Systems, Methods, and Devices for Commissioning Wireless Sensors.

• US 20100283584A1
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ADASA Inc.
• Original Assignee: ADASA Inc.
• Inventors: McALLISTER, CLARKE William
• Granted Patent: US 8,228,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 11/006 using electrical or electro-mechanical means B65C11/0289 and B65C11/066 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0003 Use of RFID labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/404 prior to labelling
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/1865 the labels adhering on a backing strip
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07716 the record carrier comprising means for customization, e.g. being arranged for personalization in batch

Abstract

In one embodiment the present invention comprises a bar code scanner and an encoder for commissioning RFID transponders and includes a housing encasing a motor assembly, an RFID interrogator, a wireless communication means for transferring instructions and data from and to a remote host, on-board memory, a processor, and an antenna with corresponding mechanism to encode and verify a programmable RFID transponder. The present invention further includes novel methods for commissioning RFID transponders.

Claims

1. A method that provides a quasi-autonomous RFID transponder encoding authority, which enables on-demand commissioning of RFID transponders using an encoder with no need for continuous wireless network connectivity. The method preferably comprised of:

Making available to the encoder pre-authorized blocks of serial numbers to utilize on object classes as objects of a class are presented to the encoder for RFID transponder tagging;

Allocating the pre-authorized blocks of object class serial numbers by subdividing the object class serial number space into sectors that are defined by a limited number of Most Significant Bits of the serial number field; and

Assigning certain allocated pre-authorized blocks with reference to how many encoders are authorized to operate within the facilities of the owner of the object class numbers.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining which object class the next RFID transponder is to be encoded to by reading a bar code which contains a partial description of the data that is to be encoded into the RFID transponder.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the bar code contains SKU information.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the bar code can be either one or two dimensional.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the object class serial number sectors are further defined with a starting number that is the first serialized instance of a block.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein pre-authorized blocks of serial numbers are issued to the encoder by a host computer or mobile phone.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein pre-authorized blocks of serial numbers are physically handled by and issued to the encoder by an RFID authorization transponder.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the RFID authorization transponder is read by the encoder and is then electronically marked as ‘

consumed’

or ‘

locked’

by the encoder.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein authorizations can additionally include data fields such as, but not limited to:

manufacturer ID, item reference, manufacturer code lengths, and filter values that designate packaging levels.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of the block being managed using a counter or index that represents how much of the block has been used during an encoding process.

11. A system that enables automatic identification and tracking of cartridges that house un-commissioned RFID transponders. The system comprised of:

A cartridge embedded with a unique cartridge RFID transponder;

An encoder that commissions RFID transponders delivered to the encoder from the attached cartridge; and

An interrogator of the encoder that is capable of reading the unique cartridge RFID transponder and filtering out its response to the interrogation or programming of the un-commissioned RFID transponders.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the interrogator is able to selectively interrogate the unique cartridge RFID transponder that operates in the same or different frequency band as the un-commissioned RFID transponders contained within the cartridge.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein additional information is encoded in the unique cartridge RFID transponder, including, but not limited to:

the number of tag positions, the number of good tags, the ending sequence number, the date, time and place of tag conversion or other preferred commercial, logistic, or manufacturing information.

14. An encoder and applicator device for commissioning RFID transponders on-demand, allowing an operator of the semi-automated device to encode and apply an RFID transponder in a single motion. The device comprised of:

An operator handle;

A trigger embedded within the handle actuated by the operator;

A transponder separation means, used to separate a properly encoded RFID transponder from its release liner conveyance web, comprised of a peel device which allows an encoded RFID transponder to tip as it rotates around the peel device and allows its adhesive layer to stick directly onto the target surface;

An internal bar code scanner which is used to acquire information to encode from printed indicia, the barcode scanner spatial aligned with the transponder separation means along a line of movement such that the operator can easily assure proper placement of encoded RFID transponders in a single motion;

At least a single sensor to enable semi-automated tag application to desired objects;

the sensor providing real time feedback from the surrounding environment allowing the attachment of the encoded transponder to the target surface along a vector that is nearly parallel to the target surface; and

An interrogator used to verify the performance of an RFID transponder one time immediately after programming and then again after the encoder dispenses the RFID transponder onto the target surface.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein is able to be mounted in a fixed location, worn by a human operator, or hung from a suspended retractable tool cable.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the trigger can be either, but not limited to:

a mechanical trigger or an electro-mechanical device.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein at least one of the sensors detects the attachment location of the commissionable RFID transponder.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein the target surface to which a transponder will be attached is a stationary or a moving object.

19. An encoder and applicator device for commissioning RFID transponders on-demand, allowing the operator of the semi-automated device to encode and apply an RFID transponder in a single motion. The device comprised of:

An operator handle;

A trigger embedded within the handle actuated by the operator;

A transponder separation means comprised of a web cutter that is used to separate encoded RFID transponders from unencoded RFID transponders;

An internal bar code scanner which is used to acquire information to encode from printed indicia, the barcode scanner spatial aligned with the transponder separation means along a line of movement such that the operator can easily assure proper placement of encoded RFID transponders in a single motion;

At least a single sensor to enable semi-automated tag application to desired objects;

the sensor providing real time feedback from the surrounding environment allowing the attachment of the encoded transponder to the target surface along a vector that is nearly parallel to the target surface; and

An interrogator used to verify the performance of an RFID transponder one time immediately after programming and then again after the encoder dispenses the RFID transponder onto the target surface.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the web cutter is either active or passive, wherein the cutting force can originate with a motorized mechanism or with an operator'"'"'s handling during RFID transponder dispensing and detachment.