Author: claimsbot

1. A frequency multiplication circuit comprising:
a delay circuit that has a clock signal having a period T input thereto, and outputs a signal obtained by delaying a phase of the clock signal by a time \u03c4;
an exclusive OR circuit that outputs a signal obtained by performing an exclusive OR between the clock signal and the delayed signal; and
a signal correction circuit that has a signal from the exclusive OR circuit input thereto, outputs a required frequency component by correcting the input signal, and attenuates an unnecessary frequency component.
2. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 1, wherein a length of the time \u03c4 is a length other than n\xd7T4 (n is an integer), and
the signal correction circuit attenuates a signal having a second frequency based on T2, rather than a signal having a first frequency based on the time \u03c4.
3. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 2, wherein the signal correction circuit includes a filter circuit that passes the signal having a first frequency and attenuates the signal having a second frequency.
4. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 1, wherein the signal correction circuit includes a first series circuit, having a first inductor and a first capacitance circuit connected in series to each other, which is connected between a signal line through which the signal from the exclusive OR circuit is transmitted and a reference potential.
5. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 4, wherein the first capacitance circuit includes a variable capacitive element.
6. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 4, further comprising a first correction signal generation circuit that generates a first control signal based on T2,
wherein a capacitance value of the first capacitance circuit is controlled on the basis of the first control signal.
7. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 4, further comprising a second capacitance circuit which is connected in parallel to the first series circuit.
8. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 7, wherein the second capacitance circuit includes a variable capacitive element.
9. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 4, further comprising a second correction signal generation circuit that generates a second control signal based on the time \u03c4,
wherein a capacitance value of the second capacitance circuit is controlled on the basis of the second control signal.
10. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a waveform shaping circuit that shapes a signal from the signal correction circuit,
wherein the signal correction circuit includes a multiplication signal correction portion, and
the multiplication signal correction portion is supplied with a signal in which pulses having a pulse width \u03c41 on a time axis are periodically arranged with a period Tm (m\u22602), and the pulse width \u03c41 and the period Tm satisfy a relation of \u03c41(Tm)\u22600.5, and attenuates at least one of signals having a fourth frequency based on at least one of the pulse width \u03c41 and a pulse width \u03c4m\u2212\u03c41, rather than a signal having a third frequency based on the period Tm (m\u22602).
11. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 10, wherein the multiplication signal correction portion includes a second series circuit, having a second inductor and a third capacitance circuit connected in series to each other, which is connected between a signal line through which the signal from the exclusive OR circuit is transmitted and a reference potential.
12. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 11, wherein the third capacitance circuit includes a variable capacitive element.
13. The frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 10, further comprising a third correction signal generation circuit that generates a third control signal based on at least one of the pulse widths \u03c41 and Tm\u2212\u03c41,
wherein a capacitance value of the third capacitance circuit is controlled on the basis of the third control signal.
14. An electronic device comprising the frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 1.
15. A moving object comprising the frequency multiplication circuit according to claim 1.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A structure comprising of at least first, second and third identical boards having planar surfaces and laterally mounted locking elements along a first common joint, said locking elements being wedge-shaped and having a width relative to the first common joint that decrease entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner or increase entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner, wherein the locking elements are made in such a way that, simultaneously, by displacing the first board relative to the second board along the first common joint, the first board can be connected with the second board in a positive fit along the first common connecting joint, both in a perpendicular direction relative to the planar surface of the board, as well as in a parallel direction relative to the planar surface of the board, and, at the same time, in a perpendicular direction relative to the first common joint, and the first board can be connected with the third board in a positive fit along a second common connecting joint, at least in a perpendicular direction relative to the surface of the board.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein all or some of the locking elements are made in such a way that the displacement can take place exclusively in one plane that is parallel relative to the surface of the boards.
3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the first common connecting joint runs in a perpendicular direction relative to the second common connecting joint.
4. Boards having laterally mounted locking elements with which two boards can be connected with each other laterally in an adhesive-free manner by positive fit, said boards having planar surfaces and laterally mounted locking elements along a first common joint, said locking elements being wedge-shaped and having a width relative to the first common joint that decrease entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner or increase entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner, wherein the locking elements are made in such a manner, that there is an initial position into which the boards can exclusively be brought by lowering in a vertical direction, wherein the first common joint is formed between the boards in which a play occurs, and there is a final position reached by displacing the first board relative to the second board along a first common joint in which the boards are interlocked by positive fit in a vertical direction and in which no play occurs at the first common joint and wherein the panels may be connected with each other in an adhesive-free manner.
5. Boards according to claim 4, wherein the locking elements are such that the boards can be brought into the initial position when, along the common connecting joint, they are arranged offset relative to one another by more than 50% and less than 100%.
6. Boards according to claim 5, wherein there is an intermediate position in which the boards, at least in a vertical direction, are interlocked by positive fit and in which a play occurs at the common joint of the two boards.
7. Boards according to claim 6, wherein a board, as a locking element, has a perpendicular groove that is inserted in a perpendicular direction relative to the planar surface, and the other board has at least a corresponding protruding perpendicular locking element which arrives in the perpendicular groove when the boards are in the initial position, wherein the perpendicular groove andor a lateral boundary of the perpendicular groove, at least in part, have a course that does not run parallel relative to the common joint, andor the perpendicular locking element andor a lateral boundary of the perpendicular locking element at least in part have such a course that does not run parallel relative to the common joint.
8. Boards according to claim 7, wherein, in the final position, a lateral boundary of the perpendicular groove adjoins a lateral boundary of the perpendicular locking element intimately.
9. Boards according to claim 8, wherein at least one lateral boundary of the perpendicular groove andor a lateral boundary of the perpendicular locking element is formed wedge-shaped, has such a course relative to the common joint that the distance to the common joint decreases or increases along the joint in a linear manner.
10. Boards according to claim 9, wherein there is at least one contact area between two locking elements which area runs in a perpendicular direction relative to the surface.
11. Boards according to claim 9, wherein there is at least one contact area between two locking elements formed by undercuts.
12. Boards according to claim 9, wherein one board laterally has, as a locking element, at least one groove and another board laterally has at least one tongue.
13. Boards according to claim 9, wherein the bottom surface of a lateral tongue forms a continuous flat surface with the bottom of a vertical locking element.
14. Boards according to claim 9, wherein a bottom groove-cheek of a lateral groove forms a flat surface with the bottom of the perpendicular groove.
15. Boards, according to claim 9, that can be connected by means of a paste or, in particular, adhesive sealing compound andor an adhesive between two interlocked boards.
16. Boards according to claim 9, having a moisture repellant paste or adhesive mass between two boards which adjoins the surface of the boards.
17. Boards according to claim 9, wherein the boards are laminate panels.
18. Boards according to claim 9, which are part of a floor covering.
19. A method for connecting at least first, second and third boards having planar surfaces with laterally mounted locking elements, said locking elements being wedge-shaped and having a width relative to a first common joint that decrease entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner or increase entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner, in particular of boards comprising the steps of: displacing the first board relative to the second board along the first common connecting joint, wherein simultaneously the first board being connected with the second board in a positive fit along the first common connecting joint, both in a perpendicular direction relative to the planar surface of the board, and in a parallel direction relative to the surface of the board, and, at the same time, in a perpendicular direction relative to the first common connecting joint, and
the first board being connected with the third board in a positive fit along a second common connecting joint, at least in a perpendicular direction relative to the planar surface of the board.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the displacement occurs exclusively in one plane parallel relative to the surface of the board.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first connecting joint runs in a perpendicular direction relative to the second common connecting joint.
22. A method for connecting at least first and second boards with laterally mounted locking elements, said locking elements being wedge-shaped and having a width relative to a first common joint that decrease entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner or increase entirely along the length of the boards in a linear manner, wherein two of the boards being connected laterally by positive fit in an adhesive-free manner, comprising the following steps:
bringing the boards into an initial position, in particular, exclusively by lowering in a vertical direction, wherein the common joint is formed between the boards in which a play occurs, and bringing the boards into a final position, in which the boards are interlocked in a vertical direction by positive fit, and in which no play occurs at the first common joint and the panels are connected in an adhesive-free manner.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the boards are brought from the initial position into the final position by displacement along the common connecting joint.
24. Boards according to claim 4, wherein the locking elements are such that the boards can be brought into the initial position when, along the common connecting joint, they are arranged offset relative to one another by more than 66% and less than 80%.

1. A collapsed liner, adapted for filling with an ultra pure liquid in a rigid container having the liner disposed therein, said collapsed liner comprising a polymeric material compatible with the ultra pure liquid, defining in an inflated state an interior volume for holding the ultra pure liquid, and being compacted in a collapsed state.
2. The collapsed liner of claim 1, wherein said polymeric material comprises PTFE.
3. The collapsed liner of claim 1, as maintained in a compacted form in said collapsed state by isolation of the interior volume from an ambient environment of the liner.
4. The collapsed liner of claim 1, having a fill tube in communication with the interior volume thereof.
5. An ultra pure liquid container, including a rigid outer container, and a collapsed liner as claimed in claim 1 mounted in an interior volume of said rigid outer container.
6. An ultrapure liquid package, comprising:
a rigid container;
a liner adapted to be mounted in said rigid container and having an interior volume to hold the ultrapure liquid;
an assembly including a fill and dispense passage and a gas supply passage, wherein the assembly is adapted for coupling with the rigid container so that the fill and dispense passage is in communication with the interior volume of the liner, and the gas supply passage is in communication with an intermediate area between the rigid container and the liner, and wherein said assembly is adapted to minimize an air-liquid interface of the ultrapure liquid when ultrapure liquid is in the interior volume of the liner.
7. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, wherein the assembly includes a probe.
8. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, wherein the assembly includes a dip tube.
9. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, wherein the assembly includes a fitment.
10. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, wherein the assembly includes a vent passage in communication with the interior volume of the liner when the assembly is coupled with the rigid container and the liner is mounted in the rigid container.
11. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, comprising the liner mounted in the container in a collapsed state for filling with the ultrapure liquid through the fill and dispense passage.
12. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, comprising ultrapure liquid in the interior volume of the liner in a zero or near-zero headspace condition.
13. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, wherein the assembly is adapted for pressure dispensing of the ultrapure liquid by flow of gas through the gas supply passage to compress the liner to cause flow of the ultrapure liquid from the liner through the fill and dispense passage of the assembly.
14. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 6, wherein the assembly comprises valves adapted to control flow through the fill and dispense passage and the gas supply passage.
15. An ultrapure liquid package including:
a rigid container;
a liner mounted in said rigid container and having an interior volume to hold the ultrapure liquid; and
an ultrapure liquid in the interior volume of the liner, in a zero headspace condition.
16. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid has a particle concentration of less than 2 particles per milliliter for particles at 0.2 \u03bcm diameter.
17. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid has a particle concentration of less than 1 particle per milliliter for particles at 0.2 \u03bcm diameter.
18. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a semiconductor processing liquid.
19. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises an LCD market liquid.
20. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a photolithography liquid.
21. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises an organic solvent.
22. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises an acid.
23. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a base.
24. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 15, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a CMP slurry.
25. An ultrapure liquid package, comprising a rigid container, a liner adapted to be mounted in said rigid container and hold said ultrapure liquid, and a fill and dispense assembly constructed and arranged to minimize air-liquid interface of the ultrapure liquid in the liner during filling of the liner and dispensing of the ultrapure liquid therefrom.
26. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 25, wherein said liner comprises a polymeric material.
27. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 26, wherein said polymeric material comprises PTFE.
28. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 25, wherein the liner is in a collapsed form.
29. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 25, wherein the liner holds an ultrapure liquid.
30. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid has a particle concentration of less than 2 particles per milliliter for particles at 0.2 \u03bcm diameter.
31. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid has a particle concentration of less than 1 particle per milliliter for particles at 0.2 \u03bcm diameter.
32. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a semiconductor processing liquid.
33. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises an LCD market liquid.
34. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a photolithography liquid.
35. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises an organic solvent.
36. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises an acid.
37. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a base.
38. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 29, wherein the ultrapure liquid comprises a CMP slurry.
39. An ultrapure liquid package, comprising:
a rigid container;
a liner adapted to be mounted in said rigid container and having an interior volume to hold the ultrapure liquid; and
means for minimizing an air-liquid interface of the ultrapure liquid when ultrapure liquid is in the interior volume of the liner.
40. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 39, wherein said means comprise a probe.
41. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 39, wherein said means comprise a dip tube.
42. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 39, wherein said means comprise a fitment.
43. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 39, wherein said means comprise a passage communicating with the space between the rigid container and the liner when mounted in the rigid container, and adapted for flowing pressurizing gas into said space to compress the liner during dispensing of said ultrapure liquid.
44. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 39, wherein the liner is mounted in a collapsed state in the rigid container.
45. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 39, wherein said liner comprises a polymeric material.
46. The ultrapure liquid package of claim 39, wherein said liner comprises a PTFE material.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
a frame;
a conveyor that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
a first antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna
radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the conveyor and through which the items pass and
receives responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the conveyor;

a second antenna proximate the first antenna and the path of travel so that the second antenna
radiates radio frequency signals into the first area;

at least one radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the first antenna corresponding to the responses received by the first antenna from the respective radio frequency identification tags and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses; and
a processor that receives the first signals from the at least one receiver and is programmed to associate a said first signal with a first said item when the processor receives the first signal from the at least one receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a predetermined second area that includes at least part of the first area,
wherein the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals that interfere with reception of and response to the radio frequency signals from the first antenna by a said respective radio frequency identification tag in the presence of radio frequency signals from the first antenna and the second antenna, and wherein the second antenna is disposed with respect to the first antenna and the conveyor so that the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a third area that is proximate to but generally excludes the second area.
2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the second antenna is disposed upstream from the first antenna with respect to the path of travel.
3. The system as in claim 1, wherein
the first antenna comprises a first substrate and a plurality of first patch elements disposed on the first substrate so that generally planar respective top surfaces of the first patch elements are generally coplanar in a first plane that intersects a plane including a centerline of the path of travel at a first acute angle, and
the second antenna comprises a second substrate and a plurality of second patch elements disposed on the second substrate so that generally planar respective top surfaces of the second patch elements are generally coplanar in a second plane that intersects the plane including the centerline of the path of travel at a second acute angle.
4. The system as in claim 3, wherein the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the first acute angle is approximately 45 degrees, and wherein the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel and the second acute angle is approximately 45 degrees.
5. The system as in claim 3, wherein the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the first acute angle is approximately 45 degrees, and wherein the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel and the second acute angle is approximately 60 degrees.
6. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
a frame;
a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
a first antenna disposed proximate the belt so that the first antenna
radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and
receives responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt;

a second antenna proximate the first antenna and the belt so that the second antenna
radiates radio frequency signals into the first area;

at least one radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the first antenna corresponding to the responses received by the first antenna from the respective radio frequency identification tags and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses; and
a processor that receives the first signals from the at least one receiver and is programmed to associate a said first signal with a first said item when the processor receives the first signal from the at least one receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a predetermined second area that includes at least part of the first area,
wherein the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals that interfere with reception of and response to the radio frequency signals from the first antenna by a said respective radio frequency identification tag in the presence of radio frequency signals from the first antenna and the second antenna, and wherein the second antenna is disposed with respect to the first antenna and the belt so that the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a third area that is proximate to but generally excludes the second area.
7. The system as in claim 6, wherein the second antenna is disposed upstream from the first antenna with respect to the path of travel.
8. The system as in claim 6, wherein
the first antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt,
the second antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the second antenna is oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt, and
the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel so that the center of the gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 90 degree angle with respect to the center of the gain pattern from the second antenna.
9. The system as in claim 6, wherein
the first antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt,
the second antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the second antenna is oriented at an approximately 60 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt, and
the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel so that the center of the gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 105 degree angle with respect to the center of the gain pattern from the second antenna.
10. The system as in claim 6, wherein
the first antenna comprises a first substrate and a plurality of first patch elements disposed on the first substrate so that generally planar respective top surfaces of the first patch elements are generally coplanar in a first plane that intersects a plane including a centerline of the belt at a first acute angle, and
the second antenna comprises a second substrate and a plurality of second patch elements disposed on the second substrate so that generally planar respective top surfaces of the second patch elements are generally coplanar in a second plane that intersects the plane including the centerline of the belt at a second acute angle.
11. The system as in claim 10, wherein the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the first acute angle is approximately 45 degrees, and wherein the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel and the second acute angle is approximately 45 degrees.
12. The system as in claim 10, wherein the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the first acute angle is approximately 45 degrees, and wherein the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel and the second acute angle is approximately 60 degrees.
13. The system as in claim 6, wherein a power level at which the second antenna is driven is less than a power level at which the first antenna is driven.
14. The system as in claim 6, including
two said first antennas respectively disposed on opposite sides of the belt laterally offset from the belt with respect to the path of travel and facing the belt, and
two said second antennas disposed proximate respective said first antennas and facing the belt.
15. The system as in claim 14, wherein the two first antennas radiate radio frequency signals into the first area in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other, and the two second antennas radiate radio frequency signals into the first area simultaneously with each other and with radiation of radio frequency signals into the first area by the two first antennas.
16. The system as in claim 14, including
a said first antenna facing the belt and disposed on a side of the belt on which items are conveyed and that is offset from the belt so that items pass through the path of travel between the belt and said first antenna, and
a said second antenna disposed proximate the first antenna disposed on the side of the belt on which items are conveyed and facing the belt.
17. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
a frame;
a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
a first antenna disposed proximate the belt so that the first antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and receives responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt;
a second antenna proximate the first antenna and the belt so that the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals into the first area;
at least one radio frequency receiver that receives signals from the first antenna corresponding to the responses received by the first antenna from the respective radio frequency identification tags and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses;
a processor that receives the first signals from the at least one receiver and is programmed to associate a said first signal with a first said item based upon whether the processor receives the first signal from the at least one receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a predetermined second area that includes at least part of the first area; and
a radio frequency transmitter that drives the second antenna to radiate radio frequency signals that interfere with reception of and response to the radio frequency signals from the first antenna by a said respective radio frequency identification tag in the presence of radio frequency signals from the first antenna and the second antenna,
wherein the second antenna is disposed with respect to the first antenna and the belt so that the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a third area that is proximate to but generally excludes the second area.
18. The system as in claim 17, wherein the second antenna is disposed upstream from the first antenna with respect to the path of travel.
19. The system as in claim 17, wherein
the first antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt,
the second antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the second antenna is oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt, and
the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel so that the center of the gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 90 degree angle with respect to the center of the gain pattern from the second antenna.
20. The system as in claim 17, wherein
the first antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt,
the second antenna is disposed with respect to the belt so that a center of a gain pattern from the second antenna is oriented at an approximately 60 degree angle with respect to a line parallel to a center line of the belt, and
the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel so that the center of the gain pattern from the first antenna is oriented at an approximately 105 degree angle with respect to the center of the gain pattern from the second antenna.
21. The system as in claim 17, wherein
the first antenna comprises a first substrate and a plurality of first patch elements disposed on the first substrate so that generally planar respective top surfaces of the first patch elements are generally coplanar in a first plane that intersects a plane including a centerline of the belt at a first acute angle, and
the second antenna comprises a second substrate and a plurality of second patch elements disposed on the second substrate so that generally planar respective top surfaces of the second patch elements are generally coplanar in a second plane that intersects the plane including the centerline of the belt at a second acute angle.
22. The system as in claim 21, wherein the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the first acute angle is approximately 45 degrees, and wherein the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel and the second acute angle is approximately 45 degrees.
23. The system as in claim 21, wherein the first antenna faces downstream with respect to the path of travel and the first acute angle is approximately 45 degrees, and wherein the second antenna faces upstream with respect to the path of travel and the second acute angle is approximately 60 degrees.
24. The system as in claim 17, wherein a power level at which the second antenna is driven is less than a power level at which the first antenna is driven.
25. The system as in claim 17, including
two said first antennas respectively disposed on opposite sides of the belt laterally offset from the belt with respect to the path of travel and facing the belt, and
two said second antennas disposed proximate respective said first antennas and facing the belt.
26. The system as in claim 25, wherein the transmitter drives the two first antennas to radiate radio frequency signals into the first area in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other and drives the two second antennas to radiate radio frequency signals into the first area simultaneously with each other and with radiation of radio frequency signals into the first area by the two first antennas.
27. The system as in claim 26, including
a said first antenna facing the belt and disposed on a side of the belt on which items are conveyed and that is offset from the belt so that items pass through the path of travel between the belt and said first antenna, and
a said second antenna disposed proximate the first antenna disposed on the side of the belt on which items are conveyed and facing the belt.
28. A method of processing items on each of which at least one respective radio frequency identification tag is disposed, where the items are conveyed through a path of travel by a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on a frame, said method comprising the steps of:
radiating first radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass;
receiving responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt and outputting first output signals that correspond to the responses;
associating a said first output signal with a first said item if the response that corresponds to the first output signal is received while at least a portion of the first item is within a predetermined second area that includes at least part of the first area; and
radiating second radio frequency signals, wherein the second radio frequency signals interfere with reception of and response to the first radio frequency signals by a radio frequency identification tag in the presence of the first radio frequency signals and the second radio frequency signals, into a third area that includes at least part of the first area and is proximate to but generally excludes the second area.
29. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:
a frame;
a conveyor disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;
a first antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna communicates with radio frequency identification tags on said items conveyed by the conveyor through the path of travel;
a radio frequency receiver in communication with the first antenna so that the receiver reads the radio frequency identification tags via the antenna;
a processor in communication with the receiver, wherein the processor is programmed to associate information read from a first said radio frequency identification tag by the receiver with a first said item based upon whether the receiver reads the first radio frequency identification tag while at least a portion of the first item is within a first area along the path of travel corresponding to the first antenna through which the receiver read the first radio frequency identification tag; and
a second antenna proximate the first antenna and the path of travel so that the second antenna radiates radio frequency signals into the path of travel that interfere with communication between the first antenna and radio frequency identification tags in the path of travel within a second area that is adjacent to the first area.