RFID tracking method and system

• US 20020130778A1
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech S.r.l. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Escort Memory Systems (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Nicholson, Mark R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,724,308 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0776 the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10178 including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field comparable booster antennas integrated on the record carrier itself G06K19/07794
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags

Abstract

A method for using multi-functional RFID tag assemblies, passive repeater systems and modular antenna systems. One embodiment comprises a method for communicating with an RFID tag by providing a passive loop modular antenna system, moving the RFID tag through a field related to the modular antenna system; and transmitting energy through the antenna to communicate with the RFID tag. The invention also comprises a method of configuring an RFID passive loop modular antenna system. The invention also comprises a method for communicating with an RFID tag by providing a passive loop in proximity with the RFID tag. RFID tags are also integrated into a carton by affixing an RFID label or embedding an RFID tag. Such cartons can be used to track items throughout the manufacturing, transporting, storing, distributing and delivering processes.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with an RFID tag comprising the steps of:

a) providing a passive loop modular antenna system;

b) moving the RFID tag through a field related to the modular antenna system; and

c) transmitting energy through the antenna to communicate with the RFID tag.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a modular antenna system comprises providing a plurality of interchangeable segments.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of providing a controller in communication with the interchangeable segments and controlling the interchangeable segments.

4. A method for configuring an RFID passive loop modular antenna system, comprising the steps of:

a) designing at least a first antenna system configuration;

b) validating the design of the first antenna system configuration; and

C) providing at least one assembly drawing comprising a plurality of antenna segments and the control parameters for the first antenna system configuration.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of controlling the operation of said first antenna system configuration after assembly.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of testing the assembled first antenna system configuration.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of providing a memory for storing a plurality of different antenna segments, a plurality of antenna system configurations, and control parameters for the plurality of antenna system configurations.

8. A method for communicating with an RFID tag, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an RFID tag attachable to a first item;

b) providing a first passive loop in proximity with the RFID tag; and

c) communicating with the RFID tag by relaying signals through the passive loop.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of detaching the RFID tag from the first passive loop and attaching it to a second item.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of communicating with the RFID tag comprises magnetically inducing a current in the first passive loop.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of communicating with the RFID tag further comprises extending the range of the RFID tag with the first passive loop.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a first passive loop in proximity with the RFID tag comprises attaching the RFID tag and the first passive loop to the first item so that the RFID tag and the first passive loop are in substantially different planes.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a first passive loop in proximity with the RFID tag further comprises the step of placing the first passive loop in proximity with a plurality of RFID tags.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of placing the first passive loop in proximity with a plurality of RFID tags comprises the step of placing the first passive loop on a ULD having a plurality of items each with an RFID tag.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of providing a second passive loop in proximity with the first passive loop and the step of communicating with the RFID tag comprises relaying signals through the first and second passive loops.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second passive loops are in substantially different planes.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of integrating the RFID tag with the carton comprises the steps of providing an RFID tag label and affixing the label to the carton.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of affixing the label to the carton comprises affixing the label to the carton so that when the carton is expanded the label assumes a three dimensional configuration.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of integrating the RFID tag with the carton comprises the steps of providing an RFID tag and embedding the RFID tag into the carton.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of embedding the label to the carton comprises embedding the label to the carton so that when the carton is expanded the label assumes a three dimensional configuration.

17. A method for integrating an RFID tag with a carton comprising the steps of providing a collapsed carton and integrating an RFID tag with the carton.

22. A method for tracking an item, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a carton having an integrated RFID tag;

b) supplying the carton to a first user;

c) receiving the carton from the first user; and

d) communicating with the RFID tag to track the carton.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of providing a passive loop and communicating with the RFID tag by relaying signals through the passive loop.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of aggregating a plurality of cartons with RFID tags and communicating with the RFID tags of the plurality of cartons by relaying signals through the passive loop.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of providing a supplemental RFID tag and securing the supplemental RFID tag to the aggregated plurality of cartons to track the aggregated plurality of cartons.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of communicating with the supplemental RFID tag with information regarding the aggregated plurality of cartons.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of providing the ULD with a passive loop to communicate with the RFID tags of the plurality of cartons.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of aggregating a plurality of cartons comprises placing the plurality of cartons in a ULD, and further comprising the step of providing the ULD with a passive loop to communicate with the supplemental RFID tag.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of providing a pass through antenna and communicating with the RFID tag with the pass through antenna.

31. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of transporting the item to a new location and communicating with the RFID tag at the new location.

32. The method of claim of claim 31, wherein the step of communicating with the RFID tag at the new location comprises writing the new location to the RFID tag.

33. The method of claim of claim 31, wherein the step of communicating with the RFID tag at the new location comprises reading identification information from the RFID tag.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of delivering the item to a second user at a destination and communicating with the RFID tag with delivery information.

35. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of the first user communicating with the RFID tag.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of the second user communicating with the RFID tag.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the transport vehicle comprises a trailer suitable for use with a semi tractor.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the transport vehicle comprises a cargo truck.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of powering the modular passive loop antenna with a battery of the transport vehicle.

27. The method of 24, wherein the step of aggregating a plurality of cartons comprises placing the plurality of cartons in a ULD.

37. A method for tracking items comprising the steps of:

a) configuring a modular passive loop antenna for a transport vehicle;

b) installing the modular passive loop antenna in the transport vehicle;

c) placing an item having an RFID tag within the transport vehicle; and

d) communicating with the RFID tag using the modular RFID antenna.

41. A method of tracking items comprising the steps of:

a) providing an item with an RFID tag;

b) placing a modular passive loop antenna at the entrance of a building;

c) moving the item with the RFID tag through the entrance of the building; and

d) communicating with the RFID tag with the modular passive loop antenna.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the modular passive loop antenna is placed at a loading dock adjacent the entrance to the building.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising the steps of providing a transport vehicle with a modular passive loop antenna, moving the item between the building and the transport vehicle and communicating with the RFID tag of the item with the modular passive loop antenna of the transport vehicle.