Pallet content identification mechanism that converts RFID information to corresponding barcode information

• US 20070063844A1
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Weaver, Matthew, Jenney, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,378,940 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/18 by transferring data from one type of record carrier on to another type of record carrier, e.g. from magnetic tape to punched card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1095 the scanner comprising adaptations for scanning a record carrier that is displayed on a display-screen or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/24 by interference with electromagnetic field distribution

Abstract

A pallet content identification mechanism is a small electronic device that is attached to a pallet. The pallet content identification mechanism reads RFID tags on the pallet using an RFID portal scanner, converts the RFID information into corresponding barcode information, and displays the corresponding barcodes on a small display. These barcodes may then be scanned by a conventional barcode scanner, thereby allowing all of the items on the pallet to be scanned into the barcode system without unpacking the pallet. The pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the inventory control system.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;

an output device coupled to the at least one processor;

a memory coupled to the at least one processor;

an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that converts RFID information received from the RFID scanner into corresponding barcode information, and that outputs the corresponding barcode information to the output device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corresponding barcode information comprises uniform price code (UPC) barcode information.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the output device comprises a display that displays a plurality of UPC barcodes corresponding to the UPC barcode information.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the RFID to barcode conversion mechanism outputs each of the plurality of UPC barcodes in succession to the display, with each barcode being displayed for a selected minimum time period.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output device comprises a transmitter that transmits the barcode information.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the transmitter transmits the barcode information via wireless interface.

7. A method for inventory control, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) scanning a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags using an RFID scanner;

(B) converting RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a plurality of barcodes; and

(C) outputting the plurality of barcodes to an output device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the output device comprises a display.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein step (C) comprises the step of outputting each of the plurality of barcodes in succession to the display, with each barcode being displayed for a selected minimum time period.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of scanning the plurality of barcodes on the display.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of barcodes comprises a uniform product code (UPC) barcode.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein step (C) comprises the step of transmitting the barcode information.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of transmitting the barcode information comprises the step of transmitting the barcode information via wireless interface.

14. An inventory control structure comprising:

(A) a support structure; and

(B) a content identification mechanism attached to the support structure, the content identification mechanism comprising;

at least one processor;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;

a display coupled to the at least one processor;

a memory coupled to the at least one processor; and

an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that converts RFID information received from the RFID scanner into corresponding barcode information, and that outputs the corresponding barcode information to the display.

15. The inventory control structure of claim 14 wherein the corresponding barcode information comprises uniform price code (UPC) barcode information.

16. The inventory control structure of claim 15 wherein the output device comprises a display that displays a plurality of UPC barcodes corresponding to the UPC barcode information.

17. The inventory control structure of claim 16 wherein the RFID to barcode conversion mechanism outputs each of the plurality of UPC barcodes in succession to the display, with each barcode being displayed for a selected minimum time period.

18. The inventory control structure of claim 14 wherein the output device comprises a transmitter that transmits the barcode information.

19. The inventory control structure of claim 18 wherein the transmitter transmits the barcode information via wireless interface.

20. The inventory control structure of claim 14 wherein the support structure comprises a pallet.