Pallet content identification mechanism that converts RFID information to corresponding barcode information

• US 7,378,940 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Jenney, Eric H., Weaver, Matthew Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/232,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.5, 340/572.8, 235375-385, 700215-217, 700/224, 700/227
• US Class Current: 340/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/18 by transferring data from one type of record carrier on to another type of record carrier, e.g. from magnetic tape to punched card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1095 the scanner comprising adaptations for scanning a record carrier that is displayed on a display-screen or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/24 by interference with electromagnetic field distribution

Abstract

A pallet content identification mechanism is a small electronic device that is attached to a pallet. The pallet content identification mechanism reads RFID tags on the pallet using an RFID portal scanner, converts the RFID information into corresponding barcode information, and displays the corresponding barcodes on a small display. These barcodes may then be scanned by a conventional barcode scanner, thereby allowing all of the items on the pallet to be scanned into the barcode system without unpacking the pallet. The pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the inventory control system.

Claims

1. A method for inventory control, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) scanning a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags from a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure using an RFID scanner;

(B) converting RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a plurality of barcodes; and

(C) outputting each of the plurality of barcodes to a display in succession, with each barcode being displayed for a selected minimum time period.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of scanning the plurality of barcodes on the display.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of barcodes comprises a uniform product code (UPC) barcode.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting the barcode information via wireless interface to a wireless receiver that is part of a barcode-based inventory control system in a format that looks like input from a wireless barcode scanner in the barcode-based inventory control system.