RFID tag system

• US 20070057050A1
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Herman, Troy, DiMauro, Anthony, Kuhno, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0003 Use of RFID labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/408 reading information before printing and applying a label
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/62 Optical apparatus specially adapted for adjusting optical elements during the assembly of optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0025 the arrangement consisting of a wireless interrogation device in combination with a device for optically marking the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/08 using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means

Abstract

A system for applying radio frequency identification tags on which are disposed respective barcodes includes a processor and a plurality of representations of the items accessible by the processor. Each representation is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes an indication of a predetermined position for placement of the radio frequency identification tag on an item corresponding to the barcode. A barcode reader and a display are in communication with the processor. When the barcode reader detects a first barcode on a first item, the barcode reader outputs a first signal to the processor identifying the first barcode. The processor receives the first signal, identifies a first representation that is associated with the first barcode, and outputs to the display a second signal associated with the first representation. The display receives the second signal associated with the first representation and displays the first representation.

Claims

1. A system for applying radio frequency identification tags on items on which are disposed respective barcodes, said system comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of representations of said items accessible by the processor, wherein each representation is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes an indication of a predetermined position for placement of a said radio frequency identification tag on a said item corresponding to the at least one barcode;

a barcode reader in communication with the processor; and

a display in communication with the processor,

wherein,

when the barcode reader detects a first said barcode on a first said item, the barcode reader outputs a first signal to the processor identifying the first barcode,

the processor receives the first signal, identifies a first said representation that is associated with the first barcode, and outputs to the display a second signal associated with the first representation, and

the display receives the second signal associated with the first representation and displays the first representation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each representation is a photograph of a said item having an appearance similar to the first item and illustrating the predetermined position.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a radio frequency identification tag printer in communication with the processor; and

a plurality of records accessible by the processor, wherein each record is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes data associated with the at least one barcode,

wherein,

the processor identifies a first said record associated with the first barcode and outputs to the radio frequency identification tag printer a third signal associated with a first said data included in the first record, and

the radio frequency identification tag printer receives the third signal and encodes a first said radio frequency identification tag with the first data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of representations are stored in a database.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the data identifies respective groups to which said items are assigned.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the data includes uniform product codes associated with the respective products.

7. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a second barcode reader in communication with the processor,

wherein,

the printer prints a second barcode identical to the first barcode on a top surface of the first radio frequency identification tag,

the processor outputs a fourth signal to the display, which receives the fourth signal and displays a verification prompt,

the second reader detects the second barcode on the top surface and outputs a fifth signal to the processor associated with the second barcode, and

the processor receives the fifth signal, and, if the second barcode is identical to the first barcode, outputs a sixth signal to the display, which receives the sixth signal and removes the verification prompt.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mobile cart; and

a battery connected to and supplying power to the processor, the barcode reader, and the display,

wherein the processor, the barcode reader, the display, and the battery are disposed on the cart.

9. A system for applying radio frequency identification tags on items on which are disposed respective barcodes, said system comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of photographs of the items, wherein each photograph is accessible by the processor, is associated with at least one of the barcodes, and illustrates a predetermined position for placement of a said radio frequency identification tag on a said item corresponding to the at least one barcode;

a barcode reader in communication with the processor;

a display in communication with the processor;

a radio frequency identification tag printer in communication with the processor; and

a plurality of records accessible by the processor, wherein each record is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes data associated with the at least one barcode,

wherein,

when the barcode reader detects a first said barcode on a first said item, the barcode reader outputs a first signal to the processor identifying the first barcode,

the processor receives the first signal, identifies a first said photograph that is associated with the first barcode, outputs to the display a second signal associated with the first photograph, identifies a first said record that is associated with the first barcode, and outputs to the radio frequency identification tag printer a third signal associated with a first said data included in the first record,

the display receives the second signal and displays the first photograph, and

the radio frequency identification tag printer receives the third signal and encodes a first said radio frequency identification tag with the first data.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a mobile cart; and

a battery connected to and supplying power to the processor, the barcode reader, the display, and the printer

wherein the processor, the barcode reader, the display, the printer, and the battery are disposed on the cart.

11. A conveyor system for applying radio frequency identification tags on items on which are disposed respective barcodes, said system comprising:

a frame;

a first conveyor disposed movably on the frame that conveys said items through a first path of travel;

a first barcode reader disposed proximate the first path of travel so that the first barcode reader receives light reflected from a first area that is proximate the first path of travel and through which the items pass;

a second conveyor disposed movably on the frame that conveys the items through a second path of travel from the first path of travel;

a diverter disposed on the frame;

a first processor in communication with the first barcode reader and the diverter;

a second processor in communication with the first processor;

a second barcode reader in communication with the second processor;

a plurality of representations of the items, wherein each representation is accessible by the first and second processors, is associated with at least one of the barcodes, and includes an indication of a predetermined position for placement of a said radio frequency identification tag on a said item corresponding to the at least one barcode; and

a display in communication with the second processor,

wherein,

when the first barcode reader detects a first said barcode on a first said item, the first barcode reader outputs to the first processor a first signal identifying the first barcode, and

the first processor receives the first signal and determines whether a first said representation associated with the first barcode exists,

wherein, if the first representation exists,

the processor outputs to the diverter a second signal corresponding to the existence of the first representation, and

the diverter receives the second signal and redirects the first item from the first path of travel on the first conveyor to the second path of travel on the second conveyor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein,

when the second barcode reader detects the first barcode on the first item, the second barcode reader outputs to the second processor a third signal identifying the first barcode,

the second processor receives the third signal, identifies the first representation, and outputs to the display a fourth signal associated with the first representation, and

the display receives the fourth signal and displays the first representation.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a radio frequency identification tag printer in communication with the second processor; and

a plurality of records accessible by the second processor, wherein each record is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes data associated with the at least one barcode,

wherein,

the second processor identifies a first said record associated with the first barcode and outputs to the radio frequency identification tag printer a third signal associated with a first said data included in the first record, and

the radio frequency identification tag printer receives the third signal and encodes a first said radio frequency identification tag with the first data.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a cart moveable with respect to the frame; and

a battery connected to and supplying power to the second processor, the second barcode reader, and the display,

wherein the second processor, the second barcode reader, the display, and the battery are disposed on the cart.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a third processor remote from the first and second processors; and

a second plurality of records associated with the third processor, wherein each second record is associated with at least one of the said barcodes and includes data associated with the at least one barcode,

wherein,

the third processor identifies a first said second record associated with the first barcode and outputs to the first processor a fourth signal associated with a second said data included in the first said second record,

the second processor receives the fourth signal and outputs to the radio frequency identification tag printer a fifth signal associated with the second data, and

the radio frequency identification tag printer receives the fifth signal and encodes the first said radio frequency identification tag with the second data.

16. A conveyor system for applying radio frequency identification tags on items on which are disposed respective barcodes, said system comprising:

a frame;

a first conveyor disposed movably on the frame that conveys said items through a first path of travel;

a first barcode reader disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first barcode reader receives light reflected from a first area that is proximate the path of travel and through which the items pass;

a first radio frequency identification tag printer disposed proximate the first path of travel and downstream from the first barcode reader with respect to the first path of travel, wherein the first radio frequency identification tag printer affixes said radio frequency identification tags on the items as the items are conveyed through the first path of travel;

a first barcode printer disposed proximate the first path of travel and downstream from the first barcode reader with respect to the first path of travel, wherein the first barcode printer affixes barcodes on the items as they are conveyed through the first path of travel;

a second barcode reader disposed proximate the first path of travel and downstream from the first radio frequency identification tag printer and the first barcode printer with respect to the first path of travel, wherein the second barcode reader receives light reflected from a second area that is proximate the first path of travel and through which the items pass;

an antenna disposed proximate the first path of travel and downstream from the first radio frequency identification tag printer and the first barcode printer with respect to the first path of travel, wherein the antenna transmits and receives radio signals from a third area that is proximate the first path of travel and through which the items pass;

a second conveyor disposed movably on the frame that conveys the items through a second path of travel from the first path of travel;

a diverter disposed on the frame;

a first processor in communication with the first barcode reader, the first radio frequency identification tag printer, the barcode printer, the second barcode reader, and the diverter;

a cart moveable with respect to the frame;

a second processor in communication with the first processor and disposed on the cart;

a third barcode reader in communication with the second processor and disposed on the cart;

a plurality of records accessible by the first and second processors, wherein each record is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes data associated with the at least one barcode;

a display in communication with the second processor and disposed on the cart;

a second radio frequency identification tag printer in communication with the second processor and disposed on the cart;

a second barcode printer in communication with the second processor and disposed on the cart;

a battery disposed on the cart and connected to and supplying power to the second processor, the third barcode reader, the display, the second radio frequency identification tag printer, and the second barcode printer,

wherein,

when the first barcode reader detects a first said barcode on a first said item, the first barcode reader outputs to the first processor a first signal identifying the first barcode,

the first processor receives the first signal, identifies a first said record associated with first barcode, outputs to the first radio frequency identification tag printer a second signal associated with a first said data included in the first record, and outputs to the first barcode printer a third signal associated with the first data,

the first radio frequency identification tag printer receives the second signal, encodes a first said radio frequency identification tag with the first data, and affixes the first said radio frequency identification tag to the first item,

the first barcode printer receives the third signal, prints at least a first portion of the first data on a second said barcode, and affixes the second barcode on the first item,

when the first item passes through the second area and the second barcode reader fails to detect the second barcode, or the first item passes through the third area and the antenna fails to receive a radio signal from the first radio frequency identification tag, the first processor outputs to the diverter a fourth signal corresponding to the first item, and

the diverter receives the fourth signal and redirects the first item from the first path of travel on the first conveyor to the second path of travel on the second conveyor.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second area includes at least a portion of the third area.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein,

when the third barcode reader detects the first barcode, the third barcode reader outputs to the second processor a fifth signal identifying the first barcode,

the second processor receives the fifth signal, identifies the first record associated with the first barcode, outputs to the second radio frequency identification tag printer a sixth signal associated with the first said data included in the first record, and outputs to the second barcode printer a seventh signal associated with the first data,

the second radio frequency identification tag printer receives the sixth signal and encodes a second said radio frequency identification tag with the first data, and

the second barcode printer receives the seventh signal and prints at least a first portion of the first data on a third said barcode.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a plurality of representations of the items accessible by the first and second processors, wherein each representation is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes an indication of a predetermined position for placement of a said radio frequency identification tag on a said item corresponding to the at least one barcode,

wherein,

when the second processor receives the fifth signal, the second processor identifies a first said representation associated with the first barcode and outputs to the display an eighth signal associated with the first representation, and

the display receives the eighth signal and displays the representation.

20. A method for applying radio frequency identification tags on items on which are disposed respective barcodes, said method comprising the steps of:

a. detecting a first said barcode on a first said item;

b. outputting a signal identifying the first barcode;

c. identifying a representation associated with the first barcode that includes an indication of a predetermined position for placement of a said radio frequency identification tag on the first item; and

d. displaying the representation.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

a. printing a first said radio frequency identification tag; and

b. applying the first radio frequency identification tag to the first item.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the representation is a photograph of a said item having an appearance similar to the first item and illustrating the predetermined position.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

a. identifying a first set of data associated with the first barcode; and

b. encoding the first radio frequency identification tag with the first set of data.

23. A method for applying radio frequency identification tags on items on which are disposed respective barcodes, said method comprising the steps of:

a. conveying said items through a first path of travel;

b. detecting a first said barcode on a first said item; and

c. diverting the first item from the first path of travel to a second path of travel if a representation indicating a predetermined position for placement of a said radio frequency identification tag on the first item is associated with the first barcode.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

a. displaying the representation;

b. printing a first said radio frequency identification tag; and

c. applying the first radio frequency identification tag to the first item.