Prefetching manifest data in an RFID system

• US 7,432,797 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hunt, Christian Lee, Smith, Gregory Covert
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/244,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20070075833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.92, 705/22, 705/28, 705/29, 235375-385, 700/215, 700/216, 700/221, 700224-227
• US Class Current: 340/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

In an RFID system having an edge controller and a tag reader that is operably connected to the edge controller, a manifest of items having RFID tags tracked by the RFID system is identified, and data from the manifest is downloaded to the edge controller in anticipation of reading the RFID tags, i.e., the manifest data is prefetched. An RFID edge controller that may be operably connected to a tag reader receives, in anticipation of the tag reader reading RFID tags associated with items, manifest data prefetched from a database that stores manifests of items, and compares the manifest data with data read from the RFID tags to determine whether the items comply with the manifest.

Claims

1. A method suitable for use in an RFID system having an edge controller and a tag reader operably connected to the edge controller, comprising:

identifying a manifest of items having RFID tags tracked by the RFID system;

downloading data from the manifest to the edge controller, in anticipation of reading the RFID tags by the tag reader;

comparing, by the RFID edge controller, the data from the manifest with data read from the RFID tags to determine whether the items comply with the manifest; and

reporting compliance to a premises server of the RFID system;

wherein the premises server downloads the manifest data to the edge controller, and wherein the edge controller services at least a tag reader.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the premises server retrieves the manifest data from a database.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a manifest comprises identifying a vehicle that transports items on the manifest to provide a vehicle identity, and selecting a manifest from a plurality of manifests using the vehicle identity.