RFID conveyor system

• US 7,554,447 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Automation Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Cox, James N.
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/388,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.4, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 235/384, 235/385, 343/742, 343/866, 343/867
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3412 according to a code applied to the object which indicates a property of the object, e.g. quality class, contents or incorrect indication sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means B07C5/10; sorting according to optical properties B07C5/342; for packages B65D79/02; for information carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/042 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1012 Special detection of object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10356 using a plurality of antennas, e.g. configurations including means to resolve interference between the plurality of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10435 the interrogation device being positioned close to a conveyor belt or the like on which moving record carriers are passing conveying in accordance with bodily destination marks, see B65G47/46, sorting of objects carrying identity markings, see B07C5/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 17/001 for modifying the directional characteristic of an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/08 the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path waveguide fed H01Q21/0037
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0428 : radiating a circular polarised wave

Abstract

A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A first antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass. A second antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the second antenna receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags. The information identifies a class protocol. A third antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel downstream from the first antenna and the second antenna. A fourth antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the fourth antenna receives second responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags. A transmitter drives the first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the third antenna to emit second radio frequency signals into a second area. A radio frequency receiver receives signals from the second antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the information. The receiver receives signals from the fourth antenna corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses. A processor receives the first output signals and controls the transmitter to drive the third antenna responsively to the first output signals.

Claims

1. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:

a frame;

a conveyor that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;

a first antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass in the path of travel;

a second antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the second antenna receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items, wherein each first response includes information that identifies a class protocol of the radio frequency identification tag from which said first response is received;

a third antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the third antenna radiates second radio frequency signals into a second area that is downstream from the first area with respect to the path of travel and through which the items pass in the path of travel;

a fourth antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the fourth antenna receives second responses to the second radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items;

at least one radio frequency transmitter that drives the first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the third antenna to emit the second radio frequency signals into the second area;

at least one radio frequency receiver that

receives signals from the second antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the information, and

receives signals from the fourth antenna corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses; and

a processor that receives the first output signals and controls the at least one transmitter to drive the third antenna responsively to the first output signals.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein a first single antenna comprises a said first antenna and a said second antenna.

3. The system as in claim 2, wherein a second single antenna comprises a said third antenna and a said fourth antenna.

4. The system as in claim 3, including a plurality of said first single antennas and a plurality of said second single antennas.

5. The system as in claim 1, including a plurality of said third antennas disposed with respect to the path of travel so that a plurality of respective said second areas overlap with each other, and wherein the processor controls the transmitter to drive respective said third antennas in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other responsively to the first output signals.

6. The system as in claim 1, wherein the processor controls the transmitter to drive the third antenna according to a class protocol in response to the first output signals.

7. The system as in claim 6, including a plurality of said third antennas disposed with respect to the path of travel so that a plurality of respective said second areas overlap with each other.

8. The system as in claim 1, including respective said transmitters that drive the first antenna and the third antenna.

9. The system as in claim 8, including respective said receivers that receive signals from the second antenna and the fourth antenna.

10. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:

a frame;

a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;

at least one first antenna disposed proximate the belt so that the at least one first antenna

radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and

receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt, wherein each first response includes first information that identifies a class protocol of the radio frequency identification tag from which said first response is received;

a plurality of second antennas disposed proximate the belt so that the second antennas radiate second radio frequency signals into a second area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass;

a plurality of third antennas disposed proximate the belt so that the third antennas receive second responses to the second radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt;

at least one radio frequency transmitter that drives the at least one first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the second antennas to emit the second radio frequency signals into the second area;

at least one radio frequency receiver that

receives signals from the at least one first antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the first information, and

receives signals from the third antennas corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses; and

a processor that receives the first output signals and controls the at least one transmitter to drive respective said second antennas in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other responsively to the first output signals.

11. The system as in claim 10, including a plurality of single antennas each comprising a respective said second antenna and a respective said third antenna.

12. The system as in claim 11, wherein each said second response includes second information that identifies the radio frequency identification tag from which said second response is received, wherein each second output signal includes the second information in its corresponding second output signal, and wherein the processor associates said second information included in a said second output signal with a first said item based upon whether the processor receives the second output signal from the at least one receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a predetermined third area that includes at least part of the second area.

13. The system as in claim 12, wherein the predetermined sequence includes identification of a class protocol at which the at least one transmitter drives the single antennas, and wherein if a first class protocol is absent from the first information of first output signals received from radio frequency identification tags on a said first item, the processor eliminates the first class protocol from the predetermined sequence when the first item is within the third area.

14. The system as in claim 13, including respective said transmitters that drive the at least one first antenna and the single antennas.

15. The system as in claim 14, including respective said receivers that receive signals from the at least one first antenna and the single antennas.

16. The system as in claim 11, including a plurality of said first antennas, wherein each said first antenna both radiates the first radio frequency signals and receives the first responses.

17. The system as in claim 16, including four said first antennas, respectively disposed on a first side of the belt opposite a second side of the belt on which the items are conveyed, the second side of the belt, a third side of the belt laterally offset from the belt with respect to the path of travel, and a fourth side of the belt laterally offset from the belt opposite the third side.

18. The system as in claim 17, including four said single antennas, respectively disposed on the first side of the belt, the second side of the belt, the third side of the belt, and the fourth side of the belt.

19. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:

a frame;

a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;

at least one first antenna disposed proximate the belt so that the at least one first antenna

radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and

receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt, wherein each first response includes first information that identifies a class protocol of the radio frequency identification tag from which said first response is received;

a plurality of second antennas disposed proximate the belt so that the second antennas

radiate respective second radio frequency signals into a second area that is downstream from the first area with respect to the path of travel and that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and

receive second responses to the second radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items on the belt, wherein each second response includes second information that identifies the radio frequency identification tag from which said second response is received;

at least one radio frequency transmitter that drives the at least one first antenna to emit the first radio frequency signals into the first area and drives the second antennas to emit the second radio frequency signals into the second area;

at least one radio frequency receiver that

receives signals from the at least one first antenna corresponding to the first responses and outputs first output signals corresponding to the first responses and including the first information, and

receives signals from the second antennas corresponding to the second responses and outputs second output signals corresponding to the second responses and including the second information; and

a processor that is programmed to

receive the first output signals and control the at least one transmitter to drive respective said second antennas in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other, wherein the predetermined sequence defines a plurality of class protocols for the second radio frequency signals,

associate said second information included in a said second output signal with a first said item based upon whether the processor receives the second output signal from the at least one receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a third area that includes at least part of the second area, and

when the first item is within the third area, eliminate from the predetermined sequence a first said class protocol of the plurality of class protocols if the first class protocol is not included in the first output signals corresponding to first responses from at least one radio frequency identification tag on the first item.

20. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio Frequency identification tags are disposed, said system comprising:

a frame;

a conveyor disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon;

a first antenna disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna communicates with radio frequency identification tags on said items conveyed by the conveyor through the path of travel;

a second antenna disposed proximate the path of travel, downstream from the first antenna with respect to the path of travel, so that the second antenna communicates with radio frequency identification tags on said items conveyed by the conveyor through the path of travel;

a first radio frequency receiver in communication with the first antenna so that the first receiver reads the radio frequency identification tags via the first antenna;

a radio frequency transmitter that drives the second antenna to emit radio frequency signals for communication with the radio frequency identification tags;

a second radio frequency receiver in communication with the second antenna so that the second receiver reads the radio frequency identification tags via the second antenna;

a processor in communication with the first receiver, the transmitter and the second receiver, wherein the processor controls, via the transmitter, communication between the second antenna and the radio frequency identification tags responsively to information from radio frequency identification tags read by the first receiver.

21. The system as in claim 20, wherein the first antenna is a single antenna and the second antenna is a single antenna.

22. The system as in claim 20, wherein the first receiver and the second receiver are separate receivers.

23. The system as in claim 20, including a plurality of said second antennas, wherein the processor controls the transmitter to drive respective said second antennas in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other responsively to the information.

24. The system as in claim 20, wherein the processor controls the transmitter to drive the second antenna according to a class protocol in response to the information.