All-in-one radio frequency identification (RFID) system for sale and inventory management

• US 8,373,542 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2010
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitac Information Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Claridy Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Lee, Leo
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIRMA, FEKADESELASS
• Application Number:
  US12/755,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20110050425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5729, 340/5.91, 340/5.92, 340/568.8, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/5.91
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

This is an all-in-one radio frequency identification system for goods inventory and sale management, comprising at least one tag, an antenna unit and a multi-port reader comprising a micro control unit, a reader and a multiplexer. The tag is attached on each article. The antenna unit is RF coupled to the tag. The multiplexer built-in the multi-port reader is electrically coupled to the antenna unit. The reader built-in the multi-port reader is capable of transmitting RF signals, accessing commands and receiving tag signals from the multiplexer. The micro control unit is electrically coupled to the multiplexer and the reader to receive and process the reading signal and provide inventory and sale management functions and applications. Therefore, the all-in-one radio frequency identification system provides not only inventory and anti-theft functions but also information for consumer behavior research, and capable of doing stand alone operations.

Claims

1. An all-in-one RFID system for sale and inventory management of products and articles, comprising:

at least one antenna unit, each antenna unit being radio frequency (RF) coupled to at least one tag attached and corresponding to a respective article for sale and inventory management; and

a multi-port reader comprising;

a multiplexer, electrically coupled to each of the antenna units, configured for selectively switching signals between the antenna units;

a reader, electrically coupled to the multiplexer, configured for transmitting RF signals, accessing commands, and receiving tag signals;

a micro control unit (MCU), electrically coupled to the multiplexer and the reader, configured to provide inventory and sale management functions and applications;

at least one display, electrically coupled to the MCU, configured for outputting information of the all-in-one RFID system in real time;

at least one buzzer, electrically coupled to the MCU, configured for generating sound; and

at least one control button to control the at least one buzzer, the at least one display, or data input;

wherein, the micro control unit further comprises a memory, for which at least one inventory program stored in the memory provide functions as real-time inventory, product information displaying, consumer behavior recording and anti-theft functions.

2. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein the RFID system can be operated with low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF), ultra-high-frequency (UHF), or microwave frequency band.

3. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein the RFID system is installed in various instruments selected from the group including a jewelry showcase, safe deposit box, retail counter and stocktaking tunnels for batch inventory operations.

4. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display is either monochrome or multi-color for showing the quantities of the items for real-time inventory management and the product information to assistant the sales people and service the customers.

5. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein the at least one buzzer is configured to generate alarm sound for the anti-theft function to help the sales people protect and monitor the products for security purposes.

6. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein the micro control unit comprises at least one inventory program is configured for sending commands to the reader to do real-time inventory and show the information on the display in real-time.

7. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein at least one inventory function is configured for recording the take-away frequency of the products to do consumer behavior analysis.

8. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein at least one inventory function is configured for setting the take-away secure time of the product for security purposes.

9. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein at least one inventory function is configured for running an internal diagnostic to alert the sales people via buzzer when a product is taken away over the preset time interval.

10. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein at least one inventory function is configured for setting customized product information for displaying enabling sales people or consumers to query a particular product by pressing the corresponding control button.

11. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein the multi-port reader comprises at least one multiplexer which is electrically coupled to at least one of the antenna units via RF cables or PCB board.

12. The all-in-one RFID system of claim 1, wherein a RF cable connected with the multiplexer includes SMA, TNC, MMCX, IPEX or RCA connectors.