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    • 专利摘要:
    A plurality of observation network units are arranged above in a general location, with RFID tags of interest and RFID product tags also being arranged. Each unit supports an RFID location system for reading the product labels in a read operation mode with a set of reading parameters, for reading RFID tags of interest in the general location, for changing at least one of the reading parameters in response for reading an RFID tag of interest that is near a zone of interest, and for emphatically reading the product tags that are present in the zone of interest with the changed reading parameter.
    公开号:BE1024674B1
    申请号:E2017/5365
    申请日:2017-05-17
    公开日:2018-05-24
    发明作者:Charles G. Lauria；Richard J. Lavery；Russel Calvarese
    申请人:Symbol Technologies Llc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    (30) Priority data:
    18/05/2016 US 15157463 (73) Holder (s):
    SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES LLC 11742, HOLTSVILLE United States of America (72) Inventor (s):
    LAURIA Charles G.
    11742 HOLSTVILLE United States of America
    LAVERY Richard J.
    11742 HOLTSVILLE United States of America
    CALVARESE Russel 11742 HOLTSVILLE United States of America (54) ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR READING RFID PRODUCT LABELS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE BY READING RFID LABELS OF IMPORTANCE IN A GENERAL LOCATION (57) A plurality of observational network units are located above in a general location, where RFID labels of interest and RFID product labels have also emerged. Each unit supports an RFID localization system for reading the product labels in a read operation mode with a set of reading parameters, for reading RFID tags of interest in the general location, for changing at least one of the reading parameters in response to reading an RFID tag of interest that is near a zone of interest, and for emphatically reading the product labels that are present in the zone of interest with the changed reading parameter.
    BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT
    FPS Economy, K.M.O., Self-employed & Energy
    Intellectual Property Office
    Publication number: 1024674 Filing number: BE2017 / 5365
    International classification: G06Q 10/08 Date of issue: 24/05/2018
    The Minister of Economy,
    Having regard to the Paris Convention of 20 March 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;
    Having regard to the Law of March 28, 1984 on inventive patents, Article 22, for patent applications filed before September 22, 2014;
    Having regard to Title 1 Invention Patents of Book XI of the Economic Law Code, Article XI.24, for patent applications filed from September 22, 2014;
    Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 on the filing, granting and maintenance of inventive patents, Article 28;
    Having regard to the application for an invention patent received by the Intellectual Property Office on 17/05/2017.
    Whereas for patent applications that fall within the scope of Title 1, Book XI, of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter WER), in accordance with Article XI.19, § 4, second paragraph, of the WER, the granted patent will be limited. to the patent claims for which the novelty search report was prepared, when the patent application is the subject of a novelty search report indicating a lack of unity of invention as referred to in paragraph 1, and when the applicant does not limit his filing and does not file a divisional application in accordance with the search report.
    Decision:
    Article 1
    SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, 1 Zebra Plaza, 11742 HOLTSVILLE United States of America;
    represented by
    JAEKEN Annemie, Gaston Geenslaan 11, 3001, HEVERLEE;
    BOX Cornells, Gaston Geenslaan 11, 3001, LEUVEN;
    LUYS Marie-José, Gaston Geenslaan 11, 3001, LEUVEN;
    MOLLING Matheus Catharina, Gaston Geenslaan 11, 3001, LEUVEN;
    NIESTADT Bart Jan, Gaston Geenslaan 11, 3001, LEUVEN;
    AUDIBLE HORN Otto Leonard, Gaston Geenslaan 11, 3001, LEUVEN;
    VAN MELLE Johannes Carol Christopher, Gaston Geenslaan 11, 3001, LEUVEN;
    a Belgian invention patent with a term of 20 years, subject to payment of the annual fees as referred to in Article XI.48, § 1 of the Code of Economic Law, for: ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR READING RFID PRODUCT LABELS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE BY READING RFID LABELS OF IMPORTANCE IN A GENERAL LOCATION.
    INVENTOR (S):
    LAURIA Charles G / c / o Symbol Technologies, LLC 1 Zebra Plaza, 11742, HOLSTVILLE;
    LAVERY Richard J., c / o Symbol Technologies, LLC 1 Zebra Plaza, 11742, HOLTSVILLE;
    CALVARESE Russel, c / o Symbol Technologies, LLC 1 Zebra Plaza, 11742, HOLTSVILLE;
    PRIORITY:
    5/18/2016 US 15157463;
    BREAKDOWN:
    Split from basic application: Filing date of the basic application:
    Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior investigation into the patentability of the invention, without warranty of the Merit of the invention, nor of the accuracy of its description and at the risk of the applicant (s).
    Brussels, 24/05/2018,
    With special authorization:
    BE2017 / 5365
    ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR READING RFID PRODUCT LABELS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
    BY READING RFID LABELS OF IMPORTANCE IN A GENERAL LOCATION
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    The present disclosure generally relates to an arrangement and method for reading radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product labels associated with products in a common location in real time with increased performance, in particular for fast and accurately locate and track such RFID product labels associated with products located in zones of interest in the common location.
    It is known to install a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) system in a retail, factory or warehouse environment, or a similarly managed area, or general location, for product localization, product tracking, product identification, and inventory control. For example, to take an inventory of products associated with RFID product labels in a department store environment or common location, it is known to position a plurality of RFID label readers or observation network units on high, fixed locations, on a ceiling, or at doors, at loading bays, and production lines, in a common location, and then, to operate each of the readers, under the control of a network main computer or server, to form and control an interrogation signal, both in azimuth, e.g., at an angle 360 degrees around a vertical axis, as in height, for example, at an angle of 90 degrees from the vertical axis, over a range along each of the listed product labels to read their contents.
    Each RFID product label is usually associated with, or associated with, an individual product, or with a packaging for a product, or with one
    BE2017 / 5365 pallet or container for a multiple number of products, or with a freight forwarder such as a forklift or truck, for transporting products, packaging or pallets in the general location. Each RFID product tag usually includes a tag antenna, a power management section, a radio section, and often a logic section, a memory or both. A plurality of the said product labels may be within the reach of any RFID reader.
    Briefly, each RFID reader transmits an RF interrogation signal, and each RFID product label that senses the RF interrogation signal responds by transmitting an answer signal. Each RFID product label generates the response signal itself, or reflects part of the RF interrogation signal in a process known as backscatter.
    The response RF signal can encode data stored internally in the product label. The response signal is demodulated and decoded into identification data (also known as the content) by each reader, thereby identifying, counting or otherwise interacting with the associated product. The encoded data can indicate a serial number, a price, a date, a destination, a location, other attributes, or a combination of attributes and more. A specific location of a particular RFID tagged product in the general location is usually determined by having the server process the content and utilizing data from a plurality of said RFID readers using triangulation / triangulation techniques known in the state of the art.
    As beneficial as said known RFID systems have been in identifying, locating and tracking products with RFID product labels, especially low cost passive labels, it has proven difficult to locate each product label accurately and quickly, in particular when a single or multiple number of the product labels have been moved, as well as when a multiple number has been moved,
    BE2017 / 5365 for example a product label population of many thousands, of the said product labels is present in the general location. In addition, the general location itself has structures, such as storage cupboards and other such fixed shapes, as well as walls, the floor and the ceiling, and even people and moving equipment, which can all reflect and / or scatter and / or absorb the RF signal. which causes the RF signal to propagate along a multiple number of disrupted, folded paths and adversely affect the path of the RF signal between the RFID product label and each RFID reader. Each RFID reader reads at a certain reading speed, for example 100-200 product labels per second, and it takes a certain, non-negligible amount of time to read a complete product label population. Sometimes, each RFID reader must read an individual product label more than once to accurately determine its location. When an RFID-tagged product has been moved, when its location has been changed to a new location, the time it takes to update its new location is negatively impacted by the presence of many other product labels. It is not always possible, at least not immediately, to know when a specific product label has moved, because the system must identify and locate all product labels before it can determine if a specific product label has been moved. The amount of time it takes to determine the new location of a product label that has been moved is a linear function of the number of product labels present within a coverage range of the reader (s). Real-time reading performance, on the order of a second or less, for quickly determining the new location of a product label that has been moved, or for accurately locating a specific product label, is a challenge that current RFID systems have not always been adequately fulfilled.
    In addition, there are crucial moments during an RFID system operation when, and / or crucial places in the general location where it is
    BE2017 / 5365 is essential to accurately and quickly locate and track product labels. For example, during merchandise inventory movement of products that are unloaded at unloading areas in the general location, or replenished in lockers in the general location, or moved from a back room to a sales floor, or unpacked in a warehouse, etc. hit and / or misaddressed product-label readings at the key locations mentioned and at the key moments mentioned result in inaccurate inventory estimates, which is a major concern for all companies, especially retailers. Overestimation of inventory harms sales and adversely affects customer satisfaction. Underestimation of the inventory triggers orders for more merchandise resulting in overloaded warehouses. Innumerable hours of person are spent clearing up lost or misaddressed products due to unreliable, inaccurate, and untimely inventory counts.
    Accordingly, there is a need to more accurately and quickly locate such product labels, especially at critical moments during RFID system operations and / or at critical locations in the general location, and to improve the reading performance of such RFID system.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement for use within a general location, the arrangement comprising: at least one radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag of interest; and an RFID locating system for communicating with at least one RFID product tag and the at least one RFID tag of interest, the RFID locating system configured to communicate with the at least one RFID product tag using a first institution and / or a second institution, where the RFID5
    BE2017 / 5365 locating system is arranged to associate a respective zone of interest with each of the at least one RFID tag of interest, and, within the respective zone of interest, the RFID locating system further arranged to switch from communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the first setting, to communicate with the at least one RFID product label using the second setting.
    Furthermore, in the arrangement, the first setting may include a first dwell time of an RF interrogation signal and the second setting may include a second dwell time of the RF interrogation signal different from the first dwell time.
    Also, the arrangement may provide that the first setting includes a first transmit power of an RF interrogation signal and the second setting includes a second transmit power of the RF interrogation signal different from the first transmit power.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the first setting comprises a first transmission direction of an RF interrogation signal and the second setting comprises a second transmission direction of the RF interrogation signal different from the first transmission direction.
    Advantageously, the arrangement may provide that the first setting has a first transmission order of a plurality of RF interrogation signals and the second setting has a second transmission order of the number of RF interrogation signals different from the first transmission order.
    Furthermore, the arrangement may provide that the RFID localization system includes a plurality of observation network units each having a range, each of the areas of interest being defined by the respective range of at least one of the plurality of observation network units containing the at least one RFID tag of interest.
    BE2017 / 5365
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the arrangement may provide that the at least one RFID tag of interest is an RFID product tag read for the first time by the RFID locating system and / or an RFID product tag for a predetermined amount. time has not been read by the RFID locating system and is then read again.
    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an arrangement is provided for use within a general location, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of sensing network units each of a range and useful for communicating with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product labels using at least a first institution and / or a second institution; and at least one RFID tag of interest; wherein upon sensing the at least one RFID tag of interest within the respective range, each of the plurality of sensing network units is operable to switch from communicating with the RFID tags using the first setting to communicating with the RFID labels with the second setting, preferably the observation network units each comprising an RFID locating system.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the arrangement may provide that the at least one RFID tag of interest is an RFID product tag read for the first time by one of the plurality of RFID locator systems and / or an RFID product tag that is displayed during a predetermined amount of time has not been read by one of the plurality of RFID locating systems and is then read again.
    Furthermore, the arrangement may provide for each of the observation network units to include a plurality of angularly separated antenna elements positioned relative to
    BE2017 / 5365 of an upright axis.
    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of communicating with at least one radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product label using a first setting and / or a second setting, the method comprising the steps of: communicating with at least one RFID tag of interest; associating a respective zone of interest with each of the at least one RFID tag of interest; and within the respective zone of interest, switching from communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the first setting to communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the second setting.
    Advantageously, the method may provide that the step of switching from communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the first setting to communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the second setting comprises: varying a residence time of an RF interrogation signal, a transmission power of the RF interrogation signal, a transmission direction of the RF interrogation signal and / or a transmission order of a plurality of RF interrogation signals.
    Furthermore, the method may provide that the step of communicating with the at least one RFID tag of interest further comprises communicating with the at least one RFID tag of interest through a range observation network unit, and wherein the respective zone of interest is defined by the scope of the observation network unit that has communicated with the at least one RFID tag of interest.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the method may further provide that the observation network unit comprises a plurality of antenna elements positioned relative to a
    BE2017 / 5365 upright axis; and arranging the observation network unit in a housing.
    Advantageously, the method can provide that the plurality of antenna elements are angularly separated.
    Also, according to the method, it can be provided that the at least one RFID tag of interest is an RFID product tag read for the first time by the RFID locating system and / or an RFID product tag that is stored for a predetermined amount of time has not been read by the RFID locating system and subsequently read again.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
    The attached figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally like elements in the different views, together with a detailed description below, are included in and form part of the description and further serve to implement the concepts envisaged by the present invention. to illustrate and explain various principles and advantages of said embodiments.
    FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view viewed from above of an arrangement of a plurality of elevated observation network units located in a department store location, each having an RFID location system for reading RFID product labels associated with products located in zones of interest in accordance with the current description,
    FIG. 2 is a view depicting RFID components of a representative RFID locating system of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 3 is a view depicting a user near a zone of interest wearing an identity badge (badge) with an RFID tag
    BE2017 / 5365 of interest whose location is sensed by the observation network unit of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 4 is a view depicting a product carrying pallet near a zone of interest as well as a customer pushing a shopping cart that has products near a zone of interest, the products and / or the cart having at least one RFID tag of interest. location is sensed by the observation network unit of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the identity badge of FIG. 3.
    FIG. 6 is a detail view of the pallet of FIG. 4 in seclusion.
    FIG. 7 is a schematic top view illustrating an example of how the performance of an RFID locating system can be improved on an observation network unit.
    FIG. 8 is a schematic top view illustrating an example of how the RFID locating systems interact.
    FIG. 9 is a schematic top view illustrating another example of how the RFID locating systems interact.
    Skilled artisans understand that the elements shown in the figures are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and locations of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.
    The arrangement and method components are indicated where necessary by conventional Symbols in the drawing, reflecting only the specific details necessary to understand the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the description
    BE2017 / 5365 with details that are obvious to those skilled in the art with normal knowledge of the prior art using the description herein.
    DETAILED FIGURE DESCRIPTION
    One aspect of this description is related to an arrangement for locating radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product labels associated with a general location, such as a retail, factory, or warehouse environment. The arrangement includes one or more RFID tags of interest associated with, and near, one or more zones of interest, also known as hot spots, in a general location. Some RFID tags of interest may be movable jointly with a user in a general location, for example, worn (on the body) and / or carried (by lifting) by a user. Other RFID tags of interest may be movable together with a product mover, such as a pallet or shopping cart, to support and move a product in a general location. Still other labels of interest may include one or more RFID product labels that have been read for the first time, or that have not been read for a predetermined amount of time and then read again. Each RFID label has a unique content and locates each zone of interest. For example, each zone of interest represents a location where some critical trade transport takes place. This can take place, for example, during trade stock transportation of products unloaded at unloading locations at the general location, or refreshed in the boxes at the general location, or transported from a storage room to a sales area, or unpacked to a storage location, and so on. Each zone of interest may also represent a location where one or more RFID product labels have been read for the first time, or have not been read for a predetermined amount of time and then read again.
    BE2017 / 5365
    The arrangement further includes an RFID locating system for reading the RFID product labels in a read mode with a set of reading parameters, and for reading any RFID tag of interest deployed in the general location. In response to reading each RFID tag of interest, the RFID locating system changes at least one of the reading parameters. The RFID localization system emphatically reads the RFID product labels that are of interest in the zone with at least one changed reading parameter. Advantageously, the read parameters include a residence time of an RF interrogation signal transmitted by the RFID locating system, a transmission power with which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted, a transmission direction along which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted and a transmission order of the plurality of RF interrogation signals transmitted through the RFID locating system.
    A further aspect of this description is directed to a method of locating radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product labels associated with products in a general location. The method is performed by associating at least one RFID tag of interest with, and near one, at least one zone of interest in the general location; by reading the RFID product labels in a reading mode with a set of reading parameters; by reading the at least one RFID tag of interest; by changing at least one of the reading parameters in response to reading the at least one RFID tag of interest; and read with emphasis the RFID product labels that are of interest in the at least one zone with the modified at least one read parameter.
    In accordance with this description, once an RFID tag of interest has been read and the associated proximity zone of interest has been located, the RFID location system directs its read operation with an emphasis on those RFID product labels of interest in that zone. In this way, the RFID locating system is dynamically configured in
    BE2017 / 5365 actual time to focus and focus its reading operation on those RFID product labels that are of interest in that zone and not to direct the reading operation on, or at least not fully, focus on, product labels in other zones, i.e. zones that are of no interest at this time. Merchandise inventory movement performed at critical times and / or in critical locations is so accurately and quickly located and tracked. Product label readings at such locations no longer lead to incorrect inventory estimates, as the possibility of missed and / or misaddressed product label readings at such critical times and / or such critical locations has been minimized.
    Referring to the drawings, reference number 10 in FIG. 1 generally shows a warehouse environment or general location in which a plurality of observation network units 30 are mounted high on, or near, a ceiling 14. Although the general location 10 is illustrated as a warehouse, this is only an example, because the Observation network units 30 can be mounted in many different locations, especially shops, and not necessarily on the ceiling. As described below in connection with FIG. 7, the general location 10 may have zones of interest 92.94, also known as "hot spots", and zones of little or no importance 96.98, also known as "cold spots", spaced apart. Advantageously, as also described below and in connection with FIGs. 8-9, the observation network units 30 may be spaced approximately every twenty to eighty feet. As further described below, each sensing network unit operates a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader or locating system 34 for reading RFID product labels 22 (see FIG. 3) associated with, or mounted on, products 12, for simplicity in FIG. 1 as cardboard. A plurality of products 12 can be supported on pallets 50, shopping trolleys 54 (see FIG. 4), or similar flush moving platforms that
    BE2017 / 5365 are moved by freight movers, such as forklift trucks 48, which are controlled by users 24. Some users 24 can move individual products 12 without forklift trucks 48, for example, during retrieval of individual products 12 from lockers from a picklist during an order fulfillment task.
    A network master computer or server 16, which is usually located locally in a back room at the general location 10, comprises one or more computers and is in a wired, wireless, direct or network-bound communicative connection to each detection network unit 30. The server 16 can also be remotely housed in a “cloud server”. The server 16 may include a wireless RF transceiver that communicates with any observation network unit 30. Examples of open wireless connections for exchanging data between electronic devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth®. The server 16 is connected to the RFID locating system 34 in each observation network unit 30. As shown schematically by the dashed lines 20 in FIG. 1 and as described more fully below, three of the observation network units 30 can be used to locate a user 24 in the general location 10 by triangulation or tripartite measurement.
    As shown in FIG. 2, each RFID locating system 34 has a plurality or series of antenna elements 1, 2, 3, ..., N, each identified by reference numeral 44, and is connected to an RF division 46 located on in turn is connected to an RFID driver 42 to control his operations. The number N is arbitrary and depends on the specific application. As shown in FIG. 7, the RF antenna elements 44 are located within each housing of each observation network unit 30 and are arranged, preferably rectangularly separated, about an upright axis. The housing covers the RF antenna elements 44 and serves as a radar dome to protect them. The
    BE2017 / 5365 housing is composed of material such as plastic, allowing RF signals to pass freely.
    The RFID controller 42 sends interrogation signals 28 (see FIG. 7) radiated by the antenna elements 44 over the RFID product labels 22 in the general location 10. More specifically, the RF department 46 includes control and processing electronics which are surgically connected with the antenna elements 44 for actuating a broadcast order of the antenna elements 44. The RF department 46 includes an RF transceiver operated by the RFID controller 42 to form and transmit the RF interrogation signals 28 (see FIG. 7). ), and polling and processing the load capacities of any RFID product labels 22 in its range. It is clear that there are thousands of RFID product labels within the general location. The antenna elements 44 receive a return RF beam from the interrogated product labels 22 and the RFID controller 42 deciphers an RF signal from the return beam into a decrypted data. The decrypted data, also known as payload or captured target data, may include a serial number, price, date, destination, location, other properties, or combination of properties, and more of the RFID-tagged product 12.
    As described above, there are critical times during execution of the RFID locating systems 34 when, and / or critical locations in general Location 10 where it is essential to accurately and quickly locate and track product labels 22. For example, during merchandise inventory movements of products that are unloaded at unloading bays in General Iocation 10, or marked in lockers in General Iocation 10, or moved from a back room to the sales floor, or unpacked in a warehouse, and so on, missed and / or misplaced product-label readings at such critical locations and times may result in an inaccurate inventory estimate. In another example, it is sometimes essential to be accurate and fast
    BE2017 / 5365 to locate and track the RFID product labels 22 in a location where a single number or a plurality of product labels 22 are first read, or are read for a predetermined amount of time and then read again. This disclosure is designed to prevent such missed and / or misplaced product label readings at critical locations and times.
    In accordance with this disclosure, a single or multiple number of RFID tags of interest (LVB) 36 are installed in the general location 10, as shown in FIGs. 3-6, and have also been read by the RFID locating system 34 to locate the aforementioned zones of interest 92 or 94 in the general location 10. These zones of interest 92 or 94 are the zones associated with the aforementioned critical locations where the merchandise inventory movement occurs at critical times, or where a single or multiple number of product labels 22 are first read, or for a predetermined amount of time have not been read and then be read again. Each RFID label of interest 36 has a unique load capacity different from the load capacities of the RFID product labels 22, although the RFID labels of interest 36 and the RFID product labels 22 are preferably both arranged as passive RFID labels, in order to cost reasons.
    As shown in FIG. 3, three of the observation network units 30 may be used to locate an RFID tag of interest 36 which may be integrated into an employee identity badge 26, preferably with an image 62 of the employee 24 (see FIG. 5), by triangulation or three-way measurement, as schematically depicted by the dotted line 20. The RFID tag of interest 36 and the insignia 26 are associated and movable jointly with a user 24, for example, by being supported and / or worn by the user 24, for example by being an extension of a collar 32. The RFID tag of interest 36 can be integrated into
    BE2017 / 5365 any of a badge, badge, garment or device capable of identifying the location of the user 24. The device may be held or worn and handled and handled by the user 24, including but not limited to portable RFID tag readers, portable barcode readers, radios, watches, tablets, glasses or computers. The device may be any type of freight movers controlled by the user 24, including but not limited to, a fork lift 48 or a shopping cart 64. The user 24 may be any person, worker, operator, companion or client movable within the general location 10 and responsible for moving products 12.
    As shown in FIG. 4, three of the sensing network units 30 may be used to locate an RFID tag of interest 36 which may be integrated into the pallet 50 or into a shopping cart 64. The RFID tag of interest 36 may be mounted anywhere on the pallet 50 and as shown in FIG. 6 it is conveniently mounted on the bottom of the pallet 50. RFID tag of interest 36 and the pallet 50 are movable together. The RFID tag of interest 36 can be mounted anywhere on the shopping cart 64 or on a single or multiple number of products 12 in the shopping cart 64.
    In accordance with this description, once the RFID localization system 34 has read an RFID tag of interest 36 associated with either a user 24, or a pallet 50, or a shopping cart 64, or a single or multiple number of products 12, it will RFID locating system 34 recognizes whether the RFID tag of interest 36 is near a zone of interest 92 or 94. Once the RFID tag of interest 36 and the corresponding near zone of interest 92 or 94 are located, the RFID locating system 34 directs its read operations with emphasis on reading product labels 22 in the affected zone of interest 92 or 94. As a result, the RFID locating system 34 is dynamically configured in real time to focus its read operations on the product labels 22
    BE2017 / 5365 which is located in the zone of interest 92 or 94, and his read operations are not, or at least not fully, aimed at product labels 22 in other zones, i.e. zones 96 or 98 that are not or hardly used at the time. of interest. As described below, merchandise stock movement in critical locations or zones 92 or 94, or reading a single or multiple number of RFID product labels 22 first read in critical locations or zones 92 or 94, or not reading of a single or multiple number of product labels 22 at a critical location or zones 92 or 94 for a predetermined amount of time and then read again, quickly located and tracked.
    As shown in FIG. 7, the RFID locating system 34 initially reads the RFID product labels 22 in a read mode of operation with a series of read parameters or settings. One such read parameter is the duration of a dwell time of an RF interrogation signal sent by the RFID locating system 34. The dwell time is the length of time that an RFID product label 22 resides in the field of the RF interrogation beam 28. The RFID driver 42 varies the residence time, or any other reading parameter or setting, after the RFID locating system 34 has also read an RFID tag of interest 36. The reading of the RFID tag of interest 36 locates the RFID tag of interest 36 and its adjacent zones of interest 92 or 94, whereby, for example, a crucial merchandise inventory movement occurs at a crucial time.
    The RFID driver 42 will then directly increase the residence time proportionally or adjust another reading parameter and vice versa, every
    Concentrate and target RFID read operation to read those RFID product labels 22 that are in that zone of interest 92 or 94, and not to direct its read action towards, or at all not fully target, product labels 22 in other zones, ie zones 96 or 98 that are of little or no importance at present.
    BE2017 / 5365
    Other read parameters that can be changed include, but are not limited to, a transmit power why the RF signal is transmitted, and / or a transmit direction along which the RF signal is transmitted, and / or a transmit order of a plurality of RF signals transmitted by the RF antenna elements 44 have been transmitted. A single or multiple number of such reading parameters can be varied in any combination.
    FIGs. 8-9 are plan views depicting a desired design of the observation network units 30 in a grid pattern. Zones 92 and 94 are considered to be of interest because the user 24 in these zones carries RFID tags of interest 36, in which case the RFID locating systems 34 in the observation network units 30 emphasize the product tags 22 of each product 12 within the zones. 92 or 94 reads. In FIG. 9, two users 24 are located in an area overlapped by both zones 92 and 94, whereby the product labels in the overlapped area are read even more concentrated and focused.
    Specific embodiments have been described in the foregoing description. However, one of skill in the art understands that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims below. Accordingly, the specifications and figures are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such provisions are intended to be included within the scope of the present teachings.
    The benefits, benefits, solutions to Problems, and any element (s) that may cause or be more pronounced, or should be more pronounced, should not be considered critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any changes made during the course of this
    BE2017 / 5365 application and all equivalents of these claims as issued.
    In addition, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, above and below and the like can only be used to distinguish an entity or action from another entity or action without actually requiring or implying such a relationship or order between such entities or actions . The terms comprising, including, containing, containing, including, containing, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive containment such that, like a process, method, article or device comprising, includes a list of elements, not only consisting of those elements, but may also contain other elements that are not expressly noted or inherent in such a process, method, article or device. An element followed by "includes .. a", "has ... a", "contains ... a", does not, without limitation, prevent the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or item. device that contains, contains, or contains the element. The term “one” is defined as a single or multiple number unless explicitly described otherwise. The terms "substantial", "essential", "about", or other version thereof are defined as close by, as understood by a person skilled in the art, and in a non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as within 10 %, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term coupled as used herein is defined as linked, however, not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure configured in some way is configured at least as such, but can also be configured in ways not listed.
    It is clear that some embodiments may include one or more generic or specialized processors (or processor devices) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom
    BE2017 / 5365 processors and field-programmable port arrays (VPPAs) and unique stored program constructions (including software and firmware) that control one or more processors to, in combination with certain non-processor circuitry, control some, most, or all of the functions described herein. method and / or devices. Alternatively, some or all functions may be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), each function or some combinations of certain functions being executed as ordinary logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches can be used.
    In addition, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer readable storage medium with a computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (eg a processor) to perform a method as described herein and in the claims.
    Examples of such computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) ”, An“ EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) ”, an“ EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) ”and a“ Flash Memory ”. Furthermore, despite potential significant efforts and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, an ordinary artisan is expected to be easily able to read such software instructions and programs as provided by the concepts and principles described herein. Generate "ICs" with minimal testing.
    The following aspects are also described.
    An arrangement for locating radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product labels associated with products within one
    BE2017 / 5365 general location, the arrangement comprising: at least one RFID tag of interest associated with, and near a, zone of interest in the general location; and an RFID locating system for reading RFID product labels in an operational reading mode with a plurality of reading parameters, for reading the at least one RFID tag of interest, for changing one of the reading parameters in response to reading of the at least one RFID tag of interest, and for emphatically reading the RFID product tags located in the at least one zone of interest with the changed at least one reading parameter.
    Also, the arrangement may include that the at least one RFID tag of interest is movable jointly with a user in the general location and locates the user as near products in the at least one zone of interest.
    Additionally and / or alternatively, the at least one RFID tag of interest is movable jointly with a product mover to move products through the general location and locates the product mover as near products in the at least one zone of interest.
    Additionally and / or alternatively, the arrangement may include that the at least one RFID tag of interest is at least one of a product tag that has been first read, or has not been read for a predetermined amount of time and then read again is.
    Furthermore, the arrangement includes additional RFID tag of interest associated with, and near, additional zones of interest in the general location, and wherein the RFID locating system for reading RFID product tags in a read operation with an additional amount of read parameters, and wherein the RFID locating system is also operative to read any RFID tag of interest, change any amount of read parameters in response to reading any RFID tag of interest, and read the RFID emphatically product labels shown in
    BE2017 / 5365 are the at least one zone of interest with any changed amount of read parameters.
    The arrangement also includes that the read parameters may include a residence time of an RF interrogation signal transmitted by the RFID locating system, a transmission power over which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted, a transmitting direction along which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted and a multiplex RF transmission order. interrogation signals emitted by the RFID location system.
    Furthermore, the arrangement may include a housing located above in the general location and a straight axis bounded, and the RFID locating system mounted in the housing and comprising a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an upright axis and supported by the housing.
    In another aspect, an arrangement is provided for locating radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product labels associated with products in a general location, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of RFID tags of interest associated with, and near , a multiple number of zones of interest in the general location; and a plurality of RFID locating systems for reading the RFID product labels in an operational reading mode with an amount of reading parameters, for reading each RFID tag of interest, for changing any amount of reading parameters in response to reading each RFID tag of interest, and for emphatically reading the RFID product tags located in each zone of interest with any amount of reading parameters changed.
    Furthermore, the arrangement may include that each RFID tag of interest is movable together with a plurality of users in a common location and locates the users as near the products in each zone of interest.
    BE2017 / 5365
    Also, the arrangement may include that each RFID tag of interest is movable together with a plurality of product movers to move products through the general location and locates each product mover as near products in each zone of interest.
    Also, the arrangement may include that each RFID tag of interest is at least one of a product tag that has been read for the first time, or has not been read for a predetermined amount of time and has subsequently been read again.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the arrangement may include that the read parameters include a residence time of an RF interrogation signal transmitted by each RFID locating system, a transmission power over which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted, a transmission direction along which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted and a transmission order of the RF interrogation signal. multiple number of RF interrogation signals transmitted by each RFID locating system.
    Furthermore, the arrangement may include a plurality of housings located above in the general location, with each housing and a straight axis bounded, and each RFID locating system mounted in each housing and comprising a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an upright axis and supported through any enclosure.
    In another aspect of the invention, a method for locating radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product labels is associated with products within a general location, the method comprising: associating with at least one RFID label of interest, and near a zone of interest in the general location; and an RFID localization system for reading RFID product labels in an operational reading mode with an amount of reading parameters, for reading the at least one RFID tag of interest, for changing one of the reading parameters in response to reading of the at least one RFID label of interest, and for reading the RFID product labels with emphasis
    BE2017 / 5365 which are in the at least one zone of interest with the changed at least one reading parameter.
    Also, associating in the method may include that the at least one RFID tag of interest is movable together with a user in the general location and locates the user as near products in the at least one zone of interest.
    Additionally and / or alternatively according to the method, the association may be performed by moving the at least one RFID tag of interest together with a product mover to move products around the general location and locate that the mover is near products in the at least one zone of interest.
    Additionally and / or alternatively, it may be envisioned that the method of association is performed by first reading the at least one RFID tag of interest, or reading at least one RFID tag of interest that is for a predetermined amount of time has not been read and then read again.
    Furthermore, the method may include associating additional RFID tag of interest with, and near, additional zones of interest in the general location, and RFID product tag reading being performed with an additional amount of reading parameters, and changing is performed by switching between each amount of reading parameters in response to reading each RFID tag of interest, and the reading of the RFID product labels is performed by emphatically reading the RFID product labels shown in the at least one zone of interest with any changed amount of read parameters. |
    The method may further include configuring read parameters to include a residence time of an RF interrogation signal transmitted by the RFID locating system, a transmitting power on which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted, a transmitting direction along which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted and a
    BE2017 / 5365 transmit order of the multiple number of RF interrogation signals transmitted by including the RFID locating system.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the method may include attaching a housing which is located high in the general location and bounded on a straight axis, and attaching a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an upright axis and supported by the housing.
    The abstract of the description is provided to give the reader a quick idea of the background to the technical description.
    It has been filed with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. For the sake of clarity and brief description, properties are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, but it will be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments containing combinations of all or some of the features described. In addition, in the foregoing "figure description", it can be seen that different features are grouped together in different embodiments to streamline the description. This description is not to be construed as reflecting an intention that the intended embodiments require more properties than those expressly stated in any claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive matter lies in less than all of the features of a single described embodiment. Thus, the following claims are included in the "figure description", each claim standing on its own as separately applied matter.
    BE2017 / 5365
    权利要求:
    Claims (16)
    [1]
    Conclusions
    An arrangement for use within a general location, the arrangement comprising:
    at least one radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag of interest; and an RFID location system for communicating with at least one RFID product label and the at least one RFID label of interest, the RFID location system configured to communicate with the at least one RFID product label using a first setting and / or a second setting, wherein the RFID locating system is arranged to associate a respective zone of interest with each of the at least one RFID tag of interest, and, within the respective zone of interest, the RFID locating system further arranged to switch from communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the first setting, to communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the second setting.
    [2]
    The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first setting comprises a first dwell time of an RF interrogation signal and the second setting comprises a second dwell time of the RF interrogation signal different from the first dwell time.
    [3]
    The arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first setting comprises a first transmit power of an RF interrogation signal and the second setting comprises a second transmit power of the RF interrogation signal different from the first transmit power.
    [4]
    An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the first setting comprises a first transmission direction of an RF interrogation signal and the second setting comprises a second transmission direction of the RF interrogation signal different from the first transmission direction.
    BE2017 / 5365
    [5]
    An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first setting comprises a first transmission order of a plurality of RF interrogation signals and the second setting comprises a second transmission order of the number of RF interrogation signals different from the first transmission order.
    [6]
    An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the RFID locating system comprises a plurality of observation network units each having a range, and each of the areas of interest is defined by the respective range of at least one of the plurality of observation network units which read at least one RFID tag of interest.
    [7]
    An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one RFID tag of interest is an RFID product tag read for the first time by the RFID locating system and / or an RFID product tag that is stored for a predetermined amount time has not been read by the RFID locating system and is then read again.
    [8]
    The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the at least one RFID tag of interest is an RFID product tag read for the first time by one of the plurality of sensing network units and / or an RFID product tag that is not for a predetermined amount of time read by one of the plurality of measurement network units and then read again.
    [9]
    An arrangement according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein each of the observation network units comprises a plurality of angularly separated antenna elements positioned relative to an upright axis.
    [10]
    An arrangement according to any one of claims 8-9, wherein the observation network units each comprise an RFID location system.
    BE2017 / 5365
    [11]
    A method of communicating with at least one radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) product label using a first setting and / or a second setting, the method comprising the steps of:
    communicating with at least one RFID tag of interest; associating a respective zone of interest with each of the at least one RFID tag of interest; and within the respective zone of interest, switching from communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the first setting to communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the second setting.
    [12]
    The method of claim 11, wherein the step of switching from communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the first setting to communicating with the at least one RFID product label using the second setting comprises varying a residence time of an RF interrogation signal, a transmission power of the RF interrogation signal, a transmission direction of the RF interrogation signal and / or a transmission order of a plurality of RF interrogation signals.
    [13]
    The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the step of switching communicating with the at least one RFID tag of interest further comprises communicating with the at least one RFID tag of interest through a range sensing network unit, and wherein the respective zone of interest is defined by the range of the observation network unit that has communicated with the at least one RFID tag of interest.
    [14]
    The method of claim 13, further comprising providing the observation network unit with a plurality of antenna elements positioned relative to an upright axis; and arranging the observation network unit in a housing.
    BE2017 / 5365
    [15]
    The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are rectangularly separated.
    [16]
    The method of any one of claims 11-15, wherein the at least one RFID tag of interest is an RFID product tag that is
    5 has been read by the RFID locating system for the first time and / or an RFID product label that has not been read by the RFID locating system for a predetermined amount of time and is subsequently read again.
    BE2017 / 5365
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    GB2553017A|2018-02-21|
    GB201707745D0|2017-06-28|
    BE1024674A1|2018-05-17|
    BE1024674B9|2018-12-14|
    DE102017110505A1|2017-11-23|
    BE1024674A9|2018-12-07|
    US9785879B1|2017-10-10|
    GB2553017B|2022-02-16|
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    法律状态:
    2018-07-25| FG| Patent granted|Effective date: 20180524 |
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