System and method for using radio frequency identification in retail operations
First Claim
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1. A system for determining inventory comprising:
- a fixture including a first region and adapted to hold a first collection of merchandise, the first collection of merchandise comprising at least one item with an associated RFID tag;
a reader disposed on the fixture and proximate the collection of merchandise, and the reader adapted to interrogate the RFID tag and retrieve information related to the RFID tag.
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Abstract
A system and method for conveniently tracking inventory and merchandise in a retail setting is disclosed. The system can track various items as they travel through the entire supply chain. The system includes provisions that provide accurate and real time information related to available inventory on retail floor space and in storage. The system can be used to automatically determine available inventory and the system can be used to assist customers and staff in locating particular items.
272 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for determining inventory comprising:
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a fixture including a first region and adapted to hold a first collection of merchandise, the first collection of merchandise comprising at least one item with an associated RFID tag;
a reader disposed on the fixture and proximate the collection of merchandise, and the reader adapted to interrogate the RFID tag and retrieve information related to the RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for determining inventory comprising the steps of:
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(a) associating a first RFID tag with a first item of merchandise;
(b) placing the first item proximate a first location of a fixture;
(c) placing a first RFID reader proximate the first location of the fixture; and
(d) interrogating the RFID tag associated with the item with the reader. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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13. A method for obtaining inventory information comprising the steps of:
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(a) associating a first RFID tag with a first item of merchandise;
(b) placing the first item proximate a first location of a fixture;
(c) placing a first RFID reader proximate the first location of the fixture;
(d) interrogating the RFID tag associated with the item with a wireless handheld device.
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19. A system for using radio frequency identification (RFID) in a supply chain of a retail operation organization, the system comprising:
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an RFID tag is associated with each item to be tracked;
a plurality of tag readers disposed at various locations throughout the supply chain;
at least one host computer for receiving and processing information from the tag readers and interfacing with a system used for at least one of inventory, operations and logistics.
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21. A method for using radio frequency identification (RFID) in retail operations, the method comprising the steps of:
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associating an RFID tag with each item to be tracked;
placing a plurality of tag readers at locations throughout the supply chain; and
providing at least one host computer for receiving and processing information from the tag readers and interfacing with at least one of;
inventory, operations and logistics systems. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification