Self-optimizing method of and system for efficiently deploying radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers in a controlled area containing RFID-tagged items to be monitored

• US 9,443,117 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2012
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Stern, Miklos, Bekritsky, Benjamin J., Joshi, Narendra
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US13/715,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20140167918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 340/505, 340/514, 340/539.1, 340/539.16, 340/539.2, 340/539.21, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/5.1, 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 340/10.3, 340/10.4, 340/10.5, 340/10.6, 370/328, 370/332, 455/422.1, 455/423, 455/446, 455/448
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0095 Testing the sensing arrangement, e.g. testing if a magnetic card reader, bar code reader, RFID interrogator or smart card reader functions properly testing of electrical circuits G01R31/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10475 arrangements to facilitate interaction with further interrogation devices, e.g. such that at least two interrogation devices may function and cooperate in a network of such devices

Abstract

Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers are integrated with individual RFID tags to form integrated RFID units that are initially deployed to cover a controlled area with radio frequency (RF) coverage. A controller determines whether the RF coverage optimally covers the controlled area by controlling at least one of the integrated RFID units in the initial deployment to read the RFID tag integrated with at least another of the integrated RFID units. An interface reports when the RF coverage does not optimally cover the controlled area, and responsively guides a redeployment of at least one of initially deployed integrated RFID units to a subsequent deployment in which the RF coverage provided by the integrated RFID units optimally covers the controlled area.

Claims

1. A self-optimizing method of efficiently deploying radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers in a controlled area containing RFID-tagged items to be monitored, comprising:

integrating the RFID tag readers with individual RFID tags to form at least three integrated RFID units;

initially deploying the at least three integrated RFID units in the controlled area in an initial deployment in which the at least three integrated RFID units cover the controlled area with radio frequency (RF) coverage;

determining whether the RF coverage optimally covers the controlled area by controlling each one of the at least three integrated RFID units in the initial deployment to read the respective RFID tag integrated with at least another one of the integrated RFID units, and said determining includes ascertaining whether or not each one of the at least three integrated RFID units reads the respective RFID tag integrated in at least another one of the integrated RFID units;

reporting when the RF coverage does not optimally cover the controlled area; and

guiding, in response to the reporting, a redeployment of at least one of the initially deployed at least three integrated RFID units to a subsequent deployment in which the RF coverage provided by the at least three integrated RFID units optimally covers the controlled area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the integrating of the RFID tag readers with the individual RFID tags is performed by one of attaching each individual RFID tag to a respective RFID tag reader after reader manufacture, and by incorporating each individual RFID tag in a respective RFID tag reader during reader manufacture.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling is performed by determining a distance between two of the at least three integrated RFID units by measuring at least one of a read rate value, a return signal strength indicator value, and a phase value of a reflected signal versus frequency, for the respective RFID tag of the other integrated RFID unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining is also performed by controlling the at least three integrated RFID units to read the RFID-tagged items at known locations in the controlled area.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the controlling of the at least three integrated RFID units to read the RFID-tagged items at known locations in the controlled area comprises determining a distance between at least one of the at least three integrated RFID units and at least one of the RFID-tagged items by measuring at least one of a read rate value, a return signal strength indicator value, and a phase value of a reflected signal versus frequency, for the at least one RFID-tagged item.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting conveys positional information concerning at least one of duplication of the RF coverage, gaps in the RF coverage, changes in layout of the controlled area, and changes in location of the RFID-tagged items.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the reporting is performed when the positional information persists for a specified minimum duration.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each respective individual RFID tag integrated with a respective RFID tag reader is a semi-active tag.

9. The method of claim 1, and creating a planogram of the controlled area, in which the locations of the at least three integrated RFID units and the RFID-tagged items are depicted in the controlled area.

10. A self-optimizing system for efficiently deploying radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers in a controlled area containing RFID-tagged items to be monitored, comprising:

at least three integrated RFID units formed by integrating the RFID tag readers with individual RFID tags, the at least three integrated RFID units being initially deployed in the controlled area in an initial deployment in which the at least three integrated RFID units cover the controlled area with radio frequency (RF) coverage;

a controller for determining whether the RF coverage optimally covers the controlled area by controlling each one of the at least three integrated RFID units in the initial deployment to read the respective RFID tag integrated with at least another one of the integrated RFID units, and said determining includes ascertaining whether or not each one of the at least three integrated RFID units reads the respective RFID tag integrated in at least another one of the integrated RFID units;

and an interface for reporting when the RF coverage does not optimally cover the controlled area, and for guiding, in response to the reporting, a redeployment of at least one of the initially deployed at least three integrated RFID units to a subsequent deployment in which the RF coverage provided by the at least three integrated RFID units optimally covers the controlled area.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the RFID tag readers are integrated with the individual RFID tags by one of attaching each individual RFID tag to a respective RFID tag reader after reader manufacture, and by incorporating each individual RFID tag in a respective RFID tag reader during reader manufacture.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is operative for determining a distance between two of the at least three integrated RFID units by measuring at least one of a read rate value, a return signal strength indicator value, and a phase value of a reflected signal versus frequency, for the respective RFID tag of the other integrated RFID unit.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is also operative for controlling the at least three integrated RFID units to read the RFID-tagged items at known locations in the controlled area.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is operative for determining a distance between at least one of the least three integrated RFID units and at least one of the RFID-tagged items by measuring at least one of a read rate value, a return signal strength indicator value, and a phase value of a reflected signal versus frequency, for the at least one RFID-tagged item.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is operative for creating a planogram of the controlled area, in which the locations of the at least three integrated RFID units and the known locations of the RFID-tagged items are depicted in the controlled area, and wherein the interface is operative for displaying the planogram.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the interface is operative for conveying positional information concerning at least one of duplication of the RF coverage, gaps in the RF coverage, changes in layout of the controlled area, and changes in location of the RFID-tagged items.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the interface is operative for conveying the positional information when the positional information persists for a specified minimum duration.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein each respective individual RFID tag integrated with a respective RFID tag reader is a semi-active tag.