Radio frequency identification application system

• US 7,570,165 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SML Intelligent Inventory Solutions
• Original Assignee: Xterprise Incorporated (SML Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wilson, Matthew D., Bhumireddy, Chandrakumar, Velupula, Balaraju, Ahearn, Daniel J., Abraham, Thomas C. Jr., Frew, Dean L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SIGMUND N
• Application Number:
  US11/364,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20060212164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.26, 340/10.41, 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 3405721-5729, 235/462.01, 235/462.07, 700/225, 705/28
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• 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 17/0025 the arrangement consisting of a wireless interrogation device in combination with a device for optically marking the record carrier

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) application system for use with an RFID system adapted to apply an RFID tag to a product and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the RFID application system includes a printer applicator controller configured to manage an operation of a printer applicator of the RFID system. The RFID application system also includes a compliance manager configured to coordinate RFID compliance data to derive a unique identification number for the RFID tag. The RFID application system still further includes an event manager configured to coordinate an operation of the printer applicator controller to facilitate proper placement of the RFID tag on the product.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) application system for use with an RFID system adapted to apply an RFID tag to a product, comprising:

a printer applicator controller configured to manage an operation of a printer applicator of said RFID system;

a compliance manager configured to coordinate RFID compliance data to derive a unique identification number for said RFID tag;

an event manager configured to coordinate an operation of said printer applicator controller to facilitate proper placement of said RFID tag on said product; and

a pallet configuration subsystem configured to direct a rebuilding of a pallet after depalletization.

2. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an interface configured to provide connectivity to external systems associated with said RFID system.

3. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an interface configured to provide connectivity to external systems associated with said RFID system and an electronic data interchange configured to provide RFID compliance data from a database of said RFID application system to said external systems via said interface.

4. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a configuration subsystem configured to setup systems of said RFID system.

5. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a workflow manager configured to derive workflow processes associated with said RFID system.

6. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a workflow manager configured to derive workflow processes associated with said RFID system, wherein said event manager is configured to coordinate said operation of said printer applicator controller as a function of said workflow processes.

7. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a conveyor controller configured to manage an operation of a conveyor of said RFID system employable with a manufacturing line associated with a supply chain management system.

8. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 wherein said pallet configuration subsystem is configured to provide pictorial training diagrams to direct a rebuilding of said pallet.

9. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a database configured to store said RFID compliance data.

10. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a user interface configured to provide a graphical user interface with an operator of said RFID application system.

11. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 wherein said RFID compliance data is selected in accordance with at least one of a license plate number, a standard and a product code.

12. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 wherein said printer applicator controller is configured to employ Cartesian coordinates to facilitate proper placement of said RFID tag on said product.

13. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 wherein said event manager is configured to coordinate an operation of an RFID reader of said RFID system to validate said RFID tag.

14. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 wherein said RFID application system is at least partially embodied in a server of said RIFD system.

15. The RFID application system as recited in claim 1 wherein said printer application controller, said compliance manager and said event manager cooperate to facilitate proper placement of a replacement RFID tag on said product.

16. A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) application system for use with an RFID system adapted to apply an RFID tag to a product, comprising:

managing an operation of a printer applicator of said RFID system;

deriving a unique identification number for said RFID tag from RFID compliance data;

coordinating an operation of said printer applicator to facilitate proper placement of said RFID tag on said product; and

directing a rebuilding of a pallet after depalletization.

17. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising providing connectivity to external systems associated with said RFID system.

18. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising providing connectivity to external systems associated with said RFID system and providing said RFID compliance data to said external systems.

19. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising setting up systems of said RFID system.

20. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising deriving workflow processes associated with said RFID system.

21. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising deriving workflow processes associated with said RFID system and coordinating said operation of said printer applicator as a function thereof.

22. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising managing an operation of a conveyor of said RFID system employable with a manufacturing line associated with a supply chain management system.

23. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said directing said rebuilding of said pallet is performed in accordance with pictorial training diagrams.

24. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising storing said RFID compliance data.

25. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising providing a graphical user interface with an operator of said RFID application system.

26. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said RFID compliance data is selected in accordance with at least one of a license plate number, a standard and a product code.

27. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said coordinating said operation of said printer applicator further comprises employing Cartesian coordinates to facilitate proper placement of said RFID tag on said product.

28. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising coordinating an operation of an RFID reader of said RFID system to validate said RFID tag.

29. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said method is at least partially performed in a server of said RIFD system.

30. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising coordinating an operation of said printer applicator to facilitate proper placement of a replacement RFID tag on said product.