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

• US 20020183882A1
• Filed: 02/21/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Inventors: Dearing, Michael, Vidugiris, Gediminas
• Application Number:
  US10/080,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183882A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/115
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/06 Stock management
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 the reader being an RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/35 for the management of goods or merchandise
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

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.

Claims

1. A method of distributing a plurality of products from a micro-warehouse, the method comprising:

providing each of the plurality of products with a radio frequency identification tag;

positioning at least one antenna within the micro-warehouse, the at least one antenna operable to emit a signal having a wavelength and to generate an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse;

positioning the plurality of products within the micro-warehouse;

reducing energy sharing between at least two of the plurality of products;

altering the electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of products is spaced a distance from each other of a fraction of the wavelength of the signal.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising positioning each of the plurality of products such that the tag on each product is generally orthogonal to a transmission line of sight of the at least one antenna.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein altering the electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse includes placing a reflector within the micro-warehouse.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein altering the electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse includes moving the at least one antenna.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag includes positioning the tag on the product such that the tag is not substantially bent when placed in a receptacle.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag includes positioning the tag on the product such that the tag is not substantially shadowed when placed in a receptacle.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising configuring each tag to have a cloak time.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising controlling the signal emitted from the at least one antenna such that the signal is emitted for a specified amount of time.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising controlling the signal emitted from the at least one antenna such that the tags of the plurality of products are scanned via a baseline run.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising controlling the signal emitted from the at least one antenna such that the tags of the plurality of products are scanned via an inventory run.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising controlling the signal emitted from the at least one antenna such that the tags of the plurality of products are scanned via a background run.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising generating a message indicative of changes to the number of plurality of products within the micro-warehouse.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising placing the message in a buffer.

15. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising determining an integrity value and comparing that value to a predetermined integrity value and initiating another baseline run if the determined integrity value is less than the predetermined integrity value.

17. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the products is positioned such that the tag on each product is positioned substantially orthogonal to the transmission line of sight of the at least one antenna.

18. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein the electromagnetic field altering device includes a reflector positioned within the micro-warehouse.

19. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein the electromagnetic field altering device includes an actuator coupled to the at least one antenna.

20. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein each tag is positioned on each product such that the tag is not substantially bent when placed in a receptacle.

21. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein each tag has a predetermined cloak time.

22. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein the signal emitted from the at least one antenna is emitted for a specified amount of time.

23. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein the controller is operable to control the at least one antenna to generate a baseline run.

24. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 23, wherein the controller is operable to control the at least one antenna to generate an inventory run.

25. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 24, wherein the controller is operable to control the at least one antenna to generate a background run.

26. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 24, wherein the controller is operable to generate a message indicative of changes to the number of plurality of products within the micro-warehouse.

27. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 26, further comprising a buffer configured to store the message.

28. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 23, wherein the controller is operable to determine an integrity value and compare that value to a predetermined integrity value and conduct another baseline run if the determined integrity value is less than the predetermined integrity value.

30. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 29, wherein each of the products is positioned such that the tag on each product is positioned substantially orthogonal to the transmission line of sight of at least one antenna in the antenna array.

31. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 29, wherein the electromagnetic field altering device includes a reflector.

32. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 29, wherein the electromagnetic field altering device includes an actuator coupled to one or more of the antennas in the antenna array.

33. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 29, wherein each tag is positioned on each product such that the tag is not substantially shadowed when placed in a receptacle.

34. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 29, wherein the controller is operable to control the antenna array to generate a baseline run.

35. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 34, wherein the controller is operable to control the antenna array to generate an inventory run.

36. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 34, wherein the controller is operable to control the antenna array to generate a background run.

37. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 35, wherein the controller is operable to generate a message indicative of changes to the number of plurality of products within the micro-warehouse.

38. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 34, wherein the controller is operable to determine an integrity value and compare that value to a predetermined integrity value.

39. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 29, further comprising a first temperature sensor coupled to the controller and positioned within the micro-warehouse.

40. A micro-warehouse as claimed in claim 39, further comprising a second temperature sensor coupled to the controller and positioned external to the micro-warehouse.

16. A micro-warehouse for use in a system for distributing a plurality of products, each product having a radio frequency tag, the micro-warehouse comprising:

an interior;

an access opening;

a sensor configured to sense whether access to the interior of the micro-warehouse has been attempted through the access opening;

at least one antenna positioned within the micro-warehouse;

a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one antenna, the controller operable to activate the at least one antenna such that the at least one antenna emits a signal at a predefined frequency and generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse;

at least two separators positioned within the micro-warehouse and configured to maintain the radio frequency tags on at least some of the plurality of products spaced a distance from each other such that energy sharing is reduced; and

an electromagnetic field altering device.

29. A micro-warehouse for use in a system for distributing a plurality of products, each product having a radio frequency tag, the micro-warehouse comprising:

a door;

a sensor configured to sense whether the door is opened or closed;

an antenna array positioned within the door and having a plurality of antennas, each antenna having a transmission line of sight;

a controller coupled to the sensor and the antenna array, the controller operable to activate the antenna array such that each antenna emits a signal at a predefined frequency and generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse;

one or more receptacles positioned within the micro-warehouse, each receptacle having at least two separators, the at least two separators spaced a distance from each other such that energy sharing is reduced; and

an electromagnetic field altering device.

41. A method of distributing a plurality of products from an access restricted area, the method comprising:

providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag;

positioning at least one antenna within the access restricted area, the at least one antenna configured to emit a signal at least one predefined frequency and generate at least one electromagnetic field within the access restricted area;

positioning the plurality of products within the access restricted area;

reading identification information from a passkey;

permitting ingress to the access restricted area if the identification information read from the passkey is authenticated;

detecting egress from the access restricted area;

performing a first scan of the restricted area using the at least one antenna, the scan generating a first result;

comparing the result to a predetermined integrity level; and

performing one or more subsequent scans if the result does not equal or exceed the predetermined integrity level, each subsequent scan generating a subsequent result;

the performing of one or more subsequent scans continued until one of the subsequent results equals or exceeds the integrity level.

42. A method as claimed in claim 41, the method further comprising:

determining a number of the plurality of products; and

determining a change in the number of plurality of products by subtracting a value based on the first result or one of the subsequent results from the number of the plurality of products.

43. A method as claimed in claim 41, the method further comprising cloaking one or more of the plurality of tags during the first scan or one of the subsequent scans.

44. A method as claimed in claim 41, the method further comprising transmitting information based on the first result or one of the subsequent results to a server and storing the information in a buffer.

45. A method as claimed in claim 44, the method further comprising comparing the information stored in the buffer to information obtained from a scan performed after the first result and one of the subsequent results.

46. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising determining a read time for at least one scan selected from the group of the first scan and each subsequent scan.

47. A method as claimed in claim 46, further comprising determining an operating parameter based on the read time.

48. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising gathering information from a sensor associated with the restricted access area.

49. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising generating a message based on at least one scan selected from the group of a the first scan and each subsequent scan.

50. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising synchronizing a time maintained in a device within the restricted access area to a standard time reference.

51. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising performing an operational status check of a device associated with the restricted access area.

52. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising checking one or more predetermined alarm conditions.

53. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising altering the position of nulls in the electromagnetic field.

54. A method as claimed in claim 41, further comprising using a read time curve to determine a condition within the micro-warehouse.

55. A system for distributing a plurality of products, each product fitted with a radio frequency identification tag, each tag operable to generate a signal, the system comprising:

means for storing the plurality of products, the means for storing a plurality of products having an interior, a first device to control access to the means for storing the plurality of products, and a second device to detect ingress and egress to the means for storing the plurality of products;

means for generating an electromagnetic field within the means for storing the plurality of products, the means for generating an electromagnetic field operable to receive the signals from the tags;

means for processing data coupled to the first device, the second device, and the means for generating an electromagnetic field, the means for processing data operable to activate the means for generating an electromagnetic field;

means for positioning the plurality of products a distance from each other such that energy sharing is reduced; and

means for altering the interference pattern of an electromagnetic field created by the means for generating an electromagnetic field.

56. A system as claimed in claim 55, wherein the means for processing data is operable to generate a value based on the signals from the tags and compare the value to a predetermined integrity level.

57. A system as claimed in claim 55, wherein the means for processing data is operable to determine a number of the plurality of products and to determine a change in the number of plurality of products.

58. A system as claimed in claim 55, further comprising means for serving the means for processing data, the means for serving the means for processing data operable to be coupled to the means for processing data through means for communicating data.

59. A system as claimed in claim 58, wherein the means for serving the means for processing data includes means for holding information received from the means for processing data.

60. A system as claimed in claim 55, further comprising means for sensing a temperature within the means for storing the plurality of products.

61. A system as claimed in claim 55, further comprising means for preventing access to the means for storing the plurality of products when a predetermined temperature is sensed by the means for sensing a temperature within the means for storing the plurality of products.

62. A system as claimed in claim 55, further comprising means for sensing a temperature external to the means for storing the plurality of products.

63. A system for distributing a plurality of products from a restricted access area having an entry point, each of the plurality of products having a radio frequency tag, the system comprising:

an antenna operable to be positioned within the restricted access area and to receive a signal from each of the plurality of products when the same are positioned within the restricted access area;

a sensor operable to detect ingress and egress through the entry point;

a controller operable to be coupled to the antenna and the sensor, the controller further operable to activate the antenna to generate an electromagnetic field with the restricted access area, to receive information from the antenna that is based on the signals from the plurality of products, and to compare the information to a predetermined integrity level.

64. A system as claimed in claim 63, wherein the controller is operable to generate a message based on the information from the antenna and to send the message over a network to a computing device.

65. A system as claimed in claim 63, further comprising a device to position each of the plurality products within the restricted access area to increase the radio frequency cross section of each tag associated with each of the plurality of products.

66. A system as claimed in claim 63, further comprising a plurality of separators in the restricted access area.

68. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the act of positioning at least one antenna within the restricted access area includes positioning at least two antennas within the restricted access area and wherein the act of controlling the at least one antenna includes controlling the at least two antennas and wherein controlling the at least one electromagnetic field include controlling activation of the at least two antennas so that the antennas are activated differently.

69. A method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising controlling interference between identifying signals.

70. A method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising controlling energy sharing between tags.

71. A method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising modifying parameters in software used to control the at least one antenna.

67. A method of distributing a plurality of products from a restricted access area, each of the plurality of products having a radio frequency tag operable to generate an identifying signal, the method comprising:

positioning the product in the restricted access area;

positioning at least one antenna within the restricted access area;

controlling the at least one antenna so that it emits at least one signal at least one frequency to generate at least one electromagnetic field within the restricted access area; and

altering the at least one electromagnetic field by performing at least one of the group consisting of modifying the at least one frequency of the signal of the at least one antenna and modifying the power of the at least one signal.

72. A system of distributing a plurality of products from a restricted access area, each of the plurality of products having a radio frequency tag operable to generate an identifying signal, the system comprising:

a sensor for detecting ingress and egress to the restricted access area;

at least one antenna positioned within the restricted access area;

a controller coupled to the sensor and to the at least one antenna, the controller operable to control the at least one antenna so that it emits at least one signal at least one frequency to generate at least one electromagnetic field within the restricted access area, and to alter the at least one electromagnetic field by performing at least one of the group consisting of modifying the at least one frequency of the at least one signal and modifying the power of the at least one signal.

73. A system as claimed in claim 72, wherein operation of the controller may be modified by adjusting parameters used by the controller.