CN101976377B - Inventory management system - Google Patents

Abstract

Collect Item Information according to method, system and the manufacture thing in terms of relevant some of the present invention from the RFID label tag of the article being attached to stock, and use the Item Information of collection to perform various stock control process.One aspect, stock control process may include determining whether, report and/or provide the corrective action for the one or more events relevant with at least one following project: the change of design of article in the exhausting of article, stock in stock, the defect of one or more article, misplaces article, the movement (reduction) of the article of abnormal number and be included one or more unit failures in the environment in short time interval put.

Description

Inventory management system

The application is invention entitled " the stock control system of filing date Application No. 03806792.7 on January 23rd, 2003 System " the divisional application of application.

Technical field

The present invention relates to inventory management system, more particularly, to being used for performing to use intelligent station to follow the tracks of and/or check The system and method for stock control process with the article of radio frequency identification (RFID) label.

Background technology

Stock control becomes more and more important in the economy of the growth of today.New product is constantly developed and throws in Market, buys for consumer.Although this growth provides the more selection for selecting extensive stock and service to consumer, But business (such as, retailer, whole seller etc.) affords the burdensome task of the stock managing this growth.

In order to manage the product inventory of growth, shop implements permanent type inventory management system, and these systems are to use to close Point of sale (POS) data, invoice data and relevant Stock Check or statistics (such as, the cycle of product in cycle in production marketing Property inventory statistics) historical data, determine the system of existing quantity in stock in retail shop.POS data typically refers to The data that at reckoning system, (that is, cash register) generates.According to the inventory level in retail shop, can be from manufacturer's weight Newly subscribe product.Alternatively, manufacturer and retailer can have agreement, and it is preferentially passed according to the project guide manufacturers of agreement Send product.It is desirable that stock is supplemented in this wise, so that stock article arrives before existing inventory level is the most emptied Retail shop.

Although permanent type inventory management system relaxes some burden when managing big stock, but the management that they use introduces The inexactness of cycle statistics, POS scan data, again the subscribing of redundancy, the sale speed of the shipping of misguidance and/or exception Degree (that is, production marketing carries out the soonest or the slowest).Result is the product for special sales promotion or the most closely supervises Depending on the actual quantity in stock shortage-level of product (such as, there is the product on date effect duration) be up to 11-12%, or the highest Many.

Another shortcoming relevant with perpetual inventory control system includes that stock reduces, and also referred to as makes due to no sale situation The stock become reduces.Such as, reduction can be in any generation of distribution chain, and it originates from invoice mistake, seller practices fraud, mistake Misquote shipping, retail shop employee pilferage and the consumer led to steal.Calculate stock if as discussed above and (that is, use permanent type Inventory management techniques), then economy (amounting to the sales volume of several percentage points) can cause theory stock (i.e., it is proposed that or meter The stock drawn) and not the meeting of stock of reality.Another problem of permanent type inventory management system is and the having of merchandising The uncertainty that effect property is relevant.Such as, if the relation not being well aware of between price and stock's speed, also referred to as price bullet Property, then sales promotion can cause condition in short supply, and this will negatively affect customer satisfaction and loyalty.Alternatively, as too many stock Being subscribed when estimating the most well with price elasticity or measure, sales promotion is unable to reach the quantity in stock wanted and reduces.

And, another relevant problem of traditional inventory management system is to be related in retail shelf or similar holding On carrier unit, misplacing of stock is put.Goods producer expends mint of money and is selling some product in consumer.At some Under situation, this sale potentially includes and the competitor's competition manufacturing similar product.Because retailer it is generally desirable to present to the greatest extent Quantity in stock that may be many is to consumer's sale, so filling with relevant product on the shelf that some employee is product in short supply. In some cases, relevant product can include the product produced by the competitor of manufacturer.This can cause losing manufacturer Sell, and reduce the satisfaction of client in some cases.This also can violate retailer and manufacturer or they sell Agreement between business.

In order to overcome the shortcoming of traditional inventory management system, business starts to quote less identification devices class and helps management to produce The stock of product.This progressive expection during manufacture or is adhered to radio frequency identification (RFID) label when product is stored in warehouse On product.Each RFID label tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), and it makes label can have the identifier of uniqueness.Institute With, such as when product takes out from warehouse or is placed on the retail shelf, product can be scanned, and provides comprehensive stock.And And, RFID tag technology expection provides the distribution stock control between manufacturer and retailer.Such as, each product is in retail The information in the RFID label tag being stored in product can be used when being sold at business, remind manufacturer by the Internet.Manufacture Then business uses this information that retailer forecasts supplementary catalog, to prevent situation in short supply.

Although above-mentioned RFID label tag exploitation contributes to overcoming some shortcoming of traditional permanent type inventory management system, but These exploitations lack the substantially any offer ability that is real-time or that manage in supply chain close to real-time integrated storage.Therefore, There is a need to provide intelligent inventory management system to provide comprehensive investigation of stock in specific environment.

Summary of the invention

The mistake of the stock for management article is provided according to the method in terms of relevant some of the present invention, system and manufacture thing Journey, each article are placed on the relevant position in an environment and are associated with corresponding less identification devices.At this A bright aspect, processes and the Item Information relevant with each article can be included to be supplied to each corresponding wireless identification dress Put.According to Item Information, process can perform stock control process, with the real time information that offer is relevant with the stock of article.Storehouse Deposit management process and can include at least one following process: control process in short supply, reduction (shrinkage) identify process, quickly Product is recalled (recall) process, is reminded supervision process and sell optimization procedures.Each process during these can be held The various tasks of the stock of the article that row is used in management environment, such as monitor the inventory level of article, and detection is at environment In misplace the article put, and provide the feedback information relevant with article (such as, according to sales data pair according to the event of detection The replacement position of suggestion in some article).

The bells and whistles of the present invention will be illustrated in the following description, and will partly understand that these are special from this explanation Property, or these characteristics can be learnt by the practice of the present invention.

Accompanying drawing explanation

It will be appreciated that above-mentioned general remark and further detail below are exemplary and are merely exemplary, and It it not the restriction for the present invention such as claim.Accompanying drawing is cited and a part for structure cost technology explanation, and together with This explanation illustrates several embodiments of the present invention together, is used for illustrating the principle of the present invention.In the drawings:

Fig. 1 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the block diagram of example system；

Fig. 2 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the block diagram of exemplary environments；

Fig. 3 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the flow chart of exemplary EPC recorder (writer) process；

Fig. 4 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the block diagram of example interface conversion；

Fig. 5 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the flow chart of exemplary inventory analysis process；

Fig. 6 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the flow chart of exemplary reduction process；And

Fig. 7 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the flow chart of example revocation process,

Fig. 8 is the block diagram of the basic conception of the explanation prior art RFID system of adnexa A,

Fig. 9 is the explanation prior art RFID system with the multiple antennas being connected to reader unit of adnexa A Block diagram,

Figure 10 A is the explanation square frame according to the embodiment of the present invention, use intelligent station system of inventory control of adnexa A Figure,

Figure 10 B is explanation another enforcement according to the present invention, use intelligent commodity shelf system of inventory control of adnexa A The block diagram of example,

Figure 10 C and 10D is the mistake that control unit execution according to the present invention, by system of inventory control is described of adnexa A The flow chart of journey,

Figure 10 E is explanation use another reality with the system of inventory control of the intelligent station of multiple-series configuration of adnexa A Execute the block diagram of example,

Figure 10 F is the another of the system of inventory control illustrating to use the intelligent station with another kind of multiple-series configuration of adnexa A The block diagram of one embodiment,

Figure 10 G is the block diagram of the T switch of explanation use in multiple-series configures of adnexa A,

Figure 10 H is the explanation of adnexa A block diagram of the on-line switch of use in multiple-series configures,

Figure 10 I is the block diagram that the illustrative methods of RF and digital communication is carried in the explanation of adnexa A in the cable,

Figure 10 J is that the explanation of adnexa A uses switch to make to extend through RF cable undesired of antenna of selection The block diagram of the method that impact minimizes,

Figure 11 A is that the explanation of adnexa A represents be connected to reader unit multiple antennas, the present invention one The block diagram of embodiment,

Figure 11 B is the schematic diagram of the display logic switch of adnexa A,

Figure 12 and 13 is the display block diagram with the embodiment of multiple antennas, present invention replacement of adnexa A,

Figure 14 is the block diagram of explanation an alternative embodiment of the invention of adnexa A, the separate transmission cable of two of which Send modulation has several ring with unmodulated RF signal to multiple antennas, each antenna,

Figure 15 is the block diagram of the alternative embodiment of the explanation present invention of adnexa A, wherein modulate and unmodulated RF system System uses each and every one antenna loop same,

Figure 16 A is the schematic diagram of the illustrative switch of the embodiment shown in Figure 15 of the be used in adnexa A of adnexa A,

Figure 16 B is showing of another illustrative switch of the embodiment shown in Figure 15 of the be used in adnexa A of adnexa A It is intended to,

Electricity that Figure 17 A is the be used in various embodiments of the present invention of adnexa A, that use the switch of PIN diode Lu Tu,

Figure 17 B be the display antenna of adnexa A how by the circuit diagram of " off resonance ",

Figure 17 C is the display antenna circuit diagram by another method of " off resonance " of adnexa A,

Figure 17 D is the display antenna circuit diagram by another method of " off resonance " of adnexa A,

Figure 18 A is the figure of the explanation reader unit various layouts on shelf of adnexa A,

Figure 18 B is the explanation figure in the use of shelf interior label of adnexa A,

Figure 19 is the figure of a method of the explanation making metal wire antenna of adnexa A,

Figure 19 A-C is the figure of the method for the replacement that the explanation of adnexa A is fixed on the end of line on substrate,

Figure 20 is the figure of the method for the replacement of the explanation making metal wire antenna of adnexa A,

Figure 20 A is the figure of the metal wire antenna shape that various replacements are described of adnexa A,

Figure 21 is the figure of another method of the explanation making metal wire antenna of adnexa A,

Figure 22 is the dress that the explanation of adnexa A is added to foil band to be formed in netted or planar substrates foil antennas Put the figure with method,

Figure 23 be adnexa A explanation deposition on substrate conductive channel with formed foil antennas another method Figure,

Figure 24 is the explanation figure for the cross section of the applicator 2200 of depositing conductive pathways of adnexa A,

Figure 25 is that the explanation of adnexa A lays simple rectangular conductive passage by the equipment shown in Figure 22 of use adnexa A The figure of method,

The metal foil slip that the explanation of Figure 25 A-B adnexa A folds,

The embodiment that the conductive trace 2300 that the display of Figure 26 adnexa A is wherein laid is overlapping with former conduction rail bar,

Figure 27 is the laminated construction comprising foil strip antenna of adnexa A,

Figure 28 is the figure of the perforate of the explanation use milling machine formation substrate of adnexa A.

Detailed description of the invention

The following description of embodiments of the invention is referring to the drawings.At suitable occasion, the upper identical mark of different figures Numeral refers to same or similar unit.

Introduction

According to the system and method in terms of relevant some of the present invention, intelligent inventory management process can be monitored and receive The information that collection is relevant with the stock of the article (such as, product) being included in the environment.Article, as used herein term, Can be to be manufactured by farm mechanism, exploitation, plantation, and by manufacturer, commercial entity, individual, individual group etc. provides, Any kind of product.Such as, article can be food (such as product, milk product, canned food food etc.), clothing, plant or Similar gardening product, for the machine components of machine, sports goods etc..And, article can be related to live animal or Fish, are such as raised and are sold to the domestic animal (such as, cattle) of domestic animal processing mechanism by domestic animal supplier.Alternatively, article are permissible It is that raise and train or the non-animal raised and train, is such as raised by animal supplier or protective tissue (such as, pet shop, zoo etc.) The Canis familiaris L. supported and/or safeguard or reptile.

The information collected can be used to perform various stock control process, and it allows users to control the storehouse of article Deposit, monitor reduction, simplify and identify recalling of being included in stock or the article of defect, in management environment, article misplaces Put, and receive the reminder message relevant with various article inventory conditions, such as safety conditions, condition in short supply etc. Deng.

In one aspect of the invention, environment (such as retail shop etc.) uses the system of the structure of RFID enable, all Such as shelf unit, follow the tracks of the stock of article.Such system is at the U.S. Patent application submitted to corresponding on January 9th, 2003 Serial number: _ _ _ _ _ _ adnexa A described in.Make relevant with article according to the system and method in terms of relevant some of the present invention Data repeatedly can be collected by data gathering system.The operable user interface of user, it provides based on the article letter required Breath (i.e., when the user requests it) or Item Information based on exception are (that is, when some thing generation exception or noticeable Time).According to the data collected, intelligent inventory management application and/or user can manage the article of short supply, monitor reduction, perform fast Speed recalls function, with the prompting sent about noticeable event.

System structure

Fig. 1 be according to relevant some of the present invention in terms of the high-level block diagram of exemplary inventory management system 100.Such as figure Shown in, system 100 can include one or more environment 110-1 to the 110-N interconnected by network 180.Environment 110-1 to 110-N Can also be connected directly by the direct communication path (not shown) between environment.Network 180 can represent any type Communication configuration, it is allowed to environment 110-1 to 110-N exchanges information.Such as, network can be LAN (LAN), wide area network , and the combination of network, such as the Internet (WAN).And, network 180 can include base structure, it is allowed to environment 110-1 to 110-N By based on wireless communication exchange information.

Environment 110-1 to 110-N respectively can represent the environment relevant with commercial entity or noncommercial entities.In the present invention one Individual aspect, each environment 110 can include, or relate to, and manufactures, produces, keeps, stores and/or the physical arrangement of merchandising. Such as, environment 110-1 to 110-N can represent the retail shop of merchandising, buys, stores, keeps and/or items of freight Warehouse, the storeroom of storage supply, etc..Environment 110-1 to 110-N can also represent main commercial office entity, management The sale of article that are in other environment 110 and that sell, produces, storage etc..Such as, several environment (such as, 110-1) can To represent retail outlet shop, such as direct marketing commodity are to the supermarket of consumer (that is, user), and environment 110-N is permissible Main office in terms of the stock of each environment in the representative several environment of management and other business.According to some of the present invention Aspect, one or more environment (such as, 110-1) can be according to the Item Information collected by the automatic service performed in environment Execution intelligent inventory manages.

For the intelligent inventory management business in terms of performing according to relevant some of the present invention, each environment 110-1 arrives 110-N can include intelligent inventory management system (IIMS) 105, data gathering system (DCS) 160, and article inventory 170.IIMS 105 can represent one or more calculating system, such as server, personal computer, work station, notebook computer, or technology Any other similar computer system upper known, the one or more processes in terms of performing according to relevant some of the present invention. Although Fig. 1 shows the IIMS 105 being positioned at each environment, but certain aspects of the invention make IIMS 105 also be able to be positioned at The outside of environment.Such as, department store's link can make several shop be connected to single IIMS 105 by network.

DCS 160 can be carried out the hardware of the data collection function according to certain aspects of the invention, firmware and/or soft The configuration of part.On the one hand, DCS 160 includes by using RFID technique from be included in article inventory 170 or many Individual article collect the parts of Item Information.Article inventory 170 can represent be physically located in each environment 110 or many Individual article.Article inventory 170 may also include the article of one or more types, and they are in characteristic, size, price, local flavor, function Etc. aspect can be or can not be similar.Such as, in environment 110-1 represents the example in supermarket, article inventory can wrap Including the F&B of different types, each type of article include multiple article.Therefore, in the example above, environment 110-1 can include beverage and other edible article of thousands of different type.Alternatively, if environment 110-1 is and family Improvement warehouse, front yard retail shop is relevant, then article inventory 170 can include the instrument of different types, machine, utensil etc..

For the sake of illustrating in this application, article described herein are relevant with Retail commodity, it is assumed that commodity are placed On a store shelf, shelf comprise the RFID antenna being included in each environment 110.Each article can be and RFID label tag Relevant, label includes the Item Information relevant with each article.Such as, RFID label tag can include the article that label is attached to Unique identification information, such as serial number or price number.Alternatively, RFID label tag can include Item Information, represents article Type and/or relevant characteristic, and the message identification of environment that RFID label tag is positioned at (such as, is positioned at ring for IIMS 105 Situation beyond border).DCS 160 can be configured to from the RFID relevant with each article being stored in article inventory 170 Label search Item Information, and supply information to IIMS 105.

Other kinds of Information Retrieval Mechanism can be implemented in the environment 110-1 relevant with antenna, shows including suspension type Show device, clothes shelf, shelf end display, cubicle, bench board, interior room or warehouse shelf, display case and point of sale Or checkout lane equipment.And, although the following description of certain aspects of the invention relates to overhead baggage rack unit based on RFID, It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention also can with POS location (such as, checkout lane), warehouse shelf, porch district The relevant RFID reader in territory etc. is applied together.The speed that the characteristic (such as, form factor) of antenna and antenna are read can Regulation can be needed, in order to be used in the application in addition to shelf.Such as, warehouse applications may require longer range of readings and The most frequent data update, and point of sale application may require the reading model that very quickly data update and may be relatively low Enclose.Based on can be by the parts completed according to the method and system of the present invention and the type of the RFID of system and function at adnexa A Described in.

Exemplary environments 110-1

As it has been described above, system 100 allows one or more environment 110 management article stock 170 intelligently.Fig. 2 shows and presses The block diagram of exemplary environments 110-1 according to some characteristic of the present invention.As it can be seen, environment 110-1 can include IIMS 105, Request response management device (RRM) 220, and DCS 160.

IIMS 105 can include CPU 201, memorizer 202, display 204 and data base 215.CPU 201 can be skill Known any kind of processor in art.CPU 201 can be configured to perform instruction and some is former according to for the present invention Reason execution process.Although Fig. 2 only shows that a CPU 201 is included in IIMS 105, but those skilled in the art will manage Solving multiple different structure can be by the article of method, system and manufacture according to some principle for the present invention by reality Execute.Such as, CPU 201 can replace with multiple processors or supplement, and one or more processors perform multiple tasks and/or many Individual processing procedure is run.Display 204 can be to present information to user, any kind of display device, such as work station, Notebook computer, dumb terminal unit, the computer screen in operating board etc..

Data base 215 can be one or more memory device system, and it stores the information used by IIMS 105, holds Row is according to the intelligent inventory management characteristic of the present invention.Data base 215 can be by database server (not shown), such as SQL number According to storehouse server, it is controlled.And, Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) driver for sql server can be used Access SQL server database.Data base 215 can store relevant with each identifier being included in an rfid tag Information.Therefore, for each goods holding unit (SKU) (that is, certain manufacturer that make, reflect certain class of at least product The information relevant with article of type (such as type of items), in certain size, colored, style etc. aspect), it is stored in number Can select from following items according to the Item Information in storehouse 215:

(1) universal price code (UPC) and/or electrovalence trellis code (EPC).It should be pointed out that, the tool made by certain manufacturer There are certain size, the article of colour etc. to have and are the same from UPC, but each EPC with uniqueness.Referring to title For the joint of " EPC recorder (writer) ", provide the further instruction of EPC.

(2) the current price of article.

(3) the seasonal designator of article.It is (all from different events or season that seasonal designator can represent article Such as, festivals or holidays, time period before and after certain date of special event (such as, supercup football game) etc.) relevant time Between interval between relation.Such as, soap products can have and represents the seasonal designator without Seasonal Characteristics, such as " without season Joint ", " garland " can have " Christmas Day " designator, and Linesless charcoal can have " summer " designator etc..And, Promotional Items (such as, by those article of manufacturer or retailer's dedicated sales) can have and time period (such as, " in July, 2003 " etc.) Relevant seasonal designator.Seasonal designator can be used for determining by ISSA 200 and/or user when remove or Again some article being stored in article inventory 170.

(4) shelf life of article.Shelf life can be to allow article to be placed between the time in article inventory 170 Every.Such as, perishable product, such as milk, it is likely to be of limited time interval, in this time interval, they can be in It is sold to consumer on shelf now.Nonperishable product can also have according to one or more factors and occurs in stock 170 In limited time interval, the former sale of these factors such as similar type article, limited promotion period section etc..

(5) about the historical data of selling rate of each type of article.The sales data of history can with rollback certain Time interval, the natural law of the most certain number or hour etc..Historic sales data can be formatted, so that providing reflection This sample loading mode of quantity of the article of the sale of type given in a time interval, such as form, sell number including string According to, there are 168 row, represent 7 days and be multiplied by 24 hours.For work every day less than the environment of 24 hours, such as retail shop or not Being the business office opened the door for 24 hours, these row can have less row.And, data base 215 can include about article The additional additional column of selling rate data, such as, represents certain condition, such as standard price, promotional price, season festivals or holidays Joint, brings down stocks condition etc..Season festivals or holidays can be extend (such as, Christmas Day) or short (fall in battle soldier's commemoration day, 7 The moon 4, International Labour Day etc.).Abnormal other situations selling pattern (such as, accelerating to sell pattern) can be produced and include " super Cup ", or the date before expection vile weather, such as snowstorm or typhoon.

(6) going through of the one or more conditions when a type of article can not provide in article inventory 170 is represented The data in short supply of history.

(7) historical data not having to buy the number of times being put back into again shelf after article are removed is represented.

(8) shelf " volume " size of the article of the peculiar size of the individual packaging unit of article is represented.This peculiar size The cube that can be surrounded for straight line by tolerance, or mathematically represent by the process performed by computer and/or user and handle Other kinds of geometric space.For the article that can not stack mutually, shelf volume size can consider to expand to and its phase Another adjacent, to be currently placed with article on it shelf.

(9) in environment 110-1, one or more positions of being preferably placed with article, such as shelf number, or position, warehouse Put.

(10) information of general introduction reduction, is reflected in the thing of the interior some specific for when and where of environment 110-1 The movement of product.Such as, reduction information can take within the time of short-term with the most substantial amounts of certain type of article from shelf The condition walked is relevant.

(11) information of in short supply event specific for when and where in being summarized in environment 110-1.

It addition, collect (such as, the independent box of any kind of article) for certain type of article, data base is permissible The Item Information that storage selects from following items:

(1) EPC of article.

(2) relate to return to the UPC of the article of above-mentioned SKU information.

(3) other kinds of information, the most directly knows from SKU (such as, colored, style, size).

(4) relevant with article serial number (if different from EPC).

(5) article are for the commercial entity relevant with environment 110-1, such as retailer, cost.

(6) article are placed on the position in environment 110-1 the date of (such as, specific shelf) for the first time.

(7) effect duration (if any) of article.

(8) asset position information of the current physical location of article is represented in environment 110-1 (if or sold, thing The position finally known of product).

(9) price (if sale) that the article sold are sold.

(10) date (if sale) that article are sold.

(11) the preferred customer number (if sale) of buyer, represents and distributes to buy or be likely to purchase be positioned at ring Unique number of the user of the article in the 110-1 of border.

Data base can be configured to configure storage data with various data forms and data base.Such as, data base 215 is permissible Store one or more form, including the information made by ISSA 200 for performing some function relevant with the present invention.These Form comprises the steps that

(1) tblAlert-stores the prompting relevant with some event in environment 110-1 and reminds the table confirmed.

(2) tblCompany: storage has about it, rents, manages and/or the commercial entity relevant with environment 110-1 The table of the information of (such as, company).

(3) tblCurEPC-storage is current about position (such as, given shelf) given in environment 110-1 The table of the information of EPC.

(4) tblEPC: store EPC code and product information, such as manufacturer, SKU, and have with product (such as, article) The other kinds of information closed, the table of the information being associated.

(5) table of the information of the tblEPCReader-relevant EPC sensing device of storage (such as, reader 262).

(6) tblEPCSkuBase-storage is relevant for EPC sensing device (such as, reader 262) and has with reader The table of the information of the stock of the basic horizontal of any type of items closed.

(7) tblEPRlnv-storage is relevant is provided by enterprise resource planning (EPR) or other kinds of inventory system Current theoretical stock (plan that such as, contrast with actual stock, that should exist in environment 110-1 or build The stock of view) the table of information.EPR system is business management system, and it merges many aspects of business, including plan, manufactures, Sell, and marketing, those the EPR systems such as provided by SAP, Oracle, and PeopleSoft.

(8) tblInventoryAlertConflg: storage (such as, is performed by IIMS 105 for stock's prompting work Task, it according to one or more stock's conditions provide reminder message) configuration item purpose table.

(9) the configuration data of reminder process are removed in tblInventoryRemoveAlertConflg: storage for stock Table.

(10) information that tblManu-storage is relevant with one or more manufacturers of the article being included in stock 170 Table.

(11) the executable action of tblReaderType-store predetermined EPC reader (such as, is read, is turned on/off display Device, regulation power level etc.) the table of information.

(12) tblReaderTypeAction-stores the inventory of the possible action for given EPC reader Table.

(13) tblRelatedEPC-stores for (such as, being connected to public overhead baggage rack unit, with community antenna with another Relevant) table of the identification information of relevant any EPC reader.

(14) EPC of the given position in tblRemEPC-storage is no longer at environment 110-1 (such as, is no longer referring to On fixed frame) table.

(15) the Agent position of tblRequestBroker-store predetermined request is with relevant port (such as.TCP/ IP port identification accords with) the table of information.

(16) tblSku-preserves the table of the information about article SKU information.

(17) tblSkuCat-storage is about the table of the information of the one or more catalogues for various article.

(18) tblStore-storage is about the table of the information of environment 110-1.

(19) tblUser-storage is authorized to access the table of the inventory of any user of ISSA 200.

(20) tblVirtualCommands-storage is for the table of the inventory of the dummy command of EPC reader.This order is clear List can include the order that may be sent to that RFID reader, guides RFID to perform one or more operations, such as storage article letter Breath.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that table listed above is exemplary, and be not intended to restriction.Data base 215 can include the table more or less being configured to store the various types of information used by ISSA 200.

Memorizer 202 can be the storage dress of the one or more known type of the data that storage is used by IMMS 105 Put.Memorizer 202 may be, but not limited to, the storage device of magnetic, quasiconductor and/or light type.Memorizer 202 is also Can be the storage device allowing CPU 201 RAD, such as ultra-high access memory.According to relevant with the present invention In one configuration of the characteristic selected, memorizer 202 can store data and/or programmed instruction (such as, application) is implemented to press Method according to some characteristic relevant with the present invention.In the middle of software in can being included in memorizer 202, there is intelligent commodity shelf soft Part application (ISSA) 200.

ISSA 200

ISSA 200 can be application program, and such as by the application software of web network-enabled, it supplies information to use Family, or give EPR system.Therefore, ISSA 200 can be configured to receive data from user or EPR system and provide data to use Family or EPR system (or other kinds of business management system).ISSA 200 can part data be sent to user and/or Before ERP system, the data collected from DCS 160 are temporarily stored in data base 215.In one aspect of the invention, Yong Huke Customization ISSA 200, to determine that how many inventory datas are managed and are stored in data base 215, and how inventory data is protected Exist be positioned at another environment, such as environment 110-N, ISSA system in.

It addition, ISSA 200 can perform and/or run be configured to control to be linked into one of the function of ISSA200 or Multiple privacy procedures.Such as, ISSA 200 can perform to need user provide effective user's name and password (or identify its His form) to access the privacy procedure of the characteristic (including those characteristics performed by ISSA 200) provided by IIMS105.Again Person, ISSA 200 can distribute one or more task to user.According to the task of distribution, ISSA 200 (or be included in In IIMS 105 any other application and/or process) may determine that corresponding user can access which task (such as, by The program that ISSA 200 performs via CPU 201).Furthermore, ISSA 200 can control whether user receives certain form of carrying Waking up, these are reminded can be to be received by the ISSA 200 miscellaneous part in environment 110-1, such as DCS 160, reception. It addition, ISSA 200 can include a process, it creates when being performed by CPU 201 and keeps any affairs performed by user Log file, such as add data, request data and/or revise the data in data base 215.

ISSA 100 can include one or more user interface 210, and it allows user and ISSA200 to exchange information, such as By display 204.User interface 210 allow user with order or inquiry form request data, these order or inquiry by Business logic/transaction machine 230 processes.

Business logic/transaction machine 230 can be software, and managing when this software is performed by CPU 201 has according to the present invention One or more tasks (that is, process) of some characteristic closed.On the one hand, these tasks can include control task 231 in short supply, contracting Subtract supervision task 232, quickly recall task 233, EPC recorder (writer) task 234, other particular tasks 235, and remind Task 239.

Task 231 in short supply

Control task 231 in short supply provides the management function relevant with article inventory 170 for ISSA 200.Such as, control in short supply Task 231 processed can perform stock processing, and it is according to order and/or determines periodically and is included in some and complete inventory 170 In the physical inventory of article, the actual stock of the article being such as currently located in shop shelf.Task 231 can allow to use Corpse (such as, client, employee etc.) is asked and watches the storehouse of (such as ancillary equipment 255 or display 204) on the display apparatus Deposit the result of process.Task 231 may determine whether any type of items in short supply (such as, it is impossible to be supplied to client and buy, because of It is not placed on the position that client can collect and buy for such article).Task 231 can create these things in short supply The inventory of category type, and arrange them according to one or more factors by precedence, such as former due to type of items (such as, last month) is in short supply in time interval losss profit, due to type of items loss of short supply when determining condition in short supply Profit, in environment 110-1 elsewhere (such as, at storeroom below) availability and reduction during (such as, newly send out The popular DVD of row, snowplough reduction etc. during snowstorm).

It addition, control task 231 in short supply can perform article placement process by mistake, this establishment is such as placed on mistake when article During the shelf missed, the record of any article of the incorrect position being placed in environment 110-1.Furthermore, when article are by really When being set to mistake placement, task 231 can generate and/or forward to misplace puts reminder message.It addition, task 231 can perform shelf Count value threshold process, this allow shelf count value that user and/or ISSA 200 have in any type of items less than for Receive the instruction of this type of items and/or be alerted during the threshold value of given position.Shelf count value represents and actually exists in The number of the certain type of article of the given position relevant with type of items.Such as, in supermarket, certain shelf can be allocated To a type of article (such as, canned soup).The shelf count value of exemplary items type indicates how many specific class The article of type are positioned at the shelf specified.In one aspect of the invention, threshold value can be determined by user and/or can be by ISSA 200 calculate according to one or more conditions, period on the same day before a week before the most certain type of article, From present time until environment 110-1 no longer to client till open or until type of items next time expected from again get in stocks Till time during from given removed how many article in position.It addition, threshold value can be by representing some relevant with article Condition or external condition, such as whether type of items is by season of doing shopping sales promotion, festivals or holidays, (such as, super corresponding to special event Level cup, weather condition etc.) time period impact one or more factors be conditioned.

ISSA is fed back to about stock's condition relevant with the one or more type of items in stock 170 except providing 200 and/or user beyond, control task 231 in short supply is made also dependent on article (such as, it is impossible to be supplied to client and buy) in short supply Function (income such as, lost per hour) for certain time interval determines loss how many incomes (such as, money).It addition, Control task 231 in short supply may determine that one or more factors of the sale of the article that may affect specific type.These because of Element can include, but not limited to the price of the article of type of items, the Seasonal Characteristics relevant with items sold, and is included in The sale of the other kinds of article in stock 170.

Control task 231 in short supply can also determine the position of the one or more replacements in the inner and/or outer portion of environment 110-1 Put, can be according to the sale before relevant with type of items and/or this type of items at a type of article in this position Whether short supply is replaced.Furthermore, when a kind of type of items is confirmed as short supply, task 231 can generate a reflection The message of condition in short supply, is shown on the display apparatus.Message in short supply may also comprise other information, such as condition in short supply Apologize, provide type of items for being similar to short supply another kind of types of articles (such as, shop or the product that belongs to plate together Product) selling price discounting, the confirmation slip and being directed to of article in short supply is included the article of the same type of stock and The environment (such as, neighbouring shop) of the replacement of item price.

Reduction task 232

Reduction task 232 can perform to manage the process of the reduction of the article being included in stock 170, such as owing to stealing The loss of the stock surreptitiously caused, errors of book entry and misplacing is put.One aspect of the present invention, reduction task 232 can perform one Determine and/or allow user to receive and reflect when actual shelf inventory and/or theoretical shelf inventory differ certain percent The process of information.Theoretical shelf inventory represents that determined by ISSA 200, specific corresponding to should be positioned in environment 110-1 The numerical value of the stock of the article of position.Such as, when high-value transactions, user may like to know that reality and theoretical Quantity in stock when differ only one unit.Furthermore, reduction task 232 can perform one and determines and/or allow user to see See which position of environment 110-1 stands the process of maximum reduction.Determine it addition, task 232 can perform one and/or permit Family allowable is watched or is alerted, and when article are taken from shelf with predetermined quantity (quantity such as specified by director of store) The process walked.Predetermined quantity can represent substantial amounts of article removed within the relatively short time, and this may represent steals The condition of stealing.But, take large numbers of items away and be likely to represent the good transaction of the exception being worth transaction business immediately.Therefore, Reduction task 232 the reduction condition record of detection on record, and can send the signal to or many of interruption Individual ancillary equipment, the such as flash lamp of silent alert, lorry, photographing unit or the image temporal marking or audio frequency " thank you message ". Furthermore, reduction task 232 can create and provide a message to user (such as, shop-assistant, the employee etc. of environment 110-1), it The information in the region of help is provided into " valuable client " including user is sent.

Quickly recall task 233

Quickly recall task 233 and can perform to allow user or commercial entity (such as, retailer, article manufacturer etc.) According to critical data, such as lot number, one or more processes of period etc. tracking article.Task 233 may determine that and provide Relevant that may need to take off from shelf or it sells the information of article that should be accelerated due to other reasons.Such as, certain The article of a little types can have relevant date effect duration that the manufacture by them determines, such as medicine, health & beauty Product and perishable goods (such as, food).Although some these article within some time exceeding date effect duration still It is safe (and medicine is still effective), but the day effect duration after date that the convention accepted is probably at article does not sell this A little article.So, reduction task 233 can identify and reach the article on date effect duration and representing effect duration date terms Information is supplied to user.Furthermore, task 233 can provide the suggestion of these article of sales promotion before date effect duration of article, Such as to determine that or there is the history of higher items sold (such as, before shelf) in addition additionally in environment 110-1 Position, and/or the suggestion with relatively low these article of price sales.

It addition, task 233 can be supplied to user the information expired article when effect duration, so that article can be from Stock 170 removes.Quickly recall task 233 and also provide for the information relevant with the purchase plan of type of items.Such as, at article Corresponding date effect duration before sell bad the type of items of (such as, the sale of article is not reaching to intended level) Excess on hand can be represented.Therefore, task 233 can provide the former sale being reflected in type of items and this article The information of the relation between date effect duration of the article of type.

It addition, quickly recall task 233 can access data base 215, collect the storage relevant with each article in stock 170 Deposit deadline information.Shelf life information can represent the useful life of the approximation of article, and it can be according to certain type of article Date effect duration determine.Alternatively, the shelf life can represent the common conversion time of article, regardless of its use Period or date effect duration.Task 233 may determine that when article exceed its shelf life, and the instruction of this condition It is supplied to user via display device (such as, display 204).

Quickly recall task 233 and also can be accessed by data base 215, collect and relevant with some article in stock 170 add the time The temperature data of the marking.Temperature data can reflect near being stored in environment 110-1, such as, in refrigerated shelf unit Or the temperature value in the region of multiple article.Quickly recalling task 233 can use temperature data to calculate the shelf life of reduction Or prediction depends on the corruption of article of temperature, such as milk.Furthermore, task 233 can provide and/or forward reflection specific When the temperature in region (such as, refrigerated shelf unit) is less than for the acceptable level of any article being stored in this region The reminder message of situation to user.

And, for having certain form of any article in shelf life and date effect duration, quickly recall task 233 Can provide and remind to one or more positions in portion in or beyond environment 110-1, as the additional peace of antagonism Database error Omnicharacteristic.Such as, reminder message (such as, sound and/or display message) can provide at POS location or posting channel, Allow cashier's double check date effect duration at POS location, be generally printed on the bag of article to be purchased these days effect duration Load onto.

Quickly recall task 233 and can also determine which article is revised by manufacturer or supplier, and according to this Determine, it is provided that reflection can help the information of the possible action of mobile older stock.Such as, product (that is, article) is met sometimes Style is had to change, the newest packaging style, different sizes, color change, local flavor change etc..Although existing product is still It is good, but because client may be reluctant to buy the oldest product, retailer may wish to sell out as quickly as possible now The older goods deposited.Therefore, quickly recall task 233 and allow retailer to place the goods of so redesign, and it Move on to market better position, such as selling layer at a bargain, before shelf, and/or provide goods with the price given a discount, from Stock 170 moves older goods.

Article are also likely to be defective when arriving environment 110-1.When medicine, take off article immediately in case The most possible health risk, it may be possible to indispensable.These article may be destroyed at environment 110-1, or is returned to Manufacturer.And, the article of defect may need to be recalled by manufacturer.Therefore, from stock 170 before article are purchased Take off the article of defect can be retailer and client time-consuming, and allow article to remain untouched with its original packaging Return to manufacturer.Quickly recall one or more processes that task 233 can perform to relate to the situation of these types.Example As, in some cases, article are likely to be of defect so that it is the most costly, although do not constitute health or security risk, such as There are the article of the part of loss, cosmetic defect, unmatched part etc..After these article are delivered to environment 110-1, system Make business and may can identify these article according to the identifier (such as, lot number) relevant with transmission.But, once large numbers of items quilt Warehouse is stored and/or by shipping, and difference is criticized just to become and mixed, and retailer has and is not switched on packaging and identifies article Affected problem.But, by the RFID label tag characteristic relevant with certain aspects of the invention, manufacturer can identify quilt The scope of the RFID serial number packed improperly.Environment 110-1 can receive these serial numbers and allow ISSA 200 to know The article of the defect in other stock 170.Quickly recall task 233 can perform to search for the defect that data base 215 finds and receives The article that article serial number is relevant, and perhaps provide this information to user by display 204 or other ancillary equipment. Then user is provided to various purchase of client stimulates, and removes the article of defect from stock 170.For example, it is possible to provide for client The discount of the defective article bought same as before.When production marketing, or cashier writes down name and the address of client, and This information is handed to manufacturer, or client can be given one cipher key number, then use this number, such as pass through the Internet The part lost to manufacturer's free subscription.Alternatively, it is known that the part of loss can be with shipping to retailer, as free " safeguard packaging " to distribute.Such a program process is saved the manufacturer's shipping involved when returning whole packaging and is processed into This.And, retailer is it is even possible that be to be ready buy " cartoon opened " or such as returned by another client by this characteristic The client of the product (it is not likely to be the shortage article caused due to the mistake of manufacturer) returned provides special discount.By making With adding the article of RFID label tag, retailer can pack, for damage in retailer stock 170, the discount providing special, and Do not worry that the most careful client damages the good box on shelf, and seek to be given a discount.

It addition, certain form of article, such as software product, usually comprise the known of " correction patch " that needs remedy Mistake or " program mal ".Such as, including one or more programs or data computer-readable media (such as, CD-ROM, DVD, disk etc.) may need to only include the revision of several Mbytes, it can be downloaded by the Internet.Quickly recall task The article of 233 defects that can be identified these types by the RFID label tag 280 in use stock 170.Therefore, retailer and/ Or manufacturer can be that the client buying " out-of-date " or " program mal " product provides little discount, client knows this product Have and illustrate, the code that time a few minutes is corrected by the Internet download need to be spent.And, environment 110-1 can provide One or more work stations, user can utilize these work stations to download the code of correction at environment 110-1.

EPC recorder 234

EPC recorder 234 can be one and be used for helping 200 EPC of ISSA to be written to specific RFID label tag The process of 280.One aspect of the present invention, EPC recorder 234 can access data base 215 and obtain in RFID label tag The identifier of the specific article of 280 EPC to be added, such as UPC.The further instruction of the aspects of the invention is below It is described with reference to " EPC recorder " joint.

Other particular tasks 235

Other particular tasks 235 can perform with advertisement, price sensitive, sale optimization, automatically fix a price lattice and turn round and look at One or more application that visitor's information is relevant with service.

One aspect of the present invention, other particular tasks 235 include advertisement, price sensitive and sell optimization (APSSO) application, it is determined that reflection advertisement (such as, sell and/or represent article) and/or price how to affect be presented on to Selling or the relation of possible sale of the article of the client of stock 170 interaction or type of items.This application can be on request Or create how often certain type of article to be actually moved from their current position in stock 170 periodically general Read, such as when article take off from shelf and replaced.Therefore, the thing during APSSO application can ask and receive reflection stock 170 The cycle stock of the inventory data of the current stock of product updates.APSSO application can promote task 231 in short supply to collect stock's letter Breath, or alternatively send a command to stock request interface 250, gather information itself, such as request stock reads for the most every several seconds Shelf content.APSSO application can compare collection inventory information and with corresponding to the relevant article of inventory information collected Selling rate data, to provide the instruction (such as, ratio) of number that the article of each single purchase events check event.This refers to Show or ratio can describe article and obtain the degree that client is concerned about, compare article buying rate.These data can be relevant with article Positional information is associated, such as, article whether eyes scope, on shelf end display, be positioned at the front in shop, be positioned at On the display of sales promotion, the behind being positioned at shop etc..

Term eyes scope as used herein, can refer to from the ground of environment 110-1 extend one or more away from From, article are demonstrated for buying there, and such as 5 to 7 feet are high.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that term eyes scope It is not intended to be limited by this exemplary distance range.Off normal in the bottom of structure of ground upper support product of environment 110-1 Any distance can be associated, without departing from the scope of the present invention with term eyes scope.And, have with term eyes scope The type that the distance closed can represent according to environment 110-1.Such as, dress manufacturer and/or retailer are it was determined that eyes model Enclose the distance referred to less than the distance specified by food retailer.

It addition, APSSO application may determine that article how long with in pairs, the mode of three etc. is purchased.And, low In given type of items, APSSO application can identify other article of other type, and they are to take given article away While one article of type or almost simultaneously (such as, at several seconds, in a few minutes), it is referred to as the time buying being correlated with, from Their current position carrying in environment 110-1 comes.APSSO application can also determine which gives the thing of type Product, if any, be not handled upside down from their each position in predetermined time interval.Alternatively, or additionally, APSSO application can determine that the article of the type what is given be handled upside down in predetermined time interval and be replaced (that is, not by The article that client buys).Meanwhile, in APSSO application can identify former time interval, a day, the star such as pass by There are any article of the given type of price change in phase, one month etc..APSSO application can generate these prices and change The inventory of article, and this inventory is supplied to use via ancillary equipment (such as, equipment 255) and/or display 204 Family.Furthermore, the article that APPSO application can change according to the price identified, determine that these article and article check event (example As, when client picks up article and it is put well again) number in the middle of relation.

One aspect of the present invention, APSSO application can be interactive with specialist system (within IIMS 105 or outside), Analyze about between article or relevant sale, sell speed (that is, article sell and they each stock exhaust have many Soon or how slowly), (such as, the selling price with this type of items is sold in the former of a kind of type of items to price sales sensitivity Relation between event), seasonal etc. historical data, to propose shop arrangement and the improvement of shelf organizational aspects.The most just It is that specialist system and/or APSSO application can determine replacement for certain form of article according to the above information analyzed Arrange suggestion and these suggestions are supplied to user via ancillary equipment.

Other particular tasks 235 may also include automatic price application (APP), and it performs the mistake of the selling price of management article Journey.One aspect of the present invention, APP can connect from data base 215 (or any other storage arrangement of storage Pricing Program) Receive and/or collect Pricing Program, and be automatically updated in display device (such as, be installed in support article shelf on LCD) the items sold price of upper display.Pricing Program can represent the price of some or all of type of items in stock 170 Catalog, it is that the Pricing Program process performed by calculating equipment (such as, IIMS 105) generates, or by user (such as, zero Sell director of store) generate.Such as, the Pricing Program of example can include the sales promotion arranged, and its suggestion reduces according to these sales promotion The price of some type of items.Furthermore, Pricing Program can consider the condition of season or the time of depending on, such as festivals or holidays, gas As condition etc., to determine how the price revising type of items.Such as, Pricing Program process can be collected from server system Periodically weather information, this server system accesses and stores (such as, 50 to 100 miles, peripheral region near environment 110-1 Radius, city scope etc.) current meteorological data.Pricing Program can use the weather information of collection, to determine some Whether the selling price of article (such as, snow cave shovel, log bolt etc.) should regulate.Alternatively, user (such as, director of store) Can collect, or automatic reception, weather information and artificially regulate selling price by Pricing Program process and/or APP.

APP also can in real time the price of target item with life-span of the shelf inventory relevant with target item and theory In stock, amount of commodity and its sale of the type that target item is identical are other article classes relevant to the sale of target item The sale speed of type is correlated with.APP can generate reflection this relevant report, and on request or by arrange principle handle This report is supplied to ancillary equipment (such as, storage device, display device, printer etc.).

Other particular tasks 235 may also include Customer Information and apply (CISSA) with special business, and CISSA performs as user The process of the help searching article interested under various specialized environment is provided.One aspect of the present invention, CISSA also can carry For article inventory availability information to remote subscriber (that is, client).Such as, the user being located remotely from environment 110-1 can connect Enter by the network address of the server admin worked with being associated with environment 110-1 by network 180.By utilizing this network address, user Can ask to provide one or more article (such as, thing in stock 170 of one or more types at environment 110-1 Product).CISSA can receive the request from computer server, and determines whether the article of request can carry in stock 170 Confession.One aspect of the present invention.CISSA can access data base 215, to collect the stock's letter collected by task 231 in short supply Breath.Alternatively or cumulatively, CISSA by providing RRM 220 and DCS 160 one or more orders, and can ask The article of searching request in whole environment 110-1.

Furthermore, CISSA can generate the thing for the request at one or more distal environments (such as, environment 110-N) The request of the availability of product, and be received back to one represent these each positions request article the most available should Answer.In this case, distal environment can perform local inventory search procedure, the most in stockit is available to determine these article.Root According to local search results, distal environment can provide whether an expression local search results (such as, can provide this in this position Article) response message to environment 110-1.Alternatively, distal environment can periodically provide their current stock's number According to environment 110-1.ISSA 200 can receive this information received, and its storage to data base (such as, data base 215), access when needed for CISSA.

According to the information of the expression the most available reception of these article, CISSA can be (via computer server and network 180) representing that the article of request are at environment 110-1 and/or at the environment (retail outlet that such as user likes or replaced The outlet of close three or four replacements) response of real-time availability at place is supplied to user.

It addition, CISSA can be by being positioned at the calculating equipment (such as, being positioned at the operating board in shop) of environment 110-1 Above-mentioned identical article availability function is provided.Such as, find when client arrives shop (such as, environment 110-1) expectation Specific article and know these article in short supply and disappointed time, client can be positioned at the operating board in shop by use asks article Availability.In addition to there are article the address, shop of one or more replacements in oddment, operating board can be not side Just discount offers (such as, for these article or the reward voucher of the perhaps cents off of another article) is shown to turn round and look at Visitor.Client is permissible, such as, by providing the simple code word/number of their selection, and accepts this discount.This discount is having To be effective in the time interval of limit, customer need only uses the word/number of selection in 24 or 48 hours, and this code word/ Number makes them enjoy this discount in the qualified shop in replacement.And, CISSA can also provide the positional information replaced It is installed in the display device on the shelf supporting article or article group.Such as, for not being any article in short supply, display sets The place of the standby position (such as, shop) that can show the current hithermost replacement including these article stock and/or side To.For not being any article in short supply, display device can show the price of article rather than the position of replacement.As above institute State, periodically or on request can perform stock according to these positions and search for the article of this request, determine the position of replacement.

Remind monitor 239

Remind monitor 239 some event can be performed to notify one or more processes of user.One of the present invention Aspect, reminds monitor 239 can pass through Email, pager, cell phone, signal that is audible or that can be seen that etc. Notify user.Remind monitor 239 can include suitable software, in order to other equipment, software and/or include base structure with The calculating system mutual of communication is helped by specific media.It is, remind monitor 239 can send reminder message to defeated Outgoing interface, it converts that message into and forwards or supply system (such as wireless network equipment etc.) compatible form with message. Remind monitor 239 can receive the event and/or other processes (such as one of task 231-234) reflected from interface 250 Data, and therewith reminder message is formatted.The data received can reflect known in the position (such as, interior room) replaced The article co-pending at place, so, user (such as, retail shop shop-assistant) can take retail floor idle goods.If from The position replaced can not supplement the article of short supply, then user and/or ISSA 200 can subscribe this article again.Furthermore, receive Data can reflect environment 110-1 in the fault of one or more parts (such as antenna 270).

One aspect of the present invention, reminds monitor 239 can run by the principle of " exception ".It is, along with one Event is found, it is provided that reminder message, represents the time that some abnormal thing occurs to user.It addition, prompting monitor 239 can With by stepping up principle operation, that wherein repeat or prolonged event is given with higher priority.Such as, no matter what Time article close to situation in short supply or when single shelf break down, storehouse office worker be alerted.And, if the thing of several types Product are in short supply, if situation in short supply continues more than one day, and if lorry stop using, then line manager is alerted.

ISSA 200 may also comprise the one or more stock request interfaces 250 collecting RFID label tag reader event, with And receive from business layer 230 and the data of request-reply manager 220 and/or request.Order, data in environment 110-1 And/or the exchange of information represents typical flow of information, it can be the entity (such as stock request interface 250) with higher level Relevant, this entity sends a command to the other entity of lower level (such as DCS 160) and receives in turn from DCS's 160 Data.Furthermore, flow of information can also be turned around.Such as, DCS160 can be to ISSA 200 solicited message, such as antenna tuning number According to, or some event, the such as fault in one or more parts (such as, antenna 270) can be reported to ISSA 200.Connect Mouth 250 can be active server page (ASP), and other application can send HTTP information by it.Interface 250 can receive From the EPC data of RRM 220, and send EPC extendible markup language (XML) data to being each reading in DCS 160 Go out the message queue that device 262 is set up.

ISSA 200 can be configured by the structure using different types.Such as, one aspect of the present invention, ISSA 200 population structures that can be configured to three layers, it includes the top layers being associated with user interface 210, with business logic/affairs 230 intermediate layers being associated, and the bottom layer being associated with data base 215.

Top layers user interface 210 can be at web browser, such as from the Internet of Microsoft The upper software run of Explorer (v5.0 or higher).User interface 210 can send request and connect when being performed by CPU 201 Receive from computer system, the such as response of server (such as, MS Internet information server (IIS)).Server is permissible XML and XSL (extendible Style Language) information is returned to user interface 210.By many text objects model (DOM) skills One of art (such as, Microsoft DOM), XML with XSL information can together with for user interface 210.When XML and XSL is by user When interface 210 uses, the content presented in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) can be clear by performed by IIMS 105 Device of looking at is shown on display 204.Although above example description business based on XML and HTML, but people in the art Member is it will be appreciated that can implement the most eurypalynous data without departing from the scope of the present invention and process and present language.

Middle or business logic tier 230 makes business logic by the effect of ISSA 200.Business logic parts are such as Can develop by using microemulsion sample injection Class, Microsoft VB.NET or C#.And .NET Class parts can be It is created in ASP.NET Web service.These classifications can be borderless and multilinked, unless separately advised by business logic 230 Fixed.

Database layer 215 can store the one or more stock's pipes being used to perform some characteristic according to the present invention The data of reason process.One aspect of the present invention, can not have any business logic at this layer, and this layer makes IIMS 105 Polytype data base can be implemented.Data base 215 can be access in by using the database language of different types, takes The structure being certainly configured to thereon in data base.Such as, the query language (SQL) of structure passes through transmission control protocol/interconnection FidonetFido (TCP/IP) carries out order via datum target (ADO) and/or the Open Database Connectivity ODBC (ODBC) of work.Again Person, for preventing the mistake of information from managing, data base 215 layers can be configured to only be accessed by business logic tier 230.

RRM 220

RRM 220 can be the application performed by calculating system (such as, RRM system (not shown)), is used for providing at height Bridge between layer parts (such as software, such as ISSA 200) and lower level parts (such as, hardware/firmware, such as DCS 160) Connect (that is, interface).Although Fig. 2 is shown as separate parts RMM 220, but RRM 220 can be stored in memorizer 202 and Performed by CPU 201.One aspect of the present invention, RRM 220 can stock request interface 250 be positioned in DCS 160 One or more master controllers 260, or the master controller in RRM 220 acts on behalf of and communicates between (not shown), these Master controller agency carries out data process or analysis for the information collected from the RFID label tag 280 of stock 170.RRM 220 can The user interface of the current state of RRM 220 is watched including permission user.User interface can be from the IIMS performing RRM 220 Access at 105.

One aspect of the present invention, RRM 220 can configure interface (not shown) from the RRM being included in ISSA 200 Load XML configuration file.Configuration file can include one or more event lists and/or order inventory, and they are by DCS respectively 160 event lists provided and the order inventory provided by ISSA 200.RRM 220 can be from by ISSA 200 (such as, stock Request interface 250) the configuration XML file that provides creates the request Agent 222 for event lists each in configuration file. Alternatively, RRM 220 can create the master controller for each event lists and act on behalf of (not shown).Master controller agency will be It is described further below in relation to DCS 160 and master controller 260.It addition, RRM 220 can create for processing from one One or more responses of the response of individual or multiple master controller 260 or that be included in RRM 220 master controller agency Agent 224.Response Agent 224 can also send certainly and/or failure information is to request Agent 222, represents Whether it is correctly received response from master controller 260.One aspect of the present invention, response Agent 224 can be according to connecing Receive and read data and convert it into the reader 262 of EPC XML, start object-oriented classification.Response Agent 224 is also EPC XML file can be sent to ISSA 200, if available words.If at this moment ISSA 200 is the most available, Then reply Agent 224 EPC XML file to be stored in queue, until ISSA 200 become available till.

When asking Agent 222 to be started by RRM 220, it can send the inventory of the order from ISSA 200. Request Agent 222 can access the inventory of reception and perform each order.After each order is performed, request agency Program 222 can wait the response from response Agent 224, such as affirm or the response of failure.If when certain Between in interval (it can specify in order inventory) not from response of response Agent 224, or return one Failure information, then in response to this failure, can perform another order.On the other hand, if received from response Agent 224 To affirmative acknowledgement, then request Agent 222 can perform the Next Command in order inventory.The once institute in order inventory Some orders are all performed, and request Agent 222 just can re-execute the order in order inventory by original execution order.

Response Agent 224 monitors by master controller 260 or is carried by the master controller agency being included in RRM 220 Any response of confession.When response arrives, response Agent 224 may determine that response Internet protocol (IP) address, and Create chain cable and process the response of reception, and continue to monitor the response of any additional entrance simultaneously.According to carrying out autonomous controller The response of the reception of 260, response Agent 224 can put forward the affirmative of solicited status or failure information that represent Agent Supply suitable request Agent 222.Suitable request Agent 222 can be carried out the life corresponding to the response received Order or the Agent of request

When the response received comprises data, response Agent 224 can dynamically start target according to joining The method of the XML analytical data put.The each classification being activated can return similar EPC XML data.Response Agent 224 can be placed on the EPC XML data of each return in the data structure of such as form.Response Agent 224 also may be used (such as, to retrieve from some RFID label tag 280 for one or more reading sequences of given reader 262 from form retrieval One read command sequence of EPC information).

If response Agent 224 determines has left EPC XML data, then in the queue of current reader 262 Response Agent 264 can send data to ISSA 200.One aspect of the present invention, response Agent 224 can be sent out Send the EPC XML data of queue in specific sequence here, the most oldest to up-to-date.The EPC XML number once queued up According to being provided to ISSA 200, then response Agent 224 can send the current EPC XML received.On the other hand, If not having EPC XML data in the queue of current reader 262, the most current EPC XML data is sent to ISSA 200.At this moment, if ISSA 200 is the most available, then replying Agent 224 can be placed on current EPC XML In queue.

One aspect of the present invention, ISSA 200 can on request (such as, several seconds or the request of less response time) Or periodically request data (such as, it is provided that read command), such as by arrange schedule (such as, per minute, hour, sky, etc. Deng) automatically actuated request.DCS 160 can obtain the number of request by one or more antennas 270 from RFID label tag 280 According to.The speed of the acquisition of data can be according to the number of the RFID label tag 280 being included in stock 170.It is therefoie, for example, DCS 160 data that can collect the request in several seconds of the stock including hundreds of tagged article, or for such as wrapping The data of the request in a few minutes of the much bigger stock including thousands of the article adding RFID label tag.The responsibility of RRM 220 is The collection of the component management data by running in DCS 160.Such as, RRM220 can be configured to the data for request Queue sequence be supplied to several RFID label tag reader apparatus (such as, reader 262), be used for collect from being positioned at environment The Item Information of the RFID label tag of positions different in 170.

DCS 160 and RFID tag data are collected

DCS 160 can be the set of hardware, firmware and/or software, and they perform number according to certain aspects of the invention According to collecting function.DCS 160 can include master controller 260, one or more reader 262 and one or more assistant controller 266.DCS 160 can control with on it place one or more article corresponding supporting construction (such as, overhead baggage rack unit) have (the most mounted thereto) the one or more antenna 270 closed.Article in stock 170 are respectively by addition RFID label tag 280, mark Sign and include Item Information, such as, reflect the EPC of the various characteristics relevant with each article.When corresponding antenna 270 is by DCS 160 when driving, and can retrieve the letter of any RFID label tag 280 at the readable near zone being positioned at powered antenna Breath, and provide it to DCS 160.RGID label 280 makes response, and this for the RF energy launched by antenna 270 Individual response is read by reader 262, and 262 Serial No. data of reader return to master controller 260.Serial No. data can To be analyzed by master controller 260, it is then returned to response Agent 224, processes further for ISSA 200.

Master controller 260 can be to monitor and receive the request (such as, order) from request Agent 222, thus Generating device and/or the process of a series of corresponding orders specific for reader 262, these orders can be by environment 110- 1 makes for accessing specific article in stock 170.One aspect of the present invention, request Agent 222 order provided can With formatted according to procotol (such as ICP/IP protocol).Master controller 260 can be order (such as, the TCP/ received IP is grouped) it is sent to reader 262 and/or one or more assistant controller 266.Another aspect of the present invention, controller 260 Reader 262 and/or one or many can be communicated commands to the form of RS-485 or other kinds of serial communication protocol Individual assistant controller 266.Table I display master controller 260 can provide the exemplary command of reader and/or assistant controller 266 clear Single.

Exemplary command
	Select antenna 270
Reader 262 is set to mode of operation
	Regulation is for the power level of the reader 262 of the antenna 270 of selection
Perform the first read operation
	Determine which No. EPC is read
Prevent the label read from replying again during the current read cycle

Perform additional read operation until no longer there being No. EPC to be only read as
	Reader 262 is set to wait for pattern
Cancel selected antenna 270
	The next antenna 270 that continuation to be read

The exemplary master controller commands of Table I

Master controller 260 also monitors from reader 262 and/or the response of assistant controller 266, it be sent or Multiple orders.According to whether receive the type of response and response, master controller 260 can generate and send certainly, non-affirmative (such as, failure) and/or read into the information of response Agent 224.The information read can include and the RFID in stock 170 The EPC information that label 280 is relevant.Such as, master controller 260 reader 262 every time complete read run time, it is possible to provide one or Multiple No. EPC is arrived response Agent 224.Alternatively, master controller 260 can be temporarily stored in storage arrangement No. EPC (not shown).Once the RFID label tag 280 for certain number of one or more antennas 270 is read (example by reader 262 As, all of label, part labels etc.), master controller 260 just can perform batch transfer and process, and it is the data read (such as, EPX data) response Agent 224 is provided in a lump or group by group.

Another aspect of the present invention, master controller 260 can be for the order of the reception of reader 262 uniqueness or data Any difference in stream is adjusted, and so, controller can be used for reading information from RFID label tag 280.Master controller 260 Any number of reader 262 can be used, as long as selected reader 262 actually can drive one or more antenna 270.It is compatible that each antenna 270 can be configured to reader 262 phase from one or more different types.One of the present invention Aspect, given antenna 270 can carry out optimization (that is, tuned) for a frequency, and so, antenna 270 can be in conjunction with Any reader 262 using identical frequency works together.Therefore, more than one reader 262 can be with drive environment Any given antenna 270 in 110-1, as long as reader 262 is tuned to the frequency of this given antenna 270 by use Its signal is provided.

As mentioned above, although Fig. 2 shows the master controller 260 part as DCS 160, but controller 260 can be by (not shown) acted on behalf of by the software master controller being embodied as in RRM 220.Therefore, the communication carrying out autonomous controller agent software is permissible Leave RRM 220 as TCP/IP order, and be transformed into RS-485 number by separate device and/or process (not shown) According to communication.

Reader 262 can be the one or more any kind of RFID from frame provided by the manufacturer that many is different Reader, such as byThe I-CODE reader provided.More than one reader 262 can be in DCS 160 It is carried out, as long as master controller 260 (or being exclusively used in the device of equal value communicated with reader 262) is configured to and reader 262 communications (such as, it is provided that effective order and the data that suitably interpretation returns).Although Fig. 2 is shown as DCS reader 262 Separate parts in 160, but master controller 260 and reader 262 can essentially be combined into Single Electron entity.Depend on Environment 110-1 and/or the type of article inventory 170, one, several, hundreds of etc. reader 262 can use by DCS 160 Collect the Item Information from stock 170.Although each reader 262 can be relevant with its master controller 260 of itself, But single master controller 260 is designed to together with one or more readers 262 work, in order to collect from stock 170 Item Information.

Assistant controller 266

Except communicating with reader 260, master controller 260 also communicates with one or more assistant controllers 266.Auxiliary control Device 266 processed is to calculate device and/or process, and it can play the effect of switch and drive or turn off corresponding by controlling electronic unit Antenna 270, and select one or more antenna 270.Each assistant controller 266 can be physically located near one group of antenna 270 Be connected to these antenna, be such as comprised in shelf or storage be included in the positioning fixture of the article in stock 170 Several antennas.Such as, environment 110-1 can have hundreds assistant controller 266 and thousands of antennas 270.And, assistant controller 266 also can operate ancillary equipment 255 after the one or more orders receiving autonomous controller 260, and display is from being included The Item Information of the RFID label tag 280 in article inventory 170 and/or offer inventory information are to user.Such as, ancillary equipment 255 can be the display being installed on the leading edge of the shelf supporting one or more article.Alternatively, ancillary equipment 255 can be directly connected to the serial data bus communicated between master controller 260 with assistant controller 266.Furthermore, periphery sets Standby 255 can be connected to and assistant controller 266 (such as, USB) unrelated dedicated bus.Except defeated as such as display Go out beyond equipment, ancillary equipment 255 can include input-output apparatus, such as bar code reader maybe can be inserted into shelf with The other kinds of equipment of data is collected/retrieved to the convenient article from or without RFID label tag 280.Such as, user Such bar code scanner can be used to collect and read the UPC number of article, and EPC number and data base In UPC number be associated.Therefore, the feelings received without the environment 110-1 of RFID label tag 280 at one or more article Under shape, scanning device can be used to facilitate and the article without label are associated with UPC or EPC.It addition, ancillary equipment 255 can To be attached to be installed in the supervision equipment of the interface of overhead baggage rack unit.Supervision equipment can perform checking function, such as checks Any antenna on overhead baggage rack unit and the state of article being placed on shelf.

One aspect of the present invention, one or more ancillary equipment 255 can lead to one or more assistant controllers 266 Letter.Such as, ancillary equipment 255 can represent multiple proximity sensor, predetermined neighbouring at equipment 255 of each sensor detection The existence of district's intra domain user (such as, client).According to user or other entities whether be in adjacent domain (such as, several inches, Several feet etc.), equipment 255 can generate can be by with simulation and/or the processor device of digital processing capabilities and/or calculating The signal (such as, simulation or discrete signal, digital signal etc.) of the process monitoring that machine performs.Alternatively, equipment 255 can be The photographing unit or installed in its vicinity in one or more shelf, for the purpose of supervision.When assistant controller determines more than certain When one article of individual threshold number or multiple article are removed from specific position, photographing unit can receive from assistant controller The signal (such as, interrupting) of 266.Photographing unit can be driven by this signal, continuous record video image, or is only connect at signal Time receiving shooting rest image.

One task of assistant controller 266 can be that switching is installed in the storage one or more things from stock 170 Antenna 270 in the single shelf unit (or similar support unit) of product.It addition, assistant controller 266 can be used for Information is transmitted from user (such as, client, retail shop employee etc.).Such as, assistant controller 266 can from ISSA 200 (via Data base 215) receive the Item Information about known each article on the shelf serviced by assistant controller 266.Article are believed Breath can include that current price, size, weight, unit price and/or distribution state is (such as, in current selling price Discount).Item Information is displayed on ancillary equipment 255, the display of such as shelf-edges.If shelf have one with The article of upper type, then can have multiple shelf-edge displays to be arranged near shelf or shelf.Alternatively, for every kind of thing The information of category type can on individual monitor sequential loop, before proceeding next type of items, suspend several seconds Clock.Shelf-edge displays can be equipped with user interface buttons, when being depressed by the user, temporarily ceases display circulation and asks Seek the additional information about the product shown.If it addition, ISSA 200 according to the data perception article provided by DCS160 from On shelf removed, then it can instruct assistant controller 266 and shows the information relevant with these article on ancillary equipment 255.

Assistant controller 266 is also configured to be easy to carry out interactive operation between ISSA 200 and client.The present invention's One aspect, client can equipped with customer card based on RFID, it include wherein comprising about or the information of identified customer RFID label tag.Customer identification information can be related to be stored in data base 215 or other memory devices keeping Customer Information Information in putting, the current purchase such as provided by client's (via the Internet and browser software, operating board equipment etc.) Inventory, and the data information relevant with the kinsfolk of client and/or client (such as, clothing size, the plate etc. liked Deng).When the client with client's rfid card enters environment 110-1 and moves around wherein, equipped with assistant controller Near the shelf of 266 relevant RFID antenna, the existence of customer card can make signal or data are sent to by master controller 260 ISSA 200.When in response to signal or data, ISSA 200 can instruct assistant controller 226 and shows about customer card being detected Shelf on the information of article, such as by ancillary equipment 255.In this case, ISSA 200 can be accessed by data base 215, collect any Customer Information relevant with the identifier of the customer card corresponding to detection.Then ISSA200 can determine that and is positioned at Detect whether the shelf of customer card or neighbouring any article or type of items are related to the Gu being stored in data base 215 Visitor's information.Such as, ISSA 200 can determine that whether article are included in the shopping list set up by client and/or whether relate to The preferred product inventory of client, and, ISSA 200 can provide additional information to arrive assistant controller 266, in order at ancillary equipment Show on 255, the such as availability of the size of client when apparel article, the availability of the returning of article, with And the sale of other article or the availability of returning.

The illustrative properties relevant with assistant controller is not limited to customer card based on RFID.According to certain aspects of the invention Method and system the user of the employee relevant with environment 110-1 or similar individual can also be allowed to be assigned to based on RFID Employee card.Such as, the shop-assistant of retail shop can block equipped with employee based on RFID, and this employee card can be included by being positioned at Any overhead baggage rack unit in retail shop or the antenna 270 in similar structure detect.At the shelf relevant with assistant controller 226 Adjacent domain in the existence of employee based on RFID card ISSA 200 order can be made to provide DCS 160 and final provide To assistant controller 266, its instruction ancillary equipment 255 shows the information about shelf.Such as, shown information can include identifying The data of following article: any out-of-date article that must remove from shelf, can be reapposed over before shelf, move on to another One position (such as, promotion area) and/or the article close to date effect duration provided with the price reduced, critical stock position are also In shop (environment 110-1), place the article at additional unit item and misplace and put and reappose at them in shop Article.For quantity in stock low but third-party vendor (such as warehouse) the most available article, ISSA 200 can instruct Assistant controller 226 display notifies the message of the expection date of delivery of new goods.Furthermore, this message can also report the article lost Shop or the availability of position of the replacement away from environment 110-1 nearby.

ISSA 200 and RRM 220 can also be positioned at POS location, such as checkout lane, DCS 160 communicate.At this A little positions, ISSA 200 can be interactive with POS system, some sales transactions convenient.Such as, ISSA 200 can step on automatically Note has the article of manufacturer's certificate of guarantee, by using the EPC number from article and/or receiving from RFID (or traditional) customer card The sequence number information that the customer identification information (such as, name, address etc.) of collection obtains.Client can be given a selection: Registration whether is accepted at checkout lane, or after postponing till.

The RFID label tag performed by DCS 160 reads optimization

One aspect of the present invention, reader 262 can pass through RF bus (such as, cable) and RF energy is sent to auxiliary control system The antenna 270 of device 266.Individual antenna 270 or adjacent to each other with together with one group of antenna 270 working can be according to by assistant controller 266 and/or reader 262 provide signal be activated and in given time service.Between the working time of given antenna 270 Every can be according to the time quantum that spent from RFID label tag 280 gather information being positioned near antenna 270.Assistant controller 266 Under the guiding of master controller 260, can select and start each antenna 270 successively.The selected order of antenna 270 can be by Goodization, so that reader 262 can be shared between many antennas.Reader 262 share can allow DCS 160 or Many or few collect inventory data, and the antenna that the most one or more article of focusing on immediately are moving termly On 270.One aspect of the present invention, according to one or more polarization factors, ISSA 200 can determine which antenna 270 is opened Dynamic.These factors include:

(1) it is positioned at that add recently or near the RFID label tag 280 of movement antenna 270；

(2) antenna 270 having near one or more antennas 270 of nearest action it is positioned at；

(3) be known as during specific time interval (such as one day or the time in a week) in history and have high The antenna 270 that one or more article of sales volume are relevant；

(4) relevant with the button request for information from client antenna 270, is such as installed in and includes antenna Interactive display ancillary equipment 255 on the shelf of 270；

(5) there is the antenna 270 of the rfid card (such as, customer card or employee's card) of the read range being positioned at them；

(6) antenna 270 not being activated in predetermined time interval；

(7) in their read range, have one or more article being prone to stealing, such as high-grade goods (such as, pearl Precious etc.) antenna 270；

(8) such as ask to reflect that the article wanted are " on shelf " or the stock's storeroom below can carry as user Confession information time, it is contemplated that have the antenna 270 of the product that user (such as, employee or client) is interested；

(9) with the one or more article passing through POS terminal (such as, nearest POS sells) in predetermined time interval Relevant antenna 270；And

(10) relevant with one or more article in the shelf life close to them antenna 270.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that the above table by the factor of precedence arrangement is not intended to restriction, And ISSA 200 and/or user can be according to the one or more variablees relevant with the characteristic of article in stock 170 and weighting The factor determines other factors by precedence arrangement.

The performance supervision ability of DCS 160

One aspect of the present invention, the hardware/software components of DCS 160, including master controller 260, reader 262 and auxiliary Controller 266, can perform from monitoring and self diagnosis runs, to determine and to report that the problem of any operation is to ISSA 200.Example As, running to perform self diagnosis, overhead baggage rack unit can be in antenna 270 read range of shelf, including at least one RFID Label, to provide self-checking function.Therefore, even if when shelf are empty (that is, shelf there is no article), the most at least one RFID label tag can be read by the antenna 270 being included on shelf.One aspect of the present invention, at least one such RFID Label can be embedded near the immediate vicinity of antenna 270 being included in shelf, or easily read by antenna 270 Another position, and another RFID label tag can be embedded in the read range limit near antenna 270.Assistant controller 266 can send the test timing signal/order antenna to target shelf periodically or according to the order from ISSA 200 270, and any response that supervision is collected from the RFID embedded by being included in corresponding overhead baggage rack unit.At assistant controller 266 from the RFID tag of one or more embeddings to correct response, controller 266 (or other set Standby, such as master controller 260) may determine that and may have occurred fault.

In order to search the source of trouble, DCS 160 can be by the portion adjacent with target overhead baggage rack unit and/or target antenna 270 Part, performs various self-test read operation.Such as, if another antenna 270 driven by same assistant controller 266 still Can be read, then DCS 160 can be associated fault with target antenna 270.On the other hand, if by the auxiliary control system given The command signal that all of antenna 270 of device 266 service is all not responsive to from controller (that is, does not identify that any RFID marks Sign), then DCS 160 can be associated fault with assistant controller 266.Furthermore, if serviced by the master controller 260 given All antennas 270 and reader 262 are not read out the data from assistant controller 266, then problem mostly at master controller 260 or In the range of reader 262.Being the source of trouble to determine which parts of these parts, DCS 160 may determine that master controller 260 The most still can communicate diagnosis data with one or more assistant controllers 266.If it does, DCS 160 can be fault It is associated with reader 262.If it addition, between master controller 260, reader 262 and one or more assistant controller 266 Use RS-485 serial data communication technology, then during DCS 160 can be provided in label read operation, master controller 260 can be with The sequential order of the assistant controller 266 of its communication.Therefore, if RS-485 data cable breaking somewhere in the length along it Open connection, be provided to represent the master controller of the order information of the order of the assistant controller 266 along RS-485 link the most in advance 260, it may be determined which point at RS-485 link disconnects.On the one hand, confirm that bidding protocol can be by master controller 260 Perform to determine which assistant controller 266 does not responds to order.It is, the communication along RS-485 link can include by link Receiving entity confirm order, and confirm disappearance be another means drawing and where problem occurring.

Example software object for ISSA 200

One aspect of the present invention, ISSA 200 can by using object-oriented programming structure and technology, perform with Some function that the present invention is relevant.Such as, ISSA 200 can utilize Network to perform to relate to the aspect of the present invention Some function.Table II shows the example software Object table can implemented by ISSA 200, and they can be by one or more mistakes Journey (such as, task 231-239) uses, and interactive with the one or more exemplary table being included in data base 215.

Table II. example software object

Work 240

Work 240 can be the one or more processes internally and/or externally performed from ISSA 200, and it can It is used for triggering and reminds and retrieval is from remote location, the network address of such as manufacturer, or from being positioned at the reality of environment 110-1 The information of body.It is included in each process or the work of work 240, can be by using known programming language, such as JAVA Programming language and the JDBC provided by Sun Microsystems, Inc., and known dispatcher software, such as Microsoft's scheduler, be developed.

One aspect of the present invention, work 240 can include stock's maximal work, and it runs (such as, every 60 seconds) periodically With according to by user by interface 210 provide user interface be configured be stored in data base 215 Configuration in allocation list, monitors inventory level.If stock article is found to be beyond the border (example relative to bottom line stock As, current quantity in stock higher than and/or less than predetermined value), then this work can generate stock and oversteps the extreme limit prompting.This prompting Can be by using based reminding method, exemplary network business ISSAserv/Alert.asmx/ described the most in table ii NewInventoryAlertJob method is generated.One aspect of the present invention, when generation stock oversteps the extreme limit and reminds every time, storehouse Deposit maximal work and can send an email to one or more predetermined user with instruction message supply business.

Work 240 can also perform mistake shelf work, and it can run continuously and monitor on the shelf being in mistake Misplace the article put.If ISSA 200 determine article be placed on mistake shelf on, then work 240 can generate corresponding to The reminder message of the article (that is, misplacing placing articles) of the type, and insert it on the table in data base 215, such as carry Awake table (such as, tblAlerts).One aspect of the present invention, when misplacing placing articles prompting, the work of mistake shelf can every time One or more predetermined user is sent an email to instruction message supply business.

Work 240 can also perform to take maximal work away, and it can run continuously and monitor and passed through user by user Article removed from the position (such as shelf) specified of article in the quantity of interface 210 regulation and time interval.Take pole away Limit work can generate the information relevant with removed article and store this information in data base 215 table in, such as Stock takes table (such as, tblInventoryRemove) away.Furthermore, if this work is according to the quantity specified and time interval Numerical value determines the most removed one or more article, then this work creates the new reminder message relevant with this condition, And insert it into watch capable of reminding (such as, tblAlerts).

Work 240 can also perform the product work that goes beyond the time limit, it can every day at predetermined time (such as, 12:01 A.m.) run and determine whether any article being positioned in stock 170 meet or exceed their the corresponding effect duration limit (such as, date effect duration).If it exceeds term product work find gone beyond the time limit or will close to the article on date effect duration, Then it can create corresponding reminder message, and inserts it into watch capable of reminding (such as, tblAlerts).

It addition, work 240 can perform SKU updates work, it can (such as, every 10 minutes) run periodically, mark It is added to any new article (such as, SKU) of environment 170.This work can be led to from the network address of ERP system or manufacturer Cross the Item Information using the new article of XML request and mark relevant.

It addition, work 240 can perform manufacturer updates work, it can (such as, every 10 minutes) run periodically, prison Depending on the table in data base 215, when the article provided by the manufacturer (that is, new manufacturer) being not enrolled for ISSA 200 are wrapped Including when stock 170, this table is updated.This updates work and can examine from manufacturer's network address or other kinds of external data source The message that the manufacturer of Suo Yuxin is relevant.

EPC recorder

Along with RFID label tag industry is constantly grown up, it is contemplated that article can be coupled with " source label ".It is, can be by manufacturing Business is added to RFID label tag 280 to write on label on article and EPC.But, when the article of the article not including source label When being included stock 170, can some example.Therefore, environment 110-1 can perform EPC recorder process, is designed to handle EPC writes on label 280.Owing to EPC process can be configured to access the data on specific label one at a time, this process Can be performed by a system separate with ISSA 200.Alternatively, ISSA 200 can include the list performed by IIMS 105 Only EPC recorder process (in addition to EPC recorder task 234, or replacing EPC recorder task 234).

EPC recorder process can be the executable process of form, and it can use .NET serial implementation and read Go out device 262 to communicate.EPC recorder can the last EPC of the RFID label tag being written to for given manufacturer number Code and its SKU information (such as, type of items information) are stored in document location.Furthermore, it is right that EPC recorder process can store In string serial number, SKU information and the manufacturer ID of EPC, and this EPC information is written to one or more RFID label tag The memorizer of 280.It addition, EPC recorder can be according to depending on the mark of the type of RFID label tag implemented by environment 110-1 Standard, such as PhilipsSLRM900 technical specification, write RFID label tag.Alternatively, EPC recorder can be by using Label is write by RS232 or other serial interface communication agreements.

One aspect of the present invention, stock 170 can include the shelf that one or more RFID can work, and these shelf include Communication compatibility with ancillary equipment 155 (such as bar code reader).Therefore, each shelf can at least temporarily with or the cycle Property, ad hoc with EPC recorder procedure communication.Such as, one group of certain type of article can be by user (such as, storehouse people Member) it is placed on shelf.One article is scanned by bar code reader, to determine its corresponding UPC number.EPC recorder May then pass through and quote the information drawn from UPC number and be sequentially designated EPC number to each article of this group,

Differential display between general UPC and EPC is in Table III.UPC can be by decimal scale (that is, 10 numeral system) data set Becoming, these data include manufacturer's number, destination number and check digit, altogether 12 units.EPC includes binary data, should Data can include title, manufacturer's number, destination number and Electronic Serial Number.In UPC and EPC, manufacturer's number can be by Regulator (such as price code standard regulator) specifies.Target classification (including target number) can be specified by manufacturer.? When EPC, serial number can also be specified by manufacturer.

Difference between Table III UPC and EPC

When manufacturer is not designated with EPC manufacturer code wherein, EPC recorder can use any number Code is specified, till EPC manufacturer code is designated.Alternatively, it is possible to use be directly loadable into bigger EPC manufacturer field In existing EPC manufacturer code.It addition, existing UPC target classification can load in bigger EPC aiming field.

Under regulator does not the most specify such situation of manufacturer code wherein, EPC recorder can be used in Pseudo-EPC field arranges, and this pseudo-EPC field arrangement is used in initial inventory and runs, and such as quotes current UPC field Numerical value or any number are as the trial stock control process of manufacturer code.But, if standard EPC field arranges by reality Execute, then EPC recorder can be made for ensureing that article are correctly tagged by environment 110-1.If it addition, standard EPC word Section arranges to come forth, then EPC recorder can be used by retailer, marketing center or manufacturer, it is possible to for limited product Product line.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that tags to become more extensively and added " source label " by manufacturer at RFID becomes general Time when, the use of EPC recorder can reduce at retail location and increase at source manufacturing, this can implement according to The method of certain aspects of the invention, system and manufacture thing.

If pseudo-EPC field arranges implemented as above, then it is used for the determination of the field of pseudo-EPC number by regulation Number (such as, three), environment 110-1 can specify EPC code.Such as, pseudo-EPC number can be arranged to 8 bit header (1111,1111), corresponding to the category title of EPC；52 bit UPC fields, it is divided into 13 son fields of each 4 bits； And 36 bit sequence number field, such as serial number 0 to 68,719,476,735.In EPC, the size of data sectional can change, Without departing from the scope of the present invention.

UPC number is made up of more to 13 numerals, uses the binary representation of each numeral, each UPC numeral one four Bit byte.It is, 0 is 0000,1 is 0001, and 2 is 0010 ... and 9 be 1001.Each packaging of given article can quilt Distribute with unique serial number, until it reaches till 68,700,000,000 packagings.It should be pointed out that, when transforming to binary representation, How UPC number and serial number are had difference by EPC recorder and environment 110-1 process aspect.When UPC number, Each UPC numeral (more to 13 numerals) is assigned to a nib of EPC.Binary translation can be by EPC recorder The most digitally perform, keep the specific ten's digit corresponding to specific EPC nib.But, at EPC serial number When, the direct conversion from decimal sequence number to binary-coded serial numbers can be carried out, this binary-coded serial numbers is by with 36 The EPC field record of bit.

For example, it is contemplated that be filled with for type of items (such as, 10 fl oz bottles of compound recipe flu/influenza abirritant) The exemplary 96 bit puppet EPC code of exemplary bar codes.Bar code (or the 13 bit digital forms that can be 23900,00296 000,23900,00296).The serial number of 34782 can be allocated such that for the packaging of this type of items be unique.With Binary representation, 34782 is 0100,0011,1110,1111.Table IV shows relevant with this exemplary items type corresponding EPC and UPC data.

Table IV. for exemplary UPC and the EPC code of exemplary items type

For the ease of giving tagged article suitable pseudo-EPC number assignment, when serial number is designated and RFID label tag During the packaging that 280 are added to article, EPC recorder can record the UPC number of 12 or 13 numerals electronically.Fig. 3 shows and can hold The flow chart of the exemplary EPC recorder process of the RFID label tag process that row is above-mentioned.As it can be seen, EPC recorder process is permissible Obtain wanting the inventory (step 310) of tagged SKU (type of items).This inventory includes for each type of items UPC number and the character string of marking articles, and SKU group table can be stored in, this SKU group table can be filled with scanning software and/or The bar code of any of type of hardware.One aspect of the present invention, SKU group table can include three fields, UPC Number character Section, manufacturer name field, and include the character string of universal description information (such as, size, taste etc.).

When RFID label tag 280 article to be assigned to, EPC recorder process can be called as dividing in ISSA 200 Join the EPC recorder task 234 that module is run.This calls and can instruct task 234 and access SKU group table (it can be stored in data In storehouse 215) and the corresponding UPC (step of the location each SKU for being included in the inventory obtained in the step 310 320).Such as, EPC recorder task 234 can generate inquiry, and search SKU group table finds out manufacturer and/or Item Title.

Once UPC is positioned for corresponding SKU, and UPC recorder task 234 just can provide back EPC this information Recorder process.Upon receipt of, EPC recorder just can use UPC that whole pseudo-EPC number is written in type of items In the RFID label tag of each packaging, such as, by use, the order performed by RFID reader is written to label (step 330). The step for unique serial number is distributed to each label.Furthermore, EPC recorder process can be during this processing procedure Pseudo-EPC is recorded on form, the table (step 340) being such as stored in data base 215.

One aspect of the present invention, RFID label tag 280 can comprise the serial number of the RFID label tag number being assigned to uniqueness With the pseudo-EPC number being encoded as excessive data.Although pseudo-EPC number includes the information of marking articles, but serial number can be read Go out device software/hardware to read quickly compared with pseudo-EPC number.Such as, by certain bar code reader, (such as Philips reads Going out device) the anticollision select command that provides can return RFID label tag serial number automatically.It is positioned at wherein on specific shelf Type of items, from a RFID label tag reads to run to change the least another running when, is believed by storage EPC Breath and corresponding sequence number information are at local ultra-high access memory device (not shown), for obtaining the read cycle of pseudo-EPC number Can be modified.Therefore, reader, when attempting to read RFID label tag 280 and initial reception RFID label tag serial number, can send anti- Collision select command.Then reader may determine that whether tag serial number is located locally cache buffer memory device.If it does, Then reader can retrieve corresponding EPC number from cache buffer memory device.If label is not stored in cache buffer memory device, then Reader can read tag data block, to obtain pseudo-EPC number.Then RFID label tag serial number and No. EPC can be added to surpass Cache, for the later read cycle.Environment 110-1 can perform reset procedure, and this reset procedure can be by periodically Principle removes the label information being comprised in cache buffer memory device.This can provide with little data management time delay and comprise mark Sign data access performance as the rational type class database of serial number and EPC.

User interface page

User interface 210 can provide interface based on content to user, this allow users to request and input with by Intelligent inventory according to certain aspects of the invention manages the information that function is relevant.Fig. 4 shows example interface conversion 400, and it carries For the enforceable framework of ISSA 200, in order to via user interface 210 response from the inquiry of user.In Transformation Graphs 400 each Square can represent the paging process performed by user interface 210, it is allowed to user's request and/or the information of reception.Can examine for every page Test the privacy key carried in the speech channel for current user, it is determined whether allow user to be linked into corresponding page.Furthermore, Every page can be posted to ISSA 200, and retrieval XML information XML file.It addition, by style page is retouched from for every page The COM+ component stated is added to XML, and content is displayed at display device (such as, display 204).Furthermore, in conversion 400 Page process can be with the corresponding one or more processes (such as, task 231-239) being included in ISSA 200 and work 240 is interactive.

As it can be seen, Fig. 4 includes homepage 402, it allow the user to navigate to by conversion 400 in page process show other Page.User's log in page 410 is had, it is allowed to user inputs user name and password these page of centre.Then this page 410 can start steps on Record process, such as WebService ISSAserv/Login.asmx/Login method.If user is validated user, then log in Page process can guide user interface 210 to perform homepage process 402.Otherwise, log in page 410 can ask user name and close again Code.

File page 408 guides user to log in as new user page 410, this allow user create and Edit Profile with And set up prompting reservation (such as, it is stipulated that want the certain form of prompting reported).Page 412 of logging off allows user from working as Front logon process is logged off.

Inventory levels controls page 414 by guiding user such as to watch Real-time inventory page 416, it is allowed to user accesses various Inventory level information.This page allows user's viewing currently practical stock at specific position (such as, shelf) place.Pass through Using the various fields specified by user interface 210, user Ke Sheng is to become an inquiry.Table V display user can make for screening The inventory of the examplar search field of search.Once inquiring and inputted by user, interface just can show for Real-time inventory page 416 Search Results, this stock's page starts process (such as, the WebService of the information allowing user's search relevant with article with viewing ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/GetInventoryXML).This process allows user to receive the letter from another page Breath, such as article detail page (not shown).One aspect of the present invention, carries out selling as being included in environment 110-1 The user of seller allows for the locally or remotely access viewing Real-time inventory page 416 of limit, whether to determine their article It is shown according to being set in advance as agreement.Such as, seller may determine that whether their article are present in and is positioned at shop Nei Te On the shelf surface layer of the some of fixed position, whether their article are placed on the preferred position in one group of shelf, all As watched level at eyes, it is not relatively low level neither higher.

Table V. search field

Article detail page (not shown) can perform permission user's viewing information relevant with article, determine that these article are current It is positioned at the process which place and the article of environment 110-1 are placed on the time of this position.If article are by single reader Antenna 270 reads, then article are seen as being positioned at specific physical location (such as, specific shelf), if or article by The multiple readers interknited with the form of relation table (the tblRelatedEPC table being such as included in data base 215) Antenna 270 reads, then article are on " virtual shelf ".

Viewing SKU goes beyond the limit of page 418 and allows user to watch with current above or below the bottom line stock's percent allowed The relevant information of one or more type of items.User can screen search by the field using Table V to show.Once sieve The information of choosing is input by a user, and user interface just can show that SKU goes beyond the limit of the Search Results (not shown) of page.This page permissible Start and (such as, the given article of current position or the current stock of type of items are shown to the process of user WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/OutofLimitsSKUXML).And, this process can also carry For for deviating from higher or lower than desired bottom line at the bottom line value of inventory of these article of the position of regulation and current quantity in stock The difference of stock.And, this process can show less than the SKU of regulation and position above or below the percent of permission. This goes beyond the limit of information and can be made for first according to by user and/or the software processes that produces this information by ISSA 200 The intended sales information that process provides advises which goes beyond the limit of article and stocks up.ISSA 200 also can access to be stored in and deposit Current and history sales data in reservoir device (such as, data base 215), generates and predicts that each article are likely to become scarce The report of the expeced time of goods.It addition, ISSA 200 can use various factors (such as list price, seasonality etc.) to regulate report The information of forecasting provided in announcement.

Viewing Lost Sales page 420 can allow user to watch with the type of items of Lost Sales is relevant due to short supply Information.User can inquire for the search of these SKU by using the field filter listed in Table V.The information once screened Being input by a user, user interface 210 just can show the Search Results (not shown) of Lost Sales page.This page can start aobvious Show that the sale valuation (such as, in terms of dollar) lost due to the article short supply of this type of items was estimated to the sale of user Journey.Can be the comparison according to inventory level, sales volume (current and history) and class by the estimation selling estimation procedure offer Make like traditional dependency of the selling event of the article of type.Such as, ISSA 200 may access to from data base 215 Inventory data, sales information etc., the comparison used by sales information process with execution.The estimation of lost sale in short supply also may be used Be based entirely on that provided by user (such as, administration staff, Retail Store Manager etc.), describe and similar article class The factor of the replacement speed that type is relevant.Alternatively, ISSA 200 is configured by identifying and before these type of items Sell relevant trend train its own with extracting it from the data base including similar information.

Misplace and put SKU page 422 position that user can be allowed to watch with the mistake being currently placed in environment 110-1 The information that article are relevant.User can be by using the field filter in Table V for misplacing the search of the article put.Once screen Information provided by user, interface 210 just can show and misplaces the Search Results putting SKU page.This page can start display to be missed Any current article placed and process (such as, the WebService of they current positions in environment 110-1 ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/MisplacedSKUXML).User can by use the SKU information of such as article from Shown on the display device so that the inventory of the position of the SKU of viewing selection selects article.

Inventory level safeguards that page 424 guides user to allowing stock current in user's configuration and/or viewing environment 110-1 The page (such as, 426 and 428) arranged.Viewing rack arrangement page 428 can allow user to watch about thing any in stock 170 Product and the information of they positions the most currently assigned in shelf 110-1.User can sieve by using the field in Table V Choosing search.The information once screened is input by a user, and user interface 210 just can show current rack arrangement page (not shown). This arrangement page can perform to show that the position of article and their permissions (such as, is assigned to the position of each article in environment 110-1 Put) process (such as, WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/SKUArrangement).ISSA 200 can To access item price from data base (such as, data base 215) and/or to sell speed data, and provide some type of items Position preferential in the environment 110-1 that can be placed, in order to promote sale and/or the flowing of these article increased.

Arrange environment arrange page 426 can allow the position of the certain form of article of user setup, goods categories, by some Specific position range in article, special No. SKU and environment 110-1 that manufacturer provides (such as, passage, lorry and/or Shelf).This page 426 can also allow the bottom line stock of each type of items of user setup.Furthermore, environment 110-1 can implement Plane graph software, it is to describe how product should be placed on retail shelf and be placed on where flat with array of shelf Face (such as, figure, image etc.).Plane graph analysis space utilizes, it is provided that Money Data and permission retailer and manufacturer have Effect ground plans, sets up and manage that their business makes serviceability other reports maximized of retail space.Therefore, goods is set Frame arrangement can also be downloaded from the planning chart program performed by environment 110-1.Similarly, ISSA 200 can by use by The interface page information of the inventory data offer of the page offer of 400 is provided and allows planning chart program to update current inventory information. It addition, planning chart subprogram can be incorporated into ISSA 200, perform for IIMS 105.

Reduction controls page 430 and guides user to arrive the reduction information provided by page 432 and 434.The stock that viewing is too taken away Page 432 can allow user by each article, goods categories, specific the manufacturer article provided, be in environment 110-1 In No. SKU of position, in environment 110-1 specific position (such as, passage, lorry and specific shelf) and screen article. This page 432 can allow user to watch in by user-defined certain time interval with the quantity that determines from their appointment The article of the removed request in position.It displays that too takes stock's result page (not shown) away.This page can start aobvious Show first article of the article of position, Item Information, certain number time removed from the position specified, certain number Time that last article of article are removed from the position specified and have how many article removed in this time interval Process (such as, WebService ISSAserv/Shrinkage.asmx/MajorPullXML).

The actual stock's page 434 to ERP of viewing can allow user receive be positioned in environment 110-1, have super Cross and/or the information relevant less than the article of the user-defined percent difference of the inventory level of regulation.User can be with each Ground is by goods categories ground, by the article provided by specific manufacturer, by being in environment 110-1 (such as passage, goods Car and specific shelf) in No. SKU of position, screen the search of these article.Stock's page 434 can show the right of reality The result page (not shown) of ERP.This result page can start can show stock actual present in stock 170, such as Those article, stock's (such as, ERP library is deposited) of business rules and the mistake of percent difference therebetween being positioned on shelf Journey (such as, WebService ISSAserv/Shrinkage.asmx/InventoryCompareXML).

Quickly recalling page 436 can guide user to providing and having expired or had close to the article on date effect duration One or more pages (such as, 438-442) of the information closed.Watching expired SKU page 438 can allow each ground of user to pass through thing Category not, by the article provided by specific manufacturer, by being in environment 110-1 (such as passage, lorry and specific Shelf) in No. SKU of position screening article.This page 438 can show expired SKU result page (not shown), this result Page can start display item description, the position of article out of date and be positioned at their those expired things of current position Process (such as, the WebService ISSAserv/ of product time interval since their corresponding date effect duration RapidRecall.asmx/ExpiredProductsXML)。

Watching expired SKU page 440 on the horizon can allow each ground of user by goods categories, by by specifically Article that manufacturer provides, by the position that can be in environment 110-1 (such as passage, lorry and specific shelf) No. SKU screening article.This page 440 can allow user to receive about in certain time interval (such as, a few minutes, several hours, several Week etc.) in will be expired the information of article.Furthermore, this page 440 can show that expired SKU result page on the horizon (does not shows Go out).This result page can start and can show for given product due at certain according to user-defined the selection result Process (such as, the WebService ISSAserv/ of the position of relevant article expired in time interval RapidRecall.asmx/ExpiredproductsXML)。

Finding out serial number page 442 can allow user to watch the article in certain sequence number range.User can pass through Use the field filter search in Table V.The information once screened is provided by user, and user interface 210 just can show described above The Search Results of Real-time inventory page.This page can start provides corresponding about have by user-defined scope Process (such as, the WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/ of the information of the article of serial number GetInventoryXML)。

Remind page 444 that user can be guided to allowing user's reception and/or the setting stock with one or more types to carry One or more pages (such as, page 446-452) of relevant information of waking up.Arranging SKU inventory reminds page 446 that user can be allowed to set The prompting of the article putting the bottom line stock's percent for falling below or rise above regulation configures.Prompting page 446 can With allow user setup for article all of in stock 170, for specific type article, for goods categories, for The article that thered is provided by manufacturer and for the specific position (the such as passage, lorry and specific that are placed in environment 110-1 Shelf) specific No. SKU, arrange prompting configuration.Remind page 446 to start to perform by the supervision wanted of user setup Process (such as, WebServiceISSAserv/Alert.asmx/NewInventoryAlertJob).

Viewing SKU inventory remind page 448 can show the article for currently being monitored by stock's reminder process and it The prompting configuration of corresponding position in environment 110-1.The stock that this page 448 allows user's removal to be no longer necessary to reminds and joins Put.

Arrange stock take away prompting page 450 user setup can be allowed for wherein determining number in the time interval determined The prompting configuration of the situation that purpose article are removed.This page 450 can allow user setup for each article for all of Article, for goods categories, for the article provided by specific manufacturer with for the position being in environment 110-1 The article with No. SKU of (such as passage, lorry and specific shelf), arrange the prompting configuration of these types.This page 450 can To start process (such as, the WebServiceISSAserv/Alert.asmx/ performing above-mentioned configuration NewInventoryRemovalJob)。

Viewing stock takes page limit 452 away can show the article for currently being taken away limit process monitoring by stock Prompting with they corresponding positions in environment 110-1 configures.The stock that this page allows user's removal to be no longer necessary to takes away The configuration of the limit.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that Fig. 4 shows and page described above is exemplary, and be not intended to limit System.Environment 110-1 can implement less or another type of page, the various functions that these pages perform may or not necessarily with The stock control aspect relating to the present invention is relevant.Such as, user interface 210 can be included as user in navigation by interface 210 The page aspect provided provides one or more pages of processes of general and/or special help.Furthermore, interface 210 can include permitting Permitted user setup, watched and/or revise the various characteristics relevant with each article or type of items, such as price, dimensional characteristic, One or more pages of defect state etc..It addition, interface 210 can include allowing user to watch the information that client is relevant, such as The one or more pages of processes in conjunction with client's data information that client's ID card uses.

Stock control process

As it has been described above, environment 110-1 includes ISSA 200, perform according to relate to certain aspects of the invention, one or Multiple intelligent inventory management process.Each during these stock controls can be in response to user via user interface 210 Access ISSA 200 and/or in response to the request started from non-user source (such as another task, process and/or computational entity) It is performed.Fig. 5-7 is shown as relating to the various exemplary stock that can be performed of certain aspects of the invention by environment 110-1 The flow chart of process.

Fig. 5 shows can be according to relating to the exemplary inventory analysis process that certain aspects of the invention perform.At the beginning, ring Border 110-1 can perform to determine the process (step 510) of the stock of the article in stock 170.The step for can be by user's warp It is activated by interface 210 and the page described with reference to Fig. 4.Alternatively, ISSA 200 process that performs or by work 240 execution Work, can start collection inventory information periodically.It addition, step 510 can be one or more by be positioned in environment 110-1 The event that sensor (such as, based on software and/or the sensor of hardware) detects starts.Once environment 110-1 collects stock Information (such as, the number of each type of article being included in stock 170), it just can be stored in data base 215, supplies Access later.Furthermore, inventory information can be made for producing a report and/or content by ISSA 200, and it by various The media (such as printer, webpage, telephone message etc.) of type are supplied to user.

Environment 110-1 also can determine that in stock 170, whether the number of any kind of article is less than predetermined level (step 520).Environment 110-1 can perform above-mentioned suitable process and (such as, go beyond the limit of page 418, control in short supply via viewing SKU Task 231 etc.) determine and identify that the quantity in stock of any kind of article drops into less than making a reservation for for the type article Level.(step 520 if if；It is), then can perform suitable article less than storage level process (step 530). This process can include via outut device (such as, display 204, pager, cell phone etc.) provide reminder message to Which type of items user, represent need to stock up again and article that this exhausts are in the position of environment 110-1.Once defendant user Knowing, he/her determines that whether other position (such as room, the inside) place has any other article of the type exhausted.Replace Changing ground, ISSA 200 can represent to user, whether has the other stock of this type of items in environment 110-1.Therefore, as Fruit needs other article, user or ISSA 200 to order goods the most in advance.Furthermore, step 530 may be included in and wherein determines have Client's message is provided on the position exhausting stock of article or neighbouring shelf display.One aspect, director of store or ISSA 200, for example, it is possible to generate, according to exhausting quantity in stock notice, the message customized, this message provides various information to just watching goods The client of frame display.Discount that the message of customization can include providing, for article in short supply can the purchase list of prolonged service life Address information of another environment of article having disappearance etc. in (rain check), stock.

Whether environment 110-1 can also determine any article (step 540) misplacing and putting in stock 170.Environment 110-1 can perform above-mentioned suitable process (such as, via misplace put SKU page 422 and control task 231 in short supply etc.) with Determine and identify in stock 170 any misplace the article put.If wrong placing articles (step 540；It is), then environment 110- 1 can perform suitable to misplace placing articles process (step 550).This process can include supplying information to user, this information bag Include position and/or its precalculated position (that is, these article place belonging in shop) of disappearance article.User's (such as, storehouse Personnel) the current position misplacing placing articles can be directed into, so, they can return to environment 110-1 these article In their position specified.

It addition, environment 110-1 can according in stock 170 disappearance and misplace the article put and determine and the pin of any loss Sell relevant information (step 550).The step for can include according in short supply or that there are the article exhausting number type of items Generate and provide the Lost Sales report (such as, via task 231 in short supply) of reflection loss income.Furthermore, impacted sale Report can be generated by ISSA 200, and is supplied to user, this report include various factors (such as, item price, seasonal because of Element, the sale etc. of other article) with the former and current sale mutual relation with the type of items that exhausts stock Information.User can use the report of impacted sale to determine the need for any regulation, such as exhausting type of items Article move to other position, price, stock reservation schedule etc..

Fig. 6 shows can be according to the flow chart relating to the reduction process that certain aspects of the invention perform.Environment 110-1 opens Begin to determine whether reduction event (step 610).As discussed above, reduction event is and the most predetermined number The condition removed from their current position in predetermined time interval of article is relevant.Therefore, if the most same The article of type a few minutes from shelf removed, then according to by user setup, such reduction event is made a reservation for Number of articles and time interval value and affected type of items are set, in fact it could happen that reduction event.If such thing There is (step 610 in part；It is), then environment 110-1 can perform to reduce event procedure (step 620).If reduction event is not sent out Raw, then this process terminates.

Step 620 includes the various processes performed by user and/or ISSA 200, as in the past with reference to reduction page 430- 434 and/or reduction process 232 explanation.Such as, environment 110-1 can provide and include that the reduction event for determining is specific Information (such as, event location, removed type of items and in which time period) reminder message to user.Therefore, business Shop employee can receive reminder message and be directed into the position performing various tasks, and such as security service and/or client take Business function.It addition, step 620 can start one or more privacy device, system etc., monitor the position around reduction event Put.Such as, environment 110-1 can start camera record by user occur reduction event position or near execution any The action of physics.

Fig. 7 shows can be according to the flow chart of the example revocation process relating to certain aspects of the invention.Environment 110-1 The most suitable process (such as, via quickly recalling page 436-442 and quickly recalling task 233) can be performed with place Manage and relevant with the article being included in stock 170 any recall event.On the one hand, environment 110-1 may determine whether inspection Measure stock time limit or expired events (step 710).The step for can be and determine whether stock 170 includes having corresponding Stock time limit and/or exceeded date effect duration and/or close to exceeding (such as, in one day, in several days, in the week etc.) Any article.If be detected that such event (step 710；It is), then perform suitable stock time limit/effect duration process (step 720).The step for can include notifying user (such as, the shop-assistant at store employee, POS location, the manager in home office Etc.) and/or in ISSA 200 another software process: stock 170 includes or out of date or the most expired one Or multiple article, their stock time limit and/or date effect duration.Notice can include identifying the information of each article (such as, SKU information), they in stock 170 corresponding position, whether have in environment 110-1 have the effective stock time limit and/or The interchangeable stock on date effect duration, and/or the instruction for any process event (such as, takes away from shelf, article moved Before shelf or store locations etc.).The user of reception event and/or ISSA 200 can use the information of reception to hold The instruction of the one or more suggestions of row, and perform to remedy other processes of stock time limit/expired events.These other work can Including the price changing the one or more article relevant with this event.Furthermore, environment 110-1 can in POS terminal and/ Or be installed at the article relevant with this event or on neighbouring display device, show a message, alert client and employ Member: some article can exceed that their stock time limit or date effect duration.

Furthermore, environment 110-1 may determine whether temperature event (step 730) occur.Temperature event can be with wherein Around specific article group or near the change condition of the article allowing to damage this group of the temperature in region relevant 's.Such as, if the freezing unit in environment 110-1 breaks down, and temperature drops into less than certain numerical value, is stored Any product at this unit can be damaged and be considered to be unsuitable for sell.If it occur that temperature event (step 730；It is), Then perform temperature course (step 740).One aspect of the present invention, temperature course can include this temperature event and this event The relevant position in environment 110-1, how to process the explanation of this event and be included in the region affected by this event The relevant Item Information (such as, SKU information) of any article, this event occurred and/or occurent time interval etc. Etc. notifying user.User can take suitable action to ensure that any article affected by this event are to buy safety (example As, in the time that event has just occurred).User can reappose in environment 110-1 correctly operating temperature these article The position controlled, for buying later.Furthermore, user and/or ISSA 200 can provide maintenance message to the user specified or to make With position, ask maintenance to break down and cause the unit of temperature event.

Environment 110-1 can also determine in stock 170 any article whether with defective reported by manufacturer Or multiple type of items is relevant (step 750).The step for can include from Real-time inventory step shown in Fig. 5, that determine receive Item Information and the reception of collection, the inventory of defective article that provided by manufacturer compares.If at environment 110-1 In have some type of any article to match with the article found in the defect information provided by manufacturer, then can perform to lack Fall into process (step 760).This process can include the article of defect, their position and the letter about defect in stock 170 Breath (such as, defect type, article the most still safety/carry whether defective operation, POS must recall article and not sell thing Product) notify user.On the one hand, notified user can be at can be so that processing the thing of the defect just bought by client Shop-assistant on the position of the sale of product.Such as, the serious of defect described in the defect information that provides in the notification is provided Property, shop-assistant can stop client to buy this article.Alternatively, if by the add-on parts that will be provided by manufacturer or soft Part, article are still likely to be breached technical specification, then shop-assistant can be forwarded to client this information and how offer obtains The information of the part/software of the correction of the article of this purchase.Furthermore, ISSA200 can automatically provide the sale of these defect article The discount of price.The selling price reduced may be displayed on POS location or display is being installed in and these one or more defects On the display near position that article are relevant.It addition, environment 110-1 can provide the client's correction allowing to buy defect article The service of these article and/or equipment.For example, it is possible to offer work station, user can download necessary software code from this work station It is used for correcting the defect in the program being stored on computer-readable media.Furthermore, client may be the article bought Leave employee for, by employee perform necessity program process to correct article, such as from manufacturer subscribe lose part, download school Positive software patch, installing the part of disappearance to the article of defect etc., environment 110-1 can be client in this manner There is provided these to service.

Any article whether are had to stand by their corresponding system in stock 170 it addition, environment 110-1 can also determine Make design change (step 770) that business makes.With step 750 similarly, environment 110-1 can be by receiving from manufacturer Design change information is carried out with current inventory information inventory (being perhaps that the process performed via the step 510 of Fig. 5 provides) Relatively determine whether to occur design to change.If type of items stands design and changes (step 770；It is), then can perform to set Meter change process (step 780).Design change process can include the type of items being changed, any thing of the type of change The position of product, the explanation how processing this design change event etc. notify user (such as, employee).One side of the present invention Face, design change process can include older article to move on to the position of replacement, such as position after shelf in environment 110-1 Put and move on to anterior locations, in order to before the article that design changes, promote their sale.Furthermore, design change process can include Removing older article from stock 170, this can be under the guidance of manufacturer.

Although showing the step shown in the flow chart of Fig. 5-7 in a particular order, but according to some aspects of the present invention Method, system and manufacture thing can be executed in different order each step, such as single step, with various groups of step Close and with more or less step etc., without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Conclusion

As it has been described above, make the environment can according to the article relating to the method for certain aspects of the invention, system and manufacture Manage process in real time or close in real time and performing article inventory with such degree of quantization level, i.e. reach it for environment Business goal (such as, increase sell) provide many to select.

The described above of embodiment of the present invention is rendered for the purpose of illustration and description.It is not exhaustive, It is not to limit the invention to disclosed accurate form.From above teaching, it is possible for revising and changing, or Person can be revised and changed from the implementation of the present invention.The other correction of the present invention and change, for example, it may be possible to be, describe Embodiment include software, but the present invention with the combination of hardware and software or only can be carried out with hardware.The present invention is permissible Not only the programing system with object-oriented programing system but also with not face target was carried out.

Such as, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that by using the environment 110-1 of many different types to implement this The ability of invention.Such as, in addition to retail environment, the aspect of the present invention can be applied to include adding RFID label tag Target (such as, the tangible target of physics, such as stock) and include for the antenna from these label search information any Environment.Such as, the present invention can be applied to wherein business and wishes to follow the tracks of the environment of individual in its whole business environment.At this When sample, business environment (such as, building) can antenna be arranged on each key position (such as, front door, electricity Ladder etc.).Send out rfid card can to each employee of business, like those cards (such as, client's rfid card) of former description. Therefore, ISSA 200 can according to when employee moves through antenna from antenna receive/collect information monitoring user in business Movement in environment.

It addition, interface 210 can include and the other kinds of interface of the various process interplayeds performed by ISSA 200.Example As, various user interfaces can work, with EPC recorder process interplayed, it is allowed to user's not monoenergetic reads and write is from/to storehouse Deposit the EPC data of RFID label tag 280 in 170, and the state of such operation can be monitored.Such as, interface 210 can include Result interface, it presents to user the result window of all of list of articles included via the input of EPC recorder window.Knot Really window can include representing that EPC write runs the information whether being successfully executed.Various interactive display message can be according to any The result of EPC write is provided to user.Such as, result window can present what unsuccessful reason expression EPC is written as The most likely correct one or more error messages of the explanation of this problem.It addition, interface 210 can include that bad label finds Person's interface, it allows users to ask the information of the RFID label tag 280 about any fault.Bad tag interface can be identification The ID of any bad label, their position and the information of the relative article relevant with label present to user.

Although the aspect of the present invention is described as being stored in memorizer, it will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that this A little aspects alternatively can be stored in other kinds of computer-readable media, the most auxiliary storage device, hard disk, floppy disk or CD- ROM；From the Internet or the carrier wave of other communications medias；Or other forms of RAM or ROM.The scope of the present invention is wanted by right Ask and equivalent regulation.

Adnexa A

Use multiple RF antenna intelligent station and

Quote system of inventory control and the method for this intelligent station

Invention field

The present invention relates generally to use multiple RF in following the tracks of the intelligent station added with the article of RFID (radio frequency identification) label The field of (radio frequency) antenna.More specifically, the present invention is directed to the intelligence using tracking and stock control added with the article of RFID label tag The method for inventory control that can stand and system.

Background of invention

Radio frequency identification (RFID) system typically use one or more reader antenna to send radio frequency (RF) signal to Article added with RFID label tag.The use of the RFID label tag of such marking articles or individual is well known in.Response In the RF signal from reader antenna, when RFID label tag is energized, it produces the disturbance in magnetic field (or electric field), this disturbance Received by reader antenna.Typically, such label is passive label, in label is in the detection range of reader antenna Time, this label is energized or resonance in response to the RF signal from reader antenna.United States Patent (USP) No.6.094,173 is retouched State an example of such rfid system of the details including suitable RF antenna.In order to improve detection range and extension " overlay area ", uses out of phase coplanar antennae as everybody knows.Next comfortable United States Patent (USP) No.6,166 of such antenna, There is provided in 706.

The detection range of rfid system is typically limited in short distance by signal intensity, such as, for 13.56MHz, warp Often less than about 1 foot.Owing to tagged item is typically stored in much larger than static or fixing single reader antenna In the space of detection range, so, in order to detect all of tagged item, portable reader units moves through and tags Article group.Alternatively, it is possible to use there is enough power and the scope detecting a large amount of tagged item, big reader Antenna.But, such antenna is probably not far behind, and the scope of radiant power may be made to increase to above can allow The limit.And, it is other the most valuable positions that these reader antennas are usually placed on shop or its space, and uses Such big reader antenna is expensive and inconvenient.In another solution, use multiple miniature antenna, but this Plant configuration to be likely difficult to set up, remember that space may often be such that the most valuable.

But, the use of multiple antennas (or parts) has the disadvantage in that, uses many transmission cables to come reader unit and connects To multiple antennas and/or when multiple antennas are all connected to reader unit by single transmission cable, multiple antennas can not be by respectively Control individually.

Based on knowledge, Fig. 8 is the block diagram of the basic conception showing prior art RFID system.Reader unit 100 typically can be connected to terminal 102, such as terminal by the digital communication equipment of RS-232 or similar.Read Device unit 100 is connected to reader antenna 200 by cable 203.This reader antenna 200 is typically by least one ring 201 and a tuning circuit 202 form.Although tuning circuit 202 is shown as the part of localization, but this area on Fig. 8 Skilled person will appreciate that, it may be about antenna loop 201 distribution.Reader antenna 200 is further through low-power radio Ripple 105 communicates with one or more RFID label tag 106, this RFID label tag article typically to be followed the tracks of with rfid system, target (biological or abiotic) or individual are associated.

Transmission cable 203 is typically characterized by its impedance, represents in simplified form, about the electricity of transmission cable Sense L is divided by the square root of electric capacity C.For coaxial cable, impedance is usually 50 or 75 ohm.

Usually, transmission cable 203, antenna loop 201 and tuning circuit 202 are joined together in such a way, I.e. to utilize the RF power in the frequency wanted most effectively, for using coil antenna, such as antenna 200, given Rfid system, this frequency typically " high " frequently, such as 13.56MHz.Another being frequently used for rfid system is normal " low " frequency be 125kHz.In the range of RF, such as 900MHz or 2.45GHz " superelevation " (UHF) frequency can be used as in Different Antenna Design.

Use multiple antennas of being powered by single reader unit and use multiplexer switch between antennas alternately be System is also known.Such system illustrates on Fig. 9 conceptually, and two of which separate antenna 200a and 200b is by each Transmission cable 203a and 203b be connected to reader and multiplexor unit 101.The use of multiple antennas is typically at readout sign Room for improvement overlay area during label, without more than one reader unit.The major defect of the structure shown in Fig. 9 is to need Separate transmission cable is wanted to link each antenna.Owing to space may often be such that the most valuable, the use of these separate cables is It is disadvantageous, since it is desired that additional space is installed or placed these separate cables.This shortcoming is at plural antenna Increased the weight of when being used in a reader unit, because all these multiple antennas needs separate transmission cable.

Brief summary of the invention

On the one hand, the present invention provides a kind of intelligent station following the tracks of RFID label tag, and intelligent station includes: reader unit, sends With reception RF signal；Oneth RF antenna, is connected to reader unit by the first switch via transmission cable；And one or Multiple additional RF antennae, are connected to reader by each extra switch one or more via the first identical transmission cable Unit.Be used herein, term " intelligent " system of referring to can pass through radio signal transmission, obtains, stores and check data And monitor the unique identifier relevant with traceable article.

On the other hand, each first includes a ring and a tuning circuit with one or more additional RF antennae.

One aspect of the present invention, reader unit includes the tuning electricity for first with one or more additional RF antennae Road, tuning circuit is connected to first and one or more additional RF antennae by the first transmission cable.

On the one hand, the present invention includes: reader unit, generates and receive RF signal；And control unit, it is used for being connected to read Go out unit and first with one or more extra switch, wherein control unit be configured to optionally to handle first and one or Multiple extra switch, in order to reader is connected respectively to first and one or more additional RF antennae.Reader unit and control Unit processed can be separate device or be combined into individual unit.

Another aspect of the invention, intelligent station also includes the second transmission cable, and it is connected to auxiliary reader unit RF antenna loop, each auxiliary RF antenna ring is arranged to corresponding in first and one or more additional RF antennae Antenna.Auxiliary antenna receives to tag-powered unmodulated RF signal, and these labels are generally not when there is not RF signal Power supply.As used herein, term " unmodulated RF signal " is the RF signal not being superimposed with data." the RF of modulation Signal " it is the RF signal of the data being loaded with superposition.

On the other hand, reader unit includes the second tune circuit near reader unit, and second tune circuit passes through Second transmission cable is connected to auxiliary RF antenna ring.Second tune circuit is configured to tune auxiliary RF antenna ring.

Another aspect, the present invention provides the second transmission cable, it respectively by first with one or more extra switch Reader unit is connected first and one or more additional RF antennae.Reader unit is sent by the second transmission cable and is not adjusted The RF signal of system to first and one or more additional RF antennae, and sent by the first transmission cable the RF signal modulated to First with one or more additional RF antennae.

Another aspect of the present invention, the first switch is configured only to be operated in three states: the first state, the first switch is only Send the RF signal of modulation to a RF antenna；Second state, the first switch only sends unmodulated RF signal to the oneth RF days Line；And the third state, RF signal and the unmodulated RF signal of modulation all bypass a RF antenna.Second switch includes multipole Switch, is configured only to be operated in three states: the first state, second switch only sends the RF signal of modulation to relevant second RF antenna；Second state, second switch only sends unmodulated RF signal to the 2nd relevant RF antenna；And the third state, RF signal and the unmodulated RF signal of modulation all bypass the 2nd relevant RF antenna.Each switch can be the most controlled System, it is therefoie, for example, the first and second switches can be arranged to send the most respectively modulation and unmodulated signal.It addition, Can use two pole switches, it is configured to operate at one of two states, and (state is that the RF signal transmitting modulation is to phase The antenna closed, and another state is the antenna not transmitting a signal to be correlated with).

On the other hand, the present invention provides: additional RF antennae, is connected to reader list by same first transmission cable Unit；And extra switch, it is arranged at respectively between the first transmission cable and additional RF antennae.

One aspect, RF transmission cable has the single branch serving all of antenna, it is, antenna is with shape of connecting Formula is connected to reader unit by RF transmission cable.

On the other hand, RF transmission cable has two or more branch, and each branch serves one or more antenna.Also It is exactly that antenna is connected to reader unit with multiple-series form by RF transmission cable, each point on RF transmission cable It is to be switched by use and selectable.

On the other hand, intelligent station comprises RF signal processing electronic equipment, to perform some by this reader by another kind The signal processing that mode is carried out.

Another aspect, each one or more extra switch include PIN-type diode.

On the other hand, the present invention provide a kind of use RFID label tag to determine will be by the Item Information of the article of stock control Intelligent inventory control system, intelligent inventory control system includes one or more intelligent station.Each intelligent station includes a RF Antenna, is connected to reader unit by the first switch via the first transmission cable；And one or more additional RF antennae, It is connected to reader unit via same first transmission cable by corresponding one or more extra switch.Reader list Unit can be placed on away from one of intelligent station or in an intelligent station.System of inventory control also includes being connected to data storage The storage controlling processing unit of device, it receives from the Item Information of intelligent station, to update about will be by the article of stock control Inventory information.

Another aspect, the present invention provides the method for the article that a kind of storage controlling has RFID label tag, and method includes: provide Multiple intelligent stations, each intelligent station includes: reader unit, sends and receive RF signal；Oneth RF antenna, by the first switch It is connected to reader unit via transmission cable；And one or more additional RF antennae, by the most one or more Extra switch is connected to reader unit via the first identical transmission cable；It is positioned at corresponding intelligence for determining by giving The Item Information of the article stood, the first of each intelligent station selectively power with one or more additional RF antennae, determine and want Item Information by the article of stock control；And Item Information determined by processing, will be by the article of stock control with renewal Inventory information.

On the one hand, each station has the reader unit of its own.But, a reader unit can also be many stations Work.

Another aspect of the invention, method for inventory control include selectively controlling first with one or more extra switch Power with one or more additional RF antennae to first, and detection is from being in be powered accordingly one or more attached Add the Item Information of the article in the range of RF antenna, there is RFID label tag.

Another aspect of the invention, method for inventory control includes the RF power electricity that software controls to be generated by reader unit Flat.In a preferred embodiment, test job determines that reader unit must provide for how many RF power, to reach for being put Put the optimum of the antenna of each connection in the different distance along RF cable.This information is such as stored in lookup Table or the index data store of other equivalences.Hereafter, at run duration, for the power level of each antenna according to being deposited Storage this predetermined level in a lookup table is set, and so, the antenna in the different distance along RF transmission cable can With the Power operation to be substantially identical.

In an alternate embodiment, the power being provided to each antenna also can be depending on additive factors, such as, depend on sky The type of line.So, in an alternate embodiment, the distance of antenna and type can be used for determining and store for concrete sky The optimum power level of line.

Another aspect of the invention, method for inventory control includes RF amplifier installation, such as RF filter amplifier, Place (such as every N number of shelf) periodically along RF transmission cable, to promote RF signal intensity.

Another aspect of the invention, method for inventory control includes the article letter updating the determination of article in data store Breath.

Another aspect, the present invention provides method for inventory control to include, for each intelligent station, it is provided that the second transmission electricity Cable, reader unit be connected to be placed on first and one or more additional RF antennae respective antenna near, one Or multiple auxiliary antenna ring, wherein reader unit sends the RF signal of modulation and by the second biography by the first transmission cable Transmission cable sends unmodulated RF signal.

Another aspect, includes providing the second transmission electricity for each intelligent station according to the method for inventory control of the present invention Cable, it is connected first and one or more additional RF days with one or more extra switch reader unit by first respectively Line, wherein reader unit by second transmission cable send unmodulated RF signal to first with one or more additional RF days Line, and by the RF signal of the first transmission cable transmission modulation to first and one or more additional RF antennae.

On the other hand, method for inventory control, for each intelligent station, it is configured to one or more extra switch first Only be operated in three states: the first state, only send the RF signal of modulation to each first and one or more additional RF antennae； Second state, only send unmodulated RF signal to first with corresponding antenna in one or more additional RF antennae；And the Three condition, the RF signal of modulation and unmodulated RF signal all bypass first with corresponding sky in one or more additional RF antennae Line.

Accompanying drawing is sketched

It is introduced in and the accompanying drawing of a part of composition technology explanation is for illustrating and noting limit the preferred real of the present invention Execute example, and together with being given above the brightest and preferred embodiments given below detailed description, be used for illustrating The principle of the present invention.

Preferred embodiment describes in detail

Unless specified otherwise herein, "-" refers to one or more.Present invention offer includes can be by using multiple antenna detection The intelligent inventory control system of one or more intelligent stations of RFID label tag.RFID label tag is attached to be detected or to follow the tracks of On article.In that here discuss, some preferred embodiment, intelligent station system is designated as intelligence " shelf " system, because serving as reasons The intelligent station system that the present invention provides is suitable for the article following the tracks of on the shelf in shop or warehouse, for storage controlling or other with Track purpose.It will be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to intelligent commodity shelf system, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that it is right In the applicability of other purposes, such as, such as follow the tracks of in airtight surround, other storage spaces and specific space Article.Such airtight surround or storage space include without being to limit, room, cubicle, chest, cabinet, refrigerator, freezing Confined space, space or the shelf that case, tool palette, clothing shelf, trailer, warehouse, supporting plate, sales counter are similar with other.Intelligence Stand and can be used in gate, front door and other porch, floor or carpet or ceiling.It is also to be understood that intelligent station can be Different the taking of typically relevant from shelf horizontal alignment is used up.Such as, intelligent commodity shelf can make in vertical orientation With, such as on the wall of surround, or on the back side of storage space or side or surface.

For the use on clothing shelf, it is contemplated that various embodiments include the shelf of linear or circle.Specifically, For circular rack, it is contemplated that can use two antennas, they are placed on intracardiac in circular rack two mutually orthogonally On vertical plane.Antenna can be driven by single reader, but the length of their lead-in cable differs the most mutually 1/4 RF wavelength, or alternatively, use 90 degree of power splitters of two-way (such as, MiniCircuits PSCQ-2-13) so that two antennas Phase contrast 90 degree.As a result, two antennas the magnetic direction set up " was rotated " once by the cycle of each RF ripple, so can read Go out all of RFID label tag around circular rack.

For the use on clothing shelf, another embodiment provides one or more antenna loop on clothing shelf, Such as it is placed on or hangs over the one or both ends of shelf, or be distributed as hanging the clothes hanger of clothing.If antenna loop is with the shape of clothes hanger Formula is provided, then these antenna is by passing through narrow (such as, 1/4 "-3/8 " diameter) thermoplastic pipeline wire, and then heat becomes This pipeline of shape is made the antenna of clothes hanger shape and is made.Identical method can be used for making the self-supporting sky of any shape Line.

Flat plane antenna can be limited to its ability reading label, the magnetic force being oriented parallel to be produced of these labels by antenna Line.By providing the antenna (being connected to the antenna of reader) powered of RF and being not directly connected to of reader or many The antenna of individual passive coupling, read range is extended and overcomes label orientation to limit.The antenna of these passive connections by with The inductive of antenna of power supply and be activated or powered.Preferably, the antenna of these passive coupling has magnetic field and couples with active Antenna phase differ from 180 degree.Therefore, the orientation in the magnetic field finally given will be vibrated, such that make the RFID in disadvantageous orientation Label still can be read.In one embodiment, the antenna of passive coupling may be provided in shelf itself, such as, at goods Equipped with source antenna and at the antenna being followed by passive coupling of shelf before frame, all of antenna is all in shelf plane On.Other embodiment is included in the antenna of the passive coupling on the vertical of the end of shelf or the behind of shelf.Other Embodiment includes at least one active antenna in use surround interior (such as box, cubicle or passage), one or more The antenna of passive coupling provides more preferable read range or provides more preferable motility for being arranged to the reading label of any orientation. Other embodiments are included in the antenna of the passive coupling on the vertical of the end of shelf or the behind of shelf.Other embodiment bags Include for given shelf, on shelf the most just under next shelf on the horizontal plane of certain distance supine The antenna of passive coupling.

In a preferred embodiment, multiple antennas can be placed on self-supporting shelf maybe can be embedded into and be placed on existing business In thin bed course on the shelf of shop.

Such as, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 10 A, independent commodity shelf system 501a, 501b...501n and 502a, 502b...502n, each equipped with multiple antennas 200, each antenna is connected to reader unit by transmission cable 222 120.Each reader unit 120 has controller or control unit 124, and they use and control which antenna cable 221 selects It is work at any time.Between shelves, cable 221 and cable 222 can be interconnected by union joint 526.Although figure Embodiment disclosed in 10A shows, often group shelf have rfid system, and this system has the reading being connected to multiple antennas 200 Go out device unit 120, it will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that single reader unit can be configured to adjacent to each other one Multiple antennas on above shelf link together, or each shelf are configured with the reader unit of its own.

The block diagram display alternative embodiment of Figure 10 B, the most each shelf 503a, 503b...503n is equipped with multiple skies Line 200.Multiple antennas 200 are each is connected to reader unit 120 by transmission cable 222.Each reader unit 120 has Having controller 124, selecting which antenna is the most all work.This controller 124 can be microprocessor.And And, shelf can have assistant controller 125, and it selects antenna with controller 124 cooperation.Assistant controller 125 can be micro-place Reason device, has all of antenna in the shelf that enough output controls to be correlated with, and controls outut device 510, such as, use In showing the shelf-edge displays of information as such as price.Outut device 510 can show that use can be seen that and audible The information of the signal seen, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.Use assistant controller 125, can reduce between shelves The number of line required in adapter 526.

Control unit 124 can send order by means of by digital data communication cable, such as relevant every by sending Unique address of individual switch, as possible, such as by using Dallas Semiconductor DS2405Switch capable of addressing, and selectively operate any or all of switch.Each such addressable switch provides can It is used for switching the single outfan of individual antenna.Preferably, control unit 124 can be by utilizing one or more auxiliary control Device unit 125 processed, and selectively operate any or all of switch.Such as, assistant controller unit 125 can be microprocessor, all Such as Microchip Technology IncorporatedMicrocontroller, it can provide for switching one Multiple outfans of above antenna (the such as all of antenna near assistant controller unit 125).Controller unit 124 is also Can be microprocessor, such as Microchip Technology IncorporatedMicrocontroller.In control Communication between unit 124 processed and secondary control unit 125 can by use according to know communication protocol (such as RS-232, RS-485 serial protocol or Ethernet protocol or Token Ring (token-ring network) networking protocol) digital communication signal by reality Execute.By such communication of assistant controller unit 125, in addition to selecting the antenna wanted, also include handling bells and whistles Order.The example of such characteristic includes display (such as, light emitting diode) to provide near antenna, by suitable Image display display alphanumeric text, or near antenna, export audible information.

In a preferred embodiment, intelligent commodity shelf system is controlled by electric network.Control the control of intelligent commodity shelf system System will send command data to control unit via the agreement of RS-232 or similar.These orders include but not limited to, are used for Handle reader unit 120 instruction, for steering antenna switch instruction and will by shelf (such as, have light, image show Show or sound) the auxiliary information that shows.Control unit 124 is programmed to interpret these orders.If order is intended to reading Device unit 120, then 124 these orders of control unit are sent to reader unit 120.Other orders could be for selecting sky Line or display information, and controlled unit 124 if necessary processes by these orders, to determine which data should be by several Digital data communication cable 221 is sent to secondary control unit 125.Similarly, secondary control unit 125 can transfer data back to control Device 124 processed, as can be accomplished in reader unit 120.Then controller 124 passes through electric network transmission result data Return control system.As illustrated in figs. 10 a and 10b, storage controlling processing unit 550 is an example of such control system.Just As discussed further for intelligent commodity shelf system here, electric network and control system are wise for can alternatively using can goods Frame system can be controlled by electric network by the control system being connected to intelligent commodity shelf system.

Control unit 124 at least must determine whether the order from electric network should be sent to reader 120, or Whether should send on cable for digital communication 221.Equally, control unit 124 must it from cable for digital communication 221 and from The data that reader unit 120 receives are forwarded back to electric network.Such as with minimum configuration, electric network such as sends order Read individual antenna.(a) is provided for the suitable switch of this antenna by control unit 124, and (b) starts reader, and (c) receives The data returned from reader, (d) turns off reader, and (e) beams back electric network data.

Figure 10 C is to illustrate by control unit 124 exemplary process from the flow chart of the command signal of main frame.In step 330, control unit 124 determines whether order, and to control unit 124, (it can be by periodically inquiry memory cell Accomplish this point).In step 332, control unit 124 it is then determined that whether this order for reader 120, and if If, in step 336, control unit 124 decodes this order, and sends appropriate instructions to assistant controller 125.Hereafter, as Fruit has sent an order in step 334 and has arrived reader, and in step 338, control unit 124 determines whether from reader unit 120 receive response.If having been received by response, then in step 340,124 these responses of control unit send back main frame.This After, in step 342, control unit 124 determines in response to the instruction sent in step 336, if connect from assistant controller unit 125 Receive response.If receiving response in step 342 from assistant controller unit 125, then should by control unit interpretation in step 344 Response, and it is sent to main frame.Hereafter, processing controls returns to step 330, and wherein control unit 124 determines whether from main frame Another order need process.

Control unit 124 can also perform some the management function additionally processed by electric network.Such as, electric network can Send order, to find some article on the whole commodity shelf system relevant with control unit 124.It that case, Control unit will manage a series of task, and such as (a) determines how many antennas in its system, and (b) is that first antenna sets Putting suitable switch, (c) starts reader, and (d) receives the data returned from reader, and preserves it, and (e) turns off reader, F () arranges suitable switch for next antenna, until all of antenna is only all driven to, and (g) starts reader, directly Only all it is read as to all of antenna.In a preferred embodiment, when all of antenna is read, control unit 124 or electricity Sub-network (" main frame " or " control system ") will be analyzed the data of its accumulation and the most back reported the position of the article wanted.

Figure 10 D is to illustrate according to the present invention, by the flow chart of control unit execution exemplary administrative functions process.In step Rapid 350, control unit 124 receive from primary application program, request counting controlled by control unit 124 antenna sum Order.So, in step 352, control unit 124 determines by the number of the directly actuated antenna of control unit 124.Hereafter, exist Step 354, control unit 124 issues commands to secondary control unit 125, to select the next antenna on their inventory, And wait the confirmation from secondary control unit 125 in step 356.In step 358 and 360, send " reading " order to reader 120, it waits and reads out the data from the antenna selected, and in step 362, sends the data to primary application program. Hereafter, in step 364, control unit sends a " standby " command to reader 120, and determines whether to read institute in step 366 Some antennas.If it is determined that read in all antennas of step 366, then process terminates.Otherwise, processing controls process returns to Step 354, so, control unit 124 can issue commands to secondary control unit, select on inventory, the most nonoptional under One antenna.

The attendant advantages that control unit 124 is placed between electric network and reader unit is, can be on demand Use the reader 120 of different types.Order from electric network to control unit can be general rather than reader Specifically.Such as, electric network can send one " reading antenna " order to control unit.Control unit be ordered this again so long Translate into by the suitable order syntax of each reader unit requirement.Similarly, control unit can receive from reader The response syntax (it can be the type with reader unit and different) of unit, and it is parsed into general response sends out Send electric network back to.This order and syntax can be the type with reader unit 120 and different, but control unit 124 makes Obtaining it is transparent for electric network.

The block diagram of Figure 10 E shows that the replacement that its middle controller 124 and reader 120 are comprised in shelf 504a is implemented Example.As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, it is also possible to controller and reader are remote from any shelf.Numeral is logical 221 controllers 124 of communication cable are connected to assistant controller 125, and 222 readers 120 of RF transmission cable are connected to antenna 200.Controller 124 can handle branch switch 527, and this switch selects which shelf group (such as, 504b-504n, or 505b- 505n) will be chosen.On Figure 10 E, branch switch 527 is used in assistant controller 125 by " multiple-series " method of attachment With the antenna being connected to assistant controller 125.It is, replace controller 124 and reader 120 to grasp under unitary series of operations arranges Vertical all of shelf, RF and digital communication line by serial shelf 504b-504n and by serial shelf 505b-505n under turn It is branched (it is, each branch is parallel to each other) before.Parallel-to-serial configuration on Figure 10 E is for the passageway of shelf Being probably favourable, it typically has shelf (each rank shelf can be connected in parallel) of about 4 ranks, each rank or Permitted there be 10-20 overhead baggage rack unit connected in series.In some cases, the position that arranged in series in parallel is transmitted from RF is also Desired.Such as, if corridor has the shelf of 4 ranks, each rank has 12 overhead baggage rack units, and each overhead baggage rack unit has 4 Individual antenna, then arranged in series in parallel is connected in parallel 4 groups of 48 antennas, and the configuration only connected has to be connected in series one group altogether 192 antennas.Therefore the RF transmission cable of the configuration for only connecting becomes oversize and can not effectively work.

It is real that the block diagram of Figure 10 F shows that its middle controller 124 and reader 120 are arranged to the replacement away from any shelf Execute example.221 controllers 124 of Digital Transmission cable are connected to assistant controller 125, and 222 readers 120 of RF transmission cable connect To antenna 200.Controller 124 or assistant controller 125 can handle T switch 528, and this switch selects which shelf or shelf group (such as, 506a or 507a-507b) will be chosen.T switch 528 can be separate with shelf, can be maybe of shelf Point, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.On Figure 10 F, T switch 528 combines another " multiple-series " connecting arrangement to be made With.It is, replace controller 124 and reader 120 to handle all of shelf, RF and digital communication line serially and be bifurcated (that is, with multiple spot or " T-shaped " arrange to be connected, each branch is arranged to parallel) to by the shelf of arranged in series or shelf Group.This configuration allows RF signal to be switched to shelf or shelf group by T switch 528, or bypasses shelf or shelf group.Figure 10 F institute The T-shaped shown or the configuration of multiple spot can be used to reduce the number of the switch element that RF transmission cable passes through.

On Figure 10 F, extend to part 221a controlling cable beyond shelf 506a and extend to beyond shelf 506a Part 222a of RF cable all beyond shelf.But, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, these of cable prolong Extending portion is divided and can be comprised in shelf.The control cable section 221b of additional extension and the RF cable section of additional extension 222b can be used for being connected to more shelf or shelf group.Similarly, additional shelf (not shown) can be added to shelf Group, such as shelf 506a-506b, as the skilled person will appreciate.

Figure 10 G shows the example T switch 528 on exemplary shelf 507a.T switch comprises a switch, such as PIN Diode 207c.The assistant controller 125 relevant with shelf 507a can drive PIN diode 207c, it is allowed to RF signal is from RF electricity Cable 222a enters shelf 507a, and this RF signal can be routed to antenna 200 by switch 214 wherein.RF energy also can continue Enter optional additional T switch along RF cable 222b, finally arrive terminal organ 215.Therefore, RF cable 222a typically has The antenna of two shunt load-drivings and terminal organ 215.Circuit 217 (such as, isolator well known to those skilled in the art electricity Road) can be used for and the matches impedances of reader 120.

Figure 10 H represents the exemplary online switch 529 that can be used in exemplary shelf 507a.On-line switch comprises one Switch, such as PIN diode 207d.The assistant controller 125 relevant with shelf 507a can drive PIN diode 207d, it is allowed to Signal from RF cable 222a continues on RF cable 222b and advances, or turns off PIN diode 207d, stops RF signal to continue Advance along RF cable 222b.Preferably, T switch 528 and on-line switch 529 can be used together and RF signal is route arrival Frame 507a or be routed to RF cable 222b.By using one or more on-line switches, such as on-line switch 529, isolator electricity Road 217 is unnecessary.But, on-line switch 529 can cause some RF energy loss.

Figure 10 I shows combination RF and the illustrative methods of digital communication on unit cable.Master controller 124 sends intends Digital command 250 for intelligent station.251 digital data convertings of changer become the digital signal 252 of superposition, and it can be applied On RF cable.Such as, the numerical data of this superposition can be from the different frequency used by RFID reader 120 On.The digital signal of this superposition can transport through wave filter 253, such as at the exemplary inductance 253 shown on Figure 10 I. Then, it is added on RF cable.Another wave filter 254 can be used for stopping that the signal of superposition arrives RFID reader 120。

RF and the digital signal of combination are sent to one or more additional intelligent stations 261,262,263 etc. along cable 222a (only display 261 and 262 on Figure 10).After reaching exemplary intelligent station 261, the signal of combination can transport through another filter Ripple device 255, such as inducer, value makes stop RF signal to RFID reader.The digital communication of superposition transports through filtering Device 255, and enter receiver circuit 256, it is retrieved digital information and is conveyed to assistant controller 125 and optionally arrives additional Assistant controller 260.

Assistant controller 125 can send back master controller 124 information by transmitter circuitry 257, such as, be operated in not Be same as in the frequency of RF frequency of reader 120, and optionally, be operated in from master controller (or control unit) 124 to The different frequency of frequency that the communication of assistant controller (or control unit) 125 uses.Such information can be by receiver circuit 258 receive, and are transformed into suitable digital signal 259, then return to master controller 124.

A variants for the method for the digital communication between master controller 124 and assistant controller 125 is, from master control Device 124 processed is with a series of pulsing digital communications of two or more D/C voltage.Preferably, two voltages are all sufficiently high, So that being powered with any circuit relevant with assistant controller 125, peripheral hardware 510 etc. needing D/C power.These voltages can To send from digital transmitter circuit 251, and being received by receiver circuit 256, this receiver circuit can be simple electricity Pressure comparator circuit.By making digital transmitter circuit 257 provide the electric current of two different level flow out or be carried in logical On communication cable, such as by turning on and off to the transistor of resistance feed, it is provided that return to master control from assistant controller 125 The communication of device processed.Such change of the electric current flowed out, then by receiver circuit 258 perception, is then transformed into for master control The numerical data of device 124 processed.

The undesired of RF cable that Figure 10 J display uses switch to make to extend beyond the antenna of selection affects minimum showing Example method.Being appreciated that from aforesaid explanation can be by intelligent station system by using assistant controller (or control unit) Control switch.Figure 10 J shows the reader unit 370 being connected to a series of antenna 371-377.This antenna series is also expressed It is No. 1, No. 2, No. N etc..Each antenna is associated with its circuit 380.Circuit can include carrying the same of RF signal Shaft cable 381.Carry the center conductor of RF can switch 382 in parallel and be shorted to coaxial cable crust, or be connected to Tuning circuit, is connected to antenna 371 thereafter through selecting switch 383.Coaxial cable crust is expressed as electrically continuous by line 384. Coaxial cable crust is typically ground connection.Coaxial center conductors is continuous print equally.

Distance between antenna successively is preferably the integral multiple of the approximate number of the wavelength of RF signal.Such as, have Advance in the standard coaxial cable of polyethylene dielectric, the RF signal of 13.56MHz has the quarter-wave of about 12 feet. Therefore, as shown in fig. 10j, 1 foot of coaxial cable length between antennas can be utilized to provide quarter-wave interval 1/12nd approximate number.Other integral multiple approximate number is also possible, such as, and 1.5 feet of coaxial cables between antennas Length can be utilized to provide eighth approximate number.

In order to this method is described, n-th antenna 373 can select 385 RF signals of switch to be directed to antenna by Guan Bi 373 and be chosen.Equally, paralleling switch 386 is closed, and RF signal is shorted to coaxial cable crust, this sky at antenna 375 Line is positioned at along RF cable quarter-wave strong point.It is being looked at as nothing along the short circuit of RF cable quarter-wave distance Poor big impedance, this makes the adverse effect of antenna that RF cable extends to more than selection minimize.At the end of antenna sequence, appoint Selection of land has additional paralleling switch, is represented as 378 and 379.

In a preferred embodiment, intelligent station system is standard type, uses less expensive element to process from multiple skies The data of line.Multiple antennas in shelf can sequentially start or optionally, have phase delay, strengthen the effective of them Property, as in the limit of power of those skilled in the art.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 11 A is the block diagram that one embodiment of the present of invention is described, it display have be connected to read The rfid system of multiple antennas 200,210 (for convenience, only display two) of device unit 120.So, the RFID disclosed here System can be used to implement intelligent station 501a-n or 502a-n shown in Figure 10 A.Figure 11 A is not intended to limit the present invention, because It will be understood to those of skill in the art that its various corrections, replacement and change.And, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that this Invention and its structure and operation method are equally applicable to the transmission in other frequencies and detection, as long as same power is with often If rule are required to meet.Rfid system can include that single shelf or multiple antenna can be arranged near shelf and by using It is connected to single reader unit for such as coaxial or other attachment means adapters.As shown in Figure 11 A, single RF transmission Cable 222 is used for connecting antenna 200 and 210.Transmission cable 222 is with traditional terminal organ 215 terminating.Reader unit 120 are associated with control unit 124, but do not have multiplexer.But controller 124 is designed to control respectively to be positioned at antenna 200 With the switch 204 and 214 at 210.Control unit 124 can also communicate with the secondary control unit 125 being such as positioned near antenna. Secondary control unit 125 can include microprocessor or addressable device, and they can select sky with control unit 124 cooperation Line.

In one embodiment, switch 204 and 214 is connected to control unit 124 by separate cable 221.Ability Field technique personnel are it will be appreciated that other devices, including wireless device, or are superimposed on cable 222 its of the RF signal that carries His frequency signal, can be used for control unit 124 to be connected to switch 204 and 214.Switch 204,214 is controlled so as in office Between when, only one antenna 200,210 is connected to reader unit 120 by cable 222.

Figure 11 B is the schematic diagram of display logic switch 204, and jumping between (dotted line) and make position opened by this logic switch Dynamic, it is powered to antenna.Such logic switch can be used in the embodiment discussed for Figure 11 A.

Figure 12 is an alternative embodiment of the invention, and it is similar to the embodiment discussed for Figure 11 A, except antenna 200 It is all identical, as shown in figure 12.So, tuning circuit 202 is all identical, and this simplifies antenna and makes.So, reader list Unit 120 is connected to each multiple identical antennas 200 by transmission cable 222 with switch 204 and 214.

Figure 13 is the block diagram of alternative embodiment, its display benefit when multiple antennas 200 are identical.Tuning circuit The part of 202 can be moved back into or close to the common tuning circuit 213 near this reader unit 120 itself.So, read Go out device unit 120 and be connected to multiple antenna 200 by the common tuning circuit 213 provided at reader unit 120.Just As the skilled person will appreciate, a main tuning circuit 202 or 212 can still be provided for each antenna 200.

Figure 14 is the block diagram that an alternative embodiment of the invention is described, the separate transmission cable of two of which 222 and 230 Respectively send modulation and unmodulated RF signal to multiple antenna configurations, each antenna configurations includes antenna loop 201 and 231. Control unit 134 is associated with reader unit 130.Reader unit 130 is designed to RF signal to split off, it is allowed to do not adjust The RF signal of system is transferred to the antenna loop 231 relevant with RF antenna 201 by separate cable 230 with by tuning circuit 232. Each RF antenna 201 is relevant with each antenna loop 231.As above, reader unit 130 also generates the RF letter of modulation Number, the RF signal of this modulation is sent to multiple antenna by tuning circuit 212 and transmission cable 222.Each switchs 204 Hes 214 each antennas 201 are connected to transmission cable 222, and also each antenna loop 231 are connected to transmission cable 230.

In one embodiment, unmodulated RF system, including tuning circuit 232, cable 230 and antenna loop 231, all Can be supplied continuously.On the contrary, reader antenna data ring 201 can the most only connect by suitably controlling switch 204 and 214 Logical one.Because ring 231 can be continuously supplied, when not starting for RFID label tag charging is required during data transmit Between.Such system can be used advantageously the situation that RFID label tag needs frequently to be read.And, this embodiment also permits Permitted hand-held reader unit and read label at any time, because in view of the continuous power supply of unmodulated RF system, label is always It is powered.Unmodulated cable 230 has terminal organ 216 at the end of cable 230.In the present context, it will be appreciated that term " continuous print " power supply can include percent work ratio, if by legal or other restriction requirements.Alternatively, unmodulated RF system can be driven before the RF system of the modulation of each antenna just driving.

Figure 15 is analogous to another embodiment of the embodiment discussed for Figure 14.In the present embodiment, cable is passed through The RF signal of the modulation of 222 and be routed to same antenna 201 by the unmodulated RF signal of cable 230.Switch 204 Hes 214 are preferably configured to so that the RF signal 222 of modulation, or unmodulated RF signal 230, or neither one signal, by road By to given antenna 201.It is, switch 204 and 214 is designed to them can only operate in three states: (I) first shape State, the RF signal only modulated is transferred to antenna 201；(II) the second state, the most unmodulated RF signal is transferred to sky Line 201；And (III) third state, the RF signal of modulation and unmodulated RF signal bypass antenna 201.

Such switch operating can be implemented by one pole or multipole RF switch group.Operationally, the present embodiment allows sky Line 201 is turned off, till just before its transformation is by metamorphosis.At this moment, unmodulated RF signal can be by adjusting Humorous circuit 232, transmission cable 230 and suitable switch 204,214 are switched to antenna 201, mark with the RFID near " heating " Sign.Hereafter, the RF signal of modulation is switched to antenna by tuning circuit 212, cable 222 and suitable switch 204,214 201, effectively obtain the data of the RFID label tag of control oneself " heating ".

Figure 16 A is can be with the schematic diagram of the simplification being such as used together for the switch 205 of the embodiment of Figure 15 discussion.Figure 16A is not intended to limit the present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various restriction, variations and alternatives example.Work as switch 205A is thrown to the left side, and it is connected to a pole of antenna loop 201 center conductor of the RF signal coaxial cable 222 of modulation, Another pole is connected to the crust of same cable, and the RF signal of modulation is transferred to antenna 201.If switch 205A is thrown To the right side, then the signal in the cable 222 of modulation continues to be connected to another antenna.Switch 205B is shown as throwing the right side Face, so, unmodulated RF signal receives another antenna by continuing.If switch 205B is thrown to the left side, the most unmodulated RF signal will be delivered to antenna 201.If switch A and B is thrown to the right side, two signals will bypass antenna, and this antenna is by complete Entirely do not work.Switch 205 is designed to switch 205A and 205B all can not throw the left side.

Figure 16 B is the signal of the simplification of another switch 205C that can be used in the embodiment such as discussed for Figure 15 Figure.Show on figure public () line need not switching, and switch can join with branch's RF cable rather than directly with cable Machine.When switching 205C and being thrown to the left side, it is connected to the RF signal coaxial cable 222 of modulation a pole of antenna loop 201 Center conductor, another pole is connected to the crust of same cable, and so, the RF signal of modulation is transferred to antenna 201. If switch 205C be will be delivered to antenna 201 by Zhi Dao center, the most unmodulated RF signal 230.If switch 205C is thrown to The right side, then any one RF signal does not the most enter antenna, and this antenna will not work.Note when switching 205C, RF Signal turns down the cable of each of which, is sent to antenna 201, regardless of the setting of switch 205C.

Figure 17 A show the switch 204 being used as the most previously discussing for various embodiments of the present invention or The circuit diagram of the RF switch of 214.Figure 17 A is not intended to limit the present invention because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various restriction, Variations and alternatives example.As it can be seen, RF switch utilizes PIN (p-type, I type, N-type) diode 207 (such as, Microsemi part Number 900-6228), it acts the PIN diode effect being similar to routine, except when it can stop that RF believes when switch contact is opened Number.When switch contact is closed, PIN diode 207 becomes forward biased, and conducting RF signal.It is used for selecting sky The control signal of line also can be added to (not shown) and be used for reading on the RF signal of RFID label tag.Such control signal Can be opened with RF Signal separator by band filter, then proceed to enter addressable switch, it utilizes PIN diode to select Ground drives RF switch.On Figure 17 A, control signal is provided on separate line rather than uses RF signal cable.Although Control signal is superimposed upon on RF signal cable, between antennas or less wire and/or company can be needed between intelligent station Joint, but it needs additional electronic component to separate the signal at each antenna.Therefore, for control signal use point The line opened is probably more effectively.

Figure 17 B explanation is for making the circuit diagram of antenna off resonance, so, if antenna is not selected as driving, then This antenna will not resonance when nearby antenna is chosen.If antenna is not chosen, then PIN diode 207a short circuit tuning Electric capacity 211a, thus, changes the frequency of antenna, and so, it is in the frequency being used for steering antenna reading RFID label tag Idle.

PIN diode (such as 207a) is used to carry out short-circuit tuning capacity and make antenna off resonance, it is meant that PIN diode 207a can run the sufficiently long time when power supply.This can generate heat and waste power.So, system can be designed Become the antenna off resonance that the antenna only made and currently read is the most adjacent.Adjacent antenna can be by several method quilts Determine.Such as, this can be prescribed during the design, or after assembling by observe found, or can run duration by RFID reader determines, as described further herein.

Figure 17 C shows that wherein PIN diode 207b is used to tune another circuit diagram of loop.Here, as PIN bis- When pole pipe 207b is powered, loop is tuning.So, when this loop is not in reading, PIN diode 207b need not keep Connect.This can save power and reduction is thermally generated.

Although example here includes using PIN diode for switching and off resonance function but it also may use other Electronic component, such as, such as FET (field-effect transistor) or MESFET (metal semiconductor FET) device, as art technology Personnel may be appreciated.

Figure 17 D explanation wherein switch in the resonance section of circuit, such as field-effect transistor (FET) 208, is used Carry out another circuit diagram of off resonance loop.Here, when FET 208 does not powers, loop is tuning, and when FET 208 powers Shi Huanlu is off resonance.Under power supply state, FET 208 extracts the least power.And, under this position in circuit, When FET 208 is powered, it makes loop antenna off resonance fully, and so, RF will not tend to entering tuning circuit.So, Need not be provided that suitable FET or PIN diode are to select loop.

Figure 17 B illustrates one aspect of the present invention, and variable capacitance (such as, the variable capacitance 211a-c shown in Figure 17 B) can It is used to tune antenna, i.e. make it at the frequency upper resonance identical with the RF signal from reader unit.Due to antenna Ambient can affect tuning, any structure surrounding tuning circuit is preferably designed to, such as by they are placed on The edge (such as shelf-edges) of structure or by providing the access aperture for tuner (the most servo-controlled screwdriver) Adjustable element is remained can access from the outside.

It is additionally, since process that tuned antenna can be Approach by inchmeal and is time-consuming, it would be desirable to allow be automatically performed tune Humorous.According to one aspect of the present invention, this is by providing automatic tuning circuit (not shown) to complete, and this tunes electricity automatically Road is attached with the screwdriver of computer-controlled servo-drive temporarily, regulates the screw relevant with adjustable capacitor.In order to reach To optimum resonance, automatic tuned cell (it can include computer or other suitably programmed microprocessors) receives from conduction even Receiving the feedback of tuned antenna, or the feedback from RFID reader, which label this RFID reader detects is from advance The tag array that fixed or known space (preferably, two dimension or three-dimensional) arranges is identified.Tuned cell is according to experiment That develop or from experience exploitation one group of rule, handles regulation screw to reach optimal tuning.Alternatively, controller or auxiliary control system Device can by electrical adjustment or such as by remotely located adjustable Piezocapacitor in tuning circuit, and regulate every The tuning of individual antenna.This method will reduce for using machinery or SERVO CONTROL to be used for the needs of the regulation tuned.Tuning electricity Piezocapacitor in road can be used as dumb aerial, and so when they are not selected for reading, they are the most humorous Shake.

In one embodiment, in RFID label tag can be placed on shelf itself, the most one or more be positioned at each In the read range of antenna.When this antenna is read during self-testing mode, these RFID label tag provide for each antenna Known response.Therefore, no matter whether shelf support any article adding RFID label tag, always have at least in the range of antenna The RFID label tag of one self-test should be found.Without finding such RFID label tag, then control unit 124 or auxiliary control Unit 125 processed can start self-tuning process.If being the most still not read out the RFID label tag of self-test, then send One message, to electric network, represents and needs for shelf maintenance.The RFID label tag of self-test is replaced to be placed in shelf, it Also can be placed on any one of scope of antenna, such as, at rear wall or the sidewall of shelf.

Figure 18 A is the figure that another antenna loop configuration in single overhead baggage rack unit is described.Shelf 300 comprise individual antenna Ring 301.Shelf 310 comprise antenna loop 311 and 312.For the more than one loop in shelf, there is multiple mode of operation.Example As, loop 311 can be work, or loop 312 can be work, two loops can be work simultaneously or not work Make.It is intended that two loops are work simultaneously, their input rf signal has a phase contrast.Such phase contrast Can be introduced into by electronic installations well known to those skilled in the art, various.Such as, by using and to another antenna loop One antenna loop of coaxial cable feed of the different length that feed compares, can introduce phase contrast.

As understanding from Figure 18 A, shelf 320 comprise three antenna loop 321-324.This is shown as an example, because of For having more or less than four antenna loop, and other can be used to configure, as those skilled in the art are according to here Disclosure it will be appreciated that.Four ring 321-324 can be driven with different combinations, such as, and ring 321 and 322,321 With 323, or 321 and 324 can be driven simultaneously.Specifically, if a pair loop is work, have between the loop of work Phase contrast, then RF field vector can be shifted, in order to is better read out being in the antenna tag of different physical orientation.So, when With time compared with the ring of phase contrast, the use of dephased antenna loop may provide for reading the more preferable of label and " covers Lid ".

The top view of several shelf 400,410,420,430,440 and 450 that Figure 18 B explanation supports on fixture 460.Often Individual shelf such as have four antennas.Such as, shelf 410 comprise antenna 411-414.And, in each shelf and near every Individual antenna, has one or more RFID label tag.On Figure 18 B, each antenna has four labels, and label is marked as a-d.At goods Label in frame is used as diversified function.The label of smaller or greater number can be used, as those skilled in the art It will be appreciated that.

Such as, if antenna 411 is switched on relatively low power, then should read and be positioned at such as antenna 411 The label 411c of immediate vicinity.Certainly, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that and depend on antenna and label design, can be with Low power uses the label in the position closer to antenna conductor, because they can easily read.Therefore, label 411c can be used for testing antenna 411 and the most correctly work.If power increases, then antenna 411 should also be as reading It is positioned at label 411a, b, and the d of the near its circumference of antenna 411.By changing power, system during diagnosis or self-checking pattern Should be able to determine that the antenna 411 great power of job demand effectively.Shelf label can be arranged at from each center of antenna Some distances, in order to this information is provided.

When the power being added to antenna 411 increases, the shelf label relevant with adjacent antenna 412 finally can be read 412b.System can determine that antenna 411 and 412 is adjacent.This information can be used by the system to determine is working as given antenna The antenna that during work, which is adjacent may need off resonance.When shelf 410 are produced, antenna 411 and 412 is this adjacent thing It is established in fact.But, when several shelf are adjacent to be placed on retail shop, may can not or inconvenience which determines in advance A little shelf are adjacent.After system is assembled, which shelf shelf label can be used for determining or antenna is adjacent.

Such as, the antenna 411 being operated under normal power can also detect in adjacent shelf 400 (its adjacent position The most be not determined before shelf are placed) the upper shelf label 404d the most relevant with adjacent antenna 404, and lorry (or The common support structure of shelf) the adjacent shelf 440 on contrary one side (its adjacent position did not also have before shelf are placed Have and be determined) the upper shelf label 441a relevant with adjacent antenna 441.

Can design, the antenna 411 being operated under the power of normal power or somewhat higher can be read adjacent further Antenna area, such as read shelf label 404c, 412c, and 441c.Therefore, function described herein can be by simply using Reach at the single shelf label at the center of each antenna.

Although shelf label is useful for above-mentioned purpose, they may be by increasing the label to be read Number and the system that slows down response.So, preferably select can be that the ID serial number use for shelf label is unique can be by being System is directed to the specific sequence number range of " mourning in silence " pattern, it is, do not reply in properly functioning period, and only in diagnosis or Set up run duration just response.

One or more antennas can be comprised or be hidden in each shelf.Antenna loop is made by using conductive material Become.These conductive materials can include metallic conductor, such as metal wire or metal forming.Conductive material can be tape or the screen of grid (screen).In one embodiment, antenna loop can be by about 0.002 " thickness and 0.5 " Copper Foil of width makes.These rings can To be comprised in thin laminar material, such as it is added to the decorative laminate supporting on the back side of pallet material.These rings can also Being stacked in glass, these rings also can be bonded in the outside of the material of lamination, glass or other supporting constructions.If it is intended to Having additional load-carrying to support or rigidity, such support pallet material can be to support shelf content, or provides knot Any material of structure rigidity, as will be known to persons skilled in the art.The example of such material includes timber, plastics, hard bubbles Foam plastics, glass, glass fibre or be designed to watt ridge formula or provide stability cardboard.RF barrier material can be added to or quilt It is incorporated into the bottom surface of shelf, if it is desired to if, it is used for preventing from detecting not on shelf but below shelf RFID label tag.Should be appreciated that the intelligent station being described herein as shelf can also be at quilt in the vertical or orientation of other angles Use, and then RF barrier material is coupled with suitable orientation, adjacent with other for the target labels being intended for reading Label is preferably kept apart.

It is added to or is introduced in the bottom surface of shelf, or be placed on any underlying metal support (the most existing metal goods Frame) on RF barrier material, " below " that RF energy will be stoped greatly to enter shelf.Alternatively, RF barrier material also can quilt It is incorporated into the inside of shelf.Being it desired to the tagged article of shelf perception shelf (top), the most this method is favourable 's.But, the result of such RF barrier material (no matter it is deliberately to provide in shelf structure, or as the shelf first deposited Structure is simultaneous) it is that, while the energy of the RF being almost entirely limited below shelf, the RF below shelf stops material Material also reduces " read range " on shelf.In order to compensate the read range of this reduction, can be immediately preceding antenna loop Below (namely near the end face of shelf structure) provide compensate material layer.Such material is non-conductive, and has High permeability.Their example is Magnum Magnetics RubberSteel^TMOr have permeability in high plane, Flexible ferrite thin magnetic plate.In such high plane permeability be by use isotropic ferrite thin slice rather than Use traditional each obtain to incorgruous ferrite lamina (it is perpendicular to thin slice by the permeability of design).Antenna with This compensation material layer is there is so that higher magnetic flux can be had between antenna and RF barrier material close between RF barrier material Degree.As a result, the magnetic flux density above shelf can be higher, therefore provides more preferable sensing scope for given shelf thickness (" read range ").

It is stacked in thin backing material or is attached to the antenna loop outside thin backing material, can be with nonplanar shape Formula is such as deployed as the plate of bending, and it can be used in some display situation, on some clothing shelf side or for can With the passage reader used in checkout stations, etc..

Here example discusses loop antenna, and loop antenna is typically used in the reading being operated in such as 13.56MHz frequency Device.Likely, the article in intelligent station can comprise and are operated in other the most different frequencies, such as 915MHz, 2.45GHz, Or 125kHz.Intelligent station is configured by providing suitable antenna, such as, be used for multiple loop antennas of 125kHz and be used for The dipole antenna of 915MHz or 2.45GHz, and read these or other frequency.Antenna in intelligent station be provided to for One or several such frequency.Each antenna preferably has independent switch and the tuning circuit of it oneself.All of Intelligent station shares single public RF cable and single public control cable.Intelligent station can be constructed such that each intelligent station All of region can read all frequencies (that is, each region is provided service by multiple antennas) wanted, or given intelligence The different region that can stand can be equipped with the specific antenna for specific frequency.It is operated in the intelligent station of different frequencies Can interconnect.Be operated in the intelligent station of more than one frequency need to can be configured to be operated in more than one frequency, So-called " frequency agility reader " unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the antenna loop discussed in the present patent application such as can be placed on shelf, by handle They introduce in the place mat being placed on shelf, and they are placed on below product.Therefore these rings are sealed in ability Known to field technique personnel, suitable rigidity or in the substrate of softness.The example of suitable substrate material includes laminated construction Material, silicone rubber, (urethane) rubber, glass fibre, plastics or other similar, protection antenna loop and some physics is provided The material of bias compensation, it can prevent electromagnetic interference when antenna is placed on metal shelf, wall and surface.

Encapsulating material or shelf can be provided with perforate or for being suspended on the hook at vertical (the such as shelf back side).Replacing Changing in embodiment, encapsulating material also can be provided with pressure sensitive adhesives, helps the surface being attached to want." above " of encapsulation Or " shelf " edge can also be provided with low-power light emission or other display equipment, it can be by reader unit or sorting unit Unit, the secondary control unit in such as shelf, connect, so that the operative scenario of specific display device can be visibly Coordinate with the operative scenario of the reader antenna correspondingly placed.Alternately or additionally, display device can be used as Display additional information, such as price or discount.

Except reading the ability of RFID label tag, intelligent station can have additional " peripheral " equipment, and it can be by numeral number Information is transmitted according to cable.Such as, intelligent station system can provide digital data communications highway for that add or periphery attached Oil (gas) filling device, includes but not limited to, terminal, display device, modem, bar code reader, temperature sensor, use It is the locking device of goods in airtight or rope, etc..Digital data communications highway can be introduced at controller 124 with auxiliary Send digital control and data message connection system between controller 125, or it can be one or more, by the sum run through The independent digital data communications highway of the line composition connected between intelligent station, these intelligent stations are provided with connection and add The port of that add or periphery equipment.Digital data communications highway is convenient (includes controller 124 and auxiliary in intelligent station system Controller 125) and electric network between bidirectional data transfers.Can also be that add or outer by running through the line of intelligent station The equipment enclosed provides electric power.

Should be appreciated that and no matter use interpolation or peripheral equipment, the electric power in addition to RF power can be intelligent Stand use, such as by assistant controller 125, and the direct current (DC) used with tuning electronic circuit by switch.Such electric power is permissible It is provided by one or more dedicated connections, or it can be introduced in digital communication highway or RF cable.

As an example, RF cable can include that two conductors, the such as center conductor in coaxial cable and shielding are led Body.RF cable carries RF signal.DC (direct current) voltage can be added on RF signal in same RF cable, to provide DC merit Rate is to intelligent station.If D/C voltage, such as 18 volts DC, higher than the voltage (such as, 5 required for some device in intelligent station Volt DC), then voltage adjuster can be used to reduce voltage in spendable scope.

As another example, same RF cable can carry digital communication.Such as, it is superimposed on RF cable D/C voltage can switch between two DC level (such as, 18 volts of DC and 12 volts of DC), non-with complete on RF cable RF digital communication.So, master controller can send information to assistant controller by using such digital communication.

As another example, assistant controller can be by turning on and off electric load, and with numeral shape on RF cable Formula send information to master controller, thus discharges electric current from RF cable.This again can be perceived at master controller successively.Voltage The use of level and the use of load level can be carried out simultaneously, to realize being communicated by the non-RF of bi-directional digital of RF cable.

As further example, in shelf embodiment, it can be advantageous to another equipment being introduced in shelf is Plug-in type bar code reader, it can be with assistant controller unit 125 interfaces.When shelf are stored goods, bar code is read Code device can be used for scanning the encapsulation being placed on shelf.Bar code data is then together with unique RFID label tag serial number It is sent back to electric network together.If do not had before the product ontology specified by bar code and unique RFID label tag serial number It is associated, then now in data store, completes this contact.Otherwise, bar code scanning can be used as data and stores up stored testing Card.Even if the use of barcode device also makes shelf also be able to provide during the goods adding RFID label tag introduces stage by stage Place.By comparing the number (as combined simple numeric keypad identification by bar code scanner) of the article got in stocks on shelf Number (such as determined by the existing scanning device of cashier) with the same article sold, it may be determined that the most surplus on shelf More than have how many goods, and whether must get in stocks again.Similarly, the bar code scanning at shelf itself can be utilized to provide from The current pricing information of electric network retrieval and by showing on character display on shelf.

In another embodiment, shelf or intelligent station can be used for monitoring or measuring such as equipped with environmental sensor Temperature, humidity, light luminance or other ambient parameters or factor.Due to system can determine which article on shelf, system The environment of each article can be followed the tracks of, and if environmental condition is beyond for the limit of specific type of items, then warning is provided. Specify that the separate limit may be used for the article of each group.

One or more press close to sensor, such as infrared sensor or capacitance type sensor, can be placed on shelf, use Detect the existence of client, and determine whether to increase the read frequency at these shelf, in order to when article are removed from shelf Provide client's rapid feedback.The device of detection client is placed at the front edge of shelf so that this device is not hidden by goods Gear.Infrared or capacitance type sensor passes through to detect from the body heat of client or owing to client is before shelf, or the hands of client Or arm, or goods is in the change of the local electric capacity caused mobile before shelf, and can be with the existence of perception client.Detection client Other device of existence can include visible or infrared light sensor, the front edge along shelf is placed, and is used for detecting Reach for hands or the shadow of arm of goods on shelf.Light source can be the visible ray of surrounding in this case, or From visible ray or the IR light of the light source below the higher shelf being positioned at immediately, or from the crown or on the ceiling in shop Light source.Shop security photographing unit can be used as detecting the existence of client and guiding intelligent station to improve read frequency.Similarly, When client is perceived and hereafter in some time, the audible/signal that can be seen that or display can be driven rather than in institute Some time is all driven, in order to save power and component life.Similarly, the information about client Yu the nearness of shelf can It is forwarded back to electric network, helps to analyze the traffic pattern of client, or spend in the time span on specific shelf.Client Position data can be fed to store security systems, in order to the scan pattern combining shop supervision photographing unit is used together.

Similarly, the carousel data being forwarded back to electric network can be used for determining the thing whether having big figure singularly Product are taken away suddenly from shelf.If this situation occurs, then security cameras can be directed into shelf shooting and take article away The photo of client.If do not paid for these article when client leaves shop, then suitable action is taked to stop stealing.

Another equipment that can be introduced in shelf is Hall effect or other similar proximity type sensor detections The movement of label or the existence of client.As this information can be similar in described above describe about infrared sensor Used.

Shelf another use be detection with client about, can be used for help client find predetermined purchase thing The existence of " client's label " of product, the correct size of such as apparel article is that thus can be seen that or audible on shelf Indicator is driven, and client is directed at the article wanted.Equally, " client's label " being placed on the article wherein wanted is During shelf in short supply, can be used for giving client one the purchase list (rain check) of prolonged service life " can " and/or when should For the discount of these article when article are got in stocks again, or about these article in the storage room information in another shop, or order. This is tracked being useful when client does not buy these article due to short supply.

Another use of shelf is to provide " feedforward " information, it was predicted that when need more cashier in checkout lane, Or when need more accumulator.The car loading such as can taken away from shelf by supervision, and thus draw arrival knot The car loading of account passage, and accomplish this point.Warehouse keeper (storekeper) or director of store thus arrange to check out or deposit Put personnel so that their time spends optimization, help to arrange time of having a rest etc..

It is detection " inventory tag " or " employee tag " that another of shelf uses, or the depositing of button or key-press input sequence , remind the system that shelf are deposited completely, and data base is known, and current level of depositing is full or target level.This Individual method can be used for when article stocking pattern is changed updating target level.

Commodity shelf system can be used for according to price, portfolio and shelf space, for all of goods covered by system Optimal stocking pattern advised by frame, and it can involve the object library storage changing all of article.Calculate such stocking pattern effect It is suitable for the shelf area that gives and how many shelf area by each shelf sky in requisition for the many small number about every kind of SKU article The knowledge of line covering etc..

One aspect of the present invention, commodity shelf system knows that the actual position of each shelf is favourable, and this point is i.e. The Ethernet from uniqueness or RS485 address or other networking address is made also to be not necessarily obviously.So, it is intended that GPS transducer is incorporated into each shelf.Actual solution can be to provide portable GPS unit, and it is at shelf quilt The USB portion on each shelf (or other similar compatible parts) can be inserted into identify its position during assembling Put.Such as, GPS unit can be used to establish shelf servounit regulate unit it install after combined.

Alternatively, the GPS unit with programmable RFID label tag can be placed on shelf, and passes through rfid system Coordinate at shelf is sent back master controller.The method completing this point is to use to be connected to special RFID The GPS system of label, this RFID label tag has the additional memory block for the information in addition to its unique serial number.This The label of sample uses integrated circuit, is connected to its label antenna, is also connected to telecommunication circuit, to receive the number from external source According to, such as GPS system.GPS system can be configured to space coordinates to be written to additional memory block.Known serial number or number Can be used in special RFID label tag, and rfid system is based on permissible after detecting such special RFID label tag Inquire this label, to determine stored space coordinates, and they are associated with the shelf read and antenna.

Antenna pattern is not necessarily limited to single loop antenna.Single loop antenna is a form factor, and it can be typically used in High RFID frequency, such as 13.56MHz.Multi-loop antenna 1215 can be used in the relatively low frequency of such as 125kHz, or allows Electric current relatively low on the high frequency of such as 13.56MHz runs.The use of the antenna of relatively low electric current can allow to use relatively low Power switch component.Forming multi-loop antenna may need antenna element as such as toroidal conductor mutually closely proximate to, institute With wire preferably insulation.

The tuned cell relevant with RFID antenna, such as, rotate regulation electric capacity or capacitance group, may need during use Access.Suitable access, such as in shelf embodiment, can be by providing dismountable cover means, or on shelf Perforate and be provided.

For the antenna material of conduction is attached to support lamination or other structures, it is possible to use various methods. Such as, metal forming can in a grid formation (grid of such as cardboard) or plane form (such as cardboard sheet, laminated sheet, plank or Plastic plate etc.) used two dimension or three-dimensional localization mechanism by automatic machinery, metal forming with the antenna pattern wanted from reel On be fed on substrate, and be laid on substrate.

If backing material is timber, then milling machine can be utilized to form groove, can fix wire wherein, in order to shape Become antenna loop.If backing material is plastics, it is possible to use same method, or the pattern of heating can be pressed into shape in plastics Become groove, wire can be fixed wherein.Plastic substrate can be moulded to the groove for keeping wire, or plastic substrate can To be moulded to the pattern that the straight line of the repetition of vertical trench surrounds, it is allowed to form the antenna loop with a large amount of pattern.At these In any method of method, through hole can drilled, punching press or mold pressing, for the end of fixed antenna wire.These through holes Substrate can be extended through become and can be accessed by for being connectable or inertable into the tuning circuit being used to tune antenna loop.

Another method forming antenna loop is around a series of pin winding wire being similar to protect pipe, is inserted into Protection pipe, and wire is pressed on substrate.Substrate can be pre-coated with binding agent, in order to holds when removing protection pipe and leads Line.Alternatively, substrate can be sufficiently soft, it is allowed to the surface of wire press-in substrate.Alternatively, substrate can be thermoplastic, leads Line can heat in advance, so, and the substrate of they part fusing contacts, and become in the surface being embedded into substrate.Formed The upper pin used of the protection pipe of antenna loop can be optionally that spring loads, so, when protection pipe is pressed against base wire Time on sheet, pin optionally can reduce to return to protect manages.

In more detail, Figure 19 shows the method making metal wire antenna.Figure 19 is not intended to limit the present invention, because this Skilled person will be understood that various correction, replacement and change.Provide substrate 1100, such as timber, plastics, rubber, height Density foam or similar material.Substrate provides groove 1110, typically there is lattice.These grooves can lead to Crossing machining, mold pressing, such as heat or cold pressing, or inject and mold, casting, hot branded (such as, for timber) etc. is produced.Press Pressure method can use die plate (marking) or rotary apparatus.Preferably, through hole 1130 can be by identical method or pass through Boring or punching provide in the cross point of groove.Most of region of substrate 1100 is still accounted for by the region 1120 between groove With.Therefore, substrate 1100 still has a most flat upper surface, so, and on a surface can be with carry load and permissible Add upper cover, thin film, lamination or plywood, to provide the surface completed of plane.Region 1120 is also considered as not by antenna Wire takies, and these regions can be provided to through hole, to accommodate screw or spiral shell by casting, boring, punching press etc. Bolt, is attached to other structures.Through hole can be used as in attachment, and such as tool palette (pegboard) or display are linked up with, or logical Cross through hole for online, ventilate, from the perforation of sound of speaker, place lampet, etc..

Antenna loop 1200 is shown as by the wire of suitable diameter being placed or being pressed into some groove 1110 and shape Become.The end 1201 of antenna loop is placed in position in through hole 1130 by they are fixed on.Through hole can quilt Entirely through substrate 1100, so, they can be coupled in the circuit on the another side of substrate.Similarly, antenna loop 1210 are shown as with being fixed on the wire end 1211 of a through hole and being shown as preparation and be fixed on another through hole Wire end 1212 formed.

In addition to pressing nuditing wire simply and passing through hole fixation ends, wire is previously cut to the length needed, And end adapts to grommet 1140, button, or it is suitable for other machinerys of through hole 1130.These grommets can be welded It is connected on wire, for more preferable conductivity.Can have compared with ditch as the alternative grommet inserted it in hole 1130 The width slightly larger diameter of groove 1110, so, grommet is only in the intersection just adaptation of two grooves, as shown in Figure 19 A. Alternatively, during forming channel patterns, cross point can be made into more than groove width, as shown in Figure 19 B, with fixing bigger Grommet 1141.Grommet can be made into bar shaped (1142) or T-shaped (1143), to be suitable for cross point, as shown in fig. 19 c.It Also can be made into X-type.They can adapt to pin, downwardly projecting passing through substrate 1100, or extends up to substrate Outside 1100.Pin can adapt to the socket on circuit board or through hole.Grommet (such as, 1140 or 1141) can be to hollow out To receive other wires or pin.They can introduce externally threaded pin or internal thread through hole.Grommet similarly can draw Enter agnail interiorly or exteriorly or load onto the part that spring loads, making them be secured in place, or outside facilitating connection to Portion's circuit.The antenna conductor being attached to grommet can also be fixed by agnail.

Substrate 1100 can be provided with recess (not shown), places circuit (not shown), and such circuit wherein Before or after being installed in wire, and wire by welding or uses grommet, agnail etc. to be attached to circuit.

Replace the groove of pattern that allow multiple antenna patterns to be created, that form conventional grid or decussation 1110, groove can be provided as only including the groove of the antenna wanting to use in reality to be produced with the form of " usual ".Figure 20 show such embodiment.Groove, such as 1220 and 1230, can be by described above identical with through hole 1221 and 1231 Method be formed.

Owing to groove and through hole firmly fix wire, wire can easily be manually inserting substrate, or this process can With mechanization.After all antennas wanted are formed on substrate, the groove of any opening can be filled with plastics or any its The material that he is suitable.Then lamination, thin film or other layers covered can be added to the top of substrate.This covering can be material Injection-the embossed plies of material, or fusing-cast layer, or by chemical reaction or heating, (such as epoxide resin material or silication close Thing) or evaporate the liquid cast layer that (such as latex material) solidifies.

Then substrate and the covering of combination include antenna place mat.Depend on material, antenna place mat can be soft or Rigidity.Antenna place mat can also be attached to plane or nonplanar backing material, such as timber, plastics, glass fibre Etc. plate.

Antenna pattern needs not be constrained to single loop antenna.Figure 20 A shows single loop antenna 1200 and 1210, form factor allusion quotation The RFID frequency of medium range, such as 13.56MHz can be used in type.Multi-loop antenna 1215 is shown on figure, typically can quilt It is used in relatively low frequency, such as 125kHz.Forming multi-loop antenna 1215 can need conductor loop the most close, institute With, wire preferably insulation.May want to wire crossings on different level 1216, as it can be seen, or there is no crossings on different level, such as point Shown in line 1217.For multi-loop antenna, the distance between groove may be narrower.Dipole antenna 1218 is also shown on figure Shape, typically can be used in higher frequency, such as 915MHz or 2.45GHz.For the end shown in dipole antenna End 1219 is bent, and represents and fixes these ends relaxed by through hole that end is inserted on substrate during manufacture Method.

In the embodiment of Figure 19 and 20, before antenna conductor is set in position, create groove.Different Embodiment is shown in Figure 21.Provide upper board 1300, it has the pattern of through hole 1301 for keeping pin 1302.Pin Can be added screw thread, and through hole tap out, so, by they are screwed into through hole and can be with fixing pin.Therefore, pipe The number of foot and placement can be changed.

Equipped with mating hole 1311 in lower panel 1310.When plate 1300 and 1310 is put together, it is shown as arrow " A ", pin 1302 is protruding through through hole 1311.Then pin 1302 can be used for regulation below lower plate 1310 around pin The bent angle of the metal wire antenna being wound around.Such as, hold wire by use pin three corners and form antenna 1240.? 4th corner, the perforate 1311 that two wire ends 1241 are inserted in lower panel 1310.Another exemplary antenna 1250 by being formed at the pin of four corners.The grommet 1251 of the end being attached to conductor loop is maintained at two On additional pin.Replacing wire end to be fixed in the region of plate, these wire ends can also extend to outside plate, such as void Shown in line 1252.In this case, wire end is fixed with other device (not shown).

The assembly of combination with pin, wire, the upper board 1300 of grommet etc. and the lower panel 1310 of attachment 1330 are subsequently inserted into substrate 1320, as indicated by arrows " b ".Antenna 1240 and 1250 is by one or more following or class As method be transferred to substrate 1320.

A) cover layer bondd or thin film are added to substrate 1320.The assembly 1330 of combination is reduced on substrate, and Lower panel 1310 is pressed relative to substrate.Binding agent coated by antenna 1240 and 1250.If upper board 1300 is in the pressing step phase Between promote slightly upwards, then pin 1302 does not penetrates through substrate 1320.If keeping the downward pressure for upper board 1300, then Pin 1302 will cause perforate on substrate 1320.Any grommet 1251 will be forced in substrate.After bonding, the group of combination Part 1330 is elevated, and antenna pattern is attached to substrate 1320.

B) can have enough pressure portion ground below substrate 1320 with using method a) or be added to antenna fully and lead On line.This method, such as, can be used in high-density foam substrate 1320, and it needs minimum power face under the surface pressing Wire.

C) can with using method b), wire 1240 and 1250 and grommet 1251 be heated to the softening point of substrate 1320 with On temperature, so, under contact and pressure, substrate is softened or somewhat melts, and receives wire and grommet.Heating wires One method is before pressing towards substrate or period, flows through an electric current wherein.Upper board 1300 during pressing step Can discharge, such pin 1302 is retracted and is not penetrated through in substrate 1320.

D) without the substrate 1320 of sturdy material, at this moment can by liquid cast chemistry, heat, evaporation or other Set material, or be cast on wire to the lower surface of lower panel 1310 by injecting moulding material.

Lower panel 1310 and pin 1302 can be pre-coated with releasing agent, to prevent from clinging.Such releasing agent can be Wire is attached and adds before.It addition, lower panel 1310 can be anti-galling material, such as, Te Fulong, or painting is coated with Te Fu Grand material, or similar anti-galling material.Mold if using to inject, then lower panel 1310 can be entered by inner passage Row cooling, accelerates to inject the cooling of moulding material.

After these steps, antenna 1240 and 1250 can be by using wire end 1241 or 1252 or grommet 1251 It is attached to circuit.

In all of the embodiments illustrated, it will be understood that wire can be exposed (except fly-over junction) or insulation.Lead The cross section of line can be firm cylinder, and as the typical situation of wire, but it can also be square, rectangle, ellipse Circular, U-shaped or passage shape, V-shaped, etc..The major requirement of wire is not tube shape, and it must be conduction, and necessary There is a shape and X-section caking property, promote to hold it in groove.Wire can be that uniconductor (is typically called " solid " conductor) or multiply.It can be stranded or braiding.It can be coaxial cable, in this case, outside Fabric can be used as the effective conductor for RF signal.

Figure 22 be illustrate according to the present invention, foil band is added to grid or planar substrates form foil sky The figure of the apparatus and method of line.Such foil antennas has several purposes, such as, they be used as into for The transceiver of the RFID label tag communication in the rfid system being used in storage controlling or reader.Figure 22 is not intended to limit The present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various correction, replacement and change.Provide substrate 2100.This can be Grid configuration, as it can be seen, in this case, it is provided that extension pulley 2110 or other devices carry out mobile grid.At figure In example shown in 22, such motion is discontinuous.Grid 2,100 one distance of indexing forward, then stops, and simultaneously One or more conductive channels are deposited on substrate 2100.Once conductive channel is deposited over substrate 2100, grid the most again to Front indexing, and repeat this circulation.

Gripper shoe 2120 is provided below at substrate.This gripper shoe 2120 can introduce vacuum holding-downward system and (not show Go out), interim fixing substrate 2100 is to gripper shoe 2120.Gripper shoe 2120 itself can also be in x and y direction movably, side Help the process of depositing conductive pathways.

Provide applicator unit 2200, for depositing conductive pathways 2300.This applicator will in further detail below Describe.Provide a set of x-y shelf for moving applicator 2200.X-y shelf, it may include framework 2401, along main base The positioner 2402 of bobbin (" x " or " machine " direction) movement, along vertical axis (" y " or " intersection " direction) movement second fixed Position device 2403.Rotary positioning apparatus 2404 is provided to rotate applicator 2200 and becomes any angle relative to substrate 2100 Degree, in order to applicator 2200 runs.Expection substrate 2100 motion and applicator 2200 motion will be controlled automatically by computer installation System, this computer installation, in addition to for the more control in applicator 2200, also control motor-driven extension pulley 2110 and positioner 2402 and 2403.

On Figure 22, x and y positioner 2402 and 2403 is shown as gear rack arrangement, but it can include that other fill Put, such as hawser, linear motor, motor or be properly arrived at other devices repeatably positioned.

Figure 23 shows at deposition on substrate conductive channel to form another method of foil antennas.Support member 2500 extend on substrate, hold two or more static positioner 2501, its dressing support device 2200 again.Static location dress Put 2501 to move in support member 2500 with hands, the most such as, be secured in place with wing nut.With It is long that enough static positioners 2501 of applicator 2200 are provided to lay edges the most on demand along machine direction (x) The conductive channel 2301,2302 in degree direction.In the illustrated example, conductive channel 2302 along its length is provided with and skips Region 2303, it is used for being connected to external circuit.

Support member 2510 extends on substrate, holds traversing gear 2511, and it supports the most again another applicator 2200.Traversing gear 2511 can be mobile along crisscross (y) on substrate on request, the conductive channel of deposition decussation 2304 and 2305, they connect conductive channel 2301,2302 along its length.

So, according to Figure 23 operate to as follows: substrate 2100 (or is transported by gripper shoe 2120 by extension pulley 2110 Dynamic) move forward.Meanwhile, it is attached to the applicator 2200 of static positioner 2501 and deposits leading along its length on request Electric channel 2301 and 2302, they can comprise the region 2303 skipped.

At reasonable time, substrate 2100 motion is suspended, and so, is attached to the applicator 2200 of traversing gear 2511 Decussation conductive channel 2304,2305 can be deposited.The time-out of the x direction motion of substrate 2100 can be one or more in deposition Generation in the middle of the process of conductive channel 2301,2302 along its length.Alternatively, in order to deposit decussation conductive channel 2304,2305, applicator 2200 can be secured in place, and Y-direction motion is provided by the motion of gripper shoe 2120.

Several factor is depended in the decision of the substrate that the mobile substrate 2100 with grid configuration still has Boping form. Substrate can be with beneficially grid process rolling form, or with beneficially thin slice process cutting form available.Certain A little substrates may be soft not and can not process in a grid formation, such as, the substrate of sheet or partly or entirely lamination and The substrate that no longer can bend.

The decision using which applicator system is also made according to several factors.The single head applicator design of Figure 22 makes Obtain applicator number to minimize, but applicator location is somewhat complicated.It is the slowest compared with multiple applicator design one years old A bit.But, from the point of view of the product viewpoint making customization, it is quite flexible, because each conductive channel can be customized.Figure Multiple applicator system of 23 simplify the location of applicator, and the speed that the long-term production that can improve single design is run Degree.

Replacing mobile applicator as depicted in figures 22 and 23, substrate itself can move in x-y plane, helps establishment to lead Electric channel.For mobile applicator, this typically needs more ground space, and if substrate be the shape to roll Formula, then it is complicated.

Figure 24 shows the sectional view of the applicator 2200 for depositing conductive pathways.Figure 24 is not intended to limit the present invention, because of For it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various correction, replacing and change.As shown in the embodiment of Figure 24, applicator 2200 is permissible The right side is moved to relative to substrate 2100.Supply roller 2210 provides continuous print conductive strip by a pair supply roller 2212 2211, this supply roller 2212 is computer controlled, and only provides continuous print tape 2211 when requiring.Tape 2211 enters skewed slot 2213, and through sickle 2214, this sickle is by computer control, and it can be transferred to any angle, it is provided that angle is cut, If if it is intended to.Tape 2211 continues forward and beyond applicator 2200, at this moment, optional release liner 2215 can go Remove, and be wound into drawing capstan 2217 around the roller 2216 adopted.

Second optional supply roller 2220 provides continuous print insulation tape 2221 by a pair feed roller 2222, this feeding Cylinder 2222 is computer controlled, and only provides insulation tape 2221 when requiring.Tape 2221 enters skewed slot 2223, and through by Computer-controlled sickle 2224.Tape 2221 continues forward and beyond applicator 2200, at this moment, optional release liner 2225 can remove, and are wound into drawing capstan 2227 around the roller 2226 adopted.

Pressure apparatus 2230 is provided to tape 2211 and or 2221 shifts onto on substrate 2100.Pressure apparatus can be as Roller shown in figure or cylinder, or slide unit, or reciprocal clamp device.Pressure apparatus 2230 can be heated, and helps handle Binding agent is arranged on tape 2211 or 2221, or is provided by outside, the most as described later.Pressure apparatus 2230 can be made Figuratum or be knurled, such as help tape 2211 or 2221 to be pressed against on substrate 2100, or even tape 2211 or In 2221 materials somewhat crimping onto substrate 2100.This at least when thin slice feeding runs, can remove the need for binding agent Want.It is also contemplated within tape 2211 can be punched, improves the bonding of resin between each layer of substrate in last stacking, very To the region that there is tape 2211.

Piercer 2240 is provided to punching on substrate 2100 on request, and generation can pass through it and conductive strip 2211 The perforate being electrically connected.Preferably, piercer 2240 connects equipped with inner vacuum, produces during punch operation to remove Useless substrate material.

Binding agent dispenser 2250 is provided to dispense glue 2252 by pin hole, in order to tape 2211 or 2221 is fixed On substrate.Preferably, binding agent is fast dry substance, such as PUR, hot dry glue or epoxy resin.This binding agent is calculating Machine is coated with under controlling on request, is presented on tape 2211 or 2221 times, if but do not deposit tape in given region, It is not coated by binding agent.When any binding agent that can be used at high temperature is pressed not should degasification, the globality otherwise stacked May suffer damage.

Conductive strip 2211 or insulation tape 2221 can also be attached to substrate equipped with the tack coat of themselves it 2100。

The binding agent being used for tape 2211 and 2221 to be attached to substrate 2100 is typically non-conductive, because leading The binding agent of electricity is more expensive.But, in some cases, the part being electrically connected to conductive channel 2300 is necessary, for This, need binding agent or the material of conduction.For simplicity, it is possible to determine to use leading with overall conductive adhesive Electricity tape 2211, but this is expensive.Another solution is to provide by with drop style 2262 in applicator 2200 The storage vault 2260 of electroconductive binder that adds of syringe needle 2261.The binding agent of conduction drips 2262 can be added to conduction rail bar The top of the former segmentation of 2300, before the top of the most former segmentation starts next segmentation.Then by press-fiting The effect of 2230 of putting is, by heat and pressure, electrically connects this two segmentations.Conduction binding agent drip 2262 can be have low Fusing form or to hang the droplet of brazing metal of (any one form all passes through pressure apparatus 2230 refuse).

The method that Figure 25 illustrates to use the equipment shown in Figure 22 to lay simple rectangular conductive passage.Concretely comprise the following steps as Under.

Substrate 2100 is advanced the most forward by roller 2110.

By using x positioner 2402 and y positioner 2403, applicator 2200 moves to point " a " and " h ", wherein Two holes got on substrate 2100 by piercer 2240.

By using x positioner 2402, applicator 2200 navigates to point " b ".

The applicator 2200 moved by x positioner 2402 uses interior arrangement 2210-2217 to lay from " b " to " c " Conductive channel 2300.During this operates, sickle 2214, at the moment cutting tape 2211 being accurately determined, so, is led Electric channel 2300 terminates at point " c " place.Noting, conductive channel 2300 starts at point " b " place, somewhat overlaps " a " place and goes out Hole.

X positioner 2402 is used for the binder applicator 2261 of mobile conduction to point " c ", the bonding wherein conducted electricity 2262 ends being placed on conductive channel 2300 are dripped in agent.

2404 applicator 2200 90-degree rotations of rotary positioning apparatus, so, it can run on crisscross y.

X and y positioner 2402 and 2403 is used for applicator 2200 to be placed on point " c ".

The applicator 2200 moved by y positioner 2403 uses interior arrangement 2210-2217 to lay from " c " to " d " Conductive channel 2300.During this operates, sickle 2214, at the moment cutting tape 2211 being accurately determined, so, is led Electric channel 2300 terminates at point " d " place.

Y positioner 2403 is used for the binder applicator 2261 of mobile conduction to point " d ", the bonding wherein conducted electricity 2262 ends being placed on conductive channel 2300 are dripped in agent.

2404 applicator 2200 90-degree rotations of rotary positioning apparatus, so, it can run in machine direction x.

X and y positioner 2402 and 2403 is used for applicator 2200 to be placed on point " d ".

The applicator 2200 moved by x positioner 2402 uses interior arrangement 2210-2217 to lay from " d " to " e " Conductive channel 2300.During this operates, sickle 2214, at the moment cutting tape 2211 being accurately determined, so, is led Electric channel 2300 terminates at point " e " place.

X positioner 2403 is used for the binder applicator 2261 of mobile conduction to point " e ", the bonding wherein conducted electricity The 2262 new ends being placed on conductive channel 2300 are dripped in agent.

2404 applicator 2200 90-degree rotations of rotary positioning apparatus, so, it can run on crisscross y.

X and y positioner 2402 and 2403 is used for applicator 2200 to be placed on point " e ".

The applicator 2200 moved by y positioner 2403 uses interior arrangement 2210-2217 to lay from " e " to " f " Conductive channel 2300.During this operates, sickle 2214, at the moment cutting tape 2211 being accurately determined, so, is led Electric channel 2300 terminates at point " f " place.

Y positioner 2403 is used for the binder applicator 2261 of mobile conduction to point " f ", the bonding wherein conducted electricity The 2262 new ends being placed on conductive channel 2300 are dripped in agent.

2404 applicator 2200 90-degree rotations of rotary positioning apparatus, so, it can run in machine direction x.

X and y positioner 2402 and 2403 is used for applicator 2200 to be placed on point " f ".

The applicator 2200 moved by x positioner 2402 use interior arrangement 2210-2217 lay from " f " to " g " Conductive channel 2300.The decline of this passage 2300 does not complete on figure.During this operates, sickle 2214 is in essence The moment cutting tape 2211 really determined, so, conductive channel 2300 is at point " g " place terminates.Noting, conductive channel 2300 exists The end at point " g " place, somewhat overlaps " h " second hole going out, place.

Each conduction rail bar 2300 for substrate 2100 to be added to each on the region in the exposure of substrate repeats Step 2-20.Then, from the beginning of step 1, substrate is advanced the most forward.

Replace forming conduction rail bar 2300 by connecting the separate fragment of metal foil slip 2211, conduction rail bar 2300 Can be formed by continuous print bar 2211.The foil between the segmentation of each corner is cut instead of using sickle 2214 2211, bar 2211 can automatically fold.Such as, this by rotary positioning apparatus 2404 is turn 90 degrees and can depress folding Bent angle so that rail bar 2300 flattens in corner, and be done.

Figure 25 A shows this result.The bent angle folded has the maximum of three overlapping thickness of foil.Figure 25 B If display foil is twisted the result of 180 degree of upset tapes simultaneously.(this needs another positioner, not shown.As Really tape has the binding agent of coating, then upset tape is probably undesirable, because binding agent there are currently no towards substrate). The bent angle folded has the maximum of two overlapping thickness of foil.

Figure 26 shows the embodiment of the overlapping conduction rail bar in the past of the conduction rail bar 2300 being wherein laid.

Before the overlapping segmentation of the second conduction rail bar 2300 is laid, the tape " I " of non-conductive film and " J " pass through Applicator 2200 is used to be laid on the first rail bar.These insulation tape " I " and " J " preventions are being formed by conduction rail bar 2300 , electrical contact between separate conducting ring.Likewise it is possible to lay " crossings on different level " circuit.

It is contemplated that have the substrate 2100 of conduction rail bar 2300, no matter it is thin slice or grid configuration, can be introduced in The laminated construction that can be used with shelf, flat board, box, space or other forms.The example of such laminated construction shows In Figure 27, substrate 2100 can be Paper or cardboard material, its extra play 2600 and 2601 from similar and different material, example Such as the saturated kraft liner being submerged in resin, it is combined and is formed as lamination 2610 under heat and pressure.Generally, with The exterior layer on first surface that substrate 2100 is contrary or multilamellar 2601 are the decorations of " outside " of the product for finally giving Material.Depending on the orientation of outside substrate layer 2100, this lamination 2610 is at its second surface, or just in this surface Face, comprises the conduction rail bar 2300 having described that.Then lamination 2610 can be bonded in heavier support member 2620, such as by wood Plate that material, plastics are made, particle board, watt ridge cardboard, Westvaco central layer etc..The lamination 2610 of close conduction rail bar 2300 Surface is preferably glued to support member 2620.Therefore, the full depth protection conduction rail bar 2300 of lamination 2610 is by lamination 2610 and support member 2620 is formed, the most frayed during the use of combinative structure 2630 that finally gives.

Conduct electricity or the metal back side 2625 optionally may be added to the bottom of shelf, to stop that RF energy enters under shelf Whether portion, hence in so that shelf work under about the same RF effect, supported by metal bracket regardless of it or be placed on On existing metal shelf.

Figure 28 showed before support member 2620 is glued to lamination 2610 the most how with conduction rail bar 2300 One or more electronic circuits of communication are placed on inside support member, or this electronic circuit directly exposes, or by The perforation described.In order to accommodate electronic circuit, the surface of support member 2620 mills out groove.The numerical control mill head of a bed 2700 is permissible It is similar in design in the alignment system for laying the system shown in conduction rail bar 2300, Figure 22 be used, and can With by be used for controlling the position of groove and the degree of depth, same or similar computer control system operates.Such as, propping up The edge of support part part 2620 shows the groove 2631 for accommodating external connection 2632.Use is shown in support member 2620 In the groove 2633 of receiving electronic circuit 2634, such as switch and tuning circuit.Crossing over support member 2620, display is used for accommodating Connect wire or the groove 2635 of cable of circuit block.Electronic circuit 2634 can accommodate the coil 2637 equipped with spring or finger-like Thing 2638, in order to the conduction rail bar 2300 on the substrate 2620 of a part for the lamination 2610 being attached to support member 2620 Electrical contact.Described electrical contact can be by pressure, by conductive adhesive or glue, or by melting during stacking process Solder.Milling machine head 2700 can be used for making for tuning the groove 2639 that instrument enters, and is such as used for regulating circuit The little screwdriver of the padder in 2634.

Tuned cell in circuit 2634, such as rotary trim capacitors (not shown), it may be necessary to connect after assembling Entering, this can be provided by perforate, the such as boring 2611 on lamination 2610 on Figure 27, or is supporting on Figure 27 and 28 Boring 2612 on parts 2620.

Figure 10 A and 10B is the preferred embodiment illustrating to use the system of inventory control of the intelligent commodity shelf according to the present invention Block diagram.As shown in Figure 10 A, several intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n provided according to the present invention have by list Bar transmission cable 222 is connected to multiple antennas 200 of reader unit 120.Reader unit 120 or sequentially or with Time the work of antenna 200 that connects with phase-difference control of ground, to determine from relevant with by each article of stock control The Item Information of RFID label tag.So, reader unit 120 can extract and add RFID label tag for be stored in each shelf The information of relevant stock of article.For simplicity, Figure 10 A only shows two groups of shelf, and often group shelf have its own Reader unit, the two group is 501a-501n and 502a-502n respectively.It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that permitted The shelf of the most such group can be a part for system of inventory control provided by the present invention.Such as, in one or more storehouses In storehouse, all of shelf can be grouped into, and to provide into hundred the most thousands of groups of shelf, they can be joined together, and is formed such as this The system of inventory control of bright offer.

Be to be understood that, although the preferred embodiment of system of inventory control and method utilize the embodiment corresponding to Figure 13, There is the multiple antennas RFID detection system of single transmission cable 222, but the multiple antenna RFID system disclosed here is all of Other embodiment can be used in the system of inventory control according to the present invention and method.So, such as, disclosed in Figure 14 and 15 RFID detection system can be used as according to the system of inventory control of the present invention and method.In such embodiments, example As, first unmodulated RF system can be used for extracting the data relevant with stock from RFID label tag in the RF system of modulation It is used for heating label before.

As shown in Figure 10 A, reader unit 120 thing collected from each intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n Product information data is sent to storage controlling processing unit 550.Storage controlling processing unit 550 is typically configured to receive Item Information from the storage controlling processing unit 550 of intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n.Storage controlling processes single Unit 550 is connected to intelligent commodity shelf typically via electric network, and this storage controlling processing unit also with suitable data Storage device 555 is associated, and this data storage device storage includes the data of the relevant stock of reference table, and also stores journey Sequence code and with storage controlling or enter the configuration information that storehouse management is relevant.Storage controlling processing unit 550 is also programmed and quilt Configuration performs storage controlling function well known to those skilled in the art.Such as, storage controlling (or entering warehouse) unit perform Some function include: store and follow the tracks of the amount of commodity of current stock, flowing every day of various article or sell, follow the tracks of various thing Position of product etc..

Operationally, system of inventory control determines and is connected to storage controlling processing unit 550 from by electric network 525 The Item Information of intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n.In one embodiment, various intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n With the control that 502a-502n is in storage controlling processing unit 550, storage controlling processing unit 550 determines reader unit 120 when poll antenna 200 will be by the Item Information of the article of stock to determine.In an alternate embodiment, reader unit 120 Can be configured to multiple antennas that poll periodically connects to obtain Item Information, then by using the contrary of data transmission " promote " model that the Item Information determined is sent to storage controlling processing unit.In a further embodiment, by reader list The poll of Item Information and data transmission that unit performs can be the events driven, such as, by intelligent commodity shelf by stock control The periodicity of article be supplemented with triggering.In each case a, reader unit 2120 is for being connected to its multiple antennas Selectively power, to determine the Item Information from the RFID label tag relevant with the article by stock control.

Once the reader unit 120 from intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n of the present invention receives article letter Breath, storage controlling processing unit 550 is just by using at storage controlling processing unit 550 with at relevant data storage device The logic of the programming in 555, code and data process the Item Information of reception.Process Item Information the most typically by It is stored in data storage device 555, for being used in system of inventory control and the method for the present invention in the future.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that storage controlling processing unit 550 can be connected to electric network 525 It is carried out in the general-purpose computing system of such as computer network.Computer network can also be public network, such as the Internet or Regional network (MAN), or other private network, the LAN such as cooperated (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or even virtual private Net.Computer system includes the CPU (CPU) being connected to system storage.System storage typically comprises operation System, BIOS driver, and application program.Additionally, computer system comprises input equipment, such as mouse and keyboard, and defeated Go out equipment, such as printer and display monitor.

Computer system generally includes the communication interface communicated with electric network 525, such as Ethernet card.Other computers System is also connected to electric network 525.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that above system description is connected to electronics The typical parts of the computer system of network.Should be appreciated that other similar configurations many are in those skilled in the art's In limit of power, and all these configuration can be used in the method and system of the present invention.Furthermore, it is to be understood that retouch here The computer systems and networks stated can be programmed and be configured to storage controlling processing unit, performs those skilled in the art and knows The function relevant with storage controlling.

Additionally, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that the present invention that " computer " described herein is implemented can include it Body is not the parts of computer, but includes that such as the Internet utensil and programmable logic controller (PLC) (PLC) are such the most yet Device, it can be utilized to provide one or more function discussed here.And, although " electronics " network generally refers to even Connect the communication network processing place of the present invention, it will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that such network can be by using Light or the technology of other equivalences be carried out.Similarly, it should also be appreciated that the present invention utilizes known safety measure to be used for passing through Network transmission electronic data.So, it is provided that it is used for by public network and the encryption of the transmission of the electronic data of private network, tests Card, verification and other safety measures, when necessary, use technology well known to those skilled in the art.

The technology of the present invention by disclosing here illustrates and the consideration of practice, and other embodiments of the present invention are for ability Field technique personnel will be apparent from.This specification is considered example, and the true scope and spirit of the invention is by following Claim represents.

Adnexa A claim

1. for the method for stock of management article, respective position that each article are placed in environment and with corresponding Less identification devices is associated, and method includes:

The Item Information relevant with each article is supplied to each corresponding less identification devices；And

According to Item Information, perform stock control process, it is provided that about the real time information of the stock of article, stock control Journey can include at least one following process:

Control process in short supply；

Reduction identification process；

Rapid Product revocation procedure；

Remind supervision process；With

Sell optimization procedures.

2. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock of article includes the article of one or more type, and in short supply control Process include the following at least one:

I () according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determines be positioned in environment any kind of The current inventory count value of article,

(ii) according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determine in environment any kind of any Whether article are misplaced is put,

(iii) according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, any kind of article in stock are determined Number when fall below first threshold,

(iii) it is no longer included in the condition of the stock of article according to the article of each type, determines the receipts of reflection loss The penalty values of beneficial amounts,

(iv) determine impact be included in one of the former sale of each type of article in the stock of article or Multiple factors,

(v) determine in environment place have sales volume less than Second Threshold history, certain type of article, replace The position changed,

(vi) determine and be placed on beyond environment more than being positioned in predetermined time quantum in their respective position of environment , certain type of article, replace position,

(vii) when certain type of article are no longer at their respective position, it is provided that message in short supply to display device, And

(viii) the stock feature relevant with each type article is determined.

3. the method for claim 2, wherein determines that current inventory count value includes:

The Item Information corresponding to one or more article is retrieved from one or more less identification devices；And

According to the Item Information of retrieval, determine the count value of each article of one or more type.

4. the method for claim 2, wherein determines that current inventory count value includes:

From the Item Information that database retrieval is relevant with each article；And

According to the Item Information of retrieval, determine the count value of each article of each type, wherein data base periodically from Each less identification devices is collected the process of Item Information and is received Item Information.

5. the method for claim 2, where it is determined whether there are any article to be misplaced to put and include:

Access the one or more less identification devices corresponding to one or more article, to determine this one or more things Product position in environment；And

It is disposed other than the judgement of the position of its position specified according to the article for the first kind, determines the first kind The article of type are misplaced to be put.

6. the method for claim 5, also includes:

User interface is provided the instruction misplacing the article put.

7. the method for claim 2, wherein with threshold value, first threshold is determined that one of process provides by user.

8. the method for claim 7, wherein threshold value determines that process includes:

For each type of article,

According to various types of numbers that their respective position is removed in its environment, determine first threshold.

9. the method for claim 8, wherein threshold value determines that process includes:

For each type of article,

The Seasonal relevant with year of the various types of article according to the respective position being in them And with occurent, by least one factor in that occur or that event is relevant event factor, regulation first Threshold value.

10. the method for claim 3, wherein determines when the count value of any kind of article falls below the first threshold Value includes:

According to the inventory count value determined, identify that the multiple article being positioned at environment are less than any type thing of first threshold Product；And

According to one of following items, type of items is carried out ordered by priorities:

It is less than the profit value lost determined by the respective type of items of first threshold according to having some article,

Each the overage of type of items another position in environment is the most available, and

The reason of first threshold is fallen below whether according to the short-term requirements for this type of items for type of items.

The method of 11. claim 2, wherein determines that penalty values includes:

To each types of articles being no longer in environment,

The income amount generated by the former sale of respective type of article in determining former time interval；And

According to the income of the generation determined, determine the penalty values of type for the article being no longer in environment.

The method of 12. claim 2, wherein determines and affects former sale one or more of each type of article Factor includes:

Identify occur each type article before sale time interval during exist one or more outside because of Element；And

Compare identify, one or more external factor and former sale, to determine how each external factor affects Sale in the past.

The method of 13. claim 12, wherein one or more external factor include the price of each type article, season At least one in selling while sexual factor and other kinds of article.

The method of 14. claim 2, wherein determines when the number of any kind of article falls below first threshold Including:

Regulation is for subscribing the cycle time of article and from providing the article having been lowered to the type less than first threshold Supplier subscribe article quantity at least one.

The method of 15. claim 2, wherein determines that the position of the replacement in environment includes:

Determine whether the article of specific type have less than the sales histories of Second Threshold in environment；And

According to the sales histories with the relevant article in position replaced, determine to reappose in environment and be included in stock In the replacement position of article of specific type of items.

The method of 16. claim 15, wherein relevant with replacing position sales histories includes being positioned at replacement position not Sales histories with the article of type.

The method of 17. claim 2, wherein determines that the replacement position outside environment includes:

Determine whether a type of article have less than the sales histories of Second Threshold in environment；And

According to the sales histories relevant with being placed on other article same type of replacing position, determine outside environment Reappose the replacement position of the article of this type of items.

The method of 18. claim 17, wherein provides message in short supply to include:

According to inventory count value, determine whether certain type of article are no longer at their respective position；And

Generating message in short supply, message in short supply includes at least one of following items: type of items instruction in short supply, for certain The quotation of the discount sale price of the article of kind of type of items, for certain type of article can the purchase list of prolonged service life The instruction replacing position that (rain check) and certain type of article are likely located at, outside environment.

The method of 19. claim 2, wherein display device is positioned in the structure with the certain type of article of front support.

The method of 20. claim 2, wherein stock's feature be in predetermined time interval a type of article with The front mathematical relationship between sale.

The method of 21. claim 20, wherein this relation represents the article of this type in predetermined time interval Sale in the past is to happen suddenly or uniform.

22. the process of claim 1 wherein that reduction identification process includes:

Determine when the more certain type of article in first position reduce in the time interval set to determine Numerical value；And

According to the judgement reduced, perform reduction answering.

The method of 23. claim 22, wherein reduction answering includes:

There is provided primary importance is indicated at least one of user and security monitoring process.

The method of 24. claim 23, wherein this instruction also includes the instruction of certain type of items and this value of determination.

The method of 25. claim 22, wherein reduction identification process includes one of at least one below step:

The record on duty when storage reflection number of articles is reduced by the value determined, certain type of article and determine Numerical value；

There is provided interrupt signal to safety equipment；And

There is provided the message identifying primary importance to interface equipment.

The method of 26. claim 25, wherein safety equipment are one of at least one following equipment:

Warning system；

It is placed on the luminaire near primary importance；

Video supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the video in the region relevant with primary importance；And

Photographing unit supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the photo in the region relevant with primary importance.

The method of 27. claim 25, wherein this message includes the information guiding user to primary importance.

28. the process of claim 1 wherein that Rapid Product revocation procedure includes:

According to the ambient temperature around the shelf life relevant with article, article and the identifier relevant with article extremely One item missing, determines whether the article in environment move from its current position.

The method of 29. claim 28, wherein quickly revocation procedure includes:

Start Date with place the article of the time of its current position in the environment corresponding to these article and be associated；

Determine the shelf life of these article；

According to the comparative result between Start Date and shelf life, it is provided that the shelf life of these article is out of date or at once By the most expired instruction.

The method of 30. claim 29, wherein determines that the shelf life includes:

According to the effect duration date relevant with these article, determine the shelf life.

The method of 31. claim 28, wherein determines that the article in environment include the need of removing:

Temperature value is read from the temperature measurement equipment being positioned near the current position of article；And

According to temperature value, determine that these article must be removed from current position.

The method of 32. claim 28, wherein determines that the article in environment include the need of removing:

Determine identifier whether with reflect that these article must remove from its current position to recall order relevant.

The method of 33. claim 28, also includes:

When these article are just when point-of-sale terminal point is purchased, it is provided that reflect the finger that these article should be removed from article inventory Show.

The method of 34. claim 33, wherein this instruction is included in point of sales terminal position display, super about these article Cross the message in its shelf life.

The method of 35. claim 28, wherein these article have fisrt feature, and method also includes:

It is different from the first spy according to having for new article that are that be similar to these article and that provided by same supplier The judgement of the second feature levied, determines that these article should be removed from its current position.

The method of 36. claim 35, wherein the first and second features are at least one of following items: new packaging group The price of type, the size of respective article, the color local flavor relevant with each article of respective article and respective article.

The method of 37. claim 28, wherein determines that the article in environment include the need of removing:

It is included in sentencing in the identifier inventory relevant with the defect article provided by supplier according to for identifier Certainly, it is provided that these article are defective instructions.

38. the process of claim 1 wherein that prompting supervision process includes:

According at least one of following items user provided an instruction:

One or more article of i type that () reflection is identical with the type of the article of the respective position being no longer placed on it The information replacing position being in environment；

(ii) article of the respective position that reflection is no longer placed on it are unavailable information in environment；

(iii) reflect that certain type of some article are the information in the predetermined numerical range of stock threshold value；And

(iv) fault of the parts of data is received from one or more less identification devices.

39. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock of article includes the article of one or more type, and sell Goodization process includes at least one of below step:

Determine that one or more article of specific type are removed and are placed back theirs from their respective position Each number of times of position；

Determine the number of times that any kind of article are bought with another type article；

Determine the number of times that any kind of article are bought with one or more article of same type；

Determine any type of items not being removed in predetermined time interval from their respective position；And

There is in determining the time interval before determined by being included in any article class of the article that selling price changes Type.

The method of 40. claim 39, wherein determines each from them of one or more article of one or more type Some number of times of the respective position being removed and being placed back them from position include:

For each type of article:

Perform the inventory count of each article periodically, to determine whether any article are moved from their respective position Walk.

The method of 41. claim 40, also includes:

Determine that article have been removed from its respective position and have been placed back number of times and the article of its respective position Position between relation.

The method of 42. claim 40, wherein the position of article can be one of following items: is on support unit The position of eye observation level, position in the position of ambient inlet, subscriber traffic region high in environment and The position in subscriber traffic region low in environment.

43. for providing the intelligent inventory relevant with the article in the stock being included in article to manage the system of information, Each article include RFID label tag, and this RFID label tag includes the Item Information relevant with corresponding article, and system includes:

Storage arrangement, including data structure, this data structure includes:

The universal price code relevant with article,

The electrovalence trellis code relevant with article,

The pricing information relevant with article,

Reflect the season information of the Seasonal Characteristics relevant to these article,

The shelf life designator relevant with article,

Reflect the historical sales information of the former sale relevant with other article one or more being similar to these article,

It is reflected in some article of the article that this position includes being similar to placing lacking less than condition during predetermined threshold value Goods information,

The removed historical information with the number of times being taken back to this position of reflection article,

Reflect the shelf volume size information that the physical size of article is relevant with position,

The primary importance information of the physical location of reflection article,

The second position information of the physical location liked of reflection article,

The reduction information relevant with article and other similar articles,

The cost information relevant with article,

Reflection article are placed on the time-stamp information of the time of this position,

Reflection article should from the effect duration date and time information on this position date time removed,

Reflection is similar to the pin of the selling price of the article of date and time that the article of these article are sold and sale Sell information, and

The customer number relevant with the individual buying the article sold, and

Processor, for incoming memory device, performs the stock control process relevant with article.

44. methods providing inventory information in including the environment of stock of article, each article are placed in environment Each in position and relevant with corresponding less identification devices, and by from each wireless identification dress relevant with each article Putting retrieval Item Information and the information of retrieval is stored in data base, stock monitors that Period Process ground performs article in environment Inventory count, method includes:

The request for article availability in environment is received at user；

Item Information in search data base, the most available to determine asked article；And

The instruction of reflection Search Results is provided.

The method of 45. claim 44, wherein receives this request and includes:

Receiving this request at the first processing equipment relevant with this environment, wherein user connects with the second processing equipment Mouthful, to create this request.

The method of 46. claim 46, wherein the second processing equipment is by the computer system of user operation.

The method of 47. claim 46, wherein this request is to be connect by the network being connected to the first and second processing equipments Receive.

The method of 48. claim 46, wherein this request is sent to the first processing equipment by the Internet.

The method of 49. claim 46, the kiosk computer equipment that wherein the second processing equipment is in environment.

The method of 50. claim 46, wherein the first processing equipment is positioned at environment.

The method of 51. claim 46, wherein the first processing equipment is positioned at outside environment.

The method of 52. claim 51, wherein the first processing equipment forward the request to be positioned in environment, perform search 3rd processing equipment of step.

The method of 53. claim 44, wherein this instruction includes at least one of following items: these article are the most not Available instruction, for these article selling price discount quotation, for replace article selling price discount Quotation and reflection the instruction of one or more replacement environment of these article can be provided.

The method of 54. claim 53, wherein reflect the instruction of one or more replacement environment include for this or The guiding of multiple replacement environment.

The method of 55. claim 44, wherein provides instruction to include providing peace near the respective position of article in the environment The message of display on the display device of dress.

The method of 56. claim 55, wherein this message includes at least one of following items: these article are the most not Available instruction, for these article selling price discount quotation, reflection the one or more of these article can be provided to replace The instruction in ring change border and the guiding for these one or more replacement environment.

57. add RFID label tag, RFID label tag bag for the method providing stock control for the stock of article, each article Including the Item Information identifying each respective article and at least one article characteristics, method includes:

Receive at client, the inventory of one or more article wanted interested that includes client when buying E-file stores in the environment；

Determine the existence of client in environment；

According to the e-file of storage, determining whether client is positioned at environment and includes near the position of the first article, this is the years old One article are included in the inventory of one or more article wanted；And

Determine according to this, the Item Information relevant with the first article is presented on and is placed on this position or neighbouring showing Show on equipment.

The method of 58. claim 57, wherein storage includes:

Environment is provided by the Internet from client e-file.

The method of 59. claim 57, wherein storage includes:

Environment is provided e-file by being positioned at the calculating equipment of environment by client.

60. for the system of stocks of management article, respective position that each article are placed in environment and with accordingly Less identification devices be associated, system includes:

For the Item Information relevant with each article being supplied to the device of each corresponding less identification devices；And

For performing stock control process to provide the device of real time information of the stock about article according to Item Information, The device below at least one is included for performing the device of stock control process:

For performing the device of control process in short supply；

For performing to reduce the device of identification process；

For performing the device of Rapid Product revocation procedure；

For performing to remind the device of supervision process；With

For performing to sell the device of optimization procedures.

The system of 61. claim 60, wherein the stock of article includes the article of one or more type, and is used for holding The device of row control process in short supply includes at least one following device:

I () is for according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determining any class being positioned in environment The device of the current inventory count value of the article of type,

(ii) for according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determining in environment any kind of Whether any article are misplaced the device put,

(iii) for according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determining in stock any kind of When some article fall below the device of first threshold,

(iii) for being no longer included in the condition of the stock of article according to the article of each type, reflection loss is determined The device of penalty values of income amount,

(iv) for determining that impact is included in of the former sale of each type of article of the stock of article Or the device of multiple factor,

V () is for determining that placement has the sales volume history less than Second Threshold, certain type of article in environment , the device of position replaced,

(vi) for determining that the device of the position of the replacement beyond environment is to be placed on more than in predetermined time quantum Have been located in their respective position, certain type of article in environment,

(vii) for when certain type of article are no longer at their respective position, it is provided that message in short supply gives display The device of equipment, and

(viii) for determining the device of the stock feature relevant with each type article.

The system of 62. claim 61, wherein for determining that the device of current inventory count value includes:

For retrieving the device of Item Information from the one or more less identification devices corresponding to one or more article； And

For the Item Information according to retrieval, determine the device of the count value of each article of one or more type.

The system of 63. claim 61, wherein for determining that the device of current inventory count value includes:

Device for the Item Information relevant with each article from database retrieval；And

For the Item Information according to retrieval, determine the count value of each article of each type, wherein data base's cycle The device of the process reception Item Information of Item Information is collected on ground from each less identification devices.

The system of 64. claim 61, is wherein used to determine whether that any article are included by misplacing the device put:

Determine that these are one or more for accessing the one or more less identification devices corresponding to one or more article The device of article position in environment；And

Judgement for the position according to the position the specified article of the first kind being disposed other than to it determines the The article of one type are misplaced the device put.

The system of 65. claim 64, also includes:

For the instruction misplacing the article put being provided to the device of user interface.

The system of 66. claim 61, wherein first threshold by user with for perform threshold value determine process device it One provides.

The system of 67. claim 66, is wherein used for performing threshold value and determines that the device of process includes:

For for each type of article according to removed some various types of in their respective position in environment The article of type determine the device of first threshold.

The system of 68. claim 66, is wherein used for performing threshold value and determines that the device of process includes:

For for each type of article according to various types of article of the respective position being in them, 1 year Time relevant Seasonal and with occurent, by that occur or that event is relevant event factor At least one factor regulation first threshold device.

The system of 69. claim 63, wherein for determining when the count value of any kind of article falls below The device of first threshold includes:

For according to the inventory count value determined, if for identifying the dry less than first threshold being positioned in environment The device of any types of articles of product；And

For according to one of following items, type of items is carried out device ordered by priorities:

According to having less than the profit value of loss determined by the respective type of items of some article of first threshold,

Each whether the overage of type of items another position in environment can provide, and

Have been lowered to less than whether the reason of first threshold is wanted according to the short-term for this type of items for type of items Ask.

The system of 70. claim 61, wherein for determining that the device of penalty values includes:

For the article of each type for being no longer in this environment, determine that former time interval is interior by respectively The device selling the income amount generated before the article of type；And

For the article of each type for being no longer in this environment, it is right to determine according to the income of the generation determined The device of the penalty values of the type of the article in being no longer at environment.

The system of 71. claim 61, is wherein used for determining one of the former sale affecting each type of article Or the device of multiple factor includes:

For identify occur each type article before sale time interval during exist one or more outside The device of portion's factor；And

For by identify one or more external factor with before sale compare, how to determine each external factor The device of the sale before impact.

The system of 72. claim 71, wherein one or more external factor include the price of each type article, season At least one in selling while sexual factor and other kinds of article.

The system of 73. claim 61, is wherein used for determining when any kind of some article fall below first The device of threshold value includes:

For regulation for subscribing the cycle time of article and having been lowered to the type less than first threshold from providing The device of at least one in the quantity of the article that the supplier of article subscribes.

The system of 74. claim 61, wherein the device of the position of the replacement in determining environment includes:

Whether the article for determining a kind of specific type have less than the dress of the sales histories of Second Threshold in environment Put；And

For the sales histories according to the article relevant with the position replaced, determine and in environment, replace position so that again Place the device of the article of this specific type of items being included in stock.

The system of 75. claim 74, wherein relevant with replacing position sales histories includes being positioned at replaces position The sales histories of different types of article.

The system of 76. claim 61, wherein for determining that the device replacing position outside environment includes:

For determining whether a type of article have the device of the sales histories less than Second Threshold；And

For according to the sales histories relevant with being placed on other article same type of replacing position, determining at ring Overseas reappose the device replacing position of the article of this type of items.

The system of 77. claim 76, wherein for providing the device of message in short supply to include:

For according to inventory count value, determining whether certain type of article are no longer at the dress of their respective position Put；And

For generating the device of message in short supply, message in short supply includes at least one of following items: type of items is in short supply, right In certain type of items article discount sale price quotation, for certain type of article can the purchase of prolonged service life The instruction replacing position that single (rain check) and certain type of article are likely located at, outside environment.

The system of 78. claim 61, wherein display device is positioned in the structure with the certain type of article of front support.

The system of 79. claim 61, wherein stock's feature is a type of article in predetermined time interval The mathematical relationship between sale in the past.

The system of 80. claim 79, wherein this relation represents the article of this type in predetermined time interval Sale in the past is to happen suddenly or uniform.

The system of 81. claim 60, the device being wherein used for performing to reduce identification process includes:

For determining when the certain type of some article in first position reduce really in the time interval set The device of fixed numerical value；And

For according to the judgement reduced, performing the device of reduction answering.

The system of 82. claim 81, the device being wherein used for performing to reduce answering includes:

For provide primary importance be indicated to user and security monitoring process at least one device.

The system of 83. claim 82, wherein this instruction also includes the instruction of certain type of items and this value of determination.

The system of 84. claim 81, the device being wherein used for performing to reduce identification process includes below at least one Device:

For storing when reflection number of articles reduces the record on duty of the value determined, certain type of article and determine The device of numerical value；

For providing interrupt signal to the device of safety equipment；And

For providing the message identifying primary importance to the device of interface equipment.

The system of 85. claim 84, wherein safety equipment are one of at least following equipment:

Warning system；

It is placed on the luminaire near primary importance；

Video supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the video in the region relevant with primary importance；And

Photographing unit supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the photo in the region relevant with primary importance.

The system of 86. claim 84, wherein this message includes the information guiding user to primary importance.

The system of 87. claim 60, the device being wherein used for performing Rapid Product revocation procedure includes:

For according to the ambient temperature around the shelf life relevant with article, article and the identifier relevant with article At least one, determine the device that the article in environment move the need of the current position from it.

The system of 88. claim 87, the device being wherein used for performing quick revocation procedure includes:

For Start Date and the article phase placing the time of its current position in the environment corresponding to these article The device of contact；

For determining the device in the shelf life of these article；

For according to the comparative result between Start Date and shelf life, it is provided that the shelf life of these article out of date or At once by the device of expired instruction.

The system of 89. claim 88, wherein for determining that the device in shelf life includes:

For according to the effect duration date relevant with these article, determining the device in shelf life.

The system of 90. claim 87, wherein for determining that the article in environment include the need of the device removed:

For reading the device of temperature value from the temperature measurement equipment being positioned near the current position of article；And

For according to temperature value, determining the device that these article must be removed from current position.

The system of 91. claim 87, wherein for determining that the article in environment include the need of the device removed:

For determine identifier whether with reflect that these article must remove from its current position to recall order relevant Device.

The system of 92. claim 87, also includes:

For when these article are just when point of sales terminal is purchased, it is provided that reflect that these article should be removed from article inventory The device of instruction.

The system of 93. claim 92, wherein this instruction be included in that point of sales terminal shows, exceed it about these article The message in shelf life.

The system of 94. claim 87, wherein these article have fisrt feature, and system also includes:

For being different from the according to having for new article that are that be similar to these article and that provided by same supplier The judgement of the second feature of one feature, determines the device that these article should be removed from its current position.

The system of 95. claim 94, wherein the first and second features are at least one of following items: new packaging group The price of type, the size of respective article, the color local flavor relevant with each article of respective article and respective article.

The system of 96. claim 87, wherein for determining that the article in environment include the need of the device removed:

For according to being included in the identifier inventory relevant with the defect article provided by supplier for identifier Judgement, it is provided that these article are the devices of defective instruction.

The system of 97. claim 60, the device being wherein used for performing to remind supervision process includes:

Device at least one offer one instruction according to following items:

One or more article of i type that () reflection is identical with the type of the article of the respective position being no longer placed on it It is positioned at the information replacing position of environment；

(ii) article of the respective position that reflection is no longer placed on it are the most available information in environment；

(iii) reflect that certain type of some article are in the information in the predetermined numerical range of stock threshold value；And

(iv) fault of the parts of data is received from one or more less identification devices.

The system of 98. claim 60, wherein the stock of article includes the article of one or more type, and is used for holding Marketing is sold the device of optimization procedures and is included that one of at least following device is individual:

For determining that one or more article of specific type are removed and are placed back it from their respective position The device of some number of times of respective position；

For determining the device of the number of times of an article purchase of any kind of another type of article；

For determining some number of times that one or more article of the same type of any kind of article are bought Device；

For determining in predetermined time interval any type of items not being removed from their respective position Device；And

For determine be included in determined by before time interval in there is any thing of article that selling price changes The device of category type.

The system of 99. claim 98, wherein for determining that one or more article of one or more type are from them The device of number of times of the respective position that is removed and is placed back them, respective position include:

For performing the inventory count of each article periodically for each type of article whether to determine any article From the device that their respective position is removed.

The system of 100. claim 99, also includes:

For determining that article are removed from its respective position and are placed back number of times and the thing of its respective position The device of the relation between the position of product.

The system of 101. claim 99, wherein the position of article can be one of following position: locate on support unit Position in the position of eye observation level, in the position of ambient inlet, the subscriber traffic region high in environment, with And in environment the position in low subscriber traffic region.

102. systems providing inventory information in including the environment of stock of article, each article are placed in environment Each in position and relevant with corresponding less identification devices, and stock monitors that process is passed through from relevant with each article every Individual less identification devices is retrieved Item Information and the information of retrieval is stored in data base, performs article in environment periodically Inventory count, system includes:

For receiving the device of the request for article availability in environment at user；

Item Information in searching for data base, to determine the most available dress of asked article Put；And

For providing the device of the instruction of reflection Search Results.

The system of 103. claim 102, the device being wherein used for receiving this request includes:

For receiving the device of this request at the first processing equipment relevant with this environment, wherein user processes with second Equipment interfaces, to create this request.

The system of 104. claim 103, wherein the second processing equipment is by the computer system of user operation.

The system of 105. claim 104, wherein this request is by the network being connected to the first and second processing equipments Receive.

The system of 106. claim 104, wherein this request is sent to the first processing equipment by the Internet.

The system of 107. claim 104, the kiosk computer equipment that wherein the second processing equipment is in environment.

The system of 108. claim 104, wherein the first processing equipment is positioned at environment.

The system of 109. claim 104, wherein the first processing equipment is positioned at outside environment.

The system of 110. claim 109, wherein the first processing equipment forward the request to be positioned in environment, perform to search 3rd processing equipment of rope step.

The system of 111. claim 104, wherein this instruction includes at least one of following items: these article are in the environment Available instruction, the most available instruction of these article, the quotation, right of discount of selling price for these article In replace article selling price the quotation of discount and reflection the finger of one or more replacement environment of these article can be provided Show.

The system of 112. claim 111, wherein reflects that the instruction of one or more replacement environment includes for this Or the guiding of multiple replacement environment.

The system of 113. claim 104, wherein for providing the device of instruction to include to provide each of article in the environment The message of display on the display device installed near position.

The system of 114. claim 113, wherein this message includes at least one of following items: these article are in the environment The most available instruction, for these article selling price discount quotation, reflection the one or more of these article can be provided Replace the instruction of environment and for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

115. for providing the system of stock control for the stock of article, and each article add RFID label tag, RFID label tag Including identifying the Item Information of each respective article and at least one article characteristics, system includes:

Clear for that receive at client, include client when buying one or more article wanted interested Single e-file storage device in the environment；

For determining the device of the existence of client in environment；

For the e-file according to storage, determine whether client is positioned at environment and includes near the position of the first article Device, these first article are included in the inventory of one or more article wanted；And

For determining according to this, the Item Information relevant with the first article is presented on be placed on this position or near Display device on device.

The system of 116. claim 115, wherein the device for storage includes:

For e-file being provided the device of environment from client by the Internet.

The system of 117. claim 115, wherein the device for storage includes:

For e-file being provided by client the device of environment by being positioned at the calculating equipment of environment.

The 118. computer-readable media including instruction, when being performed this instruction by processor, perform to be used for managing thing The method of the stock of product, respective position that each article are placed in environment and being associated with corresponding less identification devices, Method includes:

The Item Information relevant with each article is supplied to each corresponding less identification devices；And

According to Item Information, perform stock control process, it is provided that about the real time information of the stock of article, stock control Journey can include at least one following process:

Control process in short supply；

Reduction identification process；

Rapid Product revocation procedure；

Remind supervision process；With

Sell optimization procedures.

The computer-readable media of 119. claim 118, wherein the stock of article includes one or more type Article, and control process in short supply includes at least one of the following:

I () according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determines be positioned in environment any kind of The current inventory count value of article,

(ii) according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determine in environment any kind of any Whether article are misplaced is put,

(iii) according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, determine in stock any kind of multiple When article fall below first threshold,

(iii) it is no longer included in the condition of the stock of article according to the article of each type, determines the receipts of reflection loss The penalty values of beneficial amounts,

(iv) determine that impact is included in or many of the former sale of each type of article of the stock of article Individual factor,

V () determines that the position placement of the replacement in environment has the sales volume history less than Second Threshold, certain kind The article of type,

(vi) the replacement position beyond environment is determined, in order to be placed on and have been located in environment more than in predetermined time quantum The certain type of article of their respective position,

(vii) when certain type of article are no longer at their respective position, it is provided that message in short supply to display device, And

(viii) the stock feature relevant with each type article is determined.

The computer-readable media of 120. claim 119, wherein determine that current inventory count value includes:

The Item Information corresponding to one or more article is retrieved from one or more less identification devices；And

According to the Item Information of retrieval, determine the count value of each article of one or more type.

The computer-readable media of 121. claim 119, wherein determine that current inventory count value includes:

From the Item Information that database retrieval is relevant with each article；And

According to the Item Information of retrieval, determine the count value of each article of each type, wherein data base periodically from Each less identification devices is collected the process of Item Information and is received Item Information.

The computer-readable media of 122. claim 119, where it is determined whether there are any article to be misplaced to put and include:

Access the one or more less identification devices corresponding to one or more article, to determine this one or more things Product position in environment；And

It is disposed other than the judgement of the position of its position specified according to the article for the first kind, determines the first kind The article of type are misplaced to be put.

The computer-readable media of 123. claim 121, wherein method also includes:

User interface is provided the instruction misplacing the article put.

The computer-readable media of 124. claim 119, wherein first threshold by user and threshold value determine process it One provides.

The computer-readable media of 125. claim 124, wherein threshold value determines that process includes:

For each type of article,

According to various types of some article that their respective position is the most removed in environment, determine the first threshold Value.

The computer-readable media of 126. claim 125, wherein threshold value determines that process includes:

For each type of article,

The Seasonal relevant with year of the various types of article according to the respective position being in them And with occurent, by that occur or with at least one factor in the relevant event factor of event, regulate first Threshold value.

When the computer-readable media of 127. claim 120, wherein determine the count value of any kind of article Fall below first threshold to include:

According to the inventory count value determined, identify to have and some be positioned at any thing that environment is less than the article of first threshold Category type；And

According to one of following items, type of items is carried out ordered by priorities:

It is less than the profit value lost determined by the respective type of items of first threshold according to having some article,

Each the overage of type of items another position in environment is the most available, and

Have been lowered to less than whether the reason of first threshold is wanted according to the short-term for this type of items for type of items Ask.

The computer-readable media of 128. claim 119, wherein determine that penalty values includes:

The article of each type for being no longer in this environment,

The income amount generated by the former sale of respective type of article in determining former time interval；And

According to the income of the generation determined, determine the penalty values of type for the article being no longer in environment.

The computer-readable media of 129. claim 119, wherein determine and affect the former of each type of article The one or more factors sold include:

Identify occur each type article before sale time interval during exist one or more outside because of Element；And

Compare identify, one or more external factor and former sale, to determine how each external factor affects Sale in the past.

The computer-readable media of 130. claim 129, wherein one or more external factor include each type At least one in selling while the price of article, Seasonal and other kinds of article.

The computer-readable media of 131. claim 119, wherein determine when the number of any kind of article drops Low include to less than first threshold:

Regulation is for subscribing the cycle time of article and from providing the article having been lowered to the type less than first threshold Supplier subscribe article quantity at least one.

The computer-readable media of 132. claim 119, wherein determine that the position of the replacement in environment includes:

Determine whether the article of specific type have less than the sales histories of Second Threshold in environment；And

According to the sales histories with the relevant article in position replaced, determine to reappose in environment and be included in stock In the replacement position of article of specific type of items.

The computer-readable media of 133. claim 132, wherein relevant with replacing position sales histories includes position Sales histories in the different types of article replacing position.

The computer-readable media of 134. claim 119, wherein determine that the replacement position outside environment includes:

Determine whether a type of article have less than the sales histories of Second Threshold in environment；And

According to the sales histories relevant with being placed on other article same type of replacing position, determine outside environment Reappose the replacement position of the article of this type of items.

The computer-readable media of 135. claim 134, wherein provide message in short supply to include:

According to inventory count value, determine whether certain type of article are no longer at their respective position；And

Generating message in short supply, message in short supply includes at least one of following items: type of items instruction in short supply, for certain The quotation of the discount sale price of the article of kind of type of items, for certain type of article can the purchase list of prolonged service life The instruction replacing position that (rain check) and certain type of article are likely located at, outside environment.

The computer-readable media of 136. claim 119, wherein display device is positioned at front support certain type of In the structure of article.

The computer-readable media of 137. claim 119, wherein stock's feature is in predetermined time interval one Mathematical relationship between the former sale of the article of type.

The computer-readable media of 138. claim 137, wherein this relation represents and is somebody's turn to do in predetermined time interval The former sale of the article of type is to happen suddenly or uniform.

The computer-readable media of 139. claim 118, wherein reduction identification process includes:

Determine when the certain type of some article in first position reduce in the time interval set to determine Numerical value；And

According to the judgement reduced, perform reduction answering.

The computer-readable media of 140. claim 139, wherein reduction answering includes:

There is provided primary importance be indicated to user and security monitoring process at least one.

The computer-readable media of 141. claim 140, wherein this instruction also includes that certain type of items and this are true The instruction of definite value.

The computer-readable media of 142. claim 139, wherein reduction identification process includes below at least one Step:

When storage reflection number of articles reduces the record on duty of the value determined, certain type of article and the number determined Value；

There is provided interrupt signal to safety equipment；And

There is provided the message representing primary importance to interface equipment.

The computer-readable media of 143. claim 142, wherein safety equipment are the equipment that at least one is following:

Warning system；

It is placed on the luminaire near primary importance；

Video supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the video in the region relevant with primary importance；And

Photographing unit supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the photo in the region relevant with primary importance.

The computer-readable media of 144. claim 142, wherein this message includes guiding user to arrive primary importance Information.

The computer-readable media of 145. claim 118, wherein Rapid Product revocation procedure includes:

According to the ambient temperature around the shelf life relevant with article, article and the identifier relevant with article extremely One item missing, determines whether the article in environment move from its current position.

The computer-readable media of 146. claim 145, wherein quickly revocation procedure includes:

Start Date with place the article of the time of its current position in the environment corresponding to these article and be associated；

Determine the shelf life of these article；

According to the comparative result between Start Date and shelf life, it is provided that the shelf life of these article is out of date or at once By expired instruction.

The computer-readable media of 147. claim 146, wherein determine that the shelf life includes:

According to the effect duration date relevant with these article, determine the shelf life.

The computer-readable media of 148. claim 145, wherein determine that the article in environment are the need of removing bag Include:

Temperature value is read from the temperature measurement equipment being positioned near the current position of article；And

According to temperature value, determine that these article must be removed from current position.

The computer-readable media of 149. claim 145, wherein determine that the article in environment are the need of removing bag Include:

Determine identifier whether with reflect that these article must remove from its current position to recall order relevant.

The computer-readable media of 150. claim 145, wherein method also includes:

When these article are just when point of sales terminal is purchased, it is provided that reflect the finger that these article should be removed from article inventory Show.

The computer-readable media of 151. claim 150, wherein this instruction is included in point of sales terminal shows, pass The message in its shelf life is exceeded in these article.

The computer-readable media of 152. claim 145, wherein these article have fisrt feature, and the method is also Including:

It is different from the first spy according to having for new article that are that be similar to these article and that provided by same supplier The judgement of the second feature levied, determines that these article should be removed from its current position.

The computer-readable media of 153. claim 152, wherein the first and second features be following items at least One: new packaging type, the size of respective article, the color local flavor relevant with each article of respective article and each The price of article.

The computer-readable media of 154. claim 145, wherein determine that the article in environment are the need of removing bag Include:

It is included in sentencing in the identifier inventory relevant with the defect article provided by supplier according to for identifier Certainly, it is provided that these article are defective instructions.

The computer-readable media of 155. claim 118, wherein remind supervision process to include:

At least one one instruction of offer according to following items:

One or more article of i type that () reflection is identical with the type of the article of the respective position being no longer placed on it It is positioned at the information replacing position of environment；

(ii) article of the respective position that reflection is no longer placed on it are the most available information in environment；

(iii) information that the number of certain type of article is in the predetermined numerical range of stock threshold value is reflected；With And

(iv) fault of the parts of data is received from one or more less identification devices.

The computer-readable media of 156. claim 118, wherein the stock of article includes one or more type Article, and sell optimization procedures and include at least one below step:

Determine that one or more article of specific type are removed and are placed back theirs from their respective position Each some number of times of position；

Determine the number of times that article of any kind of another type of article are bought；

Determine the number of times that one or more article of the same type of any kind of article are bought；

Determine any type of items not being removed in predetermined time interval from their respective position；And

There is in determining the time interval before determined by being included in any article class of the article that selling price changes Type.

The computer-readable media of 157. claim 156, wherein determine the one or more of one or more type The article some number of times from the respective position that their respective position was removed and was placed back them include:

For each type of article:

Perform the inventory count of each article periodically, to determine whether any article are taken from their respective position Walk.

The computer-readable media of 158. claim 157, also include:

Determine that article are removed from its respective position and are placed back number of times and the article of its respective position Relation between position.

The computer-readable media of 159. claim 157, wherein the position of article can be one of following position: The position of eye observation level it is in, near the position of ambient inlet, subscriber traffic district high in environment on support unit Position in territory and the position in subscriber traffic region low in environment.

The 160. computer-readable media including instruction, when being performed this instruction by processor, perform for including The method that inventory information is provided in the environment of the stock of article, in the respective position that each article are placed in environment and with accordingly Less identification devices relevant, and stock monitors that process is by retrieving from each less identification devices relevant with each article Item Information and the information of retrieval is stored in data base, performs the inventory count of article in environment periodically, and method includes:

The request for article availability in environment is received at user；

Item Information in search data base, the most available to determine asked article；And

The instruction of reflection Search Results is provided.

The computer-readable media of 161. claim 160, wherein receive this request and include:

Receiving this request at the first processing equipment relevant with this environment, wherein user connects with the second processing equipment Mouthful, to create this request.

The computer-readable media of 162. claim 161, wherein the second processing equipment is by the calculating of user operation Machine system.

The computer-readable media of 163. claim 161, wherein this request is by being connected to first and second The network of reason equipment receives.

The computer-readable media of 164. claim 162, wherein this request is sent at first by the Internet Reason equipment.

The computer-readable media of 165. claim 162, the kiosk that wherein the second processing equipment is in environment Computer equipment.

The computer-readable media of 166. claim 162, wherein the first processing equipment is positioned at environment.

The computer-readable media of 167. claim 162, wherein the first processing equipment is positioned at outside environment.

The computer-readable media of 168. claim 167, wherein the first processing equipment forwards the request to be positioned at ring In border, the 3rd processing equipment of execution search step.

The computer-readable media of 169. claim 160, wherein this instruction includes at least one of following items: should The most available instruction of article, this article the most available instructions, selling price for these article The quotation of discount, for replace the selling price of article the offer of discount and reflection the one or more of these article can be provided Replace the instruction of environment.

The computer-readable media of 170. claim 169, wherein reflect the instruction bag of one or more replacement environment Include the guiding for these one or more replacement environment.

The computer-readable media of 171. claim 160, wherein provide instruction to include providing article in the environment The message of display on the display device each installed near position.

The computer-readable media of 172. claim 171, wherein this message includes at least one of following items: should The most available instruction of article, for these article selling price discount offer, reflection these article can be provided One or more replacement environment instruction and for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

The 173. computer-readable media including instruction, when being performed this instruction by processor, perform to be used for as article Stock's method that stock control is provided, each article add RFID label tag, RFID label tag include identifying each respective article and The Item Information of at least one article characteristics, method includes:

Receive at client, the inventory of one or more article wanted interested that includes client when buying E-file stores in the environment；

Determine the existence of client in environment；

According to the e-file of storage, determining whether client is positioned at environment and includes near the position of the first article, this is the years old One article are included in the inventory of one or more article wanted；And

Determine according to this, the Item Information relevant with the first article is presented on and is placed on this position or neighbouring showing Show on equipment.

The computer-readable media of 174. claim 173, wherein storage includes:

Environment is provided by the Internet from client e-file.

The computer-readable media of 175. claim 173, wherein storage includes:

Environment is provided e-file by being positioned at the calculating equipment of environment by client.

176. for managing the system of the stock of the article of one or more type of items, and each article are placed in environment Respective position in, and relevant with the corresponding less identification devices of the Item Information included about respective article, system includes:

Data gathering system, is configured in response to one or more read-out command from one or more less identification devices Retrieval Item Information；And

Intelligent inventory management system, is configured to generate one or more read-out command, and receives from data collection The Item Information of the retrieval of system, intelligent inventory management system includes:

Data base, the Item Information of storage reception and the characteristic information relevant with each article；And below at least one Device:

Stock control device, for determining the current of at least one any kind of article according to the Item Information received Quantity in stock count value, misplaces any article put in the environment, close to or to reach any kind of article of condition in short supply, The replacement position of any kind of article with the sales histories less than threshold value is placed in environment,

Reduction identifies device, is used to determine when to be placed on each type of primary importance in the time interval set Some article reduce predetermined numerical value,

Quickly recall device, be used at least one according to time, defect and the temperature profile relevant with article and determine thing Product are removed the need of the current position from it, and

Remind monitoring arrangement, for according to the condition in short supply of type of items, the placing articles condition that misplaces of article and fault bar At least one of part generates and provides one or more instruction.

The system of 177. claim 176, wherein data gathering system includes:

Master controller, generates one or more control orders for the order according to the one or more readings received； And

Assistant controller, for driving antenna according to one or more control orders, wherein antenna is configured to from one Or multiple item retrieval Item Information.

The system of 178. claim 176, wherein Stock control device also generates when reflection occurs or reaching scarce The display message in short supply of goods condition.

The system of 179. claim 176, wherein system includes the safety device being positioned near primary importance, and works as quilt When the number of the certain type of article being placed on primary importance reduces, in the time interval set, the value determined, reduction identifies Device also drives safety device.

The system of 180. claim 176, wherein temporal characteristics shelf life relevant with article and date effect duration At least one.

The system of 181. claim 176, wherein temperature profile is the temperature in the region near the current location of article Value.

The system of 182. claim 176, wherein defect characteristic is and loses the article of part and include the part of defect At least one of article relevant.

The system of 183. claim 176, wherein system includes point of sale (POS) terminal, and when client attempts to buy I () has exceeded and quickly recalls device when at least one or (ii) in date effect duration and shelf life is the article of defect and also exist POS terminal generates reminder message.

184. environment including article, each article add the label of less identification devices and are placed on the position specified Putting, environment includes:

Data base, including the information relevant with each article；

Storage unit, each at least one antenna and there is support means of including, it is used for supporting one or more article；

Computer system, is used for providing order, from less identification devices retrieval Item Information and Item Information is stored in Data base；

Data gathering system, corresponding antenna in being used for driving specific storage unit, from by specific storage unit In the item retrieval Item Information that supports of support means, and provide computer system Item Information,

Wherein computer system includes user interface, and it allows user to ask according to the Item Information being stored in data base Summation receives the Real-time inventory information that article one or more with environment are relevant.

The environment of 185. claim 184, wherein computer system is asked following items extremely according to corresponding user One item missing is supplied to user:

The current quantity in stock count value of the article of one or more types in environment,

Misplace the position putting article in the environment,

Move replacement position that there are the article of the sales histories less than predetermined threshold value, in environment,

The mobile certain type of article redesigned by manufacturer, replacement position in environment, and

The position of any article interested.

The environment of 186. claim 184, is wherein confirmed as exceeding shelf life and date effect duration extremely when article During one item missing, computer system provides reminder message to user.

The environment of 187. claim 184, wherein when article are confirmed as defective, computer system provides prompting to disappear Breath is to user.

The environment of 188. claim 184, wherein when certain type of some article are less than threshold value, computer system carries For reminder message to user.

The environment of 189. claim 184, wherein when taking some away from certain position in predetermined time interval Article time, computer system provide reminder message to user.

The environment of 190. claim 184, wherein computer system collects reflection one or more article finger from them The information of condition when fixed position is removed and is put back into their position specified.

The environment of 191. claim 190, wherein computer system provides the information reflecting this condition according to request.

The environment of 192. claim 184, wherein computer system determines another type of any kind of article Article carry out the number of times bought.

Adnexa A

Summary

According to the article of consistent method, system and the manufacture of some aspect that the present invention is relevant from being attached to stock The RFID label tag of article collects Item Information, and uses the Item Information collected to perform various stock control process.One Aspect, stock control process may include determining whether, report and/or provide for one relevant with at least one following project or The corrective action of multiple events: the change of design of article in the exhausting of article, stock in stock, the lacking of one or more article Fall into, misplace article, the movement (i.e. reduction) of the article of abnormal number and being included in the environment in short time interval put One or more unit failures.

Claims (68)

1. for using the method being coupled to the stock that the computer system of wireless data collection system carrys out management article, institute State computer system and perform inventory management system program, a position in multiple relevant positions that each article are placed in environment Putting and be associated with corresponding less identification devices, described environment includes multiple relevant position, and the plurality of relevant position is wrapped Including primary importance, the second position and position, interior room, described primary importance makes client can check those things being stored therein Product, the described second position has multiple shelf and is distinct from described primary importance, and the described second position makes client to check Those article being stored therein, position, described interior room is different from described primary importance and the described second position and makes client not Can check those article being stored therein, described method includes:

Thering is provided the master controller and assistant controller associated with computer system, described assistant controller is in the guiding of described master controller Lower selection and start multiple antenna, each the selected order in plurality of antenna is optimized so that reader energy Enough shared between multiple antennas, the shared of described reader makes inventory management system program can collect stock termly Data, described inventory management system program determines which antenna of startup based on one or more precedence factors；

The Item Information relevant with each article from each corresponding less identification devices is used wireless data collection system System is supplied to described computer system, and described Item Information includes article mark and article position, and described article position identification is every A position current in multiple relevant positions of individual article；And

According to Item Information, by performing inventory management system program on said computer system, perform stock control process, To provide the management information of the stock about article, described stock control process includes control process in short supply,

Wherein said control process in short supply includes:

I Item Information that () basis is retrieved from one or more less identification devices, by performing on said computer system Inventory management system program, any kind of all items for being positioned in the multiple relevant position of environment determines each article class The current inventory count value of type, and

(ii) according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, by performing stock on said computer system When management system program, fall below the first threshold for the number of same type article during relevant position determines stock in environment Value.

2. the process of claim 1 wherein and determine that current inventory count value includes:

From the Item Information that database retrieval is relevant with each article, wherein data base is previously by the collection collecting Item Information Journey receives Item Information from each less identification devices；And

According to the Item Information of retrieval, by performing inventory management system program on said computer system, determine each thing The count value of category type.

3. the process of claim 1 wherein that control process in short supply also includes:

According to the Item Information retrieved from less identification devices, by performing inventory management system journey on said computer system Sequence, determines in environment whether any kind of any article are misplaced and puts.

4. the method for claim 3, wherein control process in short supply also includes:

By performing inventory management system program on said computer system, it is provided that some is misplaced the message in short supply of placing articles To display device.

5. the process of claim 1 wherein that control process in short supply also includes:

By performing inventory management system program on said computer system, in determining environment, it is different from the replacement of current location Position, to place some article having sales volume less than the Second Threshold history of current location.

6. the process of claim 1 wherein that control process in short supply also includes by performing plane graph on said computer system Software, determines such shelf location from multiple shelf of the second position: in the shelf location determine the second position other The number of articles of same type needs the supplementary article in this shelf location when falling below shelf threshold value.

7. the process of claim 1 wherein that control process in short supply also includes:

By performing inventory management system program on said computer system, it is determined whether exist be only positioned at position, interior room and not Any special article type of other the multiple positions any in environment；And

Identify other outside the position, interior room being placed in multiple position of some type in these special article types In the environment of position.

8. the method for claim 4, where it is determined whether there are any article to be misplaced to put and include:

Access the one or more less identification devices corresponding to one or more article, to determine that these one or more article exist Current location in environment；And

The current location of the position specified being different from it of the article according to the first kind, by said computer system Perform inventory management system program, determine that the article of the first kind are misplaced and put.

9. the method for claim 8, also includes:

User interface is provided the instruction misplacing the article put.

10. the process of claim 1 wherein with threshold value, first threshold is determined that one of process provides by user.

By threshold value, the method for 11. claim 10, wherein determines that process provides first threshold, wherein threshold value determines process bag Include:

For each type of article,

According to that type thing that they are previously identified in environment the position of interim before predetermined is removed The number of product, determines first threshold.

The method of 12. claim 11, wherein threshold value determines that process also includes:

For each type of article, according to various types of article of the respective position being in them and year Relevant Seasonal and with occurent, by that occur or event is relevant event factor at least One factor, regulates first threshold.

13. the process of claim 1 wherein and determine that count value falls below first threshold and includes:

According to the inventory count value determined for each position, identify a position being positioned in the multiple position of environment less than the Any types of articles of one threshold value；And

Have less than inventory count value determined by first threshold, identical according to a position in the plurality of position Whether the another location outside the overage of type of items one position in environment can provide, and enters type of items Row is ordered by priorities.

14. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes determining penalty values, wherein determine that penalty values includes:

To each types of articles being no longer in environment,

The income amount generated by the former sale of respective type of article in determining former time interval；And

According to the income of the generation determined, determine the penalty values of type for the article being no longer in environment.

15. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes determining the former pin affecting each type of article The one or more factors sold, wherein determine one or more factor bags of the former sale affecting each type of article Include:

Identify the one or more external factor existed during the time interval of sale before generation each type article；With And

Compare identify, one or more external factor and former sale, before determining how each external factor affects Sale.

16. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes determining the position of the replacement in environment, wherein determine The position of the replacement in environment includes:

Determine whether the article of specific type have less than the sales histories of Second Threshold in environment；And

According to the sales histories with the relevant article in position replaced, determine to reappose in environment and be included in stock The replacement position of the article of specific type of items.

17. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes providing message in short supply, wherein provide message bag in short supply Include:

According to inventory count value, determine whether certain type of article are no longer at their respective position；And

Generating message in short supply, message in short supply includes at least one of following items: type of items instruction in short supply, for certain thing The quotation of the discount sale price of the article of category type, for certain type of article can prolonged service life purchase list and The instruction replacing position that certain type of article are likely located at, outside environment.

18. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes reducing identification process, wherein reduction identification process bag Include at least one below step:

The record on duty when storage reflection number of articles is reduced by the value determined, certain type of article and the numerical value determined；

There is provided interrupt signal to safety equipment；And

There is provided the message identifying primary importance to interface equipment.

The method of 19. claim 18, wherein reduction identification process provides interrupt signal to safety equipment, and wherein safety equipment are At least one following equipment:

Warning system；

It is placed on the luminaire near primary importance；

Video supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the video in the region relevant with primary importance；And

Photographing unit supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the photo in the region relevant with primary importance.

The method of 20. claim 18, wherein the message of reduction identification process offer identification primary importance is to interface equipment, wherein This message includes the information guiding user to primary importance.

21. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes Rapid Product revocation procedure, and wherein Rapid Product is removed The process of returning includes the ambient temperature around according to shelf life relevant with article, article and the identifier relevant with article At least one, determine that the article in environment move the need of the current position from it.

The method of 22. claim 21, wherein according to the effect duration date relevant with these article, determines the shelf life.

The method of 23. claim 21, wherein determines that the article in environment include the need of mobile:

Temperature value is read from the temperature measurement equipment being positioned near the current position of article；And

According to temperature value, determine that these article must move from current position.

The method of 24. claim 21, wherein determines that the article in environment include the need of mobile:

Determine identifier whether with reflect that these article must move from its current position to recall order relevant.

The method of 25. claim 21, also includes:

When these article are just when point-of-sale terminal point is purchased, it is provided that reflect that these article should the instruction of movement from article inventory.

The method of 26. claim 21, wherein determines that the article in environment include the need of mobile:

According to the judgement being included in the identifier inventory relevant with the defect article provided by supplier for identifier, carry It is defective instruction for these article.

27. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes reminding supervision process, wherein remind supervision process bag Include:

According at least one of following items user provided instruction:

One or more article of i type that () reflection is identical with the type of the article of the respective position being no longer placed on it are positions The information replacing position in environment；

(ii) article of the respective position that reflection is no longer placed on it are unavailable information in environment；

(iii) reflect that certain type of some article are the information in the predetermined numerical range of stock threshold value；And

(iv) fault of the parts of data is received from one or more less identification devices.

28. the process of claim 1 wherein that stock control process also includes the data providing reflection relevant to inventory management system The instruction of library inquiry, wherein provides described instruction to include providing that installs near the respective position of the article of inquiry in environment to show Show the message of display on equipment.

The method of 29. claim 28, wherein this message includes at least one of following items: the article of this inquiry are in environment The most available instruction, the quotation of discount of selling price of article, reflection for this inquiry can provide the article of this inquiry One or more replacement environment instruction and for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

The method of 30. claim 1, also includes providing instruction to user interface about special article, and wherein user interface is positioned at In structure with this special article of front support.

31. the process of claim 1 wherein that described control process in short supply includes determining stock's feature of some article, Qi Zhongku Deposit feature be in predetermined time interval some article each before sale between mathematical relationship.

The method of 32. claim 31, wherein this mathematical relationship represents some article of the type in predetermined time interval Former sale be burst or uniform.

The method of 33. claim 18, wherein reduction identification process includes:

Determine when the more certain type of article in first position reduce, in the time interval set, the numerical value determined； And

According to the judgement reduced, perform reduction answering.

The method of 34. claim 33, wherein reduction answering includes:

There is provided primary importance is indicated at least one of user and security monitoring process.

35. 1 kinds of systems for the stock of management article, in multiple relevant positions that each article are placed in environment Individual position and being associated with corresponding less identification devices, described environment includes multiple relevant position, the plurality of corresponding positions Putting and include primary importance, the second position and position, interior room, described primary importance makes client can check that be stored therein A little article, the described second position has multiple shelf and is distinct from described primary importance, and the described second position makes the client can Check that those article being stored therein, position, described interior room are different from described primary importance and the described second position and make to turn round and look at Visitor can not check those article being stored therein, and described system includes:

Wireless data collection system；

Computer system；

The master controller associated with computer system and assistant controller, described assistant controller selects under the guiding of described master controller Selecting and start multiple antenna, each the selected order in plurality of antenna is optimized so that reader can Between multiple antennas shared, the shared of described reader makes inventory management system program can collect stock's number termly According to, described inventory management system program determines which antenna of startup based on one or more precedence factors；

For using wireless data to receive the Item Information relevant with each article from each corresponding less identification devices Collecting system is supplied to the device of described computer system, and described Item Information includes article mark and article position, described article A position current in multiple relevant positions of each article of location recognition；And

For performing stock control according to Item Information by performing inventory management system program on said computer system Journey, to provide the device of the management information of the stock about article, includes for performing for performing the device of stock control process The device of control process in short supply,

The device being wherein used for performing control process in short supply includes:

I Item Information that () is retrieved from one or more less identification devices for basis, for being positioned at the multiple corresponding positions of environment Any kind of all items in putting determines the device of the current inventory count value of each type of items, and

(ii) for according to the information retrieved from one or more less identification devices, in environment, relevant position determines stock When the number of same type article falls below the device of first threshold.

The system of 36. claim 35, wherein for determining that the device of current inventory count value includes:

For the device of the Item Information relevant with each article from database retrieval, wherein data base is previously by collecting article letter The collection process of breath receives Item Information from each less identification devices；And

For the Item Information according to retrieval, determine the device of the count value of each type of items.

The system of 37. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing control process in short supply also includes:

For according to the Item Information from less identification devices retrieval, determine in environment any kind of any article whether by Misplace the device put.

The system of 38. claim 37, the device being wherein used for performing control process in short supply also includes:

For providing some to be misplaced the message in short supply of placing articles to the device of display device.

The system of 39. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing control process in short supply also includes:

In determining environment, it is different from the replacement position of current location, there is sales volume less than the second of current location to place The device of some article of threshold value history.

The system of 40. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing control process in short supply also includes for using plane graph mistake Journey, determines the device of such shelf location: from multiple shelf of the second position in the shelf location determining the second position The number of articles of other same type needs the supplementary article in this shelf location when falling below shelf threshold value.

The system of 41. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing control process in short supply also includes:

It is used to determine whether to exist and is only positioned at position, interior room and any individually defined thing of not other multiple positions any in environment The device of category type；And

For identifying that some type in these special article types is outside the position, interior room being placed in multiple position Device in the environment of other position.

The system of 42. claim 38, is wherein used to determine whether that any article are included by misplacing the device put:

For accessing the one or more less identification devices corresponding to one or more article, to determine this one or more things The device of product current location in environment；And

For the current location of the position specified being different from it of the article according to the first kind, determine the article of the first kind Misplaced the device put.

The system of 43. claim 42, also includes:

For the instruction misplacing the article put being provided to the device of user interface.

The system of 44. claim 35, wherein with threshold value, first threshold is determined that one of process provides by user.

By threshold value, the system of 45. claim 44, wherein determines that process provides first threshold, wherein threshold value determines process bag Include:

For each type of article,

According to that type thing that they are previously identified in environment the position of interim before predetermined is removed The number of product, determines first threshold.

The system of 46. claim 45, wherein threshold value determines that process also includes:

For each type of article, according to various types of article of the respective position being in them and year Relevant Seasonal and with occurent, by that occur or event is relevant event factor at least One factor, regulates first threshold.

The system of 47. claim 35, wherein for determining that count value falls below the device of first threshold and includes:

For according to the inventory count value that determines for each position, identify the low of a position being positioned in the multiple position of environment Device in any types of articles of first threshold；And

For according to a position in the plurality of position have less than inventory count value determined by first threshold, Whether the another location outside the overage of identical items type one position in environment can provide, to article class Type carries out device ordered by priorities.

The system of 48. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes for determining penalty values Device, wherein for determining that the device of penalty values includes:

To each types of articles being no longer in environment,

By the device selling the income amount generated before respective type of article in determining former time interval； And

For the income according to the generation determined, determine the dress of the penalty values of type for the article being no longer in environment Put.

The system of 49. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes for determining impact every kind The device of one or more factors of the former sale of the article of type, wherein for determining each type of article of impact The device of one or more factors of sale in the past includes:

For identify occur each type article before sale time interval during exist one or more outside because of The device of element；And

For compare identification, one or more external factor with before sale, to determine how each external factor affects The device of sale in the past.

The system of 50. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes in determining environment The device of the position replaced, wherein the device of the position of the replacement in determining environment includes:

Whether the article for determining specific type have less than the device of the sales histories of Second Threshold in environment；And

For according to the sales histories with the relevant article in position replaced, determine to reappose in environment and be included in stock In specific type of items article replace position device.

The system of 51. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes for providing message in short supply Device, wherein for providing the device of message in short supply to include:

For according to inventory count value, determining whether certain type of article are no longer at the device of their respective position；With And

For generating the device of message in short supply, message in short supply includes at least one of following items: type of items instruction in short supply, For certain type of items article discount sale price quotation, for certain type of article can the purchasing of prolonged service life Check and certain type of article are likely located at, outside environment replace position instruction.

The system of 52. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes for performing reduction identification The device of process, wherein for perform reduce identification process device include following at least one:

For storing the record on duty when reflection number of articles reduced by the value determined, certain type of article and determining The device of numerical value；

For providing interrupt signal to the device of safety equipment；And

For providing the message identifying primary importance to the device of interface equipment.

The system of 53. claim 52, wherein for perform reduce identification process device include for provide interrupt signal to The device of safety equipment, wherein safety equipment are the equipment that at least one is following:

Warning system；

It is placed on the luminaire near primary importance；

Video supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the video in the region relevant with primary importance；And

Photographing unit supervisory systems, it is started by interrupt signal, to record the photo in the region relevant with primary importance.

The system of 54. claim 52, the device being wherein used for performing to reduce identification process includes for providing identification first The message put is to the device of interface equipment, and wherein this message includes the information guiding user to primary importance.

The system of 55. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes for performing Rapid Product The device of revocation procedure, the device being wherein used for performing Rapid Product revocation procedure includes for according to the storage relevant with article At least one of ambient temperature around time limit, article and the identifier relevant with article, determines whether the article in environment need The device to move from its current position.

The system of 56. claim 55, wherein according to the effect duration date relevant with these article, determines the shelf life.

The system of 57. claim 55, wherein the article in determining environment include the need of the device of movement:

For reading the device of temperature value from the temperature measurement equipment being positioned near the current position of article；And

For according to temperature value, determining the device that these article must move from current position.

The system of 58. claim 55, wherein the article in determining environment include the need of the device of movement:

For determining whether identifier must recall, from what its current position was moved, the dress that order is relevant with these article of reflection Put.

The system of 59. claim 55, also includes:

For when these article are just when point-of-sale terminal point is purchased, it is provided that reflect these article should from article inventory the finger of movement The device shown.

The system of 60. claim 55, wherein the article in determining environment include the need of the device of movement:

For according to identifier being included in sentencing in the identifier inventory relevant with the defect article provided by supplier Certainly, it is provided that these article are the devices of defective instruction.

The system of 61. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes for performing prompting supervision The device of process, the device being wherein used for performing to remind supervision process includes:

For user being provided according at least one of following items the device of instruction:

One or more article of i type that () reflection is identical with the type of the article of the respective position being no longer placed on it are positions The information replacing position in environment；

(ii) article of the respective position that reflection is no longer placed on it are unavailable information in environment；

(iii) reflect that certain type of some article are the information in the predetermined numerical range of stock threshold value；And

(iv) fault of the parts of data is received from one or more less identification devices.

The system of 62. claim 35, the device being wherein used for performing stock control process also includes for providing reflection and storehouse Deposit the device of the instruction of the relevant data base querying of management system, wherein for providing the device of described instruction to include for providing The device of the message of display on the display device installed near the respective position of the article of inquiry in environment.

The system of 63. claim 62, wherein this message includes at least one of following items: the article of this inquiry are in environment The most available instruction, the quotation of discount of selling price of article, reflection for this inquiry can provide the article of this inquiry One or more replacement environment instruction and for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

The system of 64. claim 35, also includes for providing instruction to arrive the device of user interface, Qi Zhongyong about special article Family interface is positioned in the structure with this special article of front support.

The system of 65. claim 35, the wherein said device for performing control process in short supply includes for determining some thing The device of stock's feature of product, wherein stock's feature be in predetermined time interval some article each before pin Mathematical relationship between selling.

The system of 66. claim 65, wherein this mathematical relationship represents some article of the type in predetermined time interval Former sale be burst or uniform.

The system of 67. claim 52, the device being wherein used for performing to reduce identification process includes:

Determine for determining when the more certain type of article in first position reduce in the time interval set The device of numerical value；And

For according to the judgement reduced, performing the device of reduction answering.

The system of 68. claim 67, wherein reduction answering includes:

There is provided primary importance is indicated at least one of user and security monitoring process.