Pallet content identification mechanism that converts RFID information to corresponding barcode information
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- at least one processor;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;
a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and
an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure in proximity to the RFID scanner, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 transmits the corresponding barcodes to a barcode-based inventory control system in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. In this manner the pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the barcode-based inventory control system.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
at least one processor; a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor; a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure in proximity to the RFID scanner, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. 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; (C) outputting the plurality of barcodes to a wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner to a barcode-based inventory control system; and (D) the barcode-based inventory control system receiving the plurality of barcodes from the wireless transmitter and processing the plurality of barcodes. - View Dependent Claims (4)
-
-
5. An inventory control structure comprising:
-
(A) a support structure that supports products for shipping; and (B) a content identification mechanism attached to the support structure, the content identification mechanism comprising; at least one processor; a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor; a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on the support structure, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
-
-
8. An inventory control system comprising:
-
(A) a support structure that supports products for shipping; (B) a content identification mechanism attached to the support structure, the content identification mechanism comprising; at least one processor; a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor; a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; and an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on the support structure, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner; and (C) a barcode-based inventory control system that receives the plurality of barcodes from the wireless transmitter and processes the plurality of barcodes.
-
Specification