PALLET CONTENT IDENTIFICATION MECHANISM THAT CONVERTS RFID INFORMATION TO CORRESPONDING BARCODE INFORMATION
First Claim
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1. ) An apparatus comprising:
- at least one processor;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;
a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and
an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure in proximity to the RFID scanner, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner.
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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 transmits the corresponding barcodes to a barcode-based inventory control system in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. In this manner the pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the barcode-based inventory control system.
29 Citations
8 Claims
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1. ) An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;
a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and
an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure in proximity to the RFID scanner, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. ) A method for inventory control, the method comprising the steps of:
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(A) scanning a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags from a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure using an RFID scanner;
(B) converting RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a plurality of barcodes;
(C) outputting the plurality of barcodes to a wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner to a barcode-based inventory control system; and
(D) the barcode-based inventory control system receiving the plurality of barcodes from the wireless transmitter and processing the plurality of barcodes.
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4. ) The method of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of barcodes comprises a uniform product code (UPC) barcode.
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5. ) An inventory control structure comprising:
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(A) a support structure that supports products for shipping; 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 wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and
an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on the support structure, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. ) An inventory control system comprising:
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(A) a support structure that supports products for shipping;
(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 wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor;
a memory coupled to the at least one processor; and
an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on the support structure, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner; and
(C) a barcode-based inventory control system that receives the plurality of barcodes from the wireless transmitter and processes the plurality of barcodes.
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Specification