A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency
identification tags are disposed includes a frame and a conveyor disposed
moveably 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 plurality of antennas are disposed proximate the
path of travel so that the plurality of antennas radiate radio frequency
signals into first areas through which the items pass and receive
responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio
frequency identification tags on the items. A first antenna is offset
with respect to the path of travel from a second antenna so that the
radio frequency signals from the second antenna generally do not
interfere with reception of responses by the first antenna from radio
frequency identification tags located within a predetermined second area
along the path of travel. A radio frequency receiver receives signals
from the first antenna corresponding to the responses received by the
first antenna from the radio frequency identification tags and outputs
first signals corresponding to the responses. A processor receives the
first signals from the receiver and is programmed to associate a first
signal with the first item if the processor receives the first signal
from the receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within
the second area.