R.F.I.D. Enabled Storage Bin and Method For Tracking Inventory

• US 20070215700A1
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Reznik, Dan, Faschinger, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,757,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment

Abstract

A contents-aware storage bin includes a transportable bin unit adapted for placement within a storage bin rack. An RFID reader unit is in contact with the bin unit. An REID antenna is connected to the RFID reader unit and is in contact with the bin unit.

Claims

1. A contents-aware storage bin, comprising:

a transportable bin unit adapted for placement within a storage bin rack;

an RFID reader unit in contact with the bin unit; and

an RFID antenna connected to the RFID reader unit and in contact with the bin unit.

2. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader unit comprises a wireless communication device for transmitting REID data collected by the RFID reader to a wireless base station connected to a computer network.

3. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 2, additionally comprising one or more sensors connected to the wireless communication device and in contact with the bin unit, wherein the wireless communication device transmits sensor data collected by the one or more sensors to the wireless base station.

4. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a weight sensor, or an acceleration sensor.

5. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader unit comprises a user interface unit comprising a display for displaying RFID data collected by the RFID reader.

6. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 1, wherein the RFID antenna is a loop antenna provided around a perimeter of the bin unit.

7. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 1, wherein the RFID antenna is incorporated in to a friction pad that is placed within the bin unit.

8. A contents-aware storage bin, comprising:

a transportable bin unit adapted for placement within a storage bin rack; and

an RFID antenna in contact with the bin unit, wherein the RFID antenna connects to an RFID reader unit provided within the storage bin rack when the contents-aware storage bin is placed within the storage bin rack.

9. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 8, additionally comprising one or more sensors in contact with the bin unit, wherein the one or more sensors connect to the RFID reader unit provided within the storage bin rack when the contents-aware storage bin is placed within the storage bin rack.

10. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 8, wherein the RFD antenna is a loop antenna provided around a perimeter of the bin unit.

11. The contents-aware storage bin of claim 8, wherein the RFID antenna is incorporated in to a friction pad that is placed within the bin unit.

12. A method for tracking inventory using a contents-aware storage bin, comprising:

receiving RFID data from an REID reader, associated with a transportable bin unit adapted for placement within a storage bin rack, over a wireless network;

storing the received REID data on a network-connected storage device; and

providing access to the stored RFID data over the network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the RFID data is accessed by a database management system (DBMS).

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving sensor data from one or more sensors, associated with the bin unit, over the wireless network;

storing the received sensor data in the storage device; and

providing access to the stored sensor data over the network.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a weight sensor, or an acceleration sensor

16. A method for producing a contents-aware storage bin, comprising:

affixing an RFID reader unit to a transportable bin unit adapted for placement within a storage bin rack; and

placing an RFID antenna upon the bin unit, the RFID antenna being connected to the RFID unit,

wherein the RFID reader unit comprises a wireless communication device for transmitting RFID data collected by the RFID reader to a wireless base station connected to a computer network.

17. The method of claim 16, additionally comprising placing one or more sensors upon the bin unit, the one or more sensors being connected to the wireless communication device for transmitting sensor data collected by the one or more sensors to the wireless base station.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of placing an RFID antenna upon the bin unit comprises affixing an antenna loop around or within the perimeter of the bin unit.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of placing an RFID antenna upon the bin unit comprises placing a friction pad comprising the REID antenna into the bin unit.

20. The method of claim 16, additionally comprising configuring the wireless communication device to communicate with the wireless base station.