US Patent 10402600 Mobile tray for performing RFID reads

Embodiments herein describe an RFID reader tray which includes a receptacle for detecting RFID tags disposed on physical items. In one embodiment, a sidewall is disposed around the periphery of a bottom support structure and extends away from the bottom support structure to form the receptacle. The reader tray includes an RFID antenna disposed under the bottom support structure on which the items can be placed. The material of the bottom support structure is selected such that RFID signals emitted by the RFID antenna can radiate through the bottom support structure and reach RFID tags placed on items in the receptacle. In one embodiment, the reader tray includes a shield for reflecting the RFID signals so that the most of the RFID signals radiate through the bottom support structure and into the receptacle.