Pallet content identification mechanism that converts RFID information to corresponding barcode information

• US 7,633,379 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2007
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Jenney, Eric H., Weaver, Matthew Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/953,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20080087727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 738 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.5, 340/572.8, 340/10.1, 340/10.5, 235375-385, 235/436, 700215-217, 700224-227, 705/28
• US Class Current: 340/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/18 by transferring data from one type of record carrier on to another type of record carrier, e.g. from magnetic tape to punched card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1095 the scanner comprising adaptations for scanning a record carrier that is displayed on a display-screen or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/24 by interference with electromagnetic field distribution

Abstract

A pallet content identification mechanism is a small electronic device that is attached to a pallet. The pallet content identification mechanism reads RFID tags on the pallet using an RFID portal scanner, converts the RFID information into corresponding barcode information, and transmits the corresponding barcodes to a barcode-based inventory control system in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. In this manner the pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the barcode-based inventory control system.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and

an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure in proximity to the RFID scanner, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corresponding barcode information comprises uniform price code (UPC) barcode information.

3. A method for inventory control, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) scanning a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags from a plurality of products simultaneously present on an inventory control structure using an RFID scanner;

(B) converting RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a plurality of barcodes;

(C) outputting the plurality of barcodes to a wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner to a barcode-based inventory control system; and

(D) the barcode-based inventory control system receiving the plurality of barcodes from the wireless transmitter and processing the plurality of barcodes.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of barcodes comprises a uniform product code (UPC) barcode.

5. An inventory control structure comprising:

(A) a support structure that supports products for shipping; and

(B) a content identification mechanism attached to the support structure, the content identification mechanism comprising;

at least one processor;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor; and

an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on the support structure, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner.

6. The inventory control structure of claim 5 wherein the corresponding barcode information comprises uniform price code (UPC) barcode information.

7. The inventory control structure of claim 5 wherein the support structure comprises a pallet.

8. An inventory control system comprising:

(A) a support structure that supports products for shipping;

(B) a content identification mechanism attached to the support structure, the content identification mechanism comprising;

at least one processor;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one processor;

a memory coupled to the at least one processor; and

an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism that receives RFID information from the RFID scanner for a plurality of products simultaneously present on the support structure, converts the RFID information received from the RFID scanner into a corresponding plurality of barcodes, and outputs the plurality of barcodes to the wireless transmitter in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner; and

(C) a barcode-based inventory control system that receives the plurality of barcodes from the wireless transmitter and processes the plurality of barcodes.