Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Module-Based Scanning of RFID Tags

• US 20120013440A1
• Filed: 07/27/2010
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal Mart Stores Inc (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: von Bose, Samuel John, Valdez, Wendell Lachica
• Granted Patent: US 10,706,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.85
• 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: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking

Abstract

These teachings comprise accessing an identifier as corresponds to a given module of RFID-tagged items and then using that identifier to filter the RFID tag readings. By one approach, one can obtain this identifier for the module by reading an optical code as corresponds to the given module of items. By another approach, one can obtain this identifier by reading an RFID tag that specifically correlates to the given module of items. By yet another approach, one can obtain this identifier by receiving the identifier as entered by an end user who is participating in the RFID tag reading process. If desired, this identifier can serve to recall corresponding information that can serve, directly or indirectly, as filter criterion to use when processing the RFID tag responses.

Claims

1. A method for use with modules of items, where at least a plurality of the items each have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising:

at a control circuit;

accessing an identifier as corresponds to a given one of the modules of items;

using the identifier to filter RFID tag readings.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the identifier comprises reading an optical code as corresponds to the given one of the modules of items.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the identifier comprises reading an RFID tag for the given one of the modules of items.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the identifier comprises receiving the identifier as entered by an end user via an end-user interface.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the modules of items comprise physically discrete displays of items that are offered for retail sale.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the modules of items each include a support platform that comprises, in part, the identifier as corresponds to each of the modules of items.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein using the identifier to filter RFID tag readings comprises only providing feedback to an end user regarding readings of RFID tags as correlate to the identifier for the given one of the modules of items.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the feedback comprises at least one of:

a count of read RFID tags;

an indication to the end user that reading of the RFID tags is concluded.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a memory having stored therein an identifier as corresponds to a given one of a plurality of modules of items, where at least a plurality of the items each have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag;

a control circuit operably coupled to the memory and configured to use the identifier to filter RFID tag readings.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the apparatus comprises a portable RFID tag reader.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the apparatus comprises a host that wirelessly communicates with an RFID tag reader that provides the RFID tag readings.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the identifier comprises a read optical code.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the identifier comprises a read RFID tag.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the identifier comprises information entered by an end user.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the modules of items comprise physically discrete displays of items that are offered for retail sale.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the modules of items each include a support platform that comprises, in part, the identifier as corresponds to each of the modules of items.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the control circuit is configured to use the identifier to filter RFID tag readings by only providing feedback to an end user regarding readings of RFID tags as correlate to the identifier for the given one of the modules of items.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the feedback comprises at least one of:

a count of read RFID tags;

an indication to the end user that reading of the RFID tags is concluded.