Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products

• US 20040232231A1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Inventors: Linton, John, Linton, William A., Krueger, Julia E., Dearing, Michael P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,735,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/06 Stock management
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• 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: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• 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

Abstract

A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and closing of the micro-warehouse door, scanning the plurality of products in the micro-warehouse upon sensing closing of the door to determine the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, generating a message based on the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, transmitting the message to a remote processor or server, and maintaining an inventory in the remote processor based on the message. The system is designed to be accessed by authorized individuals possessing some type of code or identifying mechanism. The micro-warehouses may be cabinets, refrigerators, secured rooms, or similar storage units or areas.

Claims

1-33. -33. (Cancelled).

34. A control containment unit for holding a plurality of discrete items, comprising:

a signal emitting mechanism associated with each of the plurality of discrete items;

an enclosed housing having an item-receiving area accessible by a user, at least one of the plurality of items contained therein;

a passive signal receiving mechanism in communication with the area and configured to receive signals emitted from the signal emitting mechanism; and

a controller in communication with the signal receiving mechanism and configured to initiate an action based upon the signal content; and

a securement system configured to prevent unauthorized access to the control containment unit.

35. The control containment unit of claim 34, further comprising a door openable with respect to the housing, thereby providing access to the at least one item contained in the area.

36. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the signal receiving mechanism is an antenna configured to receive radio frequency signals emitted by the signal emitting mechanism and the signal emitting mechanism is a radio frequency identification transponder.

37. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the signal emitted by the signal emitting mechanism is a signal having a characteristic identifying one of the at least one plurality of items and a group of related items.

38. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the signal receiving mechanism is positioned adjacent the area and dedicated to receiving signals emanating from the area.

39. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the signal receiving mechanism comprises two antenna mechanisms positioned on opposite sides of the area and dedicated to receiving signals emanating from the area.

40. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the controller comprises:

an interface in communication with the signal receiving mechanism and configured to provide an output signal corresponding to the signal received by the signal receiving mechanism; and

a control device in communication with the interface and configured to receive, process and transmit signals and initiate an action based upon the output signal received from the interface.

41. The control containment unit of claim 40, wherein the controller includes a power control module configured to provide power outputs.

42. The control containment unit of claim 40, wherein the control device is one of a programmable microchip, a microcontroller, a personal computer, and a hand-held computer.

43. The control containment unit of claim 34, further comprising a switch mechanism in operable communication with the area, such that a signal is transmitted to the controller, which instructs the signal receiving mechanism to begin reading a signal emanating from the signal emitting mechanism.

44. The control containment unit of claim 34, further comprising a display mechanism in communication with the controller and configured to provide a visual display to a user corresponding to one of an action initiated by the controller and user data.

45. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the signal receiving mechanism is at least one antenna configured to receive radio frequency signals emanating from the signal emitting mechanism.

46. The control containment unit of claim 34, further comprising an input mechanism in communication with the controller and configured to receive user input and transmit user input signals to the controller.

47. The control containment unit of claim 46, wherein the input mechanism is one of a magnetic reading device, a radio frequency identification reading device, a bar code reading device, a voice identification system, and a biometric device.

48. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the securement system includes a lock mechanism configured to prevent access to the area based upon an action signal emitted from the controller.

49. The control containment unit of claim 48, further comprising a door openable with respect to the housing, thereby providing access to the at least one item contained in the area;

and wherein the lock mechanism comprises a magnet element configured to prevent the door from opening.

50. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the signal emitting mechanism is a tag affixed to each item and configured to emit a signal corresponding to the identity of the item.

51. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the housing is in the form of a cabinet.

52. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a control program configured to receive, process and transmit signals and initiate actions based upon the signal content.

53. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the plurality of items are biological items.

54. The control containment unit of claim 34, wherein the area is positioned within the housing behind a cover, thereby providing access to the at least one item contained in the area via access through the cover.

55. The control containment unit of claim 54, wherein the cover is a door connected to a portion of the housing, such that the door is openable and closeable with respect to the housing.

56. The control containment unit of claim 54, wherein the securement system includes a lock mechanism in communication with the cover and configured to prevent access to the area based upon an action signal emitted from the controller.

57. The control containment unit of claim 56, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a magnet element configured to prevent the cover from moving.

58. The control containment unit of any of claims 34 through 57, wherein the area is the interior of the housing.