RFID scanning device

• US 10,482,292 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2017
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary L. Sharpe
• Original Assignee: Gary L. Sharpe
• Inventors: Clouser, Doug, Wolf, Kurt, Sharpe, Gary L., Dutro, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Trail, Allyson N
• Application Number:
  US15/724,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20190272396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 235381, 235383, 235384385
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for performing inventory management using RFID technology. The system includes a box for receiving one or more items containing RFID tags. Items are scanned against a baseline content data to confirm all items are present and whether any items have expired. The box has security features to prevent unauthorized access to its contents and create an audit trail of access. Access to the box may be granted when a user presents an authorized RFID-enabled card, wrist band, or other item. Multiple locking features provide for additional security. Scanning, authorization, and notification functions may be controlled locally by a processing unit contained within the box itself or remotely by an outside server.

Claims

1. A device for scanning and tracking RFID-tagged inventory comprising:

a housing surrounding an interior cavity, said housing having a front side with an aperture for receiving one or more items into said interior cavity;

a door, said door adapted for movement between an open position allowing access to said interior cavity and a closed position preventing access to said interior cavity;

at least one RFID antenna located within said interior cavity;

said antenna configured to communicate with one or more RFID tags;

at least one RFID antenna/reader located within said interior cavity;

said antenna/reader configured to communicate with one or more RFID tags;

a processor, said processor in electronic communication with said at least one RFID antenna and said at least one RFID antenna/reader; and

at least two guide rails adapted to support an inventory container that contains RFID-tagged inventory, said at least two guide rails located on an interior bottom surface of said inner cavity such that said at least one RFID antenna is positioned between said at least two guide rails on said interior bottom surface of said inner cavity and further such that said at least two guide rails are adapted to keep an inventory container that contains RFID-tagged inventory above said at least one RFID antenna to limit inadvertent contact with said at least one RFID antenna;

wherein, said processor is adapted to instruct said at least one RFID antenna and said at least one RFID antenna/reader to perform a scan to identify items present in said interior cavity.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing is comprised of a c-shaped enclosure and a pair of side panels.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said door is biased in said open position.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said door further comprises at least one tab that protrudes beyond the side panels.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said door further comprises a lip around at least a portion of said aperture.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one locking mechanism for securing said door in said closed position.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said device further comprises a lock access mechanism in communication with said at least one locking mechanism, said lock access mechanism able to communicate requests for access to said processor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said processor is in communication with a memory for storing an audit trail of users that obtain access to said interior cavity.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a light protruding from the surface of said housing, said light having at least one status that represents a notification for a user.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one bracket for securing said device to a wall.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein an interior enclosure comprised of electromagnetic shielding material is affixed within said housing and surrounds said interior cavity.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein access information is communicated from said processor to a cloud based web server for eventual display on a user device.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said antenna/reader is able to receive information from a plurality of RFID tags placed on items located in said interior cavity.

14. A system for scanning and tracking RFID-tagged inventory, comprising:

a box for receiving one or more items, said box comprised of a housing that defines an opening, an interior enclosure located within said opening and comprised of electromagnetic shielding material, an antenna located within said opening and capable of communicating with one or more RFID tags, an antenna/reader located within said opening and capable of transmitting information received from said one or more RFID tags to a processor, and at least two guide rails adapted to support an inventory container that contains RFID-tagged inventory, said at least two guide rails located on an interior bottom surface of said interior enclosure such that said antenna is positioned between said at least two guide rails on said interior bottom surface of said interior enclosure and further such that said at least two guide rails are adapted to keep an inventory container that contains RFID-tagged inventory above said antenna to limit inadvertent contact with said antenna;

a server, said server located remotely from said box and in wireless communication with said processor;

one or more RFID tags, each of said one or more RFID tags adapted to be applied to an item, each of said RFID tags display unique identifying information.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said processor is capable of receiving baseline data from said server, and comparing said baseline data against information received from said one or more RFID tags.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said unique identifying information comprises an identification number.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said unique identifying information comprises a bar code.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said processor restricts access to said interior enclosure.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said box further comprises mounting brackets for securing said box to a wall.