFID radio 128 as an RFID module, and the battery module 130 are modular components that can be stacked or combined in relation to the housing 102. In some examples, a barcode reader (not shown) is disposed within the housing 102 along with the core electronics module 104. In some examples, the RFID radio 128 is multi-channel, allowing both RFID antennas 120, 122 to interact with RFID objects simultaneously.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 show an exemplary distribution of components according to wearable device 100. Figures 3-7 schematically show additional exemplary distributions of components according to wearable device, for example, disposed along flexible structure 114 of Figures 1 and 2 (not shown in Figures 3-7 for simplicity).

[0027] 1 and 2, in the illustrated example of Figure 3, RFID radio 128 is positioned on the top side 116 of the user's hand 112 with RFID antenna 120 facing outward and is communicatively coupled to core electronics module 104 via a wired connection 302, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. Battery 130 may provide power to RFID radio 128 via USB cable 302.

[0028] 1 and 2, in the illustrated example of Figure 4, RFID radio 128 is adapted to be positioned on the top side of user's wrist 118 with RFID antenna 120 facing outward and is communicatively coupled to core electronics module 104 via a wired connection 402, such as a USB cable. Battery 130 may provide power to RFID radio 128 via the wired connection.

[0029] In comparison to the examples of Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated example of Figure 5, the core electronics module 104, RFID radio 128 and battery 130 are positioned on the top side 116 of the user's hand 112, and the outward-facing RFID antenna 120 is positioned on the top side of the user's wrist 118.

[0030] In comparison with the examples of Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated example of Figure 6, the core electronics module 104 and battery 130 are positioned on the top side 116 of the user's hand 112, the RFID radio 128, with the outward-facing RFID antenna 120 and additional battery 602, is positioned on the top side 116 of the user's wrist 118, and the RFID radio 128 is communicatively coupled to the core electronics module 104 via a wireless transmission protocol connection 604, such as a Bluetooth connection.

[0031] 1 and 2, in the illustrated example of Figure 7, RFID radio 128 is positioned on the top side 116 of the user's hand 112 with RFID antenna 120 facing outward and is communicatively coupled to core electronics module 104 via a wired connection 702, such as a USB cable. A battery 130 may provide power to RFID radio 128 via the wired connection.

[0032] Although exemplary configurations of wearable devices having distributed RFID antennas are shown in Figures 1-7, one skilled in the art will readily understand that wearable devices may have RFID antennas distributed in other configurations.

[0033] 8 is a block diagram illustrating logic circuitry in the form of an exemplary processing platform 800 that may be used to implement core electronics module 104. Processing platform 800 is capable of executing instructions, such as performing operations of the exemplary methods described herein. For example, other exemplary logic circuitry capable of performing operations of the exemplary methods described herein includes field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0034] The example processing platform 800 of Figure 8 includes a processor 802, such as, for example, one or more microprocessors, controllers, and / or any suitable type of processor. The example processing platform 800 of Figure 8 includes any number or type of non-transitory memory 804 (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.) and / or storage accessible by the processor 802 (e.g., via a memory controller), in which information may be stored for any period of time (e.g., permanently, for a long period of time, for a short period of time, for temporary buffering, for caching of information, etc.). The example processor 802 interacts with the memory 804 to, for example, retrieve computer-readable or machine-readable instructions stored in the memory 804 that correspond to the operations disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, computer-readable or machine-readable instructions corresponding to the example operations described herein may be stored on one or more removable media (e.g., optical storage drives, compact discs, digital versatile discs, removable flash memory, etc.), which may be coupled to processing platform 800 to provide access to the computer-readable or machine-readable instructions stored thereon.

[0035] 8 also includes a network interface 806 to enable communication with other machines, for example, via one or more networks. The example network interface 806 includes any suitable type of communications interface (e.g., wired and / or wireless interface) configured to operate according to any suitable protocol, such as, for example, a TCP / IP interface, a Wi-Fi™ transceiver (conforming to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards), an Ethernet transceiver, a cellular network radio, a satellite network radio, or any other suitable communications protocol or standard.

[0036] The example processing platform 800 of FIG. 8 also includes input / output (I / O) interfaces, circuits, and components 808 to enable receipt of user input and communication of output data to a user. The input / output (I / O) interfaces, circuits, and components 808 may additionally and / or alternatively enable the processor 802 to communicate with peripheral I / O devices. Example input / output (I / O) interfaces, circuits, and components 808 include the display 126, the trigger button 124, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Bluetooth interface, a near field communication (NFC) interface, an RFID radio 128, an RFID antenna, a barcode reader, an accelerometer, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, an imaging assembly, and / or an infrared transceiver. The peripheral I / O devices may be any desired type of I / O device, such as a keyboard, a navigation device (e.g., a mouse, trackball, capacitive touchpad, joystick, etc.), a speaker, a microphone, a printer, a button, etc.

[0037] The preceding description refers to block diagrams in the accompanying drawings. Alternative implementations of the embodiments represented by the block diagrams include one or more additional or alternative elements, processes, and / or devices. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the illustrative blocks in the diagrams may be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. Components represented by blocks in the diagrams may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. In some examples, at least one of the components represented by blocks is implemented by logic circuitry. As used herein, the term “logic circuitry” is expressly defined as a physical device including at least one hardware component configured to control one or more machines and / or perform the operations of one or more machines (e.g., via operation according to a predetermined configuration and / or via execution of stored computer-readable or machine-readable instructions). Examples of logic circuits include one or more processors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more special-purpose (dedicated) computer chips, and one or more system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Some exemplary logic circuits, such as an ASIC or FPGA, are hardware specifically configured to perform operations (e.g., one or more operations described herein and / or represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if present). Some exemplary logic circuits are hardware that executes computer-readable or machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g., one or more operations described herein and / or represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if present).Some example logic circuits include a combination of specially configured hardware and hardware that executes computer-readable or machine-readable instructions. The foregoing description refers to various operations described herein and / or flowcharts that may accompany the description to illustrate the flow of those operations. Any such descriptions and / or flowcharts represent example methods disclosed herein. In some examples, methods represented by flowcharts implement apparatuses represented by block diagrams. Alternative implementations of example methods disclosed herein may include additional or alternative operations. Furthermore, operations in alternative implementations of methods disclosed herein may be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by computer-readable or machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable or machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g., processors). In some examples, the operations described herein are performed by one or more configurations of one or more specially designed logic circuitry (e.g., ASICs). In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by a combination of one or more specially designed logic circuitry and computer-readable or machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable or machine-readable medium) for execution by the one or more logic circuitry.

[0038] A flowchart 900 illustrating exemplary processes, methods, software, computer-readable instructions, or machine-readable instructions for implementing core electronic module 104 is shown in Figure 9. The processes, methods, software, and instructions may be executable programs, or portions of executable programs, executed by a processor, such as processor 802 of Figure 8. The programs may be embodied in software or instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, such as a compact disc (CD), hard drive, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, cache, flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), ROM (read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), or any other storage device or storage disk associated with processor 802. Information may be stored in such storage media for any period of time (e.g., permanently, for a long period of time, for a short period of time, for temporary buffering, and / or for caching information). 9, many other ways of implementing the exemplary core electronics module 104 may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and / or some of the described blocks may be modified, eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all of the blocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (e.g., discrete and / or integrated analog and / or digital circuits, ASICs, PLDs, FPGAs, FPLDs, logic circuits, etc.) configured to perform corresponding operations without executing software or instructions.

[0039] 9 begins with RFID radio 128 scanning for RFID objects using currently active RFID antennas 120, 122 (block 902). Core electronics module 104 looks for changes in the expected location and / or RFID object type for the next RFID object to be detected (block 904). As previously mentioned, a change in expected object location may be based on user input via the device's user interface, while a change in RFID object type may be based on decoding an RFID tag having an EPC header encoding a corresponding object type, such as a package object type or a vehicle object type. In steps 906-908, if either the object's expected location or object type corresponds to an object located inward from the user's wrist, including below the wrist, the device activates a directional RFID antenna located below the wrist (or on the inside of the user's wrist) to improve signal quality. On the other hand, if in step 910 either the predicted location of the object or the object type corresponds to an object located outside the user's wrist, such as an adjacent loaded vehicle, the device activates a directional RFID antenna located on the back of the hand or on the top or outside of the wrist to improve the quality of the RFID reading session for such object.

[0040] Exemplary wearable devices having multiple distributed RFID antennas are disclosed herein. Further examples and combinations thereof include at least the following:

[0041] Example 1 is a wearable device comprising: a first RFID antenna; a second RFID antenna; a processor configured to activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on at least one of the location or type of an RFID object external to the wearable device; and a main body, wherein the RFID radio, the first RFID antenna, and the second RFID antenna are positioned at respective positions along the main body.

[0042] Example 2 is the wearable device of example 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a location of the RFID object.

[0043] Example 3 is the wearable device of example 2, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a type of the RFID object and activate one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna based on the type of the RFID object and a location of the RFID object.

[0044] Example 4 is the wearable device of example 1, wherein the RFID object is a first RFID object, and the processor is further configured to, when a reading of a second RFID object by the first RFID antenna is confirmed, activate the second RFID antenna to read the first RFID object.

[0045] Example 5 is the wearable device of Example 1, wherein the processor is further configured to switch from the first RFID antenna to the second RFID antenna to read the RFID object when movement of the wearable device is detected.

[0046] Example 6 is the wearable device of Example 5, wherein the processor is further configured to detect the movement based on at least one of an accelerometer, a change in a radio signal, a change in a mobile phone signal, or a change in a positioning signal.

[0047] Example 7 is the wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the first RFID antenna is positioned on an upper side of a user's hand when the wearable device is worn.

[0048] Example 8 is the wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the second RFID antenna is positioned on or near a user's wrist when the wearable device is worn.

[0049] Example 9 is a wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising an RFID radio, wherein when the wearable device is worn, the RFID radio and the processor are positioned on one or more fingers of the user's hand, the first RFID antenna is positioned on the top of the user's hand, and the second RFID antenna is positioned on the user's wrist.

[0050] Example 10 is the wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising a barcode reader in communication with the processor in a core electronics module, wherein when the wearable device is worn, the core electronics module is placed on the one or more fingers and the RFID radio is located in an RFID module configured to be stacked with the core electronics module.

[0051] Example 11 is the wearable device of example 10, further comprising a battery module configured to be stacked with the core electronics module and the RFID module.

[0052] Example 12 is a wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising an RFID radio, wherein when the wearable device is worn, the processor is positioned on one or more fingers of the user's hand, the RFID radio and the first RFID antenna are positioned on the top side of the user's hand, and the second RFID antenna is positioned on or near the user's wrist.

[0053] Example 13 is a wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising an RFID radio, wherein when the wearable device is worn, the processor is positioned on one or more fingers of the user's hand, the RFID radio and the first RFID antenna are positioned on the upper side of the user's wrist, and the second RFID antenna is positioned on the lower side of the user's wrist.

[0054] Example 14 is a wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising an RFID radio, wherein when the wearable device is worn, the processor and the RFID radio are positioned on the upper side of the user's hand, the first RFID antenna is positioned on the upper side of the user's wrist, and the second RFID antenna is positioned on the lower side of the user's wrist.

[0055] Example 15 is a wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising an RFID radio, wherein when the wearable device is worn, the processor is located on the upper side of the user's hand, the RFID radio and the first RFID antenna are located on the upper side of the user's wrist, and the second RFID antenna is located on the lower side of the user's wrist.

[0056] Example 16 is the wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising a core electronics module including the processor, the processor configured to control the RFID radio and activate the RFID antenna.

[0057] Example 17 is the wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising an RFID radio, the processor being coupled to the RFID radio via a wired connection.

[0058] Example 18 is the wearable device of example 14, further comprising a battery configured to power the RFID radio via the wired connection.

[0059] Example 19 is the wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising an RFID radio, the processor being coupled to the RFID radio via a wireless transmission protocol.

[0060] Example 20 is the wearable device of any of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising an RFID radio, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the RFID radio to activate an RFID antenna.

[0061] Example 21 is a wearable device including a first RFID antenna, a second RFID antenna, a processor, and a body. The processor is configured to determine a type of object identified by the wearable device and activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on the type of object. The first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna are disposed at respective locations along the body.

[0062] Example 22 is the wearable device of Example 21, further configured to activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on the position of an object external to the wearable device.

[0063] Example 23 is a wearable device including a battery module, an RFID module including an RFID radio, a first RFID antenna, a second RFID antenna, an electronic module including a processor, and a main body. The processor is configured to activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on the location of an RFID object external to the wearable device. When the wearable device is worn, the battery module, the RFID module, and the electronic module are stacked and positioned on one or more fingers of a user's hand, with the first RFID antenna positioned on the top of the user's hand and the second RFID antenna positioned on the user's wrist.

[0064] By now it should be appreciated that an exemplary improved wearable device having multiple distributed RFID antennas is disclosed. By distributing the components, including the multiple RFID antennas, as disclosed herein, the improved wearable device may have a lower profile, increased flexibility, improved weight distribution, improved comfort, and reduced interference with wrist and knuckle movement.

[0065] As used herein, each of the terms “tangible machine-readable medium,” “non-transitory machine-readable medium,” “machine-readable storage device,” “tangible computer-readable medium,” “non-transitory computer-readable medium,” and “computer-readable storage device” is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a hard disk drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc.) on which computer-readable instructions or machine-readable instructions (e.g., program code in the form of software and / or firmware) are stored for any suitable period of time (e.g., permanently, long-term (e.g., while a program associated with the computer-readable instructions or machine-readable instructions is being executed), and / or short-term (e.g., while the computer-readable instructions or machine-readable instructions are cached and / or during a buffering process)). Furthermore, as used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," "machine-readable storage device," "tangible computer-readable medium," "non-transitory computer-readable medium," and "computer-readable storage device" is expressly defined to exclude (aspects of) propagating signals. That is, when used in the claims, none of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," "machine-readable storage device," "tangible computer-readable medium," "non-transitory computer-readable medium," and "computer-readable storage device" may be read as being implemented by a propagating signal.

[0066] The foregoing specification describes specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings should be understood in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present teachings. Furthermore, the described embodiments / examples / implementations should not be construed as mutually exclusive, but instead should be understood as potentially combinable where such combination is in any way permissible. In other words, any feature disclosed in any of the foregoing embodiments / examples / implementations may be included in any of the other foregoing embodiments / examples / implementations.

[0067] Benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause or make more noticeable any benefit, advantage, or solution should not be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features or elements of any or all claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0068] Furthermore, in this document, related terms such as first and second, above and below, etc. may be used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another and may not necessarily require or imply an actual relationship or ordering between such entities or operations. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "include," "including," "contains," "containing," or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. A description of a process, method, article, or apparatus as comprising, having, including, or containing a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed and other elements inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises ... a," "has ...," "includes ... a," or "contains ... a" does not, without further constraints, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more, unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," and any other variations thereof are defined as close as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment, such terms are defined as within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, but not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0069] Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "or" refers to an inclusive "or" and not an exclusive "or." For example, "A, B, or C" refers to any combination or subset of A, B, and C, such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A and B, (5) A and C, (6) B and C, and (7) A, B, and C. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A or B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. The term "and / or," when used in the form "A, B, and / or C," refers to any combination or subset of A, B, and C, such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A and B, (5) A and C, (6) B and C, and (7) A, B, and C.

[0070] As used herein, the terms "in communication," "coupled," and "connected," including variations thereof, encompass direct communication and / or indirect communication through one or more intermediate components, and do not require direct physical (e.g., wired) communication and / or constant communication, but rather additionally include selective communication at regular intervals, scheduled intervals, non-regular intervals, and / or one-time events.

[0071] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. It may also be noted that in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of facilitating this disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may reside in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A wearable device, a first radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna; a second RFID antenna; and a processor configured to activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on at least one of a location or a type of an RFID object external to the wearable device; a main body; Equipped with The RFID radio, the first RFID antenna, and the second RFID antenna are positioned at respective locations along the body. A wearable device characterized by:

2. The processor is further configured to determine a location of the RFID object. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

3. the RFID object is a first RFID object; The processor is further configured to activate the second RFID antenna to read the first RFID object when a reading of a second RFID object by the first RFID antenna is confirmed. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

4. The processor is further configured to switch from the first RFID antenna to the second RFID antenna to read the RFID object when movement of the wearable device is detected. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

5. The processor is further configured to detect the movement based on at least one of an accelerometer, a change in a radio signal, a change in a mobile phone signal, or a change in a positioning signal. The wearable device according to claim 4 .

6. When the wearable device is worn, the first RFID antenna is positioned on the top side of the user's hand. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

7. When the wearable device is worn, the second RFID antenna is positioned on or near the user's wrist. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

8. RFID radio Further provided with When the wearable device is worn, the RFID radio and the processor are located on one or more fingers of the user's hand, the first RFID antenna is located on the top of the user's hand, and the second RFID antenna is located on the user's wrist. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

9. a bar code reader in communication with said processor in the core electronics module; Further provided with When the wearable device is worn, the core electronics module is placed on the one or more fingers, and the RFID radio is placed in an RFID module configured to be stacked with the core electronics module. The wearable device according to claim 8 .

10. a battery module configured to be stacked with the core electronics module and the RFID module The wearable device of claim 9, further comprising:

11. RFID radio Further provided with The processor is further configured to control the RFID radio to activate an RFID antenna. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

12. RFID radio Further provided with When the wearable device is worn, the processor is located on one or more fingers of the user's hand, the RFID radio and the first RFID antenna are located on the top of the user's hand, and the second RFID antenna is located on or near the user's wrist. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

13. RFID radio Further provided with The processor is coupled to the RFID radio via a wired connection. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

14. a battery configured to power the RFID radio via the wired connection The wearable device of claim 13 further comprising:

15. RFID radio Further provided with The processor is coupled to the RFID radio via a wireless transmission protocol. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

16. RFID radio Further provided with When the wearable device is worn, the processor is located on one or more fingers of the user's hand, the RFID radio and the first RFID antenna are located on the upper side of the user's wrist, and the second RFID antenna is located on the lower side of the user's wrist. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

17. RFID radio Further provided with When the wearable device is worn, the processor and the RFID radio are located on the top side of the user's hand, the first RFID antenna is located on the top side of the user's wrist, and the second RFID antenna is located on the bottom side of the user's wrist. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

18. RFID radio Further provided with When the wearable device is worn, the processor is located on the top side of the user's hand, the RFID radio and the first RFID antenna are located on the top side of the user's wrist, and the second RFID antenna is located on the bottom side of the user's wrist. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

19. a core electronic module containing said processor Further provided with The processor is configured to control the RFID radio to activate the RFID antenna. The wearable device according to claim 1 .

20. A wearable device, a battery module; a radio frequency identification (RFID) module including an RFID radio; a first RFID antenna; a second RFID antenna; and an electronic module including a processor; a main body; Equipped with the processor is configured to activate one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna based on at least one of a location or a type of RFID object external to the wearable device; When the wearable device is worn, the battery module, the RFID module, and the electronic module are stacked and placed on one or more fingers of a user's hand, the first RFID antenna is placed on the top side of the user's hand, and the second RFID antenna is placed on the user's wrist. A wearable device characterized by:

Images