Method and System Using RFID Tags for System Re-configuration

• US 20080266094A1
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hanebeck, Hanns-Christian Leemon
• Granted Patent: US 8,207,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• 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 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

A system and related methods for dynamically re-configuring a radio frequency identification tag reader, engaging software business processes, or combinations of both, using a radio-frequency-readable configuration tag which physically associated with one or more RFID-tagged articles in a physical handling flow. The configuration tag reader is positioned prior to a radio frequency identification tag reader in said material handling flow, which allows the configuration reader to read the contents of the configuration tags before the articles reach the identification tag reader. Based on the contents of the configuration tags, the identification tag reader can be re-configured dynamically, such as re-positioning a reader antenna or adjusting reader power levels, and specific business processes can be executed, such as triggering special reporting, surveillance, or handling procedures, specific business processes may be initiated, document generators may be engaged, or a combination of these actions may be performed.

Claims

1. A system for configuring a radio frequency identification tag reader comprising:

a radio-frequency-readable configuration tag physically associated with one or more articles in a physical handling flow, said configuration tag storing and selectively transmitting one or more configuration control parameters, said articles having at least one radio-frequency-readable identification tag;

a configuration tag reader positioned prior to a radio frequency identification tag reader in said flow of articles to read said configuration control parameters from said configuration tag responsive to said article passing in said flow; and

a commander configured to receive said configuration control parameters from said configuration tag via said configuration tag reader, to retrieve at least one hardware profile according to said control parameters, and to command a change in one or more hardware configuration options in said radio frequency identification tag reader.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is further configured to engage at least one computer-based business process responsive to said received configuration control parameters.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is further configured to engage at least one document generator responsive to said received configuration control parameters.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said configuration tag is associated with a container for a plurality of said articles, and where each of said articles in said container is provided with an identification tag.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is configured to command a position adjustment for an antenna of said identification tag reader.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is configured to command a radio signal power level for an antenna of said identification tag reader.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is configured to command a speed of travel of a material handler for said handling flow.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said material handler is a conveyor for said articles.

14. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is configured to command a polarization option of an antenna of said identification tag reader.

15. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is configured to command a video monitor subsystem to surveil an area of handling of said articles.

16. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said configuration tag and said identification tag are integral to each other.

17. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander is further configured to send an electronic notification of reading of said configuration tag.

18. The system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said electronic notification comprises a notification selected from the group of an electronic mail message, an electronic text message, a human readable report, and a computer readable report.

19. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commander comprises one or more sensor inputs for receiving sensor signals from a sensor selected from the group of a motion sensor, a weight-sensitive floor mat, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a touch sensor, and a humidity sensor, and wherein said commander is further configured to utilize said sensor inputs in order to perform one or more actions selected from the group of commanding a change in a hardware configuration of said identification tag reader, initiate a business process, and engage a document generator.

9. The system as set forth in claim further comprising a user-proximity detector, and wherein said commander is further configured to command hardware configuration options responsive to user presence.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said response to said user presence comprises enacting a safety response.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said safety response comprises changing an antenna power level of said identification tag reader.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said safety response comprises engaging a hazardous material handling business process.

13. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said response comprises commanding a speed of travel of a material handler for said handling flow in order to allow user inspection or user manipulation of said articles.

20. A method for configuring a radio frequency identification tag reader comprising:

storing one or more configuration control parameters in a radio-frequency-readable configuration tag;

physically associating said radio-frequency-readable configuration tag with one or more articles in a physical handling flow, said articles having at least one radio-frequency-readable identification tag;

providing a configuration tag reader positioned prior to a radio frequency identification tag reader in said flow of articles to read said configuration control parameters from said configuration tag via radio frequencies responsive to said article passing in said flow;

receiving by a commander said configuration control parameters from said configuration tag via said configuration tag reader;

retrieving at least one hardware profile according to said control parameters; and

commanding a change in one or more hardware configuration options in said radio frequency identification tag reader according to said retrieved hardware profile.

21. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer-readable medium suitable for storing computer-executable program code; and

program code stored by said computer-readable medium configured to perform the steps of;

(a) storing one or more configuration control parameters in a radio-frequency-readable configuration tag;

(b) physically associating said radio-frequency-readable configuration tag with one or more articles in a physical handling flow, said articles having at least one radio-frequency-readable identification tag;

(c) providing a configuration tag reader positioned prior to a radio frequency identification tag reader in said flow of articles to read said configuration control parameters from said configuration tag via radio frequencies responsive to said article passing in said flow;

(d) receiving by a commander said configuration control parameters from said configuration tag via said configuration tag reader;

(e) retrieving at least one hardware profile according to said control parameters; and

(f) commanding a change in one or more hardware configuration options in said radio frequency identification tag reader according to said retrieved hardware profile.