RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags
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Abstract
A method and system for providing point-of-sale and point-of-delivery and/or distribution of products in a restricted access unit near the customer. The method and system utilize products equipped with radio frequency tags and reduce the effects of energy sharing, shadowing, and nulls. In one embodiment, a plurality of RF tagged products are placed within a refrigerator, cabinet, or other micro-warehouse that has a door or opening that can detect access to the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, one or more antennas are positioned within the door. Each antenna may have a transmission line of sight and be configured to emit a signal at predefined frequencies. Each antenna generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, the products are positioned in one or more bins, compartments, or similar devices located within the micro-warehouse such that at least two of the plurality of products are spaced a distance from each other to reduce energy sharing. The electromagnetic field is moved or altered within the micro-warehouse through the use of reflectors, devices that move the antennas, or other mechanisms.
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Citations
133 Claims
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1-94. -94. (canceled)
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95. An apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of antennae for performing RFID scanning, said antennae being movably mounted within a door of said apparatus, each antenna being mounted on a respective pivot; and an antenna moving unit that is configured to automatically move said antennae using a respective plurality of electrical actuators so as change an electromagnetic field used for RFID scanning in such a manner that any nulls generated change position. - View Dependent Claims (96, 97, 98, 99)
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100. An apparatus comprising:
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an RFID scanning unit mounted on a portion of said apparatus, said RFID scanning unit being configured to perform RFID scanning of an area within said apparatus, wherein said RFID scanning unit comprises (a) a plurality of movable parts, and (b) means for automatically controlling motion of said movable parts using a respective plurality of electrical actuators so as change an electromagnetic field used for RFID scanning in such a manner that any nulls generated change position. - View Dependent Claims (101, 102, 103, 104, 105)
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106. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of movable parts in an RFID scanning apparatus; and automatically controlling motion of the movable parts using a respective plurality of electrical actuators so as change an electromagnetic field used for RFID scanning in such a manner that any nulls generated change position.
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107. An apparatus comprising:
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a first RFID antenna; a second RFID antenna; means for activating said first antenna and said second antenna at different times to perform RFID scanning; and means for varying a frequency and power used for RFID scanning by said first antenna so that a field generated by said first antenna moves with respect to an area being scanned as a function of time.
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108. A method comprising:
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providing plural RFID antennae; activating a first antenna of the plural antennae and a second antenna of the plural antennae at different times to perform the RFID scanning; and varying a frequency and power used for RFID scanning by the first antenna so that a field generated by the first antenna moves with respect to an area being scanned as a function of time.
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109. A method comprising:
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performing plural RFID scans of an area and generating therefrom a result, wherein said step of generating therefrom a result comprises (a) determining the number of times that a list of tags occurs during the plural RFID scans, and (b) calculating the percentage of the plural RFID scans in which the list of tags occurs by dividing the number of scans in which the list of tags occurs by the number of scans of the plural RFID scans; comparing the result to a predetermined integrity level; selectively performing a subsequent RFID scan in accordance with the comparison; and creating a superset of all tags read during a plurality of RFID scans. - View Dependent Claims (110, 111, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 132, 133)
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112. An apparatus comprising:
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means for performing plural RFID scans and obtaining a result, comprising means for (a) determining the number of times that a list of tags occurs during the plural RFID scans, and (b) calculating the percentage of the plural RFID scans in which the list of tags occurs by dividing the number of scans in which the list of tags occurs by the number of scans of the plural RFID scans; means for comparing the result to a predetermined integrity level; means for determining whether or not to perform a subsequent RFID scan in accordance with the comparison; and means for creating a superset of all tags read during a plurality of RFID scans.
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113. A storage container comprising:
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an RFID scanning unit that is configured to perform an RFID scan of a space within said storage container, wherein said storage container has a non-flat reflective surface disposed on an interior wall of said storage container, wherein the non-flat reflective surface comprises a sawtooth pattern, and wherein the non-flat reflective surface is positioned on an interior wall of said storage container opposite to a side of said storage container where an RFID antenna is positioned. - View Dependent Claims (114, 115, 116)
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117. An apparatus comprising:
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means for performing an RFID scan of a space within said apparatus, wherein said apparatus has a non-flat reflective surface disposed on an interior wall of said apparatus, wherein the non-flat reflective surface comprises a sawtooth pattern, and wherein the non-flat reflective surface is positioned on an interior wall of said apparatus opposite to a side of said apparatus where an RFID antenna is positioned.
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129. An apparatus comprising:
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an antenna for performing RFID scanning, said antenna being movably mounted on the apparatus; and an antenna moving unit that is configured to automatically move said antenna using an electrical actuator so as change an electromagnetic field used for RFID scanning in such a manner that a null that is generated change position.
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130. An apparatus comprising:
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an RFID scanning unit mounted on a portion of said apparatus, said RFID scanning unit being configured to perform RFID scanning of an area within said apparatus, wherein said RFID scanning unit comprises (a) a movable part and (b) means for automatically controlling motion of said movable part using an electrical actuator so as change an electromagnetic field used for RFID scanning in such a manner that a null that is generated changes position.
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131. A method comprising:
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providing a movable part in an RFID scanning apparatus; and automatically controlling motion of the movable part using an electrical actuator so as change an electromagnetic field used for RFID scanning in such a manner that a null that is generated changes position.
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Specification