Self-contained RF identification apparatus for pallet conveyances
First Claim
1. An RFID reading apparatus, comprising:
- a) a frame;
b) an RFID interrogator, coupled to the frame, for triggering transponders in picked cases and receiving and decoding replies;
c) at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame;
d) at least one antenna mounted to the antenna mount and coupled to the interrogator;
e) at least one object sensor adjacent to at least one antenna; and
f) a control unit coupled to the interrogator for initiating interrogation of transponders and accepting decoded replies, to the antenna mount for controlling the level of the antenna mounted on the mount, and to the object sensor for detecting the presence of cases adjacent to the object sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An RFID reading apparatus includes a frame. The RFID reading apparatus also includes an RFID interrogator, coupled to the frame, for triggering transponders in picked cases and receiving and decoding replies. The RFID reading apparatus further includes at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame, at least one antenna mounted to the antenna mount and coupled to the interrogator, and at least one object sensor adjacent to at least one antenna. The RFID reading apparatus also includes a control unit coupled to the interrogator for initiating interrogation of transponders and accepting decoded replies, to the antenna mount for controlling the level of the antenna mounted on the mount, and to the object sensor for detecting the presence of cases adjacent to the object sensor.
-
Citations
35 Claims
-
1. An RFID reading apparatus, comprising:
-
a) a frame;
b) an RFID interrogator, coupled to the frame, for triggering transponders in picked cases and receiving and decoding replies;
c) at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame;
d) at least one antenna mounted to the antenna mount and coupled to the interrogator;
e) at least one object sensor adjacent to at least one antenna; and
f) a control unit coupled to the interrogator for initiating interrogation of transponders and accepting decoded replies, to the antenna mount for controlling the level of the antenna mounted on the mount, and to the object sensor for detecting the presence of cases adjacent to the object sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of identifying picked cases having RF identification transponders while the cases are loaded on a picked pallet conveyance having a pallet support for conveying the picked cases, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a) removably installing an RFID reading apparatus onto the pallet support of the picked pallet conveyance, the RFID reading apparatus comprising;
i) a frame;
ii) an RFID interrogator, coupled to the frame, for triggering transponders in picked cases and receiving and decoding replies;
iii) at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame;
iv) at least one antenna mounted to the antenna mount and coupled to the interrogator;
v) at least one object sensor adjacent to at least one antenna; and
vi) a control unit coupled to the interrogator for initiating interrogation of transponders and accepting decoded replies, to the antenna mount for controlling the level of the antenna mounted on the mount, and to the object sensor for detecting the presence of cases adjacent to the object sensor b) loading a picked pallet onto the pallet support of the picked pallet conveyance;
c) loading a case onto the picked pallet with the RF identification transponder facing the antenna;
d) interrogating the transponder in the case, and sending information from the transponder to the control unit;
e) decoding the information from the transponder;
f) communicating information regarding items loaded via a user interface;
g) if there are more cases to be picked, repeating the method from step (c). - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
Specification