System and method for reading and verifying RFID tags

• US 20080068170A1
• Filed: 11/26/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Id Systems Incorporated (PowerFleet, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Id Systems Incorporated (PowerFleet, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ehrman, Michael, Ehrman, Kenneth, Jagid, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US11/986,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068170A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A mobile RFID tracking system for RFID applications includes a central data processing system, an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items, and an RFID verifier for comparing read identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items to a predetermined list of RFID tagged items. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to communicate the received read identifications over a wireless interface to the central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to a list of RFID tags that were expected to be read.

Claims

1. A mobile RFID tracking system comprising:

a central data processing system;

an RFID reader mountable to a mobile asset/vehicle;

a communicator associated with the RFID reader for;

actuating the RFID reader to read identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items; and

interfacing with the central data processing system via a wireless interface;

an RFID verifier for;

comparing the read identifications of the proximately located RFID tagged items to a predetermined list of RFID tagged items.

2. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID verifier is associated with the central data processing system.

3. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID verifier is associated with the mobile asset/vehicle.

4. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data storage device associated with the communicator for receiving and storing read identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items.

5. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the mobile asset/vehicle is a belt-loader.

6. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader comprises one or more RFID reader antennas.

7. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is representative of one or more items on a cargo manifest.

8. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is representative of one or more baggage items destined for a particular air flight.

9. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display coupled to the mobile asset/vehicle for providing a visual indicator to an operator.

10. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 9, wherein the display provides a visual indicator to an operator when the RFID verifier identifies an RFID tagged item that is on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.

11. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 9, wherein the display provides a visual indicator to an operator when the RFID verifier identifies an RFID tagged item that is not on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.

12. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 11, wherein the display displays a list of RFID tags that were read by the RFID reader that were not on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.

13. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 9, wherein the display displays a list of RFID tags that were expected to be read but were not read.

14. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator further comprises a user interface for providing login capability to an operator.

15. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator further comprises a user interface for providing data representative of a flight number.

16. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 15, wherein the RFID verifier accesses the predetermined list of RFID tagged items based on the flight number input by a user.

17. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator associates an operator that has logged in with tags read by the RFID reader.

18. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator associates the tagged items read with a location at which they were read.

19. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator associates the tagged items read with a time at which they were read.

20. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator associates the tagged items read with operational characteristics of the mobile asset/vehicle at the time at which the tagged items were read.

21. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader is actuated to read proximately located RFID tagged items without human intervention.

22. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator actuates the RFID reader based on operational data associated with the mobile asset/vehicle.

23. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 22, wherein the operational data is representative of vehicle motion data.

24. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 22, wherein the operational data is representative of a belt movement condition.

25. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 22, wherein the operational data is representative of a vehicle location.

26. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 22, further comprising a barcode reader.

27. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator transmits read identifications to the central data processing system via a wireless interface.

28. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader transmits read identifications to the communicator via a wireless interface.

29. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader transmits read identifications to the communicator via a wired interface.

30. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator is further operable to control operation of the mobile asset/vehicle if the RFID verifier identifies an RFID tagged item that is not on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.

31. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 30, wherein the communicator controls operation of the mobile asset/vehicle by stopping movement of a belt associated with the mobile asset/vehicle.

32. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 30, wherein the communicator controls operation of the mobile asset/vehicle by limiting movement of the mobile asset/vehicle.

33. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the mobile asset/vehicle is a cargo container.

34. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 33, wherein the RFID reader reads identifications of items passing into the cargo container.

35. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 33, wherein the communicator transmits data representative of the read identifications when the cargo container is closed.

36. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator is further adapted to support two-way paging.

37. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator is adapted to receive a request to initiate an RFID scan.

38. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the communicator is adapted to receive instructions for an operator to perform a task.

39. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 38, wherein the operator is selected based on the location of the operator.

40. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 38, wherein the operator is selected based on the operator'"'"'s proximity to one or more RFID tagged items to be manipulated.

41. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 38, wherein the operator receives information about a baggage item that was identified in an incorrect location and receives information about where the baggage should be transported.

42. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID verifier operates in real time by comparing the read identifications to the predetermined list as each RFID tag is read.

43. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID verifier compares the read identifications of the proximately located RFID tagged items to the predetermined list of RFID tagged items after substantially all of the RFID tags have been read.

44. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the RFID verifier is further adapted for receiving the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.

45. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 44, wherein receiving the predetermined list of RFID tagged items comprises receiving data associated with one or more luggage items that have been received for handling.

46. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is created as RFID tagged items are received for handling.

47. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the mobile asset/vehicle is a fork-lift.

48. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 47, wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items identifies RFID tagged items associated with a pallet.

49. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is generated as RFID tagged items are offloaded from an airplane.

50. The mobile RFID tracking system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is generated by adding items to the predetermined list when they are read by a second RFID reader.