Method and system for inventory monitoring

• US 20070063817A1
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc. (Datalogic ADC Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cherry, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,394,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for providing operational feedback of systems using electronic tags such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for inventory monitoring, including reference tags, that provide feedback to check if all inventory items have been identified. In one configuration, the RFID reader actuates by a single trigger pull, with the reader continuing to read multiple RFID tags in the read zone until a terminating event occurs.

Claims

1. A method of RFID reading comprising the steps of:

pointing a handheld RFID reader toward a read area containing RFID tags including both item tags and reference tags;

actuating a trigger on said handheld RFID reader to commence reading the RFID tags;

performing a first read operation comprising interrogating and sensing with said RFID reader at least one RFID tag in said read area.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising

continuing with a subsequent read operation comprising interrogating and reading at least one tag in said read area, said RFID reader discontinuing subsequent read operation once a termination criteria is met.

3. A method according to claim 2 further comprising repeating subsequent read operation as long said trigger is held, wherein said termination criteria is met by reading a plurality of said reference tags.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said termination criteria is met once said RFID reader captures complete inventory data.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein said termination criteria is met by counting a total number of distinct reference tags during a read operation and discontinuing subsequent read operation if said total number reaches a given value.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein said termination criteria is met by completing input of field inventory data.

7. A method according to claim 2 wherein said termination criteria is met by obtaining data from said reference tags and data from said inventory and verifying complete inventory data.

8. A method according to claim 2 wherein said termination criteria is met by detecting the release of said trigger.

9. A method according to claim 2 wherein said termination criteria is met by detecting a maximum elapsed time since said trigger was activated.

10. A method according to claim 2 wherein said termination criteria is met by detecting a maximum elapsed time since the most recent read of an RFID tag.

13. A method according to claim 10 wherein a single reader activation comprises a plurality of read operations, wherein a read operation comprises interrogating and sensing at least one electronic tag in said read volume.

14. A method according to claim 10 wherein said indication signal is an audible tone indicating the reading of said electronic and reference tags.

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

passing a handheld electronic tag reader past a read volume, said read volume containing multiple electronic tags including at least one reference tag at a predetermined location in said read volume;

activating said reader;

reading at least one of said electronic tags; and

notifying a user of said reading by an indication signal representing said reading of said electronic tags and reference tags.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said indication signal is a graphical display of said predetermined location of reading said electronic and reference tags.

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

a) an electronic tag reader for reading electronic tags;

b) a plurality of electronic tags including item tags and at least one reference tag disposed in the read area;

c) means for actuating said electronic tag reader to commence reading said electronic tags;

d) wherein said electronic tag reader is operative (i) to perform a first read operation, wherein said first read operation comprises interrogating and sensing the at least one reference tag and one or more item tags in said read area.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the electronic tag reader is further operative (ii) to continue with a subsequent read operation comprising interrogating and reading at least one or more electronic tags in said read area, and (iii) to discontinue subsequent read operations once a termination criteria is met.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein said termination criteria is met by counting a total number of distinct reference tags during a read operation and discontinuing subsequent read operation if said total number reaches a given value.

18. A system according to claim 16 wherein said termination criteria is met by completing input of field inventory data.

19. A system according to claim 16 wherein said termination criteria is met by obtaining data from the reference tag(s) and data from said item tags and verifying complete inventory data.

20. A system according to claim 16 wherein said means for actuating comprises a switch on said electronic data reader and said termination criteria is met by detecting release of said switch.

21. A system according to claim 16 wherein said termination criteria is met by detecting a maximum elapsed time since said switch was activated.