Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products

• US 7,735,732 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Inventors: Linton, John, Linton, William A., Krueger, Julia E., Dearing, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): St. Cyr; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/874,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20040232231A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,182 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/381, 235/382, 235/383, 219/385, 219/214, 312/236
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/06 Stock management
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader

Abstract

A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and closing of the micro-warehouse door, scanning the plurality of products in the micro-warehouse upon sensing closing of the door to determine the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, generating a message based on the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, transmitting the message to a remote processor or server, and maintaining an inventory in the remote processor based on the message. The system is designed to be accessed by authorized individuals possessing some type of code or identifying mechanism. The micro-warehouses may be cabinets, refrigerators, secured rooms, or similar storage units or areas.

Claims

1. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the cabinet comprising:

a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom and at least one locking door;

an RFID detector for monitoring each item contained within the cabinet and for identifying data embedded on an RFID tag located on an item placed within the cabinet; and

a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet,

wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking door,

wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and

wherein the computer is configured to at a plurality of times record data read, in response to the computer detecting using a sensor that the door is closed, from all RFID tags in the cabinet by the RFID detector,

wherein the computer is configured to disable RFID reading in response to the computer detecting using the sensor that the door is open.

2. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the RFID detector scans within the interior of the RFID cabinet.

3. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the RFID detector scans each item contained within the cabinet, such that the RFID cabinet may determine if an item is removed from the interior of the RFID cabinet.

4. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the computer has a connection chosen from a group comprising Internet and wireless.

5. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the input that identifies a user is chosen from a group comprising a password, an RFID badge, voice recognition, a mag card, or biometrics.

6. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the RFID detecting device is coupled to a network, through the computer, wherein a database provides inventory of each of the items placed within the cabinet.

7. The RFID cabinet of claim 6, wherein an inventory control module software enables the RFID detecting device to scan items in the cabinet and to generate a message regarding items taken.

8. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein a means for accessing the RFID cabinet comprises an RFID badge, wherein the locking door of the RFID cabinet unlocks in response to the RFID badge coming into proximity.

9. A method for removing items having an RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:

providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item contained within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item contained within the cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking door;

reading an input that identifies a user;

receiving the input that identifies a user at the computer;

unlocking the door to the RFID cabinet if the user is allowed access; and

at a plurality of times scanning, in response to detection using a sensor that the door is closed, all the items in the RFID cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by the user,

wherein in response to detection using the sensor that the door is open, RFID scanning is prevented.

10. A method for scanning items having an RFID tag in an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:

providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item contained within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item contained within the cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking door, and wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user allows access to the RFID cabinet;

reading, in response to detection using a sensor that the door is closed, the RFID tag associated with an item using an RFID field from the RFID detector; and

recording the resulting information in a database,

wherein in response to detection using the sensor that the door is open, RFID scanning is prevented.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the computer comprises a memory, the method further comprising sounding an alert if certain conditions programmed within the memory of the computer are satisfied.

12. A unit for holding a plurality of items, comprising:

a radio frequency identification tag associated with each item of the plurality of items and configured to emit a radio frequency signal including information unique to a specific item of the plurality of items;

an enclosed housing including, a door, wherein an item positioned in the housing is accessible by opening and closing the door, and wherein the housing further comprises an antenna mechanism configured to receive the radio frequency signals emitted from the tag, including the information unique to a specific item;

a securement system including;

an automated lock mechanism for preventing unauthorized access to the housing via the door; and

an input mechanism configured to receive user data from an electronically identified user of the unit and communicate this user data;

a control device in communication with the antenna mechanism, the lock mechanism and the input mechanism, the control device configured to;

(i) update an inventory database of the items in the housing based upon the information unique to a specific item emitted from the tag; and

(ii) provide selective access to the unit, based upon the user data received by the input mechanism,

wherein an RFID scan is performed in response to detection using a sensor of closing of the door, and

wherein in response to detection using the sensor that the door is open, RFID scanning is prevented.

13. The unit of claim 12, wherein the antenna mechanism comprises a plurality of antennae within the enclosed housing.

14. The unit of claim 12, wherein the control device is configured to receive, process and transmit signals and initiate an action based upon a signal received.

15. The unit of claim 12, wherein when the door is closed, a signal is transmitted that causes an RFID scan, to obtain an updated inventory of the items, wherein the antenna mechanism is operable when the door is closed.

16. The unit of claim 12, wherein the signal emitted from the tag includes a lot number.

17. The unit of claim 12, wherein the user data includes data associated with the user.

18. The unit of claim 12, further comprising a display mechanism in communication with the control device and configured to provide a visual display to a user.

19. The unit of claim 12, wherein the control device is further configured to associate a user that has accessed the unit with each item that is removed from the unit.

20. A storage system, comprising:

a cabinet for containing a plurality of items of inventory, at least some of the items of inventory comprising RFID tags, each RFID tag comprising data used to identify the item on which it is located;

an RFID reader contained within the cabinet;

a computer coupled to the cabinet, the computer being configured to, at a plurality of times, (1) cause the RFID reader to, in response to the computer detecting using a sensor closing of a door of the cabinet, read the data from all of the RFID tags in the cabinet and report the data to the computer, and (2) record the data from all of the RFID tags,

wherein in response to the computer detecting using the sensor that the door is open, RFID scanning is prevented.

21. The storage system of claim 20, wherein the reading and recording of the data from the RFID tags comprises a repeated count of the items of inventory comprising RFID tags in the cabinet.

22. The storage system of claim 20, wherein the computer is further configured to detect that an item has been removed from the cabinet by comparing the data obtained during one reading with the data obtained during a previous reading.

23. The storage system of claim 20, wherein the door is a lockable door, the locking and unlocking of the door being under control of the computer, and wherein the computer is further configured to:

receive an input identifying a user of the cabinet;

unlock the door only when the identified user is allowed access to the cabinet; and

attribute the removal of any item from the cabinet to the user.