RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags
First Claim
1. A method of distributing a plurality of products from an access restricted area, the method comprising:
- providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag;
positioning at least one antenna within the access restricted area, the at least one antenna configured to emit a signal at at least one predefined frequency and generate at least one electromagnetic field within the access restricted area;
positioning the plurality of products within the access restricted area;
reading identification information from a key;
permitting ingress to the access restricted area if the identification information read from the key is authenticated;
detecting egress from the access restricted area;
performing a first scan of the restricted area using the at least one antenna, the scan generating a first result;
comparing the first result to a predetermined integrity level; and
performing one or more subsequent scans if the first result does not equal or exceed the predetermined integrity level.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing point-of-sale and point-of-delivery and/or distribution of products in a restricted access unit near the customer. The method and system utilize products equipped with radio frequency tags and reduce the effects of energy sharing, shadowing, and nulls. In one embodiment, a plurality of RF tagged products are placed within a refrigerator, cabinet, or other micro-warehouse that has a door or opening that can detect access to the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, one or more antennas are positioned within the door. Each antenna may have a transmission line of sight and be configured to emit a signal at predefined frequencies. Each antenna generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, the products are positioned in one or more bins, compartments, or similar devices located within the micro-warehouse such that at least two of the plurality of products are spaced a distance from each other to reduce energy sharing. The electromagnetic field is moved or altered within the micro-warehouse through the use of reflectors, devices that move the antennas, or other mechanisms.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method of distributing a plurality of products from an access restricted area, the method comprising:
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providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag; positioning at least one antenna within the access restricted area, the at least one antenna configured to emit a signal at at least one predefined frequency and generate at least one electromagnetic field within the access restricted area; positioning the plurality of products within the access restricted area; reading identification information from a key; permitting ingress to the access restricted area if the identification information read from the key is authenticated; detecting egress from the access restricted area; performing a first scan of the restricted area using the at least one antenna, the scan generating a first result; comparing the first result to a predetermined integrity level; and performing one or more subsequent scans if the first result does not equal or exceed the predetermined integrity level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of distributing a plurality of products from an area, the method comprising:
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providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag; providing at least one antenna, the at least one antenna being configured to emit a signal at at least one predefined frequency and generate at least one electromagnetic field within the area; positioning the plurality of products within the area; reading identification information; permitting access to the area if the identification information read is authenticated; detecting an end of access to the area; performing a first scan of the area using the at least one antenna, the scan generating a first result; comparing the first result to a predetermined integrity level; and performing one or more subsequent scans if the first result does not equal or exceed the predetermined integrity level. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of distributing a plurality of products from an area, the method comprising:
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providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag;
positioning an antenna;positioning the plurality of products within the area; performing plural scans of the area using the antenna, the scans generating a first result based on output of the plural scans; comparing the first result to a predetermined integrity level; performing a subsequent scan if the first result does not equal or exceed the predetermined integrity level; and creating a superset of all tags read during a plurality of scans, wherein said step of generating a first result based on output of the plural scans comprises (a) determining the number of scans in which a list of tags was read, and (b) calculating the percentage of the plural scans in which the list of tags was read by dividing the number of scans in which the list of tags was read by the number of scans of the plural scans. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of distributing a plurality of products from an area, the method comprising:
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providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag;
providing at least one RFID antenna;positioning the plurality of products within the area; one of (a) obtaining identification information from a user, the identification information being biometric identification information and (b) obtaining identification information from a user'"'"'s RFID badge; permitting access to the area if the identification information obtained is authenticated; detecting an end of access to the area by detecting closing of a door associated with the area; performing RFID scanning of the area in response to detection of the end of access to the area, wherein the RFID scanning employs an integrity algorithm that is based on all of (a) statistical information, (b) historical information, and (c) delay data. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. An apparatus comprising:
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an enclosure into which a plurality of RFID tags can be placed; means for performing RFID scanning to detect the plurality of RFID tags if present; means for measuring a plurality of read times respectively corresponding to reading of a plurality of the RFID tags, each read time being elapsed time from a start of the RFID scanning to a time of reading of a tag, wherein the plurality of read times are used to determine whether an RFID scanning problem exists. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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46. A method comprising:
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performing RFID scanning of an enclosure into which a plurality of RFID tags can be placed; and measuring a plurality of read times respectively corresponding to reading of a plurality of the RFID tags, each read time being elapsed time from a start of the RFID scanning to a time of reading of a tag, wherein the plurality of read times are used to determine whether an RFID scanning problem exists.
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Specification