Self-contained RF identification apparatus for pallet conveyances

• US 7,236,851 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Epc4roi Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Epc4roi Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Charych, Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US11/244,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20060287759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/214, 343/711, 343/723, 343/883, 343/901
• US Class Current: 700/214
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/0755 Position control; Position detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment

Abstract

An RFID reading apparatus includes a frame. The RFID reading apparatus also includes an RFID interrogator, coupled to the frame, for triggering transponders in picked cases and receiving and decoding replies. The RFID reading apparatus further includes at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame, at least one antenna mounted to the antenna mount and coupled to the interrogator, and at least one object sensor adjacent to at least one antenna. The RFID reading apparatus also includes a control unit coupled to the interrogator for initiating interrogation of transponders and accepting decoded replies, to the antenna mount for controlling the level of the antenna mounted on the mount, and to the object sensor for detecting the presence of cases adjacent to the object sensor.

Claims

1. An RFID reading apparatus, comprising:

a) a frame;

b) an RFID interrogator, coupled to the frame, for triggering transponders in picked cases and receiving and decoding replies;

c) at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame;

d) at least one antenna mounted to the antenna mount and coupled to the interrogator;

e) at least one object sensor adjacent to at least one antenna; and

f) a control unit coupled to the interrogator for initiating interrogation of transponders and accepting decoded replies, to the antenna mount for controlling the level of the antenna mounted on the mount, and to the object sensor for detecting the presence of cases adjacent to the object sensor.

2. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame comprises a physically movable antenna mount which is slideably coupled to the frame; and

the control unit controls the level of the antenna mounted on the antenna mount by physically moving the antenna mount.

3. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame comprises a plurality of logically movable antenna mounts which are fixedly coupled to the frame; and

the control unit controls the level of the antenna mounted on the antenna mount by logically switching on one of the antennas on the plurality of antenna mounts.

4. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, in which there are four antennas.

5. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, in which each antenna mount has an object sensor mounted adjacent to its antenna, and the level of each antenna mount is adjustable independently.

6. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 5, in which there are two antennas on each mount.

7. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixed antenna mounted on the frame, configured to interrogate a pallet, and coupled to the interrogator.

8. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a computer having a user input, a visual display and control input and output coupled to the control unit.

9. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 8, in which the computer is programmed to display a number of items and transponders read.

10. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 8, in which the computer is programmed to display at least one pick location.

11. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 8, in which the computer has an audio output, and the computer is programmed to provide audio feedback when an RF transponder is read.

12. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 8, in which the computer has an audio output comprising a voice output.

13. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 8, in which the computer is coupled to the control unit using wireless communications.

14. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor for determining when the RFID reading apparatus is moving.

15. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication transceiver for communicating with a warehouse infrastructure system.

16. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, in which the frame further comprises a plurality of support features for spacing the frame off of a floor surface.

17. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 16, wherein the support features comprise wheels.

18. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a barcode reader mounted on the antenna mount adjacent to, and aligned with, the object sensor, and coupled to the controller.

19. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting accessory coupled to the frame for removably installing the RFID reader to a picked pallet conveyance already carrying another RFID reading apparatus and a pallet.

20. The RFID reading apparatus of claim 19, wherein the mounting accessory comprises a reverse fork.

21. A method of identifying picked cases having RF identification transponders while the cases are loaded on a picked pallet conveyance having a pallet support for conveying the picked cases, the method comprising the steps of:

a) removably installing an RFID reading apparatus onto the pallet support of the picked pallet conveyance, the RFID reading apparatus comprising;

i) a frame;

ii) an RFID interrogator, coupled to the frame, for triggering transponders in picked cases and receiving and decoding replies;

iii) at least one vertically movable antenna mount coupled to the frame;

iv) at least one antenna mounted to the antenna mount and coupled to the interrogator;

v) at least one object sensor adjacent to at least one antenna; and

vi) a control unit coupled to the interrogator for initiating interrogation of transponders and accepting decoded replies, to the antenna mount for controlling the level of the antenna mounted on the mount, and to the object sensor for detecting the presence of cases adjacent to the object sensor;

b) loading a picked pallet onto the pallet support of the picked pallet conveyance;

c) loading a case onto the picked pallet with the RF identification transponder facing the antenna;

d) interrogating the transponder in the case, and sending information from the transponder to the control unit;

e) decoding the information from the transponder;

f) communicating information regarding items loaded via a user interface;

g) if there are more cases to be picked, repeating the method from step (c).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the picked pallet at step (b) comprises an empty pallet.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the picked pallet at step (b) comprises a pallet with picked cases.

24. The method of claim 21, in which step (f) further comprises the steps of comparing the case picked with a pick list, and communicating a message if there has been an error.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein communicating information regarding items loaded via a user interface comprises communicating with an action selected from the group consisting of:

using a speech engine to vocally communicate with an operator;

using a text display to visually communicate with the operator; and

using an audible display to focus the operator'"'"'s attention on a text message.

26. The method of claim 21, in which step (f) further comprises the steps of comparing the case picked with a pick list, and communicating a confirmation if the case is on the pick list.

27. The method of claim 21, in which the RFID reading apparatus further comprises a barcode reader aligned with the object sensor, and the method further comprises the step, after step (d), of reading barcode information from the case, and step (e) further comprises decoding the barcode information.

28. The method of claim 27, in which the apparatus further comprises a motion sensor adjacent to the barcode reader, and the step of claim 27 is initiated when the motion sensor detects motion.

29. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step, after step (e) of communicating through a wireless link with a warehouse computer.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

h) after step (b), removably installing a second RFID reading apparatus onto the pallet support of the picked pallet conveyance; and

i) after step (h), loading a second picked pallet onto the pallet support of the picked pallet conveyance.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the vertically movable antenna mount is physically moveable and slideably coupled to the frame; and

the object sensor detects if the case is blocking the antenna, and if the case is blocking the antenna, physically moving the antenna mount until the antenna is positioned to read a transponder on a next case to be loaded.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the at least one vertically movable antenna mount is logically movable and comprises a plurality of fixed antenna mounts coupled to the control unit which may be switched on and off; and

the object sensor detects if the case is blocking the antenna, and if the case is blocking the antenna, logically moving the antenna mount by switching off a first antenna located on a first antenna mount and switching on a second antenna located on a second antenna mount so that the second antenna is positioned to read a transponder on a next case to be loaded.

33. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps, when the picked pallet conveyance is moving, of:

raising at least one antenna mount to a raised position;

switching the RF interrogator to a high power condition;

interrogating mounted transponders as they come in range of the interrogator;

reporting an identity of a mounted transponder to a warehouse management system.

34. The method of claim 33, where the mounted transponder is a shelf transponder.

35. The method of claim 33, where the mounted transponder is mounted on a truck or trailer.