Article tracking system and method

• US 20060192003A1
• Filed: 05/01/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avante International Technology
• Original Assignee: Avante International Technology
• Inventors: Chung, Kevin Kwong-Tai
• Granted Patent: US 7,513,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• 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: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2471 Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1221 onto a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/00 Antenna arrays or systems arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/24 Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 : Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32

Abstract

A system and method are useful for tracking and/or managing an article at one or more stations. An RFID tag including a memory and an antenna is associated with each article, and an RFID tag reader at the station has plural antennas for communicating with RFID tags and reading information therefrom. The read information is communicated to a processor and stored in a database. The information stored in the database may be utilized for tracking and/or managing the article, whereby the article being tracked and/or managed may be located and its history obtained, for use in various environments.

Claims

1. A method for tracking articles, managing articles, or both, wherein RFID tags are associated with the articles, comprising:

associating at least one RFID tag with an article, the RFID tag including an electronic memory containing information relating to the article and an antenna coupled to the electronic memory for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in an RFID tag format, wherein the information-bearing signals represent information to be stored in the electronic memory and/or represent information produced from the electronic memory;

providing a first station comprising a first RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a first antenna defining a detection region proximate the first station;

providing a second station comprising a second RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a plurality of antennas defining detection regions proximate the second station, wherein antennas of the plurality of antennas of the second station are sequenced in time for receiving information-bearing signals transmitted by RFID tags in the detection regions thereof;

communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the first and second RFID readers to a processor,

whereby information is communicated between the electronic memory of RFID tags and the processor via the RFID tag readers of the first and second stations when the RFID tags are in the detection regions thereof; and

storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals, wherein the information stored in the database includes information relating to the articles,

whereby information stored in the database may be accessed for obtaining information relating to the articles.

2. The method of claim 1:

wherein said providing a first station includes locating the antenna of the first station proximate a location at which articles are received, are stored, are inventoried, are displayed, are shipped, are dispensed, or any combination of the foregoing;

or

wherein said providing a second station includes locating the plurality of antennas of the second station proximate locations at which articles are received, are stored, are inventoried, are displayed, are shelved, are shipped, are dispensed, are checked out, or any combination of the foregoing;

or

an combination of the foregoing.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the information relating to the article includes any one or more of:

inventory information, universal product code (UPC), manufacturer, make or brand name, model, type, a specific piece, a serial number, a batch identifier, a lot identifier, an identifying number, pricing, date of manufacture, date of receipt, expiration date, or any combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1:

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains information including any one or more of;

inventory information, universal product code (UPC), manufacturer, make, brand name, model, type, a specific piece, a serial number, a batch identifier, a lot identifier, an identifying number, pricing, date of manufacture, date of receipt, expiration date, or any combination thereof;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes information stored therein by a station relating to the identity of that station, to the operation performed at that station, or to both;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a relational check number representative of the information stored therein;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a unique permanent number associated with the RFID tag and a relational check number representative of the unique permanent number, of the information stored in the electronic memory, or of both the unique permanent number, and the information stored in the electronic memory;

or

wherein the RFID tag includes thereon in human-readable form, in machine-readable form, or in both forms, all or part of the information stored in the electronic memory thereof;

or

wherein the RFID tag is attached to an article and/or is attached to a container, package, crate, pallet, tote box, or other container containing the article;

wherein the RFID tag is resistant to tampering, enables detection of tampering, or both;

or

wherein the RFID tag is any one or more of tamper-resistant, tamper-destruct, tamper-evident, and high-temperature resistant;

or

wherein the RFID tag is removable or re-encodable or both for reuse;

or

any combination of the foregoing.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a human perceivable indication responsive to the information stored in the database, wherein said providing a human perceivable indication includes providing a light, an audible alarm, an anti-theft alarm, a display on a computer monitor, a print out, or any combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second stations are associated with a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, a processing facility, a display, a display rack, a shelf, a storage area, a storage bin, an entrance, an exit, an access way, a transport operation, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a truck, a container, a storage container, a transport container, a crate, a package, a pallet, a wholesale operation, a check out, a dispensing location, a retail operation, a store, a display facility, or any combination of the foregoing.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the articles are of a sort that degrade, expire and/or spoil with passage of time, wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains at least information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, and wherein the data base contains the information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, whereby articles can be dispensed on a first-in first-out or other basis to reduce spoilage.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising erasing the information relating to the article RFID tag stored in the electronic memory of the RFID tag.

9. A method for tracking articles, managing articles, or both, wherein RFID tags are associated with the articles, comprising:

associating at least one RFID tag with an article, the RFID tag including an electronic memory containing information relating to the article and an antenna coupled to the electronic memory for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in an RFID tag format, wherein the information-bearing signals represent information to be stored in the electronic memory and/or represent information produced from the electronic memory;

providing a first station comprising a first RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a plurality of antennas defining detection regions proximate the first station, wherein antennas of the plurality of antennas of the first station are sequenced in time for receiving information-bearing signals transmitted by RFID tags in the detection regions thereof;

communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the first RFID reader to a processor,

whereby information is communicated between the electronic memory of RFID tags and the processor via the RFID tag readers of the first station when the RFID tags are in the detection regions thereof; and

storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals, wherein the information stored in the database includes information relating to the articles,

whereby information stored in the database may be accessed for obtaining information relating to the articles.

10. The method of claim 9:

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains information including any one or more of;

inventory information, universal product code (UPC), manufacturer, make, brand name, model, type, a specific piece, a serial number, a batch identifier, a lot identifier, an identifying number, pricing, date of manufacture, date of receipt, expiration date, or any combination thereof;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes information stored therein by a station relating to the identity of that station, to the operation performed at that station, or to both;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a relational check number representative of the information stored therein;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a unique permanent number associated with the RFID tag and a relational check number representative of the unique permanent number, of the information stored in the electronic memory, or of both the unique permanent number, and the information stored in the electronic memory;

or

wherein the RFID tag includes thereon in human-readable form, in machine-readable form, or in both forms, all or part of the information stored in the electronic memory thereof;

or

wherein the RFID tag is attached to the article and/or is attached to a container, package, crate, pallet, tote box, or other container containing the article;

wherein the RFID tag is resistant to tampering, enables detection of tampering, or both;

or

wherein the RFID tag is any one or more of tamper-resistant, tamper-destruct, tamper-evident, and high-temperature resistant;

or

wherein the RFID tag is removable or re-encodable or both for reuse;

or

any combination of the foregoing.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the articles are of a sort that degrade, expire and/or spoil with passage of time, wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains at least information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, and wherein the data base contains the information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, whereby articles can be dispensed on a first-in first-out or other basis to reduce spoilage.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising erasing the information relating to the article RFID tag stored in the electronic memory of the RFID tag.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the first station is associated with a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, a processing facility, a display, a display rack, a shelf, a storage area, a storage bin, an entrance, an exit, an access way, a transport operation, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a truck, a container, a storage container, a transport container, a crate, a package, a pallet, a wholesale operation, a check out;

a dispensing location, a retail operation, a store, a display facility, or any combination of the foregoing.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing a human perceivable indication responsive to the information stored in the database, wherein said providing a human perceivable indication includes providing a light, an audible alarm, an anti-theft alarm, a display on a computer monitor, a print out, or any combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing a second station comprising a second RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a second antenna defining a detection region proximate the second station; and

said communicating further comprising communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the second RFID reader to the processor, and

said storing further comprising storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals received by the first and second stations, wherein the information stored in the database of the station includes information relating to the articles in the detection regions of the first and second stations.

16. A method for tracking articles, managing articles, or both, wherein RFID tags are associated with the articles, comprising:

associating at least one RFID tag with an article, the RFID tag including an electronic memory containing information relating to the article and an antenna coupled to the electronic memory for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in an RFID tag format, wherein the information-bearing signals represent information to be stored in the electronic memory and/or represent information produced from the electronic memory, wherein the articles are of a sort that degrade, expire and/or spoil with passage of time;

providing a first station comprising a first RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a plurality of antennas defining detection regions proximate the first station;

communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the first RFID reader to a processor,

whereby information is communicated between the electronic memory of RFID tags and the processor via the RFID tag readers of the first station when the RFID tags are in the detection regions thereof;

storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals, wherein the information stored in the database includes information relating to the articles; and

processing information from the data base for utilizing articles in an order relating to degradation, expiration and/or spoilage of the articles,

whereby information stored in the database may be accessed for dispensing articles on a first-in first-out or other basis to reduce spoilage.

17. The method of claim 16:

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains information including any one or more of;

inventory information, universal product code (UPC), manufacturer, make, brand name, model, type, a specific piece, a serial number, a batch identifier, a lot identifier, an identifying number, pricing, date of manufacture, date of receipt, expiration date, or any combination thereof;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes information stored therein by a station relating to the identity of that station, to the operation performed at that station, or to both;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a relational check number representative of the information stored therein;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a unique permanent number associated with the RFID tag and a relational check number representative of the unique permanent number, of the information stored in the electronic memory, or of both the unique permanent number, and the information stored in the electronic memory;

or

wherein the RFID tag includes thereon in human-readable form, in machine-readable form, or in both forms, all or part of the information stored in the electronic memory thereof;

or

wherein the RFID tag is attached to the article and/or is attached to a container, package, crate, pallet, tote box, or other container containing the article;

wherein the RFID tag is resistant to tampering, enables detection of tampering, or both;

or

wherein the RFID tag is any one or more of tamper-resistant, tamper-destruct, tamper-evident, and high-temperature resistant;

or

wherein the RFID tag is removable or re-encodable or both for reuse;

or

any combination of the foregoing.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising erasing the information relating to the article RFID tag stored in the electronic memory of the RFID tag.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the first station is associated with a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, a processing facility, a display, a display rack, a shelf, a storage area, a storage bin, an entrance, an exit, an access way, a transport operation, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a truck, a container, a storage container, a transport container, a crate, a package, a pallet, a wholesale operation, a check out, a dispensing location, a retail operation, a store, a display facility, or any combination of the foregoing.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a human perceivable indication responsive to the information stored in the database, wherein said providing a human perceivable indication includes providing a light, an audible alarm, an anti-theft alarm, a display on a computer monitor, a print out, or any combination thereof.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

providing a second station comprising a second RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a second antenna defining a detection region proximate the second station; and

said communicating further comprising communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the second RFID reader to the processor, and

said storing further comprising storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals received by the first and second stations, wherein the information stored in the database of the station includes information relating to the articles in the detection regions of the first and second stations.

22. A method for tracking articles, managing articles, or both, wherein RFID tags are associated with the articles, comprising:

associating at least one RFID tag with an article, the RFID tag including an electronic memory containing information relating to the article and an antenna coupled to the electronic memory for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in an RFID tag format, wherein the information-bearing signals represent information to be stored in the electronic memory and/or represent information produced from the electronic memory;

providing a first station comprising a first RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a plurality of antennas defining detection regions proximate the first station, wherein ones of the plurality of antennas are located proximate a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, a processing facility, a display, a display rack, a shelf, a storage area, a storage bin, an entrance, an exit, an access way, a transport operation, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a truck, a container, a storage container, a transport container, a crate, a package, a pallet, a wholesale operation, a check out, a dispensing location, a retail operation, a store, a display facility, or any combination of the foregoing;

communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the first RFID reader to a processor,

whereby information is communicated between the electronic memory of RFID tags and the processor via the RFID tag readers of the first station when the RFID tags are in the detection regions thereof;

storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals, wherein the information stored in the database includes information relating to the articles; and

processing information from the data base for utilizing articles in an order relating to degradation, expiration and/or spoilage of the articles,

whereby information stored in the database may be accessed for dispensing articles on a first-in first-out or other basis to reduce spoilage.

23. The method of claim 22:

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains information including any one or more of;

inventory information, universal product code (UPC), manufacturer, make, brand name, model, type, a specific piece, a serial number, a batch identifier, a lot identifier, an identifying number, pricing, date of manufacture, date of receipt, expiration date, or any combination thereof, or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes information stored therein by a station relating to the identity of that station, to the operation performed at that station, or to both;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a relational check number representative of the information stored therein;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a unique permanent number associated with the RFID tag and a relational check number representative of the unique permanent number, of the information stored in the electronic memory, or of both the unique permanent number, and the information stored in the electronic memory;

or

wherein the RFID tag includes thereon in human-readable form, in machine-readable form, or in both forms, all or part of the information stored in the electronic memory thereof;

or

wherein the RFID tag is attached to the article and/or is attached to a container, package, crate, pallet, tote box, or other container containing the article;

wherein the RFID tag is resistant to tampering, enables detection of tampering, or both;

or

wherein the RFID tag is any one or more of tamper-resistant, tamper-destruct, tamper-evident, and high-temperature resistant;

or

wherein the RFID tag is removable or re-encodable or both for reuse;

or

any combination of the foregoing.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the articles are of a sort that degrade, expire and/or spoil with passage of time, wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains at least information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, and wherein the data base contains the information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, whereby articles can be dispensed on a first-in first-out or other basis to minimize spoilage.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising erasing the information relating to the article RFID tag stored in the electronic memory of the RFID tag.

26. The method of claim 22 further comprising providing a human perceivable indication responsive to the information stored in the database, wherein said providing a human perceivable indication includes providing a light, an audible alarm, an anti-theft alarm, a display on a computer monitor, a print out, or any combination thereof.

27. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

providing a second station comprising a second RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a second antenna defining a detection region proximate the second station; and

said communicating further comprising communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the second RFID reader to the processor, and

said storing further comprising storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals received by the first and second stations, wherein the information stored in the database of the station includes information relating to the articles in the detection regions of the first and second stations.

28. A system for tracking articles, managing articles, or both, wherein RFID tags are associated with the articles, comprising:

at least one RFID tag associated with an article, said RFID tag including an electronic memory containing information relating to the article and an antenna coupled to the electronic memory for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in an RFID tag format, wherein the information-bearing signals represent information to be stored in the electronic memory and/or represent information produced from the electronic memory;

a first station comprising a first RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a plurality of antennas defining detection regions proximate said first station, wherein ones of said plurality of antennas are located proximate a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, a processing facility, a display, a display rack, a shelf, a storage area, a storage bin, an entrance, an exit, an access way, a transport operation, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a truck, a container, a storage container, a transport container, a crate, a package, a pallet, a wholesale operation, a check out, a dispensing location, a retail operation, a store, a display facility, or any combination of the foregoing;

a processor including a database;

means for communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of said first RFID reader to the database of said processor,

whereby information is communicated between the electronic memory of RFID tags and the processor via the RFID tag readers of the first station when the RFID tags are in the detection regions thereof;

said processor storing in the database thereof at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals, wherein the information stored in the database of said processor includes information relating to the articles; and

said processor processing information from the data base thereof for utilizing articles in an order relating to degradation, expiration and/or spoilage of the articles,

whereby information stored in the database may be accessed for dispensing articles on a first-in first-out or other basis to reduce spoilage.

29. The system of claim 28:

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag contains information including any one or more of;

inventory information, universal product code (UPC), manufacturer, make, brand name, model, type, a specific piece, a serial number, a batch identifier, a lot identifier, an identifying number, pricing, date of manufacture, date of receipt, expiration date, or any combination thereof;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes information stored therein by a station relating to the identity of that station, to the operation performed at that station, or to both;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a relational check number representative of the information stored therein;

or

wherein the electronic memory of the RFID tag includes a unique permanent number associated with the RFID tag and a relational check number representative of the unique permanent number, of the information stored in the electronic memory, or of both the unique permanent number, and the information stored in the electronic memory;

or

wherein the RFID tag includes thereon in human-readable form, in machine-readable form, or in both forms, all or part of the information stored in the electronic memory thereof;

or

wherein the RFID tag is attached to the article and/or is attached to a container, package, crate, pallet, tote box, or other container containing the article;

wherein the RFID tag is resistant to tampering, enables detection of tampering, or both;

or

wherein the RFID tag is any one or more of tamper-resistant, tamper-destruct, tamper-evident, and high-temperature resistant;

or

wherein the RFID tag is removable or re-encodable or both for reuse;

or

any combination of the foregoing.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the articles are of a sort that degrade, expire and/or spoil with passage of time, wherein the electronic memory of the RFD tag contains at least information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, and wherein the data base contains the information from which a date of degradation, expiration and/or spoilage can be determined, whereby articles can be dispensed on a first-in first-out or other basis to minimize spoilage.

31. The system of claim 28 further comprising erasing the information relating to the article RFID tag stored in the electronic memory of the RFID tag.

32. The system of claim 28 further comprising a human perceivable indicator responsive to the information stored in the database, wherein said human perceivable indicator includes a light, an audible alarm, an anti-theft alarm, a display on a computer monitor, a print out, or any combination thereof.

33. The system of claim 28 further comprising:

providing a second station comprising a second RFID reader for transmitting and/or receiving information-bearing signals in the RFID tag format via a second antenna defining a detection region proximate the second station; and

said communicating further comprising communicating information contained in the received information-bearing signals from RFID tags in the detection regions of the second RFID reader to the processor, and

said storing further comprising storing in a database associated with the processor at least information contained in the received information-bearing signals received by the first and second stations, wherein the information stored in the database of the station includes information relating to the articles in the detection regions of the first and second stations.