System and method for RFID reader operation

• US 20060208859A1
• Filed: 03/16/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Mobile Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc. (Datalogic ADC Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hougen, Robert W., Watkins, Patrick S., Cohen, Mark R., Steinke, Kurt E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,583,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display

Abstract

A system and method for providing operational feedback of systems employing electronic tags such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. In one configuration, the RFID reader is actuated by a single trigger pull, with the reader continuing to read multiple RFID tags in the read zone as long as the trigger is held until a terminating event occurs and in another configuration, an apparatus and method provides real-time feedback of the progress of a multiple RFID tag reading operation.

Claims

1. A method of RFID reading comprising the steps of

pointing a handheld RFID reader toward a read area;

actuating a trigger on the handheld RFID reader to commence reading RFID tags by the steps of

performing a first read operation, wherein the read operation comprises interrogating and sensing one or more RFID tags in the read area,

continuing with a subsequent read operation comprising interrogating and reading one or more tags in the read area,

the RFID reader discontinuing subsequent read operations once a termination criteria is met.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising repeating subsequent read operation as long as the trigger is held, wherein the termination criteria is met by releasing the trigger.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein upon releasing the trigger, delaying the discontinuing subsequent read operations by a given period.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the termination criteria is met by

resetting and restarting a timeout timer when a new RFID tag is read,

discontinuing subsequent read operations if the timeout timer expires before a new RFID tag is read.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the termination criteria is met by counting a total number of distinct RFID tags read during a read operation and discontinuing subsequent read operation if the total number reaches a given value.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the termination criteria is met by completing input of field filling data.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the termination criteria is met by receiving a termination signal from an external controller.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the termination criteria is met by

obtaining a value for a total number of expected RFID tags to be read,

counting a total number of distinct RFID tags read during a read operation, and

discontinuing reading if the total number reaches said value.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the termination criteria is met by actuating the trigger a second time.

10. A method according to claim 1 further comprising moving the RFID reader from a first position when the first read operation is performed to a second position when the subsequent read operation is performed.

11. A method of electronic tag reading comprising the steps of:

passing a handheld electronic tag reader past a read area, the read area containing multiple electronic tags;

activating the reader;

reading a plurality of the electronic tags within a single reader activation;

notifying the operator of reading operation by sounding an audible signal each time a non-previously read electronic tag is read.

12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising counting a number of electronic tags identified.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein a single reader activation comprises a plurality of read operations, wherein a read operation comprises interrogating and sensing one or more electronic tags in the read area.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising discontinuing subsequent read operations once a termination criteria is met.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the step of activating the reader comprises actuating a trigger on the reader and wherein the termination criteria is met by releasing the trigger.

16. A method of electronic tag reading comprising the steps of:

passing a handheld electronic tag reader past a read area;

providing the electronic reader with a display screen;

displaying an image of a field of view of the electronic tag reader on the display screen;

displaying a targeting pattern onto the image of the field of view on the display screen indicative of an effective read area of the electronic reader.

17. A method of electronic tag operation comprising the steps of:

initiating a tag inventory operation;

attempting to read an electronic tag within a read area;

if an RFID tag has been read and RFID data obtained, transmitting the RFID data retrieved to a host without terminating reading operations.

18. A system for reading a plurality of electronic tags disposed in a read area, comprising

an electronic tag reader for reading electronic tags appended to an item;

means for actuating the reader to commence reading the electronic tags, wherein the electronic tag reader is operative to (a) performing a first read operation, wherein the read operation comprises interrogating and sensing one or more electronic tags in the read area, (b) continuing with a subsequent read operation comprising interrogating and reading one or more tags in the read area, and (c) discontinuing subsequent read operations once a termination criteria is met.