RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags

• US 20040222297A1
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Inventors: Dearing, Michael, Vidugiris, Gediminas
• Application Number:
  US10/870,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20040222297A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/06 Stock management
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 the reader being an RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/35 for the management of goods or merchandise
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and system for providing point-of-sale and point-of-delivery and/or distribution of products in a restricted access unit near the customer. The method and system utilize products equipped with radio frequency tags and reduce the effects of energy sharing, shadowing, and nulls. In one embodiment, a plurality of RF tagged products are placed within a refrigerator, cabinet, or other micro-warehouse that has a door or opening that can detect access to the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, one or more antennas are positioned within the door. Each antenna may have a transmission line of sight and be configured to emit a signal at predefined frequencies. Each antenna generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, the products are positioned in one or more bins, compartments, or similar devices located within the micro-warehouse such that at least two of the plurality of products are spaced a distance from each other to reduce energy sharing. The electromagnetic field is moved or altered within the micro-warehouse through the use of reflectors, devices that move the antennas, or other mechanisms.

Claims

1-73. -73. (Cancelled)

74. An apparatus comprising:

a detecting device that is configured to detect, using RFID, removal from an area of an object having a RFID tag,

wherein an XML message is generated in response to detection by said detecting device of removal of the object from the area, and

wherein a determination regarding restocking of the object is made in response to the XML message.

75. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein another apparatus makes the determination regarding restocking of the object.

76. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the XML message is sent from said apparatus to the another apparatus via a wireless connection.

77. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the XML message is sent from said apparatus to the another apparatus via a network.

78. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said apparatus is a vending machine.

79. An apparatus according to claim 74, further comprising:

a smartcard reader that is configured to read a smartcard containing a preloaded monetary equivalent; and

a debiting unit that is configured to debit the preloaded monetary equivalent in accordance with the detection by said detecting device of the object.

80. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said apparatus is a vending machine.

90. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said detecting device further detects, using RFID, placement into the area of an object having a RFID tag.

91. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein the area is selected from the group consisting of a refrigerator, a freezer, a container, a room, a cabinet, and an apparatus.

81. An apparatus comprising:

detecting means for detecting, using RFID, removal from an area of an object having a RFID tag,

wherein an XML message is generated in response to detection by said detecting means of removal of the object from the area, and

wherein a determination regarding restocking of the object is made in response to the XML message.

82. An apparatus according to claim 81, wherein another apparatus makes the determination regarding restocking of the object.

83. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the XML message is sent from said apparatus to the another apparatus via a wireless connection.

84. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the XML message is sent from said apparatus to the another apparatus via a network.

85. An apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said apparatus is a vending machine.

86. An apparatus according to claim 81, further comprising:

smartcard reading means for reading a smartcard containing a preloaded monetary equivalent; and

debiting means for debiting the preloaded monetary equivalent in accordance with the detection by said detecting means of the object.

87. An apparatus according to claim 86, wherein said apparatus is a vending machine.

88. A method comprising:

detecting, using RFID, removal from an area of an object having a RFID tag;

generating an XML message in response to the detection by said detecting step of removal of the object from the area; and

determining whether to restock the object in response to the XML message.

89. A method according to claim 88, further comprising the steps of:

debiting a preloaded monetary equivalent on a smartcard in accordance with the detection by said detecting step of the object.

92. An apparatus comprising:

a detecting device that is configured to detect, using RFID, removal from an area of a RFID tag,

wherein a markup language message is generated in response to detection by said detecting device of removal of the RFID tag from the area, and

wherein a determination regarding restocking of an object corresponding to the RFID tag is made in response to the markup language message.

93. An apparatus comprising:

detecting means for detecting, using RFID, removal from an area of a RFID tag,

wherein a markup language message is generated in response to detection by said detecting means of removal of the RFID tag from the area, and

wherein a determination regarding restocking of an object corresponding to the RFID tag is made in response to the markup language message.

94. A method comprising:

detecting, using RFID, removal from an area of a RFID tag;

generating a markup language message in response to the detection by said detecting step of removal of the RFID tag from the area; and

determining whether to restock an object corresponding to the RFID tag in response to the markup language message.