METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS MANAGEMENT OF ARTICLES

• US 20080231451A1
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Inventors: Kamel, John-Pierre
• Granted Patent: US 8,184,005 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0029 the arrangement being specially adapted for wireless interrogation of grouped or bundled articles tagged with wireless record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for wireless management of articles. The method is implemented by a master RFID tag. The method includes transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag and receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal. Each of the first RFID response signals comprises an identifier associated with an article. The method further includes maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag and comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record. Finally, the method further includes transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record. Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a master RFID tag comprising a first communication unit, a memory unit, a processing unit and a second communication unit.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a master RFID tag, the method comprising:

transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag;

receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article;

maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag;

comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record; and

transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record.

2. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the comparing comprises identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

3. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the comparing comprises identifying extra articles by identifying a specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals that lacks a corresponding specific expected article within the article record, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the extra articles.

4. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the comparing comprises determining that all of the expected articles within the article record have a corresponding identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising an indication of this determination.

5. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals.

6. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals and at least a portion of the article record.

7. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitting a master signal comprises transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record to a reader operable to receive a master signal from a master RFID tag.

8. A method defined in claim 7, wherein the reader is an RFID reader and the transmitting a master signal comprises, responsive to receipt of a second RFID read signal from the RFID reader, transmitting a second RFID response signal, the second RFID response signal comprising the contextual information associated with the inventory record.

9. A method defined in claim 8, further comprising receiving the second RFID read signal from the RFID reader.

10. A method defined in claim 7, wherein the comparing comprises identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

11. A method defined in claim 7, wherein the comparing comprises identifying extra articles by identifying a specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals that lacks a corresponding specific expected article within the article record, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the extra articles.

12. A method defined in claim 7, wherein the comparing comprises determining that all of the expected articles within the article record have a corresponding identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising an indication of this determination.

13. A method defined in claim 1, the master RFID tag being a first master RFID tag, wherein the transmitting a master signal comprises transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record to a second master RFID tag.

14. A method defined in claim 13, wherein the comparing comprises identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

15. A method defined in claim 13, wherein the comparing comprises identifying extra articles by identifying a specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals that lacks a corresponding specific expected article within the article record, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the extra articles.

16. A method defined in claim 15, wherein the comparing further comprises identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information further comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

17. A method defined in claim 13 further comprising receiving a request signal from the second master RFID tag and wherein the transmitting a master signal is responsive to the request signal.

18. A method defined in claim 17 further comprising maintaining a second article record within the second master RFID tag for indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the second master RFID tag, wherein the request signal comprises at least one identifier within the second article record.

19. A method defined in claim 18, wherein the transmitting the master signal to the second master RFID tag occurs if the at least one identifier within the second article record is one of the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals.

20. A method defined in claim 13, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals.

21. A method defined in claim 13, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals and at least a portion of the article record.

22. A method defined in claim 1, the master RFID tag being a first master RFID tag and the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals being a first set of identifiers, the method further comprising receiving data associated with a second set of identifiers from a second master RFID tag.

23. A method defined in claim 22 further comprising comparing the second set of identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile additional contextual information associated with the article record.

24. A method defined in claim 23, wherein the transmitting a master signal comprises transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record and the additional contextual information associated with the article record to a reader operable to receive a master signal from a master RFID tag.

25. A method defined in claim 23 further comprising consolidating the contextual information associated with the article record and the additional contextual information associated with the article record into consolidated data, wherein the transmitting a master signal comprises transmitting a master signal comprising the consolidated data to a reader operable to receive a master signal from a master RFID tag.

26. A method defined in claim 22 further comprising transmitting a request signal to the second master RFID tag prior to the receiving data associated with a second set of identifiers from a second master RFID tag.

27. A method defined in claim 26, wherein the comparing comprises identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, wherein the request signal comprises the specific identifier associated with the at least one missing article.

28. A method defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags is associated with a respective article.

29. A method defined in claim 28, wherein the articles associated with the plurality of RFID tags are associated with a location.

30. A method defined in claim 29, wherein the location comprises a transport object, and wherein the articles are loaded upon the transport object.

31. A method defined in claim 30, wherein the transport object comprises one of a pallet, a case, a box, a container, a vehicle, a trailer and a train car.

32. A method defined in claim 29, wherein the location comprises at least one of a storage room, a consumer display, one or more shelves, a factory, a manufacturing facility, a warehouse and a shop floor.

33. A method defined in claim 28, wherein each of the articles comprises an inventory element.

34. A method defined in claim 33, wherein the inventory element comprises at least one of an item, a case, a pallet and a container.

35. A method defined in claim 28, wherein each of the articles comprises an asset element.

36. A method defined in claim 1, wherein said transmitting at least one first RFID read signal comprises transmitting a plurality of first RFID read signals destined for the plurality of RFID tags.

37. A method defined in claim 1, wherein said transmitting at least one first RFID read signal comprises transmitting a first RFID read signal specifically destined for each of the plurality of RFID tags.

38. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the receiving a plurality of first RFID response signals comprises receiving a specific RFID response signal from a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, wherein the method further comprises blocking the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags from transmitting further RFID response signals.

39. A method defined in claim 38, wherein the blocking comprises transmitting a blocking command to the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

40. A method defined in claim 38, wherein the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags is configured to maintain a set number of simultaneous read sessions, and wherein the blocking comprises simulating the set number of read sessions with the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

41. A method defined in claim 38, wherein the blocking is executed upon receiving the specific RFID response signal.

42. A method defined in claim 38 further comprising unblocking the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

43. A method defined in claim 42, wherein the unblocking comprises transmitting an unblocking command to the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

44. A method defined in claim 42, wherein the unblocking comprises terminating at least one read session with the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

45. A method defined in claim 42, wherein the unblocking is executed upon expiration of a time interval.

46. A method defined in claim 42, wherein the unblocking is executed after the transmitting of the master signal.

47. A method defined in claim 1, wherein the receiving a plurality of first RFID response signals comprises receiving a specific RFID response signal from a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, wherein the method further comprises blocking an RFID reader from receiving an RFID response signal from the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

48. A master RFID tag comprising:

a first communication unit operative for;

transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag; and

receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article;

a memory unit operative for storing an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag;

a processing unit operative for comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record; and

a second communication unit operative for transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record.

49. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein the first communication unit and the second communication unit are incorporated within a signal entity.

50. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

51. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for identifying extra articles by identifying a specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals that lacks a corresponding specific expected article within the article record, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the extra articles.

52. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for determining that all of the expected articles within the article record have a corresponding identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising an indication of this determination.

53. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals.

54. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals and at least a portion of the article record.

55. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to transmit a master signal, the second communication unit is operative for transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record to a reader operable to receive a master signal from a master RFID tag.

56. A master RFID tag defined in claim 55, wherein the reader is an RFID reader and, to transmit a master signal to a reader, the second communication unit is operative for, responsive to receipt of a second RFID read signal from the RFID reader, transmitting a second RFID response signal, the second RFID response signal comprising the contextual information associated with the inventory record.

57. A master RFID tag defined in claim 56, wherein the second communication unit is further operative for receiving the second RFID read signal from the RFID reader.

58. A master RFID tag defined in claim 55, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

59. A master RFID tag defined in claim 55, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for identifying extra articles by identifying a specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals that lacks a corresponding specific expected article within the article record, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the extra articles.

60. A master RFID tag defined in claim 55, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for determining that all of the expected articles within the article record have a corresponding identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising an indication of this determination.

61. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, the master RFID tag being a first master RFID tag, wherein to transmit a master signal, the second communication unit is operative for transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record to a second master RFID tag.

62. A master RFID tag defined in claim 61, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

63. A master RFID tag defined in claim 61, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for identifying extra articles by identifying a specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals that lacks a corresponding specific expected article within the article record, the contextual information comprising identifiers of the extra articles.

64. A master RFID tag defined in claim 63, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is further operative for identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, the contextual information further comprising identifiers of the missing articles.

65. A master RFID tag defined in claim 61, wherein the second communication unit is further operative for receiving a request signal from the second master RFID tag and wherein the transmitting a master signal is responsive to the request signal.

66. A master RFID tag defined in claim 65, wherein the second master RFID tag is operative for maintaining a second article record for indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the second master RFID tag, wherein the request signal comprises at least one identifier within the second article record.

67. A master RFID tag defined in claim 66, wherein the second communication unit is operative for transmitting the master signal to the second master RFID tag only if the at least one identifier within the second article record is one of the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals.

68. A master RFID tag defined in claim 61, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals.

69. A master RFID tag defined in claim 61, wherein the master signal further comprises the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals and at least a portion of the article record.

70. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, the master RFID tag being a first master RFID tag and the identifiers received within the first RFID response signals being a first set of identifiers, one of the first communication unit and the second communication unit further operative for receiving data associated with a second set of identifiers from a second master RFID tag.

71. A master RFID tag defined in claim 70, wherein the processing unit is further operative for comparing the second set of identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile additional contextual information associated with the article record.

72. A master RFID tag defined in claim 71, wherein to transmit a master signal, the second communication unit is operative for transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record and the additional contextual information associated with the article record to a reader operable to receive a master signal from a master RFID tag.

73. A master RFID tag defined in claim 71, wherein the processing unit is further operative for consolidating the contextual information associated with the article record and the additional contextual information associated with the article record into consolidated data, and wherein to transmit a master signal, the second communication unit is operative for transmitting a master signal comprising the consolidated data to a reader operable to receive a master signal from a master RFID tag.

74. A master RFID tag defined in claim 70, wherein the one of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is further operative for transmitting a request signal to the second master RFID tag prior to receiving data associated with a second set of identifiers from a second master RFID tag.

75. A master RFID tag defined in claim 74, wherein to compare each of the identifiers with the article record, the processing unit is operative for identifying missing articles by identifying a specific expected article within the article record that lacks a corresponding specific identifier received within the plurality of first RFID response signals, wherein the request signal comprises the specific identifier associated with the at least one missing article.

76. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags is associated with a respective article.

77. A master RFID tag defined in claim 76, wherein the articles associated with the plurality of RFID tags are associated with a location.

78. A master RFID tag defined in claim 77, wherein the location comprises a transport object, and wherein the articles are loaded upon the transport object.

79. A master RFID tag defined in claim 78, wherein the transport object comprises one of a pallet, a case, a box, a container, a vehicle, a trailer and a train car.

80. A master RFID tag defined in claim 77, wherein the location comprises at least one of a storage room, a consumer display, one or more shelves, a factory, a manufacturing facility, a warehouse and a shop floor.

81. A master RFID tag defined in claim 76, wherein each of the articles comprises an inventory element.

82. A master RFID tag defined in claim 81, wherein the inventory element comprises at least one of an item, a case, a pallet and a container.

83. A master RFID tag defined in claim 76, wherein each of the articles comprises an asset element.

84. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to transmit at least one first RFID read signal, the first communication unit is operative for transmitting a plurality of first RFID read signals destined for the plurality of RFID tags.

85. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to transmit at least one first RFID read signal, the first communication unit is operative for transmitting a first RFID read signal specifically destined for each of the plurality of RFID tags.

86. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to receive a plurality of first RFID response signals, the first communication unit is operative for receiving a specific RFID response signal from a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, wherein the first communication unit is further operative for blocking the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags from transmitting further RFID response signals.

87. A master RFID tag defined in claim 86, wherein to block the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, the first communication unit is operative for transmitting a blocking command to the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

88. A master RFID tag defined in claim 86, wherein the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags is configured to maintain a set number of simultaneous read sessions, and wherein to block the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, the first communication unit is operative for simulating the set number of read sessions with the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

89. A master RFID tag defined in claim 86, wherein the first communication unit is operative for blocking the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags upon receiving the specific RFID response signal.

90. A master RFID tag defined in claim 86, wherein the first communication unit is further operative for unblocking the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

91. A master RFID tag defined in claim 90, wherein to unblock the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, the first communication unit is operative for transmitting an unblocking command to the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

92. A master RFID tag defined in claim 90, wherein to unblock the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, the first communication unit is operative for terminating at least one read session with the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

93. A master RFID tag defined in claim 90, wherein the first communication unit is operative for unblocking the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags upon expiration of a time interval.

94. A master RFID tag defined in claim 90, wherein the first communication unit is operative for unblocking the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags after the transmitting of the master signal.

95. A master RFID tag defined in claim 48, wherein to receive a plurality of first RFID response signals, the first communication unit is operative for receiving a specific RFID response signal from a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags, and wherein the first communication unit is further operative for blocking an RFID reader from receiving an RFID response signal from the specific one of the plurality of RFID tags.

96. A method implemented by a first master RFID tag, the method comprising:

transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the first master RFID tag;

receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article;

storing each of the identifiers; and

transmitting a master signal comprising data associated with the identifiers to a second master RFID tag.

97. A master RFID tag comprising:

a first communication unit operative for;

transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag; and

receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article;

a memory unit operative for storing each of the identifiers; and

a second communication unit operative for transmitting a master signal comprising data associated with the identifiers to a second master RFID tag.