Modular Reader Portal

Abstract

A modular reader portal and method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the modular reader portal includes first and second vertical stanchions including a telescopic segment configured to adjust a height thereof. The modular reader portal also includes a horizontal stanchion including a telescopic segment to provide an adjustable horizontal crossbar between the first and second vertical stanchions. The modular reader portal further includes a reader attached to one of the first and second vertical stanchions and the horizontal stanchion configured to read an identification tag located on a product passing near the modular reader portal.

1 . A modular reader portal, comprising:
 first and second vertical stanchions including a telescopic segment configured to adjust a height thereof;   a horizontal stanchion including a telescopic segment to provide an adjustable horizontal crossbar between said first and second vertical stanchions; and   a reader attached to one of said first and second vertical stanchions and said horizontal stanchion configured to read an identification tag located on a product passing near said modular reader portal.   
   
   
       2 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reader is selected from the group consisting of:
 a radio frequency identification reader,   a bar code reader, and   an optical reader.   
   
   
       3 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reader is coupled to an antenna attached to one of said first and second vertical stanchions and said horizontal stanchion. 
   
   
       4 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reader is directed to read said identification tag by a computer system. 
   
   
       5 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reader is located on a backplane mounting plate attached to one of said first and second vertical stanchions and said horizontal stanchion. 
   
   
       6 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a mount plate footing at a base of said first and second vertical stanchions. 
   
   
       7 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  further comprising adjustable mounts configured to mount said first and second vertical stanchions to one of a floor and a wall. 
   
   
       8 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reader is enclosed in a reader enclosure. 
   
   
       9 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first and second vertical stanchions further include a sleeve footer stanchion, a sleeve segment and a telescopic segment elbow. 
   
   
       10 . The modular reader portal as recited in  claim 1  wherein said horizontal stanchion further includes a telescopic segment elbow and a sleeve segment. 
   
   
       11 . A method of forming a modular reader portal, comprising:
 forming first and second vertical stanchions with a telescopic segment configured to adjust a height thereof;   forming a horizontal stanchion with a telescopic segment to provide an adjustable horizontal crossbar between said first and second vertical stanchions; and   attaching a reader to one of said first and second vertical stanchions and said horizontal stanchion configured to read an identification tag located on a product passing near said modular reader portal.   
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said reader is selected from the group consisting of:
 a radio frequency identification reader,   a bar code reader, and   an optical reader.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising attaching an antenna for said reader to one of said first and second vertical stanchions and said horizontal stanchion. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said reader is directed to read said identification tag by a computer system. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising attaching a backplane mounting plate to one of said first and second vertical stanchions and said horizontal stanchion, and wherein attaching said reader includes attaching said reader to said backplane mounting plate. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising forming a mount plate footing at a base of said first and second vertical stanchions. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising forming adjustable mounts configured to mount said first and second vertical stanchions to one of a floor and a wall. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising enclosing said reader in a reader enclosure. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein forming said first and second vertical stanchions further includes forming said first and second vertical stanchions with a sleeve footer stanchion, a sleeve segment and a telescopic segment elbow. 
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein forming said horizontal stanchion further includes forming said horizontal stanchion with a telescopic segment elbow and a sleeve segment.