Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products

• US 7,293,705 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Inventors: Linton, John, Linton, William A., Krueger, Julia E., Dearing, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): ST CYR, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US10/795,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20040178264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 235375-385, 340/10.1, 340/10.51, 340/10.52, 340/825.22, 340/572.1, 340/10.5, 340/825
• 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. An apparatus comprising:

an RFID scanning unit,

wherein software for controlling said apparatus is downloaded to said apparatus,

wherein a list of authorized users for said apparatus is downloaded to said apparatus,

wherein said apparatus is a refrigerated cabinet having a door, and

wherein said apparatus further comprises;

(a) sensing means for sensing opening and closing of the door;

(b) means for controlling said RFID scanning unit to scan the cabinet'"'"'s interior, in response to said sensing means sensing closing of the cabinet door, to detect presence of a product in the cabinet'"'"'s interior, the product being fitted with an RFID tag;

(c) means for generating a message based on a result of the scan by said RFID scanning unit;

(d) means for transmitting the message to a server, wherein an inventory is maintained in the server based on the message; and

(e) one of (1) means for reading a fingerprint and unlocking the door in accordance with the reading of the fingerprint and (2) means for reading an RFID badge and unlocking the door in accordance with the reading of the RFID badge.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising boot up performing means for causing said apparatus perform a self updating boot up procedure,

wherein said boot up performing means comprises:

(a) means for sending a message querying a most recent software version number;

(b) means for comparing a software version number currently used to a most recent software version number;

(c) means for downloading software having the most recent software version number if the currently used software version number and the most recent software version number differ when compared;

(d) means for writing the downloaded software to memory; and

(e) means for causing said apparatus to boot the downloaded software.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said generating means generates the message in accordance with a comparison between results of a first scan by said RFID scanning unit and a second scan by said RFID scanning unit,

wherein the unlocking is effected by controlling a solenoid of an electric actuated lock with which the cabinet is equipped,

wherein said sensing means comprises means for sensing opening and closing of the door by sensing output of a proximity sensor,

wherein said RFID scanning unit uses an antenna mounted in the cabinet, and

wherein each product is fitted with a passive RFID tag.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the product is a biological product.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the biological product is selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, an assay, and a cloning vector.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of products in the cabinet'"'"'s interior, each fitted with an RFID tag, and the message indicates the number and type of the products.