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Modular RFID shelving

  • US 9,418,267 B1
  • Filed: 08/10/2015
  • Issued: 08/16/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A modular composite smart shelf, configured to read, via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), real-time inventory of RFID tagged retail goods displayed thereon, comprising:

  • a) a non-metallic low density core having opposed top and bottom faces, and an outer perimeter including a rear edge, a front edge, and opposed side edges, each defined by a corresponding rear face, front face, and opposed side faces;

    b) a molded frame secured to the outer perimeter of the core including the rear face, the front face, and opposed side faces, the molded frame further including;

    i) an elongated rear molded frame member affixed to the rear face of the core, having a top surface and a cavity with a rear-facing opening along a length of the elongated rear molded frame member;

    ii) an elongated front molded frame member affixed to the front face of the core, having a top surface, and the front molded frame member having a separate video display panel mounted on the front edge of the shelf; and

    iii) opposed side molded frame members connecting the rear molded frame member to the front molded member, each side molded frame member having a top surface, a rear end, a front end, and an underside;

    c) a thermoplastic or resinous sheet including a top thermoplastic or resinous sheet secured to the top face of the core and a bottom thermoplastic or resinous sheet secured to the bottom face of the core, the thermoplastic or resinous sheet further including a plurality of antennae embedded within at least one of the top sheet and the bottom sheet;

    d) an RFID transceiver in electrical communication with the plurality of antennae, secured within the cavity of the rear molded frame member; and

    e) a power and communications connector secured within the cavity of the rear molded frame member, and connected in electronic communication with the RFID transceiver, and with the front video display panel, wherein the modular shelf is operable to be electronically plugged, via the power and communications connector, into a power and signal receptor of a shelving structure comprising a plurality of shelves and immediately function to read RFID tagged goods on the smart shelf.

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