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. An RFID cabinet system for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the cabinet system comprising:
- a cabinet having a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom, and at least one locking door;
a temperature sensor associated with the cabinet;
an RFID detector associated with the cabinet for monitoring items placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on an item placed within the cabinet; and
a computer coupled to the RFID detector,whereinthe computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking door,the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, andthe computer is configured to, at a plurality of times, record data read from an RFID tag by the RFID detector.
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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.
434 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An RFID cabinet system for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the cabinet system comprising:
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a cabinet having a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom, and at least one locking door; a temperature sensor associated with the cabinet; an RFID detector associated with the cabinet for monitoring items placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on an item placed within the cabinet; and a computer coupled to the RFID detector, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking door, the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and the computer is configured to, at a plurality of times, record data read from an RFID tag by the RFID detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for controlling removal of items having an RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
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providing a cabinet having at least one locking door; providing an RFID detector for monitoring RFID tags placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on an item placed within the cabinet; providing a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the cabinet; using a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet and the temperature sensor, reading an input that identifies an authorized user; receiving an input that identifies a user at the computer; determining whether the user at the computer is an authorized user; unlocking the door to the RFID cabinet if the user is an authorized user; and at a plurality of times scanning all the items in the RFID cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An RFID cabinet system for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the cabinet system comprising:
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a cabinet having a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom, and at least one locking door; an RFID detector configured for monitoring an RFID-tagged item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on an item placed within the cabinet; and a control computer operatively associated with the RFID detector and the locking door, wherein the control computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking door, the control computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and the control computer is configured to at a plurality of times record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for removing items having an RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
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providing a cabinet comprising a locking door; providing an RFID detector associated with the cabinet for monitoring an item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on an item placed within the cabinet; providing a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature within the cabinet; providing a timer for determining the amount of time that at least one RFID-tagged item has resided in the cabinet; providing a control computer coupled to the RFID detector and the temperature sensor; using the control computer, controlling unlocking and locking of the locking door; reading an input that identifies authorized users of the control computer; receiving an input that identifies a user at the control computer; unlocking the door to the RFID cabinet if the user at the control computer is allowed access; and at a plurality of times scanning RFID-tagged items in the RFID cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification