RFID product identification and tracking system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus to RFID tagging of packages comprising:
- a conveyor for transporting packages along a predetermined path, with tags having microchips and antennae applied to the packages;
a sensor for reading information including bar codes or other indicia from each package transported on said conveyor as a package passes the sensor;
a central computer connected to the sensor to receive the information on each package passing from said sensor;
encoding means including a transmitter for encoding the tags by transmitting radio waves providing information about package identification to the microchips of the tags, via the antennae of the tags, the encoding means being controlled by the central computer;
tag applying means for applying an encoded tag to a package proximate thereto, the tag applying means being controlled by the central computer;
verifying means for verifying said applied tag for proper installation and proper activation, the verifying means being connected to the central computer; and
a palletizer system at a predetermined location downstream from the tag applying means for removing encoded packages from the conveyor and delivering at least some encoded packages to at least one pallet station, the palletizer system being connected to receive signals from the central computer;
wherein the encoding means is disposed upstream of the location of the palletizer system;
wherein the palletizer system includes;
at least one discharge station positioned along the transport conveyor, the operation of which is determined by a signal from the central computer;
at least one receiver conveyor line connected to a respective discharge station; and
at least one pallet station connected to a respective receiver line;
wherein each respective discharge station has a discharge controller, a pusher mechanism controlled by said discharge controller, and a pusher plate movable by said pusher mechanism to contact a designated package; and
wherein the discharge controller is connected to said central computer to receive designated package information, wherein the discharge controller reads the tag on each package as it passes, whereby the pusher mechanism and pusher plate are operated to push a package onto the respective receiver line when the designated package information read from a package tag matches the information received from the central computer.
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Abstract
Apparatus for RFID tagging of packages is provided, including a conveyor, along which tags having microchips and antennae are applied to packages, with the tags being encoded via radio waves, to contain information about packaged identification and other information, with the encoding being done upstream of a palletizer system, and with the palletizer system being provided for receiving encoded packages from the conveyor.
13 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus to RFID tagging of packages comprising:
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a conveyor for transporting packages along a predetermined path, with tags having microchips and antennae applied to the packages; a sensor for reading information including bar codes or other indicia from each package transported on said conveyor as a package passes the sensor; a central computer connected to the sensor to receive the information on each package passing from said sensor; encoding means including a transmitter for encoding the tags by transmitting radio waves providing information about package identification to the microchips of the tags, via the antennae of the tags, the encoding means being controlled by the central computer; tag applying means for applying an encoded tag to a package proximate thereto, the tag applying means being controlled by the central computer; verifying means for verifying said applied tag for proper installation and proper activation, the verifying means being connected to the central computer; and a palletizer system at a predetermined location downstream from the tag applying means for removing encoded packages from the conveyor and delivering at least some encoded packages to at least one pallet station, the palletizer system being connected to receive signals from the central computer; wherein the encoding means is disposed upstream of the location of the palletizer system; wherein the palletizer system includes; at least one discharge station positioned along the transport conveyor, the operation of which is determined by a signal from the central computer; at least one receiver conveyor line connected to a respective discharge station; and at least one pallet station connected to a respective receiver line; wherein each respective discharge station has a discharge controller, a pusher mechanism controlled by said discharge controller, and a pusher plate movable by said pusher mechanism to contact a designated package; and wherein the discharge controller is connected to said central computer to receive designated package information, wherein the discharge controller reads the tag on each package as it passes, whereby the pusher mechanism and pusher plate are operated to push a package onto the respective receiver line when the designated package information read from a package tag matches the information received from the central computer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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2. Apparatus for RFID tagging of packages comprising:
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a conveyor for transporting packages along a predetermined path, with tags having microchips and antennae applied to the packages; a sensor for reading information including bar codes or other indicia from each package transported on said conveyor as a package passes the sensor; a central computer connected to the sensor to receive the information on each package passing from said sensor; encoding means including a transmitter for encoding the tags by transmitting radio waves providing information about package identification to the microchips of the tans, via the antennae of the tags, the encoding means being controlled by the central computer; tap applying means for applying an encoded tap to a package proximate thereto, the tap applying means being controlled by the central computer; verifying means for verifying said applied tag for proper installation and proper activation, the verifying means being connected to the central computer; and a palletizer system at a predetermined location downstream from the tag applying means for removing encoded packages from the conveyor and delivering at least some encoded packages to at least one pallet station, the palletizer system being connected to receive signals from the central computer; wherein the encoding means is disposed upstream of the location of the palletizer system; wherein the palletizer system includes; a plurality of discharge controllers positioned sequentially along the transport conveyor, each discharge controller being connected to the central computer to receive respective package information, each discharge controller having associated therewith a package sensor; a pusher and a pusher plate associated with each discharge controller; a plurality of receiver conveyor lines connected respectively to receive packages from a respective discharge controller pusher and pusher plate; and a plurality of pallet stations connected one each to a respective receiver conveyor line; wherein each discharge controller and the associated pusher and pusher plate are operated to push a package onto the respective receiver conveyor line in response to the package information received from the central computer.
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Specification