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 for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the RFID cabinet comprising:
- a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom and at least one locking lockable door;
an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on items placed within the cabinet; and
a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet,wherein the computer controls is configured to control unlocking and locking of the locking lockable 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 from the RFID tags by the RFID detector.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
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.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the RFID cabinet comprising:
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a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom and at least one locking lockable door; an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on items placed within the cabinet; and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls is configured to control unlocking and locking of the locking lockable 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 from the RFID tags by the RFID detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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10. A method for removing items having an RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
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providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable 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 all the items in the RFID cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for scanning items having an RFID tag in an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
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providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable door, and wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user allows access to the RFID cabinet; reading the RFID tag associated with an item using an RFID field from the RFID detector; and recording the resulting information in a database. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the RFID cabinet comprising:
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a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a top, a bottom and at least one locking lockable front door; an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on items placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet; and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls is configured to control unlocking and locking of the locking lockable front door, wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and wherein the computer is configured to periodically record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for removing items having an RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
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providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable front 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 least periodically scanning all the items in the RFID cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method for scanning items having an RFID tag in an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
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providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable front door, and wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user allows access to the RFID cabinet; reading the RFID tag associated with an item using an RFID field from the RFID detector; and recording the resulting information in a database. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification