Material support system for supporting items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags
First Claim
1. A material support system for supporting items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags placed on the items, comprising:
- a plurality of item supports, said plurality of item support adapted to support multiple horizontal rows of items;
at least one radio frequency antenna positioned adjacent said at least one item support;
an antenna transport system wherein said antenna transport system is adapted to transport said at least one radio frequency antenna along the multiple horizontal rows of items at said plurality of item supports; and
at least two vertical supports supporting said plurality of item supports, said vertical supports being spaced apart thereby defining a void, wherein said at least one radio frequency antenna being in said void.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a unique material support system which is capable of scanning RFID tags of a large number of items in the material support system in an automated manner. A material support system is provided for supporting items having RFID tags placed on the items. At least one item support is provided. Each of the at least one item support is adapted to support a horizontal row of items. At least one radio frequency antenna is positioned adjacent the at least one item support. An antenna support system is provided. The antenna support system transports the at least one radio frequency antenna along the horizontal row of items at the at least one item support.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A material support system for supporting items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags placed on the items, comprising:
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a plurality of item supports, said plurality of item support adapted to support multiple horizontal rows of items; at least one radio frequency antenna positioned adjacent said at least one item support; an antenna transport system wherein said antenna transport system is adapted to transport said at least one radio frequency antenna along the multiple horizontal rows of items at said plurality of item supports; and at least two vertical supports supporting said plurality of item supports, said vertical supports being spaced apart thereby defining a void, wherein said at least one radio frequency antenna being in said void. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A material support system for supporting items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags placed on the items, comprising:
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at least one item support, each said at least one item support adapted to support a horizontal row of items; at least one radio frequency antenna positioned adjacent said at least one item support; and an antenna transport system, said transport system transporting said at least one radio frequency antenna along the horizontal row of items at said at least one item support, wherein said transport system comprises a rail system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A material support system for supporting items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags placed on the items, comprising:
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at least one item support each said at least one item support adapted to support a horizontal row of items; at least one radio frequency antenna positioned adjacent said at least one item support; and an antenna transport system, said transport system transporting said at least one radio frequency antenna along the horizontal row of items at said at least one item support; wherein said material support system comprises an automatic storage and retrieval system wherein said automatic storage and retrieval system comprises a crane, said crane having a laterally traveling mast and a gripper that is vertically traveling along said mast, wherein said antenna transport system comprises said crane. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A material support system for supporting items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags placed on the items, comprising:
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at least one item support, each said at least one item support adapted to support a horizontal row of items; at least one radio frequency antenna positioned adjacent said at least one item support; and an antenna transport system, said transport system transporting said at least one radio frequency antenna along the horizontal row of items at said at least one item support; wherein said material support system comprises an automatic storage and retrieval system; wherein said at least one item support comprises a plurality of item supports that are arranged in a vertically and horizontally matrix of container supports, wherein said automatic storage and retrieval system comprises a crane wherein said antenna transport system is adjacent said matrix of container supports opposite said crane.
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Specification