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Inventory tracking using RFID

  • US 10,037,449 B1
  • Filed: 09/29/2015
  • Issued: 07/31/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An inventory area of a materials handling facility comprising:

  • a panel having a plurality of horizontally extending knuckles provided on a front side of the panel;

    a storage unit releasably mounted to the panel, wherein the storage unit comprises;

    a base;

    a horizontally aligned bolt mounted to an upper portion of the base,wherein the bolt is rotatably inserted into one of the horizontally aligned knuckles of the panel;

    a support bar having a proximal end mounted to a front face of the base and a free distal end;

    an RFID antenna having a proximal end mounted to the front face of the base above the support bar, wherein the RFID antenna is configured to emit an electromagnetic field having a standing wave in a phase determined based at least in part on an impedance of the RFID antenna, and wherein the RFID antenna is coupled to an RFID reader, anda phase shifter coupled to a distal end of the RFID antenna, whereinthe phase shifter comprises at least one resistor for establishing the impedance of the RFID antenna;

    an item suspended from the support bar, wherein the item comprises;

    an extension having an upper portion and a lower portion;

    an RFID tag provided in the upper portion of the extension, wherein the RFID tag is programmed to transmit an RFID signal when the RFID tag senses the electromagnetic field emitted by the RFID antenna; and

    a hole provided in a lower portion of the extension, wherein the support bar is extended through the hole,wherein the upper portion of the extension is positioned between the RFID antenna and the support bar.

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