Container for receiving articles

Abstract

The invention provides a container ( 10 ) comprising a, a receiving compartment ( 18 ) for receiving articles ( 12 ) each provided with an RFID transponder ( 14 ), a shielding ( 16 ) for shielding of the receiving compartment ( 18 ), and an RFID antenna device ( 20 ) located in the receiving compartment ( 18 ) for communication with the transponders ( 14 ). Reliable identification of articles ( 12 ) located in the container ( 10 ) can thus be simplified considerably.

1 . A container ( 10 ) comprising a mechanical container structure, a receiving compartment ( 18 ) for receiving articles ( 12 ) each provided with an RFID transponder ( 14 ), a shielding ( 16 ) for radiation shielding of the receiving compartment ( 18 ), and an RFID antenna device comprising at least one antenna ( 20 ) for communication with the transponders ( 14 ), which is located in the receiving compartment ( 18 ) and which can be connected to an RFID reader ( 26 ), wherein the antenna ( 20 ) is formed by an element of the mechanical container structure. 
   
   
       2 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the shielding ( 16 ) is achieved by means of at least one electrically conducting housing structure of the container. 
   
   
       3 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising an externally accessible electrical connection device ( 32 ,  34 ,  38 ,  40 ). 
   
   
       4 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising retaining means for retaining the article ( 12 ) accommodated therein. 
   
   
       5 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one RFID transponder ( 22 ,  24 ). 
   
   
       6 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the articles ( 12 ) to be received are electrical or electronic appliances. 
   
   
       7 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the antenna ( 20 ) is formed by a supporting element of the mechanical container structure and/or is formed as a container wall or part thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor device ( 46 ). 
   
   
       9 . The RFID system ( 1 ) comprising at least one container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  and at least one reader ( 26 ) for identifying the transponders ( 14 ) located in the container ( 10 ) using the RFID antenna device ( 20 ) located in the radiation-shielded receiving compartment ( 20 ). 
   
   
       10 . The RFID system ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein the reader ( 26 ) is connected to a multiplex device ( 28 ) for connection of a plurality of RFID antennae ( 20 ). 
   
   
       11 . The RFID system ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein the container ( 10 ) is a mechanical structure, in particular a chassis of a vehicle ( 48 ) and the articles ( 12 ) to be accommodated therein are vehicle components installed in the vehicle ( 48 ).