SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING INVENTORY VIA RFID TAGS

• US 20190028861A1
• Filed: 07/20/2018
• Published: 01/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Lewis, Steven J., Tingler, Jeremy R., Taulbee, Alvin S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,785,616 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10445 the record carriers being fixed to further objects, e.g. RFIDs fixed to packages, luggage, mail-pieces or work-pieces transported on a conveyor belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10475 arrangements to facilitate interaction with further interrogation devices, e.g. such that at least two interrogation devices may function and cooperate in a network of such devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/35 for the management of goods or merchandise
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring RFID tags in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an RFID tag, a first RFID reader monitoring a first zone and configured to determine, based on a signal received from the RFID tag, that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone, transmit, to a second RFID reader monitoring the second zone, a notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone, and in response to receipt of a confirmation message from the second RFID reader, instruct the RFID tag to remain in its current state, and cease communication with the RFID tag, the second RFID reader configured to receive, from the first RFID reader, the notification, transmit, to the first RFID reader, the confirmation message, and transmit, to the RFID tag, a signal.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a retail facility, the system comprising:

an RFID tag;

a first RFID reader monitoring a first zone, wherein the first RFID reader is configured to;

determine, based on a signal received from the RFID tag, that the RFID tag is moving toward a second zone;

transmit, to a second RFID reader monitoring the second zone, a notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone;

in response to receipt of a confirmation message from the second RFID reader;

instruct the RFID tag to remain in its current state; and

cease communication with the RFID tag;

the second RFID reader, wherein the second RFID reader is configured to;

receive, from the first RFID reader, the notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone;

transmit, to the first RFID reader, the confirmation message; and

transmit, to the RFID tag, a signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first RFID reader is further configured to:

determine that the second RFID reader monitors the second zone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first RFID reader determines that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone based on one or more of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value, a velocity, an approach angle, and a read rate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone includes one or more of an identification for the RFID tag, a frequency over which the RFID tag communicates, and a read history for the RFID tag.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first RFID reader ceases communication with the RFID tag by blocking transmissions from the RFID tag.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first RFID reader only blocks transmissions from the RFID tag for a predetermined time period.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first RFID reader is further configured to:

transmit, to a third RFID reader, an instruction to block transmissions from the RFID tag.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmation message indicates that the second RFID reader has established communication with the RFID tag.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second RFID reader is further configured to:

transmit, to the RFID tag, an instruction to change to a new state.

10. A method for monitoring radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a retail facility, the method comprising:

determining, by a first RFID reader based on a signal received from an RFID tag, that the RFID tag is moving toward a second zone;

transmitting, to a second RFID reader monitoring the second zone, a notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone;

receiving, by the first RFID reader, a confirmation message;

instructing, by the first RFID reader, the RFID tag to remain in its current state;

ceasing, by the first RFID reader, communication with the RFID tag; and

transmitting, by the second RFID reader, a signal to the RFID tag.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining, by the first RFID reader, that the second RFID reader monitors the second zone.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first RFID reader determines that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone based on one or more of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value, a velocity, an approach angle, and a read rate.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone includes one or more of an identification for the RFID tag, a frequency over which the RFID tag communicates, and a read history for the RFID tag.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first RFID reader ceases communication with the RFID tag by blocking transmissions from the RFID tag.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first RFID reader only blocks transmissions from the RFID tag for a predetermined time period.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

transmitting, by the first RFID reader to a third RFID reader, an instruction to block transmissions from the RFID tag.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the confirmation message indicates that the second RFID reader has established communication with the RFID tag.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

transmitting, by the second RFID reader to the RFID TAG, an instruction to change to a new state.